July 3, 2009
The Latest Bluegrass News
Jim Hurst, the much lauded guitarist with the Claire Lynch Band, has started offering guitar lessons over the internet via webcam. All that is required for the online lessons is a webcam, broadband internet connection and a chat program.
According to a recent newsletter, Hurst is offering intermediate and advanced lessons in flatpicking or fingerstyle guitar….
Read Full StoryThe Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco has posted a lengthy lineup, including several bluegrass acts, for its October run, but a performing schedule has yet to be posted on the festival’s Web site, http://www.strictlybluegrass.com.
The festival, headed into its ninth year, is gaining in popularity on the list of mega music events around the country….
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The Grascals Jamie Johnson & Terry Eldridge take turns interviewing each other in this video clip as they discuss highlights of The Grascals last year. Among the topics touched on include: recent recording sessions with Hank Williams Jr. and Charlie Daniels along with the band’s visit to the White House. They also discuss the groups current album “Keep on Walkin’,” a trip to hollywood for Steven Seagal’s birthday bash and more. Click on “Read Full Story” link to watch the video clip.
Read Full StoryThe Missouri-based Hillbenders have claimed the title of the 2009 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition.
The Telluride Band Competition in Colorado is nationally recognized and has served as the proving grounds for such bands as Nickel Creek and The Dixie Chicks in years past….
Read Full StoryRecent Bluegrass News Headlines
July 3, 2009
Bluegrass Spotlight
Dehlia Low: the finishing touches on “Tellico” – Part 4 of 4
By Anya Hinkle
Well it’s been awhile since my late-night heartfelt musings about finishing recording…almost three months later I’m ready to report on the rest. To be very honest, the past several months have been unexpectedly stressful, but I will cautiously divulge that I’m beginning to feel some satisfaction as a result of our hard work and financial investment and am hopeful for some successes as a result of our efforts. In a cosmic sense, of course, the greatest reward comes from our devoted fans, who have somehow incorporated our music into the soundtrack of their lives. So many stories have come our way of how the music has been influential to people, and it has been wonderful to provide amusement, therapy, diversion, or background music to the day-to-day existence of friends and strangers alike. But…we’d also like to make our money back one day, play more above-decent paying gigs, and have opportunities come from this that will allow us to continue to write songs, develop our sound, improve and grow both as a recording and performing ensemble. So there is a lot on the line.
The Final Mix
After we finished the recording, our engineer Russell Anders and producer Jon Stickley began to mix the songs one by one. They spent a few weeks mixing levels, adding and cutting fills, choosing the breaks to be inserted, and other technical details that I don’t even understand. That was a good use of time, since each band member has a slightly different idea of how each song should sound. Jon and Russell were able to get everything very close to being finished, and we got a 3-week break from the music. We distributed their mix among the band members and then sent our comments around by email (i.e. there’s a weird buzz at 0:23 of Climbing Devils Pass, etc.). When there were differences of opinion (mostly regarding backup), majority ruled, although I can’t live with something trumped the majority. This was surprisingly efficient at achieving a group consensus without much consternation.
For me, the mixing stage was difficult for two reasons. First, the mix sounded different on every sound system, and listening that closely to the music, I practically went crazy trying to discern whether or not certain details needed attention. What sounded great on playback in the studio sounded completely different in my car or on my home stereo or computer speakers. Secondly, the mix sounded very different than a mastered CD that you might otherwise pop into your stereo, and not knowing ahead of time exactly how the mastering process would change the mix, it was really difficult to figure out which details should change within the mix and which things mastering would address. And with no time or money available for going BACK to the mix after visiting the mastering studio, it just felt incredibly overwhelming to finalize the mix.
Read Full StoryJuly 3, 2009
Bluegrass CD Reviews
One of my favorite albums back in the early Seventies was “Mike Auldridge Dobro,” just a wonderful collection of songs and primo pickers on the old Tacoma label. It’s one of those albums that literally got played until the grooves pretty much wore out — at least to the point where the high-frequencies eventually disappeared.
I had always been a bit fascinated by the sound of a Dobro, mainly through the playing of Josh Graves on my Flatt & Scruggs LPs and listening to Bashful Brother Osward backing up Roy Acuff on the Grand Ole Opry broadcasts….
Read Full StoryAnyone who has followed The Bankester Family from its very beginnings will appreciate the title of the family band’s new CD, “Somewhere In Between.”
Family patriarch Phil Bankester gives a good insight in the liner notes where he mentions “‘Somewhere in Between‘ is indicative of where we find ourselves at the present time. We have no idea where we’re headed, or even how we got here …”
Read Full StoryIf you love bluegrass — nothing but bluegrass (Newgrass, acoustic and Americana don’t count; I said “nothing but bluegrass.”) — and you have a limited amount of cash in this brow-beaten, rag-tag economy to buy CDs this year, take my advice: Pick up a copy of Audie Blaylock and Redline.
If true unblemished bluegrass were part of a mountain scene, Blaylock’s new CD on the Rural Rhythm Records label would be the pure, clear stream bubbling through the middle of the picture….
Read Full StoryLet’s be fair — and honest here.
I really enjoy Special Consensus, the band. I firmly believe the band’s moniker doesn’t lie. It, indeed, is special. Special in song selection and special in delivery. And, I should tell you before I ramble into my somewhat skewed critique, I’m also acquainted with members of this band. They’ve broken bread at my table and we’ve sipped some nectar of the gods together….
Read Full StoryJuly 3, 2009
Bluegrass Festival News
The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco has posted a lengthy lineup, including several bluegrass acts, for its October run, but a performing schedule has yet to be posted on the festival’s Web site, http://www.strictlybluegrass.com.
The festival, headed into its ninth year, is gaining in popularity on the list of mega music events around the country….
Read Full StoryBowling Green, Ky. – The world’s first International Newgrass Festival will take place August 21-23, 2009 at Ballance MotoX on the Historic Ballance Farms just north of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Headlining the three-day festival will be the surviving members of the band that started it all, the original New Grass Revival. Sam Bush, John Cowan and Curtis Burch will each perform with their new bands alongside many newgrass performers who have followed in their footsteps….
Read Full StoryFlat Rock, NC – The 14th annual Flat Rock Music Festival is gearing up for another festival season in the Blueridge mountains, and this year’s fall lineup is going to bring plenty of people and musicians back to the mountains. Music Lovers from all over the Southeast make Camp Ton-A-Wandah their fall destination spot where they can always find good friends, great music and a family filled weekend at the Flat Rock Music Festival.
Read Full StoryGolf carts on parade?
At the world famous bluegrass festival in Bean Blossom, Ind.?
On Bill Monroe’s hallowed ground?
You bet! Golf carts are the preferred method of traversing the large festival grounds in south central Indiana, so it just seemed a natural to put them on display. Thus, the first annual Bean Blossom Golf Cart Parade is born….
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Events
Special Consensus will perform a special hometown release concert celebrating their new Pinecastle Records CD, Signs, at Fitzgeralds in Berwyn, Ill, a Chicago suburb, on May 30. The band will perform from 7 to 9 p.m.
Advance ticket sales are available through www.ticketweb.com.
Pinecastle Records is offering a free download of…
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Mill Hall, PA — The Millbrook Playhouse in Mill Hall, PA will present an evening of Bluegrass Music tomorrow, May 9 from 7:00 – 10:00 PM. Tickets to the event are available for $12 and children under 12 will be admitted free with paid adult. The event benefits the Smoked Country Jam Bluegrass Festival and Millbrook Playhouse….
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Asheville, NC — Veteran bluegrass performer, Claire Lynch and the Claire Lynch Band will be playing The Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC on Sunday April 19th, 2009. The general admission show will start at 8 PM with tickets going for $12.00 in advance or $15.00 the day of the show.
The Grey Eagle describes itself as a smoke free, live music venue with events for all ages. For tickets or more information call 1-828-232-5800 or visit them at www.thegreyeagle.com….
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Auburn, Ala. — String wizard, John Mceuen will be playing an intimate solo set in Auburn, Alabama at the Strutting Duck Pub and Grill on April 19, 2009. The show will be one long set starting at 8:00pm. The Strutting Duck advertises itself as “the best place in Auburn for live music and great food”.
For more information, vistit their website at www.struttingduck.com, or call 334-821-7277….
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CD Release
Burlington, MA – Claire Lynch, one of acoustic music’s most versatile singers, will release “Whatcha Gonna Do” September 8 on Rounder Records. A new Claire Lynch album does more than herald the arrival of a new collection of stellar vocals and tight, tasteful arrangements – each album also showcases Lynch’s remarkable taste in songs. “Whatcha Gonna Do” is no exception – it brims over with powerful songs, extraordinary vocals, and top-of-the-line musicianship….
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Austin, Tx. — Arguably the most recognized bluegrass band out of Austin, Texas, Two High String Band are back with a new line up and a new album that some are calling their best yet. “Hot Texas Bluegrass Burrito,” scheduled for release in July 2009, features a mix of band originals with well-chosen covers that showcase that unmistakable Two High String Band style, while highlighting the immense talent of band members both old and new.
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Nashville, Tenn., — For a variety of reasons, it’s harder than you might think for groups of musicians who’ve assembled for tours and special performances to preserve their unique chemistry on tape for fans and historians. Studio time and expense, multiple commitments and sheer logistics usually overwhelm the noblest archival impulses. Even artists who keep every clipping, poster and video cassette from their career usually can’t produce audio documents that capture fully and professionally what these special and sometimes historic gatherings actually sound like, which is funny considering that’s why they came together in the first place….
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He grew up in bluegrass and later earned acclaim in country music, so it should come as no surprise that the latest release from Marty Raybon and his band, Full Circle, bears the mark of both. Indeed, “This That & the Other” is not only a showcase for a singer hailed as a great by fans, critics and fellow artists alike, but follows in the footsteps of legendary acts like the Osborne Brothers and Jim & Jesse by offering compelling performances that make distinctions between bluegrass and country almost meaningless.
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