Texas Bluegrass Association

Tis the Season to be Jolly - Enjoy the Holiday Season - Pray for Peace on Earth

Sending out a very special wish for a happy holiday season to all. We hope that you find peace and happiness during Christmas, Hanukkah, and in coming the New Year. Keep your heart open, your mind relaxed, and your fingers nimble. But above all....keep on picking!

The Listening Post is a forum established to monitor bluegrass musical recordings, live performances, or events in Texas. Our mailbox sometimes contains CDs for us to review. Here is where you will find reviews of the CD’s Central Texas Bluegrass Association receives as well as reviews of live performances or workshops. 10 Year Anniversary Showing of 0’Brother 11/6/10 Bluegrass Christmas

CTBA got a Christmas present early from Dr. Elmo (it was still 90 de- grees outside when we got it). The (faux) Dr. Elmo sent us his Bluegrass Christmas CD! He also gave CTBA permission to put one of the tracks from this CD on our web site for the month of Decem- ber and he sent us a FOUR PAGE tablature of one of the songs, “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”. (L to R: Billy Bright, Alan Munde, Elliott Rogers (hidden), Tom Ellis, Jeff Robertson) The Time Life CD has sev- View the CTBA EXCLUSIVE You Tube Video : <-- (click it) eral cool Christmas tunes If you missed CTBA’s exclusive showing of “O’ Brother Where Art Thou?” on it. I liked the cute lit- at the Alamo Draft House on South Lamar you missed a really good time. tle tune “Grandpa in the The audience was thoroughly entertained by the wonderful vocal harmo- Santa Suit Show” with the nies of The Carper Family, the huge voice of Jeff Robertson, the excellent line “my favorite part of my musicans of Alan Munde, Billy Bright, Elliott & Janice Rogers, and Tom favorite day” as Granpa Ellis. Dan Foster gave the opening remarks and Christy & the Plowboys gets on his Santa Claus sang Old Time songs from the movie. CTBA raffled off a banjo donated by Suit. There are several tra- Fiddler’s Green and matched the amount collected at the event as a benefit ditional Christmas songs to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM). CTBA President Jami like “Jingle Bells”, “We Wish Hampton presented HAAM with a check for $500! Thanks everyone!!! You a Merry Christmas”, “Deck The Halls” , and of course an instrumental Donna Hughes New CD version of “Grandma Got This is a real easy CD to listen to. Smooth and solid Run Over by a Reindeer”. musicianship from start to finish. Tony Rice pro- There is some good mu- vides his signature sound. Donna’s approach to sicianship and the vocals singing uniquely blends elements of both the sing- make you want to sing er/songwriter style and traditional bluegrass. along with the good Doc. 3 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION Cabin 10 Presents RiceFest in Fischer, TX 11/13/10

SARAH JAROSZ on ACL SARAH MADE IT!!!!!!! Sarah Jarosz, the young lady from Wimberley with L to R -- Billy Bright, Peter Rowan, and Tony Rice at RiceFest talent enough for twenty Cabin 10, Inc. would like to thank everyone who came out to make the was featured on the pres- 7th Annual Rice Festival the best ever. We had a great weekend in Fischer tigious Austin City Lim- in support of higher education in the arts. Please mark your calendars for its. For those of us who March 26-27, 2011 for RiceGrass II, our second annual springtime hoote- have watched her grow nanny. This year tickets are only $40 for two days of concerts, workshops, and develop as a musi- jamming and camping, and will feature Nora Jane Struthers & the Bootleg- cian all these years well, gers, Evie Laddin, Old Man Leudecke, Milk Drive, Ranch Road 12, Billy we can only sit back and Bright and Chojo Jacques, Lost Pines, Sad Daddy, Salt Rock Rounders & say “what did I tell you? Dennis Hubbard & Friends. Tickets are on sale now - at www.cabin10.com. Isn’t she great!” Yes, we all Thank you for your support of CTBA! -Jeff Gavin feel like we are watching our own little girl make it to the big time! Sarah was featured on Austin City Limits shar- ing the bill with Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers. Sarah tore it up on her Grammy- nominated song Mansin- needof. She showed the world that she is a great singer, banjo player, mandolin perfectionist, and an excellent guitar player as well. Sarah represents a movement by a small number of musicians to- Season Finale of Texas Pickin’ Park 11/12-13/10 wards creative acoustic American Roots Music, We bid farewell to Texas Pickin’ Park until April 2011 when it starts back up. pulling from Bluegrass The festival featured the Double Eagle String Band, Robertson County and Old TIme to develop Line, Wabash Ramblers, Sidemen For Hire, Armstrong Family, Autumn awesome new sounds. Walkers, and the Pickin Park Jammers (above). Good fun!!! 4 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

Picks, Happenings, and Releases

A new local bluegrass jam event is being held, on the third Saturday at Danny Ray’s Music in Round Rock. Danny and his staff are friendly and helpful, and of course delighted to help meet your musical instrument needs. The next jam is December 18, and the first jam of 2011 will be January 15. The jam starts at 2:00 pm and runs until 5:00.

The Two High String Band will get together again for a performance at Fiddler’s Green on Dec 18th. The cool thing is that they plan to record a “Live” CD during the performance. Geoff & Billy are inviting you all to come be a part of the recording. There are several excellent guest artists who will sit in. The show costs $15. (I’m bringing my cowbell).

The Lost Pines are going in the studio in January. They have garnered the support of the Grammy award winning producer and music leg- end Lloyd Maines. They are going to need some money, seriously. Contact the Lost Pines if you are interested in supporting their effort. Maybe you’ll get your name in the liner notes of an up and coming Austin band.

HCAMP held its first winter camp last February. They have set the date for this years event for February 11-13th, 2011. The camp features Alan Munde (Banjo), Steve Smith (Mandolin), Eddie Collins (Flat Pick Guitar), Chris Sanders (Voice), Tim Porter (Guitar), Dick Walker (Fiddle), Pops Bayless (Ukulele)

Fire On The Stings will change locations AND dates for their event to July 15-16, 2011 in League City, TX at the Southshore Harbor Re- sort & Convention Center on Clear Lake. There is an RV park down the road. We all hope this News Release!!! new venue works out for BABA.

Go North next Summer! Dates: June 3-5, 2011, Place: Olivet College, Olivet, Michigan Website: http://www.midwestbanjocamp.com Check out the lineup of instructors of both Old Time and Bluegrass. 5 COPYRIGHT C PYR GHT © ©CENTRAL CE TRA TEXAS TEXAS BLUEGRASS BLUEGRAS ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION 6 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION Learnin’ a Little: J.S. Bach By Tom Duplissey

In the 70’s there was a band in Dallas called Young Country which featured Rick Sparks on the five-string. Young Country was one of the few bands in the Dallas area playing bluegrass at the time. One of the members of the band was Randy Brooks (a relation of the old TV comedian Foster Brooks). Randy’s big claim to fame during that time was writing a little song called “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer”. Yes, it’s that one. Here’s the story. Young Country traveled to Lake Tahoe to play the Hyatt. While there, they met another band with Elmo Shropshire on banjo. Elmo & Patsy was the bluegrass duo that recorded the original hit version of Grandma. When Elmo & Patsy split, Patsy’s parents maintained the publishing rights. Elmo went on as a solo act under the name Dr. Elmo. He continued to record the song on several CDs. Elmo and his current wife, Pam Wendell tire- lessly promote Grandma. Randy gave Elmo permission to market the Grandma line of toys we see in the shopping malls around Christmas by way of Dan Dee Toys. Elmo started out playing Bluegrass, and has continued ever since. In fact he popularized Bluegrass in the San Francisco Bay Area with his Bluegrass radio show on KSAY 1969-1971, “The Great San Francisco Bluegrass Experience.” Time Life released the latest Dr, Elmo CD. (reviewed earlier on page 2). What about Randy? “These days I play with The Bad Monkeys (www.thebadmonkeys.com.) Our gimmick to get hired is that we do a good bit of Buffett and dress in Hawaiian shirts...but beyond that we play oldies and some original stuff. No bluegrass - but a couple of Saturdays ago I flew out to Virginia City and sat in with my old Young Country buddy Rick Sparks. A number of folks in the audience were with the Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association.” By the way Rick was wandering around the (wet) campgrounds at Old Settler’s this year. I missed him. This following tab is from the Dr Elmo’s Time Life CD “Bluegrass Christmas”. The entire piece is four pages. While we don’t have room to print the entire tab, Dr. Elmo has given CTBA permission to put it on the CTBA web site. Here’s a little part of the entire piece that you can learn and impress your friends at all the parties this Christmas. For copies of the CD please go to www.drelmo.com. Salmon Lake Park 34th Annual Bluegrass Festival Grapeland, TX September 2, 3, 4, 5 - 2010 7 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring J. S. Bach, arr. Elmo Shropshire As played by Dr. Elmo from Bluegrass Christmas (Time Life #25894-D) A Tab by Bill Evans p i r p  0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0 4 4 0 4 4 2 4 4 2 4 4

t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m i i i i i i i i i i i i

5 C G m i p 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2 4 4 2 4 4 0 4 4 0 4 4

t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m i i i i i i i i i i i i

0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 4 4 2 4 4 2 4 4

t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m i i i i i i i i i i i i

13 p m i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 4 4 2 4 4 0 4 4 0 4 4

t m t m t m t m t m t m t t i m i t t t i m i t i i i i i i

17 p p 0 m r 0 0 4 1 0 0 5 2 2  0 5 5 0 4 4 0 7 0

t t i m i t t m i t i m t t i m m t m

21 p m i p 0 2 p m 0 0 3 3 0 0 1 0 2 5 5 0 0 2 2 2 7 4 0 4 4 0

t m i t t i t i m i t i t m i t i t t t i m i t

25 m p 0 0 0 4 0 i i 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 5 5 0 2 5 0 7 2 7 0 0

m i t i m t t i m i/m t m t m i t t i t mm t i t i

29 D p 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 2 0 5 5 0 4 7 0 0

t i t i t/i m t m i t t i m i t i m t t i m m t m

2 33 0 2 0 0 3 3 0 0 1 0 2 5 5 0 0 2 2 2 7 4 0 4 4 0

t m i t t i t i m i t i t m i t i t t t i m i t

37 A 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 5 5 0 2 5 0 7 2 7 0 0

m i t i m t t i m m t m t m i t t i t m t i t i

41 0 0   0 0  0  0 0 1 3  3 3 3 0 0 0 0  0 0 2 4  4 4 4 0 4  0 0 0 2 4 4 4 4 0  s  s t i t i t m t m i t m m m m m m m m i i i i i i i i t t t t t t t t A 45  1  1 1 0 1 1 1 2  2 2 0  2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0  0 4 4 0 4 4 0 4 4  m m m m t t i m i t t t i m i t t t i m i t i i i i t t t t

49 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 5 0 0  0 5 5 0 2 0 7 0 0

t m i t i m t t i m i/m t i t m i t t i

53 2 0 3 3 0 0 1 0 0 5 5 0 0 2 2 2 0 5 7 4 0 4 4 7

t i m i t i t m i t i t t t i m i t m i t i m t

57 A 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 2 7 0 4 4 0 0

t i m i/m t m t m i t t i t m t i t i t m t m t m i i i

0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 2 4 4 2 4 4 2 4 4

t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m i i i i i i i i i i i i 9 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION 3 65  9 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 7 2 4 4 0 4 4 0 4 4   t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m m i t i i i i i i i i i

69 m p p p p r p 9 9 10 12 10 9 9 i i p i r 7  7  7 9 9 9 7 5 7 5 5 5 5 9 9 9 9  h m m t t i t i t t t t t m 3m m m 3i i

73 C 12 0 0 10 1 1 0 0  7 7 7 7 7 8 11  7 7 9 10 9 7   0 0 t t 3 t t t i t m t t m m i i i i t t t i t

77 C C C E7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0  1  2 0 0 0 0 0 0

t t m m i i i i t t m m i i i i t t m m i i i i t t i m t i

81 i p r 0 0 0 m 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  0 5 1 1 1  5 5 2 2 2 7

t t i m t i t t i m t i t t i m t i i t i t i m

m m 85 i i i p m p i m p i 3 7 7 i i r m 3 r 0 0 3 5 5 5 0 5 0 0 1 0 5 5 5 1 7 7 2 6

i m t t m t m i i t i t m i m t i t t t i m t i

89 p t r i r 0 0 0 14 10 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  13 12 1 1 1  2 2 2 12 12

t t i m t i t t i m t i t t i m t i m t i t m i

F m C b 93 p t r i m p m i r i 10 7 7 3 3 0 0 m 10 8 6 5 5 5 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 9 0 0

4 97   4 4 4 4 4 1 3 3 3   2 2 3 5 5 5   0 4 4 s t i t i t i t i t t t t i m i t

101 p 0 m 1 1 0 0 2 2 2 2   0 5 0 4 4 0 4 4 0 0 7

t t i m i t t t i m i t t m i t i m t

m 105 p p m i p r 0 0 4 0 2 p m 5 0 0 3 3 0 0 5 0 2 5 5 0 0 2 7 4 0 0

t i m m t m t m i t t i t i m i t i t m i t i t

109 C 0 0 0 4 0 i 1 0 0 5 0 0 2 2 0 5 5 0 2 0 4 4 7 0 0

t t i m i t m i t i m t t i m i/m t m t m i t t i

113 A m p p i 0 i r p 0  0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 5 0  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 0 4 4 0 4 4 2 4 4

t mm t i t i t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m i i i i i i i i i

117 C m i p 1.2. 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 4 2 4 4 2 4 4 0 4 4

t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m t m i i i i i i i i i i i i

121 3. 0 0 0   0 0 0    0 4 4 0 

The BOXCARS

Claire Lynch Band

at Farmer’s Branch

The Toy Hearts at Artz Rib House

..and to David Stall Photography

local bluegrass music and musicians.

Do you play an instrument?

I play the Guitar and a do a little fiddlin’ too.

What bluegrass artist do you like to listen to most?

Right now, I can’t seem to stop listening to Chris Coole and Ivan Rosenberg, Farewell Trion.

What is your all time favorite bluegrass song? Introduce yourself. Tell us your name, a little bit about yourself, what city you live in, and why you joined Probably this one version of Jimmy Martin singing CTBA. “Honey You Don’t Know My Mind”.

Rixi Rosenberg. I’ve lived in Austin almost my Rixi is a CTBA Board Member. Visit her at her web site whole life so I’m hooked on live music. I joined the www.rixirosenberg.com CTBA because I wanted to do my part to support

Chasing Blue

for bookings (512)963-7515 Suzanne [email protected] 13 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION Artist Profile: Chris Hirsch I sat down with Chris Hirsch at the BABA Monthly Meeting and learned a lot of things about this long time musician and leader of the Lonestar Bluegrass Band. Current members of LoneStar Bluegrass Band are Chris Bagley, George Hanson, and Matt Morris. At the beginning of the interview we talked about our bands playing for Chelsea Street Pub in the mid to late 70‘s. His band at that time was called The Broken String Band. Chelsea was one of the few clubs in Tex- as that was bluegrass friendly and paid its musicians well. That got the interview started.

You started out in Austin in the early 70’s. Back then you went to Saint Edwards University. Did you start months I was playing my first paying gig. out by taking banjo lessons? Awesome. Who did you play with? I saw Deliverance and thought, if that kid can do it, I can do it. Of course I found out later that he wasn’t It was a short lived band with some rock and roll- playing. I always hated school and my first “grades ers. They wanted to try to do some sort of acoustic report” was straight B’s. The best grades I ever made thing. They were called Shackwood Junction in ’73- in my life. My Mother was so elated that she bought ’74. It was nonsense. me this banjo I always wanted and of course that was the end of the grades. I bought a tenor banjo first Interesting I was in a rock and roll band called Citadel an old pre-war tenor, I still have it on the wall. I took about that same time. We lived near the Armadillo. one lesson on that and then quickly realized that wasn’t what I wanted to play. Then I realized that I I actually got to play a show on the main stage at had to get a five-string. So I got a five-string Alvarez the Armadillo. We played the (beer) garden a lot and I sat down and put my knuckles on the head but one time we got to play inside. I’ll never forget and I played with two fingers. I was fast, really fast going backstage and saw Bill Monroe back there. and then someone told me that I should learn how The first time I ever saw Bill was with my mandolin to play it. So I got Earl Scruggs book and picks, three player Jim Shubert. Jim and I were standing in the fingers! What? So I had to start all over. Within nine doorway under this little overhang and it was rain-

Instruction for Banjo, Guitar and Mandolin Online and Private Lessons Eddie Collins www.eddiecollins.biz

512-873-7803 14 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION ing. We were waiting to see Bill Monroe for the first When was that? time and looking over the parking lot. Do you remember those craters? They were all full of water. We ‘74-ish. A lot happened in that first year. I played looked out across the parking lot and there was Bill so much my fingers would bleed and I would have Monroe, with an umbrella and his girlfriend decked to go to another finger to slide. I played 12 hours a out in a red cowgirl outfit. It was amazing. He hand- day. My grades just died because I was just so infatu- ed her the umbrella and I remember thinking, well ated with that whole thing. I’ve got a lot of regrets that’s nice. He reached down and put his pants in from back then. I didn’t know how to jam. I broke his boots, got the umbrella, waded across the park- up a lot of jam sessions. I played so darn loud back ing lot and left her standing out there. Walked up to then. I look back and wish I could just apologize to me and said, would you hold this please (laughter). everybody. I feel like I got a good handle on it now Later on I was backstage jamming with Bob Black, because I stood next to another banjo player years playing Blackberry Blossom and I hear this mandolin ago doing that same thing and that’s when I realized behind me. Bill played a break, laughed and walked that I was doing the same thing. Some people prob- off. We didn’t even know that he knew it. Dennis ably remember me in that way. McDaniel said it the best, he said, “that old man has forgotten more than we’ll ever know”. I credit a lot Some of our CTBA members had some questions they of my knowledge then to Dennis McDaniel. He was wanted me to ask and so I would like to go into those a the first guy I knew that was a real picker. I just talk- little. Ken Brown wanted me to ask you if you are going ed to him the other day on the phone. We’ve been to make Chris Bagley (guitar player for Lonestar Blue- friends ever since. We used to go over to the fire- grass band) change his name to Brad. house, where he was a fireman, and sit over there and pick. That was where I got my first real introduc- (Laughter) Yes that’s what Bill did. No, we call him tion to bluegrass music. I mean you’re playing Duel- Chris B. and I’m Hirsch (more laughter). That’s funny. ing Banjos and Foggy Mountain Breakdown and you go over there and he wants to play Stanley Brothers. One person asks, how has bluegrass enriched your life? Who were some of your early influences? I don’t remember when I didn’t have it in my life. It’s As far as local people, there was a guy in Austin such a part of me now. Doing the radio show and named Johnny Thompson. He played melodic style. having the band is really what keeps me going. I He disappeared not too long after that but that got think if I didn’t have either one of those it might drift me interested in melodic style. I bought a book by away from me. Bill Keith and learned Sailor’s Hornpipe. They had a banjo contest at Castle Creek. Do you remember So that’s how you balance things out. You have the that place? I went over there and won that thing. It band, you do the radio show, you have fantastic pho- was the first contest I ever played in and I won with tography. Sailor’s Hornpipe.

Multi-Educational Cross Cultural Arts Association

MECCA is a 501c(3) nonprofit educational organization that teaches music & dance to adults and children. We provide ethnic/cultural/patriotic music and dance groups for civic, schools, churches, and club programs events.

Well, I’m more known as a Gunsmith than anything with a laugh and a smile. We were laughing and else. I do work for people all over the world for that having a good time. (Dave Peters passed away un- kind of stuff. I only do antiques. I don’t mess with expectedly in December 1999. His book “Masters of anything past 1900. I have no interest in it. I found the Mandolin” contains transcriptions of 150 mando- a little niche and I’m staying in it. My work ethics lin solos by the many of the greats in the industry). are not great because I’ve got so many interests but I make enough to pay the bills so I can go off and do You did the Steak and Ale gig for a long time. I know what I want to do. that’s all gone now. You told one of our readers that it was starting to get hard to find touring acts in to play. Another question from our readers. You’ve won several State Banjo Titles have you ever considered going Yes, the big names weren’t coming around here to Winfield? anymore. They just didn’t have any shows down here. This was a great pass-through gig for them. I did. I got fourth place. That was around ‘91. The They’d get enough cash money to pay for the whole problem was that I would have placed and got a ban- trip. I’ll never forget when Alison Krauss came in with jo but Tony Furtado showed up. I looked over and Alison Brown and they were looking at the place said, “what are you doing here”? He was in between and you could tell when they walked in they were bands and he was trying to make a living. So, I was thinking “what is this?” After the first song they were in second place going into the runoffs because I had looking at each other and smiling. You remember. played my big guns, Limerock and stuff. I got up in These were the greatest audiences there and they the runoff and played a few songs and they were just all remembered that. I was just in touch with Doyle OK. I know I got fourth because there were five of Lawson recently and he says “oh yes I remember that us and the other guy that didn’t get in the top three Steak and Ale, we had a great time”. Twenty-five really messed up bad. So I figure I got fourth. Hon- years I did that. It was hard to let it go but my band, estly, I wasn’t prepared as I needed to be. It actually when we played once a month, we packed the place ruined my Winfield trip because I was worried about still but I couldn’t really get the local bands in there that the whole time. I would never do that again. because I couldn’t charge a cover charge because they were playing free everywhere else and when What was it like playing with Dave Peters. Dave was they would come in, the people didn’t want to pay like a three time Winfield Winner on mandolin. to come see them. So it was very tough situation.

We had sort of a love-hate relationship. He was The Mucky Duck and Dosey Does bring in touring acts trying to make a living at it and he had to take the don’t they? highest paying job. So we would have something booked and a week before he would call and say that Yes, they have brought in touring acts. You know, he had a bigger job. So I fired him and then I fired Dosey Does has never been in touch with me. I can him again. When he died he was in the band again. help them too. I have the radio show but they don’t Dave was an amazing musician but then he was kind get in touch with me. Mucky Duck has a really good of a regular guy too. I’ll never forget one time he was thing going. It’s a good room and every now and doing a session with somebody and they said “you then they bring a bluegrass band in there. might be able to do this”. He got so mad at that guy because Dave could sit down in any situation with Another banjo question. What advice would you give any huge classical number they could put it in front people that want to get better on the banjo? of him, he may have never seen it before, and he could play it. He came in for the very last recording Just work hard at it. It just takes repetition. These he did on our “Best of Times” CD and it was “Sir Duke”, licks that I just throw in there, for hours I would the Stevie Wonder song. We put the music in front sit there and play them over and over (mocks the of him (here Chris sings this complicated piece) and sound) until I could get comfortable with them. Un- he just played it and that was it. Walked out and the til my mind was somewhere else and I was still doing good thing about it…that night we ended things it. It’s just so much repetition. My problem in school 16 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION was that I would be reading this stuff I was supposed The banjo God to me is Scott Vestal (originally from to be studying and in my mind I would be at the lake Ft. Worth). He does it all. He can sound like anything fishing or something and I wouldn’t remember what you want him to sound like and he’s a great guy too. I read. I can sort of do that on the banjo. When I’m I knew him years ago and we still touch base now working on this stuff I can still do other things in my and then. I think the best overall banjo player in mind. I still can think about things I need to do but the world is Scott Vestal. I really do. I mean I would I’m still working on those licks. go see Earl Scruggs strum a banjo mainly because he is a hero. Sammy Shelor is a great straight style So basically practice. of banjo player, I reluctantly say Scruggs style but that’s pretty much what it is. Don Reno was one of Yes, but repetitious practice. It’s boring as heck to my hero’s. I do that stuff all the time. I love it. It’s most people but to me its like a meditation. I don’t just a great addition and offset to your sound. Alan want to get metaphysical, I’m not into that stuff but Munde is a fantastic banjo player. Bill Keith. Bobby it would literally be this mantra, over and over again Thompson was just amazing. The subtle genius of until I get that lick. On songs. I would take a really his playing, wow, I’ll tell you another subtle genius. hard song and work on one part and then the next Alan Shelton. That guy is just amazing and I can’t get part, then add them together, then the next part and that no matter how hard I try. Because it came from work on all of that until I could do them together. his heart. It didn’t come from any technical books, That’s how I do it. In segments. But most of the time he played what he heard and it was amazing. I just hear it and then will play my version of it. I’ve found that the easiest thing to do was to be me and Let’s talk about your hobbies. You do a lot of photog- not try to be somebody else. raphy in addition to the radio show on Sundays. Your photography is amazing but before I ask about that, What are some of the things that opened up the fret- you wrote a book! Your book, Texas Gun Trade has got- board for you? ten excellent reviews, five stars on Amazon, and is still available. Are you thinking about following it up with Chords. Full chords. All that stuff that Scruggs was another book? doing was off of a chord shape. I’ve found that if you make the whole chord when you are just improvis- No, I wrote one book and that’s all. It took me twen- ing up the neck and stuff. If you hit a wrong note in ty-five years to do that (laughter). the melody it’s still going to be right. So you’ll see me making full chords. I may only be using the two The extent of the research you did was one comment strings on the bottom but I’ll make the full chords as that resonates through all of the reviews. I assume this much as I can. It’s saved me a lot of bad notes. was at a time when you weren’t playing the banjo.

So studying the chords, knowing where the chord It was a long, drawn out process. I had about 200 shapes are on the fretboard opens it up? names of gun dealers, gunsmiths, and gun makers in Texas before 1900 and I thought I needed some pic- Yes, you have your D chord shape and your G chord tures that I was going to put in this little pamphlet shape. Just work all of them. Learn where they are. I was going to create. So I went down to the Texas I don’t like it but every now and then I have to do room of the Houston Library. That was like ‘93 or ‘94 that one finger bar chord. I don’t like it, I hate to see and I went in there. It was about April. I got on the others play it, I hate to hear it. Every once in a while Microfilm machine, every other day, all day long, un- there is something I have to do that uses that posi- til October. Every other day. I was totally zoomed in tion. That’s just my little quirk. I just don’t like that. like with the banjo. I walked out of there with over 1,000 names and 1200-1300 pictures and ads, you We talked earlier about who some of your earlier influ- wouldn’t believe how many original ads. The lady at ences were but who has knocked your socks off lately? the Library said “do you realize that no one has ever Say, within the last 10 years or so. done what you have done?” I looked through every 17 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

Gazette, every newspaper from the beginning. But Anybody can take a picture of a bird sitting on a limb I’ll tell you one of the main reasons I had to do this, but I’m trying to get something a little more exciting. because I heard people say, and I know they were I took my first action shot with a cheap lens in South saying this, that it will never get done. People always Texas by accident. I saw that and went “Oh, wow!” start a book and never finish it. No, I’m going to do So I kept trying and trying and you start learning this. I’m going to do this and it’s going to get done. I what the birds are going to do. You start learning approached a major gun publisher and he said “YES, when they are going to look and what they do be- I want it”. fore they fly and then click that picture. I really enjoy it. Its an excuse for a 57 year old man to wander aim- Do you still attend gun shows? lessly through the woods. They look out there and say “oh, he’s a camera guy, he’s alright”. Otherwise, I started to go to gun shows in the 60’s and they are Homeland Security will be on you (laughter). so boring for me now, I don’t even go to gun shows One thing I forgot to mention. My asset in life is anymore. There’s so much online. Houston has one patience. I’m able to sit down in my shop and work of the biggest antique gun dealers in the world at on the minutest thing and keep doing it for hours Richmond and Fondren, Collector’s Firearms. I could because I’ve got patience and I think that it all gets stay broke forever going in that store. down to the point where my mind can go elsewhere. Some people have names for that. My concentra- Your photography is excellent. I’m curious about what tion is still always there and to be able to sit and wait equipment you use. for 30 minutes for a bird to fly is something I can do and I enjoy it. Well I could never do what I’m doing with my film cameras. I take 500-600 shots when I go out. When Well, that about does it for my questions. I come back there may be two or three good ones. What I call “award winners”. I haven’t won any awards I’m anxious to know who was asking the questions. but I’m just calling it that. When finally the camera came out that I wanted. It was a Nikon. I had old Well there were several people that I got questions lenses from my Nikon film camera and they would from. Ken Brown, I mentioned earlier. There was also work on the digital camera but you would have to questions from Sharon Sandomirsky of KOOP radio, do everything manual. So I started taking (digital) and banjo players Eddie Collins, Jami Hampton, Presi- photographs and decided that if I was going to do it dent of CTBA, and Tracy Sloan from San Antonio. that I need to get a good, good lens. I got a 500mm. It’s called a P lens because it has a chip in it that will Wow. I know Ken and Eddie very well. I’m honored do the metering but it’s all manual focus but I don’t that you asked me to do this. ever use that anymore. I do everything manual, all manual settings. The only time I use automatic is Thank you Chris. when I use my walk-around camera. Which is a D90 Nikon and I’ve got a D300 for the big lenses. I have a A special thanks too to the Bay Area Bluegrass As- 300mm 2.8 lens, a 500mm 5.6 lens, and a 500mm F4 sociation for allowing me to conduct the interview lens and those are my main lenses. during their free monthly jam/show in the League City Community Center. November’s event featured excel- You capture a lot of bird-in-action pictures. So let us lent entertainment. This night the Lonestar Bluegrass in on your secret to capturing those excellent photos. Band kicked things off followed by The Bluegrass So- lution, and White Dove. There is no monthly event in Anticipation. If you know where they are going to December. They return the third weekend in January be flying, like a feeder, you focus on a particular point with Saltgrass, Greg English, and Cotton Picking and wait. When something comes its (fast clicking Bluegrass. Oh, and a lot of jamming! sound) and you get multiple frames, you look, and again, one out of 500, but you’re going to get one. 18 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

If you have news about Texans and bluegrass in Texas, we’d sure like to hear from you. We’ll take good news as A Few Tips... well as bad news. We’d love to hear from you. [email protected] This from Collings Guitar. “Integrating some simple steps to ensure that your instrument does not dry out is easy and relatively inexpensive. Making these procedures a habit will not only prevent your instrument from needing repair, it will also keep the playability of your instrument consistent. First off, when you are not playing your guitar, keep it in the case (which really is good advice anytime of the year). The case will protect your guitar from any drastic changes in temperature or humidity. Second, be aware of the humidity where the guitar is kept and adjust accordingly. Most instrument builders agree that 45% RH +/- 5% is ideal (range of 40%- 50%) To determine how much moisture you need to add to the room atmosphere, you will need a hygrometer. There are simple digital hygrometers available to be used in the room that your instrument is kept for easy and accurate monitoring. Thirdly, invest in a soundhole humidifier for your guitar. They come in a variety of styles and are often are the simplest and most logical way to maintain proper moisture levels. When the humidity level is too dry, simply fill the humidifier with water, place in your guitars’ soundhole, and store in its case with the lid closed. This is to be done whenever conditions are outside of the ideal humidity range. It is also a good idea to maintain the moisture level of your room with a home humidifier. Lastly, owners of new instruments need to be especially careful of humidity. Much like a new house, a new instrument needs time to “settle”. If an instrument has been properly looked after during this time, then damage due to dry conditions is a bit less likely”. This from Janet Deering but it applies to any instrument. “The faster you want to play, the more relaxed and comfortable you must be. The more hours you want to play, the more relaxed and comfortable you must be. The more complicated the new technique or song you want to learn, the more relaxed and comfortable you must be”.

LISTEN TO BLUEGRASS ON THE RADIO KOOP Radio, Austin, 91.7, Strictly Bluegrass Show 10:00AM every Sunday KPFT Radio, Houston, 90.1, The Bluegrass Zone, 4:00PM every Sunday KSYM Radio, San Antonio, 90.1, Hillbilly Hit Parade, Noon every Sunday KEOS Radio, College Station, 89.1, High Lonesome, 7:00PM every Tuesday

Randall’s Good Neighbor Program The process to get this started is a bit of a pain, but it makes donating to CTBA, your local schools, or your favorite non-profit organizations very, very easy. Just go to the link below, print the form and fill it out, enter CTBA’s code 9735, and take to your local Randall’s store: http://shop.safeway.com/corporate/randalls/gn_houston_austin.pdf 19 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION Membership and Advertising Rates

CTBA’s Volume 2

$10.00

(includes shipping costs to anywhere in the United States)

http://www.centraltexasbluegrass.org/merchandise.html

Central Texas Bluegrass still have a few T-shirts remaining. They are 100% pre-shrunk cotton, high quality shirts with CTBA’s logo on the front. Available in Navy Blue and White. Sizes are S, M, L, XL, and XXL. Only $10.00

Take $5.00 off the advertising rates if you are already ad business member. Copy deadline is the 15th of the month. Publication is on or about the 1st day of the each month. Send electronic notices to: [email protected] Send payment to:

Central Texas Bluegrass Association Attention: Editor PO BOX 9816 Ad Size Price Austin, TX 78766 FULL PAGE $30.00 Advertisers assume liability for all content of advertisements and from 1/2 PAGE $15.00 anys claim arising there from. We reserve the right to reject advertising for reasons of space availability or publication standards. 1/4 PAGE $12.50

If you would like CTBA to review CD’s or would like us to include pro- 1/8 PAGE $10.00 mo material for artists performing in Texas, please send to our email at [email protected] or snail mail to the PO Box listed above.

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Central Texas Bluegrass Association Bluegrass Newsletter THE CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION IS A NON- is published by the Central Texas Bluegrass Association, a PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO PROMOTE 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Texas Non-profit Corporation. Con- BLUEGRASS MUSIC IN CENTRAL TEXAS. tributions are deductible as charitable and educational donations. Work published in this Bulletin is used by Our members range from listeners and lovers of bluegrass permission of the writers, artists, and photographers, who music to world-class professional musicians who all have the retain all copyrights. Tom Duplissey, Editor same desire: to promote the music.

Board Members: CTBA provides a link between clubs, restaurants, and other Jami Hampton, President venues and Central Texas Bluegrass musicians. Eddie Collins, Vice President, Carrie Thielemann, Secretary CTBA sponsors jams, workshops, provides scholarships to Sam Dunn, Treasurer needy musicians, donates to other non-profit organizations, Mike Hurlbut, Tracy Sloan, Janice Rogers, Rixi Rosenberg, supports radio stations that promote bluegrass music & musi- Coleman Stephens cians, and provide festival venues for our listeners and fans of bluegrass music to enjoy. KEEP ON PICKIN’ 20 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

Out of the Blue Hire a Bluegrass Band!!! Jamie Stubblefield (Month & year of articles in Newsletter follow name) (512) 295-5325 [email protected] 512 David & Barbara Brown (Jul ‘10) Dave Seeman Corpus Christi, TX Piney Grove Ramblers (Jan, Apr’08) (512) 357-6154 (361) 985-9902 Wayne Brooks [email protected] (512) 699-8282 Karen Abrahams www.pgramblers.com Babyhead Promotions BuffaloGrass (Jun’08) (512) 659-5256 Don Inbody Ranch Road 12 www.karenabrahams.com (512) 295-6977 Elliott Rogers [email protected] (512) 847-7895 Alan Munde Gazette [email protected] Bill Honker The Carper Family (May’10) (214) 693-1620 Jenn Miori Randy’s Rangers [email protected] (281) 682-8174 Sigi Field [email protected] (512) 869-8076 Austin Lounge Lizards Mike Drudge, agent Chasing Blue (Sep‘10) Rod Moag and Texas Grass (615) 262-6886 Suzanne Rod Moag www.austinlizards.com (512) 963-7515 (512) 467-6825 [email protected] [email protected] Bee Creek Boys Jim Umbarger Cooper’s Uncle The Sieker Band (512) 329-8443 (512) 736-2664 Rolf & Beate Sieker [email protected] [email protected] (512) 733-2857 www.siekerband.com Better Late Than Never Eddie Collins (Dec’07, Nov’09) Duane Calvin (512) 836-8255 Steelhead String Band (512) 835-0342 www.eddiecollins.biz Sharon Sandomirsky [email protected] [email protected] Blacktop Bend (512) 619-8705 George Rios The Grazmatics (512) 619-8536 L. Wayne Ross String Beans [email protected] (512) 303-2188 Mike Montgomery (512) 394-5471 Blazing Bows Howard Rains [email protected] Mary Hattersley (512) 577-0851 (512) 873-8925 Two High String Band (May’10) The Lost Pines (Jun’10) Geoff Union Bluegrass Vatos Talia Sekons (512) 814-5134 (512) 563-9821 Danny Santos [email protected] [email protected] (512) 218-4141 www.lostpinesband.com danny@dannysantosmusic .com The Wimberley Bunch Manchaca All-Stars (Nov’07, May’08) Charlie & Sally Lewis Brian Byrne and Borrowed Time Ben Buchanan (830) 899-7511 (512) 699-9251 (512) 282-2756 [email protected] manchacaallstars@ email.com 21 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION Where to go for a BLUEGRASS JAM!!!

(FOR A COMPLETE LIST CHECK THE CTBA WEBSITE) HOUSTON Bluegrass All Levels JAM (BABA Sponsored) AUSTIN 2nd Sat, 1-4 PM, April-November, Houston Railroad Museum, Bluegrass Beginner/Intermediate JAM (CTBA Sponsored) Contact: (713) 319-8906 www. houstonrrmuseum.org 1st. & 3rd Thu. 7-9 PM, (call for location) Contact: Steve Mangold (512) 345-6155 LEAGUE CITY Bluegrass All Levels JAM & SHOW 3rd Sat: Jam 5 PM (BABA Sponsored) Bluegrass Beginner/Intermediate JAM (CTBA Sponsored) Show 6:30 PM Jan- Nov. 2nd & 4th Sat 4-6 PM; Slow Jam starts at 2:00PM ArtZ Rib House Contact: Rick Kirkland (President) (281) 488-2244 Contact: Steve Mangold (512) 345-6155 MANCHACA Bluegrass Intermediate/Advanced JAM (CTBA Sponsored) Bluegrass All Levels Sunday’s 2-6PM, ArtZ Rib House, 2330 S. Lamar Manchaca Railroad Bar-B-Q, FM 1626, Every Thursday 6:30-9:00PM Contact: Dave (512) 680-4433 Bluegrass All Levels Jam 2nd and 4th Monday 7-11PM Waterloo Ice House (38th and Medical) PEARL JAM & SHOW, Contact www.waterlooicehouse.com 1st Sat: Jam all day Contact: Ronald Medart (254) 865-6013 www.pearlbluegrass.com BELLVILLE (Spring Creek Club Sponsored) Bluegrass All Levels JAM & SHOW SAN ANTONIO Jan. thru Sept 4th Sat; 4pm JAM, 6:30 pm SHOW, Coushatte RV Ranch Bluegrass Beginner/Intermediate JAM Contact: (979) 865-5250 [email protected] www.springcreekbluegrass.com Grady’s Barbeque at 7400 Bandera Rd. San Antonio. Monday’s 6-8 PM Contact: Clifton Bowren (210) 602-5544 [email protected] BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION Brazos Country Grass SHULENBURG Monday’s 6-9PM, JJ. Cody’s, 3610 S. College RV Park Community Center 1st & 3rd Tuesday, 6:30-9:00PM Contact: www.brazoscountrygrass.com Contact: Loretta Baumgarten (979) 743-4388 [email protected]

FAYETTEVILLE WIMBERLEY Bluegrass All Levels JAM (Texas Pickin’ Park Sponsored) Bluegrass All Levels Jam 2nd Sat, March—November, starts at 6 PM, on the Courthouse Square Fri 8-12 PM, Rolling House Clubhouse Contact: [email protected] www.texaspickinpark.com Contact: Mike Bond

GEORGETOWN 1st Friday each mo., Hondo Hootenanny, starts at 11 AM- Hondo Community Center, Bluegrass Jam All Levels 1014 18th st, Hondo, Tx Info 830 426 2831 every Thursday at Duke’s BBQ Smokehouse, 6-8 PM, Contact: 512-869-8076 or [email protected] (www.sigi.us/rr) 1st Sat each mo, Field Creek Music - 6: PM - field Creek is between Llano and Brady on Hwy 71, Info call BillT uckness 325 247 3223 GARLAND Bluegrass All Levels JAM 2nd Tuesday - Each Month, All Gospel Jam 6: PM, Saturday, March- Nov, 7:30PM between Main & State St at 6th, first Baptist Church - Medina, Tx, Call Linda Barton for info, 830 589 2486 Contact: Every Tuesday beginner friendly jam, Gradys Barbeque, San Pedro and Jackson Keller, HARWOOD San Antonio, 6 to 8 PM Bluegrass/Swing/Country JAM & Stage Show (Pot Luck too!) 3rd Sat, 2-9 PM, 9 mi. E. of Luling, Hwy 90 2nd Friday each mo. Medina Jam session, at the Masonic Lodge, 6 PM, Medina, Tx, bring Contact: Tony Conyers (512) 601-1510 or (512) 940-3731 snacks,

TX INSTRUMENT LENDING The Austin Center for the Treatment LIBRARY (TILL) of A Musical Instrument Lending Program Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Bruce Mansbridge, PhD Contact me if you know a child between the Director ages of 3-17 that needs a bluegrass instrument www.tillonline.org 6633 Hwy 290 East, Ste 300 Austin, TX 78723 TILL, PO Box 426 Fayetteville, TX 78940 (512) 327-9494 Tom Duplissey (512) 415-3177 http://www.austinocd.com 16 COPYRIGHT © CENTRAL TEXAS BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION Dec 2-9 HANUKKAH Dec 3 RICKY SKAGGS, RIVERBEND CENTRE, 7:30pm Dec 3 Carper Family, Driskill Hotel w/Cindy Cashdollar, 9pm Dec 4 Bryn Byrne & Borrowed Time, Patsy’s, 7:30pm Dec 5 Piney Grove Ramblers, Threadgill’s North, 11:00am Dec 9 BLUEGRASS OPEN MIC, New World Deli, 6:00pm Dec 11 Carper Family, Fiddler’s Green w/Joe Sundell, 8pm ($15) Dec 12 Bluegrass Vatos, Artz Rib House, 6:30pm Dec 12 The Sieker Band, Tomball Christmas Market (Tomball), 12:00pm Dec 15 Bluegrass Vatos, New World Deli, 7:00pm Dec 16 Carper Family, Waterloo Ice House (38th), 7:00pm Dec 17 Carper Family, Driskill Hotel, 9:00pm Dec 18 Two High String Band, Fiddler’s Green, 8:00pm ($15) Dec 18 The Sieker Band, Artz Rib House, 7:30pm Dec 19 Air Cargo, Threadgill’s North, 11:00am Dec 19 The Sieker Band, LBJ State Park Tree Lighting (Stonewall), 6:30pm Dec 22 Carper Family, Threadgill’s North, 7:00pm Dec 25 CHRISTMAS DAY Dec 31 Carper Family, Driskill Hotel (New Years Eve), 9:00pm

Farewell 2010, Happy New Year!!!!

Central Texas Bluegrass Association P.O. Box 9816 Austin, Texas 78766

[email protected]

Phone: (512) 415-3177