Carolina Road Tenth Anniversary Homecoming - Friday

Lorraine Jordan, two time co-winner of the IBMA Recorded Event of the Year for her participation in the Daughters of Bluegrass projects, celebrated the tenth anniversary of her band Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road by inviting as many former members as could free themselves, along with their current bands, to participate in a two day gala event.  Friday featured a shortened, but musically eventful, program of first rate bluegrass bands, mostly from North Carolina, presenting traditional bluegrass music in a traditional setting.  An enthusiastic and fairly large audience greeted the performances with great appreciation.

Volume 5

The festival opened with a very affecting rendition of the National Anthem by Glen Harrell of Volume 5 on fiddle.  Simple and spare, the anthem could not have been presented with greater taste of more effectiveness.  This characterizes much of what this new band, whose members hail from Alabama and Mississippi manages in their performance.  Composed of young men who have had wide experience as side men and session players, Volume 5 has been out for less than a  year and is beginning to be heard from.  Although they do not yet have an Internet presence, they have put our their first CD and are worth hearing.  They present a variety of well-chosen covers as well as a few of their own songs.  They have the requisite drive and sound to have a good impact on audiences and leaven their performance with both humor and intensity.  They were certainly my surprise band for the day, and I expect they'll hold that position for the entire festival.

Glen Harrell

Adam Duke

Casey Caldwell

Jesse Daniels

Chris Williamson

Man of Constant Sorrow

Jerry Butler & The Blu-J's

This very fine band has been formed as a spin-off from Carolina Road by Jerry Butler and John Wade.  Since their first appearance in this configuration only a month ago at Bell Buckle and then their attention catching appearances in after hours and off-campus showcases at IBMA, this band has only become tighter and more effective.  Butler, whose work in several bands has always garnered attention, shows his chops as a band leader and emcee while continuing to provide excellent lead singing.  The band is strong at every position featuring strong ensemble performances and a commitment to working as a unit.  Keep an eye on this band!

Jerry Butler

John Wade

Jim Frailey

Jason Frailey

Tim Goins

Jason Frailey & John Wade

Jerry Butler

Carolina Sonshine

A North Carolina band, Carolina Sonshine presents a pleasing combination of gospel music, Country Gentlemen covers, band compositions, and baggy pants comedy which strikes all the notes of a traditional bluegrass performance.  Danny Stanley's fine baritone voice is well suited to covering Charlie Waller, and he does very good impressions of the likes of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and others in his personna as Hobo Joe.  Dennis Cash and Tom Langdon are able multi-instrumentalists giving the band good versatility.  Jon Johannsen on fiddle adds a welcome sound to the band.  Wayne Ratley is strong on bass.  They have achieved increasing visibility as seen in their showcase at IBMA and multiple nominations for Gospel Group of the Year at SPBGMA. 

Dennis Cash

Danny Stanley

Tom Langdon

Wayne Ratley

Jon Johannsen

Hobo Joe

Al Batten & the Bluegrass Reunion

Al Batten and David Turnage formed The Bluegrass Reunion around forty years ago.  In the years since, they have become and remained a standout regional band. They stand as one of those bands that could, had they chosen to, have become a noted national band, but instead have chosen to remain closer to home providing high quality entertainment and first rate music.  Each of the individuals in the band is a standout. They work together with precision and enthusiasm, and, with Batten's amusing patter, never fail to entertain and amuse.  The recent appearances of eleven year old Nathan Aldridge on fiddle with them helps assure a next generation of this band.

Al Batten

David Turnage

Johnny Ridge (Happy Birthday)

Mike Aldridge

Phil Patterson

Nathan Aldridge

Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road

This performance of Carolina Road essentially represents the final show to be given by the band configuration that's been seen over the past few years.  Saturday will introduce the new band going forward along with a retrospective program featuring most of the past members of the band.  Lorraine, despite battling laryngitis, gave a strong performance, supported by all band members picking up extra duty to support her weakened voice.  The set featured many of the standards from their recent shows as well as Josh Goforth offering a couple of songs I wasn't familiar with.  They were well received by the audience, some of whom were ready for more when the festivities ended at 11:00 PM

Cindy and Wayne Murphy

 

Upper Valley Bluegrass Festival - Lebanon, NH

The Third Annual Upper Valley Bluegrass Festival will take place on November 13th and 14th at the Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, NH.  Featuring four major national bands over the two days and an afternoon of workshops on Saturday, the festival has established a reputation for offering cutting edge bands and headline favorites in a concert format.  Tickets are $33.00 per night or $56.00 for both nights.  All seats are reserved. In its first two years, this festival has been characterized by nearly sold out houses, fine sound, and a very enthusiastic response from its audiences.  The warm and pleasant auditorium offers excellent site lines and first rate sound. This year's event features three bands that have been IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year, including 2009 award winner The Steeldrivers.  In addition the Del McCoury Band is the winner of more individual and group awards from IBMA than any other band in the history of that organization.  Bluegrass fans wishing to see and hear the present and future of bluegrass music will find this weekend event to be a most rewarding opportunity.  Directions to the Opera House can be found here.

The Infamous Stringdusters

The Infamous Stringdusters were formed from a group of experienced young session musicians who had become the house band at Nashville's famed bluegrass venue The Station Inn.  Emerging in 2007, the band won quick recognition from their peers and from fans, garnering IBMA awards as Emerging Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (Fork in the Road), and Album of the Year (Fork in the Road), at that time an unprecedented triple play.  After three years on the road the Stringdusters have only become tighter and more exciting to watch and listen to. Combining elements of traditional bluegrass band and a contemporary jam band, their work is exceptionally tight and disciplined.  Of particular interest to close watchers is the intense concentration on each other that band members exhibit in performance. Each member listens to the others closely, weaving their unique and pleasing sounds together. Andy Hall, who was twice nominated as IBMA Dobro player of the year, attended Berklee College of Music along with band mate Chris Pandolfi, the first person ever to major in banjo there. Andy Falco on guitar,  Jesse Cobb on mandolin, Jeremy Garrett on fiddle, and Travis Book on bass each contribute virtuoso performances on their instruments.  This band is both outstanding and accessible, a treat to fans of traditional and progressive bluegrass alike.

Jeremy Garrett

 Andy Falco

Andy Hall

Chris Pandolfi

Travis Book

Andy Hall, Chris Pandolfi, and Jesse Cobb Jammin'

 Travis Book and Jesse Cobb

King Wilkie

Promo picture provided by King Wilkie

We first saw King Wilkie at Merlefest and then again at Strawberry Park shortly after they had emerged in 2004.  At that time they were a group of young musicians who had learned about bluegrass music a few years earlier, formed a band named after Bill Monroe's horse, and begun touring as a band emulating the great first generation bluegrass bands of the 1940's and 50's.  They were named IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year in 2004.  Then they sort of fell off my radar and began to create their own sound and vibe.  As they sought their own unique sound and approach to the music, I believe they were playing more college campuses and concert halls than the festival circuit we tend to follow.

They have recently released a concept album called "King Wilkie Presents: The Wilkie Family Singers" and are touring to support it as well as offer a selection of their earlier work and more traditional bluegrass music.  The CD, with a number of noted guests, tells a story in song, exploring the characters through their songs about themselves and each other. Reid Burgess, a founding member of the group, says, "Live, we're supporting the album, but mostly with a core string band.  We play some of the old King Wilkie stuff too...it's really a mix of old and new." He notes that the characters won't play into their performance in a dramatic way, but they may talk about them a bit.  Rather, the show will feature a sampling of King Wilkie music as it has developed through the years. Burgess also commented that after their experimentation it's "refreshing to play bluegrass again...it doesn't feel like a job any more." He concludes that to him "bluegrass is most alive, and best experienced, in campgrounds and parking lots and front porches across the USA.  That's the real culture behind the music.  That's the fun part and still what I consider to be the crux of it all."

Saturday

Saturday at Upper Valley has featured workshops at the spacious AVA Gallery around the corner from the Opera House.  In addition to introductory workshops for people not familiar with bluegrass music, there have been instrumental workshops led by local musicians.  The highlight each has been a workshop showcasing one of the featured bands.  Two years ago, asked to send a single musician for a workshop, the entire Del McCoury band appeared to discuss their music, answer questions, illustrate their points with selections from their catalog, and play requests.  They stayed for over 90 minutes.  Last year The Grascals presented a similar workshop, offering insights into the band and its music in an intimate and friendly setting.

The Del McCoury Band

   

The Del Mccoury Band is the most decorated band in bluegrass history.  The band has won 31 IBMA awards as well as a Grammy award for Best Bluegrass Album and another Grammy nomination.  Del has recently released a five disk boxed set covering his fifty years in bluegrass. Among his other early experiences, Del was a bluegrass boy with Bill Monroe, providing a direct link to the father of bluegrass music.  His son Ronnie has been named IBMA mandolin player of the year eight times.  Rob McCoury is a top banjo player with other bands as well as a mainstay of the family band.  Jason Carter, on fiddle, has been named Fiddle Player of the Year three times.  Alan Bartram on bass is also a standout.  Del McCoury's voice is one of the last remaining high lonesome tenor voices, familiar to bluegrass fans everywhere.  His voice is such a signature instrument he is often overlooked as an instrumentalist.  He is recognized within bluegrass music as one of the very finest bluegrass rhythm guitarists ever.  Typically, McCoury will play from an abbreviated set list and then take requests from the audience.  This means that most people will get to hear their favorites. The Del McCoury Band is one of those groups bluegrass folks should seek go see and hear every time they get an opportunity.  Don't miss them at Lebanon!

Rob McCoury

Ron McCoury

Jason Carter

Alan Bartram

The Great Del McCoury

 

The Steeldrivers

How often has it happened to you that you've like a song so much you looked at the liner notes to see who wrote it and discovered the author was Chris Stapleton? His music has been recorded by rock, country, blues, and bluegrass bands.  The other day we were driving and listening to a Balsam Range CD when the song Somewhere In Between popped out - Chris Stapleton.  Brandon Rickman has recorded his work as have LRB and many other bands.  The Steeldrivers emerged in the bluegrass scene only two years ago with an immediately recognizable style featuring Stapleton's bluesy soulful voice in a self-titled album with almost all songs written by him and band mate mandolinist Mike Henderson.  In 2009 IBMA recognized the band as Emerging Artist of the Year.  Stapleton has surrounded himself with an experienced group of bluegrass musicians and been welcomed at bluegrass and Americana festivals across the nation.  Their music elicits a variety of responses from some claiming that their new sound represents the future of bluegrass music to raised eyebrows and questions as to whether their sound fits within the genre at all.  Suffice it to say that they represent a synthesis of style and musicality that synthesizes many elements within today's acoustic music. Richard Bailey on banjo is a very fine and experienced bluegrass musician, as is Tammy Rogers on fiddle and harmony vocals.  Her voice blends extremely well with Stapleton's throaty sound.  Mike Henderson on mandolin and Mike Fleming on bass and vocals are all good fits.  This band will grab your attention and challenge some of your assumptions of what bluegrass is as it brings up to date the already present strands of blues and rock to be found in the music.

Tammy Rogers and Chris Stapleton

 Mike Fleming 

Mike Henderson

Richard Bailey

Tammy Rogers

Chris Stapleton

The Upper Valley Bluegrass Festival at The Lebanon Opera House, presented in a concert format, is a feast showcasing the variety of music to be found within what is often considered to be a rather narrow genre.  The theater staff is professional and helpful, leading to a good viewing experience to complement the music.  See you there. 

On the Road with Darin & Brooke Aldridge

A week or so ago, we had the pleasure of  spending five days with Darin and Brooke Aldridge learning about them and following the lives of a hard working and rising young bluegrass band. People who read this blog are aware that we have a soft spot in our hearts for Darin and Brooke as well as a pretty well-honed understanding of their quality and the work it has already taken to bring them to where they are. What follows, in words and pictures, is an account of those delightful days they shared with us.

Darin and Brooke's Home

On Wednesday we met Brooke at the cozy and neat ranch style home they rent in Cherryville, NC, where Darin has lived most of his life.  She was just home from her job as a pre-school teacher. Darin had spent the day teaching at the studio he keeps at his family's home near Cherryville.  He teaches three or four days a week at home and at the Gaston County School of the Arts and has many mandolin, guitar, and banjo students. Darin's studio shows the cluttered signs of his former bachelor existence, a life he left when he married Brooke nearly a year ago, but he continues to teach there.

In Darin's Studio

Darin, Brooke, and Irene Pickin'

When Darin came home from teaching we went out for pizza and steak sandwiches at a nearby restaurant and did some planning for the upcoming long weekend.  As with many musicians, it is not unusual for Darin and Brooke to work two or three different venues over a weekend bluegrass weekend, which usually extends from Thursday until Sunday.  On this weekend they would perform five times at four different venues with their band, and Darin would also sit in with three other bands. Furthermore, Darin drove the entire circuit, carted his sound equipment to three different places and set it up by himself at one.  By any standard, that's a grueling schedule.

On Thursday evening The Darin & Brooke Aldridge Quintet were the featured band in the First National Bank venue at Art of Sound, an annual eclectic music festival held in Shelby, NC, near Cherryville.  They played a full set and stayed for several encores, as they were the last group and there was terrific enthusiasm for their performance. Darin has put together a first rate band to support his and Brooke's singing.  Eddie Biggerstaff, on bass as well as tenor and bass vocals, is a widely experienced bassman who played with Blueridge for several years before that great group disbanded.  His heartfelt singing on songs like "Workin' on a Building" moves audiences while giving Brooke a few minutes to rest her voice.  His work singing bass on acapella quartets is just wonderful.  Chris Bryant on banjo and baritone vocals has Earl Scruggs' three qualities (tone, taste, and tempo) firmly in hand.  His often understated banjo play always supports the song.  Perry Woodie on resonator guitar and harmony vocals is also always steady and tasteful.  His corny jokes, delivered deadpan, always elicit a chuckle without distracting from the main event.  The band always seems to be at the complete service of the songs they sing and the faith they represent.

The Darin & Brooke Justice Quintet

Eddie Biggerstaff

Chris Bryant

Perry Woodie

Darin Aldridge 

Brooke Justice Aldridge

Friday

 

On Friday, We all attended the opening of a medical office in Shelby. Gigs like this are part of what keeps many bluegrass musicians able to pay their bills.  While there was an audience who came into the tent to watch and listen to the  two bands playing, many more milled around outside, chowed down on the food provided by the office, and chattered while the music continued in the tent. The office opening was a great success.  The music contributed to setting a tone for the entire event, which saw the new building dedicated to the ever popular Dr. Bobby Jones, who often sits in with Darin and Brooke as well as playing in Flint Hill, a band he has long been a member of. 

Darin Sits In with Opening Band - In Cahoots

Because playing bluegrass is a nearly full-time second job for busy bands, families can often best see each other by having family members attend events.  Besides, the spouses and kids often like the music.

Sandy Bryant with son Caleb and Niece

Dr. Bobby Cuts the Ribbon

And Sits in with Darin and Brooke

  Darin and Brooke

By the end of the afternoon a close observer might have noticed that Brooke was showing the effects of a late evening performance the night before, a full days work with a classroom full of little kids, and a performance, but, like a trooper, her weariness never showed in her on stage personality or her singing although she said her voice was tired.  She was very much in need of sleep with two days still to go in the weekend.

Saturday

Saturday at Art of Sound in Shelby is the big day.  A third stage is added on the town square, there's a family (and animal) costume parade, and the annual Livermush Expo takes place.  Darin and Brooke were scheduled to perform in the Arts Center right after Balsam Range, from nearby Asheville, another first rate emerging national band.  Both bands had appeared at the International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) World of Bluegrass convention in Nashville earlier in the month.  The Darin and Brooke Aldridge Quintet had had an official showcase on Monday evening during the opening banquet after the keynote address.  This showcase gave them an audience of nearly 1000 bluegrass professionals - promoters, radio broadcasters, publicists, bluegrass associations, and more - and they had performed well, creating significant buzz.  Their Saturday performance at Art of Sound was scheduled for 2:15, but bands are usually contractually obligated to arrive at least an hour before they perform.  Chris Bryant drove the two hours back from his home in far northern Wilkes County, NC while  Perry Woodie returned from his home in the Smokies.  His girl friend Beth came over to see him perform, too.  Remember, bluegrass is hard on couples and families.

The Arts Center

The Darin and Brooke Aldridge Quintet

Perry's Friend Beth

 

After their successful show, Darin and Brooke along with some of the rest of us, wandered across the square, past the Confederate soldier statue guarding it, to the First National Bank to see the Harris Brothers.  This outstanding duo from nearby Lenoir, NC specializes in blues and jazz, and they have an additional huge repertoire extending to all kinds of music.  They are in great demand in clubs and private homes in the region.  Sadly, they have not generated a national base.  Nevertheless, we had heard of them and were eager to hear them perform.  We were not disappointed, and Darin's sitting in with them for their entire set added a rich punctuation to their already polished performance.

The Harris Brothers with Darin Aldridge

Darin Pickin' Jazz

The Magic Hands

Darin and Brooke

Sunday

While Darin and Brooke's repertoire has broadened to include secular bluegrass and country music, they maintain a deep commitment to their music ministry. Their new CD, which will probably be released by Cross Roads Records in February, was produced by Nashville veteran Jerry Salley. It contains a widened range of music, including several new songs written for them and one written by Darin.  Sunday, for the Aldridges, usually involves them in singing gospel music at festivals or churches, where they are in great demand.  It's a rare Sunday when they don't have one, or even two performances in churches across a wide swath of the south.  We arrived at their house at 8:00 AM to ride with them to concerts during regular Sunday services at a nearby Methodist Church and then an evening performance at Brooke's home church in Newland, NC, up a windy country road near the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We pulled into their driveway just as Darin was returning with breakfast in a bag and a car full of his audio equipment.

Morning at the Aldridge's

 

 

 

View of the Smokies from Behind the Church

Minister Helps with Band Setup

Darin must cart a professional speaker system in the back of his SUV to each church performance.  Band members work as a smoothly oiled team setting the system up and preparing for each performance.

Chicken Supper Served by the Church

 

Brooke Greets a Fan

An Interlude

After the enjoyable service and supper at Marvin Methodist, we headed toward the mountains, driving through Lenoir and Ashville as the trees became increasingly colorful.  Despite the fact that they had been busy performing for four days, Darin and Brooke wanted us to see The Blue Ridge Parkway in all its autumn beauty.  We drove up onto the Parkway, crowded with leaf peepers (as we call them in New England) with each pulloff full.  The air was as clear as it ever gets up here; the Smokies have earned their name.  The spectacular views of the mountains and the engineering of the aqueduct took our breath away as we traveled along for a couple of hours.

Brooke Still Needs Some Rest

Second Homes Scar the Great Smokey Landscape

On the Blue Ridge Parkway

 

 

Henson Creek Baptist Church

 

We arrived at Brooke's home in the Spear Community in Avery County in time for a break and a rest.  Brooke's parents were out, so we had the neat, small home to ourselves for a few hours to just kick back.  A creek runs along the front of the house; probably the same one that rushes past the Church, just up the road, where Brooke grew up and was baptized in one cold January morning.  After a snack and a cup of coffee, we headed up the road to set up the sound and prepare for the evening.  Perry would not be with us, but Dr. Bobby would be ably substituting on mandolin for the evening. 

 

 

 

Brooke with Dad Johnny and Family in Her Home Church

The Church Choir Singing in the Old Shaped Note Style

Dr. Bobby

Chris Bryant

Eddie Biggerstaff

Brooke's Mom Kathy Sings with the Band

Pastor Junior Carver

A Simple and Tasty Late Supper

The sense of the Spirit's presence throughout the evening was absolute.  The fervor or the singing and the warmth and spirit of the congregation were palpable.  Family and friends joined to celebrate their faith and the growing prominence of a young woman who had only recently left their fold and the husband she had chosen. It was an evening filled with all one could wish.  After breaking down the sound system and packing, Darin began the long drive back to Cherryville.  Along the way, he was constantly in touch with those members of the band who had traveled to be at Henson Creek, making sure they were awake and headed in the right direction.  Brooke slept in the back while I dozed in front.  Irene kept up her chatter, as much to help Darin stay awake as for any other purpose.  Around 11:30, we pulled into their driveway.  Irene and I got into the truck and drove the 35 miles back to our campground to collapse into our bed.  Monday was a day of recuperation for us, but Brooke was at school with her class and Darin had a day full of students to teach. Such is the life of working bluegrass musicians. And they Love it! 

The Morris Brothers at Conway (SC) Farmers Market

Each Saturday during the spring, summer, and fall there's a farmers Market held near the Old Peanut Wearhouse in Conway, SC right under the 501 bridge leading into the center of town.  Each Saturday, also, there's a bluegrass band performing.  We took Halloween morning to drive out to Conway to see our old friends The Morris Brothers perform for the final farmers market of the season.  Matt and Mike Morris, originally from West Virginia, have lived in Aynor, SC (about 30 miles west of Myrtle Beach) for most of their adult lives and performed locally and regionally.  Their brother harmonies and mostly traditional picking represent some of the best that local professional bands have to offer.  On this day they performed with Tammy Holt on bass as a trio, but have recently added both a mandolin and a fiddle to their larger gigs.

The Morris Brothers

Matt Morris

Mike Morris

Tammy Holt

During their two hour uninterrupted performance, the Morris Brothers sang and picked old bluegrass favorites like Rocky Top, Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Dueling Banjos, and the Ballad of Jed Clampett on request.  They also played some of Matt's pleasing compositions.  Mike is an excellent Reno style picker, so he put in several Reno style songs as well as lots of very good Scruggs picking.  He also played a somewhat unusual and very good version of Ghost Riders in the Sky.  They played plenty of gospel music, which was very well received, including an especially fervent "Victory is Sweet" sung by Mike.  The Morris Brothers represent what is best about local pickers who have reached a highly competent professional level without seeming to want to reach too far away from their home territory where their devotion to family, church, work, and home are evident.  Devoted fans, including the boys' father came to listen and sing along, despite the steady rain falling just outside the shed. Both Mike and Matt play very good instruments crafted by Tammy's husband Terry Holt in the Holt Music Shed. Check his work out here.

The Market and Some Faces of Bluegrass

 

Singing With Dad Morris

Victory Is Sweet

Carolina Road Homecoming and Tenth Reunion - Preview

Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road will host the Tenth Anniversary reunion of her band on November 6 and 7, 2009 at the Burlington Ramada Inn in Burlington, NC.  Lorraine has sought to assemble as many alumni of her band as possible for this gala celebration which will culminate on Saturday evening with a grand finale jam featuring everyone on stage at once.  The bands invited to this fall's homecoming, which has changed its dates to the fall in order, apparently, to avoid conflicting with the ACC playoffs in the spring, all have members in them who have picked in Carolina Road over its ten year history.  The Ramada Inn, which offers a special price for people who stay there for the festival, is a comfortable and friendly venue for this indoor festival.  There's always lots of jamming and the bands are very accessible.  Complete information about the lineup and accomodations can be found here.

Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road

Host band Carolina Road has recently gone through some significant lineup changes with Dustin Benson, who's played with the  Larry Stephenson and Bradley Walker bands, replacing Jerry Butler on guitar and Brad Hudson taking over for John Wade at bass as well as playing resonator guitar when called on to do so.  Lorraine will resume her position singing lead and increase her presence as emcee.  The changes signal a return to a  more traditional bluegrass music and Lorraine has changed her nick name to "Lady of Tradition."

Josh Goforth

Ben Greene

Dustin Benson and Brad Hunter

Junior Sisk and Rambler's Choice

Junior Sisk and Rambler's Choice are coming off a breakout year in great shape.  With four IBMA nominations and a new recording contract with Rebel Records, this too long overlooked band has moved from regional status to taking its place as a major voice in traditional bluegrass music.  Featuring lots of songs written by bass man (and Junior's cousin) Timmy Massey and selecting from other very fine new songs with a sure feel for traditional sounds, Junior's fine tenor voice has continued strong and he has developed a winning way as front man for his very fine band. This band, hailing from nearby southern Virginia is worth traveling to see.

Junior Sisk

Tim Massey and Junior

Billy Hawkes

Darrell Wilkerson

Al Batten and the Bluegrass Reunion 

Al Batten has fronted this primarily regional band for more than thirty years.  It is guaranteed to provide upbeat bluegrass entertainment wrapped in humor and melody.

Al Batten

Johnny Ridge

Mike Auldridge

Jerry Butler & The Blu-J's

This band is fresh out of the box with a new CD from Tom T and Dixie Hall's Blue Circle Records.  They appeared at the alternative showcases at the Bluegrass Inn in Nashville during IBMA and at several after hours showcases, improving each time they performed and generating significant buzz.  Jerry Butler and John Wade are former members of Carolina Road, while Jim and Jason Fraley are well known in North Carolina as members of  A Deeper Shade of Blue.  This band is worth asking your local bluegrass promoters to consider adding to the lineup of their festivals.

Jerry Butler

John Wade

Jason Fraley, John Wade, and Jerry Butler

Jim Fraley

Tim Goins

The Grass Cats

This North Carolina group has recorded extensively and it's songs have charted on the Bluegrass Unlimited charts. They provide consistently entertaining performances.

Tim Woodall

Russell Johnson

Gospel Music

Three bands appearing at the homecoming are best known as gospel bands, although at least one, Carolina Sonshine, provides an enjoyable mix of gospel music, Country Gentlemen covers, and baggy pants comedy.

Carolina Sonshine

The Churchmen

Photo provided Churchmen from their web site

Damascus Ridge will also be there, but I couldn't find a picture in my files.

Other bands will include Constant Change and Carolina Junction, both young, enthusiastic, and able bands from central North Carolina.

Constant Change

Carolina Junction

All told, bluegrass fans attending Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road's tenth reunion festival at the Ramada Inn in Burlington on November 6th and 7th can expect to find an enjoyable mix of mostly traditional bluegrass with the emphasis being very decidedly on North Carolina Bands.  In many ways the event represents a showcase of the contributions the Tarheel state makes to bluegrass and fulfills this function very well.  See you there. 

Lorraine Jordan

 

Art of Sound - Shelby, NC - Review

Shelby,NC is a small town (pop. 19,477) located in south-central North Carolina along the western edge of the Piedmont region.  The regional economy has apparently been devastated by the loss of the textile industry as well as a large nearby trucking company and farming.  Nevertheless, Shelby is a pleasant town with an attractive downtown centered around the old courthouse which is being renovated to provide a home for a museum dedicated to legendary banjo player Earl Scruggs, a native of Shelby.  Art of Sound held its seventh annual festival from October 22 - 24, sponsored by the Cleveland County Arts Council.  Featuring 31 bands with over 100 individual musicians in three locations around the town square, Art of Sound offered an eclectic selection of music ranging from old time and bluegrass through blues to rock and jazz.  As fans of bluegrass and Americana music, we found plenty to entertain us.  It was also a busy weekend, as we had the opportunity to attend the opening of a new medical building in town and go to a delightful family birthday party on Saturday evening, leading us to attend fewer musical events than we otherwise might have. 

The schedule of Art of Sound provides music in two venues on Thursday and Friday evening.  Both the First National Bank and the Arts Council building itself offer good spaces for musical performance, although sound in the Arts Council building left something to be desired.  Particularly when offering acoustic music, it's quite useful to have sound technicians oriented to the sounds and volumes of acoustic instruments. Acoustic Instruments at the Arts Center tended to squeal escessively, distracting both musicians and listeners.  Sound at the First National Bank, a quieter and more intimate venue was fine for the performances we attended there.

 

Performers at Art of Sound tended to be people with roots in Cleveland County and environs, some of whom have forged national and international reputations, while others have chosen to stay closer to their roots. Performers included a healthy dose of Nashville alt-country music and what looked like other interesting and arresting performers.  As with any music festival, there were too many performers for anyone to be able to see them all, but there were plenty of choices available, with the full-day schedule on Saturday offering very good value for the $20.00 advance pass.  A three day advance pass at $35.00 represented a true bargain for people living close enough to make all three days.  On Saturday, the music was supplemented by the annual Livermush Expo. An acquired taste, livermush is closely related to scrapple, a delicacy those of us hailing from Pennsylvania either love or disdain. It is concocted of pork by products and corn meal, seasoned to the distributers taste, and served best fried to a crisp.  Several vendors offered livermush delicacies prepared in a variety of tempting ways. 

We focused on several bluegrass performances as well a a delightful Americana presentation and some of the best blues we've heard. 

On Thursday evening, Al Dunkleman, a sociology instructor at Cleveland Community College led off with his easy to listen to singing of a combination of standards and songs he had written focusing on local events.  Accompanied by his wife Kathy on vocals and Dr. Bobby Jones on mandolin, the performance was enjoyably tuneful.  Dunkleman plays guitar, open-back banjo, and fiddle to accompnay his own singing, while Kathy's harmonies are good. 

Al Dunkleman Trio

Al Dunkleman

Kathy Dunkleman

Dr. Bobby Jones

Flint Hill

Flint Hill has been performing in and around Cleveland County for about twenty-five years.  A bluegrass band comprising five able pickers, they sing traditional bluegrass as well as material composed by members of the band.  Michael Burgess, lead singer, has written many of the songs performed by Flint Hill.  He has a very good bluegrass voice.  Guitarist Wayne Parish is an able flat picker who has also written music for the band.  Dean Jenkins on banjo provides a strong and powerful roll that keeps the band's driving sound moving forward.  Adam Seale, who we've seen performing with several national bands, including Kenny and Amanda Smith, sings well and is solid on bass.  Bobby Jones on mandolin shares the emceeing with Seale, plays mandolin, and sings the often under-rated but important baritone parts.  The band is entertaining and enjoyable.

Michael Burgess

Wayne Parrish

Dean Jenkins

Adam Seale

Bobby Jones

Darin and Brooke Aldridge Quintet

Recently returned from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) World of Bluegrass conference in Nashville, the Darin and Brooke Aldridge Quintet performed twice at Art of Sound.  I'll only deal briefly with them here, because our other activity during this weekend was to spend time with them traveling to two other venues, visiting in their home, and getting to know them better.  I'll be posting a separate blog entry about that experience within the next few days. 

Darin and Brooke with Chris Bryant

Eddie Biggerstaff

Perry Woodie

 

Rick Bowles and Phoenix Mendoza

Rick Bowles is a Shelby native who has had some success as a Nashville song writer, composing songs for Alabama, Reba McIntyre, and Lorrie Morgan, among others.  He has a strong singing voice and a funny, somewhat cynical approach to himself as well as his music.  Phoenix Mendoza is a younger singer/songwriter who brings passion and enthusiasm to his Nashville Pop sound. As nearly as I can tell from his MySpace page, Mendoza has yet to sell his first song. We had a fine supper at Joe's Cafe just of the square.

Rick Bowles

Phoenix Mendoza

 

A day in late October couldn't have been much better than the Saturday of Art of Sound.  It was a clear, crisp day with hardly a cloud in the sky and enough breeze to keep the day from becoming hot. There was a good crowd milling about the square with a line at Mike's Livermush tent.  The pop...pop...pop of a John Deere engine driving a churn advertised fresh, home made ice cream, and other vendors were serving up food and fun. An open air stage featuring a loud and competent rock band attracted an attentive crowd.

 

Balsam Range

We had previously seen Balsam Range in a showcase performance a year ago and this year at Fan Fest during IBMA as well as hearing them get frequent air play on Sirius/XM radio.  In all three cases they had sounded good, but failed to make the strong impression that makes a listener sit up and take notice.  With their appearance at Art of Sound they broke through for us and the the rest of the audience in the Art Center. Their power, speed, tightness, combined with their instrumental and vocal versatility make for a lively and highly entertaining performance.  At first they sound quite traditional, but as their set continues a realization sets in that this band is cloaking a quite contemporary sound and sensibility within a mantle of traditional form and instrumentation.  Balsam Range has long been the go-to band for public and private events in western North Carolina, where there so many opportunities to perform present themselves a band doesn't need to travel.  Nevertheless, this band is so good, audiences beyond their region deserve to hear them and their recent CD should be a good candidate for awards in the coming year.  Lead singer Buddy Melton on fiddle is a very good tenor.  The test of a tenor's voice is in his ability to sing high quietly.  Melton excels at reaching the height of his register without straining.  Tim Surrett on bass not only offers the expected rock solid beat, but adds interesting a varied licks to his bass play.  He's a first rate singer, too.  Mark Pruett on banjo is the senior member of the band.  Deeply experienced and a veteran of stints with many top notch bands, his banjo underlies much of the band's quality.  Caleb Smith is the junior member of the band, a very solid flat picker, he also writes songs for the band.  Darren Nicholson on mandolin plays with skill and enthusiasm and sings well.  The band has four able singers and all the musicians are first class instrumentalists.  This is a sit-up-and-look band. 

Buddy Melton

Marc Pruett

Caleb Smith

Darren Nicholson

Tim Surrett

 

The Harris Brothers with Darin Aldridge

We had heard about the charm, musicality, and versatility of the Harris Brothers, but had never experienced their terrific musical performance before.  With music ranging from old-time to jazz and blues, this brother duo, augmented by Darin Aldridge on mandolin on this night, were simply superb. Reggie is a wizard on guitar, both regular acoutic and the National slide.  Ryan on bass and, especially, blues vocals is wonderful.  The Harris Brothers don't travel far from their home in Lenoir, NC, but if you get the chance to hear them, don't miss it.

Reggie Harris

Ryan Harris

Darin Aldridge

Art of Sound in Shelby, NC is a small gem of a music festival.  There's both diversity and quality. Give it a try next year.