Beloved local singing team Bill and Bobbie Malone will perform their repertoire of classic country duets tomorrow evening, March 20, at the Prairie Coffee House in Deforest, Wis.Doors open 6:30 p.m., music starts at 7:00 p.m.

Bobbie plays mandolin, and Bill plays guitar as they blend their old-time duet harmonies and sing traditional or more recent traditionally-flavored songs. The duo combine an encyclopedic knowledge of traditional country music with an authentic old-time vocal style. Bill Malone is the author of  Country Music USA, the first definitive history of country music, and hosts a weekly radio show on WORT community radio.

Prairie Coffeehouse offers live, acoustic music in the smoke-free, alcohol-free fellowship hall at Spring Prairie Lutheran Church, located at the intersection of County Highways C and DM in Keyeser, Wisconsin (near DeForest). There is no cover charge. The venue relies on freewill donations for performers and refreshments.

SWBMAI member band Down From The Hills will head up an evening of bluegrass, cajun and traditional country music this Saturday at the Gone Fish Inn in Mt. Vernon, WI from 7 to 11 p.m.

Down From The Hills plays bluegrass music inspired by the likes of Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs and John Hartford. Their music features both instrumental solos and vocal harmonies. Recently, they’ve added Cajun music to their shows, with band leader Pat Downing on the Cajun button accordion.

The band will be joined by two guest acts: the husband-and-wife team of Bill and Colleen Foley, who sing and play old-time and traditional country music, and the Knickelbine Brothers, who specialize in duets in the style of the Louvin and Bailes brothers.

Here’s how to get there:

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SWBMAI Member Band the Henhouse Prowlers were recently honored with a coveted Chicago Music Award for Best Country/Western Entertainer, and now they’re headed for Madison’s High Noon Saloon.

The popular bluegrass quartet is playing at the High Noon Saloon this Friday, February 12, starting at 9:30 p.m. They’ll be joined by the St. Paul group Two Many Banjos.

2010 marked the 29th anniversary of the Chicago Music Awards, which has honored Chicago musicians ranging from George Solti to Kanye West. Stewart Mason of the All Music Guide writes, “The Henhouse Prowlers are a Chicago-based group of youngsters trying mightily to re-create the spirit and form of vintage bluegrass. . .a solid piece of contemporary bluegrass with its heart in the right place.”

Two SWBMAI member bands will be featured in the lineup for the 9th annual United Way Benefit Concert.

SpareTime Bluegrass and The Oak Street Ramblers, along with The Cork ‘n Bottle String Band and children’s music peformer Dave Landau will present a benefit concert for United Way of Dane County on Sunday, February 14 at 1:00 p.m. at The Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Avenue, Madison WI. All of the performers are contributing their time and talent, and all proceeds will go to support United Way to advance the community’s Agenda for Change goals.

The annual concert has seen strong support from serious bluegrass fans. Admission for this family-friendly concert will be $10 for adults, and $5.00 for children 5-12 years of age ($20 maximum per family). Tickets may be ordered at www.barrymorelive.com.

By Dale Ward

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to SWBMAI and the bluegrass fans that supported Jefferson County Bluegrass Band. I have performed for 44 +years in bands playing rock “n” roll, country, country rock, polka and bluegrass. Bluegrass is without question my favorite genre of music. Bluegrass people, musicians and fans are the most true, friendly people I have ever come across.

In 2001 Cactus Club String Band asked me if I would learn to play banjo for them. For the next year or so I learned banjo with the help of a few lessons from John Pike. Then Brian Cate asked me to start a band with him and Chris Falkner who played banjo. I was going to play guitar but Chris had a friend who was playing guitar so I decided to teach my self mandolin. And that became Jefferson County Bluegrass Band.

After eight years we are disbanding after two members had to leave the band. I personally want to thank Chris Falkner, Doug Hodge and especially Brian Cate for their friendship and dedication and all the wonderful times spent together rehearsing, traveling and performing. Brian Cate and I will still be going out as Jefferson County Bluegrass Band from time to time on limited dates. Look for us at Dot’s sometime this early spring 2010.

Thanks everyone!

Are you serious about your New Year’s resolution of becoming a better guitarist?  Or has cabin fever got its grip on you?   Then take advantage of two-time IBMA Guitar Player of the Year and member of the Grammy-nominated Claire Lynch Band Jim Hurst’s guitar workshop and concert Saturday, January 30.

“In a field known for great instrumental work, Hurst is as good as they come…His guitar playing is marked by pure abandon.”
- Country Standard Time

Workshop, $60
1-4pm at:
Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center
953 Jenifer St.
Madison, WI 53703
Phone (608) 257-4576
www.madison.com/communities/wil-mar

For workshop registration, call Julie Cherney at 608-244-2184, or email cherney@uwalumni.com Some workshop topics include flat-picking and finger-style guitar styles; rhythm and melodies, solos and improvisation, timing, tone, and taste; Practice techniques, time management; Emphasis on raising the enjoyment level.

Concert, $10
8 p.m. at:
Mother Fool’s Coffee House
1101 Williamson St.
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 259-1301
www.motherfools.com

Information about Jim Hurst can be found at www.jimhurst.com.

What could be a more thoughtful gift this holiday season than a CD from one of the Midwest’s best bluegrass groups? When you buy an album from a SWBMAI member band, you not only give your friends and family outstanding entertainment with a unique “local sound,” you also help support the live bluegrass scene in Wisconsin.

Here are some terrific CDs selected by the bands themselves for this Holiday Buying Guide. Any one would make a splendid gift:

Henhouse Prowlers

Chicago bluegrass powerhouse The Henhouse Prowlers have a brand-new album out called A Dark Rumor. Find out why music blog Wildy’s World said “This is one of those albums that makes you want to run out and find what else The Henhouse Prowlers have done, and when the next new album might be expected. Check out The Henhouse Prowlers, a must-hear band.”

You can purchase the disc through CD Baby at http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/TheHenhouseProwlers . Or you can download the album on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/album/a-dark-rumor/id343345267?v0=9989&ign-mpt=uo=1 .

Liberty Bluegrass Band

2009 WAMI Bluegrass Artist of the Year Liberty Bluegrass is offering two CDs this holiday season. The first is  their debut album Life, Liberty Bluegrass and the Pursuit of Happiness, featuring their 2008 WAMI CD-Roulette winning cover of “Rank Stranger to Me.” Their latest CD is Goin’ Burlap, featuring four original songs and a cover of Lynard Skynard’s “Simple Man.”

Both CDs can be purchased for $10 each plus $2 S&H. During the holiday their online purchased CDs come with free gift wrapping! LBB’s on-line store is located at http://www.libertybluegrassband.com/LBB_Store.html

Alzen Family Bluegrass Band

Fans of gospel bluegrass will want to own some discs from the Alzen Family band.  The group have three CDs available: On the Sea of Life, Let My Life Be a Light, and Traveling Through God’s World. CDs cost $15, plus $2 shipping. Available to listen and order on band website www.alzenfamily.com via PayPal. Those wishing to buy the old fashioned way may also order by phone at 715-749-3977, or send check or cash by mail to Alzen Family, 1016-110th Avenue, Roberts, WI 54023. Please specify which CD and quantity.

Round the Bend

Round the Bend’s self-titled debut album is a perennial favorite. Country music historian Bill Malone says “The diversity of styles is one of the most appealing aspects of the music heard here. . .You’re going to like what you hear.”

You can listen to clips and purchase the CD at http://roundbend.com/cdinfopage.htm.

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Copies are still available of Jeff Hickey’s MAMA-winning album, Loose Ends. Hickey, a gifted guitarist and singer/songwriter, died earlier this year from injuries sustained in a car accident, and the limited supply of CDs are being sold to benefit Jeff’s family. You can find out how to order a copy here: http://www.thirdhandcapo.com/jeff/index.html.

Wisconsin native and East Troy Bluegrass Festival founder Melissa Sherman was recently named Composer of the Year at the 2009 Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards. The band which Sherman writes for and helps manage, Ontario-based Hard Ryde, won nearly all the instrumental player of the year categories, picking up awards for Banjo, Fiddle, Bass, Guitar and Mandolin.  Hard Ryde’s front man, Doug de Boer was named the Entertainer of the Year.

“I was extremely proud to represent Wisconsin as I accepted my award,” Sherman told SWBMAI shortly after the awards ceremony. “My heart has never left Wisconsin and I truly miss and adore my Bluegrass family there!”

“I founded and still direct the East Troy Bluegrass Festival 17 years ago,” Sherman said. “I have been writing music since I was 16. Since living with my partner Doug and having this wonderfully talented band Hard Ryde in my life, I have finally found the right group to make my songs come alive!  As a family we live the Bluegrass life. We have 5 family festivals here in Canada , along with my festival in East Troy. We host a winter series in the spring from Feb-April and produce the Bluegrass awards for Central Ontario. Hard Ryde is on the road constantly playing festivals both in the US and Canada.”

Watch Hard Ryde perform one of Melissa Sherman’s songs, “Turkeyville Road”

Recently, the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association held their annual “Harvest Jam”. Scores of pickers and grinners packed into the Minneapolis Marriott West Hotel for a weekend gala of musical performances, entertainment, and jamming. Upon entering the hotel lobby, the bustling and excitement was contagious. Tunes like “Rolling in My Sweet Baby’s Arms” and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” echoed throughout the building, as folks of all ages migrated to and from jam circles. The really big commotion, however, came with the “Race for a Place” band competition: the top prize was a chance to perform at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Festival, twice nominated by the International Bluegrass Music Association for “bluegrass festival of the year”.

This year’s band competition was won by the new faces and sounds of Madison’s own SweetGrass, who dazzled their audience with an energetic set that would have made Bill Monroe smile. One unassuming listener remarked, “It was a joyride from the very beginning. They roped you in and by the end you were struggling just to stay in your seat.” Having formed less than a year ago, SweetGrass viewed the competition as an opportunity to hone their sound and expose themselves to MBOTMA’s dedicated community of bluegrass lovers. Next August they will share the stage with the nation’s top bluegrass acts at the prestigious MBOTMA Festival held at El Ranchero Manana.

SweetGrass will be featured on MadToast Live at the Brink Lounge on
December 8 and will headline at the Alchemy Café on December 10. For
a complete listing of SweetGrass throwdowns, check their schedule at
www.sweetgrassband.com or contact them at sweetgrasspickin@gmail.com.

This year we’re unveiling the first ever SWBMAI’s Got Talent! talent show competition at the big Holiday Party at the Goodman Center December 5. The competition kicks off at 6:30. Participants have a chance at winning cash prizes: $150 for 1st, $100 for 2nd, $50 for 3rd or one of our $25 Honorable Mentions. All main prize winners will be determined by audience applause using the iPhone’s Applausometer.

But there’s one more prize left. A hat will be passed all day for the winner of the Audience Favorite award which will be decided by paper ballot. You’ll receive it at the door.

If you want to participate in the talent show, be sure to register early. There is a limited number of slots available on a first come, first served basis. You can register by calling board member Sharon Manion at (608) 424-3408 or by e-mailing SWBMAItalentshow@gmail.com.

Click Here for More Details on the Holiday Party and the Talent Competition!