“It’s by far the best room in Chicago to see acoustic (or any) music,” the band proclaimed in a recent release.  ” There isn’t a single bad seat in the house and the acoustics are pristine.”

Opening for the Prowlers will be songwriter and clawhammer banjoist Mark Dvorak, one of the performers traveling with the Weavers tribute band Weavermania.

Go here to buy tickets online:  http://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2010/7/

You can also call them at 773-728-6000.

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 Tuesday evening, November 17, 2009, at the Up North Bar at 514 E. Wilson St.

I’ll be there by 7:30 P.M.;  we’ll start the jam by 8.

Anybody have any ideas for songs they’d like to try out, work on, and/or play for fun this week? Here are mine, w. some links to versions on youtube to remind you how they go:

Blue Ridge Mountain Blues   4/4 time,  Key of G (G, C, D)
(here’s a nice rockin’ version by John Fogerty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHuBr8nGktk )

Cripple Creek    4/4 time,  Key of A (A, D, E)
(here’s Flatt & Scrugg’s version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4sqishGuYw )

Green Pastures   3/4 time,  Key of A (A, D, E) (we did it last month, but I like it a lot so I’m suggesting it again!)
(here’s a nice version by Allison Krauss: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwQD-rCJMYw)

I’ll Fly Away   4/4 time,  Key of G (G, C, D)

Late Last Night   4/4 time,  Key of D (D, G, A)

Reuben’s Train   4/4 time,  Key of D (D, A)
(here’s a nice version highlighting banjo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eugbMWhU26I)

I hope you’ll each bring an idea for a song you’d like to try

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

The special live tribute will be performed Friday, November 6th at Mother Fool’s Coffehouse in Madison and Saturday, November 7th at the Richland Auditorium.

Bob Black is a master of the five string banjo and a veteran of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys. He has also performed with Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, Emmylou Harris, Norman Blake and Rhonda Vincent and played the Grand Ole Opry. Paul Kienitz is one of the finest traditional bluegrass fiddle players in the upper Midwest. Paul has been a long standing member of the award-winning Nob Hill Boys and was a featured performer with a reunion of Blue Grass Boys at the 2008 Sugar Maple Festival.

Bob and Paul will be joined by Mark Hembree on bass (veteran of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys as well, the Nashville Bluegrass Band and the Dreadful Snakes with Bela’ Fleck and Jerry Douglas). Brian Ray on mandolin (This is the Squirrel Hunters) and John Fabke on guitar (Nob Hill Boys) will complete the line-up for this special Tribute.

Friday, November 6, Mother Fool’s Coffeehouse, 1101 Williamson St., Madison, WI, 8pm
Admission: $10.

Saturday, November 7, Richland Center City Auditorium, 182 N. Central Ave., Richland Center, WI., 7:30pm.
Advanced Tickets: Auditorium Antiques, 182 N. Central Ave., Richland Center, WI Info: 608-649-3456.
*A portion of the proceeds goes to RCPAC (Richland County Performing Arts Council) to fund the Auditorium Rehabilitation Project.*
Tickets: $10.

After you’ve enjoyed looking for Carmen in the crowd, don’t forget to watch the rest of the clip — it’s classic Hartford, including a bit of clogging-while-playing-banjo, something I thought went out with Uncle Dave Macon.

Madison was once again graced with musical virtuosity last weekend, in the form of the Kruger Brothers. Hailing from Switzerland via North Carolina, they epitomize the brother duet with their familial harmonies and tight musicianship, expanding on traditional bluegrass while continuing to honor it. Their Sunday night performance at the High Noon Saloon was nothing short of amazing and was received with two standing ovations.

The real treat, however, was the afternoon workshops. I was lucky enough to attend the session conducted by banjoist Jens Kruger. In addition to being incredibly knowledgeable about the banjo, music theory and musicianship, his compassion, kindness, humor and passion flowed like a mountain waterfall. He made each of us attendees feel as if we were his equal, that we could all be masters (after 3000-4000 hours of practice that is) and that we were all artists. Additionally, he reviewed basic concepts but in a way that was new and unique. After the three hour session, which flew by, I was reinvigorated and motivated again to dedicate time and effort to my instrument.

We are so lucky to have musical masters come to our city fairly often. If you are in need of inspiration, a bit more education, or motivation, I would highly recommend attending an instrument workshop. The connections you make to the instructor and other participants are as golden as the technical information you go away with.

On Tuesday, June 2, bluegrass banjo legend Alan Munde will take the stage with Wisconsin’s own Nob Hill Boys for a 90-minute concert at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center (953 Jenifer St.) beginning at 10pm. The concert will be emcee’d by Bill C. Malone, host of WORT89.9FM Radio’s Back to the Country. General admission (door only) is $13.

For true students of the five-string, Alan will give a 3-hour banjo workshop earlier in the evening from 6-9pm in the Quarry Arts Building, 714 Hill St. (3 blocks east of Hilldale between Whole Foods and Century House). The workshop is open to all levels of players. Alan will tailor the workshop to participants’ skill levels and address topics from the fundamental (e.g., Review of Rolls; Roll Logic; Back-up/Closed Positions Up the Neck) to the more advanced (e.g., Creating Solos to Songs; Playing in Keys other than G without a Capo). Register for the workshop by contacting Carolyn Hegeler (608-238-6863 or chegeler@tds.net) and send a check for $60 (made payable to “Alan Munde”) to 18 S. Owen Dr., Madison 53705. (Concert tickets for workshop participants are $10.)

Alan’s long and luminous 40-year career as an internationally renowned bluegrass banjo player, teacher and recording artist includes two years with Jimmy Martin in the late 60’s; 20+ years as the anchor of Country Gazette; 20+ years of teaching banjo and bluegrass music at South Plains College in Levelland, TX; and organizer/coordinator/instructor of hundreds of bluegrass workshops in the U.S. and abroad.

On Friday, May 22, tune in to an interview with Alan on Chris Powers’ Mud Acres Bluegrass Special on WORT89.9FM; and on Tuesday, June 2, to Alan’s appearance on John Fabke’s Pastures of Plenty in the WORT studio.

Included in the prizes are free music lessons, valuable gift certificates, bluegrass CDs, and much much more! Raffle tickets start at just $1, so you could win big!

Plus, the Jamboree is featuring three silent auctions — two gorgeous hand-quilted wall hangings donated by local artist (and SWBMAI board member) Sharon Manion, and a stunning  ”drum style” gourd banjo donated by Junior’s Banjo Farm.

All that, plus eight hours of some of the best Bluegrass entertainment  you’ll find anywhere. So what are you waiting for? We’ll see you at the Jamboree tomorrow!

Since I belong to that strange group that call themselves five string banjo players I wouldn’t have missed a chance to see Bill Evans for anything. The Saturday concert at the Willmar center was packed and I haven’t seen a more attentive crowd. You could have heard a pin drop during the performance which I can only describe as spellbinding.

I knew Bill was a hot banjo player but I had no idea how great Megan Lynch was. The two put on a tour de force of both instruments. Megan is also a wonderful vocalist and they did some nice harmony between the amazing instrumentals.

Thanks to SWBMAI and especially Julie Cherney for producing a top notch bluegrass event.

Editor’s Note: If you click on the You Tube above you can view this video in High Quality!

Special thanks to Jim Robarts and the Spare Time Bluegrass Band for serving as SWBMAI poster boys (and girl)!

It’s just a little over three weeks until Bill Evans and Megan Lynch are at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center in Madison for an instructive, fun-filled day of banjo, fiddle, and jam workshops and a concert. There is still room in each workshop for more participants, and advance concert tickets are available online right here,  at Spruce Tree Music in Madison, and by contacting Julie Cherney at cherney@uwalumni.com or 608-260-2675.  Contact Julie also about registering for the workshops, or download the registration form here. 

SWBMAI is excited to present these top-notch musicians/teachers/performers in a day-long event. (Learn more about Bill and Megan at www.nativeandfine.com or google bill evans and megan lynch.) If you’ve never attended a workshop with professional bluegrass musicians, this is the perfect chance. And if you’ve never participated in a jam with professional musicians – especially a fiddle champion and a hot banjo picker – you’re in for a real treat!

This is the first time in several years that SWBMAI has offered such a wonderful educational opportunity for area musicians and, with the concert, a perfect family event for the Madison community (children under 12 may attend the concert free of charge). There’s something for everyone.