North Carolina and Balsam Range fans are so proud of Buddy Melton, Milan Miller and Mark Winchester for their “Paul Green Multimedia Award” from the North Carolina Society of History…
The award was presented for their album of original songs, SONGS FROM HAYWOOD COUNTY!!! The CD is one cool walk through unique Western North Carolina history.
Not only is it a fabulous performance…it is incredible song writing from this trio. Milan, Buddy and Mark have helped write a bunch of Balsam Range’s songs…
The Outliers are presenting their debut CD Release. The Outliers are a four-piece bluegrass band from Central North Carolina who play an eclectic mix of original and obscure music with their own dynamic sound that appeals to traditionalists and explorers of American roots and bluegrass music.
With the influences ranging from reggae to delta blues, The Outliers play purely from the heart and take audiences on a musical gallop across the genre...
For more information on the Outliers visit their website.
The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame is very excited and anticipating a huge turn-out for the annual induction ceremonies into their Music Hall of Fame. In a personal note to Prescription Bluegrass, the organization’s spokesperson revealed that part of the excitement is due to the appearance of J.E. Mainer Jr. who will be performing for the occasion. Mainer’s father, J.E. Senior will be inducted along with several others on that night.
Mainer (Sr.) the older of the Mainer Brothers (J.E. and Wade) passed away in 1971 while brother Wade was with us until just recently passing on September 12, 2011. The Mainers came from a North Carolina mountain family that resided several miles from Asheville, eventually settling near the community of Weaverville.
Article By: GUEST BLOGGER LAURA TATE RIDGE
For the third year in a row, I've had the opportunity to photograph one of the most fun and family-oriented festivals in North Carolina. Denton FarmPark Bluegrass Festival, in Denton, North Carolina has been going strong for 7 years.
With performers like Bill Yates and The Country Gentlemen Tribute Band, Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice, Danny Paisley and Southern Grass, and Al Batten and the Bluegrass Reunion to grace the stage, it was sure to bring avid Bluegrass fans out from hiding.
Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road will perform a free concert at this year's Vanceboro, NC Hometown Celebration to be held September 22 starting at 6 pm.
Pepsi, a soft drink that originated in nearby New Bern, NC, will help with sponsorship of the event. As part of the celebration Carolina Road will take photos in the Drug Store where the first Pepsi was served. Lorraine Jordan will also be presented the Key to the City of her hometown, Vanceboro, NC by Mayor Braxton.
The band’s fan club will be treated to a VIP dinner prior to a free concert that will be open to the public that evening at Farm Life Auditorium at 730pm.
FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS!
Saturday, February 16, 2013 a special reunion of one of the greatest bands in the history of bluegrass music: THE BLUEGRASS ALBUM BAND, will happen thanks to Ashville, North Carolina’s Bluegrass First Class.
Balsam Range was honored by their home county on August 10, 2012 by an official proclamation by the Haywood County Board of Commissioners (North Carolina) that that would be BALSAM RANGE APPRECIATION DAY in Haywood County!
The band was read the official proclamation at a BOCC meeting…and given the opportunity to speak and have some pictures made. Here is how the proclamation read:
Officials in Raleigh confirmed today that the International Bluegrass Association’s World of Bluegrass annual conference and awards show will be hosted by that city in 2013. Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane made the announcement at a press conference today, confirming the news that was leaked by Raleigh’s NBC television affiliate station yesterday.
Denny Edwards, President and CEO of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitor’s Bureau said the Bluegrass Awards are the Super Bowl of Bluegrass.
“This is the biggest news in bluegrass” said one fan who attends every year, “finally a new city to explore,” she said.
Raleigh will be the fourth home for the annual conference and awards. 
The association moved to Nashville in 2005 after their beginnings in Louisville and later Owensboro, KY. Many conference attendees have criticized the IBMA since the move to Nashville from Kentucky claiming Nashville produced too much of a modern country influence. Nashville is also an expensive city in which to host a convention.
The Prescription Bluegrass Blog has launched a public opinion poll to see what you think. Answer the question (How do you feel about the World Of Bluegrass Convention, Fan Fair and Awards moving to Raleigh, NC in 2013?) and/or comment at: https://www.facebook.com/questions/334048020001793/
UPDATE: The City of Raleigh North Carolina is expected to announce on Wednesday that they will be the host of the 2013 Bluegrass Awards show. Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane's office confirmed today that their initial press release indicating a huge cultural announcement is indeed the suspected news of the IBMA's Bluegrass awards location change from Nashville to Raleigh. No mention has yet been made about the World of Bluegrass business conference and fan fair that normally accompanies the awards during the week long affair. Prescription Bluegrass will have more as it becomes available.
The NBC Television affiliate in Raleigh, NC is reporting today that the IBMA, World of Bluegrass 2013 conference may be held in their city.
NBC-17 says, “Raleigh mayor Nancy McFarlane has called a news conference for what her office is terming a ‘huge’ cultural announcement on Wednesday at noon, and the mayor is expected to say the International Bluegrass Music Association’s awards show is coming to Raleigh in 2013.”
It no secret that the city and state have been courting the association for the honors. North Carolina has a rich bluegrass tradition, and officials from the bluegrass association were in Raleigh in March to check out the city.
Last January, the Prescription Bluegrass Blog published a story about the extent the city of Raleigh and the state of North Carolina where launching to entice the annual conference to their location. SEE STORY HERE.
We’ll have more detail as soon as they become available
New banners have been put up in Wilkesboro this year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the music festival honoring the music of Doc Watson and his late son Merle 
Watson.
The old banners, the ones that had been attached to street posts during MerleFest for the past 10 years, are for sale by the town of Wilkesboro. The banners are about 5 feet long and more than 2 feet wide.
Two of the banners feature Doc Watson, while one portrays Alison Krauss and another a MerleFest stage. The cost is $40 each or all four for $120. Only about 20 banners are left for sale.
"In the early years, those things got stolen as soon as I put them up," said Wilkesboro Town Manager Ken Noland. "I know people like them."
The banners are put up higher on the street poles now, with the new banners featuring individual images of Doc and Merle, one of them together and one of musicians on stage.
This year’s MerleFest ibegins April 26, but people are expected to start arriving Wednesday in Wilkesboro, NC
It’s no secret among IBMA World OF Bluegrass Attendees that Nashville may not be the permanent host city. IBMA officials have informed the members that once the contract with the Nashville Convention Center reaches it’s conclusion, they would open up the bidding process for new host cities.
The City of Raleigh, NC seems to be the first to make public their intentions to grab the brass ring. The greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau has posted a five minute video sales pitch aimed directly at the IBMA Board of Directors on behalf of the state’s bluegrass traditions and the city’s entertainment assets.
You can view the video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYfc4x7cd7M&feature=player_embedded
NASHVILLE, TN (Tuesday, January 10, 2012) -- Bluegrass' "Lady of Tradition," Lorraine Jordan and banjoist for IIIrd Tyme Out, Steve Dilling, were presented the key to the city of Garner, NC on December 31, 2011.
Both musicians live in nearby Raleigh, NC. The band leader for Carolina Road, Jordan, performed with her band alongside label mates, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out at the Garner Performing Arts Center for the "Key to the City" ceremony.
The Rural Rhythm artists were given the prestigious gift by Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams. Garner is also the hometown to the latest American Idol winner, Scotty McCreery.
North Carolina Bluegrass Favorite to Host 10th Anniversary Show at the Carolina Theatre of Durham on January 14, 2012.
Durham, NC - One of the Triangle’s most well-loved bands, The Kickin Grass Band, celebrates ten years of signature Americana-style bluegrass with a special hometown concert and celebration on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the Carolina Theatre of Durham. The show is a co-presentation of The Carolina Theatre of Durham and Pinecone – the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music.
It’s been awhile since we’d heard about Julie Elkins, formerly with the highly acclaimed but short-lived Montana group “Kane’s River”. But we got a message from Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, in North Carolina asking us to publish an event coming up shortly for them.
Julie Elkins and Jan Johansson will be performing at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at UNC-Chapel Hill Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
As part of Morehead’s new Holiday Stars Concert Series, Elkins and Johansson will play some holiday and bluegrass favorites while surrounded by a star show in the planetarium’s fulldome theater.
 |
Warren Hood In Front of 5000 Hillside Album Hour Fans - 2010 |
Beginning at Noon on Thursday, August 18th, bands will perform daily, some with two performances each day. Tom Johnson Camping Center is hosting the North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival for the second consecutive year.
