Bluegrass

Pickin’ on Cystic Fibrosis

Sep 14th, 2012

What a great time the organizers and attendees had at Pickin’ on Cystic Fibrosis September 6-8, 2012. Proceeds are donated to continued research to find a cure for CF. We had a great time working with the other volunteers.

Appearing at Pickin’ on CF for the first time were local favorites Wendy Smith & Blue Velvet, Bobby Hutch and Grand Ole Country, and nationally touring rising stars the Darin & Brooke Aldridge Band.

Returning to help again this year were: Windy Mountain, Out of the Blue, Stoney Creek Gospel, Lonesome County, Lonesome Meadow, Berachah Valley, and New County Grass. Another local favorite, Hardline Drive assembled for a reunion show. Michigan favorites Detour also appeared; they remain the only band to have appeared at all the Pickin’ on CF shows.

Brooke Aldridge with Jack Grant and Melissa Armstrong of Detour

Although there was rain in some Michigan areas, the festival grounds remained high and dry. A few sprinkles at the end of the Friday night show didn’t cause any problems, and a good time was had by all.

Jeff Rose of Detour, Jimmy Kittle, POCF founder, Darin Aldridge

During Detour’s last set, three mandolins, no waiting.

You may see the rest of the pictures in the gallery.

Milan Bluegrass Festival

Aug 28th, 2012

by GrannyPam.

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The Milan Bluegrass Festival was held August 9-11, 2012 at KC Campground. Local favorites Flatland Grass opened the festival on Thursday.Mark Gaynier and Jim Wilder have teamed up and pledged to continue the Charlotte and Milan festivals.

Partners Mark Gaynier and Jim Wilder.

Don and Andrew Rigsby

Don Rigsby brought along son Andrew; the crowd enjoyed seeing the next generation performer!
There was a little more rain than usual during the festival, but since KC campground provides a shelter for those who wish to keep dry, the show continued as planned. Much of the crowd watched from their seats during intermittent showers and misty conditions.

Norm Winters wipes away a few raindrops.

You may see all of our photos are in the gallery.

Back From the Beyond

Sep 27th, 2011

by GrannyPam.

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We have found a little renewed energy, and want to share it with you! Nothing like a working vacation filled with bluegrass. We started the week at Valerie Smith’s “Dare to Be Different” showcase in Bell Buckle Tennessee. Proceeds are donated to the International Bluegrass Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky. With some great grass, great eats from the Bell Buckle Cafe, and good friends, it was a fabulous start to World of Bluegrass week.

Valerie is energetic, and even though she arrived late after an out of town date, Valerie, Becky Buller and Liberty Pike performed an amazing set to an appreciative audience. Val truly is a star in her own hometown!

Valerie and Jon Weisberger

Becky Buller

Also appearing were: The McReynolds Tradition, The Rigney Family, Tom Brantley & Missionary Ridge, Mark Newton, Jerry Butler & the Blu-J’s, Cumberland River, Louisa Branscomb and Acoustic Blue.

Our friend and fellow photographer/blogger, Ted Lehmann and wife Irene were in attendance, also. We had a “time”, and even took a picture of some of the equipment (but not all!)

Check all the photos in the gallery.

IIIrd Tyme Out in Royal Oak

by GrannyPam.

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Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out appeared at Royal Oak Shrine High School on Friday, January 21st.

Since Oakland Community College withdrew support for live performances, the Bluegrass Series there was discontinued as of last May.

Through the efforts of several individuals, including Tom Laing, the Royal Oak Bluegrass Series has been created. Although no further bookings have been made, it was announced that organizers hope to have a series of four concerts throughout the year.

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Mr. Van Rohr was the MC.

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IIIrd Tyme Out

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Wayne Benson

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Russell Moore

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It was a great evening, and wonderful to see so a good crowd; since it was a cold night.

You may see the rest of our photos in the gallery.

Winterfest 21, Perrysburg, Ohio

Jan 21st, 2011

by GrannyPam.

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We had a great time on our mid-winter break down at Perrysburg last weekend. Larry Efaw and his family put on a great show which was enjoyed by the largest crowd in recent years, and we were glad we were among them.

The show was a great mix of regional and nationally touring bands and included the Deepwater Bluegrass, Wildwood Valley Boys, the Larkins, Summertown Road, Remington Ryde, Idletymes, the Prater Brothers, the Whittaker Brothers, Vertical Limit, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, and the host band, the Bluegrass Mountaineers. Charlie Patton was the MC, and did a fine job,as usual. It is quite a thrill to see him sing both the US and Canadian National Anthems, a capella, to open the show.
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Don’t every let anyone tell you that Rhonda doesn’t know where the camera is.

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Hunter Berry and Rhonda Vincent

It was nice to see Larry supporting a local band on his show, in this case, Deepwater Bluegrass. These folks are single-handedly responsible for the great bluegrass shows which are presented at Glass City Opry. I hope you are attending them as often as you can, we sure are.

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Deepwater Bluegrass

A special treat was seeing Janis, Lewis, Travis, and Jamison Lewis, who are appearing as The Lewis Tradition.

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Janis Lewis Phillips

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Jamison Lewis

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Travis Lewis

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Lewis Phillips

Although bluegrass purists would question the keyboard Jamison plays, it sounded just right with Lewis Family music, and eighteen-year old Jamison’s harmony blended right in. The new Lewis Tradition CD, Precious Memories, was on my must purchase list and I have been playing it almost full time since I got it home. The Lewis Tradition was headed to Marion, Virginia for a taping of Song of the Mountains, so watch for them on your PBS station soon.

One more little sample, then I invite you to check out the gallery for more photos. We remember Stanley as an eight-year old mandolin whiz kid, and have seen him play every instrument on stage.

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Stanley Efaw

Enjoy the rest of the photos in the gallery.

Southern Ohio Indoor Music festival, November 2010 Edition

Dec 6th, 2010

by GrannyPam.

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Joe Mullins once again presented a wonderful show at the Roberts Centre, Wilmington, Ohio on November 12-13. On Friday, Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie, the Primitive Quartet, IIIrd Tyme Out, the Grascals and Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers appeared. Saturday brought James King, Ralph Stanley, Don Rigsby, Charlie Sizemore, Larry Sparks, and a Don Rigsby coordinated Stanley brothers tribute to the stage.

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Steve Dilling of IIIrd Tyme Out

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Jayd Raines of Don Rigsby & Midnight Call

A special treat was seeing Dale Vanderpool appear with Don Rigsby. Dale is still battling cancer, but felt well enough to enjoy the festival and sit in for a few songs. It was wonderful to see Dale and his wife, and visit for a few minutes.

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Dale Vanderpool

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Dr. Ralph Stanley

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Larry Sparks and Joe Mullins combine forces for a Stanley tune during the Stanley Brothers Tribute portion of the evening.

The remaining photos are in the gallery.

Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival

Dec 6th, 2010

by GrannyPam.

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We enjoyed attending this fine show in Wilmington, Ohio, November 11-13.

The Thursday night veterans tribute was an addition to what has been a two day event in the past. The Centerville High School Alternative Strings ensemble joined Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage and Nothin’ Fancy to pay tribute to both veterans and active service people.

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Rhonda Vincent

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The Radio Ramblers

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Nothin’ Fancy.

The remaining photographs are in the Gallery.

IBMA Showcases, Monday September 27, 2010

Sep 28th, 2010

by GrannyPam.

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The photographs we took at the official and after hours showcases at the Nashville Convention Center are now posted in the gallery. There is no way to cover all the action taking place around the convention center, but this set of photographs offer a little taste.

Appearing in the official showcases were Kati Penn & New Town, Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band, Brand New Strings, the John Hartford Stringband, The Chapmans and the Darrell Webb Band.

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C.J. Cain of Katie Penn & New Town

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Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band

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Brand New Strings

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The John Hartford Stringband

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The Chapmans

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The Darrell Webb Band

Our after hours photos are from the Good Home Grown Music Suite, where we saw performances by Chris Jones and Friends, The RidgeRunners, and Jerry Butler & the Blu-J’s.

You can see more of the photos in the gallery.

Dare To Be Different

Sep 27th, 2010

by GrannyPam.

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We attended Valerie Smith’s showcase in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. This year the beneficiary of the proceeds was the International Bluegrass Music Museum. Val and her band, Liberty Pike, recorded their most recent CD at the Museum. According to Valerie, the band made bluegrass presentations to 23 schools during their week in the Owensburo area.

Performing during the day and evening were, The Friday Night Orphan Brigade with Becky Buller, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, Brad Long & Friends, Common Ground, Jerry Butler & the Blu-J’s, Chicken Dinner Road, and Runaway Freight. Kudos to those musicians who gave their time and talent to benefit the museum. Kitsy Kuykendall and Gabrielle Gray attended the event on behalf of the Museum.

Our Ohio friend, Jerry Eicher, helped with the sound during the second part of the show. Here are Jerry (L) and Randy Shaffer (R) of the Old Hippie Bluegrass Hour. The show is broadcast on WQTE-FM, Adrian, Michigan.
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Randy also performed as part of Brad Long & Friends.
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Some people always look good when a camera is in the neighborhood. Becky Buller is a prime example.
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I also liked this shot of Daniel Oxen dine of the Blu-J’s:
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You can see the entire collection in the gallery.

Vine Grove Bluegrass Festival

Sep 27th, 2010

by GrannyPam.

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The 2010 version of the Vine Grove (Kentucky) Bluegrass Festival has come and gone. It was a fine local festival, featuring a good mix of local and regional bands. We especially enjoyed seeing Big Country Bluegrass, a band that never visits our home state, Michigan.

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I always try to pick a few favorite photos to post, today my favorites are (Drum Roll, please):
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Jesse Brock of Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

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Rachel Brown of Tommy Brown & County Line Grass

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Mike Fulkerson of Kings Highway.

The rest of the photographs from the weekend can be seen in the gallery. Artists who appeared may contact us from the link at the bottom of this page for complementary access to a private gallery to download copies of the photos. Complementary photos may be posted on Facebook, MySpace or other internet sites if a photo credit is included.

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