Bluegrass Opry Barn lineup change for Nov. 6

Hello Everyone,

There has been a slight change of schedule for the upcoming Nov 6, 2010 show at The Bluegrass Opry Barn.

Melvin Goins will not be appearing. Melvin is experiencing some health problems. We hope to reschedule Melvin later in the season and hope that he has a speedy recovery. Melvin is a gem in the Bluegrass world.

Appearing Nov 6, 2010 will be

The New Old Timers


John Arms
Steve Scott

Charlie Gilbert died Oct. 22, 2010

Charlie Gilbert passed away Friday of natural causes  at his apartmen in Warsaw, IN.

Charlie on the NIBGA stage May 28, 2010

A wake will be held Tuesday 10/ 26/2010  at the St John Bosco Funeral home in Churubusco IN.  Funeral services will be held Wed  10/27/2010.

Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments to the wake Tuesday .

Charlie was the banjo player for Gilbert and Company.
Charlie will be sadly missed by family and friends and those who liked good banjo playing.....
God rest his soul !

Chere McKinley

Charlie played in several bands over the years including Tippy River and Possum Trot Orchestra. He appeared on our stage several times, the last being Memorial weekend 2010.

From the funeral home web site:

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Otis R. Bowen Center for Human Services, 850 N. Harrison Street, Warsaw, IN  46580.

Dave Evans retires from the road!

Mrs. BLUEgrass here with stunning news:

Dave Evans announced he's retiring from regular touring schedule, and sticking closer to home. He made this announcement on my weekly, live radio program, "The First Generation BlueGrass Show" on Community Radio, WMMT, 88.7fm, via telephone last Wednesday, Oct.13.

Arthritis and Diabetes are the two main reasons he gave for his decision, plus, he's the owner of "The Bluegrass Palace", in Watts, KY [close to Jackson, Hazard], a small but lively venue where his band, Riverbend, are the host band. You can't miss it, it's in the Watts Fire House, right along KY 15.

His shows are monthly, with plans for a special New Year's Eve celebration, complete with New Years Day Breakfast, cooked by Dave himself!

This is sad news to hear. I remember seeing Dave perform at the Berkshire Mountains Bluegrass Festival in the 1970's, and as for north as Brunswick, ME....at the Thomas Point Bluegrass Festival....as well as points in between.

Great memories will last forever.......
Becky Johnson

Thanks Bobby for this scoop! 

Charlie Louvin benefit 10/30/2010

ELL BUCKLE, TENN. -- Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Louvin of the legendary Louvin Brothers is fighting pancreatic cancer. 

In an effort to help defray Louvin's astronomical medical costs, the Bell Buckle Banquet Hall in historic Bell Buckle, Tenn., is hosting a benefit concert and auction Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010 from noon to 9 p.m.   The event will be hosted by Louvin and Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike.


Mored details of the event.

RV Industry recovering?

The Oct. 15, 2010 Wall Street Journal had an article regarding Winnebago and their improved earnings. The first paragraphs said:

Profit at recreational-vehicle maker Winnebago Industries Inc. has revved up in recent months, though the industry is still operating at half-speed, following a sales slide during the economic recession.

The Forest City, Iowa, company on Thursday posted a profit of $4.9 million, or 17 cents a share, for its fiscal fourth quarter that ended Aug. 28, compared with a year-earlier loss of $50.2 million, or $1.73 a share, which included a $1.41-a-share write-down of deferred tax assets. Revenue more than doubled to $123.1 million from a year earlier.

For the year, Winnebago said motor-home shipments more than doubled and dealer inventory for its vehicles jumped 21%.

Read the complete story at the Journal

This bodes well for the Bluegrass Industry which relies heavily on campers at outdoor festivals.

On-line banjo workshops

Learn with top-notch teachers and fellow Hangout members using the Hangout Chatroom!

Each workshop has a specific topic, teacher, date/time, and price. Please read workshop descriptions, then sign up if you're interested!

You do not need a webcam, or even a microphone, to participate!

You can also find a large number of banjo tabs on their web site.

Breakfast is served!

The NIBGA meeting place (Southwest Conservation Club, 5703 Bluffton Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46809-2157) will be serving breakfast for the early birds next Sunday, October 17. The NIBGA meeting starts at noon but come early and enjoy a great breakfast at a remarkably low price. Sandwiches and drinks are also available.


The public is welcome. Bring your acoustic instrument or just come and enjoy the music. 

New officers at IBMA and the Bluegrass Foundation

Greg Cahill

Stan Zdonik

Greg Cahill, leader of Special Consensus, completed his second term as president of IBMA and has been replaced by the Vice Chair, Stan Zdonik President of the Boston Bluegrass Union. The new Vice Chair is Jon Weisberger.

Greg was elected President of the The Foundation for Bluegrass Music.

Created in 2007, the Foundation for Bluegrass Music is a non-profit charitable organization (501c3) created to serve as an “umbrella” under which funds can be placed and disbursed to support educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities of public benefit.

Old Time String Band jam

A reminder that we are having our old-time music jam in Fort Wayne Oct. 2 from 2 to 4:30 pm at the Firefly Coffee House, 3523 North Anthony Boulevard, Fort Wayne, IN.

Forecast is for cool weather, so we may have to play inside.

International Bluegrass Music Association Announces 2010 Award Winners

Dailey & Vincent, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Adam Steffey, The Gibson Brothers and Russell Moore Receive Multiple Awards

NASHVILLE, TN - The 21st Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, hosted by Sharon and Cheryl White and Jerry Douglas, was broadcast live on Sirius XM from Nashville, Tennessee's historic Ryman Auditorium on September 30, 2010. Dailey & Vincent took home top honors with their third consecutive award for Entertainer of the Year.

Dailey & Vincent were also recipients of their third straight Vocal Group of the Year award, their second award for Album of the Year for Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers, Recorded Event of the Year with Larry Stephenson for "Give This Message to Your Heart" and Best Graphic Design for Recorded Project (Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers), awarded in an earlier ceremony.

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper received three awards, including Instrumental Group of the Year, Cleveland's eighth Fiddle Player of the Year award and Marshall Wilborn's second consecutive award for Bass Player of the Year.

Adam Steffey accepted two awards, including his seventh Mandolin Player of the Year award and Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year for "Durang's Hornpipe." The Gibson Brothers were recognized with two honors, their first since 1998, with "Ring the Bell" for Song of the Year and Gospel Performance of the Year. Receiving two awards tonight, The Josh Williams Band won Emerging Artist of the Year and Guitar Player of the Year (Josh Williams).

Other instrumentalist awards included Rob Ickes with his twelfth award for Dobro Player of the Year and The Grascals' Kristin Scott Benson for her third consecutive honor for Banjo Player of the Year.

Russell Moore of IIIrd Tyme Out accepted his third award for Male Vocalist of the Year. Claire Lynch received her second award for Female Vocalist of the Year.

Louise Scruggs and John Hartford were posthumously inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. The IBMA's Distinguished Achievement Award honorees were Benjamin F. "Tex" Logan, Sherry Boyd, Lynn Morris, Richard Weize and Pete "Dr. Banjo" Wernick.

It was an evening of heartfelt and humorous moments, surprise guests and honors for a diverse mix of new artists and longtime favorites.

For more information and a complete list of awards.