A Non-profit Volunteer Organization

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DESERT BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

PUBLISHED BI-ONTHLY 300 COPIES - Officers -

President: Dave Lanham (520) 749-0335 [email protected]

Vice President: Joe Reighley (520) 275-2369 [email protected]

Secretary: Mike Headrick (520) 760-0745 [email protected]

Treasurer: Becky Birk (520) 885-2229 [email protected]

-Trustees - Shannon Dexter (520) 751-1856 [email protected]

Ben Richardson (520) 886-8715 [email protected]

Al Eychner (520) 908-9270 [email protected]

Geoff Fox (520) 731-3601 [email protected]

Bonnie Lohman (520) 296-1231 [email protected]

Paul Simpson [email protected]

How To Contact the DBA

Newsletter Editor—Becky Birk: For information concerning Letters to the Editor, Reviews, Contributing newsletter articles, submitting Concert & Band Listings information, and Donations please contact Becky Birk, Newsletter Editor and Treasurer via phone, email (see above) or at address PO Box 57742, Tucson, Arizona, 85732-7742 Webmaster Rufus Rogers: For information concerning the DBA website www.desertbluegrass.org contact the webmaster at [email protected] Membership Secretary —Fran Riggs: To join the DBA, renew a membership or submit an address change Fran via phone at (520) 490- 4560, email [email protected] or at address 17247 E. Peach Tree Rd., Mayer, Arizona 86333-4146. Publicity —Mike Headrick: Contact Mike at (520) 760-0745 or email [email protected]

Booking Bands—Bonnie Lohman: Contact Bonnie at (520) 296-1231 or [email protected] Advertising —Vacant: This position is currently vacant. Please contact Becky Birk if you wish to purchase advertising in our newsletter.

Membership Dues: $15.00 annually per household (Due March 1st!)

The opinions expressed in the DBA newsletter are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Desert Bluegrass Association, its staff or members. Reviews, concert listings, band announcements and advertising are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by the Desert Bluegrass Association. In the event of an error, our liability is limited to printing a correction. Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved.

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Year membership $30 $30 membership - Year

monthly newsletter to each member. member. each to newsletter monthly 2 -

to:

4146 - Membership Dues Dues Membership WWW.DesertBluegrass.Org WWW.DesertBluegrass.Org

. st Fran Riggs (DBA Membership Secretary) Membership (DBA Fran Riggs 17247 E. Peach Tree Rd. Tree Peach E. 17247 86333 AZ Mayer, Membership Application/Renewal Form Application/Renewal Membership - Year membership $15 membership - Year 1 Desert Bluegrass Association, Bluegrass Desert ) and includes bulk mailing of the bi the mailing of bulk includes and ) st

: Optional information is for membership statistics only. The Desert Desert The only. statistics membership for is information Optional : mail Address: ______Address: mail -

Note

* third to information membership its provide not does Association Bluegrass parties. (due annually $15 are Association Bluegrass Desert the for dues Membership 1 March ______State/Province: ______City: ______Phone: Home * ______Code: Zip/Postal *E Members joining after November of any year will have their membership membership their have will year any of November after joining Members renew must November before joining Those year. next the through extended 1 March following the one: Check ______*Gender: ______Nickname: ______Address: Street ______Played: Instrument ______Name: Last ______Name: First Yes one) (Check Directory? Membership DBA the in *Inclusion order money or check personal your with along it, mail then form this Complete to payable

Copies 300 Organization Volunteer Profit - Non A

1 Issue 14, Volume 2008 April—May

Requested Service Return

Tucson AZ 85750-2819 85750-2819 AZ Tucson

PERMIT NO. 1830 1830 NO. PERMIT

7878 E Cloud Road Road Cloud E 7878

TUCSON, ARIZONA ARIZONA TUCSON,

Desert Bluegrass Association Association Bluegrass Desert U.S. POSTAGE PAID PAID POSTAGE U.S. NON-PROFIT ORG. ORG. NON-PROFIT

3 April—May, 2008 Volume 14, Issue 1

Message from the Benson Bluegrass The Pressure of the “Pres” Festival “Biz” by Dave Lanham April 25, 26, 27, 2008 By Joe Reighley Hello everyone, Working as a quality technician It’s time for the 3rd Annual keeps my head around statistics. I We have had us a great time Benson Bluegrass Festival and the have been rolling on performing in these last couple of months since line up this year is promising to my last several articles and I’m our last newsletter. The Thirstys bring another great festival! going to continue that here. I have jam is really cooking; we have Featuring 3rd Generation, Digger seen request for DBA members to some fine pickers and great Davis & Tombstone, Flint Hill perform. Considering some of the grinners just having a ball. This Special, Titan Valley Warheads and past performance insight I have has been a wonderful venue for many more great acts, the weekend shared; I thought I would put some raising some funds to go towards will be packed with great music, percentage numbers on chances for the festival and we hope it good folks and all the fun a person musical success. If I practice what I continues to be a show/jam for the can stand at one time! preach then this is what to expect. foreseeable future. Thanks for Where: On the Grass at Lions Let’s begin with the big hairy music everyone’s hard work and Park in Benson Arizona; industry. That evil monster that eats dedication to make it a success. Admission: ADULTS - Friday it’s young and that the odds against I had a pleasant adventure a few $8.00 ~ Saturday & Sunday - anyone surviving (let alone making weeks ago. Our friend Angela $12.00 per day ~ Three day pass - a living in) their relationship with it Horvath, who is working at the $25.00, Children 6 and under are are huge. FREE when with an adult, AGES 6 Organ Pipe National Monument for Now let’s talk numbers. I'll to 12 ~ One day ticket $5.00 ~ a few months, invited a bunch of us estimate. That is what statisticians three day ticket $10.00. Dry down to visit. That would be Joe, do is estimate. Why; because Camping is FREE with paid Cabell, Shannon, her husband Skip calculations lie and liars calculate. I admission. No festival area and I. We had a great time estimate that I know or have known camping before Wednesday but jamming and sightseeing, but we one hundred people who have tried many RV parks near by. Pets also sorta got volunteered by or are still trying to make a living at permitted only in camping area but Angela to put on a small show for this stuff. Sixty percent of these about 200 folks. Wow, what a they MUST BE LEASHED. people are gone. The music biz great setting for music. We had the devoured them quickly and with sunset behind us and a whole bunch surprisingly little effort. of receptive folks in the front. We Approximately half of the weren’t allowed to pass the tip jar, Membership Renewal remaining forty percent are still unfortunately, some park rule, but Due Now! playing open mics. They are not the DBA newsletters disappeared Mail check payable to DBA building any audience or making quickly. Hopefully they were read to Fran Riggs, 17247 E. Peach any real money. A percentage of the and not used to start the campfires. Tree Rd., Mayer, AZ 86333- people in this group are not trying to Angie, thanks for the invite and the 4146. Thanks for the support! make a living at music. They (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 6)

www.desertbluegrass.org (Continued from page 4) Pres great dinner, talk about singing for your supper!! While on the subject of jams and fund raising I feel a great big hand should go to our friends in the far flung reaches of the county. I am speaking of Klyle Stall and Charlie Sides. These two gentlemen have gone above and beyond and I take my hat off to the both of them. First off, Charlie worked his magic and got the DBA a band gig for the grand opening of a fine new restaurant on the far NW, called the Fire Bistro (corner of Tangerine and Dove Mtn. blvd). Folks if you are in that neighborhood please stop in for a bite and a beer. They were very generous to our club and we thank them also. Charlies’ jam at the Heritage Highlands is still on and the next one is outside. With the weather we are having now that should be a real pleasant experience. They have some great grinners who really

(Continued on page 6)

Huck Finn Jubilee June 13. 14, 15, 2008

The good folks in Victorville, CA are doin’ it again! This year’s festival features Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Dry Branch Fire Squad, and many, many more. For more info go to huckfinn.com on the web or call 1-951-341-8080. Mention the DBA to get in the

Events, Etc. Titan Valley Warheads Li’l Abner’s Steakhouse 8501 N. Silverbell Road, Tucson Sundays 6:30-9:30 PM Info: Ed Davenport (520) 622- 3699 Used Instrument Donations Needed The Bluegrass Radio Show If you’re looking for a new home for those instruments that just seem to With Milo Saturday 10 am - 12 noon; 91.3 be gathering dust, don’t forget Anni Beach and the Jam Pak Kids. They can KXCI 91.3 FM give those instruments a new home and cut down on your house-work at the (520) 622-5924 for requests same time. Contact Anni by e-mail at [email protected]. (Continued from page 5) Pres (Continued from page 4) Biz enjoy a good show, so if you want the Associations exposure to a good live audience this continue to do it because they love Arizona BG & Old Time Musicians Assn. (ABMA) one is for you. it. Their performances are always 5025 N Central Ave, #477 fun and fulfilling for them and they Phoenix, AZ 85012 I can’t forget my buddy Klyle and his are never weighed down by the Info: (602) 749-5341 lovely wife Ann. He got some of us up pressure of the biz. These people Email: to Casa Grande for a show for the Red are smarter than the rest of us. [email protected] Cross benefit (the Rock-a-thon with Arizona Bluegrass Association real rocking chairs!). This happened at Of the remaining twenty percent, 7257 N. 50th Dr. Glendale, AZ 85301 the Cracker Barrel, wasn’t too hard to half diversify in order to stay in the Rick Rhodes—Chair get us up there truth be told. I believe biz. They run recording studios, (623) 435-8406 we all missed our country cooking!! work in radio, do live sound E-mail: Klyle has some wonderful pickers who engineering, and become [email protected] www.azbluegrass.org go to his jam and they were kind newspaper critics or freelance International enough to come to the benefit also. writers in addition to being live Association (IBMA) You all are a great bunch to pick with performers. This is the practical 207 E. Second Street and I know I speak for the Tucson folks group who have made decisions Owensboro, KY 42303 when I say thanks for making it a real that enable them to stay around the (502) 926-7891 So. Arizona Old Time Fiddlers good time. We played for a couple of biz and perform at least some of the Association hours and the Red Cross made money time. The final ten percent fall in to 3020 W. Avenida Cresta at their auction and they gave us a two groups. Eight percent have Tucson, AZ 85745 generous donation to our club also. So small record deals, some radio play Info: Wilbur (520) 743-7086 Tucson Harmonica Club thank you Red Cross and Fire Bistro for and a growing audience with Info: (520) 887-2148 your help with our festival this October. reasonable prospects for success. Tucson Kitchen Musician's These are the road warriors. They Association Speaking of which there are only 7 live in their cars. When talked to PO Box 26531 more months until our festival, plenty they are spacey and distant. They Tucson, AZ 85726 enough time to start practicing your www.tkma.org try to focus on your face but all Tucson Old Time Music Circle (Continued on page 8) they can see are white lines from [email protected] the highway. Their attempt to listen Brad (520)818-0260 yields words that are muffled by www.totmc.org

the permanent hum of tires on asphalt burned into their minds. These people play a lot of gigs for

(Continued on page 7)

- Instruction -

John Dawson Bluegrass & ; (520) 885-5464. Peter McLaughlin Flatpick & bluegrass guitar; Beginner & advanced. (520) 529-2992 Greg Morton Contemporary bluegrass guitar, mandolin & Beginning or advanced; (520) 682-2558 [email protected] Mike Purdy Guitar & mandolin; (520) 318-0659 Ross Nickerson Banjo; (866) 322-6567 or (520) 792-0671 Lindianne Sarno ; (520) 325-8752 Mike Wallner Banjo, Scruggs, melodic & clawhammer; (520) 327-8259 J.P. Thom-Gronachan Banjo, guitar, mando, fiddle, theory; (520) 682-6201

Tim Wiedenkiller Banjo Lessons; from styles through melodic and all progressive modern styles including jazz, , world and classical. (520)795- 4058 and www.tucsonbanjo.com.

3 amounts of money that can’t cover time and energy. A second problem the cost of getting there, with is that as a paid performer, there Bands appears to be a lack of the (Continued from page 3) Biz Crystal Ridge fundamental understanding of the (Continued from page 3) Biz Brian Davies (520)297-4225 job description. Ask yourself this maybe the hope of a pay off. For www.MusicTucson.com some of them it will. question. What am I being paid to do at this show tonight? There are The Dusty River Band Mary Ann McCracken (520) 747-2558 The remaining two percent are several answers to this question that the ones who are generating enough Flint Hill Special are partially correct. Keep the Glen Wilbourn (928) 634-8411 income to pay a small mortgage patrons here so they will buy more Gold Rush and have a running car which is a alcohol, coffee, food etc. rare and inspirational Jan or Mike (480) 982-4938 accomplishment. I am not But the only completely correct Out of the Blue attempting to discourage just answer can be summed up in one Emmy Creigh (520) 323-0704 sharing a statistical view of what I word: “Entertainment”. Being an Salt Creek think we are up against. entertainer does not mean you have Roland (520) 803-0078 to stop being a thoughtful and Mike (520) 378-4977 Prioritize and consolidate your conscientious artiste. It does not resources. Apply appropriate mean that you have to utilize all The Bost Family Tradition energy. One energy problem your unique talents to convince as Jeff Bost (520)432-5053 surrounds lack of skill. If you have many people as possible to spend [email protected] not become reasonably their hard earned money on you Los Hombres Kenny Erickson (520) 235-7473 accomplished at your particular and your show. I am sorry, but I specialty (singing/picking) you observe that contemporary The Busted Cowboy Band should stop right here and decide in performers in general, are painfully Jim Koweek (520) 455-5387 exactly what skill or skills you oblivious to their entertainment Titan Valley Warheads would like to excel. responsibilities. It must be in part Ed Davenport (520)-622-3699. from the way they evolved as Performance technique is a tool Peter Mc Laughlin & Chris performers. I don’t mean to pick on Brashear that you apply to a skill that is singer here but they are already developed. An aspiring a best fit to my point. So I (520) 529-2992 singer should take lessons with apologize in advance, if you are Classified Ad someone accomplished in singing. feeling singled out. Trust me; I Learn about singing until you are BANJO! Gold Tone WL250 think all performers have issues Custom HSC $475 GUITAR! sure that you are good at it. At this like this. Typically singer/ Yamaha A/E APX-4 HSC $495: Call point you should consider learning songwriters, and I believe Richard 520-777-6273 about performance technique so performers in general, are spawned you can use the knowledge to during the heat of adolescent maximize the impact of your good turmoil. They buy a journal or diary singing. A bad song dressed up in a and begin to write in it as an clever performance is what the biz alternative to talking to their calls a pig in a prom dress, “Nice parents, who are after all the Banjo or Fiddle dress, too bad it’s wrapped around sources of their turmoil. Soon Hangout! a pig.” poems, songs and stories emerge If you play the banjo or fiddle, Watching a person with some which have been created more out or both, and are looking for some knowledge about performance of an alternative to counseling than cool internet sites, check these out. technique trying to make something any sort of consideration of a future Www.fiddlehangout.com and strong out of a weak song is sad audience. www.banjohangout.org. indeed. The most valuable skill a Eventually these songs are person can bring to a performance played for friends and sooner or technique is the ability to prioritize. later someone asks the person to Develop a tangible skill first, Newsletters are now available on the sing them at a function. website at www.desertbluegrass.org in enhance it with performance Unfortunately for the audience at the downloads section. The newsletters technique. Doing it any other way this function, the songs that will are in PDF files that can be read with is classic wagon before the mule the free Adobe Reader that is available at www.adobe.com. behavior and a colossal waste of (Continued on page 9) (Continued from page 6) Pres CD Review: Sawmill breaks. songs and stage show. Mike, Joe and I have been kicking around the Road 1 Mark Miracle is on mandolin and tenor vocal. Mark was a banjo idea of having a band contest at this By Marilyn Ryan Hulbert year’s festival. We will be printing competition winner at Wickenburg, up the guidelines etc., but the jist is "When will I be Loved?" is the Blythe. and his former band "Clear that there will be prize monies for title of the first song on this newly Blue" won best bluegrass Band at

1st, 2nd, and 3rd. We are very released album by the band Telluride. "Sawmill Road". You'll love them! excited about this and we will keep After the Phil Everly Song everyone informed as we work out Their harmonies are great no "When will I Be Loved", comes the logistics, so stay tuned! matter who is singing the lead. "Goodnight Girl" by Dan Crary, Last but not least I hope Their instrumentals are tight, sung by Steve and "Song for a everyone had a good time at the tasteful and terrific! Sitting in the Winter's Night" by the master campout. Since I have to have this 3rd row at the Parker Festival, I Gordon Lightfoot - also article in to our lovely editor before watched and listened and was sung by Steve. entertained every minute of their we even have it I can’t really tell The 4th cut is "4 Rode By" - an show. They are all wonderful you much about it! If you missed old Ian Tyson song, and they do it musicians, personable entertainers, it, well just too bad, if you went, I so great! I just love the song - fine singers and chose their song hope you recovered sufficiently!! wonderful instrumental breaks too. material creatively. Thanks for your time and keep a Dick sings the lead. The band members are Bruce pickin’ and a grinnin’ Charlie plays a beautiful Johnson playing fiddle. Bruce is a "Mariposa Waltz" that he wrote. Dave California native who has played with Byron Berline, Chris Hillman, # 6 is my favorite -"Lovebird" - Herb Pederson, Ron Spears and Steve's song - I feel it in my heart, 10th Annual Parkfield Doyle Lawson. Smoothe!!! and my feet want to dance to it at the same time - perfect words and Steve Spurgin on bass - Steve Bluegrass Festival tune! May 8—11, 2008 has played with Freddy Fender, Byron Berline, the Limelighters, Then they do a Jimmy Davis and many other bands. Only one Located in beautiful Parkfield, tune "Let's Be Sweethearts Again", original song by Steve is on this CA, this year’s festival will pack in sung by special guest Roger Reed, CD, and I really wish there were some great bluegrass talent. then a fiddle tune "Brand New Pair more. He, in my opinion, is a Acts included James King Band, of Britches", "Southbound Train", wonderful song-writer. His song is Junior Sisks and Rambler’s Choice, sung by Charlie, and a story about a "Lovebird" - the 6th cut. The Brombies, Virtual Strangers, bad boy called "Lil Teardrops", that Steve sings - it's up-tempo with an Baloney Creek, Bean Creek, Better Dick Brown is playing banjo - oh-so-nice guitar break. Late Than Never, Eric Uglum & he was a founding member of "Lost Sons, and many more. Highway" - we have all listened to "The Vaquero Song" is heart For advance ticket and other him for many years - he just keeps breaker in a minor key - a beautiful details, please check out the getting better and better! Dick was addition and complete change of BMSCC or Parkfield websites at 4-corners state banjo champion. He pace, written by Dave Stamey. www.bmscc.org or played with Long Lonesome Road, (Steve told me he's a real cowboy!) www.parkfieldbluegrass.com. If Lynn Morris, Copper River Band, you do not have Internet access, Traditional Grass and of course, Then they ride away in tight please call (805) 349-8397. Lost Highway. harmonies, and hot instrumental breaks on "the Last Train to Dixie". Charlie Edsall plays guitar - Charlie is from Fort Wayne Sawmill Road will be performing Indiana. He began playing guitar at at the Tucson Bluegrass Festival in age 9. He wrote the song"Cold October. Don't miss this Virginia Rain". Bands he was in band! include Feather River, High Strung, Your pickin' friend, and he played with Ron Spears. Listen for his tasty guitar Marilyn (Continued from page 7) Biz 2008 Lost Highway 2008 Tucson Folk make up this set will be a journey through the eight or ten darkest Verde Valley Bluegrass Festival moments of this person’s life. As Festival May 3—4, 2008 an audience member under these circumstances I feel as though I am If you’re ready to head north for Can you believe it’s time for the being beat about the head and a weekend, here’s a festival just a Folk Festival again! This year’s shoulders with a very large stick. I ways up the road. Cliff Castle festival will feature Marley’s experience many feelings but the Casino and SW Traditional Ghost, Ruthie Foster and Hans feeling of being entertained in not Bluegrass Present the official 2008 Mayer. one of them. Lost Highway Verde Valley The always popular Bluegrass Now don’t be discouraged. I Bluegrass Festival, Cottonwood/ Gospel Sing-a-Long will be on believe almost everyone begins this Sedona/Camp Verde Region. The Sunday morning, May 4th, at way. At least we are learning a festival is on April 18, 19 & 20, 11:00am in the Workshop Area of trade. I have burned all of my 2008 at the Motocross Park, east of the festival. (You’ll have to find out writing attempts due to their Cottonwood on Hwy 260. where this is once you get there, so entertainment potential. Let’s do Featuring the following great give yourself some extra time.) this. Let’s begin to think of Western-Based bluegrass groups: Bring an instrument so you can ourselves as entertainers who have Lost Highway, High Plains play along, too! come prepared to take care of the Tradition, Burnett Family, For the second year, there will be audience. Once we become Desperate Measure, Bost Family a New Artist Stage featuring comfortable thinking of ourselves Traditions, Dry Creek, Flinthill performers under the age of 19. this way we will begin to compose Special, Reno Bluegrass, Stuck In These are our up-and-coming stars, our shows with the audience in Reverse, Carter/Cash Revisited, so be sure to catch these acts mind. This could be a step forward Shasta Daylight, Bill Bogan & starting at 11:30am on Sunday. past a crossroad toward a focused Trusting Heart. Tickets: $12 daily; The Folk Festival is one of creative process. Instead of creating $32 for 3-day; 7-day dry camp, 2 Tucson’s greatest events. For the from the darkest point to make you adults $95.00; Contacts: bill bogan- complete line up and schedule, feel better, try creating from a point 928-925-3344, please visit them on the internet at of resolution. Forget about writing [email protected]; jim edens- www.tkma.org. during the worst time and work on 928-308-2000, jime1355@aol; ron resolving the problem. Fix or at wilkining-928-300-6386 least come to terms with the thing that is wrong in your life and then write about it. Include the Jams All DBA sponsored jams and resolution. Then when you bring performances are listed separately on Saddlebrooke Theater your song to your audience you the enclosed calendar and the DBA Guild DBA Benefit won’t be beating them over the website at head with it, you’ll be bringing www.DesertBluegrass.org. To Feature them a gift which they may be able Tuesday 7 PM Cherryholmes! to use in their own difficult lives. I Southern AZ Old Time Fiddlers suppose this is the difference Assn. The good folks at Saddlebrooke between a giver and a taker. The Southwest Community Center Theater Guild have decided to take people who acquire greatness in Cardinal Ave., Tucson Info: Wilbur Welsh (520) 743-7086 us under their wing once again in this world are the ones who give Wednesday 7-10 PM 2009 (Thanks, Bill). On March 6, the most. If you need (for your Trad. Acoustic Bluegrass Jam 2009 (that’s next year, y’all) own well being) to create a show Sessions, Tempe, AZ Cherryholmes will put on two covering the dark times of your life Please call for confirmation of dates shows, 4:00pm and 7:30pm. go ahead. I only suggest that you Info: Howard or Susan Tickets go on sales Mar. 10, 2008 (480) 897-7425 consider these shows as a journal and both shows are expected to sale entry and not entertainment. As a AZ Old Time Fiddlers Catalina Mountain Chapter of the out! Go to performer give the audience AZ Old Time Fiddlers Association something that they walk away Info: Laura (520) 743-9491 from satisfied. Let them walk away entertained and they’ll be back with Fire Bistro Grand Opening! Saturday, February 16, 2008 was Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Ceremonies at the FIRE Restaurant and Bar in the “Dove Mountain Retail Center” in Marana, 12130 N. Dove Mountain. Blvd. A Desert Bluegrass Assoc. ”Member Band” performed on the patio from 3 to 5 PM. Every first Tuesday of the month, starting March 4th, the Fire Bistro will stage a DBA Bluegrass Jam from 7 to 9 PM on their patio. DBA members get a 20% discount on pizza and jammers get free non- alcoholic drinks. Wood fired pizza and Bluegrass music – Don’t Miss It!

DBA Member Band blasting out a hot number for the crowd.

DBA member Charlie Sides congratulating Jim Bradley (FIRE Bistro Mgr/PTR) on a successful opening and discussing the future Bluegrass Jams to be held at the FIRE Bistro.