Newsletter
Grass Clippings
Hey all you picker and grinners! Hope your surviving the heat! (Those of you braving out the summer months in the Old Pueblo). Well once again, a number of Tucsonans (13) gathered in beautiful Levelland, Texas for another great week of bluegrass instruction. Levelland, Texas (The American hotbed of bluegrass music!???), Is home to South Plains College, which has degree programs in country and bluegrass music. So this makes the perfect environment for a summer camp. The concert hall, where the faculty perform a nightly concert, is as professional as it gets. Each year the camp has a theme paying tribute to an early pioneer of Bluegrass music. This year they went pre-bluegrass and looked and listened to the music of the Carter family. They, along with Jimmie Rodgers and others, were the first to record "country" music at the "Bristol sessions" in 1927. 20 years prior to the birth of bluegrass. Many of the Carter family songs were the foundation of bluegrass artists. Tim May gave a great workshop on Maybelle Carter's guitar style picking which also influenced modern guitar styles. I asked some of our DBA members to give you their thoughts on camp: (. . . Continued on Page 3 ) PAGE 2 GRASS CLIPPINGS OFFICERS
President: Dave Polston (520) 245-6126 [email protected] Vice President: Carole Wothe (520) 760-0993 [email protected] Secretary: Mike Headrick (520) 760-0745 [email protected] Treasurer: Marlene Simpson (520) 355-4000 [email protected] TRUSTEES
Jerry Wothe (520) 760-0993 [email protected] Scott Warren (520) 419-7556 [email protected] Paul “Doc” Simpson (520) 298-9746 [email protected] Bonnie Lohman (520) 349-4812 [email protected] David Lanham (520) 749-0335 [email protected] Sean Nicks (520) 576-2332 [email protected] Dale Lynne Vickroy (520) 664-0340 [email protected].
Newsletter Editor--Sean Nicks: For information concerning letters to the editor, reviews, contributing newsletter articles, submitting Concert & Band Listing information, email [email protected] . Webmaster--Dale Lynne Vickroy: For information concerning the DBA website www.desertbluegrass.org contact the webmaster at [email protected] Membership Secretary--Mike Headrick: To join the DBA, renew a membership or submit an address change, contact Mike via phone at (520) 760-0745, email, [email protected] or snail mail, 13308 Placita el Algodon Tucson, AZ 85749 Publicity--Mike Headrick: Contact Mike at (520) 760-0745 or [email protected] Advertising: Carole Wothe
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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 2013,. All Rights Reserved. GRASS CLIPPINGS PAGE 3 GREETINGS FELLOW BLUEGRASS LOVERS By Dave Polston (. . . Continued from Page 1)
I asked some of our DBA members to give you their thoughts on camp:
“My highlight was getting to be part of the staff, teaching beginning guitar, running one of the two nightly slow jams and getting to lead the final song of the final faculty concert, a Carter classic close to us all, Will the Circle be Unbroken! All faculty jam!!” -Dave Polston
“I had so much fun at camp that I’m still smiling a week later! I have a list of tunes I want to learn that’s longer than my arm, I have so much music buzzing around in my head that I can hardly sit still, and I got more licks and tips than I know what to do with. All of the professional musicians were very involved and approachable, and they seemed genuinely happy to be there. Best of all were the awe-inspiring faculty concerts every night and the energy and camaraderie of my fellow campers. As an added bonus, a small group I play with who mostly went to camp got together a few days after, and we sounded so much better! It was an absolutely wonderful week, and I can’t wait to do it again. I’ve already committed to going next year.“
-Suzette Sommerer PAGE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
“It was my 6th year at Camp Bluegrass and it was, as usual, amazing. I’m learning to play the dobro and Jimmy Heffernan is the best instructor ever! I feel like I made a breakthrough on solos and am looking forward to spending this coming year practicing what I learned. The lessons alone are worth the price of Camp, but the faculty concerts and dorm jams are like icing on the cake! I’m planning to go again next year if the creek don't rise!” -Doris Schatz PAGE 5 GRASS CLIPPINGS
“Best camp ever! The instructors are all excellent! I really enjoyed the nightly concerts, those are worth the price of going. I like the aspect of how the sound systems work and Matt, the sound professor at South Plains, gave a workshop on how and what makes the best sound for acoustic setups.“ -Dale Vickroy
“Hello Tucson Pickers and Grinners! Just returned from Camp Bluegrass and all I can say is: AWESOME, WOW, TREMENDOUS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE IMAGINABLE! The staff, the format, the concerts, and the jams were wonderful! I know you have heard this before, but I will repeat it: GO NEXT YEAR!” -Jim Wagner
“Ditto what Jim said, Camp Bluegrass is no less than Summer camp for adults complete with making new friends and picking partners, eating ice cream with every meal, fast track learning of your particular instrument all day and jamming till the wee hours all night. It's immersion therapy for Bluegrassers, it's a hooting good time, it's concerts and hobnobbing with your favorite Bluegrass artists, it's the joy of being a groupie and pretending you can play better than you can.. Ah, heck, just go, you won't regret it! Set aside the latter part of July next year, save your pennies and just do it.” -Jennifer Johnson PAGE 6 GRASS CLIPPINGS
“What a wonderful camp experience this year. I attended the mandolin classes and really enjoyed them. I received enough material to work on for the next year. The highlight for me was jamming with new pickers and learning new songs. I was excited about the opportunity Dave was given. He did a great job and was a great representative of the DBA. I am always sad when its over.” -Nancy Hildreth
“This was my first Camp Bluegrass, and what a time it was! From start (locating my room and finding a bunch of DBA'ers already jamming right across the hall) to finish (performing with the same bunch at the student concert, then joining the entire Tucson contingent onstage to close out the camp with Fast Train to Georgia and Will the Circle Be Unbroken), I was floored by the energy, support, and camaraderie at Camp Bluegrass. I met many new jamming friends, got some great instruction, and pushed myself to try new things. It was a blast! I hope to return next year.” -Mike Mitchell PAGE 7 GRASS CLIPPINGS
“My crazy event started the first night when I fell on my head and lost hearing for about a day or two. Then the piano bench fell on my foot and ended up in the ER! That was the 'not so good part'. Super highlights were: Having Suzette as a compassionate, 'going above and beyond' caring roommate, the Slow Jams with Dave Polston...that I tried to get to and in those were AMAZING! I am 'getting it' with the notes, the numbers and how it all goes together. (As a BioChem major it was truly a new part of my brain I really needed but since I am getting better daily...with a few hiccups) I REALLY feel like I got the concept of this and look forward to DBA! My fiddle instructors were very understanding that I was a true beginner and they were both great! I loved playing with my 'tribe' of Tucson people the last two nights and was thrilled to be part of the DBA group. People were so friendly at camp!” -Beverly Jutry PAGE 8 GRASS CLIPPINGS
“The highlight of my week was getting to pick with both my Colorado friends and my Tucson friends. I took DeeDee Wayland's vocal workshop which was awesome. I now can sing like a bird -in theory. Pulling that off in practice is going to take some work” -Mike Headrick
It was a great year and you have a year to put a little money aside each month and plan to join us next summer. We also have a scholarship program to send kids to this camp. We didn't have any this year, but if you know any kids, encourage them to join you at Monday or Tuesday night workshop. There are other youths at camp but not enough. Let's keep this going with the next generation -Dave PAGE 9 GRASS CLIPPINGS
Free to a good home.. ……..or actually any home
Old reel-to-reel tape recorders, three of them. a Sony, a TEAC, and a Roberts. All three (3) have bee "project machines" They are in various states of condition and repair. The electronics seem to be mostly OK but there are mechanical issues Chuck Decker
(DBA Member) Music Gear for Sale:
National Resophonic Steel Body Tri-Cone Resonator Guitar. Good condition.
Loud, rich tone. Very good for playing with a slide.
Contact Tim Birk for photos and information.
$2200.
Contact : Tim Birk | [email protected] | (520) 296-1465 PAGE 10 GRASS CLIPPINGS GRASS CLIPPINGS PAGE 11 Welcome to our new and returning members:
Martin Bailey Tucson Timothy Grotheer Tubac Miller McPherson Benson David Roark Tucson John McCann Tucson
CAMPOUT LAKE PATAGONIA OCTOBER 4-6 We will be having a Bluegrass jamming campout at Lake Patagonia Oct 4-6. We hope you will join us for a fun, music filled weekend. If you do not want to camp overnight, please consider coming down for the day on Saturday or Sunday. Or stay at a nearby hotel. The town of Patagonia has a hotel called the Stage Stop Inn, along with a couple of bed & breakfasts. The town of Sonoita has the Sonoita Inn. I am including the link to the Camping reservation site where you can select and reserve a camping spot. We are looking at spots 78 thru 100 which have a large, shady grassy area ideal for jamming. A dozen people have reserved sites and there are now only a few nearby sites available in the West Campground. Lake Patagonia also has 4 cabins still available, each cabin can hold up to 6 people. Reserve your spots now. https://azstateparks.com/reserve/patagonia-lake/camping/
If you plan to go (camping or not) please let us know so that we can send you information on activities,( Saturday night pot luck etc.)
Reply via email to [email protected] or call Dave Polston - 520-245-6126. PAGE 12 GRASS CLIPPINGS
D B A E v e n t s Visit the DBA Online Calendar August 2019 S M T W T F S 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
JAM WORKSHOP JAM 7 pm - 9 pm 11:30pm - 1:30 pm (EAST SIDE) Udall Park 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm VA Hospital Ramada Christ Community Bldg 60 7200 E. Tanque Church 6th Ave & Ajo Verde Road 530 S Pantano Rd 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 JAM 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Pinnacle Peak Court Yard 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
JAM JAM 7 pm - 9 pm 5pm - 6:45pm Udall Park Ramada Sierra delJAM Sol Sen- 7200 E. Tanque 5:00ior pm Living - 6:30 pm Verde Road Sierra(Dining del Room) Sol Senior Living 25 26 27 28 8151 29E. Speedway 30 31 JAM
4pm - 6pm WORKSHOP Thirsty’s Neigh- (NW SIDE) borhood Grill 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm 2422 N. Pantano Marana Community Center 13251 N Lon Adams 30 Rd., Marana PAGE 13
GRASS CLIPPINGS
Visit the DBA Online Calendar D B A E v e n t s September 2019
S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 JAM
7 pm - 9 pm
Udall Park Ramada 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
WORKSHOP WORKSHOP JAM (EAST SIDE) (MARANA) 11:30pm - 1:30 pm 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm VA Hospital Christ Community 13251 N Church Bldg 60 Lon Adams Road 530 S Pantano Rd 6th Ave & Ajo 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 JAM JAM WORKSHOP WORKSHOP 7 pm - 9pm 7 pm - 9 pm (EAST SIDE) (MARANA) Pinnacle Peak 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Udall Park Court Yard Ramada Christ Community 13251 N 7200 E. Tanque Church 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road 530 S Pantano Rd Lon Adams Road Verde Rd.
22 23 24 25 26J AM 27 28 WORKSHOP WORKSHOP JAM JAM5:00 pm - 6:30 pm (EAST SIDE) (MARANA) 5pm - 6:45pm 4:pm - 6pm Sierra del Sol Sierra delSenior Sol Sen- Living Thirsty’s Neigh- 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm ior Living borhood Grill Christ Community 13251 N (Dining Room) Church 2422 N. Pantano 530 S Pantano Rd Lon AdamsWORKSHOP Road
29 30 (NW SIDE) WORKSHOP 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm (EAST SIDE) Marana Community 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Center
Christ Community Church 530 S Pantano Rd GRASS CLIPPINGS PAGE 14 PAGE 15 GRASS CLIPPINGS
GREAT WEBSITES
Desert Bluegrass Association Guitar: www.desertbluegrass.org www.bluegrassguitar.com/ Arizona Bluegrass Association Fiddle: www.arizonabluegrass.com www.fiddlehangout.com Bluegrass Arizona Blog Banjo: www.bluegrassarizona.blogspot.com www.banjohangout.org Daily Dose of Bluegrass Bass: www.bluegrassonthetube.com www.bluegrassbassplace.com Bluegrass Lyrics Mandolin: http://bluegrasslyrics.com/ www.mandohangout.com/ Bluegrass Tablature http://www.mandolincafe.com/ http://www.alltabs.com/bluegrass_tabs.php Dobro: Bluegrass Backing Tracks www.reso-nation.org http://www.fbbts.com/ www.resohangout.com PAGE 16 GRASS CLIPPINGS
DBA WORKSHOPS BEGIN SEPTEMBER 9th!
Hello Pickers! Summer is winding down and our workshops will soon be starting up. Over the past few years I have worked on putting together a 2 year syllabus for workshop. I have made some adjustments and in a couple of weeks will post all on website. When we resume the second week in September, Monday September 9th and Tuesday September 10th, we will start with year 2, session 1. We, again this year, will have both beginner and intermediate breakouts at the Monday night workshop and it will be determined for the Tuesday night depending on attendance. I have worked on putting this syllabus together so that it will be a consistent program that any intermediate or advance player can lead. So I am hoping more of you experienced players would like to attend and learn what we are doing so we can further our instruction with the attendees. (continued on next page…)
PAGE 17 GRASS CLIPPINGS WORKSHOPS
(continued) For those that are new or haven't been to the workshops, there is information on the website. The objective of the workshop is to get you playing, singing and jamming with others. Individual instruction is not given and attendees should learn the basics of their instruments and know its job in a jam setting. Guitar players should have a basic understanding of alternating bass strumming rhythm, banjo players should be able to roll through chord changes for both back up and leads, mandolin players should work on holding full four finger chords for nice chops, also workshop is a great place to build speed on tremolos. Fiddle players working on chops and drone notes for backup, along with leads. Bass players understanding which notes for alternate bass play for several keys. A lot of this information can be learned from private instructors, many listed in this newsletter, or through internet lessons or videos. Workshop is where you come to put that to use in real time with real people!! Looking forward to starting up again in September! Remember bring kids!! Pick everyday!!!
DBA WORKSHOPS BEGIN SEPTEMBER 9th PAGE 18 GRASS CLIPPINGS PAGE 19 GRASS CLIPPINGS PAGE 20 GRASS CLIPPINGS JAMS & OPEN MICS DBA sponsored jams are listed at www.desertbluegrass.org & on the enclosed calendar.
Southern AZ Old Time Fiddlers 1st Baptist Church Jam and instruments only, NO Amps, Assn. Open Mic Bluegrass songs preferred. Unitarian Universalist Church Wilds Road, Catalina, Arizona Contact Steve Hartwell 4831 E 22nd St, Tucson Info: Jim Howard, 520-825- [email protected] Tuesday 6:30—8:30pm 9413. Every Saturday, 6:30 - Info: Wilbur 520-743-7086 9:00 pm Kibbey’s Jam and Open Mic Casa Grande Airport Jam Info: Jim Howard, 520-825- 1st & 3rd Saturday, 12:00 pm. 9413;Twin Lakes Drive, Catali- Casa Grande Municipal Air- na, AZ. Every Friday Night port, 3225 N Lear Ave. Casa 6:30 –9:00 pm Grande Az. Acoustic stringed GRASS CLIPPINGS PAGE 7 PAGE 22 GRASS CLIPPINGS BANDS The 2 Lazy 2 Ranch Band MojoGrass The Sonoran Dogs John Hall 520-647-1234 520-369-7524 Peter McLaughlin 520-247-1027 www.facebook.com/mojograss Brian Davies 520-349-9497 Bear Canyon Ramblers [email protected] www.thesonorandogs.com Marilyn 520-760-0479 [email protected] Ocotillo Rain and Thunder Titan Valley Warheads www.bearcanyonramblers.com Contact: Holly Tripp Ed Davenport 520-904-6050 www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pa Cabin John Phone: 520-241-8421 ges/The-Titan-Valley- Howard Anderson--480-897-7425 Web: ocotillorain.blogspot.com Warheads/161939573828277 Anni Beach--480-963-6811 Old Pueblo Bluegrass www.cabinjohnbluegrass.com Reid Griffin 520-349-4321 Way Out West Emmy Creigh 520-323-0704 Dusty River Band http://www.maranafestival.com/old- Rich Errico 520 818 0358 pueblo-bluegrass.html Dan Levenson and The Cat Mountain [email protected] Peter McLaughlin Rounders 412-551-0933 Jam Pak Blues 'N' Grass Neighborhood 520-247-1027 [email protected] Band Scattered Grass www.Clawdan.com www.jampak.com www.scatteredgrass.com The Speedway Brothers Band Anni Beach - 480-963-6811 [email protected] Thom Gelineau Bob Frankot 520-299-7479 Los Hombres [email protected] Kenny Erickson 520-235-7473 Facebook @TheSpeedwayBrothersBand INSTRUCTION
Reid Griffin 520-869-6818 Marc Rennard Guitar Instruction All Levels and Peter McLaughlin Fiddle, Mandolin, and Guitar Styles Flatpick & bluegrass guitar: Be- 314-313-0318 (520) 349-4321 ginner & advanced 520-247- [email protected] Nate Lee 1027 Expert repairs – Violin, Viola, Cel- Live Online Mandolin & lo, Bass, Fretted Instruments Dave Polston Bow Rehair Fiddle Lessons Banjo, Guitar & Dobro lessons 469-383-4840 520-245-6126 Dan Levenson www.TheNateLee.com Old Time fiddle, Clawhammer Mike Purdy Andy McCune Banjo and Old time guitar. Guitar, mandolin & Banjo 520- [email protected] Bluegrass & clawhammer banjo, 977-9780 mandolin, and beginning Dobro 412-551-0933 www.Clawdan.com TO INSTRUCTORS & BANDS Would you like your services, band, and or concerts listed on our website www.desertbluegrass.org ? Current DBA members can be listed by sending their contact information to Dale Lynne Vickroy at [email protected] . Refer to the 'Links' tab on the homepage to view current band and instructor information. We have added a second calendar on the website for other (non- DBA) concerts and events. If you have something scheduled that you would like added to the calendar: send me the date, time and address info. You may also include a link to your band's website or to a special event flyer. Info can be posted under the 'Events' tab. That would need to be specifically requested since I expect that people will begin using the calendar instead. Please submit information in plain text. Varied fonts, colors, formatting, and inserted graphics are extremely time consuming to match in the webpage editor. GRASS CLIPPINGS PAGE 23
ASSOCIATIONS
Arizona Bluegrass Association So. Arizona Old Time Fiddlers Association 10343 W Pinehurst Dr 3020 W. Avenida Cresta Sun City, Arizona 85351 Tucson, AZ 85745 Leslie Rhodes President Info: Wilbur 520-743-7086 602-565-3285 [email protected] www.arizonabluegrass.com Tucson Friends of Traditional Music Info: 520-408-6181 www.tftm.org International Bluegrass Music
Association 2 Music Circle South, Suite 100 Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association Nashville, TN 37203 PO Box 26531 615-256-3222 Tucson, AZ 85726 Toll Free: 1-888-438-4262 www.tkma.org http://www.ibma.org Tucson Old Time Music Circle International Bluegrass Music Museum [email protected] Museum Entrance: 117 Daviess St. Brad 520-818-0260 Mailing Address: 207 East Second St. www.totmc.org Owensboro, KY 42303 270-926-7891 888-MY BANJO (toll-free) Desert Bluegrass Association NON-PROFIT ORG.
12589 E. Calle Tango U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Tucson, AZ 85749 TUCSON, ARIZONA PERMIT NO. 1830
Cut out this box The mailing label is now your DBA membership card
Aug Sep 2019 Phone: 760-0993 [email protected]
www.DesertBluegrass.org MEMBER OF THE DESERT BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION / RENEWAL FORM
Membership dues for the Desert Bluegrass Association are $20 annually per family, due March 1st, and includes bulk mailing of the bi-monthly newsletter to each member. Members joining after November of any year will have their membership extended through the next year. Those joining before November must renew the following March 1st.
First name: Last name: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Home phone: Cell phone: Email address: Do you wish to be included in the Membership Directory? (check one) Yes No What instruments do you play? Banjo Bass Fiddle Guitar Mandolin Resonator Guitar other Check here if you wish to receive the DBA Grass Clippings Newsletter by mail Complete this form then mail it, along with your personal check or money order payable to Desert Bluegrass Association, to: Mike Headrick (DBA Membership Secretary) 13308 Placita el Algodon Tucson, AZ 85749