The Biscuit Burners perform on the WDVX Blueplate Special today (May 18) at 1:00 P.M. (Eastern). Photo by Peter Montanti.

Steep Canyon Rangers stayin’ on the charts

The Steep Canyon Rangers continue to hold near the top of the XM bluegrass charts. Lovin’ Pretty Women (Rebel) is holding on the #5 spot on XM’s Bluegrass Junction Top 40 Bluegrass Albums.

Infamous Stringdusters - on XM Radio with Kyle Cantrell

The Infamous Stringdusters, on the verge of releasing their newest, self-titled project on the Sugar Hill label June 10, will be on on XM Radio’s Bluegrass Junction with Kyle Cantrell for a Track-by-Track review of The Infamous Stringdusters.

Schedule:

• Wednesday, May 28 at 6PM ET
• Thursday, June 5 at Midnight ET
• Tuesday, June 10 at 3PM ET

Bluegrass Calendar of Festivals and Events

May 28 1:00 P.M. (Eastern) — The Biscuit Burners will perform on the WDVX Blueplate Special, a live 1 hour radio show broadcast from downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. WDVX streams live online

May 28 - June 1 — Bluegrass & BBQ festival at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. Artists scheduled to play include the Bluegrass Brothers, The Grascals, Cherryholmes, Chris Jones, Dailey and Vincent, The Dixie Bee-liners, Balsam Range, Michelle Nixon and Drive, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ronnie Reno & Reno Tradition and Midnight Ramblers.

Got an item for the calendar? Looking for Festivals, Special events, Jam Sessions, etc… If it relates to the world of Bluegrass we want to know about it. Send us the who, what, when and where and other details you’ve got and we’ll do our best to let everyone know about it. Send your Bluegrass Calendar items to subscriber@bluegrassjournal.com.

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Here is the body after neck removal. The bridge area has been flattened with heat, moisture and clamping with blocks during 3 treatments. I have started the touch - up work around the bridge area. This guitar has a varnish finish and will need a shellac and French polish treatment over the bare wood before the new bridge is glued down. Here is the new bridge pad and the ebony blank which will be the new bridge.
Photos and Documentation courtesy of Marty Lanham - Nashville Guitar Company

“The more I play it, the better it sounds, It cries when I leave it alone, Silently it waits for me, Or someone else I suppose.”

We are nearing completion of a vintage Martin restoration by master luthier Marty Lanham.

Marty is the owner of “The Nashville Guitar Company” in Nashville, Tenn. He has been unbelievably gracious to continue to supply us with pictures and comments of the complete refurbishment and restoration of this Martin instrument, as we had requested.

You can find an incredible amount of information on the Internet about Marty Lanham and his company. Many wonderful Nashville artists, such as Marty Stuart and Ricky Skaggs, have used him for the care of their classic instruments.

My cousin Ray Hatton, who owns the 1929 0-18, has been in contact with Marty about the kind of strings he would like to see put on the guitar.

Ray, afraid that the bridge may tend to be displaced once again, requested nylon strings. Marty suggested light gauge steel strings from a friend, John Pearse, who specializes in those for vintage guitars.

He asked the style of playing Ray used. Ray responded with, “the style Andy Griffith used while playing”. Marty informed Ray that was a “parlor-style” of playing. He felt these light steel strings would work perfect for that method of playing.

Marty’s next step was to string the guitar up and watch it for a couple weeks. The last thing he might do would be to adjust the nut on the guitar. The instrument should be done very soon, ahead of schedule. All of us here at BluegrassJournal.com, will notify you soon in regards to the completion of the entire process.

This is the new bridge pad and clamping block ready to be clamped in overnight.

Looking though the soundhole we see the luthier’s mirror and the new bridge pad being clamped in place.

When the clamp and blocks are removed the top will be flat and ready for the new bridge.

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Russ BarenbergBryan Sutton

The annual Pagosa, Colo., Folk ‘n Bluegrass Festival next month could be a flat-picker’s dream.

Headlining the festival in Reservoir Hill Park, June 6, 7 and 8, are guitar monsters Russ Barenberg and Bryan Sutton. They will appear together at 2 p.m. Saturday and again at 6 p.m. Sunday. The duo will also present a guitar workshop at 4 p.m. Sunday

The festival features camping in the 120-acre ponderosa pine forest of Reservoir Hill Park. It includes workshops, late night shows, campfire jams, and free children’s programs.

Others on the schedule are:

• The Waybacks
• The Biscuit Burners
• Martha Scanlan & the Stuart Brothers
• The Belleville Outfit
• Cadillac Sky
• Red Stick Ramblers
• Boulder Acoustic Society
• Shannon Whitworth
• Jayme Stone
• The Expedition Quartet
• The Badly Bent
• Pete Kartsounes Band
• Rock and Rye

Tickets can be ordered by calling 877-472-4672.

Camping information, the performance schedule and other details are available at http://www.folkwest.com/folk_bluegrass_festival/

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Attendees enjoy a fun-filled day of Southern Gospel concerts at Dollywood last year. SGMA Day at Dollywood including concerts, dinner and Hall of Fame inductions is Oct. 9. Advance tickets are now available by calling (865) 908-4040.

Pigeon Forge, Tenn. — The Southern Gospel Music industry will come together to honor its legends Thursday, Oct. 9 at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

SGMA Day, sponsored by the non-profit Southern Gospel Music Association, features a fun-filled day of concerts, dinner and the induction of the 2008 Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame newest members.

“We are looking forward to a wonderful day,” said Charlie Waller, SGMA executive director. “I know the families, fans and friends of our inductees have anticipated this day for some time.”

The 2008 SGMA class of inductees includes: Fred E. Daniel, Polly Grimes, Herschel Lester, Squire Parsons, Luther G. Presley, and Ray Dean Reese.

Gates for the event will open at 10 a.m. at Dollywood.

Performers will include Crist Family, Dixie Echoes, Dove Brothers Quartet, Florida Boys, Kingdom Heirs, Kingsmen, The Lesters, and Triumphant.

The induction ceremony pre-show is at 3:45 p.m. in the Celebrity Theatre featuring vintage video clips from the collection of Charlie Waller. The ceremony begins at 4 p.m.

Tickets are $65, which includes the concerts, induction ceremony and dinner. Tickets may only be purchased by Sept. 30 in advance by calling (865) 908-4040.

Dinner includes pulled BBQ pork, chicken or ribs, baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, corn on the cob, bread, desserts, and beverages.

“I encourage each of you to be in attendance for this milestone event in gospel music,” Waller said. “It will be a day of fun, food, music and reminiscing. Come visit us in the Great Smoky Mountains and be at Dollywood Oct. 9.”

Dollywood is closed that day from its normal amusement operations but graciously donates the use of the facilities for the concerts, dinner and induction ceremony to assist the organization with its annual fundraising event, according to Waller.

The Southern Gospel Music Association is a non-profit organization that maintains the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, the only facility honoring this genre of music, for the historic preservation of the accomplishments of the music and its people. Museum hours match those of Dollywood. Donations are tax-deductible. For more information about the museum or its inductees, visit www.sgma.org.

Tidbits about this year’s honorees:

Fred E. Daniel

He performed with the Sunshine Boys, who did five shows a week on ABC radio network for 6 years, sponsored by Minute Rice. The Sunshine Boys performed at The Golden Nugget on the Las Vegas strip.

Polly Grimes

A gospel music promoter whose first concert production was presented at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium in 1960 with the Blackwood Brothers and Statesmen.

Herschel Lester

From the Lesters, his early childhood life was spent with his parents playing and singing gospel music on the street corners and churches in the St. Louis, Mo. area.

Squire Parsons

In addition to being one of America’s best-loved soloists, Parsons is a prolific songwriter. In 1981, his song, “Sweet Beulah Land” was voted “Favorite Song Of The Year” by “The Singing News” magazine.

Luther G. Presley

This songwriter penned the words for “When the Saints Go Marching In” and V. O. Stamps composed the music in 1937. The New Orleans Saints adopted it as their theme song in the 1960s.

Ray Dean Reese

Reese attended monthly singing classes in his mid to late teens held in local churches with his friends Rex Nelon and London Parris. His solidified his career in gospel music as the bass singer with the legendary Kingsmen Quart

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Rural Rhythm Records is set to release “Fresh Cuts & Key Tracks,” a sampler CD that will be released to radio.

Nashville, Tenn. — Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce a Bluegrass Radio Release, “Fresh Cuts & Key Tracks.” The special promotional radio CD includes seven new singles from upcoming and current Rural Rhythm CDs by: Mountain Heart, Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain, Mashville Brigade, Dwight McCall, Randy Kohrs, Rickey Wasson, and Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad. The CD will be arriving at Bluegrass Radio stations the first week in June. More information regarding these artists can be found on the label’s website at www.RuralRhythm.com

Tracks include:

“I Can Go Back Anytime” by Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain is the first single from the band’s highly anticipated new album titled “CHHR2” set for release July 29th. The song was written by Jennifer Strickland who also wrote their chart single, “Going on the Next Train” from their debut album. This new song definitely showcases their wide range of artistry and helps define their unique and powerful sound as they continue to take the bluegrass and acoustic market by storm. Musicians include: Carrie Hassler (lead vocals); Josh Miller (banjo); Kevin McKinnon (mandolin), Keith McKinnon (guitar), Travis Anderson (acoustic bass), and guests, Jim VanCleve (fiddle and harmony vocals) and Steve Gulley (harmony vocals).

“Losin’ In Las Vegas” by Rickey Wasson is from his upcoming debut solo album, “From the Heart & Soul.” Rickey is a member of J.D. Crowe & The New South and joins band and label mate Dwight McCall on this classic Haggard song from Merle’s “5:01 Blues” album. Musicians include: Rickey Wasson (lead and harmony vocals, guitar); Dwight McCall (harmony vocals), Ron Stewart (banjo & fiddle), Adam Steffey (mandolin), Harold Nixon (acoustic bass).

“Take This Hammer” by Mashville Brigade is from their new album, “Bluegrass Smash Hits, Volume 1.” The album, produced by Grammy® nominated Jim VanCleve (master fiddler and band member of Mountain Heart) is filled with 16 BIG HITS performed by some of the brightest young stars in Bluegrass today including: Ashby Frank (lead vocals & mandolin), Aaron McDaris (banjo & harmony vocals), Darrell Webb (guitar & harmony vocals), Jim VanCleve (fiddle), and Randy Barnes (acoustic bass).

“My Eyes Shall Be On Canaan’s Land” by Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad is from their upcoming eighth album “Pickin’, Praisin’ & Singin’: Hymns From The Mountain - Yesterday & Today.” The group was voted the 2007 Winner for “Bluegrass Gospel Song of the Year” by Singing News. Musicians include: Cody Shuler (vocals & mandolin), Jerry Cole (vocals & guitar), Elmer Burchett (vocals & banjo), Bill McBee (vocals & acoustic bass) and Matt Flake (fiddle).

“While The Getting’s Good” by Mountain Heart is from “Road That Never Ends - The Live Album.” This is the group’s first-ever Live Album recorded at the world famous venue, The Ark, in Ann Arbor, and features the title track, which is still on the Bluegrass Unlimited Charts, plus the song video is on CMT’s Pure Country TOP 12 Countdown. This is the last Mountain Heart album with band members Clay Jones and Adam Steffey. Musicians include: Josh Shilling (lead vocals & guitar), Barry Abernathy (banjo & harmony vocals), Jim VanCleve (fiddle & harmony vocals), Adam Steffey (mandolin), Clay Jones (guitar); Jason Moore (acoustic bass), and Produced by Jim VanCleve.

“If All Those Trains Were Still Around (I’d be an ol’ hobo) by Randy Kohrs is from the album, “Old Photograph” and also on the collection title “Bluegrass Goes Back to the Future.” Randy is the consummate music man - singer, songwriter, master resophonic guitarist, engineer, and Grammy® award winning producer. “Rockwells Gold”, the first single from Kohrs’ debut Rural Rhythm Records and reached the TOP 5 on the BU Charts. The next single, “Who’s Goin’ With Me,” music video went to #1 on CMT’s Pure Country Top 12 Countdown. Musicians include: Randy Kohrs (lead vocals & Dobro), Don Rigsby (harmony vocals), Scott Vestal (banjo), Jim Hurst (guitar), Tim Crouch (fiddle), Jesse Cobb (mandolin) and Jay Weaver (acoustic bass).

“West Virginia Ground” by Dwight McCall, is the second single from the album “Never Say Never Again.” Dwight’s powerful tenor vocals have placed him in an elite group of today’s top bluegrass singers and landed him in one of today’s top bluegrass groups, J.D. Crowe & The New South, playing mandolin and singing tenor vocals for the past 10 years. Dwight is the son of bluegrass veteran and Rural Rhythm artist; Jim McCall of famed Earl Taylor & Jim McCall. Musicians include: Dwight McCall (lead vocals & mandolin, Ricky Wasson (harmony vocals), Ron Stewart (banjo & fiddle), Randy Kohrs (Dobro), Brian Stephens (guitar), and Harold Nixon (acoustic bass).

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