I AM GUILTY OF LOVING MORE THAN BLUEGRASS

And that includes Cajun and Celtic music.  So last night a Mardi Gras event was listed on Facebook hosted by Billings Cafe Zydeco at the popular Billings Depot with music by the "Crawdaddies." 
Wes Horton had posted that he was sitting in with them. Not being familiar with that cajun-zydeco group I googled them and found them to be a popular east coast group.  So why did they need Wes Horton sitting in on upright bass when they played largely electric instruments and had an electric bass player? Well it only cost me $16.82 to find out.  So who were the "Crawdaddies" performing at the Billings Depot?  Just my old bluegrass buddies, Doug Haberman on guitar, and Ed Pierson fiddle, plus Russell Engessor and his big 120 bass "oompa" accordion, and of course Wes. They did put on a good show with lots of fine music, but not much from the Cajun-blues songbook.  Russell did his best "Rockin' Sidney" impression of the big zydeco hit, "Don't Mess With My Toot-Toot."  Russell has been doing that ever since a zydeco band (Clifton Chenier's son) performed it at the Billings Blues Festival several years ago.  When the group took a break they were relieved by the Song Dog trio with their smooth harmony singing and bluegrass instrumental breaks.  No pretense of Louisiana music with these folks. I wouldn't have been surprised about the headline band if my Google efforts had clicked on the dates for the "Crawdaddies LLC band."  They were booked last night:

Tuesday, February 9

Looney's Pub North Fat Tuesday Party
312 S. Main St.
Bel Air, MD 21014
8:00 pm - 12:00 am

It would be hard to play gigs in MD and MT the same night. So live and learn.  Actually it did not really cost me $16.82 to find out who was really playing the Billings Depot.  It was really free because I ate at least $30 worth of good Cajun food.  Did I mention that I love Cajun-Creole food just as much as the music?   Or that my stomach says today is definitely going to be another antacid day? 
        

MESSAGE FROM YBA PRESIDENT

FROM YBA PRESIDENT EDD TREMBLY

Dear YBA Members,

Each year the YBA sends a  talented young person to the Montana Fiddle Camp. I am asking for your recomendations for this years scholar. If you know of someone who you think would benefit from a week at fiddle camp please contact me here. Also a gentle reminder i will soon be sending out a listing or all our scheduled events so please send in your dues because i'm sure you enjoy these as well as I do. If you haven't already send your $20.00 per individual or $30.00 per family to:

Yellowstone Bluegrass Assc.

PO Box 23143

Billings, MT 59104

See you soon,

Edd

GEORGE JONES BIOPIC ON THE WAY

Josh Brolin has the title role  of hard drinking George and Jessica Chastain plays Tammy Wynette. It should be an interesting movie.  Watch for it.

INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS TO PLAY MISSOULA & WHITEFISH

Compass Records Announces

The Infamous StringdustersLadies & Gentlemen

Out today!

Featuring Lee Ann Womack, Joan Osbourne, Sara Watkins, Abigail Washburn, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Sarah Jarosz, and others!

Compass 4665 | UPC# 766397466521

“…the Grammy-nominated quintet’s sixth studio album showcases not only the Stringduster’s keen, constantly evolving craftsmanship, but some of the best singers in the game, all of whom happen to be women.”  –Rolling Stone Country "No matter what label you want to give this band, the essential truth is that they make music that is thoroughly real." –Elmore Magazine

(Nashville, TN) February 5th, 2016 –  Standing at the crossroads of modern bluegrass and newgrass, The Infamous Stringdusters are a band that is “stretching [bluegrass] from within” (New York Times). For their sixth studio album, LADIES & GENTLEMEN, the band invited a dozen of their favorite female singers to join them. The list of featured guests includes some of the most dynamic and innovative artists from across the roots music, Americana, and country worlds: Nicki Bluhm, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Jennifer Hartswick, Sarah Jarosz, Claire Lynch, Aoife O’Donovan, Joan Osborne, Joss Stone, Sara Watkins, Abigail Washburn, Lee Ann Womack and Celia Woodsmith. Each artist guested on a different original song or tune written by the members of the band specifically for this project. Ladies & Gentlemen was produced by GRAMMY-winner Chris Goldsmith and shows the breadth of The Infamous Stringdusters’ musical vision and talents. Band members Andy Hall (dobro), Andy Falco (guitar), Chris Pandolfi (banjo), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle) and Travis Book (upright bass), play alongside the vocalists with the circuital unity of the seasoned bluegrass band that they are. Big harmonies and exploratory compositions, along with the band’s profound commitment to presentation, seem bound to inspire traditionalists and newcomers to stomp their feet on common ground. With a new voice for each song, world-class instrumental backing, captivating song structure and unexpected combinations, Ladies & Gentlemen is sure to please at every turn. The Infamous Stringdusters’ resume includes five studio albums, three International Bluegrass Association awards and a GRAMMY nomination. Listen to focus tracks hereRequest promo servicing or media opportunities here

TRACK TITLES  1. Listen (Joan Osborne)  2. I Believe (Lee Ann Womack) 3. Won’t Be Long (Sarah Jarosz) 4. Have a Little Faith (Joss Stone) 5. See How Far You’ve Come (Sara Watkins) 6. Old Whiskey Bottle (Celia Woodsmith) 7. Still the One (Nicki Bluhm) 8. Ladders in the Sky (Claire Lynch) 9. Coming Back to You (Mary Chapin Carpenter) 10. Run to Heaven (Aoife O’Donovan) 11. Rock and Roll (Abigail Washburn)

U.S. TOUR DATES 2/8-9 - Telluride, CO, Sheridan Opera House 2/10 - Aspen, CO, Belly Up Aspen 2/11-12 - Jackson Hole, WY, Pink Garter 2/13 - Boise, ID, Knitting Factory 2/14 - Park City, UT - Park City Live 2/16 - Whitefish, MT - The Great Northern 2/17 - Missoula, MT - Top Hat Lounge * 2/18 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox ^ 2/19 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom ^ 2/20 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore ^ 2/21 - Incline Village Crystal Bay, NV - Crystal Bay Club Casino  ^ 2/23 - Sacramento, CA, Harlow’s Nightclub - w/ Nicki Bluhm & TBD special guest 2/25 - West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour ^ 2/26 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up ^ 2/27 - Flagstaff, AZ - Orpheum * 3/09 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom * 3/10 - Ferndale, MI - Magic Bag * 3/11 - Chicago, IL - Park West * 3/12 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater * 3/13 - Iowa City, IA - Englert Theatre * 3/14 - Omaha, NE - Waiting Room * 3/15 - Madison, WI -Majestic Theatre * 3/16 - St. Louis, MO - Old Rock House * 3/17 - Nashville, TN - Exit In * 3/18 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse * 3/19-20 - Live Oak, FL - Springfest 3/30-31 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom * 4/1-2 – Washington D.C. - 9:30 Club * 4/03 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theatre 4/05 - Rocky Mount, VA - Harvester Perf. Center 4/06 - Charlotte, NC - Visulite Theatre 4/07 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theater 4/08 – Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live 4/09 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club 4/10 - Hartford, CT - Infinity Hall Hartford 5/6-7 – Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Ampitheatre 5/27 – Clarks Grove, MN - Revival Music Fest  6/16-29 – Telluride, CO - Telluride Bluegrass Fest  6/22-25 – Owensboro, KY - ROMP FEST *with Nicki Bluhm  ^with Nicki Bluhm & Della Mae

About Compass Records Compass Records, described by Billboard Magazine as "one of the leading independent labels," is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015. The label group is home to more than 500 releases across the Compass Records, Green Linnet and Mulligan Records imprints with a roster that boasts a variety of artists including Colin Hay, Ron Sexsmith, Mountain Heart, Mike Farris, Altan, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, John Cowan, The Duhks, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, The Infamous Stringdusters, Matt Flinner Trio, The Waifs, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Justin Currie, Michael Cleveland, A.J. Croce, Bobby Long, Claire Lynch, Andrea Zonn, David Mayfield and label co-founder Alison Brown. For more information, visit www.compassrecords.com.

ANOTHER GREAT WINTERPICK IN GARDINER

Robert and Nichelle Grosvenor hosted another very successful Winterpick event last weekend in Gardiner, MT.  All three floors of Building B at the Super 8 were filled and some Saturday pickers had to get rooms in Building A.  It is always good to see old picking friends at these events  The music continued on into the wee hours both nights.  I kicked off the Friday jamming around 5 PM by playing a few solo fiddle tunes and was soon joined by Robert and other pickers including Dave and Candy Payne of Helena.  Candy put down her bass and picked up her fiddle and we had a good time playing a bit of twin fiddle together. As usual the food was great, too. Turkey, ham, sausages, meatballs, salads, sandwiches, and all the dishes you can think of making in slow cookers.  There were stews, breads, beans, several types of chili, and vegan dishes, too.  Robert made a huge stock pot full of his famous home made noodles.  I took 7 quarts of ham, pork and sausage jambalaya and it all disappeared. Desserts in abundance, too.  The food was almost as good as the music.

It was also a good week for traveling as the highways were dry and open in that whole area,.  We can always expect wind around Big Timber and Livingston, of course,  and last weekend was no exception. Last year's Big Horn sheep were gone, but replaced by a herd of elk about the same place on the highway.  As I returned during the early morning darkness on Sunday, right on cue, a big cow led the rest of them across the road right in front of me.  Anticipating that I was only going about 35 mph so had no problem braking for all of them.  No bison this year for me, thankfully.  Those big bulls probably outweigh my little Kia Rio.


as always  it was a wonderful jamming event and by the time I got home to Billings I was already longing for next year's Winterpick.  Thanks a million Robert and Nichelle.

BTW, Nichelle has a super shot of Robert and his birthday cake on Facebook.  Be sure to check that out, too.
    

CLASSIC BLUEGRASS ON RFD-TV

RENO'S OLD TIME MUSIC'S FEBRUARY FORECAST: FOUR MORE WEEKS OF HOT BLUEGRASS!   "Bluegrass Hall of Fame" spotlight series: Great Performances of the 60's and 70's (Part 2); "Hats Off to Bluegrass" series: New Episodes with Co-Hosts Sierra Hull and Rhonda Vincent; and the best of "Front Porch Gospel"

Nashville, Tenn. (February 2, 2016) —​ For nearly 25 years, TV host Ronnie Reno has presented some of the finest and most celebrated acoustic and bluegrass acts on his award-winning show, "Reno's Old Time Music." So it doesn't take a groundhog to predict that, without a shadow of doubt, February's forecast will be just as hot!   This month's lineup includes part two of the "Bluegrass Hall of Fame" spotlight series: Great Performances of the 60's & 70's (including never-before-aired performances by The Bluegrass Alliance with Tony Rice and Sam Bush); all-new episodes of the "Hat's Off to Bluegrass" series, highlighting the best performances of "Reno's Old Time Music" throughout the years (with special co-hosts Sierra Hull & Rhonda Vincent); and one of the most-requested episodes from the "Front Porch Gospel" series, designed to inspire and renew your spirit with the best of Bluegrass Gospel.   "Reno's Old Time Music" airs weekly in prime time on Saturday night at 7:00 P.M. Eastern and on Thursday morning at 6:30 A.M. Eastern on RFD-TV and is sponsored by Derksen Portable Buildings, Hadley's Southern Kitchen and the Old Time Music Store (click HERE for more information and for exact times in your area).   February 6 - 11: "Bluegrass Hall of Fame" Spotlight Series: Great Performances of the 60's & 70's (Part Two)   Start off the month with the premiere of part two of a two-part "Bluegrass Hall of Fame" spotlight series, featuring the greatest archival performances from the 60's and 70's from a stable of Hall of Fame inductees including Bill Monroe, Mac Wiseman, The Stanley Brothers, Reno & Smiley, Lester Flatt, Jim & Jesse, The Lewis Family, Uncle Josh (Graves) and  Paul Warren, and never-before-aired performances by The Bluegrass Alliance with Tony Rice and Sam Bush. If you love the masters, you'll definitely want to tune in!   February 13 - 18: "Hats Off to Bluegrass" Co-hosted by Sierra Hull   Join Ronnie and special guest co-host, the incredibly talented Sierra Hull, as they share personal stories and introduce the best performances of "Reno's Old Time Music." They also swap mandolin licks on a few songs.    At only 23, Sierra Hull has enjoyed career that has spanned more than a decade. She was given her first mandolin at age 8. By age 11, Alison Krauss had called with an invitation to the Grand Ole Opry stage; by 12, Rounder was expressing interest (she signed a record deal with Rounder at 13, with her first album released at 16). She’s also performed at the White House, Carnegie Hall (twice), The Kennedy Center, traveled around the world sharing her music and released three albums. Then there’s the fact that Berklee honored her with the school’s most prestigious award, the Presidential Scholarship, the first for a Bluegrass musician. Today, she’s earning considerable respect in the Bluegrass world. Sierra has been nominated eight times for “Mandolin Player of the Year” by the IBMA.   February 20 - 25: "Hats Off to Bluegrass" Co-hosted by Rhonda Vincent   Rhonda Vincent reunites with Ronnie Reno to co-host another all-new episode of "Hats Off to Bluegrass," featuring favorite performances and guests of "Reno's Old Time Music."    Rhonda Vincent, dubbed “The New Queen of Bluegrass” by the Wall Street Journal, began her musical journey at the age of three, performing alongside her family members on what was called The Sally Mountain Show. She sang bluegrass as a teenager, then recorded a couple of mainstream country albums in the 1990's, when makeup artists cared more about her looks than her sound. She was asked if she could "get the bluegrass out of her voice." Confused and heartbroken, she put together her first bluegrass band, and found the most natural approach to her music was in the bluegrass realm.   In addition to being the most award-winning band in Bluegrass music history, (Rhonda and her band, The Rage have taken home massive amounts of honors, totaling over 100 awards), Vincent has also performed and recorded with the best of the best, including Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Keith Urban, Alan Jackson, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Daryle Singletary, Richard Marx, Hank Williams Jr. and more. In addition to being a 15-time Entertainer of the Year, Vincent has established herself as one of the most visible, best-selling artists in the genre, whose cross-over appeal stretches well into the mainstream media.    February 27 - March 3: Front Porch Gospel   Leap into March with some musical inspiration! A fan favorite, FRONT PORCH GOSPEL compiles never-before-seen Gospel performances from the guests of "Reno's Old Time Music" to ignite the heart and delight the spirit. Close out the month with a re-air of one of the most-requested episodes! Don't miss it!    ABOUT "RENO'S OLD TIME MUSIC": This award-winning weekly music/talk show is the brainchild of Producer/Host Ronnie Reno, whose over-60-year career helped forge the sound and songs of so many legendary Bluegrass and Country Music entertainers, including Reno & Smiley, The Osborne Brothers, Merle Haggard, The Reno Brothers, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Vassar Clements, Sammi Smith, Johnny Paycheck, Mac Wiseman and Conway Twitty, to name just a few.   Reno began airing his show in 1993 on another network as "Reno's Old Time Music Festival.” It was the first and only national television show featuring Bluegrass and acoustic music and could be seen in 28 million households. Because of the show’s rich music/talk format and Reno’s influence in getting top-name guests, the show was a huge success, earning Reno a nomination for the prestigious Cable Ace Award for“Best Musical Series" and the nickname "The Dick Clark of Bluegrass."   Today, "Reno's Old Time Music" has nearly doubled its carriage with its transition to the RFD-TV network, reaching over 50 million homes weekly and pulling an estimated 1.3 million monthly viewers. Although the name has changed slightly, the format remains largely the same, which includes performances by Ronnie Reno & The Reno Tradition and the weekly featured guest, an interview segment, the extremely popular “Super Pickers” segment and a sterling closing performance by the guest, who is joined by Reno on the Main Stage. Reno was honored with both the IBMA "Distinguished Achievement" (2006) and "Broadcaster of the Year" (2013) awards due to the continued success of the show.   In 2015, Reno released his first album in over a decade, LESSONS LEARNED, on Rural Rhythm Records (available on iTunes, Amazon and wherever Bluegrass and Country music are sold).   On February 7, 2016, Ronnie Reno will be inducted into the Preservation Hall of Greats, SPBGMA's highest honor. Reno’s name will be added to an incredible list of Bluegrass legends and seminal performers who have been inducted since 1984, beginning with Bill Monroe, and including Ronnie's father, Don Reno, who was inducted along with Red Smiley in 1985.      For more information on Ronnie Reno or "Reno's Old Time Music," please visit www.ronniereno.com.   #  #  #    Suggested Links:   ronniereno.com facebook.com/ronnie.reno.10

THE EAGLES AND BLUEGRASS ?

From the IBMA:

The world is still reeling from the loss of Eagles front man, guitarist and songwriter Glenn Frey. Frey died on January 18 in New York City, following complications of rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and pneumonia.
Again, you may think that the Eagles and Glenn Frey don't have anything to do with bluegrass, but this time you'd be mistaken. In the very earliest days of the band, the dawn of the 1970's, the Eagles were made up of Frey, Don Henley on drums, Randy Meisner on bass and one Bernie Leadon on guitar and...banjo! Leadon brought a bluegrass/country sound to the Eagles that was very apparent in the group's early music, most notably in the giant hit, "Take It Easy."

Bernie was liberal with the use of his banjo onstage in those days, as well. "Midnight Flyer," from the On the Border album, was often performed live in The Eagles' sets, with Meisner singing and Frey landing a compelling slide guitar (before the later advent of guitarists Don Felder and Joe Walsh, Frey often played the lead himself).
Today, in memory and celebration of the life and music of Glenn Frey, we feature the bluegrass sound of "Midnight Flyer," from 1974. Along with The Eagles, that's Jackson Browne playing guitar on the far stage left.
Thanks to IBMA member Artie Werner for sharing the link!
https://youtu.be/s1C9UBp9zN8

Eagles / Midnight Flyer / 1974 California Jam

For California Jam Fans... From allen pamplin Anyone interested keeping up to date with the upcoming californiajamfanclub website, please join my…

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