Roland White Herschel Sizemore

Nashville, Tenn. — Count Big Joe’s Guitarworks among the Nashville business community sector that’s hopping on the bandwagon for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass convention in October.

The store, at 854 Madison Square, will host a mandolin workshop with Roland White from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 2 when the IBMA convention is in full swing.

A day later, the store will hold two mandolin workshops with Herschel Sizemore. An early Oct. 3 session will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and a second session will run from 2 to 4 p.m.

Each session will be $65 per student and is limited to 20 students per session. Advance reservations are strongly recommended as early sell-outs are anticipated.

White has played in some of the genre’s most influential and popular groups, including a stint with his late brother, flat-picking legend Clarence White, in the Kentucky Colonels. He also performed with Bill Monroe and with Lester Flatt’s Nashville Bluegrass Band.

Sizemore has also performed and recorded with some of bluegrass music’s finest during his career, including Jimmy Martin, Del McCoury, Vassar Clements, Bill Monroe, Allen Bibey, Curly Seckler, The Dixie Gentlemen, and The Bluegrass Cardinals.

Owned and operated by Big Joe Vest, Big Joe’s Guitarworks is a Music City repair and retail music store specializing in mandolins and guitars.

In addition to being an instrument repair facility, the store specializes in the sale and trade of quality new and used musical products including mandolins, vintage guitars and amplifiers and other items of interest to the amateur or professional musician.

For further information or to register for the workshops, people can contact: Big Joe Vest at (615) 865-8797 or by email at bigjoev@bellsouth.net. At the time of this posting, the store’s Web site was down for construction.

The instructors’ Web sites are http://www.herschelsizemore.com and http://www.rolandwhite.com/

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Del McCoury Will host the 19th annual IBMA Awards October 2 in Nashville, Tenn.

Nashville, Tenn — Legendary bluegrass artist Del McCoury will host the 19th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards on Thursday, October 2, at 8:30 p.m. (central), at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

“The IBMA has been really good to the band and our families from the beginning,” McCoury comments. “So after 50 years in this business, having the opportunity to give a little something back by hosting our music’s biggest night is a special honor. My experience has given me a unique perspective on our industry’s ups and downs, which leads me to believe the best is yet to come. Bluegrass is being welcomed into new musical communities across the world, and on October 2nd we get the chance to acknowledge the good work of our peers and celebrate the new opportunities awaiting us in the year to come.”

The Del McCoury Band has taken home the industry’s top Entertainer of the Year award for an unprecedented nine times from 1994-2004, and overall they are the most awarded group in the history of IBMA. The group has been nominated for six Grammys^®, winning the award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2006. Del has seen his videos welcomed by CMT; joined the Grand Ole Opry; represented the cream of the bluegrass crop on national television, making appearances on Austin City Limits, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Late Show with David Letterman and PBS Sessions at West 54th; and the band anchored PBS’ first, immensely successful national foray into America’s original roots music as featured performers on the All-Star Bluegrass Celebration.

While the accolades are appreciated, Del McCoury will tell you—and mean it—that he was happy when he was cutting timber alone in the woods during the week and playing music on the weekend. “I used to travel 40 miles and make seven dollars to play a night of bluegrass,” Del McCoury says. “I always loved playing, always loved the road.” He earns a little more and travels a little farther nowadays, but the essential truth remains: Del McCoury plays and sings because he loves making music for a living and appreciates the people who have made that possible.

McCoury’s love for life and bluegrass music is contagious. Regularly drawing crowds which run the gamut from tie-dyed neo-hippie jammers alongside button-down Yuppies and suspendered good ol’ boys, The Del McCoury Band may well boast the broadest, most inclusive fan base this side of the Grateful Dead. They are undeniably one of the most talented, revered and vital groups in bluegrass history. The Washington Post called Del “a national treasure,” while numerous music publications have credited The Del McCoury Band with increasing the bluegrass “hip factor,” generating much of the genre’s steady upswing in popularity with a more youthful crowd. He’s equally welcome at traditional bluegrass festivals, jam band gatherings, and the most prestigious music venues in America—from MerleFest, to Bonnaroo and Carnegie Hall.

In 1950 he was an 11-year-old boy living on a Pennsylvania dairy farm when he had his first taste of Earl Scruggs. He hasn’t been the same since. “He put me on fire for music,” McCoury says. “Later on, everybody else was crazy about Elvis, but I loved Earl.” McCoury worked in a string of Baltimore honkytonks before signing up as a Blue Grass Boy with Bill Monroe in 1963. But eventually Pennsylvania called him home again, and there he turned his attention to raising his family, earning his living in construction and logging while continuing to travel the bluegrass circuit, never straying far from his first love. Through the years he recorded the occasional brilliant album, but it wasn’t until 1992 that everything meshed perfectly for McCoury, when he formed The Del McCoury Band with his sons, Ronnie and Rob.

Looking back, McCoury says, “I’ve played music forever, but it all just seemed to come together in the last 10 years or so. The thing is, I’ve never changed my style at all. I’ve always done my own thing, always had confidence in myself. I always knew that someone would like my sound.” McCoury says that new fans of bluegrass are spreading the word about the music. “Young people are just wild about bluegrass. This music has grit and young people like that. The general public hears something real in bluegrass. That’s why it’s more popular than ever, I believe.”

The International Bluegrass Music Awards are determined by the professional membership of the association and recognize outstanding achievement in the bluegrass genre. The show is syndicated to more than 300 radio stations across the country and around the world, and will be broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio. National sponsors for the show include Martha White Foods, GACTV, GHS Strings, Pinecastle Records, MerleFest and Deering Banjos. Tickets may be purchased from IBMA at 888-438-4262 or online at www.ibma.org.

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Nashville, Tenn. — Bluegrass music’s premier indoor festival is just around the corner! Industry reps and bluegrass fans alike will want to reserve their tickets as soon as possible for IBMA’s Bluegrass Fan Fest, scheduled for October 3-5, 2008, at the Nashville Convention Center. The star-studded event that wraps up World of Bluegrass Week (Sept. 28-Oct. 5) will present the talents of more than 60 acts on four stages, including the Main Stage, the Roots & Branches Stage, the Masters Workshop Stage and the Grand Master Fiddler Championship.

In addition to the fabulous music and exciting opportunities to interact with artists face-to-face after they perform, attendees will enjoy visiting a bluegrass music-themed Exhibit Hall with more than 100 booths, and jam sessions for musicians of all ages and levels of expertise will be going on everywhere!

Multi-award winning Vince Gill has hosted the International Bluegrass Music Awards before, but October 4 will mark his first appearance at Fan Fest. With a name synonymous with excellence in singing, songwriting and playing, Gill has won over legions of fans since his early career days on the bluegrass circuit. His platinum-selling, multi-format boxed set, These Days, earned him his 19th Grammy® Award for Best Country Album this year. In August he will embark on a concert tour billed as “A Special Acoustic Evening with Vince Gill.”

Grammy-winning Kathy Mattea, singer of such classics as “18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses” and “Where’ve You Been,” will appear at Fan Fest for the second time, this year. Her critically acclaimed release, Coal, produced by Marty Stuart and released earlier this year on her own Captain Potato Records, marks Mattea’s return to her West Virginia roots. Mattea, whose parents grew up in coal camps and whose grandfathers were both miners, has a pure and authentic voice that soars through the collection of songs which explores the pride and pain of the coal miner in America.

Michael Martin Murphey, known for hits like “Wildfire,” “Carolina in the Pines,” and “What’s Forever For,” is one of the foremost proponents of western music and is a member of the Western Music Hall of Fame. He received the Cowboy Keeper Award from the National Day of the Cowboy in May of this year. He has received six gold records, including one for Cowboy Songs, which became the first western album declared gold by the RIAA since Marty Robbins’ Gunfighter. He has also earned numerous awards from BMI, the Academy of Country Music, The Academy of Western Artists and Performers and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, among others.

Proceeds from Fan Fest ticket sales benefit the Bluegrass Trust Fund, established to help bluegrass professionals during times of emergency need, as well as IBMA’s marketing and educational events during the year. All artists appearing at the event donate their time and talents for the cause.

“As far as I’m concerned, bluegrass music owns the deepest talent pool in any genre of music today,” comments Fan Fest producer, Carl Jackson. “To have so many wonderful artists step up to the plate and donate their time and effort for the IBMA Trust Fund speaks volumes about the music and the entire bluegrass community.”

In addition to Gill, Mattea and Murphey, performing artists confirmed at press time include The Grascals, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Bradley Walker, Dale Ann Bradley, The Dan Tyminski Band, Tony Trischka, Cherryholmes, Jesse McReynolds Family & Friends, J.D. Crowe, Blue Highway, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, David Parmley & Continental Divide, Paul Williams & Victory Trio, Special Consensus, Dailey & Vincent, Don Rigsby & Midnight Call, The Larry Stephenson Band…and more!

National sponsors for Bluegrass Fan Fest 2008 are Martha White Foods, Martin Guitars and Knee Deep in Bluegrass.

Tickets for all World of Bluegrass events are available at http://www.ibma.org/ or by calling 888-GET-IBMA (615) 256-3222. For discount rates on accommodations, call the event housing bureau at 1-877-259-4716.

BLUEGRASS FAN FEST 2008

October 3, 4, 5 - Nashville Convention Center – Nashville, Tenn. Sponsored in part by Martha White Foods, Martin Guitars & Knee Deep in Bluegrass.

FEATURED ARTISTS:

• The Grascals
• Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
• Vince Gill
• Bradley Walker
• Dale Ann Bradley
• The Dan Tyminski Band
• Kathy Mattea
• Tony Trischka
• Cherryholmes
• Jesse McReynolds Family & Friends
• J.D. Crowe
• Blue Highway
• Michael Martin Murphey
• Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
• David Parmley & Continental Divide
• Paul Williams & Victory Trio
• Special Consensus
• Dailey & Vincent
• Don Rigsby & Midnight Call
• The Larry Stephenson Band
• Audie Blaylock & Redline
• Robin & Linda Williams and Their Fine Group
• The Chapmans
• Ralph Stanley II
• Alecia Nugent
• Grasstowne
• Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain
• The Greencards
• Keith Sewell
• NewFound Road
• Blue Moon Rising
• Circuit Riders
• Balsam Range
• The Freight Hoppers
• The April Verch Band
• Ramona Jones Family & Friends
• G2 Bluegrass
• Mike Seeger
• The Maybelles
• The Red Desert Ramblers
• The Tina and Buddy Wright Group
• The Songcatchers
• Dennis Cash & Friends

Kids On Bluegrass 2008 - Featuring: Aimee Anderson, Daisy Anderson, Ethan Anderson, Paige Anderson, Lindsey Batts, Danielle Bishop, Courtney Burroughs, Houston Caldwell, Casey Campbell, Kendra Coomes, Emily Dean, Stephanie Dilling, Ben Doerfel, Eddie Doerfel, Joey Doerfel, Kurt Doerfel, Tommy Doerfel, Ethan Haithcox, Jacob Joins, Nick Keen, Aissa Lee, Daniel Perry, Sydni Perry, Seth Taylor, Brandon Toney, Molly Tuttle, Tyler Walker, Tyler White, Austin Wilder and Grace Wilson

For specific set and date times, check http://www.ibma.org/ later this month.

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There’s the Oscars, the Emmys, the Tonys, the Grammys, the Razzies, but what’s the International Bluegrass Music Association have?

An IBMA award with no name.

Isn’t there something better, wonders Chris Stuart in an e-conversation thread he started on the IBMA Email List.

“I’ve been on a private campaign to have the annual awards that IBMA gives out named the Jimmys, after Jimmy Martin,” Stuart said in launching his thread. “I’m taking my campaign public now and anticipate an immediate reaction of one hundred reasons why it’s a bad idea and another two hundred suggestions of other names. I will not be moved by common sense or logic and will maintain my position that we ought to call our awards something and that something is The Jimmys.”

“I think it would be a good way to honor one of the most important artists in our history. Plus, it just sounds good… although it also could be used for the International Carjacking Association awards. … We need to give TV anchors something to say. The “International Bluegrass Music Association Award” is too long. They need to be able to say, “Del got a Jimmy!” or something like that.”

“Okay, I stand prepared for your tomatoes.”

Well, Stuart hasn’t yet received an overly ripe tomato in his mug, but he has stirred up some reaction. For example, from Kevin Lynch: “Make mine a golden ‘Big Mon’ (for William Smith Monroe.)”

From David Moultrup, obviously a scholarly type who probably relishes forging thoughtful compromises: “I’m reading the lack of response to Chris’s suggestion as people ducking for cover and avoiding controversy. It does seem that this is a topic which is worth a formal discussion, meaning a discussion broader than among those who happen to have the time and inclination to do an online discussion.

Even Laurie Lewis offered a suggestion: “How about ‘The Willies’? As in, ‘Del McCoury got the Willies for Song of the Year and Recording of the Year.”

The thread generated lots of suggestions, and we’re including them below. What do you think? Zip through the shortlist and let us know if you have other suggestions. You can leave a comment below to include your ideas or email us at subscriber@bluegrassjournal.com. In a week or so, we’ll offer a poll so BluegrassJournal.com readers can have their say.

• The Jimmys
• The Big Mons
• The Bills
• The Grassies (for traditional bluegrass)
• The Grazzies (for contemporary bluegrass)
• The Grahammys (in tribute to Randy Graham, longtime member of the Bluegrass Cardinals and The Continental Divide.)

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Oak Hill, NY — Are you a bluegrass artist or member of a bluegrass band looking to take it to the next level? The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (July 17-20) has arranged for the IBMA to present workshops geared towards regional artists looking to “kick-start their careers. These sessions will be a great opportunity to meet and learn from experts. If you’re a regional musician, agent, publicist or are otherwise working with regional bands ready to take the next step, these workshop are for you.” A complete list of panelists and a schedule for the workshop is below.

At Grey Fox next week, IBMA will be presenting workshops very similar to those normally found at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass in Nashville each fall. Geared toward regional artists who want to kick-start their careers, these sessions will be a great opportunity to meet and learn from experts.

To attend the workshop’s you’ll only need a festival ticket. The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is trying to get a sense of the number of people that would like to attend by sending a quick email to burdette@greyfoxbluegrass.com.

Schedule for Workshop:

“TAKING YOUR BAND TO THE NEXT LEVEL”
Friday & Saturday, July 18-19, 10-11:45 a.m. each day
Location: Slow Jam Tent

Presented by IBMA, in conjunction with the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival

Are you a bluegrass artist ready to step up to the next level of touring and expertise in the music industry? For the first time, the International Bluegrass Music Association, the industry’s professional trade organization, is bringing a professional development seminar to attendees of Grey Fox. Plan to meet with respected industry reps for a panel discussion and Q&A on topics like booking, developing a unique band image & identity, working with a record label, pitching your music to radio, publicity and internet promotion.

MODERATOR: Nancy Cardwell, IBMA Special Projects Director

PANELISTS:

Friday, July 18

Welcome (10-10:10 a.m.)

• Nancy Cardwell, IBMA

Tips from Event Producers & Talent Buyers (10:10-10:30 a.m.)

• Mary Tyler Doub, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival
• Stan Zdonik & Gerry Katz, Joe Val Bluegrass Festival & Boston Bluegrass Union

Developing a Unique Band Image & Identity (10:30-10:50 a.m.)

• Pete “Dr. Banjo” Wernick; Hot Rize, Pete Wernick & the Live Five, Pete & Joan Wernick

Finding & Working with a Record Label (10:50-11:10 a.m.)

• Ken Irwin, Rounder Records

Q&A (11:10-11:45 a.m.)

Saturday, July 19

Welcome (10-10:10 a.m.)

• Nancy Cardwell, IBMA

Promoting your Music to Radio (10:10-10:30 a.m.)

• Joan Kornblith, Voice of America
• Carol Beaugard, WFDU-FM

Publicity & Promotions (10:30-10:50 a.m.)

• Bev Paul
• Adrienne Young, AddieBelle Music

Internet Promotions (10:50-11:10 a.m.)

• Steve Ide, www.thirstylizards.com

Q & A (11:10-11:45 a.m.)

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