The Bluegrass Standard Magazine February 2021

Volume 5, Issue 2

Who Let the Dawgs Out?

We at Net Radio Dogs Road Show have done what we do best, and that is to create a Bluegrass/Americana radio show.

The Cyrus Chemistry

“We saw each other, and the chemistry was undeniable. We were introduced and after a while realized we were meant to be together.”

Rocky Mountain Bluegrass

“I teach all instruments by ear, which is how I learned.

That’s the beauty of bluegrass. It’s learned by watching and playing.”

Boulevard Music

“We had the longest-running open mic variety night in the L.A. area,” he said. He said the main room of the shop converts into a concert hall.

Deejay Buddy Michaels

When I was about 10 years old, I listened to my small radio, and I’d take it to bed with me. I’d listen to the big AM stations like WSM. Together it happens for us

Whatever project they might be producing, or delicious meal they might be cooking, Rick and Donna find joy in doing it all together.

Warm Fiddlin’

He’s got a wealth of experience behind him and passing this knowledge to others is a natural passion.

Part of Something …Bigger

We want to spread the gospel and be a light to others. We had seen this happen and wanted to be a part of that.”

Fan Photos

Bluegrass fans are the best. every month!

That’s why we celebrate them

Video Chart January 2021

https://youtu.be/qx2Js9iKSas Rebekah Speer #1:

“Somebody Loves Me” See CHART

Who Let the Dogs Out? Who Let the Dogs Out? Net Radio Dogs Fetches Bluegrass and Americana for Listeners

by Stephen Pitalo When Rick Dollar decided to make a move in radio after more than twenty years — both geographically and genre-wise — there were two reasons: love and health. Dollar formed Net Radio Dogs in 2002 after major surgery, deciding right there and then to return to his native Tennessee and produce an audio experience that reflected his love of bluegrass and Americana.

“I had recovered from brain tumor surgery and my friend Tony Dean had a great idea!” Dollar said. “To me, it was a no brainer. I loved radio and Bluegrass.”

Having worked as a talent at pop and rock stations, Rick knew the lay of the land but longed to promote the music of his youth.

“I grew up in Bristol Tennessee, and my favorite artists growing up were Doyle Lawson and KISS,” Dollar said.

Initially, Net Radio Dogs served as an interview program and aired on YouTube, but these days Rick has pared it down to feature both classic and contemporary bluegrass and Americana music in a one-hour format. Dollar himself hosts the weekly, one-hour radio show to spotlight the genre. At present, the show is offered via streaming radio and podcasts, but Rick says that he is excited to see what opportunities will develop with terrestrial radio.

“We at Net Radio Dogs Road Show have done what we do best, and that is to create an amazing bluegrass/Americana radio show.

We began our search for a syndicator and we looked at all of them before selecting Fishnet Syndication.�

Dollar cited Fishnet commanders Kent Jones and Mike Tyler as veterans in the radio industry with a very impressive track record. For those not familiar, Fishnet offers a wide range of programming to independent broadcasters, including more than two dozen music and talk specialty shows for syndication, in addition to voiceover talent services.

He has also served as host of the Pickin’ Porch Show, held each Thursday for many years at The Mountain Music Museum in Bristol/Kingsport, TN, and as the President of the sponsoring organization, the Appalachian Cultural Music Association

Former Host of the Pickin’ Porch Show “Tim White asked me to get involved with the organization as a board member,” Dollar explained. “Soon after, I was voted to the position by the Board of Directors.”

During the pandemic and since quarantining is the best practice, Jeffrey Garrett of the Infamous Stringdusters decided to take on the creation of the Net Radio Dogs Intro.

Writing, playing, and producing this project became a personal challenge and incorporate some of the processes he uses when he performs and records as a solo artist.

“Rick Dollar was familiar with my music with The Infamous

Stringdusters,” Garrett said, “as well as my solo music incorporating a loop machine, effects, and other instruments that I play. Through conversation, he approached me about designing a jingle or theme song for the show. I loved the challenge and am stoked to have it included on the show.

“I play all the instruments and every sound you hear is either, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, my vocals, or a Roland Hand Drum,” he said. “I tried to think of something inclusive as far as the type of sound and something that would both hopefully pop and be memorable.”

Net Radio Dogs holds a special place with Garrett as a writer, a performer, and a fan of bluegrass music. He said it provides entertainment, education, and more to fans and players alike.

“I think it means the ‘meat and potatoes’ of musicians and singers — the ones that are deep into the industry and process of writing, recording, and performing music.”

The Cyrus Chemistry The Cyrus Chemistry

by Susan Marquez In the historic Pickens Chapel in northwestern South Carolina, Bobby and Teddi Cyrus were dressed for a wedding as they sang their new single, My Wedding Day. The song was written by Jimmy Sites and Jimmy Yeary, inspired by the life of Site’s father, Colonel Carroll Sites, who passed away a few months before the song was written. Colonel Sites always said the day he died is the day he had lived for all his life.

The songwriting duo sent the song to Bobby, who immediately shared it with his wife, Teddi. The couple loved it and Bobby told Sites they were thinking of doing an album and would like to include My Wedding Day on the project.

The song was recorded, and Bobby and Teddi signed a deal with Pinecastle Records. The video shoot for the song was under the direction of the Bonfire Music Group video team of Ethan Burkhardt and Troy House. The chapel where the video was shot dates to 1840, and at one time served as a meeting place for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Bobby and Teddi’s wedding was held in Lawrence County, Kentucky on May 9, 2015.

“We met at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg, Kentucky,” says Teddi. “We saw each other, and the chemistry was undeniable. We were introduced and after a while realized we were meant to be together for a million reasons.”

Both Bobby and Teddi are from Kentucky, and they still live there, making their home in eastern Kentucky. Bobby grew up with all facets of the music industry in his little town of Louisa, Kentucky. His father, Bobby “Bob” Glenn Cyrus influenced him as an artist and songwriter more than anyone else. Music was the dream that Bob was never able to chase.

Instead, he chose to work and raise his four children. “That showed me what’s required of a man,” says Bobby, who learned to write songs by listening to his father’s songs. Bobby was also influenced by other family members at family reunions, cookouts, and campfire jams. If his name sounds familiar, it’s probably because Billy Ray Cyrus is his first cousin. “Our

fathers were brothers.”

Other influences include Waylon Jennings, Ricky Skaggs, Larry Cordle, Kris Kristofferson, Keith Whitley, and Tom T. Hall who had a profound and personal impact on Bobby.

In the 1980s, Bobby’s dad sent some songs to Hall and his wife, Dixie for consideration. “He received a nice letter back from Hall, explaining that while his songs were good, Hall and his wife wrote all their songs, but encouraged dad to keep writing.” In 2004, Bob had terminal cancer with little time left. Bobby used his friendship with producer Don Rigsby to see if Tom would record one of Bob’s songs. “I told him it did not have to be anything special, just guitar and vocals.” Tom agreed to do it, and Bobby sent a song called Slow Dance. A few weeks passed and Bobby received a CD in the mail and a letter from Tom. On Bob’s birthday, Bobby played the CD. “It was the most beautiful piece of music I’ve ever heard. It sounded like a classic hit that Tom had already recorded. He used a full band and obviously made sure the mix was perfect for recording.” https://youtu.be/09LHnP9urQA Teddi grew up in the tiny town of Drift, Kentucky. She first began singing in her grandparents’ church. Teddi’s mother was a pianist and vocalist, and her father was a multiinstrumentalist. Feeling music in hear soul, Teddi learned to play piano, banjo, and bass by ear alone. At the age of 12, she landed a spot in the Jenny Wiley Theatre, and she joined the Kentucky Opry at the age of 13, where she performed for the next six years. When Teddi and Bobby met, they began performing together at the Cyrus Family Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Their new album will be released this year. “We’re not sure of the release date,” Teddi says. “We are really proud of it, there is so much emotion and life on every track.” Bobby wrote or co-wrote ten of the songs, three with Ronnie Bowman and one with Billy Ray Cyrus. “We are so excited for everyone to hear this project,” he says. “The musicians were amazing.” And while they enjoy family time, especially with their new grandbaby, they are both anxious to get back on the road again. “2020 was tough on everyone, and all events and shows were canceled. As soon as it is safe, we plan to hit the road!”

Rocky Mountain Bluegrass Rocky Mountain Bluegrass

by Susan Marquez Americana music, particularly bluegrass, has a long tradition of being passed down from generation to generation. Through jam sessions around campfires, picking in living rooms, listening to records, and through concerts and performances, the music has been learned by repeatedly listening to the same songs. While bluegrass is still immensely popular and relevant in these modern times, the method of learning is changing.

Learning to play bluegrass music has become an academic endeavor, and the music department at Colorado College takes it very seriously.

Learning to play bluegrass music has become an academic endeavor, and the music department at Colorado College takes it very seriously.

Located in the majestic Rocky Mountains of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a small liberal arts college.

“The students here are super impressive and very smart,” says Keith Reed, who started the bluegrass program at the college in 2004. “This is a high academic college where students are immersed in the subjects they study, including (before COVID) travel and hands-on experiences.”

https://youtu.be/ios13vs0kvQ Keith’s grandparents immigrated to the New York area from Ireland. After World War II, Keith’s uncle convinced his dad to move west, so in the 1960s, the family loaded up and moved to Utah. “My dad was blown away by the open spaces, which was so different from New York.” When Keith was four or five, the family moved to Oregon. “It was hard for my mom, who loved everything about New York. She was shocked when a woman asked her at church if the dress she was wearing was store-bought!”

When he was in high school, the family moved to Boise, Idaho, which Keith says was, surprisingly, a hotbed of bluegrass music.

“I played banjo with two friends there,” explains Keith. “One was from West Virginia and the other was from Tennessee. They had lots of bluegrass records that we listened to all the time. I learned to play from listening to the records.”

Keith picked with his friends and his brother. About that time, Dueling Banjos came out and the popularity of artists like Flatt and Scruggs was rising. “Back then, we had albums that were played at 33 rpm, but there was a setting on the stereo that could play a record more slowly. We would do that and try to play what we were hearing.” A big influence on Keith was Jeremy Garrett. “He was from Boise, and was in a band with his dad, Glen, called the Grasshoppers.” Garrett is best known for his GRAMMY-award winning band, the Infamous Stringdusters.” Keith says he got his first experience playing to an audience at a local venue called the Lock, Stock, and Barrel.

One night while watching The Grand Ole Opry on television, Keith saw a commercial for the music program at South Plains College in Texas.

“At the time, it was the only school I knew of offering a bluegrass program.” He enrolled in the school, where he had some exceptionally talented classmates, including Mike Bub, who went on to play with the Del McCoury Band. “Stuart Duncan lived across the hall from me in the dorm, so I heard him play the fiddle, banjo, and guitar all the time.” Duncan went on to play in the Nashville Bluegrass Band, and with Marty Stuart.

After earning his associate degree, Keith returned to Boise where his parents had opened a coffee shop and specialty gourmet store. “It was more like something that you’d see in New York, which was my mother’s influence. I roasted coffee

there and decided to go to Boise State and get a bachelor’s degree in classical guitar.” That education helped Keith develop more with melody and tone.

Keith toured for a while with a bluegrass band called Open Road, who was signed with Rounder Records. In 2004, he had an opportunity to start the bluegrass program within the music department at Colorado College. “It’s been a wonderful experience, and the program is growing each year.” He teaches a bluegrass class each spring and works with ensembles throughout the year. He also teaches private lessons in guitar, banjo, and mandolin. “I teach all instruments by ear, which is how I learned. That’s the beauty of bluegrass. It has been passed down and learned by watching and playing.”

While Keith rarely plays in public anymore, he enjoys getting gigs at local venues for his students.

“Before COVID, I would take my bluegrass students to the Durango Meltdown bluegrass festival so they could get a real feel for what that’s like. I work with them on ensemble, then performance. We work on set lists and stage banter. It is a learning environment that gets students used to being on stage. Even if they never pursue a career in bluegrass, they will be able to use the skills they have learned to make a presentation in a business meeting or a speech in front of an audience. This program gives students the confidence needed in all sorts of situations they may encounter in business.”

Boulevard Music: Not Just Any Music Store Boulevard Music: Not Just Any Music Store

by Kara M. Bachman There are lots of music stores in and around Los Angeles. Not every store has longevity, and not every store offers the kind of expertise Gary Mandell shares with his customers.

Yeah, Mandell’s store located in Culver City supplies a full range of instruments. If you want a guitar by Martin, Eastman, Ibanez, Recording King, or any number of instrument makers, you’ll find it. If you want a banjo, or a mandolin, or even a trombone, you’ll find it. The wide selection is great, but that’s not the unique oomph behind this store…er, performance venue…er, school. Its uniqueness comes from the wealth of experience brought to the operation, and an obvious passion for helping others make music. Mandell has been at the helm there since 1998.

“A lot of stores are strictly retail, but we have a music school with 15 or 20 teachers,” Mandell said.

He is of course one of the teachers of the classes available through the shop. He’s been teaching music for over 50 years and has produced too many music events to count, including the annual Culver City Music Festival. He’s created arrangements and orchestrations for the L.A. Philharmonic, Rochester Symphony, and more. He teaches in all styles, including bluegrass. In addition to Mandell, other instructors will provide lessons at all levels, from beginner to advanced.

There are mandolin lessons. Banjo lessons. Harmonica.

“For guitar, we teach virtually any style you can imagine,” he explained. There’s bluegrass. Folk. Rock. Classical. You name it.

Mandell knows his way around the music biz and is just as active in producing events as he is in making music and selling its tools.

“From 2001 until 2019, I produced the Culver City Music Festival,” he said, noting that the only reason it didn’t happen in 2020 was due to Covid-19. He said he was rolling with the punches of the pandemic, but then when this past year’s event had to be canceled, it really hit home.

“Now, this was becoming personal with me,” he said. “This would have been my 20th year.”

Missing that milestone — or, just delaying it for another year — isn’t the only way Covid-19 has affected Mandell’s normal routine.

“We had the longest-running open mic variety night in the L.A. area,” he said. He said the main room of the shop converts into a concert hall, and it has featured so many performers; there would be no way to count them, from beginners to big names. Special Consensus has performed there. John Jorgenson and his bluegrass band.

“We featured bluegrass on a regular basis,” Mandell said.

Then…it had to cease due to Covid-19. The live performances stopped. The lessons and workshops stopped. The only thing Mandell can do, for the time being, is to revert to being just a retail store.

“California and L.A. are like the [COVID-19] hotspots of the

world right now,” Mandell said. Because of this, he goes above and beyond to assure the safety of his customers. Even though local regulations allow more, Mandell restricts customers to six at a time. He said people are more than glad to wait outside until their time comes, to find the instrument and advice they expect to find at Boulevard.

Mandell hopes things will get back to normal soon, but in the meantime, offered a bit of timely advice he hoped The Bluegrass Standard would spread to readers who are owners of music venues.

“A venue can apply for the ‘Shuttered Venue’ grant through the SBA,” he said, suggesting the added support that has just been made available.

We’ll all just continue to keep our fingers crossed…for the future of venue owners, music store owners, musicians, producers, and everyone who makes a living from music.

Store Hours Monday-Thursday 11am-7pm Friday 11am-6pm Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 1pm-5pm Store Location Boulevard Music 4316 Sepulveda Blvd Culver City, CA 90230 (310) 398-2583

Buddy Michaels, a 40-year Friend of Bluegrass Buddy Michaels, Longtime Friend of Bluegrass

by Shelby C. Berry Specific memories in life center around music, moments listening to the radio with family, or hearing a favorite artist for the first time. But alongside the artists who made lasting impressions in our lives were the deejays playing those artists on our favorite radio stations. Deejay Buddy Michaels stands out among them.

Based in North Carolina, Buddy Michaels has radio broadcasted for 45 years, working with genres from rock and country to gospel and bluegrass. Thirty-five of those years, he focused on bluegrass.

“Around 7 or 8, I remember seeing Flatt & Scruggs on TV. I’ve been hooked on bluegrass ever since. I remember they had a really unique sound,” said Buddy.

“I started deejaying at 19 years old, and now I’m 66. All I’ve ever done is radio,” said Buddy.

Currently, Buddy hosts his syndicated bluegrass show Hometown Festival on four networks—WBAG in Burlington, WKRX in Roxboro, WLJC Life 103.1, and WLQC—featuring traditional and contemporary bluegrass music, including local North Carolina talent. He blends folk with bluegrass to create an enjoyable radio experience for his listeners. In February, he’s adding a fifth radio show of classic country music on WPTF every

weekend in Raleigh.

In addition to his deejay duties, Buddy emcees local festivals such as MerleFest, Bass Mountain Festival, and PreddyFest.

Buddy loves the bluegrass scene, but that love surpasses the music.

In 1973, he made his deejay debut and in 1978 steered into bluegrass on Burlington’s WPCM-FM. In addition to his deejay duties, Buddy emcees local festivals such as MerleFest, Bass Mountain Festival, and PreddyFest.

Buddy loves the bluegrass scene, but that love surpasses the music.

“It’s more than just a job,” said Buddy. “It’s the friendships that I really value.”

He has worked with Bill Monroe, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson, Larry Sparks, The Seldom Scene, and Sonny and Bobby Osborne, as well as Ricky Skaggs, Doyle Lawson, Alison Krauss, and Third Tyme Out. Recently, he was nominated for Bluegrass DJ of the Year for the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music Awards.

Enjoy more of this Bluegrass Standard chat with Buddy.

The Bluegrass Standard (BGS): What drew you to deejaying and bluegrass?

Buddy Michaels (BM): When I was about 10 years old, I listened to my small radio, and I’d take it to bed with me. I’d listen to the big AM stations like WSM for the Grand Ole Opry. The

Opry got me excited about radio. I heard this cat named Bill Monroe, and I got really excited about bluegrass music. I’ve always liked all types of music. My dad got me a job out of high school working as a watchman, so I listened to the radio all night long, and I would call up the deejays. I’d talk to them and thought it was such a neat job. Every deejay told me the same thing – don’t do it! They said there was no money in it, but I still did it because it’s what I wanted to do!

With Jamie Dailey BGS: How have things changed since COVID-19?

BM: I had started working from home prior to COVID because of health issues. I have my studio at home. I even know deejays that record from their laptops at festivals. I never have to leave my home if I don’t want to. Technology really helps. But I do usually emcee festivals every year that I didn’t get to do. Now with the vaccine, hopefully, that will work and there is hope for festivals to maybe begin again.

BGS: What’s yet to come for you as a deejay?

BM: I’ve done so much, so I just want to continue doing what I’m doing. I don’t know if I’d want to do more than four or five shows a week. I’m pretty excited about the new country show! I haven’t played that music in a long time. It will

focus on people that have done country but also bluegrass like Keith Whitley and Ricky Skaggs.

You can’t forget the legends, but you have to introduce the listener to the new artists.

With The Bankesters BGS: As a deejay, what drives you most about bluegrass?

BM: Well, bluegrass is totally different than country or rock.

The artists are accessible. There are artists in this business that I’ve known and been friends with for 40 years. It makes a difference when you can call up your friend and chat. There’s a personal touch to it. And bluegrass artists don’t live and die by the charts. Pat Enright, one of the lead vocalists for the Nashville Bluegrass Band, asked me if I play the chart or if the chart plays great, I may not definitely play it want to hear. I may

me. If I don’t feel like a song is that play it. If it’s in the Top 10, I’ll though. I need to play what the listeners pick something different than IBMA picks.

BGS: Tell us about a favorite artist you interviewed.

BM: There are so many artists that I love and love to talk with. Blue Highway, Lonesome River Band, The Seldom Scene, Becky Buller, Valerie Smith, and Steve Dilling with Sideline and formerly Third Tyme Out. I’ve probably interviewed Steve more than anyone. He lives just up the road from me. Some of these people, I don’t just interview – we become friends. We

talk and text, and we get to be real friends.

With The SteelDrivers I’ve always said this – I enjoy the new groups as much as the legends. I put an emphasis on the new acts because they are the future. https://youtu.be/4EcaxOol1kU Find Buddy on his new radio show reaching from Maine to Miami, Florida on WPTF in Raleigh, North Carolina beginning in February every Saturday and Sunday night from 6 pm to midnight.

(Header: Buddy Michaels with Ashlee Blankenship)

Together it happens for us: Life with Rick Stanley and Donna Ulisse Together it happens for us: Life with Rick Stanley and Donna Ulisse

by Emerald Butler Rick Stanley started songwriting at an early age. The fact that his cousins were bluegrass superstars probably didn’t hurt his early success either. Rick wrote his first song “Home in the Mountains” when he was only 15 years old. The song has gone on to be recorded by several artists including Ralph Stanley and Keith Whitley.

“Let me just say for the record,” Rick’s wife Donna Ulisse jumps in. “his first song ended up being nominated for a Grammy. He hits it out of the park at 15 years old and he didn’t know a thing about songwriting. Not the technicality; his gut just told him what to write.”

Even though Rick hit it out of the park on the first try he still looks back and realizes how lucky he got. “I’d always grown up and listened to Carter’s (Stanley) writing, so when I wrote that song I just kind of relied on all I had heard all those years. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I’d say to write a good song you need to live a bit more life to do it.”

Many times, the Stanley brothers would stay over at Rick’s childhood home and Rick would ride to town with Carter. When asked what Rick would talk to Carter about if he could go back, Rick says he would talk to Carter about his songwriting.

“How did you write songs with such feeling? Where did these ideas come from? Where did the pain come from?”

“It was so obvious in his writing,” Donna jumped in. “His heart just shimmered in them.”

Rick has continued to find even more songwriting success and happiness while writing and playing with his wife singersongwriter Donna Ulisse. The couple met at a talent show in Virginia. Donna had entered the talent show for a chance at winning $100. “I would go, and my dad would take me. I’m the only Italian daughter of a very Italian father, and he would be sitting at a table waiting for my turn and I would be staring at Rick. He was playing bass, and my dad said ‘why do you keep looking at that boy?’ and I said ‘daddy I’m going to marry that boy, and when I do I’m going to iron his pants!’ because his pants were so wrinkled. Years go by and I had started my little band and I get a call at a rehearsal. My mom

said ‘there’s a guy named Rick Stanley on the phone and he would like to talk to you, and I said ‘no way!’ I freaked out.

I went in there and he said ‘Donna, Kathy is moving to Nashville, would you like to be our lead female singer?’ I said yeah then went in and fired my band and joined Ricks,” Donna laughed.

Over the years, the couple has grown used to spending most of their time on the road, however, like many, this drastically changed in 2020. “Since February, we haven’t had a gig. We are just waiting for this year to get a little better,” Rick said.

“We had a songwriting workshop going on the weekend that the rumblings of a first shut down were happening,” Donna shared.

“It was in March, and we all stopped on Sunday to watch the news because the president was saying that they were shutting the country down. It was frightening. The fear was like an electric bolt going through all the attendees here. It was sobering what was happening, and I don’t want to open back the workshop and have that happen again, so we are waiting for the right moment.”

“We just haven’t set a date to do that yet,” Rick added, “but we will.”

While Rick and Donna have several co-writers that they have worked with, the couple found themselves writing more together during this time. “She has a lot of co-writers and I have a few, but we’ve kind of just stayed, she and I writing.”

“Though Rick is my favorite co-writer,” Donna adds.

It’s not easy to pick, but the two shared that one of their favorites is the song “I’m Not Afraid” off of Donna’s latest album Time for Love. Notably, the song is climbing its way up the bluegrass gospel charts and it gained even more momentum in the middle of January.

“It’s a pretty uplifting and inspiring song,” Rick says.

“It’s a timely piece I think,” Donna joins in. “It seems like the time is right for it.”

The song speaks of the courage of sharing their beliefs and faith in a time where words seem to hold more and more power.

No matter what song they might be writing, what project they might be producing, or what delicious meal they might be cooking, Rick and Donna find joy in doing it all together.

“He always supported whatever I had going on like it was his thing,” Donna says of Rick. “I believe our strongest force is that we are each other’s biggest strength. It doesn’t matter who it’s for. Together, it happens for us.”

Warm Fiddlin’ from the Cold North of Canada Warm Fiddlin’ from Frigid North Canada

by Kara M. Bachman

It gets COLD in northern Canada, and fiddler and songwriter Calvin Vollrath will tell you just that. When you live up in Alberta — about two hours northeast of Edmonton — you spend quite a lot of time indoors during winter. This winter in particular — because of social distancing — Vollrath has kept busy at home, making new music and managing to bring other artists on board to share in his recent burst of creativity.

Vollrath started playing at age eight when he got his first fiddle. He never looked back. He’s TWICE been crowned the Grand North American Old Tyme Fiddle Champion. He’s so prolific as a songwriter, it’s mind-boggling. He’s written over 800 pieces of music, from traditional fiddle tunes to music he created for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. He has released so many albums, it can almost make your head spin.

“I released my 71st album in 2020,” Vollrath said.

“I’m a composer, so I compose music all the time,” Vollrath said. He’s a self-taught musician, and everything he composes is by ear. He said if it needs to be written down, he’ll have someone else do the musical notation.

Before Covid-19 hit, Vollrath said he was “booked to tour all across Canada.” Then the pandemic arrived, most things got canceled, and there was no choice but to hunker down at home.

By fall, he’d gotten a bit stir-crazy and needed to get his

nose back to the grindstone.

“In October, I went down to my studio and said… I gotta start playing again,” Vollrath explained.

One of his ideas that took shape this fall, and winter is an original concept that wildly inspired not just Vollrath, but other performers he knows and respects. He came up with a unique idea, a new way of collaborating with other fiddle players, bass players, and guitarists. The idea was this: Vollrath would write the first half of a song, then send the recording to a musician who would write the second half. When he talks about this in-process project, the excitement is clear in his friendly, warm voice. It is easy to see that he loves what he does.

“That [first] day, I wrote the first 13 tunes,” he said. “I had people in mind as I was writing these tunes. It was kind of magical…it happened so fast.”

“Everybody said yes, I’m in, send me what you got,” Vollrath said. https://youtu.be/I3mRd8sRGYg It seems counterintuitive, but Vollrath said completion of songs started by someone else didn’t result in weird compositions. He said so far, the 17 or 18 people who have sent back completed numbers have created songs that flow well and sound great.

“Everybody that sent something back, I’ve agreed with it,” he said. He made a few tweaks here and there but kept the basics of what the other musicians sent him. Ten songs are finished now, and the work continues; he hopes to release it all as a full CD, perhaps as early as May. In addition to composing music, Vollrath teaches. He’s got a wealth of experience behind him and passing this knowledge to

others is a natural passion. He’s been running a fiddle camp for 15 years, but right now, it — understandably — only takes the form of virtual Facebook workshops.

He recently did an online workshop for a whole bluegrass group. Vollrath also produces a podcast — “The Story Behind

the Tunes” — which gives a peek into the creative process. A new episode appears every Sunday afternoon; they can be found at his website, Calvinvollrath.com.

“I’m having a lot of fun, I’m learning lots,” Vollrath said, of his time spent at home due to social distancing rules.

“We’re finding a silver lining in everything.”

What Lies Within those Snaky Woods What Lies Within Those Snaky Woods

by Shelby C. Berry “For me, playing bluegrass is about being a part of something bigger than yourself,” said Steven Sauls, a member of bluegrass family band Snaky Woods. “Whether you are in a small jam or a huge group, you feel like a community. And you feel that whether you are with two people or 500. It’s just very welcoming.”

This sentiment is felt by every member of Snaky Woods, a bluegrass band named after a favorite childhood cartoon, Mr. Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends.

Reigning from the small town of Hahira in southern Georgia, Snaky Woods is the creative outlet of the Sauls family – with Steven on bass, rhythm guitar, and vocals; Nathan on guitar, dobro, and banjo; Kaiah on banjo and vocals; Kayte on lead vocals; Jadyn on guitar; David on guitar and mandolin; and, lastly, Aly Grace on fiddle, mandolin, and vocals.

Blending southern gospel and traditional mountain bluegrass, Snaky Woods rounds out their signature family-band sound with harmonies from triplets Kaiah, Kayte, and Jadyn.

Musical instruments entered the Sauls household back in 2013 when the eldest sibling Steven picked up a guitar. Nathan later began playing the guitar in 2015 before the family added other instruments. Two years later, Snaky Woods was officially a band.

“Back in wanted to a guitar better. I

2013, I was really into rock and roll music, and I be on stage playing loud music,” said Steven. “I got and decided that I liked playing bluegrass music saw some bluegrass bands locally and loved it.”

The Sauls kids hit the stage together for the first time at church with their aunt. Her band played music before their church service, and they were open to having others join and play along. https://youtu.be/o4YnW0gc6EE “Nathan and I learned to play music by ear because of that.

Then we were able to jam more places and got our foot into bluegrass music,” said Steven.

As they made their way into the bluegrass music scene, Snaky Woods found themselves hugely influenced by local bluegrass band Lost Dogs Found and older musicians from jams at White Springs, Florida that they frequented regularly.

“We are also influenced by well-known artists like Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, Sideline, Blue Highway, Jerry Douglas, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Special Consensus, and a lot more,” said Steven.

The Blue Highway influence sprung to life when Nathan received the Houston Caldwell Scholarship and he attended the dobro camp to learn under Blue Highway’s Rob Ickes.

“The ministry aspect of our music is really what made us pursue music,” said Steven. “We want to spread the gospel and be a light to others. We had seen this happen and wanted to be a part of that.”

“Music is so powerful and can be an excellent ministry tool,” said Laurie, the mother and manager of the Snaky Woods kids.

As they grew in the quality of their talent and instrument collection, Snaky Woods is finally preparing to record their first album, a project they have been planning for a while.

Looking to record their debut project in a local Georgia recording studio, the band hopes to release the album within the next year.

While COVID-19 forced a lot of people into their homes for an extended period, Snaky Woods enjoyed the opportunity to spend extra time together and practice. Then, the unexpected happened.

While the kids were stuck at home, Laurie saw a Facebook post by the Buggay family of The Band Jubilee about an online music festival showcase by the young musician group, Tomorrow’s Bluegrass Stars.

The next thing they know, The Band Jubilee invited Snaky Woods to be members of the prestigious young musician group and to perform at the festival.

“I would tell any young bluegrass musician to definitely apply to be a part of TBS!” said Steven. “TBS isn’t there for you to just contribute. It’s there to foster upcoming talent. You sign up into a family, not just an organization.”

“We just appreciate the community that Tomorrow’s Bluegrass Stars has; and community is a huge part of the music for us,” said Steven. “I’ve talked with John Colburn and Larry Smith a lot, and we know a lot of the members personally. The online festival put us out there!”

Steven went on to become an officer with Tomorrow’s Bluegrass Stars in 2020 and helps to manage the website, working closely with TBS President Larry Smith.

Snaky Woods continues their blossoming career, but their goal is to exist as a ministry.

“We should hope that as we mature that we keep spreading the gospel and bring a light to people’s lives,” said Steven.