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Home , Ben Eldridge, Dudley Connell, Lou Reid, Nicky Sanders, The Seldom Scene

BUEGRASS CANADA I

The official magazine of the Association of Canada

www.bluegrasscanada.ca SELDOM SCENE

2012

1976

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 3 AUGUST 2012 WHAT"S INSIDE President Secretary

Denis Chadbourn Leann Chadbourn Editor's Message-Pg 2 705-776-7754 705-776-7754 President's Message-Pg 3 Vice-president Treasurer Tips for Bands-Pg 4 Dave Porter Roland Aucoin

The Western Perspective-Pg 6 905-635-1818 Feature Article-SELDOM SCENE-Pgs. 7-9

Q & A's With -Pgs. 10-13

Maritime Notes Pg. 16

Providence Bay 2012 Pg-18 Directors at Large

Advertising Rates Pg 19 Gord deVries Murray Hale 705-4 7 4-2217 Organizational Memberships -Pgs. 20 & 21 519-668-0418 Donald Tarte Tasha Heart-Social Media Just A Bluegrass Wife-Pgs. 23-26 877 -876-3369 Wilson Moore Congratulations to Spinney Brothers-Pg 26 Bill Blance Jerry Murphy, Region 1 SPECIAL NOTICE-Pg. 27 Representative 905-451-9077 Tim's CD Reviews-(Unavailable for this publication) Rick Ford- Region 4

Music Biz Article (Unavailable for this publication) Representative

Advertising Pages-various pages

Editor's Message - Any bands wishing to have this information included must provide itto me before September 15th, 2012. The Leann Chadbourn email address to send it to is at the bottom of this page We have some great articles in this issue with our trusty and on the Notice. writers, Gord DeVries, Denis Chadbourn, Diana van Holten, Wilson Moore & Darcy Whiteside. Since it's vacation time I Again, BMAC welcomes any interesting articles or infor­ took it seriously, and didn't get out reminders to everyone for mation relevant to Bluegrass and are hopeful to start receiv­ our deadline dates so we will be missing our Music Biz Arti­ ing articles from Coast to Coast. With so many Bluegrass cle and our CD Reviews. Don't worry, I told them they Associations and Clubs across Canada there truly is no would have to work harder for the next Publication. We also shortage of news. Anyone willing to submit an article, please have a great review of Bluegrass In the Country by Brother contact me at [email protected]. John. Please note, I have included a sample for what is If you have a special cause that is near and dear to your required from all Bands wishing to include their Band Profile heart, send us in a photo; let us know about it. And remem­ in the next issue. Deadline Date for that submission is ber, you can have your event posted for free at September 15th. I want to make it clear that I will not be WWW. BLU EG RASSCANADA. CA surfing the net to acquire this information this year.

Page 2 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Whoaaaa .... someone please put the brakes on! This summer is rolling past like the fingers of a picker, playing Earl's Breakdown in double time. Despite having a few items checked off my summer list of things to do, there is so much more left undone. Somebody once told me that the older you get, the faster time flys ... many retirees I talk to, say they are busier now than when they worked, and wonder aloud, how they ever had time to work.

Despite my ainxt about unfinished business, I have managed to enjoy more than just a few lazy, hazy, days, at bluegrass festivals. Seated in my lawnchair, with the sounds of three part harmony washing over me ... For me, that's when the passage of time, seems to slow a bit. The rhythm of life pulses with noticeably less stress. The dog pants intermittently, the buzz of the Pine Beatles rises and falls in cresendo and diminuendo ... and there I am, transported back in time. Take away the amps and the RVs, and this could be the way it was, even long before my time.

Canada has a rich history of bluegrass, which (as I have pointed out before) was mainstream country not so long ago. I embrace this heritage, and it's cultural diversity. Aspects of gospel, folk, celtic, , and more, are all now incorporated into the bluegrass genre. Musical skills and traditions passed down through generations, still course through the fingers ofthe players, as they per­ form set after set of new and traditional songs.

Some of the players are first generation musicians, who have taken to bluegrass as if it were some vital component of their genetic code. Isn't it? Aren't we all looking to reconnect with a part of our history, that isn't fraught with synthetic rhythms, pounding drum machines, ear-splitting bass, and looped-over pitch-corrected vocal feats of engineering? Bluegrass is real. There are no gimmicks! It is something that can be perfomed live and un-plugged, and sound consistently organic. What you hear on an al­ bum, is essentially what you hear on stage. No kareokee here!

If kids these days spent half as much time playing a real , rather than playing Guitar Hero video games, they would be virtuo­ so performers. That is why I verily believe that festivals need to include participatory events for children. For example, the last festival I attended was Rivervalley; the festival mascot dresses in costume, gives kids musical instruments and instruction, and as the bands play on-stage, the kids form a line and weave in and out of the crowd, on and off stage, and dance and sing ... Although it may not be a conscious act, the seeds of bluegrass are being planted. And with the demographic shift with the blue-haired­ crowd fading out, new, young, and enthusiastic kids are learning about history and life, and music and values.

This is what life is all about. When I'm dead and gone from this world, what will be left, but the seeds I planted for the next gene­ rations. Sometimes my wife tries to tell me, that bluegrass is not a matter of life and death ... and I agree ... it's more important than that.

With warm regards from bluegrass central,

Page 3 Tipsfor Bands: How to get the most out of your BMAC membership.

by Gord DeVries

The Bluegrass Canada Make your recordings Band Profile Fmture: serving as Membership Co-onli available nationally in and Webmaster. the Bluegrass Canada This is a special feature, offered at All information related to Bluegrass no additional cost, to help you Shoppe: Canada Baml. Profiles should be present and market your band to addressed to: prospective presenters. You will be This new feature will be available memb [email protected] featured in a dedicated page, which by the 1st of September. or by phmte: 519-668-0418 will provide all the information Event postings are made by BMAC's needed by people looking for a Where You're Playing: band to play their event. The page Regional Representatives, which are will be accessible from your listing contacted by em ail through the List the prestigious ho okings website interface. on the "Resources-Bands' page you've accomplished in the past. which has Canada divided into five Our Regional Representatives regions. Use the B:MAC Event Calendar are: to post all your upcoming gigs .... Region 1 (Atlantic)- Jerry Murphy Who You Are: Go to www.bluegrasscanada.ca Region 2 (Central) - Rolly Aucoin "Events" then "List }Tow· click on Region 3 (Prairies) - TB.A 11 Tell your story with a compelling event **FREE*"' • Fill in the form and Region 4 (Y,T est Coast) - Rick Ford bio. Include individual band submit. IT'S JUST THAT EASY! Region 5 (The North) - T .B.A member bio s (with photos). List the bands' achievements, In summary - benefits of For more information about the nominations, awards received, etc. BMAC membership Blllegrass Canada Shoppe program, contact: Remember, prospective promoters memb [email protected] • Band 1i sting and a Page on will be looking here first. -or by phme: 519-668-0418 BMAC website with link to Band web site What You Look Like: • Band listing in magazine • Free event postings at Include a v,1,w·wbluegrasscanada. ca photo as in the • Band Listing on Facebook example at left (with events) and individual • BMAC creating new audience band member markets, and opportunities for photos. bluegrass to be seen, heard and played Add photos of the band in action - • educational seminars/tools (ie. on stage, at jams, etc. Let your Gary Hub bard) imagination loose ... make it as • Advertising at a 2 5% di scount interesting as you can. from our regular rates.

Page 4 Now Booking!

The Bluegrass '.\.1artins consist of: El·dn ( Dad) - Bass&: \ ·ocals Jcan.l - riddle & \·ocals Larita - Dobr<~ & \'ocals Dale - Guitar & \ ·ocals Jamee - B.m30 & Yocals I.cc - . 1andolin & \ : ocals Anne makes special appearances \.Vi h her fiddle and dancmg shoes! APPEARING AT CONESTOGA TRA ILS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL AUGUST 17-19, 2012

2007 SPBGMA IB C in N ash ville, T N

8 Time Spbgma··1nstrumental Group of the year"

2009 Spbgma Vocal Group of the Year•·

2009 IBMA Showcase Band

From Jefferson City, Missouri this band has gained notoriety nationwide as one of the best young bands to =me along in a great while! Staying busy performing coast to coast from week co week, their talent and popularity grows =ntinually. The Martins are a high energy, fun loving family group that v-n.11 entertain you v.rith their traditional and =ntemporary efforts. Bringing to you a number of fan favorites and some original songs v.rith spine tingling harmony along v.rith some blistering instrumentals cha will keep you glued to your seat!!!

"This is the real deal with the real feel. No frills bluegrass Just great straight ahead bluegrass."

www.bluegrassmartins.com email- bluegrassmartins'@hotmail.com 573-569-1018 573-462-0675

www.genstorebluegrass.com Norm: 519-621-1160 • Bill: 905-451-9077 Gord DeVries 800-587-4647 70 Millridge Court [email protected] Central Canada Bluegrass Awards: London ON N5Z 4P4 http://www.thepickshoppe.com fl Gospel Bluegrass Band of the Year, 5 years fl Player of the Year Norm Tellier, 2 years fl 2004 promising group of the year

Also Nominated for: Vocal Group of the Year, Entertainer of the year, Male Vocalist, Fema le Vocal ist, Gu itarist and Overa ll Group of the year.

See and hear what all the fuss is about!

Page 5 The Western Perspective Written by DARCY WHITESIDE

SHADVGROVE acts doing an excellent job of finding great BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL bluegrass bands in western Canada and sometimes the U.S. on a meager budget.

For a few years the festival was put on hold In 1993, a small bluegrass festival was after Mary passed away. It was started on the Broadway Farm. what used understandable, and the Alberta bluegrass to be a hog farm. owned by the Gel den community was deeply affected. But the family just east of Nanton. Alberta. It's not a Gelden family realized how much they festival that has ever brought big-name acts missed the community. With the help of the from the U.S., like Bill Monroe or Tony Rice. Foothills Bluegrass Music Society, the Nor is the attendance in the thousands. with Shady Grove Bluegrass Festival continues tickets sold out in minutes. But that has on the third week of every August. And the never been the goal. It's one of the many Gelden family continues to serve up burgers small bluegrass festivals across Canada, and fries. and Bi II continues to sit and chat started by individuals with a connection to with and welcome everyone to be pa rt of the community and a love of bluegrass. Ge Iden family for three days.

In 1966. Bill and Mary Gel den from Holland Thank you Bill and Mary eventually fulfilled their dream of buying a farm in Canada. In 1970 they built a hog farm. and in 1979. they had their first pig roast. slowly shifting them away from the farm business to events. In 1991, the Gelden's decided that it was time to reinvent the farm. That year Mary started the Broadway Farm Bed and Breakfast. and the family built the "Blue Sky Pavilion." The pavilion seats a couple hundred people and has a motorized. retractable roof and an a re a in the centre that converts into a fire pit. This pavilion was perfect to augment the bed and breakfast as a place for da nee s. wedding receptions and other events.

In 1993, Bill and Mary decided to host a bluegrass festival, called the Shady Grove Bluegrass Festival. Over the years. Alberta b lu egras s fans be ca me acquainted with the hospitality and kindness of the entire Gelden family. Mary and the daughters cooked ho m em ad e burgers. The sons and son-in-laws did the heavy lifting and Bill oversaw the festival, but mostly chatted with everyone and anyone. And everyone who attended felt part of the Gelden family for three days every year.

Of course you can't mention the Shady Grove Bluegrass F estiva I with out mentioning Laurie Mills. Laurie helped book

Page 6 Denis Maccarthy &

quit the band then and we By Gord DeVri es decided to call it quits. It was Last November, while at the Central eleven years of fun times. Canadian Bluegrass Awards show in Huntsville, ON., I ran into Denis I didn't play for seven years or so, Maccarthy, along-time friend and then there was a group called fellow bluegrass player/lover and Niagara Blue, out of the St. was astounded to learn that he was Catharines!Niagara area. Eric single-handedly involved ~th bringing the Seldom Scene and Lou Theiconic Seldom Scene-1976 Bezo (guitar) was the leader of Reid & Carolina into Burlington, B:m Eldridge--John I>ujjj-MiJw, that group. I ended up buying his ON. for a concert this coming kldridge-John Sterling house when he moved out West October 26, 2012 . and he called and asked if I

This is routine business for a restaurant in Niagara Falls called wanted to join Niagara Blue, so I seasoned promoter, but rather the Falls Manor. did that for about seven or eight unusual, risky (and scary) for an years. It was Denis LePage individual. At the time it was owned by two (banjo), Wally Nash (fiddle) then

I coaxed Denis into sitting down partners and one of them was a Rolly LaPierre (fiddle) for a with me for a interview when we real bluegrass fan, name of Jim while, Bill Vickers (mandolin) both attended the Tottenham Such, who has since passed and later Gary D 'Entremont Bluegrass Festival in June. away. He loved the nrusic and we (mandolin) joined the group, were living in the Falls at the Gene Sawyer on dobro. Pretty time, it wasn't too far from us and nice band. G. What we re your early Gerry, Brian and some friends experiences that got you into from over the river - that's how And that's it. Haven't played bluegrass? we got to know Ken Bennett since, other than some ho st parties .... all in all, I played in D. That goes a long way back, to (fiddle) - they used to come over bluegrass bands about eighteen, when my Mom was alive and we one or two nights a week and nineteen years, I guess ... used to listen to the bluegrass on just jam in the parking lot. And the Grand Ole Opry. After our from that, Border City came to G. You've had some involvement bath , we'd all sit on Mom's bed be. They had an electric bass with bringing groups into and listen to the radio. That's how player (Bob McMillan) for a Canada ... Brian (Denis' brother who died in good number of years and when 2010) got hooked on it. He was he left the group, Brian asked me D. Not as nruch as Brian did in the biggest fan of all - bluegrass ifl would fill in. He found me an the early years. This upcoming made his life, I think. He was old bass fiddle in some pawn show with the Seldom Scene and playing before me. shop and that's how my career (as is maybe my fourth a bass player) started. The banjo venture. I did a charity show for I didn't really get playing ... Gerry player was Bob Schneider. That Richard Gully, who had a fire (another brother) played dobro was about 1976. Border City had and ended up with nothing. We and Brian played guitar before I already been going for three or had a benefit for him - bought joined Border City on bass. That four years when I joined. That him a new Martin guitar - and I all started at a went through to about 1987. Bob had another show to raise money

Page 7 Denis Maccarthy & The Seldom Scene

for the Cancer Society. I don't ring. (Smiles) I played it for the weren't involved with Sally call it my job or career, not like Spinney Brothers when they were Creek in 2011. But that stuck in Tony DeBoer or people like him. in Waterdown and they asked if my memory, that you wanted to I get a little involved and feel I they could have the song, but I get them up here and when I want to do something ... but was holding out because it was started arranging the concert to Brian, in the early years, he originally supposed to go to Dale just be Lou Reid, (it was my brought J.D. Crowe up to Niagara Ann Bradley, who I've given up second attempt to do a Lou Reid Falls, when he still had Doyle on because I haven't heard a thing concert, I'd always wanted to get Lawson with him, in about 1970. from her in two years. But that's him up, he's my favorite singer) He brought the Country who first poked me in the arm, and I kept thinking about the Gentlemen up, (I have a nice down at 's festival Scene, so one day I was talking picture of them outside that down in North Carolina, and said to Lou and said "Lou, I'm going restaurant with Jim Such) and he "I want that song". - and even got to ask you a silly question - how brought Don Reno and Bill up on stage and centered me out much would it cost to bring the Harrell up, at one time. He used and announced it, and I haven't Scene up as well"? "Both to like doing that. Maybe I'm heard a thing from her. But I'm bands"? he asked. I said "Yes". taking over for him, I don't know. going to see her in two months He said he'd talk to Keith Case Sort of the "carry on the and kind of looking forward to (the Seldom Scene management tradition". Used to call Brian that "confrontation". I'd like to agency) and put in a word for me, "Big Blue", he just loved that find out what's going on because we've been friends with music. all those guys for so long - like G. So, a guy tike you, bringing a I've known the Scene since they band like the Seldom Scene to do started, there's only one original a concert- I have an inkling member left - but by going about how expensive bands like stateside to so many festivals, that are and how difficult a job ft I've gotten to know Dudley and is - whatever p assessed you to do Lou Reid & Caroline: all the rest of them pretty well. this? .... L-R: Lou Reid, Christy Reid, Shannon Lou said "Well, we've been Slaughter, Trevor Watson D. Partly you. If you remember friends for so long, 111 see ifl can So that's about my involvement our conversation out at Sally get you a cut on the price." Then in bluegrass, other than going out Creek Music Festival in 2010, he called me back and gave me a and listening to it. I've tried to you were asking what bands you price, I said "Let's go ahead and write a few songs, I'd like to get should get for the next year and do it." And that was that. So here into writing, but that's a hard asked me for a list. Your exact we are. words were, "You know Dennis, road, unless you know someone Well, it's a dream come true for it's my dream to have the Seldom to give you a little push or you me. a sort of a little bit of Scene next year" and you even live across the border, but I find selfishness involved, because it's asked me to talk to them at it very difficult. I have one song something that I have wanted to Gettysburg, talk to Ben (Ben out, I have about 80 CDs out to do. I would like to have a lot of Eldridge) or Dudley (Dudley just about everybody I can think people get to see the Scene who o~ just waiting for the phone to Connell) or whoever, but that never happened be cause you

Page 8 Denis Maccarthy & The Seldom Scene probably haven't. I did bring Scene." Because I feel if they G. Well, I see our time is them up in 1984, to the don't see them at my show in approaching the end and my October, they're never going to. recorder is nearly jwl, so I want They've been playing 42 years to thankyoufor agreeing to do now and they11 probably not go this interview and I wish you too nruch longer. I know that great success with the concert in when (John) Duffy died, they sat October. down and seriously thought about packing it in then. Then they got

The Seldmn Scene today: Lou back for a second stint and Gord DeVries is an active director with L-R: , Lou Reid, Ronnie decided to keep on going - BMAC and an occasional Simpkins, , Fred Travers thankfully - 42 years is a long interviewer/writer fur this magazine. time. I know Ben's not going to Burlington Legion. People just play nruch longer. Whether the t1 u~m• -~... seemed to be starved to go and CANADA other four will, I don't know. see them My own opinion is it's because of Carlyle, because a lot G. It's always amazed me how the of people wouldn't go to Carlyle, Scene has somehow man aged to for the obvious reasons, there maintain their identity, with aU were a lot of weird things the changes in personnel, and happening there, so when I still have an instantly identifiable The Seldom Scene brought them up to Burlington in sound. 1984, it was like "Wow". I had and calls from Montreal and Quebec D. Yes, a very distinctive sound. Lou Reid&. Carolina City wanting tickets, Tommy There are certain things that Hunter came down to that one, he identify them. Like, you can tell October 26, 2012 brought Donna and Leroy from it's Ben Eldridge on banjo as 8:00PM his TV show. He was good soon as they start playing, just as friends with the Scene because Sammy Shelors' playing style is Royal Canadian Legion they would come up every year distinctive. (With the Lone some Legion Road Burlington Ontaiio and tape his show. Now it's been River Band). Even their vocal sound has remained true, 28 years, to the best of my Advance tickets $22 .00 knowledge, since they've been in although the band is completely At the do or - $25.00 our area, so I'm hoping that drive different now. Somehow, they've to see them is still out there. The managed to retain the original for tickets contact: bluegrass scene has gone through philosophy and drive that made Denis l\fa cCarthy: 905-984-4095 a major overhaul, fan wise, in 28 them a great band in the or beginning. years. Probably lost a lot of our Rolly Aucoinn: 905-635-1818 old fans and got a lot of new or ones. So I'm hoping those new Gord DeVries: 519-668-0418 ones feel the same, like "Wow, I can finally see the Seldom

Page 9 Q & A with the Steep Canyon Rangers

Band members: Mike Guggino (mandolin/vocals) Charles Humphrey Ill (bass/vocals) Nicky Sanders (fiddle/vocals) Woody Platt (guirar/lead vocals) Graham Sharp (banjo/vocals)

Interviewers note: Steep Canyon Rangers interview They're coming out to see Steve because he is who he conducted prior to their concert w if h , at the is ... and there's this great bluegrass show .. . then all of a Sudbury Arena May 24, 2012. At that time the Video out sudden, you have a thousand new bluegrass fans. I on CMT was called Long Shot ... we released our new think his style of bluegrass really resonates wth record 6 weeks ago and it has been in the top 10 for all 6 people ... Steve has a really neat songwriting voice, and weeks .. . broken onto the AMA charts ... not a lot of his personality really comes out in the songs. bluegrass on the American charts ... getting a lot of airplay outside the traditional bluegrass shows ... 0: I suppose it \I\JOuld be safe to say that this is quintessentially your dream gig. If you could have written your future 5 or 10 years ago, could you ever 0 : My first burning question: I've heard lots of different have imagined anything like this going down? rumors about twisted love triangles, and cabins across the lake somewhere ... so please set the record straight A : Graham: No, it's stranger than fiction! Woody: And for us, How did Steve and the Steeps connect? it is a dream gig ... because we can still be the Steep A : (Woody, laughing) We knew Steve's wife, long Canyon Rangers in a way that we've \I\JOrked so long to before she was his wf e ... she used to work for the New develop. We thought we were already successful, on a Yorker ... she gave us press ... and we were just friends. good trajectory. We haven't had to sacrifice that. We've She and Steve came to North Carolina for a vacation just had to work a little harder, and have double and Steve brought his banjo. We were invited over for a schedules. We do less of our own shows, but it has dinner party, and just had an informal jam. We kept in been very be nef icia I. touch off and on, and Steve said he was going to be back in town the day of our festival. That was around 0 : Your audiences must be significantly larger now, the time he released The Crow album, he had some and you're playing in different types of venues. songs and was getting back into his banjo career ... anyway, he just came out and made a guest A: It has given us the chance to play on some big appearance with us, at our festival. I don't think stages, in front of big crowds. al I aero ss the country. anybody knew. .. the audience was in pure shock. It went Graham: It's pl aces Ii ke that, where we've been before, so we 11, that a few months I ate r we asked if he wanted to and now with Steve, where hopefully we d eve I op a sit in on our next show .. . and it went even better. We foothold. and come along behind it with our own show started getting phone calls after that, so we set up a and have a decent crowd. And 'though mostly the same bunch of test shows in New York and and musicians are up there, the feel and focus of the t\l\JO we got a cal I one day a bout a \/\JO rid tour from his agent. shows a re very different ..

Graham: It was a great call to get, because you see, 0 : I confess I haven't seen this show before Graham, that's the challenge with bluegrass ... just getting people do you and Steve play banjo at the same time? to come out and see it, despite their certain preoccupations you know ... and Steve can do that.

Page 10 A : Yeh, it's a tiNin banjo so rt of thing. Steve plays a I ot Q : Nicky, you are a cl assi cly trained musician, what of clawh amme r style, and a I ot of the ti me the drew you to bluegrass ... why did you gravitate to this clawh amme r and 3 finger style are going at the same genre? time .. . and we trade off on the 3 finger Skruggs style ... and it works ... I think. A : Not that so many are drawn .. . many of my cl assica I friends stayed classical musicians. Friends I grew-up Q : Mike, did you grow-up in a musical family? with th at we re in string orchestra in high school, or I played chamber music with in middle school ... went on to A: More or less ... my dad and my grandpa played become classical musicians or bankers, or something music ... not professionally, butthey we re very supportive else ... but I'm the only person I know from my classical of me playing music, and I've played music my whole world that actually jumped the fence ... and chose a life. care er as a fiddler.

Q : Having a family myself, I believe that family support Q: But what drew you to bluegrass? is very important; but how do you strike a balance betiNeen having a family, and a music career. I think you A: Nicky: Live bluegrass jams! When I moved to have a family don't you Graham? in 1998, to go to Berkley College of Music, there was a local bluegrass jam every Tuesday at a place A: Yeh, you know. .. we are busy right now, buttrying to called the Cantab Lounge ... and every Tuesday night do our own thing, as well as the Steve thing, but we are there would be banjo players, fiddle players, mandolin unbelievably blessed to have families that have seen us p Iaye rs ... which stil I go es on .. . and they wou Id play this grow from being just this small time band of young guys repertoire of music you know. .. bluegrass, which a lot of just out there having fun, to making a career out of it. people don't associate Boston with bluegrass at all. For as difficu It as it is to be away for I on g stretches at a ti me ... they are really happy for us, and we cou I dn't ask for a better situation as far as playing music goes. And Q: I have a picture of my youngest daughter sleeping in Steve is actually really good ab out th at too ... at first we my guitar case at a bluegrass festival. .. my kids are 3rd went on some long tours that were harder on the families generation bluegrassers ... does anybody else have like 4 or six week tours ... and he just realized that that's bluegrass in their family history? too much ... we need to be sane about things ... and keep it sustainable for our families and the band. If we lost a A: Graham : No, we all kinda came to it sort of member because of a family situation, we just wouldn't independently, and then discovered we had this mutual be the same band. connection . First guy I heard was Norman Blake ... I bought a cd that had Norman Blake, Hot Rize, and Q : Many bands farm in po st secondary e nvi ronme nts, Newgrass Revival, and it had John Hartford on it, and such as yours .. . you guys all got together in University or that was at the end of high school for me, and that's the College ... tell me about the early days ... how did the first time I really ever paid attention to it. And the same band form? with Mike ... he had some college bud di es who I isten ed to that same stuffs. A: Woody: Well Graham and Charles and I were actully just friends through the dorms ... we actually didn't Mike : Yeh, college buddies, the same bands, the same come together because of the music. Some of us have music. The first bluegrass I heard was in my freshman known each other a long time. I've lived wth Charles, year of college .. . I was a classical guitar major, and a and Mike and I grew-up together ... I think that's why jazz guitar major, and I was kinda getting fed-up with we've been able to stay together, because of the that, and about thattime, these guys from Kentucky who friendship actually predates this ... this band is a result of played banjo at parties and stuff ... was so fun and I our friendship. It's cool, I mean if we didn't tour together, would get my guitar out and strum chords, and then I we'd still hang out. Nicky is the exception, although he started Ii sten in g to bluegrass ... and I was I ike, wow, th is is a friend now. .. but he found us through the is really complex music, this is really cool, and the music ... he's been in the band 8 years ... after our original jamming aspect, and the improv aspect, for me was fi d die player left the band ... we ju st got a Rebel Re cords re ally nice. de al and were actually on our way somewhere and didn't want to throw in the towel. .. Nicky sent us an MP3 Q : It's interesting Mike, that you as a classically trained audition from Boston, which we thought was totally crazy musician, saying that bluegrass is complex . at the time ... he drove down and tried out, and had a willingness to move a thousand miles.. and has been A : It is ... it isn't chord-ily complex ... it's the way the the best thing to happen to the band to date .. . now he's instruments layer on top of each other, it's complex in al most like one of the members. Al most eight years he's the different roles the instruments play in band, and the been in the band, and still the freshman . (laughing) level of playing is technically very high, and even classical musicians that I knew, guitar players I knew in my time, have always said that about bluegrass ....those guys can p I ay so fast, with such a clean

Page 11 technique ... everyone is always amazed how fast A: Charles: When we realized that we vvere a band bluegrass musicians play. and we needed songs. Mike : I remember the first time Woody took me to play Nicky: From my background, I automatically identified it with these guys and they had a Ire ady vvo rked-up a with chamber music, five people as a quintet, and rather couple of original songs. We probably knew about 10 or than cello, piano, viola, vve have a mandolin, banjo, and 20 standards, and I was thinking, why are they playing a bass ... and there is so much ad lib going on ... as Mike something they wrote ... vve should be playing Bill Monroe said, that one banjo lick will lead into the next person's or Flatt and Skruggs, but it was just as good as that break ... and he might not play that same lick the same other stuff ... and just as fun ... these guys have always way the next night, so it's Ii ke, ad Ii b chamber music ... so been writing songs since the beginning . much improvisation and virtuosity is required on all five of our parts ... it made it incredibly enticing to me. It's not Q : Some audiences are more traditional, and less like I was bowing out of a classical tradition to persue receptive to the new progressive stuff, and expect the this easier path ... it was like ... oh God, this is just as old stand bys. But every old song was a new song at hard. one time.

Mike : For me too, I thought, bluegrass was so much A : Graham : That's how Bill Monroe, Flatt and Skruggs, easier for people to get involved in and relate to ... when I and Jimmy Martin all made their names. was playing classical music it was I ike ... the re was only a Woody: When we finally got accepted on the southern certain aud ie nee that was going to Ii sten to it. .. and I bluegrass circuit, we started playing all original songs ... it guess now that I know bluegrass more, that's probably was gutsy. and it took a few times around. but people the case for b lu eg rass too, but it seemed that more fin ally started to catch on ... vve didn't go in the re and play young people were more likely to go out to the club to standards. It would have be en probably easier for us to see bluegrass, go to a party or campout and see people go in and just play the standards but vve didn't... and jamming ... not classical ... I really liked the folk music anotherthing is .. . all those songs have already been aspect of it. p Iaye d, and played so well ... and other bands at the f estiva Is play them, so ... Graham : I remember the first bluegrass fest iv al I vve nt to, I hadn't been playing banjo long, and only knew a Graham: I think vve're still learning , to arrange songs handful of songs, but those songs you can jump in and and play to our strengths .. . a traditional bluegrass song play \l\lith people, you wouldn't hangout with from any ma y not always offer that. other walk of life. no matter what gen era ti on or where they come from, you know these son gs, and you can ju st Q : If you were not singing and playing and on the road, sit do\l\lTl and play them. and that's an immediate what vvould you be doing? connection. That really struck me the first time I vvent to a bluegrass festival. A : Woody : That's a good question. My original plan was to open up a fishing lodge back home .. . this thing Q: I guess it's a language of sorts, a common thread. kinda snuck up on me .. . it snuck up at the right time and we didn't have to make those decisions. We just A: Mike: When vve were in Ireland. I'll never forget, vve finished school ... at that time in life where you can be were jamming late at night, and there were some fairly poor and fairly care-free ... One of the keys for this Americans, some Italians, some Irish. some Estonians. band to do it, was, by the time vve needed to be making and some guys from the Czech Republic, all jamming, a li ving, vve were . But it would be really hard to start a and half the guys couldn't speak English ... but one guy band from scratch. now. Th ere was a time when vve would kick off Arkansas Traveller or something, and were not really making a living, but were young we'd alljustjump right in. It was great. I'll never forget enough ... it takes so many yea rs to deve I op a fan base, that. understand how you're going to tour and how you're going to make it vvork. Q: Charles, how did you get into all this .. . any bluegrass ba ckg round, or what turned you onto it at a certain point Q : Because you vvere all friends initially, you were all in your life? kinda headed in the same direction ... but if you vvere to start a band now .. . everybody might not be on the same A: I gotturn ed onto it in co II ege. I played bass in page . orchestra in mid die school ... was friends with Graham and Woody ... vve started learning the newer stuff like A : Woody : Different expectations ... vve talk about that a Newgrass Revival, and worked our way back through to lot... it's been a miracle really that vve've been able to the masters ... pretty much what these guys said ... we all keep all of us, \/\Ii II i ng to make the same sacrifices, and kinda came into the bluegrass thing at the same time. focus on the same goals .. for the most part, we all agree and are moving in the same direction .. . 0 : When did you get turned on to writing? Graham : We 'v e had really good business saavy all along ... uh. Woody' s been our defacto manager from the

Page 12 very beginning. and has worked really hard at it. .. Nicky A : Yeh. and I saw that one fellow, the base player. and Mike .. . do a lot of the day to day stuff ... and Charles (Matt) got Entertainer of the year too . does the web stuff ... yeh, I thinkjust having a team effort. not just in the music, but in all the things that go on Q : Woody, I wanted to ask you what your i np irati on for between the shows, and setting up, making sure we're in Mountain Song Festival is, and what is the Boys and the right places. Having the right people has been huge Girls Club of Transylvania County? for US. A :The Boys and Girls Club is a national youth Q : You guys also have a decent street team. and Kissy organization seperated by state and then by county. and Black, she's amazing. a lot of county ... a non-profit after school program that provides a place for kids to go ... as opposed to going A : Woody : She is. and the thing about that is, no home ... my family has been involved in the B & G Club in manager or no agent will even take a band until they Transyvania county for a long time .. . when my mom was have some value .. . that's the hard part, because 10% of president of the board, 6 or 7 years ago, she asked if we $200 isn't much. Once we finally developed some worth would do a music festival .. . we had access to this 1800 and started getting paid on a show what we were worth, seat theatre that was underutilized, so we started doing then it was easier to get a team like Don Light. Kissy Mountain Song Festival for the Boys and Girls Black, our record label, Keith Case ... we have it in place Club ... now with Steve kinda getting involve, and the now. which is a good thing . support we've been given, we've raised over $240 thousand dollars for the club . This year we are doing it Q : The Can ucky boys are from here in Sudbury, and I on a cruise ship ... Feb. 1st were doing Mountain Song at see that they covered one of your songs ... one that Sea ... we got Del M cCourey. Punch Brothers, David Charles wrote . Grisman. Kruger Brothers. Tim O'Brien, Brian Sutton. and a bunch of great bands sailing out of Miami to the Bahamas ... wanna go?

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Page 15 MARITIME NOTES-BY WILSON MOORE leased her first CD recording in 2000 she had Serge in­ volved in the instrumentation and vocal backup, and he has JANET McGARRY & WILDWOOD participated in all of her recordings since then. They began dating in 2001, married in 2004, and are now considered to be a "dynamic duo". Serge now produces their recordings at their Diamond Productions P.E.I. studio. As of this writ­ ing their latest release is being mixed and mastered at Ste­ ve Gulley's studio in Tennessee. In the female bluegrass world, Janet McGarry is the pride of the Maritimes, especially the pride of Prince Edward Island, Janet has had numerous personnel changes in her band her home province. Janet is a five time recipient of the Fe­ over the years, but in my opinion, the current edition of male Vocalist Award at the Eastern Canada Bluegrass Wildwood is the best yet. In 2010, in addition to Serge on Awards, which places her in the Masters category. She is banjo, Janet added a couple of new band members from also a "Daughter of Bluegrass", a group spearheaded by Moncton, New Brunswick. They were Eddy Poirier, a mem­ Tom T. and Dixie Hall. She contributed a song on the third ber of the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame, and recording project by this group, and will also be contrib­ the "father" of Bluegrass music in New Brunswick, on gui­ uting a song on their forthcoming recording project tar, and Eddy's grandson, Brian Poirier, on acoustic bass. Brian is seventeen years of age and only plays seven differ­ Janet states "it has been probably fifteen or sixteen years ent instruments so far. since I first started in bluegrass. Prior to that I was always singing at home, and was doing some country music". Af­ The band has seven bluegrass festivals booked for 2012, ter discovering bluegrass music, she felt that was the musi­ one of them being the 41 st Annual Nova Scotia Bluegrass & cal direction she wanted to take. She recorded her first CD Oldtime Music Festival. Eddy's son Terry is playing bass in the year 2000, and is now working on her tenth recording with "Newtown", the feature U.S. band there this year, so project, which should be available this summer. Due to fan there will be a family reunion taking place. support, and demand, she feels obligated to keep the re­ cordings coming. The upcoming project will feature some harmony singing by a couple of other "Daughters", Dale Ann Bradley and Heather Berry. "Being involved with the Daughters of Blue­ grass is the most wonderful thing that has happened to me" says Janet A little background on how she became involved with "The Daughters of Bluegrass" might be in order. Janet knew that Tom T. and Dixie were writing songs for bluegrass artists, so she contacted them, regarding some material for a future recording project. She also began to attend the IBMA "World of Bluegrass" convention where she met the Halls, and many other female artists which led to "The Daughters of Bluegrass". Janet says "another thing about traveling to the IBMA event is that I got to meet . I met her during my first trip to the convention, which was in the year 2000, and we went on to have a wonderful friendship". After Hazel's passing last year, organizers of the IBMA "World of Blue­ grass" in 2011 wished to honour her life. They approached Janet, and her husband Serge Bernard, about coordinating the presentation of a seminar in her memory. "We were honoured to be asked to do that, and it turned out to be an amazing event" says Janet. Janet feels that by attending the 'World of Bluegrass Con­ vention', there are many opportunities to network, and to get to know other people in the music world. She has had the opportunity to showcase on two occasions in Tom T. and Dixie Hall's hospitality suite. Janet and Serge have also appeared in a video produced at the Hall's home enti­ tled "Who Shot Lester Monroe", which is available to the public. Janet says "we did not say "eh" once in that video". Janet also attended the SPGMA convention in Nashville this year, which coincided with the recording session for her contribution to the next "Daughters of Bluegrass" release. For those wishing to obtain further information on Janet One of the most significant events in Janet's life occurred McGarry & Wildwood, Janet's website is when she met Serge Bernard, a multi-talented instrumental- www.janetmcgarry.com. ist and vocalist. She met Serge in 1995, and when she re-

Page 16 Page 17 Providence Bay 2012 again took the stage. Even after their long set on friday night they still had lots of gas in the tank and were a crowd favorite. Fallowing Du charm e's Bluegrass In The Country was a huge success came the Possum Tribute Band a tribute to this year. We enjoyed a large crowd and three George Jones . This band has played with and times the number of campers from last year. The backed up many of the big names in Nashville . weather was excellent so we were able to use Our show is called Bluegrass In The Country and the outdoor stage for the first time in our 3 year this band certainly pl eased the country fans in history. What a huge difference to the sound attendance. quality. Thank you very much Tony DeBoer. Closing out Saturday night we had The Canucky Friday night opened with the ~iverbend Bluegrass Boys. They have played many times Gentlemen. Their enthusiastic hard dnv1ng sty1e on the Island and now have a I arge fan base set the tone for the rest of the weekend . here. Their show was outstanding. we had a bus waiting to rush them back to the sun moming at 1O a .m . the I ocal band, Down ferry so they could make their next engagement. Yonder opened the Gospel Show . Then came They enjoyed our facility and hospitality so much General Store with an all gospel set. It was very they were reluctant to leave. . easy to see why they have been named Gospel Local favorites Jim Beech and Ben Lent1r were Group of the year ftve times. A large part of the the next to entertain. Many of the Island folks weekend crowd stayed for the Gospel Sunday came especially to hear them . Ben will be morning which was greatto see. inducted to the Northem Country Music Hall of This show is starting to become recognized on Fame this fall. This is a tribute to the quality of the Bluegrass circuit We even had Denis our show . The Ducharme Family finished off Chadbourn show up to give greetings to the fans Friday night. I told them to just play as long as from the Bluegrass Music Association Of the crowd wanted them to . They ended up Canada . The best part of all, this show was able playing for an hour and a half. Later Friday night to raise enough money to fund the Manitoulin was an open jam session in the aren~. We had Special Olympics Association for a whole year. 22 pickers play till after 2 in the mom ng. Thank you very much to the fans, the sponsors and the performers many of whom gave that extra mile to help make the show a success . Our goal is to keep our ticket prices affordable and be able to pay bands . While at the same time raise money for our local special Olym pies . ~e _have a beautiful facility for camping and for v1ew1ng the show and would Ii ke to invite y0u all to make plans next year to come see beautiful Manitoulin Island . Come to enjoy some great Bluegrass and some al d fashioned down horn e hospitality. See you next year ;;:;::;:::.;::======;, Brother John The Saturday show started at 1 p .m. with Winter1i ne taking the stage. This group can be called entertainers through and through. They certainly set the pace for the rest of the day. Winter1ine traveled a long way to be with us and they were very much enjoyed by our audience. Next up was a local country band - Doub_le Barrel, right from Providence Bay. They too d1d not disappoint their fans who came to see them. Cheyenne Saucier, the I ittl e 13yr old country singer with the great big voic ,e followed Double Barrel . This is definitely a young girl with a great future in the music business. Many people were buying her first CD. At 4 o'clock General Store took the stage. There professionalism was second to none. Marry of the Island people who came had never heard Bluegrass of that quality before. General Store had a great time on Manitoulin Island. We can't thank them enough for coming and performing at our show. The crowd enjoyed visiting our many vendors during the supper break. The Du charm es once

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Page 19 ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS Thames Valley Bluegrass Music Tottenham Bluegrass Festival Assoc. Here is a list of the organizations who Contact: Peter Deveau Contact: Paul Nosko, President have become members of BMAC: 905-936-4100 519-936-1695 1-888-258-4727 http://www.tvbma.ca/ Campbell's Corner Music Sales www.tottenhambluegrass.ca [email protected] Contact: Dan Campbell 519-371-5037 Woodsmoke Bluegrass BANDS [email protected] Contact: Darwin Thom-613-831-7772 Backwoodsmen [email protected] Knights on Guard Security Corp Contact: Lorne Buck 613-475-3740 Bill Dimkovski 905-984-4095 PRESENTERS Www. KnightsOnG uard .com Bluegrass Martins Holstein Bluegrass Celebration Contact: Dale Martin 573-569-1018 William Crooks Music City Www.bluegrassmartins.com Contact: Mike Perreault 905-846-3160 www.bluegrassinholstein.ca Toll Free 877-895-9411 C-Denny Band [email protected] www.music-city.ca Contact: Dennis Chadbourn [email protected] 705-776-7754 Hapidawg Productions [email protected] Nechville Musical Products Melissa Sherman 613-392-2412 9700 Humboldt Ave. S Cheyenne Saucier Band [email protected] Bloomington, MN 55431 Contact: Mike Saucier 952-888-9710 705-691-3847 Denis Maccarthy nechville.com 905-375-5331 Concession 23 Sixthman LLC Contact: Nick Strachan/Sherry Philp Contact: Anthony Diaz 819-459-1089/613-623-0779 Www.sixthman.net i nfo@concessi on 23. com Manitoba Oldtyme Bluegrass Society www.concession23.com Inc. (MOBS) The Pick Shoppe Contact: John Sawatzky County Road 5 Bluegrass Band Contact: Gord DeVries 204-467-2182 Contact: Dan Potter-613-928-2762 800-587-4647 www.manitobabluegrass.ca cou [email protected] [email protected] Nipissing Bluegrass Association Contact: Denis Chadbourn General Store Canadian Country Music Association 705-776-7754 Contact: Bill Blance 905-451-9077 Contact: Don Green [email protected] [email protected] www.ccma.org Northern Bluegrass Committee Grassland OCFF Contact: Tony DeBoer Contact: Dave Jack 519-631-1448 www.grasslandbluegrass.com Contact: Peter MacDonald [email protected] www.ocff.ca Ottawa Valley Bluegrass Association Hard Ryde FESTIVALS Contact: Nick Strachan/Sherry Philp Contact: Doug DeBoer 819-459-1089/613-623-0779 519-249-0397 Lindsay Country and Bluegrass Music www.valleygrass.ca [email protected] Jamboree www.hardryde.ca Contact: Albert Hefferman Pacific Bluegrass & Heritage Society Hometown Bluegrass 800-954-9998 Contact: Rick Ford 604-873-3438 Contact: Al Benner i nfo@li ndsaycou ntryjam boree Www.pacificbluegrass.com 905-936-2008 or 647-430-5761 Queensbush Bluegrass Club [email protected] Minden Hills Bluegrass Festival Contact: Shannon Campbell www.hometownbluegrass.ca Contact: Dennis Casey 519-371-5037 Www.mindenhillsbluegrassfestival.ca www.queensbush.ca Jan Purcell and Pine Road [email protected] Skyway Bluegrass Club Contact: Jan Purcell Contact: Roland Aucoin 819-459-3362 New Richmond Bluegrass Festival 905-635-1818 [email protected] Contact: Mike Geraghty 418-392-4487 ra [email protected] www.pineroadbluegrass.com Www. newrichm ond bluegrass. com

Page 20 Peace River Band David Blakeny John and Angel McNaughton with Contact: Marcel Blais Daybreak in Dixie Maria Polillo 15 Myrtle Ave OAM-FM 91.5-www.cjam.ca The Bluegrass Show St. Catherines ON L2M 5W2 [email protected] [email protected] 905-650-3 738 Sunday 8:00-10:00 a.m. CKRZ-FM 100.3-www.ckrz.com www.peaceriverband.com Tuesday 7:00-11:00 p.m [email protected] Country Grass - Erin Radio 88.lFM Wilson Moore Bluegrass Jam Rhyme'N'Reason Donna Muir CHMA-FM 106.9-Sackville, NB Contact: Stefan Van Holten 519-856-9159 506-364-2221 905-679-4049 [email protected] www.mta.ca/[email protected] banjostef@aol .com Howard Bonner Saturdays 6:00 pm-Sundays 4:30 pm (Atlantic Time) Simcoe County Ramblers The Catalogue Parlour [email protected] Rebroadcast on CFTA-FM -107.9 Contact: Jill Jones Fridays - 6:00-8:00 p.m. Amherst, NS 902-660-1079 905-729-2308 CFRC -101.9 FM-www.cfrc.ca www.tantramarfm.ca [email protected] [email protected] Www.simcoecountyramblers.com Brother John's Sunday Morning Gos­ Sundays 6p.m. (Atlantic time) pel Hour Sweetgrass Band www.100.7theisland.com Ron Moores Contact: Jim Marsden-905-352-2423 Sunday 8:00 a.m. The Back40 [email protected] CKCU FM 93.1-www.ckcufm.com Bluegrass Revival with Gloria Hansen [email protected] The Algoma Wildflowers Sunday 9:00 a.m www.back40.ca Gloria Hansen www.100.7theisland.com Saturday Noon-1:00 p.m. 57A London Cr. Elliot Lake ON P5A 2P7 Brian Powley-Brother Brian's Blue­ Tim Osmond 705-848-0448 grass Show CFRC 101.9-www.cfrc.ca OUM 101.5 Winnipeg [email protected] [email protected] Sundays 4-5 pm CST Monday 6:00-8:00p.m. [email protected] The Tebworth Brothers Sunday 8:00-11:00a.m. www.umfum.com Contact: Rob Tebworth- 613-848-6905 Www. tebworth brothers.com Don Day and Dusty Hill Bluegrass Express Traditionally Wound cou [email protected] Contact: Sheldon Speedie CKCY 93.7 FM-www.country93.ca 519-389-6097 519-376-2030 skspeed [email protected] Sundays at 9:00 p.m. Linda Elliott Uncle Joe Country and Bluegrass Contact: Rick Ford-604-873-3438 CHIP 101.7 FM-www.chipfm.com [email protected] 819-683-3155 - 888-775-3155 Winterline [email protected] Contact: Ron Jubenville Saturday- 5:00-10:00 p.m. 519-352-4079 Sunday- 6:00-10.00 p.m. [email protected] Audrey Lockwood Bluegrass Program Bluegrass on the Radio CKOL 93. 7FM-ckol­ Linda Axman and Dan Joseph [email protected] Blueridge Express Friday 9:00-10:00 p.m. CKRW-FM-98.5-Kitchener Wednesday at 7:30-8:30 p.m. Jim Marino Smokin' Bluegrass Dan Bieman jlmarino(at]shaw.ca, Bluegrass Rules AM920 CKNX-www.am920.ca smokinfree[at]gmail.com [email protected] CFMU-FM 93.3 519-357-1310 - ext. 446 http://cfmu.mcmaster.ca Sundays at 1:00 p.m. Saturday Noon-1 pm

Page 21 PAGE 22 WON, ... 'IJl.lhe re rest he rot h::i t summer gone) with so mu:h bluegrass re pi:en ing right on our own Ca red ia n turf) 1Jl.lhe re do I start r

To tte nre m see ms I ike a d rea m now but 'IJ'Le s busier than ever) with the trend to'IJ'Le rds most~ 0 nt a rio bcl nds) who lJ'Ll:!!re not disappointing. The folbwing e11Gerpt is a letter tret 'IJ'Les p:issed onto us to tret regards and sums it up lJ'Ll:!!11 in his eves a l'l)l'IJISl' s.

RE: Totten ham Dear Organizers; I just wanted to congratulate and thank you lor the wonderful job you did on planning and executing this large undertaking. The volunteers and professionals alike worked hard and m sync to pull it off in harmony 11•it:A the music. I've loved bluegrass music all of my life and at:b!nding this festival was like at:b! n dm g a pre view of what heaven I hope will be like. You had some re ally good ta/en t on the roster and a le w of them really stood out and rd like to mention them if I may. The Ducharme Family were a realp/e.asure :and exciting to listen to. They emanated the joy, happmen and sense of family that can be found m bluegrass music. Secondly I #:A ought t:Aat f:Ae Tebworth Bro t:Aers were price/e.ss and that their ONA should be gat:Aered up lor don mg. Talk about re-freshing!

11 11 lastly but cemmly not /east , the group t:Aat impressed me the most were d>e Rhyme and Reason. This group of seasoned musicians is in a class of its own. Their sweet sounds represent and iHustrate what our bluegrass roots loolc.ed and sounded lik.e and moreover, they are holding true to them. With gre .at class, humility .;m d dignity, they serve up .a stJ•/e of blue gr.ass music th.at gives me .a tic le.le in my e.ar and a w.arm and fuzzJ• feeling like good medicine does. By the second time I had heard them on Saturday I 11•as left #:Am king th.at on/J• God could have put this co mbin.ation of musicians together.

Again, I congratulate .and thanlc. you and your team lor .a job well done .and I lo olc. lorward to ath! n dmg again Re .xt year! Yours truly, f.f .arc Be rtr.and

If jlO u re pi:ened to Ga tGh the Spi nne\' 8 ros. at T otte rha m R~ me' rr' Reason decided to fo llow them to Nova Soot ia to

Fo11 Mountain, Our Eastern tour 'IJ\SS a rea I eve oi:ener) to a stellar line upof their ta lent) bcl nd after bclnd of all ages

(8 lue Tie Af fa i r) Mo unta in R ~ er) Sre dow River) G ra SS'IJ"LC) rks and mo re) plaji ed with mightjl fine harmonies.., amazing i rs: rume nta Is) a nd definite~ bluegrass with Glass stjl le, R ~ me) rr' Reason d d not d isa ppo int with their own stjl le t hev

re ve niG hed fort he mse Ives. And a It h::i ugh the lJ'Ll:!!at her was re Stjl, GO Id) po uring ra i ~ foggv) l' o u re me it Fo II Mt n. had

it) kudos to the hundreds of fa ns t ret stajled put to support the bcl nds.., it)s the on~ fest iva I lJ'LI:!! re ve been to 1Jl.lhe re a few drops of rain d d not send the Gro'IJl.d running.

AOOT HER BW EG RASS WIFE LYNN SPINNEY MARRIED TO AUNSPINN EV

Page 23 Prince EdW3 rd Island was a lso o no ur agenda, with another O nta ro ba nd, Ha rd ~de, wh:J m Rich Koop bass pla")I er fo r this group and a lso son to ~ rr Rs Ma nd o Ii n pla)le r B ii I Koop, got to spend so me fat he r/':IJ n time together, Rich a nd Bi II decided to dr~e the 17+ hrs. since dri1Jing ga1Je them plent')I of time to catch up while! the rest of us R'rrR gang flew.

Bl LL 1((10 P IJIJ ITH SON RICH KOOP WN" R IJIJO RKSHO P IN PE I. IJIJrTH A BARN CAT

E\la ngeline Bluegrass Festi\la I had bca I and surrounding area ta le!nt on the schedule!. ~rrR W3S put up ina Bed & Breakfast, Che:z V1Jette and treated to nothing but home s1J1.12et home oomfort. ~rrR a l':JJ hosted a group 1J1.0rkshop, W3S 1J1.12II rece~ed and made a lasting impression. M)' Hubbie and I sta)'ed an e~tra 3 da")ls at Crow Bush., go If ing. (him) and sp:i, (her~ a beautiful beach to lounge on, but Rip Tide Jell\! fish soon took it 01Jer, add in a dri'Lle up to East Point,

we now ha'i.le ma rl)I memories now in our hearts from our Easterntour. I could not helpthink that there really is no need to head to the states a II the time with Ca radian Bluegrass ha'Lling ':IJ much to offer.

Minden Hi I ls a new fest~ a I with o nl\l Canad ia n ba nds,. is growing a nd wi II oo nti nue to do ':IJ. We sta rted off our weekend at the D:i minion Hote VPub a great 'Lie nue ~ rr R has performed at ma rl)I ti mes, to a full ho use, with a n up

close 'LI iewo f ~ rr R most of the patrons ca me out to the fest~ a I, a nd later stopped bt' to Sa")' the)' we re not disappointed. Another highlight for ~rrR was a ja mwith The Ducharme Famil\l, and tha nk-vou Mitchfortelling m,i husband the re is st i II hope for his ba njo pla)I i ng. If )IO u ha 'Lie not seen this fa mi ly in acto n the)' a re a must see!! !

(L) Mitch & JOe)I Due ha rme

Jamming with R'rrR at Minden Hills

( R) D:i minion Hotel/ Pub

* * ** 0 N A.NOTH ER SUBJECT* * **When a te nd gets a gig there is definitely so me ha p~ da nci ng going on, but wt-en a band, especia 11\1 a Ca red ra n ba nd gets a BI u:::g rass cruise to perform on )IO u pro ba bl\! fe It the gro und shake. 3 Onta rio Bluegrass Bands are sbtted to performon upcoming cruises in the 'Lie!\' nea rf uture. Book one of these ':IJ 1J1.12 can keep the ground sha king.

Page 24 Bill White & White Pine ware the ct-osen t:e rd~ Lorraine Jordon at Huntsv illesCCB P