New CD from Sam Bush!!!

One of the foremost innovators in modern acoustic music and recent AMA Lifetime Achievement Award winner, the “King of Newgrass,” Sam Bush, will be will be releasing his new solo album Circles Around Me on Sugar Hill Records on October 20th!

Sam Bush played an integral role in changing the face of bluegrass music as a founding member of New Grass Revival. Since then, he’s forged new ground as a solo artist, recording eight studio albums (six for Sugar Hill) as well as a live record, Ice Caps: Live from Telluride, and a live DVD, On The Road.

You can pre-order now and buy special autographed fan bundles and access to exclusive release week events where they can meet and interact with Sam, some of the contributors to Circles Around Me, and other notable  Nashville  music “insiders” and musicians.

Warner Parks Honors Butch Baldassari on October 2nd 2010

A Musical Tribute to Butch Check the Website for comments by these great performers on why they chose the tunes they did to honor Butch. Some of the best names in acoustic music combined to give us this great musical tribute to mandolin master Butch Baldassari. Butch created new interest in this age-old instrument in a wide variety of musical genres. He was an inspiration to people who loved his music and who knew him as a friend.  He performed and recorded with many of the top names in bluegrass, Celtic, and other genres. He moved between bluegrass festivals and symphony halls with ease and grace, earning respect and admiration in these seemingly disparate worlds. This CD gives some of the great acoustic players an opportunity to honor Butch with the music he loved. He was the driving force behind the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble and was an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. Warner Parks Honors Butch Baldassari on October 2nd To end the summer in a special way,the last Full Moon Pickin’ Party of the year will be this Friday night, October 2nd, and will be in Butch’s honor. Since it coincides with IBMA, when Bluegrass stars from the world over descend upon Nashville, I know there will be great turnout with some very special players, all benefiting the Warner Parks. You can find out more at Mandolin Cafe and at or at Friends of Warner Parks. And the music lives on… 20 years ago this December, I attended The Birchmere, a well-known venue for bluegrass and acoustic music in Alexandria, Virginia, my hometown. Little did I know that night that hearing the Weary Hearts play would change my life dramatically.  That was when I first laid eyes and ears on the incomparable Butch Baldassari, mandolinist extraordinaire. That meeting eventually led to a move to Music City USA, marriage, a child and my very special entree into the music world. Fast forward to now.  Butch passed away almost 10 months ago and his musical legacy is still growing strong.  I am learning and loving this business.  Butch felt blessed to have had a long, successful run and I feel it’s my responsibility to keep it going.  A recent tribute CD, “The Road Home”, compiled by Dr. Brian Hull of Wichita Falls, Texas, a longtime supporter of musicians and a dear friend of ours, illustrates Butch’s influence on some of the greatest names in acoustic music. We will hopefully be re-releasing two of Nashville Mandolin Ensemble’s well-acclaimed CDs, “Plectrasonics” and the Christmas smash, “Gifts”, formerly on Columbia.  All will be available at our website, www.soundartrecordings.com. The NME, which Butch formed in 1991, and which is the backbone of SoundArt Recordings along with Butch’s solo releases, has begun playing again.  All of the players were hand-picked by Butch and still carry on his passion for the beautiful sounds of mandolin family instruments.  As a special treat, our son Blake Baldassari will play some of the more informal gigs, fulfilling a family dream. The NME will be performing on October 8th at The Frist Museum in Nashville in the Grand Lobby (www.fristcenter.org) as well as on December 16 at Loveless as part of the new Music City Roots from Loveless Cafe (www.musiccityroots.com). Keep in touch and wherever you are, keep music and memories alive. They are a vital threads in the fabric of life that binds us all together. Sinclair Baldassari SoundArt Recordings – Sinclair Baldassari Nashville,TN. 37209 www.soundartrecordings.com Telephone: 615 – 292 – 0324 | Facsimile: 615 – 292 – 4126

Matt Flinner Trio in Seattle October 17, 2009

The Matt Flinner Trio – mandolin-Matt Flinner , guitar- Ross Martin , bass- Eric Thorin will be playing a house concert in Seattle. Since forming in 2002  the Trio has been playing it’s original style of acoustic music blending bluegrass, jazz, Celtic. The trio is touring following the spring release  of their Compass recording “Music du Jour”  Flinner  is an in demand  mandolin player based out of Nashville and has two solo albums for Compass Records, The View from Here and Latitude. Flinner is also a member of  Phillips, Grier and Flinner  . Ross Martin has played with many bands including  Ron Miles, Mollie O’Brien, Tony Furtado, Drew Emmitt, The Motet, Caroline Herring, Leslie Helpert, Kyle Hollingsworth, Paul McCandless, Art Lande, The 3 Twins.  Eric Thorin, a Colorado musician has played bass for a variety of bands covering many styles including   Kizumba and Conjunto Colores, toured extensively with rock act The Thugs,the bluegrass band Open Road, the Flamenco/Indian ensemble Curandero, steel band Pan Jumbies, and toured with the Tony Furtado Band for four years.

The show will be held at Seattle musician Eli Wests home. Eli’s home in the middle of a Phinney Ridge pea patch has repeatedly made an incredible venue for past shows such as Heather Masse (of The Wailin Jennys), among others. Tickets are available through Brown Bag Tickets https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/79166

Cool Fiddle Art

Check out the website for Kari Von Wening and Jan Bush for some great handpainted metal sculptures.  Their work often features fiddles and and guitars. They are based out of Pasadena, CA and have their work exhibited in quite a few galleries. Full artist info and gallery listings are also on the website. 

Major Programming Changes Slated for KBCS Community Radio

BELLEVUE, Wash., (July 8, 2009) — Starting in August, the first phase of planned changes at KBCS 91.3 FM will eliminate four hours of music programming each weekday. Further changes are planned for weekend and weeknight shows in coming months. The richness and diversity of programming will be drastically cut if these plans are carried out. You can help! By replying as soon as possible, your comments can help preserve music diversity at KBCS. Write to: savekbcs@gmail.com. Phase 1 – Weekday Program Changes scheduled to take effect in August 2009: * Drive Time Jazz (7 – 9 a.m.) will be replaced by public affairs. * Morning jazz programs (9 a.m. – noon) will be replaced by a single jazz program with a single paid host. Gone will be these shows: – The Bud & Don Show – Bebop Spoken Here – 20th Century Jazz – Vintage Jazz – The Caravan * Lunch With Folks (noon – 3 p.m.) will be replaced with a homogenized, generic “Americana” program with a couple of paid hosts, eliminating the diverse knowledge and expertise of the variety of daily programmers. * Daily Planet (3 – 5 p.m.) will be replaced by news. This first phase of programming changes will result in the elimination of over 20 volunteer hosts along with their formidable knowledge, expertise, and passion for the music of their respective genres, to be replaced by two to four paid DJs. Voice your comments now! Tell us what you think about these proposed changes. Write to: savekbcs@gmail.com * Would these changes make KBCS less valuable to you? * Are you a member/supporter/volunteer? * How would these changes affect your participation and support? Please pass the word to anyone who likes jazz, folk, world, or other eclectic music found on KBCS. Visit http://www.savekbcs.org for current details. Thanks! About SaveKBCS: SaveKBCS is a group of long-time volunteers and financial supporters of KBCS who want to save what we value most about our community radio station. SaveKBCS is not affiliated with KBCS 91.3 FM Radio. SaveKBCS is not affiliated with Bellevue College. Contact: savekbcs@gmail.com Website: http://www.savekbcs.org

Deadwood Revival In Tacoma,WA

Deadwood Revival at Tacoma Little Theatre Friday March 6, 2009 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm Location: Tacoma Little Theatre Street: 210 N. “I” St. City State Zip: Tacoma, WA Phone: (253) 272-2281 Notes: Tonight’s a BARN DANCE BENEFIT to support the Tacoma Little Theatre …right there at the theatre! ALL AGES ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND! For ticket and information head to www.tacomalittlethe atre.com or call (253) 272-2281

http://www.deadwoodrevival.com/

Bill Evans & Megan Lynch in The Pacific NW January 2009

Bill Evans & Megan Lynch are touring and giving workshops for the the next couple of weeks

January 13 and February 3: Berkeley, CA: Bill joins Ran Bush and other teachers in an eight week Intro to Bluegrass Jamming group class at the Fifth String, 3051 Adeline Street. Class runs through February 24, $25 fee per class or $160 for all 8 classes.7 to 9:15 p.m., all instruments and singers welcome, no prior experience playing with others is necessary – all are welcome! Contact Ran at 510-682-8886 or ranbush@gmail.com for more information and to register. Jim Nunally and Evie Ladin will also be co-teaching with Ran in this eight week session. Megan Lynch teaches the February 17th class.

January 15: Portland & Lake Oswego, OR : Bill Evans and Megan Lynch teach evening banjo and fiddle workshops. Bill teaches a Melodic Style Banjo workshop designed for players with one year or more of playing experience at the home of Claire Levine from 7 to 9:30 p.m. $40 fee. Advance registrations are recommended by contacting Claire at 503-282-0883 or clairell@aracnet.com. Melodic style banjo is a three-finger bluegrass banjo technique that relies upon scales rather than rolls and offers an exciting, contemporary complement to Scruggs style. Melodic style allows you to play fiddle tunes note-for-note and also opens up improvisational possibilities. In this workshop, Bill will unlock the secrets of understanding how melodic style works. You’ll learn how to use melodic style in different keys, how to use it up and down the neck and how to combine it with Scruggs style to add new possibilities to your playing, whatever your experience level. Tab examples will be presented, including licks and complete fiddle tunes. Video/audio recording is encouraged.

Megan teaches Details, Details, Details! Taking It To The Next Level from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at a home in Lake Oswego. Contact Claire for registration info and directions.

January 16: Portland, OR : Bill Evans and Megan Lynch perform at Ten Thousand Villages, 914 N.W. Everett Street, 503-585-1636. $15 admission. Advance reservations suggested by contacting Claire Levine at 503-282-0883 or email to clairell@aracnet.com.

January 17: Seattle, WA: Bill Evans and Megan Lynch will be interviewed around 9 a.m. on KBCS radio. Stay tuned for more details!

January 17: Seattle, WA: Bill Evans and Megan Lynch teach banjo and fiddle workshops at Dusty Strings, 3406 Fremont Ave. N. Bill teaches “Earl Scruggs Essentials” from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and “Unlocking Melodic and Single-String Styles” from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. $35 each or $60 for both sessions. Join Bill and Megan as they lead a Dusty Strings free jam session for bluegrass instrumentalists and singers from 4 to 5:45 p.m. designed to leave no one player in the dust! For more info phone 206-634-1662.

January 17: Seattle, WA: Bill Evans and Megan Lynch at Egan’s Ballard Jam House, 1707 NW Market Street. Performance is from 11:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. $7 cover. Phone 206-789-1621 for more details.

January 18: Bellingham, WA: Bill Evans and Megan Lynch play Nancy’s Farm, 2030 E. Smith Road, 2 p.m. show. Suggested donation $8 to $12. For more info, phone 360-966-4640.

January 18: Bellingham, WA: Bill Evans and Megan Lynch teach banjo and fiddle workshops in the evening. Bill’s topic will be Learn the Secrets of Melodic and Single-String Styles. Bill analyzes contemporary melodic and single-string approaches, picking apart the right- and left-hand essentials in a way that will enable you to quickly and fluently begin to use these techniques to enhance your own playing. This is an ideal session for those who are new to these approaches as well as those who want to develop a deeper understanding of these styles. Advance registrations are recommended. Contact Len Helfgott at 360-647-0203 or leonard.helfgott@wwu.edu to reigster and for directions.

January 19: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Workshops and concert at The Anza Club!! Bill Evans and Megan Lynch lead fiddle and banjo workshops from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Bill’s topic is The Secrets of Melodic and Single-String Styles (see description above). Advance registration is recommended for the workshops by contacting Jay Buckwold at jbuckwold@telus.net or phone 604-737-0270. Bill and Megan then play an evening concert at the same venue. 3 West 8th Avenue, V5Y 1M8, 8 p.m., sponsored by the Pacific Bluegrass and Heritage Society. Tickets $20 general public, $18 for Society members.

Barbara Lamb In Seattle

Barbara Lamb the former fiddler with Ranch Romance will be in Seattle for a Barbara Lamb Fiddle Party  at the Jewel Box Theatre on Jan 15th 2009. The party will include some friends including Nova Devonie(who some say looks a lot like  Karina), Jen Todd and Nancy K Dillon. Check out Barbara’s website and Myspace for tons of info on her and her music. Check out this youtube clip of her fiddle looping!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEPzZaM-MX4&feature=channel

Barbara is the perfect Nasvhille performer with a diverse career as a fiddle teacher(Mark O’Connor was her first student),recording artist,composer, session player,band member,producer.

Rivercity Workshops

The Rivercity Bluegrass Festival has a great lineup of workshops this year including banjo workshops by Bill Evans & Tony Furtado, guitar workshops by David Grier and James Allen Shelton, mandolin by John Reischman, fiddle with Darol Anger and a band workshop by The Whites. Check out the whole schedule at the Rivercity website http://www.rivercitybluegrass.com

Rivercity Bluegrass Festival!!!! Just a Few Weeks More!!!

Ralph Stanley

If you think just because it is an indoor festival that you will be sitting in your seat for two and half days, you’ll be amazed at how many other options you have. There are amazingly good pickers clustered in corridors and staircases playing and singing just for the pure joy of playing. I have heard from my sources that some of the bands from last year will be there hanging out and jamming at the festival. Just because they chose other bands (Portland is fortunate to have some incredible local bands), they’ll still come and share their music. The national band members hang out also, for the love of this music. It’s the bluegrass way. An extension of that is the all-night jam at the Red Lion across the street. So, lots of jamming by amazing players.

It is also a great family event where kids can learn at the The RiverCity School of Bluegrass takes place on Friday, Jan. 9. Kids 8-18 are invited to learn to play guitar, banjo, mandolin, dobro, fiddle, singing or bass by very qualified instructors from working bands as well as peer instructors. 16 year old Nashville sensation Sierra Hull, will spend some time starting at 1:30pm to talk about the music business from a young person’s perspective. Young Sierra toured with Alison Krauss for two years and just released her CD recorded with her band, Highway 111. For $50, your child receives approximately 4 hours of instruction and you also get two adult tickets to the Friday night performances.

JD Crowe and the New South

Adults, both pickers and non pickers  can attend workshops taught by experts and national players. The Whites, who sang Keep On The Sunny Side on the Oh Brother CD and who has been around for 30 years, will be teaching a family band workshop. Family band are very common in bluegrass. Jens and Uwe Kruger from the Kruger Brothers from Switzerland will be offering both a banjo and a guitar workshop. Bill Evans and Megan Lynch will be offering banjo and fiddle workshops, and more. The workshops run from 10:30 to 2:30 on both Saturday and Sunday, with four to six different topics at any given time. These workshops are included with the pricfe of admission!!

Dan Tyminski

Festival attendees can take a break form the main stage to enjoy a Lagunitas beer or glass of wine from the Nehalem Bay Winery while visiting the music booths (guitars, strings, CDs, etc), the craft vendors, watch or learn to juggle and stroll through the mini-RVhow brought to us by Olinger Travel (these are very important partners which support the festival.

Check out the website for more info!! Hope to see all there. http://www.rivercitybluegrass.com The schedule  of bands and workshops should be up soon.Here is a sample of the bands that will be there: Ralph Stanley, Dan Tyminski Band, JD.Crowe and the New South