IBbluegrass international
Vol. 29 No. 6 June 2014
World of Bluegrass
3 More Years in Raleigh!
Interviews: Bryan Sutton | Dolly Parton BLUEGRASS INDUSTRY BUZZ TOP 15 REASONS TO STAY IN NC AROUND WOB
International Bluegrass Vol. 29 | No. 6 | June 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
Joe Lurgio Member/Convention Services Director
Jon Weisberger/Board Chairperson
Alan Bartram/Director, Artists/Composers/Publishers Henri Deschamps/At Large Stephen Mougin/At Large Cindy Baucom/Vice Chair Craig Ferguson/Director, Event Producers Brian Smith/Director, Agents/Managers/Publicists Becky Buller/At Large Craig Havighurst/Secretary, Print/Media/Education Ben Surratt/Director, Recording/Dist./Marketing Danny Clark/At Large Carl Jackson/Director, Artists & Composers Tim Surrett/Director, Artists/Composers/Publishers Jamie Deering/Director, Merchandisers/Luthiers William Lewis/At Large Angelika Torrie/Director, International Regina Derzon/Director, Associations Ned Luberecki/Director, Broadcast Media Elizabeth Wightman/Treasurer, At Large
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.�
table of contents FeatureS 8| Bryan Sutton talks going it alone 14| An Interview with Dolly Parton
News 4 | See NC: Top 15 Reasons to hang before and after WOB 6 | Stitcher Radio picks up Artist2Artist 10| WOB News: Events stay put, Wide Open FEST HEADLiners 18| Momentum & Special awards: nomination info
Departments 16 | Membership: What It Does For You 21 | welcome new members: May 22 | Bluegrass Industry News • Ralph Stanley’s latest honorary Doctorate • 31st INTL. Country Music conference • new legistlation to help songwriters
THINGS TO DO
GO SEE NC
T
More to do and see around WOB By Julie Brakenbury
here’s an old expression that says “getting there can be half the fun.” When we think about all the people who are coming to Raleigh this fall for IBMA World of Bluegrass 2014, getting “there” can be half the fun for them and getting back from “there” can be a great time too! When you’re planning your visit to this year’s World of Bluegrass events, consider allowing a few days (or a week or two) to explore more of Raleigh and the entire state of North Carolina. Located centrally on the East Coast, Greater Raleigh is halfway between Florida and New York City, making transportation easy from the major population centers. The location is also convenient for side trips to the beautiful beaches of Wilmington or North Carolina’s Outer Banks, to the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains to the west or to the “Home of American Golf” in Pinehurst.
Whether you’re already planning your WOB week, or you’re on the fence, see what all North Carolina has to offer. Raleigh: Not only is Raleigh the proud home for the World of Bluegrass, you’ll find this is the travel destination you’ve been waiting for because it’s so many destinations in one. You’ll sense it as soon as you arrive: The fun, lively vibe coursing through tree-lined streets packed with funky cafes and pubs. Endless hot spots and historical treasures, exciting hockey games and incredible area-wide celebrations... and we’re home to the most live music venues in North Carolina! You can check out a variety of things to do in advance of your arrival here. During WOB, Greater Raleigh businesses will be offering special deals that will be featured on the IBMA app, so be sure to download and check in frequently
THINGS TO DO
As for the rest of beautiful North Carolina, check out North Carolina’s Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development for ideas to help you plan everything to do and see. You’ll find everything from mountains to beaches, and everything in between. Of course, if you’re coming for World of Bluegrass, you must like good music. If you’re looking for more music, here’s a look at all that is happening around IBMA World of Bluegrass time in North Carolina: OBX Bluegrass Festival – Sept. 25-28 with Ricky Skaggs headlining The Outer Banks is located about four hours from Raleigh, and this festival
is held at beautiful Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. Down further on the Outer Banks is the Town of Frisco where you can attend Festival in Frisco – Oct. 9-12. While you are there check out area attractions like the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse (both lighthouses are open for climbing), Jockeys Ridge State Park (the tallest natural sand dune on the east coast), and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The area is also a great place for any type of water adventure, birding, kayaking, wild horses and great seafood. For more information on the Outer Banks (OBX) click here.
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Sounds of Silvermont – Brevard – Sept 25/ Oct 2 / Oct 9. A 4-5 hour drive from Raleigh and you’ll find Brevard and Silvermont. Silvermont Park is an 8-acre county park in downtown Brevard anchored by a 33room colonial revival mansion that is on the National Register of Historic Places. It includes gardens and a museum. On select dates local musicians (bluegrass, country and more) gather at Silvermont to jam. You will also enjoy the Brevard Music Center which attracts internationally known artists to this small mountain town.
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Go See NC!
THINGS TO DO
Hatterasity October 8– 11, 2014: A benefit bluegrass, roots and Irish music festival, featuring James King, Kevin Richardson and Cutting Edge, Chad Darou and Stealing Time, Anthony and Jillian Hannigan, Mama Cor, The Crop Circle Agents, and lots of local talent. Located at the Hatteras Village Civic Center, with vendors, great food, plenty of camping and events throughout the Frisco/Hatteras area. Earl Scruggs Center - Brevard isn’t far from Shelby and the Earl Scruggs Center . Bluegrass fans really can’t miss this jewel. The Earl Scruggs Center combines the life story of legendary banjo master Earl Scruggs and the history and culture of the area where he was born and raised. Shelby is also home to over 200 waterfalls, so it’s a great area for hiking and photography
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Music in the Mountains – Burnsville – Sept. 27 – The Music in the Mountains is a folk music festival that occurs annually in Burnsville. Located right in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, visitors will also enjoy nearby Mt. Mitchell, the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi. It’s a great area for hiking. This area is located within a fourfive hour drive from Raleigh. Young’s Mountain Music at Young’s Tractor- between Burnsville and Spruce Pine – Saturdays year round. As soon as visitors to Young’s Mountain Music find a place to park and open their car doors‚ they are greeted by the sounds of live mountain music. Every Saturday night‚ Young’s Mountain Music welcomes a crowd of two hundred or more music and dance lovers who enjoy country‚ bluegrass‚ and gospel music. Inside‚ a series of bands play while dancers clog‚ buck dance‚ and two-step. Visitors from all around the globe are accorded a heartfelt and warm welcome.
International Bluegrass
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More to do and see around WOB
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area - From either Brevard or Burnsville, visitors can easily jump on the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills were named a National Heritage Area in 2003 and provide wonderful opportunities for mountain tourism experiences at their finest. There’s a great book titled “Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina” (A Guide to Music Sites, Artists, and Traditions of the Mountains and Foothills) that provides interesting reading and valuable information for visitors who want in depth selfguided tour ideas. Asheville – Asheville is the largest city in the mountain region with SO much to do and see. NO trip to Asheville is complete without visiting The Biltmore, America’s largest privately owned home. The house and gardens are fabulous and the winery is the most visited in the country. If you’re doing Asheville and The Biltmore, plan to spend a half day there at least (but a day or two days is even better!) Other Asheville music attractions Jack of the Wood, Mountain Music Jam-– Jack of the Wood is a cozy, Celtic style pub located in downtown Asheville. Handcrafted English style ales are brewed at Jack of the Wood’s nearby brewing facility and served fresh daily. The pub plays host to three different jam sessions throughout the week. On Sunday nights starting around 5 p.m. is the Irish session, Wednesday at 9 p.m. is the Old Time mountain music jam, and on most Thursday nights is the popular Bluegrass jam starting around 10 p.m.
Mrs. Hyatt’s Oprahouse- Since 1947, Nelia Hyatt and her late husband have hosted an old-time acoustic music jam at their home on Brevard Road. Thousands of musicians have walked through the doors of Music House to enjoy the music, as well as Mrs. Hyatt’s gracious hospitality. Historic Orchard at Altapas- Weekend visitors to The Orchard are quickly drawn to the happy sounds of live music and dancing feet. Every Saturday, The Orchard showcases country and bluegrass bands that proudly display their Appalachian roots. On Sundays, The Orchard hosts a variety of authentic local music, reflecting the blending of traditional mountain bands and the music of musicians who have recently found these hazy blue mountain tops to be the perfect place to hone and display their genuine talents. Beats, Burgers and Brews at the Old Rock – Chimney Rock – Oct 10-11 – The Old Rock Café offers blues and bluegrass and local brews with one of the 2014 Zagat-rated “Must-Try Burgers Across the Country.” Chimney Rock State Park is one of the most popular attractions in the state. Great for hiking, bird watching, photography and views of Lake Lure. Also, check out the Balsam Mountain Inn - Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and near Balsam, North Carolina, this is a rustic hotel featuring music in the round. An amazing and beautiful place with no TV or internet – prepare to unplug.
Drexel Barber Shop -One of the more quaint musical venues in the Blue Ridge region is the tiny Drexel Barber Shop in the little town of Drexel. The shop features an informal jam session Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons. Around noontime‚ Lawrence Anthony and the other guys at the barber shop generally put aside their scissors‚ shears‚ and combs and grab their instruments for a few hours of picking. They favor old-time‚ bluegrass‚ country‚ and western swing tunes.
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THINGS TO DO
Being in Raleigh for IBMA’s World of Bluegrass 2014 will be a lot of fun, and getting here can be a great time too! We’ll look forward to seeing you here and all around North Carolina this fall. ------------Contributors to this article: Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau http://www.visitRaleigh.com/ North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development http://www.visitnc.com/
International Bluegrass
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PRESS RELEASE
Stitcher Radio links up with Lisa Jacobi’s Artist2Artist series Artist2Artist with Lisa Ja-
cobi focuses on the deep dive into the creative process used by premiere artists, and with the tech world evergrowing, it has broadened its reach through a new broadcast platform partnership with Stitcher Radio. Stitcher Radio, the online go-to source for the nation’s top interview and news shows such as NPR, ABC, NBC, TED talks, and more has added Artist2Artist with Lisa Jacobi to its lineup. Stitcher Radio is the most popular entertainment broadcast app available on iPhone, Droids and most tablets - as well as accessible online through the Stitcher.com website, and is a free service. Artist2Artist with Lisa Jacobi, a monthly musical artist interview series, is the first and only bluegrass music interview podcast to be made available to listeners worldwide on Stitcher Radio. The podcast and companion column in Bluegrass Today were launched at the first of this year. The interview takes place live, onstage at top music venues during doors open after an artist’s sound check and prior to their performance. These interviews are recorded and post produced with music and are made available from iTunes, as well as in Lisa’s monthly Artist2Artist column in Bluegrass Today and at the Artist2Artist website.
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“The Artist2Artist series being added to the Stitcher Radio lineup is a huge honor and an incredible opportunity to raise our game, expand our vision and share the creative process of artists on a new level that has never been realized,” said Jacobi. To date her live guests have included Jamie Dailey, Ron Block, Larry Cordle, Missy Raines, John Cowan, Bill Evans, Laurie Lewis, and Larry Keel. Adding to this, Jacobi pulls in notable music industry friends to introduce each episode. So far we’ve heard creative introductions from Ned Luberecki, Joan Kornblith, Chris Jones, Harry Stinson, Eddie Owen, and others. It seems only natural that Jacobi would combine her various creative talents developing a show & written column that helps music venues fill extra seats, introduce bluegrass artists to listeners beyond the bluegrass music world, as well as give all of us an insight into our bluegrass artists lives that is much deeper than the next album release or upcoming tour. A long time IBMA member and a graduate of Leadership Bluegrass 2012, Jacobi is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter with the band Playing On The Planet. Her original music is regularly licensed by television shows and films. Before changing gears to pursue a career in music,
International Bluegrass
Jacobi spent 20 plus years as a TV network news producer, a contributor to mainstream magazines including Self, Outside, Men’s Journal, and as an itinerant outdoor life essayist for National Public Radio. You can add the free Stitcher Radio app to your device by visiting the Stitcher website or by downloading the app to your smartphone or tablet. Search for Artist2Artist with Lisa Jacobi and add the show to your playlist. With every playlist addition, the show will move up the charts to be recommended to listeners who enjoy interview shows, but may not be familiar with our bluegrass music world.
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International Bluegrass
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A tour-de-force
Bryan Sutton
MOVES FROM SIDE TO CENTER STAGE WITH INTO MY OWN by Shannon Wayne Turner
W
hen you glance down a list of some of Bryan Sutton’s credits, it is astounding to realize how broadly and deeply his talent is respected. Here in June, just barely halfway through 2014, he has already appeared on new projects from Johnny Cash, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church and the highly-awaited Blue Smoke from Dolly Parton. For that matter, as of the May 17th Billboard Top Country Albums chart, Sutton appears on fully half of the Top Ten albums. Half. It doesn’t stop there; go over to the Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums chart, and you’ll see that his own Sugar Hill release, the new Into My Own, shot to No. 5 of the Top Ten albums in its very first week on the chart.* Go further through the list, and you will see that the Grammy-winning musician, most known for his flatpicking guitar chops, has also flexed musical muscles on everything from bouzouki to percussion, several types of mandolins, vocals, banjos and Dobros on projects, that last year alone, included Harry Connick, Jr., Jimmy Webb and even a Johnny Mathis Christmas album. And those are just a few highlights.
It’s not just his fellow musicians that understand his talent, either. The IBMA has awarded him the Guitar Player of the Year trophy a startling seven times. Last month, the Americana Music Association nominated him in their overall Instrumentalist of the Year category, which will be awarded in September. Then there are the Grammys – two as part of Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Album of the Year (1998’s Bluegrass Rules! and 1999’s Ancient Tones), and in 2006 for Best Country Instrumental Performance, a duo with his hero, Doc Watson, for “Whiskey Before Breakfast.” All this is to say that Sutton clearly has nothing to prove to anyone. His work in the past five years instantly voids any doubt, let alone the 20 years he has put into an amazing, if understated, career as both a top-flight session man and road warrior with artists as varied as Tim McGraw to Noam Pikelny. Still, he knows he has more to offer to music than merely helping other artists find their voices. He has a lot to say himself, and never more so than on Into My Own. It’s on this album that he pushed himself out of his comfort zone, especially in the areas of lead singing and songwriting, while continuing to hold his own as master instrumentalist. In doing so, the project is successful in presenting Sutton as a whole, well-rounded artist; a guy truly coming into his own. “I’ve got the ball rolling,” he says during a recent interview in Nashville. “That was the new territory, finding songs to sing. Sometimes they may look good on paper, they sound fun to do, but it just doesn’t work out. Or with writing – I can hear someone else’s song and I can determine whether it’s right for me, but it’s really hard to do that with your own material. It’s hard to make a judgment.”
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FEATURE Since he was also producing the album, Sutton knew that he had to allow time to let the project evolve, to not hurry through the process. At the same time, he understood that there has to be a discipline, and where he didn’t always trust himself, help was never far away. “I just kind of kept giving myself chances, not rushing the thing or feeling like I had to have something turned in by a certain date,” he says. “That helped; it was sort of my strategy. “Brent Truitt [the album’s engineer] operated as a producer with me a lot of times, because I certainly trusted him in the process of capturing vocals, in that new territory. I trusted him with certain mix things, as well, and I turned the whole mastering over to him. So I just tried to engage the people that were around me. Brent was really a big help all the way through, and especially with the vocals.” One of the songs Sutton wrote for the project was “Overton Waltz,” a smooth, James Taylor-feeling lilt that features guitar work that sometimes sounds very Celtic-influenced. However, the impetus for the song came from neither Taylor nor the Emerald Isle. “My big inspiration for that song was Bela Fleck,” he remembers. “I’m really a fan of his writing. He’s just…I love his banjo playing, but as I dig into him and into my own writing, I find that I’m drawn to the way he maintains melody and also this virtuosic sort of performance level at the same time. I really, really am a fan of his writing.”
As an artist with wide-reaching credits, Sutton was able to call upon friends and the finest musicians in the business to help him record the songs for Into My Own. Though the project couldn’t be strictly called a bluegrass release, The Travelin’ McCourys appear on Guy Clark’s “Anyhow I Love You” and “Swannanoa Tunnel,” specifically to lend a genuine bluegrass kick to those particular songs. “The McCoury energy is a palpable thing,” says Sutton. “I’ve played a little bit live with those guys in the past year, and I just sort of felt like, ‘Okay, these songs could live in that zone,’ so I made that happen by cutting those songs with those guys. I just wanted to feel like I was serving the song, essentially, so I feel confident that those were the right decisions.” The rest of the album was likewise recorded by some pretty impressive artists. Stuart Duncan, Luke Bulla, Sam Bush, Dennis Crouch, Greg Garrison and Noam Pikelny all pitched in to create the final result of Into My Own, something that Sutton is grateful for. “The beauty of it all, and the whole bluegrass scene, is that I’m just so lucky to be able to call these guys my friends,” he says. “They’re not just people I admire, they’re my pals and they really do give me great opinions and great support, and I support them. We all give each other advice, and it really is a community. I know they want it for me, I want it for them. “Part of the vanity in making a record like this is hearing those guys play my songs. That’s just a big thrill. It goes both ways.”
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Coming into his own as a frontman, then, Sutton is developing into the kind of artist he wants to be as he presents himself and his music to his audiences. He has some very definite ideas about how he intends to go about it. “I’m a fan of the big picture,” he states simply. “I don’t want to present one kind of song over and over again, basically telling the same joke for an hour and a half. I know for myself, I need a lot of variety, but within that connective tissue as an artist, I can play banjo and sing a song by myself, or have a stage full of five or six guys playing either an open-ended kind of jam session or a big arranged piece of music. Someone like me is an energy force that sort of connects all of that, whether it’s the solo thing or with the band. “I hope that if people come to one of my shows, they will look forward to all the various looks, and not want to hear just one thing all night long. The variety is a big deal to me. It would be hard for me…it would be an aberration to just stand there and play harddriving bluegrass all night, and not play a song like ‘Overton Waltz.’ Now, with writing and singing in the mix, I can go to an emotional space that I couldn’t with just the guitar. So I hope someone would really look forward to all of that, because I look forward to presenting it. That would make me feel like, ‘This is a complete show that represents everything I can do, everything I want to do.’” * Billboard compiles its chart based on sales figures from Nielsen SoundScan. Into My Own is available at www.sugarhillrecords.com.
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IBMA WORLD OF BLUEGRASS News Lineup announced 3-year extension in Raleigh
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder with Bruce Hornsby Del McCoury Band with special guests The return of Hot Rize (with Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers) Gibson Brothers Steep Canyon Rangers Sierra Hull The Wide Open Jam featuring the superstar lineup of Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Bryan Sutton & Stuart Duncan
WOB NEWS
On a breezy spring May day in Raleigh, it was announced by the organizers of the World of Bluegrass that the IBMA’s signature events would be staying in the City of Oaks until 2018. The previous contract only held the events there until 2015.
superstar lineup of Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Bryan Sutton and Stuart Duncan. Additional performers for both the ticketed (paid) portions of the festival and the free Street Festival will be announced in the coming months.
Along with the announcement of the extension (brought with much excitement from Raleigh folks and the worldwide bluegrass community alike), the initial lineup for the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival was announced,including Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder with Bruce Hornsby, Del McCoury Band with special guests, the return of Hot Rize (one of the most influential bluegrass acts of the ‘80s, releasing their first new studio album since 1990), Gibson Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sierra Hull, and the Wide Open Jam, featuring the
Also announced at the press conference was the return of PNC as presenting sponsor for the Wide Open Bluegrass festival, and, as last year, the inclusion of the Whole Hog Barbecue Championship as part of the World of Bluegrass festivities. The North Carolina Pork Council also announced a new addition to this year’s program: a ticketed event that brings together under one tent - for the first time - a sampling of some of the finest barbecue from the three major regions of the state: Western, Lexington and Eastern.
Speakers at the World of Bluegrass press conference were Raleigh mayor Nancy McFarlane; Nancy Cardwell, Executive Director of IBMA; Ann Edmondson, Director of Communications and Marketing, North Carolina Pork Council; Denny Edwards, President & CEO of Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau; William Lewis, director of PineCone—The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music; Rebecca Quinn-Wolf, Vice President, Director of Client & Community Relations of PNC Bank and IBMA Board chair Jon Weisberger. “The immense success of moving IBMA’s World of Bluegrass events to Raleigh last year had a huge impact on raising the profile of bluegrass music and the IBMA as an organization,” said IBMA’s Cardwell. “We continue to receive compliments about last year’s events, we’ve seen a 39% increase in membership during the past two years, and the support and enthusiasm of the Local Organizing Committee in Raleigh and everyone in North Carolina has been so gracious and genuine. We are thrilled to announce the extension of our partnership with Raleigh, North Carolina through 2018, and we look forward to adding even more exciting
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WOB NEWS
elements to World of Bluegrass Week, as we continue to facilitate connections in the bluegrass music industry and work together to introduce the best music in the world to new audiences and fans. If bluegrass music moves you, I invite you to attend the event that moves the bluegrass music world.” “Our region saw tremendous economic success from last year’s debut of Wide Open Bluegrass in Raleigh,” said PNC’s Quinn-Wolf. “We look forward to supporting the continued contributions this festival will bring in the areas of arts and culture, economic development and education in our community.” IBMA’s stay in Raleigh is the result of a partnership with The Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, PineCone—The Piedmont
Council of Traditional Music, the City of Raleigh and a local organizing committee. Also returning this year is the Whole Hog Barbecue Championship—a weekend of bluegrass-flavored fun for the whole family. The annual cooking championship is the culmination of a series of 15 to 20 local barbecue competitions. These qualifying cook-offs are conducted as part of community events in cities and towns across North Carolina from April to September. At the championship in Raleigh, as is the case in all the events throughout the season, the cooked barbecue is collected after judging, chopped and sold to the general public.
To buy tickets to the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival, purchase an IBMA Business Conference pass (that includes a Bluegrass Ramble Showcase pass), an IBMA Awards Show ticket, or a Bluegrass Ramble Showcase pass, please visit IBMA.org. Official hashtags: #WOB, #IBMA, #Raleigh If you’d like to sponsor any aspect of the World of Bluegrass week, contact Susan Woelkers susanmyers2013@gmail.com, 615-497-4801. To sponsor any of the free street festival event, contact Bob Sar at bob.sar@ogletreedeakins.com, (919) 789-3160.
IBMA thanks our following sponsors:
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International Bluegrass
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EDITORIAL
Dolly Parton’s new album of many colors:
Blue Smoke
L
egendary entertainer Dolly Parton showcases a colorful palette of music on her new album, Blue Smoke. While the Country Music Hall of Famer’s talents branch into country, pop, and other genres, her roots, she insists, are planted firmly in bluegrass. “I really think my voice is best suited for bluegrass, the old-mountain, Americana sound,” Parton said. “That’s really what’s in my Smoky Mountain D.N.A.” “Of course, I grew up singing those songs, and my daddy loved bluegrass music. Any of that old stuff resonates with me. Those stories are really true whether it’s about heartache or whether it’s about tragedy,” she said. “When I’m singing it, it just automatically comes out of me the way it did back when we were growing up.” Parton’s soulful bluegrass harmonies are an outpouring of mountain life where people sang what they felt. “If they were singing a sad song as a little child, I would just feel that same sorrow, that same heartache,” Parton said. “That kind of gets built into you somehow. When I sing those songs or even write them, I really feel it just like I did when I would hear them sing it. It is a music from the soul. It’s really your true feelings.”
World-famous singer/songwriter flaunts her bluegrass roots
by Bill Conger
Parton admits she now could be content to stick with bluegrass music.
FEATURE
“I wanted to do everything, but it would suit me fine as a singer if I could just do that particular kind of music. Maybe someday when I’m older, I hope to sit around and travel around doing kind of like the Mother Maybelle [Carter] kind of stuff, where I really do sing with more acoustic instruments and a lot of bluegrass.” Coming from dirt poor family of 12 children, Parton, 68, says she was compelled to consider dollars and cents when deciding which music to pursue. “I’ve always been in the music business,” Parton said. “I always think of the business end.” She dedicated a complete CD to bluegrass in 1999 with The Grass Is Blue. While it earned Parton one of her eight Grammy Awards, she admits it didn’t meet with a lot of commercial success. Parton said she would like to see bluegrass music get its due commercially, which could transpire, she believes, with the right packaging. “I think it’s all in the promotion, making it look as important as it really is,” Parton said. “A lot of people just say ‘Oh, bluegrass; it is good music,’ but it’s just nonchalant. They don’t really realize how great it really is. It is so pure and so real and so true, those harmonies and the instruments. To me, I just think it’s amazing.”
Regardless, Parton can’t divorce herself from her bluegrass side. On her 42nd and latest release, she says bluegrass harmonies even cut through on her cover of rocker Bon Jovi’s “Lay Your Hands on Me.” Additionally, she labels four of her tracks bluegrass – the title cut (“Blue Smoke”), “Don’t Think Twice,” “Unlikely Angel,” and the murder ballad, “Banks of the Ohio.” The singer/songwriter has penned many of her signature songs including “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You.” Parton, who also wrote many of the songs for her latest release, says she taps into inspiration all around her. “My life is a song,” Parton says of her songwriting talent. “I’ll be watching something on TV, the morning news or somebody will say something or they’ll be something on, I think ‘Ooh, that’ll be a good idea for a song’ or ‘Ooh, what a great line.’ So, I’ll go scribble something down. Almost every day I come up with something. I’ll either write a title or chorus or a few verses or put down a little melody that’s kind of running through my head. I don’t like to lose things.” Songwriting doesn’t always take first place on Parton’s list of to-dos, but when it does, she said she has a routine. “If I have my way, I like to try to plan through the year to say, ‘Ok, now, I’m taking off two to three weeks to just write,’” Parton said. “I don’t want to be bothered with nothing, nobody. That way I can go back to my old mountain home or out to my lake
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house or wherever I feel whatever I want to write about. I’ll just spend a few days fasting, trying to get myself spiritually anchored for God to give me good ideas. After a few days, I’ll start writing, and I’ll continue to do that until I’m finished with that. I usually take my false fingernails off when I go to write because I want to really be able to play the real good licks. Then, when I’m done writing, I come back to town and get a new set of nails and go on about my business,” she added with a laugh. Parton said she still enjoys getting all dolled up for the stage. She and her entourage were all aboard for the Blue Smoke World Tour in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year. She made a few U.S. stops in May before traveling to Europe for a string of concerts in June and July. “It’s easier for me now because I can afford to have people really help me a lot,” Parton said of touring. “I used to have to do a lot of that myself, coming up with the ideas and all that. Now, I’m able to afford to have people to help with that, which means we can do bigger shows for more money, have a bigger band, and that sort of thing…When I get out on that stage, when I see that audience and I see their response to me, it just all comes back to me why I started this to start with. I love that exchange of love and energy and the excitement of that! I don’t ever intend to retire. I hope to always do it.” Blue Smoke is out now on iTunes, Amazon, and found at your favorite music retailer.
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MEMBERSHIP NEWS
What do I get / Out of my
with
ibma?
Membership
By joining IBMA, you are helping us work together for the future of bluegrass music. But wait, what about your benefits? Here is a list of what we provide:
• Advocacy and Vigilance – IBMA helps to create a bridge between bluegrass and business, which provides opportunities for bluegrass industry professionals to sell their products or services effectively. IBMA as a trade association provides a strong, unified voice when representing your concerns on a local, state, national and international level, and lobbying elected officials on behalf of your industry, including regulatory agencies on legal and compliance matters. Did you know the IBMA was responsible for the creation of the Bluegrass Grammy award? • Savings & Priority Access Programs – An IBMA membership provides discounts including an insurance program focused on the specific needs for festivals and events, brokered by insurance professionals that understand your bluegrass business and strive to save you time and money. Members also receive priority access to and discounts on tickets to all IBMA events – including the World of Bluegrass week of events.
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• Business Affiliation – An IBMA membership offers a professional affiliation consumers and other business partners value, helping to promote your business as a professional member and supporter of the bluegrass music industry. • Quality Education – IBMA provides topical seminars, workshops and educational programs to keep you on top of your game in the evolving industry. Yearround and World of Bluegrass professional development events allow members to grow and engage, network and get to the next level. • Competitive edge – IBMA delivers new information on industry trends, business news, and best practices, in their online magazine and through social media – helping you to stay informed. • Industry Experts – Our network provides access to thought-leaders and mentors who can provide you with key information, helping you manage your business more effectively to achieve better allaround results.
International Bluegrass
• Awards Voting – The IBMA Awards are our industry’s most prestigious honors. Only IBMA Professional Members have the opportunity to vote annually for the IBMA Awards and IBMA Board of Directors elections. • Networking – IBMA provides opportunities to gain access to potential business partners at the World of Bluegrass and throughout the year. These contacts can provide additional resources to grow your business beyond your current boundaries. In addition, and more importantly, you will make connections in the bluegrass industry that are lifelong and meaningful. • Discounts/Other Services: Access to health insurance, rental car discounts, access to instrument insurance, access to IBMA’s database of information and World of Bluegrass attendees, free access to our own digital magazine IB:International Bluegrass and more…
www.ibma.org
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Here are some of the benefits that we have recently added to the list of services provided to our members • Access to the IBMA Office space – Our office is your office! Nashville is a hub of industry activity and as a professional member you have access to our conference room, providing a professional space to hold a meeting, songwriting session, conduct an interview…whatever you need! Space must be reserved at least two weeks in advance and is based on availability. • Discounted Advertising – Advertising on the IBMA website, the monthly digital magazine and in the World of Bluegrass conference program can expose your brand to thousands of targeted consumers. Members now receive up to 20% of non-member advertising rates.
• Free GearTrack VIP Membership - GearTrack is an online instrument registry that aims to deter theft and aid in recovery. IBMA members receive a VIP status to their free basic service, allowing unlimited instruments in your library. Stolen instruments are always free to list, and the site is free for anyone to search before they buy used instruments. • Discount on Homespun Digital – Leaders of musical education, Homepsun, now offers IBMA members 25% off their full digital catalog, allowing access to instructions at home or on the road, no Wi-Fi needed. • The Earl Scruggs Center membership – IBMA members receive 10% off all membership levels at the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, NC.
• Discounted NAMM registration – IBMA members receive discounted access to the summer NAMM (the National Association of Music Merchants) in Nashville, July 17-19, 2014. • Sam’s Club Membership Discount – IBMA members will receive a $25 gift card for joining at the “Plus” level and $10 gift card for joining at the Business/savings levels. • Support of the Bluegrass Trust Fund – Your support of IBMA helps to support our charity partner that offers financial assistance to bluegrass music professionals in time of emergency need.
If you work in the bluegrass industry or if you’re a fan, support the expansion of our industry by being a part of this family of artists, musicians, songwriters, leaders and fans. Join IBMA and become a part of the team working together for the future of bluegrass music. Please visit https://ibma.org/membership for more information or to join.
June is IBMA membership drive month! www.ibma.org
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NEWS
IBMA / Momentum Awards NEED
Nominees
Suggestions and input sought from professionals in and fans of bluegrass! The Momentum Awards, introduced in 2012, are meant to recognize musicians and industry professionals in the early stages of their bluegrass careers. It is not a peoples’ choice, popularity or member-voted award, but a juried award by notable peers. Input from all constituencies is considered by said jury. Essentially, the Momentum Awards recognize the best “up and comers.”
Currently the selection commitees are soliciting nominee input for the following categories:
INDUSTRY
PERFORMANCE
• One up-and-coming professional
• Three instrumentalists (traditional or non-traditional bluegrass instruments)
• One new festival or venue
• One vocalist
• One established musician or professional providing exceptional mentoring A group of IBMA members have been working together the past few years to help emerging artists get more work and attention. The committees hope to get suggestions from bluegrass associations across the country and around the world, as well as recommendations from IBMA members and bluegrass fans. The nominees for this year’s awards will be announced during the August 13th IBMA Awards show press conference webcast from Music City Roots.
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• One band
A total of eight honors will be presented. On the performance side: a band, a singer, and three to instrumentalists, respectively. On the industry side three awards will be given to individuals with emerging career paths including (but are not limited to) management, labels, promotion, radio, publicity, marketing, association leadership and recording. Nominee suggestions should be submitted here no later than June 27.
International Bluegrass
www.ibma.org
NEWS
New special awards / Nomination process
deadline
extended to June 30th to Submit
In order to ensure a secure, thorough, and simplified nomination process for Special Awards (including Bluegrass Print/Media Person of the Year, Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year, Bluegrass Event of the Year, Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year, and Graphic Design and Liner Notes), we have created an easy-to-use online submission form. Candidates wishing to nominate themselves for the categories mentioned simply click here to enter their
information. The red asteriks (*) indicates that information in that field is required to be fulfilled. Those wishing to suggest a nominee other than themselves, please email Taylor Coughlin (taylor@ibma.org) with the name and contact information of the nominee. Taylor will then contact the suggested nominee and encourage them to submit their own information to make sure that all important and accurate criteria are entered.
Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year Bluegrass Print Media Person of the Year Bluegrass Event of the Year Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year Each award has a specialized committee of professionals from that industry who choose the top five nominees for that category. Those five nominees will then go on to be voted by the Panel of Electors, an elite group of professionals with 10+ years experience in the bluegrass music industry. The Panel of Electors will get to review the criteria submitted.
www.ibma.org
To submit a self-nomination, please click: https://ibma. org/awards/special-awards-submission To review criteria for each award, please click: https:// ibma.org/awards/awards-criteria To suggest a candidate, please provide name, category and contact info to Taylor Coughlin at taylor@ibma.org. The deadline to make a nomination is Monday, June 30 at midnight.
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NEW MEMBERS: From MAY the Executive Director’s desk Deanna Alley
James Easter
Irene Kelley
Jo Pedrojetti
Norman Ayerst
Ed Easter
Garry Kelly
Kati Penn-Williams
Philip Barker
Tim Elam
James King
Tracy Porter
Brent Bell
John Elliott
William Lancaster
John Poulos
Bobby Britt
Rebekah Elms
Shawn Lane
Sherry Powers
Janice Brooks
Wayne Erbsen
Peter Langford
Diane Rees
Steven Brown
Guy Evans
Jesse Langlais
Henry Richardson
August Bruce
Richard Falter
Lonnie Lassiter
Dusty Rider
Gary Burnette
Donald Fisher Ii
Logan Lassiter
Rex Riley
Walter Campbell
Mike Foster
Caroline Lassiter
Lidany Rouse
Jeffrey Caponigro
Chip Futrell
Lonnie Lassiter
Tim Rouse
Andrew Cartoun
William Gerringer
Norma Lassiter
Cynthia Schultz
John Cavanaugh
George Gettier
Diana Lischin
Jeff Scroggins
Vickie Collins
John Goldfield
Harris Marley
Gregory Taylor
Susan Corriher
Robert Greer
Lisa Mcmillon
Karla Thompson
Tom Cox
Ross Harvey
Patrick M’gonigle
Gary Tullock
Joanne Crumpler
Michael Hill
Stephanie Milford
Noah Wall
Lachlan Davidson
Kenneth Hodges
Anthony Morris
Natalya Weinstein
Linda Davis
Pauline Hodges
Teresa Neal
Nisha Westphal
Jennifer Davis
Julie Hogan
Dawn Oconnor
Ryan White
Ben Deberry
Yvonne Hook
John Ohlinger
Lauran Ziegler
Nick Disebastian
Jonah Horton
Bruce Packard
Jared Easter
Janet Hudson
Mary Rose Parsons
Russell Easter
April Janow
Sven Pedersen
www.ibma.org
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JUNE 2014
Industry NEWS
On the Charts as reflected at press time Billboard: Nickel Creek, A Dotted Line… at number one; Alan Jackson, The Bluegrass Album at number two; Live by Steve Martin And The Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell at number three. Bluegrass Today Monthly Airplay: Rhonda Vincent, “Busy City” at number one; “Cold Dark Ground” by Grasstowne at number two; and “Government Blues” by Feller and Hill & The Bluegrass Buckaroos at number three. Bluegrass Unlimited songs: “Wild Mountain Honey,” by Junior Sisk and Joe Mullins (written by Arthur Smith) at number one; “That’s Kentucky,” by Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road (written by Dixie Hall, Tom T. Hall) at number two; “The Devil’s Train,” by James King (written by Cliff Carlisle, Mel Foree) at number three. Bluegrass Unlimited albums: The Game by Blue Highway (Rounder Records) at number one; The Streets of Baltimore by Del McCoury Band (McCoury Music) at number two; Only Me by Rhonda Vincent (Upper Mgmt) at number three. Singing News Bluegrass Chart: “When I Get Home,” by Primitive Quartet (with Smoky Mountain Reunion) at number one; “Let The Hallelujahs Roll,” by Easter Brothers at number two; “The Devil’s Train,” by James King at number three.
Heard ‘round the world If you have a band from outside the U.S. that is coming to IBMA’s World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, NC this fall, please email International Board rep Angelika Torrie at angelika@ebma.org and let her know. The International Committee is working on ideas for artist showcase nights and hospitality suites now, and they’ll need some great international bluegrass music! Dates are Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 2014. The 6th European Bluegrass Summit took place March 14-16 in Prague, Czech Republic. Workshops and panels were held, as well as a board meeting for the European Bluegrass Music Association. Petr Brandejs (Czech Republic), Martino Coppo (Italy) and Angelika Torrie (Switzerland, and IBMA Board Member) led the panel about workshops where many topics were discussed.
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Congratulations to the following EMBA Bluegrass Pioneers and EMBA Bluegrass Personality Awards: 2014 European Bluegrass Pioneers: •
The Country Ramblers (Switzerland)
•
Ruediger Helbig (Germany)Petr
•
Kuklik and Jan Honza Macak (Czech Republic)
European Bluegrass Personality 2013: •
Rosta Capek (Czech Republic)
Downtown Ramblers (Sweden) has announced that they will no longer be performing together after an eight year run that found them touring across Europe and in the US. In recent years, the band has been named top band in the Swedish Bluegrass Championship in 2007, and Top European Band at the European World of Bluegrass festival in ’09.
International Bluegrass
In honor of the 13th year of the Al Ras festival (15th Novemerd 2014) in Mollet del Vàlles, Barcelona, Spain, Nechville Musical Products is building a Custom Walnut Classic banjo valued over $6,000 and offering it to a lucky player simply for donating $4000 to the Al Ras festival. Reply to tom.nechville@gmail.com Mala Cornelia Gassmann from Switzerland is the first recipient of EBMA’s Workshop scholarship. Congratulations! This young “singer-songwriter and fiddler, trying to make a living from music,” as she describes herself, is going to attend a workshop at Grey Fox festival (USA) in July 2014. She is playing Grey Fox and some other events (Eurograss in NYC) with her band Mala and FyrMoon. In return for the scholarship of 200 EUR, Mala promised to keep Bluegrass Europe readers posted.
www.ibma.org
INDUSTRY NEWS Yale awards Ralph Stanley with Doctor of Music Degree
Yale University awarded bluegrass pioneer Ralph Stanley the Doctor of Music degree at ceremonies in New Haven, Conn. on Monday, May 20, that also saw honorary degrees going to World Wide Web founder Tim Berners-Lee, poet Rita Dove and actor Anna Deavere Smith, among others. Stanley’s award was presented by Yale president Peter Salovey, an IBMA member and a bluegrass enthusiast himself who plays bass in a band called Professors of Bluegrass.
Stanley’s citation read, “You are the patriarch of traditional mountain and bluegrass music. From the Clinch Mountains of southwest Virginia to the concert halls of the world, you have taken a distinct American sound and made it your own. Your music has its roots in the gospel songs of your childhood and in the banjo playing you learned from your mother. The Stanley style of picking produces a distinctive and characteristic rhythm, and generations of singers have been influenced by your signature voice with its mournful sounds and raw emotional power. You are a living legend and we sing your praises as we award you this degree.” The conferral ended with an academic-robed professor “kicking off” on the banjo a version of Stanley’s famed “Man Of Constant Sorrow” as an orchestra picked up the melody and the crowd rose to applaud. This is Stanley’s second honorary doctorate, the first having been awarded him in 1976 from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn.
Standing ‘O! Congratulations to Casey Campbell who graduated with his degree in music from Belmont University. Casey was an intern at IBMA in 2013 and was raised at the Station Inn. He plays mandolin in the Vickie Vaughn Band, and we just love him!
www.ibma.org
Tim Carter, the banjo playing half of The Carter Brothers was married over the weekend to Cindy Hiatt.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
For the Record Anniversary of The Wilderness Act. The trip includes six days, with all five members of The ‘Dusters, paddling down the Middle Fork and camping on its banks within the pristine Frank Church Wilderness and totally off the grid. A small handful of spots will be open for fans to purchase and get in on the action this year. Click here for more details. Lynda Dawson and Pattie Hopkins (Kickin’ Grass) have released a duet album, Traditional Duets. Their Kickstarter campaign for the project garnered $11,000. It can be purchased here. The 18th season of KET’s Emmy-nominated musical series Jubilee—which offers viewers a front-row concert seat to the best traditional and contemporary bluegrass, folk and blues music from Kentucky’s summer music festival scene—launches June 10 at 8/7 pm on KET as the marquis event in KET’s special “Bluegrass Week” programming. “Bluegrass Week” airs June 8-14 across KET’s family of channels, featuring a smorgasbord of bluegrass specials including profiles and concerts with some of the genre’s biggest stars. Beginning June 10, new episodes of Jubilee air Tuesdays at 8/7 on KET and Saturdays at midnight/11 pm on KET2. Chatham County Line’s new album Tightrope is out now! The Raleigh band was a huge hit at Wide Open Bluegrass last year and we can’t wait to see what they do next. Buy it here. Pickin’ on the Middle Fork is an exclusive experience with The Infamous Stringdusters and Idaho River Adventures to help celebrate the 50th
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The Willis Clan, a family of 12 children who are all singers, players, dancers, and writers, have released their sophomore bluegrass album Chapter Two: Boots. The Clan won The Today Show’s “Modern Von Trapp Family” contest in December and is currently competing on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Be sure to get their new album and vote for them on AGT! Check your local listings. Phil Leadbetter is now booking for The Dale Ann Bradley Band. Phil has been a member of the band since his return to bluegrass following a twoyear battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cancer. Phil is now 100% cured, and is a full-time member of her band. Phil also has a brand new album titled The Next Move which will be coming out on Pinecastle Records this Fall. Some of the guests on the new CD include: Jerry Douglas, Rob Ickes, Steve Wariner, Joe Diffie, Ken Mellons, Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Con Hunley, Shawn Camp, Buck White, Sierra Hill, Kenny Smith, Charlie Cushman, Marty Raybon, Steve Gulley, Dale Ann Bradley, Paul Brewster, Mike Bub and Don Rigsby (to name a few). Please contact Phil at (865)607-6208 or at philibuster1@ yahoo.com to inquire about Dale Ann Bradley.
International Bluegrass
DOBRO ROOTS - A Photo Tour of Prewar Wood Body Dobros by Steve Toth is available now, with a Foreword by Jerry Douglas. It is the first book of its kind devoted solely to the prewar Dobro invented in America by the Dopyera Brothers. It can be purchased here on Amazon. Chris Davis, guitarist formerly of Junior Sisk and Rambler’s Choice, has joined country group Diamond Rio.
Dark Shadow Recording announced the radio release of “Southern Flavor,” the second single from Becky Buller’s highly anticipated new album, ‘Tween ‘Earth And Sky. As far as we know, it’s the first time anyone has assembled an allBluegrass Boy band to record a Bill Monroe song with new “Monroeapproved” lyrics. The cut features Buller on fiddle and vocal with the help of former Bluegrass Boys: Michael Feagan (fiddle), Peter Rowan (guitar/vocal), Buddy Spicher (fiddle), Roland White (mandolin), and Blake Williams (banjo). Darrell Webb is celebrating 20 years in bluegrass by releasing his new album Dream Big. The album is available at Ernest Tubb Record Store, County Sales, and Amazon.com. James King has been hospitalized in Missouri. After complications from gall bladder surgery and kidney stones, he was moved to ICU, where he remains at press time. Well wishes may be sent to: James King P.O. Box 10179 Danville, Virginia 24543
www.ibma.org
INDUSTRY NEWS
For the record IBMA AWARDS: The first round ballot for IBMA Awards ballot is open until June 13. Second round is open from July 10-August 1. Third round is open from August 14-September 12. To vote in the IBMA Awards, one must be a professional member. To join and get in on the next round of voting, click here.
A wave of legislation may be music to songwriter’s ears! Lawmakers in Congress are working to reset the way digital radio services pay the artists whom they play. What’s in the works?
The 31st Annual International Country Music Conference was held in Nashville May 21-24. Many IBMA members presented: Dr. Gregory Hansen (“The Origin Story of the ‘Orange Blossom Special’: Playing with Fiddlelore” and “Much More Than ‘Sixteen Tons’: Weighing Tennessee Ernie Ford’s Full Achievement”), Kenichi Yamaguchi (“The Progress of Bluegrass Music in the Detroit Area”), Si Kahn (ICMC Keynote: “The Folk Revival, Country Music and Social Justice” with Dr. Ron Cohen), Barry Mazor and Edward Morris (“Chet Flippo: An Assessment of a Life in Country Music Journalism”), Dr. Gregory Reish (“Before Doc & Clarence: Lead Guitar in Early Bluegrass”), Dr. Jim Clark (“Fiddlin’ Frazier Moss: An Analysis”), Dr. Erika Brady (“Stars of the 1937-1940 WLS Barn Dance”), Marian Leighton Levy (“Radical Politics, The Counter Culture, and the Beginning of Rounder Records”), Dr. Lee Bidgood and Mark Dillon (“Banjo Romantika: Document, Discussion, Display”), Joe Weed (“From Ohio to Turkey, Texas: From ‘Darling Nell Gray’ to ‘Bob Wills ‘Faded Love’”). Congratulations, and well done!
• The Senate version of the Songwriters Equity Act of 2014, which states that the Copyright Royalty Board and federal rate judges will establish royalty rates and terms for songs that clearly represent would-be negotiations in the buyer/seller marketplace • A bill introduced earlier by representatives in California would force AM/FM broadcasters to pay royalties to artists when their songs are played on terrestrial radio stations. • A continuing debate in Congress stands: Whether law-makers should fix the copyright protection for sound recordings. The full federal copyright protection applies only to recordings made after Feb. 15, 1972, which leaves out thousands of artists (retired or not) who have had a career prior to then. Full federal protection is needed.
In Remembrance Lester Armistead, of the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band, lost his battle to cancer May 2. Lester played the jug and sang powerful tenor for the TMJB.
www.ibma.org
A gathering of friends and family took place in Goodlettsville, TN to pay tribute to Lester, with great music and shared memories. May he rest in peace.
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