J.D. Crowe to hang up his banjo

Another banjo milestone is about to be passed. The great J.D. Crowe has announced his intention to retire from performing at the end of 2012. He will turn 75 years old this summer.


More at: http://bluegrasstoday.com/40267/j-d-crowe-to-hang-up-his-banjo/

Memberships due 5/1/2012

Many thanks to those of you sending SASE with your memberships. It makes the job easier and faster plus it saves the club money.

Also a big thanks to those signing up new members on a gift subscription. This is a good way to introduce folks to the bluegrass life.

It won't be long until we'll be kickin' up our heals at the Memorial Tri-State.

Linda Winger
Treasurer

Earl Scruggs - 88 Mar. 28, 2012

One of my first years on the IBMA board was held at the Galt House in Louisville, KY. The Chamber of Commerce had a welcome reception for the board on the Sunday evening before the World of Bluegrass. At the reception was a who who in bluegrass but what caught my eye was Earl and JD Crowe setting in a couple over stuffed chairs trading banjo licks. They were just a couple of pickers enjoying the music.

We never had the pleasure of having Earl perform at a Tri-State festival.

Here is a blog that has info about Earl.

Earl & the Chieftains bring home Sally Goodin'

You can find Earls' biography on his web site. An obituary is here.

Earl will have a proper send-off with a full-fledged funeral service at the Ryman Auditorium on Sunday (April 1). 

INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF IBMA announced

The Board of Directors of the International Bluegrass Music Association announced Monday, March 5, 2012, Nancy Cardwell as interim Executive Director of IBMA.

IBMA at the Crossroads

This article is about the current challenges faced by the International Bluegrass Music Assoc.

IBMA at the Crossroads
 

CONGRATULATIONS TO GRAMMY AWARD RECIPIENTS

Congratulations to the following artists, writers and producers who were recognized with GRAMMY Awards® Feb. 12 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. 

BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM
Paper Airplane, by Alison Krauss & Union Station [Rounder]

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, NON-CLASSICAL
Paper Airplane; by Alison Krauss & Union Station; Neal Cappellino & Mike Shipley, engineers; Brad Blackwood, mastering engineer [Rounder]

BEST INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITION
“Life In Eleven;” Béla Fleck & Howard Levy, composers; Béla Fleck & The Flecktones; Track from: Rocket Science [eOne Music]

For a complete list of GRAMMY Awards®, go to www.grammy.com.

Love one woman, many banjos

Available from the banjo hangout.

The Billionaire Who Loved Bluegrass

F. Warren Hellman, a banjo-picking billionaire whose life followed such an extraordinary and eccentric arc it perhaps could only have taken place in San Francisco, died Dec. 18, 2011 at UCSF Medical Center. He was 77.


Warren founded the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the San Francisco Golden Gate park. The festival has grown to a three-day affair, with an attendance of more than 600,000 fans who see world-renowned acts like Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle and Elvis Costello — for free.

Dan Hays accepts new post

The Board of Directors of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County today announced that Dan Hays will become the new Director for the Franklin Theatre, 419 Main Street, Franklin, TN 37064

Hays’ acceptance of the post culminates a rigorous leadership search for the historic Main Street institution which recently underwent an $8 million renovation with a commitment to be the best 300 seat music venue in the world. Since its re-opening, The Franklin Theatre has hosted a diverse, world-class musical lineup including Sheryl Crow, Michael McDonald, The Judds, Keb' Mo', Sam Bush--with much more on the horizon--and has sold out every show in its concert series,

Marksmen Quartet loose everything to thieves

Marksmen Quartet

The full story is on the here but they lost everything while traveling to Myrtle Beach festival over Thanksgiving weekend.

Rick Prater on RFD-TV

Rick Prater & the Midnight Travelers are scheduled to appear on The Cumberland Highlanders Show on RFD-TV in December 2011.

RFD-TV is available on DISH Network at channel 231  and on DirectTV at channel 345. RFD-TV can also be found on many cable systems throughout the US.

The show is scheduled to air at:

• DEC 12 2:30 PM
• DEC 13 12:30 AM
• DEC 17 9:30 PM

Dan Hays resigns from IBMA

DAN HAYS DEPARTING AS IBMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Board of Directors of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) announced today that it has reluctantly accepted the resignation of Executive Director Dan Hays, effective February 29, 2012.  In doing so, the Board expressed its profound appreciation for Hays’ 21 years of effective, dedicated service in the position, noting that his contributions have been indispensible to the organization’s stature as a force for professionalism within the industry and as an advocate for the music in broader circles.

More at www.IBMA.org

Gigs needed January 12, 2012

Hi Jim:

It was a pleasure chatting with you a few minutes ago. My name is Dan Mazer. Using the stage name "BanjerDan," I'm a banjo player/multi-instrumentalist based in Washingtton, DC. My music is an Americana mix, rooted in straight-ahead bluegrass and branching out to include folk, country, blues, oldies, and other styles. I've performed all over the U.S. and internationally, as a solo artist, as a member of bands, and in theatrical  productions  and orchestras. I've received some notoriety of late as a member of "J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters."

I'm planning a tour which will take me to Ft. Wayne on Tuesday, January 10th, 2012., and hope you'll be able to find a venue for my solo acoustic, mostly-banjo show. I could also do a banjo workshop or a children's program.

Please visit my websites to learn about my background and to hear and see what I do:

("banjerdan dot com" is down for revamping, and will be back online soon.)

http://www.youtube.com/banjerdan

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/BanjerDan/57572207159

http://www.facebook.com/banjerdan

If you like what you hear, please get back to me.

Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to hearing from you.

Dan Mazer

“GIVE ME THE BANJO”

“GIVE ME THE BANJO” PREMIERES ON PBS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011, AS PART OF THE FIRST PBS ARTS FALL FESTIVAL

Steve Martin Narrates Chronicle of the Country’s Music, History and Popular Culture Through “America’s Quintessential Instrument”

Multi-Faceted Companion Web Site Will Expand Program’s Impact

9:00 p.m. ET

Check local listings

WASHINGTON, DC, [Updated September 22, 2011] – This fall, PBS viewers will embark on an epic musical odyssey through 300 years of American history and culture by way of the banjo — from its earliest use by enslaved Africans in colonial America to the 21st century. GIVE ME THE BANJO, a documentary presented by UNC-TV North Carolina, premieres Friday, November 4, 2011, at 9:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings). GIVE ME THE BANJO is part of the first PBS Arts Fall Festival, a multi-platform event anchored by nine films that highlight artists and performances from around the country.

Hazel Dickens - 75

Hazel Dickens, a troubadour of hard times whose raw, heartfelt songs about coal miners and the life of the downtrodden made her a revered figure in country and bluegrass music, died April 22 at the Washington Home hospice in the District. She was 75 and had complications from pneumonia.


You Tube video of her.


Full story at the Washington Post.

Excitment for Labor Day in Kendallville

I noticed in your recent newsletter a list of things to do and see in northeast Indiana. I wanted to let you know, that to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Cord 810 automobile, planning is underway for an event similar to last year's Duesenberg Exhibition of Speed at the Kendallville Airport over Labor Day weekend.

Bill Hummel, E.L. Cord's grandson, asked the city's aviation board for permission to use the airport runway for Cord races, display of antique and classic automobiles. The board approved and FAA permission is expected to temporarily close the runway on Friday, Sept. 2. A parade of Cords and classic autos like last year is planned from Auburn to Kendallville. 

Aviation will be the focus on Saturday, Sept. 3, with exhibits, a fly- in and the board is working with the same group that brought the World War II B-24 to the airport last year to arrange for a B-17 appearance and rides.

This is for Labor Day weekend, but I thought you'd like a heads-up to let your members know well in advance. 

Dennis Nartker

Kendallville, News-Sun

SWCC PANCAKE BREAKFAST:

Pancake Breakfast
Southwest Conservation club, Fort Wayne, IN
NIBGA's jam & meeting location

April 17 is NIBGA's last jam & meeting until October 16, 2011. The SWCC will be having a special breakfast starting at 7a until gone. Menu includes pancakes, sausage, eggs, biscuits & gravy, & hash browns. The food is inexpensive and very good.
Come and support the SWCC and join in the NIBGA jam or just sit, relax and enjoy the music which generally starts around 1p. If you get there earlier, you can have breakfast and help get the newsletter ready for mailing.

See you there Sunday, April 17.
Linda Winger - Treasurer

Dave Hart, 73, over Jordan

We've received word that Dave Hart from Antwerp, Ohio passed away this afternoon, April 8 at home. He had been ill recently but was determined to come to Tri-State Memorial weekend.

Dave was on the board of NIBGA and has been an active member for many years. He will be missed by his many friends and family.

His obituary is located on Dooley Funeral home web site. The Fort Wayne newspaper published this:

DAVID HART, 73 of Antwerp, died Friday, April 8, 2011. Service is 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, 5482 CR 424, Antwerp, Ohio, with viewing one hour prior. Viewing is also from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church. www.dooleyfuneralhome.com

Published in Fort Wayne Newspapers on April 10, 2011

Alison Krauss & Union Station summer tour

"Paper Airplane" is the first  Alison Krauss and Union Station CD in six years. It features dobro virtuoso Jerry Douglas along with the other Union Station members. Target will have a special release of the CD with 6 additional tracks.

Alison has more Grammy Awards than any other female artist. Not only has she one in the bluegrass category but also win for country, for collaborations and for song & album of the year with Robert Plant. 

She has planned a 50 city tour this summer.  It has been several years since Alison and Union Station band members Dan Tyminski (guitar, mandolin and lead vocals), Barry Bales (bass and harmony vocals), Ron Block (banjo, guitar and harmony vocals), and Jerry Douglas (Dobro and harmony vocals) toured together. 

Area cities on the tour are:

JUNE

4        Louisville, KY               The Palace

5        Louisville, KY               The Palace

9        Indianapolis, IN            The Lawn

10      Kettering, OH               Fraze Pavilion

Toy Hearts sound equipment stolen

They Toy Hearts have suffered the ultimate indignity to befall the touring musician. On April 6 they found all their sound gear stolen in Birmingham, UK. Someone broke into their van and took it all. 
The Toy Hearts were at our Kendallville festival over Labor Day 2009. They also played the Sacred Hearts nursing home in Avilla.