June 2013 Volume 29 Number 6 Grassers mourn The Possum John Lawless April 26, 2013 Friday was a sad day Cabin Springs in country music, as George Jones, among the most influential singers in the history of the music, passed away at 81 years of age. Perhaps excepting Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, no one was more responsible for shaping the future of Country & Western music than Jones, affectionately know for years as The Possum. SEBA Winder and friends have found a new festival destined to be a favorite for While he was not a bluegrass artist, his many pickers and fans. And you're invited. smooth vocal delivery had a huge impact on two generations of bluegrass singers, and he was a contemporary of several of our first and June 8, 2013 3-9 Rain or Shine second generation legends. The great Ralph Stanley was quick to honor the late singer. CabinSprings Farm Festival and Bluegrass Yard Pickin' “Very sad to hear the news about the passing of my friend 5710 Holly Springs Road Pendergrass, GA 30567 George Jones. He was a wonderful man and was my all time For more information call 770 207-9223 favorite country singer. We recorded together, even Fans flock to Lincolnton, GA for performed shows together back in the ’50s. He will surely be Jeff & Sheri Easter’s Homecoming missed.” By Randall Franks As was Jesse McReynolds, who ran the same roads as The Possum with Event raises thousands for restoring the old Lewis Family Home place Jim & Jesse. “I’m sorry I never had a chance to sing with George Jones, although we did work some shows with him. He was one of the greatest country singers that we ever had. And he will be missed.” Jones did make one bluegrass album, Bluegrass Hootenanny, with Melba Montgomery in 1964, and a number of bluegrass artists recorded songs he had popularized. The Osborne Brothers had memorable cuts of Beneath Still Waters and When the Grass Grows Over Me, along with a fun version of White Lightnin’ in their MGM days. And George returned the favor including Dusty Owens’ Once More, which the Osbornes cut in 1958, on Bluegrass Hootenanny along with Blue Moon Of Kentucky, Rollin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms and several others. Sherri, James and Jeff Easter share a song Bobby Osborne says that he picked up a lot doing concerts with Jones back in the day. “Jeff & Sheri Easter rock,”Bluegrass exclaimed Mallory Shires, age 8. Shires and her sister “I was sorry to hear the news about Alyssa along with otherBluegrass youth at the event actually joined Jeff & Sheri to sing George. He was a dear friend of mine. My “Sitting on Top of the World.” brother and I worked many shows with The Lewis Family Homeplace teamed with andhundreds of fans each night for the George, and I got to know him quite well. Jeff & Sheri Easter Homecoming in Lincolnton, Ga. th I got a lot of my phrasing from him, plus I Carl and Ruby Johnson of Augusta, Ga. attended all three days of the 5 annual think he was one of the greatest singers Mother’s Day event. “It’s been The awesome,” she said. Law “Jeff & Sheri are so great and I’ve ever known. I sang Tammy’s part with him one night at the 0pry I just loved Lynda Randle and Little Roy.” on the song, We’re Gonna Hold On. George Jones was a great Fans traveled from throughout the country to gather at the historic site honoring the legacy of America’s First Family of Bluegrass Gospel music. influence on me.” Learn some of the Do's and Don't to stay legally safe as a “It was a wonderful celebration of the Creator of the universe in praise of our Rhonda Vincent, who is putting together a personal tribute to Jones, tells Saviormusician, who continuesperformer to loveor a andband. watch over us,” said Carolyn See page White 6 of us that he loved bluegrass music, and was a friend and mentor to her. Charlotte, NC. “George Jones was monumental in my life! A voice I will Lynda Randle, Little Roy Lewis and Lizzy Long Show, Karen Peck & New never forget.” River, Lewis Tradition and Jason Crabb joined Jeff & Sheri Easter as they raised R.I.P. George Jones, from a grateful world of bluegrass. several thousand dollars for the Lewis Family Homeplace Restoration Fund. More on page 5 Page 2 June 2013 The SEBA BREAKDOWN www.sebabluegrass.org FromFrom thethe Editor'sEditor's DeskDesk SEBA PUBLICATIONS Now that the festival season is in full swing it just might be time to check out who's performing where Chairman C.S. “Charlie” Robinson these days. We all have our favorite places and people that we wouldn't miss for anything, but sometimes 678 665-1112 Email [email protected] change is a good thing. There are lot's of new events cropping up lately. If you do attend one of these, Contributors to this month's issue please let us know about it. Who knows you may make some new friends and you may find some you Tom Barnwell John Lawless haven't seen in a while there too. Dan Daniel Kayla Wilson Please be aware that many people across our country are in need of assistance due to storm damage, both Randall Franks past and present. The best way to help any community out there is to contact your local Red Cross or the Tristan Tuttle Southern Baptist relief agencies. They know the need and pool resources to the best use for the victims. If Bonnie Johnson Robinson you can't donate or volunteer by all means, prayers are needed and heard, even when spoken in a whisper. We're still looking for your name on our contributions list too! C.S. “Charlie” Robinson SEBA Chairman of the Board 2013 SEBA Board of Directors Don Simons Charlie Robinson Until next month keep posting those events at Danette Kellner Painter Dickson Lester Dan Daniel Joe Surowiec Rebecca Lawson www.sebabluegrass.org/events/wpw/submit.php The SEBA Breakdown is a production of: Letters to the Editor Letters to the editors are always welcomed. We want your thoughts, ideas and comments. The Southeastern Your opinion counts and we are ready to listen. We are looking forward to hearing from you in future editions of your Bluegrass Association, Inc Breakdown newsletters. P.O. Box 20286, Atlanta, GA 30325. And is published monthly Copyright 2013, All rights reserved. Advertising: Address for all memberships, subscriptions 2 IMPORTANT NOTICES: # and submissions to: SEBA's Po Box or [email protected] Deadline for all submissions is the 1st of each mhereonth SEBA Membership Dues FREE CD REVIEWS AND RADIO AIRPLAY All Members receive access to the As a public service SEBA does CD reviews. Many of our readers/members are musicians. Artist 'online' color version of The Breakdown development is an important issue with them and we try to give an objective review. We thought it a good E-MEMBERSHIPS $15 time to remind you to take advantage of this great opportunity and also share a request from one of our (Electronic newsletter only and is not Facebook visitors . recommended for Dial Up connections) ____________________________________ Hi, I am with WNBV 88.1 In the Tazewell Va area we are a bluegrass radio station, and I need help with The memberships below receive the Black & White mailed version of The Breakdown something. I wanted to ask, is their a way we can get new CDs from artist to play on our station. Is it a REGULAR MEMBERSHIPS $20 list or something they send them radio stations? We want to play more but don't know how to get in touch FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS $25 with them or what companies. Does SEBA do anything like that, thanks Connie Shrader WNBV PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS $35 for Bands, Promoters, Business, Since you asked Connie, we are publishing your request in the SEBA Breakdown. A lot of research goes Music Instructors, and Individuals. into getting material. Sources would be, directly from an accessable artist , agent or publishing company. Professional members get a SEBA Web Page Simply compose a well written request and email as many folks as you can. Hopefully they will share Membership can be applied for from our with others your station's willingness to expose your audiences to new material. website: www.sebabluegrass.org For SEBA CD reviews mail to: For consideration for Radio AirPlay mail to: The Southeastern WNBV 88.1 Bluegrass Association, Inc 20237 Riverside Drive P.O. Box 20286, Atlanta, GA 30325. Grundy, VA 24614 Mission Statement The Southeastern Bluegrass Association (SEBA) is a nonprofit organization consisting of members, fans, bands, promoters, businesses, vendors, musicians, Volunteers Needed and friends of bluegrass music. Working together to reach a common goal: The For SEBA related events preservation and promotion of Bluegrass Chapter Development Music, bringing it to the Community through performers, instructors, jam Jam Site Recruitment sessions, venues and events and providing Facebook posting Contact information to all through our publications, Letters to the Editor the Award Winning SEBA Breakdown and [email protected] the SEBA websites. Page 3 June 2013 The SEBA BREAKDOWN www.sebabluegrass.org Start your own SEBA chapter or Jam Site Contact [email protected] New SEBA Rabun (Clayton,GA) New To view or post Festivals go to http://www.sebabluegrass.org/events/festivals.php VP Dean English 706 782-9852 For all other events go to http://www.sebabluegrass.org/events/wpw/index.php [email protected] Click for Map Blueridge Music Store YOUR SEBA CHAPTERS, VICE PRESIDENTS, 629 Duggan Hill Rd.