Bluegrass Music in Sweden August 2017 Volume 33 Number 8 Raccoon Creek Bluegrass Festival by Gregory Beyer The Raccoon Creek Bluegrass Festival in Dallas Georgia July 14th and 15 was a rousing success with a superb lineup of regional bands, plus a surprise appearance from a national country music star. No festival is complete without jamming, and plenty was to be found in the camping area. Instead of hearing distant pickin, upon finally stopping, my group was startled hear crickets . Jeeze, boys, we closed the place down! Friday afternoon and evening started out with appearances by East Dixie Boys, 501 Central, the Doug Flowers Band. I was unfortunately not present for their performances. Upon my arrival on Saturday, we were treated to only the 2nd outing of a new band comprised of veteran musicians, Coal Mountain Bluegrass. Though new on-stage together, Jim Coleman, Brad Oviatt, Alan Bozeman, Rodney Worley, Rickey Fields and Lance McCloud showed off tight harmonies on several pieces, especially on “The Savior Reached Down”. Arrangements were polished with numerous split breaks. With this kind of performance on only their second, Coal Mountain is a band to watch for. Old Mill Road was the next act on the bill. This is a very refreshing and fun to listen to group that brought out a set of pop and rock & roll covers, but done Bluegrass. At a BG festival, that’ll really twist your ear and make you sit up! They included material from Tom Petty, Led Zeppelin, Loggins and Messina, Whitesnake and Bob Seger. Not to completely abandon the country side of the menu, they also brought some well-done Merle Haggard and Johnny and June Cash covers. The Suggins Brothers next took the stage with hard driving, straight-ahead traditional Bluegrass, featuring a strong set including Flatt and Scruggs and Ricky Skaggs covers. Gorgeous harmonies were on display throughout the set, but those on “Who Will Sing One Song for Me” were exceptional. Thirty years of playing together showed with outstanding timing and flawlessly executing instrumental transitions. Well done, guys! I’ve never heard Bonnie Ridge Bluegrass before, but will be watching for them at upcoming festivals. Their style is traditional bluegrass, but it was refreshing to hear rarely performed material. Few standards were heard which made for an interesting set. continued pg 4 Page 2 August 2017 The SEBA BREAKDOWN www.sebabluegrass.org SEBA Breakdown & PUBLICATIONS Breakdown @sebabluegrass.org Contributors to this month's issue: From the Editor's Desk Dan Daniel Where are you jamming, what festivals have you visited? We would like to hear about your experiences and what you’re learning. Be sure to take a few pictures – they always add 2016 SEBA Board of Directors interest to a story. You don’t have to be a Pulitzer award winning Chairman of the President/CEO writer to share your story with your SEBA membership. Board/ Chapters Chair Have you heard a new (or new to you) band? Tell us about where Secretary you saw them and a few of their songs that impressed you. They Danette Dan Daniel always like to meet their public, so go on up during intermission Kellner 770 900-7472 or after the show, say “hi” get to know them, and help us all get 678 445-7020 to know them to. [email protected] Thanks very much for sharing your bluegrass experiences and sending folks to you favorite band or jam or festival. [email protected] Treasurer/CFO Education/Events Membership Committee Chair Committee Chair Don Simons Rebecca Lawson 770 650-8975 678 592-4334 [email protected] [email protected] Advertising Publications Committee Committee Chair Chair & Breakdown Painter Dickson editor Lester Gregory 678 836-4391 Beyer 770-374-2025 [email protected] [email protected] The SEBA Breakdown is a monthly production of: The Southeastern Bluegrass Association, Inc P.O. Box 20286, Atlanta, GA 30325. Copyright 2016, All rights reserved Address for all memberships, subscriptions and submissions to: SEBA's Po Box or email us at [email protected] Deadline for all submissions is the 1st of each month. Please copy & use the SEBA SEBA's Mission Statement logo. Link The Southeastern Bluegrass Association (SEBA) is a nonprofit organization consisting of members, fans, bands, promoters, us.. We support SEBA businesses, vendors, musicians, and friends of bluegrass music. Working On your web site in your email together to reach a common goal: or on your Facebook page you The preservation and promotion of Bluegrass Music, bringing it to the can help get the word out that SEBA is here to help Community through performers, instructors, jam sessions, venues and everyone in the bluegrass music community. events and providing information to all through our publications, the Award Winning SEBA Breakdown and the SEBA websites. Page 3 August 2017 The SEBA BREAKDOWN www.sebabluegrass.org From The Presidents Desk This month I would like to talk about the future of bluegrass and how as musicians and fans we can support it and keep it alive for many years to come. As we all know without the young up and coming pickers of today the future of bluegrass would not be very good. I always try to encourage the young folks and get them involved whenever I can, and I hope you will do the same. Bring them to a jam, festival or any event that could help them get started on the bluegrass musical path. If you play an instrument yourself, then give some of your time to a young musician trying to learn. I promise you will be glad you did and you will have taken one of the steps to keep our beloved bluegrass alive and well. And weather you are a musician or just a fan, try to attend events performed by young folks and let them know how much they are appreciated. A true bluegrass supporter and my friend Mr. John Colburn has an organization that helps many young folks that are interested in bluegrass music. John is the CEEO ( Chief Encouragement &Excitement Officer ) of Tomorrows Bluegrass Stars. You can see all the great work he does at this link www.tomorrowsbluegrassstars.org Page 4 August 2017 The SEBA BREAKDOWN www.sebabluegrass.org From Page 1 the Tusquittee Tavern, a private drinking establishment in Tusquitte Township, near Hayesville. See, Clay County Michelle Phillips has a wonderfully pronounced vibrato NC is a dry county – no bars allowed. One has to join a and a very different banjo style. She fluidly transitions be- private “club” or be a guest of a member to enter. Lo and tween Scruggs three finger style and claw-hammer tech- behold, they’ve got a Bluegrass jam there every Friday nique in the same song and even within lead breaks – very night. cool to listen to. Jason Micheal Sr. at times channeled Doc Watson with his smokey voice. “The Darkest Hour is Just It was an organic Before the Dawn” is one of BRB’s crowning pieces. jam at its best – The finale for Dan Adams with the evening guitar and I sat was per- down next to the formed by cast iron wood Frances stove and started Moon and tossing songs back Fontana and forth. Then up Sunset with came Steve on an- guest fiddler other banjo, then another couple of guitars, a few more Clinton Gregory. Masterful on the bow, Gregory also songs bloomed, then a bass, and a mandolin joined in. The took the mic for several solos on guitar. “The Chicken crowd gathered and it turned into a room rockin' jam til the Song” brought a lot of laughs. Fontana’s set was a little place closed. What a lot of fun! abbreviated as they welcomed an un-billed guest star to the stage Fran and McRay that brought the crowd to its feet. Nettles have We’ve seen her around R.C. as owned the prop- just a neighbor, but Grammy, erty since 2002 ACM, CMA awardee and mem- when it was an op- ber of the Grand Ole Opry Patty erating country Loveless put on display why she store. It became is a Nashville (and Dallas GA) the charming great! She performed favorites Tusquittee Tavern “Just Someone I Used to Know”, in 2013. It’s still “Daniel Prayed” and delivered a decorated with country store shelving and memorabilia, knock out duet with Jim Iler on and sports a shine still in the main room, and one on the “Pretty Polly”. Dr. Ralph heard front roof. All musicians are welcome to open jams Thurs- it, I am sure. What a thrilling ad- day, Friday and Sunday nights. Saturday nights are when dition to the festival. the booked and paid bands play. Folks, Raccoon Creek was another winner this summer. Its a picturesque site where Matlock I’m looking forward to many more years of top talent that Creek’s rippling waters flow right this hidden away, family friendly venue. See you next next to the home place and the tavern year! which runs into Tusquittee Creek down below. Though rural, they’ve Tusquittee Tavern NC by Gregory Beyer kept of with the times-- check out the outhouse! Gol-lee, the Bluegrass is every- where in North Carolina! You’ve So, if you find yourself near heard about Clay’s Corner, and the Hayesville in western NC on a Thurs- John C. Campbell Folk School in day, Friday or Sunday, drop in to Tusquittee and join the Brasstown NC. I ran across an- jam. other fun venue a few weeks ago when a pickin’ buddy invited me to Page 5 August 2017 The SEBA BREAKDOWN www.sebabluegrass.org SEBA Chapters and Jams S t a r t y o u r o w n S E B A c h a p t e r o r J a m S i t e C o n t a c t [email protected] To view or post Festivals go to http://www.sebabluegrass.org/events/festivals.php For all other events go to http://www.sebabluegrass.org/events/wpw/index.php YOUR SEBA CHAPTERS, VICE PRESIDENTS, LOCATIONS, MEETINGS & TIMES F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n g o t o w w w.