Free Download from Musicians Against Childhood Cancer (MACC)

Darrell Adkins, promoter of Muscians Against Childhood Cancer, announces a Free Download of the song "Life Goes On," the title song of the new live album of signature performances recorded live at MACC.  The first recording of live performances from MACC (Celebration of Life) won an IBMA award for Album of the Year in 2006.  The new recording, called "Life Goes On" will be released later in the year.

Darrell Adkins

The recording was written for the upcoming release by Nashville veterans Steve Thomas and Dale "Chickengrease" Pyatt and produced by a team of Nashville super-producers including Randy Kohrs, Carl Jackson, Jerry Salley, Larry Cordle, Ronnie Bowman, Jim VanCleve, and Darrell Adkins, all of whom appear on the recording as performers.  The full list of participants can be found here.  Requesting the song from MACC places you on the festival's mailing list.  "Life Goes On" was produced in Randy Kohrs' studio, the only song on the new album not recorded live at MACC.

Song Writer Steve Thomas

Song Writer Dale Pyatt

Musicians Against Childhood Cancer was founded after the tragic death of Darrell and Phyllis Adkins twenty year old daughter Mandy in November of 2000.  Promoters of a well-established event called The Bluegrass Classic held at Frontier Ranch near Columbus, OH as well as other events, Adkins committed the proceeds from his festival to finding a cure for childhood cancer and developed a relationship with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, moving the festival to the Hoover Y Park near Columbus and gaining a charter as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.  Since then, MACC has contributed over $500,000 to St. Jude and the YMCA.

Co-Producer Randy Kohrs

Co-Producers Carl Jackson & Jerry Salley

 

This year's Muscians Against Childhood Cancer will be held at the Hoover Y Park from July 21 - July 24, 2010.  The lineup is a Who's Who of top bluegrass talent.  Check it out here.  Meanwhile, get your FREE download of the title song "Life Goes On" by clicking here to order your copy.

Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival - Thursday

The Setup Begins

Thursday at Strawberry Park often involves lots of waiting and watching as folks roll in and the excitement builds toward the 6:00 P.M. opening act.  This year, all that was mitigated by having our friend Dr. Tom Bibey visiting from North Carolina.  His visit jumped up in importance as the proof copy of his soon to be published novel The Mandolin Case arrived, much to his excitement.  We stopped in at the campground office to find that the package containing his book had already arrived.

 Dr. Tom Bibey Recieves the First Copy

  

The First View

Irene Was One of the First Signers

Junior Sisk Signs The People's Mandolin

The day became special for Dr. B and thus for us as we watched his joy at completing ten years of work on his novel as well as launching the Traveling People's Mandolin, which will also be passed to its next recipient here at Strawberry Park.  Since this is Dr. B's first trip to a northeastern festival and his introduction to the bluegrass community here, it's all a pretty big deal. 

Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters

  

Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters opened Strawberry Park this year as they have for many years.  Her clear and well-modulated voice blends well with her musical and life partner Roger Williams on Dobro.  Her song "Immigrant Eyes" about her grandfather is a masterpiece that other pickers should learn.  She brings energy and enthusiasm to the stage with her bluegrass flavored country sound.  Guest fiddler Kimberly Ludiker, a member of Della Mae, was excellent.  J.D. Williams, Roger's son, on mandolin did a solid job and Eric Levinson on bass, who returns to the band after an absence, was strong, too.  

Amy Gallatin

Roger Williams

J.D. Williams

Kim Ludiker

Eric Levinson

The Farewell Drifters

 

The Farewell Drifters' Americana sound offers an enjoyable blend of singer/songwriter originality with a range of themes, tempos, and sounds from pure melody to enthusiastic jam.  They're young, and their themes bespeak the interests and concerns of their age group.  Their music is highly engaging despite a somewhat unfortunate stage diffidence that can come across as off-putting.  Despite this, the audience responded warmly and supportively. Instrumentally The Farewell Drifters are strong at every position.  Zach Bevill continues to develop as a very solid lead singer.  The change to Christian Sedelmyer on fiddle, replacing the banjo, is an excellent musical choice for this essential mellow and highly listenable band.

Joshua Britt

Zach Bevill

Clayton Britt

Dean Marold

Christian Sedelmyer

Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice

Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice has undergone two major lineup changes in the past few months, leaving some concern among his fans. Not to worry, this band just keeps on getting better! Jason Davis on banjo continues to grow and mature in his approach to his instrument, blending very well with this band while still managing to stand out on his breaks.  Greg Moore, on fiddle, is a recent acquisition from the James King Band.  With Junior he gets to show a much wider range of play and more than lives up to the challenge.  Members of the band tell me he's helping push them to new heights.  Jason Tomlin's vocals and mandolin play have continued to become increasingly subtle and expressive as he gains in confidence and experience.  Tim Massey, Junior's cousin, on bass has been a steady source of strength to this band and throughout Junior's career.  As a bass player and singer he is extremely valuable; as a song writer, he's indispensable.  Junior himself has long been recognized as one of the premier traditional lead singers in bluegrass.  Early on, there was some question about his taking on the role of front man.  Those concerns have been totally allayed.  Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice is on a steady upward path to much wider acclaim. At Strawberry Park a large Thursday audience remained despite a brief rain shower to hail his performance and demand an encore.

 

Junior Sisk

Tim Massey

Jason Tomlin

Jason Davis

Greg Moore

I may have a surprise to add to this space later today, but I'm experiencing technical problems.  Meanwhile, look for daily reports here for the rest of the weekend.  The weather has dawned bright and clear, and it looks like we're gonna have a good 'un.  

Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival - Tunbridge, VT - Preview

The Jenny Brook Stage in its New Location

The Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival will begin its tenth season on Wednesday, June 16th with a covered dish supper and barn dance at 6:00 PM.  The formal festival will begin Thursday afternoon at 5:30 PM and run through Sunday the 20th with a full lineup of national, regional, and local bands, including a "surprise" band to close on Sunday afternoon.  Last year the Jenny Brook stage was moved from its previous location in Weston, VT to the more spacious and versatile World's Fair Grounds in Tunbridge, VT.  The larger and more flexible fair grounds are located in a lovely rural valley in central Vermont made easily accessible by its proximity to both I-89 and I-91.  This medium sized event now has room to grow, and has already shown that it can offer the full range of activities expected at a festival along with a few extra bells and whistles.  The setting is one of the most beautiful in New England.  Promoters Candi and Seth Sawyer have worked hard to develop this event and their effort shows in every element of the festival.

Candi and Seth Sawyer

The Lineup

Seldom Scene

Founded in 1971, Seldom Scene established itself as a cutting edge band that used bluegrass instruments and sounds to bring the contemporary sounds of folk and rock music into the genre.  While banjo player Ben Eldridge is the only remaining original player, the addition of Dudley Connell, brings his commitment to traditional music as shown in The Johnson Mountain Boys along with energy and infectious enthusiasm to the band.  Lou Reid, of Lou Reid and Carolina as well as a member of several earlier ground breaking bands, on mandolin and singing tenor is always strong.  Ronnie Simpkins on bass and Fred Travers on Dobro bring forward an exceptional ensemble. 

Dudley Connell

Ben Eldridge

In addition to his performance with Seldom Scene, Dudley Connell will pair with traditional singer/mandolinist Don Rigsby for a single set on Friday evening.  Rigsby has recently returned to full time touring after spending several years as director of the traditional music program at Morehead State University in Kentucky.  Rigsby has been a member of The Bluegrass Cardinals, J.D. Crowe and the New South, The Lonesome River Band, and superband Longview and has been nominated for and won numerous awards including Grammys, SPBGMA, and IBMA recognition.  In combination, this duet is powerful and entertaining. Connell and Rigsby have recorded two projects together.

Don Rigsby

The Gibson Brothers

The Gibson Brothers are a perennial favorite at Jenny Brook who will be back on Saturday for two sets, including their closing one, which can last until they are forced to quit.  With their new CD "Ring the Bell" and its title song both of topping the Bluegrass Unlimited charts for months this year, the Gibson's will bring not only their fine singing and song writing, but the hopes of many that they will be rewarded for their excellence at IBMA this year.  With Clayton Campbell on fiddle, Mike Barber on bass, and Joe Walsh (whose second solo CD is due out soon) on mandolin, this band is strong at every instrument, providing more than support for the famed brother harmonies of Eric and Leigh.  This band is at the very top of its game and will surely please even the most discriminating bluegrass fans with their performance and delightful personalities.

Eric and Leigh Gibson

Grasstowne

Grasstowne was formed three years ago as three storied musicians (Alan Bibey, Steve Gulley, and Phil Leadbetter) formed a new band.  Phil has since moved on, but the addition of Adam Haynes on fiddle (James King Band, Larry Stephenson, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver) and Justin Jenkins (Blue Moon Rising) on banjo have more than filled in the holes.  Each is an experienced player and Haynes adds vocal versatility to the band.  Alan Bibey is recognized as one of the world's premier mandolin players.  Steve Gulley, formerly of Mountain Heart, has a soulful, powerful singing voice that provides strong leads and tenor harmonies.  Grasstowne has not had broad exposure in the northeast, but attendees at Jenny Brook should expect a first class performance.

Alan Bibey

Steve Gulley

Adam Haynes

The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band

LeRoy Troy and the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band have become favorites at Jenny Brook and will be performing during the first three days. Troy is an inventive and hilarious performer bringing his admiration for the old time music and routines of Uncle Dave Macon along with a first rate band playing old time, classic country, and bluegrass.  Viewers are captivated by his gyrations with the open back banjo, twirling and swinging it like a pendulum as he plays, as well as the polished quality of the entire band's performance.  In addition to seeing this band on stage, they can frequently be found around the campground in jamming groups. They can also be seen regularly on cable and satellite channel RFD-TV.

LeRoy Troy

After Hours Jam with Tennessee Mafia Jug Band

Audie Blaylock & Redline

Audie Blaylock will be returning for his second year at Jenny Brook.  Last year he appeared on Sunday afternoon, so many people who might have enjoyed his energetic set  weren't there.  This year he'll be in strong spots in Saturday's lineup and should provide a pleasing show.

Summertown Road

A new band from Kentucky, Summertown Road has recently released their first CD on Rounder Records.  A year ago a review gave them a mixed notice, especially touting their instrumental quality, but they were fresh out of the box.  A year later, a video on their web site suggests they have a good deal to offer in their mixed show of classic bluegrass covers and original material.

Zach Rambo, Randy Thomas, Jack Hicks, Bo Isaac

Photo from Summertown Road MySpace Page

Smokey Greene retired several years ago and then kept right on touring.  He'll be at Jenny Brook all four days with his combination of witty novelty songs and classic country often featuring Ernest Tubb songs.  His solo act with his battered old guitar "Ben A. Martin" is a favorite of many people. Acoustic Blue is a first rate regional band featuring good singing and a variety of newer covers along with material written within the band.  They're entertaining and musically interesting.  I haven't heard The Hemingway Brothers  yet, but they advertise themselves as a hard driving traditional cover band playing bluegrass classics. All told, Jenny Brook this year has a strong lineup.  It'll be worth staying through Sunday to see what Candi has in mind for her closing surprise.

Smokey Greene

Acoustic Blue

The Gazebo Stage and Kids Academy

 Regular attendees at Jenny Brook have watched young banjo picker Michelle Canning grow up as a member of the Kids Academy.  Last year she distinguished herself with a solo performance at the newly incorporated Gazebo Stage, located near the rear of the fair grounds.  This year Michelle will host band and individual showcases at the Grass Seeds Gazebo Stage.  While it's not necessary, it would be helpful if those wishing to perform there would notify Michelle at the the link above.

 Once again, guitarist and teacher Tony Watt, with the assistance of Sam Stambler will be directing the Jenny Brook kids academy.  This free program will include two days of teaching and rehearsals along with a performance from the Jenny Brook stage on Sunday around noon.  While pre-registration is not require, it would help Tony prepare to know what kids will be attending.  Get in touch with him here. 

Tony Watt at Kids Academy Rehearsal

Kids Academy Performance

Vendors

 From the Jenny Brook store to several comprehensive vendors through to the Sugar Shack, staffed by the local maple producers and serving wonderful breakfasts as well as a range of maple products, the Jenny Brook vendors offer good fair  food and more wholesome meals at generally reasonable prices.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

EA variety of interesting workshops will be held on both Friday and Saturday.  Located in an animal show area toward the back of the fairgrounds, the workshop "stage" is a cozy and comfortable place for interested people to interact with and learn from skilled professionals who have much to teach.  Please try to remember that workshops are designed to help you learn from a professional rather than for you to try to impress them with your skills.

The Gibson Brothers Present Song Writing Workshop

 

~FRIDAY~

10:00 AM	Running the Sound Board with Harry Grant
12:00 PM	Old Time Dobro with Jim Warren
3:00 PM	Clawhammer or Frailing Banjo with Leroy Troy
4:00 PM	Jug History and Stories with Lester & Mike Armistead

~SATURDAY~

1:00 PM	Banjo with Jack Hicks
2:00 PM	Mandolin with Alan Bibey
3:00 PM	Songwriting with Steve Gulley
4:00 PM	Guitar with Audie Blaylock

How to Get to Jenny Brook

View Larger Map 

2010 is the tenth anniversary of the Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival.  Candi and Seth Sawyer have persevered in presenting and building this festival despite family challenges that would have crippled most people.  Attendees this year can expect some surprises along with the usual mixture of fine music, a welcoming environment, friendly people, and great jamming.  See you there!

Seth Sawyer

Candi Sawyer