Nothin’ Fancy takes top award at SPBGMA Convention
Nothin’ FancyVirginia-based bluegrass band Nothin’ Fancy won the top accolade of the evening during the 34th Annual National SPBGMA (Society For The Preservation Of Bluegrass Music In America) Awards when the band was named “Entertaining Group Of The Year” by the organization’s members. The awards were held at the Music City Sheraton Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. on Sunday, February 3rd.
The band has been nominated several times in this particular category and were visibly surprised when they were announced as the recipient of this prestigious award. “We have a trophy case at home that’s been waiting for us to put somethin’ in it”, stated Gary Farris, the band’s guitarist and tenor singer. It was easy to see the the camaraderie within the band as they took the stage for their acceptance speech. Mike Andes, lead vocalist and mandolin player for the group thanked the crowd for their votes and said “Standing up here with me are four of the most fun and wonderful guys you could ever ask to work with”.
Nothin’ Fancy was formed as a bluegrass band in September of 1994 with the sole purpose of competing in the East Coast Bluegrass Championship in Crimora, Virginia. After winning their auspicious debut, they have grown in popularity, released 7 full length albums and one CD single, played the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the Lincoln Center in New York City, and the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. They have successfully hosted the Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Festival annually since 2001 in Buena Vista, Virginia.
No commentsBee-Liners to showcase at Folk Alliance confab
The Dixie Bee-Liners photo by Neil StaplesThe Dixie Bee-Liners are joining the massive list of performers and supporters of the 20th annual International Folk Alliance Conference, described as one of the five largest music conferences in North America.
The Pinecastle recording artists will join more than 200 showcase performers from around the world Feb. 20-24 in Memphis, Tenn. Participants will attend workshops and network during the day and spend the nights doing what they do best — performing on stage.
The large conference will be held at the Marriott Hotel Down and Cook Convention Center. It will kick off a year-long 20th anniversary celebration for The North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance (The Folk Alliance) organization.
Since 1989, the Folk Alliance has served as the headquarters for Folk Music and Dance. With more than 2,000 members worldwide and its large annual conference, Folk Alliance continues to grow and mature while providing a unique range of member services.
Over the years, the Alliance has grown to include record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, music support services, manufacturers and artists who work in the folk world. Folk Alliance has six regional affiliates that provide the grass roots efforts in their respective markets.
The Dixie Bee-Liners’ official showcase performance will be held in the FA Tent at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23. In addition to this “official” performance, the Dixie Bee-Liners will be performing at several other times and locations during the conference, according to Pinecastle publicists.
No commentsSneedville to salute favorite son Jimmy Martin
Sneedville, Tenn., hometown of the late Jimmy Martin, this year will begin an annual salute to its favorite bluegrass son. The first annual Jimmy Martin Memorial Bluegrass Festival will be staged May 30-31 at Ken Cantwell’s Airstrip on Tazewell Highway just outside Sneedville.
Bands already on the playbill include Audie Blaylock & Redline, J.D. Crowe & the New South, Paul Williams & The Victory Trio, Gloria Belle & Tennessee Sunshine, Men on a Mission, S&S Express, The Gibsons, New Road, New Road Gospel, East Kentucky Tyme and Shadow Ridge.
The festival is under the sponsorship of the Hancock County, Tenn., Historical and Genealogical Society, which is receiving financial assistance from the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Shows will start at noon on Friday, May 30, and at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Space will be allotted for campers and RVs although hookups are not available.
Advance ticket information and details about reserving RV spots are available at www.overhomesneedville.com, or by e-mailing bmanning600@bellsouth.net. A telephone contact is also available at (423) 733-4541.
No comments‘Grass goes far beyond U.S. boundaries
A European World of Bluegrass? You bet — and going strong into its 10th year and with a two-CD set being released to toast the milestone.
Strictly Country Records is releasing the project, aptly entitled “10 Years of European World of Bluegrass,” which, the label says, will document a decade of music from European, U.S. and Canadian bluegrass bands who have performed at EWOB. Almost 50 bands from 15 countries are featured, and 10 of the tracks have never before appeared on previous annual EWOB showcase compilations.
The EWOB dates to May 1998, when the Netherlands Bluegrass Music Association organized the first European World of Bluegrass festival and trade show. The European World of Bluegrass Association was formed in 2001 with representative musicians from 22 European countries. Its Web site can be found at http://www.ewob.org.
The Strictly Country Records CDs include performances by several American bands, including Bill Clifton & Pick of the Crop, The Chapmans, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, Claire Lynch Band, Dan Paisley & the Southern Grass, Hickory Project, Hunger Mountain Boys, John Reischman & the Jaybirds, Kate MacKenzie Band, Laurie Lewis & Her Bluegrass Pals, Liz Meyer with Nugget, Mike Stevens & Raymond McLain, Randy Waller & The Country Gentlemen and Sally Jones & the Sidewinders. More than 30 European bands also contribute tracks to the CD.
Sponsors are still needed for this project. Information is available by e-mailing scr@pietergroenveld.com
Strictly Country Records, in case you are wondering, is based in The Netherlands. It has an American office in Roanoke, Va., which can be reached at StrictlyCtry@aol.com
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