November 2016
Breaking Grass to headline the Harvest Jam Inside: From the Editor 3 | Grass Clippings 5
Cover Story-Breaking Grass 6 | Harvest Jam 8 | The Lost Snuffy Jenkins Tapes 10 Election Ballot 14 | Charlie Parr-a review 17 | Bluegrass Saturday Morning 19 MBOTMA Calendar of Events 21 | Coming Up 22
November 2016 Vol. 43 No. 10 Newsstand: $3 Subscription: $35
MBOTMA Hot Line (to subscribe and for other information) 612-285-9133 or 800-635-3037 info@minnesotabluegrass.org P.O. Box 16408, Mpls, MN 55416 www.minnesotabluegrass.org Twitter: @mnbluegrass Facebook: minnesotabluegrass
MBOTMA Board of Directors
President: Peter Albrecht, henrypeteralbrecht@gmail.com Vice President: Treasurer: Greg Landkamer Secretary: Mary DuShane Board Members: Term expires 2016: Kenneth Bloch, Alan Jesperson, Philip Nusbaum Term expires 2017: Ann Iijima Youth Representative: Theo Hougen-Eitzman, 1 Seat vacant For meeting minutes and other Board business, go to: minnesotabluegrass.org/as_Board
MBOTMA Staff
Executive Director: executivedirector@minnesotabluegrass.org Administrative Assistant: Bea Flaming, 612-285-9133
Minnesota Bluegrass
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Editor: Doug Lohman, editor@minnesotabluegrass.org Contributors: Wayne Erbsen, Martha Galep, Philip Nusbaum Coming Up: Loretta Simonet, John Brandberg Y’All Come: Bill Lindroos Wordmark: Katryn Conlin Photography: Doug Lohman Cover image: Back: Deadline for submissions: The 1st of the month preceding publication Submit content or request advertising guidelines at: editor@minnesotabluegrass.org. Minnesota Bluegrass is published monthly by The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association™, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, P.O. Box 16408, Mpls, MN 55416. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for the loss or return of unsolicited photos, recordings, or manuscripts. ©2016 Minnesota Bluegrass. All rights reserved. ISBN 0891-0537.
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Thank you, MBOTMA members Membership as of October 1, 2016: 979
Patron:
Howie & Maggie Jorgenson Maxine Larson Douglas Lohman Richard Luckeroth Bob Lundeen Rudy & Jeanne Marti Rodger McBride Douglas & Georgene Nesheim Harold Pederson David & Betty Pfeiffer Lincoln Potter & Cecelia Green David Rogers Tom & Cathy Schaefer Thomas & Barbara Schommer Thomas & Margaret Schuveiller Penelope Scialla David Tousley & Margaret Brandes Michael Valentiner Donna Velasco Rebecca Wagner & Dan Forsythe Tim Wankel Jane & Dobson West Jim Whitney John Wilcox
Sustaining:
Alan & Geriann Kagan Jim Lally Greg Landkamer & Jill Stefansen David Lang James Lee Steve & Elaine LeVasseur Bill Lindroos & Rebecca Reifler Travis Lockwood Rolf & Lisa Lund Michele Marshall Mac McKay Mary McSorley Bill Merrill Susan & Joe Meyer James Natwick Dennis & Jan O’Brien Linda & Tony Omann Dominic Orrico Bob Ostlund Dan Robinson Bryan Ronning Mark & Jan Rubbert Marty & Carol Schirber Wendy Schoen Howell Smith Lynn & Carolyn Thorson Ross & Elizabeth Vaughan David & Bonnie Warner Carole Wilson
Peter & Bridgitt Albrecht Tony & Ann Anthonisen Mary Arntson Lenny & Colleen, Baltus Gary & Karen Bartig Ron & Kathy Blade Barry & Annie Brooks Doug Chasar Paul Christianson Gary & Janet Cobus Laura Cooper Bob & Marilyn Dodd William Fancher Jennifer Faulkner Mark & Kathleen Fisher Jerry Frank Darrell & Marilyn Fuhr Tom Furrer Jon & Sharon Garon Art Geffen David Glatt Dale & Diane E Gruber Michael & Paula Hildebrandt Mabel Houle Ann Iijima & Myles Bakke David Johnson Mary Ruth Alva Rod & Barb Anderson Paul Ashworth Kenneth Bloch Fred Boyer Mark & Erdyne Briere Susan ChristensenWichmann Katryn Conlin Dan & Marilyn Cook Brian Cornell Bob & Vicki Dalager Hal Davis Doug Duncan Mary DuShane Matt Edwards Craig Evans Leon Evans Nathan Fjeld Jim Franczyk Warren Gumeson Timothy & Ginger Haaland Thomas Hollenhorst & Karin Kraemer David Holm Steven Holste Dick & Sue Hopperstad Mark Johnson Chris Juettner
November 2016
From the Editor
Seasons change. The only thing we can really count on is change. Change forces me to learn new ways of doing things. My computer and all of its programs are constantly updating themselves, renewing themselves, and getting rid of bugs. I dare not become complacent and smug when it comes to my computer or it will surprise me. On the other hand, this constant change is good for me, invigorating and challenging, always spurring me to learn and grow. I choose to look at it as making my life more interesting and fun. One could look at MBOTMA this way, also. Fall is here and the Harvest Jam is right around the corner. Breaking Grass is the headliner along with other fine bands, workshops, instrument vendors, Kip’s Live, and more jamming than you can stand!! Add to that the Race for Place Band Contest and we’ve got an exciting weekend coming up at the Harvest Jam. I hope to see you all there. The Election Ballot is included in this issue. We have an extremely strong slate of candidates. Their depth and experience, with MBOTMA, is deeper than any slate in my memory. These are all dedicated, hard working MBOTMA volunteers. MBOTMA is also taking applications for the position of Executive Director. You can submit resumes to the secretary, Mary DuShane, at marydushane@gmail.com by the end of November. Remember this is your magazine. Use it to promote your band, your gig, your favorite musical experience, or your favorite jam. I will always accept well written articles about the bluegrass, old-time, string band and acoustic music scene in our area. See you at the Harvest Jam!! IBCNU, Doug Lohman
November 2016
The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association is open to everyone. Our members include people who love to listen to music and people who love to make music. As a member, you’ll be invited to participate in bluegrass and old-time music events and celebrations. You’ll receive discounted prices on admission to events and merchandise, and you’ll receive a subscription to Minnesota Bluegrass magazine. Becoming a member of MBOTMA is easy and affordable. Your membership will not only nurture your own interests, but help to ensure that the bluegrass and old-time music tradition is sustained and grows in Minnesota. Individual $35
Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, events discounts for one person, and a free classified ad.
Family $50
Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, up to four discounted tickets per event, and a free classified ad. Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, advance booking information for MBOTMA events, a free classified ad, and listings in the MBOTMA member band directory in print and on our website.
Band $75
Sustaining Level $100
Patron Level $150
Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class postage, events discounts, two free concert tickets, and a free classified ad. Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class postage, events discounts, four free concert tickets, and a free classified ad.
Add $18 for First Class or foreign postage to individual, family or band membership. Go to minnesotabluegrass.org and select the Membership tab to join online and pay with PayPal. Or mail in your personal information and payment to: MBOTMA, P.O. Box 16408, Minneapolis, MN 55416
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Inside: From the Editor 3 Grass Clippings 5 Cover Story-Breaking Grass 6 Harvest Jam 8 The Lost Snuffy Jenkins Tapes 10 Election Ballot 14 Charlie Parr-a review 17 Bluegrass Saturday Morning 19 MBOTMA Calendar of Events 21 Coming Up 22
Become a Member
Call 800-635-3037 or 612-285-9133 for details or if you would like to join by phone. Funding for MBOTMA provided in part by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and private donors
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November 18-20, 2016 Mariott Minneapolis West Hotel
9960 Wayzata Blvd Golden Valley, MN
Friday
Scrapegoat Skin and Bones - 7:30pm Lost Tracks - 8:45pm Moss Piglets - 9:30pm
Saturday
Saturday Night Ballroom Concert Breaking Grass
Race for Place Band Contest - 10-4pm Banquet Dinner - 6pm Annual Membership Meeting - 6:45pm Race for Place Winner - 7:30pm Double Down Daredevils -8pm
Breaking Grass - 9:15pm Sunday
Gospel Show 10:30 to Noon featuring The Gloryland Gospel Band
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Race for Place
Saturday from 10AM to 5PM. Ten groups will have a chance to compete to win a spot on the Saturday Main Stage of the 2016 MBOTMA Festival. Details at: www.minnesotabluegrass.org/race-for-a-place.html
g therin ke Ga U N Plus: Music Venders, Hayloft Jam Rooms, at M oom G-Gre negal Ballr U M G / /Do Fall om Band Workshops, Theme Jams, Kips Live!! 2016 arvest Jam grassfun.c e H 1-800-635-3037 www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org at the ://www.blu l tp FFI: ht chedule.htm For Marriott Room Reservations: Call 952-544-4400 -s event
Sponsored by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association
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November 2016
Grass Clippings The Hellbenders presentTOMMY: A Bluegrass Opera The Sheldon Theater in Red Wing, MN will present an interesting show on Nov 5, 2016; the Hellbenders present Tommy: A Bluegrass Opera. Rolling Stone Magazine says, “You haven’t heard ‘Acid Queen’ until you’ve heard it sung by a bearded man with a mandolin.” With a perfect mix of virtuoso musicianship and rock star vocals, The Hillbenders bring The Who’s famous classic rock opera, Tommy, to life in a new and exciting way. Pinball Wizard, See Me Feel Me, and Acid Queen are reimagined with banjo, dobro, mandolin, bass, and guitar, defying every notion you have about both classic rock and bluegrass. http://www.sheldontheatre.org/events/ Tommy
Becky Buller releases “Phoenix Arise
Becky Buller’s single “Phoenix Arise” was released in September. It’s a benefit project for the town of Madelia, MN, where many buildings were destroyed by a massive fire in February. Becky comes from St.James, her family lives nearby and her dad actually works in Madelia. Here is a link to a YouTube video on the song with a message from Becky, https:// youtu.be/-tKELQbddug
MBOTMA Fundraiser: January 28, 2017
November 2016
ARMADILLO SOUND & DESIGN
Minneapolis, MN - Serving the acoustic music community for over 30 years.
Complete production services, sound and lights.
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
The MBOTMA Annual Fundraiser, last year known as Jed Fest, will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the Kraus-Hartig VFW in Spring Lake Park. Laura Cooper and Phil Nusbaum are co-chairing the event and need your help. Please let us know if you can participate in one of the following ways: 1) Your band/ensemble is available to play a set; 2) You have items to donate for the raffle; 3) You have items to donate for the silent auction; 4) You are available to help out before, during or after the event. MBOTMA has had a difficult year and is in dire need of an infusion of funds. Please help out any way you can and be sure to attend the fundraiser. Please contact Laura Cooper by email or phone (Ldcoop08@gmail.com or 612-414-2604).
Complete studio and live multi-track recording with Protools©. You know Doug’s attention to detail in the live concert… Let him help you craft your next recording project. 612-306-3490 – douglohman@aol.com armadillosounddesign.com
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Cover
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Breaking Grass to Headline Harvest Jam
With their fresh sound, original material, strong vocals and innovative musicianship, Breaking Grass is doing exactly what their name implies. Although not quite traditional, the music they present is without a doubt steeped in the timeless genre they grew up listening to. Comprised of Cody Farrar on guitar, Tyler White on fiddle, Thelton Vanderford on banjo, Zach Wooten on mandolin, and Britt Sheffield on bass, this relatively new band formed with one goal in mind - to make music that all ages could enjoy. They are well on their way to becoming a household name and recently won the B.O.R.N. (Band On The Rise Nationally) award in June 2012. 2011 proved to be an exciting year for Breaking Grass with a string of wins at many of the southeast’s top music festivals including first place at the State of Mississippi Bluegrass Band Championship 6
in New Albany, first place in the Athens Old Time Fiddler’s Bluegrass Band Competition in Alabama and first place in the Uncle Dave Macon Days Bluegrass Band Competition in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This was also the year Breaking Grass released their self-titled, debut album of all original music to a standing room only crowd at a CD release event presented by the City of Booneville, Mississippi. With a sense of excitement and drive from a very fruitful first year together, the band turned to producer Stephen Mougin for help with their next project, Running With The Moon, due for release in July 2012. This new project is a strong sophomore offering from the group, showing their versatility as musicians and vocalists with 12 tracks of original songs, all written by the band’s main lead singer, Cody Farrar. Touching on sounds of traditional and contemporary bluegrass,
western swing and gospel, Breaking Grass is not only living up to their name, they are reaching far beyond the borders, bringing new fans to the world of acoustic music. About the Band... Born in Alcorn County, Mississippi, Thelton Vanderford was influenced most by his father, who played banjo and by the sounds of Chet Atkins’ guitar playing, which he grew up listening to. He was also quite the fan of old country music and the sounds of Paul Franklin on steel guitar. Being the elder of the band, Vanderford brings a wealth of music history to the group, having performed in many bands such as the Heismen Quartet, The Senators Quartet and the Hatchie Bottom Boys. When not playing banjo with Breaking Grass, Vanderford enjoys spending time with his family and working on banjos and guitars. November 2016
At only 18 years old and still in high school, Zach Wooten is already an accomplished instrumentalist. The Dennis, Mississippi resident started playing guitar at the age of 8 and picked up the mandolin for the first time at 12 years old, winning the State of Mississippi Mandolin Championship in 2011. He credits his love of music to musicians such as Adam Steffey and Chris Thile but is quick to point out that his faith in God has influenced him more than anything else in his life. When Tyler White begged his family for a fiddle after attending the Dixie Stampede at the age of three, who knew he would practically be a virtuoso by the age of 18? After giving in to his request two years later, then enrolling him in lessons at the age of 7, Tyler has made it his mission to achieve success on his instrument of choice. Fiddle masters such as Stuart Duncan, Bobby Hicks and Michael Cleveland can be credited for inspiring Tyler resulting in his winning the Mississippi, Alabama and West Tennessee Junior Fiddle Championships. He has also participated in the “Kids On Bluegrass”
program with the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) for the past 7 years. When he doesn’t have a fiddle in his hands, the Jumpertown, Mississippi resident spends his time hunting, fishing and dreaming of fast cars. Influenced most by his parents who spent hours singing together around the family’s piano, Cody Farrar comes by his love for music honestly. Raised on everything from Elvis to Ozzy, he developed a taste for all styles of music ranging from 50’s do-wap to classic country to heavy metal. It is exactly this upbringing that has given him the ability to compose songs in such varied styles. The Booneville, Mississippi resident is credited with writing most of the band’s original songs and fronts the group with a seasoned voice that one finds almost unbelievable when you consider he is only in his twenties. When not writing new music for the band, Cody enjoys spending time with his wife and being outdoors fishing and camping. Born in Tupelo but now a resident of Corinth, Mississippi, Britt Sheffield start-
ed playing piano at a young age and then added guitar and bass to his list of accomplishments. While he readily admits he’s a bit of a newcomer to bluegrass, his stints playing in rock and country bands have molded him into a solid bass player. He enjoys listening to everything from John Mayer to Cadillac Sky to Hank Williams, Sr., and when not on stage, enjoys spending time with his wife and is quite the avid duck hunter.
LaPlant Instruments maker of fine mandolins & guitars
Buy - Trade Sell - Repair (stringed instruments)
31751 LaPlant Road Grand Rapids, MN 55744 218-326-4456
MBOTMA is celebrating Give to the Max Day Thursday November 17! MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Your contribution helps MBOTMA carry out all of its programs, including the Grass Seeds Academy, which seeks to teach and inspire young people to explore, perform and, thereby, preserve bluegrass and old-time string band music.
Mark this Date and Contribute to MBOTMA! Keep our programs & festivals going strong. November 2016
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Harvest Jam Preview by Martha Galep
The Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience is scheduled for November 18 through 20, 2016, at the Marriott Minneapolis West Hotel. This eleventh annual event is produced by the nonprofit Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA) and will feature stage shows, featuring Breaking Grass, the Race For A Place Band Contest, Kip’s Live Open Mic, a “business of bands” workshop program, a Saturday night banquet dinner, music exhibitors, a Sunday morning gospel show, theme jams, and, of course, lots of impromptu jam sessions.
Stage Shows
There will be stage shows on both Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and a Sunday morning gospel show from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., featuring The Gloryland Gospel Band. On Friday it’s Scrapegoat Skin and Bones, The Lost Tracks, and The Moss Piglets. On Saturday we’ll feature this year’s Race champions, the Double Down Daredevil’s, and headliner Breaking Grass. Sunday morning it’s gospel starting at 10:30 a.m. with the Gloryland Gospel Band.
Race For A Place
The Race For A Place Band Contest will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Ten groups will compete to win a $1,000 contract for a spot on the main stage of the 2016 Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival and other prizes. The Race champions will be announced about 4:45 p.m. and be invited to perform later that evening at 7 p.m. Already scheduled to compete are Mother Banjo, Olive Sings and the Biscuit Boys.
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Kip’s Live
Kip’s Live is an informal open mic in Kip’s Irish Pub located within the Marriott Hotel. It all starts on Friday at 8 p.m. and on Saturday at 2 p.m. and finishes up about 1 a.m. both days. Minisets will be divided into a 20-minute set and a 30-minute set within each hour, allowing for a 5-minute emcee and setup time between sets. This odd set timing has 8
been designed to allow for some different impromptu acts that have a short list but would like some mic time. There will be a simple single mic setup. If you have interest or a unique idea or just want to get together with other band peers that you have always wanted to sing and play with, the Kip’s Live Open Mic may be the stage for you. To sign your group up for a slot prior to the festival, check out the schedule and Sign-up Genius link on the MBOTMA website. You can sign up to emcee, too! This is a great gateway to becoming a regular MBOTMA emcee at concerts and festivals.
Business of Bands Workshops
The Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience features a band development workshop series. You’ll usually find these workshops scheduled on Saturday morning and afternoon, with sessions designed specifically for bands and how to deal with the non-musical business side of being in a band as well as performing issues. We recently moved the workshops to a larger, more spacious location. Here is a sampling of the line-up of interesting topics for bands and musicians we have planned. We’ll post details on exact times as soon as it becomes available: Instrument Tasting: A display of quality instruments for you to sample, hosted by Ross Vaughn and David Vincent (MN State College Southeast) Promoting Your Band: A workshop Hosted by Ann Iijima, the ins and outs of the business of being a band. How to Rehearse Productively: Breaking Grass will coach you on the finer aspects of putting on a show, how to choose material and how to bring it to the public in the best possible way. Plus other workshops TBA. Check the program when you arrive!
GMUG!
The Great Minnesota Ukelele Gathering will be held at the Harvest Jam.
Featured workshop/jam leader and concert performer will be Jim D’Ville. Jim is a music educator/facilitator. Over the last seven years he has taught his Play Ukulele By Ear workshops to thousands of players in the United States, Australia, and Canada. Jim is the author of the Play Ukulele By Ear DVD series and hosts the popular Play Ukulele By Ear website (www.PlayUkuleleByEar.com). In addition to the Jim D’Ville jams, workshops and Saturday evening concert, there will be other ukulele workshops, organized uke jam sessions, as well as ukulele vendors. Plus, a Saturday ukulele open microphone and a Friday evening ukulele THUG band concert in the Donegal Ballroom. Questions about GMUG, contact GreatMnUkeGathering@ icloud.com. For complete information, go to www.GreatMinnesotaUkeGathering. com.
Banquet Dinner
Attendees to the Harvest Jam get a chance to gather on Saturday evening for a grand banquet held in the main ballroom. Each year we celebrate our final event by feasting on a delicious meal while enjoying a dinner program that includes the results of the MBOTMA Election, a performance by the Race for a Place Contest winner and various tributes and recognitions of “our heroes!” Savvy festival goers know that their ticket into the banquet affords them a chance to grab a great seat for the evening concerts to follow. The ballroom will open up at the end of the dinner but diners can keep their choice seats for the remainder of the evening. As always, there will be a social hour prior to the banquet so diners can visit and enjoy some music while selecting their dinner seating. Those with banquet tickets will arrive prior to the banquet and check in with the seating volunteers who will provide a seating chart. The event organizers ask that diners present tickets at time of seat selection for ALL parties wishing to sit together, in order to guarantee that guests that wish to sit together can be accomodated. Please remember that this is a “first come” seating basis. This year’s menu includes a garden November 2016
salad, fresh baked goods, grilled chicken breast with wild mushroom sauce, vegetables and dessert with coffee or tea. The food is always delicious and the company excellent! New this year will be the Annual MBOTMA Membership Meeting which will be conducted at the conclusion of the banquet. Hotel staff will open the ballroom to general admission and all attendees are invited to this open meeting. It is a chance to hear from our Board of Directors and ask questions about our organization. All are encouraged to attend. Tickets for the banquet dinner are available by purchasing the VIP Ticket, which includes admission to the dinner. These tickets are limited and it is strongly encouraged that those wishing to attend the banquet purchase tickets early as they will sell out. See you there!
Dyes and Designs.
Theme Jams
vendor room. Right across from the main ballroom, the vendor room will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Scheduled to be there are Hinde Custom Instruments, Denny Mager, G. Edward Lutherie, Dave Bartig, Diffley Guitar Studio, Groth Music, Bonanza Ukuleles, Earthway Farms Music, Blackbird Music, Survivor Girl Ukulele Band Project, and High Tide
that most people know or will catch up to real quickly. Great way to get the fingers loosened up and ease into the weekend. Old Time Fiddle Jam with Mary DuShane. Very popular jam last year. Rosin up that bow and jump in! Country Jam with Dan Fish of the Now and Then Band. Country classics you know and love. Gospel Jam with the Gloryland Gospel Band. Last year this jam was so popular they literally didn’t have room for every one so we are
Music Vendors
November 2016
Annual MBOTMA Membership Meeting:
6:45pm on Saturday, Novemeber 19, 2016 in the main ballroom.
Tickets & Lodging
A weekend ticket that includes everything except the banquet dinner can be had in advance for only $35 ($30 for members). A VIP ticket that includes the dinner along with weekend admission is $55 ($50 for members). Daily admission prices at the door will be $20 on Friday and $25 on Saturday. Teens are half price and kids are free. For more information
and advance tickets for the Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience call 800-6353037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass. org. For hotel reservations (you won’t want to go home) contact the Marriot Hotel at 952-544-4400 and ask for the Minnesota Bluegrass Festival rate. The Minneapolis Marriott West is located in Saint Louis Park, near the intersection of Hwy 169 and I-394.
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MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Somewhere in the flurry of activity, you’ll need to find time to visit the
A very popular feature of last year’s Harvest Jam, The Theme jams, will be back this year! With the Hayloft jam rooms upstairs, plus spaces in the hotel lobby, side rooms, the ballroom foyer, the workshop room at night, the ballroom late night, plus hallways and pool area, we count space for more than 20 simultaneous jams. This is a picker’s festival, and there will also be several “theme jams” planned. New committee member Tom Peschges is arranging a variety of these. Americana Jam led by Tom Peschges of the Double Down Daredevil’s this popular jam lets you take a break from fiddle tunes and bust out a Bob Dylan song, enjoy some Emmy Lou, pull out your favorite John Prine, even do a John Denver.... it’s all good. Singers’ jam and harmony is welcome. Y’all Come; a Friday night jam led by the Biscuit Boys, Tim Wankel and friends, 3 and 4 chord songs, standards
going to find a bigger spot for them. New this year by request, a youth/teen jam held Saturday afternoon and hosted by ETSU (East Tennessee State University) Bluegrass Program student Sophie Galep. This jam is designed as a friendly, non-intimidating gathering to get our youngest jammers together to trade some tunes and fun! All levels invited. Locations to be announced. Contact Tom at tompeschges@gmail.com.
The Lost Snuffy Jenkins Tapes
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
by Wayne Erbsen
Starting in the early 1970s, almost every weekend in the summer I could be found going to an old-time fiddler’s convention or a bluegrass festival. Traveling from festival to festival in my 1964 Volvo sedan, I was rarely seen without a fiddle under one arm and a cassette tape recorder under the other. As the years rolled by, my collection of cassettes grew to be enormous. About a year ago I donated my trove of cassettes to The Southern Folklore Collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This is a major repository of folk material, and I knew my tapes would not only be safe and secure there, but they would eventually be digitized and made available to the general public. Recently, while rummaging though a storage closet at my home, I discovered yet another box with about one hundred worn and battered cassette tapes that I had completely forgotten about. In starting to go through this box of forgotten tapes, I discovered one that said, “Snuffy Jenkins Interview, 1/10/76.” Dang! I had all but forgotten all about that. Thinking back, I remembered that forty years ago I visited with Snuffy Jenkins at a TV station near Hickory, North Carolina, where I was living at that time. Snuffy was getting ready to record a TV segment for the local station with his old musical partner, fiddler Pappy Sherrill. Also on the program was another of Snuffy’s old sidekicks and a member of the Hired Hands, Greasy Medlin. Greasy, whose real name was Julian Leonard Medlin, had performed blackface comedy in medicine and tent shows as well as vaudeville. Also on the program that day were the Jones Brothers & the Log Cabin Boys out of 10
there, you know, you could get a lot more notes and it made it that much easier. so that’s where I got started. I don’t think I started the three finger style banjo picking, but I do claim that I was about the first one to go on the air with it. WE: Who were the two guys? SJ: That was Rex Brooks and Smith Hammett. They lived Smith Hammett and unidentified man 25 miles from me. They were closer to Earl Scruggs than they were to me. Charlotte, North Carolina. WE: They didn’t start it, did they? When I held the cassette tape of SJ: I’ve heard so many tales...I don’t Snuffy Jenkins in my hand, I knew this know where it got started. I’d be afraid to interview was important because many say. It caught on like a wildfire and went people have pointed to Snuffy Jenkins all over the country. as the man responsible for influencing WE: That’s probably because of you. both Earl Scruggs and Don Reno to play SJ: I think Earl done more for it than in a three-finger banjo style. Below is an I did because he was on a bigger station exact transcription of our conversation in Nashville, while I was on a 5000 watt that day forty years ago. station in Columbia. Wayne Erbsen: Hey Snuffy, tell me WE: How did you meet Earl? how you got started. SJ: We were playing shows all Snuffy Jenkins: Well, I started with over North and South Carolina with the guitar, I reckon, when I was about 12, the Hired Hands. Went under different 13, somewhere in that neighborhood. I’m names like J.E. Mainer’s Mountaineers, from Harris, down there by the border. It Byron Parker and his Hillbillies, WIS wasn’t four or five miles from the South Hillbillies. I started with J.E. Mainer in Carolina line. 1936 in Charlotte. I was playing banjo, WE: Did your whole family play? J.E. played the fiddle, George Morris, and SJ: Yeah, most of them were Leonard Stokes. We went from WSOC in musically inclined. Of course, I was the Charlotte to Spartanburg. We didn’t stay youngest in the family. I heard these two there too long. Byron Parker got with us fellows from down around Ellenboro and and we went to Columbia in 1937 and Mooresboro, North Carolina that were we’ve been there ever since. I stayed on playing with three fingers, you know. I that station for about 26 years. Television was playing guitar at the time. I liked the come in and show business wasn’t too way it sounded, we had a banjo, I took to good so I got to doing something else, liking it. I tried it and liked it. I figured I and picking on the side. could work three fingers as good as you WE: What have you been doing? could with two. At that time, most all of SJ: Right now I’m a car salesman at the people were frailing or playing two a Chevrolet dealership. I’ve been down finger banjo. They put the third finger in November 2016
WE: Don Reno doesn’t use a capo either. Do you reckon he got that from you? SJ: I don’t know, he could have. WE: If you don’t capo up and play other chords, what do you do about the 5th string? SJ: I just don’t hit it. I just hit the string you want to bring out, you know. WE: Besides Rex Brooks and Smith Hammet, were there other people around who played banjo? SJ: That was about 1928 when I started. There wasn’t nothing happening back then. Just the depression.
Snuffy Jenkins and Greasy Medlin - photo by Jim Car
November 2016
from you. SJ: He listened to me on the radio. I noticed that me and him had about the same lick with the fingers. I don’t know whether he copied me. I guess he did, partly. I would love to play with him anyway. WE: When I would see Scruggs on stage, he never seemed to smile. SJ: He never did look like he was enjoying it too much, but he was. I like to look like I’m having a good time whether I am or not. That’s part of the game, you know. You can get by with a lot more like that. He’d just stand up there and pick and get more out of it than I can. WE: How did you meet up with Don Reno? SJ: He was about the same age as Earl. He was born and raised around Union, South Carolina. He’d come around when we was playing. He was using the two finger. I said “You can use three just as well as you can use two and get twice as much.” Don can play more banjo than me or Earl, either one, frankly. He does a lot more stuff. Somehow I like it clean. If you play too fancy a banjo, why you’re going to shoot over most people’s head, except musicians. That’s about all I can tell you right now. WE: I notice you don’t use a capo. SJ: I never have.
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
there about 18 years. WE: Let’s get back to Earl Scruggs. How did you meet him? SJ: He would come around where we were playing these shows. Me and him would get back stage. He was already playing. He had a brother that played some too. Junie. He got a lot of his stuff from Junie, and of course, me and him would play some stuff together. I don’t claim to have taught him anything...or Don Reno. But Don says I taught him. I can’t claim that. I didn’t do too much teaching. WE: What was Earl’s style like when you met him? SJ: Well, the same thing. He was playing with three fingers. He was just a young boy. WE: Was he a great musician then? SJ: No, he was just starting out. WE: How often did you get together with Earl? SJ: Just whenever we played in his territory. WE: Did he ask you questions or did you show him anything? SJ: No, not too much because he was a little on the backwards side, you know. He was just a young boy and wouldn’t want to force himself, you know. He turned out real good. Laughing. WE: He claims that he learned a lot
For information about Wayne Erbsen’s instruction books and songbooks for bluegrass and clawhammer banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar and ukulele, visit www.nativeground.com. If you would like to receive a free Native Ground Books & Music monthly email newsletter containing articles, tips, tabs and discount coupons send your name and email address to info@nativeground.com.
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Fall & Holiday Concerts with Monroe Crossing! Saturday, November 5
2:00 & 7:00 p.m.
14th Annual Monroe Crossing-Cabin Fever Bluegrass Shows Mantorville Opera House, Highway 57 & Fifth Street
Mantorville, MN
507-635-5625
Sunday, November 6
2:00 p.m.
5th Annual Monroe Crossing-Cabin Fever Gospel Show Mantorville Opera House, Highway 57 & Fifth Street
Mantorville, MN
507-635-5625
Thursday, November 10 – 6:45 p.m. Friday, November 11 – 3:15 & 7:30 p.m Saturday, November 12 – 3:15 & 7:30 p.m
Mountain View Bluegrass Festival Ozark Folk Center
Mountain View, AR
870-269-2542
Saturday, November 19
7:00 p.m
Arts & Heritage Center of Montgomery Entertainment Series Hilltop Hall, 206 First Street North
Montgomery, MN
507-364-5933
Wednesday, November 30
11:30 a.m.
City Center Holiday Concert Series City Center Atrium, 40 South 7th Street
Minneapolis, MN
612-384-1229
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
A Bluegrass Christmas Friday, December 2
7:30 p.m.
Marion Ross Performing Arts Center 147 North Broadway
Albert Lea, MN
507-377-4371
Saturday, December 3
7:30 p.m.
Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue
Lakeville, MN
952-985-4640
Thursday, December 8
7:00 p.m.
Minden Opera House, 322 East Fifth Street
Minden, NE
308-832-0588
Friday, December 9
7:30 p.m.
West Point Community Theatre, 237 North Main Street
West Point, NE
402-380-4886
Saturday, December 10
7:00 p.m.
Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center 714 13th Street
Worthington, MN
507-376-9101
Sunday, December 11
4:00 p.m.
State Theatre, 88 East 4th Street
Zumbrota, MN
507-732-7616
Wed, December 14
7:30 p.m.
Bloomington Center for the Arts 1800 West Old Shakopee Road
Bloomington, MN
952-563-8575
Friday, December 16,
7:00 p.m.
Peace Lutheran Church, 400 Franklin Street SW
Hutchinson, MN
320-587-3031
Saturday, December 17
8:00 p.m.
Le Musique Room, inside the St. Michael Cinema 4300 O’Day Avenue
St. Michael, MN
763-400-8006
Sunday, December 18
7:30 p.m.
Pioneer Place on Fifth, 22 Fifth Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN
320-203-0331
Go to www.MonroeCrossing.com for detailed information on all our concerts! Booking: Art Blackburn, 763-213-1349 art@monroecrossing.com 12
November 2016
Fold #1 Fold #2 MBOTMA PO Box 16408 Minneapolis, MN 55416
PLACE FIRST CLASS STAMP HERE
MBOTMA Election Judge c/o Kenneth Bloch 19877 182nd Ave NW Big Lake MN 55309
Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association Official
Board of Directors Election Ballot
Please read the instructions carefully.
Mailed ballots must be received by Tuesday, November 15. Ballots must be handed in by 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 19th.
LOOSEN STAPLES
Step 1: Remove the ballot from the center of the magazine. Loosen the center staples and it will come right out. (You will still have a complete magazine after it has been removed.) Step 2: Cut the ballot in half along the fold. Return just this sheet. Step 3: Mark the ballot. Vote for TWO officers and THREE At-Large Board Members. Step 4: Fold the ballot in thirds, with this side on the inside and the address on the outside. Do not place your return address on the ballot; your vote is confidential. Step 5: To vote by mail, staple or tape the ballot closed, apply a first class stamp, and mail. To vote in person, seal the ballot and bring it to the Harvest Jam, November 18–20, 2016
IMPORTANT Reminder: This page serves only as a Board Election ballot. Please do not include checks, membership renewals, or any other correspondence for MBOTMA. Ballots will not be opened until the Harvest Jam. Ballots received after the Harvest Jam will not be opened. Returning Board members: Mary DuShane: Secretary, Greg Landkamer: Treasurer, Board member at Large: Ann Iijima
Vice President: (Vote for 1) ☐ Jed Malischke Write In:_____________________
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS: (Vote for 3) ☐ Brett Day ☐ Dale Gruber ☐ Alan Jesperson ☐ Rudy Marti ☐ Phil Nusbaum Other (Write-in): ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________
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This is your only ballot Additional ballots will NOT be available at the Harvest Jam Mailed ballots must be received by November 15, 2016 OR Bring them to the Harvest Jam by 3 p.m., Saturday, November 19, 2016 Harvest Jam, November 18-20, 2016 Marriott Minneapolis West 9960 Wayzata Boulevard Just west of Highway 169 and north of I-394. Coming from I-394, exit at Hopkins Crossroad and go east on the north frontage road. For more information, visit minnesotabluegrass. org.
November 2016
CUT ALONG THIS EDGE
President: (Vote for 1) ☐ Earl Jarosh ☐ Laura Cooper Write In:_____________________
For President: Earl Jarosh
November 2016
I am running for president of MBOTMA. Our wonderful organization has been losing money and our reserves are limited. In addition, the transition following Jed’s retirement has been fraught with challenges. MBOTMA needs effective leadership to survive and flourish. The strengths I would bring to MBOTMA, in the capacity of president, are those that have served me well in four decades of working with people, including effective listening, respectful communication, big picture thinking, facilitation experience, and conflict-resolution skills.
For Vice President Jed Malischke
For Boardmember at Large: Brett Day
I am running for an At-Large Board seat on the MBOTMA Board. I hope to strengthen the quality of our Association’s policies, process and leadership so that members can continue to participate in and enjoy and benefit from genres of music on which our association was founded. I have been a proud MBOTMA volunteer for 30 plus years, 29 years on the August Festival staff. I served a term on the MBOTMA Board in the 1980s and participated on our first strategic planning committee that outlined a need for an executive director. I have served on an additional non-profit board of directors and a board of incorporation for a non-profit. I gained budget/finance, personnel, management and communications experience over 36 years in not-for-profit, government and university environments. I love our Association and want to help increase the quality of MBOTMA’s administrative components in order to focus efforts on our membership by establishing a stable organization with qualified leadership that continues to grow and is financially viable. Thank you members and thank you volunteers for being the heart of our Association. Thanks for your vote.
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MinnesotaBluegrass.org
It has been several years since I was last on the board. I have decided to run as President of the MBOTMA organization. When I was last elected, I stated my bio as a mission, “ My desire to be part of the board is to make sure that as we deal with the opportunities and challenges of the rapid growth of Bluegrass and Old Time, that we continue to protect and grow the Educational and Family Friendly value set that is so much a part of MBOTMA and MBOTMA Festivals.” Our boards, via the bylaws, are supposed to set the only tenor of the organization. We are now facing some new challenges on the board. The board in the last few years has had some organizational changes that need to be reevaluated for the size of the organization. In addition it has begun to become too involved in the ongoing decisions of the different festival staffs. This has had a negative effect on our robust and highly needed volunteer staff. It is time for a MBOTMA reset and a plan has been drafted by Jed Malische to accomplish this task. I will work carefully with Jed and the rest of the board to execute the plan, reevaluate the board to make it more effective, lessen the direct involvement of the board in day-to-day festival matters, lower the expenses of the board to put more funds back into the festivals, and make a priority to hire a dedicated Executive Director to take over the day-to-day matters. This way we can move forward in this new festival era with all the new festival competition and opportunities.
For President Laura Cooper
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
For Boardmember at Large: Phil Nusbaum
I’ve been involved in bluegrass close to 50 years. How bluegrass fares matters to me as I am a bluegrass professional, combining broadcasting, performing, arts management and scholarship. These are trying times for MBOTMA. But the combination of experiences I offer give me a balanced perspective. Plus, I know personally many of the key figures in the communities that touch bluegrass to help MBOTMA make good decisions as we move forward. During my board tenure, I have helped MBOTMA raise money and served as an event MC. I help plan the Winter Bluegrass Weekend; in particular, the “Spotlight On” segment. We must be true to our mission of serving bluegrass and old-time music while accommodating the recent changes in our music. Thanks to the many committed volunteers, MBOTMA has an admirable record of providing concerts and festivals and professional experiences for bands, statewide. The greatest challenge now is to maintain our quality level as we satisfy our core audience and serve the new audiences. I have enjoyed serving bluegrass as a MBOTMA board member, and would like to think that the association has benefited, too. I am looking forward to continued service.
For Boardmember at Large: Dale Gruber
My name is Dale Gruber and I would like to run for the board of Directors of MBOTMA. I have been involved with MBOTMA for 20+ years. For the last 15 years I have been on the festival staff working in reserved camping. Over the years I have donated my time, money and all the beautiful mulch we enjoy at El Rancho Manana. I have always been interested in helping to improve the festivals in whatever way I could. As a business owner for the last 30 years, I have weathered the good times and bad and learned valuable lessons as we cut costs, developed processes and improved our company in general. I have strong leadership skills and am not afraid to make difficult decisions when necessary. I feel my experience and desire to see MBOTMA become profitable would be a benefit to this organization.
For Boardmember at Large: Alan Jesperson
I have been a Bluegrass fan for 5 decades and have played in a band, The Middle 16
Spunk Creek Boys, for most of that time. I was around at the beginnings of the organization and have been a member forever. I have seen the unbelievable growth of MBOTMA and think it is one of the most well run clubs in the country. I feel my experience in the history of the music makes me a strong choice to be part of the workings of the group. I also have been the organizer of The Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival since its inception so understanding what it takes to make a successful operation work is what I have to offer. The dedication of the club officers is impressive and the variety of experience makes for a great Team. I would like to continue as part of that!
For Boardmember at Large: Rudy Marti
As a candidate for the MBOTMA Board of Directors I think I can offer a unique perspective. I am not a musician and I am not in a bluegrass band. I sit in the audience enjoying and listening to all the different types of bluegrass music. I currently sit on two festival committees for MBOTMA, the Kickoff Festival and MBOTMA Festival. My wife and I have owned and operated our profitable business for over 30 years. What I can bring to the table is a working knowledge of accounting, marketing, public relations and people management. Volunteers are the key to MBOTMA’s success. I share in the commitment and passion that so many of our members have for the MBOTMA organization.
November 2016
Review
Charlie Parr The Hook and Ladder Sept 2, 2016 By Doug Lohman
Charlie Parr packed a relatively new venue late one night of Labor Day weekend. The venue, the Hook and Ladder, 3010 Minnehaha Ave. So, Minneapolis, has been known as Patrick’s Caberet for many years and is now trying to become a performance space for all kinds of alternative and mainstream entertainment. The building is an old firehouse used until about 1960. You enter by a small door in the back, go down a narrow hall, meet the bouncer and, voila, you’re in. It was at capacity, but not claustrophobic. Not many chairs… it’s the way of many venues these days. There were 3 rows of chairs up front and then standing room behind and about 125 people. It was cozy but not uncomfortable. LeAnne Smith opened the show, a gutsy singer with very wide dynamics, accompanying herself on electric guitar. Very intimate and soft at times, sometimes you
could hardly hear her, contrasted with assertive and full force singing and strumming. Very forceful and assertive. After a brief break Charlie Parr steps up to the stage, accompanied by percussionist Mikkel Beckmen. Charlie just rips into his songs and is probably the best re-interpreter of the country blues that ever graced my ears. Compared to what you hear on pop radio these days, his resophonic guitar and banjo sound like they come from another planet, well, at least another century, yeh, the one before the 20th. His energy was solid throughout the hour plus that he played. Mikkel plays the perfect percussive back-up to Charlie’s old sounding guitars with solid rhythm on the washboard and stomp box. It sounds deceptively simple, but
closer examination reveals complex patterns that complement Charlie so well. Charlie doses out some good advice sometimes. Like the song True Friends from the 2013 release, Barnswallow. “True friends, true friends, to get one you gotta be one.” Other songs are about hobos, freight hoppers, working class people, the blues, gospel. Charlie’s all over the map when it comes to subjects. Towards the end of the show he did “Jesus on the Mainline,” from the 2007 recording called Jubilee. It all sounds so old and ancient while at the same time it feels current. He does such a wonderful job of making the old songs and his new ones sound so relevant and vibrant. Charlie is now. Real people, real stories. Real heartache, real love.
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
November 2016
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Wegen’s Guitar Picks Ž
6625 Penn Ave. S. Richfield, MN 55423 (612) 861-3308
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
www.homesteadpickinparlor.com folkmuse@aol.com and you can find us on Facebook
Making the world safe for discerning fans of Traditional Music since 1979
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Michel Wegen is a recognized Dutch model maker using sculpting and airbrush art techniques to meet the needs of clients such as theme parks, ad agencies and museums. In his search for new markets, Michel some years ago took on the design of the lowly pick. The results have been phenomenal. Wegen Picks endanger no animal species, and they are a fraction of the price of the illegal picks that do. We have eight models for guitar and mandolin on hand in a variety of thicknesses. Try one out on your next visit.
November 2016
Bluegrass Saturday Morning By Phil Nusbaum
November 2016
will be popularly-priced, and give everybody space to create in an encouraging atmosphere. For info, talk to Marv at the Pickin’ Parlor (folkmuse@aol.com, 612/861-2208; or give me a shout to talk about the activities (pnusbaum@bitstream.net; 651/2451527). Business Support for Radio Bluegrass The Bluegrass Review is supported by a combination of grants and business supporters. To promote your business locally, statewide or nationally through the Bluegrass Review, contact Phil Nusbaum (651/245-1527; pnusbaum@bitstream.net). For promotion through Bluegrass Saturday Morning, your contact is Kevin Barnes (612/668-1735; kbar264@aol.com). Bluegrass Review Supporters • Hoffman Guitars www.hoffmanguitars.com (handcrafted Hoffman guitars, authorized Martin repairs) • Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association www.minnesotabluegrass.org (membership organization supporting bluegrass experiences) • John Waddle Violins: www.waddleviolins.com (Dealer of international & domestic, new & old violins, bows, cases) • Deep Roots Mountain Revival: www.mountainrevival.com (Bluegrass-based music festival Sept 25-28, 2016) The Bluegrass Review is made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Weekly Playlists Bluegrass Review playlists are located at www. bluegrassreview.com. Just use the “playlists” link you’ll find at the top of the page. Then click on “archives.” Bluegrass Saturday Morning playlists are located at www. jazz88fm.com. At the top of the home page, select “programs,” then click on “programs A-I.” Then search the right-hand column for “Bluegrass Saturday Morning.” Link to on-demand Bluegrass Review segments from the KBEM-FM home page.
The Bluegrass Review in Minnesota Check www.bluegrassreview.com for a complete station list. Station
Day
Time
KLQP-FM, 92.1 Madison
Monday
8 PM
KMSU-FM, 89.7 Mankato; 91.3 Austin
Sunday
10 AM
KBEM-FM, 88.5 Minneapolis
Saturday
11 AM
KSRQ-FM, 90.1 Thief River Falls
Sunday
11 AM
KQAL-FM, 89.5 Winona
Saturday
9 AM
KDDG-FM, 105.5 Albany
Saturday
9 PM
WTIP-FM, 90.7 Grand Marais
Thursday
10 PM
KUMD-FM, 103.3 Duluth
Saturday
4 PM
KRWC-AM, 1360 Buffalo
Sunday
5 PM
KOJB-FM, 90.1 Cass Lake
Sunday
6 PM 19
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
World of Bluegrass It was great to spend a week in Raleigh, NC at World of Bluegrass, the annual event of the International Bluegrass Music Association. For many years, I’ve used the event as a source of recorded interviews heard later on the Bluegrass Review show. This time, I talked first with Valerie Smith. Anyone who has followed Valerie’s career knows her ear for a good song. When I heard about her latest project, a CD focusing on small-town people called Small Town Heroes I knew it was time for another Valerie Smith interview. Happily, Valerie consented to an interview where she sang some of her songs. At WOB, I also talked to Joe K Walsh. Joe teaches at Berklee College in Boston, has served as the Gibson Brothers’ mandolinist, and has recently recorded a CD under his own name. We talked about some of his pieces and their unusual inspirations. We also recorded interviews dealing with the creative process with Junior and Kati Penn Williams of Newtown and with Zoe and Cloyd, an old-time duet. Cloyd is from an old-time music performing family whose members have learned to sing and play through the oral tradition, while Zoe is classically trained. The interview focused on bridging their differences in musical approaches. Also, we recorded several bluegrass players who commented on the connections between their songs and their lives. At World of Bluegrass, there are multiple showcase stages seemingly all the time, plus multiple venues in Raleigh featuring a different band every hour from the early hours of the evening to the wee hours of the morning. The experience is always an exhausting but satisfying one, and serves to inspire you throughout the year. The KBEM Fund Drive The Fall 2016 KBEM fund drive is in the books! Bluegrass Saturday Morning and the Bluegrass Review combined to net about 140, including about 1/3 new pledges, considered a very good figure. The total of internet and telephone pledges totaled about $9,000. But if you count the matching funds that stimulated some of those pledges, the total jumps to about $12,000. About 10 years ago, the show stimulated higher returns. However, we think that overall, the fund drive is actually more productive that it used to be as KBEM now does a very good job of engaging listeners as sustaining members, contributors who renew without using the telephone or internet. Thanks to Pete Lee of KFAI who served as a guest pledge–rapper and took the discussion to some unexpected and funny places. Thanks, too, to general manager Michele Jansen and development person Janis Lane Ewart for their on-air and behind the scenes work to make it all run smoothly. Banjo Playing Workshop Coming I will be setting up shop at the Homestead Pickin’ Parlor in Richfield for a banjo workshop over four Monday nights, Jan 30, 2017 and Feb 6, 13 and 20, 2017. The goal of the workshop is to lead players to the area of greatest banjo-playing satisfaction: creating one’s one solos and original music. These four sessions
Don’t miss these future
MBOTMA Events
Presented by The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association
Funding for MBOTMA provided in part by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and private donors
The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA), is a 501c3 nonprofit, volunteer-based organization serving Minnesota and the Midwest. Our mission is to preserve and promote bluegrass and old-time string band music in Minnesota. Our activities include five annual festivals, plus numerous concerts, dances, jam sessions, workshops, and educational programs. Our events and programs keep people who love to play and listen to traditional acoustic music busy all year round throughout the state of Minnesota. Check out our calendar of events for a full list of what is coming up. We encourage you to become a member of MBOTMA and welcome you at all of our events!
The 11th Annual
Nov 18-20 2016 Marriott Mpls West 9960 Wayzata Blvd, Minneapolis MN
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
t Saturday Night Headline Concert: Breaking Grass t Saturday Afternoon Race For A Place Band Contest t Saturday Night Pre- Show Dinner t Comprehensive Band Development Workshop Series t Kipp’s Live Open Mic Fri & Sat t Sunday Morning Gospel Show t More Jamming Areas t Reduced Lodging Room Rate! Marriott Minneapolis West 9960 Wayzata Blvd, Golden Valley Call 952-544-4400 for room reservations and ask for the Minnesota Bluegrass Festival rate.
The 37th Annual
A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance
March 3-5, 2017 Crowne Plaza Hotel I-494 & Hwy 55 in Minneapolis MBOTMA’s Winter Bluegrass Weekend is a Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Stringband Music & Dance. The Showcase of Bands features more than 50 groups on 2 stages all 3 days. The Saturday Night Headline Concert will feature Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands. The OldTime Music & Dance Hall will feature Foghorn String Band and will have dances both Friday and Saturday. Plus the Gathering Place, “Spotlight On” series, workshops, Grass Seeds Academy, instrument exhibitors, and jam sessions around the clock! All at the beautiful Crowne Plaza in Plymouth, Minnesota (on the NW edge of Mpls).
For More Info: 800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org These festivals are presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA), a non-profit 501c3 organization, and made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Call and ask to be on our mailing list.
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November 2016
MBOTMA Calendar of Events Concerts and events presented or supported by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association
The following events are presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA) or supported in part by MBOTMA, and made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Friday through Sunday, November 18-20, 2016, St Louis Park MN: Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience, Marriott Minneapolis West Hotel (9960 Wayzata
Blvd). This 11th annual event will feature stage shows Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday morning featuring headliner-Breaking Grass. Plus the Race For A Place Band Contest on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the Saturday Banquet Dinner (get the best seats for the evening concert), Kip’s Live Open Mic in Kip’s Irish Pub throughout the weekend, workshops, musical exhibitors, a Sunday morning gospel show, and lots of jam sessions. For more information 800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. To book lodging contact the Marriott at 952-544-4400 and ask for the special Minnesota Bluegrass rate. Presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & OldTime Music Association (MBOTMA). MBOTMA Annual Meeting: November 19, 2016, Main Ballroom, Mariott Hotel as part of the Harvest Jam, 6:45pm
Friday-Sunday, March 3-5, 2017, Minneapolis MN: The Winter Bluegrass Weekend: A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance, Crowne
Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel in Plymouth (3131 Campus Dr, I-494 & Hwy 55). Some fifty groups will be performing bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music on several stages, including Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands for the Saturday Night Headline Concert and The Foghorn String Band in the Dance Hall. Plus workshops, dances, instrument exhibitors, and jam sessions around the clock. For more information call 1-800635-3037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. To book
MBOTMA seeks new Executive Director
MBOTMA is seeking a new executive director, with an estimated starting date of January, 2017. The executive director will be responsible for facilitating all aspects of MBOTMA’s operations. Anyone interested in being considered please respond to board secretary Mary DuShane at marydushane@gmail.com by the end of November.
Help Wanted: T-shirt team
The MBOTMA T-shirt team is looking for new members. They are in extreme need of volunteers to take charge of the merchandise booth at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend and the Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff. Working at the t-shirt booth is a great way to meet people and support MBOTMA. If you’d like to coordinate the booth at a festival or co-run it with a teammate, please let us know. The team will gather in January to plan for the coming year. And thanks to the current committee members: MBTOMA August Festival booth coordinator Barb Schommer, volunteer recruiter Maggie Jorgenson, and Bea Flaming who oversees it all. Email Bea at bea@minnesotabluegrass.org or call 800-6353037 if you’d like more information or would like to volunteer.
-Bourgeois -Breedlove -Carmel -Fairbanks -Goodall -Hoffman -Huss&Dalton -Hill
-Kakos -Kennedy -Kopp -Kronbauer -Morris -Santa Cruz -Walden -Walker
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
New location! 4151 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis (612) 767-2800 podiumguitars@gmail.com
lodging contact the Crowne Plaza at 763-559-6600 or the nearby Residence Inn at 763-577-1600. Ask for the special Minnesota Bluegrass Festival rate
Premium Guitars, Amplifiers, and Repair November 2016
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Coming Up Venue abbreviations 318: The 318 Café, 318 Water Street, Excelsior, 952-401-7902, www.three-eighteen.com 331C: 331 Club, 331 13th Ave NE, Mpls, 612-331-1746, www.331.mn AGr: Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe, 394 S Lake Ave, Duluth, 218-723-0075, www.amazinggraceduluth.com APHC: “A Prairie Home Companion,” Minnesota Public Radio AST: Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main St, Mpls, 612-379-3138, www. astercafe.com BSC: Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, www.blacksheepcoffee.com BTC: Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Bayfield, WI, 888-244-8368, www.bigtop.org BoDD: BoDiddley’s Pub and Deli, 129 25th Ave S, St. Cloud, 320-252-9475 CED: Cedar Cultural Center, 415 Cedar Ave S, Mpls, 612-3382674, www.thecedar.org CJ: Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave, St Paul, 651-330-4685, www. thecelticjunction.com CrH: Creek House Concerts, www.creekhouseconcerts.com, 651-633-5353. MUST call and reserve for these events. DAK: Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Mall, Mpls, 612-332-1010, www. dakotacooks.com DUL: Dulono’s Pizza, 607 W Lake St, Mpls, 612-827-1726, www. dulonos.com DuG: Dunn Brothers on Grand, 1569 Grand Ave, St. Paul EAG: Eagles Club, 2507 E 25th St, Mpls, 612-729-4469, www.Mplseagles34.org
FITZ: Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E Exchange St, St Paul, 651-2901200, www.fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.org GINK: Ginkgo Coffeehouse, 721 N Snelling Ave, St Paul, 651-645-2647, www.ginkgocoffee.com GKb: Grand Kabaret, 210 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, 507-3599222, www.thegrandnewulm.com HB: Harriet Brewing, 3036 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis HOB: The Loft at Hobgoblin Music, 920 State Hwy 19, Red Wing, 877-866-3936, www.stoneyend.com MER: Merlins Rest, 3601 E Lake St, Mpls, 612-216-2419 OAK: Oak Center General Store, 67011 Hwy 63, Lake City, 507-753-2080, www.oakcentergeneralstore.com RIV: Riverview Café & Wine Bar, 3747 42nd Ave S, Mpls, 612-7294200, theriverview.com ROCK: Rockwoods, 9100 Quaday Ave NE, Elk River, 763-2224353, www.nograsslimit.com/RockwoodsCalendar.html SHL: Sheldon Theatre, 443 W 3rd St, Red Wing, 800-899-5759, www.sheldontheatre.org TAP: Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Ave S, Mpls, 612-722-2914, www.tapestryfolkdance.org UMC: Underground Music Café, 1579 Hamline Ave N, Falcon Hts, 651-644-9959, undergroundmusiccafe.com VC: Vieux Carre, 408 St Peter St, St Paul, 651-291-2715, vieuxcarre.com WmH: The Warming House, 4001 Bryant Ave S, lower level, Minneapolis, 877-987-6487, thewarminghouse.net ZUM: Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, 507-7327616, www.crossingsatcarnegie.com
To post gigs and events to this calendar, request the link to our online submission form to editor@minnesotabluegrass.org
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS November 13 Sunday
The Revelers
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
CED 7:30pm
November 14 Monday
David Bromberg CED 7:30pm
10/26 – Wednesday
10/28 Friday
10/27 – Thursday
10/29 – Saturday
• Lenz and Frenz, 331C,9:30pm • Sarah Morris, VC, 6pm • Irish Brigade, Half Time Rec, 1013 Front Ave, St. Paul, 6pm • Joan Baez, State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave, Mpls, 800-982-2787, 7:30pm t Dan Rodriguez & Kari Arnett, WmH, 8pm t The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG, 7:30pm
22
t Monroe Crossing, Great River Arts Assn Concert, 122 First St SE, Little Falls, 7:30pm t Brother Sun, Roots Cellar Music Series, University Baptist Church, 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls, 612331-1768, 7pm t One Ukulele, Fulton Farmers Market, 4901 Chowen Ave S, Mpls, 10am t The High 48s, OAK, 8pm
November 19 Saturday
Dakota Dave Hull
Roots Cellar Music Series University Baptist Church 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls, MN 612-331-1768, 7pm t Bob Bovee & Pop Wagner, ZUM, 7:30pm t Alternate Route, BSC, 10am t APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile, FITZ, 4:45pm t Dick Kimmel & Co, Holmes Ballroom, Detroit Lakes, t Elle King, State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave, Mpls, 800-982-2787, 7:30pm t Long Time Gone, HOB, 7:30pm t The Okee Dokee Brothers, CED, November 2016
11am and 1:30 pm t Big Trees, DUL, 8pm
10/30 – Sunday
t Bob Bovee & Pop Wagner, Farmers Mercantile Hall, Garrison, IA, 2pm t Singleton Street, Buffalo Bluegrass Sunday, 1207 St Hwy 25 Buffalo MN, 1pm
10/31 – Monday
t Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm t Northern Roots Session, Contented Cow, 302B Division St S, Northfield, www.contentedcow.com, 7:30pm t Curtis & Loretta, Humphrey Manor, 311 3rd St SE, Wadena, www.krls.org, 3pm
11/1 – Tuesday
t Curtis & Loretta, Margaret Welch Memorial Library, Hwy 84 N, Longville, www.krls.org, 11am t Curtis & Loretta, Brainerd Public Library, 416 S 5th St, Brainerd, www. krls.org, 5:30pm t St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm
11/2 _ Wednesday
t Curtis & Loretta, Pequot Lakes Library, 31069 County Rd 112, Pequot Lakes, www.krls.org, 11am t Curtis & Loretta, Cass Lake Library, 223 Cedar, Cass Lake, www.krls.org, 6pm t Martha Scanlon, WmH, 7:30pm
11/3 – Thursday
t Curtis & Loretta, Crosslake Area Library, 14126 Daggett Pine Rd, Crosslake, www.krls.org, 1:30pm t Curtis & Loretta, Walker Public Library, 207 4th St, Walker, www.krls. org, 5:45pm t Gurf Morlix, WmH, 8pm t St. Dominic’s Trio, HB, 7pm t The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 7:30pm
11/4 – Friday
11/5 – Saturday
t Pushing Chain, GKb, 7:30pm t Curtis & Loretta, The Warehouse, 307 Norway Ave, Pine River, www.krls. org, 2:30pm t Monroe Crossing, Mantorville Opera House, Hwy 57 and 5th St,
November 2016
11/6 – Sunday
t Corpse Reviver, 331C, 3pm t Rebecca Loebe and Jesse Terry, GINK, 7:30pm t Monroe Crossing, Mantorville Opera House, Hwy 57 and 5th St, Mantorville MN, 2pm t Open Mic, WmH, 6:30pm
t Swing Brunch with Patty & the Buttons, AST, 11am
11/7 – Monday
t Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm t Suzanne Vega, DAK, 7pm t Richard Shindell, CED, 7:30pm
11/8 – Tuesday
t St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm
11/9 – Wednesday
t Roe Family Singers, Midtown Global Market, 920 E Lake St Mpls, 10:30pm t Chicago Farmer with Rachel Hanson, CED, 7:30pm
11/10 – Thursday
t Mother Banjo, WmH, 8pm t South Side Aces, EAG, 8pm t The Mad Ripple Hootenanny 10 Year 23
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
t Curtis & Loretta, Good Samaritan Society, 172 Summit Ave W, Blackduck, www.krls.org, 1pm t Curtis & Loretta, Bemidji Public Library, 509 America Ave NW, Bemidji, www.krls.org, 6pm t Dan Mahar & Glenn Elvig, CrH, 7pm t Katie Vernon & Natalie Lovejoy, AST, 9pm
Mantorville MN, 2pm t Alternate Route, BSC, 10am t Pig’s Eye Jazz Band, EAG, 6pm t Contra Dance with Greenwood Tree, TAP, 7:30pm t Steve Earle & The Dukes, Pantages Theater, Mpls, 8pm t Wilkinson James CD Release with special guest Jim Walsh, AST, 9pm
Anniversary, CED, 7pm
11/11 – Friday
t Karen Savoca and Pete Heitzman, ZUM, 7:30pm t The Fish Heads, Sir Benedicts Tavern, Duluth, 6pm t Curtis & Loretta, Thomas Ford Library, Western Springs, IL, t Dick Kimmel & Co, GKb, 8pm t Larry Long 65th Birthday & CD Release, CED, 8pm
11/12 – Saturday
t Roseann Cash, SHL, 3pm t Gloryland Gospel Band, Church of Saint Joseph, Rosemount Yellow Ribbon Club Dinner, 13900 Biscayne Ave W Rosemount, 651-423-4402, 5pm t Daniel Schwartz + Gabriel Andrews, AST, 8pm t The Revelers with Sister Species, CED, 7:30pm
11/14 – Monday
t Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm t Suzanne Vega, DAK, 7pm t David Bromberg Quintet, CED, 7:30pm
11/15 – Tuesday
t St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm
11/16 – Wednesday
t Dar Williams, CED, 7:30pm
11/17 – Thursday
t Brian Laidlaw, New York Mills Cultural Center, 24 N Main Ave, New York Mills, 218-385-3339, 7:30pm t Sister Tree, Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Ave W, St. Paul, 8pm t Three Women & The Truth: Mary Gauthier, Gretchen Peters, and Eliza Gilkyson, CED, 7:30pm
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
t Organic Cowboys, GKb, 7:30pm t Bob Bovee, Blackhawk Folk Society, Mountain View Community Center, at N3137 21st Lane, Wautoma, WI, 7pm t Alternate Route, BSC, 10am t APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile, The Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA, 4:45pm t Contra Dance with Northern Aire, TAP, 7:30pm t Curtis & Loretta, Forest Park Nature Center, Peoria, IL t Dean Magraw, Sundin Hall, Hamline University, Snelling & Hewitt Ave N, St Paul, 612-677-1151 t Dick Kimmel, Minnesota Songwriter’s Festival, New Ulm
11/13 – Sunday
24
November 2016
11/18 – Friday
t Roe Family Singers, Junior’s Bar and Restaurant, 414 So Main, River Falls, WI, 8pm t Becky Thompson & Old School, EAG, 8pm t Karen Savoca & Pete Heitzman, BoDD, 7pm t The Last Revel and The Lowest Pair, CED, 8pm
11/19 – Saturday
t Erik Brandt and Noah Reimer, GKb, 7:30pm t Monroe Crossing, Hilltop Hall, 206 First St No, Montgomery MN, 7pm t Bob Bovee & Pop Wagner, Folk House, 4500 Culver Rd, Golden Valley 651-274-6604, 7:30pm t Alternate Route, BSC, 10am t APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile, Broadcast from The Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver, 4:45pm t Contra Dance with Light of the Moon, TAP, 7:30pm t Dakota Dave Hull, Roots Cellar Music Series, University Baptist Church, 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls, 612331-1768, 7pm t John Gorka, CED, 8pm t Karen Savoca & Pete Heitzman, CrH t Willow Brae - Season of Thanksgiving (Laura MacKenzie & Andrea Stern), HOB, 7:30pm
TAP, 7:30pm t Curtis & Loretta, Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse, Chattanooga, TN t Sister Tree, Charlie’s Irish Pub, 101 Water St., Stillwater, 7:30pm
11/28 – Monday
t Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm t New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, 7:30pm
11/29 – Tuesday
t St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char
Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm
11/30 – Wednesday
t Lenz and Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm
12/1 – Thursday
t The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 7:30pm
12/2 - Friday
t Sawtooth Brothers and No Man’s String Band, WmH, 8pm
12/3 – Saturday
t Alternate Route, BSC, 10am t APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile, Broadcast from The Town Hall, NYC, 4:45pm
AUTHORIZED WARRANTY SERVICE for
QUALITY REPAIRS & ACCESSORIES For All Fretted Instruments
C.F. Martin Sigma Gibson Epiphone
CHARLES A. HOFFMAN, INC. 2219 East Franklin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55404 612–338–1079
11/20 – Sunday
t Corpse Reviver, 331C, 3pm
11/21 – Monday
t Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
11/22 – Tuesday
t St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm
11/23 - Wednesday
t Stephen Earl Howard, Brookside Bar, Marine on the St. Crioux, 7:30pm
11/24 – Thursday
t The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG, 7:30pm
11/25 – Friday
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
t Devil’s Flying Machine, 331C, 10pm t Roe Family Singers, Midtown Global Market, 920 E Lake St Mpls, 5:30pm t Leo Kottke, FITZ, 8pm t Sister Tree, Charlie’s Irish Pub, 101 Water St., Stillwater, 7:30pm t The Pines, CED, 8pm
11/26 – Saturday
t Long Time Gone, HOB, 6th Annual Holiday Show, 7:30pm t Michael Johnson, ZUM, 7:30pm t New Riverside Ramblers, VC, 9 pm t Alternate Route, BSC, 10am t Contra Dance with Northern Aire,
November 2016
25
26
November 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Attention All Bands If you want to sell your music, you need a good band. If you want to sell your band, you need good smiles!
Lloyd “Doc” Wallin, D.D.S. Cosmetic Dentistry Burnsville, MN 55337 952-892-5050 (Free Consultation for MBOTMA Members)
ATTENTION BLUEGRASS JAMMERS!
In the next couple of months, MBOTMA will be updating and converting its jam schedule to a link connected to our website. That way it will be available 24 -7 at your fingertips. If you head up a jam, attend a jam, or know of a jam, please contact Tony Stachnik at tdjejs@msn.com. Thank you and keep on jamming!
Contribute to Minnesota Write a review of a favorite concert or CD. Write an article about your favorite jam. Tell us about how you came to like Bluegrass and Old-Time String Band Music. editor@minnesotabluegrass.org
November 2016
November
Friday 11 - King Wilkie’s Dream Saturday 12 - Roe Family Singers Friday 18 - Becky Schlegel Saturday 19 - Bernie King & The Guilty Pleasures Friday 25 - Tommy Bentz Band
December
Friday 9 - The Three Muscatelle’s Saturday 10 - Cousin Dad Friday 16 - Sawtooth Brothers Saturday 17 - The New Distractions Friday 23 - Jon Garon, Clint Birtzer and John Bodle Saturday 24 - no music Friday 30 - Mill City Hot Club Saturday 31 Double Down Daredevils
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Bluegrass Magazine.
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“Hey, Dale, it’s almost like sitting around the campfire.” “But, without the smoke... Gary.” “Did you bring the bug spray, Marilyn?” Nope, I knew we wouldn’t be needing that...”