Rebel Records is proud to announce the recent signing of traditional bluegrass masters Big Country Bluegrass. The band just finished recording their label debut which is expected to be released in early Fall.

The band’s current lineup features Tommy on mandolin, Teresa on guitar and vocals, Lynnwood Lunsford on banjo and vocals, Johnny Williams on guitar and vocals, Alan Mastin on bass and Jeff Michael on fiddle and the majority of lead vocals. The band has a busy schedule ahead of them this summer, performing at a number of major festivals across the eastern half of the U.S. including Bean Blossom, Gettysburg, Delaware Valley and the Rhythm & Roots Reunion.

On Thursday, May 20th, MusiCares, in conjunction with the Faith Family Medical Clinic will be providing a free Musician’s Health Clinic to uninsured or under-insured music professionals in need. Danielle.Bowker@grammy.com

Faith Family Medical Clinic is a Nashville nonprofit providing primary healthcare for working individuals and their families who do not have access to health insurance.  People without adequate Read more…

The Board of Directors of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame has selected bluegrass singer John Ray “Curly” Seckler to be an inductee in its Class of 2010. The induction ceremony will be Read more…

THE 41st ANNUAL DOVE AWARDS

The Gospel Music Association hosted the 41st annual Dove Awards April 21 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.

Congratulations to the honorees in the Bluegrass category:

BLUEGRASS ALBUM
(Title, Artist, Producer, Label)
The Isaacs…Naturally; The Isaacs; Bill Gaither, Ben Isaacs; Gaither Music Group

BLUEGRASS RECORDED SONG
Song, Album, Artist
“When We Fly”; Breaking Like Dawn; Little Roy Lewis & Lizzy Long

Bluegrass band, JETT’S CREEK is proud to announce their second album, GUILTY set for release on May 5, 2010.  The album was produced by band member Angie Young who contributed two original songs to the project: “Please” and “One Small Problem.”  Her brother and fellow band member, Adam McIntosh also provided his original tune, “He Loves Me.”

The album, “GUILTY” and the first single, “Gun Powder and Lead” (Miranda Lambert and Heather Little) are available now to radio stations via AirplayDirect.com and stations will also be serviced with a physical copy this week.  Worldwidebluegrass.com (WWB) is one of many stations that have added the single and other tracks from “Guilty” to their playlist.  “Guilty Pleasures is what the name of the new CD by Jett’s Creek should be!  I’ve been listening to it OVER AND OVER AGAIN!  Enjoyable? Jett’s Creek has been found ‘guilty!” said WWB Host Gracie Muldoon.

Special Guests on the album include:  Terry Baucom, Evan McGregor, Rob Baker and Garrett Bryant. “GUILTY” was recorded at Oscar Fish Studio in Brookville, Ohio and engineered, mixed and mastered by Evan McGregor.

“I have enjoyed getting to know the members of Ohio-based Bluegrass band, JETT’S CREEK.  It didn’t take long to learn how passionate they are about their music.  The core of the band, Adam McIntosh, his sister, Angie Young and their father, Jon McIntosh, have performed together for many years.  This project represents just how far they have come musically.  Their original songs are impressive and they also draw material from other great writers, like Harley Allen, Pete Goble, LeRoy Drumm, Mike Evans and “Brink” Brinkman.  They are a tight band instrumentally and deliver the vocals with a smoothness I find extremely refreshing,” wrote Cindy Baucom of Premiere Radio, “Knee-Deep In Bluegrass” show.

Jett’s Creek is currently on tour with band members Angie Young, Jon McIntosh, Adam McIntosh, Jeff Byrd, Wayne Haddock, and Brad Jessmer.  The band endorses: The Mandolin Store, NS Design Bass, Phil Jones Pure Sound.  Terry Baucom endorses Deering Banjos and appears playing the Deering Baucom Model banjo.

For more information on Jett’s Creek, please visit: www.jetts-creek.com

Photo: Grammy nominee Claire Lynch smiles as David Davis performs “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” at the induction ceremony. Grand Ole Opry star Buck White plays along. (Photo by Steve; Courtesy Deborah Boykin, Folklorist-Alabama Center for Traditional Culture)

David Davis Inducted Into Alabama Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame

The Cullman, Ala. native has led the Warrior River Boys for 26 years forging a unique place for his artistic flair. He has appeared live for over two million people in 45 states, all Canadian provinces, and even the Bahamas. The group itself actually continues a 40-year musical legacy.

“I am tremendously honored to be included among these talented honorees,” Davis said. “I accept this honor on behalf of so many great players and singers who came through the band in last 26 years from Alabama and other states.”

He credited his early musical opportunities to the influences of his late father Leddell Davis, his grandfather J.H. Bailey and all his family including his Uncle Cleo Davis, who was Bill Monroe’s first Blue Grass Boy.

Davis also thanked the late honoree Garry Thurmond for giving him his start in professional music.

“Being accepted by your peers and friends is something we work hard for and it is appreciated,” he said.

Other inductees were Herb Trotman, Ginger Boatwright, the Brasher Brothers, and the late guitarist Garry Thurmond, formerly of the Flint River Boys and Warrior River Boys.

Davis attended the Alabama Bluegrass Music Association event March 19 at Bessemer, Ala. with his wife Cindy, mother Lucille Davis, aunt Avnell Nail and friend Mack Dunlap.

He said that he is extremely proud of his Alabama musical roots drawing upon the heritage of other Alabamians including Hank Williams and the Louvin Brothers to fuel his creativeness.

“For the last three albums, I have been making a conscious effort to create music that will appeal to all ages while remaining the most traditional sound out there,” he said. “I have been working to find the right balance between the traditional sound that we are respected for preserving while creating music that will cross all music genres.”

Currently his group includes Marty Hays playing bass, Owen Saunders playing fiddle, Robert Montgomery on banjo and Brad Folk on guitar.

Davis said Bill Monroe was innovative for his time, and he is working to bring a new approach to the tradition for today.

“We are continuing to find that needle in the haystack to create a style with the traditional roots that will be accepted by today’s audiences,” he said.

For more information about the group, visit www.daviddavisandwrb.com. For more information about Rebel Records, visit www.rebelrecords.com.

The IBMA Board met April 7-8 in Nashville to consider a variety of business matters and proposals and to hear several key committee reports. Following are highlights.

 
The Grass Roots Club – “Community Building”

With major shifts in how we enjoy music and interact, a new model of engaging members, fans and the music through new services was a major focus of the meetings.  A number of details are yet to be worked out, but plans could involve building a more interactive community through online resources with a potential new IBMA website as a centerpiece. Using more frequent electronic communications and social media to build on one of bluegrass music’s greatest assets-its genuine sense of community-is seen as a prime opportunity.  The goal would be to build a mass network, add new benefits and opportunities, and possibly re-vamp the basic structure of the Grass Roots Club. During difficult economic times, the investment needed was seen as the primary hurdle and additional details are being explored at this time. Look for more information in the coming months.

Marketing Committee

The Marketing Committee is responsible for IBMA audience development efforts for bluegrass, and it outlined several efforts for the coming year. Included are the “community building” efforts outlined above, capitalizing on media interest in the IBMA Awards and the World of Bluegrass week, industry research, and deeper use of social networking along with video tools. The board endorsed these efforts, but in a budget trimming move will not be renewing a subscription to Simmons Market Research later this year.

World of Bluegrass Events

While attendance dropped slightly at the 2009 events, attendees enjoyed more benefits than ever, according to surveys. The board adopted a new schedule adding even more reasons to attend in 2010. The theme of the business conference will be “Face Time – It Matters,” and new interactive events are among the highlights. The exhibit hall will open on Tuesday (compared to Monday in recent years), but time was added on other days along with plans to host several popular events and some new ones inside the hall to maximize traffic and interaction. Official showcases on Monday through Wednesday, usually hosted in the Renaissance Ballroom, will be hosted in the performance space usually held for Fan Fest Main Stage. The ballroom will continue to be the location for the Keynote Address and Dinner, the IBMA Special Awards Luncheon and a Wednesday morning breakfast event.

Attendee registration packages and exhibit fees for all events will not increase in 2010.  At press time, the board continues to explore new packages for enjoying the musical portions of the week, such as artist showcases, after hours functions and Fan Fest.

The IBMA Awards

The centerpiece of the week, the IBMA Awards Show broadcast, will again emanate from the historic Ryman Auditorium and be broadcast around the
world. The board also made some technical adjustments to criteria for the Distinguished Achievement Award, as well as honors for Best Graphic
Design and Best Liner Notes for Recorded Projects.

Worldwide Bluegrass Music Month

Through the leadership of Bob Wolff, Worldwide Bluegrass Music Month was envisioned and created as a grass roots effort in 1988. With the encouragement of several industry leaders and Mr. Wolff’s blessing, a recommendation was made to shift the celebration from the month of May to September to capitalize on media interest surrounding the IBMA Awards, World of Bluegrass events and Bill Monroe’s birthday. While IBMA has encouraged the celebration since it was established, it has never assumed an official role but will officially support and declare September as Worldwide Bluegrass Music Month beginning in 2010. The goals remain the same: to further encourage a grassroots effort to celebrate the music and build new audiences, bring broader media coverage, and assist the industry in exposing the music for sale at retail, at live events, through broadcast exposure and other means. 

Finance & Budget

The board approved the 2009 year-end financial statements detailing revenues of $ 903,588.04 and expenses of $ 970,545.41. (More details are published elsewhere in this issue.)  While there are reserves to cover the resulting deficit for the year, the board was intent on finding reasonable ways to create a balanced budget for the coming year without raising registration and ticket fees for World of Bluegrass events. Following are highlights of the most significant changes:

- New “reserved seat” packages for Fan Fest
- New packages for attendees interested in musical portions of World of Bluegrass week 
- Utilize the same primary stage for Conference Showcases and Main Stage at Fan Fest
- Eliminate expense for Simmons Market Research
- Increase membership dues $5 for pro members beginning July 1
- Move International Bluegrass newsletter totally online (eliminate print and postage costs)
- Reduce expenses for credit card processing fees
- Institute plans in 2011 to conduct awards balloting and board election electronically.

The budget could also be impacted by the “community building” initiatives outlined above and require an initial investment, but the long range plans also include potential new sources of revenue and benefits.

International Committee Report

The board received a comprehensive report from International Committee chair John Wirtz and praised his work and efforts in this regard. The board asked that information be more widely communicated on how non-U.S. bands can take advantage of opportunities at the World of Bluegrass events, and the education committee will consider hosting seminar topics and meetings of special interest to non-U.S. attendees.  Additional ideas and points made in the report will continue to be explored.

Academic Prize to Be Established

The board accepted a proposal by Neil Rosenberg to create an annual prize to honor an academic scholar who presents the best paper at a juried academic conference on an aspect of bluegrass music.  Additional details are forthcoming with hopes to announce criteria in 2010.

Songwriter Showcase

At the request of IBMA’s Songwriter Committee, the board authorized it to host regular songwriter showcases throughout the year which will initially be hosted in Nashville. More details on the venue for the showcases and how to get involved will be announced in the near future.

Membership

In honor of IBMA’s 25th Anniversary, a campaign offering a 25% discount for multi-year membership was launched in April and is running through
May. Board members were also invited to get involved in recruitment, and many will be personally targeting prospects in the coming months. Total
membership was 2,290 in early March.

Other Business

The board also received reports or took action on items received from the Hall of Fame Nominating Committee and Panel of Electors, the Bluegrass Trust Fund, the Foundation for Bluegrass Music, Leadership Bluegrass and the World of Bluegrass Education Committee. The board re-examined press credentialing policies for the World of Bluegrass events and will begin the process of site selection for the 2013+ World of Bluegrass events later this year.

NEXT MEETING AND MORE INFO
Members interested in additional details of this past meeting or with suggestions or ideas for future consideration, are encouraged to contact their board representatives directly or IBMA (info@ibma.org or 1-888-438-4262) for more information. Member input is welcome on any topic of business, and additional information on IBMA and its programs is available at www.ibma.org. The full board will meet again in the fall with the exact dates and place to be determined. Board members serve without compensation and bear their own expenses for attending meetings and other IBMA functions. 

Tonight on www.worldwidebluegrass.com Ernie and Debi Evans host and countdown BMP’s APRIL Top 30 Hot Singles live. Join the free chatroom and meet other bluegrass fans.