June 2016 ib (1) by International Bluegrass Music Association

IB bluegrass international

June 2016

Russell Moore & IIIrd tyme out Take Time to Celebrate 25 Years But There is No Slowing Down

A Moment with... Ned Luberecki

wide open bluegrass makes initial lineup Announcement Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Invited to a Bluegrass Wedding!

The IBMA Has Moved! Important Awards & Voting Deadlines

International Bluegrass Vol. 31 | No. 5 | June 2016

Editor: Shannon Turner shannon@ibma.org

Designer: Erin Faith Erdos erinfaitherdos@gmail.com

STAFF

Paul Schiminger Executive Director

board

Shannon Turner Director of Communications and Professional Development

Leah James Director of Member Services

Eddie Huffman Convention Services and IT Systems Director

Tim Surrett - Board Chairperson

Alan Bartram-Artists/Composers/Publishers Becky Buller-At Large Jamie Deering-Merchandisers/Luthiers Regina Derzon-Secretary, Associations Mike Drudge-Agents, Managers & Publicists John Goad-Print Media/Education Denise Jarvinen-At Large Marian Leighton Levy-Recording/Distribution/Marketing William Lewis-At Large

Steve Martin-At Large Stephen Mougin-At Large Joe Mullins-Treasurer, Artists/Composers/Publishers Ben Surratt- Vice Chair Wayne Taylor-Artists-Composers/Publishers Alan Tompkins-At Large Angelika Torrie- International Bree Tucker-Myers- Event Production Bob Webster-Broadcast Media

info Contact us

International Bluegrass

The monthly emailed publication of the International Bluegrass Music Association

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

4206 Gallatin Road, 37216 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: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Reprinted with permission from International Bluegrass, the publication of the International Bluegrass Music Association, www.ibma.org.â&#x20AC;?

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table of c o n te n t s international bluegrass

June 2016 Cover story

Cover Photo courtesy of LuAnn Adams

12 Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out

Celebrate Silver

by Bill Conger

As IIIrd Tyme Out kicks off its 25th Anniversary tour, Russell Moore looks back, and ahead.

6 We’ve moved! After three years in Nashville’s Berry Hill area, the IBMA packs up and heads for new digs.

8 Out & About at: Merlefest The IBMA upped its presence at MerleFest 2016, with a little help from our friends.

9 World of Bluegrass Songwriters’ Showcase Names Hosts 10 IBMA Health Fair Returns to WOB 12 Announcing the Music of Wide Open Bluegrass When the crowds pour into the Red Hat Theater in Raleigh come September, they can expect two days of fantastic music.

18 You’re Invited to a Bluegrass Wedding! Pammy Davis & T. Lassiter of North Carolina cordially invite you to share their Big Day with them, and after the nuptials, to stay all weekend for a bluegrass festival like no other! Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out will serenade the newlyweds, and the food, picking and music is open for all to celebrate. Table of Contents photos provided by Todd Gunsher, James McKelvey and Willa Stein

International Bluegrass | June 2016

Important Deadlines! Good stuff you need to know. 20 Special Awards Deadline for submissions extended to June 15 21

Film Festival – Closes June 15

Second Awards Ballot – Voting period June 15-30

Distinguished Achievement Submissions – Open now through July 1

Momentum Awards Submissions – Open now through July 1

Board of Directors Seat Nominees – Open now through July 1

28 A Moment with... Ned Luberecki by Kelly Smith Ned Luberecki juggles several jobs in his bluegrass career, and has the stories to prove it. In our new feature, A Moment with..., IBMA summer intern Kelly Smith catches up with the busy banjo player.

30 Leadership Bluegrass – Southeast Regional Retreat by Ron Raxter Leadership Bluegrass alumni in the southeastern region of the country met up at the Earl Scruggs Center to discuss, deliberate, find solutions and, of course, jam.

32 Album Reviews Armed with technical knowledge and a creative ear, our intern reviews the new release from The Boxcars.

33 Moment of the month That time Gold Heart found the cupcake ATM in Nashville.

NEXT issue... Bluegrass Unlimited Celebrates 50 Years

International Bluegrass

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We’ve Moved !! May 26 was a big day at IBMA headquarters. After three years in the Berry Hill neighborhood of Nashville, the staff packed up operations and headed north – to the North Inglewood area of town, just north of East Nashville. Normal operations were delayed for a few days while we made the necessary Internet and telephone transitions – we appreciate everyone’s patience! We are looking forward to growing the Association in its new home. Here is the contact information for the new IBMA office: Address: 4206 Gallatin Rd. Nashville, TN 37216 Phone number and email addresses remain the same: (615) 256-3222 Paul Schiminger, Executive Director – paul@ibma.org Eddie Huffman, Convention Services Director – eddie@ibma.org Leah James, Membership Services Director – leah@ibma.org Shannon Turner, Communications & Professional Development Director – Shannon@ibma.org

The IBMA has resided at 608 W. Iris Drive in Nashville since 2013.

International Bluegrass | June 2016

The old kitchen is boxed up!

The moving truck showed up to help move the office. There was a lot to move!

We took a few photos to chronicle the Big Moving Day, and stay tuned â&#x20AC;&#x201C; next month we will give you a tour of the new digs! For those of you in the Nashville area, stop by and see us anytime! 4 1/2 hours later, the moving truck backed up to the new office on Gallatin Road to unload

International Bluegrass

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Out & About at...MerleFest Wilkesboro, North Carolina

Your IBMA was excited to take part in the annual MerleFest activities this year. The Association had a presence on the Watson Stage, when Executive Director Paul Schiminger invited everyone out to World of Bluegrass in September and welcomed The Sam Bush Band to the stage for their set; and we had a tent in MerleFest Village, where the IBMA had the opportunity to meet festival goers and invite them to

April 28 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 1, 2016

be a part of our membership. We were delighted to host musical guests Alison Brown, Bryan Sutton, Stephen Mougin and Jim Lauderdale, who entertained the fans and showed everyone just what bluegrass music is all about! We thank the fine folks at MerleFest for the opportunity to work with them, and look forward to doing so again!

International Bluegrass | June 2016

Alison Brown stopped by the IBMA booth at MerleFest.

World of Bluegrass

songwriter showcase hosts announced The IBMA Songwriter Committee is happy to announce the hosts for the World of Bluegrass Songwriter Showcase. Laurie Lewis of Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands and Keith Little, of The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, The LittleBand and The David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, will present the event, which will feature the performances and original songs of the as-yet-to-be-announced winners of the Songwriter Showcase competition. “Our Songwriter Showcase has been introducing incredible new talent to the World of Bluegrass since 1999,” says Becky Buller, chair of the IBMA Songwriter Committee. “We, your IBMA Songwriter Committee, are so pleased to share this next batch of writers with you. Artists, producers, record labels, fellow songwriters, fans…the workshop stage in the Raleigh Convention Center is where you need to be at 1pm on Thursday, September 29th. Pick up some new material for your next record; meet your new favorite co-writer!” The winners of the Songwriters’ Competition will be announced in these pages next month and in your Inbox very soon, so keep a watch out for them!

International Bluegrass

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IBMA Health Fair Returns to World of Bluegrass It can be tough to be in the music industry and have access to quality healthcare. Whether you are an artist, business owner, event producer or whatever your role in the industry, it can be a challenge to keep yourself healthy and find affordable providers for your healthcare needs. Your health is important to the IBMA, and that is why we are delighted to once again partner with several providers, including Sight & Sound Vision Care and MusiCares, The Recording Academy’s healthcare outreach, to bring you the World of Bluegrass Health Fair in Raleigh. These are some of the benefits that will be available to qualifying World of Bluegrass attendees:

Sight & Sound Vision Care – Free Vision Exams and Eyewear MusiCares – Free Dental Clinic and Ear Impressions for custom ear plugs Vision Clinic:

Sight & Sound VISION CARE FOR THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

Sight & Sound has partnered with the America’s Best Glasses and Contacts to provide free vision screenings and eyewear to all registered conference attendees. “Sight & Sound, as a provider of eye care to those in the music industry, is thrilled to be working alongside the International Bluegrass Music Association,” says Mark Lindsey from Sight & Sound. “We understand that not everyone has access to regular eye care. We look forward to providing care to all attendees and hearing some terrific bluegrass music. Please come by our clinic this year for free exams and eyewear (glasses, readers, sunglasses). Special thanks to America’s Best Glasses and Contacts for their donations of time, equipment and resources.”

10 International Bluegrass | June 2016

health fair

Dental Clinic Information: MusiCares, in conjunction with the Smiles program, will be providing dental screenings, teeth cleaning, and complete x-rays to uninsured music professionals in need.

Hearing Clinic and Ear Impressions for custom ear plugs: MusiCares, in partnership with Audibel, will also be offering ear impressions for free custom ear plugs. MusiCares also works to address the health and wellness needs of music professionals. In support of these efforts, MusiCares will be joined by an audiologist who will be onsite during select hours to provide valuable information on the importance of hearing conservation. It is offering ear impressions for FREE* custom musicians’ earplugs, which are will likewise be provided compliments of MusiCares. Danielle Bowker, Manager of MusiCares, notes, “MusiCares is honored to again participate in the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Business Conference…IBMA does an extraordinary job of prioritizing health and wellness and helping MusiCares take care of the overall health of the Bluegrass community.” There will be additional health-related events presented at World of Bluegrass, with the details still to come. Stay tuned IB: International Bluegrass and your Inbox for all the details! ** Important Note: Dental and hearing clinics are limited to music industry professionals who can document eligibility and those who sign up in advance.

International Bluegrass

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The 2016 PNC Presents Wide Open Bluegrass festival at the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, North Carolina, promises to be a feast of bluegrass music fit for kings. The IBMA made its initial artist announcement on May 24, and the lineup promises

a variety from the most traditional sounds to a more progressive edge. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet for the September 30 – October 1 party, you’re going to want to after you see this lineup!

Friday, September 30 (listed in alphabetical order by first name) Dailey & Vincent Jerry Douglas Presents The Earls of Leicester Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives Nitty Gritty Dirt Band The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band Soggy Bottom Boys – featuring Dan Tyminski, Barry Bales, Ron Block of Alison Krauss & Union Station; and Pat Enright, Mike Compton and Stuart Duncan of The Nashville Bluegrass Band.

Saturday, October 1 Becky Buller Band

Kruger Brothers

The Del McCoury Band

Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers

Greensky Bluegrass

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out

John Cowan with Darin & Brooke Aldridge

Steep Canyon Rangers

12 International Bluegrass | June 2016

WOB lineup announced

Greensky Bluegrass will add their progressively creative sound to Wide Open Bluegrass.

Laurie Lewis has influenced scores of women bluegrassers. Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands are coming to Wide Open Bluegrass!

IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event consists of myriad bluegrass activities to engage and entertain every bluegrass fan and professional: the IBMA Business Conference, September 27 – 29; the 27th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, scheduled for Thursday, September 29; PNC Presents Wide Open Bluegrass, September 30 – October 1 (which includes both free stages and ticketed festival performances) and the Bluegrass Ramble, an innovative series of showcases, taking place September 27 – 29 in downtown Raleigh and the Raleigh Convention Center. There are also Songwriter Showcases, sponsored artist showcases, the Bluegrass Expo, the Film Festival, youth events and more.

Single day general admission for performances at the Red Hat Amphitheater during Wide Open Bluegrass starts as low as $60 for the general public and $50 for IBMA members. Additional details and pricing information - including member discounts – for Red Hat Amphitheater performances, Bluegrass Ramble Showcase passes, IBMA Business Conference registration, IBMA Award Show tickets and hotel reservations are available at IBMA’s website, ibma.org. Tickets for all events are on sale now and may be purchased at www.ibma.org or 1-800-514-3849.

Becky Buller Band will take the stage at Wide Open Bluegrass on Saturday, October 1.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is taking their 50th anniversary tour across the country. International Bluegrass

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Tyme for 25!

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out Celebrate a Silver Anniversary by Bill Conger

IIIrd Tyme Out 2016 - Justen Haynes, Russell Moore, Keith McKinnon, Wayne Benson and Jerry Cole.

One of bluegrass music’s most talented voices, Russell Moore, stood on the stage at The Nashville Palace with a broad smile that lit up his face. Surveying the crowd of music lovers, the first tune of the night was kicked off as he and his band, IIIrd Tyme Out, officially started their “Tyme for 25” tour on May 6. For a quarter of a century, the band’s dynamic vocalists and instrumentalists have been firing up audiences in an industry where few groups endure that length of time and with this degree of success.

14 International Bluegrass | June 2016

Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out weren’t struggling to book dates as they launched their 25th Anniversary tour. They’re thriving with a packed calendar of performances, and are a dominating presence in bluegrass music with the last half dozen singles charting at number one. “I believe every ensemble we’ve had since 1991 has had something that people enjoyed, albeit derived from different strengths from the individuals in each, and what we have right now has really hit a mark with our fan base. They’re excited about it!” Moore says.

IIIrd tyme out

IIIrd Tyme Out formed in 1991 when Moore, bassist Ray Deaton and fiddler Mike Hargrove left Doyle Lawson & Quick Silver prior to the summer festival season. Alan Bibey, mandolinist, and banjoist Terry Baucom joined to create the quintet’s sound. (The group’s name derived from the third association with a fulltime bluegrass band for the three founding members). When the band began, Moore didn’t know what to expect for the band’s future. “What we hoped was that with our recognition in bluegrass music, combined with some knowledge of the business side of things we had gained in other bands and hard work, we could make it a full-time occupation and have some longevity,” Moore says. “We knew the talent was there, and knew if we could just have a chance to present it to the bluegrass fan base, that we might realize a living as a new band. Individually, we could have all worked in other groups instead of being a member of IIIrd Tyme Out,

but we wanted to see if something we created would have a place in this music. That was 25 years ago, and it’s gone by really fast in a lot of ways, but those same elements are as important now as they were in 1991.” As it forged its own musical identity, the band’s well house of music drew from the waters of bluegrass and country favorites like Bill and Charlie Monroe, the Delmore Brothers, the Carter Family, Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers, just to name a few. The band has expanded its versatility over the years to include cover songs from other genres, like The Platters’ R & B hit, “Only You.” Their approach met with strong acceptance from their peers. The IBMA awarded the band with the coveted Vocal Group of the Year trophy for a seven-year winning streak beginning in 1994. That same year, Moore won the Male Vocalist award, an honor he would receive again in 1997, 2010-2012.

Video: “Old Home Place,” video courtesy Cracker Barrel Old Country Store channel, YouTube.com

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out are celebrating 25 years of success with the album, It’s About Tyme.

3TO has seen a few personnel changes in its quarter of a century of existence. Past members include Steve Dilling, Edgar Loudermilk, Greg Luck, Alan Perdue, Lou Reid and Barry Abernathy. Overall, though, the band has remained a constant thriving pulse in bluegrass music. Moore credits the band’s long tenure to a variety of factors. “Luck…fate….stubbornness! LOL!” the band’s leader said. “Seriously, I think those things have played a part in keeping the band together, but mostly it’s because of making some right decisions at the right time and being honest with each other, appreciating each other’s input and the strengths we bring individually to the group. Also, having a lot of musical ideas that are shared and understood by all of us, and I believe we have those things here.” “I don’t think there’s any one thing that you can put a finger on and give it credit for giving the band 25 years in music, but I can say that being personable and available to our friends and fans and letting them know how much we appreciate them and their support has served us very well,” he adds.

International Bluegrass

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cover story

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out have played the Grand Ole Opry numerous times.

With more than 200 days on the road last year, Moore also gives credit to the families that stand behind the musicians. “It takes special people to put up with all the traveling we do and being away from our homes. Our wives and children have always been there for us and we can’t thank them enough for that.” The current band line-up is Wayne Benson, who is in his 22nd year as mandolin player for the group; Justen Haynes, who has fiddled with them for 12 years and Keith McKinnon, banjoist, who has started his third year. Jerry Cole, bassist, is the latest member, who joined the ensemble in September of 2015. Donnie Carver has been the sound technician for 21 years.

“Every one of these guys is here because they’ve earned a spot on this team!” says Moore. “They work hard, and they’re very talented and don’t take a back seat to anyone, as far as I’m concerned. They know and understand how to work as a unit, and it takes all six of us to produce what people hear. Keith and Jerry sing most of the harmony parts with me, but Wayne and Justen also have vocal parts on certain songs so all five of us can, and do, sing as well as play. The same adjectives can be used for any and all of the five ... ’awesome,’ ‘innovative,’ ‘dedicated,’ ‘second-tonone’ and ‘cream-of-the-crop’ are some good ones to start with!” While the musicianship is pivotal, so are the band’s off-stage personalities.

16 International Bluegrass | June 2016

“Getting along with each other is a big key to any band’s longevity, and we honestly enjoy each other’s company,” Moore says. “We share each other’s joys and sorrows, and we also understand if someone needs some alone time and don’t take it personally. I think people can tell if you really like each other or if you’re just putting on a stage face for the performance, and I get told often that we seem to genuinely like each other.” Fans are also enamored with the group’s latest CD, It’s About Tyme, which dominated the National Bluegrass Survey Top 15 Albums chart at number one from December through April.

iiird tyme out

“I think it’s just a matter of great performances of great songs that were presented in a well-designed jacket, and that the industry (fans, promoters, radio programmers, peers, etc.) has embraced. We had a few years to compile the songs contained on It’s About Tyme, and worked hard at presenting the songs in a sequence that takes you on a really nice ride from start to end. Sonically, It’s About Tyme doesn’t get any better for my ears. We’ve worked with really awesome engineers for the past 25 years and Brandon Bell (Southern Ground Studios-Nashville) is at the top of the list.” The CD spun off two number one songs—the lead-off single, “Brown County Red,” and the Moore-penned, “I’m Leaving You and Fort Worth Too.” “I really can’t remember if the melody or some of the lyrics came first,” Moore said. “I’ve had this song in my head for probably five years or more but just didn’t apply myself to finish it. I knew I wanted to write something that had a nod to the state I was born and raised in (Texas), and I had the idea of the sweeping vocal lines in the choruses from way back when. As best I can remember, I had the chorus written before the verses. I also knew that I wanted it fast in tempo with an exciting vocal structure to match the music and an explosive ending.” Unlike the band’s past projects, Moore made the bold move to form a new label, Break a String, for this self-produced disc. “The decision to start my own label was basically economics,” Moore explains. “With people having the ability to download a CD or single and/ or stream music (not to mention the ‘bootlegging’ of CDs), physical CD

Original IIIrd Tyme Out: Left to Right: Russell Moore, Alan Bibey, Terry Baucom, Ray Deaton, Mike Hartgrove

sales have been declining for several years, and those physical sales have always been a big part of any bluegrass group’s lifeline. When you put a third party in the mix, the residuals, or trickle down, from downloads or streaming is not as good as what comes from a CD sale from our merchandise table at our live shows or a mail order from our website. The artists and record labels are both trying to figure out how to make the best of this situation and, unfortunately, can’t always find middle ground to stand on and work together. Major, independent labels known in our music definitely have a place and are needed, but I just felt like it was the right thing to do at this time.” IIIrd Tyme Out is enjoying riding the latest wave of success, and Moore has checked off several items on his bucket list. So, what lies ahead for this innovative group?

“I’m looking forward to documenting the current line-up of the group on a future recording because I’m really excited about the prospects of what that will turn out to be. I see us continuing to explore new songs, new musical ideas and trying to reach new audiences by going to different areas as well as continuing to enjoy the venues and places that have been so supportive of us since 1991. In the short term, until late April of 2017, we’ll be celebrating 25 years as a band in bluegrass music and enjoying the company of everyone who has helped us achieve that milestone!” Bill Conger has been writing about music for over 25 years. He is currently writing a biography on Bobby Osborne.

International Bluegrass

| June 2016

Bluegrass Wedding Festival

Pammy Davis and T. Lassiter are getting married and they are having a Bluegrass Festival to celebrate and you are invited!

June 10 & 11, 2016

310 Tram Rd, West End, NC 27376 (Pinehurst area) T: 910.215.7396 Pammy: 336.202.1536 www.facebook.com/bluegrasswedding

Come enjoy the beautiful Sandhills of North Carolina on 21 acres with plenty of rough camping. All you can eat and drink in the evening for two days. Jam with the bands and see the hottest local, regional and national acts.

Saturday

Tickets

Donations Only!

Children under 16 are free.

Friday

Suggested donation of $30 for full daily ticket or $15 for half day ticket after 6 pm available at gate or from T or Pammy (cash or checks) Your donation will be considered as a wedding present. Thank you!

IIIrd Tyme Out

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Bluegrass Brothers

No 4 Wheelers, No Swimming All entrants will sign liability form All golf carts must have lights and insurance.

All dogs must be leashed and not in concert area; please clean up behind your dog.

Al Batten & the Bluegrass Reunion

We reserve the right to deny admittance or ask anyone to leave for any reason.

Amenities

Bring lawn chairs

Sideline

Twisted Grass Entourage

24 Hour Hospitality Tent w/coffee, drinks & sweets Plenty of parking Huge Tent with huge fan – Rain or Shine Fishing Pond, Redneck Rides, Pontoon Boat Rides Jamming Sheds Massage available Golf Packages, RV Rentals, Hotel packages, Condos on golf courses all available Shuttle or Uber Rides to/from festival

Southern Magnolia

————————————————————————————————————-

Tim Wilson & Friends

E-mail: PammyDavis@gmail.com

Sponsors

Morgan’s Auto Repair, Aberdeen NC Music Barn, Greensboro NC Pine Star Farms, Carthage NC Richmond Rentals & Sales Southern Pines NC Rooster's Wife, Aberdeen NC International Bluegrass

WLHC-FM,

103.1 FM

| June 2016

Call for / Special Award

Nominations We invite you to submit nominations for the following IBMA Special Awards, to be presented at World of Bluegrass September 27-29, 2016, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

*In order to ensure a secure, thorough, and simplified nomination process for the IBMA’s Special Awards, we have created an easy-to-use online submission form.

We are looking for submissions in the following categories:

*Candidates are invited to nominate themselves.

- Bluegrass Print/Media Person of the Year

*Those wishing to nominate a candidate other than themselves, please email Shannon Turner (shannon@ibma.org) with the name and contact information of the nominee. Shannon will contact the suggested nominee and encourage them to submit their own information in order to make sure that all important and accurate criteria are entered.

- Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year - Bluegrass Event of the Year - Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year - Graphic Design and Liner Notes

*Each award has a specialized committee of professionals from that area of the industry who choose the top five nominees for that category. Those

five nominees will then be voted on 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. *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 a name, category and contact information to Shannon Turner at Shannon@ ibma.org. If you have any questions, contact Shannon at the email listed above, or call (615)256-3222.

ABSOLUTE DEADLINE FOR ALL SPECIAL AWARDS NOMINATIONS & MATERIALS IS JUNE 15 20 International Bluegrass | June 2016

call for submissions 3rd annual bluegrass film festival

IBMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

World of Bluegrass

The IBMA is excited to present its Third Annual Bluegrass Film Festival! The festival will be held during World of Bluegrass Week September 27 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 1 in Raleigh, North Carolina World of Bluegrass is the perfect place to showcase quality films produced about the music!

Click here to Learn More

and Submit a Film

Submission Deadline extended to

June 15, 2016

International Bluegrass

| June 2016

Look Forâ&#x20AC;ŚYour Second Round

IBMA Awards Ballot

Image from GoVote.org

The second round of voting for the IBMA Awards will begin June 15 and run through June 30. Professional and organizational members of the IBMA will receive their ballots with instructions for casting their votes. The second round of voting will determine the final five nominees in

each category. The nominees will be announced in August, at which time the final ballot will be distributed for voting. We cannot overstress the importance of voting in each round of balloting. Without the active voices of every IBMA member, the awards process cannot properly

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reflect the current tastes and successes of bluegrass music. WE NEED YOU, so please vote. The winners of the 2016 IBMA Awards will be announced at the IBMA Awards Show as part of World of Bluegrass week in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Thursday, September 29.

Call for submissions

IBMA /Distinguished

Achievement Award The IBMA will accept submissions and recommendations for one of the Association’s highest honors, the Distinguished Achievement Award, from June 1 – July 1, 2016. The IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Award exists to honor those in bluegrass music who have: •

•

proven to be forerunners in their particular field of endeavor, and/or fostered bluegrass music’s image with developments that will broaden the music’s recognition and accessibility.

Each year, the Distinguished Achievement Awards committee will recognize one individual from each of the following four categories (one exception may be made in the General category, wherein there may be two honorees): Music - Artists, Composers, Side/Session Musicians Media - Journalists, Broadcasters (Radio or Television), Photographers, Historians/Folklorists, Publishers Business - Promoters, Music Publishers, Agents, Recording Manufacturers and Distributors, Recording Engineers, Luthiers General - International Organizers, Association Leaders, Friends of the Music, Philanthropists, Arts Administrators, Teachers/Educators and other Innovators

Candidates for the Distinguished Achievement Award are judged on the degree to which they have contributed to or influenced bluegrass music in general, or to a specific part of the industry. Their contributions should be unique, given the relative period of time in which they were made, and should embody the spirit of one who «pioneers» or opens new possibilities for the music. If you or someone you know fits the criteria for the Distinguished Achievement Award, you may submit their name and supporting materials to Shannon Turner in the IBMA office at Shannon@ibma.org.

Submissions accepted June 1 - July 1, 2016 International Bluegrass

| June 2016

r e c o m m e n d at i o n s fortheIBMA/MomentumAward It’s Time to Make Your Recommendations for the 2016 IBMA Momentum Awards!!! The IBMA is now accepting recommendations for the 2016 Momentum Awards through July 1. The Momentum Awards focus on artists and business people who are in the early years of their careers in bluegrass music. The awards are split into two categories—performance awards and industry awards. Performance awards go to one band, one vocalist and three instrumentalists. Three industry-related Momentum Awards recognize a Mentor, an Industry Achiever and a Festival/Venue/ Event.

*Please note: Regional and local associations are encouraged to identify serious emerging artists for consideration, but any IBMA member may suggest an artist or industry leader by completing the online Momentum Awards Submission form.

With the exception of the Mentor Award, anyone previously nominated for an IBMA Award may not be considered for a Momentum Award.

Awards and Criteria Performance Awards

Selection Process Momentum Award winners will be selected by a multiple committee-driven process. The initial committee will compile lists of eligible candidates based on recommendations from the IBMA membership and an outreach process within the bluegrass community, and a second committee will decide on the recipients.

Five performance-based awards are given each year, recognizing one band, one vocalist, and three instrumentalists. These awards should be seen not only as recognizing the artistic talents of the musicians, but also taking into account the business side of their musicianship.

24 International Bluegrass | June 2016

For purposes of the Momentum Awards, a Momentum Band is one in the early stage of its career (with a majority of the members having spent less than 5 years playing gigs that are paid, OR with a majority of the members less than 30 years old). The band should be one that has caught the eye of music industry professionals, but has not yet established a solid reputation among the fans. Bands must have released an EP or full length project within the eligibility period, and/or within the six months prior to the start of the eligibility period. Bands will be judged on the overall look and sound of their recorded projects, as well as their marketing, media, promo materials, music, performance and stage presence. This award is as much a business award as an artistic award.

For purposes of the Momentum Awards, a Momentum Artist is someone who is in the early stage of their career (less than 5 years playing gigs that are

Momentum Awards paid, OR less than 30 years old), someone who has caught the eye of music industry professionals, but has not yet established a solid reputation as an artist among the fans. Momentum Artists should have been active on the bluegrass/ acoustic music scene during the eligibility period.

will be judged by the committee for their:

*Established artists that have formed new bands and new bands formed with more than one member of a previous winning Momentum Band award are not eligible for Momentum Band of the Year. Bands that have released three or more full length projects are not eligible for the Momentum Band of the Year Award.

Momentum Industry Involvement Award

Momentum Festival/Event/ Venue This award recognizes new festivals, events, and/or venues for their outstanding accomplishments and services to bluegrass music in the field of event production. The festival/ event must not have been existence more than 5 years. Venues must show acoustic acts on a regular basis, and must not have been existence as an established acoustic music venue more than 3 years. The event must have taken place during the current IBMA Award eligibility period. The recipients

•

professionalism and quality of presentation

•

work furthering bluegrass in their area of service

•

demonstrated ability to foster bluegrass music’s image

music. Eligible career paths include: •

Media - Journalists, Broadcasters (Radio or Television), Historians/Folklorists, Bloggers/Publishers

•

Artisan - Photographers, Graphic Artists, Luthiers, Web Design, Recording Engineers, Live Sound Engineers, Producers

•

Business - Promoters, Publicists, Music Publishers, Agents, Recording Manufacturers and Distributors

•

General - International Organizers, Association Leaders, Arts Administrators, Teachers/Educators, and other Innovators.

This award honors those in bluegrass music who have: •

proven to be forerunners in their particular field of endeavor, and/or

•

fostered bluegrass music’s image with developments that will broaden the music’s recognition and accessibility.

Candidates for the Momentum Industry Involvement Award will be judged on the degree to which they have contributed to or influenced bluegrass music in general, or to a specific part of the industry. Their contributions should be unique given the relative period of time in which they were made (less than 10 years, with particular attention to the gains they have made within the given eligibility period) and should embody the spirit of one who “pioneers” or opens new possibilities for the

Mentor Award One award will be presented each year honoring a bluegrass professional who has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of newcomers to the bluegrass industry - musical and professional. If you or someone you know fits the criteria for a Momentum Award, please fill out the Momentum Awards Submission form. Forms must be completed by July 1, 2016.

International Bluegrass

| June 2016

A Note from your IBMA Board of Directors Vice-Chair

Ben Surratt This is to notify all IBMA members who are eligible to vote that the following memberelected positions are open for the IBMA Board election process: 1. Associations 2. Artists, Composers & Music Publishers; 3. Merchandisers and Luthiers 4. At-Large (memberelected) The timeline is as follows: July 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; deadline for submission of nomination application to Nominating Committee. Completed applications must be submitted directly to the Nominating Committee by 5:00 P.M. Central on Wednesday, July 1. Each nominee must be current on their IBMA membership as of the date of the application. The IBMA staff will verify the eligibility of each nominee.

Each nominee must be endorsed by at least two (2) voting members of IBMA (one of whom can be the nominee himself/herself). On or about July 15, the Nominating Committee will review all applications and will vote for the top 2 or 3 candidates for each available position. The Nominating Committee (per the bylaws) consists of 3 IBMA board members and 2 non-board members of the organization. Ballots will be sent to members electronically by late July. August 15 is the deadline for members to vote. On or about August 16, the results of the election will be known and all candidates will be notified. The membership will then be notified. Voting shall be by electronic ballot and will be received by the IBMA office staff. Newly-elected IBMA board members will be invited to attend the IBMA board meeting Monday and Tuesday, September 26 and 27, 2016 at the beginning of the business

26 International Bluegrass | June 2016

conference in Raleigh. Incoming board members will take their seats at the end of board meeting. Please use the Nominee Application to submit your application for consideration to run for the IBMA board. Please remember to include the name and contact information of your endorser(s). Remember to submit your application by Wednesday, July 1 to: Ben Surratt IBMA Nominating Committee Chair PO Box 160414 Nashville, TN 37216 or ben@bensurratt.com Thank you.

Singing bluegrass

International Bluegrass

| June 2016

A Moment with… NED LUBERECKI by Kelly Smith *Editor’s Note: A Moment with... will be an occasional feature where we will chat for a few minutes with a member of the music industry on any range of topics. A Moment with…Ned Luberecki is our first entry. Most people in the bluegrass world have heard of Ned Luberecki, if not you have been living under a rock. Ned, a more-than 25-year veteran to music, has played with Paul Adkins & The Borderline Band, Radio Flyer, The Rarely Herd, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Stephen Mougin for their duo Nedski & Mojo and most recently The Becky Buller Band. You may also know him as an onair personality for SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s Channel 61 Bluegrass Junction. Besides all of this, he also finds time to give private banjo lessons in Nashville and teach at music camps around the world. After all these years of playing music, I figured he must have learned some great pieces of advice over the years, so I decided to have a little chat with Mr. Luberecki. IB: So, you are a very busy man, with working with Becky, SiriusXM and then giving lessons, but you have continually been a busy man over your career. What are some

of the pieces of advice you have learned over the years from your bluegrass peers and legends that you feel were beneficial to your career? Ned: Early on, when I first thought of doing bluegrass as I career, I noticed that a lot of my heroes such as Tony Trischka were not only performing but they were also teaching and writing instructional books for other musicians. I figured that in this business, it was probably best to diversify and

28 International Bluegrass | June 2016

find other ways to make money as well as playing. In this business, even those that seem to have luck still have to work hard. No one falls into an economic windfall. Even those who seem to have it made, working with a big band, had to work hard. This hard work consists of most times playing a lot and getting paid little. It is best to remember that you have to pay your dues, but always keep your end goal in mind. If you can find another job that is related to your

A moment with....

career goal then that is even better, but no job is above any other. I see no shame in delivering pizza. IB: With your teaching, what are some of the main themes or advice that you like to pass along to your students or upcoming musicians? Ned: I would say a big thing is to not lose sight of keeping an open mind musically. You need to be flexible, and also be respectful of what the band or the front person is trying to do. My tastes run every which way. I love to listen to Flatt & Scruggs, but I also enjoy New Grass Revival. I made the mistake when playing with a band as a young artist to play licks that didn’t fit musically. I knew these really hot licks that I wanted to play, but they did not fit with what the rest of the band was doing. So it is always best to keep an open mind to playing different styles musically. Another thing would be to always be nice. When my wife and I were first together, we would go see different shows around town. Sometimes they would be local acts, other times they would be a big act. My wife would ask me about various musicians, asking if they would ever be ready to go on the road. I replied that any musician at some point in their life will be ready to go on the road. The main question is - can you live in a van with that person for a week or however long you are on the road? So always be nice. Q: Along your career, what are

some travelling mishaps that you have experienced down the road that you may not have laughed at then, but always give you a chuckle now? A: There are two that come to mind. Before playing with Chris Jones and The Rarely Herd, I first played professionally with Paul Adkins & The Borderline Band. We used to drive this old bus that broke down all the time. Well, once we were at Niagara Falls in Canada, coming back to New York when the bus broke down. The spring was broken on the throttle and when you pushed it down, the throttle would not come back up. Here we were, in beautiful Canada, crawling around trying to fix this bus because we had nowhere to go to get it fixed. I ended up having an idea on how to fix this problem. We fixed the bus with the elastic from a pair of underpants, and it worked enough to get us across the border! We ended up switching the elastic with a bungee cord, and that got us home to Maryland. You know, when we replaced the spring that bus never drove as well as it did with that bungee cord.

the tour, we called the number for the next venue and there was no answer. We decided to just leave a message telling them we were still going to play and to be expecting us. A while later, the man called us back and told us that he had had a family emergency and forgot to tell everyone else at the venue that we were coming, but that we could still play. That night we played a show to nobody, in a place that was technically closed. The show must go on. Even though no one was there, we still got in a good practice. Now when I play, if I look out and see I small crowd, I always remember that I have played to fewer people than that before. Until I play for a negative number of people, I have always played for less. You can catch Ned on the road playing with The Becky Buller Band, or by tuning in to SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s Channel 61 Bluegrass Junction. Ned’s show is on the air Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Eastern, and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you need any banjo lessons, Ned is your go-to guy as well.

The second is from the second show I ever played with Stephen Mougin. We had called different venues for our first tour, and this business had said they would love to have us. A few days before the tour, we were checking up with everybody and we could not get in touch with anyone at this particular venue. After our first show on

International Bluegrass

| June 2016

Southeastern

LEADERSHIP BLUEGRASS RETREAT The Earl Scruggs Center and its Executive Director, Emily Epley (LBG Class of 2015), hosted a Southeastern Leadership Bluegrass retreat on May 2-3, 2016. In attendance were Darin Aldridge (2013), Mitch Collman (2015), Patti Hopkins (2014), Becky Johnson (2008), Art Menius (2000), Thomas Kopp (2003), Ron Raxter (2015) and Hank Smith (2015). The format was based on the national Leadership Bluegrass retreat which will be held in the spring of 2017. The agenda was developed by the attendees Monday night just before dinner, and we had some fine picking in the Scruggs Center with local musicians invited by Darin. Ron moderated the four-hour discussion on Tuesday morning. Among the many issues we addressed were: ▪ Ideas to brand bluegrass, to grow the appeal to millennials and emphasize the improvisational nature of this roots music without abandoning the traditional (but aging) audience ▪ Ways to partner with arts organizations and performance venues to increase the audience for bluegrass ▪ Opportunities to expand educational programs in bluegrass for students, teachers, youth groups and adults ▪ Funding ideas for the Foundation for Bluegrass Music so that it can expand its grant programs ▪ Using bluegrass as an economic development tool

30 International Bluegrass | June 2016

The retreat provided opportunity for discussion of a wide range of topics.

SE-LB Retreat

Since all the participants were North Carolina residents, most of our discussion dealt with the issues we face in North Carolina and the action items we could consider to improve the environment for bluegrass in North Carolina. We all loved the Scruggs Center and the opportunity to discuss ideas for the good of bluegrass! The inaugural Southeastern Leadership Bluegrass retreat was hosted by The Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, North Carolina.

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| June 2016

Familiar with the Ground, The Boxcars Mountain Home Music Company If you have yet to listen to Familiar with the Ground, by The Boxcars, you are doing yourself a disservice. It is one of those albums that has the potential for every song to get stuck in your head, or at least it did mine. Immediately from the beginning of “Lungs,” I was taken aback by the strong downbeat and strong vocal with the haunting line, “Won’t you lend your lungs to me? Mine are collapsing.” This opening line set the mood for the rest of the album. The second song on the album, “Raised on Pain,” was a juxtaposition of sorts. It has a bouncy melody that makes one want to dance, but the lyrics tell a sad, vengeful story. This just adds to the uniqueness and intriguing quality for listeners. “Raised on Pain” was not the only song to have this dancing melody paired with depressing lyrics. “I’m Dreaming of You” has a similar driving tempo and upbeat melody, but the lyrics of a love gone wrong. The title track is an all-around lovely piece written by the band’s own Keith Garrett. The smooth melody, paired with the contemplative lyrics, captured and held my attention until the end. It made me rethink a few of my life choices and ask myself if I, too, have lately become

by Kelly Smith

“Familiar with the Ground.” “Hogan’s Goat” is the only instrumental on the album, and it has an unforgettable melody that rolls easily into every chord and solo change. The steady groove is one that listeners will be tapping their feet to without even noticing. My favorite two tracks from Familiar with the Ground were “Branchville Line” and “Let the Water Wash Over Me.” “Branchville Line” tells the story of a man who has been wrongly blamed for killing the girl he loved. The delivery of the lyrics made me feel that this very thing had happened to singer Ron Stewart himself, who also wrote the song. “Let the Water Wash Over Me,” another written by Garrett, is a three-quarter tune that tells of an elderly gentleman’s painful memory of a drowning he witnessed as a 13 year-old boy. The haunting lyrics and fiddle melody throughout really resonates with your soul. You feel the pain of that young boy. The Boxcars did a great job with this album. Although it may sound angrier or more haunting than their previous work, it still had that traditional picking behind every track. The two are blended together very tastefully. Personally, I would have

32 International Bluegrass | June 2016

loved to have heard more than the eleven songs on the album, but since eleven songs were all I got, I will just go listen to the album another one or two… hundred times.

Kelly Smith hails from Mascot, Tennessee, and currently attends Bethel University as a music business student. She is a lover of bluegrass music and plays in Bethel University’s Stonewall Bluegrass Band. She is a summer intern at the IBMA office. This is her first album review.

Moment of the month May 17, 2016 Gold Heart Makes a Sweet Stop @The Sprinkles Cupcake ATM, Nashville

A cupcake ATM – can it be real? When Shelby, Jocelyn and Tori Gold were visiting Nashville a few weeks ago, they never expected to come across one of Nashville’s greatest finds – the cupcake ATM at Sprinkles, a cupcake joint in Nashville’s trendy 12 South neighborhood. The ATM acts just like a real money ATM – choose your cupcake(s) from several flavors, swipe your credit card and the ATM dispenses your cupcakes through the pink door. The women of Gold Heart were understandably excited by the ATM, and made sure they each got a treat! A cupcake ATM? Gold Heart made a sweet stop when they recently visited Nashville. Pictured l to r: Shelby Gold, Jocey Gold, Tori Gold. Photo by Shannon Turner. International Bluegrass

| June 2016

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