Summer 2011

the
Pickin Post
Official Publication of the Louisville Bluegrass Music Association
Summer 2011
Issue #37
2nd Annual BA Pig Roast
Read more about it in the True Blue News on page 8
Photos- Tim Buckman
See more photos page 9
WWW.BLUEGRASS-ANONYMOUS.ORG
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Dear Friends and Fans,
As you may already know, Cherryholmes will be
disbanding in May, 2011. It was a difficult choice to
make, but our family has moved into a new season
of life. It has become important for our young
folks to be free to pursue their own paths. We
want to express our sincere thanks for your faithful support over the years. It has been an honor
to play for you all. The friendships we’ve made will
always be dear to us. We will be doing a couple
of “Farewell” shows in Nashville. Hope to see you
there. God bless you all and we’ll see you down the
road.
Jere, Sandy, and Cherryholmes
The B.A. membership and board would like to extend its
thanks to Cherryholmes for their support of our organization.
They generously included advertisement in the Pickin’ Post
for the last several years. We look forward to what the future holds for
these great musicians and good folk. Best wishes!
The Pickin’ Post is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our
advertisers. It is available in selective stores, wherever free publications are
generally seen. We do not endorse the views expressed in the articles and
advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised.
Written permission from BA’s publisher is required to reproduce any material. We
welcome your ideas and feed-back.
Pickin’ Post
The
A fond fairwell...
Published quarterly. Christine Walsh, editor & graphics gal.
The Official Publication of
Bluegrass Anonymous
P.O. Box 21281 • Louisville, KY 40221-0281
The Louisville Bluegrass Music Association
Mission Statement
Bluegrass Anonymous, the Louisville Bluegrass Music
Association, is dedicated to promoting and supporting
bluegrass music, preserving its tradition, and nurturing
its growth by providing opportunities for pickin’, singin’
and listenin’.
Executive Officers
Dan Robinson, President
Charlie Logsdon, Vice-President
Carly Cotton, Treasurer
Sonya Cotton, Secretary
Board of Directors
Clint Craven
Nathan Livers
Steffani Shreve
Robin Thixton
Christine Walsh, Newsletter Editor
Board Members-at-Large
Berk Bryant, WFPK Sunday Night Bluegrass
Michelle Bucayu, Web Administrator
Mike Bucayu, Founder B.A.
Mike Cleveland, Multi-Award Winning Musician
Gabrielle Gray, International Bluegrass Music Museum
Glen Hensley, Newsletter Advertising Chair
Jeff Kopp, Pilot and Banjo Picker
Paul Priest, Musician
Bobby Smith, Newsletter Committee & Musician
Edward T. Depp, Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP
Kato Wilbur, Treasury/IT Consultant & Musician
To submit an ad contact Mike at [email protected] or call
(502) 693-4760 for more info.
Bluegrass Anonymous Membership Application
Type of Membership
Name
Spouse
Individual
$15/year
Name of Band (If applicable)
Family
$20/year
Band Members
Co./Band
$20/year
Amount Enclosed
$
e-mail address
Address
Make Check Payable to:
Bluegrass
Anonymous
City
State
P.O. Box 21281
Louisville, KY 40221-0281
Zip
3
A special tribute
Leon L. “Les” McIntyre III
June 26, 1941 – April 28, 2011
The B.A. Board and family is very saddened about the death
of Les McIntyre. Les helped B.A. move forward in its goals and
mission by serving as B.A. President from March 2007 through
March 2009. He held a board position from 2009 until this year’s
March elections, when he asked to serve as a board memberat-large. We share Les’ obituary that was posted in the Erwin
Record newspaper: “ Les McIntyre, an Erwin, TN, native, left
this world on Thursday, April 28, 2011, a few weeks shy of his
70th birthday. He succumbed to a sudden heart attack. Les was
a great guy. After graduation from Unicoi County High School in
Erwin, Les attended East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN, where he graduated with honors in 1963. He was
a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at ETSU, and he
was in the ROTC program there.
Upon graduation from college, Les was commissioned as a
Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, where he served
12 years in the Quartermaster Corps and attained the rank of
Major. Les did overseas tours of duty, including Vietnam during
the war, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Republic of
Korea. After leaving the U.S. Army, Les lived in northern Virginia.
He worked for the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of
Defense until his retirement in the mid-1990s.
Les was a great fan of many things including, the Dallas
Cowboys football team, the National Football League, NASCAR,
and classic western films. But above all, Les loved Bluegrass
music, country music, and the industry that supports these forms
of entertainment.
Les played in several bands such as the Northern Virginia/DC
group, “None of the Above.” Les helped create a long running
all night Bluegrass and Classic Country Music show, “Bluegrass
Overnight,” that ran every Saturday night for over twenty years
on WAMU in Washington D.C. He served as a disk jockey on
this show along with a rotating cast of spinners, including his
good friend, Bill Foster. [Thanks to Bill Foster and the website,
The DC Bluegrass Union, for providing information for
his obituary.]
Les worked a long time for the Bluegrass industry magazine,
Bluegrass Unlimited. He wrote many record reviews for the
magazine, and some may still run in future issues. Les occasionally wrote articles for Bluegrass Unlimited. He also wrote liner
notes for various Bluegrass albums.
Les was active in the International Bluegrass Music Association.
He attended the IBMA World of Bluegrass trade show held yearly
beginning in Owensboro, KY, and moving later to Louisville, KY,
and Nashville, TN, as the IBMA grew. In recent years he volunteered as a backstage coordinator for Showcase performances
at the Fan Fest segment of the trade show. Les was also a
graduate of the IBMA Leadership Bluegrass program. After moving to Louisville in 2003, Les joined the local Bluegrass Society,
Bluegrass Anonymous.
Les is predeceased by his parents, Maude Shull McIntyre and
Leon L. McIntyre II. He is survived by cousins, including Diane
Shull Young, of Raleigh, NC, James Michael Shull of Gate City,
VA, Col. Patrick W. Shull (U.S. Army, Ret.) of Kingsport, TN, and
Timothy E. Shull of Louisville, KY.
Les McIntyre’s funeral service will be held at the Valley Funeral
Home in Erwin, TN, on Saturday, May 21, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.
Burial will be afterwards, beside his parents, in Erwin’s Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Les has requested that gifts
be made to the Trust Fund of the International Bluegrass Music
Association in Nashville, TN. “
Dan Boner, Gospel musician and Director of Bluegrass, Old
Time, and Country Music Studies at E. TN State University, performed at Les’ funeral playing “How Can I keep From Singing,
“His Eye Is on the Sparrow, “Amazing Grace” and “I’ll Fly Away”.
Family and friends were invited to talk about Les or pray between
songs. Les was a Christian and he liked to listen to WAMU’s
Stained Glass Bluegrass show after he would do a shift as a one
of the disk jockeys on Bluegrass Overnight.Fly
Les’ cousin, Tim Shull shared his obituary with BA and wrote the
following: “Please feel free to share it (the obit) with your friends.
We thought that Les would like gifts go to the IBMA Trust Fund
rather than for flowers if that’s OK with you all. (It’s for musicians
who don’t have health insurance.) It makes us feel better to know
that Les had such good friends in the Louisville Bluegrass community.
When we were little, my two brother’s and I loved to go to Aunt
Maude (Dad’s big sister) and Uncle Leon’s house to visit. Les
was gone a lot to Scout Camp and college, and later the U.S.
Army, but he knew we went to his room. We would head straight
to Les’ room for the Mad Magazines. Spy vs. Spy was probably
one of the reasons I learned to read, even though you didn’t have
to read to enjoy the strip. But I figured that if Spy vs. Spy was
this good, how good would it be to read the words in the rest of
the magazine!! Also, Aunt Maude would always give you a sugar
coke in one of the thick little glass bottles if you asked her nice.
Les grew a lot closer to Mary Jo (Tim’s wife) and me when
my parents were dying over time in pieces at home in East TN.
He visited my folks frequently as they got older and he lost his
mom. He began to come to Louisville for Christmas and Derby
during this time in the mid to late 90s. Having Les here with us
in Louisville as an adult was a great pleasure. He loved to come
to our house for Christmas and the Derby. He liked to go out to
eat with us. He was good to Mary Jo (my wife), Sarah Alice (our
daughter) and me. He loved our dogs. It was nice to have an
older, wiser person around. We will/do miss him a lot. He was a
great person.
BGA, thanks again for the lovely card. Please accept our best
wishes and give them to all your BGA friends.
Besides the DC Bluegrass Union tribute, a tribute was posted
on BluegrassCountry.org and Les will be memorialized in an
upcoming Bluegrass Unlimited magazine. We’ll miss ya, Les!
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New and Renewing Members
B.A. welcomes the following new members:
Barry & Tracy Brewer: Palmyra, IN.
Nicholas & Eloise Chambers: Elizabethtown, KY.
Clint Craven: Louisville, KY.
Allie Deacon: Mt. Washington, KY.
Jim & Elizabeth Eaton: Frankfort, KY.
Dan Fitzgerald: Crestwood, KY.
Betty Hintz: Otisco, IN.
Nathan Livers: Louisville, KY.
William & Joyce Livers: Deputy, IN.
Michael R. Ralph: Greenwood, IN.
Juanita Roark: Otisco, IN.
Steffani Shreve: Louisville, KY.
Robin Thixton: Louisville, KY.
And, thanks the following renewing members, for their continued support of the habit:
Paula Barbour: Lexington, KY.
Alan, Cheryl, Malanie & Maci Belfiore: Rineyville, KY.
John Cook: New Albany, IN.
Kyle Ellison: Louisville, KY.
* Amy Fernandez & Brad Curtsinger: Louisville, KY.
Kenneth Froman: Floyds Knobs, IN.
Bruce Gordon: Finchville, KY.
Nanine Henderson & Che Clark: Floyds Knobs, IN.
Margie & C.J. Hockenbury: Corydon, IN.
Butch Kanney & Sherlie Richardson: Indianapolis, IN.
John Manning: Louisville, KY.
Anthony & Vycki Minstein: Louisville, KY.
Bobby R. Parton: Louisville, KY.
Chet Purcell: Louisville, KY.
Mike Renn: Louisville, KY.
David Shattuck: Louisville, KY.
* Marshall Shelor: Louisville, KY.
Terry Strange: Elizabethtown, KY. (2-year renewal)
Gary Lee & Tricia Thurman: Frankfort, KY.
Chester Wesley: Charlestown, IN.
Lauren White: Louisville, KY.
Bill Wolfe: Louisville, KY.
* Sent donation for Berk Bryant’s BG Show with their membership
renewal. Thanks for the support! (Sunday Night Bluegrass with
Berk Bryant every Sunday, 8:00 – 11:00 pm ET, 91.9 FM,WFPK.org)
** Membership referred by Terry Strange Music Studio, Elizabethtown, KY.
Thanks for the support!
Many thanks to all for your support of BA and its mission!
From Behind the Soundboard at Shepherdsville Music Barn
By Robin Thixton
Hello BA friends. This past winter and spring was a fun and interesting time for me. Always looking for something to get in to, I found
myself behind the soundboard at the Shepherdsville Music Barn on Friday nights running sound for the many bluegrass bands to come
through. For those of you who haven’t been down to the Barn in a while, changes are underway to bring it to the forefront of bluegrass
venues. Mr. Monroe Rice took over for CR Wilson doing the booking for the bluegrass shows last summer and in a short time he had a stellar lineup for the year. In addition to several popular local bands like Bluegrass 101, King’s Highway, Kentucky Blue, and The High Rollers
(a little shameless self promotion), the big guns were there too. IIIrd Tyme Out, Michael Cleveland and Flame Keeper, the always entertaining Karl Shiflett and Big Country, Ralph Stanley II, Mike Lilly and Wendy Miller, and to end the season, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.
More changes have included an awesome paint job on the inside thanks to Pat Portman and her crew, as well as a new soundboard and
microphones to keep everyone sounding great.
The shows didn’t go off without the odd hitch. Some icey roads and bad storms kept a few folks away on a couple nights, electrical shorts
in the sound cords had us running around pulling our hair out, but everything got put together and it was a fun bunch of Friday nights. The
Shepherdsville Music Barn is a great place to go and hear music. There aren’t too many places around where the cover charge is reasonable, you can bring everyone from your kids to your Grandma, and then be entertained by the best in the bluegrass business. There’s a
smiling face to welcome you, sell you ticket on a Country Ham, and shake your hand and ask how you’ve been.
I’m looking forward to the 2011/2012 season. The lineup for this fall will include IIIrd Tyme Out, The Grascals, The Chuckwagon Gang,
Danny Paisley, The Boxcars, Marty Raybon, James King Band, Karl Shiflett, Doyle Lawson, and many new and old favorites. Things should
start up this fall around the first part of October. More information can be found on the website at www.shepherdsvillemusicbarn.com or you
can just give Monroe Rice a call at 502-297-9979 or 502-552-9771 or by email at [email protected].
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention in this article, that the longtime owner and operator of the Shepherdsville Music Barn, Ms. Mary C. Reid,
passed away on Friday, April 29, 2011. This was the day of the last show of the season and she was so looking forward to seeing Doyle
Lawson and Quicksilver. Mary loved country and bluegrass music. She was always there at the door to greet everyone as they came in.
She and her family have worked tirelessly to bring bluegrass and country music to so many fans for so many years. Mary will be dearly
missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family.
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2nd Annual Salt Lick Festival
by Bobby Smith
850 people attended the Second Annual Salt Lick Bluegrass
Festival each day of the event. On February 18th & 19th, the
Paroquet Springs Conference Center in Shepherdsville, KY was
teeming bands, fans and vendors. Attendance was one factor that
has Salt Lick organizer Laura Brown calling the festival, a “huge
success.” Tommy and Laura Brown, the festival’s organizers,
expanded on last year’s success and introduced a few additions
to this year’s festival in an effort to offer fans the best event possible.
Among many notable events at the festival was the last
festival appearance of the family band Cherryhomes in Kentucky.
Laura, who has become friends with the band over the years,
said, “we were so proud to” host Cherryholmes’ for their last
Kentucky festival and that “their presence will be greatly missed
in the industry.” Cia, Molly, and B.J. Cherryholmes conducted
workshops—new events on the Salt Lick festival schedule this
year— on the banjo and fiddle prior to their performance on
Friday evening. The workshops were an up close and personal
interactive experience with the youngsters that highlighted their
talents and their approach toward selecting tunes and techniques
for playing their respective instruments.
Friday night also included performances by Kings Highway, Driving Rain, and Tommy Brown and County Line Grass on
the main stage. In the McDowell Ballroom a new band currently
from Hyden, KY, Flickertail Holler, appeared on the Showcase
Open microphone and Melanie Belfiore gave a clogging workshop. Jammers occupied the smaller conference rooms for the
better part of the evening. The evening culminated in the auditorium with a hallmark of the Salt Lick Festival—a grand finale that
included artists from featured bands.
Workshops continued Saturday in the ballroom and included
cross-picking guitar, Stanley-style banjo, two clogging workshops,
and a Mandolin work shop. The Open Mic Showcase featured,
among others, an Indiana band called Grandview Junction and a
Kentuckiana band called Porter Ridge. The Open Mic Showcase
was an experimental aspect of the festival that Tommy and Laura
will not continue next year. Laura stated, “our audience chose to
watch the featured bands over browsing the showcase stage.”
Workshops, however, were very popular and will be a part of next
year’s festival.
Melanie Belfiore
(L) gives a clogging
workshop. (Photo
by Kathy Lee.)
Saturday’s main
stage line-up included Kings Highway, Higher Vision, Crossroads
and Blue River for two sets. Of note that day was a well-deserved,
first standing ovation for Kings Highway, a band that Brown says,
“is becoming a perennial favorite.” Headliner Larry Sparks capped
all the stellar performances with an absolutely outstanding show
just before Saturday’s Grand Finale. Apparently Sparks enjoyed
the Bullitt County hospitality because he signed on for Salt Lick III
within two weeks of appearing at this year’s festival.
Next year’s festival will be
held on 17 & 18 February,
2012. The headliners will
be: Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice on Friday and
Larry Sparks & the Lonesome Ramblers on Saturday.
Regional favorites Tommy
Brown & County Line Grass
and Kings Highway will return
in 2012 as well.
Cia Cherryholmes gives a banjo workshop at the 2nd Annual Salt
Lick Bluegrass Festival. (Photo by Kathy Lee.)
One glitch Tommy and Laura encountered late Friday night was
a problem with the “All Night Jam” that was supposed to happen
at the hotel near the conference center. After the festival, fans
and jammers departed for the hotel next door to carrying on the
fun. Despite, the Browns having worked closely with the hotel for
nearly a year, the hotel management put a halt to the jam about
30 minutes after it started. To remedy this, plans for next year’s
festival include keeping the conference center open until 3 a.m.
Keep up with all the Salt Lick
Bluegrass Festival by clicking “Like” on their Facebook
page or visiting www.tbclg.
com.
6
Larry Sparks performs at Salt Lick Bluegrass Festival. (Photo by Kathy Lee.)
No Fooling! April 1st Band Scramble and Hosparus Fundraiser in
Vine Grove a Huge Success
by Bobby Smith
Generous Bluegrass players and fans donated over $2100 to
Hosparus of Central Kentucky on the first Friday of April earlier this year at the Vine Grove Bluegrass Jam’s Annual Band
Scramble. Jam organizers chose to adopt the charity this year
after several Vine Grove Jam supporters benefitted from hospice
related services over the last year.
Wilbur Huff of Fordsville, KY performs in one of the scramble
bands at the Vine Grove Bluegrass Jam Band Scramble on 1
April, 2011. (Photo by Kathy Lee)
Vine Grove City Hall was overflowing with musicians and fans until
nearly midnight on the evening of the event. Organizers estimate
that over 50 musicians signed up to participate in the Scramble. For
many of the participants, the event was their first exposure to a band
scramble and many were surprised at the entertainment value such
a venue provides.
Tommy and Jereme Brown of Tommy Brown and County Line Grass
from Shepherdsville, KY close out the Vine Grove Bluegrass Jam
Band Scramble and Raiser Fundraiser. (Photo by Kathy Lee)
In addition to the nine
Scramble bands that
performed for the grateful
crowd, two professional
bands performed to
support the fundraiser.
Kings Highway and
Tommy Brown & County
Line Grass closed out the
evening of music and
fellowship in the Vine
Grove City Hall. The
evening also included an
auction and a Kentucky
Colonels induction
ceremony.
Mark Hargis of Kings
Highway from Henderson,
KY performs at the Band
Scramble. (Photo by
Kathy Lee)
In the weeks and months leading up the fundraiser all manner of solicitation methods were used to seek donations. Jam
organizers sold Vine Grove Bluegrass Jam bumper-stickers,
devised a “Gents” versus “Ladies” change collection contest
(which, by the way, the Gents won), sought donations of food,
asked for items for the charity auction, and invited professional bands in to support the cause. Due to the generosity
of jam supporters a free meal of chili, hotdogs, and cupcakes
was provided to those attending the event. Organizers worked
closely with Hosparus of Central Kentucky and Vine Grove
Mayor Blake Proffitt throughout the planning process to ensure
the event was a success.
The Vine Grove Bluegrass Jam is held every Monday night in
summer months (May – September) at the Optimist Park in
Vine Grove and every Friday Night in winter months in the Vine
Grove City Hall (October – April). For more information contact
Bobby Smith at 270-300-1316 or at
[email protected].
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True Blue News... by Michelle Bucayu
After just 4 short months of broadcasting weekly updates from the World of
Bluegrass Music, Front Page Bluegrass News announces a twice-weekly schedBA had another nice turnout for our 2nd Annual Pig Roast and Pickin’ Party ule beginning Tuesday, May 3rd. According to Brian McNeal, the founder and
on April 30th at Lapping Park in Clarksville, IN. Endris Lodge was a great
News Anchor for FrontPageBluegrass, the demand from radio stations has been
venue for the event and we were fortunate to have a beautiful, sunny day. A
there since the beginning but the ability to deliver fresh news more than once a
quote from BA VP, Charlie Logsdon, “I got to hear some of the great pickin’
week was a concern. “Everyday, somewhere in the world, someone is making
that was happening, but, of course, as my alter-ego, Chef Chow Lee, I had to Bluegrass News,” McNeal said. The word is out about this unique service for
concentrate on getting the pig done just right. I want to thank the regular BA
bluegrass radio news and his inbox is now overflowing with press releases and
volunteers for making it another great event and also the folks like Eloise who requests for coverage. More information can be found here: http://prescription
stepped up and helped at the last minute. We always need more volunteers
bluegrass.blogspot.com/p/front-page-bluegrass_15.html
and greatly appreciate when anyone is so gracious as to help.” Attendees
registered for free door prizes such as CDs, magazines, and a beautiful hang- We Remember:
ing basket. And Rebecca Brandstatt, wife of Chris Brandstatt of Cast Iron Air- Shades of Grass comment: It is with great sadness that we announce the passing
plane, was the lucky 50/50 winner of the day. Many thanks to the Logsdons
of one of our own. David Grubb (Grubby) bass player extraordinaire,
for their hard work and thanks to everyone who brought all of the great side
exceptional friend, loving and devoted father and grandfather passed away
dishes, drinks, and desserts. We are already in the process of scheduling
after a courageous battle with cancer. Grubby is now appearing daily in
next year’s event at Lapping Park and look forward to seeing you all there!
Heaven’s House Band. Play on dear friend, play on!
The Louisville Bluegrass Music Association, Bluegrass Anonymous, a 501c-3
non-profit organization, welcomes its newly appointed board! Elections
were held at a board retreat on Saturday, March 5th. This is a grass-roots
organization and the B.A. board values and appreciates information, suggestions, concerns or questions from all of its members and the bluegrass community in general. Thanks for your support of B.A. and its mission! The new
Board of Directors includes: Dan Robinson, President; Charlie Logsdon, VicePresident; Carly Cotton, Treasurer; Sonya Cotton, Secretary MadreSonya@
yahoo.com 502-523-8901; Mike Bucayu, Public Relations Fstylemb1@yahoo.
com502-693-4760; Clint Craven, Musician; Nathan Livers, Musician; Steffani
Shreve, Asst. Editor Pickin’ Post (BA Newsletter); Robin Thixton, Musician;
Christine Walsh, Editor Pickin’ Post (BA Newsletter). Members At Large
(Consulting positions without voting privileges) include: Berk Bryant, WFPK
Bluegrass Show 91.9 FM www.wfpk.org; Michelle Bucayu, Web Administrator;
Mike Cleveland, Eight-Time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year; Gabrielle Gray,
Director IBMM; Glen Hensley, Former Pickin’ Post Editor; Jeff Kopp, Musician; Paul Priest, Musician; Bobby Smith, Pickin’ Post Committee; Edward
T. Depp Dinsmore & Shohl LLP; and, Kator Wilbur, Former Board Treasurer.
Until his recent death, Les McIntyre was a member of the board at large.
One of BA’s newest board members, Robin Thixton (formerly Roller), has a
band called The High Rollers. Check out the good news on The Bluegrass
Blog about their recent prize ~ http://www.thebluegrassblog.com/high-rollerstake-the-prize/ Robin is a recent transplant to Louisville after getting hitched to
local musician Murrell Thixton and her band has scheduled several performances this summer in and around the Louisville area, including Forest Fest
(May 21) and Bluegrass on the Square in Corydon. Congrats, High Rollers!
Bluegrass impresario Carlton Haney, a promoter and booking agent who
helped popularize the music by spearheading the bluegrass festival phenomenon, passed away in Greensboro, NC. Haney served as a booking agent for
Bill Monroe & the Blue Grass Boys from 1953-55, and as booking agent and
manager for Don Reno, Red Smiley & The Tennessee Cut-Ups from 1955-64. As
a festival promoter, he worked with practically every big name in bluegrass music
beginning in 1965, when he organized what he called the “Blue Grass Festival”
on a horse farm in Fincastle, VA. A member of the International Bluegrass Music
Association Hall of Fame, Haney was 82 years old.
Nashville songwriter Harley Allen passed away after having been diagnosed
recently with a stage 4 cancer. Harley was the son of bluegrass legend Red Allen, and performed with his siblings and his dad for many years. His songs were
recorded by a great many country and bluegrass artists, such as Del McCoury,
Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, Alan Jackson, Geoge Jones
and dozens more. Perhaps his most enduring song is High Sierra, memorably
performed by Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris.
Country music legend Hazel Dickens, who grew up in poverty in Mercer County
and sang her hard-hitting songs about working people, coal mining and West
Virginia all over the world, passed away at age 75. Goldenseal magazine editor
and musician John Lilly said, “She was a treasure, a musical pioneer in bluegrass
music, a gifted songwriter, an activist and a very wise woman who saw the truth
in things and spoke it freely.” “She sang and wrote about mining issues and mine
safety issues and women’s issues in general, and spoke up in her songs and
conversation for people who needed a voice.” Dickens was “an authentic voice of
America’s working class.”
Congrats to the 23 String Band for making the list of bands on this year’s
ROMP flyer! Great Louisville band! Check out more on Facebook and
website: http://the23stringband.com/
Mary C. Reid, 75, of Shepherdsville, KY, was born December 7, 1935 to the
late John and Mary Meiners Braun and returned to her Heavenly Father April
29, 2011. Mrs. Reid was the owner and operator of the Shepherdsville Country
Music Show and a member of Saint Luke Catholic Church. Among those who
Congrats to Glenn Gibson, whose new CD was reviewed in the May issue of preceded her in death include her parents; husband, Phillip C. Reid Sr.; son, LawBluegrass Unlimited. Pick up and copy and read the great review. And, pick
rence Reid; sisters, Laverne Calvert, Ruth Fugit and Catherine Meade Mondun;
up a CD (see article in this issue of the PP).
and brother, John Braun. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving children,
Loretta McCluskey (Greg), Kathy Dobson (Kenny), Phillip C. Reid Jr. (Kathy),
The OKI (Ohio KY Indiana) Bluegrass Association will hold a Fundraiser
John W. Reid (Jeanne), Dennis E. Reid; Mark T. Reid (Terry); daughter in-law,
& Membership Drive Festival on Sunday, June 19, at Eales in Fairborn (OH),
Margie Reid; sister, Doris Gast; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, a
509 Sports St. (St. Rt 235 exit off I-675). Doors open at 11am, adults $10,
host of other family and friends.
children under 12 free. Festival will include Bluegrass bands, 50/50, flea market, food and soft drinks. For info, contact Tim Cahall at [email protected]. Bluegrass Gospel great Enoch Sullivan, patriarch of the Sullivan Family of
Alabama, passed away on February 23. He was 79 years old. For five decades
Recently featured on Ket2 was Primal Twang, The Legacy of the Guitar. It
Margie & Enoch Sullivan and The Sullivan Family band carried the banner of
is the story of the guitar as told through a combination of onstage narration,
bluegrass gospel music in the deep South and Gulf Coast region of the United
video projections of rare historical footage and electrifying live performances
States, and they have made significant inroads for the music among fans around
by world music legend Dan Crary and an all-star ensemble of international
the world. Their trademark style features hard-driving, traditional bluegrass instruguitar greats, including Grammy-winners, Eric Johnson, Albert Lee, Andrew
mentation led by strong lead vocals from Margie and Enoch’s fiddle. The family
York, Mason Williams, and Doc Watson. Reruns can be seen on KET and
began publishing Bluegrass Gospel News in 1989, a quarterly tabloid newsletter
KET 2. Find the next airdate at www.ket.org/tvschedules/
to promote bluegrass gospel music. Family band members have included Arthur,
Jerry, Lisa and Aubrey Sullivan. Non-family members have included Joe Stuart,
Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice announced their latest Rebel Records
Marty Stuart, Carl Jackson, Joy DeVille, James Phillips, Joe Cook and Earn
album titled Cold Heart, which will be available late Summer 2011. The new
Sneed. Enoch and Margie Sullivan have always remained close to their roots,
project will feature the guest vocals of Rhonda Vincent on the duet number
seeing their mission as primarily one of praising God through music and making
“The Sound of Your Name”. The album will also feature the songwriting
their home in the small community of St. Stephens, Alabama. The Sullivans
talents of Tom T. and Dixie Hall. The new release comes on the heels of
received the IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award in 2005 for their lifetime
the chart topping success of their last album Heartaches and Dreams which
commitment to the music.
produced a number #1 song in “Train Without a Track” and remained the top
album on the Blue
If you have any information or photos that you would like to see included in the
next Pickin’ Post, please E-mail details to Michelle Bucayu at kymandogirl@
yahoo.com. Thank you for your support!
8
2011 Pig Roast Pictures
Photos - Tim Buckman
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10
Glenn Gibson, An Interview
by Michelle Bucayu
MB: When did you get your start in music, and was there
anyone in your family who had musical talents that may have
helped you along the way?
GG: My first ‘real’ instrument had nothing to do with bluegrass (except, maybe in a controversial way). I was probably
around ten years old (maybe nine) when I started playing the
drums. I had them for a while, then I heard the banjo. Flatt
& Scruggs were playing on an episode of the Beverly Hillbillies. I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever heard. My
drums were sold, to the relief of my mom. My family was/is
musical. Dad plays the guitar and most of his side of the family
are musical. My maternal grandmother is musical as well. It
wasn’t uncommon for some of the family to get together and
sing and play.
MB: Could you briefly describe the music making process of
your latest CD project titled, “When Times Are Hard”?
GG: It’s pretty much the same for any project. You gather
your material, arrange it, coordinate with the studio and the
musicians/singers and lay down the tracks. You mix the tracks
of each song (the longest part of the project for me) listen and
repeat until you get tired of them, and send it off to be mastered. While you are doing that you set up a photo shoot and
meet with a graphics designer for all the artwork and text that
needs to be laid out. Then when all of that is done you send it
to be replicated and have a nervous breakdown. Ta-da!
MB: What was the biggest challenge in making the CD?
GG: Not going crazy. I think I failed. Really, everything was
challenging. This was my first major recording for bluegrass. I
didn’t think about it until I read what Dr. Bobby Jones wrote in
his review of my album, in which he said:
“It is uncommon for a disc of this quality not backed
by a major label to come across your desk. It is even more
unusual for the same man to produce the project, write all the
material, (except for one cut, the traditional Barbara Allen) play
sophisticated, tasteful Dobro, and sing lead. Glenn Gibson did
all that with this CD.”
When I read that, it hit me what I had attempted to
do. I was stressed during the project, in part because I wanted
to turn out a quality CD. I mean, you’re asking folks to spend
fifteen dollars of their hard-earned money on forty-five minutes
of music. I wanted this to be the best I could make it. I believe
I succeeded. At least I hope so.
MB: What is the first tune you remember learning?
GG: Focusing on bluegrass, the first song I remember learning was Cripple Creek. Again this was on the banjo. I had
borrowed an Earl Scruggs instruction book and recording from
my Uncle.
MB: Who are some of the most memorable musicians you
have had an opportunity to play with, professionally or just
pickin’ around?
GG: I played the [Grand Ole] Opry with Dale Ann Bradley
and Alison Krauss set in for a couple of songs. Also, at a
Derby party held at a country club where I was playing, Sam
Bush came up and asked if he could do a few numbers with
us. That was a highlight. And, of course, getting to pick with
Michael Cleveland at his house jams, is always fun.
MB: Where can someone pick up a copy of your CD?
GG: My website: www.glenngibsonmusic.com, County Sales,
Amazon.com, CD Baby.com, iTunes, Bandcamp.com and
other retailers on the web.
MB: How has your music evolved over the years?
GG: After I started playing as a teenager I would only listen
to bluegrass. But after taking a fifteen year hiatus from music
my tastes have branched out. Now I listen to anything I like. It
doesn’t matter the genre as long as it appeals to me. As far
as ‘my music’ evolving I think that’s too early to tell. I hope it
will be for the better.
MB: What projects are you currently working on?
GG: I’m laying Dobro on a song for Storefront Congregation
for their latest CD, to be released later this year. And fiddle
player Casey Willis has me on several tracks for his upcoming
fiddle album.
People can look me up on the web at:
glenngibsonmusic.com
facebook.com/glenngibsonmusic (I need all the fans I can get)
myspace.com/glenngibsonmusic (Same as above)
reverbnation.com/glenngibsonmusic (Ditto)
Thank you!
MB: What are some of your favorite venues where you have
performed?
GG: The Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium is my
favorite. When you perform on that stage, where country
legends have played, it is an awesome feeling. Nothing else
compares.
MB: You write most all of your own material. What are the
main themes or topics for your songs, and what inspires you
to write?
GG: Desperation would be my answer to both questions. Just
kidding. I write about different subjects in my songs. Variety
is the spice of life. That’s the way I try to approach writing
songs. On ‘When Times Are Hard’ there are songs about love,
love lost, reflection on one’s life and so on. I have songs in my
file that deal with everything from death to taxes.
As far as inspiration goes, great writers inspire me
to write. And it doesn’t matter what kind of writers - songwriters, authors, playwrights, poets. If something appeals to me,
it inspires me. Anything that catches my attention inspires me.
‘The High Cost’ came about when I saw a church marquee
that had displayed a minister’s sermon entitled “The High
Cost of Low Living”. So inspiration comes from anywhere and
anyone.
[Editor’s Note: Dr. Jones’ review of Glenn’s CD can be found
in the May 2011 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited. Congrats,
Glenn!]
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Bluegrass Anonymous
P.O. Box 21281 • Louisville, KY 40221-0281