Desert Bluegrass Association GRASS CLIPPINGS Volume 15 Issue 1 April/May 2010 State of the Grass by President "Doc" Simpson State of the shops are free ! We wouldn’t meaningful given that her Grass have this incredible series if husband Jim is one of the “Doc” Simp- not for the vision and efforts counselors in the program. son, April of Marshall. Speaking of Bonnie – she 2010 Charlie’s jams at Vero Amore was our second annual re- Greetings restaurant have been well at- cipient of the Turquoise Bluegrass tended and fun to perform at. Award. This is a tradition Aficionados. Excellent job Charlie. Bill we have started in an effort What a great Trapp and Rich Erico con- to give recognition and ex- couple of months it has tinue to create wonderful op- press our appreciation to been! Reid Griffin, Bonnie portunities for bluegrass lov- members of the DBA who Lohman, Doc Reifschnieder, ers. They organized the have served generously in Charlie Sides, and Marshall Goldwing concert, which was promoting bluegrass in the Vest continue to coordinate a lot of work for them and a Southwest. A special thank terrific jams. Marshall set up you to Steve and Marilyn th great success for all. Rich two 17 Street Market work- and Bill have also started a Hulbert, who once again shops. The first was guitar monthly Saddlebrooke work- created a beautiful plaque instruction with nationally for the occasion. shop and jam that was enthu- known flatpicker, Greg Mor- siastically attended by a large In the last newsletter I told ton. The second was with audience. As we go to print you about a possibility that Danielle Bettencourt, ranked we are preparing for one of we would no longer be do- as one of the best fiddle my annual favorites - the ing an annual festival. This players in America, who has Tombstone campout that was was related to two develop- performed with Bill Monroe organized by Bill and Cindy ments. One – Mike, Geoff, and John McEuen. This Paul. and Bonnie, who have coor- month’s workshop (April th Beautiful Bonnie set up a dinated the event for the past 17 ) will be with banjo leg- 10 years, have understanda- end Andy McCune and on performance at a graduation th ceremony at the Salvation bly gotten tired. Secondly, May 15 , the phenomenal we lost our venue at the De- Tim Weed will be doing an Army for students who had successfully gone through a sert Diamond Casino. Now advanced banjo workshop. the good news. After a se- Did I mention these work- six-month drug recovery pro- gram. This was particularly ries of meetings, a number PAGE 2 GRASS CLIPPINGS VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 -OFFICERS- President: "Doc" Simpson (520) 298-9746 [email protected] Vice President: Charlie Sides (520)579-5918 [email protected] Secretary: Mike Headrick (520) 760-0745 [email protected] Treasurer: Barbara Van Hoesen (785) 979-6177 [email protected] -TRUSTEES- Geoff Fox (520) 731-3601 [email protected] Bonnie Lohman (520) 296-1231 [email protected] Andy MacLeod (520) 237-9832 [email protected] Jim (Doc) Reifschneider (520)290-6615 [email protected] How to Contact the DBA Newsletter Editor--Bonnie Lohman : For information concerning Letters to the Editor, Reviews, contributing newsletter articles, submitting Concert & Band Listing information Webmaster--Bill Trapp: For information concerning the DBA website www.desertbluegrass.org contact the webmaster at [email protected] Membership Secretary--Fran Riggs : To join the DBA, renew a membership or submit an address change, contact Fran via phone at (520) 490-4560, email [email protected] or snail mail 17247 E. Peach Tree Road, Mayer, Arizona 86333-4146 Publicity--Mike Headrick : Contact Mike at (520) 760-0745 or [email protected] Booking Bands--Bonnie Lohman : To book a DBA band for an event, phone 520-296-1231 or email [email protected] Advertising--Bonnie Lohman : To purchase advertising in our newsletter, contact by phone or email MEMBERSHIP DISPLAY ADS PRICES 1/4 PAGE--$25 PER ISSUE, $100 ANNUAL 1/2 PAGE--$40 PER ISSUE, $160 ANNUAL FULL PAGE--$60 PER ISSUE $240 ANNUAL CLASSIFIED ADS $5 FOR 5 LINES OR LESS DBA members free space permitting The opinions expressed in the DBA newsletter are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Desert Bluegrass Association, is staff or members. Reviews, concert listings, band announcements and advertising are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by the Desert Bluegrass Association. In the event of an error, our liability is limited to printing a correction. Copyright 2010,. All Rights Reserved. VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 GRASS CLIPPINGS PAGE 3 FESTIVAL UPDATE Hi Bluegrass Fans, In the last issue of Grass Clippings I reported that Desert Diamond Casino had decided not to host our 11 th Annual Bluegrass Festival and that we were looking for a new venue. After evaluating 14 possible venue sites and visiting 8 of those sites, we have completed our search and have a wonderful new site for the festival – the AVA amphitheater owned by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. The AVA amphitheater is a lovely facility designed for concerts with up to 5,000 attendees. As such it has everything that we need already in place. There are 1800 theater style seats under a roof with room for 2700 more on a grassy berm. There are restrooms, vendor space, a secure perimeter, dressing rooms, a stage large enough for a Broadway Production and more. Free RV camping will be in a dedicated area of the parking lot adjacent to the amphitheater. There is even a grassy area for tent campers although tent stakes are not allowed due to the underground irrigation. The AVA amphitheater is located on Valencia Road approximately 6 miles west of I-19. It is adjacent to Casino de Sol but is totally self-contained. This is a wonderful venue for continuing our Annual Festival of Bluegrass Music. So, our 11 th Annual Bluegrass Festival will be held October 29-31,2010 at the AVA amphitheater . Mark your calendars now and make your plans. We will have additional information regarding bands and activities in future issues of Grass Clippings and on our website. Mike Headrick of volunteers have stepped aside a half hour for instru- Tough times quiet down a lot up and dedicated their ser- ment instruction, where the of the noise in our lives and vices. Secondly, after an ex- experienced players work remind us of the deeper tensive committee search with the students. I would things – family, friends & headed by Mike Headrick, like to invite intermediate- faith, the privilege of living in we have found a new loca- to-advanced players to the greatest nation on earth, tion at the AVA Amphithea- come out to help the new- the pleasure of spending time ter. More details to come! bies learn. I promise you, it with a loved one, and enjoy- I have a personal request. is worth your time. ing simple, honest music. So, Every Monday night we The people in our nation are check out this issue of the have been doing a beginner’s going through some tough DBA newsletter. The next workshop at Christ Commu- political and economic two months are packed with nity Church from 6:30 to times. Seems like there’s a exciting bluegrass events. I 8:30 pm. The class has lot of anger and discourage- encourage you to join us for a really grown – we average ment out there and gloom whole lot of friendship and 35-45 “newbies” each week. all around us. So let me fun. It helps to have experienced close by repeating what I Keep on the grass, players come as well. We set said in the last newsletter. “Doc” Simpson PAGE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 Save the Date for a Celebration of Friends, Great Websites A benefit for Craig Tinney. Check 'Em Out! Desert Bluegrass Many of you may already know that long-time Associatiom www/desertbluegrass/ supporter of traditional music and a fine musician to org boot, Craig Tinney, was involved in a catastrophic motor vehicle accident this past November. To help Bluegrass Arizona Blog: defray the overwhelming amount of uncovered www.bluegrassarizona. medical expenses, a group of friends is sponsoring blogspot.com this benefit to celebrate the power of music and Banjo: www. friends. banjohangout.org When: Sunday, June 13, 2010, 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Fiddle: Where: Temple of Music & Art, Tucson. wwwlfiddlehangout.com There will be 8 local and regional bands in concert in Dobro: www.reso- nation.org or the main theater. There will be contra and square www.resohangout.com dancing in the Cabaret Theater. There will be a silent auction, raffle, special t-shirts, food and more! Come Bass: www. for an hour or stay all day. It's a party of friends who bluegrassbassplace. wish to help "one of our own" in this time of need. com More details to follow. Daily Dose of Bluegrass;www. Questions? Contact Jerry Weinert (520) 731-6001 or bluegrassonthetube. Beth Judd (520) 6096167. com Instruction Bill Breen Scruggs style banjo by ear. 520-544-2418 www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/music.asp Corrine Cortese Fiddle lessons 520-235-3199 Rudy Cortese Banjo lessons 520-954-2103 Peter McLaughlin Flatpick & bluegrass guitar: Beginner & advanced 520-529-2992 Mike Purdy Guitar & mandolin 520-318-0659 J.P. Thom-Gronachan Banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, theory 520-682-6201 Mike Wallner Banjo, Scruggs, melodic & clawhammer 520-327-8259 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 GRASS CLIPPINGS PAGE 5 Associations Jams Bands All DBA sponsored jams and Arizona Bluegrass Association performances are listed Bear Canyon Ramblers 7257 N.