Country Current Archives - Bluegrass Today

Sally Sandker Ziesing sings the anthem in DC

At yesterday’s Washington Commanders football game in Landover, MD, Sally Sandker Ziesing, guitarist and vocalist with US Navy Band Country Current, had the honor of singing the national anthem before kickoff. Sally, the daughter of the Queen of Bluegrass, Rhonda Vincent, appeared on the field in uniform and did a bang-up job singing The Star Spangled Banner.

Country Current also performed at FedEx Field on Sunday, entertaining attendees as they came into the stadium.

Sally said that it was a great day for her and her family.

“Praise the Lord, it was a monumental blessing to sing the National Anthem at the Commanders/Giants game, and share this moment with my husband, Matthew, our growing baby girl Faye, and representing my country serving as a sailor in the United States Navy.”

Have a look/listen…

She also shared a few photos of the band on stage. Well done, Sally and Country Current!

Danny Stewart new proprietor of Turtle Hill Banjo

Danny Stewart Jr, a popular bluegrass touring artist, has acquired the Turtle Hill Banjo Company in LaPlata, MD, and will be its new owner/operator. Stewart purchased the company from its founder, long time vintage banjo collector and authority, Dave Schenkman, who is retiring after more than thirty years running the business.

Turtle Hill is among the few companies which are dedicated solely to buying and selling banjos, and has developed a reputation over the years for finding, properly valuing, and reselling banjos of every kind. As now, at any time in recent years they would have a number of prewar Gibson banjos for sale, as well as a selection of second hand professional grade instruments of a more modern vintage. Used open back models as well as tenor banjos are also kept in inventory.

In addition, Turtle Hill is a dealer for Nechville Banjos, and maintains many of their models in stock, as well as select Deering banjos. As the situation allows, you may also find used mandolins and guitars in the shop.

Stewart should be familiar to bluegrass fans from his time in a number of touring groups, including Larry Stephenson, Danny Paisley, Bobby Osborne, Karl Shiflett, and Randy Waller & the Country Gentleman. He is currently the bass player with the US Navy Band Country Current, and had previously held down the banjo position there for two years.

Danny grew up in the music, as both his father and grandfather have been bluegrass musicians, and his dad is the host of the popular Danny Stewart Bluegrass Cruises. Danny Jr is a graduate of the Bluegrass, Old Time & Roots Music program at East Tennessee State University, during which time he performed as a member of their Bluegrass Pride Band. After completing his studies, Stewart taught in the program for a few years before joining the Navy.

In light of this recent acquisition, Stewart reflects on the company going forward.

“I’m super excited to continue the business that Dave Schenkman started over 30 years ago. The Turtle Hill Banjo Company has been instrumental in promoting Nechville Banjos, and showcasing an impressive collection of unique, museum-quality banjos. As a lifelong banjo enthusiast, it’s surreal to have the opportunity to take over this business and channel my passion for banjos and music into the industry.”

Schenkman never intended to go into the banjo business full time when he started the company. Turtle Hill began as a side business while Dave ran a successful rare coin operation, where he is a recognized expert. Wanting to cut down on travel to coin shows all over the country, he considered that dealing in fine quality musical instruments would keep him closer to home.

Music had always been a big part of his life. Dave’s parents met studying at Julliard, and he grew up in a classical music family. He played violin since he was a child, and his two siblings went on to performing careers, as his parents had done. When he discovered bluegrass, he switched to playing fiddle, but found that he enjoyed banjo far more once he picked it up. Dave jokingly says that he then became the black sheep of his family.

Selling the business on makes Dave feel good about his work to date.

“I’m thrilled that Danny is taking over the business, because after 30 years, I hated to think it might just close up and go away.

I’ve known Danny for years through my friendship with Keith Arneson, long time banjo player with Country Current. He used to bring Danny down to the shop.

He’ll be more aggressive than I have been able to be, and I hope that Turtle Hill Banjo can last another 30 years!”

In retirement, Dave will continue to write and research in the field of numismatics, where he has published a number of books and scholarly articles.

As has been the custom for some time, the shop will only be open by appointment. Stewart is determined to maintain his predecessor’s well-earned reputation for personalized customer service and one-on-one consultations with customers.

Contact information to reach Danny about buying or selling banjos or other vintage instruments can be found on the Turtle Hill Banjo web site.

Hats off to Danny Stewart Jr for continuing the legacy of Dave Schenkman and Turtle Hill Banjo Company. We wish a very happy retirement to Dave as well!

Sally Sandker accepts position with US Navy Band Country Current

Sally Sandker has announced today that she has accepted an E-6 position in the US Navy to take the guitar/vocal spot in County Current. The group is the only one dedicated to bluegrass music in the US Navy band system.

A graduate of the Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music program at ETSU, Sally is the daughter of Rhonda Vincent, and performed with her as a member of The Rage for several years. More recently, she has played guitar and sung with the Little Roy & Lizzie Show.

Sandker will report for boot camp in mid-May, after which she will begin working into Country Current, based in Washington, DC. This position is for someone who can sing both bluegrass and country music, which won’t be an issue for Sally. She had released an album of bluegrass, country, and Gospel music called God Is In Control, as Sally Lea Sandker in 2019.

When we caught up with her this evening, Sally was just back from a celebration dinner, having gotten her final medical clearance today. She told us that this has been a goal of hers for some time.

“I am very excited about this! This is something I’ve been working towards for a couple of years. I was supposed to audition in 2020, but the pandemic shut it down. I auditioned again last year but they ended up not hiring anyone.

I’ve lost 50 pounds getting ready, going to a plant based diet.

It’s a true blessing to be able to have a stable music career. I think COVID showed us all how difficult can be. My mom was sitting home just like everyone else when the pandemic hit.

This is a great way to represent the men and women who are out on the ships, defending our country. It truly is a special honor.”

Sandker will become the fourth ETSU grad in Country Current, as Caleb Cox, former guitarist and singer with Nothin’ Fancy, is going in with her. Also in the band now are Haley Stiltner on banjo and Henry Johns on pedal steel and bass, both veterans of the bluegrass program in Johnson City.

Sally says that she is excited to start working on singing with Caleb.

“It will be fun to work with another lead singer. We’ve already talked about working up some of the great Johnny and June or Conway and Loretta duets.

Caleb and I will be in basic training together in May.”

At this point, she is hoping to make the Navy Band her career, and spend the 20 years in the service to earn a military pension.

Caleb and Sally are replacing Kenny Ray Horton who has recently retired from the band. He is continuing his music career now as a civilian.

US Navy Band Country Current is lead by Chief Tina Catalanatto, who plays drums on the county side, and Chief Joe Friedman, who plays lead guitar. Also in the group is Patrick MacAvinue on fiddle, another bluegrass veteran who worked with Audie Blaylock, Charm City Junction, and Dailey & Vincent before joining the Navy.

Congratulations Sally and Caleb!

Welcome Cole McAvinue!

Patrick McAvinue, fiddler and mandolinist for US Navy Band Country Current, and his wife, Jules, are celebrating the birth of their first child.

William Coleman McAvinue was born on August 23 at Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, MD. His arrival was quite a surprise, as he wasn’t expected until October 2. His birth weight was only 5 lbs 10 oz, but after a short time in the NICU, he is home with his parents in Cape St. Claire. Patrick says that Cole is gaining weight nicely, and is as hungry as any baby boy could be.

It was only by chance that Patrick was able to be at the hospital for his son’s birth, as he was making preparations that day to fly to Nashville and record Bluegrass 2021 for Pinecastle at Scott Vestal’s studio. Fortunately, Cole’s imminent entrance made itself known before the departure.

Congratulations Jules and Patrick, and a hearty Bluegrass Today welcome to little Cole.

Bill Emerson passes

Bluegrass Hall of Fame banjo player Bill Emerson passed away on August 21 from complications of pneumonia. He died surrounded by his family at 83 years of age.

Surely one of the most consequential banjo players of the 20th century, Bill had a career in bluegrass of nearly 60 years. He served as a founding member of The Country Gentlemen, and also had memorable stints with Jimmy Martin and the US Navy’s Country Current. Emerson helped found The Country Gentlemen with Charlie Waller in 1957, but left before they began to achieve national prominence. His return to the Gents in 1970 resulted in one of their most critically-acclaimed recordings, The Award Winning Country Gentlemen, which included some of their most enduring songs – The Legend of the Rebel Soldier, Little Bessie, Redwood Hill, and Bill’s banjo tune, Breakin’ It Down.

In between were a number of influential albums with bluegrass singer Cliff Waldron; Emerson & Waldron were the first to record Fox on the Run bluegrass style in 1969.

In 1973 he left the Gentlemen and joined the Navy as a non-commissioned officer to build Country Current, the first military band dedicated to bluegrass and country music. There he served for 20 years, leading the band until his retirement. While in the Navy, Bill recorded a pair of albums with Pete Goble, plus his own projects, Home of the Red Fox and Gold Plated Banjo. Following his retirement, he formed a group, Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie, who released three albums under that name. Bill recorded several other solo projects during this time as well and appeared on Tony Rice’s Plays and Sings Bluegrass.

In addition to Breakin’ It Down, Bill also wrote the classic tune, Theme Time, which has been a banjo standard since he recorded it with Jimmy Martin in 1967. Other standouts from his pen included Sweet Dixie and Cowboys and Indians, among many others.

Though having started on guitar, Emerson first picked up the banjo in 1953 and was playing soon after with Buzz Busby around his native Washington, DC. It was when Buzby was injured in an auto accident that Bill and his Busby bandmate Charlie Waller decided to start a group of their own.

His playing was noted for its drive, clarity, elegance, and precision, and for his ability to always plays a clear melody on both instrumentals and vocal numbers. Ben Eldridge had commented that when he was a novice banjo picker, he would always try to sit in the front row at Emerson & Waldron shows so that he could watch Bill closely. Alan Munde said that Bill’s fingers looked like little tap dancers on the strings. No one who played or learned bluegrass banjo, especially in the period from 1960 to the turn of the century, escaped the influence of his playing.

Rarely mentioned in discussions of his musicianship, Bill was also a fine singer who contributed to the harmony vocals in the groups with which he was associated through the years..

Bill Emerson was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame in 1984, and into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2019.

Both in and outside the world of music, Bill always comported himself with style and grace. He was a true gentleman, who welcomed fans and banjo admirers whenever he was in public. Though he rarely taught formally, he led many banjo workshops over the years and was an excellent teacher. The last time we saw him personally was following his Hall of Fame induction in 2019, and he was the same warm and gregarious person he had always been. An excellent friend to banjo and bluegrass music, and all who played or loved it.

Bill Emerson was one of the few, and we will not see his like again for some time to come.

No arrangements have been announced at this time.

R.I.P., Bill Emerson.

Vocalist position open with Country Current

Country Current, the bluegrass and country group with the US Navy Band command in Washington, DC, is preparing to audition for the position of Lead Vocalist/Entertainer. This comes as veteran band member Kenny Ray Horton is set to retire from the Navy.

A successful candidate will be a professional grade singer capable of leading both a bluegrass and country ensemble, serve as frontman/MC in either situation, and play rhythm guitar in both.

Applicants must be between 18 to 39 years of age, and otherwise qualified for service in the US Navy. There are some fairly strict requirements for entry relating to physical appearance and medical readiness, and you must be a US citizen.

The band is accepting audition requests through October 1, with auditions to be scheduled for November 29-30. To be considered, you will need to submit a US Navy Band Audition Application, and an audition recording demonstrating your abilities as a vocalist and rhythm guitarist on three country and/or bluegrass songs. Full details can be found online.

Live, in person auditions will be by invitation only.

This position comes with a rank of E-6 (musician first class) and a starting salary between $67,842-$70,326, with full benefits for yourself plus dependents, and 30 days leave each year. Country Current is based in Washington, DC, and performs at both ceremonial and public events.

Country Current was formed in 1973 when Country Gentlemen banjo player Bill Emerson joined the Navy for this purpose. Most members have stayed in for twenty years until they could retire, as it is one one the most stable careers available to top bluegrass musicians. The band currently includes Haley Stiltner on banjo and Danny Stewart on bass, both graduates of the ETSU bluegrass music program, and Patrick McAvinue, formerly of the Dailey & Vincent band.

Country Current auditioning for bluegrass lead vocalist/guitarist

Country Current, the US Navy’s only professional bluegrass and country music band, is currently auditioning for a lead vocalist who can play rhythm guitar. This is a unique opportunity for a qualified person, with great pay and benefits, plus the support of a strong team.

The position is open to anyone aged 18-39 who can pass the Navy’s medical readiness and physical appearance requirements. The successful candidate will receive a starting salary between $62,065-$66,925 (E-6) after completing basic training, along with 30 days of annual leave and other military benefits. Enlistment bonuses up to $10,000 may be available, as well as student loan repayment up to $65,000.

Auditions will begin soon, with a deadline of November 8 to submit an application. For the first round of auditions, you must include an audio recording of yourself singing lead and playing rhythm guitar on three bluegrass and/or country songs, lasting no longer than 12 minutes.

This position is open to male or female vocalists, and the ability to front a show or serve as an MC is a big plus.

Kenny Ray Horton, who has served in this spot for 20 years, is retiring, and the band needs to bring on someone and be ready for live appearances in 2021. Horton will join an impressive list of retired Country Current members, including banjo legend Bill Emerson, mandolinist and band leader Frank Solivan, singer and songwriter Wayne Taylor, and banjo player Keith Arneson.

To request an audition, simply email your resume to the US Navy Band program, and you will receive instructions on how to submit an electronic recording. Final auditions will be held in Washington, DC, and will be by invitation.

Here’s a socially-distanced video the current group made back in June.

Further details about Navy Band auditions can be found online.

US Navy Band Country Current auditioning fiddlers/mandolinists

Country Current, the US Navy’s only full-time bluegrass and country music act, is looking for a new fiddler to take the spot to be vacated by Senior Chief Pat White, who has been with the group since 1995. The successful applicant will also be able to double on mandolin and harmony vocals.

Auditions will be scheduled for February 10 at Navy Band headquarters in Washington, DC, and interested parties are requested to submit resumes by January 12. Candidates must be between the ages of 18 and 39, and be able to pass the Navy’s strict medical and physical requirements.

Working with the Navy Band brings a range of pay not achieved by most professional sidemen in bluegrass, along with income security and fabulous benefits.

As stated on the Navy’s official job posting for this position…

Starting salary for a new member of the U.S. Navy Band is $62,065-$66,925, plus 30 days paid leave annually and full benefits for members and dependents. Members may also be eligible for an enlistment bonus (up to $10,000) and/or the Student Loan Repayment Program (up to $65,000). Those selected for the U.S. Navy Band are advanced to the paygrade of E-6 (musician first class) following recruit training, under a contract for permanent duty with the U.S. Navy Band.

Anyone interested in being considered for an audition is asked to submit a simple resume, along with audio recordings of yourself playing fiddle, mandolin, and singing either lead or harmony vocals on a bluegrass song. Those selected will be invited to DC for auditions on February 10.

All details for submitting for an audition can be found in this document.

This position is open to both civilians and active duty military members.

Happy Memorial Day!

Bluegrass Today would like to wish all of our American readers a happy Memorial Day! We hope you are able to spend some time with your family to enjoy the day, and reflect a bit about the many sacrifices borne on our behalf by those who have served in uniform.

As a tribute, here is a video Ted Lehmann shot at Gettysburg a few years ago of the US Navy Band Country Current doing bluegrass instrumental versions of all the military service anthems.

As they always say on stage, stand when you hear your anthem!

Haley Stiltner, USN – 3rd Country Current banjoist in 45 years

Way back in 1973, the US Navy Band program in Washington, DC formed a new outfit called Country Current, created to take advantage of the growing popularity of bluegrass and country music in the capitol region. At one point, there was talk of bringing all the members of the Country Gentlemen into the Navy as a touring group, but as discussions ensued, only banjo man Bill Emerson made the move.

Since that time, the band has been stationed in DC and has traveled the country, performing in a role that combines education, recruiting, and public relations. They also serve a ceremonial function, being called upon to play for all sorts of services and celebrations amongst the top brass in the district and northern Virginia.

In addition to Bill Emerson, who served his full 20 years before retiring, Country Current has included several other bluegrass artists working the scene today. Guitarist and singer/songwriter Wayne Taylor led the band for many years, including a time while Emerson was still aboard, and Frank Solivan who still lives in the area, leading his own group, Dirty Kitchen. And the Navy’s most recently retired banjoist, Keith Arneson, who now plays with Taylor’s group.

As the band works their 45th year in bluegrass, with an anniversary concert scheduled later this month in Alexandria, VA, they welcome their newest member, Haley Stiltner, who joined the Navy last year to take Keith’s spot on banjo. Haley has been getting noticed since she was a teen, winning banjo contests in her native eastern Virginia, and eventually graduating from the bluegrass program at East Tennessee State University. For a time, she played bass with the Little Roy & Lizzy Show, and made the plunge – including basic training – to join the Navy when Arenson retired.

When we spoke last week, I asked her if it felt odd being only the 3rd banjo player in Country Current over 45 years.

“I can definitely understand why. It’s a great job, everything I expected and more. The guys in the group are great, and so is the command.

It’s totally unlike anything else I’ve ever done. The skill level is very high.

Basic training was difficult, but I got through it. It teaches you that what you actually have to depend on is your shipmates.”

Once she joined the band after basic, Haley was given a Musician First Class rating, an E6 for you military types out there. That includes a highly respectable salary, and full military benefits (housing allowance, medical care, retirement, etc).

She said that the job is fairly laid back. Like most bluegrass bands, Country Current may only have a couple of shows each week. But they all report to the band building every day during the week, where they rehearse frequently and take care of administrative duties.

The best part so far for her has been getting to play a show in Smithfield, VA recently, quite near where she grew up in Windsor. Family and old friends were able to see her up on stage, picking the fire out of the banjo, and wearing her Navy uniform.

“I also like that all of our concerts include a special tribute to military veterans, where we do a medley of all the service anthems. Plus I enjoy getting to help educate people about the Navy.”

The Country Current 45th Anniversary concert is scheduled for May 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall on the campus of the Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria. There is no admission charge and no advance tickets are required. The band will feature both their bluegrass and country sets, and several alumni members of the band will sit in.

Congratulations Haley for landing this gig and representing the banjo in the Navy!