Volume 30 • Number 4 INSIDE THIS ISSUE! July • August The Circle of Fifths Unleased The Express Needs You Sound Advice 2010 Off Key Jammers Bluegrass Expresswww.oregonbluegrass.org Look at the People “I did not know that the On being entertaining technical aspects are far by Larry Wilder outweighed by a show’s personal touches” bluegrass genre. Listen to the Josh and Jake comedy and the relaxed interplay between all the Foggy Mountain Boys. The evolution of an entertainer I was no natural. When I began playing banjo and guitar in the 60’s, I could not sing, talk, smile or look at the audience. I was pathetically nervous and embarrassed to be on stage. When I finally began to speak on stage, I thought I had to use contrived or cute elocution. That didn’t work. I did not know that the technical Larry Wilder & the Stumptown Stars aspects are far outweighed by a show’s personal touches. As my real persona arry Wilder is a singer, national yodel audience. Bill would also invite ladies began to come out, the audiences champion, multi-instrumentalist and master from the audience to dance with him L reacted positively. They began to tell of ceremonies. Whether he’s performing in a onstage. They lined up. me how comfortable they would feel. packed concert hall or to five shoppers at a farmer’s Acts such as Reno & Smiley and Flatt & This was a breakthrough for me: I market, Larry fully engages his listeners. The Scruggs took it further with their family- realized that my relaxed, yet focused Express asked Larry to talk about entertainment – approach worked. and how bluegrass bands can add the “E” factor oriented, novelty song approach. Don to their performances. Reno and Red Smiley went out of their There are others who do the same way to please with dress-up comedy skits thing all around us. When you attend a Don Reno said, “Your first job is to featuring themselves as Chicken and concert or see a band in a market setting, entertain, period.” Those are great Pansy Hot Rod. notice what they are doing show-wise. marching orders for any performer. Lester and Earl used novelty songs Notice how you “listen with your eyes” We would not have the modern galore: “Old Salty Dog Blues,” “Mama and that seeing and hearing are closely proliferation of bluegrass bands and Blues,” “Till the End of the World connected. How are folks dressed? events were it not for the persistence What is their onstage demeanor? Watch Rolls ‘Round,” and “Don’t Get Above and stubborn work of the early greats. and listen for what can you take away Your Raisin’” -- to name a few. They Bill Monroe’s shows were loaded with and shape into your presentation. catchy tunes and tricks to engage the became the most successful act of the continued on page 7 Table of Contents Proud Member of: July / August 2010 • Volume 30 / Number 4 • Newsletter of the Oregon Bluegrass Association • www.oregonbluegrass.org July - August T I HIS SSUE FEATURES 2010 Vol.30 No.4 Cover Story: www.oregonbluegrass.org Look at the People - On being entertaining 1 Bluegrass Express by Larry Wilder Bluegrass Express is a bi-monthly newsletter dedicated to informing members of the The Express needs you 12 Oregon Bluegrass Association about local, by Claire Levine regional and national bluegrass issues, events and opportunities. GTM issues first CD 14 by Claire Levine Bill Harlow plays banjo and sings at the Off-Key Jams. Bluegrass Express Staff Meet the Off-Key Jammers Creating a community in tune with bluegrass 20 ▪ ▪Advertising Christine Palmer | (503) 282-0877 by Claire Levine [email protected] The Theory of Bluegrass ▪ ▪CAlendAr The Circle of Fifths Unleased 22 Chip Russell | (503) 239-6599 [email protected] by Matthew Snook ▪ ▪Contributing editor C OLUMNS & COMMENTARy Claire Levine [email protected] Membership & Ad Information 4 Everybody gets to play at the Off-Key Jam. ▪ ▪Copy editor OBA President’s Letter 5 Kathy Boyd [email protected] Sound Advice 10 ▪ ▪ grAphiC design + lAyout CALENDARS, LISTS & INFO Jana Rocheleau | www.jmrartist.com Radio Time Listings 5 [email protected] What’s Cookin’? Pull-Out Calendar 15 ▪ ▪ publisher And editors Colby Buswell | (503) 334-6806 Festival Calendar 17 [email protected] Scheduled Jams Around the Northwest 28 Christine Palmer | (503) 282-0877 [email protected] Supporting Performer Directory 30 Remy McVey is a long-standing regular at the Sunday ▪ ▪WebmAster & Web Content afternoon gatherings Tony McCormick | (503) 330-2239 [email protected] The Oregon Bluegrass Association (OBA) PO Box 1115, Portland, OR 97207 is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in 1982. It’s pur- pose is to promote, encourage, foster and cultivate the preservation, appreciation, understanding, enjoyment, support and performance of bluegrass and other closely related music. The Bluegrass Express is printed on 30% post-consumer recycled paper. The Infamous Stringdusters are just one of the many bands at the RiverCity Music Festival this year. Oregon Bluegrass Association Board Membership Information Advertising The OBA Board of Directors invites Your Express advertising will directly The OBA Board you to join the OBA and to participate reach over 600 households of bluegrass Contact the OBA: 503 321-5077 in its many activities. Our member- enthusiasts while helping OBA to keep www.oregonbluegrass.org ship benefits include a subscription publishing this valuable resource. Tear to the bi •monthly Bluegrass Express, sheets or extra copies of the Express are Officers of the Board frequent mailings about events, and available. We appreciate your support ticket discounts to Northwest bluegrass of the Oregon Bluegrass Association. Chip Russell - President events. Annual membership dues are [email protected] $20 for a General Member, $50 for Submissions Colby Buswell - Vice President Supporting Performers and $100 for [email protected] Please contact Christine Palmer via a Contributing Business Sponsor (see e-mail at [email protected] for David Hausner - Treasurer page 7), as well as other options. To information about placing an ad for [email protected] join, complete the application on the your music related business in the Larry Wilder - Secretary back cover and mail with your check to: OBA Bluegrass Express. [email protected] Oregon Bluegrass Association, P.O. Box 1115, Portland, OR 97207. Matt Snook - Membership Payment [email protected] Web Site The OBA prefers to receive advertis- ing payment in advance. We would like Volunteer Coordinator Features include a calendar, excerpts one year contracts six months in ad- Randy Black from the current issue of the Express, vance, and we will bill for the next six [email protected] and links for local bands. Come visit us months. online! Visit the OBA web page today! Members at Large www.oregonbluegrass.org. Please make checks payable to: Fred Coates The Oregon Bluegrass Association, [email protected] Sponsored Jams mail to PO Box 1115, Cleve Friedman Portland, Oregon 97207. The OBA sponsors jam sessions in [email protected] Portland, Coburg, Roseburg, as well as Tony McCormick Pendleton. Check the Scheduled Jams [email protected] section of this issue for a complete list- Bluegrass Express Advertising Rates ing of these and other jams through- Liz Crain out Oregon. If you are interested in [email protected], (size) (dimension) (two + issues) organizing an OBA-sponsored jam, Patty Spencer contact any of the Board members or [email protected] Full Page 8x10” $110.00 $99.00 Express Staff at the phone numbers or Chuck Holloway e-mail addresses listed on this page and Half Page 8x5’’ $65.00 $58.00 [email protected] on page 3. Quarter Page 35/8x5’’ $45.00 $40.00 Ian Joel [email protected] 1/2 5/8’’ Articles & Editorial Deadlines Eighth Page 3 x2 $25.00 $20.00 Cathy Beach The OBA Board invites you to submit Business Card 31/2x2’’ $25.00 $20.00 [email protected] letters, stories, photos and articles to Add 3% for late payment. Ernie Connelly the Bluegrass Express. Published files [email protected] remain in our archives and art is re- turned upon request. Deadlines for all The OBA holds board elections each April as Ad Specs: art and copy: November 25th for the individual terms expire. The Board of Direc- January and February issue; January When submitting an advertisement tors invites you to join our monthly meetings. to be in the Bluegrass Express, please We welcome your visit and ideas, opinions and 25th, for the March and April issue; proposals. Or, just come to see what we’re do- March 25th for the May and June is- be sure the file is black and white, 300 dpi, and in either PDF, TIFF, or JPEG ing! We generally meet the second Tuesday of sue; May 25th for the July and August each month at 7:30 p.m. The location is subject issue; July 25th for the September and format. If you have questions about to change. Call us or email any board member October issue; and September 25th for your file, email Christine Palmer at for time, location and directions. the November and December issue. [email protected]. OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 4 From the President What’s Playing on the Radio? Local Radio Bluegrass and Country Listings. Howdy All -KBOO, And so we all move into the summer festival season, my favorite time of the year. Albany/Corvallis Broadcast from Portland, can be heard I am saddened by the news that a couple of my favorite festivals are not happening at 100.7 FM. See under Portland, below. this year due to this economic downturn that is gripping us all.