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Keith McKinnon, banjo player with Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, and his wife, Whitney, are celebrating the birth of a daughter, Bo Harper McKinnon.
She was born May 13, weighing in at 7lbs 5oz and 21 inches long.
We are told that Mom, Dad, Bo, and big brother Tucker are all doing well.
Congratulations Whitney and Keith, and a big Bluegrass Today welcome to little Bo!
Of course, there are always some children whose families don’t have the means to purchase gifts, and some children who are separated from loved ones at Christmas. There are Good Samaritan organizations who collect toys for such young folks almost anyplace you look, often the local fire, police, or service organizations. We found a couple going on this month with a specifically bluegrass flavor for people in southwest Virginia and central Tennessee.
There is one scheduled for this Saturday (December 12) in Galax, VA at Creek Bottoms Brews, sponsored by Camp B Chord, an outfit that will be familiar to anyone who attends the city’s Old Fiddlers Convention each summer. They can always be found there playing driving bluegrass into the wee hours of the mornings, in the key of B, don’t you know.
Music will be provided by a band of young bluegrass all-stars: Keith McKinnon from IIIrd Tyme Out, his brother Kevin, Jason Davis and Jamie Harper from Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice, and Eli Johnson and Stephen Burwell from Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.
There will be no charge to attend the show, other than a new toy which will be donated to the Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC.
You can count on hearing some great music, and having a fun time with some of our top young grassers.
1437 Cumberland Caverns Road
McMinnville, TN 37110
Cash donation can also be made online.
Not only will you have the certainty of helping bringing some Christmas cheer to less-privileged children, each new toy or donation of $5 or more will also enter you into a drawing to win one of three prize packages for Bluegrass Underground tickets, along with accommodations and restaurant passes for shows in 2016.
To be entered in the drawings, toys or donations must be received by December 19.
Full details about the prize packages can be found online.
This was necessitated by the departures of both Steve Dilling and Edgar Loudermilk last month, both of whom had been long term members of the band. Dilling gave up the road owing to the difficulties presented by a health issue, while Loudermilk decided to strike out on his own. Edgar and Dave Adkins have formed a new band to record and perform their original music.
But IIIrd Tyme Out just keeps rolling along. Now approaching their 24th year, Moore is the sole remaining original member. He has kept a remarkably stable band together over that time, garnering five IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year trophies for himself, and 7 for Vocal Group of the Year. They maintain a rigorous touring schedule and have built an enviable cadre of loyal fans for their contemporary bluegrass sound.
So these new guys have big shoes to fill, but despite their youth, both are experienced bluegrass road warriors.
McKinnon first hit the scene as a member of Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain, playing guitar and singing. His twin brother, Kevin, played mandolin in the band as well. The two started their own outfit, Still-House, when Carrie hung up her traveling shoes. This past two years, Keith has run sound for Lonesome River Band. His “underground” reputation as a crackerjack banjo man is now set to go public.
Johnson had been playing guitar and singing lead with Grasstowne this 2013 season. He had originally been a bass player, and was a founding member of North Carolina’s Hagar’s Mountain Boys. A notable vocalist, he is sure to continue the polished style that has been a hallmark of the IIIrd Tyme Out sound since their inception in 1991.
Russell says that he sees the fresh energy from these two new members as all positive, and that it takes him back to his early days in the business.
“When you work and travel with people in a touring band for years, not only is it a creative effort on a professional level, but you become friends with these people as well. Even though we are sad to see old friends depart, we are excited about the fresh, new talent, creative energy and new relationships we’ll develop, both professionally and personally, with the new members. As a band, it’s sometimes important to reinvent yourselves, your music and your show, to keep things exciting and fans engaged. Quite often a band member change can be the spark that lights that creative fire. I know the feel and excitement of being a new member of an established band, dating back to my days when I joined Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. Although they are not ‘new’ to the bluegrass music scene, it is great to see and feel that same excitement from Keith and Blake.
IIIrd Tyme Out’s past has been nothing but wonderful, but have no doubt, we’re even more excited about what the future holds.”
The band takes the month of December off each year, but will be back in January with the new lineup. You can follow their tour schedule online.
