IB bluegrass INTERNATIONAL
Vol. 32 No. 6 June 2017
PRESENTS
2017 ARTIST ANNOUNCMENT
WIDEOPENBLUEGRASS.COM
Main Stage at Red Hat Amphitheater Present the the Wide Open Jam The Infamous Stringdusters Present Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn Hot Rize The Travelin’ McCourys featuring Mark O’Connor The T O’Connor Band featuring Th or Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Balsam Range Lonesome River Band Sierra Hull Sister Sadie Flatt Lonesome Bluegrass 45 More to be announced! GET YOUR MAIN STAGE TICKETS TODAY! WIDE OPEN BLUEGRASS 2017
Don’t wait, get your Main Stage tickets now!
IBMA.ORG | ETIX.COM – 800-514-3849
International Bluegrass Editor: Kelly Kessler kelly@ibma.org
Vol. 32 | No. 6 | June 2017
Designer: Erin Faith Erdos erinfaitherdos@gmail.com
STAFF
Paul Schiminger Executive Director
Kelly Kessler Director of Communications and Professional Development
Amy Beth Hale Director of Member Services
Eddie Huffman Director of Convention Services
BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
Joe Mullins, Chair Ben Surratt, Vice Chair Denise Jarvinen, Treasurer Regina Derzon, Secretary Alan Tompkins, Executive Committee member
Becky Buller-Artist/Composer/Publisher Jeremy Darrow-Artist/Composer/Publisher Jamie Deering-Merchandisers/Luthiers Mike Drudge-Agents/Managers/Publicists Silvio Ferretti- International John Goad-Print Media/Education Marian Leighton Levy-Recording/ Distribution/Marketing
William Lewis-At Large Steve Martin-At Large Stephen Mougin-At Large Mike Simpson-At Large Wayne Taylor-Artists/Composers/Publishers Bree Tucker-Myers- Event Production Bob Webster-Broadcast Media
INFO CONTACT US
INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS
IB, the monthly digital 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: “Reprinted with permission from International Bluegrass, the publication of the International Bluegrass Music Association, www.ibma.org.�
TA B LE O F C ON T E N T S JUNE 2017
INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS
TOC Photos: Alane Anno, Todd Gunsher, Willa Stein, Ted Lehmann
World of Bluegrass 4 Dynamic Mix: 1st Round of Wide Open Acts Announced 6 Tracks 6
Talent Buyer
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Songwriter
10 CLE
12 Songwriter Showcase 12 Youth stage 13 14 18 21
Apply to Serve on the IBMA Board Support the Bluegrass GRAMMY Original: A Talk with Bobby Osborne In Memory: Bill Bryson, Ben Sandoval, Steve Sutton 22 industry news
We value our members. This newsletter is our primary conduit for sharing news across our trade organization. Our goal is to carry news each month from all constituencies of IBMA’s membership. Deadline info: news items and press releases are due at the IBMA office via snail mail or email by the 18th of the month. Submitting before the deadline is encouraged. Email all materials to Kelly here, or mail to 4206 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216.
MEDIA GUIDELINES: •
Word .doc or .docx files preferred.
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Images welcome. Please send images saved as jpegs at 72 dpi, and not larger than 5 Mb.
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Links to video, audio and downloads are all welcome. International Bluegrass
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Dynamic Mix: First Round of Acts Announced for Wide Open Main Stage 2017 On Friday, May 19, IBMA and our Raleigh partners announced the first round of performers for PNC presents Wide Open Bluegrass.
An exciting mix of quality and artistry, Wide Open Main Stage 2017 acts include: Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Hot Rize, The Travelin’ McCourys, 2017 Grammy winner The O’Connor Band featuring Mark O’Connor, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Balsam Range, Lonesome River Band (celebrating their 35th anniversary as a band), Sierra Hull, Sister Sadie, Flatt Lonesome, the 50th Anniversary of Japanese band Bluegrass 45, and the Wide Open Jam, hosted by The Infamous Stringdusters. Additional superstar talent for the Wide Open Main Stage will be announced in July. David Menconi, music reporter for Raleigh’s News & Observer (and a stalwart supporter of World of Bluegrass), dubbed this lineup “hot, lonesome and cute”. Wide Open Main Stage is the most fun way imaginable to support the Bluegrass Trust Fund, IBMA’s safety net for bluegrass professionals in emergency need. The Fund has given well over $600,000 in direct aid when it was needed most, from monies raised by our members for our community. Wide Open is the music festival weekend that wraps up our week-long World of Bluegrass, sponsored by Chiesi USA, September 26-30 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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TALKING POINTS FOR THE WORLD OF BLUEGRASS (AND WHY BLUEGRASS LOVERS NEED TO BE THERE) Ever wish you had a short and sweet way to convey the significance of our annual bluegrass gathering to someone who doesn’t understand? We think it’s as easy as 1-2-3:
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We (the IBMA) are the trade organization for bluegrass.
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Our World of Bluegrass Business Conference and International Bluegrass Music Awards Show bring the best in our business to Raleigh. Many of them stay on to play our Main Stage and help raise money for the Bluegrass Trust Fund, which in turn gives direct aid to bluegrass pros in emergency need.
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THIS INCREDIBLE WEEK IS WHAT BLUEGRASS HAS BUILT FOR OURSELVES TO GROW BUSINESS, RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE, DELIGHT FANS AND TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN. International Bluegrass
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TRACK: TALENT BUYER IBMA’s Talent Buyer Track delivers an optimal context for talent buyers and agents to get business done during IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Business Conference. All three RSVP-only events are back by popular demand – Breakfast2Business, the Agent/Talent Buyer Reception, and the Gig Fair. (Get your reservations in early!) The innovative Bluegrass Ramble puts the best of what’s new in bluegrass onstage for you. The Business Conference offers seminars tailored to the needs of talent buyers, promoters and agents. Now in its 5th year, the Talent Buyer Track gives promoters and talent buyers a decided advantage.
IBMA’s Gig Fair (RSVP only) now takes place on the very first day of our annual World of Bluegrass business conference, Tuesday, September 26, so talent buyers can meet artists before the showcasing begins! (And your feedback tells us the move to Tuesday is a great success.) This event, a rare meet-and-greet opportunity in the midst of a hectic and fast-paced music industry event, offers a structured information exchange for emerging artists and event producers. We envision the Gig Fair as a first step in building business relationships. It has become one of the most popular events of the World of Bluegrass week! Talent Buyers, click here to RSVP. Click here to learn more about the Gig Fair. [Artists, Gig Fair registration for you opens up later in the summer.]
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Tuesday, September 26, 2:15 pm We launched Breakfast2Business (RSVP only) because we all know rosters are constantly changing, and new buyers and event producers are emerging. Breakfast2Business on Wednesday, September 27 is an agreeable way for talent buyers and agents to keep up on our evolving bluegrass world. Buyers, come together with your peers new and old, and be brought up to speed through a quick agent introduction that will include a rundown of their roster, and a detailed timeline of where you can catch them and their acts throughout the WOB week. Agents, take advantage of this opportunity to promote your artists’ WOB schedules, meet new players to begin fostering relationships that will pay forward for countless years to come, reconnect in person with your longstanding buyers, and network with the buyer you have been pitching for months. Join us to start your day off right over a piping hot complimentary breakfast and coffee, while participating in a valuable segment that sets you up for a successful conference experience. Talent Buyers RSVP. Agents RSVP. Nice! (RSVP now - this is a limited capacity segment.)
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Wednesday, September 27, 9 am Agent/Talent Buyer Reception As always, our Agent/Talent Buyer Reception (RSVP only) on Wednesday afternoon, September 27, offers a relaxing and engaging networking session. It’s the perfect time to connect with colleagues old and new over hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Why not? The first drink is on IBMA! Talent Buyers RSVP. Agents RSVP. Wednesday, September 27, 5 pm The Bluegrass Ramble & Artist Showcases - All week long The Bluegrass Ramble and Artists Showcases are a core component of World of Bluegrass, the way the hottest new talent is introduced to the bluegrass industry. This year more than ever, our showcase artists demonstrate the diversity of the big tent of bluegrass. Talent Buyer Track Educational Panels - All week long The IBMA Education Committee has been working with the Talent Buyer Track Committee to provide educational panels focused on the specific needs and interests of buyers, promoters and agents. Our seminars hold some of the most valuable take-away material at World of Bluegrass, and we know that you won’t want to miss a single opportunity to be part of the discussions on the issues facing today’s leading talent buyers, event producers and booking agents.
Join us for an unmatched week of networking and business opportunities!
proud sponsor of the WOB Talent Buyer Track
“Talent Buyers, we ask you to keep in mind that meeting with artists is just an introduction, a laying of the foundation for future business. Meeting with an artist does not require that you hire them ever, or even within the next year. We see this as an exchange of information, and a way to mentor new artists in the industry.” Martha Dantzic, founder, Quicksilver Productions
Q: What did you get out of the Gig Fair? A: Martha Dantzic [of Quicksilver Productions] asked me to attend, and I didn’t think it was a good idea. because I only book two or three bands a year, and generally I have a good idea of who I’m going to take. But, anyway, Martha was great, she convinced me to go and I went. It was really good. I guess I saw fifteen bands in the Gig Fair. And probably during the week I went to see ten or eleven of them in concert. I’m working with one this year, and I have at least two on my radar. So it really worked. It really worked for me, and hopefully for the bands. Q: As a talent buyer yourself, what would you recommend other talent buyers do? Would you recommend them going to this? A: Yes, definitely. It’s kind of speed dating for bands and festivals. You spend five minutes talking to a band and then they move to the next table. So you get to meet fifteen bands very quickly. They learn about you, you learn about them. You get to understand what different bands are looking for. They get to understand different festivals, how they book, what they look for. It’s really, really useful for the bands and events, I would say. Christopher Howard-Williams, La Roche Bluegrass Festival, France, Talent Buyer at IBMA’s 2016 Gig Fair International Bluegrass
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TRACK: SONGWRITER by Rick Lang, chair of the IBMA Songwriter Committee The Songwriter Track is really taking shape, think you all will be pleased with what we have to offer at WOB this time around. Want you to know that an important part of our focus is on making improvements over last year. We have received several suggestions and some valuable input from past seminar moderators, panelists and attendees. We are using that info as a basis for making needed changes that will make things better going forward. Thanks for your continued support and participation in the IBMA. We are here to serve you! Here is what we have lined up so far: 1. Publishing 101 Hosted by Nashville publisher Sherrill Blackman, this panel will help you to learn all the ins & outs of music publishing including pitching, licensing, collecting royalties and more. 2. Co-writing: The Benefits Of Collaboration Many of the greatest songs ever written are the result of songwriters teaming up together. Let some of our most successful song collaborators share their knowledge on the subject. This is a perennial Songwriter Track favorite. Panelists TBA. 3. Song Critiques An important part of improving/growing as a songwriter is to have your songs critiqued. Just bring in a demo of what you feel is one of your best songs, along with the lyrics, to the session. Our panel will give you constructive and useful evaluation on both composition and presentation. Demos will be chosen at random, and writers will remain anonymous.
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4. Songwriter Showcase Since its inception in 1999, this has been a unique opportunity for songwriters to showcase their talents before a live audience at WOB. A lot of great new talent has been introduced to the music industry through the Songwriter Showcase. Be sure to check it out on the Master Workshop stage on Thursday afternoon. It all starts with a song! 5. Song Circles Ever popular, song circles are a way you can share your songs with other writers in a low-key setting. It is a great opportunity to network, and possibly meet potential co-writers. We offer three separate sing circles on Thursday afternoon hosted by a pair of our IBMA member writers.
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6. Youth Council Room Songwriter Workshop
10. Getting Paid: Your Piece Of The Pie
Designed specifically for our younger IBMA songwriters (under 25), it is a chance to learn some songwriting tips from one of our seasoned professional writers. To be scheduled later in the week in our IBMA Youth Council room.
Every songwriter, at one point or another, has questions about getting paid when your song gets cut. This is an opportunity to learn more about the songwriter income stream whether you write alone or co-write. What is owed, who owes it to you, and how you go about collecting your hard-earned songwriter royalties. Our panelists will help lay it all out for you!
7. Songwriter Meet & Mingle A wonderful one-of-a-kind songwriter event back by popular demand. A great way to meet and network with other writers, and rub elbows with some of our industry’s top professional songwriters, publishers, record producers, song pluggers, record label owners and artists. Held in a relaxed setting, including refreshments and cash bar. Had well over 100 attendees last year. Don’t miss it! 8. Songwriter Mentor: One-On-One Sessions This is a unique opportunity for up and coming writers to learn a few tricks of the trade from some of the most accomplished songwriters in our genre....face to face. These One-On-One sessions are an extension of our ongoing and very successful Songwriter Mentor program headed up by our very own Tony Rackley. More info & details to follow. 9. Pitching Your Songs: The Do’s & Don’ts
11. Writing For Television And The Motion Picture Industry In addition to getting your songs cut by bands/artists, there are other viable markets where you songs can be used including television and the motion picture industry. This is an area where most of us know very little. Our panelists will shed a little light on the subject, that hopefully will lead to new avenues for placement of your songs. 12. The Essence of Good Songwriting Workshop For the very first time at WOB we are offering an in-depth 2 hour workshop on the “craft of songwriting”, led by a panel of some of the very best in the music industry. This is a unique opportunity to learn techniques that will help you improve and hone your songwriting skills, and turn a good song into a great song. No matter what level you are at as a songwriter, this is one you won’t want to miss!
When it comes to getting your song cut, there is really is a lot to it. Our panelists have a lot of knowledge and experience on the subject that can be of help to you. Please be sure to join us and bring along all your questions.
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TRACK: CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION Editor’s note: You can read in greater depth about the upcoming Continuing Legal Education Track at WOB 2017 in April’s issue of IB. This is IBMA’s third year of offering sessions open to all World of Bluegrass attendees which also qualify as legal education for attorneys. This year, we welcome the Campbell University School of Law as our CLE (Continuing Legal Education) sponsor!
There will be four one-hour sessions. Among the presenters are: •
Entertainment law bloggers David Oxenford and Coe Ramsey on the legal obligations when broadcasting live performances on the internet or other media;
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Campbell University’s Professor Kevin Lee on Blockchain, the technology behind bitcoin;
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Beni Jones on the new rules for crowdfunding campaigns; and
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Julia Archer on the rules for operating sweepstakes and contests in social media, advertising, and sweepstakes and promotions.
If any of these alternative sources of revenue interest you, plan to attend the 2017 edition of the CLE sessions at the WOB Business Conference.
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HEADLINE HERE
JUNE 1 MUST BE MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING TO VOTE ON 2ND ROUND BALLOTS JUNE 7 LAST DAY FOR YOUTH STAGE APPLICATIONS MID-JUNE IBMA AWARDS BALLOTS (2ND ROUND) GO OUT TO PRO MEMBERS END OF JUNE BUSINESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED International Bluegrass
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YOUTH STAGE APPLICATIONS CLOSING JUNE 7 Are you in a bluegrass band with two or more members between the ages of 5 and 25? Would you like to play the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival as part of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass? The IBMA Youth Council calls on bands with young members to apply. Up to 10 bands will be offered this unique opportunity to perform in downtown Raleigh on September 29-30, 2017! Find the application here. Applications close Wednesday, June 7, at 12 midnight Central.
SONGWRITER SHOWCASE LINEUP at WOB 2017 IBMA congratulates the showcasing songwriters who will be performing in Raleigh this year. One song by each of these eleven songwriters or songwriting teams has been selected by the IBMA songwriter showcase committee. Their compositions were chosen out of a field of 115 songs. The Songwriter Showcase will be held at the Raleigh Convention Center’s Master Workshop Stage at 1 PM on Thursday, September 28. We encourage everyone in search of powerful material – and those who love a good song – to come hear this exciting new material, and to seek out the songs of these writers. Congratulations to the following songwriters:
Dawn Kenney
Steve Bonafel
Eben Salter
Gary Alan Ferguson and G.K. Young
Kim Robins Mike Swartzentruber Corrina Rose Logston Vickie Vaughn
Madeleine Kelson Mike Finders Aaron Bibelhauser
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Apply for Nomination to the IBMA Board of Directors Applications are being accepted through July 1, 2017 for the following board seats: Artists, Composers & Music Publishers (currently held by Becky Buller); Print Media and Education (currently held by John Goad); and Broadcast Media (currently held by Bob Webster). If you would like to nominate yourself or another professional member for a seat on the IBMA in one of these positions, please find an application here. We are grateful to Becky Buller, John Goad, and Bob Webster for their dedication and service to IBMA. Here are the guidelines as written in IBMA’s bylaws: The Nominating Committee shall review and determine the eligibility of persons recommended from the general membership and recommended by Nominating Committee Members to become candidates for Director. Any voting member who shall receive two or more written recommendations from other voting members of the Association shall be considered by the Nominating Committee to be eligible as a candidate in which such person is qualified. Recommendations from the membership are not required to be considered by the Nominating Committee unless such is received by the Committee at least sixty days prior to the date on which the annual meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled to occur. The timetable shall be as follows: On or about June 1 – The Nominating Committee shall issue a call for candidates from the membership for the seats that shall be up for election at the next regular election (September-October of the same year). On or about July 1 – Deadline for submission to the Nominating Committee of qualifications and 100-word biographical statement from each board candidate. The Nominating Committee shall acknowledge each submission via email. First week of July – Nominating Committee reviews candidate qualifications and biographical statements and verifies their membership status and membership category (if applicable). On or about July 15 – Nominating Committee narrows candidate list to a slate of no less than 2 nor more than 3 candidates for each seat for the election. On or about August 1 – Ballots are sent to eligible voting members. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall win. August 15 – Deadline for submission of Member votes for Board of Directors.
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A LETTER TO THE BLUEGRASS COMMUNITY ABOUT THE GRAMMY “The 2018 GRAMMY cycle opens on July 1. If you or your band were involved with a recorded project that has been released since October 1, 2016 or will be released by September 30, 2017, you are eligible to participate in the GRAMMY process. And you absolutely should not miss your chance to do so. Picture it - you’re at the podium, thanking your parents, grandparents, producer, your bus driver, the fans...because you just won a GRAMMY®!! Yes, it *can* happen to YOU!!! The Grammy Award is arguably the music industry’s highest honor. When The Recording Academy® (NARAS) created a GRAMMY category for Best Bluegrass Album in 1989, it gave bluegrass musicians an opportunity to be recognized for their excellence alongside their peers across all genres of music. It also gave bluegrass music a well-deserved moment in the mainstream spotlight. 29 awards have been given in the bluegrass category and the benefit to bluegrass has been immeasurable. We can really be proud of the way our community came together last year to protect the bluegrass GRAMMY: NARAS reports that the number of submissions in the bluegrass category showed a considerable increase. But there is still work to do to secure the future of the bluegrass category. The Recording Academy Board of Trustees, in collaboration with the Recording Academy Awards Department staff, annually evaluates award categories and monitors the number of submissions every category receives in the first round of balloting. If we can continue to show an increase in submitted releases it will send an important message to the Trustees about the vitality of bluegrass music and the cohesiveness of our community. Whether you’re a fan of traditional or progressive bluegrass music, protecting the bluegrass GRAMMY category is something that we can all get behind. So let’s make sure that the Best Bluegrass Album GRAMMY category stays intact by working together to educate ourselves on the GRAMMY process and making sure that all eligible releases are submitted for consideration in the coming awards cycle. Outlined below is a basic Q & A for the GRAMMY submission process. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to either Paul Schiminger - Executive Director at the IBMA at paul@ibma.org or Ralph Olivarez – Staff Genre Manager for the American Roots Field at The Recording Academy at ralph.olivarez@grammy.com.” Learn more about the awards process here. Media Registration for labels is found at http://www.grammy.org/media-registration Online Entry Process for Labels is found here: http://www.grammy.org/media-registration Online Entry Process for Recording Academy members is found here: www.grammypro.com
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What’s the difference between an entry and a nomination? Entries are recordings submitted for GRAMMY consideration. Entries that meet all eligibility requirements are then voted on by the Academy’s voting members and the results of that vote are the nominations What are the eligibility requirements? Recordings have to have been released between Oct. 1, 2016 and Sept. 30, 2017. Recordings must be in general distribution in the U.S., i.e. sales by label to a branch or recognized independent distributor, via Internet, or mail order/retail sales for a nationally marketed product. Note: Recordings available exclusively through the artist’s or record label’s website are not eligible. Who can enter recordings? Voting members, associate members, as well as music video companies, and record labels — major and independent — who have registered with the Awards department. How are recordings entered? Through the Online Entry Process (OEP). After registering with the Awards department, entrants are given information on how to submit their recordings online for consideration. Who can vote? Recording Academy voting members only. Record companies do not vote. Who qualifies as a Voting Member? Recording Academy voting members are professionals with creative or technical credits on six physical or 12 digital commercially released tracks (or their equivalent). These may include vocalists, conductors, songwriters, composers, engineers, producers, instrumentalists, arrangers, art directors, album notes writers, narrators and music video artists and technicians.
Timeline July 1 Member and Media Company First Round submissions OPEN.
July 20 Member and Media Company First Round submissions CLOSES.
July 31 All Members must be active in order to submit product for GRAMMY consideration.
How many awards categories are there? For the 59th show, the GRAMMY Awards had 29 fields (Pop, Gospel, Classical etc.) and 83 categories within those fields. How are categories changed or added? Proposals for changes to the categories are reviewed each year by the Academy’s Awards & Nominations Committee, with final approval by the Academy’s Trustees. Proposals may be submitted by any member. Contact the Awards Department for more information. What is the difference between Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year? The Record Of Year category honors the artist and the producer(s), recording engineer(s) and/or mixer(s) if other than the artist. This category is for a commercially released singles. The Song Of The Year category recognizes a songwriter for a single or track that was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the eligibility year.
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Did You Know There’s a Bluegrass Album GRAMMY Wikipedia Page? Wikipedia has a thorough listing on the GRAMMY Award for Bluegrass Album, dating back to its inception in 1989, and naming all winners and nominees. It gives a sense of the stature and significance of this award. You can find it here. Photo credits: Forrest L. Smith, Janet Dancer, Tech. Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby, USAF, K.F.J. Miller, Larry Miller, Ron Baker, Joella Morano
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HEADLINE HERE
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Bobby Osborne: Original
Words like trailblazer, legend, and innovator get bandied about pretty freely. You might not notice until it’s time to talk about someone of Bobby Osborne’s stature, since he’s the embodiment of those terms. He found a kindred spirit for musical innovation in Alison Brown, who has produced Bobby Osborne’s brand new solo album, “Original”. Greg Cahill sat down with Bobby to talk about the album and this chapter in his creative life. You’ll find the interview in its entirety transcribed here on the IBMA site. In it, Bobby tells of the pleasure of working with Alison and Garry West, recording at Compass’s historic studio, working with his sons and with first-call bluegrass musicians on this album, and how he
has kept his singular voice strong well into his eighties. These excerpts below are Bobby Osborne’s reflections on many of the tracks on “Original”: “Kentucky Morning” Darrell [Scott] had got it to Alison somehow, and she put it down as one, and made me a copy of it. So I’m just sitting here at the house listening to the material one night. I listened to that one two or three times, and every time I listened to it, it just got better all the time. Of course Darrell came from a part of Kentucky, me and him were pretty close together. He’s around Corbin somewhere and I’m way down in Letcher County, and came from there. But the story behind that was so much
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like a story when I was growing up in Thousandsticks, Kentucky, with my dad and mom and people back in that area. It just reminded me so much of that where we lived: no electricity, no running water. No way to wash your clothes, except soap them down and rinse them off in the creek that runs by the house. And just things when times were very hard, this song explains that so much. I have never forgotten those times. It was just amazing how he put that together and made it so real. Of course the song just kept getting a hold of me, and I told Alison that’s a must. I just got to do that one there. And of course the title of it, “Kentucky Morning”, the story of it…how are you gonna get a better title for it?
BOBBY OSBORNE: ORIGINAL
“Make the World Go Away” Back when Eddie Arnold first came out with that one…it’s one of those songs. I just love the song, and went for all those years and never did get a chance to sing it or record it. But I just learned the song by listening to it so much, and Alison said, “How would you feel about “Make the World Go Away”? I said it’s one of my favorite songs. Please let me record that one because I’ve always wanted to and never got a chance to. Come to find out it was one of her favorite songs. I had no idea how she was gonna arrange it, or who played on it or what, and when I got down there that morning I saw Buddy Spicher and Matt Combs with a fiddle and I thought, man, of course Eddie or whoever produced his records back then, they had that symphony sound on it. I thought, I would just love to have that on my record of it. So I didn’t know that was gonna happen, but when I saw those two guys with fiddles, I knew that was gonna be good. And when they got finished with that I couldn’t have planned it out any better than that. I just put it in a key that was right for me, and I sang it how I thought it ought to be. They had the two fiddles and then I believe Buddy might have put the viola on it, and Matt might have put the cello on it, so they had all the instruments there they needed to make that sound, and it was just ideal for me and I just loved it. “Don’t Be Cruel”: I always thought I’d like to sing “Blueberry Hill”. Alison asked me, well what kind of a groove would you have there to sing it? I told her, I’ll just sing it my way and how I feel to sing the song. She agreed. Of course, the only person I ever heard sing it was Fats Domino. I thought that’s what she meant by what kind of groove would it have. I wouldn’t try
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I just love every one of them songs. They just, I don’t know, the way I did them it just sounds like they were written for me.”
to sing it like Fats did, but I thought he had a great recording of it. I bought the record because I loved the song and of course his piano playing. When Elvis Presley put “Don’t Be Cruel” out about 1951 or 1950 in there somewhere, and it went like it did, we jumped on it and started playing it bluegrass style. I was writing Alison, you know me and my brother used to do “Don’t Be Cruel“ way back years ago, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to do “Blueberry Hill” now. She said, you did “Don’t Be Cruel”? That’s my favorite, that’s what I want you to do right there. So that’s why I did “Don’t Be Cruel” instead of “Blueberry Hill.” We went down, here’s Sam Bush is gonna play the mandolin, Todd [Phillips] is gonna play the bass and Jim [Hurst] is gonna play the guitar. I said just three, that’s all you’re gonna have on it? She said that’s all what I want for it, those three, and it turned out it’s a different sound. It’s more like that kind of studio sound at Sun Records when Johnny Cash and Elvis recorded there. When I first heard the song back I thought, goodness, that’s not the big sound like I was thinking it would be here. But she wanted to sound like that era that those guys recorded in, and it had kind of a dry echo sound, if you know what I mean there. So it’s a different sound than any other song that’s on that record, I think. I never forgot it, all these years my brother and me sang it after leaving West Virginia on that jamboree they had, and we’d sing it everywhere we went. And bluegrass players that kind of gripe now about drums and stuff… but nobody ever said a word about us singing “Don’t Be Cruel” and it was Elvis Presley, a rock song.
“They Call the Wind Mariah” The only people I have ever heard do it was Jim Ed and the Browns. When I first mentioned that to Alison, she said, I’d love for you to do that. That was one of my favorite songs. I just love the chord progression to it, and the melody, and the words, everything about that song is great. But, gosh, I was so shocked when it turned out like it did, I really was. “Goodbye Wheeling” You know where Eddie Stubbs reads the commercials down there at the Opry House? I was standing there, and Mel Tillis was getting ready to go on and I was, too. So, just all of a sudden, he turned around to me and said, I wrote a song that I think you can do. And I said well, get it to me some way, and I may get to record it some time. I didn’t even know if I was gonna get to record for Alison at that time or anything. And he said ok. Well, I didn’t forget about it, but all of a sudden I went down to pick up my mail at the Opry House down there, probably two or three months later, why, here’s a big envelope from Mel Tillis. And I forgot all about that guy. I come to the house and played it, and it was that song. I thought it was a brand new song. I took the CD and the lyrics [to Alison] and said, see what you think about this. Mel Tillis wrote it, and wanted me to sing it. She looked up the date on it, and she said I think he did that in about the 60s. I thought it was a new song but I said it’s brand new to me, anyway. It’s a good song - I really like that one. Interview transcription by IBMA intern Ethan Charles
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Bobby Osborne’s First Music Video “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You” was all brand new to me. I didn’t know how to dress or act or what to do. I had no idea how they did that but I’d ask Christina [Dunkley], hey what happens on that right there? How do you do that? She says, there’s not much to it but you need to know the lyrics pretty good, because you’re gonna have to sing them, and I thought, goodness sakes, I probably won’t ever be able to do that right. I had no idea, she told me what to wear and everything. So I go over there and everyone who’s on the CD, they showed up. And I thought now, I wonder what’s gonna happen here? You know, are we gonna redo that thing again or something? One good thing: I’d heard the Bee Gees song quite a bit. I listened to them a lot. I just love the harmony they had, that’s what I listen to most the time, but it turned out it wasn’t as hard to do as I thought it was. I was shocked to see the video come out. I’ve seen them before, you know, watched them, different people, you know, but the way it came out and everything, I was just happy to see anything with that.
You can purchase Bobby Osborne: Original from Compass Records.
Artists Talk About Bobby Osborne’s Influence Click on the images to hear their story
McCoury Brothers 20 International Bluegrass | June 2017
Sam Bush
Sierra Hull
Alison Brown
Vince Gill
REMEMBERING: Bill Bryson “I am so sad to hear of the passing of Bill Bryson yesterday. We had the pleasure of knowing and playing music with Bill on many occasions over the last 30 or 40 years. He was the consummate sideman, always did his homework, had one of the most dependable beats in the business, and then when he’d step up to the mic to sing he held the audience in the palm of his hand. Such a wonderful songwriter. Bill had a brilliant mind and was a sun worshipper. I remember him playing at RockyGrass with someone a number of years ago, and a young musician said, “I’ve gotta go listen! they have a legendary bass guy, from Cuba or somewhere.” A tip of the hat to Bill’s ever-present SoCal tan. My heart goes out to Bill’s many friends and to his wife, Annie.” – Laurie Lewis
Bluegrass Cardinals, Bill Bryson second from left,
REMEMBERING: Ben Sandoval Ben Sandoval
“When it rains it pours... I’ve known Ben Sandoval since I was 14 yrs old (just shy of 40 yrs). He was a tireless promoter of bluegrass in Arizona. Sweet, sweet man, always positive and encouraging. Ben was one of the guy’s that kept the music alive in the bluegrass desert. RIP ole friend.” -Mike Bub
REMEMBERING: Steve Sutton “Well, this wasn’t the news I was expecting today...the world of Bluegrass, and the world in general, lost a good one: Steve ‘Drac’ Sutton. Lots of tributes all around, and it’s a testament to just how many people Steve touched in his life. On stage, Steve was solid as a rock. He had a completely original approach to playing traditional Scruggs style banjo. He truly played and sounded like no other. Off-stage he was a wonderfully upbeat, positive guy that loved to tell stories and laugh. Even through the difficulties of recent spinal surgeries he managed to keep a good attitude and his bright smile intact. My life was made better having known and played music with someone I consider one of the best ever on his instrument. Rest In Peace Brother Steve, one of the card carrying, banjo pickin, Boys from North Carolina.” -Mike Bub International Bluegrass
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INDUSTRY NEWS
June 2017
ARTISTS, COMPOSERS & PUBLISHERS TERRY BAUCOM’S DUKES OF DRIVE: First Bluegrass Band at Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival With the recent success of the title track to their recording, “4th & Goal,” on the John Boy & Billy label, Terry Baucom’s Dukes of Drive become the first-ever Bluegrass band booked during Canton, Ohio’s Annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, to celebrate the new Hall of Fame inductees for 2017. The week-long celebration features many different activities, including the NFL/Hall of Fame Game. Baucom and band will be laying the driving bluegrass on the crowd during their set - sharing the main stage honors with Toby Keith and Kid Rock. Baucom says, of course, they are honored. “Being huge football fans, this type of booking in the mainstream means a lot to the band.” The song that ‘got the ball rolling’ so to speak, was “Fourth and Goal”, written by Paula Breedlove and Brad Davis. Breedlove happens to be a resident of Canton. An old friend of hers had connections with the Hall of Fame and realized this song was a perfect fit. He worked tirelessly to get the band a set on the main stage for one of Ohio’s biggest events. Baucom’s four decades of musical credentials sealed the deal. Or as Bauc likes to say, “when it was 4th & Goal, we slipped into the end zone in a big way!” Terry Baucom’s Dukes of Drive will be performing on the Main Stage of the festival on Sunday, August 6, 2017 from 2:30 to 3:00pm.
EVENT PRODUCERS BRAND NEW BON AQUA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE Be among the first to attend the very first Bon Aqua Bluegrass Festival - to be held at the Storytellers Hideaway Farm 40 minutes from Nashville in Bon Aqua, TN. Experience great music, great food, great people… great fun! Performers include the Lonesome River Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, NewTown and the Hogslop String Band. Johnny Cash owned the Hideaway Farm as his secret retreat for over 30 years. He called the farm the center of his universe. Come experience the farm, and get to know the man behind the image. Find out more here.
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Terry Baucom & the Dukes of Drive
CALL FOR SONGWRITERS AND VOLUNTEERS for 3rd Annual Southport Songwriter Festival June 15-18 ScreenDoor Songwriter Alliance (SSA) sponsors the annual Southport Songwriter Festival (SF2), as well as educational programs through the year. To date, this festival has featured over 150 regional and aspiring songwriters, and over 20 internationally known artists – including Missy Raines, Claire Lynch, Louisa Branscomb and Jeanette Williams - in workshops, rounds, and concert events. SSA encourages all songwriters to attend or submit, regardless of culture, race, gender, or sexual orientation, and to become a part of the growing ScreenDoor artistic community. The festival encourages all styles of acoustic compositions including bluegrass, folk, blues, roots, vocal jazz, rock, and pop. To be considered for an invitational showcase, email two MP3’s of original songs and/or video links (preferred) to Southportsongwriter@gmail.com. Showcase spots are voluntary, and you will be featured in media and have a chance to take part in the inspiration and camaraderie of a great little oneof-a-kind festival!
Johnny Willams, Louisa Branscomb and Jeanette Williams (and unknown autoharpist) at Southport Song Festival
S2F 17 will take place June 15-18. Events include a concert, open mic, showcases, children’s songwriting, and performances by Dark Water Rising, Jeanette and Johnny Williams, Pam Gadd, Louisa Branscomb, Soul-R Fusion, Chuck Larson and others. ScreenDoor Songwriter Alliance, founded in 2014 by Louisa Branscomb, is a 501c non-profit whose mission is
to promote songwriters and community through songs, and songwriting as an art and tool for personal growth and healing in children and adults. Our work depends on contributions from those who support the art of songwriting. To get the flavor of S2F, follow this YouTube link. You can learn more, and donate through PayPal on the ScreenDoorAlliance website.
NEW SONGWRITER WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES IN TENNESSEE Donna Ulisse, 2016 IBMA Songwriter of the Year, and writers Rick Stanley and Jerry Salley will host the Little House Workshops, a series of songwriting workshops in middle Tennessee. Limited to six students per weekend, these workshops will offer plenty of one-on-one time to help students reach their goals. Two upcoming workshops will be held August 5 & 6 and October 7 & 8 on a private farm in Lebanon, TN. For more information contact Donna at donnaulisse@gmail.com. Donna Ulisse, Rick Stanley, Jerry Salley
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INDUSTRY NEWS
EDUCATION EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY AWARDS 11 STUDENTS BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREES IN BLUEGRASS, OLD TIME, AND COUNTRY MUSIC STUDIES
Photo credits: Dan Boner Eleven students from ETSU Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies were among more than 2,000 university graduates receiving degrees on Saturday, May 6th. “This was our largest graduating class since we launched the degree in 2010,” said program director Daniel Boner. This program has the university’s highest percentage of out-of-state students, with nearly 70 percent of those enrolled coming from outside of Tennessee. The program currently boasts over 40 student bands performing classic and modern country songs, music of the 1920s, Scottish jigs and reels, and traditional and contemporary bluegrass music. Graduating from the Department of Appalachian Studies - Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies Program were Tiffany Boucher, Diggs DeRusha, Ashley Griggs, Henry Johns, Brandon Ladd, Keegan Luckey-Smith, Rheva Myhre, Mason Nolen, Colton Powers, Mitch Walker, and Ben Watlington. They join more than 40 graduates from the university with this degree.
Back Row: Diggs DeRusha, Ben Watlington, Henry Johns, Mason Nolen, Mitch Walker; Front Row: Colton Powers, Tiffany Boucher, Keegan LuckeySmith, Ashley Griggs, Rheva Myhre, Brandon Ladd.
Dr. Lee Bidgood, Henry Johns, Dr. Nate Olson
Ben Watlington, Dan Boner, Colton Powers
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