Carmen Burnett, the reigning Queen of Bluegrass in Madison and one of SWBMAI's longest-standing members, will be the guest of honor at a surprise 80th birthday party her family is throwing for her on June 6. Carmen's many musical friends are invited to bring their instruments and jam!
The shindig will be from 2 to 4 pm at the Wynwood Nursing Home at 413 S. Yellowstone, where Carmen is now living. If you have any questions, call Patty Graham at 438-2728.

The Spring String Gathering is an indoor, Bluegrass and Old-time music jam-festival, in Baraboo, WI. The fest provides an opportunity for Bluegrass and Old-Time musicians all across Wisconsin, it’s bordering states and beyond, to come together and celebrate their common love of music, and shake off the long Midwestern winter.

Hosted at the Clarion Convention Center in Baraboo, WI, The fest will feature impromptu jamming, showcases and workshops, and will conincide with an evening concert at the historic Al Ringling Theater.

Graminy's new album, Germinations: A Bluegrass Symphony in D, is a diary of original compositions from 2012 that honor the life cycle of plants and farms of the Midwest prairie. Germinations premiered in a small rural church in October of 2012, and again shortly after in Mills Hall on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus as part of the Wormfarm Institute's Fermentation Fest and D-Composition Project. Graminy hit the studio just weeks later, while the music and ideas were still ripe.

On January, 18th, 2013, Mother Fool's Coffeehouse, 1101 Williamson Street in Madison (www.motherfools.com) will host two of Southern Wisconsin's premier bluegrass bands. Veteran band Above The Town kicks off the evening at 8:00 PM, followed by newcomers Daylight in the Swamp at 9:10 PM. $6 Cover Charge.

Enjoy a night of great picking and melodious bluegrass singing. Greg Cahill and Josh Williams are together for a rare duet of banjo and guitar, Sunday, Dec. 16, at The High Noon Saloon in Madison. The SWBMAI-sponsored concert starts at 7:30 pm.

Founder and leader of bluegrass super group The Special Consensus, Greg Cahill has been tearing up bluegrass banjo since the early 1970s. His deft lightening speed picking is admired and sought after by musicians all over. Kentucky-born Josh Williams is “the rage” internationally for his intricate guitar picking and melodic vocals. Multiple IBMA award winner for his guitar virtuosity, he’s the leader of The Josh Williams Band and tours with the Tony Rice Unit.

Tickets available at the High Noon Saloon for $15. To order, call 608-268-1122 or buy online at www.high-noon.com.

SWBMAI Member Band and Minnesota Music Hall of Fame bluegrass artist Monroe Crossing will appear in concert at Madison’s Mother Fool’s Coffeehouse on Saturday, November 10, starting at 8:00 p.m. This concert marks Monroe Crossing’s first appearance in Madison in their 12 year international touring career!
Mother Fool's Coffeehouse is located at 1101 Williamson Street in Madison, 608 259-1301. Tickets for this great night of family-style entertainment are only $10, and are available AT THE DOOR ONLY. Seating at Mother Fool’s is limited.

Acclaimed flatpicking genius Maro Kawabata will hold a special workshop in Madison on October 7th. The event is sponsored by SWBMAI.
Maro Kawabata, flatpicking master and skilled music instructor, has been playing and performing on guitar for more than 40 years. He is the founding member of the band Sunset Drive, and has played with greats such as Tony Rice, Greg Cahill, Alison Brown, Don Rigsby, Rob Ickes and many others.
This workshop is a wonderful opportunity to learn new picking skills or just polish what you already know. The workshop will be held from 1 to 4 pm at Lanes’ Lutherie, 2345 Atwood Avenue, Madison. The price is $50 for SWBMAI members, $60 for non-members. To register, contact Dave Goodwin at 608-772-8280 or yellow.rock@yahoo.com

Join us Saturday, Sept. 22, for the first annual Bluegrass Picking Party at the UW Equestrian Center! Bring an instrument or just sit back and enjoy the music in a bucolic setting. Meet the Center's herd of more than 30 beautiful horses. Grills will be available, so bring something to cook out. Snacks will be provided by the UW Hoofers Riding Club and SWBMAI. Free for members; a small contribution is suggested for non-members. The Equestrian Center is located at 1008 Severson Rd., Belleville, WI. The picking and fun begin at 5:30 pm.