THIS AND THAT

Our favorite guitar strumming  RR engineer recently said at a YBA jam that Hank Williams wrote many other songs to the melody of "I Saw The Light."  That may be true, but others may have done that, too. Writers of lyrics are infamous for stealing older melodies and applying their own new words. A good example might be the "Prisoner's Song" which I learned as a kid as "If I had the Wings of An Angel."  Roy Acuff had his "Great Speckled Bird" which may have come from the Carter Family.  Others included "Honky Tonk Angels" and it'sequel.  All with the same melody.
Telluride is one of the most famous ski resort summer bluegrass festivals. It is said that locals term it "To Hell You Ride!" An easy way to pronounce it.
The Blue Cat Saturdays must be still alive. I went twice and it was OK, but that was enough for me. Two of the MilesTown pickers were at the first Blue Cat. They had played at the North Dakota "Bluegrass and Ribs" in Medora and said they had a great time. Think about going next Spring. A good trip to Teddy Roosevelt Country can show off the pine tree country of our North Dakota neighbors and who does not like good BBQ'd ribs?
Hannah King, recent fiddler for the "Song Dog Serenade" band has won the young adult competition at the National Fiddle Championships in Weiser, ID. This provided by Paddy Moore of "Song Dog." Thanks Paddy.
You Tube is denying usage to certain musical group. Apparently this does not apply to individual musicians, but to certain INDY labels. Regarding You Tube if you want to view some great dobro playing click onto Kathy Kalick's dobro player, Gregg Booth. This is straight ahead dobro, no fancy stuff like Jerry Douglas plays. Whether you are dobro fan or not you will enjoy his efforts. Enter his name and you will be directed to his You Tube stuff.
The second ballot for "nominations" for the IBMA designations for the YEAR is on right now.  I better get my vote in.  Winners are announced at the annual fall "World OF Bluegrass," again this year in Raleigh, NC. "Song of the Mountains" TV show has returned to Montana PBS out of MSU Bozeman. It may also be available on PBS from Missoula and other states, too. Here it is on Mondays at 5 AM, so view it or set your recording device. Many great bluegrass bands perform on this show.
Due to other activities few YBA jams have occurred at the Art Studio on North 20th.  If you go for any of these and it is too hot an easy answer would be to head north for a block and pick under a tree at North Park. This was one of the very first parks in Billings, MT.  Better have your favorite picking chair in your vehicle.