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J.D. Crowe

Dumplin Valley JuneFest

Dumplin Valley JuneFest was held at the Dumplin Valley Farm June 10-12, 2010. Dumplin Valley is just east of Knoxville near Kodak, Tennessee. The festival presented a strong lineup, and included many local artists and some touring bands.

Some of these groups simply do not appear in or near Michigan, so it was a treat for us to see them. The Sowards presented a wonderful festival, we didn’t see anything but smiles all weekend.

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The bands which appeared are: Jerry Butler & the Blu-J’s, Paul Williams, Greenbrier, the Bluegrass Brothers, The Expedition Show, Lou Reid, the Boxcars, Junior Sisk, the Travelin’ McCourys, the Leadbetters with Paul Brewster, Balsam Range, Barry Scott, Larry Cordle and J.D. Crowe.

The rest of the photos are in the gallery.

Last Show?

For about fifteen years, Oakland Community College has sponsored performing arts, including a bluegrass concert series. They have canceled that sponsorship, and there will be no performing arts at the College next season. This is sad for those of us who have enjoyed a variety of performing arts, and particularly the bluegrass series.

Tom and Barb Laing have consistently cooperated with the college in bringing a high level of bluegrass talent to the area, and we are very appreciative of that hard work. Tom is collecting statements on behalf of the bluegrass series to present to the College board, if you have not already signed one, please contact us from the link at the bottom of the page and we will put you in touch with Tom. Tom is also working hard to find a venue to continue the series in some way. If you wish to be on a mailing list and receive information about events next year, you may also use the link below. Send your name and complete mailing address. We will forward it to Tom, and otherwise keep it confidential.

The last bluegrass concert of the year was Friday, May 14.. Ms. Velma Jones of the College presented Tom with a momento for his hard work on behalf of performing arts in the area.

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I believe that Tom was surprised, and the attendees gave him a standing ovation.

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The main event of the evening was J.D. Crow & the New South. It was a strong show,this season’s line-up in the New South is: J.D. on banjo, Ricky Wasson, guitar; Dwight McCall, mandolin, Kyle Perkins, bass; and Matt DeSpain, resonator guitar. The rest of our photos are posted in the gallery.

Benefit Show

I have copied this directly from an e-mail sent to the IBMA e-mail list. I am not sure if we will be able to attend, since it is a 4 hour drive away, and the Sunday before Christmas. However, we will make the trip if we do not have family plans for that day. I hope you will consider helping out if you can. Gerald and Dale have surely provided hours of entertainment, and many generous gifts of their time and talent over the years.

Thanks from the bluegrass community, and the sponsors of the show.

Appreciation Concert
Honoring Gerald Evans Jr. and Dale Vanderpool

Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Roberts Centre, Wilmington, OH
I 71, Exit 50 at US 68

Both of these talented entertainers have made a lifetime of contributions to the Bluegrass community throughout Ohio and across the country. They are both battling cancer. A day of music from some of their fellow entertainers will be a great benefit to Gerald, Dale and their families.

Doors Open at NOON
12:30 pm Blue and Lonesome
1:00 Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers
1:45 Melvin Goins and Windy Mountain
2:30 Lost and Found
3:30 Don Rigsby and Midnight Call
4:30 the Grascals
5:30 Wildwood Valley Boys
6:30 JD Crowe and the New South
7:30 the Larry Stephenson Band

Special Guests – Sonny Osborne, Mark Rader, Larry Cordle, Dwayne Sparks and others

All Seats General Admission
$20.00 Donation for adults and teens
Children 12 and under admitted Free

Food Concessions Available

Sponsorship assistance provided by: The Roberts Centre, WBZI Radio, Fred and Jason Baird Sound, Darrell Adkins and others

For more information, see www.myclassiccountry.com or call 937-372-5804.