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MIKE ANDES
BLUEGRASS ’10


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Bluegrass Music News

So, do you like to read good news? I'm betting if you like bluegrass music, then you do.

This is the place to find out what's happening around and about

And these days, "around and about" means "pretty much anywhere."

Consequently, State of the Ozarks is happy to include bluegrass news from anywhere — not just the Ozark region.


FROM CAROLE FARRAR & NIGHTHAWK EXPRESS

Nighthawk Express Bluegrass Show Saturday, August 7,  6:30 p.m., Firefighter's Local 152, 2350 N. Clifton, Springfield, featuring The Baker Family (from Mountain View, Missouri), Ripplin' Creek Bluegrass, The Old Wire Road and Nighthawk Express.  Admission is free, donations accepted. Bluegrass jam, 5 p.m.- 6:30. All bluegrass musicians welcome. There will be a show the first Saturday of each month. 


BLUEGRASS BIRTHDAYS

JULY 3: Jimmy Gaudreau
JULY 7: Charlie Louvin
JULY 9: Ronnie Bowman
JULY 9: Jesse McReynolds
JULY 10: Bela Fleck
JULY 11: Dana Cupp, Jr.
JULY 13: Rhonda Vincent
JULY 18: Ricky Skaggs
JULY 21: Bobby Hicks
JULY 23: Alison Krauss
JULY 24: Dave Evans
JULY 25: Valerie Smith
JULY 30: Andy Leftwich

Many thanks to Teresa Romans, editor of Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Assocation for this list of bluegrass birthdays. Visit (www) Heart Of The Ozarks Bluegrass (.com) for more information.


LETTERS FROM TERESA ROMANS AND THE HEART OF THE BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION (HOBA)

Hi all! Well, I almost let July get away from me too, but here I am finally. Seems like there’s too much going on sometime, but that’s only an excuse. I hope everyone has had a great summer so far even with the heat.

Our June festival was great. I have to compliment my big brother Mark Eldringhoff for the fine lineup he had for the June festival. I cannot say enough about the music that was heard at the June festival.

Let’s just say it is some of the best I’ve heard in a long time. All of the bands were excellent. That being said, while I like you grownup pickers, I have to confess the little ones are the ones I enjoy watching. But it was all great and I just wanted to let you know how much you missed out on if you didn’t get to come! Also, if you ever get a chance to see Mountain Faith out of North Carolina somewhere at a festival, park your chair! These kids are fantastic and they can only go up and onward from here. I think they had just as much fun as everyone else.

Now, just hope you are feeling up to working hard and sweating a lot at our upcoming Fiddle Fest (which is right around the corner and we are still needing bluegrass bands, fiddlers and harmonica players for our contests).

Fiddle Fest will begin 7 p.m. on August 13 with the fiddler’s contest. Entry fee is $10.00. First place is $75, Second is $50, and Third is $25.00.

The hamonica contest begins Saturday morning, August 14th at 11 a.m . Entry fee if $10. First place is $75, second is $50, and third is $25.00.

Our bluegrass band contest will begin at 1 p.m. Entry fee of $100. First place is a 10-song CD recording session at Gene Breeden Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Second place will be a DVD recording provided by UBN Channel 38 in West Plains. Third place will be $100.00. There will also be a people’s choice award. Votes will be $1.00 each.

Folks, this looks like it is going to be a lot of fun. The last time HOBA did something like this, I think I was 16 or 17 years old. Now THAT is a LONG time ago.

Gene Breeden is a musician, producer, publisher and studio owner. He has been in the music business for 40 years. Mr. Breeden offers a full-service music group. Over the years he has worked with greats like Merle Haggard, Garth Brooks, George Jones, Al Brumley and the list goes on.

You can heck out his studio at www.Genebreeden.com.

September HOBA Festival

Hey, it’s creeping up on us faster than you know. We have some great bands lined up and I want to introduce you to some of them before the festival in case you haven’t heard of some of them.

Lonesome Road is an award-winning bluegrass band. They have been together over 10 years and still like each other! The band consists of David Marvilla, guitar, Shelly Smith, bass, Ron Pennington, mandolin and Robby Boone on banjo.

They have played for many greats throughout their individual careers including Alison Krauss, Larry Sparks, Lynn Morris, Gary Ferguson, the Bluegrass Cardinals, and the list goes on. These are some fine pickers and singers are you will certainly enjoy their show.

The Majerus Family is a family of mom, dad and six kids from Grove Springs, Missouri, performing and bringing the word of God. They are friendly and entertaining and are a joy to sit around and visit with. We are excited to have them at our September festival. You will enjoy the great harmonies that only families have!

The Eldringhoff’s. Hmmm, well, what can be said (nicely) about these folks. Knowing them “personally”, it’s gonna be hard, but I’ll try to be good.

Ben plays a fast banjo, stay out of the way. Randall swings the dobro and Mark rocks the mandolin. And of course, there is always the bass player, possibly one of the best you’ll see on the stage when the play (and probably the only one goofy enough to chance it). So, if you need a good laugh and want to have some fun, come listen to the Eldringhoffs. We intend to have a good time whether anyone likes it or not!

Many thanks to Teresa Romans, editor of Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Assocation for Bluegrass Music Profiles. Visit (www) Heart Of The Ozarks Bluegrass (.com) for more information.


REGIONAL BLUEGRASS RADIO

BASS Country 92.9

Mark Withers and Gene Reasoner, Sunday mornings for 2 hours.

(www) Mark And Gene (.com) or (www.) Bass Country (.fm)

KUKU 100.3 FM

Ozark Acoustics, Sunday Morning, 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. 100.3 FM with Sean McCormick

KSMU 91.1 FM

Springfield, MO - Seldom Heard Music, Mike Smith, Saturday night from 7-9 PM with repeaters in Mtn. Grove 88.1, Joplin 98.9, Neosho, 103.7, KSMS Branson 90.5 and KSMW West Plains 90.9

KUMR 88.5 FM

University of MO - Rolla, Wayne Bledsoe, Saturday night 6-9PM.

KASU 91.9 FM

Jonesboro, Ark - Arkansas State University, Saturday and Sunday 12 noon.

Many thanks to Teresa Romans, editor of Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Assocation for this comprehensive list. Visit (www) Heart Of The Ozarks Bluegrass (.com) for more information.

IBMA NOMINEES

Audie Blaylock and Redline are nominated for the following IBMA awards: entertainer of the year, vocal group of the year, instrumental group of the year and male vocalist of the year (Blaylock). Additionally, the group's album Cryin' Heart Blues and recorded performance Running Gun have been nominated for thei respective categories (album of the year and instrumental recorded performance of the year).


35TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL OLD-TIME FIDDLE CONTEST RESULTS

The 35th Annual International Old-Time Fiddle Contest (June 11, 12, 2010) took place at the International Peace Garden. Fiddlers from North Dakota, Manitoba, Montana, and Minnesota competed for trophies and cash prizes totaling more than $1,850.

Judges for the two-day event were Glen Westberg (East Selkirk, Manitoba), Jim Tengesdal (Minot, North Dakota) and Kay Werre (Fullerton, North Dakota).

The winners were:

CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
First place: Jane Cory, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Second place: Sadie Sorenson, West Fargo, North Dakota
Third place: Simon Reimer, Lorette, Manitoba
Fourth place: George Elias, Winkler, Manitoba
Fifth place: Gilmore Lee, Maple Plains, Minnesota

SENIOR CLASS WINNERS
First place: Ernest V. Parisien, Belcourt, North Dakota
Second place: Walt Tadsen, Forsythe, Montana
Third place: Lorne Ferley, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Fourth place: Melvin Pedersen, Grand Forks, North Dakota

ADULT WINNER
First place: Cat McClintock, Bismark, North Dakota

JUNIOR WINNERS
First place: Sylvie Reimer, Lorette, Manitoba
Second place: Stephanie Dousselaere, Cartwright, Manitoba
Third place: Gabe Brien, Belcourt, North Dakota
Fourth place: Jaden Sorenson, West Fargo, North Dakota
Fifth place: Claire Brien, Belcourt, North Dakota

SMALL FRY WINNERS
First place: Sara Smith, Fargo, North Dakota
Second place: Tristan Quibell, Fargo, North Dakota

TWIN FIDDLING
Sadie & Jaden Sorenson, West Fargo, North Dakota

For more information, visit (www) International Music Camp (.com).

BLUEGRASS MUSIC PROFILES FROM TERESA ROMANS AND HOBA

Bluegrass star and seven-time IBMA Female Vocalist winner, Rhonda Vincent has added a record label division to her in-house company, Upper Management which already boasts management and tour booking divisions and oversees her annual bluegrass cruise.

Upper Management was founded in 2006 by the artist’s manager and husband, Herb Sandker.

Garland Carter
passed away Saturday, June 26, 2010, of natural causes. Garland was a long-time bass player with Summer Wages in the 1980s, appearing on all three Summer Wages albums.

He was also a  member of the Bluegrass Cardinals.

Rocco Landesman (National Endowment for the Arts Chairman) announced this year’s NEA National Heritage Fellowships.

One of the nine recipients is Del McCoury.


David Nance joins the Hagar’s Mountain Boys. He was with Jimmy Martin and The Sunny Mountain Boys for 18 years.

Many thanks to Teresa Romans, editor of Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Assocation for Bluegrass Music Profiles. Visit (www) Heart Of The Ozarks Bluegrass (.com) for more information.


(BLUEGRASS BLOG)

Sawmill Road — the mega-talented west coast bluegrass outfit — has hit the end of the road.

Made up of five seasoned pros, the group released a pair of excellent recordings (Sawmill Road and Fire On The Kettle) while they were active.

The band featured Steve Spurgin on bass, Mark Miracle on mandolin, Dick Brown on banjo, Doug Bartlett on fiddle and Charlie Edsall on guitar.

Marshall Wilborn is taking a leave of absence from his gig with Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper to complete treatment for Lyme disease.

Wilborn tells us that the treatment (which lasts 28 days), is going well. Marshall will be back with the band on August 13.

The latest CD from Lonesome River Band, Still Learning, is out on Rural Rhythm. You can hear audio samples now on the LRB web site.

Many thanks to Teresa Romans, editor of Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Assocation for (Bluegrass Blog). Visit (www) Heart Of The Ozarks Bluegrass (.com) for more information.


SPBGMA 2010 WINNERS!

The SOCIETY for the PRESERVATION OF BLUEGRASS MUSIC IN AMERICA awards took place on February 7, at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Rhonda Vincent

ENTERTAINING GROUP OF THE YEAR
Nothin' Fancy

SONG OF THE YEAR
"AMANDA LYNN" – by Lou Reid & Carolina / Rural Rhythm Records

BLUEGRASS BAND OF THE YEAR (Overall)
The Grascals

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Bluegrass Brothers

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Dailey & Vincent

GOSPEL GROUP OF THE YEAR (Traditional)
Paul Williams & The Victory Trio

GOSPEL GROUP OF THE YEAR (Contemporary)
Dailey & Vincent

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Traditional)
James King

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Contemporary)
Jamie Dailey

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Traditional)
Alecia Nugent

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Contemporary)
Rhonda Vincent

FIDDLE PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Hunter Berry

BANJO PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Aaron McDaris

MANDOLIN PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Alan Bibey

GUITAR PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Josh Williams

DOBRO PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Tim Graves

BASS FIDDLE PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Darrin Vincent

BLUEGRASS ALBUM OF THE YEAR
"BLUE SIDE OF THE BLUE RIDGE" – by Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice / Rebel Records

BLUEGRASS SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Tom T. Hall & Dixie Hall

BLUEGRASS DJ OF THE YEAR
Brenda Lawson (WBBC-FM)

BLUEGRASS RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
WDVX-FM – Knoxville, TN

BLUEGRASS PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Bertie Sullivan


Highway 32 Bluegrass Band (from left to right, Joseph Dodson, Angie Haage Hubbs, Robbie Bryant and Randy Hubbs. Photo credit, Markie Keys Photography.


OZARKS CELEBRATION FESTIVAL NEWS

• SEPTEMBER 10-12: 13th Annual Ozarks Celebration Festival (MSU Campus), Springfield. Call (417) 836-6605. Visit (www) OCF . Missouri State (.edu).

An outdoor concert is planned for September 10 with The Hillbenders, The Chapmans and Dan Tyminski and Ronnie Bowman scheduled to perform.

Regulars Shirley Johnson (Shirley, Goodness & Mercy), Deb Burnett and Mike and Nancee Micham (EznDil) will perform during the festival. A number of Ozarks craftspeople and vendors are scheduled to display their works and answer questions.

A Young Fiddlers Concert featuring fiddlers from ages seven to 17 will take place on September 11 (1PM) at the Ellis Recital Hall. Taps will be played at noon on September 11 in tribute to lives lost on September 11, 2001.

An Ozarks culture lecture series is scheduled to take place from September 13 through 16. For more information, call Barb Jones at (417) 836-6605 or visit (www) OCF . Missouri State (.edu).




PEPPER JACKSON WRITES ABOUT THE OLD WIRE ROAD

"The Missouri Ozarks are blessed with traditional music, unique geography and great people. A mix of these assets came together in August 2009 to form The Old Wire Road.
 
"Randy & Susan Rapp along with friends; Randy & Cindy Gamble and Denny & Sandy Gold, have spent the last few years playing music together as they camped at the Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival.

"The mix of voices and musical talent drew many spectators to their jam sessions. When the idea was presented to form a bluegrass band, the friends knew it was a calling they each wanted to answer.

"The Old Wire Road was formed and dedicated to the genre of traditional bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music.
 
"We invite you to take a trip on The Old Wire Road as it winds through the Missouri Ozarks leading it's listeners through a blend of great vocals and instrumentals. As you travel down the road, you will enjoy the sounds of the journey and look forward to spending more time discovering what lies over the next hill."
 
Written by Pepper Jackson.


NEWS FROM THE LAST RESORT BLUEGRASS

The Last Resort will play at the Kings Prairie Fundraiser (put on by Albert Brumley Jr.) on August 14. We will play around 4PM. It is my intention to have our fist CD ready for sale at that event.

NEW DOGS OLD TRICKS (my children's band) sponsors The Oak Grove Music Program. Their next show is August 7. The feature band of the evening will be the Missouri Mountain Gang. The show starts at 7PM with New Dogs Old Tricks, an open mic session and then the feature band.

For more information, visit (www) The Last Resort Bluegrass (.com).


NEWS FROM CHRIS & EARL TALLEY (THE BLUEGRASS SHACK)

[JULY 25] We have two big bluegrass events coming up in the next several months.
 
The First Annual Bluegrass Shack Retreat, complete with jamming, workshops, bands, a Hee Haw show and more will be held at Lake Sallateeska in Pinckneyville, IL on August 27-29, 2010. 

If you would like to stay there, you must make your reservations as soon as possible. There are RV hookups, an on-site hotel, camping, bunkhouses, etc.  This is an affordable family bluegrass event. We hope you'll take advantage of it and come join us for a weekend of fun!
 
The Bluegrass Shack Annual October Fiddle & Banjo Contest is being expanded to include flattop guitar picking this year. I don't have flyers available for this event yet, but here is the information: 

It will be held on Saturday, October 30, starting with registration at Noon. Contest starts at 1:00. It will be held at the New Athens Community Center in New Athens, IL.

There will be medals for all juniors regardless of placement. Money and/or trophies for the top five contestants in each division. Two songs for all contests (as we expect a large turnout).  Food and beverages will be available. Our judges play the instruments they are judging, and our judging is blind panel, as always.
  
If you have questions about these events, please feel free to contact Chris or Earl at The Bluegrass Shack at 618-475-3678. For more information, visit (www) The Bluegrass Shack (.com).


NEWS FROM BRENDA LIBBY

Brenda Libby, songwriter and singer, writes, "I'll be meeting with Mary Kaye and Richard Lee Cody in Spearfish, South Dakota, at the Western Heritage Center. Mary Kaye and I have become ardent fans of each other's songwriting and are excited to finally meet one-on-one.

"Both of Utah, Mary Kaye and Richard Lee Cody are a duo that has been getting a lot of attention in the world of Western music. They have a new CD as well!"

Libby was recently contacted by Barbara Teer (Camdenton, Missouri) for Libby's song J Bar H Rodeo. Barbara was a class member with Brenda's last sister Suzie who passed away shortly prior to 9/11. "Suzie's spirit has been urging me to write," says Libby.

"There has also been requests to purchase my music about the J Bar H Rodeo, which was such a hit at Lake of the Ozarks beginning in 1952.


KSMU YOUTH IN BLUEGRASS BAND CONTEST WINNERS AT SILVER DOLLAR CITY

• FIRST PLACE
THE JED & HARRY CLARK BAND, Searcy, AR

• SECOND PLACE
LONESOME MEADOW, Westerville, OH

• THIRD PLACE
COUNTY LINE BLUEGRASS, Greenville, KY

• FOURTH PLACE
SHERMAN MOUNTAIN BOYS, Jasper, AR

• FIFTH PLACE
THE WINTONS, Redding, CA


FROM THE OAK GROVE MUSIC PROGRAM

I would like to share with you a story about some more good folks of the Ozarks.

Last Saturday evening, July 10, the monthly Oak Grove Music Program took place south of Joplin in the Oak Grove School House.

The weather that day had been seasonably hot and humid. We never turned the lights on in one of the classrooms of the old school and had four window fans blowing. It was warm, but managable.

The crowd — while a little smaller than recent crowds — arrived early and stayed until the Workman Bluegrass Band had played the last note of their show. It is these folks that keep small, regular shows such as ours in operation, and they will always have my respect.

David Johnson


SINGLE-MIC CHAMPIONSHIP AT SILVER DOLLAR CITY WINNERS


• FIRST PLACE
THE HILLBENDERS, Springfield, MO

• SECOND PLACE
• THE STOCKDALE FAMILY, Bolivar, OH

• THIRD PLACE
• THE JED & HARRY CLARK BAND, Searcy, AR

• FOURTH PLACE
• THE PUNCHES FAMILY, Fredericktown, MO

• FIFTH PLACE
• SOUTHERN RAISED, Crane, MO


SPBGMA MIDWEST 2010 WINNERS

The SOCIETY for the PRESERVATION OF BLUEGRASS MUSIC IN AMERICA MIDWEST awards took place during the bluegrass convention at the Capitol Plaza Hotel at Jefferson City, Missouri, January 15 through 17.

BLUEGRASS PROMOTER OF THE YEAR: Don & Bobbie Day

BLUEGRASS SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Bob Hammons

BLUEGRASS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: "HYMNS VOLUME I" – by The Link Family / Indep. Label

BASS FIDDLE PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: Karla Campbell

DOBRO PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: Dwight Slone

GUITAR PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: Dale Martin

MANDOLIN PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: Eric Coones

BANJO PERFORMER OF: Janice Martin

FIDDLE PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: Gerald Jones

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Contemporary): Mae Burlison

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Traditional): Sharon Graeff

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Contemporary): Jim McGreevy

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Traditional): Vern Young

BLUEGRASS GOSPEL GROUP OF THE YEAR: Rowden Review

BLUEGRASS BAND OF THE YEAR (Contemporary): Rowden Review

BLUEGRASS BAND OF THE YEAR (Traditional): Men of the Week

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: Bob Hammons & Wildwood

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: The Martins

ENTERTAINING GROUP OF THE YEAR: The Punches Family

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: C.J. Lewandowski

Visit (www) SPBGMA (.com).



MILLER'S SCHEDULE & MORE

AUGUST 12: Ava Family Theater, Ava, Missouri.
AUGUST 15: Library Station, Springfield, Missouri

AUGUST 18, 19: Missouri State Fair, Sedalia

AUGUST 20: Woodshed, Carthage, Missouri

SEPTEMBER 11: Ozark Celebration Festival, MSU Campus, Springfield

SEPTEMBER 12: Library Center (Chapter & Verse Music Program), Springfield

SEPTEMBER 25: Carl Junction Bluegrass Festival, Carl Junction, Missouri

OCTOBER 9: Sophie Leshcin Theater of the Arts (for the Jacksonville Guild Benefit), Jacksonville, Illinois

OCTOBER 30: Moore / Rust Community Pig Roast, Joplin, Missouri

NOVEMBER 19: Woodshed, Carthage, Missouri

For more information, visit (www) THE MILLERS-BLUEGRASS (.com).