October 2013 Newsletter

CNYBA News & Notes
www.cnyba.com
OCTOBER 2013
Officers
President: Ed VanCott
759 Village Blvd. S. Baldwinsville, NY
13027 - (315) 638-7617
[email protected]
Vice-President: John Brutcher
167 State Route 48 Phoenix, NY
13135 (315) 598-2652
Treasurer: Jim Clark
4175 Seeber Road - Canastota, NY
13032 - (315) 697-2719
Secretary: Betsy Robson (Editor)
5818 S. Salina St. Syracuse, NY
13205 (267) 893-9422
[email protected]
Directors
Dan Ward (315) 492-6627 - 2
Juergen Knauss (315) 672-3749 - 1
Bill Knowlton (315) 457-6100 - 1
Kay Betts von Sneidern - 3
Neil Smith -3
Bob Hayden
—————————————————
CNYBA Warmly Welcomed in New Monthly Jam
& Board Meeting Location!
The CNYBA Monthly Jam and Board Meeting took place at our new
location on Saturday, September 14th at the Lamson Road Community
Church in Phoenix, NY. The group was very warmly greeted by Pastor
Mike and many locals who attended the musical gathering. We were even
treated to grilled sandwiches and soup during lunch time.
The jam circle was successful and lively, and the board meeting quite
constructive. The new home is a perfect fit because it's a wholesome
environment for all ages and the building has an additional room that will
be used for Bluegrass-only jams. So, come join in!
We were also invited us
to join the Lamson Road
Community Church for
their Harvest Party that
begins at 4 pm after the
next monthly
jam/business meeting on
Saturday, October 12.
There will be a potluck
meal, hay rides,
pumpkin painting, and
other Fall activities.
Webmaster: Shirley Stevens
[email protected]
(315) 451-2801
Membership & Sunshine:
Helen Weldon 2446 Hillview Dr. #17,
Cato, NY 13033 - (315) 626-2603
[email protected]
Map and more
info on the
next page.
CNYBA
interesting article on outdoorsman/hunter reverend at
http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2010/03/minister_story.html
New Location Continued
Next jam sessions and
meeting will be Saturday,
October 12th. Lamson
Road Community Church
2259 Lamson Road
Phoenix, NY 13135
(315) 695-4751
The board meeting begins at
1:00 pm. For this meeting
alone we may start later at
11:00 am and we encourage
folks to jam after the meeting
so we can join the festivities.
We invite those who enjoy
playing purely Bluegrass there is plenty of room for
multiple jams.
Bluegrassification of the Younger Generation!
Recently we've seen more younger folks showing up
and joining in the music at the weekly jam session at
the Post 297 American Legion in Marcellus. At Jamfest
2013, we were entertained with the jubilant and
quickfire sounds of the talented group of Marcellus
High School who form "Casual Plaid". Last year was
their debut (they are seen in the picture below).
CNYBA is on the forefront of a country-sized wave of
young people's involvement in Bluegrass and Old Time
music. Now that our monthly jam/meeting is at a more
family-oriented venue, we hope to see more young
people attend the monthly gatherings.
Casual Plaid at CNYBA Jamfest 2012 - photo by Mark Kuney
CNYBA News & Notes
Snyder Family and others - photo by Milo Farineau from BluegrassToday.com
The Snyder family pictured above were nominees for one of
the International Bluegrass Music Association's Momentum
awards, which go to up-and-coming new musicians many of
them quite young. One recipient this year was Chris Luquette
(guitar/mandolin/banjo), a teenager from Seattle. Chris was
involved in the California Bluegrass Association's "Kids on
Bluegrass" (KOB) program, which has been very successful
and closely tied to IBMA. In fact, IBMA’s “Bluegrass in the
Schools” program has been catching on in many places. The
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation has the "Play It Forward!"
instrument lending program. Last year two documentaries,
Generation Bluegrass and Fanning the Fire were released
highlighting this growing movement.
OCTOBER 2013
Page 2 of 8
Speaking of the IBMA...
Yes indeedy... as predicted, the Gibson Brothers
swept the 21st annual IBMA with entertainers of
the year, song of the year, vocal group of the year
and Eric as songwriter of the year. And breaking
news, this year's female vocalist of the year Claire
Lynch will be back again at the 2014 Winter
Village Bluegrass Festival in Ithaca. You may still
be able to catch Claire also at the Earlville Opera
House Saturday October 5th. Tony Rice was
inducted into the into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.
We look forward to getting the low down from at
least CNYBA member who was in Raleigh for this
worldwide bluegrass event!
Jens?...
no that's John
picking
in the
basement!
2013 IBMA Awards Winners:
Entertainer of the Year: The Gibson Brothers
Vocal Group: The Gibson Brothers
Instrumental Group: The Boxcars
Song of the Year: “They Called It Music,” The Gibson
BrothersAlbum of the Year: Papertown, Balsam Range
Gospel Recorded Performance: “Beulah Land,” Marty Raybon
Instrumental Recorded Performance: “Foggy Mountain Rock”
Recorded Event of the Year: “What’ll I Do,” Terry Baucom with
Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas,Wyatt Rice, Steve Bryant and Buddy
Melton
Emerging Artist: Della Mae, Male Vocalist: Junior Sisk, Female
Vocalist: Claire Lynch - Best Players of the Year: Mike Munford
- banjo, Barry Bales - bass, Jason Carter - fiddle, Rob Ickes dobro,
Bryan Sutton - guitar, and for mandolin, Adam Steffey
Also news in the world of Bluegrass, Jens Kruger, a Swiss-born banjo player
has become the fourth recipient of the prestigious Steve Martin Prize for
Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music. The Steve Martin Prize provides a
$50,000 honorarium for an individual or group. Winner's are selected by a
committee that includes the likes of Steve Martin, Pete Wernick, Béla Fleck,
Alison Brown, J.D. Crowe and others. Jens Kruger will be performing at the
Old Time Country Festival in Winkel, Switzerland on October 26th.
Members are invited and encouraged to contribute articles and
news for the CNYBA News & Notes!
Continue to keep Ray in your thoughts and prayers
(September 28, 2013): Brother Ray is home again in Cortland after another
round of treatment this past Tuesday and his brother John said that he seemed
to be doing alright. Shirley thought that Ray's voice on the message he left was
strong and sounded more like he did before all this happened. The good news
is, apparently some of his treatments will be able to be done right in Cortland,
so he won't have to go to Boston as often!
Please keep sending prayers and happy/healing thoughts his way. I know
this gets discouraging for him, and it's normal for folks going through this to be
"down". If you want to send him an e-card or short message you can e-mail it to
the band address it will be forwarded to him. [email protected]
String Fever Bluegrass with host Barb Heller, Thursdays, 3-5 pm North Country Public Radio,
St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY - Canton 89.5 fm, Watertown 88.9 fm, Boonville 91.7 fm,
Lowville 89.7 fm - or find out where to tune in at northcountrypublicradio.org/about/coverage.html
Bill Knowlton’s Bluegrass Ramble airs Sundays from 9 p.m. to midnight WCNY-FM 91.3 Syracuse,
WUNY-FM 89.5 Utica, and WJNY-FM 90.9 Watertown
Worldwide Bluegrass The original streaming 24/7 provides the a huge variety of Bluegrass.
http://www.loudcity.com/stations/worldwide-bluegrass
The Bluegrass Mix - 24/7 Streaming Bluegrass Radio station that uses an all volunteer team of hosts
broadcasting from their home "studio" http://www.thebluegrassexpressonline.com/bluegrassmix/index.html
CNYBA News & Notes
OCTOBER 2013
Page 3 of 8
CNYBA Members in the News
The June 2013 issue of the Bluegrass Unlimited magazine featured a fascinating story about the "Saving the
Ryman: How the Birthplace of Bluegrass was Preserved" written by Richard Smith. The Ryman Auditorium,
located on Nashville's Fifth Avenue, is deeply loved and heralded as the "most celebrated" home of the Grand
Ole Opry, the first site where Bill Monroe first got on stage with his Blue Grass Boys. The Ryman was
constructed in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, conceived and largely funded by a steamboat magnate,
Thomas Ryman who "saw the light" and vowed his pastor would no longer hold congregation in a tent. After
the Opryland USA themepark, the new home of the Grand Ole Opry, opened in 1972 the Ryman was slated
for demolition. This was in the period of "urban renewal" when America was caught in a fad of bulldozing
historical downtowns and "malling" the suburbs. As the article says, the Ryman's rescue came "thanks to an
unlikely duo: a cowbell-ringing, button hat-bedecked bluegrass radio disc jockey (still wondering who that
might be?...Bill Knowlton) and America's most powerful architectural critic from the New York Times," the
late Ada Louise Huxtable.
When Bill heard the irreverent plans that
would mean the utter destruction of the
Auditorium as it was known, he reached out
for the sharpest sword he could find, Ada
Huxtable. Ms. Huxtable was well known for
her eloquent and erudite verbal prowess in
the battlefront of saving historical places.
To his surprise, Ada was prompted by Bill's
plea and she was able to leverage those
millions of bricks and oak and iron right
back in their place and the charm, soul, and
treasure of Grande Ole Opry history
remains to this day.
Photo by Alex Banakas
Later Emmy Lou Harris recorded live shows at
the Ryman Auditorium and released the At the
Ryman album the next year [Reprise 1992]. In
2001 the Ryman was designated as a National
Historic Landmark. Today you can visit the
2,362-seat live performance venue (formerly
Grand Ole Opry House) located at 116 5th
Avenue North in Nashville, Tennessee and even
see this Fall such modern legends as John Prine,
Patty Griffin, and Ricky Scaggs. Thanks Bill
(and Ada - we know you're listening) for your
perseverance and care.
Photo by Don Dailey
Syracuse Vocal Ensemble presents CLASSICAL MEETS BLUEGRASS ~ featuring World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass
with Joe Davoli, Nick Piccininni, John Cadley, Zach Fleitz, Maureen Henesey & Syr Country/Contra Dancers
Saturday October 19th 7:30 pm at St James Church, 4845 S. Salina St. Syracuse
Sunday Oct 20th 3 pm at SUNY Oswego, Sheldon Hall Ballroom
Adults $20, Seniors $18, Students $5 (315) 687-9551 www.syracusevocalensemble.org
CNYBA News & Notes
OCTOBER 2013
Page 4 of 8
Central NY Bluegrass Bands in the News
On August 4th at Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York during the 41st annual "Bluegrass Ramble Picnic,
Diamond Someday was presented with the locally prestigious Frank Saplin Award. The award has been
granted annually for about a dozen years now, to a group or individual who has shown excellence in
promoting Bluegrass music in Central
New York in general and for showing
outstanding support for the Bluegrass
Ramble Picnic. Bill Knowlton, host
of the the Bluegrass Ramble radio
show, who presented the award, said
that the board selected Diamond
Someday for their tremendous
dedication in Bluegrass outreach.
Bill said that the group has been "on
the forefront of bringing Bluegrass
music to typically non-Bluegrass
venues." You can hear Diamond
Someday perform every third Sunday
of the month on the radio show.
Diamond Someday joins a notable
society of local greats, such as Andy Pawlenko, John Cadley and the Delaney Brothers. Frank Saplin who
passed on some 20 years ago now was the co-founder of the Bluegrass Ramble Picnic. He was a man, a
veteran, who "stepped right up to the plate" and was pivotal in supporting the event's beginnings. He and his
fellows offered the VFW in Hannibal as the first venue where it got its start, until the picnic outgrew the
space. Frank then offered his own family farm, where many wonderful memories were made. Eventually the
Ramble Picnic ended up at the lake Bill explained (a beautiful and fitting setting), and the Frank Saplin
Award was born in his honor.
Boots & Shorts new CD release The Stillhouse Sessions (Red Bandit Productions) received plaudits form the
Syracuse New Times. Author Jessica Novak noted that the influences of such artists as the Old Crow
Medicine Show were evident but did not
detract from the unique sound of this local
favorite. "This album is one of the most
inviting you’ll come across as well as one
of the most impressive when it comes to
showing three guys producing the sonic
spectrum of an army. Boots & Shorts are
small, but mighty." The group also comes
highly recommended in the August issue of
Table Hopping, which noted bass player
Aaron Chamberlain's impressive
experience such as playing at Ernetst
Tubb's Midnight Jamboree in Nashville
and venues in Austin. We all look forward to hearing more from this talented crew and their classic-style
bluegrass with a modern twist. Hear Boots & Shorts at Critz Farm 1- 4 pm October 5th. The Stillhouse
Sessions can be purchased at Sound Garden in Armory Square and on Amazon.com. www.bootsnshorts.com
CNYBA News & Notes
OCTOBER 2013
Page 5 of 8

October & November Bluegrass Events 2013 
Oct 4 Friday 8 pm
May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church
3800 East Genesee Street Syracuse, NY
Oct 5 Saturday 8 pm
Earlville Opera House 18 East Main St.,
Earlville, NY $13 to $28 (315) 691-3550
Oct 5 Saturday noon
Cicero United Methodist Church
8416 Brewerton Rd (Route 11), Cicero NY
Oct 5 Sunday 1-3
Bement-Billings Farmstead
The Barn Birds
Jonathan Byrd and Chris Kokesh, will be performing as part of the
Folkus Project concert series www.folkus.org $15.
Claire Lynch Band IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year
Claire Lynch has one of the most beautiful voices in the music
business. backed up by red-hot band virtuoso musicianship!
Diamond Someday plays at noon at the Cicero UMC Community Fall
Festival. Cicero Join us for lots of family fun!
Grassanova plays at the Newark Valley Apple Festival Route 38
Newark Valley, NY
Oct 12 Saturday 7:30 Robinson Memorial
Presbyterian Church 126 S. Terry Rd.
Syracuse, NY $12 advance /$14 door
(315) 468-2509
Chad Darou & Stealing Time with John Cadley
Chad has played such greats as with Bill Keith, Bill Harrell, Gibson
Brothers, Dan Tyminski, Lonesome River Band, James King, and the
Atkinson Family
Oct. 17 Thursday 7 pm Oneonta Theater
(607) 654-1904 www.oneontatheatre.com
Evening with Noam Pikelny, Bryan Sutton, Luke Bulla, Barry
Bales, and Jesse Cobb - On banjo, guitar, fiddle, bass, and mandolin
-this musical experience customarily only happens backstage at a
Nashville picking party.

Oct 18 Saturday 8 pm
Kirkland Art Center 9 1/2 East Park Row,
Clinton, NY (315) 853-8871
Oct 19 Sunday 8 pm
Kellish Hill Music Farm 3191 Pompey
Center Rd Manlius, NY (315) 682-1578
Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys
$18 General / $15 KAC Members / $5 Students
Gospel Day at Kellish Hill Farm - Music Jam 4 pm, Potluck dinner
5:30, Stage events 7 pm - Donation
Oct 19 Saturday 7:30
St James Church 4845 S. Salina St. Syr
Oct 20Sunday 3 pm
SUNY Oswego Sheldon Hall Ballroom
Adults $20, Srs $18, Std $5 (315) 687-9551
www.syracusevocalensemble.org
Syracuse Vocal Ensemble presents Classical Meets Bluegrass
Joe Davoli, fiddle; Nick Piccininni, banjo; Perry Cleveland, mandolin;
John Cadley, guitar; Zach Fleitz, bass; Maureen Henesey, ballad
soloist. Also includes: Choral arrangements from Appalachian roots,
Instrumental Bluegrass Classics and The Syracuse Country/Contra
Dancers
Oct 20 Sunday 1 to 5 pm
Critz Farm 3232 Rippleton Rd, Cazenovia,
NY (800) 442-3225 critzfarms.com
Diamond Someday in concert
fun for the whole family - This event depends on the weather. If in
doubt, give them a call.
Nov 2 Saturday 6-9 pm
Nov 9 Saturday
United Church of Fayetteville
Easy Ramblers The Green Gate Inn 2 Genesee Street, Camillus NY
Chad Darou & Stealing Time - the Steeple Coffee House
310 E Genesee St, Fayetteville, NY
For Budding and Advanced Pickers Alike
Winter Village Music Camp - January 10-12, 2014 at La Tourelle Resort, Ithaca, NY
One week before the Winter Village Bluegrass Festival, an inspiring weekend of instruction, jamming and
performance. Classes/performances led by amazing string instructors including Darol Anger, Tony Trischka,
Grant Gordy, Joe Walsh, Judy Hyman, Laurie Hart, Richie Stearns, Hope Grietzer, Ethan Jodziewicz, Jeff
Claus and Tom Hodgson. Instruction on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass - beginner, advanced beginner,
intermediate, advanced. Early registration price through Oct. 31, $125 for weekend $100 for Sat only. On
Nov. 1st, up to $150/wkd, $125 Sat only. Registration handled through State Theatre Box Office 607-2778283 registration form at http://wintervillagebluegrass.org
~ Be True Blue and Renew! ~
Membership Application for the CENTRAL NEW YORK BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION
Benefits include: Monthly CNYBA News & Notes (except Summer) to learn what’s going on in the
local and wider Bluegrass community, receive discounts at selected CNYBA events, the
satisfaction of supporting bluegrass and old-time country music and encouraging others to join in!
AL NEW YORK BLUEGRASS
NAME___________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS____________________________________CITY________________ST_____ ZIP_____________
PHONE_________________________E-MAIL___________________________________________________
Choose your membership:
 New or  Renewal - Active $10 _____ Senior (62+) $9 _____ Family $15 _____ Band - $20 ____
Gift Certificate: To_____________________________________ From________________________________
What instrument (s) do you play? _____________________________________________________________
Are you with a band(s)?_____________________________________________________________________
Areas/activities you are interested in volunteering for: (check all that apply)
Publicity ____ Mentoring ____ Performing ____ Fund-raising ____ Other (explain) ___________________

Jams & Meetings

 Kellish Hill Farm Every Sunday at 1 pm - Country, Gospel, Bluegrass music. Bring an instrument or just come to
listen. Pot luck dinner - bring a dish. 3192 Pompey Center Rd, Manlius, NY - 1/2 mile north of Route 20 (315) 6821578
 Finger Lakes Bluegrass Association Monthly Jam - Clyde Grange Every 4th Sunday 3 - 6 pm - 16 East Genesee
Street, Clyde, NY (Rte 31 East) Oct. 20, Nov. 24, No Dec. Meeting, Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 23, April 27. Street
level Acoustic instruments guitar, fiddle, mandolin, bass, banjo. All levels and listeners especially welcome. Donation
$3. Snacks/food/beverages. Contact Phyllis Mattison at 585-905-0584; [email protected]
 Southern Tier Bluegrass Association Jam/Meeting - Every 3rd Sunday 12 pm - Tuscarora Elementary School
Addison, NY - Bring a dish to pass and a table setting - Picking 12 pm, Meeting 1pm - then lunch - then back to
picking. Ken Pearson, President (609) 936-1844
 Jam at Hannibal Legion - Mondays at 7 pm - American Legion Prior Stock - 226 Rochester St, Hannibal, NY 13074
 Golden Link Sing-Around - Rochester- Every Tuesday 7:30 -10 pm Folk Singing Society, Inc. 12 Corners
Presbyterian Church - 1200 South Winton Road - Sing, play or just listen - (716) 234-5044 - http://www.goldenlink.org
 String Theory's Bluegrass open mic - Rochester Every Tuesday 8 - 11 pm - JB Quimbys Public House 3259
Winton Rd. South (585) 272-9780 www.stringtheorybluegrass.com
 Marcellus Bluegrass Every Friday night at 7 pm -Bluegrass & Olde Time Country Jamming - American Legion
Ralph Share Post 297, 13 E Main Street, Marcellus, New York 13108 Adults $2 Under 16 FREE (young people
encouraged) - longest running jam in Central NY!!
 Gospel Jam in Bernard's Bay Second Friday of every month (Starting October ) at 7:00-10:00 pm The Lord Our
Righteousness Church Willard Drive, Bernards Bay, NY (Oneida Lake, Route 49) Coming from North Bay, as you get
into Bernards Bay, left onto Willard Drive. Sandy (315) 245-0153 [email protected]
   CNYBA Jam & Meeting Every 2nd Saturday Jam at 10 am, Board meeting 1 pm September to May
(in December Christmas party same day in Marcellus) NEW LOCATION see second page Lamson Road
Community Church 2259 Lamson Road Phoenix, NY 13135 (315) 695-4751  
 Stitville MVBA Every Third Saturday of the Month from September thru May 8 am to 3 pm breakfast and jamming at
the Stittville Volunteer fire barn. Main St. Stittville just off Rt 365. Fire barn about 100 yards on left. Parking also
behind church. Benefits Stittville Fire Department. (315) 339-2771
 Parish Round/Square dance and Jamfest Most Saturdays 6-10 pm Parish NY Fire House Donation $5 couple; $3
single; musicians free - Bring/share snacks (coffee, tea, water provided) [email protected].
Central New York Bluegrass Association
P.O. Box 491
Baldwinsville, NY 13027 USA
PRST STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO.1
AUBURN NY
Remember to check your
membership renewal date!
Don't let those dark tales and murder ballads scare you....it's only...
BOOGRASS!
“Blackjack County Chain” - Del McCoury
"Bringing Mary Home" - Country Gentlemen
"Devil Chased Me Around the Stump" - Lonesome River Band
"Down in the Willow Garden" - The Osborne Brothers
"The Ghost of Eli Renfro" - Nashville Bluegrass band
"Graveyard Blues" - Roscoe Holcomb
"He Had a Long Chain On” - Jimmie Driftwood
"In the Pines" - Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys
"Little Margaret" Carolina Chocolate Drops
"Long Black Veil” - Johnny Cash
"O Death" Ralph Stanley
"Pretty Polly” - Dr. Ralph Stanley and Patty Loveless
Did you know that the banjo
originated from enslaved African men
who brought their instrument-making
knowledge to the Americas. The
banjo was first made with a gourd and
there are folks today who still make
and play gourd banjos. Pictured here
is Jeff Menzies a Canadian gourd
banjo maker. The banjo reminds us
that what lives in our hearts and
minds can never be taken away!
(Fiddler Kenny Baker 1926-2011)