Sleepy Man Banjo Boys Sign with Moonstruck Management

Nashville, TN (August 23, 2012) - Moonstruck Management is proud to announce they have signed Sleepy Man Banjo Boys for exclusive booking and management representation. 

Brothers Jonny, Robbie, and Tommy Mizzone became a viral sensation last winter sparking a whirlwind year that included performances on The Late Show with David Letterman, NBC’s Today Show, The Grand Ole Opry and many more. 

"We are so excited to be able to add the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys to the Moonstruck Management roster.  It is a wonderful scenario to be able to sign and work with a group that you were fans of before.

Lonesome River Band to Record 30-Year Anniversary Collection

To commemorate Lonesome River Band’s thirty year milestone, a special 30th anniversary retrospective collection titled CHRONOLOGY will have the group recording 24 songs, to be released in a series of three 8-song EPs - one for each decade of the group’s existence.  The material will lean heavily on updated versions of many of the LRB’s most popular songs during each decade, reprised by the current group.  Volume one of the set is scheduled for release February 28, 2012.

“Close The Door Lightly When You Go” is the first single for the first volume in the CHRONOLOGY series.

Brother/Sister Bluegrass Duo “The Roys” To help Country Music Landmark Celebrate 51 Years!

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge celebrates 51st Birthday with a big bash Nov. 23 !

Tootsie's Orchid Lounge (also known around the world to country music stars and fans alike as simply “Tootsie's) is a Honky Tonk bar located in on Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee behind the Ryman Auditorium the original home of the Grand Ole Opry.

Originally named Mom's, Tootsie Bess bought the club in 1960.  The name however, came later when to her surprise a painter painted the lounge orchid. Subsequently, the name was changed to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge and to date, the exterior of the lounge is still painted the same orchid color.

Wilma Lee - Gone at age 90

Another pioneer of our business is lost to us now.  Wilma Lee Cooper, a perennial favorite with  Grand Ole Opry fans, died on Tuesday Sept. 13th at her home in Sweetwater, Tenn. She was 90.

In 1994 the International Bluegrass Music Association presented Ms. Cooper with its Award of Merit. In 2001 the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America inducted her into its Preservation Hall of Greats.  Quite ironically, much of the bluegrass world missed the news in the wake of the huge celebration activities surrounding the 100th Birthday commemoration for Bill Monroe who was born on the same day.

New Video - John Brown Before Parole Board!

..."I cannot imagine me doing it, but I done it" - John Brown before the Parole Board 2011...

Opponents and advocates for John A. Brown's Release Speak Out In Front Of Tennessee Board of Parole

With Tears, John A. Brown Asks for His Freedom!

..."I am totally, totally opposed to parole for Mr. Brown.  I don't care what he's accomplished in prison.  What else could he do?" -Grand Ole Opry Star Jan Howard....

Update: Two Parole Board Members Say No to John Brown

John A. Brown, the man who killed beloved "Hee Haw" and "Grand Ole Opry" star David "Stringbean" Akeman and his wife, Estelle, almost 4 decades ago appeared before the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole Tuesday morning to again ask for his freedom.

John Brown before Parole Board - 2008 

For nearly an hour, two Tennessee Parole board members listened to John Brown's tearful plea for freedom.

We can't help but note the striking contrasts and differences between Brown's tearful plea today for his release from prison and the documented plea of Stringbean's wife Estelle 38 years ago when she, on hands and knees, was begging for her life to be spared just before Brown admittedly pulled the trigger and put a bullet in her head.

Both Parole Board Members attending the hearing today voted against Brown's release.

The remaining five parole board members will vote in the coming days after reviewing the material from Tuesday's hearing.

It will take four of the seven votes for Brown to be granted the parole he seeks.

Brown, now 60 years old, has served 37 years of his 198-year sentence for killing the Akemans in 1973 as they returned to their home following a performance at the Grand Ole Opry.

At the end of Tuesday's hearing, he turned to those opposing his release and asked for their forgiveness.

"I asked the board to do the hard thing and give me parole," he said, adding, "I made a promise to myself when I was in solitary conferment that I wanted to help people and influence them, and I think I have."

Brown has received his GED, his associate's degree and served as a prison pastor and mentor to other inmates while behind bars.

Opry member Jan Howard was among those who spoke out Tuesday against Brown's release.

"I am totally, totally opposed to parole for Mr. Brown. I don't care what he's accomplished in prison. What else could he do?" she asked.

The state parole board has previously denied Brown's request for parole three times, most recently in the fall of 2008.

If his request is again denied, the next time Brown would be eligible to seek parole would be in 2017.

Stringbean Killer's Parole

READ UDATED STORY HERE

Tom T and Dixie Hall talk with
Prescription Bluegrass Host Brian McNeal

We heard from Tom T. and Miss Dixie Hall who, along with Grand Ole Opry Star Bill Anderson are making this urgent plea to the Country and Bluegrass communities.

John A. Brown, one of the two men convicted of killing Stringbean and his wife years ago, is coming up for parole on July 19th.  So far, there has been very little opposition to his being released.   I talked with a lady named Jennifer Brinkman, who is connected with victims' rights board....or something like that....for the state.  She suggested the following: 

If you would like to protest the release of John A. Brown, you can send her an e-mail at:  jennifer.l.brinkman@tn.gov  and just let her know you oppose it and why.

Those of us who knew String and Estelle will never fully get over the brutal way in which their lives were taken from them. One of the killers has died while incarcerated. The other should never be allowed to go free.
Please take a minute to e-mail this lady, and urge your friends to do likewise. The amount of opposition to his parole kept him behind bars  last time. It needs to do so again.
Thanks,
Bill Anderson
Dixie Hall and Tom T. Hall

Read More about David "Stringbean" Akeman

______________

John Brown has been behind bars for the last 34 years for the murder of David "Stringbean" Akeman and his wife, Estelle.

Stringbean Murderer John Brown before Parole Board

Akeman (Stringbean) was one of the original cast members of "Hee Haw" and a protégé of Uncle Dave Macon, one of the biggest stars of the Grand Ole Opry in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

His killer is now just two votes away from being released from prison on parole.

Two parole board members who were present at the hearing voted to parole Brown.
"He's done well and I don't believe he'd pose a risk to anyone.  I think it's time he be granted parole," said Parole Board Chairman Charles Traughber.

The five other members will review the file and will vote within the next month.  He must receive a total of four votes to be paroled.

Bluegrass Fiddler Kenny Baker Dies from Stroke!

Kenneth Clayton "Kenny" Baker June 26, 1926 – July 8, 2011

A fiddle player who influenced more than one generation of bluegrass music has died from complications derived from a stroke suffered a week ago. Kenny Baker was 85.

Not originally a fan of bluegrass music, he played with Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys for more than two decades and was the longest continuous member of the band.

..."God, what a touch he had on the fiddle." - Grand Ole Opry Star Bill Anderson...

Baker was a sideman for most of his career. But he recorded some 20 albums of his own and popularized instrumentals like “Jerusalem Ridge.”

He was known in the fiddle world for his “long-bow” and melodic style of playing. He famously called bluegrass “nothing but a hillbilly version of jazz.” He was added to the International Bluegrass Music Association’s hall of fame in 1999.

Born near Jenkins, Kentucky, Baker was a third generation fiddler but when music wouldn’t pay the bills, he’d return to Kentucky to work in the coal mines.

Baker died Friday at Sumner Regional Medical Center from complications of a stroke.

“For me, Bill Monroe never sounded as good as when Kenny was playing with him,” said Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson, who shared the Grand Ole Opry stage with Monroe and Mr. Baker on many nights in the 1960s and ’70s. “God, what a touch he had on the fiddle. He was just so good.”

Opry Creates BLUEGRASS Dressing Room Backstage

GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE’S NEWLY-RENOVATED BACKSTAGE

INCLUDES BLUEGRASS DRESSING ROOM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 21, 2011) Bluegrass music has made its mark on the Grand Ole Opry stage for more than 50 years, and now the musical genre fathered by Bill Monroe has a permanent place backstage at the Opry, as well. Dressing Room Number 2 at the Opry House is now the “Bluegrass Room,” adorned with photos of current Opry member bluegrass artists as well as favorite photos from the Opry’s past. The room features armless chairs to better foster backstage rehearsals and picking parties as well as alternating floor finishes, a nod to string instrument frets.

Photographs of Bill Monroe and current Opry bluegrass artists adorn 
the walls of the Bluegrass Room, one of 18 new dressing rooms 
backstage at the Grand Ole Opry House        Photo Credit: Chris Hollo. 

Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top X-press On the Opry & Midnight Jamboree This Saturday!

Opry update!

In a message to his fans and the bluegrass community Bobby Osborne writes:

We'll be performing on the Grand Ole Opry at 8:00 PM Central time this Saturday! We'll be hosting the Midnight Jamboree at 10:00 PM that night across the way from the Opry House at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop! Feel free to come on over and join us!

The Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree is the second longest running radio show in history.  When in Nashville, you're invited to be a part of the live audience.  And as always, admission is free!  Shows are taped each Saturday night at 10pm (Central Time) and broadcast at Midnight (Central Time) over Nashville Radio Station WSM AM 650.

WSM Radio is also the Home of The Grand Ole Opry broadcasting every performance since it's inception

For the world-wide audience, WSM Broadcasts are streaming on the Internet at: http://www.wsmonline.com/home/.   After the broadcast, repeat performances can be found on the Opry's You Tube Channel at:  www.youtube.com/oprylive.

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