SWBMAI’s newest member band, the Mad City Jug Band, will perform an evening of jug band and hokum music at the Wild Hog in the Woods this coming Friday, Sept. 3rd, starting at 8:00 p.m.

The Mad City Jug Band was formed in December 2009 for the SWBMAI’s Got Talent show, where they won the Audience Favorite award. They were one of 20 bands to receive a coveted spot at the 2010 Battle of the Jug Bands in February. The band loves the jug band sound and is dedicated to preserving the classic repertoire from the 1920s, as well has the hits from the jug band revival of the 1960s.

Band members include Dave Bacholl (Bass); Arvid Berge (Harmonica, Guitar, Vocals); Denise Berge (Washboard); Beverly Hills (Kazoo, Guitar, Vocals); Scott Knickelbine (Jug, Banjo, Vocals); Amy McNally (Fiddle, Vocals) Dave Nance (Dobro, National Steel, Vocals); and Catherine Rhyner (Mandolin, Vocals).

Wild Hog In The Woods performances are held at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, 953 Jenifer St. in Madison.  A $5 cover benefits the Wild Hog in the Woods.

The band that has dominated the Billboard Bluegrass Album Chart for the past half year is coming to Madison’s Orton Park Festival, thanks to a grant from SWBMAI.  The Carolina Chocolate Drops will perform at 7:00 pm Saturday, August 28.

The San Franciso Weekly raved: “The Carolina Chocolate Drops are something else. First, they’re black. Yes, African-American. What? You never heard of black country folksong? “Negro” string bands go way back. We’re talking pre-Civil War, pre-Revolution even, when African slaves brought the banjo to the colonies, paired it with the European violin, and voila! The first New World mashup: dance music, American style.”

And the New York Times wrote: “They dip into styles of Southern black music from the 1920s and ’30s — string-band music, jug-band music, fife and drum, early jazz — and beam their curiosity outward. They make short work of their instructive mission and spend their energy on things that require it: flatfoot dancing, jug playing, shouting.”

The Carolina Chocolate Drops will highlight the free, four-day festival, where talented local performers will join with celebrated musicians from around the nation and the world to create a musical tapestry of the highest order. Bluegrass and country bands performing include Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women (featuring dobro virtuoso Cindy Cashdollar), Getaway Drivers, Robert J and the Rowdy Prairie Dogs, Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, and many more. International acts include Razia Said (NYC/Madagascar), and Monika and Christian Nieves (Puerto Rico). Click here for the full schedule.

Admission to the festival is free;  are encouraged festival-goers to leave their coolers at home and support the free festival by purchasing food and beverages benefiting the Wil-Mar Center and Marquette Neighborhood Association.

SWBMAI member band Down From The Hills will play sets at 11 am and 1 pm this Saturday, August 21, at the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association’s annual Paddle & Pig Out.

The event includes free canoe excursions (first come, first served at 9 am, noon and 3 pm), raffle, food and refreshments
and entertainment for all ages.

The Paddle & Pig Out runs from 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM at Paoli Park, Town of Montrose,  near Hwy PD & Hwy 69.
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The Lonesome River Band and SWBMAI Member Band Above the Town will provide the musical highlights for the fourth annual Gandy Dancer Festival on the Promenade in historic Mazomanie, Wis. this Saturday, August 21.  Free and open to the public, this popular family event is truly a day-long festival featuring an array of activities with something of interest for every family member.

Headlining this year’s music festival is the Lonesome River Band. The band’s career spans 25 years and includes multiple awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association. And their current album, “No Turning Back”, was number one on Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine’s Top 15 Album Chart for an impressive three months.

Show times for the musical performances on the main stage are:

• Queens of Harmony (African-American Gospel) – 11:00am
• Above the Town (Bluegrass) – 12:30pm
• The DitchLilies (American Roots Music) – 2:00pm
• Cork ‘n Bottle String Band (Bluegrass) – 3:30pm
• Harmonious Wail (Gypsy Swing, Jazz) – 5:00pm
• Lonesome River Band (Bluegrass) – 6:30pm

Programs and show times in the Exhibits tent are:

• Dave Landau (music for kids) – 12:00pm
• Bobbie Malone (history detective program for kids) – 1:00pm
• Dave Landau (music for kids) – 2:30pm
• Meet the Headliners: Lonesome River Band – 3:00pm
• Bluegrass Jam led by Above the Town – 3:30pm
• (bring your own instrument and sit in with the pros)
• Mid-Continent Railway Museum store – all day.
• Gandy Dancer Festival T-shirt sales – all day

Also taking place around the Promenade:

• Jacob Mills (Juggling) – times vary.
• Dave Lee (Gandy Dancer demonstration) – all day.
• Museum for the Milwaukee Road – all day.
• Mazomanie Historical Society – all day.
• Food and beverages by local vendors and service clubs – all day

Activities along Brodhead Street include:

• Center For Movement Arts (open studio) – all day
• Cornerstone Carriages (Hay wagon rides) – 1:00pm – 3:00pm.
• Cross Plains Lion’s Club (Mini-Train) – all day.

By Dave Nance

This is a reminder that the 3rd Tuesday Beginner’s Bluegrass Jam, sponsored by SWBMAI (Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association), and hosted by yours truly, Dave Nance, will be held this coming Tuesday evening, August 17, 2010.   I’ll be there by 7:30 P.M.

Unfortunately, the Beginner’s Bluegrass Jam is losing its space in the Germania Parlor of the Up North Bar.  The bakery is going to be kept open later, and so the space is no longer available.

For the month of August, we will be allowed to continue, but we will meet in Banquet Room K in the Essen Haus, right next door.  To get to this location, you should enter thru the Essen Haus entrance and look for Banquet Room K.

Beginning in September, we will be homeless (sniff!) – unless we can find a new space somewhere. At this Tuesday night’s festivities, we can discuss ideas for finding a new space.

Please note: The management and staff of Essen Haus/Up North Bar have been very generous in allowing us to use the Germania Parlor space for the last year at no charge. Please thank them when you see them.

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SONG IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK:  I guess the topical theme is pretty obvious.  Sigh.  Oh, well, let’s sing while the singin’ is good!  Charts for these songs can be found at my Tuesday Night Beginners’ Jam webpage at http://webpages.charter.net/dnance/songs/ .

All The Good Times Are Passed And Gone – 3/4 time, Key of G  – chords:  G  C  D
Gotta Travel On – 4/4 time, Key of G – chords:  G   G7   C   D
I Ain’t Got No Home In This World Anymore – 4/4 time, Key of A – chords:   A   D   E
I Am A Pilgrim – 4/4 time, Key of D -  chords:   D  D7   G   A
I’m Comin, Back But I Don’t Know When – 4/4 time, Key of A – chords  A   D   E
Wayfaring Stranger -  4/4 time, Key of  Em — chords  Em    Am   B7   C   G

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
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On Saturday, August 14, The Gibson Brothers will perform at the Chestnut Avenue Center for the Arts in Marshfield.

The Gibson Brothers are the best brother duo to hit bluegrass music in years – maybe decades. Combining the high lonesome sounds of Bill & Charlie Monroe with the sweet harmonies of Phil & Don Everly, The Gibson Brothers apply great heart to the bluegrass music they so clearly love to make. Their newest album, Ring the Bell, continues their tradition of telling poignant, soulful tales of rural life.

“They have it all: lead vocals, brother-duet harmony, instrumental virtuosity, ensemble sensibilities, and great original material.” – Chris Stuart, Bluegrass Unlimited

Tickets are $15. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 7:30 show. To purchase advance tickets or for more information call 715-389-8999 or visit www.chestnutARTS.org. The Arts Center is located downtown at 208 S. Chestnut Avenue on the corner of 3rd Street and Chestnut Avenue.

Opening for The Gibson Brothers will be Forest Ridge, a favorite Central Wisconsin bluegrass band featuring Larry Finseth (guitar), Roman Stauber (mandolin), Mary Pimblett (upright bass), Bill Kroepel (banjo), and Gene Koch (fiddle).

Following the show, Forest Ridge will host an informal bluegrass jam. Everyone is invited, musicians and listeners alike. Bring your instruments!

By Mary Helmke

Dear Fellow Jammers, Friends and Members,

We have been having a lot of success with our Tuesday Jams. A lot of people attending – thank you!

A lot of good music – thanks again. And fine instructors to help make this an extra special feature offered by the Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association.

As Blanche DuBois said, ‘…I have always depended on the kindness of strangers’. So it is with our Tuesday jams. These jams have always been housed through the kindness of businesses in the area. They have allowed us to be there, making music and having fun, for no charge. The Association cannot begin to thank these wonderful proprietors enough for their generosity, especially in such difficult financial times.

The beautiful Germania is no longer available to us. The Lakeside Bakery /Deli has had the opportunity to extend their hours of business and need the space for customer seating in the Germania.

In the meantime, the management of the complex is allowing us space in the Essen Haus (Room K) for the remainder of August. This is a kindness are very grateful for.

But this leaves the jam ‘homeless’ as of September 1.

We are already short on Board Members and so are turning to you for assistance in finding a place where we can continue these jams.

Tuesdays were chosen originally because the first Tuesday has been when Jon Peik is in town and can stop after a day of teaching at Spruce Tree. The remaining local instructors have rearranged their schedules to accommodate this teaching opportunity each month.

The Place we would like to relocate to:

• Need not be fancy or even have food/beverage service. All we ask is that we can bring in our bottles of water.

• Needs to have enough lighting to see, bathroom facilities, heat and if possible, air conditioning. Or windows with screens.

• Chairs would be nice, but if that is not possible, we can each bring our own.

• Needs parking relatively convenient.

It would be nice to have it in Madison, so bus service can be utilized, but if this is not possible – we can probably work things out amongst ourselves.

It would be preferable to have this haven at no charge. Or it can be placed for discussion with the Board – which will have the final decision.

We have less than a month to find somewhere – if we want to keep these popular jams going, we all need to work together.

Please send suggestions, ideas, etc. to me at helmkemary6@gmail.com or call 608-838-4852. Please leave a message if I cannot pick up. I will present all responses to the SWBMAI Board.

Thank you,
Mary Helmke
Secretary, SWBMAI

By Mary Helmke

You want to do some jamming? You want to have some fun?

On Saturday and Sunday, September 4th and 5th, the SWBMAI is hosting music in the Pavilion at the Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton.

Jamming will be from 10am to 12pm and again from 3pm to 5pm on both days. For an added extra special treat, we will be having Member Bands playing – 3 each day – from 12-3pm! A sampler for folks who may not know about our music. Mark this event on your calendars and watch for updates!

We are looking for volunteers to help us with our association table – selling our raffle tickets, giving folks Membership Forms and just plain meeting people and having a nice time. Let me know if you want to join in the fun: Mary Helmke helmkemary6@gmail.com or 608-838-4852.

By Jon Peik

This month’s first-Tuesday facilitated Beginner Bluegrass Jam will once again be held at the Germania parlor area (youth friendly) of The Up North Bar, 514 E Wilson St. Madison, near the Essen Haus at the corner of Blair and Wilson streets. Plenty of free parking behind the Essen Haus.

Formal instruction and facilitation will run from approximately 7:30-8:30pm (as soon as I get there after my lessons at Spruce Tree Music)

The Jam is sponsored by the Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association. A $5 donation is requested, but not required. Check out www.swbmai.org for all things bluegrass in Wisconsin!

This month we will highlight the key of A and start with the following songs and then go around the circle with song suggestions from you (in any key you’d like). So bring a song to sing or suggest.

• 9 lb Hammer, key of A (3 chords, A, D, & E)
• Bury Me Beneath the Willow, key of A (3 chords, A, D, & E)
• I Saw the Light, key of A (3 chords, A, D, & E)
• My Home’s across the Blue Ridge Mountains, key of A (3 chords, A, D, & E)
• She’ll Be Comin Round the Mountain, key of A (3 chords, A, D, & E)
• Cripple Creek, Key of A (3 chords, A, D, & E)

Tuesday jam Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=263735051942

SWBMAI member band the Nob Hill Boys will give a free concert tomorrow night, July 22, at Harriet Park in Verona, WI, starting at 6:00 pm.

The Nob Hill Boys are an established bluegrass unit whose commitment to tradition is clear in every aspect of their per- formances. This award-winning band has produced three CDs and entertained audiences all across the Midwest for the past six years in venues of all sizes from coffeehouses to festivals to a performance on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. The group’s four fine singers take a traditional approach with a nod to the standard repertoire of the past, but also bringing obscure gems and fine original material to light. The Nob Hill Boys also are fortunate to feature some of the finest instru- mentalists in the Upper Midwest. Those of you looking for a hot banjo number, a driving fiddle breakdown or superb flat picking guitar will not be disappointed .

Harriet Park is located along Mary Lou Street, Arthur Street, Westlawn Avenue and Harriet Street on the Verona’s  north side.