Museum Leads the Charge for Bluegrass Expansion

The International Bluegrass Music Museum is not short on ideas to bring the bluegrass genre and all it’s infectious attributes to more of the masses.

They talk about a Bluegrass Opry — a bluegrass version of Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry — on Saturday nights during the fall, winter and spring.

They talk about a three-night-a-week bluegrass musical production every summer.

They’re working on plans for a national bluegrass disc jockey convention, expanding the local “Bluegrass in the Schools” program statewide, creating a music film festival and promoting concerts by the roots and branches of bluegrass including blues, gospel, Cajun, jazz and Americana.

Banjo Legend J.D. Crowe Kicks Off Historic Concert Series

Historic Jonesborough Bluegrass Series Kicks Off 2012 Season With Banjo Legend J.D. Crowe

January 12, 2012 (Jonesborough, TN) — The Historic Jonesborough Bluegrass Series will officially kick off its second season of presenting the best in bluegrass concerts when it brings banjo legend J.D. Crowe to the Jonesborough Visitors Center on February 25th.

Joining J.D. Crowe will be his band, the New South, singer/songwriter Brandon Rickman and South Carolina-based Cane Creek Bluegrass Band. Produced by Mountain Music Entertainment and nestled in Tennessee's oldest town, the Historic Jonesborough Bluegrass Series is looking forward to bringing another year of top-notch entertainment to the East Tennessee region. 

IBMA’s Dan Hays Moves to Head Up the Franklin Theatre.

The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County  Tennessee this morning announced that Dan Hays, Executive Director since 1990 of the International Bluegrass Music Association in Nashville, is to become the new Director for the Franklin Theatre.

Heritage Foundation President Cyril Stewart said in a press release that the four-month executive search process was purposely intensive. “We owed it to our community to be very deliberate about finding the right person to lead the Franklin Theatre,” Stewart said. “We feel strongly that Dan Hays is the ideal choice and the theatre will build on its already phenomenal trajectory under his leadership.”

Bluegrass Is Still The Best Deal For The Money

We got a note from Disc Jockey and Musician Jay Armsworthy announcing some upcoming concerts he’s presenting at his local American Legion and it struck us as astounding just how much entertainment bluegrass fans can get for their buck.  Jay is presenting a stellar line-up of award winning headliner acts at just fifteen dollars a ticket.  In any other genre of music, comparable acts would cost upwards of seventy five dollars for the cheap seats.  A ticket right now for a Yo-Yo Ma performance in Pittsburg will cost $230 or more.   Las Vegas residents can see Yo-Yo at a bargain for just $95 per ticket.  The Lady Antebellum show this weekend in Knoxville, TN will cost you anywhere from $75 to $904 (yes that’s correct) depending upon your seating choice.  If you want another type of entertainment for your money, Larry the Cable-Guy will get you in the door from $87 to $203 and February’s upcoming Nascar event in Daytona Beach will cost anywhere from $44 to $243.

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“AWARD WINNING” LINEUP OF BLUEGRASS – Just $15 Admission

As the summer festival season ends and the cold winter chills approach, it’s time once again to move inside for some warm and cozy Bluegrass music. This year , Jay Armsworthy and the Sons of the American Legion Post 238 brings an award winning lineup of recent 2011 IBMA winners including the IIIrd Tyme Out, The Boxcars, and Larry Sparks.

Spring Creek Announces The End after Seven-Year Run!

In a message to their fans, friends, families, Creek Freaks, Festivarians, supporters and promoters, Taylor Sims writes:

       I am writing you all to say that after seven amazing years of playing wonderful music with my best friends and musical comrades, Spring Creek will be saying good-bye at the end of the 2012 festival season.

      We have had a great run and played all over the country for some of the finest folks I will surely ever know. While we are looking back on fond memories we will carry with us for the rest of our lives, we are also looking ahead to a bright and promising future for all involved.

LINE UP ANNOUNCED FOR 4TH ANNUAL CAROLINA ROAD HOMECOMING BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

Marty Raybon, Karl Shiflett, and Don Rigsby Among Artists Added to Line Up for Bluegrass Festival in Burlington, NC November 11-12

The 4th Annual Carolina Road Homecoming Bluegrass Festival is thrilled to announce the line up for this year's event that will be held Veteran's day weekend, November 11-12 at the Ramada Inn in Burlington, NC. 

Bluegrass fans will enjoy tunes from the best pickers and grinners in the industry including Marty Raybon, Al Batten and The Bluegrass Reunion, Danny Stanley and The Bluegrass Gents, Karl Shiflett and Big Country, David Davis and The Warrior River Boys, Rye Holler Boys, Grass Cats, Dean Osborne, Vince Combs and Shadetree Grass, Jesse Alexander Band, Don Rigsby and Midnight Call, and David Parmley and Continental Divide.

Bluegrass Is Unique Benefit/Tribute to US Military Veterans!

SOLDIER STORIES:

A Benefit Concert for Veterans

SOLDIER STORIES is a benefit concert for veterans projects, presenting an evening of Americana string band music reflecting soldier stories from before the American Revolution to the current day, with guest appearances by musician-veterans.  In addition to the music, the evening will include personal stories and readings from historical letters.  Each concert partners with veterans organizations to raise friends and funds for healthcare projects.

Nell Robinson, (a regular vocalist on the radio show Prairie Home Companion and is touring the country seeking to raise consciousness about veterans’ issues) produces the Soldier Stories shows.  She comes from a long line of veterans going back to the Revolutionary War and the Civil War (in both cases, her ancestors fought on different sides), including family who are/were warriors, conscientious objectors or pacifists.  Nell recently released her second Americana album, On the Brooklyn Road, to critical acclaim.

Ricky Skaggs' COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE Track-By-Track Debuts On SiriusXM's Bluegrass Junction Tomorrow!

Nashville, TN (October 25, 2011) -- Ricky Skaggs' critically-acclaimed COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE's Track-By-Track interview debuts on SiriusXM's Bluegrass Junction tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET. Artist insights and influences abound in the intimate interview with show host, Kyle Cantrell. Released this summer, the CD is exactly what its title suggests: Skaggs' classic Country hits offered up in fresh, new Bluegrass form. The disc includes Ricky's first two Country #1 singles, "Crying My Heart Out Over You" and "I Don't Care," plus eight additional #1 Country hits, such as "Cajun Moon" and "Highway 40 Blues," along with four more fan favorites. The Bluegrass riffs and runs combine with Skaggs' impeccable tenor for an offering that should delight existing fans, and inspire new allegiances as well.

Song of the Mountains to Feature Darin and Brooke Aldridge and The Roys!

Song of the Mountains showcases the best talents in bluegrass and old-time music from the heart of the region where it all began! Live concerts are held monthly at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia with shows videotaped for our award winning Television Series which can be seen on 170 public television affiliates throughout the country. 

Rural Rhythm Records signs Marty Raybon

New album by Grammy award winning Marty Raybon to be released in 2012 on Rural Rhythm Records
Oct 04, 2011 - Rural Rhythm Records is very proud to announce they have signed Grammy® award winning artist Marty Raybon to the label and will release a new album in 2012.

The announcement came last Saturday night during Marty’s IBMA FanFest performance at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass when Sam Passamano, II, President of Rural Rhythm Records introduced the band.

Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile Create a Goat Rodeo!

..."The finished Goat Rodeo Sessions is something so musically new that the title works perfectly. "...

The Goat Rodeo Sessions Available October 18, 2011
NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --Thanks to a fortuitous "goat rodeo," SONY MASTERWORKS is releasing The Goat Rodeo Sessions, a landmark album project by four of the great instrumentalists in music today, on October 18, 2011.

New Video from Cumberland River!

"Cold And Withered Heart" by Cumberland River a Rural Rhythm Records recording artist.

Catch up with Cumberland River at www.cumberland-river.com

Cold and Withered Heart - Cumberland River

Label: Rural Rhythm Records ~ www.ruralrhythm.com

Produced and filmed by Anthony Ladd ~ www.kneelindesign.com
Creative Consultant: Penni McDanial ~ www.hoperiverentertainment.com
© Rural Rhythm Records, All rights reserved.

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• Cold And Withered Heart
 
• Cumberland River
 
• Rural Rhythm Records
 
• Kneelindesign
• Hope River Entertainment
 
• Harlan
 
• Kentucky
 
• bluegrass
 
• Americana
 
• roots
 
• music
 
• banjo
• mandolin
 
• dobro
 
• guitar

The Dillard Band On TV!

In August, Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band will be taping an episode of America's Heartland that will be broadcast later in the year on PBS and  RFD-TV.  Stay tuned for air dates.  

Ralph Stanley II Releases New Single!

Ralph’s newest release, “I Think I Hear A Train” written by Tom T and Dixie Hall is now out on the Hall’s label, Good Home Grown Music” and they sent the following press release:

 HEY YOU ALL!

"I THINK I HEAR A TRAIN"

…must be Ralph Stanley II with his new single on Stanley Generation Records.

Video Solicits Creatively! Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike Want Your Vote!

Just watch!  The Video says it all! . . .

Ricky Skaggs Combines Two Loves For: COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE!

COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE In Stores Next Tuesday

Musical legend Ricky Skaggs' newest CD,COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE (Skaggs Family Records), will be in stores Tuesday, July 19. The 14-song release is a mix between Skaggs' country and bluegrass roots, something he has been sharing with fans around the country during his current Treasure Chest Tour.


Both bluegrass and country lovers alike will enjoy the bluegrass instrumentation along with the impeccable tenor voice of Ricky Skaggs, the man who "single-handedly" saved country music in the early 80's, according to renowned guitarist and producer, Chet Atkins.  Ricky's eight-time IBMA Instrumental Band of the Year, Kentucky Thunder, along with some of Ricky's original award-winning country band alumni, and special friends add to the magic of this album.

"We did such good music in the 1980s and early '90s that a lot of fans still shout out 'Honey (Open That Door),' and I felt like we needed to do those songs for them, too," explained Skaggs.  "For years now I've had fans come up and ask me to do a CD that would have my old country hits on it.  So here it is, done a little different than the original recordings.  These were done in more of a bluegrass style.  Folks have loved it when we play them on the road.  Sure hope you love them too."

Lonesome River Band Website has New Look!

LRB invites you to check out their new band website at LonesomeRiverBand.com.

The new site includes a new new secure online store offering the band’s latest albums, plus previously released projects as well.

The Lonesome River Band has been nominated for the 2011 Carolina Music Awards in the Country/Bluegrass/ Americana Group category!     VOTE HERE

Bluegrass Ambassadors to Russia – Donna Ulisse and The Poor Mountain Boys!

Bluegrass singer songwriter Donna Ulisse is taking her music and band The Poor Mountain Boys on their first international trip as they departed for Russia on Sunday, July 10, 2011 for four bluegrass festival dates in a country where bluegrass is seldom heard.

Ulisse and her band will be playing the Second Annual Russian Bluegrass Festival at the Kremlin in the city of Vologda on July 12th and in the folk village of Semenkovo on July 13th.

They will then travel to the city of Yekaterinburg in the Urals Region to perform in The Literature Quarters and Historic Square for two festival dates on the 15th and 16th for the first introduction of bluegrass to locals ever in this region.

TV Alert for Roys Fans - Watch Saturday!

TUNE IN Saturday To See The Roys On

RFD-TV's Presleys' Country Jubilee

Brother/sister bluegrass duo, The Roys, make their debut appearance on RFD-TV's Presleys' Country Jubilee this Saturday, July 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT.

...3 Chances to Watch The Roys On TV...

Lee and Elaine perform their current charting single, "Coal Minin' Man"on the popular family show.

Additional airings are Wednesday, July 13 at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT and Thursday, July 14 at 2 a.m. ET/1 a.m. CT.

"Coal Minin' Man" is # 1 on Power Source Magazine's bluegrass chart, is # 5 on theBluegrass Music Profiles chart, and is #9 on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart. The track is from The Roys' LONESOME WHISTLE CD (Rural Rhythm Records).


The disc has spurred a busy touring season for the duo, and upcoming July shows include Festivals and Fairs in the U.S. and Canada:

Brooke Aldridge Yodels Her Way Into Your Heart!

Now Brooke can rightly take her place on the yodeling thrown, along with Patsy and Suzy, (See Video Below). 

While the new single from husband and wife team Darin and Brooke Aldridge isn’t breaking new ground, it certainly is making some old bluegrass fans aware of some of their hidden talents and generating some new fans among the cowboy and western audience.

Groups along the US/Mexico border (Titan Valley Warheads, Out of the Blue, Summerdog  and more) have been blending bluegrass with western and cowboy melodies for more than 5 decades.   Tim O’Brien’s Alter-Ego group Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers pay tribute to Patsy Montana in a tongue-n-cheek way and Michael Martin Murphey brought the cowboy/bluegrass chuck wagon to national attention with two record-breaking and award winning  “Buckaroo Bluegrass CDs two years running.