Bluegrassin’
Volume 17, Issue 5 Sept.—Oct. 2015
Upcoming Bluegrass Events The Montana Rockies Bluegrass Associa on is a Sept. 6—Local Yokel, Great Burn Brewing, Missoula, MT non‐profit associa on Sept. 11-13—Gibbonsville Campout, Broken Arrow Campground (See pg. 7) dedicated to promo ng, preserving and sharing our Sept. 13—Dale Ann Bradley, Ruby Jewel Jamboree, Missoula, MT (See pg. 7) love of bluegrass music in Sept. 17—Lockwood Bluegrass Band, Bitterroot Brewery, Hamilton, MT 6:00 pm a spirit of family and friendship. Sept. 19—Flat Grass, Symes Hot Springs Resort, Hot Springs, MT 7:00 pm
Sept. 25—28—Trumble Creek Campout, Columbia Falls, MT (See. Pg. 8) Inside this issue: Sept. 26—Lockwood Bluegrass Band, Blacksmith Brewery, Stevensville, MT 6:00 pm
Sept. 28—Acousticals, Redbird Wine Bar, Missoula, MT 7:00 pm
Page Oct. 1—Acousticals, Bitterroot Brewery, Hamilton, MT 6:00 pm
Tidbits 2 Oct. 1—International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, https://ibma.org/world-of-bluegrass/awards Hard Times Photos 4-5 Oct. 4—Lil Smokies, 2015 Zoo Fest, Missoula, MT Weiser Banjo Contest 6 Oct. 24—Acousticals, Kalispell Brewery, Hamilton, MT 5:00 pm Gibbonsville Campout 7 Oct. 30—Lockwood Bluegrass Band, Ten Spoon Winery, Missoula, MT Trumble Creek 8 Nov. 7th—Hootenanny, Stevensville, MT - (See pg. 10) Grass Valley Festival 9
Hootenanny 10
Players You Didn’t Know 11
Tips for Musicians 11 Recurring Shows and Jams
Missoula - Pickin Circle. Tangled Tones Studio. 2005 South Ave., West. - Wednesdays—6:00 pm to 9:00 pm . (406-396-3352)
Missoula—Open Jam. Top Hat. Tuesdays. 6:00 pm
Livingston - Open Jam. Pine Creek Café. Thursday—8:30—10:30 pm. www.pinecreeklodgemontana.com (406)222-3628
Send corrections or additions to: [email protected]
Volume 17 Issue 5 Bluegrassin’ Sept.—Oct. , 2015
Bluegrass Tidbits
Great article about Greg Boyd’s House of Fine Instrument in the Montana Standard this past July . Check it out! http://mtstandard.com/business/greg-boyd-s-house-of-fine-instruments-in-missoula-is/article_f5010186-054b -5935-b294-7de1a342024c.html
The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced nominations for this years awards and several artists that have performed at the Ruby Jewel Jamboree have been recognized including: Hot Rize, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Dale Ann Bradley and Claire Lynch. Congratulations and good luck to all these performers. Thanks to Ruby Jewel Jamboree for bringing such quality acts to western Montana.
Don’t forget—if you want to buy CD’s for an bluegrass artists (or bluegrass music book…..) go to the the Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association website and order on-line. A portion of all sales goes to support the Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association. So go to the Pickin’ Post store today and load up on good bluegrass music. http://www.mtbluegrass.com/store/
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Bluegrass Humor
Q: How many guitars does a bluegrass musician need?
A: Just one more
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 - Laurie Criger, [email protected] or call 406-552-9208
Board Members - Tari Conroy, Kate McMahon, Kimberlee Carlson, 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. Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association
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Volume 17 Issue 5 Bluegrassin’ Sept.—Oct. , 2015 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: Laurie Criger, [email protected] or 406-552-9208
Get MRBA Newsletter by E-Mail
If you would like to get your newsletter delivered electronically via e-mail send a message to:
Electronic version has color photos & hyperlinks to websites.
(P.S.—It will help keep down printing & mailing cost 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
Please mail your application to: MRBA, PO Box 1306, Missoula, MT 59806
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Volume 17 Issue 5 Bluegrassin’ Sept.—Oct. , 2015 HardTimes Photos
Getting ready for the band contest
Pioneer Bob and Joanne Martin
Darby Parade
Kids fiddling up a storm
Pioneer Jack Winthers 4
Volume 17 Issue 5 Bluegrassin’ Sept.—Oct. , 2015
Pioneer Bill Neaves
View from the peanut gallery
Another successful HardTimes from Mike and Tari
Trinity River Band from Florida
Perfect setting for aa Bluegrass Festival!
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Volume 17 Issue 5 Bluegrassin’ Sept.—Oct. , 2015
Good Job Raynae!
MRBA member Raynae Redman won 2nd place in the bluegrass style banjo contest at Weiser, Ida- ho this year. Next year Raynae will be conducting a 3 day youth camp for bluegrass beginning in in conjunction with the fiddle contest. The camp will be just a few days before the fiddle contest (like Thursday, Friday, and Saturday prior to the fiddle competition week). Watch future newsletters for details.
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Volume 17 Issue 5 Bluegrassin’ Sept.—Oct. , 2015
Gibbonsville Campout Sept 11th - 12th - 13th
The 21rst annual bluegrass gathering at the Broken Arrow in Gibbonsville, Idaho is just around the corner! The dates are the 11th—12th and 13th of September, the weekend after Labor Day. Check in with Dell Scott when you arrive, and he will get you set in a camping spot. Camping fee is $5.00. Electricity is available for an extra cost but is limited, so get there early. Water at the site is limited so fill your tanks before coming.
The restaurant will be open on Friday & Saturday . Potluck on Saturday night. Gospel hour on Sunday. And....don't forget about the ICE CREAM SOCIAL on Saturday afternoon at 1pm. Y'all bring something to put on the ice cream (syrup, fruit, toppings, whatever) and we'll have another smashing round of ice cream treats!
Can't wait, be safe on the drive, change your strings, hone your pick, pack the truck and we'll see you at the Broken Arrow!
For more info: Rosemarie Ramey @ Broken Arrow Campground—(208)865-2241 Dale Scoot @ (406)381-0822.
Directions: http://thebrokenarrow.com/camping/
Dale Ann Bradley Sept. 13th—Missoula
For more informaƟon: http://rubyjeweljamboree.com/
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Volume 17 Issue 5 Bluegrassin’ Sept.—Oct. , 2015
th 15 Annual TRUMBLE CREEK BLUEGRASS CAMPOUT September 25 – 28 4260 Trumble Creek Road Columbia Falls, Montana
Directions: WATCH FOR SIGNS ON HIWAY 40. From Highway 2: Go west on Highway 40 at the Blue Moon intersection. From Highway 93: Go east on Highway 40 a bit over 3 miles. From Highway 40, go south on Trumble Creek Road. Go about ½ mile. There will be another sign.
Saturday Night Potluck 6 p.m. And Sunday Morning Biscuits & Gravy Potluck 10 a.m.
For more information, contact Mary-Jane (406) 892-3197
ALL BLUEGRASS LOVERS WELCOME!!
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Volume 17 Issue 5 Bluegrassin’ Sept.—Oct. , 2015
Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival 2015
(Sponsored by the California Bluegrass Association)
In response to the call for articles on festivals we've attended, I thought I'd write about the 2015 Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival in Northern California. For a little background, I bartended at a place called Paul's Saloon in San Francisco in the '70s and '80s, and it was "bluegrass central." I heard my first bluegrass bands there (Phantoms of the Opry and Styx River Ferry) and was hooked for life, although I'd never picked. Many leg- endary folks stopped in to play over the years, including Ralph Stanley, Tony Rice, Byron Berline, Frank Wakefield, and others.
I have attended many, many Grass Valley festivals with the musician friends I met at Paul's. This year was the 40th Anniversary, so in mid-June, I hitched my little teardrop trailer Sophronie to my car, and we headed south for old home week.
There are three stages at Grass Valley with continuous music, such as the Nashville Bluegrass Band, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, The Kentucky Colonels Reunion, and the Bluegrass Patriots Reunion, and Kids on Bluegrass. Two of my favorites shows were:
"The Good Ol' Persons" reunion band with Kathy Kallick, Bethany Raines, John Reischman, Sally Van Meter, Beth Weil, and Paul Shelasky. This band played at Paul's for years and are old friends. They are considered a landmark band in California bluegrass history, and their performance brought the audience to its feet.
Another highlight was the "Vern Williams Band" reunion with Delbert Williams (Vern's son), Ed Neff, Sue Averill, Keith Little, and Chris Henry. This group is also full of old friends and brought tears to my eyes, mainly because of Del's incredible voice and all the songs I re- member them having played over the years. Vern was a legendary blue- grass musician and singer, and he could reach notes so high they would make the hair on your arms stand up. Traditional bluegrass at its very best.
Then there was "Mando Madness," a panel of musicians with a lot of history and various playing styles. Par- ticipants were Roland White, Mike Compton, Ed Neff, David Grisman, Butch Waller, and Chris Henry. If you'd like to see the Youtube video, check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=z8wcPvoxTyE&app=desktop
As always, there was endless picking, eating, sippin', visiting the midnight hot dog and sausage stand, and catching up with old friends. I started taking mandolin lessons a little over a year ago, and it was such a joy (and very humbling) to pick with people I've watched and listened to since 1971.
All this said, I have to say how much I love our local Hard Times Festival in Hamilton. It is homey, has great atmosphere and superb music, is the perfect size, is beautifully organized, and is filled with my new Montana friends. Thanks to Mike and Tari for making it happen!
Anne Merrifield
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Volume 17 Issue 5 Bluegrassin’ Sept.—Oct. , 2015
MONTANA ROCKIES BLUEGRASS ASSOC. PRESENTS AN
OLD‐TIME BLUEGRASS MUSIC
HOOTENANNY
and Benefit for STEVENSVILLE COMMUNI‐
TY PLAYHOUSE
SATURDAY, November 7th 1 P.M. – 5 p.m.
ADMISSION: ADULTS‐$4.00 KIDS UNDER 12 ‐FREE
WARMUP AND JAMMING SPACE AVAILABLE
10 People You Didn’t Know that Played the Banjo
1. President Chester Arthur Chester Alan Arthur was the 21st President of the United States (1881–1885); He assumed the presidency upon the as- sassination of James A. Garfield and only served the one term. Here is a picture of him with his banjo. Apparently, he was our only banjo playing president.
2. Kirk Douglas Kirk Douglas played the banjo in the movie “Man Without A Star”
3 Billy Mummy The child star from “Lost In Space” is an accomplished musician who plays a number of instruments—including the banjo.
Tips to Become a Better Bluegrass Musician
The following are adapted from the web site: http://billevansbanjo.com/blog/ten-practical-tips-to-become-a-better-banjo-player-now
1. Listen Actively: Actively listening to your favorite bluegrass music on CD or to other musicians at concerts and jam sessions makes you a better player. Before you even start to work on a new song, find a rec- orded version of it first and try to pick up the song by ear. As you listen to great playing, you’re internalizing what the song is supposed to sound like, the finer details of the style you’re learning, and how the instrument fits in a group setting.
2. Set Goals: Setting short-, medium-, and long-range goals keeps your practice routine on the right track and helps you to assess your overall progress. Your goals are unique to you. Your long-range goals (where you want to be one to three years out in time) determine your medium-range goals (6 to 12 months out in time). These medium-range goals help you to focus on what you should be practicing in the next one to two weeks (your short-term goals). Adjusting your goals every once in a while is fine.
3. Practice Regularly: Regular daily practice, even if each session is for a short amount of time, leads to quicker progress than cramming in long sessions on your days off from work. Keep in mind that the more skilled you are as a player, the more practice time you need to advance to the next level. Take the instrument out of its case and keep it on an instrument stand in your practice area. Then, when you’re ready to spend a few minutes playing, your instrument is right there waiting for you. PO Box 1306 Missoula, MT 59806
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