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” - Rhonda Vincent & 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, Doyle Lawson and Other Artists 7 Volume 20 Issue 6 Bluegrassin’ Nov.—Dec., 2018 International Bluegrass Music 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” – Missy Raines with Alison Brown, Becky Buller, Sierra Hull, and Molly Tuttle (artists), single release, FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Brooke Aldridge MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Buddy Melton INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS MUSIC HALL OF FAME Ricky Skaggs, 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.