Why Jamming?

Guest Blogger Article by: Annie Savage

There is a story that I often share in the “fiddle” community (otherwise known as “alternative strings” and a host of other clunky names that seem to connote that we are opposing the dominant paradigm).

It is based the observation that, as an orchestra director, my students often seem to relish the after-concert reward time more than the concert itself. A long-standing tradition in my own orchestra programs has been the reception, the visit to Chili’s or the ice cream that follows the big production. My students dutifully finish their last note, pack up their cases, change out of whatever formal dress they have been asked to adhere to and start laughing and relaxing.

Growing Bluegrass in the Desert !

Guest Article by: James Reams

They say that if you want to grow anything in the desert, just add water. For lots of music lovers out here in the southwest, their landscape can look pretty dry and dusty. Folks are thirsty for something that will quench their mercurial longings. And they want more than just to wet their whistle.

So why shouldn’t bluegrass music be that oasis in the desert? It’s got everything: traditional favorites as well as new “atomic” grass; family friendly yet edgy enough for hipsters; and it fits every pocketbook!! Diversity provides that hidden well of talent to draw from…it’s what makes this music come alive for all ages.

Lorraine Jordan On Recording with The Kentucky Headhunters

Sometimes "Looking Forward" means "Looking Back" and Lorraine Jordan has accomplished that so magnificently with her new album COUNTRY GRASS.   The album features some of  Country Music's biggest legends singing right along with Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road on songs with which they originally had country hits long ago. These are not simple bluegrass covers either.  Lorraine and the boys have given birth to a new genre: Country Grass.    We asked Lorraine if she could be a guest-blogger for us and give us a glimpse of what she's been experiencing with this album.   She has chosen to do this one song at a time.  Here's what she has to say.    - Thank you Lorraine!

The first time I noticed the Kentucky Headhunters music was when they recorded a Bill Monroe song. I remember saying to others, "There's a country band that's got a Monroe tune on the radio and they nailed it."   They were doing the harmonies with the bluegrass feel.

Look Good/Play Good - by Eric Gibson

People often comment about how we dress up for stage.  In 2008 or so, we started wearing dark suits with ties onstage.  I had seen a picture of Bob Dylan and his band in Rolling Stone at the time wearing dark suits, and it looked so crisp that it really caught my eye.  Johnny Cash’s stark look always appealed to me as well.  

Dressing up is nothing new for bluegrass bands; so many of our heroes like Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, and Del McCoury had always done so.  However, we had gone through a stage of everybody in the band wearing whatever felt comfortable.  I see pictures of us from those days and cringe now. We all had different ideas about what looked ‘right.’   I don’t think the guys in the band were too crazy about the change at first. 

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Where Have All the Activists Gone? - Guest Editorial!

by: JAMES REAMS

The recent passing of legendary folk singer and activist Pete Singer touched more than just a musical chord with me. I knew Pete from back in the Greenwich Village days. His passion for social justice and ability to transform those feelings into songs that have remained in the hearts and on the playlists of generations will be greatly missed.

And that got me to thinking about who has picked up the social justice torch in recent years. What singers/bands are writing and performing those songs that will galvanize this generation into action? More specifically, what bluegrass musicians are taking a stand – politically, socially, and morally – with their music?

It’s not like there isn’t a whole mountain of issues out there to choose from. Unfortunately, we’re still dealing with wars, poverty, pollution, and inequality. Punk, hip hop, rappers, and rock musicians have been holding court in the area of protest songs for the last couple of decades (think Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, John Cougar Mellencamp, Eminem, Townes Van Zandt) so — to paraphrase one of Pete’s songs — where have all the activists gone (at least in the world of bluegrass music)?

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George Shuffler & James Alan Shelton Remembered Through The Same Eyes!

I-40 to I-81.

I've traveled these roads before. Too many times in the last few months -- to bury my father, two dear friends, and a relationship or two -- effectively turning the so-called Crooked Road into a Trail of Tears.

Tom Feller's Play-By-Play on: The Birth of A Radio Jingle!

Prescription Bluegrass often offers the opportunity for members of the bluegrass community to "Speak Their Mind."  Tom Feller took us up on the offer and writes this week's Guest Editorial on "Radio Jingles"

Guest Editorial by:
TOM FELLER

August 2010, began the musical partnership of Feller and Hill. Since that beginning, Chris and I have discussed having a wider and more entertaining approach to the music business. I've always been entertained by performers who use "radio personality" or "voice-over" references on stage, i.e. Ned Luberecki doing "the White Zone". Today's bluegrass scene has more bands and what I believe are higher quality bands than ever before.   For this reason, a group who wishes to succeed must find creative ways to promote themselves and their music. 

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To Cover Tune, Or Not To Cover Tune? - Guest Editorial by Missy Armstrong!

"I believe  there is a way to keep the integrity of the song alive and full of life even though it wasn’t birthed in Bluegrass."

To Cover Tune, Or Not To Cover Tune? by Missy Armstrong I’ll never forget the moment my fate to become part of a bluegrass band was sealed. It happened in the hallway of a hotel lobby while jamming with members of a, new to me, Michigan bluegrass band by the name of Detour.

When asked to sing one I responded with one of my all-time favorite songs, “People Get Ready”. As the song progressed I figured out that not only did these guys know this song but THEY. ROCKED. IT. It wasn’t until much later that I learned my faux pas.

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Bluegrass Band Goes To Olympics!

Earl Brackin tells the story of taking his bluegrass band to Sochi, Russia for the Olympics.  Since Earl tells it so much better than we could, we'll just let you watch the video.   Enjoy it!

PRESCRIPTION BLUEGRASS GUEST EDITORIAL: Should AM/FM Radio Be Required to Pay Performers for Broadcasting Songs Over the Air?

[Ed. Note: The following guest editorial on a highly controversial subject is from James Reams.   Your comments are welcome here if you wish to weigh in on this subject.]

Performance Rights vs. Radio Freedom Who’s a Musician to Believe?

 

 

 

Digging through political doublespeak on the Internet is worse than having a dentist digging around in my mouth. It was like trying to swim in quicksand. I kept getting sucked in…deeper and deeper with each click of the mouse. And the articles weren’t short ones either, many had clickable references to other pertinent articles and off I would go, down another rabbit hole leaving behind a whole trail of Internet cookie crumbs. Okay, I think I mixed up a whole batch of metaphors there, but you get the idea. To say I was confounded would be putting it mildly. But I thought that as a musician, I should be informed about potential legislation that could affect my bank statement.

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Is Bluegrass Going Mainstream?

Prescription Bluegrass Guest Editorial By: James Reams

It's getting so I can't turn on the TV or radio without hearing bluegrass music, or at least a banjo, within a few minutes! I’ve even seen traditional bluegrass music used for a political ad campaign, which probably had Bill Monroe turning over in his grave!

To paraphrase a car insurance commercial, all this bluegrass popularity makes me happier than a bluegrass musician with a record deal!

"Honor Thy Roots" - Prescription Bluegrass Guest Editorial

Occasionally, Prescription Bluegrass invites guests to speak their mind on subjects of interest to the bluegrass community. Today's editorial comments are from Shelly Mullins.

The True Bluegrasser KNOWS AND EMBRACES Their History, Their Legends and Their Stories!

Guest Comments by: Shelly Mullins,  PR Specialist

I was in a club in Nashville not long ago and saw a new-to-town female fiddle player--adorable, young, talented, pretty.  She got up and played “Devil Went Down to Georgia.” My husband and I were really impressed and felt she had a ton of potential.

Henhouse Prowlers Update Us on African Tour!

The Henhouse Prowlers, currently on Tour with The U.S. State Dept.'s Music Abroad Program are guest-blogging and journaling their adventures with us.  This column was written by Ben and edited by Dan.

Chances are you've never heard of or thought much about Mauritania. We honestly hadn't either when we heard that it was going to be the third country on this incredible tour. That mentality allowed it to sweep us off our feet and resonate deeply with the whole band.

A Bluegrasser's Beard - Growing for the Cause!

[Ed. Note:] Bear Acker, an original member of the bluegrass band BILLINGS GAP, writes this guest-blogger article.  It has no actual connection to bluegrass music with the exception of the writer and the fact that the cause can affect any man including those of us who enjoy bluegrass music.  Bear has written guest articles for us in the past so we invited him to share his recent experiences with  "Noshember"

The One Month Beard

By Alton “Bear” Acker

It’s October of 1966, I’m rotating stateside to be discharged from the U.S. Air Force after completion of my four-year enlistment. It’s been a long four years that started out with my first assignment at Westover AFB in Massachusetts, Headquarters 8th Air Force SAC. Daily life here is all “spit and polish” as a headquarters installation. Top this off with being in the medical corps and having to close shave a least once a day, and sometimes twice. Reflecting on that time I remember how much I had tired of scraping my face that close, and that often.

Bluegrass In The Congo

Prescription Bluegrass is privileged to have the first of several guest-blogger articles from The Henhouse Prowlers currently on tour in  Congo Brazzaville, also known as the Republic of Congo, a country in Central Africa.  This first article is sent to us by Ben Wright, a founding member and banjo player for The Henhouse Prowlers. 

So much has happened in so little time here in Congo Brazzaville.

We flew in on Friday night as the sun set and vanished so quickly. Rushed through the airport by Embassy staff, we were brought to a reception at Deputy of Mission-Strother Murray's house for an incredible Congolese meal with several dignitaries, including the US Ambassador to Congo.

A Touch of Class from IBMA's Entertainers of The Year!

A note from the Gibson Brothers . . .

 

Historic Night In D.C. - Pre-Event Background

On Sunday, October 20th, the DC Bluegrass Union presents a historic night in bluegrass music with the return of The Seldom Scene to one of the area’s premier venues for bluegrass from the days of the band’s beginnings.

The Red Fox Inn, the original home of the Seldom Scene in the 1970’s will once again feature the band’s musical talents and unique harmonies on many of the same songs performed more than 40 years ago.

Guest Editorial - More Thoughts on Bluegrass Radio

Our Friday Guest-Editorial Comment comes from Janice Brooks who programs the Live 365 Radio Station BUS OF REAL COUNTRY.

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Rita Small, a fellow Bluegrass DJ, had a great blog post about how to support and thank Bluegrass DJ's. 

Guest Blogger Brandon Lee Adams Has Personal Report on Bluegrass in Africa

Have you ever been to South Africa?  Can you close your eyes and imagine what sounds might be happening there right now?

If you’re like me, I'm sure some old clichés apply. Drum music and chorus sounds. Images brought to us from old movies or a Hemingway novel. 

What if I were to tell you this is far from correct?

Irish Bluegrass Blogger Richard Hawkins Writes as Guest Blogger Here About Legendary First Lady of Banjo, Roni Stoneman’s Visit to Ireland.

   If accounts of the demise of the Bluegrass Ireland Blog (BIB) have been exaggerated,  no one is really to blame but myself: I did say I was retiring from blogging. However, it seemed a good idea to maintain the BIB calendar, so as to keep people aware of continuing events.

   On top of that, friends and others continue to send me news, which deserves to be published. As a result - though I no longer go looking for news to ensure that something appears every day - in the four-and-a-half months since 'retirement' about a hundred new posts have appeared on the BIB, or somewhat under half the previous rate.