BMACC Notes—January 2009 Page 1 BMACC Notes The Bluegrass Music Association of Central Canada Newsletter—Volume 3 Issue 1—January 2009 2008 Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards Weekend www.bmacc.ca AWARDS ISSUE BMACC Notes—January 2009 Page 2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President – Denis Chadbourn Home: 705-776-7754 Work: 705-474-2271 Vice-president – Gord deVries 519-668-0418 Secretary – Wes Lowe 519-539-8967 Treasurer – Roland Aucoin 905-635-1818 Directors at Large Cindy deBoer-Winterbottom 905-331-9915 Karen May 705-788-4362 Steve Pritchard 416-696-1241 Bernie Melosh Larry Johnston 519-576-9768 Donald Tarte 888-876-3369 Brother Brian Powley 613-374-3888 WHAT”S INSIDE From the President—Page 3 2009 Board of Directors—Page 3 Award Winners—Pages 4/6 Awards Weekend Comments—Page 7 Quebec Beat—Page 7/8 “STAGES” CD Reviews—Page 8 Old Timers—from DPR—Page 9 Out Among the Stars—Page 10/13 Elliot Lake News—Page 14 NASHCAMP—Page 15 Honeygrass CD Review—Page 16 Organizational Memberships – Page 17/18 Bluegrass on the Radio—Page 18/19 Events 2009—Page 19 Congratulations go out to Amanda-Lynn Stubley (first President of BMACC) and her husband Martin Horak on the birth of their second son Oliver. A new baby brother for Jacob. Board Meeting Dates—2009 February 21st May 9th September 19th The meeting dates below are provided to allow members to make their concerns and issues known to a Board Member in advance of the meetings. ADVERTISING RATES Publicize your event, band or organization in “NOTES” or on our website. BMACC NOTES Single Issue Annual 1/8 Page (Business Card) $26.67 $ 96.01 1/4 Page 33.33 119.99 1/2 Page 53.33 191.99 Full Page 80.00 288.00 Envelope stuffing is 10¢ per insert WEBSITE Quarterly Annual 100 px X 250 pixels $20.00 $ 72.00 200 px X 250 pixels 26.67 96.00 400 px X 250 pixels 46.67 168.00 Annual General Meeting November 21st BMACC Notes—January 2009 Page 3 Bluegrass fans are wonderful people, who listen, live, and love, great music. But more folks need to hear bluegrass!!! Congratulations to each and every one of you, for having the good sense to know and appreciate hip music; bluegrass is indeed a very cool genre. With all of the pre- programmed techno-pop, synth -rhythm, disco-ized gangsta-rap that corrupts the airwaves these days, one has to appreciate the honesty and wholesomeness of bluegrass. I consider myself a fairly open- minded guy, who enjoys most genres of music, but inevitably I get exasperated by most of what I hear on commercial radio, and ultimately find myself reaching for a bluegrass cd. (I have Sirrius satelite on my Christmas list) Bluegrass is my refuge, and it probably is for you too! It is a time-worn tradition… that I verily believe, if more people listened to… the world would be a better place. This is, in essence, our board’s goal,,, to expose bluegrass to as many people as possible. In 2008, and with Wayne Uncer at the helm, BMACC had a very productive year. We made substantial progress in fulfilling our mandate, to preserve and promote bluegrass, and as a resultant, the link between bluegrass and country has been re-forged. Thanks to Larry Delaney, Country Music News now features an entire section on bluegrass in each issue. Also, the Northern Ontario Country A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Music Association’s annual awards has now added a bluegrass category, thanks to Dave Patterson and his board. Who can argue with the success the Grand Old Opry has had, featuring bluegrass and country music on the same stage? This arrangement exposes a vastly larger number of country fans, to their historical roots. Because bluegrass is the precursor to country music, this is in effect, a musical family-reunion of sorts. Our efforts to get bluegrass in front of more people, also took us to the folk music community. BMACC officially showcased bluegrass bands at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals conference in Ottawa last fall. Getting bluegrass bands heard and hired by folk festival organizers, and their audiences, gives our grassroots organization (forgive the pun) a fertile field upon which to sow the seeds of bluegrass. Your new BMACC board is eager to seek out other fertile markets, that with time and maintenance, will yield further opportunities for bluegrass to flourish. Not only is this a labour of love for bluegrass music, but we do it for you, the fans, the musicians, the clubs, the festival promoters, et al. Bearing in mind that our board is made-up entirely of volunteers, who spend entirely of their own resources to do this job… I appeal to you… purchase or renew your 2009 membership, that we may further elevate the profile of bluegrass music, to the level it truly deserves. I could go on and on outlining all the benefits of BMACC membership, but as I said at the outset, bluegrassers are a sensible lot…and who wants to read what the president has to say anyway? Blah, blah, yadda, yadda…get on to the good stuff! Warm regards, BMACC Board of Directors—2009 Gord DeVries Vice-President Denis Chadbourn President Rolly Aucoin Treasurer Wes Lowe Secretary Steve Pritchard Karen May Donald Tarte Bernie Melosh Cindy DeBoer-Winterbottom Larry Johnston Brother Brian Powley BMACC Notes—January 2009 Page 4 CENTRAL CANADIAN BLUEGRASS AWARDS 2008 AWARD WINNERS DJ—Ron Moores (Ottawa) Banjo Player—D’Arcy Campbell (Hard Ryde) Fiddle Player—Tyler Beckett (Hard Ryde) Bass Player—Max Heineman (Foggy Hogtown Boys) Guitar Player—Marc Roy (Hard Ryde) Mandolin Player—Will Meadows (Hard Ryde) Dobro Player—Chris Barkley ( The Stowaways) Female Vocalist—Sherry Philp (Concession 23) Male Vocalist—Thom Gardiner (Northern Sons) Composer—Thom Gardiner (Northern Sons) Promising Group—Bluegrass Edition Instrumental Group—Foggy Hogtown Boys Recording—Stages (Hard Ryde) Vocal Group—Northern Sons Gospel Group—General Store Overall Group—The Abrams Brothers Entertainer—Doug de Boer (Hard Ryde) Honour Roll Vocal Group—Hard Ryde 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2007 BMACC Notes—January 2009 Page 5 GENERAL STORE—Gospel Group Sponsored by Willow Park Jamboree NORTHERN SONS—Vocal Group Sponsored by Conestoga Trail Bluegrass & Gospel Festival Marc Roy—Guitar Sponsored by Athlone Studios & Sound Chris Barkley—Dobro Sponsored by The Stringman Sherry Philp—Female Vocalist Sponsored by Lois White Memorial Award Tyler Beckett—Fiddle Sponsored by Thames Valley Bluegrass Music Association Stages (Hard Ryde) - Recording Sponsored by Campbell’s Corner Music Sales BMACC Notes—January 2009 Page 6 Ron Moores—DJ Sponsored by Valley Bluegrass Festival Doug deBoer—Entertainer Sponsored by Bluegrass Now Magazine Abrams Brothers—Overall Group Sponsored by BMACC—accepted by Brother Brian Powley Male Vocalist—Thom Gardiner Sponsored by Essex Kent BG & OT Music Assoc. Composer—Thom Gardiner Sponsored by Skyway Bluegrass Club Banjo—Will Meadows Sponsored by Best of Bluegrass Most Promising Group—Bluegrass Edition Presented by Queens Bush Bluegrass Club Instrumental Group Foggy Hogtown Boys Presented by Tottenham Bluegrass Festival Accepted by Peter Deveau BMACC Notes—January 2009 Page 7 I had a great time, as usual, at the awards show. It’s great touching base with people you don’t connect with all that often once the festival season is over. I also manage to meet some new folks each year and come away with fond memories of a weekend filled with good music, fellowship and some of the best entertainment you will find anywhere. Wayne, Jane and I had a truly wonderful time on Friday night when Jan Purcell and Pine Road welcomed us into their pickin’ session in Building #521. Jan is a real trouper who does an excellent Canadian version of Rhonda Vincent’s “Bluegrass Girl”. She punches it out with all the fire of the original and she’s a heck of a fiddler too. I caught their on stage act on Saturday and was thoroughly impressed. They are a class act and don’t need to take a back seat to anybody. Saturday afternoon I was manning the BMACC table when I heard some serious banjo pickin’ going on in Campbell’s Corner. Turned out it was Larry Miller, formerly of Cody, playing one of the banjos on display. I resisted as long as I could but when Norm Tellier started playing one of the mandolins on display, I couldn’t take it any more. I borrowed a display guitar and joined in. Later Wayne borrowed a bass from Englehart Instruments and joined us. Later still Gord DeVries borrowed a dobro that Wayne has for sale. It was a magic time. Many thanks to Dan and Shannon Campbell for the loan of these very good instruments. Sunday morning, while I was again manning the BMACC table, Mike O’Reilly came into the hall carrying his guitar and started jamming with Gerry main bands, jams, and concert series. When many Canadians outside of Quebec think about blue grass in the province, they inevitably think of our own “King of Country”, Bob Fuller. Along with Jeannie Arsenault and a supporting cast of regulars, the Old-Time Country Music Club of Canada, founded by Fuller in 1966, has held it’s Hillbilly Night every Monday for 43 years. At Hillbilly Night young and old alike get together to play tunes that pre-date the electrification of Country music. Hillbilly Night takes place every Monday night at the Wheel Club, 3373 Cavendish Boulevard in Montreal at 8:00 p.m. - free A veritable institution on the Montreal music scene, what has become known simply as "Bluegrass Night at Barfly", has been taking place for 11 years. This concert-style jam attracts the younger pickers in the scene and allows them to get up in front of their peers and play blue grass with a house band. Bluegrass Night at Barfly takes place every Sunday night at Barfly, 4062a St. Laurent. 10:30 p.m. – free Moonshine on Thursdays Bluegrass & Old-Time Jam Hosted by Glenn Patterson and Bob Comeau has been going on for five years. It is a circle-type jam that allows pickers of all skill levels to pick and learn together. Moonshine on Thursdays takes place every Thursday at Grumpy's Bar, 1242 Bishop Street. 9 p.m. – free The Townships Bluegrass and Old-Tyme Music Society has been preserving and fostering the growth of country music in the Eastern Townships for many years. They feature weekend jam sessions and host the eastern leg of the Northern Bluegrass Committee’s winter concert series. (Continued on page 8) and Fran Morgan at their booth next to Campbell’s Corner. At some point Larry Miller joined in with a mandolin and a little later Sherry Philp showed up with her banjo. Another magic time. You won’t hear better music anywhere. The Friday night showcase groups, as always, put on great shows. The show was headlined by The Chapmans on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and IIIrd Time Out on Saturday only. Canadian bands were represented by Northern Sons, Foxtail, Jan Purcell and Pine Road, The Canucky Bluegrass Boys and others. Even though I was a bit under the weather due to an infected ear, I had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. For anyone who has not yet attended this show, I recommend it as one of the premier bluegrass events in the province. Wes The Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards Show 2008 by Wes Lowe The Quebec Beat Matthew Large T he Quebec blue grass scene has been alive and well for almost 50 years. Supporting bands and instrumentalists of all stripes, linguistic differences are often overcome by the universal language of Bill Monroe’s music. In coming months I will attempt to keep you abreast of happenings and developments in the Quebec blue grass scene, but I figure it is first appropriate to introduce you to the See QUEBEC BMACC Notes—January 2009 Page 8 Events take place at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Waterloo, Quebec. In addition to these regular events, venues like the Yellow Door, the Hudson Village Theatre and the Wintergreen Concert Series, as well as others, promote and host blue grass concerts. Bands like Notre Dame de Grass, Yonder Hill, The Murder Ballads, Road Scholars, Folkgrass, Steel Rail, Hooked on Bluegrass, Last Chance, The Royal Mountain Ramblers, Acajou and many more gig regularly and showcase high level blue grass music. Of course, this is but a snap-shot of all that goes on in Quebec. In future articles we will continue to feature more artists and events. All in all however, our scene here is exciting and vibrant and a joy to be a part of. If you are ever in the province feel free to join us and add that baritone harmony or lean in for a break at one of our great events. Thanks for the article, please continue to keep us informed on the bluegrass scene in Quebec. Wes (Continued from page 7) QUEBEC Wednesday, December 10, 2008 STAGES Hard Ryde Independent 9.5-out-of-10 Ah just how sweet is turning on the CD player and hearing the strains of a musical genre you love dearly, but rarely seem to hear in terms of new music these days? Well, in the case of Hard Ryde is was darned sweet. When the first strains of Hold Onto Your Heart began to flow through the headphones, and I heard the familiar sounds that mark bluegrass, mandolin, bass, fiddle and banjo, I was smiling. Of all the varieties of country music which exist, I like bluegrass best, past bands such as Steel Rail and Tumbleweed forever holding a special place in my musical heart. Well, I can now add Hard Ryde to that all too short list, of wonderful Canadian bluegrass bands. The great thing about Hard Ryde is they don't hide who they are. There are country bands who occasionally offer up a bluegrass tune, or add some bluegrass strains to more mainstream country cuts. Not here. This is bluegrass from start to finish, for 11 sweetly tantalizing tunes. It is pure joy to relax and listen to songs such as If You Don't Go, a tune written by Hard Ryde guitarist and vocalist Doug de Boer. Past The Point of Rescue is another winner. And, wait until you hear Lonesome Road Blues, a number by the famous Earl Scruggs. It's a chance for D'Arcy Campbell to let fly with some killer banjo work, work matched by Will Meadows on mandolin. Tyler Beckett is the fiddle man in Hard Ryde, and he too can flat out play. Rich Koop on bass and vocals and Marc Roy on guitar round out this fine sextet. In terms of material, Hard Ryde mixes original, covers and traditional material. There are some great efforts here, the sad Weak In The Knees, written by Melissa Sherman, and a rendition of the traditional Blue- Eyed Boston Boy and Ridin' On The Midnight Train. As an overall package there really doesn't seem to be a weakness here. There is not one song I would have suggested they leave on the studio floor. In fact, if you like bluegrass at all, you will wish they had added more songs, or that they are at least heading to the studio again soon for another CD. Of course this is a veteran band with three previous CDs, material I know I am going to have to search out myself after hearing this “With this latest release for “Hard Ryde” they’ve taken their place in bluegrass mu- sic. The lead vocals of Doug DeBoer are the best of his career and stand up with anything you will hear in bluegrass music today. “Hold Onto Your Heart” is a great example of this as well as their great har- monies. They aren’t one sided though, these guys are pickers too. Will, D’Arcy and all the guys get to show out on all these tunes but “Lonesome Road Blues” especially! “Hard Ryde” has already domi- nated the Canadian Awards and rightfully so. This form of the band has a real ‘energy” and I look for them to really make people stop and listen. I know I did! Great job guys!” Alan Bibey Grasstown gem. Purely fantastic. Buy it! Now! Check them out at -- CALVIN DANIELS -- Review first appeared in Yorkton This Week newspaper Oct. 15, 2008 - Yorkton, SK. Canada Posted by Calvin Daniels at A couple of really great reviews for “STAGES” and Hard Ryde follow: You can catch Hard Ryde and The Lost and Found Bluegrass Band at the Royal Canadian Legion in Cambridge on February 27, 2009 at 7:30 pm. BMACC Notes—January 2009 Page 9 Reprinted from the “Dill Pickle Rag” - December 2008 Next >