So, wine and bluegrass? Not the typical story? Hang in there, we promise – there is a connection.
Grammy winning singer-songwriter and and fiddler Laurie Lewis, on a recent songwriting retreat in Wyoming, took a detour and found herself behind some unexpected “Heavy Traffic” going through Yellowstone National Park.
Bill Monroe Birthday Celebration, hosted by Laurie Lewis
Wednesday, September 12th at 8pm numerous bluegrass, folk and roots artists will get together at Berkley’s Freight and Salvage to help celebrate another Bill Monroe Birthday anniversary.
The event will feature Alice Gerrard, Butch Waller, Tom Rozum, Blaine Sprouse and Peter Feldman, Tom and Patrick Sauber, Chad Manning, Sharon Gilchrist, Master of Ceremonies Tony Marcus, and a very Special Guest! [Read below for a video of the first event.]
While the rest of the country is sweltering under the hottest temperatures on record, Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum have been spending much of the summer in the cool Northwest.
Laurie updated us on her recent river raft trip down the Rogue River*;
“Our Rogue River trip was, for the most part, decidedly chilly and wet, with two amazing thunderstorms. Both of them hit after we were safely in camp, with our tents all pitched and tarps spread over the communal area, so we could enjoy the light show and downpour in relative comfort.”
NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 12, 2012 -- A powerful and delightfully unusual pairing of bluegrass superstars -- Laurie Lewis and Del McCoury -- will host the 23rd Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards this year, on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
The IBMA Awards are the centerpiece of World of Bluegrass week, scheduled for September 24-30 in Nashville. Produced by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), the trade organization for global bluegrass music, World of Bluegrass also includes the industry’s Business Conference and Bluegrass Fan Fest.
Reprinted from Laurie Lewis’ Newsletter by permission
“I am very sad to have to report the death of Tom's wonderful father, Al Rozum. He died on March 18 at the age of 86, after a long struggle with cancer. He was smart, funny, good-natured, helpful, handsome, generous, and loving-- a person who made a real and positive difference in the world.
Al was the seventh of eight kids born to Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants in rural Connecticut. As a teenager, he played fiddle at local barn dances. He dropped out of school after 10th grade to start working. When he married Tom's mom, Mary, he bought a house in the next town over, and with his father's help dismantled it, and rebuilt it on the family farm about 100 yards from the house where he was born. He and Mary raised four kids and lived there for 63 years. He fell in love with flying while in the Army Air Force during WWII, when he was a B-24 bomber crew chief. Luckily, the war ended before he saw action. 
In the 1950's, he got a job as a maintenance man in a large manufacturing company, and retired almost 50 years later as a vice president. He loved all sorts of motorized transportation, and if you had visited his garage at any time you would likely have found it filled and surrounded by a couple of motorcycles, a dump truck, a backhoe or bulldozer, a snowmobile, a bevy of Mustangs, T-Birds, MGA's, and the occasional airplane in varying stages of restoration. He worked hard his whole life, but enjoyed the fruits of his labors (he played hard, too).
Al was always intensely interested in new technology. A few months ago, when we were visiting him in the hospital, he said, "Hey, Tom, I've been reading Consumer Reports. Should I buy the new iPad?" There are so many more stories I could tell. I feel so grateful to have had him in my life.
To read the rest of Laurie’s April 2012 Newsletter “Springtime In California” CLICK HERE
Photo 1: Al Rozum Sr. and Tom
Photo 2: The young "Russian Genius" at work
Grammy Winner, Laurie Lewis puts down the fiddle and bow and puts on the producer’s hat for former Grisman guitarist David Thom.
Thoms CD, “That Old Familiar” is a collection of stellar Americana and bluegrass songs featuring notable guests: Laurie Lewis, Todd Phillips and Paul Shelasky.
“I am pleased to announce the release of David Thom's new CD, That Old Familiar. I produced (and engineered) David's latest recording, and though I may be a little biased, I'd say it sounds pretty darn good! David's music is so far known almost exclusively to Northern California audiences, but that may well be changing. Check it out here!” - Laurie Lewis
Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum plan two river trips on very different rivers this summer:
June will find Laurie, Tom and friends – including you - on a new stretch of water for them: the legendary Yampa in Utah, in a joint trip with Echo and ARTA. 
(Navajo Sandstone cliff on the Yampa pictured left)
This river has been on my list for a long time, ever since I looked down on it from Dinosaur National Park some 30 years ago. It's about time!
Laurie Lewis, a long time advocate of river rafting has found another way to combine her love of bluegrass and the water sport. In a cleverly crafted Tongue-In-Cheek song posted on You Tube, Laurie pays homage to the many guides she’s encountered over the years.
We asked her for some comments and she sent this reply:
“I think it just came to me after falling in love with river guides of all stripe for years on river trips. They are the ones who feed you, sometimes clothe you, carry you safely down crazy rapids, tell you river lore, and generally are in great shape and lovely to look at, to boot. What's not to love?”
Watch it here:
Laurie told her fans about the video in her monthly newsletter saying it was a “tender love ballad” for the many guides and to accompany the numerous photos she’s collected from her many river trips. She also asked fans to let her know if she should “Take it down immediately”. We’ll answer that Laurie – NO!…matter of fact….write some more and post them as well. Thanks for a lighter moment and a few chuckles.
...... From the top down, and the bottom up, Laurie’s imprint on this CD is unmistakable. ... she shows her talents also extend to the control room and the recording gear. The quality is seamlessly elegant from the first song to the last. Read the full Review......
Congratulations to Laurie Lewis!
We heard from Laurie Lewis who says she is happy to announce the release of her new CD, Skippin' and Flyin', a loving tribute to Big Mon on the occasion of his 100th birthday.
Congratulations to Laurie Lewis! We received word from Laurie that she is to be honored with an award from the Folk Alliance Far-West, the western regional chapter of Folk Alliance International. Laurie writes:“I am so pleased to tell you that I have been selected by the Folk Alliance Region West to receive their "Best of the West" award this October, at the annual conference, to be held in Eugene, OR, Oct 20-23. Now I'm all in a tizzy about what to wear!”
“I'm sitting in Nashville, TN, right now, mixing my new recording, which is scheduled for release on Bill Monroe's 100th birthday, Sept. 13. That is the deadline that we have set for the release, and I seem to be having a hard time keeping up with everything. There are just no blank spaces on my calendar. I keep saying that "next year" things will open up a bit, and then suddenly I''m in the midst of it. I'm just a girl who can't say "No," I guess. I've got to practice that more.”
One of the cuts was recorded in my home studio and produced by Linda Ronstadt. I sing harmony on it. t's a wonderful album from a legendary performer. David has made a great impact in the acoustic world, bringing a strong influence of Rhythm and Blues, and I'm so proud to have been included, or something. Check it out here.
Benefit Concert: The Tuttles with AJ Lee, Laurie Lewis, and Snap JacksonEditor's Note: When school budgets get stretched beyond belief and still more funding cuts are announced where will Music In The Schools be? It's great to see bluegrass artists stepping up to make a difference.
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| Laurie and Tom with the Foghorn Trio Photo by Mike Melnyk |
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| Laurie, Peter Rowan and Santiago Jimenez, Arhoolie 50th Anniversary Photo by Mike Melnyk |
In the past, we've traveled the Rio Grande through Big Bend and the Taos Box, wound down the Salt River in Arizona, the Chama in Northern New Mexico, Oregon's Rogue, the Middle Fork of the Salmon in Idaho, and Northern California's Tuolumne.
[The Rio Chama in Northern New Mexico is America's Newest Wild and Scenic River. A dam-controlled stream, impounded by El Vado Reservoir, the 10 mile Rio Chama trip begins near the tranquil setting of the Christ in the Desert Monastery and ends at the head of Abiquiu Reservoir on a silty desert river, rolling among the rainbow cliffs so typical of the Four Corners region. Located in one of the most beautiful parts of New Mexico, sandstone cliffs from the Triassic and Jurassic ages surround us on our 30-45 minute drive.]
[Designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1967, the Rogue still retains the same beauty and secluded character as it did more than thirty years ago. The narrow confines of the Rogue canyon create some of the best whitewater in the west. Never fierce, this river is always fun!]
"It is truly amazing to simultaneously enjoy the babble of the river, the twinkle of the stars, the whisper of the breeze and the music of these two fine performers. And if that's not enough, we' all joined together on the second night for a rollicking communal jam session/poetry recital and amateur talent show! " -"Wow! What a trip!" -Bret Fitzpatrick
"The best river trip of my life was on the Middle Fork of the Salmon with Laurie and Tom." - Zach Collier, ECHO GuideArtist's Website
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Arhoolie Records throws the party of a lifetime, with panels (see link to Arhoolie's website for time & locations), discussions, fantastic regional foods, a "second line" parade Saturday 4 pm with the Tremé Brass Band, plus three amazing concerts with proceeds benefiting the Arhoolie Foundation.The Lineup includes Laurie Lewis w/ Tom Rozum & Co and guest Peter Rowan and according to Laurie's latest newsletter she'll be joining Suzy & Eric Thompson on Bass in another set.