International Bluegrass October 2014

IB

international

bluegrass

Vol. 29 No. 10 October 2014

Bluegrass Legends emerge at WOB Award Winners

announced

Balsam Range Noam Pikelny Frank Solivan

and more!

World of Bluegrass 2014 photo gallery

New IBMA Board Members Kids on Bluegrass

International Bluegrass

Vol. 29 | No. 10 | October 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 Craig Ferguson, Vice Chair Becky Buller/At Large John Goad, Print/Media/Education Danny Clark/At Large William Lewis/At Large Jamie Deering/Director, Merchandisers/Luthiers Stephen Mougin/At Large Regina Derzon/Director Secretary, Associations Joe Mullins, Artists/Composers/Publishers Henri Deschamps/At Large Brian Smith/Director, Agents/Managers/Publicists

David Smith/Director, Broadcasters Ben Surratt/Director, Recording/Dist./Marketing Tim Surrett/Director, Artists/Composers/Publishers Angelika Torrie/Director, International 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.�

October Table of CONtENTs

Editorial

IBMA Awards

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World of Bluegrass Photo Gallery

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IBMA’s Kids On Bluegrass Program

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New Members to Join IBMA Board in October 2014

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Fresh Sounds

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industry news

Photos from WOB 2014 in Raleigh, NC

Editorial

World of Bluegrass: with Taylor Coughlin The After Part

I am standing in the makeshift “office” area off to the side of the Marriott lobby in Raleigh. Not even 12 hours before, this area was packed with music makers who would jam until the daybreak hours, or, just normal quitting time.

WOB Window Display RCC

“I can’t wait until WOB 2015!” one man shouted to his friends as they drove away, his arms outstretched.

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But now it’s empty and void of any World of Bluegrass remnants, save for the new Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen album they have playing over the loud speakers.

It feels empty; the party is over. It’s back to work, school, life. It makes me think, in a cheesy way: was this all a dream?

There will be a mound of assessments that will begin when we get back and settled at IBMA HQ in Nashville, but being here post-WOB in Raleigh, I can already tell it was a resounding success. For one: Things went smoother; it was the second year, so we

International Bluegrass

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were able to implement the changes that were necessary after year one.

Secondly, with everyone having an idea of what to expect, the enthusiasm was ripe. I overheard more positive comments than negative ones from business conference attendees to folks at the street fair. “I can’t wait until WOB 2015!” one man shouted to his friends as they drove away, his arms outstretched.

My favorite parts about this year are many. I got to know many more bluegrass folks within the last year, so getting to see y’all in one place was awesome (and I know you know how this feels – it is like a big family reunion!), I made friends with Tony Trischka who laughed with me backstage at the Special Awards luncheon after practicing our award hand-off, the Awards Show was nothing short of entertaining and special, and we provided great content in terms of professional development.

mJim,” and AJ Trott, “Sli hlin Taylor Coug Judy

McD Tayl onough or C ough and lin

T

he memories from this past week will keep me motivated to start working early on World of Bluegrass 2015. Until then, we’ll be working on tallying the final numbers, hearing from you on improvements we could make for 2015, and holding Leadership Bluegrass in March, which brings me to my next big sell:

Leadership bluegrass: apply now!

Leadership Bluegrass is an intensive, three-day workshop that brings together folks in the industry with all different backgrounds to meet, discuss, learn, and lead. “Leadership Bluegrass was an incredible experience for me,” said Nashville publicist and Leadership Bluegrass committee chair Emilee Warner. “From the connections with classmates to the invaluable information shared from the speakers, it’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity we have in the bluegrass community. I highly recommend it to everyone.”

Applications are due to the IBMA office on Friday, November 14 for the class that will take place in Nashville, March 4-6, 2015. To learn more about Leadership Bluegrass, click here.

A link to apply will be attached to the same link no later than Friday, October 10. Send applications via snail mail to 608 W. Iris Drive, Nashville, TN 37204.

From one thing to the next – IBMA doesn’t stop! Until next year’s big family reunion, keep up with us and join as a member if you aren’t already. We’d love for you to join.

Peace, love, and banjos, Taylor Coughlin

with n i l ugh a (!!) o C chk lor Tay ny Tris To

World of Bluegrass photo gallery Photos by Dave Brainard

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International Bluegrass

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Photo by Willa Stein

Great moments and snapshots of WoB2014!

Bela Fleck Keynote Address Photo by Dave Brainard

Wednesday Ramble Photo by Todd Gunsher

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International Bluegrass

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WOB PHOTOS!!

World of Bluegrass Photo Gallery

Photo by James

Photo by Dave Brainard

Photo by Todd Gunsher

Photo by Willa Stein

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Photo by

Photo by Dave Brainard

World of Bluegrass Photo Gallery

WOB Photos!

Mckelvey

Photo by Willa Stein

Todd Gunsher

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From the Executive Director’s Desk

Editorial

Photo by James Mckelvey

Sculpture Artists Photo by Willa Stein

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International Bluegrass

www.ibma.org Photo by Dave Brainard

Photo by Dave Brainard

From the Executive Director’s desk

editorial

Photo by Taylor Coughlin

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International Bluegrass

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Photo by Erin Erdos

NORTH CAROLINA’S BALSAM RANGE NAMED ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR AT 2014 INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARDS Photo by Dave Brainard

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orth Carolina’s own Balsam Range took home the Entertainer of the Year award at the 25th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Thursday night, October 2nd, at Raleigh, North Carolina’s Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

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It was an exciting night for the band, who also received awards for Vocal Group of the Year, and Male Vocalist (Buddy Melton).

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Banjo player Noam Pikelny had a breakout night, winning Banjo Player of the Year and Album of the Year for Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe. At an earlier awards ceremony, Hall of Fame inductee Neil Rosenberg won Best Liner Notes for the same album.

Amanda Smith took home the award for Female Vocalist of the Year; both Smith and Melton were first-time winners in these categories.

Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductees, the original Seldom Scene and Dr. Neil Rosenberg, of Canada, were honored in special presentations.

Rosenberg’s induction was celebrated with a performance from fellow Canadians The Spinney Brothers, joined by fiddle players Michael Cleveland, Stuart Duncan, and Jason Carter.

Original members of the Seldom Scene – Ben Eldridge, John Starling and Tom Gray – accepted their award to a standing ovation, noting the late John Duffey and Mike Auldridge in their acceptance speech. The band – both original members and the current band – then performed one of their signature hits, “Wait A Minute.”

Noam Pikelny - Banjo Player of the Year Photo by Dave Brainard

Seldom Scene Hall of Fame Inductees Photo by Dave Brainard

Flatt Lonesome was named Emerging Artist of the Year, and in its 39th year as a band, Special Consensus took both Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year, winning IBMA awards for the first time.

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International Bluegrass

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Hosted by Lee Ann Womack and Jerry Douglas, the 2014 IBMA Awards Show featured a number of virtuoso-level, highenergy live performances from The Boxcars, Claire Lynch, Gibson Brothers, Della Mae, Blue Highway, Noam Pikelny, Del McCoury Band, Balsam Range, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen and individual performances from each host, Lee Ann Womack and Jerry Douglas.

The International Bluegrass Music Awards are voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), which serves as the trade association for the bluegrass music industry. The IBMA Awards Show is the centerpiece of the World of Bluegrass Week, Sept 30 – October 4 in Raleigh, NC, which also includes the IBMA Business Conference and Wide Open Bluegrass festival.

Jerry Douglas & Lee Ann Womack: IBMA Co-hosts Photo by Dave Brainard

The IBMA Awards Show was broadcast live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction). The show will be syndicated to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks, thanks to the sponsorship of John Pearse Strings, Deering Banjos, Mountain Home Music, Compass Records and the International Bluegrass Music Museum. The sponsors for the live-streamed broadcast were Yep Roc, Deering Banjos, Bluegrass Today and Music City Roots. Program directors and station managers may sign up to be affiliates by calling (615) 256-3222 or emailing joe@ ibma.org. The show will also be posted on AirPlay Direct for broadcasters in the coming week.

Memorial Auditorium Photo by Todd Gunsher

A complete list of nominees, this year’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductees and the recipients of the Distinguished Achievement Award are listed below.

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International Bluegrass

www.ibma.org

The 2014 International Bluegrass Music Awards Hall of Fame Inductees:

Album of the Year:

Recorded Event of the Year:

Entertainer of the Year:

Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe - Noam Pikelny (artist) Gabe Witcher (producer), Compass Records

“Wild Montana Skies” - Special Consensus with Claire Lynch & Rob Ickes (artists), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records

Mandolin Player of the Year

Vocal Group of the Year:

Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year:

The Original Seldom Scene Neil Rosenberg

Balsam Range

Balsam Range

Instrumental Group of the Year Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen

Male Vocalist of the Year: Buddy Melton

“Thank God I’m A Country Boy”Special Consensus with Buddy Spicher, Michael Cleveland and Alison Brown (artists), Country Boy: A Bluegrass Tribute to John Denver (album), John Martin Sommers (writer), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records

Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year:

Female Vocalist of the Year: Amanda Smith

Emerging Artist of the Year: Flatt Lonesome

Song of the Year:

“Won’t It Be Wonderful There” - Dailey & Vincent (artist), Brothers of the Highway (album), Mildred Styles Johnson (writer), Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records

Adam Steffey

Dobro Player of the Year Phil Leadbetter

Bass Player of the Year Barry Bales

Fiddle Player of the Year: Jason Carter

Guitar Player of the Year: Bryan Sutton

Banjo Player of the Year: Noam Pikelny

“Dear Sister” - Claire Lynch (artist), Claire Lynch and Louisa Branscomb (writers)

Special Awards: (presented earlier on Thurs. Oct. 2) Bluegrass Event of the Year

Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year Tim Stafford

Bluegrass Underground

Broadcaster of the Year

Kyle Cantrell, Bluegrass Junction, Sirius XM

Print/Media Person of the Year

Chris Jones, writer at Bluegrass Today

Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project

Lou Everhart (designer), Lonely Comes Easy, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, Rebel Records

Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project

Neil V Rosenberg, Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe, Noam Pikelny, Compass Records

Distinguished Achievement Award recipients Bill Keith, Deering Banjos, the European Bluegrass Music Association, Hillbilly at Harvard, and The Delmore Brothers.

Momentum Awards (presented Wednesday, October 1) Instrumentalists of the Year

New Festival or Venue of the Year

Dominick Leslie (mandolin) Jake Stargel (guitar), Cory Walker (banjo)

Bluegrass Situation showcases at Bonaroo & Americana Music Association

Vocalist of the Year

Jesse Gregory (Jesse Gregory & Faultline)

Ashlee-Jean Trott, Music City Roots/Bluegrass Underground

Band of the Year

Mentor of the Year

The Barefoot Movement

Industry Involvement of the Year

Tim Surrett

From the Executive Director’s Desk

Editorial

Chatham County Line Photo by James Mckelvey

Amanda Smith Photo by Dave Brainard

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International Bluegrass

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Photo by Dave B

Jerry Douglas and Sam Bush Photo by Willa Stein

From the Executive Director’s desk

Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen Photo by Willa Stein

Brainard

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editorial

Noam Pikelny and Del McCoury Photo by James Mckelvey

Buddy Melton-Male Vocalist of the Year Photo by Dave Brainard

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IBMA's Kids On Bluegrass Program

IBMA

’s “KIDS ON BLUEGRASS” program

began during our annual World of Bluegrass events in 2003, which was also the 10th anniversary of the “Youth All-Stars” segment of the International Bluegrass Music Awards.

The Kids on Bluegrass program, produced from its inception by renowned artist/songwriter Kim Fox (The Fox Family, 3 Fox Drive), is a great way to spotlight the talents of young musicians and singers in the bluegrass world, at IBMA’s an-

nual Wide Open Bluegrass Festival.

The original “Kids on Bluegrass,” festival-based bluegrass academy for kids was developed by Frank Solivan (Sr.) with the California Bluegrass Association, and now there are a number of fun programs for young people at festivals like the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, The Festival of the Bluegrass, the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, Bean Blossom and many more!

IBMA’s Kids on Bluegrass program includes 20-30 young musicians every year, age 4-17, from across the country. IBMA’s program is unique in the fact that the young musicians produce it, perform it, promote it and even emcee it. The value of programs like these cannot be measured. The interaction, both musically and socially, is something that cannot be found by simply attending a festival.

Kids on Bluegrass attempts to match kids with similar abilities, giving them an opportunity to create and arrange music both instrumentally and vocally, and offering them the opportunity to perform in a group of their peers. Many Kids on Bluegrass alumni have gone on to become professional musicians, including: Sierra Hull, Sarah Jarosz, Cory Walker, Nick Keen, Alex Hargreaves, Seth Taylor, Austin Ward, Christian Ward and Cory Piatt, plus more.

Photo by Todd Gunsher

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We do not require kids from prior years to re-apply and most are invited back. We have also reached out to several bluegrass festivals and associations to nominate talented young musicians regionally. We usually let them know that, for the coming event, we have needs for specific musicians (banjo players, bass players, etc). The California Bluegrass Association, Bay Area Bluegrass Association (TX) and San Diego Bluegrass Association have all taken us up on this offer, and we would LOVE to have more association recommendations. Some associations even offer scholarships to help the family finance the trip to the convention.

Photo by Todd Gunsher

The group “jam” numbers are determined by our committee of instructors and are usually theme-based. (For example, we performed both Doc Watson and Flatt and Scruggs songs the year that Doc and Earl passed away.

In 2013 we paid tribute to Del McCoury.) Each young musician receives the song selections and keys in advance, to give them plenty of time to rehearse before the event. They are also asked to select their featured songs in advance. Once instrumentation is Kids on Bluegrass is featured in determined, back-up musicians are recruited so that everyone two separate sets at the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival, Friday has an equal opportunity to play evening and Saturday morning. with others. We have created a private Facebook group page In these shows, each child is deemed a featured musician and (Kids on Bluegrass) to allow them to interact with each other performs one or two songs of throughout the year. On this his/her choice. They can select page, they can network with other musicians to perform with them either instrumentally, the kids assigned to their songs.

They also discuss anything from vocally or both. The shows are new songs that they’ve discovwrapped up with a one or two group “jam” that includes all the ered, to their grades on a history young musicians and encourag- test. Instructors post positive messages throughout the year, es each of them to take a break encouraging their studies. or sing a verse.

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International Bluegrass

In 2013, a senior group of Kids on Bluegrass were invited to perform during the BMI Nominees Reception before the IBMA Awards Show, and the group was invited to participate again in 2014.

IBMA’s Kids on Bluegrass is a magical experience for the kids who participate. More than a workshop or “academy” experience, the program’s goal is to provide guidance and foster a fun atmosphere. We expect courtesy toward others and professionalism on stage, and every year since 2003 the Kids on Bluegrass musicians have exceeded all expectations with their talent, professionalism and enthusiasm.

For more information, please call IBMA at 615-256-3222, or email nancyc@ibma.org.

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New Members to Join

IBMA Board in October 2014

Congratulations to the following IBMA members who will take their seats on the IBMA Board of Directors in October, 2014: Joe Mullins, in the Artists,

Composers & Publishers category; David Smith, Broadcasters; and John Goad, serving the Print, Media & Education constituencies.

All three board reps have been elected by their constituents to a three-year term.

Many thanks to Carl Jackson, Craig Havighurst, Cindy Baucam and Ned Luberecki, who will be rotating off the board in October.

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John Goad is a regular correspondent for Bluegrass Today, and he teaches at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN. A multiinstrumentalist, John has played bluegrass music since the age of 13. Goad holds two bachelor degrees in Bluegrass, Old Time and Country Music Studies and History from ETSU, along with a Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies.

“Although I am young,” Goad says, “I have a strong respect for bluegrass music’s traditions.

When I was a child, I was more likely to listen to first

International Bluegrass

generation artists than I was what was currently popular, simply because that was what my father enjoyed. Being exposed to those artists allowed me to see how essential both tradition and innovation are to this style of music. One of the best things about bluegrass is how so many artists have one foot in the past and one foot in the future, making their own style of music while being inspired by artists as varied as Bill Monroe, John Cowan, and Chris Thile. As an educator, I want to show both students and bluegrass professionals that it doesn’t have to be either/or –

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editorial

An essential part of his vision for IBMA, he says is “that bluegrass professionals are provided with the resources they both want and need to further their careers.”

you don’t have to just stick to traditional bluegrass, but you also don’t have to always be going out on a new limb. There’s room for variety. I think it’s very important to not alienate either traditional bluegrass fans and musicians or those who prefer more progressive styles, and to continue recognizing, showcasing, and supporting artists on both sides of the fence and encouraging collaboration and understanding between them.”

As an educator, John has strong feelings about professional development offered by IBMA.

Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Fairfax County, Virginia, David Smith says he was surrounded by the sounds of bluegrass. Traveling with his family to craft shows up and down the Shenandoah Valley, attending Smithsonian Folkways festivals on the Mall in D.C. and through events at Wolf Trap, Glen Echo and Lucketts Farmers Markets, his ears were drawn to the vocal harmonies and acoustic sounds of bluegrass music.

Smith has worked as a bluegrass DJ with community and public radio stations for the past two decades: KDUR in Durango, Colorado and KFJM with Prairie Public. He has also served on the board of directors for the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown festival, which is now in its 20th year. He writes for the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society’s Pow’r Pickin’ publication, as well guesting as a blogger for Bluegrass Today, and he served as a member of IBMA’s Showcase Selection Committee this year. He’s also a musician.

Smith believes that tomorrow’s bluegrass “will not be a new revolution, as bluegrass music is already a revolutionary genre. Bill Monroe teaming up with Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Chubby Wise and Howard Watts was more progressive than any modern-day use of the word within bluegrass. Each decade to follow would find bluegrass following in such progressive and yes, revolutionary footsteps.” After attending literally hundreds of concerts and festivals across the country, David notes,” With each new decade, what was progressive in the past has become the tradition of today. The future of bluegrass will continue in this way because bluegrass is a progressive revolution which has evolved and thrived over many decades.”

“As a member of the IBMA board of directors, I will strive to proudly proclaim the organization’s vibrancy in the modern-day, as well as to promote and applaud all aspects of the genre that meet the high standards of the mission statement. Promoting the relevance of the organization in the modern-day will strengthen the membership, in-turn strengthening the music.”

New members join IBMA Board

Membership news

Joe Mullins is a lifelong member of the bluegrass community; his father, the late Paul Mullins, was a fiddler, broadcaster and promoter. With access to live performances and recordings throughout his life, Joe characterizes himself as “a lifelong learner, gaining an education about the music and the musicians firsthand from most members of the first, second and third generations of bluegrass professionals.”

Mullins started his career as a banjo player and vocalist as a founding member of The Traditional Grass in late 1983. By 1989, the band was touring full time and produced several recordings for Rebel Records through 1995 when the group disbanded. Joe stopped full time touring to purchase his first radio station, but was invited to help create the band Longview. With this special event band he helped produce three highly acclaimed recordings and performed on a part time basis from 1995 to 2003.

Mullins went on to add three additional stations to the network he manages in southwest Ohio. He founded Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers in 2006, which began touring nationally in 2010 and was named IBMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year in 2012.

Joe served as IBMA’s Secretary from 199395, and says, “I have enjoyed our progress over the many years of change and growth.”

Mullins is a veteran of several boards and committees, ranging from local Chambers of Commerce to the International Bluegrass Music Museum.

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“I am so thankful for continuous growth of the bluegrass economy over the past two decades,” Mullins says, “and I firmly believe our association has proved beneficial to all. I think the vision for IBMA has always been to provide its members with resources to help achieve success. As a professional association, IBMA has helped encourage young talent, be it musicians, broadcasters, luthiers or others in the bluegrass community, and also honored the achievements of those who have paved the way. I will be honored to serve our members in continuing the progress we have made together the past 30 years. I think future is very bright for the music we love and our association.”

International Bluegrass

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October 2014

Fresh Sounds

Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick Laurie & Kathy Sing the Songs of Vern & Ray Spruce and Maple Music

Mac Wiseman Songs From My Mother’s Hand Wrinkled Records

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International Bluegrass

Lonesome River Band Turn on a Dime Crossroads Music

Larry Rice The Best of Larry Rice: If Only You Knew Rebel Records

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Fresh Sounds

Billy Strings and Don Julin, Fiddle Tune X

Hank Smith & Lindsey Tims, mpulse

Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers Another Day From Life Rebel Records

Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein, If I Had a Boat Rebel Records

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Fresh Sounds

October 2014

Valerie Smith The Human Condition

Spinney Brothers Tried & True Mountain Fever Records

The Roys The View Rural Rhythm

Nu Blu, All the Way Rural Rhythm

Phil Leadbetter The Next Move Pinecastle

October 2014

Industry news

On the Charts as reflected at press time Billboard: The Earls of Leicester, The Earls of Leicester, Round Records at number one; Jerry Douglas, Rob Ickes, Mike Auldridge, Three Bells, Rounder Records at number two; Greensky Bluegrass, If Sorrows Swim, Big Blue Zoo Records at number three.

Bluegrass Today Monthly Airplay: Larry Sparks, “Bitterweeds,” at number one; “So Far” by Flatt Lonesome at number two; “Remind Me of You” by Blue Highway at number three.

Bluegrass Unlimited songs: “The Game” by Blue Highway (written by Shawn Lane, Barry Bales) on The Game from Rounder Records, number one; “Busy City” by Rhonda Vincent (written by Jesse Daniel) on Only Me from Upper Mgmt, number two;

“Only Me” by Rhonda Vincent with Willie Nelson (written by Bill Yates, Roger Brown) on Only Me from Upper Mgmt, number three.

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

by Balsam Range (Mountain Home) at number two.

Singing News: “When I Get Home” by Primitive Quartet with Smoky Mountain Reunion on Mountain Heritage/Crossroads at number one; “Stacking Up the Rocks” by Balsam Range on Mountain Home/Crossroads at number two; “The Devil’s Train” by James King on Rounder at number three.

standing o!

For a complete list of IBMA Award winners, please see the previous article in this newsletter. Congratulations to all winners and nominees!

Eddie Adcock has won the prestigious Steve Martin Banjo Prize for 2014.

Congratulations to Dennis Cash and Larry Cordle, on their induction into America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame last month (August), based in Avoca, Iowa.

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The 2015 Grammy Music Educator semifinalists have been announced. Of the 25 semi-finalists (out of 7,000 nominees from 50 states!) Beth Fortune, Washington Middle School orchestra director (inner city Seattle public school), Wintergrass Music Education Director (Youth Academy and Wintergrass Youth Orchestra), and Leadership Bluegrass class of 2011 has been chosen!

The ten finalists will be announced in December. Read more here.

International Bluegrass

Congratulations to the following IBMA board members who were elected to serve on the Executive Committee beginning October 2014: Jon Weisberger (board chair), Craig Ferguson (vice-chair), Regina Derzon (secretary), and Elizabeth Wightman (treasurer).

Our heartfelt thanks to the following members who are rotating off the IBMA Board of Directors October 1, 2014: Carl Jackson (artists & composers), Cindy Baucom (former Vice Chair), Craig Havighurst (print, media & education), and Ned Luberecki (broadcast media).

www.ibma.org

Industry news

For the Record Curtis Media Group announced Friday, September 26, the launch of a new station dedicated to Bluegrass music on WFNL 102.3 FM in Raleigh, NC. Bluegrass music began playing on September 26 at noon. Curtis Media Group Executive Vice President, Trip Savery said in a release, “Our commitment to Bluegrass started when WPTF hired Flatt & Scruggs in 1952. We are very proud to bring a part of our heritage back to the airwaves.”

Bill Evans now offers banjo lessons of all levels on Peghead Nation. You can take a look at free sample lessons before you sign up! Check it out here.

Deering Banjos have introduced the new Americana Banjo to its Goodtime Banjo series. It is a little larger, with a 12” rim (opposed to the regular 11”) and comes at an affordable price for those looking to pick up a new instrument.

Roger Siminoff, luthier, acoustician and developer of Straight Up Strings for Mandolin, has announced Straight Up Strings for Banjo is now available online.

Straight Up Strings are engineered with compensated down pressures at the bridge, to make allowances for acoustical differences in strings positioned over the arches of the traditional 3-footed banjo bridge, versus strings positioned over the feet.

Patuxent Music will be the primary sponsor for the Mid-Atlantic Bluegrass Band Contest on Friday, February 27, 2015 in Vienna, VA. The event will fea- Darin & Brooke Aldridge have made the jump over to representation from Buddy Lee Attractions. ture some of the best regional bluegrass talent as they compete for cash prizes totaling $1,300 and a performance slot in the DC Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, February 28, 2015. Patuxent Music is a Rockville, Md, based recording label with state-ofthe-art digital recording facilities that specializes in authentic roots music and jazz by local, regional and national artists.

In Remembrance Johnny Vincent, father of Darin and Rhonda Vincent, passed away with his family by his side in Missouri on October 5. He was he banjo player for the Vincent family’s bluegrass band, The Sally Mountain Show, when Rhonda and Darin were young. He also appeared as a guest vocalist on a number of Rhonda’s solo albums.

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California Bluegrass Association member Regina Bartlett passed away on Wednesday, October 1 in Raleigh during World of Bluegrass, of natural causes. Regina was a regular performer at all NCBS festivals for the past two decades and headed the Kids On Stage program at the Good OId Fashioned Bluegrass Festival for many years.

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See you in 2015!

September 29 – October 3