October 2016
Minnesota Americana/Roots Music Contests
Inside: From the Editor 3 | Grass Clippings 5 | Ralph Staney 6 | Banjo Tab 7
Masters Weekend 9 | Cover Story: Minnesota Americana/Roots Music Contests 10 The Banjo Tone Ring 14 | Bluegrass Saturday Morning 19 | MBOTMA Calendar of Events 21 | Coming Up 22
September 2016 Vol. 43 No. 9 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: Marilyn Bergum, Ann Iijima, Quillan Roe 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
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Minnesota Bluegrass
Editor: Doug Lohman, editor@minnesotabluegrass.org Contributors: Bob Douglas, Wayne Erbsen, Barry Hunn, Philip Nusbaum, Wayne Russ Coming Up: Loretta Simonet, John Brandberg Y’All Come: Bill Lindroos Wordmark: Katryn Conlin Photography: Doug Lohman, Pat O’Loughlin, Jim Scancarelli Cover image: Doug Lohman, Mark Johnson Back: Doug Lohman 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. 2
Thank you, MBOTMA members Membership as of September 1, 2016: 972
Patrons:
Bridgit & Peter Albrecht Tony & Barbie Andreason Tony & Ann Anthonisen Mary Arntson Lenny & Colleen Baltus Gary & Karen Bartig Ron & Kathy Blade Kenneth Bloch Barry & Annie Brooks Doug Chasar Paul Christianson Laura Cooper Bob & Marilyn Dodd William Fancher Jennifer Faulkner Mark & Kathleen Fisher Jerry Frank Darrell & Marilyn Fuhr Tom Furrer Jon & Sharon Garon Art Geffen Gary & Jae Germond David Glatt Dale & Diane E. Gruber Michael & Paula Hildebrandt Mable Houle
Sustaining:
Mary Ruth Alva Rod & Barb Anderson Paul Ashworth Fred Boyer Mark & Erdyne Briere Susan Christensen-Wichmann Dan & Marilyn Cook Brian Cornell Bob & Vicki Dalager Hal Davis Doug Duncan Mary DuShane Matt Edwards Leon Evans Nathan Fjeld Jim Franczyk Warren Gumeson Timothy & Ginger Haaland Mary & Fred Harms Thomas Hollenhorst & Karin Kraemer David Holm Steven Holste Dick & Sue Hopperstad Mark Johnson Chris Juettner Alan & Geriann Kagan Jim Lally
David Johnson Howie & Maggie Jorgenson Maxine Larson Richard Luckeroth Bob Lundeen Rudy & Jeanne Marti Rodger McBride Mary McSorley Douglas & Georgene Nesheim Katy Olson & Ron Roller Harold Pederson David & Betty Pfeiffer David Rogers Tom & Cathy Schaefer Thomas & Barbara Schommer Tom & 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
Greg Landkamer & Jill Stefansen David Lang James Lee Steve & Elaine LeVasseur Bill Lindroos & Rebecca Reifler Travis Lockwood Rolf & Lisa Lund Michele Marshall Mae 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 R. & Elizabeth Vaughan David & Bonnie Warner Carole Wilson October 2016
From the Editor
It was a wonderful time at the State Fair this year. I hope you took in some music! Check out the story on the winners of the Minnesota Americana/Roots Music Championships. The Duet Campions were Chuck and Sherri Leyda. The Band Champions were the New Riverside Ramblers. There’s a lot coming up in the next couple of months, also. I hope you’re honing your chops and thinking about going to the the Harvest Jam at the Marriot in Golden Valley, MN on November 18-20. The headliner this year is Breaking Grass, a young band (20s and 30s) with skills that will amaze you. They have a great web site, with music, and you will be pleasantly surprised. Defintely a polished, young sound with plenty of respect for the tradition and the masters. We have more articles about Ralph Stanley, Grass Clippings, a banjo tab, the Masters Weekend in Lutzen, the Banjo Tone Ring, a mandolin tab, plus our regular features! Board Elections are in November, at the Harvest Jam, and MBOTMA needs you to step up and run for the Board. This is an exciting time as MBOTMA forges into the future. In the next year, the Board will need to find new ways to replenish our dwindling attendance. In addition to serving on the Board, I hope that all of you to continue the worthwhile volunteering that has made this Association thrive. Another way you can help out is thinking about giving something extra on Give to the MAX MN day, Novemebr 17th. In the past donations help support programs like Grass Seeds Academy. For those of you, who can get along without a hard copy of the magazine, you can save MBOTMA printing and postage by choosing to receive the magazine as a PDF. Just email editor@ minnesotabluegrass and we’ll get that set up. We’ll send you a message with instructions where to download the magazine. Last, the Coming Up is filled with music to see and hear. No better way to help support the music than go to a live show! IBCNU, Doug Lohman
Inside:
October 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
From the Editor 3 Grass Clippings 5 Ralph Staney 6 Banjo Tab 7 Masters Weekend 9 Cover Story: Minnesota Americana/Roots Music Contests 10 The Banjo Tone Ring 14 Bluegrass Saturday Morning 19 MBOTMA Calendar of Events 21 Coming Up 22 Mandolin Tab 26
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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October 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Grass Clippings The Double Down Daredevils in concert Hobgoblin Music Loft Saturday, October 15th The Double Down Daredevils is a 5 piece Bluegrass / Americana band named after the Double Down Camping area at the MBOTMA festival, where they met, literally, jamming around the campfire. The group consists of Tom Peschges guitar, lead and harmony vocals, Nathan Fjeld - guitar, lead and harmony vocals, Brin Petersen - mandolin, lead and harmony vocals, David Smith - banjo, harmonica, and harmony vocals, Tim Wankel - bass and harmony vocals The Daredevils’ Tom, Nathan and Tim have been regulars at The Ranch House and Kips Live for several years. Adding Brin Peterson and David Smith this year has really sent the group into a new level. With all 5 members being very capable singers, the Daredevils quickly developed an obsession with harmony that drives the song selection and arrangements with special attention to 3 and 4 part harmony. The Daredevils will be performing in concert at the Hobgoblin Music Loft, Saturday October 15th. Just an hour or so south of the metro in Red Wing, MN this barn loft has phenomenal acoustics. The vocals fill the room and send chills up your spine. Tickets are just $10, Available at Hobgoblin, or online www.doubledownbluegrass.com. Kids under 12 Free!
Buffalo Bluegrass Sunday Afternoon Sunday, October 30th
October 2016
Minneapolis, MN - Serving the acoustic music community for over 30 years.
Complete production services, sound and lights.
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
There will be a great bluegrass brunch at the Huikko’s Event Center in Buffalo, MN, on Sunday, October 30. Singleton Street (Winner of the 2016 MN State Fair Duet Championship), Rainboldt’s Mt Project, and the High 48s. Music will be from 1-4pm with brunch starting at 10am. The event is sponsored by Inside Bluegrass Radio.com, KRWC, KBEK and Huikko’s. Huikko’s is located at 1207 St Highway 25 in Buffalo, MN
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Ralph Stanley - I’ve Just Seen the Rock of Ages
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
by Wayne Erbsen
Cold chills. That’s what I get when I hear the eerie voice of Ralph Stanley. You can say that I’ve been a true blue Stanley Brothers nut since I first heard them in 1962. Just thumbing through my collection of LPs, I count 58 Stanley Brothers or Ralph Stanley albums, and that doesn’t include several bootleg CDs of live shows. Most of the albums have been played half to death. When I heard that Ralph had passed away earlier this week, I felt a deep sence of sadness. I knew he wasn’t doing well and I’ll bet he’s in a better place now. My favorite Ralph Stanley songs tend to be the lonesome variety. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out the most sorrowful song in the Stanley Brothers’ repertoire, because they are all pretty dang pitiful! One exception that comes to mind is “He Went to Sleep and the Hogs Ate Him.” That song is in a category all by itself! One of the more mournful songs that Ralph recorded was “I’ve Just Seen the Rock of Ages.” In the mid 1970s he frequently performed it with Keith Whitley singing lead to his chilling tenor. Larry Sparks did a classy version which showcased his own lonesome vocal chops. The story behind “I’ve Just Seen the Rock of Ages” is an amazing tale in itself. The composer of both the music and the lyrics was John Brenton Preston from Paris, Kentucky. Known as “the harmonica playing man,” Preston spent many years of his adult life behind bars, and his rap sheet was said to be rather long. While he was out on parole 6
sometime in the 1970s, Preston and Ralph Stanley became acquainted and they traveled together to several festivals in Ralph’s bus. One time while they were on the road they stopped for lunch and Preston visited a western store that was
the inspiration for a song came to him, which turned out to be “I’ve Just Seen the Rock of Ages.” Afraid that he would forget the words, Preston found a tiny pebble, and he scratched the words right on to the cement floor. If that doesn’t conjure up the image of a lonesome song, I don’t know what does! When I first heard the story of this song and began to piece together some facts about the life of John Brenton Preston, I decided that I had to interview him. I spoke with David Freeman, owner of Rebel Records and publisher of the song. Dave guessed that Preston was still in prison, possibly in Kentucky. I immediately called the Kentucky Department of Corrections and they gave me the name of the prison where he was being held. When I rang the main number the operator transferred me directly to an actual cell block. The phone call itself was rather chilling. Listening past my conversation with the correction officer, I could hear the sounds of poisoners echoing off the high ceilings and the cold, icy bars. It didn’t take much for Photo: Jim Scancarelli me to imagine being locked up there myself. next to the restaurant. The story goes that Unfortunately, she told me that Preston when he emerged from the store he was had already been transferred to another wearing a fancy pair of cowboy boots. facility. Apparently, he neglected to pay for the After several more attempts to track boots, so he was in hot water again! Preston down, the trail finally grew cold, During one period of incarceration, and I wearied of the chase. I decided Preston landed in solitary confinement. that John Preston did not want to be As he sat on the cold, damp cement floor found. With the publisher’s permission, October 2016
I did include a tab of “I’ve Just Seen the Rock of Ages” in my 2013 book Bluegrass Jamming on Banjo. In the preface of the song I included this message to Preston. “John Preston, if you’re reading this, please call me. I’d like to talk with you about this song.” Of course, I didn’t really expect to hear from him but now I know one reason why - he died at age 80 on September 3, 2013, right about the time the book came out. Here is a banjo tab of just the melody of “I’ve Just Seen the Rock of Ages” from my book Bluegrass Jamming on Banjo. Note that the banjo tuning is f#DGBD. The song can also be found both in tab and standard musical notation in two additional books in my jamming series: Bluegrass Jamming on Fiddle and Bluegrass Jamming on Mandolin. For information on these and other instruction and song books for bluegrass and clawhammer banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, dulcimer and ukulele, visit Wayne Erbsen’s web site www.nativeground. com.
MBOTMA Board Elections In Novemeber If you are interested in being a board member, please contact MBOTMA, send an email, or stop in and visit the October Board Meeting on the first TUESDAY. For a Time Commitment, there is a 3 hour board meeting monthly and board members also participate in the events, fundraisers, write magazine articles and Board Committees (like finance or planning a fundraiser’). To learn about the responsibility of being a non profit board member, you can pull up the Minnesota Council of Non Profits or the Minnesota Attorney General Charities Division websites. Many great details about the roles & responsibilities are on those sites.
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Basically, a board member: • Takes care of and protects the organization’s assets • Monitors the work of those hired to work for MBOTMA • Oversees fiscal responsibility (makes sure bills are paid, monitors how funds are used, makes sure money comes into the organization, sets and monitors the budget, makes sure there is enough money to pay all the bills, and makes sure that standard accounting principles are utilized.) • Serves as an ambassador for the organization • Promotes the work & priorities of the membership who gives the Board their authority.
MBOTMA needs you! Please consider running for the Board. Thanks! October 2016
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Blue Groove, 2016 Homegrown Kickoff Festival
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
MBOTMA is celebrating Give to the Max Day Thursday November 17!
Mark this Date and Contribute to MBOTMA! Keep our programs & festivals going strong. 8
October 2016
Masters Weekend - November 4-6 Hot Pickin’ for a Cool North Shore by Wayne Russ
October 2016
Claire Lynch’s Front Porch String Band from 1995 to 2010. While with FPSB he and bassist Missy Raines formed a very popular duet lasting almost nine years. This is perhaps when Jim’s stylistic ventures and inventiveness became most recognized. He received the IBMA’s
“Guitar Player of the Year” in 2001 and 2002. Jim left Clair Lynch and FPSB with hopes of finding more artistic expression and playing adventures; and he has. Most often he performs solo, but he has spent time booked as a duo with resonator guitar man, Rob Ickes; with David and Sam Grisman as the David Grisman FolkJazz Trio; and he is currently performing with his own group the Jim Hurst Trio. The other two members of the Trio are Nate Lee, mandolin and fiddle, and Erik Alvar, bass. Both musicians were handpicked by Jim for their expressiveness, technical prowess, and ability to supply tonal support for fellow bandmates. The Masters Weekend is November
4 - 6. This will be the 26th year the North Shore Music Association (NSMA) has sponsored the Masters Weekend at Lutsen Resort in Lutsen, Minnesota. It is for everyone, young to old, beginner to advanced, listener to picker. The workshops will occur between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday. Prices are still the same - $7 per hour and $30 for the day. Jim will discuss/ instruct classes for all you guitar pickers looking to improve/ enrich your playing. The schedule will include setup, picking patterns, note choice, stylistic approach, practice details, music theory, and more; a remarkable value. The level of instruction will generally advance from less to more complex as the day progresses. Jim Hurst and the Jim Hurst Trio will perform a concert on Saturday evening starting at 8 p.m. Tickets will be available at the NSMA table in the resort lobby and at the door: $20 for adults and $10 for age 12 and under. Masters Weekend officially begins on Friday; however, it usually starts during the week whenever enough folks gather at the resort to start jamming. Pickers can jam all weekend. Jim and members of his band will be among the pickers in the hallways. Call Lutsen Resort at 888-752-2399 or book on line at www.lutsenresort.com. Take advantage of the 3 for 2 special. For more information about the weekend, call the North Shore Music Association director, Kate Fitzgerald at 218-387-2916, email Kate at music@boreal.org, or visit our web site at www.boreal.org/music. 9
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
The guitar fits in just about all genres of music, doesn’t it? Certainly, the acoustic guitar has been a standard instrument in Country and Bluegrass music. In the early days was used for chordal support for a singer, but in the 60’s it took a jump up to both a support and co-featured instrument in Bluegrass, thanks to Clarence White, Dan McCrary, Doc Watson, and then others. Acoustic guitar is back on the docket for this year’s Masters Weekend, and the master guitarist will be the award winning Jim Hurst. Jim Hurst is an exceptional proponent of acoustic guitar who carries clout among today’s many accomplished guitar pickers. He can play in several styles and genres; he combines flat pick technique with finger pick style; he can play it sweet, and he can drive it home; his timing is superb; his use of dynamics is captivating; he can play it like his influences, and yet he can invent a new way - whatever is called for; he is comfortable as an instructor and conducts workshops on a regular basis; and on top of all of this, he is a good singer. Jim is comfortable playing in a wide variety of genres - Pop, new and traditional Country, Gospel, Jazz, Blues, Rock ’n’ Roll, and new and traditional Bluegrass. He started playing professionally in the ’80’s on acoustic guitar and mandolin and singing harmony in Holly Dunn’s Reo Band. He spent time in Trisha Yearwood’s band on electric and acoustic guitar and singing harmony. His longest stint as a sideman was playing guitar in
Cover story
Minnesota State Fair Americana/Roots Band Contests: Duets and Bands By Doug Lohman Photos by Doug Lohman
It was an exciting two days, September 2nd and 3rd at the Minnesota State Fair. The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association in conjunction with the Minnesota State Fair sponsored the Minnesota Americana/Roots Duet Contest on Friday and the Minnesota
judges, Gary Rue, Leandra Peak and Angela Broker, did an excellent job rating the duets on material selection and arrangement, instrumental and vocal performance, stage presence, and audience response. The band entrants were Lost Tracks,
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Sherri and Chuck Leyda - Duet Champions Americana/Roots Band Contest on Saturday. The weather was beautiful both days! The slots for both contests filled up very quickly in June when the contests were announced. Ten duets and eight bands entered the contests. The duet entrants were: Robert & Nellie Bruce, Dan Halvorson & Kiley Ellingson, Bill & Kate Isles, Sherri & Chuck Leyda, from Singleton Street, Mary Maloney & Christine Albertsson, Anita McColley & Sara Pecor, Tom & Roman Pietrs, Wendy Smith & David Drentlaw, Steve & Bonnie Vetsch, Joe Hart & Nikki Grossman, and also known as the Yellowbellied Sapsuckers. And, drum roll, please, the winners were Sherri & Chuck Leyda, with Joe Hart & Nikki Grossman taking second and Bill and Kate Isles taking third. The 10
Double Down Daredevils, Gentlemen’s Anti-Temperance League, Gloryland Gospel Band, New Riverside Ramblers, No Man’s String Band, Porcupine Creek, Saint Paul Mudsteppers. And, drum roll, please, the winners were the New Riverside Ramblers with Porcupine Creek taking second and Lost Tracks winning third. The judges, Brianna Lane, Bob Douglas and Papa John Kolstad, also did an excellent job rating the bands on material selection and arrangement, instrumental and vocal performance, stage presence, and audience response. Both days I was struck by the comradery and friendly competitiveness displayed by all the groups. Backstage was
The New Riverside Ramblers - Band Champions October 2016
Joe Hart & Nikki Grossman - Duet 2nd Place actually relaxed as the bands huddled in groups to review the song selections and do a little practicing. On Friday, during the duet contest, Lost Tracks did tweeners between acts while they set up. (They were also a late entry in the band contest on Saturday). Margaret Brandes was the MC on Friday and did a wonderful job, keeping the audience informed as to what was going on and introducing all of the entrants. Adam Granger was the MC on Saturday for the band contest and did tweeners, entertaining the audience during set ups and introducing the entrants. A special thanks goes out to all of the MBOTMA volunteers who organized and worked at the event. Ann
Iijima-event manager, Linda Altonregistration, scorekeeper, Doug Chasarstage manager, Bea Flaming-MBOTMA booth, Janine Iijima-Scorekeeper, Lynne Larsen-registration, scorekeeper, Bill Lindroos-scorekeeper, timekeeper, Jasper McCroskey-wrangler, Jana Metgeregistration, Karen Northcott-timekeeper, Miya Lindroos, and Kate Chandler. This event was marvelously managed, a real credit to all who helped out, and a prime example of all the wonderful, dedicated volunteers who make MBOTMA work well. All of the winners have a web presence. Google them to find out more about them, or better yet, go see them perform and congratulate them on their ribbons!
Bill & Kate Isles - Duet 3rd Place
October 2016
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MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Editor’s Note: It was rather awkward for me to write this article as a member of the New Riverside Ramblers. I did not expect to win, so I didn’t line up anyone else to write the article… Thanks to all. We are very honored!
More State Fair Contest Pictures
The Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater in the West End Market at the MN State Fair
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Porcupine Creek - Band 2nd Place
Lost Tracks - Band 3rd Place 12
October 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
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October 2016
The Banjo Tone Ring by Barry Hunn and Deering Banjos
rim of the banjo. Banjos with tone rings are often preferred by fingerpickers and some clawhammer players because of the increased brightness, sustain of the notes, and the lively response. The tone ring’s effect on the sound varies with both the design of the tone ring and what material is used in the construction of the tone ring. Tone Ring Material Tone rings have been made of steel, brass, bell bronze, and exotic hardwoods like Grenadillo (Gren-uh-dee-yo). Steel: very bright, dry, and capable of a brilliant crisp sound when the banjo is tuned up appropriately. (Used in the Deering Goodtime Special and Artisan Goodtime Special models.) Brass: again very bright, with more warmth than steel. Capable of a very rich sound and can be tuned up to be a
bright, crisp sound. (Used in the Deering Eagle II banjo Twenty-Ten™ tone ring, tubaphone tone rings, and others.) Bell Bronze: good brightness but darker toned than brass or steel. Warmer sounding than brass or steel. This is the alloy that has been the traditional choice of bluegrass banjos as well as many jazz banjos. (Used in the Deering -06- tone ring and the Jens Kruger tone ring) Grenadillo: dark tone with less sustain than any of the metal tone rings. Creates a more pronounced midrange emphasis with less brightness. (Used in the Deering John Hartford model and David Holt banjos) Tone Ring Design The shape, rigidity and general weight of a tone ring is part of what creates “the” sound of the banjo. Because Deering makes so many different tone rings, they are excellent examples of the
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
It is generally accepted that the first banjos were constructed without a tone ring. They were built with a round rim made of wood with a skin head (just like a drum head) stretched over the round, wood rim. Early banjo builders discovered stretching the head over a metal ring that was mounted on the wood rim gave the banjo a little more clarity, note separation, a bit more midrange definition, along with increased brightness and even a little more low frequency clarity. The tone ring is aptly described because it changes the basic tone character of a banjo. In general, a banjo with no tone ring that has a three ply maple rim has a warm, sweet rich midrange sound. This is enjoyed by many traditionalists who like to play old time music and re-create music from the 1800’s etc. Clawhammer banjo players in particular, enjoy banjos without a ring mounted to the top of the
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October 2016
combination of design and material for the purposes of defining the function of a tone ring. For example: the bell bronze Deering -06- tone ring has a triangular cross section. This makes the tone ring very stiff or rigid. This rigidity when combined with the bell bronze alloy creates some very prominent midrange frequency emphasis which musically makes the banjo feel that it has a lot of “punch” to the tone. This punch is considered very desirable by fingerpicking bluegrass players and by some Irish and jazz players as well. The brass Deering Twenty-Ten™ tone ring is more like a gigantic wedding band. This flat sided design, while weighing about the same as the Deering -06-, has more flexibility. It is not as rigid as the triangular cross section design of the -06-. While this tone ring has great brightness, it has a more even or flat midrange. Yet, because of its weight, it has similar sustain to the -06- tone ring.. Chosen by many fingerpicking banjoists, the smooth, even midrange is also popular with some clawhammer players, 4 string jazz players, melodic fingerstyle players, and pop music banjo players. The brass tubaphone tone ring (invented by the Vega banjo company in the early 1900s) is a unique design in the banjo world. Though it is made of brass, it is not extremely heavy. Plus, it is constructed in three pieces: a brass rod, a brass sleeve, and a square brass
tube. This has been the banjo tone ring of choice for plectrum and tenor banjo players who are playing jazz and many old time clawhammer players. The brass brightness is subdued by the lighter weight and flexibility of this tone ring. It is usually characterized as a more hollow sound with moderate brightness and moderate sustain. The Grenadillo tone ring is made from blocks of wood carefully fitted and glued to the top of the three ply maple rim. Greg Deering designed this tone ring for the late, great, John Hartford. This is the same tone ring chosen by the great David Holt for his signature model. Because the Grenadillo is harder than the maple rim, but not as hard as metal, it does make the banjo brighter with more midrange clarity than a no tone ring wood rim banjo. The Goodtime Special steel tone ring is a “simpler” version of our Twenty-Ten™ brass tone ring. While its design retains some of the mechanical flexibility of the Twenty-Ten™ tone ring, the steel is harder and stiffer which contributes to more brightness than the brass Twenty-Ten™. This tone ring, when mounted to a three ply violin maple rim, creates a bright but yet sweet sound. The weight of the tone ring gives the Goodtime Special good sustain to the notes. Some General Notes Overall, a bell metal tone ring adds clarity to a banjo tone. I’ve heard it described as creating a photograph where
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all of the lines and shades are very precise as opposed to a slightly soft focus. It is this precision clarity that interests banjo players to buy a banjo with the tone ring. Many players who prefer a more “old fashioned” kind of banjo tone will deliberately buy a banjo with no tone ring. This is very much in keeping with the original banjos from the 1800s. The weight, stiffness, and metal hardness all affect what kind of sound the tone ring creates. In fact, the weight that many musicians associate with banjos comes from the tone ring primarily. The resonator, that some players assume adds weight is relatively light and is not the source of a banjo’ s heavyweight. Some rules of thumb are: harder and stiffer the tone ring, the brighter the sound. The softer and more flexible – the warmer the tone. The heavier the tone ring the longer the sustain of the notes.
Premium Guitars, Amplifiers, and Repair October 2016
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October on Tour Across the Midwest Saturday, October 1, 2016
7:00 p.m.
Sandwich Opera House 140 East Railroad Street
Sandwich, IL
815-786-2555
Sunday, October 2
2:00 p.m.
A Slice of Bluegrass House Concerts at the Brashler Barn 17560 South Gougar Road
Lockport, IL
815-592-1549
Saturday, October 8
7:30 p.m.
Phipps Center for the Performing Arts 109 Locust Street
Hudson, WI
715-386-8409
Friday, October 14
7:30 p.m.
Wildwood Artist Series Chautauqua Fine Arts Theater, Mahtomedi High School, 8000 75th Street North
Mahtomedi, MN
651-269-9888
7:00 p.m.
Braham Event Center 655 8th Street SW
Braham, MN
320-396-3177
7:30 p.m.
Paradise Center for the Arts 321 Central Avenue
Faribault, MN
507-332-7372
7:30 p.m.
Great River Arts Association Concert Great River Arts Center, 122 First Street SE
Little Falls , MN
320-632-0960
Saturday, October 15
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Saturday, October 22 Friday, October 28
Go to www.MonroeCrossing.com for detailed information on all our concerts! Booking: Art Blackburn, 763-213-1349 art@monroecrossing.com
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October 2016
The Homestead Pickin’ Parlor Presents
Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands in their only 2016 Minnesota appearance
Saturday, October 29 8:00 PM Armatage School Auditorium 2501 West 56th Street, Minneapolis $20.00 Advance $25.00 Day of Show
Tickets available now at MinnesotaBluegrass.org
®
The Homestead Pickin’ Parlor® 6625 Penn Ave. S., Richfield, MN 55423 (612) 861-3308 Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands: (left to right) Max Schwartz, Tom Rozum, Patrick Sauber, Laurie Lewis.
October 2016
The Upper Midwest’s only Bluegrass & Old-Timey Store Founded 1979
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November 18-20, 2016
Mariott Minneapolis West Hotel 9960 Wayzata Blvd Golden Valley, MN
Friday
Concert, 7 to 11pm
Saturday
Race for Place Band Contest Banquet Dinner Concert with Breaking Grass
Saturday Night Ballroom Concert
Sunday
Gospel Show and Breaking Grass
Breaking Grass
Race for Place
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
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/ as_race-for-a-place-band-contest
Plus: Music Venders, Hayloft Jam Rooms, Band Workshops, Theme Jams, Kips Live!! 1-800-635-3037 www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org For Marriott Room Reservations: Call 952-544-4400 Sponsored by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association 18
October 2016
Bluegrass Saturday Morning By Phil Nusbaum
Coming up on the Bluegrass Review If you follow Minnesota bluegrass, you may know Mark Kreitzer. He sings, plays several instruments, and writes songs. By the way, he also plays what today is called Hot Club jazz and teaches songwriting in academic settings. Recently I fulfilled a long-held ambition by finally interviewing Mark about his songwriting, and these interviews are heard on the Bluegrass Review shows for the weeks beginning with September 24 and Oct 1. In the first segment, Mark tells us about writing songs for a show about the author mark Twain. In the second, he tells about avoiding formulas in writing songs. Both interviews provide great insights into Mark the songwriter. You can also find out more about Mark and his music at www. markkreitzer.com. If you cannot listen to the radio when they are broadcast, you can catch them online at www.jazz88fm.com. Or, go to www.prx. org. At PRX, in the search box, type in bluegrass review 1639 and 1640. The interviews are located in the second segment of each show. Fund Raising It is fall fund raising time on much of United States public radio, and it affects Bluegrass Saturday Morning and the Bluegrass Review on KBEM-FM on Oct 1 and Oct 8. In recent years, we’ve taken stock of how we run our fund drives, and have made great strides in their listenability. The basic ingredient is that we pledge to keep them fun, and keep the music as the focus. I think you’ll enjoy our bluegrass broadcasting during fund drives. In addition to the great music, seeing the total of dollars rise is a bit exciting. On-air people get into funny ad-lib situations. Also, Janis, our main fund raising mover thinks up some fun features that recur and are quite enjoyable. Last year, we were playing bluegrass 45 rpm records. This year, we’ll continue playing old records, and also play music connected with the Ralph Stanley legacy. Ralph is a first generation bluegrass player who died in the past year. Thanks for sticking with our bluegrass broadcasts. I hope you continue to enjoy them, and that you’ll be participating in the fund drive affected KBEM-FM bluegrass on October 1 and October 8.
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) October 2016
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
Attention All Bands
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 (hand crafted 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) 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 is made possible in part by a grant the National Endowment for the Arts.
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 around 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
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Nov 18-20 2016 Marriott Mpls West 9960 Wayzata Blvd, Minneapolis MN • Saturday Night Headline Concert: • Saturday Afternoon Race For A Place Band Contest • Saturday Night Pre- Show Dinner • Comprehensive Band Development Workshop Series • Kipp’s Live Open Mic Fri & Sat • Sunday Morning Gospel Show • More Jamming Areas • 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 a national band! The Old-Time Music & Dance Hall will feature a national old-time music 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.
20
October 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 topnotch bands to be announced. 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).
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.
27th Annual Conference
Sinclair LewisWriters’ Conference Featuring
Jim Bradley
author of Flags of Our Fathers and
Claudia Schmidt singer/songwriter
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Sat, Oct 8, 8:30am-4:30pm Sauk Centre, MN
Registration: $60 (college students & seniors) $15 (high school students) FFI: www.sinclairlewiswritersconference.org October 2016
21
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 October 15 Saturday
The Double Down Daredevils
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
The Loft at Hobgoblin Music 920 State Hwy 19, Red Wing, MN 877-866-3936 7pm
9/29 – Thursday • Monroe Crossing, Great River Public Library, Elk River, 6:30pm
• Greenwood Tree , UMC, 7pm • Cafe Accordion Orchestra CD Release, DAK, 7pm
9/30 – Friday • King Wilkie’s Dream, North Folk
Winery, Harris, 651-674-7548, 5pm
• The Fish Heads, Sir Benedicts Tavern, Duluth, 218-728-1192, 6pm
22
October 21 Friday
Chris Silver & the Good Intentions
Dulono’s Pizza 607 W. Lake St, Mpls, MN 8pm
• The Barley Jacks, Musicians Corner
House Concerts, 8844 Acacia Rd, Woodbury, 6pm • Alan Munde Trio (with Dick Kimmel and Adam Granger), The Pantry, New Ulm, 7:30pm • Curtis & Loretta, Best Cellar Coffeehouse, Corvallis, OR • Martin Sexton, CED, 8pm • Celtic Thunder Legacy, State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave, Mpls, 800-982-
October 30 Sunday
Buffalo Bluegrass Sunday
Singleton Street, High 48s, Rainbolt’s Mt Project Huikko’s 1207 St Hwy 25 Buffalo, MN, 1pm 2787, 8pm
• Sister Tree, Charlie’s Irish Pub, 101 Water St., Stillwater, 7:30pm
10/1/ - Saturday • Alan Munde Trio (with Dick Kimmel
and Adam Granger), Ritche Parrish Ritche (formerly Tanglefoot), & more! Big Island Rendezvous, Albert Lea, www.bigislandfestivalandbbq.org/ Rendezvous • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am October 2016
• Barley Jacks, Harvest Festival, Riley
Jaques Farm, 9096 Riley Lake Rd Eden Prairie, 2pm • Mother Banjo, Paramount Theatre, 125 4th Ave. NE, Austin, 612-4340934, 7:30pm • The Flemming Fold, Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Hwy 169, Shakopee • Sister Tree, Charlie’s Irish Pub, 101 Water St., Stillwater, 7:30pm • Gritpickers, Midtown Minneapolis Farmers Market, 11am
10/2 – Sunday • Alan Munde Trio (with Dick Kimmel
and Adam Granger), Ritche Parrish Ritche (formerly Tanglefoot), & more! Big Island Rendezvous, Albert Lea, www.bigislandfestivalandbbq.org/ Rendezvous • Barley Jacks, Pine City for the Arts, 265 5th St, Pine City, 3pm • The Flemming Fold, Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Hwy 169, Shakopee • Curtis & Loretta, “Please Stand By” on KPIG Radio, Santa Cruz, CA - Online at www.kpig.com, 10am • Curtis & Loretta, Fiddling Cricket, Santa Cruz, CA • John McCutcheon, CED, 7:30pm
10/3 – Monday • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • 10/3/16, Northern Roots Session,
Contented Cow, 302B Division St S, Northfield, www.contentedcow.com, 7:30pm
10/4 – Tuesday • St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm
10/5 Wednesday • Cactus Wille, Contented Cow, 302B Division St S, Northfield, www.contentedcow.com, 6pm • Irish Brigade, Half Time Rec, 1013 Front Ave, St. Paul, 6pm
River Falls WI, 8pm
• Dallahan, ZUM, 7:30pm • Curtis & Loretta, “New Brick Road,”
KVMR Radio, Nevada City, CA, www. kvmr.org, 12:15pm • No Man’s String Band, DUL, 8pm
10/8 – Saturday • The Broken Heartland String Band,
Fulton Farmers Market, 4901 Chowen
October 2016
and Leona’s, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 608-386-1448, 7:30pm • Monroe Crossing, Phipps Center For the Arts, 109 Locust St, Hudson WI, 7:30pm • Bob Bovee, Lynden Music Festival, Lynden, WA, 11m • Singleton Street, Apple Jack Orchards, 4875 37th St SE Delano, 12pm • The Bootlicker Stringband, Ely Folk School, 209 E Sheridan Street, Ely, 7pm • The Middle Spunk Creek Boys, DUL, 8pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Curtis & Loretta, The Acoustic Den, Roseville, CA, • John Louis with Ellie Perleberg, WmH, 8pm • Mustard’s Retreat, CrH
10/9 – Sunday • Bill Giese and the Pedestrians, Barely
Brothers Record Store, 783 Raymond Ave, St. Paul, 651-340-5128, 1:30pm • 10/10 – Monday • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • Northern Roots Session, Contented Cow, 302B Division St S, Northfield, www.contentedcow.com, 7:30pm • New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, 7:30pm • Bob Bovee, Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA, 7:30pm
10/11 – Tuesday • Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine, Zambroz, Fargo, ND, 2:30pm
• St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm
• The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, CED, 7:30pm
10/12 – Wednesday • Monroe Crossing, Midtown Global
Market, Wee Wed., 920 E Lake St, Mpls, 10:30am • Bob Bovee, House Concert, FFI: 206723-7684, 7pm • Irish Brigade, Half Time Rec, 1013 Front Ave, St Paul, 6pm • Slaid Cleaves, AST (River Room), 8pm
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
10/6 – Thursday • The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 7:30pm 10/7 – Friday • Barley Jacks, Juniors, 100 Spring St,
Ave So Mpls, 10am
• John Smith and Dan Sebranek, Leo
10/13 – Thursday • Lonesome Dan Kase and Brady Perl, 331C, 9:30pm
• Slaid Cleaves, ZUM, 7:30pm • Gloryland Gospel Band, Wooddale
Church, 6630 Shady Oak Road Eden Prairie, 7pm, CD Release!! • Dick Kimmel, Pleasant Grove Pizza 23
• The Fish Heads, Sir Benedicts Tavern,
Gloryland Gospel Band announces the release of their 3rd CD.
Thursday, October 13, 2016 - 7:00pm
Wooddale Church, 6630 Shady Oak Road, Eden Prairie, MN Door #2 The Great Room This CD will be released at a ForEver Friends event, which is a ministry of JRG Ministries for adults with mental disabilities.
Farm, Waseca
• Sans Souci, Pocahontas County, WmH, 7:30pm
• South Side Aces, EAG, 8pm 10/14 – Friday • Patsy O’Brien and Matt Mancusco, CJ • Charlie Roth, GKb, 7:30pm • Ukelele Festival with Katy Vernon, VC, 8:30pm
• Monroe Crossing, Wildwood Artists
Series, 8000 75th St No, Mahtomedi, 7:30pm • New Riverside Ramblers, Brainerd Eagles Club, 124 Front St, Brainerd, 7:30pm • Bob Bovee, Bellingham YWCA, Bellingham, WA, 7pm • Corey Medina, New York Mills Cultural Center, 24 N Main Ave, New York Mills, 218-385-3339, 7:30pm • David Roth, BoDD, 7pm • Phil Nusbaum & Sherry Minick, DUL, 8pm
10/15 – Saturday • Monroe Crossing, Braham Event Center, 655 8th St SW, Braham, 7pm
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
• Bob and Lynn Dixon, Fulton Farmers
Market, 4901 Chowen Ave So, Mpls, 10am • Silver Lining and Footfall, GINK, 8pm • Ace In The Hole, GKb • Bruce Bowers and Ric Gillman, OAK, 8pm • New Riverside Ramblers, VC, 9pm • The Double Down Daredevils, HOB, 7pm • Singleton Street, Schram Vineyards, 8785 Airport Road Waconia, 1-4pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile, FITZ, 4:45pm • Greenwood Tree, Pine Tree Apple Orchard, 450 Apple Orchard Rd, White 24
Bear Lake, 1pm
• Papa John Kolstad, Roots Cellar Music Series, University Baptist Church, 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls, 612331-1768, 7pm • The Bar Room Clowns, DUL, 8pm
10/16 – Sunday • Singleton Street, Falconer Vineyard, 3572 Old Tyler Rd, Red Wing, 2pm
• Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, CED, 7:30pm
• Gordon Lightfoot, State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave, Mpls, 800-982-2787, 7pm
10/17 – Monday • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 10pm • Northern Roots Session, Contented
Cow, 302B Division St S, Northfield, www.contentedcow.com, 9pm • Billy Bragg & Joe Henry, CED, 7:30pm
10/18 – Tuesday • Bob Bovee, House Concert, Spokane, WA FFI: 509-209-7182, judylungren@gmail.com, 7pm • St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm
10/19 – Wednesday • Irish Brigade, Half Time Rec, 1013
Front Ave, St. Paul, 6pm • Loreena McKennitt, State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave, Mpls, 800-982-2787, 7:30pm
10/21 – Friday • Tim Quarberg, Contented Cow, 302B Division St S, Northfield, www.contentedcow.com, 8pm • Chris Silver & the Good Intentions, DUL, 8pm • Heather Masse, Landmark Center, 75 West 5th St, St Paul, 8pm • Monroe Crossing, Midtown Global Market Family Night, 920 E Lake St, Mpls, 5:30pm
Duluth, 218-728-1192, 6pm
• Curtis & Loretta (Amy & Adams open), WmH, 8pm
• Dustbowl Revival and Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts, CED, 8pm
10/22 – Saturday • Emily Royer, Fulton Farmers Market, 4901 Chowen Ave So Mpls, 10am
• Jack Klatt, GKb, 7:30pm • Pop Wagner and The Hampden Rounders, OAK, 8pm
• Monroe Crossing, Paradise Center
for the Arts, 321 Center St, Faribault, 7:30pm • Mother Banjo, Como Dockside, 1360 Lexington Parkway, St. Paul, 651-6669491, 5pm • Chuck Lahr & the Purdy River Band, Carlos Creek Winery Applefest, 6693 Cty Rd 34 NW, Alexandria, 12pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile, FITZ, 4:45pm • Bill Staines, HOB, 7:30pm • Brooks Williams, CrH • Celtic Celebration with Laura MacKenzie, Daithi Sproule, Mary Vanorny, guest artists with Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra, Cannon Falls High School Auditorium, 820 Minnesota St E, Cannon Falls, northfieldartsguild. org, 7pm • Mary DuShane & Nick Jordan, DUL, 8pm
10/23 – Sunday • Monroe Crossing, Kingfield Farm-
ers Market, 43rd and Nicollet Mpls, 9:30pm • Bill Giese and the Pedestrians, AST,
Minnesota Bluegrass
November 2016 Articles, Ads, Coming Up, and News Clips
Deadline: October 1, 2016 Send to:
editor@minnesotabluegrass.org
October 2016
8pm • Gloryland Gospel Band, Friendship Village Senior Home, 8100 Highwood Drive, Bloomington, 3:30pm
10/24 – Monday • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • Northern Roots Session, Contented
Cow, 302B Division St S, Northfield, www.contentedcow.com, 7:30pm
10/25 – Tuesday • St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm
10/26 – Wednesday • 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
10/27 – Thursday • Dan Rodriguez & Kari Arnett, WmH, 8pm
• The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG, 7:30pm 10/28 – Friday • Monroe Crossing, Great River Arts
Cow, 302B Division St S, Northfield, www.contentedcow.com, 7:30pm • Curtis & Loretta, Humphrey Manor, 311 3rd St SE, Wadena, www.krls.org, 3pm
• Curtis & Loretta, Crosslake Area
morial Library, Hwy 84 N, Longville, www.krls.org, 11am • Curtis & Loretta, Brainerd Public Library, 416 S 5th St, Brainerd, www. krls.org, 5:30pm • St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm
11/4 – Friday • Curtis & Loretta, Blackduck, www.
11/1 – Tuesday • Curtis & Loretta, Margaret Welch Me-
11/2 – Wednesday • Curtis & Loretta, Pequot Lakes Li-
brary, 31069 County Rd 112, Pequot Lakes, www.krls.org, 11am • Curtis & Loretta, Cass Lake Library, 223 Cedar, Cass Lake, www.krls.org, 6pm • Martha Scanlon, WmH, 7:30pm
11/3 – Thursday
Library, 14126 Daggett Pine Rd, Crosslake, www.krls.org, 1:30pm • Curtis & Loretta, Walker Public Library, 207 4th St, Walker, www.krls. org, 5:45pm • The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 7;30pm krls.org, location TBA,1pm
• Curtis & Loretta, Bemidji Public
Library, 506 America Ave, Bemidji, www.krls.org, 6pm • Dan Mahar & Glenn Elvig, CrH, 7:30pm
11/5 – Saturday • Alternate Route, BSC, , 10am • Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine -
Thanksgiving / Turkey Extravaganza, Public Library, Fargo, ND, 11am
11/6 – Sunday • Curtis & Loretta, The Warehouse, 307
Norway Ave, Pine River, www.krls.org, 2:30pm
Assn Concert, 122 First St SE, Little Falls, 7:30pm • Brother Sun, Roots Cellar Music Series, University Baptist Church, 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls, 612-3311768, 7pm • Detroit Don King, DUL, 8pm
10/29 – Saturday • Big Trees, DUL, 8pm • One Ukelele, Fulton Farmers Market, 4901 Chowen Ave S, Mpls, 10am
• The High 48’s, OAK, 8pm • Pop Wagner and Bob Bovee, ZUM, 7:30pm
• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile, FITZ, 4:45pm
• Dick Kimmel & Co, Holmes Ballroom, Detroit Lakes,
• Elle King, State Theatre, 805 Henne-
pin Ave, Mpls, 800-982-2787, 7:30pm
• Long Time Gone, HOB, 7:30pm • The Okee Dokee Brothers, CED,
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
11am and 1:30 pm
10/30 – Sunday • Bob Bovee & Pop Wagner, Farmers Mercantile Hall, Garrison, IA, 2pm
• Buffalo Bluegrass Sunday, Singleton
Street, High 48s, Huikko’s Event Center, 1207 St Hwy 25 Buffalo MN, 1pm
10/31 – Monday • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • Northern Roots Session, Contented October 2016
25
Mandolin Tab: Ball and Chain Hornpipe By Bob Douglas
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Ball and Chain Hornpipe I think we all enjoy getting together with friends to swap tunes and trot out our personal favorites. One of my all-time favorite fiddlers to play with is Dr. Tom Schaefer. It’s near impossible to stump Tom on any Kenny Baker tune. He’s got the Baker catalog down pretty well and Ball and Chain is one of the tunes we play when we get together. It’s not as well-known a tune as maybe it should be, but it’s certainly a rewarding one to play. Baker recorded it on his 1975 LP, Grassy Fiddle Blues, County 750. The recording included some fine players: Bob Black banjo, Joe Stuart - guitar, Ralph Lewis - mandolin, and Randy Davis - bass. In Baker’s solo recordings, especially the earlier ones, there are few breaks given to the other instruments. Ball and Chain is no exception. It’s all fiddle four times through. But the tune works just as well on mandolin, banjo, or guitar. Ball and Chain is often credited to Baker, but it is actually a slight reworking of the Ball and Pin Hornpipe found in the Ryan’s Mammoth Collection of 1883. And it’s almost identical to yet another tune in the collection, the Ariel Hornpipe. The tune also shows up in Vol 1 of R.P. Christeson’s Old-Time Fiddler’s Repertory as #40 Breakdown [unnamed] collected from Nebraska fiddler, Bob Walters. The given notation here is closest to Baker’s. If you don’t know it, learn it! It’s a tune worth repeating! Bob Douglas 651-778-1395
26
October 2016
607 W Lake St Minneapolis MN 612.827.1726
October Canote Brothers - 2016 Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival Photo: Doug Lohman
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
October 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
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Bluegrass Magazine.
Fri 7 - No Man’s String Band Sat 8 - Middle Spunk Creek Boys Fri 14 - Phil Nusbaum & Sherry Minnick Sat 15 - The Bar Room Clowns Fri 21 - Chris Silver & the Good Intentions Sat 22 - Mary DuShane & Nick Jordan Fri 28 - Detroit Don King Sat 29 - Big Trees
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MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIME MUSIC ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 16408 Mpls, MN 55416
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2016 Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival Photo: Doug Lohman