START
THINKING ABOUT GETTING YOUR CAMPER READY FOR THE MISSOURI RIVER
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL AT CROSS RANCH, NEAR WASHBURN, ND JUNE 17 & 18TH.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Friday, February 26, 2016
OWL CAFE CORRECTION & UPDATE
The YBA has issued a correction for the Owl Cafe in Laurel this Saturday, 2-27-2016. The Maverick String Stretchers WILL be playing at the Owl after all. In my not at all humble opinion these dudes are simply the best bluegrssy pickers in this area - even though they sadly lack a fiddler. Mike
Blohm's banjo makes the difference (and Doug Habermann's energy on the bass doesn't hurt either.)
As mentioned earlier, Saturday breakfast bluegrass at Kennedy's on 24th West has open dates coming up. These are 2 hour gigs, while the Owl's are for 3 hours. That basically means two 45 minute sets which isn't all that long. If your group would like to perform call 406-696-2020 during business hours or contact YBA secretary Mark Millard. I would be happy to assist as well. I can easily drive to Kennedy's to talk with the management.
Blohm's banjo makes the difference (and Doug Habermann's energy on the bass doesn't hurt either.)
As mentioned earlier, Saturday breakfast bluegrass at Kennedy's on 24th West has open dates coming up. These are 2 hour gigs, while the Owl's are for 3 hours. That basically means two 45 minute sets which isn't all that long. If your group would like to perform call 406-696-2020 during business hours or contact YBA secretary Mark Millard. I would be happy to assist as well. I can easily drive to Kennedy's to talk with the management.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
RALPH STANLEY BIRTHDAY
MORE FROM THE IBMA:
Happy 89th Birthday to Dr. Ralph Stanley!
The bluegrass icon was born deep in the mountains of southwestern Virginia on this day in 1927. Of course, his story as a bluegrass banjoist and tenor singer is legend, both with his brother Carter as The Stanley Brothers, and later on his own with the fabled Clinch Mountain Boys.
IBMA Hall of Fame member Melvin Goins of The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers worked with Dr. Ralph both with the Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys. He fondly remembers those heady days of music, and, it's not surprising that a lot of fun accompanied the music.
The bluegrass icon was born deep in the mountains of southwestern Virginia on this day in 1927. Of course, his story as a bluegrass banjoist and tenor singer is legend, both with his brother Carter as The Stanley Brothers, and later on his own with the fabled Clinch Mountain Boys.
IBMA Hall of Fame member Melvin Goins of The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers worked with Dr. Ralph both with the Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys. He fondly remembers those heady days of music, and, it's not surprising that a lot of fun accompanied the music.
"Ralph would get sore from the [long] bus rides and say, 'Melvin, come
over here and jump on my bones so I can get on stage and look fresh,'"
Goins told us this morning from his home in Kentucky. "So, I'd go over
there and just 'waller' him real good, pound on his arms and shoulders
until he said,'Enough, Melvin! I believe I'll get along real good now.'"
This photo shows Goins with Dr. Ralph, circa 1967, with a very young 2015 IBMA Hall of Fame inductee Larry Sparks on lead guitar and vocals, and the great Curly Ray Cline. Great memories!
Thank you for the music, sir! The world loves you!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ue3NDIrhGzU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This photo shows Goins with Dr. Ralph, circa 1967, with a very young 2015 IBMA Hall of Fame inductee Larry Sparks on lead guitar and vocals, and the great Curly Ray Cline. Great memories!
Thank you for the music, sir! The world loves you!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ue3NDIrhGzU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This
song was recorded about 1968, when Ralph had just reformed the Clinch
Mountain Boys (which was in 1967). This is called be Ready to Go. The
Band here fe...
youtube.com
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
FROM THE YBA THE LATEST WORD
This week in billings bluegrass.
FRIDAY - Jam at the Elks. 7 pm. However, they will be having an event downstairs so ask that we play upstairs in the ballroom.
SATURDAY MORNING- Hillbillings will be playing at the Owl Cafe in Laurel, and Spur of the Moment will be playing at Kennedy's in Billings.
ROGER'S NOTE: The Mavericks had been scheduled at the Owl. It looks as though they are still having trouble getting all the band together.
FRIDAY - Jam at the Elks. 7 pm. However, they will be having an event downstairs so ask that we play upstairs in the ballroom.
SATURDAY MORNING- Hillbillings will be playing at the Owl Cafe in Laurel, and Spur of the Moment will be playing at Kennedy's in Billings.
ROGER'S NOTE: The Mavericks had been scheduled at the Owl. It looks as though they are still having trouble getting all the band together.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
BILL KEITH - MASTER OF THE MELODIC BANJO
Kenny Baker heard Bill Keith playing back stage at the Ryman and told Bill Monroe about him. Bill said it wasn't "their kind of music," but Kenny prevailed and Bill Keith became a Bluegrass Boy. They proceeded to record several of Keith's tunes including, "Sailor's Hornpipe." Melodic banjo players play ALL the notes in every song, while that is not strictly true in general Scruggs Style banjo.
The IBMA has just released the following:
The IBMA has just released the following:
Many consider the great Bill Keith to be second only to Earl Scruggs himself when it came to banjo picking.
The IBMA welcomed Mr. Keith into its Hall of Fame on October 1, 2015, during its annual Awards Show ceremony in Raleigh, North Carolina. Though he was unwell at the time, he was able to appear in person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on that special night, where he made a stirring speech of gratitude for his life and career in music. Bill Keith died on October 23, 2015.
The IBMA welcomed Mr. Keith into its Hall of Fame on October 1, 2015, during its annual Awards Show ceremony in Raleigh, North Carolina. Though he was unwell at the time, he was able to appear in person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on that special night, where he made a stirring speech of gratitude for his life and career in music. Bill Keith died on October 23, 2015.
Monday, February 22, 2016
DON RENO FROM THE IBMA
Born
today, 90 years ago, Don Reno was one of the greatest banjo innovators
and was an exceptional all-around musician. He played with Bill Monroe
before entering into his famed partnerships with Red Smiley and Bill
Harrell. His style of banjo playing incorporated many guitar
techniques, including the single-string approach that is the foundation
for many of today's progressive players.
To celebrate Don's birthday, watch the pilot of the Kroger TV show featuring Reno & Smiley. At about 16:15 into the video, you will see and hear a terrific demonstration of Don's banjo style on Arkansas Traveler.
To celebrate Don's birthday, watch the pilot of the Kroger TV show featuring Reno & Smiley. At about 16:15 into the video, you will see and hear a terrific demonstration of Don's banjo style on Arkansas Traveler.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
FROM YBA PRESIDENT EDD TREMBLY
YBA Members,
Mark your calendars for 4/22-4/23. Friday 22nd will be the YBA Spring Showcase and Saturday will be an 80th birthday party for Larry Larson. I'm sure there will be great music at both events. I will keep you posted.
Edd
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