Ctba Newsletter 1004

Central Texas Bluegrass Association Bluegrass Bulletin

Volume 32, No. 4 April, 2010 Old Settler’s Music Festival April 15-18, 2010 By Tom Duplissey Central Texas Bluegrass is a proud to co-sponsor The 23rd Annual Old Settler‟s Music Festival (OSMF) at Camp Ben McCullough this year. OSMF is the largest and most enjoyed festival in the Cen- tral Texas area that has a reputation of featuring some of the finest bluegrass acts. This year is no excep- tion. The lineup is incredible! The flyer lists all of the acts but just check out the list of the “bluegrass acts” at OSMF this year. This list alone dwarfs any bluegrass festival in Texas.

 Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver  Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band  Blue Highway  The Travelin‟ McCourys  Green Mountain Grass  Alison Brown w/Joe Craven  Infamous Stringdusters  Bearfoot  The Special Consensus

Blue Highway comes to us from Rounder Records having just released their milestone CD “Some Day: The Fifteenth Anniversary Collection”. It‟s hard to find a band in any genre with five truly gifted song- writers. It is a remarkable achievement to last sixteen years, let‟s hope they keep it going! The Infamous Stringdusters are some of the most talented musicians you will ever see on one stage. One other secret: Don‟t be surprised to find them jamming until the roosters crow. If you have never seen Doyle Lawson then be prepared to get a lesson in the foundation of bluegrass. Peter Rowan represents what Pete Wernick referred to as “the long hair” of bluegrass. Both of these bands are from different ends of the bluegrass spectrum but both will blow you away. „ Hopefully Alison Brown will give another banjo workshop. You don‟t have to be a banjo player to get an education in technique and elegance in performance from her workshops. Alison often uses a piano and drummer in her bluegrass band, the outcome is impressive. Expect to see Greg Cahill teaching a banjo workshop too. Special Consensus played ArtZ Rib House a while back and they were fantastic. Greg has one of the most solid bass players I have ever heard. You can always find plenty of jamming in the Camp Ben camping area. Be forewarned that in previ- ous years you had to have a camping wristband to get into the camping area. Sorry, there is no place to jam near the stage areas. So if jamming is your thing, plan to buy a camping pass.

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 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

By Tom Duplissey

A few weeks ago I noticed that there was some new mandolin instructional material out there by none other than Dan Huckabee. I had met Dan in the 70‟s when both of our bands were playing the dreaded Chelsea St. Pub cir- cuit. He was playing with Joe Carr and Gerald Jones at the time. Dan was an extraordinary dobro player and he had begun developing instructional material during the early 70‟s at a time when there weren‟t many books and no video available. Shucks, Beta didn‟t come out until 1974 and by the time it caught on VHS was replacing it. As a result, instructors like Dan were forced to go from vinyl to cassette then to CD, Beta to VHS then DVD. Dan casually said that he loses three years of productivity every time the media standards change. After seeing Dan‟s material on Amazon I sent him an email to see if he would be interested in talking with Central Texas Bluegrass about all the things he is working on now. Dan is a very likable guy and immediately wanted to show me his latest submission to Flatpicking Guitar Magazine. I had to step over a real fine old 1951 D-28 Martin to get to where we could see the computer screen.

Tell us about Musician’s Workshop. When did all get started?

I started Musician's Workshop in 1973 and we've been creating music instruction products continuously ever since. When I started this business I was with the Allman Brothers. There was nothing to do during the daytime before the tour started so I went across the street from the motel to the Cemetery and sat around recording some dobro lessons on my battery powered cassette recorder. Later I went back to the cemetery with Dickey (Betts) and he showed me the Elizabeth Reed headstone. I had been sitting there, recording some lessons, in the same cemetery where he made up “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”. The lessons have been on records, 8-track, cassettes, CD‟s, VHS, DVD and now on Download. Musician- Workshop.com

Are there any new products in the works from Musicians Workshop?

Yes. We have several new mandolin products that were just released this week. Some are download- able on the web site and the six newest are only available if you call (800) 543-6125. We now have Texas Contest Fiddle Tunes for Mandolin, Easy Mandolin Song 2 Volumes, 6 Volumes of Intermediate thru advanced songs, 2 Easy Gospel and 2 Intermediate Gospel, 2 Irish, 4 Fiddle Tunes for Mandolin and more coming through the spring and summer. Each consist of 10 songs with book and CD. Each tune is played fast, slow, and jam track along with a plain melody version. All the tunes are well thought out to help your skills at developing a style and eventual improvising. They all have great mix-and- match componentry.

I see that your web site has over 600 products. You have Greg Cahill, Chris Jones, John Carlini, Brad Davis, Mark Maniscalco, and Robert Bowlin just to name a few. How do you decide which artists material goes into Musician’s Workshop?

I guess just networking socially, the same way you'd meet friends to start a band with. I never really had a procedure.

You won the 1976 National Dobro Championship but you have written instructional material for mandolin, guitar, bass, and other instruments. Is guitar your primary instrument? ( Note: he was just finishing his submission of “Big Spike Hammer” for the next issue of Flatpick Guitar Magazine just when I arrived).

No, my current main instrument is Mandolin, the only time I play Guitar is when I write my column (in Flatpick Guitar Magazine). I had the opportunity to go up to Colorado to see Sam Bush and visit with Scott (Vestal, an old friend from the 70s). I had a chance to talk to Sam after the concert and he asked, “Well, are you still dobro‟n it?” and I said, no, and he says “Well, why not?” and I said because I got fingering envy…and he just roared. I guess us Dobro players just miss out on the things the rest of you get to do with 4 fingers. So the Mandolin didn't weigh much and it seemed to be more playable in the horizontal position. “You’re a good dobro I see on your web site that you are teaching lessons. Are you actively taking new students? player, you just need to work out your breaks.” Yes, and thoroughly enjoying it. If anyone is interested I can be reached at [email protected] or 800-543- Jerry Douglas to Dan 6125. It's somewhat informal in that I don't require students come every week and pay by the month. They just come in as often as they are ready and we take the pace that fits their schedules.

What advice would you give to people interested in playing bluegrass music?

I think it boils down to the process of solo designing. Some people call it "working out your breaks." I lecture about that a lot in my column in Flatpicking Guitar. If what they are doing is searching for the melody and gradually adding a little embellishing to it, then they are doing exactly what every famous star did. I'm self taught but I've had one lesson and it was from Jerry Douglas. I made a pilgrimage to spend a week with him and his family while he was still in high school. He didn‟t teach me anything all week but at the end he said, “you‟re a good dobro player, you just need to work out your breaks." And so now, that I‟m back, that‟s what I do every day. I think if you name Tony Rice, Mark O‟Conner, Earl Scruggs or any name, that‟s what they did.

On a personal note, what are your other hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time?

My main hobby is Western Archery Hunting. Alaska, Colorado, archery hunting. Once a year I chase Elk around the mountains to give them exercise and to warn them that firearm season is around the cor- ner. I‟ve actually met all my hunting buddies through music.

Help CTBA Restart our “Bluegrass In The Schools” program

CTBA Sponsored Events

2nd, Friday Eddie Collins and the A List Players, House Concert, San Antonio, TX (see ad 7:00PM in this newsletter)

7:00PM Twangzilla, Green Mesquite. Austin, TX

8:30PM The Carper Family, Driskill Hotel, Austin, TX

8:30PM The Piney Grove Ramblers, ArtZ Rib House, Austin, TX 3rd, Saturday 7:0PM Matt Downing, Patsy‟s Cowgirl Cafe, Austin, TX 4th, Sunday 11:00AM Danny Santos Y Los Bluegrass Vatos, Threadgill‟s # 1 (North), Austin, TX

11:30AM The Sieker Band, The Hill‟s Cafe, Austin, TX Mondays 7-9PM The Carper Family plays The Hole in the Wall (Happy Hour), Austin, TX 8th, Thursday Bluegrass Open Mic w/Eddie Collins, New World Deli, Austin, TX 6:30PM 9th, Friday The Piney Grove Ramblers, Green Mesquite, Austin, TX 7:00PM 10th, Saturday 7:00PM Back Up and Push, Patsy‟s Cowgirl Cafe, Austin, TX

7:00PM Lost Pines, Green Mesquite, Austin, TX 15-18th OLD SETTLER‟S MUSIC FESTIVAL, Driftwood, TX

16th, Friday 5:30PM Randy‟s Rangers, Georgetown Winery, Georgetown, TX

8:30PM The Carper Family, Driskill Hotel, Austin, TX 17th Saturday Ranch Road 12, Fiddler‟s Green, Austin, TX (door $10) 8:00PM 24th Saturday The Sieker Band, ArtZ Rib House 7:30PM 30th, Friday The Carper Family, Driskill Hotel, Austin, TX 8:30PM

Keep an eye on this area for information on SCHOLARSHIPS to be awarded this year as well as instructions on how to apply. Scholarships cover tuition and on-site room and board for an aspiring Texas bluegrass musician to attend educational events. Historically scholarships have covered sending young people to Camp Bluegrass, a one-week program given each summer at South Plains College. Camp Bluegrass is noted for quality teaching and small classes in state of the art facilities. http://www.centraltexasbluegrass.org/scholarship.html

Friday, April 2nd, 7:00 - 10:00 PM. San Antonio House Con- cert . Austin‟s finest bluegrass group, The “A” List Players, will perform two sets of high- powered grass. Eddie Collins will host a jam session between 7:00 and 8:00 for anyone attend- ing who wishes to get in some pre-concert picking. Concert be- gins at 8:00. Contact Tracy Sloan [email protected] to reserve a spot and get directions to the concert. $15 suggested do- nation. This will be as much fun as you can have in San Antonio and still be legal!

Copyright © Central Texas Bluegrass Association 9 Local Bluegrass Bands * CTBA also lists bands on the CTBA Web Site Austin Lounge Lizards The Grazmatics Mike Drudge, agent L. Wayne Ross (615) 262-6886 (512) 303-2188 www.austinlizards.com Howard Rains Back Up and Push (512) 577-0851 Ben Hodges (512) 751-3086 The Lost Pines [email protected] Talia Sekons [email protected] Better Late Than Never www.lostpinesband.com Duane Calvin Sponsored by City of Early (512) 835-0342 Manchaca All-Stars Charlotte Parrack Ben Buchanan 325-646-8531 300 Early Blvd. #31 Blacktop Bend (512) 282-2756 George Rios manchacaallstars@ email.com [email protected] Early, Texas (512) 619-8536 [email protected] Out of the Blue Jamie Stubblefield Blazing Bows (512) 295-5325 Mary Hattersley [email protected] (512) 873-8925 Piney Grove Ramblers Bluegrass Vatos Wayne Brooks Danny Santos (512) 699-8282 (512) 218-4141 www.pgramblers.com danny@dannysantosmusic .com

Randy’s Rangers Brian Byrne and Sigi Field Borrowed Time (512) 869-8076 (512) 699-9251 [email protected] Rod Moag and Texas

Grass BuffaloGrass Rod Moag Don Inbody (512) 467-6825 (512) 295-6977 [email protected] [email protected]

The Sieker Band The Carper Family Rolf & Beate Sieker Jenn Miori (281) 682-8174 (512) 733-2857 www.siekerband.com [email protected]

Cooper’s Uncle Steelhead String Band (512) 736-2664 Sharon Sandomirsky [email protected] [email protected] (512) 619-8705 Eddie Collins (512) 836-8255 Two High String Band www.eddiecollins.biz Geoff Union [email protected] (512) 563-9821 [email protected]

Grass Onions Band Jon Ricketts The Wimberley Bunch (512) 217-6437 Charlie & Sally Lewis [email protected] (830) 899-7511

Editor: Jams that I have been to are in bold print. It’s a good idea to call ahead. Tell us about ones we’re missing. ALL JAMS ARE ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS ONLY!!! Strongly request you contact the jam host to ask for permission to bring an amplifier or PA system. LISTENERS ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND!!!

AUSTIN Bluegrass Beginner/Intermediate JAM (CTBA Sponsored) GARLAND 1st. & 3rd Thu. 7-9 PM, (call for location) Bluegrass All Levels JAM Contact: Steve Mangold (512) 345-6155 Saturday, March- Nov, 7:30PM between Main & State St at 6th, Contact: Bluegrass Beginner/Intermediate JAM (CTBA Sponsored) 2nd & 4th Sat 4-6 PM; Slow Jam starts at 2:00PM ArtZ Rib House HARWOOD Contact: Steve Mangold (512) 345-6155 Bluegrass/Swing/Country JAM & Stage Show (Pot Luck too!) 3rd Sat, 2-9 PM, 9 mi. E. of Luling, Hwy 90 Bluegrass Intermediate/Advanced JAM (CTBA Sponsored) Contact: Sunday’s 2-6PM, ArtZ Rib House, 2330 S. Lamar HOUSTON Bluegrass All Levels JAM (CTBA Sponsored) Bluegrass All Levels JAM (BABA Sponsored) 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 7-10PM, Fiddler’s Green Music (Barn in rear) 2nd Sat, 1-4 PM, April-November, Houston Railroad Museum, Contact: (512) 452-3900 www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.com Contact: (713) 319-8906 www. houstonrrmuseum.org

Traditional Music All Levels JAM (AFTM Sponsored) 2nd Sunday 2-4 PM, ArtZ Rib House, 2330 S. Lamar LEAGUE CITY Bluegrass All Levels JAM & SHOW (BABA Sponsored) Contradance (AFTM Sponsored) 3rd Sat: Jam 5 PM, Show 6:30 PM Jan- Nov., 3rd Sat. 3501 Red River 7:30 to 11 pm, Cost: $7 Contact: League City Civic Center, 300 W. Walker St. (281) 636-9419 Contact: (512) 453-8936 PEARL BELLVILLE JAM & SHOW, Bluegrass All Levels JAM & SHOW (Spring Creek Club Sponsored) 1st Sat: Jam all day Jan. thru Sept 4th Sat; 4pm JAM, 6:30 pm SHOW, Coushatte RV Contact: Ronald Medart (254) 865-6013 www.pearlbluegrass.com Ranch Contact: (979) 865-5250 [email protected], RV’s welcome SAN ANTONIO Bluegrass Beginner/Intermediate JAM BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION 2nd Thursday 7-9 pm at 6418 Ridgehurst, Brazos Country Grass Contact: Clifton Bowren (210) 602-5544 [email protected] Monday‟s 6-9PM, JJ. Cody‟s, 3610 S. College Contact: www.brazoscountrygrass.com WIMBERLEY Bluegrass All Levels Jam FAYETTEVILLE Fri 8-12 PM, Lane‟s Country Café Bluegrass All Levels JAM (Texas Pickin’ Park Sponsored) Contact: 2nd Sat, March—November, starts at 6 PM, on the Courthouse Square Contact: [email protected] www.texaspickinpark.com Merchandise & Advertising Rates Ad Size Price CTBA’s Volume 2 FULL PAGE $30.00 $14.99 (includes shipping costs to anywhere 1/2 PAGE $15.00 in the United States) 1/4 PAGE $12.50 http://www.centraltexasbluegrass.org/ merchandise.html 1/8 PAGE $10.00 Take $5.00 off if you are a 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: CTBA PO BOX 9816 Austin, TX 78766 Advertisers assume liability for all content of advertisements and from any claims arising there from. We reserve the right to reject advertising for reasons of space availability or publication standards. Please join CTBA at http://www.centraltexasbluegrass.org/join.html if you are not already a member.

PICKIN’ ON KEEP Sale. Garage the during resell

instruments, CD‟s, DVD‟s, or other items we could could we items other or DVD‟s, CD‟s, instruments,

Scramble. CTBA wants your tax-exempt donations of of donations tax-exempt your wants CTBA Scramble.

4th weekend at ArtZ Rib House and includes a Band Band a includes and House Rib ArtZ at weekend 4th

the CTBA Garage Sale, occurs generally after the July July the after generally occurs Sale, Garage CTBA the

banners, CD‟s, and much more. Our main sales event, event, sales main Our more. much and CD‟s, banners,

CTBA has several products to include T-shirts, hats, hats, T-shirts, include to products several has CTBA

joy. joy.

ues for our listeners and fans of bluegrass music to en- to music bluegrass of fans and listeners our for ues

bluegrass music & musicians, and provide festival ven- festival provide and musicians, & music bluegrass

Janice Rogers, Rixi Rosenberg Rosenberg Rixi Rogers, Janice

organizations, supports radio stations that promote promote that stations radio supports organizations,

Billy Bright, Mike Hurlbut, Clay Levit, Tracy Sloan, Sloan, Tracy Levit, Clay Hurlbut, Mike Bright, Billy

ships to needy musicians, donates to other non-profit non-profit other to donates musicians, needy to ships

Treasurer Dunn, Sam

TA pnos as wrsos poie scholar- provides workshops, jams, sponsors CTBA

Secretary Thielemann, Carrie

, , President Vice Collins, Eddie other venues and Central Texas Bluegrass musicians. musicians. Bluegrass Texas Central and venues other

President Hampton, Jami CTBA provides a link between clubs, restaurants, and and restaurants, clubs, between link a provides CTBA

Board Members: Members: Board

. music the promote to desire: same the have all

Editor Duplissey, Tom copyrights. all grass music to world-class professional musicians who who musicians professional world-class to music grass

sion of the writers, artists, and photographers, who retain retain who photographers, and artists, writers, the of sion Our members range from listeners and lovers of blue- of lovers and listeners from range members Our

nations. Work published in this Bulletin is used by permis- by used is Bulletin this in published Work nations.

. T C EXAS ENTRAL IN MUSIC BLUEGRASS MOTE tributions are deductible as charitable and educational do- educational and charitable as deductible are tributions

- PRO- TO IS MISSION WHOSE ORGANIZATION PROFIT NON 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Texas Non-profit Corporation. Con- Corporation. Non-profit Texas Tax-Exempt 501(c)(3)

A B T C A IS SSOCIATION LUEGRASS EXAS ENTRAL THE published by the Central Texas Bluegrass Association, a a Association, Bluegrass Texas Central the by published

is is Bulletin Bluegrass Association Bluegrass Texas Central

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

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