Bluegrass In College Archives

Scott Napier to head new bluegrass program at Owensboro Community & Technical College

Owensboro, KY is set to add another arrow in their quiver to become known the “bluegrass capitol of the world,” with the launching of a Bluegrass and Traditional Music program at the Owensboro Community and Technical College, located in the city center.

As Program Coordinator for this new effort, OCTC has brought on noted mandolinist and instructor Scott Napier, who both trained and taught in a similar program at the Hazard Technical and Community College in eastern Kentucky. HCTC is home to the Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music, which offers both degree and certificate programs designed to train performers and recording engineers for work in the bluegrass business.

Located just a short distance from the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the OCTC Bluegrass and Traditional Music program will be a part of the school’s Heritage, Humanities and Fine Arts Department, and will begin offering classes next month. OCTC operates on both an 8 week and 16 week course schedule, and some 8 week courses will begin in March. Initial classes this semester will include Individual String Instrument Instruction and Songwriting, both taught by Napier.

Dr. Meredith Skaggs, head of the Humanities and Fine Arts Department at OCTC, tells us that there will be two tracks for students entering this new program.

“The programs, pending formal recognition from our accrediting agency, will be a Certificate in Bluegrass Music and an Associate of Applied Science Degree: Professional Studio Artist. The degree program not only emphasizes the technical music skills, and history of the genre, but also course work in business and accounting.”

Plans are to offer a similar sort of opportunity as is available in Hazard for students in western Kentucky. As enrollment grows, Dr. Skaggs says that they anticipate bringing on additional faculty, but for now are delighted to have Napier at the helm.

“We are excited to have Scott’s experience from within KCTCS at HCTC leading the program development. We are also looking forward to collaborating with local partners to reimagine.”

Students interested in applying for admission to the new OCTC Bluegrass and Traditional Music program for either March or the fall semester are invited to start the process now.

Scott, and his wife, Lauren Price Napier of The Price Sisters, have found a new home in Owensboro and will be moving into the community soon.

Napier tells us while he expects most new students to begin classes after the summer break, he is ready to go.

“The true focus is to start in the fall semester. However, I plan to offer in-person and online streaming lessons right away.”

Scott Joslin, Director of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, tells us that discussions about adding a college program like this has been in discussion around Owensboro for some time.

“I relocated here in 2015 for the Hall of Fame, and at that time, Scott Williams, President of OCTC, had asked me about doing this. He had been researching this possibility for a while, and asked what I thought about the feasibility. I told him how well this had worked at Morehead State, ETSU, and Hazard.

This program will be good for the Hall of Fame and all the bluegrass efforts on behalf of Owensboro.

Though I’m sure Napier won this position owing to his skills and experience, Joslin said he did recommend him for this job.

“I’ve gotten to know Scott Napier since being here, as a player and a collector; he has donated/loaned some instruments to the Museum – and I connected him to Scott Williams to start discussions.”

Joslin also mentioned the synergy he anticipates between the Hall of Fame, the new Kentucky Guitar Works, and ROMP with OCTC students. All three offer internship opportunities right there in Owensboro.

It all sounds like a great benefit for bluegrass students in western Kentucky.

Tony Watt accepts faculty position at Berklee

The busiest bluegrass in Boston may be Tony Watt, who in addition to being a flat picker for hire, also teaches privately in the area, both in person and online, hosts the continuing Bluegrass Tuesdays concerts and jams in Cambridge, and serves as Vice President of the Boston Bluegrass Union.

Tony now has another feather in his cap, as he has accepted a faculty position at the Berklee College of Music. The prestigious institution in Boston’s Fenway area has a long reputation as a jazz school, but has opened up to bluegrass this past two decades, turning out top level graduates like Sierra Hull and Molly Tuttle along the way.

Most recently bluegrass fans may have seen Tony playing guitar with Alan Bibey & Grasstowne. His education was actually in a STEM field, and Watt moved to the northeast initially planning to complete his graduate program and work in renewable energy. But in a most unusual twist of fate, he found a career in bluegrass music instead.

He explained a bit about his new position and duties at Berklee.

“Teaching bluegrass at Berklee is a dream come true for me that I never could have imagined when I first started teaching many years ago. I am now an Associate Professor in Berklee’s Ensemble Department, taking over for Dave Hollender who taught at Berklee for 37 years. I am so grateful to both Dave and Matt Glaser for recommending me for this position, and to the other professors in the American Roots Music Program at Berklee, especially Joe K. Walsh and Greg Liszt.

My primary role will be coaching bluegrass ensembles, which thankfully is something I have many years of experience doing. Students in my ensembles will be preparing music for performances both at Berklee and at Bluegrass Tuesdays, which I now host. I also hope to offer some bluegrass guitar instruction, although I will never be able to fill the giant shoes of the late, great John McGann.

I have been privileged to witness the rise of bluegrass at Berklee, and I am so thankful to be able to contribute to the education of such talented young people. Having just started the job, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the whole experience, but this is without a doubt, the honor of a lifetime, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Congratulations to Tony Watt and to Berklee on this move!

Tim Stafford to be new ETSU Bluegrass Artist in Residence

The Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies program at East Tennessee State University has announced that Tim Stafford will serve as their Artist in Residence for the 2023-24 academic year. This recurring one-year position was created to give students in the program the opportunity to study directly under recognized professionals in the industry, and gain from their wisdom and experience.

Stafford, guitarist with Blue Highway for nearly 30 years, and a noted songwriter and recording artist on his own, is also a graduate of ETSU’s bluegrass program, and says that he can’t wait to get started in this new role.

“I’m really looking forward to working with students at ETSU this year as the Artist in Residence. I feel there are great opportunities to showcase the program and its students in a variety of ways. I look forward to teaching guitar, bluegrass bands, and unique songwriting classes and performances with our students. I was there when Jack Tottle started the ETSU program, and it’s amazing how far it’s come and how far it can go. It’s gonna be fun being part of that!”

Prior to his time with Blue Highway, Stafford was a member of Alison Krauss & Union Station and was featured on their Every Time You Say Goodbye album in 1992. More than 250 of his original or co-written songs have been recorded by roughly 75 different artists.

Also announced today are two new faculty members in the Bluegrass, Old Time, and Roots Music program for the coming year. Holger Olesen, also an ETSU alum, will come onboard to teach the Instrument Building and Maintenance class. Recently graduated with his degree in Engineering Technology, he taught guitar building at ETSU as part of his graduate project. Holder is currently the bass player with the Little Roy and Lizzy Show.

He is likewise psyched to get started.

“I’m excited to become a part of the ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music program as an instructor in the guitar building and instrument repair classes. Since previously being a student myself, I have always felt that the program has given students a wide knowledge of many different aspects of the music business, and I’m glad to be a part these new instrument focused classes that will expand that knowledge even more.

Also new this fall at ETSU is guitar whiz Trey Hensley who will teach acoustic guitar and electric guitar, and lead country bands in the program. Now well established within the Nashville scene, Trey currently performs in a genre-busting duo with reso-guitar ace Rob Ickes where he shows off his impressive vocal chops as well as his blistering guitar playing.

Like Tim and Holger, Trey is honored to begin at ETSU.

“I’m immensely proud to be an instructor in the ETSU Bluegrass, Old Time, and Roots Music Studies program. ETSU is such an amazingly bright spot within the music community, and to get to share my experiences with the students is an incredible honor.”

The ETSU Bluegrass, Old Time, and Roots Music program offers a four year bachelors degree, plus minor and concentrations. Full details can be found online.

ETSU Bluegrass announces new instructors

The East Tennessee State University Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies program, which is included in the school’s Appalachian Studies department, has announced a number of new faculty members in the program.

Seven teachers are joining as adjunct instructors, who Program Director Dan Boner says will offer a variety of skills and experiences to their students.

“These talented instructors support our new concentrations in Bluegrass Music Profession, Audio Production, Old-Time Music, and Scottish and Irish Traditional Music. This combination of successful alumni, industry professionals, and bluegrass business leaders will help ETSU students stay one step ahead in the ever-changing musical landscape we are experiencing.”

New faculty include:

Andrew Small is teaching acoustic bass and leading band classes. His performance background includes time with Mandolin Orange, Sierra Hull, and the North Carolina Symphony, as well as his current gig on bass with Bill and The Belles.

Paul Schiminger, former Executive Director of the IBMA, is offering a course on finance and legal issues in the bluegrass profession. Prior to leading IBMA he had a long career in financial services and non-profit management.

Troy Boone is teaching mandolin and audio production. The current mandolinist with Amanda Cook, he had also spent time touring with Sideline.

Angelica Branum teaches vocal lessons and offers band coaching. She has been singing bluegrass all her life, and has performed with many top artists, Rhonda Vincent, Marty Raybon, Frank Solivan, The Stringdusters, and Country Current among them.

Katherine Forbes offers courses on marketing, identity, and creative strategy in the bluegrass industry. She is the founder of Designing the Row in Nashville, and has worked with people across many creative disciplines.

Jacob Metz teaches lessons in banjo and reso-guitar, the instruments he plays in his current gig with Darin & Brooke Aldridge.

Aynsley Porchak will both offer fiddle lessons and serve as a lecturer in American Roots Music. An accomplished fiddler, she is the first to win the Grand Master Championship in both the US and her native Canada. She currently performs with the Tennessee Bluegrass Band.

ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies confers a bachelor’s degree in its discipline, as well as minors. Full details can be found online.

The department is also accepting applications now for an Artist in Residence for the next academic year. This is a full time position for one year, though it can be renewed. The successful candidate will have experience in some or all of these areas: a performance residency at a local venue; workshops or masterclasses within the program and community; band leadership and mentorship; private instruction; public lectures, performances, or collaborative presentations; written or musical publications; course development and instruction in the candidate’s area of expertise.

They are also expected to have:

Professional-level musical ability and experience.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Up-to-date and experiential knowledge of the bluegrass and roots music industry.
Ability to promote the program to a wide range of audiences.
Ability to collaborate with students to create musical work.
Ability to help prepare students for careers as bluegrass or roots music professionals.
Commitment to fostering a collegial learning environment in which equity, inclusion, and innovation are encouraged.

The position offers a $65,000 salary, with benefits.

Prior Artists in Residence at ETSU have included Brittany Haas and Mike Compton.

Anyone interested in applying will find all relevant details on the ETSU jobs site. Specific questions or concerns can be addressed to Dr. Nate Olson by email.

Applications being accepted for Steve Gulley Memorial Scholarship

The Bluegrass Music Endeavors Foundation, a charitable organization managed by bluegrass touring group, Crandall Creek, is now accepting applications for their Steve Gulley Memorial Scholarship.

Named in honor of the late singer, songwriter, and bandleader, Steve Gulley, who died from cancer in 2020, the $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a college student who best represents the future of bluegrass music.

Applications will be accepted through May 15, with an announcement of the recipient on August 8 when Crandall Creek performs at Nashville’s Station Inn. Tim Stafford, a long time friend and musical collaborator with Gulley, will be on hand to make the announcement.

Stafford tells us that this award is a fine tribute to Steve, who made his mark in bluegrass with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and Mountain Heart after launching a music career at Renfro Valley in Kentucky.

“Steve Gulley was one of the best men I ever knew, and it was a true privilege to be able to write and record with him. I’m proud of what we wrote and produced, and I know Steve was too.

He left us was too soon, but this scholarship is the best way he could possibly be honored.”

The Steve Gulley Memorial Scholarship was founded by Crandall Creek, who fund the Bluegrass Music Endeavors Foundation by setting aside a portion of all their performance fees and album sales for charitable purposes.

Applications can be downloaded online, or one can be requested by email. In addition to basic biographical and contact information, it asks for at two least video links of the applicant playing and/or singing, either solo, with an accompanist, or in a band setting.

Completed applications can then be submitted by email.

Even now, two and a half years later, Gulley’s loss is still deeply felt in the bluegrass community. He died at only 57 years of age from an extremely aggressive cancer that took him swiftly. He had been involved with playing and singing bluegrass and traditional country music all his life, inspired by his own father who had been a part of The Pinnacle Mountain Boys. In his dad’s honor, Steve named his own touring group New Pinnacle.

In addition to acts mentioned above, he was also a member of Grasstowne for several years, along with his dear friend Phil Leadbetter, who died about a year later at 59, and Alan Bibey.

Hats off to Crandall Creek for keeping Steve’s memory alive in this way.

Boston Bluegrass Union launches CampusGrass web site

Boston Bluegrass Union, New England’s premiere source of bluegrass music, and promoters of the celebrated Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, has launched a new web site designed to offer resources and support for young people looking to start a bluegrass club at their school or college.

Called CampusGrass the site contains information to help young folks interested in playing or supporting bluegrass at their school, primarily with links that discuss the how to’s of getting a club approved, plus links to existing clubs that may be able to offer some guidance.

Another section details which colleges and universities currently offer bluegras instructional and/or degree programs, along with information about grants and scholarships that are available for bluegrass musicians in college.

Jim McDonough, BBU Board member, shared the news with us about CampusGrass, and their hopes to continue to expand its offerings over time.

“We will be looking to add information and features aimed at promoting the formation of clubs across the country. Possibly internationally if things play out in that direction.”

BBU is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, run entirely by volunteers. If you support this goal of providing resources for young pickers and singers, in New England and beyond, please consider making a donation to BBU. Contributions can be earmarked for specific uses by the organization.

If you know of a high school or college bluegrass club not listed on the CampusGrass web site, please reach out to the administrators with the information. Likewise for scholarships or other resources they might want to include.

Hats off to the Boston Bluegrass Union for this effort! CampusGrass could grow to be an excellent evangelical tool for spreading love for bluegrass music.

See all their information online.

ETSU Bluegrass seeking a voice teacher for fall 2022

The Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Program at East Tennessee State University is looking to hire an experienced voice instructor for an adjunct position during the upcoming 2022/2023 academic year.

The position would be for private voice lessons with students in the program, so the ability to coach vocalists in bluegrass, country, and/or old time music is a requirement. Previous experience as an instructor is necessary, and performance experience in this field is greatly preferred.

ETSU is hoping to find someone who can teach in person at the school in Johnson City, TN, but they are open to hiring an applicant equipped to teach online.

As an adjunct, instructors are paid by the student, on a per credit hour basis at a rate of $900-$1,100 per credit hour each semester, depending on qualifications and experience. The position will be open until filled, but with the semester beginning in about four weeks, they are eager to find someone right away.

Further details and application information can be found online.

The program confers a bachelors degree in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Roots Music Studies through the Appalachian Studies department. A minor in this program is also available.

Raymond McLain retires from Morehead State University

This article on the retirement of celebrated bluegrass educator Raymond McLain was written by Olyvia Neal, editor of The Trail Blazer, Morehead State University’s student newspaper, where it first appeared. She also took the photos that accompany this piece.

When Raymond McLain walked off stage with his students for nearly the last time for their end of semester show Tuesday, he left a lifetime legacy at Morehead State.

McLain will retire as MSU’s director of the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at the end of the semester after 12 years of leading the program, and a lifetime of dedication to traditional mountain music.

Although his career as an educator has ended, his life as a musician will continue.

“It felt like time,” said McLain. “This music is so vibrant, and it is continuing like a stream of tradition. Things fall in the water and float along. Things are dropped along the way. It’s living. It’s moving. That’s why I like it because you can stay in a position too long, and I hope I don’t seem egocentric when I say I still have things to offer.”

Yet, his legacy in this music began long before he assumed his position at MSU.

McLain learned to play music from his father, Raymond K. McLain. At the age of 14 he, his father and his younger sisters, Ruth and Alice, formed the McLain Family Band in 1968. Since then, the band has performed in all 50 states, 62 countries, and on iconic stages around the world.

“The McLain Family Band had a lot of nice things happen to us during that time,” said McLain. “But the times that mattered were times that inspired us. Maybe it wasn’t even a concert. Maybe it was just in your living room. Maybe it was going to sleep at night when you’re a child and listening to music in the other room.”

McLain’s father also instilled in him a love for teaching music, as his father created the first college courses in bluegrass and Appalachian music in 1971 at Berea college.

“Daddy was a natural teacher and a natural student, so when he put these courses together, he involved me in it because he wanted me to see what he did and how he did it,” said McLain.

While McLain continued to progress as an artist for the next three decades, he also began his own teaching career first at Belmont University as adjunct faculty, and then as Jack Tottle’s assistant director at East Tennessee University’s bluegrass music program in 2000.

“When I started teaching with Jack, I went because I wanted to help young people learn to live their lives as artists. When I was teaching at Belmont as an adjunct faculty, I saw a lot of people who were wonderfully talented, brilliant musicians who were not necessarily happy,” said McLain. “I wanted to help students have the career they want but also, I wanted them to have the lives they want.”

McLain worked with ETSU’s bluegrass program for ten years, five as director, where he developed the country’s first university major in traditional music.

Then in 2010, MSU President Wayne Andrews asked McLain to become director of the KCTM.

“When I came back to Kentucky it felt like coming home,” said McLain. “I loved being back in eastern Kentucky, and to have the opportunity to teach here at the KCTM was deeply meaningful to me.”

Returning to his roots allowed him to not only strengthen MSU’s degree in traditional music, but it also helped him be closer to his family. This included being there for his mother during the last two years of her life as she had Alzheimer’s disease, and working with his sister and bandmate, Ruth, at the KCTM starting in 2012.

“It’s always an honor and a thrill to get to work with Raymond in any capacity, and it’s been a joy to be at the center while he was there,” said Ruth.

At the KCTM, McLain impacted his students not only professionally but on a personal level as well.

“He’s helped me to come into my adolescence in the music world, and realize that music is more about the relationships between people, and the joy that you can give people through the music you convey with your instrument and your voice,” said Hayley King, a junior traditional music major.

King said that when she heard this year would be McLain’s last it made her cherish every lesson, performance, and moment with him.

“I love Raymond. He has become a father to me, and I want to hang on to every last minute that I can, just walk by and see him in his office window playing his fiddle or teaching a lesson,” said King. “Raymond has taught all of us that ultimately when you play for people, you’re not playing for your own glory. You’re giving a piece of your soul to people.”

For King, McLain’s legacy is his love for his craft and his compassion for others.

“When you listen to him play and see him interact with people, you’re just left with this sense that this person is a lover of humanity. This person is a dreamer. This person deeply cares about not only the music itself, but the history of the music and the people that are a part of that history,” said King.

Though a new director has not yet been hired, the students, faculty and staff at the KCTM are optimistic for both McLain and the KCTM.

“Raymond helped create something that will continue, and we will continue with Raymond’s legacy, while being completely supportive of the new director. I’m excited to see the future of the center,” said Ruth.

In post-retirement, McLain is most excited to put his energy into writing, recording, and touring with the McLain Family Band again.

“For me it’s been 54 years, and a number of years before that as a family, and I’m beyond excited about the future to be honest,” said McLain. “We’ve had some very nice times in the past, but I think it’s not over. We have a lot of good times to come.”

The job posting for the new director of KCTM can be viewed online, for those interested in being considered for the position.

Job opening at ETSU Bluegrass program

The Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music Studies department at East Tennessee Sate University is advertising a part time staff position.

This job is for a Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator for the department, and requires a wide range of skills and the ability to multitask. Experience in graphic design, public relations, marketing, or a related field are listed as prerequisites.

The department describes the job thusly:

Essential functions include working with Department personnel to develop promotional, educational, and operational materials; writing content to promote and advance the work of the program, including news releases, articles, programs, and brochures; creating original designs for print and online publication; overseeing the creation and maintenance of content for the Department website and social media sites; coordinating with other University departments and with media organizations to promote the work of the Department; assisting in the planning and promotion of program events; assisting in the booking and promotion of performances by student bands.

Hardworking, dedicated professional with good interpersonal skills who has knowledge of university policies, procedures, and administrative structure; knowledge of basic principles of graphic design; knowledge of basic principles of public relations and marketing; and knowledge and appreciation of bluegrass, old-time, and roots music traditions and the Appalachian region.

In the past this position has been quite flexible on hours and days worked, to accommodate the schedule of either a student at the university or a musical artist with an irregular set of time commitments.

Applications can be submitted through the ETSU Employment portal online. Examples of design work are requested with submissions.

ETSU Bluegrass announces Artists in Residence for 2021/22

The Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music Studies program at East Tennessee State University has announced their Artist in Residence appointments for the 2021-’22 academic year.

Brittany Haas and Mike Compton have been named to this faculty position after an exhaustive process of interviews with major artists in our music. Both will provide on campus, in person instruction starting in August during the fall semester for ETSU students. These are one year appointments, which can be renewed, and program Director Dan Boner tells us that the Artist in Residence program will be an ongoing part of their curriculum, with new appointments announced as they are made.

Despite her relative youth, Haas has many years as a performer under her belt. She began with Darol Anger’s Republic of String at 14 years of age, and released a debut recording at 17. While earning a degree in Evolutionary Biology with a minor in Music at Princeton, she toured and recorded with genre-bending string band, Crooked Still. An in demand session fiddle player, she has appeared frequently in television and films, and currently plays in Hawktail with Paul Kowert, Jordan Tice, and Dominick Leslie.

Brittany says that she is eager to start working with the wide range of students in the ETSU program.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the faculty of ETSU as an artist in residence with their historic program. Their offerings in bluegrass, old-time, and roots music studies are ever-expanding, and I can’t wait to delve into these areas with the students. To explore these traditions with college learners will be exciting as well as inspiring and challenging. I look forward to helping the students along in their musical journeys, playing music with them, and asking questions about what it means to be a musician, and where we can go with our collective music-making and studies. Thanks to ETSU for this great opportunity!”

Compton has been involved with bluegrass music his entire adult life. Befriending Bill Monroe towards the end of the great man’s life, Mike had the opportunity to study directly with Bill, who served as a mentor passing down his groundbreaking mandolin style. Since that time, Mike has been at the forefront of preserving and teaching others to master Monroe’s quirky sense of rhythm and distinctive closed position techniques. He runs the annual Monroe Mandolin Camp near Nashville each September which not only shares the music of Big Mon for mandolinists, but has also expanded to include the other instruments in the bluegrass band.

But he’s not just an exceptional instructor. Mike is also a first rate player with credits like Nashville Bluegrass Band and Soggy Bottom Boys, and has recorded with country stars Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Patty Loveless, and rock music luminaries like Sting, Gregg Allman, and Elvis Costello. You can also see him performing as a solo artist and in duet with Joe Newberry.

Like Brittany, he is rarin’ to go this fall.

“I’m greatly looking forward to being a part of the ETSU Appalachian Studies program, and bringing the flavor and fire of Southeastern musical styles to a new generation of players, writers, and artists. This is an amazing opportunity to help further the music and bring an understanding of the lifestyle of a musician and what it all entails. I know the energy will be a positive step for us to all forget about 2020 and move ahead in a positive and vibrant fashion, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Boner tells us that Haas and Compton will teach bands, offer private lessons, and offer seminars each week for students. Mike will teach a seminar called, “Living Your Life As An Artist,” while Brittany will offer one with Roy Andrade called “Art of Interpretation,” about recreating older, traditional material for old time, bluegrass, or modern acoustic music. They will each also present a concert or lecture open to the public during their appointment.

The courses and lessons offered by the Artists in Residence will be open to all ETSU students during the Fall 2021 and the Spring 2022 semesters.

The Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music Studies team has been working for years to make this program a reality, and it will provide a marvelous opportunity to those studying there.