April 2010 - Bluegrass Association of Southern California

April 2010
No. 2 Volume 4
This Month at BASC
The Official eNewsletter of the Bluegrass Association of Southern California
The
Bluegrass
Association
of Southern
California
PO Box 10885
Canoga Park,
CA 91309
(818) 221-4680
[email protected]
Board of
Directors
Harley Tarlitz
Jeffrey Fleck
Bob Cesarone
Ben Weinberg
Nanette Weinberg
Jim Silvers
Walden Dahl
Click Here to
Join BASC
On-Line
Loafer’s Glory
at the Braemar
Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
BASC Night at
the Braemar
Country Club
Showcase with Joel and Laura Garfield
4001 Reseda Bl. Tarzana 91356
6:30 to 9:00 PM
Bill Bryson was born in Evanston, Illinois,
but calls California his home. Bill has a long
list of credits in his wonderful career of
playing and singing bluegrass and country
music. He started playing bluegrass and old
time music in the early 60's, then joined and
recorded with The Bluegrass Cardinals and
Country Gazette in the mid 70's. He was an
original member of The Desert Rose Band
with Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen. For
the past four years, he has been performing
with The Brombies.
Herb Pedersen began his career in
Berkeley, California in the early 60's playing
5 string banjo and acoustic guitar with
people like David Grisman, Butch Waller,
David Nelson, and Jerry Garcia. For the last
thirty years, Herb has lived in southern
California and has participated in select
music groups, either in recording or
Four of Southern California’s premier
Bluegrass musicians join forces in Loafer’s
Glory. This rare combination of talent,
experience, and enthusiasm guarantees a
great show that will remind you what
Bluegrass is all about. Here’s the line-up:
A native of
Southern
California,
Tom Sauber
is an
internationally
known master
musician.
Fluent in a
variety of
styles, Tom is
a multiinstrumentalist
(banjo, fiddle,
guitar and
mandolin) and
a compelling
singer. In the
more than 40
years that Tom
has devoted to
Tom Sauber, Herb Pedersen, Bill Bryson, and Patrick Sauber
Photo: E.K. Waller
playing
traditional music,
traveling on the road doing concerts. His
he has performed with many of the leading
recording discography reads like a who's
figures of traditional American music.
who of the singer/songwriter scene that
Patrick Sauber has packed a lifetime of
reigned in the 70s and 80s. His own
music into his 25 years. His musical mentors
groups, like The Desert Rose Band, and
include old-time greats Eddie Lowe and Mel
The Laurel Canyon Ramblers, show why
Durham as well as his dad, Tom. Patrick’s
Herb is so respected in the industry.
fiery and inventive guitar, banjo, mandolin
and accordion playing along with his fine
$5.00 admission to the concert includes
harmony singing have made him welcome
coffee, tea, and soft drinks. $15.00
on stage with Doc Watson, Laurie Lewis,
admission includes the world famous
Clint Howard and Dan Crary. Christopher
Braemar Country Club pasta bar which
Guest made Pat a cast member of the smash
opens at 6:30 PM.
hit movie comedy “A Mighty Wind”.
This Month at BASC
Jams Around
Town
The BASC Jam in the Park
CTMS Center for Folk Music
Encino Park
11953 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, CA 91316
Sundays, 1:00 to 5:00 PM
Jeff Fleck 310-390-4391
The Soup Jam
3240 Industry Dr,
Signal Hill, CA
Tuesdays 7:00 PM
Don Rowen 562-883-573
The New Westside Jam
Industry&Jazz Cafe
6039 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA
1st Monday 7:30 PM
Jeff Fleck 310-390-4391
The Altadena Jam
Coffee Gallery
2029 N. Lake
Altadena, CA
2nd Sunday 12:30 PM
Dave Naiditch
[email protected]
Blue Ridge Pickin’ Parlor
17828 Chatsworth St
Granada Hills, CA
1st Saturday 7:30 PM
(818) 282-9001
Orange County Archery
18792 Brookhurst St.
Fountain Valley CA
1st & 3rd Thursday, 6 PM
Shelah Spiegel
(714) 454-1976
Viva Cantina
900 Riverside Drive
Burbank CA 91506
3rd Monday of Every
Jam Clinic: 6-7 PM
Jam: 7-10 PM
Matt Merritt (818) 669-9778
Editor
Jeff Fleck
(310) 390-4391
[email protected]
All comments,
suggestions, and
submissions will be gladly
considered.
Page 2
April 2010
Book Review
Man of Constant Sorrow: My Life and Times, by Dr. Ralph Stanley with Eddie Dean
By Jeff Fleck
As far as I know, none of the founding fathers of Bluegrass music left us a with anything
like a full-length autobiography. What we know of the lives of Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt,
Earl Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, Don Reno, or Bobby and Sonny Osborne is mostly culled
from interviews, the short biographical sketches often included in their songbooks, or
liner notes from old LPs. So when Dr. Ralph Stanley’s autobiography came out late last
year, it was
quite an event.
As it turns out,
it is also quite a
book. It is the
story of a life
vividly
remembered,
rich in detail,
and deeply
personal.
Stanley writes
movingly of his
early life back
in the hill
country of
southwestern
Virginia, his
close
relationships
with his mother
Carter and Ralph Stanley in 1960
and brother, and
the effect that their deaths had upon him. He chose to write the book in vernacular, that is,
the way he is used to speaking, grammatical oddities and all. At first this may seem a
distraction, but as the you get used to it, you can sometimes imagine you’re actually
listening to Stanley telling his story in his unique, “100-year old,” mountain voice.
Although this is a very personal book, every page resonates with history. Stanley is one of
the last of that generation of Appalachians that experienced the swift transition from the
relative simplicity and isolation of mountain life to the jarring dislocations of the modern
world. “We were the last generation from these mountains,” he writes, “to live from the
earth.” Stanley was born in 1927 “up in a holler” in the hills of Dickenson County,
Virginia by a little creek called The Big Spraddle. There was no radio or telephone in the
tin-roof cabin, and the creek provided the family’s water. “Days would pass,” he recalls,
“between you seeing anybody outside your family. Singing was a way to keep yourself
company when you got to feeling lonesome.”
But all that was about to change in a big way. Stanley vividly remembers the day in 1936
when his father brought a battery-operated Philco to their new home on Smith Ridge,
“...one of the first radios ever seen in our neighborhood.” With that, a musical world
opened up to Ralph and his older brother, Carter. They listened avidly to the country
music played live on the local radio stations or beamed out by the more powerful stations
like WSM in Nashville. Their favorite performers were the Monroe Brothers.
This was also a period of economic and social upheaval in Appalachia and the
surroundings areas. As the coal and timber industries contracted, young men were forced
to leave home and family to find work, first in the urban centers around the fringes of
Appalachia, and later in the industrial centers of Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maryland
and points farther North. It’s the kind of period that often produces new ideas and new art
forms, and it is the world in which Bluegrass music was born. In a paradoxical way,
Ralph Stanley sees his music as an island of stability in this violent sea of change, a way
of keeping up the connection with the “old home,” even as he understands that the music
(continued on page 3)
This Month at BASC
The Festival &
Concert Watch
Parkfield Bluegrass
Festival
May 6-9 2010
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Page 3!
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Book Review
(continued from page 2)
is also a product of the technological and
cultural changes that separate us from that
past.
Stanley retains vivid memories of his
childhood and early years as a Bluegrass
Caltech Folk Music
Society
Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum
May 15, 2010 8:00 PM
Topanga Banjo Fiddle
Contest
May 16, 2010
Huck Finn Jubilee
June 18-20, 2010
CBA’s 35th Annual
Father’s Day Weekend
Bluegrass Festival
June 17-20, 2010
SoCal
Bluegrass
Resources
Southwest Bluegrass
Association
California Traditional
Music Society
San Diego Bluegrass
Association
California Bluegrass
Association
International Bluegrass
Music Association
Folkworks
Alive and Picking
Blue Ridge Pickin’ Parlor
Boulevard Music
McCabe’s Guitar Shop
Dr. Ralph Stanley
musician. He tells us of the time, for
example, when he was eleven years old and
his aunt had a pig and a banjo for sale.
Stanley’s mother offered to buy him one or
the other, but not both. Now it turns out that
at that time young Ralph was fond of
farming, so it wasn’t an easy choice.
Besides, as he says, “... I liked the look of
pigs. I thought they were pretty.” Well,
Stanley did finally choose the banjo, and the
rest, as they say, is history.
Then there was the time that Carter and
Ralph were accosted by Lester Flatt on the
streets of Bristol, Tennessee. Lester was
upset that the Stanleys had performed one of
his songs on Farm and Fun Time, the radio
program broadcast daily at noon on WCYB
out of Bristol. Lester and Carter nearly came
to blows. It was after this encounter that
Carter decided to write his own songs. Ralph
remarks dryly, “Anyone who wants someone
to thank for all the classics Carter wrote
through the years, they really ought to thank
Lester Flatt....”
Stanley always took pride in his
professionalism and hated being late for a
show. “Better to be four hours early,” he
would tell his band members, “than ten
minutes late.” One of the few times he was
late for a show -- it was several years after
brother Carter’s untimely death in 1966 -- he
arrived to find two teenagers on stage
singing Stanley Brothers songs. He liked the
way they sang and played his songs so much
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April 2010
that the next year, after they graduated high
school, he hired them to tour with him as
part of the act. Those teenagers were Ricky
Skaggs and Keith Whitley. Keith would later
sing lead for the Ralph Stanley and the
Clinch Mountain Boys from 1974 to1978.
The narrative loses focus in the latter
chapters of the book. Specific events give
way to more generalized remembrances,
opinions, sketches of friends and key band
members, a chapter about Stanley’s
relationship with Bill Monroe (rocky at first,
close toward the end), and even the airing of
a few grievances. Stanley kind of warns us
about this early on in the book: “I give you
fair warning. We’re going to spend a lot of
time on my early years, because those are
the memories that stand out most, just as
clear and strong as ever. I couldn’t tell you
much about the show we played last week,
but I can tell you all about a summer day on
Smith Ridge seventy-odd years ago, as fresh
in my mind as my mother’s garden after an
early-morning rain.” And it is to our
everlasting joy that he can.
BASC to Present Dan
Crary Workshop and
Concert in June
Mark your calendars now for this exciting
event -- a workshop and concert with guitar
legend Don Crary on Saturday, June 5, 2010.
Over his long career, Dan has been known as
a pioneer and innovator on the steel string
guitar in many styles, but particularly in the
area of flat picking. He has been a key
member of such celebrated bands as BCH
(Berline, Crary, Hickman) and California,
and he has recorded numerous solo albums,
as well as collaborations with Beppe
Gambetta and others. He is also a dedicated
teacher, and has published many
instructional books and videos on flat
picking guitar technique and repertoire. The
workshop will take place at 4:00 PM and the
concert at 8:00 PM, both at the CTMS
Center for Folk Music in Encino Park.
Ticket prices and more information will be
available shortly.
Phil's Jam Tips
Listen to the soloist. If you can't hear
every note, play quieter (or even rest your
fingers a bit).
Some songs are "everybody sing along"
and some aren't. Pay attention to know
which is which.
This Month at BASC
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Page 4!
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April 2010
About BASC
Don’t Miss the BASC Jam in the Park
BASC is dedicated to the
Sunday, April 25th 1:00 to 5:00 PM
the amateur level with
On the fourth Sunday of every month pickers from far and wide are
gathering at the CTMS Folk Music Center in Encino Park for what is
becoming one of Southern California’s premier Bluegrass events -- the BASC
Jam in the Park. With plenty of room -- inside the Center or outside on the
grass if the weather is nice -- this jam is for pickers of all skills and
experience. Don’t be surprised if you find three or four jams going on when
you arrive. Just pick the one that fits you best and join in. The jam goes from
1:00 to 5:00 PM. Snacks and drinks (and BASC tee shirts) will be on sale.
our monthly Jam in the
Here are the remaining dates in 2010.
Park and monthly Pizza
April 25th * May 23rd * June 27th
July 25th * August 22nd * September 26th * October 24th
November 28th * December 26th
support and promotion of
Bluegrass music at all
levels.
We support Bluegrass at
Night where audience
members are encouraged
to “sit in” with the band.
We provide a showcase
Click for Map
for the best local
Bluegrass bands at our
Encino Park
16953 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, CA 91316
monthly BASC Night at
the Braemar.
We build interest in
Bluegrass by bringing
some of the best national
bands to Southern
California, including such
artists as J.D. Crowe,
Laurie Lewis, IIIrd Tyme
Out, James King, and The
Special Consensus.
Most importantly, we
Yes, I would like to join BASC and
support Bluegrass in Southern California.
One-Year Membership
Individual $20.00 - Family $25.00 - Band $30.00
Name __________________________
Street__________________________
City____________State___Zip______
Phone__________Email___________
provide a place where
I would like to volunteer to _______
people who want to get
____________________________
connected to Bluegrass
Mail this coupon and your check payable to
BASC to:
Ben Weinberg
16799 Schoenborn St
North Hills CA 91343
as pickers, as listeners,
as volunteers or
organizers – can get
together and meet people
who share their love of
this great music.
Click here
to join BASC
On-Line
Coming Up at Braemar
2010
April 20th
Loafer’s Glory &
Joel and Laura
Garfield
May 18th
The Mill Creek Boys
November 16th
Rocky Neck Bluegrass
Band
December 21st
Scott Gates and
Nathan McEuen
2011
June 15th
2 Frets Lower
January 18th
Simon Pure
July 20th
The Brombies
February 15th
Sometimes In Tune
August 17th
The Bladerunners
March 15th
Susie Glaze and the
Hilonesome Band
September 21st
Murphy's Flaw
October 19th
Border Radio
Call Harley Tarlitz at
(818) 221-4680 to get
your band booked at
Braemar.
Sponsored by BMSCC i The Bluegrass Music Society of the Central Coast
027+(5·6'$<:((.(1'May
Featuring
Don
Rigsby
& Midnight Call
Also :
The Rarely Herd, The Brombies,
Whiskey Chimp, Bean Creek,
Dalton Mtn. Gang, Kitchen Help,
Black Crown Stringband,
Virtual Strangers & more !
6-9, 2010
4 DAYS OF BLUEGRASS MUSIC IN
&$/,)251,$·6&(175$/&2$67
WINE COUNTRY.
12 wonderful national, regional & local
bluegrass bands. Non-stop jamming.
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KIDS PROGRAMS-Kids bluegrass music camp
with lessons & performance onstage.
Plenty of camping space -59·VWHQWVLQ
4 different camping areas. Electric hookups by
reservation ONLY (sign up early to get on list).
%%4·VUDLVHGILUHSLWV2.'RJV2.
Many wonderful festival vendors &
The Parkfield Café for good eats & great gifts.
NEW! RV rentals available ²see the website link.
For complete information & ticket orders,
please check out our Website:
(to be announced³check the website!)
www.parkfieldbluegrass.com
TICKETS: Adults (age 20-59)
All 4 days
$90 Gate $80 Advance
3 consecutive days
$80 Gate $70 Advance
Single Day: Thu $20 Fri $30 Sat $35 Sun $25
Seniors (age 60+), Students w/ ID, Military,
Or BMSCC members
$5 off Adult price
Kids & Teens (up to age 19)
FREE
Advance Discount only on 3 & 4-day tickets.
ADVANCE TICKET DEADLINE April 1, 2010
CAMPING FEE: (per unit: RV, camper or tent)
4-day, Thurs-Sun $30
3 consecutive days, $25
Single Night:
$10
Pre-Festival Night $12
Electrical Hookup flat fee: $45 per unit/flat fee.
Limited Qty hookups-reserve soon to get on the list!
MAIL ORDER TICKETS: Checks payable to
BMSCC, PO Box 332, Grover Beach, CA 93483.
Please include a stamped self-address legal size envelope.
(TICKET INFORMATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Run Away with Huck Finn…
FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND • JUNE 18, 19, 20, 2010
Country &Bluegrass
CAMP in a meadow • EAT lots of vittles • SHOP a crafts village • RIDE in a hot air balloon • ENJOY 3 days of music
The Oak Ridge Boys
Mark Twain Live
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
Chris Jones & The Night Drivers
The Travelin’ McCourys
Nathan McEuen & Scott Gates
Sierra Hull & Highway 111
Sons & Brothers
Waddie Mitchell
The Hey Boyz
Julie Wingfield
Lonesome Otis
Riley’s Mountaineers
Bon Family Cloggers
Line Dancing with KC Douglas
Chapel with Wayne Rice & Lighthouse
Sunday Gospel Sing
The National Bluegrass Playoffs &
Southwest Bluegrass Association present
Deering Banjo Championships
$1,000 1st Prize! • Call to enter: 1-951-780-8810
Friday Night Barn Dance with Riley’s Mountaineers
Route 66 Car Show • Russell Bros. Circus
California State Arm Wrestling Championships
Sound
SIRIUS XM RADIO’S “BLUEGRASS JUNCTION” WILL BE THERE!
Camping & Tickets
huckfinn.com • 1-951-780-8810
MOJAVE NARROWS REGIONAL PARK • VICTORVILLE, CALIFORNIA