Brance, Author at Bluegrass Today

Valerie Smith & Becky Buller: Here’s a Little Song

Valerie Smith and Becky Buller have been playing together for some time now, but they’ve recently teamed up to release a duet CD titled Here’s a Little Song.

The CD will be released September 9, 2008 on Bell Buckle Records. Taking a page from the great brother duets of the past, Smith and Buller have created a “sister duet” sound on this new CD.

We certainly aren’t out to send the Bluegrass world spinning sideways. We just both happen to be big fans of classic duet acts such as the Louvin and Everly Brothers. Our goal was to channel their sound into these new songs with stark arrangements that make the melodies, harmonies and stories the focal points of our presentation.

The sound samples presented on Valerie’s website do showcase the sparse arrangements, which direct your attention to the lyrics. Even so, it’s not as if the two are unaccompanied on the recording. A full band is tastefully present, including a mouth harp on one track.

The accompaniment is provided by an all star cast, including Alan O’Bryant, Mike Compton, Dale Ann Bradley, Wayne Benson, Kristin Scott Benson, Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time, Justin Carbone, and Liberty Pike band mates Chad Graves and Bobby Davis.

A highly esteemed songwriter and fiddle player, Buller took on a new role for Here’s a Little Song, that of producer. Her first effort was not an easy one, considering the health issues that Smith had to deal with during the process.

“In April of ’06 just after we finished up recording Val’s Bluegrass Gospel album, Wash Away Your Troubles, she had to undergo vocal surgery,” said Becky. “Later that year she was healed up and singing great so we made all our plans to begin the duet record,” she adds.

“Then in February of ’07, we found out she had to have a second vocal surgery,” she continued. “Our sessions were scheduled for April at Paul Hopkins’ Studio near Shelbyville, Tennessee and Valerie wanted us to go ahead. So, in crazy faith, we did just that, getting most of our music recorded without any idea if Val would ever be able to talk again, let alone sing.”

“But this January, less than a year after that second surgery, we were back in the studio recording our vocals,” said Val. “It was truly a miracle and I can’t begin to thank all the promoters and fans who hung in there with me during the grueling recovery process.”

Sparrow Quartet to open Woodstock Film Festival

The Sparrow Quartet will be kicking off this year’s Woodstock Film Festival with a concert. The concert will take place at the Bearsville Theater west of downtown Woodstock, on October 1, 2008.

The Sparrow Quartet is lead by Abigail Washburn and features banjo master Bela Fleck, along with Casey Driessen and Ben Sollee.

In addition to the concert, Bela’s documentary, Throw Down Your Heart, will also be featured with a special screening during the film festival.

Throw Down Your Heart won the Fan’s Choice Award at the South by Southwest film festival in Austin, TX earlier this year.

The Whites in Texas Country Music Hall of Fame

The Whites have received a lot of honors and awards during their career, including two Grammy Awards. This last Saturday, they received another honor, they were inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

The ceremony took place at the Hall of Fame Theater in Carthage, TX. Ralph Emery served as the emcee for the event.

They weren’t alone as this year’s inductees also included country star Buck Owens, and singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury.

Here’s a bit of information about The Whites, from the press release.

Daddy Buck White began his musical journey in the Texas dance halls not long after the end of World War II. Retiring in the early 1960’s to raise a family with wife Pat, he moved his brood to Arkansas. In a matter of months, Buck and Pat were makin music again, forming a band called The Down Home Folks. Oldest daughters Sharon and Cheryl soon joined in and the family began performing at bluegrass festivals around the country. The 1970’s brought the White family’s move to Nashville and Pat White’s retirement to stay home with youngest daughters, Rosie and Melissa.

Changing the name of their band to reflect their family ties, The Whites turned their attention to country music in the 1980’s, enjoying a succession of Top 20 hits on Billboard’s country chart, culminating in their induction as members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1984. The Whites have continued to entertain and inspire audiences world-wide with their unique blend of bluegrass, country, and gospel music. In 2001, they were honored with ‘Album of the Year’ GRAMMY and CMA awards for their contribution to the soundtrack of the smash hit movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a film in which they also appeared. In 2008, The Whites earned GRAMMY and Dove awards for Salt of the Earth, a gospel collaboration with Ricky Skaggs. They may not use the name anymore, but Buck, Sharon, and Cheryl White are still creating music that’s as good and as real as everything conjured up by the phrase “down home folks.”

The American Bluegrass Masters

Bobby Osborne and J.D. Crowe are hitting the road, together. The two legends are planning to tour as part of The American Bluegrass Masters concert tour. Organizers are stating this is the first time in 50 years that Crowe and Osborne have toured together. The tour is being promoted as featuring Living Legends & Next Generation Stars.

The Masters band for the tour consists of:

Bobby Osborne – mandolin
JD Crowe – banjo
Dean Osborne – banjo and guitar
Bobby Osborne Jr. – bass and guitar
Richard Bennett – guitar
Curtis Burch – resophonic/steel guitar
JP Mathes – banjo, guitar, bass

In addition to the Masters band, the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music Ensemble is on the tour as well. The ensemble consists of:

Obadiah (Obe) Golding – banjo
Andrew DeKemper – resophonic/steel guitar
Katherine Boguss – fiddle

No tour dates have been announced yet. Booking information is available at opus3artists.com.

International Bluegrass Music Awards Nominees for 2008

Entertainer Of The Year – This award is for a performing act who displayed the greatest competence in all aspects of the entertainment field. Voters should give consideration to recorded and in-person performance, public acceptance, attitude, leadership, and over-all contributions to the bluegrass music image. The award goes to member(s) of the performing act.

The nominees for Entertainer Of The Year for 2008 are:

Dailey & Vincent	web site	bio	audio
The Grascals	web site	bio	audio
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver	web site	bio	audio
The Del McCoury Band	web site	bio	audio
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage	web site	bio	audio

Review past recipients of this award.

Vocal Group Of The Year – The award for a group who regularly performs together that has shown outstanding recorded and in-person performance in the area of vocal performance. It is not limited to groups which only perform vocally. The award goes to each group member.

The nominees for Vocal Group Of The Year for 2008 are:

Blue Highway	web site	bio	audio
The Isaacs	web site	bio	audio
Dailey & Vincent	web site	bio	audio
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver	web site	bio	audio
Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass	web site	bio	audio
The Grascals	web site	bio	audio

Review past recipients of this award.

Instrumental Group Of The Year – The award for a group who regularly performs together that has shown outstanding recorded and in-person performance in the area of instrumental performance. It is not limited to groups which only perform instrumentals. The award goes to each group member.

The nominees for Instrumental Group Of The Year for 2008 are:

Blue Highway	web site	bio	audio
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper	web site	bio	audio
The Infamous Stringdusters	web site	bio	audio
The Dan Tyminski Band	web site	bio	audio
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder	web site	bio	audio

Review past recipients of this award.

Male Vocalist Of The Year – Award for the outstanding male vocalist based on recorded and in-person performance. The award goes to the individual.

The nominees for Male Vocalist Of The Year for 2008 are:

Jamie Dailey	web site	bio	audio
Russell Moore	web site	bio	audio
Tim O’Brien	web site	bio	audio
Danny Paisley	web site	bio	audio
Dan Tyminski	web site	bio	audio

Review past recipients of this award.

Female Vocalist Of The Year – The award for the outstanding female vocalist based on recorded and in-person performance. The award goes to the individual.

The nominees for Female Vocalist Of The Year for 2008 are:

Dale Ann Bradley	web site	bio	audio
Sonya Isaacs	web site	bio	audio
Alison Krauss	web site	bio	audio
Claire Lynch	web site	bio	audio
Rhonda Vincent	web site	bio	audio

Review past recipients of this award.

Song Of The Year – This award is for any song, new or old, which was released or showed significant chart action within the eligibility period. Any song which has been nominated for this award in previous years is ineligible. The award goes to the songwriter and artist.

The nominees for Song Of The Year for 2008 are:

Song Title links to audio	Artist(s) links to artist(s)	Songwriter(s) links to writer(s)
Alison’s Band	Charlie Sizemore Band	Charlie Sizemore & Buddy Cannon
By The Mark	Dailey & Vincent	David Rawlings & Gillian Welch
Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey	The SteelDrivers	Mike Henderson & Chris Stapleton
More Than A Name On A Wall	Dailey & Vincent	Jimmy Fortune & John Rimel
Through The Window Of A Train	Blue Highway	Tim Stafford & Steve Gulley

Review past recipients of this award.

Album Of The Year – Award for an outstanding recorded performance by an artist or artists, first commercially released during the specified time period (Award to artist(s), producer, and label).

The nominees for Album Of The Year for 2008 are:

Album Title links to audio	Artist(s) links to artist(s)	Label links to label
Dailey & Vincent	Dailey & Vincent	Rounder Records
Honoring The Fathers of Bluegrass	Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder	Skaggs Family Records
Lovin’ Pretty Women	Steep Canyon Rangers	Rebel Records
The SteelDrivers	The SteelDrivers	Rounder Records
Through The Window Of A Train	Blue Highway	Rounder Records

Review past recipients of this award.

Instrumental Album Of The Year – This award is for an outstanding recorded performance by an artist or artists featuring instrumental music, new or old, first commercially released during the eligibility period. An album project is eligible when 50% or more of its songs are instrumental performances. (Award to featured artist(s), producer, and label).

The nominees for Instrumental Album Of The Year for 2008 are:

Album Title links to audio	Artist(s) links to artist(s)	Label links to label
Live At The Linda	David Grier	Dreadnought Records
Sound of the Slide Guitar	Andy Hall	Sugar Hill Records
Stepping Out	Jason Davis	Pinecastle Records
The Past Is Present	Jason Barie	Pinecastle Records
Whan At Last	Russ Barenberg	Compass Records

Review past recipients of this award.

Recorded Event Of The Year – This award is for a recorded album performance on which 50% or more of the songs represent special collaboration between two or more featured artists (individuals or groups) who do not regularly record together and who are known primarily for their contributions and public performances separate from one another. These acts must have performed together, as a unit, on a musical recording released during the eligibility period with each separate act receiving special billing on the record label and/or songs on which they are featured. (Award to featured acts, producer and label).

The nominees for Recorded Event Of The Year for 2008 are:

Album Title links to audio	Artist(s) links to artist(s)	Label links to label
Christmas Grass, Vol 3	Various	KOCH Records
Everett Lilly & Everybody and Their Brother	Various	Swift River Music
Salt of the Earth	Ricky Skaggs & The Whites	Skaggs Family Records
Standard Songs for Average People	John Prine & Mac Wiseman	Oh Boy Records
We Are Family	Jeff & Sheri Easter	Daywind Records

Review past recipients of this award.

Gospel Recorded Performance Of The Year – This award is for an outstanding gospel recorded performance, of one or more songs, new or old, first commercially released or showed significant chart action during the eligibility period. Recorded performance may be vocal, instrumental, or a combination of both. The award goes to the featured artist(s), producer, and label.

The nominees for Gospel Recorded Performance Of The Year for 2008 are:

Song Title links to audio	Artist(s) links to artist(s)	Label links to label
Be Still Moses	Steep Canyon Rangers	Rebel Records
By The Mark	Dailey & Vincent	Rounder Records
Help Is On The Way	Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver	Horizon Records
Salt Of The Earth	Ricky Skaggs & The Whites	Skaggs Family Records
Where No One Stands Alone	Paul Williams & The Victory Trio	Rebel Records

Review past recipients of this award.

Emerging Artist Of The Year – Award for a group or individual, new to the national bluegrass scene, which has made considerable advances artistically and/or commercially during the eligibility period. The band or individual should be performing under its/his/her name on a regular basis and not have more than two previous finalist nominations for this award. (Award to each group member or individual).

The nominees for Emerging Artist Of The Year for 2008 are:

Cadillac Sky	web site	bio	audio
Dailey & Vincent	web site	bio	audio
Grasstowne	web site	bio	audio
Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass	web site	bio	audio
The SteelDrivers	web site	bio	audio

Review past recipients of this award.

Instrumental Performers Of The Year – The awards for artists who, on recorded and/or in-person performance during the specified time period, have shown an extraordinary mastery of their instruments. Nominations and awards will be made in six (6) sub-categories: Banjo, Bass, Dobro, Fiddle, Guitar and Mandolin.
The awards go to the artists.
The nominees for Banjo Player Of The Year for 2008 are:

Kristin Scott Benson	web site	bio	audio
J.D. Crowe	web site	bio	audio
Jim Mills	web site	bio	audio
Earl Scruggs	web site	bio	audio
Ron Stewart	web site	bio	audio

Review past recipients of this award.

The nominees for Bass Player Of The Year for 2008 are:

Barry Bales	web site	bio	audio
Mike Bub	web site	bio	audio
Darrin Vincent	web site	bio	audio
Missy Raines	web site	bio	audio
Marshall Wilborn	web site	bio	audio

Review past recipients of this award.

The nominees for Fiddle Player Of The Year for 2008 are:

Hunter Berry	web site	bio	audio
Jason Carter	web site	bio	audio
Michael Cleveland	web site	bio	audio
Stuart Duncan	web site	bio	audio
Ron Stewart	web site	bio	audio

Review past recipients of this award.

The nominees for Dobro Player Of The Year for 2008 are:

Mike Auldridge	web site	bio	audio
Jerry Douglas	web site	bio	audio
Rob Ickes	web site	bio	audio
Randy Kohrs	web site	bio	audio
Phil Leadbetter	web site	bio	audio

Review past recipients of this award.

The nominees for Guitar Player Of The Year for 2008 are:

Cody Kilby	web site	bio	audio
Tony Rice	web site	bio	audio
Tim Stafford	web site	bio	audio
Bryan Sutton	web site	bio	audio
Josh Williams	web site	bio	audio

Review past recipients of this award.

The nominees for Mandolin Player Of The Year for 2008 are:

Sam Bush	web site	bio	audio
Sierra Hull	web site	bio	audio
Doyle Lawson	web site	bio	audio
Ronnie McCoury	web site	bio	audio
Adam Steffey	web site	bio	audio

Review past recipients of this award.

The following awards are determined by special procedures and committees are enlisted to review recommendations, consider nominations related to the criteria and determine recipients. Finalists will be recognized and winners will be announced at the Special Awards Luncheon, scheduled for Thursday, October 4 at The Renaissance Hotel in Nashville.

The nominees for Bluegrass Broadcaster Of The Year for 2008 are:

Kyle Cantrell	Bluegrass Junction XM Satellite Radio, Nashville, TN	web site
Katy Daley	WAMU’s bluegrasscountry.org	web site
Terry Herd	Into The Blue, Bluegrass Radio Network	web site

Review past recipients of this award.

The nominees for Bluegrass Event Of The Year for 2008 are:

The River City Bluegrass Festival	Portland, OR – January 2008	web site
The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival	Ancramdale, NY – July 2007	web site
29th Annual Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival	Thomas Point Beach, ME August 2007	web site

Review past recipients of this award.

The nominees for Print Media Person Of The Year for 2008 are:

Stephanie P. Ledgin	freelance writer & author	web site
Craig Shelburne	freelance writer & reviewer	web site
Chris Stuart	freelance writer for Bluegrass Unlimited	web site

Review past recipients of this award.

The nominees for Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project for 2008 are:

G. Carr & S. Holman (designers)	Pete Wernick & Flexigrass, What The, Niwot Records	web site
Smay Vision Graphic Design (designer)	The Stanley Brothers, The Stanley Brothers: The Definitive Collection (1947-1966), Time Life	web site
Loren Witcher (designer)	The Punch Brothers, Punch, Nonesuch	web site

Review past recipients of this award.

The nominees for Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project for 2008 are:

Frank & Marty Godbey	J.D. Crowe , Bluegrass Holiday , Rebel Records	web site
Gary Reid	The Stanley Brothers, The Stanley Brothers: The Definitive Collection (1947-1966), Time Life	web site
Ron Thomason	The Charlie Sizemore Band, Good News, Rounder Records	web site

Review past recipients of this award.

Distinguished Achievement Awards

Bill Harrell	web site	bio
Banjo NewsLetter	web site	bio
Ernest Tubb Records Shop	web site	bio
Art Menius	web site	bio
Alan Munde & Joe Carr	web site – Alan web site – Joe	bio – Alan bio – Joe

Hall of Fame Inductees

Bill Clifton	performing	bio	audio
Charles K. Wolfe	non-performing	bio	author

Review past inductees.

Bluegrassmix.com

If you’ve read about such award winning bluegrass radio programs as Cindy Baucom’s Knee-Deep In Bluegrass or Terry Herd’s Into The Blue, but couldn’t find them on a local station near you, Bluegrassmix.com offers the solution.

Bluegrassmix.com is a 24/7 streaming internet radio station that plays bluegrass and old traditional country music. They’ve just announced that these two award winning shows will now be included in their lineup.

We are so proud AND honored to annouce that Nationally known DJ’s, Cindy Baucom and Terry Herd, will be added to our broadcasting line-up!!!

Cindy Baucom’s Knee Deep in Bluegrass is scheduled to air on Wednesday nights 10 pm – 12 midnight EST.

Terry Herd’s Into the Blue is scheduled to air on Sunday mornings 9am – 12 noon EST.

The site/station was started in December of 2007 by Roger Randolph and Julie Raye. The two have many ideas and goals, adding these syndicated shows to the lineup was one of those goals.

So visit Bluegrassmix.com and tune in to some great bluegrass 24/7.

Bill Monroe Mandolin Update

Monroe’s mandolin is still housed in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. If it is to stay there, the museum may be required to divvy up $1.5 million.

For the back story, be sure to read our previous two posts on this situation, here and here.

The Murfreesboro Post is reporting that Robert Waldschmidt, the trustee working to repay McLean’s investors, filed a motion yesterday asking the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to order the Museum to pay $1.5 million and/or return Bill Monroe’s mandolin, along with Mother Mybelle’s guitar and two guitars owned by Johnny Cash.

The museum attorney is arguing against the motion, stating that

…permitting the trustee to recover the charitable contributions is contrary to the interests of the people of Tennessee.

I agree that the instruments belong in the museum, but then again, people were cheated out of a lot of money and that money should be repaid if possible. If some of that money was used to purchase these instruments, I understand why the people who were cheated would feel like the instruments belong to them and should be purchased if the museum wants to retain possession of them. If it was my retirement investment, I’d probably feel the same way.

If required to return, or buy, the instruments, the museum is being cheated somewhat as well, considering the investment they’ve surely made to care for and display these instruments. One would hope the court will take this into consideration when making a judgment.

Stay tuned…

The Best Of Del McCoury – listen

Yesterday we told you about the new GrooveGrass release, The Best Of Del McCoury: The GrooveGrass Years.

We’re giving away 10 copies of the CD each week for the next several weeks. Be sure to read the original post and register to win your copy.

The folks at GrooveGrass have uploaded a video clip to YouTube featuring the album artwork and an audio track comprised of clips of the various tracks on the CD. So if you want to hear what the record sounds like, watch this video.

The Best Of Del McCoury

Del McCoury has been in the news a lot recently. He’s just released a controversial new CD. He was just announced as the host for this year’s IBMA Awards Show. Now comes news of a new CD by GrooveGrass Records titled The Best Of Del McCoury: The GrooveGrass Years.

The CD is a compilation of recordings made during a period of time beginning in the in the mid-late 90’s. I clearly remember the first time I heard the GrooveGrass version of the Macarena. Then I heard GrooveGrass 101 and I was hooked. I already liked Del as a vocalist, and hearing him in this context was just too fun. GrooveGrass is the original mash-up of Hip Hop and Bluegrass. Somehow, it works.

During that time though, a number of strait up, hard driving bluegrass tracks were cut as well. They were released as part of various albums GrooveGrass Records was putting out. Now these tracks have been gathered into one place on The Best Of Del McCoury: The GrooveGrass Years.

The CD is scheduled to be released tomorrow, August 12, 2008, on all digital formats.

An “Online Limited Edition” version on disc is currently available at TheBestOfDelMcCoury.com. This limited edition CD contains 2 bonus tracks (12 tracks instead of the 10 the regular album will contain). There are only 3,500 available so order yours today.

I’ve had a chance to listen to the CD and I’ve got to say that these newer recordings are infinitely better than the originals in many respects. Engineered and mixed by Gary Paczosa, this CD could appropriately be labeled as an audiophile recording. As a long time fan of Del McCoury’s sound, I thouroughly enjoyed his remakes of these classic tunes. Some of these were orignially recorded somewhat early in his career, and these newer recordings showcase Del as a more matural vocalist with great pitch and phrasing.

The ten tracks include:

Get Down On Your Knees And Pray
I Feel The Blues Movin’ In
I’ve Endured
Speak To Me Little Darlin’
I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
Beauty Of My Dreams
I’ll Sail My Ship Alone
White House Blues
Can’t You Hear Me Calling
More Pretty Girls Than One

Some of the tracks are Del and his band, some are collaborations with Doc Watson, Mac Wiseman, and others. The most unusual pairing, and the one track that is not straight up bluegrass is Bill Monroe’s Can’t You Hear Me Calling. This is the only GrooveGrass track on the CD, featuring Del and Bootsy Collins. It’s an enjoyable track and showcases the best of the GrooveGrass style.

GrooveGrass Records has set up a Bluegrass Room in Google’s new virtual world, Lively, where you can hear some of the tracks. Lively currently only supports Windows XP and Vista, and you will need to install the Windows client to enter the room.

To celebrate the release of this best of recording, GrooveGrass Records has graciously offered to let us give away 10 copies each week for the next few weeks. Enter the drawing below and each week we’ll randomly select 10 winners to receive a free copy of The Best Of Del McCoury: The GrooveGrass Years.

This promotion has been closed. Thanks to all who participated, and a big thanks to the folks at GrooveGrass Records for making it possible!

Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen

Our friend Frank Solivan has announced he will be leaving the Navy Band, Country Current, in the spring and turning his attention to his own band. For 5 years Frank has been playing electric guitar, mandolin and fiddle with the Navy Band. It’s a stable, paying gig and it wasn’t an easy decision to make.

It has been a great job and sense of financial security for sometime, but I have decided to move on and focus my energy on my own music. I’ll be leaving the Navy Band at the end of my enlistment, April 14th 2009. This has been a difficult decision, but I know I have made the right choice for me.

Focusing on his own music means fronting his own band, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. The name is taken from an instrumental on Frank’s first solo project, I Am A Rambler. The band has already been performing on a limited basis, working around Frank’s Navy schedule. Most recently, they just returned from a short tour in Alaska, Frank’s original home state, and enjoyed an enthusiastic response from the crowds there.

The band is basically the core group of musicians who were on Frank’s last recording project, Selfish Tears. Band members include: Mike Munford on banjo, John Miller on guitar, Stefan Custodi on bass, and Frank on mandolin and fiddle. Frank is excited about the group of musicians he’s put together.

They are a bunch of extremely talented musicians and close friends. A winning combo if you ask me!

The band will be performing at a number of late night showcases at IBMA this year and are currently booking dates for 2009.

Frank tells me he has been composing some new material for a recording project and hopes to get the band in the studio sometime this fall or winter.

Visit Frank’s website for schedule/booking info, and to hear mp3 samples from his two solo records.