National banjo champion Sonny Smith is back on the road with two free workshops at Midwestern music stores.

He’ll appear at Uptown Strings, 18 North State St., in Westerville, Ohio, at 7 p.m.Monday, Dec. 7, and then at Guitarworks in Greenwood, Ind., at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2.

The rumors have been floating around for weeks, perhaps months. And half of the rumor became reality last week, when fiddle wiz Michael Cleveland announced that Rhonda Vincent’s guitar player, Darrell Webb, would be joining his band at the end of December.

Now, the other half of the rumor has been confirmed, by Rhonda Vincent herself, announcing Monday that veteran banjo player Kenny Ingram has departed her band, The Rage.

Well, I had the lead sentence all planned out for my review of Darrell Webb’s new CD a couple of weeks ago.

It was going to read: Ladies and gentlemen, how about a nice hand for Darrell Webb and The Rage. After all, this CD was recorded live utilizing Rhonda Vincent’s fine band, including the boss lady on mandolin and harmony vocals. Hunter Berry was there on fiddle, Mickey Harris on bass and Kenny Ingram on five-string.

Cumberland, MD — Just in time for holiday gift-giving, Delfest early bird passes, VIP Packages, and RV passes are on sale now and can be purchased online only for the time being. The 2nd Annual Delfest takes place Memorial Day Weekend May 22-24, 2009, Cumberland, MD.

A limited number of discounted adult 3-day passes are once again available for just $99 through January 12th or while supplies last. 3-day passes for kids aged 6-12 are $30, with kids 5 and under admitted free. RV passes with hookups are $125 and the hookup is guaranteed until 8pm on Friday, May 22nd. Dry RV Passes, or RV passes without hookups, are $40. Be aware that RV passes are limited in number and are likely to sell out in advance.

Hazel Lorrine Bowman, mother of bluegrass performer and songwriter, Ronnie Bowman, died Friday, Nov. 21 in Pinnacle, N. C.

She was 75.

Like her son, Mrs. Bowman enjoyed performing music. She was active in the Harvest Time Singers in the Pinnacle area, and she was a well known seamstress.