The Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music in Hyden, KY was the place to be on Thursday night, December, 12. Hyden has played host to the Osborne Brothers Hometown Bluegrass Festival for over thirty years. But it is also the home of the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, which trains students in many aspects of the bluegrass music industry. The school offers certificate, diploma, and Associate Degree programs in various aspects of the industry.
The students, faculty, and staff under the leadership of the Director of the school, Dean Osborne, come together twice a year to entertain the community with their Ensemble Showcases that feature the different groups that have been put together by the students. This year’s showcases featured Mountain Heritage, The Mountain Cats, Rock Opera, and the Rockhouse Ensemble.
The Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music, located on the campus of Hazard Community and Technical College, has announced an opening for a faculty position teaching recording studio arts. The successful candidate will be responsible for instruction in studio sound recording and enhancement within the realm of bluegrass and traditional music. The position also will require some individual and/or group instruction on the instruments used in this music.
The position is open now, so an immediate hire is anticipated. KSBTM is looking for someone with a masters degree in some music field with teaching experience in higher education, or extensive experience in recording technology, particularly with the ProTools platform.
The online posting for this position describes it as follows:
Hazard Community & Technical College is seeking applicants for an Instructor with the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music. This position will be responsible for instruction in Studio/Sound Recording and Enhancement as well as all general areas of Bluegrass & Traditional music including Instrumental Technique and Music Business & Marketing. Strong consideration will be given to those with studio recording and engineering experience using Pro Tools software. Candidates should have proficiency on multiple instruments and knowledge of vocal parts. Must be able to teach individual or group lessons as well as facilitate and organize workshops and seminars. Must be willing to balance the demands of full-time instructor with any professional touring or recording activities.
Job Duties:
Duties will include, but not limited to: • Plan and deliver instruction, instructional activities, and prepare learning materials for courses each semester in accordance with approved curriculum. • Teach individual and/or group lessons. • Teach sound recording and engineering utilizing ProTools. • Facilitate and organize workshops and seminars. • Use of technology and learning management systems to support instruction. • Complete instructional support processes such as syllabi development, course assessments, early interventions, and class organization. • Participate in professional development and college/department meetings. • Collaborate with partners for student transition. • Provides advising and support including students transitioning from high school to HCTC and beyond to a four-year university.
This is a ten month contract position, and salary is commensurate with experience. The school is based at the Hazard Community and Technical College Leslie County Center campus in Hyden, KY. It is part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
KSBTM offers an entirely online certificate program in digital audio recording for bluegrass and traditional music.
Applications are being reviewed now, and can be made online.
Scott Napier recently shared a story with us that demonstrates the wonderful spirit of giving we find in the bluegrass community. One of his music students received a special gift from another student, even though the two had never met.
Napier, former mandolinist with Larry Sparks, Marty Raybon, and Lost & Found, now serves as an Associate Professor for Hazard Community & Technical College’s Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music in Hyden, KY. There, he teaches classes in bluegrass music history, songwriting, and ensemble directing, as well as individual string lessons on both mandolin and guitar.
Although Napier is too modest to say so, encouraging young musicians is nothing new for him. From his multiple “Top 5 Bluegrass Vinyl” record giveaways to his involvement with up-and-coming professionals in the business, his passion for next-generation pickers has helped to earn him three IBMA Mentor of the Year Nominations.
“I’ve been an instructor for nine years, but I have been a touring bluegrass musician since I was 18. I have grown to love being a teacher. I do that full time as well as travel with (my band) Wildfire,” explained the east Kentucky native.
“I started working in another program two counties over in Hindman, Kentucky for the Hindman Settlement School. They have a program (Pick & Bow) where they teach traditional music to grade-school kids that are still too young to come to our community college.”
Pick & Bow is a music program that offers free lessons in acoustic instruments to elementary, as well as some high-school, students in Knott, Floyd, Perry and Letcher counties. Students can choose between guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, and ukulele as their instrument of choice. In-person group lessons for grades 4-8, are held at Hindman Elementary. Virtual lessons for any students, grades 4-12, are scheduled individually, and are conducted around Scott’s other work duties for KSBTM.
Napier realized the opportunity to introduce acoustic music to youth who could potentially enroll in his secondary program.
“I thought, ‘this makes sense.’ I can start working with kids and hopefully get them into our school.”
The multi-instrumentalist and music instructor had new clientele.
“It was a different situation, a little more challenging. During COVID, everything went online. I have continued to do that because our school is a good 40 minutes away. I have one student, (12-year-old) Braxton Miller, who has really stuck with me. He is homeschooled, and I met him through his grandmother who I give mandolin lessons. I worked with him on the computer at first through the Pick & Bow program. She started bringing him occasionally and he would sit in on our lesson. We started to pick a little together in person.
We do mini recap lessons and I tune his guitar. His little blue guitar is really hard to play and didn’t even have a case. He was extremely shy at first, and it took a while to get him to do the video (of a song he learned, Angeline the Baker).
He did a good job, and that video sparked a lot of interest (on social media). People from all over the country would comment and share it. Another one of my students, Steve Mead from Buffalo, NY that I teach exclusively online, saw Braxton’s video and it touched him. We had a couple talks about it and one day he said he had a guitar that he wanted to send to Braxton. Steve did visit Hyden to attend one of the five mandolin camps that I’ve directed here at KSBTM (the Bobby Osborne Mandolin Roundup) so I feel that gave him a personal connection, and a desire to help with an improved instrument for Braxton. I think it did him good to do that. It did a lot of good for a lot people: his wife, me, Braxton, and his (Braxton’s) grandmother.”
Mead shared…
“A few weeks ago, Scott posted a video on Facebook of Braxton, who participates in the Hindman Settlement Schools’ Pick & Bow Program where Scott also teaches, playing his first fiddle tune, Angeline the Baker, on guitar. It is my understanding that the school has instruments the students can use or rent. I contacted Scott and asked him if he thought Braxton and his family would be OK with me sending Braxton a gift, a nearly new Seagull guitar. He said everyone was fine with it so I packed it up: guitar, case, strap, pile of picks, and some 1960’s vintage chord books and shipped it off to Scott. The video Scott posted on Facebook shows Braxton receiving it. It truly warmed my heart to watch him unboxing and playing it.
Some are blessed to be fortunate enough to have accumulated more instruments than we can possibly play. What better way to make someone’s day than the ‘spirit of giving’ as Scott put it. I believe all of us involved enjoyed it as much as Braxton did.
Thanks to Scott for facilitating this gift.”
Napier stressed…
“Steve, who has taken lessons for five semesters, is the one who should get the glory. I’m fortunate to be on a platform where I can show this. As a teacher, I do those videos (of my students) for them to boost them. Some have gotten thousands of views.
Braxton is just a good kid from here in the mountains (of Kentucky). Thanks to the school and the Pick & Bow program we are able to make all this happen. It’s all about the continuation of traditional music.
He didn’t even know how to hold a guitar. To see that transformation is really magical. I told his grandmother about the Pick & Bow program. It’s free and I told her that he should sign up. That’s how it started.”
Scott says that Braxton was eager to learn.
“I don’t think he’s ever missed a lesson, which is some kind of record! I generally gravitate to those students who work harder. Braxton is so shy and timid that you have to break through that barrier. To get him to make that video was huge. I was impressed that he read (aloud) the letter from Steve.
As they were leaving the school, Braxton asked me, ‘Is it really mine?’ I don’t think he’s ever had a random, surprise gift such as this. He carried his new guitar out in a really fancy hard shell case. His grandmother said that he was in shock and said he was going to sleep with the guitar.
“I can’t imagine what this will do for him. This reminds me of when I was his age and got my first good F-style mandolin for Christmas. I will never forget that, and I really feel like that was what that moment was like for Braxton. It was really special.”
Well done Steve and Scott, and congratulations Braxton!
UN Ambassador Kelly Craft, Joe Craft, Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Dean Osborne, Scott Napier, Lauren Napier, and Natalie Tomlinson at the Derby Eve Party in Lexington hosted by the Crafts.
The Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, located on the campus of the Hazard Technical and Community College in Hyden, KY, was called upon to bring some authentic Kentucky bluegrass to The Kentucky Derby earlier this month.
Specifically, they were invited to perform during a Kentucky Derby Eve celebration at the Apiary Event Venue in Lexington. With the Derby being the prime event of the season in Louisville and Lexington, gala parties of every sort are held throughout the weekend, sponsored or hosted by a wide variety of clubs, celebrities, and businesses. The school was asked to provide live music for a party hosted by UN Ambassador Kelly Craft and her husband Joe.
Dean Osborne, Director of KSBTM, put together a band consisting of faculty and alumni, who not only offered the Crafts’ guests a taste of traditional music, they also presented a handcrafted Appalachian dulcimer to Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who was celebrating a birthday that evening. Also attending the party were the UN Ambassadors from Germany, Turkey, and Albania, Senator Mitch McConnell, and his wife, Secretary Elaine Chao, celebrated author JD Vance, Alltech CEO Dr. Mark Lyons, and Mrs. Deirdre Lyons.
Playing music at the event were Director Osborne on banjo, Associate Professor Scott Napier on guitar, KSBTM graduate Mrs. Lauren Price Napier on mandolin, Instructor Virgil Bowlin on bass, and KSBTM graduate Natalie Tomlinson on fiddle.
Dean tells us that they all felt privileged to be involved.
“It was a great honor for the KSBTM to be asked by the Craft family to present authentic bluegrass music to this international gathering. In celebrating the tradition of the Kentucky Derby, and being able to celebrate the birthday of UN Secretary General Guterres and present him an Appalachian dulcimer, was something we will never forget being a part of. He is a native of Portugal, and was very interested in the history of the instrument. The singing of My Old Kentucky Home by all those present was truly a once in a lifetime event.”
You can learn more about the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, which offers both diploma and certificate programs for college grassers, online.
Governor Bevin visited the school, located near the campus of the Hazard Community and Technical College, and met with some of the students and faculty. His video report surely raised the awareness of this fine opportunity for people to learn to play bluegrass and old time music.
It seems only proper that Kentucky should host such a school, as native son Bill Monroe gave the music its name when he choose the state nickname for his band, The Blue Grass Boys.
Here’s the Governor’s visit on video, which he has shared with all his social media followers.
Students and faculty in Hazard Community and Technical College’s Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music showed policymakers in the Bluegrass State just what bluegrass music is all about last week when they were invited to play at the state capitol in Frankfort. Six students, along with faculty members Virgil Bowlin and Dean Osborne, performed for the state’s House of Representatives last Wednesday, March 7.
The students opened up the legislative day for the members of the House with a gentle, melodic performance of the state song, My Old Kentucky Home. Featured in the performance were students Natalie Tomlinson, Terry O’Neal, John Meador, Shalene O’Neal, Jessie Meador, and Kacey O’Neal, along with special guests Caleb O’Neal and Hazard Community and Technical College president Dr. Jennifer Lindon. Later in the day, the students were joined by House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins for a rousing performance of Rollin’ in My Sweet Baby’s Arms. Adkins, a Democrat from Sandy Hook in eastern Kentucky, proved himself to be an able guitar player and singer.
For more information on the Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music, visit them online at http://ksbtm.hazard.kctcs.edu/.
Last week during the semester-end concert at the Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music, Bobby Osborne appeared with staff instructor Scott Napier and student Lauren Price presented a triple mandolin version of Jingle Bells, done bluegrass style. The school is located on the campus of Hazard Community and Technical College in Hyden, KY.
The Fall and Winter 2017 Ensemble Showcase featured all of the students in the bluegrass program, picking and singing along with their instructors. The School is administered by Dean Osborne, Bobby’s banjo playing cousin, and they offer a 2 year degree in Bluegrass and Traditional Music in a Performing Arts School setting.
Danny Clark’s 2017 Bluegrass Halloween party at the Bluegrass Bus Museum
We did turn up a number of additional Halloween photos with a bluegrass theme, and even a couple of videos.
Most of them came from Danny “Hootenanny” Clark, and his Halloween party last weekend at the Bluegrass Bus Museum. An awful lot of young Nashville pickers were in attendance, dressed up in some extremely creative costumes. See who you recognize!
Sideline found themselves in the studio on Halloween, but took time to post this photo with their bus…
… and this video of them tracking.
We also saw this one from Bobby Osborne, Scott Napier and several students at the Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music at the Hazard Technical and Community College.
Here’s something for those of you who are education-minded…
Hazard Community and Technical College, which is part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, is looking for a new faculty member for their Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music. The position was recently vacated by long-time faculty member J.P Mathes, who plans on pursuing other ventures with his wife Leona, a fiddle player and native of Japan.
According to the online job posting, strong consideration will be given to applicants with recording and engineering experience using ProTools. The college recently began an online certificate program in digital audio recording that has proved popular with students not only in Kentucky, but also around the country and internationally. Proficiency on multiple instruments and knowledge of bluegrass vocal parts is considered a plus, as is a master’s degree in a field of music or performance, higher education teaching experience, and/or a career as a professional musician.
Once hired, the faculty member will be tasked with teaching individual and group instrumental lessons, as well other courses related to recording, marketing, and music business. They may also be asked to organize and facilitate workshops and seminars related to bluegrass and traditional music. The job will be based at the college’s satellite campus in Hyden, Kentucky.
The complete job posting can be found online. For additional information on the position and the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, contact program director Dean Osborne at (606) 487-3499 or by email.
The Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music at Hazard Community and Technical College, has devised a terrific program to mark the 50th Anniversary of Carter Stanley’s final performance on October 21, and offer their students a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience.
It was on October 21, 1966 that Carter left the stage for the last time, during a Stanley Brothers appearance in Hazel Green, KY, just 55 miles north of Hazard where the college is located. The brothers were only a few songs into their set when Carter began coughing up blood uncontrollably, and had to be taken to the hospital. Six weeks later he passed away at the hospital in Bristol, TN not far from his home in Virginia.
Only 41 years of age when he died, Carter had resisted his brother Ralph’s attempts to reign in his alcohol consumption, even after doctors had told him flatly that it would kill him in short order. It seems that he used drink to battle depression, brought on in large part by watching other early bluegrass acts like Flatt & Scruggs enjoying far greater success than he and Ralph had found.
Students at KSBTM will recreate the Stanleys’ truncated last show on the 21st, ahead of Gary Reid’s presentation of his one man Carter Stanley stage show, A Life Of Sorrow, the Life and Times of Carter Stanley. It will be hosted at the Red River Valley Elementary School in Hazel Green, the same location as that fateful performance in 1966.
KSBTM faculty member Scott Napier has organized the student set, which will feature pupils from his Stanley style class. They have been rehearsing using an audio recording from a Stanley Brothers show held in Bean Blossom, IN on October 16, 1966, seeking to replicate the sound as closely as they can. Scott will play the role of Melvin Goins on bass, including his comedic character, Big Wilbur, a regular on the Stanleys’ shows, and will be wearing Melvin’s original costume on stage.
The two students chosen to play the Stanleys are Tanner Horton as Carter, and Jordan Jenkins as Ralph. KSBTM Director Dean Osborne will tackle the role of George Shuffler on lead guitar.
This should be an event to remember for Stanley fans in east Tennessee, and those willing to make the drive from neighboring Ohio, West Virginia or Virginia.
The October 21 show is a fundraiser for the Red River Valley school. More details can be found online.
