Bluegrassin’

Volume 20 Issue 6 Nov.—Dec, 2018

The Montana Rockies Upcoming Bluegrass Events Nov. 2 — Acousticals, Top Hat, Missoula, 6:00-8:00 Bluegrass Association is a non-profit association Nov. 8 — Acousticals, Kalispell Brewery, 5:00-8:00 dedicated to promoting, preserving, and sharing Nov. 9 & 10 — Bozeman Bluegrass Festival www.chickenjamwest.com/calendar1/2018/11/9/12th-annual-bozeman-bluegrass- our love of bluegrass festival music in a spirit of family and friendship. Nov. 9 — Lochwood, Highlander Brewery, Missoula, 6:00-8:00

Nov. 9 — Hot Buttered Rum, Remington Bar, Whitefish, 9:00 Inside this issue: Nov. 10 — Acousticals, Philipsburg Brewery, 5:00-8:00

Nov. 11 — Hot Buttered Rum, Top Hat, Missoula, 8:30 Page Nov. 16 — Lochwood, Top Hat, Missoula, 6:00-8:00 President’s Message 2 Nov. 29 — Kitchen Dwellers, Pine Creek Lodge, Livingston, 8:00 Christmas Party 4 Dec. 1 — Lochwood, Kalispell Brewery, 5:00-8:00 Hootenanny Photos 5 Dec. 6 — Lochwood, Top Hat, Missoula, 8:30-10:30 Gibbonsville Photos 6 Dec. 8 — Lochwood, Bitterroot Brewery, Hamilton 6:00-8:30 Snoopy 7 Dec. 8 — MRBA Christmas Party & Annual Meeting, Ruby’s, Missoula (see pg. 4) IBMA Awards 8 Dec. 15 — Acousticals, Blacksmith Brewery, Stevensville, 6:00-8:00 Meet the Artist 9 Dec. 31 — Acousticals at Missoula 1st Night Mondegreens 10 Dec. 31 — Lochwood at Missoula 1st Night

Note: Please check with venues to confirm dates & times

MARK YOUR CALENDARS—WINTER JAMS AT RUBY’S Pickin' and grinnin' starts at 2:00 pm. Potluck at 6:00 pm, followed by more pickin' and grinnin' (see President’s Message, page 2)

Recurring Shows and Jams  Missoula—Pickin’ Circle, Montana Distillery (631 Woody St.) . Tuesdays. 6:00 pm • Helena - Bluegrass Jam, Staggering Ox, Tuesdays, 6:00 pm

Volume 20 Issue 6 Bluegrassin’ Nov.—Dec., 2018

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Well, another year has come and almost gone. We had some great jams and get-togethers, hootenannies, campouts, and the Lone Rock Festival. We also lost some great folks who have traveled on to The Big Bluegrass Jam Over Yonder. Next year looks to be special for Tari and me. I will be 66, so I'm looking forward to getting my "rocking chair" money. Then it’s Wine, Women (singular), and Bluegrass Songs. There are also some big changes coming in pricing at the Hardtimes Festival. Last year’s attendance was down, and this year we were down $1000 at the gate, and we barely broke even. So we're think- ing prices will have to go up next year so we can continue the Festival. The MRBA is our only con- tributor- so if we lose money, the Festival is done. On a happier note, the three Ruby's winter jams and the MRBA Lone Rock Festival are all scheduled on the second Saturdays of January, February, March, and April. Ruby's Jams are: January 12, February 9, March 9. The Lone Rock Festival is April 13. Looking forward to another FUN year of pickin' and grinnin'... Mike

For Sale

Breedlove Mandolin (made in Oregon). 2013 Premier American FF Vintage Style. Nice sound, well taken care of. Matte Finish. Hard case. $1,100. Email Anne Merrifield @ [email protected]

Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association PO Box 1306, Missoula, MT 59806 Website: www.mtbluegrass.com email: [email protected] President - Mike Conroy, [email protected] or phone 406-821-3777

Vice President - Dallas Olson

Secretary/Treasurer - Anne Merrifield, [email protected], 406-360-1877 Board Members - Tari Conroy, Kate McMahon, Isaac Callender, Verna Molenda

Merchandise Manager - Dallas Olson Newsletter Editor - Kate McMahon, [email protected], 406-863-9255 MRBA Webmaster - Phyllis Erck [email protected] Bluegrassin’ is a bi-monthly publication of the Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association Information printed in Bluegrassin’ is at the discretion of the editor.

2 Volume 20 Issue 6 Bluegrassin’ Nov.—Dec., 2018 Got Something to sell? Advertise in Blugrassin!

Full Page – $25.00, 1/2 Page – $15.00, 1/4 Page – $10.00 Classified – $5.00

Contact: Kate McMahon [email protected]

Get MRBA Newsletter by E-Mail

If you would like to get your newsletter deliv- ered electronically via e-mail send a message to:

[email protected]

Electronic version has color photos & hyperlinks to websites.

(P.S.—It will help keep down printing and mailing costs for the Association.)

MONTANA ROCKIES BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION Membership Application

Date______Last Name ______First Name______Mailing Address______City______State______Zip Code______Phone #______E-mail______Individual ($10.00) ___ Family ($15.00) ___

Do you want the newsletter delivered electronically? ______YES _____NO

Renewal _____ New Member _____

Please mail your application to: MRBA, PO Box 1306, Missoula, MT 59806

3 Volume 20 Issue 6 Bluegrassin’ Nov.—Dec., 2018

MRBA Annual Meeting

Saturday, December 8, 2018 Ruby's Inn, 4825 North Reserve Street, Missoula, MT

The MRBA annual meeting will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Ruby’s Inn. The meeting will start at 3 p.m. Dinner will follow at 6 p.m. Jams will be held before and after dinner.

This is your opportunity to get up-to-date information on the activities of the MRBA and to help chart its future course. As in past years, officers and directors will be elected for the upcoming year. All positions will be up for election. Please consider what you can do to help the MRBA remain an active part of the Montana/Northwest bluegrass scene.

Regarding dinner, the Association will provide the meat course (ham) for the meal. We ask that others bring potluck side dishes and desserts. Please consider donating a door prize.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting!

Wanted - Door Prizes

Please consider donating a door prize for the MRBA Annual Meeting and Holiday Party. The prize can be something musical or something humorous. Christmas-themed doodads or holiday goodies also make great prizes. We will have a drawing right after dinner.

http://thefiddleschool.com/

4 Volume 20 Issue 6 Bluegrassin’ Nov.—Dec., 2018 Hootenanny Photos

Russ, Paula, Bill, and Bud

Renee --first time on stage -- you go, girl!

Carson and Kylie with Mom, Renita

Ben

Fiddlin' Finn -- So cool to see young folks come and join in

5 Volume 20 Issue 6 Bluegrassin’ Nov.—Dec., 2018 Gibbonsville— 2018

Anne, Ken, Tom, and Jack Tari & Arlene

Jack & Friends Gary Moore, Tom Black, and Squeak Barsalou

A Beautiful Day for a Jam A Beautiful Day for Just Being with Friends 6 Volume 20 Issue 6 Bluegrassin’ Nov.—Dec., 2018

Who Knew?—Snoopy’s Siblings were Bluegrass Musicians

According to Wikipedia, Snoopy was born at Daisy Hill Puppy Farm and was part of a litter of eight. His most famous brother was Spike who lived in Needles, CA, and appeared in the comic strip on a number of occasions. Olaf and Andy, from Minnesota, also appeared in the comic strip from time to time. The other siblings made ap- pearances at various times in the Peanuts television special. Below is one of the rare pictures of Snoopy with all of his brothers and sisters. Although the jugs and drums are not traditional bluegrass instruments, apparently Snoopy let his brothers play with them anyway.

Andy—Drums Marbles—Banjo Spike—Fiddle Olaf—Jug Molly— Mandolin Rover—Dobro Belle—Fiddle Snoopy—Guitar

Give the Gift of Bluegrass for Christmas

A bluegrass Christmas CD would make a great gift. Fill the house with bluegrass versions of classic holiday tunes with these top selling CDs (available on Amazon)

• “O Christmas Tree! A bluegrass Collection for the Holidays” - & Various Artists • “Christmas Grass—The Collection” - Various Bluegrass Artists • “The Essential Bluegrass Christmas Collection: Christmas Time’s A-Comin” - Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Reno & Smiley, Del McCoury, and Other Artists

7 Volume 20 Issue 6 Bluegrassin’ Nov.—Dec., 2018

International Association 2018 Awards Winners

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Balsam Range

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: The Travelin McCourys

SONG OF THE YEAR: “If I’d Have Wrote That Song” – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: “Rivers & Roads”, Special Consensus

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE: “Squirrel Hunters”, Special Consensus

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR: The Po’Ramblin Boys

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR: “Swept Away” – with , , , and (artists), single release,

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Brooke Aldridge

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Buddy Melton

INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS MUSIC HALL OF FAME , Paul Williams, Tom T. & Dixie Hall

BLUEGRASS EVENT OF THE YEAR: Bluegrass on the Green—Frankfort, IL

Read More:

https://ibma.org/press-releases/ibma-awards-announced/

8 Volume 20 Issue 6 Bluegrassin’ Nov.—Dec., 2018

Meet the Artist Travelin’ McCourys

(by Kate McMahon)

The Travelin McCoury’s won the IBMA “Instrumental Group of the Year”. The band has traveled through Montana sev- eral times this year. I heard them at the Great Northern Bar in Whitefish last spring, and it was quite a show. Those fortunate enough to catch the band this year were treated to virtuoso bluegrass performances. In case you are not fa- miliar with the band, below is information from their website.

From a source deep, abundant, and pure the river flows. It’s there on the map, marking place and time. Yet, the river changes as it remains a constant, carving away at the edges, making new pathways, gaining strength as it progresses forward. The Travelin’ McCourys are that river.

The McCoury brothers - Ronnie (mandolin) and Rob (banjo) - were born into the bluegrass tradition. Talk about a source abundant and pure: their father, Del, is among the most influential and successful musicians in the history of the genre. Years on the road with Dad in the Del McCoury Band honed their knife-edge chops, and encouraged the duo to imagine how traditional bluegrass could cut innovative pathways into 21st century music.

“If you put your mind, your skills, and your ability to it, I think you can make just about anything work on bluegrass in- struments,” says Ronnie. “That’s a really fun part of this - figuring the new stuff out and surprising the audience.” With fiddler , bassist Alan Bartram, and latest recruit Cody Kilby on guitar, they assembled a group that could take what they had in their DNA, take what traditions they learned and heard, and push the music forward. In fact, the band became the only group to have each of its members recognized with an International Bluegrass Music Associa- tion Award for their instrument at least once.

Their concerts became can’t-miss events, whether headlining historic venues or as festival favorites, drawing the love and respect of a growing fanbase craving their eclectic repertoire. At the 2016 edition of DelFest, an annual gathering of the genre’s best aptly named for the McCoury patriarch, the band delivered the take-away highlight. Rolling Stone called it “a sublime combination of rock and bluegrass, contemporary and classic, old and young. The best set of the festival…” The river was going new places, getting stronger. It was time to re-draw the map.

“We’ve tried to pick songs we think people are going to enjoy,” says Ronnie. “Something we learned from our dad is that a good song is a good song. It can be done in any way.”

http://www.thetravelinmccourys.com/about/

9 Volume 20 Issue 6 Bluegrassin’ Nov.—Dec., 2018

BLUEGRASS MONDEGREENS By Anne Merrifield

A “mondegreen” is a term describing mangled lyrics of songs, and there are many humorous ones in bluegrass.

A banjo-playing friend of mine has a son who, when he was young and heard the lyrics to the line “The man in the middle is Jesus” from the song “The Man in the Middle” sang it for many years as “The man in the middle ate Cheese Whiz.”

Here are a few others:

Song: Lord Have Mercy Lyric: May I walk in your light every day Mondegreen: May I walk on your lawn every day

Song: Hard Times Come Again No More Lyric: There is a wail that is heard upon the shore Mondegreen: There is a whale that is hurt upon the shore

Song: Washed in the Blood of the Lamb Lyric: Are your garments washed... Mondegreen: Are your varmints washed...

Song: Doing My Time Lyric: With an achin’ heart Mondegreen: With a naked horse

Song: I’ve Lived a Lot in My Time Lyric: I fought the grim reaper down in the dark valley Mondegreen: I fought the green creature down in the dark valley

Song: I Wonder Where You Are Tonight Lyric: Although your love is even colder, I wonder where you are tonight Mondegreen: Although your love is even colder, I’ll wear your underwear tonight

Song: A Beautiful Life Lyric: My time in earth is but a span Mondegreen: My time on earth is buttered Spam

Send us ones that you’ve heard!

10

4825 N. Reserve Street Missoula, MT 59808 406-721-0990 800-221-2057

During your next stay in Missoula or When planning your next event

THE MOST BLUEGRASS FRIENDLY HOTEL IN MONTANA

Free hot breakfast buffet daily 6 – 10am Free soup/dessert 5:30 – 8:30pm Free airport shuttle Close to major shopping district Quiet picnic area on Grant Creek Outdoor pool/hot tub Guest laundry Full-service catering 6 meeting rooms Free local calls Located off I-90 exit 96, 1/4 mile on right

PO Box 1306 Missoula, MT 59806

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