International Bluegrass December 2014

INTERNATIONAL

bluegrass

Vol. 29 No. 12 December 2014

Happy

HOLIDAYS!

Discover Your

why

TURNER’S TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2014 November Board Meeting Minutes

(Ultra) Marathon Music Man SCR’s Charles Humphrey III

International Bluegrass

Vol. 29 | No. 12 | December 2014

Editor: Taylor Coughlin taylor@ibma.org

Designer: Erin Erdos Humann erinfaitherdos@gmail.com

STAFF

Nancy Cardwell Executive Director

BOARD

Taylor Coughlin Special Projects Director Publications Editor

Eddie Huffman Technology & Office Systems Manager

Jon Weisberger/Board Chairperson

Alan Bartram/Director, Artists/Composers/Publishers Becky Buller/At Large Danny Clark/At Large Jamie Deering/Director, Merchandisers/Luthiers Regina Derzon/Director Secretary, Associations John Goad, Print/Media/Education William Lewis/At Large

Stephen Mougin/At Large Joe Mullins, Artists/Composers/Publishers Leah Ross/Director, Event Producers Ben Surratt/Director, Recording/Dist./Marketing Tim Surrett/Vice Chair/Director, Artists/Composers/Publishers Angelika Torrie/Director, International

INFO CONTACT US

INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS

The monthly emailed publication of the International Bluegrass Music Association

(ISSN #1095-0605) IBMA: IBMA is the trade association

608 W. Iris Drive, Nashville, TN 37204 USA 615-256-3222 | 888-GET-IBMA Fax: 615-256-0450 Email: info@ibma.org Website: www.ibma.org

that connects and educates bluegrass professionals, empowers the bluegrass community, and encourages worldwide appreciation of bluegrass music of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Statement of fact and opinion are made on the responsibility of the writers alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers, directors, staff or members of IBMA. Portions of International Bluegrass may be reprinted provided that explicit citation of the source is made: “Reprinted with permission from International Bluegrass, the publication of the International Bluegrass Music Association, www.ibma.org.�

DECEMBER Table of CONTENTS

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Pick up some healthy lifestyle tips from an ultra runner and professional touring musician

Turner’s Top 10! 14

04 06 08 10 14 20 22 26 27

EDITORIAL: Exec. Director Nancy Cardwell says goodbye after 20 years at IBMA

BOARD Meeting Minutes

Discovering your WHY

(Ultra) Marathon Music Man Writer Shannon Turner’s favorites from 2014

FRESH SOUNDS: PLUS: Info on Songwriting mentoring!

INDUSTRY NEWS

STATEMENT TO MEMBERS from IBMA Board of Directors

NEW MEMBERS: November

Letter from Executive Director Nancy Cardwell Dear IBMA members,

Thanks for the opportunity to serve you as IBMA’s Special Project Director from 1994-2012,

and for the past two and a half years as your Executive Director. We’ve accomplished some important things, working together for bluegrass music. I’m sure there’s more in store. I hope our bluegrass paths will continue to cross in the future, but please know that even if I don’t see you as frequently, I’ll not forget any of you.

I got an email note earlier this month form longtime bluegrass broadcaster and IBMA member Loek Lamers in Holland, who referred to me as “the last of the Mohicans,” because of the long stint on the IBMA staff Dan Hays, Jill Crabtree and I shared. I’ve never been called a “Mohican” before, but I think I rather like it!

Here at the end of the calendar year, I want to be sure and remind you to remember bluegrass music charities in your annual giving. I highly recommend the following:

The Bluegrass Trust Fund, a charity started by IBMA in our beginning years to help individuals in the bluegrass community in times of emergency need. (Bluegrass Trust Fund, c/o IBMA, 608 W. Iris Drive, Nashville, TN 37204; 615-256-3222) Do you know someone who should apply for assistance? Click here for a confidential application.

The Foundation for Bluegrass Music, another 501 (c) 3 nonprofit founded by IBMA that “connects passion with purpose and is a means for people and organizations to support the art form through charitable donations and planned giving.” (www.bluegrassfoundation.org) Here’s where you can actively support ongoing Bluegrass in the Schools programs and grants for programs for young people—and all ages--that are educational in nature. (Foundation for Bluegrass Music, c/o IBMA, 608 W. Iris Drive, Nashville, TN 37204; 615256-3222) The International Bluegrass Music Museum, in Owensboro, KY, whose focus is on preserving the rich heritage of bluegrass music, as well as telling the bluegrass story and celebrating today’s music: www.bluegrassmuseum.org (IBMM, 117 Daviess Street, Owensboro, KY 42303; 1-888-MY-BANJO) The Bluegrass Museum is also hard at work on raising the last bit of funds needed to build a new International Bluegrass Music Center in Owensboro, where the museum will be housed in the future.

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International Bluegrass

www.ibma.org

EDITORIAL

We’re also pleased to talk to you about donations to IBMA, including sponsorships for Leadership Bluegrass which is coming up in March 2015, and of course all the wonderful World of Bluegrass events in Raleigh slated for Sept. 29 – Oct. 3, 2015. IBMA is a 501(c)6 non-profit so unlike the three organizations listed above, donations to our trade association are not tax deductible charitable donations. But depending on the nature of your business, donations or expenses related to IBMA (membership, the conference) could be considered a business expense. (Ask your accountant!) If you’re looking for a creative holiday gift for a bluegrass friend in the biz or a hardcore fan, IBMA membership is always a stellar idea! Click here for info on WOB 2015 sponsorship opportunities, or call us at 888-GET-IBMA. In closing, I’ll borrow the words that our friend Garrison Keillor uses to end each broadcast of The Writer’s Almanac: “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Your friend, Nancy Cardwell nancyk.cardwell@gmail.com, (615) 260-4807

Sponsor WOB 2015 today! www.ibma.org

International Bluegrass

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November Board Meeting Minutes November 19, 2014 Teleconference Meeting

about the leadership, governance and credibility lost by The Chair, Co-Chair at the time, the EC and Board, as a result of the conflict between the chair and former vice-chair, the resignations and the disruptions; in the office, the membership, the board and in relation to our partners in Raleigh, the disruption to board business which has now been going on for weeks non-stop, with ever increasing escalation and culminating in a crisis, the impasses and dead ends created since, the inability to discuss and dispatch critical matters in an open, above board, simple, timely, and constructive manner, the perception by numerous members that we are stonewalling, and what needs to be done at this time: our decisions, resolutions, and path forward. Henri requested this proposal be entered into the official minutes verbatim.

Members Present: Alan Bartram, Becky Buller, Danny Clark, Jamie Deering, Regina Derzon, Henri Deschamps, John Goad, William Lewis, Joe Mullins, Stephen Mougin, Brian Smith, Ben Surratt, Tim Surrett, Angelika Torrie, Jon Weisberger, Elizabeth Wightman. All members were present on the teleconference call.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Board Chair, Jon Weisberger.

It was immediately MOVED (Ben) and SECONDED (Becky) to enter into Executive Session to discuss organizational matters. VOTE: The motion passed unanimously. The board entered into Executive Session with a reminder by Board Secretary Regina Derzon about the sanctity of Executive Session. She reminded board members that any and all discussions held in Executive Session are to remain private.

It was MOVED (Ben) and SECONDED (Elizabeth) to ratify the action taken by the board via electronic voting in which the minutes of the September 29-30, 2014 Board Meeting be approved.

VOTE: The motion passed unanimously.

It was MOVED (Joe) and SECONDED (Tim) to ratify the action taken by the board via electronic voting in which Wayne Rice and Doyle Lawson were reappointed to a three (3) year term on the IBMA Bluegrass Trust Fund board of directors. VOTE: The motion passed unanimously. Nancy will be directed by the Chair to notify the Trust Fund board.

It was MOVED (Henri) and SECONDED (Brian) that we now proceed to a formal and official board discussion

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It was MOVED (Ben) and SECONDED (Jamie) to table the motion for discussion later in the meeting to deal with the action items on the agenda. VOTE: Yes 11; No 4; 1 Abstention (Stephen).

The motion was tabled until later in the meeting.

Ben (Nominating Committee chair) reported on the results of the committee – 3 strong candidates –– board discussed – VOTE: Via email ballot to two separate board members, Leah Ross was elected by the board to fill the vacant Event Producers. (Per IBMA Bylaws, Article III, Section 5: “if a vacancy occurs within one year before a regularly scheduled board election, the board of directors may fill the vacancy by a temporary appointment to serve until the election.”)

to two separate board members Tim Surrett was elected Vice Chair to serve until the September/October 2015 board meeting.

The motion made earlier by Henri was brought back to the board for discussion. Discussion ensued. Given that the nature of the motion was to rearrange the agenda to hold the discussion of this topic sooner in the meeting, it was rendered moot.

It was MOVED (Henri) and SECONDED (Brian) that we now proceed to a formal and official board vote. The chair has offered his resignation three times in the last few weeks and the board needs to resolve that matter by accepting his offer to resign, or by reaffirming its vote of confidence. The motion further proposes two options. Option 1) Members ask the Chair to stay in place and reaffirms its confidence in the chair, Option 2) Members prefer a change in leadership. It was requested the proposal be entered into the official minutes verbatim and VOTE: 11 for Option 1 and 5 for Option 2. The following board members requested their vote be entered into the minutes: Alan(Option 1), Becky(Option 1), Joe(Option 1), Tim(Option 1), Jon(Option 1), Elizabeth(Option 2), Danny(Option 1), Ben(Option1).

It was MOVED (Ben) and SECONDED (John G) that the meeting be adjourned. VOTE: Passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 p.m. Central time.

Respectfully submitted,

Jon presented the names of the current board members who are eligible to serve as Vice Chair. The board put forth 3 names for consideration (Elizabeth, Tim and Brian). VOTE: Via email ballot

International Bluegrass

www.ibma.org

Regina Warner Derzon Secretary

It’s about Jamming !

FEATURE

Pete Wernick’s Silver Bay BLUEGRASS CAMP on beautiful Lake George June 22-26.

Innovative camp model includes: l coached small jam groups daily l instrument instruction daily Details at l trio harmony singing daily BGJAM.com l nite fun: open mic, karaoke, movies l all certified Wernick Method teachers l beginning jammers to performing bands

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Wernick Method classes

“The learning curve is amazing in this jam class setting.”

... and it’s much easier than many folks think. Most teaching leaves them in the closet, but we get them jamming!” − PETE WERNICK

TS! L SU RE

in 39 states & 9 countries

How our students rate their classes on a 1-5 scale 5

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3000+ students, 60+ teachers

1

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teach real bluegrass jamming! All ages.

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Merlefest (NC) Grey Fox (NY ) Huck Finn (CA) Palatka (FL) ROMP (KY ) Blythe (AZ) Tamworth (UK) Gettysburg (PA) Cruise2Jam (CA) Jekyll Island (GA) ) Myrtle Beach (SC ) Delaware Valley (NJ ) Mammoth Lakes (CA V) Pickin’ in Parsons t(W ) (SC Albino Skunk Fes (AZ) Pickin’ in the Pines ass (BC) Lighthouse BluegrRoots (VA/TN) Bristol Rhythm & & Roots (CO) Palisade Bluegrass ... and many more! the festival to take Asked, “Did you attend ts said: YES. den stu of 40% ss?” this cla

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Hands-on learning in large & small groups. l Only four chords needed, G, C, D, and A. l Full ground rules and etiquette of typical jams. l Ear skills taught: How to find melodies, fake solos, carry a tune, sing harmony. l How to lead songs and follow new songs. l Tab/note reading not needed or used.

Bluegrass organizations!

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For 15%, we provide:

Full teacher training Customized class flyer l Class page on BGjam.com l Registration, handling payments l Promo blasts to our email list l Student materials, emailed and hard copy l Consult with Pete as needed l Student evaluations & summary

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FEATURE

Discover your WHY Once in a great while, something comes along that is so powerful that it alters the way we view the world, changes the lens, and those of us who adopt it and use it find ourselves transformed on a personal and a professional basis.

I believe there’s a better way. A better way of understanding yourself, what you stand for, what you believe. A better way of articulating that to the world, so that, in turn, you find a better way of attracting into your life, both on a personal, and in your business, better people, that create a better business and a better life.

When you know your WHY, you know your unique gift. You understand yourself and others. You gain clarity and confidence, and you know how you fit. That applies to the individual and the team dynamic. When you know your WHY, you can live with passion, you communicate better, you attract those people who believe what you believe, you invite them to be a part of your tribe, you create unity and understanding among the team members in between themselves.

Jim Jubelirer

You create a better place to work.

Where does your WHY come from?

When you’re a baby and you want milk, what do you do? Cry. And then, what happens? You get milk.

And suddenly an association forms.

Crying equals success. So you wake up in the middle of the night and you’re alone in your crib and you’re lonely, what do you do?

Right. What happens? Someone comes and picks you up.

The association of crying equals success is strengthened.

In fact, on a very profound level, for the baby that needs milk to survive, crying is life or death. The programming is so deep, it is much below a thinking level, and that

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association gets strengthened every time the baby cries and gets what they want. As we grow, we learn that crying no longer equals success anymore, and therefore we have to try different things to get what we want and what we need to survive, and we begin experimenting and trying things. “What behavior is going to work to get me success?”

We try a behavior, and we achieve some level of success. Success can be either achieving what you want, reward, praise, recognition, getting that thing, or it could be the avoidance of angst, pain and disappointment. In either case, that equals success.

International Bluegrass

Notice that in both circumstances “success” is feeling-based, not thought-based.

You don’t think success. You feel it.

Can you see that when you figure that out, on a very base level, way below thinking, you’re going to repeat that behavior over and over and over? It’s going to govern you for the rest of your life, because that behavior reveals your WHY. Why you think the way you think, why you speak the way you speak, why you chose the partner you chose, why you do everything that you do.

www.ibma.org

FEATURE

BENEFITS OF KNOWING YOUR WHY When you know your WHY, you realize your unique gifts. You become aware of those qualities and “uniquenesses” that only you possess. You begin to see the world through a filter that belongs only to you, that enables you to make a contribution that only you can make.

When you know your WHY, you understand yourself and others. The way you operate makes complete sense, you feel empowered and easily “get” why others do what they do, based on their own WHYs. No longer does anyone seem strange, bizarre or odd. They simply have a different WHY, a different belief, than you.

When you know your WHY, you gain clarity and confidence. The awareness of your unique gifts and understanding of yourself open your eyes to a completely clear picture of what is in front of you— and give you a newfound sense of confidence. You see things from an empowered perspective of exactly who you are—without doubt and confusion—the removal of which naturally breeds confidence.

IMAGINE A WORLD

BIOGRAPHY

Let’s pause for a moment. Imagine that in your organization, or in your band, every single person knows their WHY. This means that everyone is aware of their own gift.

Everyone understands themselves as well as the other members of the team. Everyone has clarity and confidence about the cause of your organization, what you stand for and what you believe. Because of that, every team member knows how they fit and how they bring their own unique contribution to life inside the cause of the group.

If everyone is in a position where what they do is completely aligned with their WHY—this generates passion for your organization and its cause. Imagine that everyone communicates well with each other—with respect and appreciation for each other’s different viewpoints and talents and how they contribute to the success of an organization as a whole.

Jim’s first exposure to bluegrass was “Old and In the Way”, like many other Deadheads in college.

Jim graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz and got his MBA at the Johnson School at Cornell. After college, Jim worked as a forest ranger in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado and volunteered at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. He has been a patron of Merlefest for the past 15 years, and loves to get out to hear music whenever he can.

Can you begin to see what an extraordinary difference this will have on your group and the crazy kind of results it will produce?

Jim is offering a complimentary WHY Discovery session to any IBMA member who is interested.

Just go to wwww.whyprofile.com to sign up!

Jim Jubelirer is a Certified Gazelles Coach, one of 125 people trained

by Verne Harnish to deliver the Rockefeller Habits business coaching framework. Jim is also a certified “WHY Guy”; an expert speaker for Vistage: serves as an Executive Coach for the Duke Leadership Program at the Fuqua School of Business; and is active with RTP Capital Associates, an angel investment network.

Jim works with CEOs who are frustrated by a lack of a long-range plan and lack of consistent results in their business. He helps his clients implement the best practices in business development and leadership development in order to achieve Breakthrough Results.

Note: Jim presented this information to the IBMA Leadership Bluegrass alumni meeting in Raleigh.

As a special offer, Jim is offering a complimentary WHY Discovery session to any IBMA member who is interested.

Just go to www.whyprofile.com to sign up!

www.ibma.org

International Bluegrass

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FEATURE

{ultra} Marathon Music Man How miles, music and family keep Charles Humphrey III on his toes

by Taylor Coughlin

C

harles Humphrey III is kind of crazy. You could tattle that back to him, but he already knows. It’s an admittance easily made when you run ultramarathons – distances more than 26.2 miles – for fun (which he does) on top of playing bass and writing songs for the Grammy and IBMA Award winning bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers (which he does), as well as (and most importantly) being a devoted father of two and husband (which he is).

“It’s all about balance,” says the elevation-scaling, photo-snapping, nature-enthused Asheville, NC resident.

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The beginning of Humphrey’s socalled “craziness” can perhaps be traced back to his genesis as a bluegrass bass man. Humphrey is an original Ranger along with fellow UNC Chapel Hill alums Woody Platt (guitar, vocals) and Graham Sharp (banjo), where they met and formed the band. He was studying classically when bluegrass started reeling him in.

He’s since met, sang, and played with musicians big outside of bluegrass thanks, in part, to the band’s pairing with funnyman and movie star Steve Martin. He’s also written songs others have recorded and has spun off his own musical projects called “Songs From the Road.” Turns out, Humphrey started to like the road in more ways than one.

International Bluegrass

Three or four years ago (time gets fuzzier the longer you run) the North Carolinian decided to go for a run one day in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

He got to about eight miles. After his initial run, he was intrigued. He was influenced by the “minimalist” running movement and read the popular running story, “Born to Run,”

by Christopher McDougall and then he started running along with an old college roommate as he trained for a marathon in Asheville. Road miles turned into trail miles (not equal in the eyes of runners), his feet bruised but his spirit re-awakened. Hook, line and sinker: He was a bonafide crazy runner.

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FEATURE

It wasn’t until he finished two marathons that he deduced he didn’t want to be any normal runner, oh no.

“I wanted to slow down and see how far I could go,” he said, instead of trying to improve his speed like everyone else (well, except the other ones crazy like him). So, he did the next logical thing: He signed up to run a 50-miler – his first Ultra Marathon. And as they say, the rest is history. Just this past September, he ran the Hallucination 100 mile race in Hell, Michigan, right around the time the Steeps were playing a marathon of festivals like Mountain Song, Americana and World of Bluegrass. He didn’t skip a beat.

Much like the musical community bluegrass musicians and fans alike become immersed in, Humphrey found himself in another deep community: with his fellow (crazy) runners, inspiring him further to keep on going.

“It’s like this brotherhood,” he said.

“It’s about, you know, feeling good, being in shape, the mental and physical challenges of running and being out in nature.”

For some, running can be flat out unappealing – boring, even. But for Humphrey, it was more than the miles that kept him coming back for more. He began to feel the effects of the miles on his soul and spirit that couldn’t be denied. And soon he’d find the effects of his running rubbing off on the rest of his life. “Just being in beautiful places and being up in high altitudes, bring on the tops of mountains…it’s very spiritual and meditative. It brings focus to the rest of your life.”

“Charles Humphrey III runs the Hallucination 100 Miler, September 2014.”

“If the running is going well, then the songwriting goes well, too,”

www.ibma.org

International Bluegrass

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FEATURE

His daughter Tiffin, age 10 and in 5th grade and Arlo, his 5-year-old son in kindergarten, and wife of over 10 years, Gillian, are the true loves of his life. Without their support, he couldn’t be, well, crazy.

“You have to have a supportive wife to lead the life of a musician, being gone and then being home and running the family and the house,” he said, “and then you throw supporting an ultra runner in the mix as well, and that’s asking a whole lot. She’s a pretty amazing woman. I’m lucky to have her support.”

That focus plays out in many ways, one becoming a better musician: “If you can put the time in to learn what it’s like to run 100 miles, you can take that same focus and dedication and apply it to improving yourself on your instruments, or putting into songwriting.”

The focus and motivation it takes to run, he said, you can apply to your musicianship. But, there is not only his running and playing music. There’s also his family.

With his many responsibilities, Humphrey has turned out to be a great case study in “How to Manage Your Time Well” and you’d be hard pressed to argue.

Humphrey makes it clear when it comes to prioritizing his time: “When I’m home, I try not to put my running in front of my family.”

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When he’s not touring with SCR, managing his family time and his running time takes some serious planning. “You have to be creative about when you get your running hours,” he said. For example, running through the night when the family is asleep, running when the kids are at school. “I try to coincide my running so I don’t miss family time. That’s why when I’m out touring with SCR, I’ll take advantage of that time,” he said.

“I can always get up and run for an hour or two or three before we have to drive to our next spot. Or, when the show gets done, I’ll go out at night, depending on what time of year it is.”

The benefits of running work both ways: for Humphrey and those around him, and as a musician. For one, it is widely known that running is an effective way to minimize stress.

“When you’re out on the road day after day after day – instead of getting frustrated, you’re out there running like crazy,” he said. “You’re running all the meanness out, all the frustrations, and you come back and you’re very mellow and relaxed.” Running can also be rather inspiring, which is no big secret.

International Bluegrass

“If the running is going well, then the songwriting goes well, too,” he said.

“I get a lot of ideas from the feelings I experience when I’m running or some of the places I see, or overcoming hurdles. [Running] inspires you to work hard.”

All of this begs the question: When does he sleep and what does he eat to fuel his activity – especially on the road? And, is he even human?

“Eating healthy and getting quality rest are the two ways to recover quickly and stay healthy,” he claimed.

He said the more miles he puts in, the less sleep his body needs. “I piqued out at 130 miles per week [training for the 100 mile race], and I found I needed about six hours,” he said. “If I went to bed by 11 [p.m.] and got up at 5 [a.m.] I’d be fine. If I’m not running so much, I need about eight hours.”

For any touring musician – heck, anyone who’s ever been away from their own kitchen – eating healthy on the road doesn’t come simply.

Temptations and convenience of fast food, festival fare as the only option, and a lack of kitchen to cook in can contribute to the overall perception that healthy eating and touring do not go hand in hand. But Humphrey, along with his health conscious bandmates, make it a point to eat healthy wherever they travel.

“We’ll bring food from home, request healthy riders like vegetable trays and hummus and salsa,” the vegetarian and non-GMO eater said.

With a gluten-free eater and another who avoids dairy, the Steeps enjoy shopping at Whole Foods when out on the road, or grocery shopping instead of grabbing a burger at McDonald’s.

“It’s just about making conscious decisions,” Humphrey said. “It costs a little more to eat healthy, but it’s better for your body.”

www.ibma.org

FEATURE

“

You have to have a supportive wife to lead the life of a musician, being gone and then being home and running the family and the house,” he said, “and then you throw supporting an ultra runner in the mix as well, and that’s asking a whole lot. She’s a pretty amazing woman.

I’m lucky to have her support.

”

And so, not only for his own well-being, he does all of this to set a good example for the ones he is raising. “We lead by example,” he said of him and his wife, Gillian, in showing their kids what it’s like to take good care of your body. “We let the kids do whatever they want to try, whether it’s dance or karate…My son will actually ride his bike alongside me when I’m running, which is a pretty good match!”

For Humphrey, its about living a balanced and full life. His advice for those who want to make a healthier lifestyle change are pretty simple: • Set small goals • Don’t get intimidated • Do it for fun

For those who want to start running, Humphrey advises to get a good, comfortable pair of shoes: a trail shoe for trails, or crosstrainer for road running. Get out and run when you can and start small. “Maybe it’s running for 20 minutes or a mile. Do it when you can and slowly build up,” he advised. “See if you can feel the benefits of it.”

It’s also worth noting that much of Humphrey’s success in maintaining his crazy lifestyle is to have supportive and compatible people surrounding you. “Find like-minded people whom you can spend time with while you’re exercising or walking or running. It can build community, motivation.”

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• Do it to feel good • Get out and explore.

All of that, with a little dash of musical inspiration – heck, you might just become “crazy” yourself.

Charles Humphrey III captures sights seen on the run on Instagram at @whatforestsees. He also posts pictures of his daily runs on his personal Facebook page with haikus.

Join his community and feel the inspiration!

International Bluegrass

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Turner’s Top 10 Bluegrass Albums of 2014

By Shannon Wayne Turner

I

t’s that time of year again, when every music publication takes a look back at the year’s releases and assumes the difficult task of trying to come up with a few titles that reflect the best music of the past 12 months.

It’s never an easy proposition, and certainly not in bluegrass; the genre has the good fortune of having an overabundance of great singers, gifted songwriters and astonishing musicians.

Before we begin, this is the part where I emphasize that the list below reflects my opinions alone, and in no way is endorsed by or otherwise sanctioned by the IBMA. This is only me, attempting to narrow down a wide variety of good bluegrass from 2014. In trying to do so, I learned one thing for certain - bluegrass can be proud of itself, and feel great about its creativity, its artists and its talent, as we head into 2015.

These lists are generally put together at year’s end, but in the interest of holiday shopping, we wanted to provide the titles below not only as a look back at the best bluegrass of 2014, but also as a shopping guide as you look to fill the stockings of the music lovers in your life. While you’re at it, pick up a few for yourself - you know want that Hot Rize record, anyway.

How I Did It: This list should be viewed as a Best of 2014 list, rather than a Top Ten 0f 2014. The titles are arranged in no particular order, save for Number One. I do believe that if you only have $15 to spend on bluegrass music for the holidays, it should go to The Earls of Leicester, for reasons I describe below. However, any of these projects may be considered fine additions to your music library.

www.ibma.org

International Bluegrass

I do not consider the list to be comprehensive. There was just too much good music to cover it all in ten titles. I cast a wide net in my selections, and allowed my choices to run from very traditional bluegrass all the way to clearly progressive sounds. I did so because today’s bluegrass listener might begin their journey with Lester and Earl, or they may first learn of Bill Monroe through Chris Thile. It may seem a stretch at first, but once true Thile fans begin to dig into his music, they won’t have to go far before they find Mr. Monroe. In short, some people may get to The Stanley Brothers or Bobby Osborne through the back door, i.e. via Irene Kelley or Frank Solivan, but as long as they get there, I’m not terribly concerned about the path they follow. Here, then, are the Best of 2014. I hope Santa leaves a couple under your tree. Happy shopping!

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TURNER’S TOP TEN!

1 2 3

The Earls of Leicester, The Earls of Leicester. Rounder Records.

The Earls of Leicester project was put together by Jerry Douglas as a labor of love, to educate contemporary audiences who may have never heard, or even heard of, two of bluegrass music’s most significant architects, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. The band - Johnny Warren, Charlie Cushman, Tim O’Brien, Barry Bales, Douglas and Shawn Camp (as the most spot-on Lester you’d ever hope to see) - reproduce the best of Lester and Earl’s music *verbatim,*including songs like “I’ll Go Stepping Too” and “Dim Lights Thick Smoke.” Any of those guys can (and do) shine on their own, but The Earls of Leicester are entirely about showcasing some of the most important music from the genesis of the genre.

When I’m Free, Hot Rize. Ten in Hand Records.

When rumors started to rumble last year that Hot Rize might be on the way to a reunion, the excitement was palpable.

It’d been 24 years since the band’s last studio record, so the thought of a new album fired imaginations far and wide. With Tim O’Brien, Nick Forster, Pete Wernick and Bryan Sutton in place, the music fell together as naturally as if Hot Rize had never retired. Favorite tracks include “Western Skies” and Blue is Fallin.’” The band’s onstage supporting act, Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers, is a must-see.

The 5 String Flamethrower, Rob McCoury. McCoury Music.

Rob McCoury had been talking about doing a solo record for years, but when you’re running around the country full-time as part of The Del McCoury Band and The Travelin’ McCourys, there’s not a lot of time for additional projects. In the end, it took McCoury two years to put together his first solo effort, but it was worth it. The 5 String Flamethrower shows McCoury to be a banjo ace that isn’t often seen on other recordings, and it is impressive. And when brother Ronnie joins him for a dust-up of “Feudin’ Banjos?” As we say in bluegrass circles, SON!!!

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International Bluegrass

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TURNER’S TOP TEN!

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A Dotted Line, Nickel Creek. Nonesuch Records Inc. Perhaps only the reunion of Hot Rize was as highly anticipated as the coming together of Nickel Creek. Sara Watkins, Chris Thile (on a temporary break from Punch Brothers) and Sean Watkins reassembled for A Dotted Line, which they showcased during a springtime tour. The band picked up where they left off without a hiccup, with music as mesmerizing as they made during the ‘00’s. Standout tracks include “Christmas Eve” and “Destination.”

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Trouble Follows Me, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice. Rebel Records.

As sure as the sun rises in the morning, bluegrass fans can always count on Junior Sisk to be a voice of traditional bluegrass.

The 2013 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year sticks to what he does best on Trouble Follows Me, with exceptional performances on “Jesus Walked Upon the Water” and the witty “Honky-Tonked to Death.”

Cold Spell, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. Compass Records.

As I’ve noted before, one of the most consistent things to love about bluegrass music is the utterly exceptional talent of its musicians, and Frank Solivan & his band, Dirty Kitchen, are at the top of the heap. The IBMA thought so, too, when the membership voted them Instrumental Group of the Year in 2014. At their “celebration gig” on Awards night during the IBMA conference in September, the band was on fire for a truly fortunate audience of maybe 30. In the crowd of contemporary bands that put a progressive groove in their ‘grass, it doesn’t get better than Frank Solivan and the guys – Dan Booth, Mike Munford and Chris Luquette.

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TURNER’S TOP TEN

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Five, Balsam Range. Mountain Home Music Company.

Coming off of their 2013 IBMA Album of the Year win for Papertown, Balsam Range emerged early this summer with Five, a record that looks squarely at life in the working class with songs like “Chasing Someone Else’s Dreams” and “I Spend My Days Below the Ground.” There’s also a nice version of Dan Seals’ “Everything That Glitters is Not Gold.”

Something must be working right for the band – in September, Balsam Range brought home wins for both Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year for lead singer Buddy Melton during the IBMA awards.

Beyond the Blue, The Duhks. Compass Records.

This is where our list gets broadest with its “bluegrass” label, as Beyond the Blue is a highly eclectic album from a highly eclectic band. Founded in Canada a dozen or so years ago, the outfit has gone through various personnel changes and musical influences. Today, the group is at a place of fearless experimentation, presenting everything from the zydeco-leaning “Lazy John” to soft snare beats heard on “Black Mountain Lullaby” to the banjo-folksy “Suffer No Fools.” Sure, they’re different, but their creativity leans heavily on Celtic roots, mountain lilts and fearless musicianship. Come to think of it, so does bluegrass!

Pennsylvania Coal, Irene Kelley. Patio Records.

Irene Kelley has been under the public radar for much of her career, writing songs for people as varied as Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Claire Lynch and that songwriter of songwriters, Loretta Lynn. Ten years since her last solo project, Kelley released Pennsylvania Coal in tribute to her grandfather. Her sound is bluegrass with a little country and folk mixed in, and the result is an extremely strong collection in the vein of something similar to Roseanne Cash, Shaun Colvin or Nanci Griffith. It’s one of those records that you listen to and learn more about yourself. Nice.

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International Bluegrass

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TURNER’S TOP TEN

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On Down the Line, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper.

If you’re a fan of traditional bluegrass fiddle music, this is your album. Michael Cleveland has been named the IBMA’s Fiddle Player of the Year nine – count ‘em, *nine* times. Have a listen at On Down the Line, and there’s no question why. Out of the gate with a fiery cover of Julian Lennon’s “Too Late for Goodbyes,” the album features a band up to the level of its leader. I’m especially a fan of Joshua Richards’ guitar and Nathan Livers’ mandolin on this record, but nobody disappoints. And, how should a proper bluegrass fiddler player finish his or her album? Why, with that perennial favorite, “Orange Blossom Special.” Fair warning: playing this song will make your eyes roll back into your head, and I mean that in the best possible way.

There it is – the Best of Bluegrass 2014. I hope you’ll take the opportunity to share some holiday love with friends and family, and maybe try something new out for yourself. Bluegrass has great, wide open arms, with music that will appeal to just about everyone. In fact, I’d bet that if you leave a couple of these for Santa with his cookies and milk, he will move you right to the top of his “Nice” list!!

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to you all!

DECEMBER 2014

FRESH SOUNDS

Craig Market and Thomm Jutz Nowhere to Hide Wrinkled Records Out January 29, 2015

Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley Before the Sun Goes Down Compass Records Out January 13, 2015

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International Bluegrass

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver In Session Mountain Home Music; Out January 20, 2015

The Roys Bluegrass Kinda Christmas Rural Rhythm Records

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FRESH SOUNDS

Hey, songwriters!

Back in January of 2015 and better than ever‌ it’s the Songwriter Mentoring Program!

Christmas in the Smokies featuring: Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road, Newton and Thomas, Larry Stephenson, Special Consensus, Phil Leadbetter, Wildfire, The Vilage Singers, Charlie Waller, Josh Williams, Ross Nickerson, Fred Travers, Matt Wallace and Jesse Gregory.

Pinecastle Records

Get constructive criticism on cultivating your craft from some of the best in the business.

Interested in being mentored or mentoring?

Contact Tony Rackley at jtrackley@aol.com.

Brought to you by your IBMA Songwriting Committee: Becky Buller (chair), Taylor Coughlin (staff liaison), Rick Lang, Milan Miller, Shannon Slaughter, and Tony Watt.

Russ Carson Avenue of the Giants Patuxent Music

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Industry NEWS

December 2014

On the charts Billboard: Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn, Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn at number one; Hot Rize, When I’m Free at number two; Nickel Creek, A Dotted Line… at number three.

Bluegrass Unlimited albums: The Game by Blue Highway (Rounder) at number one; Five by Balsam Range (Mountain Home) at number two; Only Me by Rhonda Vincent (Upper Mgmt) at number three.

Bluegrass Today Monthly Airplay: Larry Sparks, “Bitterweeds,” at number one; Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, “Fiddlin’ Joe,” at number two; Flatt Lonesome, “So Far,” at number three.

Singing News: “Mighty to Save,” by Chigger Hill Boys & Terri at number one; “Coming Soon” by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver at number two; “Empty Me Lord,” by Primitive Quartet at number three.

Bluegrass Unlimited songs: “Only Me,” by Rhonda Vincent at number one; “Moon Over Memphis,” by Balsam Range at number two; “Too Blue to Have the Blues,” by Detour at number three.

Standing ‘o!

The Roys won the Bluegrass Artist of the Year award for the fourth consecutive year at last night’s 20th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Countr Awards show.

Chris Thile won the 2014 Outstanding Alumni in Fine Arts Award from Murray State University, his alma mater, presented at the school’s sixth annual A Taste of the Arts Dinner and Auction in Murray, Kentucky, last month.

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Australia’s Golden Guitar Award nominations were announced, and a couple of past IBMA Showcase acts were nominated! Kristy Cox , The Davidson Brothers were both nominated for Alternative Country Album of the Year (Kristy Cox’s Living for the Moment and Davidson Brothers’ Wanderlust) and Davidson Brothers were nominated for Group/Duo of the Year.

Mustered Courage was nominated for Instrumental of the Year (for “Candle Creek”) and so was Davidson Brothers’ “Bottle Cappin’, Back Crackin’ Blues.” The Awards will be held January 24, 2014 in New South Wales, Australia. Good luck!

International Bluegrass

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INDUSTRY NEWS In Remembrance John Dopyera, Jr, son of the inventor of the Dobro guitar, John Sr, passed away on November 12. He was 85 years old. Although he did not play, he was a big part of promoting his father’s instrument. He accepted an IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award on his father’s behalf in 2005. Services were held on November 22 in Ithaca, NY.

Ann Soyars, legendary employee at Nashville’s Station Inn, died Saturday November 15 at her home in Hendersonville, TN, after battling cancer. She was 67.

After coming to work at the Station Inn in 2000, she made genuine friends with celebrities and fans alike, becoming a strong supportive link in the bluegrass and roots music community. A celebration of her life will be held on December 7 in Nashville.

Associations Assertions Kim and Tyler Owens were elected as the Michigan Bluegrass Music Association’s two newest Executive Board members, reports Bob Jones, president of the MBMA in Flint, MI. Learn more about the association at http://www.mibluegrass.org.

The Kansas Bluegrass Association’s 26th Annual Winter Bluegrass Festival will take place February 20-21, 2015 in Wichita at the Marriott Hotel. On the bill are the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band, Nothing Fancy, Jerry Butler and the Blue J’s, Bull Harmon and Bull’s Eye, Feller and Hill, KBA Treblemakers and more! For more information, call 316-777-1091. Prices range from $25-$50.

Sponsor WOB 2015 today!

Opportunities are available now to be part of 2015’s biggest bluegrass event!

Click here for more information on the sponsorship packages we offer.

We want to work with you! www.ibma.org

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INDUSTRY NEWS

For the Record Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers made two charitable donations to veterans-related organizations, Patriot Guard Riders and Guitars for Vets (G4V), during their twice-annual Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival held at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, OH. Sarah Watkins, Sara Jarosz and Aiofe O’Donovan have announced they are going on tour together in early 2015, starting in Europe.

They will announce U.S. tour dates at a later date. Click here for tour dates.

The band Judge Talford, and Ralph Stanley II have both signed on with Buddy Lee Attractions.

Punch Brothers announced a new album being released in 2015, as well as tour dates that begin after the first of the year. Check here for tour dates and for a new song, “I Blew it Off.” Florida performer and festival producer Ernie Evans had surgery to remove a pair of tumors that were found in his bladder. He is at home resting and recovering.

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Joe Lurgio resigned his position as Convention & Member Services Director at IBMA. IBMA is extremely grateful for Joe’s hard work during the last year and a half in the areas of developing new membership services, as well as his many contributions to the success of World of Bluegrass events in Raleigh in 2013-14.

Change is an opportunity to refocus and improve our organizational structure at the office, so we will be examining all three staff positions before releasing a job description for the vacated position and posting the job opening.

MerleFest (Wilkesboro, NC, April 23-26, 2015) and the Old Settler’s Music Festival (Driftwood, TX, April 16-19, 2015) announced their lineups. Tickets on sale for both now.

Detour presented additional funds to Goodwill’s Patriot Place Project from proceeds of the sale of their songs “Soldier’s Sorrow” and “Homeless of the Brave.” An additional $3,000 in matching funds will also be donated from Detour’s fans along with future donations from the band’s record label, Mountain Fever Records.

International Bluegrass

Rural Rhythm Records has announced that Cody Shuler (of Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad) will release his debut solo album in 2015. The single, “My Home is on This Ole Box Car,” is out on radio now.

Ashley Moyer has joined Sugar Hill as Manager of Artist & Media Relations. Moyer comes from Lotos Nile where she was a PR Manager.

Mountain Heart announced they will be re-energized in 2015. Jim Van Cleve is back on fiddle after leaving the band earlier this year.

Teri Chism has joined Circa Blue on bass and will contribute to lead and harmony vocals. Chism is from the D.C. area and was recently working with Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie.

Swallow Hill Music Association (Denver, CO) is looking for a new CEO. Duties and responsibilities include: Operational and strategic planning, governance and financial oversight, fundraising and donor stewardship and audience development and community relations.

For more information, contact Swallow Hill at SwallowHill@ ArtsConsulting.com, or visit www.

SwallowHillMusic.org.

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happy Holidays from IBMA

click the Holiday Hipster

to hear your

favorite holiday bluegrass tunes!

NEWS RELEASE

STATEMENT TO MEMBERS FROM THE IBMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Over the weeks since the Board meeting that began another great World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, our Board has spent a lot of time struggling over how to deal with serious matters of leadership and direction, management and governance.

The very growth and success of the World of Bluegrass, and the expanded scale, scope, complexity, partnerships and budgets that have come along with them have created not only opportunities, but have put some of our structures and ways of doing work to the test.

Some Board members have left, and we regret that’s happened. They’ve been a part of the move and expansion of our signature events; the improvements we’ve made in our business practices; and the stemming of financial and membership declines, as well as part of the progress we’ve made in other areas.

We appreciate all the contributions they made in those and other areas.

We will continue to review business and governance practices and policies, and to make adjustments wherever needed that will allow us to be more valuable to our members and partners.

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At the same time, we’re committed to moving forward. In some respects, including our leadership, we’ve made our choices and we stand behind them. In others, where choices remain to be made, we want to look ahead, not back.

And here’s what we are looking at: 1. The Board is diligently searching for a new Executive Director. This is our top priority. We are continuing to cast a wide net, and we already have some strong applicants and an ambitious timetable for recruitment.

2. We have kept key Raleigh partners regularly informed throughout the weeks that have passed since World of Bluegrass. Our Executive Committee - Alan Bartram, Ben Surratt, Tim Surrett (Vice-Chair) and Jon Weisberger (Chair) - will be meeting with them at the beginning of December to look at how we can work together in a variety of areas to make the 2015 World of Bluegrass even better than its predecessors.

International Bluegrass

3. We welcome Leah Ross to the Board to fill the Event Producers seat through next year, and as we move to fill other vacancies, we will continue to make sure that our Board is representative and diverse.

Board seats in the Broadcast Media category; the Artists & Composers category; the Agents, Managers & Publicists category and at-large will be filled as quickly as possible in accordance with the Bylaws.

Recommendations for members to be considered as candidates for nomination should be sent ASAP to nancyc@ibma.org or to suggestions@ibma.org. We will also be quickly filling vacancies in the office of Treasurer and in the Executive Committee.

4. Staff, Finance Committee members and other responsible parties are continuing to work on the final details of complete and accurate financial reports on the World of Bluegrass, and expect to have those—including the amount of the Wide Open Bluegrass contribution to the Trust Fund—to share with the Board and, in one form or another, the membership within a few days.

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5. We’re preparing for a focused discussion on options for redesigning the World of Bluegrass Business Conference to better meet the needs of our members and our industry.

6. We’ll be reactivating a Bylaws committee to both make proposals and review those submitted by Board and general members, and to bring clear choices to the Board.

7. We’ll have an “in-between” Board teleconference in January, per the policy of holding two such meetings each year that the Board adopted a couple of years ago. The agenda will be distributed to members in advance for their comments.

8. Work is proceeding on creating a “highlights” version of the 2014 Awards Show for broadcast on public television stations in early 2015. We expect to have an announcement soon of featured performers, as well as information to share about show underwriters.

Stay tuned!

As we said earlier, this year’s World of Bluegrass was a great success, and a memorable experience for all who came, whether to the business conference, the Bluegrass Ramble, the Awards Show, the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival or the Wide Open Street Festival. It took a team to make it happen—one that included our Raleigh partners, contractors, Board members, staff members and a lot of people who gave of their time with and without compensation. We know it will take teamwork to do it again, and it will take teamwork to move the IBMA closer to fulfilling all aspects of its mission. We’re ready to get to work, and we hope you will join us.

NEW MEMBERS: DECEMBER Noam Pikelny Jada Willis Jaeger Willis Joy Anna Willis Jamie Willis Julie Willis Bruce Branson Dylan Hawf Doug Jernigan Robert Keen Michael Kelly

Emily Kirsch Patricia Queen Patrick Ryan Austin Webb Ken White Victor Woodcock Matthew Rolland Presley Barker Skye Mcdonald Chase Johnson Frances Sample

Ronald Thomas Don Meyer Diana Lee Mills Donald Warren Brian York Vliet Robin Van Michael Armistead Eric Tannery Scott Wilkins Bryan Hays