International Bluegrass

IB

International Bluegrass Vol. 28, No. 2 February 2013

WORLD OF BLUEGRASS

2013

BLUEGRASS NATION

LEADERSHIP

BLUEGRASS

International Bluegrass International Bluegrass Music Assocation Vol. 28 | No. 1 | January 2013 IBMA Staff Nancy Cardwell, Executive Director Jill Crabtree, Member/Convention Services Director Katherine Coe, Administrative/Media Assistant IB | International Bluegrass Editor: Nancy Cardwell, nancyc@ibma.org Designer: Katherine Coe, katherine@ibma.org

Cover story 6 | World of Bluegrass

Schedule Announced

Features 4 | Welcome to Bluegrass Nation 11 | Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2013

Departments 3 | IBMA Office is Moving & You’re Invited 10 | IBMA Webinars to Continue February 21 12 | IBMA Members Win With AirPlay Direct

Marketing Campaign 12 | IBMA Youth Council Organized 13 | View Grammy Awards Online 13 | New & Returning IBMA Members 14 | Recommendations Sought for Board Leadership 15 | Fresh Sounds in the World of Bluegrass 16 | Bluegrass Music Industry News

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INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS (ISSN #1095-0605) IBMA: Working together for high standards of professionalism, a greater appreciation for our music, and the success of the worldwide bluegrass community.

The monthly emailed publication of the International Bluegrass Music Association; 2 Music Circle South, Ste. 100; Nashville, TN 37203; USA; Phone: 615-256-3222, 888-GET-IBMA; FAX: 615-2560450; E-mail: nancyc@ibma.org; Website: www.ibma.org Statements of fact and opinion are made on the responsibility of the writers alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers, directors, staff or members of IBMA. Portions of International Bluegrass may be reprinted provided that explicit citation of the source is made: “Reprinted with permission from International Bluegrass, the publication of the International Bluegrass Music Association, www.ibma.org.”

IBMA OFFICE IS MOVING & YOU’RE INVITED!

Whew! We sure have a lot of stuff!

How about this box of cassette tapes and a Bill Monroe 8-track!

These boxes store a treasure trove of photos from World of Bluegrass’ past. You’ve never seen so many mullets and tight jeans.

And finally…the photo that Cracker Barrel did not want you to see. You, too can be a genius the next time you are waiting for your pecan pancakes.

Official moving day is St. Valentines Day so if you were thinking of sending the IBMA gals some flowers and chocolates, send them to the new address. Our phone numbers, emails and other contacts will all stay the same of course, but expect that staff will be out of pocket from Thursday, February 14 through Monday, February 18.

We’ll take a few weeks to get unpacked and then we want everyone to come see our new digs! You are cordially invited to our first OPEN HOUSE on Wednesday, March 6 from 4:00-7:00 pm. We’ll have free tours with snacks and drinks included!

New Address (effective February 14): 608 West Iris Drive Nashville, TN 37204 (This is in the Berry Hill area for all the locals.)

IBMA Open House Wednesday, March 6 4:00-7:00 pm Snacks and drinks served RSVP to katherine@ibma.org International Bluegrass 3

fans worldwide and developing new lovers of bluegrass music. At last we have a platform that will put links to all the news about our music in one place, alongside original content posted and shared by community members.

Welcome to Bluegrass Nation!

Bluegrass Nation, the newest online gathering place for people interested in bluegrass music, is now open to the public at www.bluegrassnation.org.

Developed by the International Bluegrass Music Association and designed by VibeThink.com, Bluegrass Nation is a unique, new site that combines elements of Facebook, Pinterest and Reddit—for bluegrass fans. The site went online just before IBMA’s annual World of Bluegrass conference last September.

“IBMA has needed this for a long time,” said Craig Havighurst, chair of IBMA’s Marketing Committee.

"For more than 25 years IBMA has served its members: artists, record labels, promoters and broadcasters. But with Bluegrass Nation, we’re taking our passion to music

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“We encourage bluegrass fans and pickers to make Bluegrass Nation a regular stop as they browse for news. And we hope that artists find Bluegrass Nation a great place to engage and promote their art. And with all that activity, I think people who are just discovering bluegrass music will find Bluegrass Nation an exciting and informative place to dig deeper.

“This hasn't been easy. It's something of a shift in outlook for IBMA and a site this complex took time and a lot of discussion. But now that the platform is up, it can become whatever bluegrass fans and artists want to make of it.

It integrates with the key social media sites, so artists should find this high-impact/ low-work.

For fans who want to post photos, video, original songs or commentary, it will be a field day.”

Artists, organizations (including events, associations and bluegrass-related businesses), and fans may sign up for a free profile page on Bluegrass Nation and start posting immediately. Posting options include original content, links to articles, photographs, links to videos through YouTube.com, and links to music utilizing Spotify or SoundCloud. Artists and organizations may also link Facebook and Twitter feeds to their Bluegrass Nation profile pages.

Members may post messages to other member profile pages, and instead of “liking” posts or

content on Bluegrass Nation, participants “pick” the items they like by clicking on a guitar-shaped icon. A featured article and a new video will be posted on the home page each day—spotlighting the latest bluegrass news from other online news sites and websites, along with new and vintage video mined from YouTube. We will spotlight bluegrass content from great sites like BluegrassToday.com, PrescriptionBluegrass.com, BluegrassCountry.org, Engine145.com, The Bluegrass Situation, Banjo Hangout, Bluegrass Legacy and mainstream sources.

In coming weeks, promotions and giveaways will be presented and regular editorial contributors will be posting new and historical articles, columns and stories.

Labels, events, merchandisers and artists who would like to donate merch, services or tickets to be used in bi-monthly drawings will receive a trade ad on the site during their promotion.

Please also join us on the Bluegrass Nation Facebook page at facebook.com/BluegrassNation so you will receive messages about new content and promotions.

BLUEGRASS NATION TIPS & TRICKS Go to BluegrassNation.org.

Click JOIN BLUEGRASS NATION in the upper right corner.

Select “artist,” “organization,” or “fan” to follow the steps and fill out registration information, email preferences, and musical tastes.

Once you have completed these steps, you will see details explaining the site’s front page, pick it button, how to post something, and details on how to share content from YouTube, SoundCloud, and Spotify.

If you have an article or video you would like featured on the front page, email katherine@ibma.org for details!

Most of all, have fun and share your favorite bluegrass news with everyone on Bluegrass Nation! If you have additional questions, please consider signing up for the Webinar on February 21 hosted by IBMA Board member, Craig Havighurst and IBMA staff member, Katherine Coe.

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WORLD OF BLUEGRASS HOTEL RESERVATIONS, REGISTRATION & TICKET SALES LAUNCH MARCH 1 Raleigh, NC | September 24-28

Register at ibma.org or by calling 1-888-GET-IBMA, and then make your hotel reservations!

Registration for IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Events and hotel reservations will open March 1, 2013, for bluegrass music’s annual industry gathering and family reunion in Raleigh, North Carolina. The five-day event will feature the best in bluegrass networking, showcasing and professional development, with lower prices across the board for all tickets and hotel rates.

Please call 1-888-GET-IBMA or go to www.ibma.org to purchase World of Bluegrass Registration, IBMA Awards tickets, Wide Open Bluegrass weekend festival passes and Music Passes—and then call or go online to make reservations in our hotel block with discounted rates. We’ll be starting with four-night minimum stays at the Sheraton and the Marriott.

The business conference part of World of Bluegrass will feature new tracks for music presenters, emerging bands and youth, along with expanded showcase opportunities and a pro-active effort to reach out to new attendees in the roots music community, as well as local bluegrass fans in the Carolina region.

The festival portion of the week on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28 will be called “Wide Open Bluegrass” this year. Attendees will hear bands

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that play full throttle, “wide open,” driving, traditional-edged bluegrass alongside edgy bands that draw from old-time string band, progressive, classical and jamgrass influences.

WORLD OF BLUEGRASS 2013: RALEIGH, NC

The entire community in Raleigh is eagerly awaiting our arrival for World of Bluegrass, and plans are in the works already for banners in the street, fireworks, a North Carolina Pork Barbecue Championship, a street fair surrounding IBMA weekend events, presentations at local schools, youth events, free transportation and shuttles around town, music in local clubs and cafes, camping at the nearby fairgrounds with full RV hook ups and showers…and more!

10 am-8 pm Registration Open 10 am-noon Leadership Bluegrass Alumni Masterclass Noon Orientation for Attendees 1-2 pm Keynote Address 2:30-5 pm Seminars 6 pm-2 am Artist Showcases & Afterhours Hospitality Suites

World of Bluegrass 2013 will take place at the Greater Raleigh Convention Center, the Progress Energy Theater for the Performing Arts, and the Red Hat Amphitheater—all within easy walking distance. Evening and Afterhours Showcases will take place at the anchor hotels, plus stages at five more venues in town (just blocks away, or a short ride on the “R-Line” bus).

We’re getting started with ticket sales much earlier this year, so keep an eye on your email In Box and ibma.org for exciting updates and new details throughout the summer!

You won’t want to miss IBMA’s first World of Bluegrass in Raleigh!

Tuesday, September 24

Wednesday, September 25 8 am-9 pm 9-10 am 10-10:30 am 10:30-Noon 10:30-Noon Noon-1:30

Registration Open Story Telling Sessions Check in for Music Presenters Day Seminars Talent Buyer Pitching Event Showcase Lunch, Momentum Awards presented 1:30-6 pm Exhibit Hall open 3-4 pm Seminars 3-6 pm Artist Showcases 6-7:30 pm Receptions (DJ & Artists, Songwriters & Producers, Agents & Talent Buyers) 6 pm – 2 am Artist Showcases & Afterhours Hospitality Suites

Thursday, September 26 8 am-5 pm 9-10 am 9-11 am 10-11 am 11 am-1 pm 1-5 pm

Registration Open Storytelling Session Seminars Gig Fair Special Awards Luncheon Exhibit Hall open International Bluegrass 7

WORLD OF BLUEGRASS 1-4 pm 2-3 pm 3-4 pm 4-5 pm 5:30-7 pm

Seminars Song Demo Listening Session Songwriter Showcase Song Circles Nominees & Press Reception, “Blue” Carpet 7:30-10 pm International Bluegrass Music Awards (Progress Energy, Memorial Auditorium) 10 pm-1 am Post Awards Show party 10 pm-2 am Artist Showcases & Afterhours Hospitality Suites

Friday, September 27 8 am-10 pm Wide Open Bluegrass Ticket Sales open 10-11 am Town Hall Meeting 10 am-7 pm Exhibit Hall open Noon-6 pm Wide Open Bluegrass stage 1 open (Conv Ctr Ballroom) 11 am-Noon Emerging Band Track Check in, group session Noon-2 pm Seminars, Celebrity Jams Noon-6 pm Wide Open Bluegrass Street Fair 6-11 pm Wide Open Bluegrass stage 2 open (Red Hat Amphitheater) Noon-6 pm Workshop Stage open 1-3 pm Emerging Bands program block 1 3-5 pm Emerging Bands program block 2 6 pm-2 am Artist Showcases & Afterhours Hospitality Suites

Noon-6 pm

Wide Open Bluegrass stage 1 open (Conv Ctr Ballroom) 10 am-7 pm Exhibit Hall open 11 am-Noon IBMA Youth Council Event Check-in, group session Noon-2 pm Seminars, Celebrity Jams 6-11 pm Wide Open Bluegrass stage 2 open (Red Hat Amphitheater) Noon-5 pm Workshop Stage (Conv Ctr foyer) 1-3 pm Youth program block 1 3-5 pm Youth program block 2 5-6 p.m.

Youth Showcase 6 pm-2 am Artist Showcases & Afterhours Hospitality Suites *Times and events subject to change.

Reminder...

ARTIST SHOWCASE APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 15

More details at ibma.org

Saturday, September 28 8 am-10 pm Wide Open Bluegrass Ticket Sales open 9 am-6 pm Street Fair, Barbecue Competition winners announced at noon

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Raleigh Convention Center

IBMA WEBINARS TO CONTINUE FEBRUARY 21

HOW TO UTILIZE BLUEGRASS NATION EFFECTIVELY Keep an eye on this publication and ibma.org for future webinar dates. Some are popular topics that bear repeating, some are reprised from World of Bluegrass 2012 sessions in Nashville, and some are totally new. Make plans to join us, and please email info@ibma.org if you have a topic you would like to suggest (or lead) as an IBMA webinar!

Craig Havighurst

Katherine Coe

Our series of professional development webinars will continue in the WebEx.com video conference format Thursday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. Central with a session led by IBMA Marketing Committee chair/ Music City Roots producer Craig Havighurst and IBMA’s Katherine Coe. The topic is How to Utilize Bluegrass Nation Effectively. Class size limit is 25, and the fee to participate is just $20 for IBMA members and $40 for nonmembers.

If you’re excited about the full roll-out of BluegrassNation.org and want to check out all the bells and whistles with a couple of the folks who have been involved in the creation of the site and managing content on a day-to-day basis, here’s your chance! Learn how to set up a free profile; how to post a performance or festival date on the calendar; and how to post original content, links to favorite articles or videos, photos and music.

To sign up, call the IBMA office at 888-GET-IBMA or (615) 256-3222 or email nancyc@ibma.org. Spots will fill on a first come, first served basis.

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Upcoming webinar topics: Managing Your Band from a Cell Phone Sharing Live Performances on the Web with Stageit and Concert Window How to get your Music on the Radio (Tips to make DJs your best friends) Stage Presence: Developing a Connection with Your Live Audience Digital Music Discovery & the Independent Artist: Latest Trends The Legal Basics of Songwriting & Publishing Recording Acoustic Music: Tips & Tricks of the Trade How to Make Money from Your YouTube Channel Creative Music Arrangement How to Write a Bluegrass-Related Book Time Management & the Art of Juggling Co-Writing: How Does this Work Exactly?

New Options for (Easily) Creating & Updating Your New Website Event Volunteer Management & Support

LEADERSHIP BLUEGRASS CLASS OF 2013

The International Bluegrass Music Association is pleased to announce the following participants in the 2013 class of Leadership Bluegrass:

Darin Aldridge; Darin and Brooke Aldridge; Cherryville, NC Melissa Armstrong; Detour; Sand Lake, MI Andrea Ball; Make Welcome Entertainment; Washington, DC Katherine Coe; IBMA; Nashville, TN Jeremy Darrow; The Erin McDermott Band/Freelance Musician; Nashville, TN John DeMarce; DC Bluegrass Union; Washington, DC Susie Glaze; Hilonesome Music, Susie Glaze & the Hilonesome Band; Burbank, CA KC Groves; Artist & Composer; Lyons, CO Kayla Hotte; Kayla Hotte & her Rodeo Pals; Ardrossan, Alberta, CA Caroline Isachsen; Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival; Delmar, NY Steven Johnson; MerleFest; Wilkesboro, NC Lori King; Bluegrass Music Association of Iowa; Drakesville, IA Jordan Laney; Appalachian State University; Vilas, NC Ron Murphy; Muddy River Band; Wilmington, OH Amy Reitnouer; The Bluegrass Situation; Los Angeles, CA Carolyn Routh; Nu-Blu, Red Squared Audio; Siler City, NC Sheila Selby; Boston Bluegrass Union; Brookline, MA Carly Smith; International Bluegrass Music Museum; Owensboro, KY Erin Stamper; WAMU’s Bluegrass Country; Washington, DC Shannon Turner; Freelance Writer/Journalist; Hermitage, TN Missy Werner; The Missy Werner Band; Liberty Township, OH Jill Wiese; Bluegrass Association of North Dakota; Washburn, ND Kristi Wilcox; Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP; Nashville, TN Courtney Wothen; PineCone – The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music; Raleigh, NC Leadership Bluegrass, now in its 14th year with more than 300 alumni, is an intensive three-day program of advanced level, interactive learning experiences that invites participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing our music, along with related leadership issues.

Leadership Bluegrass will be hosted this year at BMI and Bone McAllester Norton, PLLC in Nashville, Thursday – Saturday, March 7-9 and will be facilitated by Trisha Tubbs. Our Platinum Sponsors this year include BMI, The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation and Bone McAllester Norton LLC. Please contact the IBMA office for information on future Leadership Bluegrass programs: (615) 256-3222, nancyc@ibma.org.

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IBMA MEMBERS WIN WITH AIRPLAY DIRECT MARKETING CAMPAIGN AirPlay Direct has partnered with IBMA to give members a $50.00 gift credit toward any AirPlay Direct Marketing & Awareness Campaign.

There are more prizes to be awarded, so look for more winners to be announced soon!

So far, five winners were selected at random from IBMA’s membership roster and have been notified of their prize. Congratulations to:

AirPlay Direct is a digital delivery system developed for artists, radio programmers and music industry professionals. AirPlay Direct makes it possible to send secure broadcast-quality music and digital press kits to radio stations, booking agents, promoters and music supervisors worldwide.

Philippe Weber Karl Kersey Amy Reitnouer

Angela Young Scott Barnett

IBMA YOUTH COUNCIL ORGANIZED and Daniel Boner (ETSU Bluegrass Dept.) serve as consultants.

IBMA's new Youth Council met by video-conference January 29 and elected Andrew Rigney, with The Rigneys, as chairperson. Current Youth Council members include: Casey Campbell, Danielle Yother, Frannie Digiovanni, Susannah Armstrong, Brandy Miller, Jacob Moore and Rigney.

Katherine Coe is the IBMA staff liaison, and Danny Clark (International Bluegrass Music Museum, IBMA Board of Directors), Kim Fox (IBMA's Kids on Bluegrass, artist/songwriter),

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The group held its first organizational meeting last September during World of Bluegrass in Nashville.They are still working on the final version of a mission statement, but their goals so far include speaking collectively for the youth of IBMA, facilitating youth projects and industry mentoring opportunities, and working to share bluegrass music with more young people.

The Youth Council is currently working on ideas for World of Bluegrass 2013 in Raleigh, including a special track of events on Saturday, Sept. 28. Youth Council members are also researching ideas for an environmentally friendly, "green" focus to suggest to Wide Open Bluegrass Festival producers.

VIEW GRAMMY AWARDS ONLINE February 10

The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held Sunday, February 10, 2013, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET). For a complete nominations list, please visit www.grammy.com.

To view awards presentations, watch GRAMMY Live.com online at www.grammy.com/live, beginning at 2 p.m. Pacific Time.

Bluegrass Album Nominees: The Gospel Side Of Dailey & Vincent, Dailey & Vincent [Rounder/Cracker Barrel] Life Finds A Way, The Grascals [Mountain Home Music Company] Beat The Devil And Carry A Rail, Noam Pikelny [Compass Records] Scratch Gravel Road, Special Consensus [Compass Records] Nobody Knows You, Steep Canyon Rangers [Rounder]

NEW & RETURNING IBMA MEMBERS! Nancy Adams Jim Albritton Dustin Blackson John Breese Daniel Greeson Brian Gulliford Jack Honeycutt Tracy Jenkins Jordan Laney Paul Rafferty Veronica Sams Ken Smith Lin Stogner Skip Taylor Jill Wiese Kristi Marie Wilcox Mike Andes Dick Beckley Louis Bennett Daniel Boner Patrick Bouldin Kelly Bozeman

Steven Brechter Keith Brock Laura Brown Ethan Burkhardt Ed Carnes Michael Champlin Larry Cordle Jon Cornatzer Clarence Dreher Mike Finn Arnie Fleischer Robert Fraker Susie Glaze Silas Kevin Robert Gribble Howard Harris Vicki Hast Charles Haymes Byron Jill James Horton Carl Jackson Martha Jones Royce Jordan

Eddie Jordan Michael Kelly Mike Koster Lonnie Lassiter Laura Lehning Ted Lolley Joel Long Country Music Foundation Wayne Millington Barry Mitterhoff Alan Munde Lukas Murphy Lora Murphy Ron Murphy Jordan Nance Larry Nixon Dennis Novak Larry Nunley Alan O’Bryant Patrick O’Neal Dan Peha Ken Perlman Tom Pittman

Clifton Preddy Mark Ramsey Deirdra Ransom Jim Seldin Wayne Sherry Earle Simmons Matthew Slocum Danna Strong B.J. Suter Kenji Takeuchi Ted Thompson Wally Thulin Carl Visconti Priscilla Warnock Betty Westmoreland Betty Wheeler Joe Willis Richard Wilson Albert Worthy Celia Wyckoff

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RECOMMENDATIONS SOUGHT FOR BOARD LEADERSHIP IBMA is seeking written recommendations for members interested in serving on the organization’s board of directors. The seats to be filled by election by fellow members during 2013 include representatives for: Artists, Composers & Music Publishers Associations International rep Merchandisers & Luthiers At Large The board is the policy-making body responsible for IBMA’s mission achieved through its programs, functions, business affairs and property. The board is also responsible for appointing its officers and delegating day-to-day management of the association to committees and staff.

They serve without compensation and are expected to bear the cost of attending all board meetings and IBMA functions. (For a complete list of expectations of board members, contact IBMA.) Any person being recommended for a particular board seat should be a current professional member of IBMA and belong to the membership category for which he or she is being considered. The best candidates are those who bring special knowledge and skills to the board, who are willing and able to commit the time to be productive board members, and who help IBMA’s board represent the diversity within our membership.

From the full list of eligible candidates, the committee will select and recruit a slate of at least two (but not more than four) nominees for each board seat for which an election is being held.

Recommendations should be received in writing before February 15 and should include a brief outline of the proposed candidate’s credentials, previous experience on boards, and vision for the future of IBMA. Each letter or email should also include a return address, email and phone number in case the nominating committee needs additional information.

Mail emails or letters of recommendation to: IBMA Board Nominating Committee 608 W. Iris Drive Nashville, TN 37204 USA nancyc@ibma.org

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photo by Mark Stultz

FRESH SOUNDS IN THE WORLD OF BLUEGRASS February 2013

Jesse Dee, On My Mind/ In My Heart, www.jessedee.com John Lowell, I Am Going to The West, www.johbnlowell.com Tim Smith & Friends, Fiddler Tim Smith & Friends, TRS Records, timsmithmusic@earthlink.net Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, The Farthest Horizon, www.sleepymanbanjo.com Various Artists, God Didn’t Choose Sides—Civil War True Stories about Real People, Rural Rhythm Records, www.ruralrhythm.com The SteelDrivers, Hammer Down, Rounder Records, www.rounder.com Wood & Wire, Wood & Wire, www.woodandwireband.com

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BLUEGRASS MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS FEBRUARY 2013

AGENTS, MANAGERS & PR Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice have signed with Make Welcome Entertainment for public relations for the band in 2013.

Rock House Entertainment is a new entertainment company started by Joey Jones and Jamie Dean of the bluegrass band Cumberland River. Rock House offers booking, management, and publicity services for bluegrass and bluegrass gospel bands as well as music venues and festivals. Their roster includes the bands Raisin’ Cain, The Velvet Blue, Laurel River Line and Cumberland River. Info: (606) 574-8918, joey@rockhouseeg.com Donica Christensen announced recently that she has left the staff of Sugar Hill Records, after five fulfilling years, to take a new position at All Eyes Media. LLC, based in East Nashville. For Sugar Hill publicity, please contact Lucy Sabini at Vanguard Records (lsabini@vanguardrecords.com).

Here’s Donica’s new contact info: Donica Christensen, All Eyes Media, LLC, PO Box 60539, Nashville, TN 37206-0539, P: (615) 227-2770, E: donica@alleyesmedia.com, www.alleyesmedia.com

ARTISTS & COMPOSERS Congratulations to the following artists whose music is topping charts at press time.

The Spinney Brothers, “Memories,” written

by Marshall Warwick (Mountain Fever) – Bluegrass Unlimited National Bluegrass Survey

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Balsam Range, Papertown, (Mountain Home) – Bluegrass Unlimited Top 15 Bluegrass Albums Chart Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, “Bottom of a Mountain,” written by Don McKinnon, (Rebel Records) Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Timeless Hits from the Past: Bluegrassed (Cracker Barrel) Billboard magazine is not including a Bluegrass Albums Chart in its 2013 print publication, but the chart may be found online at www.billboard.com/charts/bluegrass-albums.

The chart is also at Billboard.biz.

Following are some statistics from the Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart for 2012: Top charting artists: Trampled by Turtles, Dailey & Vincent, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Old Crow Medicine Show, Punch Brothers.

Top charting bluegrass albums: The Goat Rodeo Sessions, by Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile (Song Classical/Sony Masterworks); Stars and Satellites, by Trampled by Turtles (BanjoDad/Thirty Tigers); The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent, by Dailey & Vincent (Rounder/Cracker Barrel); Paper Airplane, by Alison Krauss & Union Station (Rounder/Concord); Carry Me Back, by Old Crow Medicine Show (ATO); Rare Bird Alert,

by Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers (40 Share/Rounder/Concord); Who’s Feeling Young Now? by Punch Brothers (Nonesuch/Warner Brothers);

The Masters of Bluegrass

Leaving Eden, by the Carolina Chocolate Drops, (Nonesuch/Warner Brothers); Why Can’t We, by The Isaacs, (Nonesuch/ Warner Brothers); Follow Me Down, by Sarah Jarosz (Sugar Hill/Welk).

Top bluegrass album imprints: Rounder, Sony Classical, Nonesuch, BanjoDad, and ATO. Top bluegrass album labels: Sony Masterworks, Concord, Warner Brothers, Thirty Tigers, Cracker Barrel.

Top bluegrass album distributors: Independents, Sony Music, Universal, WEA, EMM. The new group featuring legendary bluegrass artists J.D. Crowe, Bobby Hicks, Del McCoury, Jerry McCoury and Bobby Osborne, “The Masters of Bluegrass,” debuted Jan. 26 for a sold out crowd in

Bowling Green, KY. “I’ve been knowing all of these guys for a long, long time,” chuckles Del McCoury, “and it just feels good to stand on stage with them. We all know all the old songs, so those just fall into place, and we’re working on each other’s songs—and some new things, too. It’s exciting to see the way it’s all coming together.” Check out the new superband’s practice video at www.youtu.be/6q6ZUcsrsi0.

Charlie Sizemore has been recognized by Big Sandy Community & Technical College in Prestonsburg, KY. as Distinguished Alumni of the Year for 2012. Sizemore attended the school from 1986-88. Over the past ten years Charlie raised more than $70,000 to fund scholarships that helped deserving students in Eastern Kentucky to attend the college.

Don Wayne Reno, Dale Reno and Mitch Harrell have formed a new band, Reno & Harrell. Also included: Robbie Wells on fiddle and Billy Rose on bass. They’re working on an International Bluegrass 17

The Greencards, an Australian band now based in Nashville, are touring Kansas and Oklahoma in February. Info here: www.thegreencards.com Cats and the Fiddler will close out their 12-year run as a bluegrass band with concerts March, April and May in Michigan.

Thanks for the music, guys! Info: www.catsandthefiddler.com The Grascals with Robert DeNiro

album of their fathers’ greatest hits, which will be released later this year.

The Grascals performed “Mystery Train,” from their Grammy-nominated album, Life Finds a Way (Mountain Home), on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Jan. 25. Twotime Oscar winner Robert DeNiro was also a guest and met with the band backstage. The Grascals also performed Jan. 21 at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian, for a celebration of the Inauguration of the President of the United States.

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, featuring Edie Brickell will perform songs from their album Love Has Come for You as well as songs from Rare Bird Alert and other new tunes at their North American tour which kicks off May 22 in Ft. Meyers, FL. The new collaboration is set for release on April 23 on Rounder Records. Info: www.stevemartin.com The Tina Adair Band will be celebrating the release of a new album Saturday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. at The Station Inn in Nashville, TN. The new album is called Born Bad. The Gooseneck Rockers is a new Virginiabased bluegrass band featuring Tom Adams on guitar, Marshall Wilborn on bass, and Casey Henry on banjo. Info: www.gooseneckrockers.com

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Congratulations to Nashville-based fiddler and entertainment business attorney Stephanie Taylor and her husband Dave, on the birth of their daughter, Coralee Beth Taylor, on Jan. 8.

Attention, Songwriters: Nashville songwriter Julie Pennell is hosting Open Mics at Memorial, a songwriter round scheduled for the last Saturday of each month, 4-7 p.m., at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nashville, TN. Address:1211 Riverside Drive, Nashville, TN 37206.

The Sandra James Music Foundation Songwriter Contest is now underway, Jan. 1-March 31. First place is $3,500. For an entry form, go to www.sandrajames.com or the foundation’s Facebook page.

ASSOCIATION NEWS Bean Creek and Snap Jackson & The Knock on Wood Players tied for Best Bluegrass Band at the Northern California Bluegrass Awards held in Redwood City, CA Jan. 26. The Awards were part of the Northern California Bluegrass Society’s Bluegrass on Broadway Festival. Four Bay Area women bluegrass music pioneers, Kim Elking, Laurie Lewing, Kathy Kallick and Beth Weil, received Lifetime Achievement Awards. More info: www.scbs.org/events/bob

The California Bluegrass Association (CBA) has named Della Mae as the Emerging Artist for 2013 who will perform at their 2013 Father’s Day Festival Jan. 13-16 at Grass Valley, CA. The CBA has also hired Kate Hamre, director of Bluegrass Camps for Kids, to organize a bluegrass camp for children during the Father’s Day Festival this year. Info: www.bluegrasscampsforkids.com SEBA, the Southeastern Bluegrass Association, chartered its 14th chapter at the Blueridge Music Academy in Clayton, GA in December, to represent the far northeastern Georgia and southeastern North Carolina area.

The Blueridge Academy is a music school where instruments are also built and repaired.

The newsletter of the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA) is now titled Minnesota Bluegrass. Info: www.minnesotabluegrass.org The Kansas Bluegrass Association’s 24th Annual Winter Bluegrass Festival will be hosted Feb. 15-16 at the Marriott Hotel in Wichita, KS. The Gibson Brothers, Special Consensus, Shadow Ridge, Triple L Band, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado and The Greenhorns will headline. Info: www.kansasbluegrass.org Balsam Range will perform Feb. 9 at the next Seven Mountains Bluegrass Association Music Series show, at the Goodwill Fire Company in York, PA. Info: (717) 395-7128 Scenic Tennessee has been awarded $100,000 by the Tennessee Department of Transportation to produce a series of quickpaced videos that apply the power of Tennessee music to the problem of Tennessee litter.

Tentatively called “Tennessee Speed Cleanups,” the project involves videotaping dozens of litter pickups across the state, digitally accelerating the footage, then setting it to original or traditional music performed by amateur as well as professional musicians. Enhanced with

captions, credits and images from 20 years of Scenic Tennessee photo contests, the completed videos will be shared via traditional media as well as sites like Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. UT Knoxville’s student environmental group SPEAK will oversee the social media side of the project.

Information will soon be available at www.tnspeedcleanups.org. In the meantime, parties interested in knowing more can contact Marge Davis at margedavis@comcast.net or 615 294-2651.

Bluegrass journalist Doug Fulmer is on the board of Scenic Tennessee, and has been appointed to the committee that will coordinate the new project.

The Americana Music Association announced its revised mission statement, newly appointed Executive Committee and goals for the 2013 calendar year during its annual Board of Directors retreat in Nashville, TN in January. The mission of the Americana Music Association is to advocate for the authentic voice of American Roots Music around the world. Additionally the Board has appointed a new Executive Committee: Holly Lowman, artist manager from Ramseur Records has been named President; independent consultant Brad Paul will remain on the Board as PastPresident; producer Mark Moffatt will serve as President-Elect; and the Grammy Museum’s Lynne Sheridan will serve as Secretary. The three At Large Executive Committee members are Amanda Hale, New West Records; John Ingrassia, Vector Management and Jessie Scott of Music Fog and Hill Country. Kurt Vitolo will continue in his role as Treasurer. These positions are held for one-year terms. The 2013 Board brings new directors Shauna De Cartier of Six Shooter Records, Ingrassia; Paradigm’s Jonathan Levine and Lynne Sheridan from the Grammy Museum. The incoming directors join Ashley Capps of AC

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Entertainment, Rodney Crowell, SESAC’s Tim Fink, Mary Gauthier, Hale, Nashville attorney Wayne Halper, Voice of America’s Joan Kornblith, Austin City Limits’ Terry Lickona, Lowman, Buddy Miller, Moffatt, Al Moss, Paul, Scott, Vitolo and Emilee Warner from Crash Avenue.

BROADCASTERS Reno’s Old Time Music Festival hosted by Ronnie Reno on BlueHighways TV, is now on television in 60 million homes, with the recent acquisition of 20 million additional homes on FamilyNet TV. Congratulations to IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award recipient Bill Knowlton, who celebrated 40 years on central New York airwaves with his show, the “Bluegrass Ramble” Jan. 21, 2013.

650 AM WSM marked the 30th radio anniversary of longtime evening show host and Country Radio Hall of Famer Eddie Stubbs January 14 with an evening of music and celebration at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. The live show aired on 650 AM and WSMOnline.com. Visit www.wsmonline.com to access the special on-air content. WSM morning man Bill Cody hosted the event that featured performances and speeches from Country Music Hall of Fame members Bill Anderson, Ray Price and Jean

Eddie Stubbs & Ray Price

Shepard, along with Josh Turner, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Dailey & Vincent, Gene Watson, Riders In The Sky, Duane & Norah Lee Allen, Cheryl White, Bobby Wright, Larry Stephenson, Shawn Camp and Ronnie Bowman, plus a pre-recorded message and gospel performance of “Wonderful” from the Chuck Wagon Gang. Recorded messages and letters were also presented from long-time friends Hairl Hensley, Steve Wariner, Marty Stuart and Merle Haggard. Tennessee Music Commissioner Hank Adam Locklin presented a proclamation from Governor Bill Haslam naming Jan. 14 a day of recognition for Stubbs in Tennessee. ““I was truly blessed by every participant of the evening,” said Stubbs. “Aside from their status in the industry, those talents were delivered by some of my personal favorites in the business.” Stubbs began his radio career in 1983 at WYII in Williamsport, Maryland, moving the following year to WAMU in Washington, D.C. where his programs were heard until 2007. His WSM career started in 1995 doing historical research and on-air work, later that same year becoming a Grand Ole Opry announcer. He began the 7 p.m. to midnight shift on July 8, 1996, and now 16 years later, he holds the record as the longest consecutively tenured host for that time slot since WSM began. He was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. (Photo by: Anthony Scarlati)

EVENT PRODUCERS Rob Ickes, IBMA’s Dobro Player of the Year, announces: “On Feb. 12, I'll be participating in a special performance of Mike Auldridge music at The Birchmere (in Washington, D.C.), along with other friends of Mike, including Jerry Douglas, Emmylou Harris, David Bromberg, John Starling, Tom Gray, Fred Travers and The Seldom Scene, Sally Van Meter, and many more. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster. If you are in range, I hope to see you there - or if the Birchmere is too far, I hope you'll join us in spirit on February 12 to celebrate this legendary life.”

The Mockingbird Sings will be performed at the Z. Alexander Looby Theater in downtown Nashville February 1 & 2 at 8:00 p.m. The play centers around the origins of country through main character Eddie Snow, who forges his ideas into a new style of music, joined by the ranks of common folks all over the region of Appalachia who did the same. It was produced and created by Nashvillian songwriter/playwrights Sharon Cort, Terry Harkleroad and Blounteville's noted historian Dr. Nancy Hamblen Acuff. The play is set in 1927, as Eddie records his first song at the famed Bristol Sessions in Bristol, Tennessee/Virgina alongside Jimmie Rodgers, and The Carter Family, becoming what now is commonly held as the birth of country music. Tickets are available online at www.ticketsnashville.com or at the door.

For more than 60 years Neila Hyatt has been hosting bluegrass music in her Asheville, NC home, known by many as Mrs. Hyatt’s Music House. Recent events, however, have threatened the very existence of this treasured landmark. Anderson Nissan, owner of the adjacent dealership, has offered to host the weekly Thursday night jams through the end of April when the Music House must either be moved or demolished. A series of

events has been planned to raise the needed $200,000 to relocate the Music House to another nearby property in Asheville before the April 30, 2013 deadline. The kickoff will take place February 10 at the VFW Club on Leciester Highway from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This occasion will feature a day of music and a Chili Cornbread Cook-off. “The Battle of the Bands Unplugged,” scheduled for April will take place in various locations throughout the five counties surrounding Asheville and will feature a wide range of acoustic musicians and songwriters from the region. The event will also include a motorcycle “Poker Run.” Info: (828) 633-1136, mrshyattsmusichouse@gmail.com Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver will make their second appearance on Song of the Mountains at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, VA on Saturday, February 2, 2013.

Also appearing: The Grass Cats, the Smith Family Band and Dixie Ridge. Tickets and information is available at www.songofthemountains.org or by calling 276-783-6093. March 2, 2013 Song of the Mountains will feature the Kruger Brothers, Nathan Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, Mark Newton and Steve Thomas, Paula Dellenback and Fox River and West Wend. Song of the Mountains/The Lincoln Theatre is a non-profit organization underwritten for public television. Info: Tim White, 423-383-7829, timwhitemusic@charter.net, www.songofthemountains.org Patuxent Music will be the primary sponsor for The Mid-Atlantic Bluegrass Band Contest on Friday, February 22, 2013 at the Holiday Inn in College Park, MD. This event will feature some of the best regional bluegrass talent as they compete for cash prizes totaling $1,300 and a performance slot in the DC Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, February 23, 2013. The Mid-Atlantic Band Contest is presented by the DC

Bluegrass Union as part of the DC Bluegrass Festival, honoring the 70-year tradition of bluegrass music in the greater DC area. This family-friendly event offers a full day of bands, vendors, instrument workshops and much more. WAMU’s Bluegrass Country and Holiday Inn are also participating sponsors of the DC Bluegrass Festival. Visit www.dcbu.org for the latest festival details and announcements.

LUTHIERS & MERCHANDISERS The Deering Banjo Company has created the limited edition Goodtime “Sweet 16” banjo to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the Goodtime series that was first launched in September 1996.

Bourgeois Guitars of Maine announce their Aged Tone Series line of premium guitars. The Aged Tone tops are cured by a process known as “thermo curing,” or “roasting.” Tops treated by this process are notably lightser, more stable and louder.

OVER JORDAN

(sources: Bluegrass Unlimited, Bluegrass Today) Willie Ackerman, 73, a Nashville session drummer who played on several bluegrass recordings in the 1960s (Flatt & Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, The Osborne Brothers, Mac Wiseman), died Dec. 13, 2012 at the age of 73.

Walter Hensley, best known for his banjo playing with Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys, died Nov. 24, 2012 at the age of 76. Referred to as “The Banjo Baron of Baltimore,” Hensley recorded two solo banjo albums on Capitol and Rebel Records in 1964 and 1969. In the ‘70s he led his own group, the Dukes of Bluegrass; he performed with Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass; and more recently he teamed up with James Reams to record James Reams, Walter Hensley and the Barons of Bluegrass on the Copper Creek label in 2003.

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Banjo player Red Spurlock, 82, who helped pioneer bluegrass music in Dayton, Ohio along with the Osborne Brothers, Red Allen, Frank Wakefield and others, died Nov. 12, 2012. His band was called the Rainbow Ramblers. Spurlock was teaching banjo at Sinclair community College and performing with Evan Lanier & the Bluegrass Express last year.

William B. Biltshire, 84, died Dec. 7, 2012 in Virginia. He began his career as a teenager on WRVA’s Old Dominion Barn Dance, and later worked with Mac Wiseman, the Bailey Brothers, and Bill Clifton. As a Dixie Mountain Boy, Biltshire played fiddle on Bill Clifton’s 1953-58 recordings for Blue Ridge and Starday. During the 1970s and ‘80s he performed with the Richmond, VA band, Blue Ridge and some local Western Swing bands.

Multi-instrumentalist Billy Joe Foster, died at the age of 51 in Oklahoma Jan. 23 after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Foster performed with the Country Gazette and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder. He was also the banjo player with a band called Special Edition in the 1980s which included Joe Diffie with Craig and Terry Fletcher.

RECORD LABELS & PUBLISHERS Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce the new Bluegrass single, “That Janie Baker” by Marty Raybon & Full Circle released in January to radio via the label’s Fresh Cut & Key

Tracks CD and at AirplayDirect.com. The song appears on Marty’s straight-up new bluegrass album, The Back Forty, releasing in March celebrating his 40 years entertaining audiences around the world.

Also from Rural Rhythm: Award-winning singer-songwriter, Dale Pyatt has released the first single, “Run Secretariat Run” to radio. The song was written by Dale Pyatt and Charlie Hall and is now available to radio stations at AirplayDirect.com. Dale Pyatt, the album, is now available for digital purchase at CD Baby and the physical version is set for release on Tuesday, February 5, 2013. The album features original Americana, bluegrass and country music by Pyatt, who collaborates with songwriters including Bill Castle, “Brink” Brinkman and Steve Thomas.

Rural Rhythm Records is proud to present a special event album God Didn’t Choose Sides: Civil War True Stories About Real People. The album release date is February 12 on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Project creator Sam Passamano, II explains, “Even as a young child I have always been drawn to the events and people during the Civil War, probably because of the importance these years had on our American history and culture. Being a second generation record executive and the president of Rural Rhythm Records, I have had a dream for a long time to do a different type of Civil War album project. There are many songs available about the popular military commanders, battles and the politics, but I wanted to focus on real stories about the common soldiers, citizens, slaves and immigrants whose lives, and the lives of those around them, were changed forever because of the Civil War…these true stories and people should not be forgotten or lost through the years”.

Produced by Steve Gulley, God Didn’t Choose Sides contains songs written by: Paula Breedlove, Mark Brinkman, Brad Davis, Ray Edwards, Mike Evans, Terry Foust, Steve Gulley and Tim Stafford with performances by artists including Marty Raybon, Russell Moore, Ronnie Bowman, Lonesome River Band, Dale Ann Bradley, Carrie Hassler, Bradley Walker, Tim Stafford, Steve Gulley, and more. Accompanying the 13 song album is an extensive 16 page booklet filled with historical notes, photographs and lyrics on the songs. “I’m Almost Home” written by Steve Gulley and Tim Stafford and is performed by Steve Gulley has been sent to radio stations and is available on AirPlay Direct. More info: RuralRhythm.com Pinecastle Records is proud to announce they have signed Mark Newton and Steve Thomas to its roster. Their debut album is titled Reborn and will be released on April 9, 2013.

HEARD ROUND THE WORLD The Spinney Brothers, billed as “Canada’s International Bluegrass Band,” are proud to announce that “Memories,” the first single from their latest Mountain Fever Records CD by the same name, has reached #1 on Bluegrass Unlimited’s Top 30 Songs chart for February 2013. From the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada, brothers Allan Spinney on guitar and vocals and Rick Spinney on banjo and vocals debuted their band in 1992.

The European Bluegrass Music Association is happy to confirm the arrangements for the 5th European Bluegrass Summit on the weekend of 15 - 17 March 2013.

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- Touring the U.S. - Make a PR concept (for bands, festivals, organizations) - Organizing workshops, for music teachers and workshop organizers.

The event will take place in the beautiful city of Prague and will be hosted by Rosťa Čapek and Ivana Louková. The Summit will be held under the auspices of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

The summit is open to all, professionals and non-professionals, members and nonmembers of the European or other national associations, who think they may benefit from sharing ideas and best practices with likeminded people doing similar work in other countries. This includes fans, musicians, promoters, journalists, webmasters, national association reps and anyone else with a personal, professional, or organizational interest in bluegrass in Europe.

Goals of the 5th European Bluegrass Summit In line with EBMA's mission to work together to support bluegrass music across borders, the summit aims to provide bluegrass enthusiasts and activists with a forum for exchange on subjects in which they take a personal and active interest. New subjects will hopefully be raised.

Topics for group sessions in 2013 The group sessions are essential forums for interested parties to exchange best practices and ideas on the subjects in question. The EBMA board suggests the following topic for discussion in 2013: - IBMA: relationship and relevance for Europe - EFN, EBMA Festival Network - Touring Europe

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Saturday concert A bluegrass concert will star Pete and Joan Wernick, Bill Keith and some more European and Czech bands and musicians.

More information soon at www.capek.us.

European Bluegrass Pioneer and Personality Awards It is the first time the EBMA will be giving away Awards. The committee of respected experts (Lilly Pavlak, Richard Hawkins, Paolo Dettwiler, Christian Seguret, Bruno Steffen, Eberhard Finke) has been working on the selection process since 2012. The Awards will be presented at the Saturday concert.

Trading T-Shirts If you want to get rid of the old T-shirts from your festival or organisation (as well as stickers, badges, CDs...) BRING THEM! The other participants might like them, take them, wear them and promote your event in another part of the world!

Petr Brandejs is the president of the European Bluegrass Music Association (EBMA), and the following individuals are members of the EBMA Board: Angelika Torrie, Rienk Janssen, Dagfinn Pedersen, Martino Coppo, Christopher Howard-Williams, Chris Keenan.

Contact Information / European Bluegrass Summit Organization: Iva Louková: e-mail; tel. +420 603 907 416

Join Bluegrass Nation today! www.bluegrassnation.org

IB

International Bluegrass Vol. 28, No. 2 February 2013