The Gibson Originals Ricky Skaggs Distressed F-5 mandolin

So, you’d like to own Ricky Skaggs’ 1923 Lloyd Loar F-5 mandolin?

Sorry, it’s not for sale — but you can come close.

Gibson Originals is releasing the Ricky Skaggs Limited Edition Distressed Master Model mandolin. The instrument is the result of a year-plus of Gibson luthiers working with Skaggs on the project.

According to Gibson, “this signature model mandolin is closely based on Ricky’s 1923 Lloyd Loar F-5—an instrument revered for its tone and playability.”

The Ricky Scaggs Distressed F-5 mandolin has a spruce top, flame maple back and sides, and ebony fingerboard with mother-of-pearl dot inlays. Classic appointments include a flowerpot headstock inlay, silver-plated, hand-engraved hardware, and a vintage reproduction bridge. The hand-rubbed, ultra-thin Cremona Sunburst finish is carefully aged by the skilled luthiers at the Gibson OAI division in Nashville.

Each mandolin in this limited 30-instrument run comes with a certificate of authenticity, and is personally inspected by Skaggs to insure it meets his standards for tone, playability, and appearance.

The hardshell case for this mandolin is protected by a custom-embroidered Small Dog cover, and the instrument comes with a Tone-Gard back isolator.

The Gibson Web site lists the mandolin, but not its price. If you’re interested, check this one out with a Gibson dealer who can get that magic suggested retail price for you.

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IIIrd Tyme Out has resurrected their fan club.

The IIIrd Tyme Out fan club is back, only this time it mirrors the band’s changed name. It’s called the Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out Fan Club.

Jimmy and Ella Hicks, described by the band as “faithful friends and followers,” started the orginal band fan club several years ago. It became recognized as one of the top fan clubs in bluegrass with the largest membership of any such organization.

Now the Hickses have relaunched the club — with free membership and band newsletters via e-mail.

It will also include a special “Across The Miles” feature with news from Steve Dilling, the band’s banjo player, as well as “On The Road,” a regular feature penned by Doug Driskell, the band’s bus driver and bass singer.

The official fan club has it’s own Web site where folks can sign up for membership. Fans can to to www.3XOutandMoore.com to join.

The band, recently back from its first tour to Prince Edward Island in Eastern Canada, will shift directions next month, when members head out for a nine-day tour of the West Coast.

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Mountain Heart will join southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd for 3 upcoming shows in September.

Nashville, Tenn. — Ground-breaking and genre-defying acoustic band Mountain Heart will join iconic southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd for three special shows next month:

• September 11 — Danville, VA - Carrington Pavilion - 8 p.m.
• September 12 — Boone, NC – The Holmes Center, Appalachian State University - 8 p.m.
• September 13 — Elizabeth City, NC – Coast Guard Support Center - 7 p.m.

“I can’t begin to tell you how exciting this is for Mountain Heart, and for me personally,” said lead singer Josh Shilling. “I grew up listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd, and as a piano player I’ve been greatly influenced by and have always appreciated the innovative playing style of Billy Powell.”

The shows are being presented by Radio Media Productions. Promoter Kent Martin says, “I’ve known the guys in Mountain Heart for years, and how they adapt to and excel in any performance situation. They bring a really diverse musical background, and they just light up a stage. I knew this would be a great combination.”

The September shows actually aren’t the first time Mountain Heart played the same venue as Lynyrd Skynyrd—they both played at the BamaJam Music & Arts Festival in Enterprise, Alabama, on June 7.

Mountain Heart’s name has been synonymous with cutting-edge excellence in bluegrass and acoustic music circles since the group’s formation in 1998 by a group of veterans from Alison Krauss’s Union Station and Doyle Lawson’s Quicksilver. Mountain Heart deftly combines elements of rock, jamband, country, blues, jazz, and bluegrass into a high-energy sound that is at once fresh, accessible, and unmistakable. That sound is fully embodied on their most recent CD, Road That Never Ends (The Live Album) released on Rural Rhythm Records in the fall of 2007. The band has shared the bill with everyone from Montgomery Gentry, Merle Haggard and Brad Paisley, to Tony Rice, Travis Tritt, Yonder Mountain Stringband, LeAnn Rimes and Patty Loveless. Mountain Heart took home its first annual International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award for Emerging Artist of the Year in 1999, and they’ve been racking up group and individual awards and nominations, Grammy^®, IBMA, CMA and ACM, ever since.

Mountain Heart’s upcoming schedule includes shows with Diamond Rio and Tony Rice, and a performance at IBMA’s Fan Fest. For more information and tour updates, visit http://www.mountainheart.com/.

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The Florida Boys begin a Tennessee adventure as regulars at Smoky Mountain Showplace Theatre in Pigeon Forge. From left are Charlie Waller, Chip Cooper, Dustin Bearden and Buddy Burton.

There is nothing quite like the sound of tradition, the excitement of hearing music that has touched people’s hearts for decades, and the thrill of sharing the musical experience that defines Southern gospel — The Florida Boys.

Continuing a 60-year legacy, lead singer Charlie Waller is bringing the Florida Boys gospel quartet to the Smoky Mountain Showplace Theatre, 140 Showplace Boulevard, in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., where they will perform six nights a week.

“We are so excited to be able to bring our show to Pigeon Forge on a regular basis,” Waller said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for a quartet to get a chance to entertain for the receptive audiences that visit the Smokies.”

Waller said the performance will be an innovative, entertaining mix featuring the talents of baritone singer: Buddy Burton, bass singer Chip Cooper, and tenor singer Dustin Bearden.

While the original members of the seasoned group retired from the road last year, a new chapter was born under Waller’s leadership and the name and classic songs continue.

“We are not just sleeping on our laurels here,” Waller said of the group. “We are going to bring folks a little bit of everything, hand clappers, tear jerkers, and songs that will leave a smile on their faces and joy in their hearts. How else can you leave them when you are singing about Jesus?”

Waller credits Ron Blackwood as being instrumental in helping him to strike a deal with theater owners Bob Deason and Sherry Bowman.

The group’s latest release is entitled “I Give You…..” which features a variety of Florida Boys songs such as “My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me,” “After All,” “The Master Locksmith,” and “I Must Tell Jesus” and the show will include some of the greatest classics of the Southern gospel genre.

Preserving the industry and its legacy is a top priority for Waller, he said.

He now also serves the industry as executive director of the Southern Gospel Music Association that operates the SGMA Hall of Fame and Museum at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.

Adding to Waller’s colorful approach to show production is Gospel Music Hall of Fame member Burton, with 38 years in music working with acts such as the Smitty Gatlin Trio, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps…(Elvis’ back-up group), Hovie Lister and the Statesmen…(Elvis’ favorite quartet), the Masters V, and Charlie Waller’s Grand Ole Gospel Reunion Quartet; Cooper, who brings 33-years of experience to the stage with groups like the Goodnewsmen, Pine Ridge Boys, Tar-Heel State and the Mystery Men; and Bearden, 24, who is already a seasoned professional working with Providence, New Vision Quartet, Narrow Way Quartet, and Alliance.

More information about the group can be found at www.thefloridaboys.net.

The debut performance is Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Shows at the theater are Monday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $22 for adults and $11 for children 12 and under. Discounts are available for groups and tour buses. For more information, call (877) 333-9330.

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The Roots Music Association is proud to announce the World United Music Festival & Radio/Membership Conference is to be held in San Marcos, Texas on Nov 14-15-16 2008.

The RMA is also proud to announce its newly formed production partnership with The United States Entertainment Force. In conjuction with RMA, the USEF, a highly acclaimed Production Corporation, will handle the Executive Producer responsibilities of the Music Festival on our 300+ acre Venue for The World United Music Festival & Radio/Membership Conference.

The United States Entertainment Force, www.theusef.org, has graciously come on board to produce the event in support of the RMA, and to help their goals to raise awareness & funds to support those serving in our Military today and their families, those who have served, the Children and our Nations Future.

The City of San Marcos and the new Embassy Suites Convention Center have also given their support to the RMA and will supply the venue for the convention. With an additional 300 acres adjacent to the Convention Center for staging the Music Festival & Roots Music Awards portion of the event with over 150 showcasing artists and 8 stages.

This years Music Festival, Radio/Membership Conference and Roots Music Awards Show is sure to be a major success with thousands of fans expected to attend from around the globe.

For more detailed info on this first annual event please visit www.worldunitedmusicfestival.com.

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