Wayne Fields passed away March 22 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

The Waybacks celebrate CD Release in Nashville, TN

The Waybacks will celebrate the release of “Loaded” (Compass Records) with a March 26 performance and CD release party at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville, Tenn. The Show starts at 7:00 PM with a $10.00 cover charge. “Loaded,” which was produced by Byron House, is The Waybacks first studio album since the departure of Stevie Coyle and the first in which The Waybacks recorded an entire album of original material.

After years of playing a huge range of venues and festivals (including some major gigs with Grateful Dead founder Bob Weir) and reconfiguring themselves around the hot guitar of James Nash and the fiddle virtuosity of Warren Hood, The Waybacks are enjoying a refreshed repertoire – one that’s touched by Memphis soul, roadhouse boogie, Parisian swing, classical, vintage blue pop and much more besides.

Sizemore band mate Wayne Fields passes

Banjo man Wayne Fields passed away March 22 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Fields most recent gig was with the Charlie Sizemore Band, working on Sizemore’s latest project “Good News.” Fields also did stints with The Boys From Indiana and J.D. Crowe and The New South during his career in bluegrass.

The term “greatness” is used far too casually these days. But for me Wayne is the embodiment of that idea, both as a musician and as a person. This is a fact: I have never known or been associated with a musician with anything approaching the combination of talent, humility, loyalty, and team spirit, and plain old-fashioned grit that Wayne Fields possessed. One would have had to be in the studio to truly understand how sick he was when we made the “Good News” CD, yet he neither complained nor asked for any special consideration. Charlie Sizemore

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The Gibson Brothers “Iron & Diamonds” (Sugar Hill) will be released April 8, 2008

I have quite a music collection, thousands of CDs, tapes and vinyl.

I’ve scoured the record stores for years, looking for the latest diamond in the rough. I liken it to a miner who is panning for gold, looking for that shiny chunk.

The Gibson Brothers’ latest release on Sugar Hill, “Iron & Diamonds,” happens to be one of those gems.

I listened to this disc with an old music buddy of mine, whose opinion I greatly respect. He proclaimed it the best bluegrass CD he’s heard in years.

All I know is that I’ve had this darn disc for about a week now and I just can’t seem to stop playing it.

The first song you hear coming through the speakers is a great remake of an old Tom Petty rave-up, “Cabin Down Below.” I’ve loved that song for years and never in my wildest dreams envisioned it to appear on a bluegrass recording. It works. As far as I’m concerned, this song kicks off a disc that has absolutely no weak songs.

There is a remake of a Steve Earle song, “The Other Side Of Town.” This currently is my favorite song on the disc. It reminds me of what could have been an old Ray Price classic. Eric Gibson mentions in the liner notes, he feels his brother Leigh’s harmony is reminiscent of Price. It has that fantastic, traditional country sound.

Another great lost gem the brothers found off the Faron Young box set, the one from the German Bear Family label, is” A World So Full of Love,” written by Young and the late, great Roger Miller. Here lies another song that sounds fresh and vital today but still has that archetypal country sound.

Leigh Gibson provides vocals and guitar while Eric Gibson contributes vocals, banjo, and guitar. Mike Barber plays upright bass, Clayton Campbell provides a very adequate fiddle, and Rick Hayes offers striking mandolin work. Junior Barber plays a more than competent resonator guitar on the disc. The instruments are beautiful, never getting in the way of the magnificent harmonies of the brothers.

While on the topic pertaining to the harmonies, I am reminded of the breathtaking sound of early Everly Brothers. One of my favorite discs of the Everlys is the classic, “Songs Our Daddy Taught Us.” For some reason , I thought about that disc quite a bit while listening to this recording. This CD holds much of that same old time sound and charm.

Erin LaClair provides vocals on an old Bill Carlisle gospel classic, “Gone Home.” I guess the Gibson boys lifted this from the old Hee Haw gospel quartet classics that would occasionally pop up on the popular television series. “Gone Home” closes out the disc and is a fitting gospel song that beckons you to remember the loved ones who have gone on before us to their heavenly abode.

The Gibson Brothers

This concludes all the cover tunes on the disc with the exception of a fine Julie Miller song, “Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go.”

Record companies often coerce artists to play something old and familiar to heighten sales. Many times on recordings, the cover tunes are the highlights of a disc. That’s not necessarily the case here. I’m here to tell you, I am in no way slighting the songs the brothers have written on this disc. They are extremely insightful as songwriters. Every one of their songs fits into the overall magic of this disc.

The title track, “Iron & Diamonds” is a powerful song about iron ore miners playing baseball. This game of baseball brought the miners a bit of joy they lacked while working deep in the mines. It offered pride and dignity in the bleachers and the batter’s box, where a miner could be free. Here was some deep and powerful insight into the psyches of these hard working individuals.

“Pickers Blues” is a powerful song form the perspective of musicians loving what they do. It’s not about the money any more than it is about the hardships on the road. The power lies in the music. The ability to create, to play and share with individuals who appreciate it, is what this song and the Gibson Brothers seem to be all about.

I caught these guys a while back at a festival and thoroughly enjoyed their performance. I’ll go beyond that and say I felt they were very special as performers. The old adage concerning performers leaving their audience wanting more was certainly applicable after their presentation on that particular summer day.

I regretfully, didn’t buy any of their CDs that day. I’ll have to resolve that issue in future trips to the music stores. If “Iron & Diamonds” is any indication of the music these guys have in them, let their precious gems keep coming.

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Bill Monroe’s Memorial Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival, in Indiana, has released the official lineup for the the 2008 festival taking place from June 14 - 21. This year’s lineup features over 50 different bands including Special Consensus, IIIrd Tyme Out, Bobby Osborne & the Rocky Top X-Press, James King and Dr. Ralph Stanley and Eddie and Martha Adcock (see below for a full list).

Throughout the week, festival patrons can enjoy the fun and educational music and instrument workshops planned on the Workshop Stage located at the top of Hippy Hill. There will be a wide variety of workshops including: beginning-advanced levels on banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin and bass; mountain and bluegrass vocals, group harmony, songwriting, band promotion, Bean Blossom history and more. All workshops are taught by the artists performing at this year’s event! Ron and Lora Murphy return to Bean Blossom this year to host this year’s workshop and showcase stage.

On-site festival camping is available at discounted rates. Reserved water and electrical hook-ups are limited to approximately 300 sites. 30amp=$21.40 per day; 50amp=$26.75 per day; all sites double occupancy. Additional adults on a hook-up site or primitive tent site = $6.42 per person/per day. All campers must purchase a ticket for every day of camping. Prices include all applicable State and local taxes.

Included with your festival ticket is admission to Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame, Museum and Uncle Pen’s Cabin self-guided tour; all music and instrument workshops and activities scheduled at the Artist Workshop Stage and Bluegrass Now Youth Activity Tent; access to all food concessions, merchants and Bean Blossom Flea market. Parking is free and handicap accessible.

This festival has general admission, lawn chair seating. High backed chairs are not allowed for they impair the view of others. Please remember that all shows go on rain or shine at Bean Blossom. There are no rain checks or refunds. A rain shelter is provided for your convenience. All acts and times are subject to change without prior notice. Alcohol, smoking, pets and large coolers are not allowed in the concert area. Drugs, firearms, fireworks and ATV’s are banned from Bean Blossom. All violators will be prosecuted. Security and/or local law enforcement will be on the premises 24 hours to ensure that our festival patrons and campers have a wonderful time and memorable experience at Bean Blossom.

In order to provide a safer environment for all festival attendees and campers, ATV’s and/or 4-wheelers will not be allowed into the campground. A limited number of golf carts will be available for rent per day/per weekend or by the week. Daily shuttle service will also be available throughout the day.

For more information and directions, please visit www.BeanBlossom.com

Saturday, June 14: Kick-off the festival with the great sounds of the John Cowan Band, Lonesome River Band, Ronnie Bowman & The Committee, Larry Stephenson Band, Eddie & Martha Adcock, Lizzy Long & Friends, Tommy Brown & County Line Grass, and Bill Monroe’s son, James Monroe & The Midnight Ramblers.

Sunday, June 15: The Bean Blossom tradition continues as we worship and praise with Bill Monroe’s preacher -The Real Apostle Pastor Paul Baggett. Enjoy the sounds of bluegrass gospel from The Sullivan Family, Glen Bonham, James Monroe & Midnight Ramblers, New Harmony, Tommy Brown & County Line Grass, Spanky Moore Bluegrass Band, and Cronfields & Crossroads.

Monday, June 16: Start your week off the soulful sounds of Dave Evans & Riverbend, David Davis & Warrior River Boys, Pine Mountain Railroad, Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show, The Muellers, SweetGrass Bluegrass Band, and Glen Bonham.

Tuesday, June 17: Join us for another Bean Blossom tradition as we enjoy a hot bowl of Ham & Beans and Miss Dixie Hall’s famous cornbread at the annual Ham & Bean Supper. Kick back and enjoy the bluegrass sounds of: Randy Waller & Country Gentlemen, Kenny & Amanda Smith, David Parmley & Continental Divide, Tim Graves & Cherokee, Beth Stevens & Edge, The Muellers and Jesse Perdue & Old Time Gospel.

Wednesday, June 18: The Grascals are back in town! Other artists performing include: IIIrd Tyme Out, The Lewis Family, Special Consensus, James King Band, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Monroe Crossing, and The Doerfel Family.

Thursday, June 19: Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys, Marty Raybon & Full Circle, Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain, Special Consensus, James King Band, Dan Paisley & Southern Grass and this year’s YOUTH BLUEGRASS BOOT CAMP.

Friday, June 20: Bring your instruments and jam with the stars at the oldest of Bean Blossom traditions, the Bill Monroe Sunset Jam. On stage: Cherryholmes, Gene Watson, Ronnie Reno & Reno Tradition, Ralph Stanley II, Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain, Dailey & Vincent Band, and Dan Paisley & Southern Grass.

Saturday, June 21: This will be a night to remember - featuring the legendary Bluegrass Hall of Famers, Dr. Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, The Seldom Scene (in their first performance at Bean Blossom), Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top Xpress, and J.D. Crowe & The New South. Also performing will be Cherryholmes, Paul Williams & Victory Trio, Alecia Nugent, Ernie Thacker & Route 23 and Michelle Cupit.

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