In our story, Rural Rhythm Records roster roundup, we mistakenly reported Carrie Hassler’s newest single would be “I Can Always Go Back Anytime.” The Correct title of the song is “I Can Go Back Anytime.”

Share This

Nashville, Tenn. – The Grascals are also proud to welcome and introduce new fiddle player Jeremy Abshire. Abshire burst onto the bluegrass scene as a member of Billie Renee and Cumberland Gap (winners of the 2006 SPBGMA International Bluegrass Band Championship), and came to The Grascals’ attention as a member of IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year Dale Ann Bradley’s band. His influences include Benny Martin, Scotty Stoneman, Chubby Wise, Bobby Hicks, Kenny Baker, and Stuart Duncan - whom he cites as his favorite fiddle player.

“Jeremy has been doing a great job for us, and he’s proven that he’s up for the challenge. We welcome his talent and his passion for the music.” Jamie Johnson - Grascals vocalist and guitarist

“I couldn’t have picked a better group of guys to hang out with. I’m out there having a blast!” Jeremey Abshire

The Grascals will perform at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival this Friday. Other festival appearances this month include the Bellbrook Jamboree in Xenia, OH, on May 18; Dr. Ralph Stanley’s 38th Annual Memorial Weekend Bluegrass Festival in Coeburn, VA, on May 23; the Bluegrass & BBQ Festival at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO, from May 25-29; and the Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival in Preston, CT, on May 31 and June 1. For a complete schedule of dates on their Mayberry’s Finest tour, please visit http://www.grascals.com.

The Grascals will return to the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, performing Saturday during the 8:30 and 11:00 p.m. segments before hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree at the Texas Troubadour Theater. They will also be guests on Keith Bilbrey’s Opry Warmup Show. Fans can tune in to all the fun on 650 AM WSM or listen online at http://www.wsmonline.com. The Opry can also be heard live on XM 11 Nashville.

The Grascals will release Keep on Walkin’, their third album for Rounder, on July 15.

Share This

In less than a month, the 42nd annual Bill Monroe Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival will kick in to high gear. Featuring over 50 bluegrass artists, Bean Blossom will run from June 14 - 21 in Bean Blossom, IN.

Among the highlights of this years lineup are the John Cowan Band, Larry Stephenson, The Sullivan Family, Karl Shiflett & Big Country, Eddie and Martha Adcock, Tim Graves and Cherokee, IIIrd Tyme Out, James King Band, The Lewis Family, Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys, Michael Cleveland, Special Consensus, Dan Paisley & Southern Grass, Gene Watson, Dailey & Vincent, Cherryholmes, Bobby Osborne & the Rocky Top X-Press and Ernie Thacker & Route 23.

Several Music and Instrument workshops will be given throughout the festival from beginning to advanced levels on banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin and bass; mountain and bluegrass vocals, group harmony, songwriting, band promotion, Bean Blossom history and more.

The festival will feature the Bluegrass Now Youth Tent where kids and teens can get up close and personal with some of Bluegrass’ greatest musicians.

2008 also marks the 3rd year for the Youth Bluegrass Boot Camp. Sarah Wasson is in charge of coordinating the camp and instructors. Enrollees will cover topics about basic instrument care, vocals, harmonies, stage presence, microphone technique, and songwriting. The Boot Camp culminates with a performance from the students on the main stage.

Bean Blossom is offering a discount on advance ticket purchases that ends June 1st and they have several combo and single day packages available. The festival also offers camping with options for RV hookups or primitive camping.

For more information on Bean Blossom visit Bill Monroe’s Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival online.

Share This

Dave Hunter from the Gibson Lifestyle Blog has an interesting article that should appeal to bluegrass flatpickers discussing the various tonewoods used in the construction of acoustic flat-top guitars online.

The Article covers the various woods used through out the construction of an acoustic guitar and provides some insight and reasoning behind why these species have become the de facto standards for solid wood guitar construction.

I have focused a lot of scrutiny in past installments of Gibson Tone Tips on the woods used to construct electric guitars, but this time out let’s shine the light on a breed of instrument where you can really hear the wood at work: the acoustic flat-top guitar. Wood type and body shape/style really are the determining factors in the voice of any flat-top, all of which coalesce successfully or otherwise according to the skill with which the construction has been rendered, with some significant influence from other factors such as the type and pattern of the top bracing. Dave Hunter - Gibson Lifestyle Blog

Share This