Williams & Clark Expedition

Williams & Clark Expedition is up to its collective elbows with new band developments this spring.

First, there’s the new CD, the band’s fifth, which is due for release in May. According to the band’s latest newsletter, “All the tracks have been recorded for the new project and the CD is in the process of being mastered as we speak. Photos will be chosen this week for the CD … ”

Tracks were recorded at Top Dog Studios in Hendersonville, Tenn. Expect the new CD to include a guest appearance by Buck White playing piano on a swing tune penned by Wayne Southards and Blake Williams entitled “Goodbye Heartache, Hello You.” Claire Lynch steps into the sidelight with a harmony track on a song by Kimberly Williams entitled “Heaven On Earth”.

Next up for the band: A revamped Web site, which already offers a “sneak peak” of things to come. It can be found at www.WilliamsAndClarkExpedition.com.

Wait, that’s not all. The band has joined the latest music industry trend by offering digital downloads of its songs directly from the Web site — on the revamped Web site, that is, so wait a couple of weeks before loading up your hard drive. Songs can be purchased by the track or an entire CD.

“The process is simple and is through PayPal, the most trusted source for online payment in the world,” Kimberly Williams says. “We have already updated our merchandise page to allow you to purchase complete projects on-line. Additional merchandise is also available such as brand new WCE T-shirts and photos. For those of you who prefer, we have updated our snail-mail order form and will continue to accept orders through the mail and payment with a good old fashioned check.”

Tired yet? There’s just one more development — but relax, and it’s down the road a piece. The band is already heavily involved in planning the fifth annual Franklin (Ky.) Music Festival, set for Sept. 5-6 this year. Performers will include Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, The Grascals, The Isaacs, IIIrd Tyme Out, Nothin’ Fancy, Dailey & Vincent, Cherryholmes, The Martin Family and Williams & Clark Expedition.

Information on camping, lodging, tickets and schedules can be found at www.FranklinMusicFestival.com.

We’ve been spending the better part of winter, when not on the road performing, in Top Dog Studios recording our 5th CD. This project features songs and instrumentals contributed by each member of the band as well as a couple of crowd favorites we perform during our shows. We were honored to have some special guests join us in the studio as well. Buck White was gracious enough to lend his piano talents to a swing tune penned by Wayne and Blake titled “Goodbye Heartache, Hello You” and Claire Lynch sang harmony on a song with Kimberly titled “Heaven On Earth”. The new project is scheduled for release in May.

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The bluegrass community is rallying to the aid of Wes and Teri Thacker in Remington, Va., with plans for an April 20 benefit. Teri Thacker has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.

The Larry Stephenson Band will be one of the featured performers at the benefit. This event is personal for Larry, since he was a long-time member of the Virginia community.

Additional acts who will have volunteered to perform are IIIrd Tyme Out, Milford Station, The Fitzmaurice Band, Jollett Lane, All4Hym, Dark Hollow, and Bill Yates and the Country Gentlemen Reunion Band.

Also appearing will be a band that includes Red and Murphy Henry, David McLaughlin and Marshall Wilborn with guest, Wes Thacker, Teri’s husband.

The event will begin at noon at the Remington Lions Club, 11326 James Madison Highway in Remington. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for ages 13-18. Those 12 and younger will be admitted free.

Those who buy a $20 admission will also receive a raffle ticket. Prizes include a guitar courtesy of Pickers Supply, mandolin courtesy of Culpeper Music, a TKL mandolin case, CDs, DVDs and other items being donated by Pinecastle Records, Rebel Records and Bluegrass Unlimited.

The full list of sponsors includes: Pickers’ Supply, Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine, Pinecastle Records, Rebel Records, Mr. B’s Bluegrass Festival, Lil’ Margaret’s Bluegrass Festival, Lawson Entertainment/Grottoes Family Bluegrass Festival, Campbell Equipment of Palmyra, Va., Culpeper Music, Cabin Fever Pickin’ Party, Hard Times Cafe and Cue of Fredericksburg, Va., Meadows Nursery, TKL Cases, and Jenny Smith Custom Embroidery of Petersburg, Va.

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The Gibson Brothers drop by the Opry Friday night this week.

The Gibson Brothers will make an appearance on Friday evenings Grand Ole Opry show in support of their latest release, “Iron & Diamonds” on the Sugar Hill label. Other’s scheduled to play this week include: Opry legends Bobby Osborne and Jesse McReynolds along with Charlie Louvin, Marty Stuart and Riders in the Sky.

Friday April 11

• Riders In The Sky — 8:30-9:00
• Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press — 8:30-9:00
• The Gibson Brothers — 9:00-9:30
• Marty Stuart — 9:30-10:00

Saturday April 12

• Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press — 6:30-7:00
• Charlie Louvin — 8:00-8:30
• Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys — 8:30-9:00 & 10:30-11:00

The Grand Ole Opry is broadcast live on WSM 650 AM radio, online at www.WSMonline.com and on XM Satellite Radio (XM 11). All listed times are central time.

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Karan Casey released “Ships in the Forest” (Compass Records) this week.

Gibson Brothers “Iron & Diamonds” Release Party happens April 10

The Gibson Brothers will celebrate the release of their latest album “Iron & Diamonds” (Sugar Hill) during a CD Release Party at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn. later this week. The show and celebration kicks off at 9:00 PM this Thursday evening. Cover Charge is $10.00 at the door. It should be an outstanding show based on the strength of their latest release.

Irish Singer Karan Casey released “Ships in the Forest” on Compass Records this week

On “Ships in the Forest,” her fifth solo album and debut on Compass Records, Karan Casey’s warm soprano ebbs and flows around ballads both timely and timeless. Produced by and featuring founding Capercaillie member Donald Shaw, Casey surrounded herself with a wealth of special guests including Caoimhín Vallely (piano), Cillian Vallely (pipes), Kate Ellis (cello), Kris Drever (vocals), Martin O’Neill (bodhrán), Niall Vallely (concertina) and Robbie Overson on guitar. The songs found on “Ships in the Forest” range from fresh arrangements of tried and true folk standards (“Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair” and “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye”) to “The Fiddle and the Drum”, Joni Mitchell’s 1969 anti-war madrigal.

Among the dates on her North American Tour are a pair of dates at Merlefest. For other dates and information visit Karan Casey online.

Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s up coming events.

Friday, April 11, 2008
Curators Exhibit Tour: Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy — 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, April 12, 2008
Songwriter Session w/ Dave Robbins — Noon
Interview and Performance w/ Jett Williams — 2:00 p.m.
Autograph Signing w/ Jett Williams — 3:30 p.m. (FREE)

Sunday, April 13, 2008
Banjo Demonstration w/ Rik Palieri — 1:00 p.m.
Film Screening: Kate Smith Evening Hour (1952) — 2:00 p.m. (FREE)

Saturday, April 19, 2008
Songwriter Session w/ Freddy Weller — Noon
Family Program: Musical Petting Zoo — 1:00 p.m. (FREE)

Sunday, April 20, 2008
Fiddle, Mandolin, and Guitar Demonstration w/ Maddie Denton — 1:00 p.m.

The Museum is located at 222 Fifth Ave. S. in downtown Nashville, and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Admission is $17.95 for adults, $9.95 for children ages six to 17, and free for children under six. The Museum offers discounted admission ($16.15) to seniors (55 and older), the military and students (with valid IDs). Group rates are available for tours of 15 or more. There is no charge to visit the Curb Conservatory or the Museum Store.

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