Fall 2009 - Bluegrass Anonymous

the
Pickin Post
Official Publication of the Louisville Bluegrass Music Association
Forest Fest 09
FALL Issue 09
#30
Photos - Stephen Cotton
...story on page 10
WWW.BLUEGRASS-ANONYMOUS.ORG
Answer on page 5
Pickin’ Post
The
Who could these Bluegrass Anonymous members be?
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 it’s tradition, and nurturing
it’s growth by providing opportunities for pickin’, singin’
and listenin’.
Executive Officers
Dan Robinson, President
Mike Bucayu, Vice President
Kato Wilbur, Treasurer
Sonya Cotton, Secretary
Board of Directors
Carly Cotton
Tip Depp
Charlie Logsdon
Les McIntyre
Christine Walsh
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.
Board members at-large
Berk Bryant, WFPK Sunday Bluegrass
Michelle Bucayu, Web Administrator
Mike Cleveland, 6 time IBMA Fiddler of the Year
Gabrielle Gray, International Bluegrass Music Museum
Glen Hensley, Photographer and Writer
Jeff Kopp, Pilot & Banjo Picker
Paul Priest, Professional Musician
To submit an ad contact Glen at [email protected] or call (502) 921-0762 for more info.
Bluegrass Anonymous Membership Application
Name
Type of Membership
Spouse
Individual
$15/year
Children (under 18 years old)
Family
$20/year
Name of Band (If applicable)
Co./Band
$20/year
Amount Enclosed
$
e-mail address
Make Check Payable to:
Address
Bluegrass
Anonymous
City
State
P.O. Box 21281
Louisville, KY 40221-0281
Zip
3
True Blue News...
by Michelle Bucayu
Many thanks to The Bisig Impact Group who provided complimentary
tickets to BA members to The Kentucky Bluegrass and Brews Festival
held in Louisville, KY. at the Water Tower on September 5-6, 2009. This
event had been held at The Belvedere for the last few years, but moved
to its new venue to allow the event to grow. This is a great Louisville
festival and one that shouldn’t be missed! The BA Board gratefully appreciates this promoter’s support of BA, its members and its mission.
Bluegrass Anonymous
set up a booth at Bean
Blossom and served up
complimentary bean soup
and cornbread on Saturday
of the festival. Folks
stopped by throughout the
evening, picked, visited,
and enjoyed some down
home vittles. Thanks
to Charlie Logsdon who
cooked the beans.
Another big marker for BA
~ Congrats to Philip Smith
and his bride, Barbara,
who became members #
1,000 and 1,001! Many,
many thanks to all who
support BA and its mission.
This organization belongs
to us all!
The cover photo of the July Louisville Music News magazine showcased the Louisville based band “Relic”. The great article can be
read at: http://www.louisvillemusicnews.net/weblog/2009/06/relic-injuly-issue
Mike Johnson of Clarksville, IN. won three “all event” passes to the
River of Music Party (Owensboro, KY). Bluegrass Anonymous gave
away the tickets via their Yahoo group site. Congrats to Mike! We
hope that he and his family enjoyed the festival. Details about the festival can be found at: http://www.bluegrass-museum.org/riverofmusic/
Chris Brandstatt and his fiance,
Rebecca Nash, welcomed their
daughter, Cora Elizabeth, to the
world on April 18, 2009. Cora
was 8 pounds and 20 inches long.
Congrats and welcome, Ms. Cora!
Preview excerpts from the latest children’s book, Bluegrass Bird,
from Grateful Tummy Books. It is an inspirational story about a pelican whose love of bluegrass music leads him on an amazing journey.
It is the perfect fundraising tool to help support you and your efforts “to
introduce the young and young at heart to the wonder of bluegrass!”
For more info email [email protected], call 337-322-8615 or
visit www.bluegrassbird.com.
During his musical career Johnny Butten has worked with Bill Keith,
Peter Rowan, Kenny Baker, Josh Graves, Bob Black to name but a
few and remains one of Britain’s finest players, setting a Guinness
Book of World Record in Cornwall, UK in 2007 for “Worlds Fastest
Banjo Player”. Johnny and his wife, Sammy, are one of BA’s newest
members. For more information on Johnny, visit www.johnnybutten.
com.
4
James Hines of
Rosine, KY. sent
a letter to our
Editor and writes:
“I enjoyed every
bit of the Summer ’09 issue of
The Pickin’ Post.
Someone gave
me a copy left at
Doolin’s Grocery
store across Blue
Moon of Kentucky Highway,
from where I live.
I am enclosing
a photo of Bill
Monroe and me,
taken in Miami
Beach, Florida, in
February 1955.”
Mr. Hines is a
successful freelance writer with
over 400 articles
and stories published in major
periodicals in the
US, England and
Canada. An article about Mr. Hines and his friendship with Bill and Charlie Monroe, “A Monroe Brother Comes Home to Jerusalem Ridge” can be
found in the July/August 2009 issue of Kentucky Explorer magazine.
Congratulations to 2009 Governor’s Cup Trophy Winner, Maddie
Denton, 15, of Murfreesboro, TN. She is the first contestant to win both
the Governor’s Cup for State Championship Fiddler and also the Backup
Musician Award in the same year. Maddie competed in several categories at the Old Time Fiddlers Contest on July 17-18th (Rough River State
Park) and cheerfully backed up her competition by playing rhythm during
their competition slots. Maddie sets an example for all to follow!
Turner Hutchens, Boston, KY, took 2nd place in the Mandolin competition at the Official Kentucky State Old Time Fiddlers Contest. He, too,
moved up a notch since last year. Congratulations, Turner!
Kyle Ramey, 7 year old mandolin picker and BA member, won third
place in the adult mandolin division at the Uncle Dave Macon Days
competition in Murfreesboro, TN. on July 11, 2009. He then went on
to enter and win first place in the Children’s Mandolin Division (12 and
under) at the Smithville 37th Annual Old-Time Fiddlers Jamboree on July
18th. At this same festival Kyle entered the Children’s Banjo Division (12
and under) and won third place. Since Kyle has won the mando division
two years in a row at this competition, he will not be qualified to enter it in
2010. He has also been invited to join “Kids on Bluegrass 2009” at IBMA
World of Bluegrass Conference.
Continuted on page 13
New and Renewing Members
B.A. welcomes the following new members:
Johnny & Sammy Butten: Hawley, MN.
Mike & Cindy Garau: Louisville, KY.
Ancil Harbin: Taylorsville, KY.
Steve Price: Piqua, OH. (Gift membership from Tim Buckman)
Philip & Barbara Smith: Louisville, KY. MEMBERS # 1,000 & 1,001!
Josephine Sullivan: Louisville, KY.
Marty Ray Shelton: Paoli, IN.
And, thanks the following renewing members, for their continued support of the habit:
* A Band or Sometin’: Bill Gail, Gloria Gail, Jessica Gail, Carly Gail, Joshua Willis, Terry Willis and Karen
Willis: Wilmington, DE.
* Almost Bluegrass Band: Bill Boyd, Stan Lindsey, Jim Clemons, Don Downey and Lloyd Bromwell:
Louisville, KY.
* Amy Barker: Louisville, KY.
Dale Basham: Vine Grove, KY.
George & Mary Cartwright: Louisville, KY.
Dwight Chandler: Mt. Washington, KY.
Lois Crowder: Louisville, KY.
Robert Dowell: Radcliff, KY.
Alex & Deborah Dunn: Louisville, KY.
Nanine Henderson: Floyds Knobs, IN.
Kathy Lee & Mark Jarvis: Shelbyville, KY.
Bob Johnson: Louisville, KY.
Jim Leach: Louisville, KY.
Nuance… & Old Uncles: Memphis Beg Gentry, Mary Jo Leet, Mike (Fog) O’Bryan, and
Charlie Leet: Patrick Springs, VA.
Todd Shingleton: Louisville, KY.
* Olivia Smiley: Greensburg, IN.
Willie Smith: Louisville, KY.
Stanley Thomas: Louisville, KY.
Vine Grove Bluegrass Festival, Inc.: Vine Grove, KY.
Chester Wesley: Charlestown, IN.
Chuck Williamson: Louisville, KY.
* Bob Wimberg: Louisville, KY.
* Sent donation for Berk Bryant’s BG Show with
their membership renewal. Thanks for
the support!
Answer photo page 3: That would be one of the founding members of
BA and current board member, Charlie Logsdon, and his lovely wife
Margie, circa 1976.
Photo- Mike Bucayu
5
say darlin’ say
“Say Darlin’ Say” ~
An interview with Tammy Burke
by Michelle Bucayu
Michelle: What’s the name of your band and what’s the origin of that name? Who are the members, past and
present, and what instruments do they play?
Tammy: “Say Darlin’ Say” is a name taken from an old-time song we all liked. The song has some lyrics that
could be shocking to even our 21st century ears, but they don’t mean what they seem to on the surface.
Our all-gal band is made up of Julia Purcell on guitar and main vocals, Connie Foss on clawhammer banjo and
vocals and Tammy Burke on mandolin and vocals. Kristin Grief played fiddle with us formerly.
Michelle: How did everyone meet, and what inspired you to play together?
Tammy: We met while attending a BA bluegrass jam at the BBC (in Louisville) on Wednesday nights back in
2006. Three of us had the same teacher, Jeff Guernsey, and we decided to get together on our own, outside
of the jam, not really with any intention of performing in the beginning. The three of us have all been at least in
choirs at school and church, and Julia studied music in college.
As an adult, there isn’t much occasion to sing harmony with someone except at birthday parties or something,
while people look at you funny. So, you have to make your own opportunity. Once we started singing together,
it was so much fun for us and that was the inspiration. It feels great.
Michelle: What genre of music do you consider your work? Who are your influences?
Tammy: We’re a hybrid of old time and bluegrass, with some gospel and folky stuff. We all take breaks, but
sometimes we all play together, and Connie plays clawhammer style, so for some that would knock us right out
of the bluegrass genre all together. It’s hard for us to determine our genre. That’s easier for someone else to
determine.
There are so many influences for me and across all genres. As far as traditional music goes I tend to really like
traditional country songs in structure and feel, but I love the energy of traditional string music, whether old time
or bluegrass. Hazel Dickens always comes to mind. She is one of those artists that I have to turn off, because I
can get choked up listening to her. We cover a couple of Gillian Welch songs, which are exquisite and timeless
already. We are looking to explore some of the pop music we grew up with.
Michelle: Have you written any songs, solo or together?
All of us have written some material, but have yet to perform any. We’ll see!
Our vocals emerged right away as our strength and that has continued to grow. Our musical proficiency on our
instruments grows all the time, and each of us has only been picking on these istruments a handful of years,
though Connie and Julia have been playing other instruments for several years.
Michelle: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
Tammy: Like your band mates. They will be a unique part of your life and you will see them regularly. You’ll be
vulnerable in front of them and you’ll all be in stressful situations together. It’s a unique and rewarding relationship.
Michelle: Where have you played, and when can folks check out “Say Darlin’ Say”?
Tammy: Currently, you can only hear us by coming to see us. Our “MySpace” site doesn’t have tracks on it yet.
We have been playing on the second Saturdays of the month at Ray’s Monkey House on Bardstown Road in
Louisville. We’ve performed at the Rudyard Kipling, Oldham County Library (for the Louisville Democratic Club),
at the St. Matthews Farmer’s Market, The Little Loomhouse, and private functions.
You can check the band’s blog at: http://saydarlinsay.wordpress.com/ for their show schedule.
And, you can find them at http://www.myspace.com/saydarlinsay.
6
A Jam in Leitchfield
By Dan Robinson
A bluegrass jam is alive and well, every Friday night, in front of Hayes Piano and Music
store #336, in the Southgate Mall on Highway 259 in Leitchfield, Kentucky. Proprietor
and mall owner, Norbert Hayes, hosts the jam for every picker and listener around from
6:30 CDT to 10:00-11:00 pm. On Friday, August 24, I stopped to listen, did not anticipate
doing any pickin’, so did not bring my guitar along. Norbert invited me to go in his store,
pick out a mandolin and join the jam for as long as I wanted to play. The following Friday,
I went back and came prepared with my own instruments. About forty listeners were
around to hear 10-15 pickers and singers bellow a little bit of old time, bluegrass and gospel
tunes.
This jam started in May 2009 and will continue in the inside corner of the mall, rain or
shine, until cold
weather sets in. Prior
to the move to the
Southgate Mall, the
jam had been held at
the County Courthouse for about six
years, but a new site
was needed. A new
stage is currently
under way at the
Judicial Center and
hopes are that the jam will move there at some point.
Stop by and see Norbert and the boys, like Benjamin Duvall or Ernest Whoubrey, and the ladies, too, pickin’ up a
storm. Norbert plays fiddle as well as the piano. Come on
down to Leitchfield and browse through the store. Bring
your lawn chairs and find a seat anywhere you want. For
more information, Norbert can be reached at
270-230-6836 or 270-230-0222 Photos- Dan Robinson
7
Best Kept Secrets of Bluegrass
by Bobby Smith
The Festivals
The Vine Grove Bluegrass Festival:
The Best Little
Festival in the State
The first festival, held September 23rd, 2000, was threatened with
rain. As evidenced by local newspaper stories, however, the rain
didn’t “dampen spirits” at the festival, and according to one headline,
the event “brightened a cloudy day.” The acts that year included Boys
from Kentucky, Mays Run, Music City Bluegrass, the Reynolds Family Band, and White Oak. A clogging group from Nashville rounded
out the lineup. Two of the bands, the Reynolds Family and Mays Run
were both local acts- an important element the festival committee still
insists upon featuring 10 years later. Clogging, too, has always been
an important feature at the Vine Grove Bluegrass Festival, particularly, since the Ewarts have two granddaughters, Melanie and Maci
Belfiore, who showed an
interest in clogging and
music at an early age.
As the Vine Grove Bluegrass Festival
approaches its 10th Anniversary this September, a look at how the community oriented event came about and has grown
would serve to not only pay homage to
the festival and its dedicated organizers
but, indeed, serve as a blueprint for other
fledgling festivals or folks considering
starting one in their community
Humble, Community Oriented Beginnings
Nestled in the shadows of Fort Knox, and only a short drive from the outskirts of Louisville, the small city of Vine Grove, KY is a quaint, generally
quiet town. A creek named Brushy Fork and a railroad line intersect in the
history rich town. In late 1999, festival committee charter members, Max
and Ann Ewart, approached the Vine Grove mayor and city council with an
idea to “put Vine Grove on the map.” Their idea was to start a Bluegrass
Festival. Mayor Donovan Smith, a music fan in his own right, immediately
jumped on the bandwagon. The Ewarts were essentially told that the mayor
and the city would support their efforts.
The first order of business was finding a way to fund the project. Max Ewart
approached soon-to-be fellow festival committee charter member Don Wise
of the Cecilian Bank, about having the bank provide the start up funding.
Within a week the idea was approved by the bank and the wheels were
turning. In addition to Wise and the Ewarts, the original festival committee
also included the Mayor of Vine Grove, the Chief of Police for the town, and
several other volunteers.
The leg work and tireless dedication of all the committee members, but especially the Ewarts, included learning how to run a festival, finding enough
sponsors to fund the project, funding and building an appropriate venue,
and getting the community involved in the effort.
The small park in the city, donated by the Optimist Club and known as
Optimist Park, was the natural selection for the festival. Optimist Park has
plenty of shade trees, is bordered by a bubbling stream, and is located near
a major intersection in town. The location is both aesthetically pleasing and
functional. The problem? There were no structures of any kind with which
to facilitate a Bluegrass Festival: no stage; no power, etc. A deal was struck
between the committee and Vine Grove wherein the city would provide the
building materials for an amphitheater and camping sites and the committee would provide the volunteer labor. Soon the amphitheater was under
way.
As the park venue was shaping up, the Ewarts and their cohorts set about
the daunting task of learning the festival business. Numerous trips to other
festivals provided invaluable lessons. Festival organizers, spectators and
Bluegrass bands provided useful insight and encouragement. The Ewarts
were told over and over that the magic number for Bluegrass festivals was
the five year mark… “If you can make it that long,” they were told, “you’re
on your way.” Berk Bryant, the host of a Bluegrass show on public radio,
was called upon by the committee early on to provide insight. The resident
of neighboring Radcliff, KY had performed as Master of Ceremonies for
numerous Bluegrass festivals around the country for years. Bryant says
the best advice he knew to give was, “Always hire the best band you can
afford.”
Another lesson, still being heeded 10 years later, is emphasis placed on the
stage presence of hired bands. Perhaps one of the most important lessons,
however, concerned care in hiring a good sound crew.
By late summer, less than a year after the festival’s inception, the amphitheater was completed as well as 20 hard stand camp sites in Optimist
Park. Max Ewart had personally overseen the construction. Over two dozen
sponsors had been procured to fund the event. Five bands and a clogging
act had been hired. The one day 1st Annual Vine Grove Bluegrass Festival
was a reality.
The next year, Tommy
Brown and County Line
Grass was added to the
billing. Brown and his
band, another local act,
have nearly become a
staple at the festival.
Added to the park that
year, again through materials provided by the
city and volunteer labor
overseen by Max Ewart,
was a bathroom and
shower facility. Soon
the festival was growing in size and bigger
names started appearing in Vine Grove each
September.
By the third year, the
Community decided
to honor the hard
work and dedication
James King performs on the Ewart
of festival committee
charter members, Max Amphitheater stage during the 2007
and Ann Ewart. In
Festival. (Photo by Kathy Lee
2002 Mayor Donovan
Smith took the stage
Saturday at the 3rd
Annual festival and officially named the amphitheater by dedicating it
as the Ewart Amphitheater.
After the fourth year the festival committee had grown enough to
become a stand-alone organization. Until then, the festival committee had partnered with the City of Vine Grove on all aspects of the
festival. This included operating using the City’s budget for all their
transactions. The Vine Grove Bluegrass Festival incorporated as a
non-profit organization and has operated on their own, albeit with the
continued cooperation of the city and surrounding communities, since
the fifth festival.
Over the past 10 years, attendance at the Vine Grove Bluegrass
Festival has grown from hundreds to thousands. Sponsorship has
also grown from those original 17 or so sponsors to over 90 (for the
2006 festival).
8
A newer tradition started at the 2007 festival when the committee
decided to tap into the popularity of a weekly Bluegrass Jam held in
the Optimist Park that had sprung up that Spring. Original committee
member Don Wise asked the jam organizers if they would consider
coming up with a plan to welcome the festival campers and jammers.
The jam coordinators decided to have an extra jam on Thursday,
the eve of the festival and include a Band Scramble. The city and
the committee decided to add a free meal and the Annual Band
Scramble was born. A Band Scramble is an event where all jammers
and performers who want to participate, place their names in buckets
labeled with their respective instruments. Names are drawn and as
many impromptu bands as possible are formed, given 15 minutes to
practice three songs and subsequently perform them for the crowd.
The Band Scramble, like the festival, has grown in popularity. There
was already a great jamming venue at the Vine Grove Festival each
year that created a pool of prospective Scramble performers. The
audience reacts well to the novel approach to entertainment that
allows novices and amateurs some stage time. This year the Band
Scramble has become a formal part of the Festival, being held on the
Thursday evening prior to the actual festival. JBM Sound of Nashville,
TN, which has provided the excellent sound for the Vine Grove Bluegrass Festival since the first year, has been hired for an additional
night to provide sound for the Band Scramble and the hired entertainers performing afterward on Thursday night.
As the festival grew in size, bigger names started appearing in Vine
Grove each September. Gary Brewer, the Moron Brothers, Pine
Mountain Railroad, Doyle Lawson & Quick Silver, IIIrd Tyme Out,
Cherryholmes, James King, and Dailey & Vincent are a few of the
acts that have appeared on stage at Vine Grove as the festival’s
prestige has grown.
More Than a Walk in the Park
People attending festivals are often briefly introduced to the folks who
are responsible for providing the entertainment at a particular venue.
The continuous hard work and dedication of the folks involved is often overlooked as the next band is shuffled on stage to entertain. The
year-long effort to make a festival successful is tedious, time consuming, and occasionally frustrating. Monthly committee board meetings
are held at which decisions regarding the festival are deliberately and
methodically debated. Endless hours are spent rounding up sponsors, negotiating with Bluegrass bands, and keeping local support
for the annual event bolstered. Gas prices and a downturn in the
economy have to be weighed against the need to increase prices to
pay quality acts. Hundreds of miles are still driven each year to scout
prospective talent and keep up with the latest trends in festivals.
Leadership is required as is the wearing of many hats.
Today
As foul weather threatened the 2006 festival, critical last minute decisions had to be made to salvage the festival. Brushy Fork decided
to come up out of its banks and flood the camp ground and festival
venue. Max Ewart decided at 10:00 o’clock the morning of the festival, to move the venue. Relying on community ties, he called around
to find a venue large enough and willing to support the festival. The
local school turned him down so he called Valley View Baptist Church
in Vine Grove. Within an hour he had approval to move the festival
in to the church’s Christian Life Center. In addition to helping move
campers who were facing a rising creek, the festival staff began the
process of moving the festival, including a reluctant sound crew, to
the church to hold the festival.
The three remaining charter members of the Vine Grove Bluegrass
Committee all beam with pride when the conversation turns to the
festival. They certainly have a right to do so. They’ve invested an immense amount of personal time and sweat equity into a venture that
has definitely put Vine Grove on the map. Speaking with any of them
is a course in Bluegrass Festival Management 101. It is evident that
you must have a love of the music and the people that attend your
event each year.
When asked about her favorite festival memory or highlight, Ann
Ewart points to the people who both support and attend the event.
The festival has such ardent supporters outside of its formal commit30 minutes prior to the first act kicking off the 2007 festival, a transtee that it formally recognizes a group called Friends of the Bluegrass
former blew. Don Wise called those who make things happen. Within Festival, people like Donnie and Margaret McCoy. Politely refusing
minutes a crew from Kentucky Utilities was on site and had the entire to single out a particular band as a favorite when asked, Ann did say
transformer replaced late that Friday afternoon with only minimal
she really enjoyed the performances David Peterson & 1946 have
delay to the start of the show.
given at the festival over the years. Max cites, as his favorite aspect,
the continued involvement of youth in the festival each year.
Although the City of Vine Grove and the Festival Committee still
The frustrations and headaches of planning, coordinating and
enjoy a strong relationship, they don’t always see eye-to-eye. Just
facilitating a growing event do not dissipate until all the bands have
this past year, ambitions to increase the number of campsites to
arrived and have taken the stage. The process starts all over again
satisfy demand by festival attendees conflicted with city budget
the day after the festival when the process of procuring talent for next
constraints. Each year more and more campers desire a powered,
year’s event begins anew. Interestingly, Max says his first question
hardstand campsite so the festival folks informally approached the
to every band is, “Do you have a fiddle player?” He also pointed to
the city with a plan to double the amount now available. Despite the
a stack of promotion packets that bands who want to appear at Vine
proposed cost being minimal, the plan never took flight. Unfortunately Grove now send to them.
the economy has city governments squeezing their belts as tight as
those of their citizens.
This year’s event includes Rhonda Vincent and the Bluegrass
powerhouse team Dailey & Vincent, the latter of which, returns to
Old and New Traditions
Vine Grove for a second consecutive year after winning numerous
accolades at the IBMA awards. Also appearing this year are Michael
To commemorate arriving at the benchmark 5th Annual Festival, the
Cleveland, Hazel Holler, Charlie Sizemore, Big Country Bluegrass
Vine Grove Bluegrass folks decided to partner with local W.R. Case
and many, many more.
& Sons Knife dealer, Red Hill Cutlery in Radcliff, KY to produce a
unique souvenir. Don Wise, currently the President of the Festival
If it’s a community supported, family friendly festival you seek, the
Committee, headed up this initiative which has become a very popu- Vine Grove Bluegrass Festival is the place for you. Whether you are
lar tradition at the Festival. The effort includes the manufacturing of
a dedicated shade tree picker, or a spectator that enjoys hearing the
100 limited edition Case Knives that include a decorative tin. Each
best Bluegrass has to offer, you might want to get out that red magic
knife has featured a Bluegrass instrument and various inscriptions
marker and annotate your calendar with a huge red “VGBF” on the
on the handles and blades. Most of the knives are sold to support4th weekend of September for this year and every year. See you
ers to raise money for the festival. The knife with serial number 1, is
there!
auctioned at the festival each year and brings a hefty price.
For more information on the Vine Grove Bluegrass Festival visit:
www.vinegrovebluegrass.com
Vine Grove Bluegrass Festival Committee:
President - Donald B. Wise
Vice President - Max Ewart
Treasurer - Agnes Yates
Secretary - Ann Ewart
Board Members Jerry Clephas
David Pearman
The Commemorative Case
Knife for the 2009 festival
features a dobro on a bone
handle.
9
Jill of All Trades, Tonya Swan
by S. Cotton
Recently, I was privileged to sit down and enjoy a visit with Tonya
Swan, Supervisor of Public Education with Louisville Metro Parks.
She has held this position since May, 2001 and brings to her position
experience as an educator at the Louisville Zoo as well as an elementary school teacher. She says that while she misses having her own
class of students that she gets to know each year, she enjoys the
spectrum of ages with which she is involved in teaching about Jefferson Memorial Forest in Fairdale, KY. (The forest’s 6,191 acres are
located 15 miles from downtown Louisville.)
When her boss, Bennett Knox, came to her with the idea to produce a
big event, she immediately thought of a Bluegrass event. Her friend
Jim Collings, now a Forest Fest volunteer, had given her a Bill Monroe
CD and she fell in love with the music. Since IBMA had just moved
its World of Bluegrass event to Nashville when her boss approached her with his idea, she decided that a niche needed to be
filled. And, thus was born Forest Fest. She had no formal training
in producing a festival event. She learned the best and most difficult way: through on the job training.
The 2007 line-up included Stone Hollow, Kentucky
Sassafras, Murrell Thixton & Friends and headliners,
Bluegrass 101. By 2008 local and corporate sponsorship had grown and the event was headlined by Dr.
Ralph Stanley. That event brought their record crowd,
about 5,000 fans. When asked about the festival’s
biggest obstacle she stated “location”. The event probably reached its peak potential for attendance at the
2008 event. However, that year also brought one of
her highlights, driving Dr. Ralph in a “gator” cart. She
fondly remembers another favorite moment. An audience member stopped her and Dr. Ralph, while riding in
the “gator”, to ask where they could purchase merchandise. She and Dr. Ralph both pointed to his booth at
the same time and a friend captured the moment in a
photo, one of her favorites and included here.
From Tonya’s shelves she pulled down her “Forest Fest Scrapbook”, filled with flyers, invoices, and all things festival related.
And, lo and behold, what comprises the cover of her scrapbook?
The Fall 2004 Pickin’ Post, Doyle Lawson on its cover. The “Band
Directory” listing is filled with Tonya’s notes about her communication with many of the bands. That first event was held May 2005
and featured two Louisville-region bands, Stone Hollow, comprised
primarily of musicians from Fairdale, and Hog Operation, veteran
Bluegrass musicians. The event hosted about 300 audience members and Tonya laughed when she remembered a miscommunication regarding the sound equipment, which resulted in making the
Hogs a “plugged-in” performance, while Stone Hollow moved from
the stage right into the crowd to perform “unplugged”.
After that initial event Tonya sought the advice of Berk Bryant, the
Country Gentleman, who hosts the Sunday Night Bluegrass radio
show on WFPK. Berk said he couldn’t help with sound, port-a-pots,
and etcetera; however, he could advise Tonya about bands, booking, and scheduling. He assisted Tonya in producing the 2nd event
featuring Stone Hollow, Old Louisville Express, Hog Operation and a
break-through band of youngsters, Kentucky Sassafras. She feels
that fate was on her side when just days before the event, a sound
technician called to ask if she needed any help. Since she had rented
sound equipment from the Doo-Wop Shop, she felt very lucky that this
help showed up.
Tonya’s formula for scheduling bands for Forest Fest is
to contract a big name headliner, showcase two regional bands and locate one band that is “up and coming” to
performing, like Kentucky Sassafras was in 2005. She
said that one great change is that agents are now calling her about scheduling their bands at the event. “This
is very cool”, she said.
Any visit to Jefferson Memorial Forest is a treat. The
forest hosts many walking trails, camping, and a Visitor’s Center filled with a gift shop, maps and lots of
friendly folks happy to answer any and all questions
about the area. But, a real treat is attending the free
Forest Fest event in May of each year, in one of the
park’s most beautiful tree-filled spaces, next to the
Horine Center. Besides the great Bluegrass music,
many regional crafters provide on-site demonstrations,
an area is set up to host children’s booths and food/
beverage vendors are plentiful.
Congratulations, Tonya and your team! You have accomplished much in a relatively short period and you
are producing one of the region’s most unique events.
Thank you for promoting Bluegrass music and
supporting B.A.
CherryHolmes Forest Fest 09
Campsites are available for some more Pickin’ fun
after the fest. For more information about the park and
Forest Fest, go to their website at: www.louisvilleky.gov/
metroparks/parks/jeffersonmemorialforest/
Photo- Stephen Cotton
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Continued from page 4
Dwight Dillman, proprietor of Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park and
Campground (Bean Blossom, IN.) gave away three male beagle pups
from a littler born from Jimmy Martin’s dog. Three lucky kiddos received
a puppy and each gave their new family member a fitting Bluegrass legend name. Kyle Ramey is enjoying Bill Monroe Ramey, Megan Murphy
loves Jimmy Martin Murphy and Daniel Patrick welcomes J.D. Crowe
Patrick. Sweet!
On Sunday, 6/7/09, Berk Bryant celebrated the 20th anniversary of
hosting his Sunday Bluegrass show on WFPK. Joining Berk in the studio
that evening were musicians Alan Phelps, Murrell Thixton, Dennis Talley,
Nathan Livers and Matt Phelps, who helped to celebrate the milestone.
Here’s to many more years of hosting your show, Berk!
Berk’s show can be heard each Sunday night in the Louisville area at
91.9 FM, Radio Louisville, or on the web at www.wfpk.org, 8-11 pm ET.
Birthday Thanks from Berk Bryant:
This really exposes the kind of people bluegrass fans, pickers and
friends are down deep and openly. Attending the bluegrass jams in Vine
Grove’s Optimist Park each week establishes contacts with many such
people. Wayne Mabe nonchalantly mentioned to me one Monday night
that he was planning to have a fish fry in the park the following Sunday
afternoon, June 7th. He asked me if I liked fish and said “You’ll be there
won’t you?” I replied that I could do that. The suspicious nature I have,
coupled with knowing these truly great folks, I deduced that this was
a “surprise” birthday gathering for me; however, I attempted to remain
innocent.
I was humbled at the many folks who did show up that Sunday afternoon
(June 7). Some had prepared great side dishes and desserts and a birthday cake about a quarter of the size of one of the big tables was brought
in. I send a very sincere appreciation to all involved and for the basket
of cards. I received mementoes in the form of a fantastic “scrapbook”
full of keepsakes with most kind words. Also I received three exceptional
albums of pictures
taken at various
times and places. I
can not adequately
describe all of
the gifts that took
much effort to put
together nor can I
adequately thank
everyone who was
a part of all of this.
I will say thanks
to Bobby Smith,
Wayne Mabe and
Margaret Hamilton who are the
usual suspects and
perpetrators behind
these events. This
was truly one of the
very best of the few
birthday parties I
have had in these
79 years.You have
all and individually
blessed me.
After charity shows
in Los Angeles
and New York and
an appearance at
Nashville’s Grand
Ole Opry, Steve
Martin will be hitting
the road in support
of The Crow: New Songs for the
Five-String Banjo, which currently Photo- Sheila Nichols
sits at the top of the Billboard
Bluegrass Album Chart. After a
successful run with a limited release,
multi-talented Grammy and Emmy winning actor/comedian/musician and
bestselling author Steve Martin released the album on Rounder Records
on May 19, 2009. Rounder also released a deluxe pop-up version of the
album, on June 16. Martin will perform on The View on October 6th in
support of the album.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Mando picker and instructor extraordinaire, Nathan Livers, is seeking
students, beginner through advanced. Nathan resides in Louisville, KY.
and may be contacted at 502-263-9263.
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WEBSITES TO CHECK OUT:
Tom Cunningham, Fiddler.
http://www.fiddletales.com/schedule.htm
Your online Bluegrass Showcase featuring band information on booking,
music, downloads and more! Visit http://www.bluegrasspass.com/
Check out Angie’s Banjo’s for all your banjo needs, including online lessons: http://www.angiesbanjo.com/
Bobby Smith’s photo gallery can be found at Flickr.com site at: http://
www.flickr.com/photos/vinegrovejam/.
FROM OUR READERS:
I have created a Facebook group and petition dedicated to bringing IBMA
back to the Galt House in Louisville, KY. So far we’ve got 400 members!!
Please join and sign the petition and Invite your friends, and please leave
comments with your opinion. Thanks a lot! Nathan Livers
Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/groups.php#/group.
php?gid=111163664172
JEANNIE and CHARLIE FORD recommend the article entitled “Salute!
From Karen Cannon to You”, found on The Bluegrass Blog. “Salute!”
is the new artwork by Cannon that pays tribute to our beloved Father of
Bluegrass. It honors both Bill Monroe and the mandolin he used to create the Bluegrass music that we know and love. To read the article go
to: http://www.thebluegrassblog.com/salue-from-karen-cannon/. article:
http://www.theblueg rassblog. com/salute- from-karen- cannon/
There’s a new Bluegrass band in the Louisville area. BlueZenGrass.
(it’s a mnemonic device for Blues and Bluegrass ….get it?) In addition
to other planned events, they will be performing two dates on the Belle
of Louisville’s Sunday Bluegrass Cruise Series this fall, September 13
and October 11. All cruises are 2-4pm and begin boarding at 1:30. The
BlueZenGrass players include Marc Hall – guitar, Natalie Hall – fiddle,
Jim Allen – banjo, Mark Helm – guitar and Rick Vincent – bass. What
better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than to enjoy a cruise aboard
the historic Belle of Louisville and listen to some great Bluegrass music?
They’d love to see you!
Check out the Blue Stars Cafe located at 529 Overton St. in Newport,
KY. They are Northern Kentucky’s first bluegrass cafe. More info can be
found at http://www.myspace.com/bluestarscafe. Support
WE REMEMBER:
Well known mandolin/banjo luthier Clermon Eugene Ward (CE Ward)
died at his home in Concord, NC at age 70. CE started building fivestring necks for Gibson tenors in the sixties and later built complete
banjos with his own name on them. He built Sonny Osborne’s six-string
(with an extra bass string) in the late sixties, at Sonny’s request. He was
also a fine mandolin builder. Jack Lawrence has one, and Doyle Lawson
used a Ward A50 conversion when he played with the Country Gentlemen. He will be missed.
Dorothy “Dot” Hammack, wife of Dick Hammack, mother of Stuart,
Glenn and Steve (Hammgrass Ensemble) passed over in July. She was
surrounded by family at the time of her death. Dick, his sons and Faith
Riser are members of Hammgrass Ensemble, avid bluegrass musicians, and friends of the BA bluegrass community. Your family is in our
prayers. Dottie’s smile and gentle nature (and great home cookin’) will
be sorely missed.
Local Louisville musician and song-writer Tim Krekel passed away at
his home surrounded by family. He was a well known musician who had
played with Jimmy Buffet and written songs performed by Patty Loveless
and others. May his family and friends find peace after Tim’s passing.
Tim was a supporter of BA and its mission and his passing leaves a big
void in the Louisville music scene.
For information or to add a blip in the next issue of the Pickin’ Post,
please contact Michelle at [email protected].
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Bluegrass Anonymous
P.O. Box 21281 • Louisville, KY 40221-0281