As our primary fundraising activity this year, SWBMAI is conducting a Wisconsin Class A raffle for valuable prizes generously donated by area businesses and private individuals. Raffle tickets are available in different colors for a chance to win specific prizes:

Blue Tickets – Fiddle ($525 value, with bow and case) donated by Lane Venden (www.laneslutherie.com) plus two violin lessons with Wisconsin State Fiddle Champion, Shauncey Ali.

Yellow Tickets – Paul Woolson Guitar (www.WoolsonSoundCraft.com) – $3000 value, solid Koa body, spruce top with case – plus four guitar lessons by Bob Westphal.

Green Tickets – Your choice of: Hand-sewn quilts donated by Sharon Manion & Mary Jo Brechtl; Digital video recorder ($150 value) donated by Bruce Brechtl; Hand-braided leather mandolin strap ($100 value) donated by Debra Amesqua; or Two mandolin lessons with Simms Delaney-Pottoff. First green ticket drawn wins choice of prizes, second green ticket gets choice of remaining prizes, etc.

Raffle tickets – $5 each or five for $20 (in any combination of ticket colors) – may be purchased from members of the SWBMAI Board of Directors and key volunteers at area jams and festivals. Tickets are also available at Lane’s Lutherie (4269 W. Beltline Hwy) in Madison. The drawing will be held at 8:00 P.M. on December 6, 2010, at the Dry Bean Saloon (5264 Verona Road) in Madison during the Monday Night Jam and Open Mic. Thanks for your support and good luck in the SWBMAI Raffle!

You need not be present to win. Raffle winnings are taxable income and subject to reporting as required by law. Purchase of raffle tickets is not tax-deductible.

By Julie Cherney

Attention all acoustic music lovers!  A new biography of Tony Rice is due out on April 12!  Co-written by Tim Stafford and Caroline Wright, Still Inside: The Tony Rice Story chronicles Tony’s incredible musical/life journey through anecdotes, observations from his friends, family, fans, fellow musicians and most importantly, Tony’s own words.

From his turbulent childhood, to his current status as statesman of the acoustic guitar and everything in between, this biography explores the incredible musical contributions Tony has made…elevating the acoustic guitar to lead instrument, pioneering the new acoustic jazz called Dawg, and his years as bluegrass’ most eloquent vocalist.

Co-author Caroline Wright, who went on the road with Tony, documents his everyday life in great detail, sure to astound and fascinate even his most knowledgeable fans.  Tim Stafford, founding member of super group Blue Highway and a highly respected acoustic guitarist himself, lends his acuity into Tony’s unparalleled guitar style.  Additionally, Tim discusses the life and times of Tony’s prize possession, the 1935 Martin D-28 Herringbone guitar also known as “The Bone” or “The Antique,” formerly owned by the great Clarence White.

This insightful and entertaining biography also contains a comprehensive discography, a detailed and fascinating timeline, a bibliography of suggested reading for serious fans and more than 100 never-before published photos. Still Inside: The Tony Rice Story is sure to be the bluegrass literary event of the year!

To pre-order or to find out more detailed information about Still Inside: The Tony Rice Story, go to www.tonyricestory.com.

Just a reminder of the Jim Hurst Concert and Guitar workshop January, 30. A few slots are still available for the workshop in the afternoon, so take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. And don’t miss the concert in the evening.

Concert: 8 pm at Mother Fools Coffee House, 1101 Williamson St., Madison, Wisconsin.

Workshop: 1 pm – 4 pm at the Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., Madison, WI.  Contact Julie Cherney at cherney@uwalumni.com or 608-244-2184 for more information and a registration form.

Tune into 89.9FM WORT to hear an interview with Jim Hurst by John Fabke Tuesday, 1/19 at 11:00 a.m. on John’s show Pastures of Plenty. Then tune in again on Friday, 1/29 at 11:00 a.m. for a live studio appearance by Jim on Chris Powers’ Mud Acres Bluegrass Show.

Don’t miss Jim Hurst’s concert January 30, at 8 pm at Mother Fools Coffee House, 1101 Williamson St., Madison, Wisconsin. And if you’re a flat-picker who needs a little fine-tuning, take advantage of the best flat-picker in bluegrass today at Jim’s guitar workshop on the 30^th from 1 pm – 4 pm at the Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., Madison, WI. Contact Julie Cherney at cherney@uwalumni.com or 608-244-2184 for more information and a registration form.

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.

Just got word that SWBMAI Vice President Jim Hodges is auctioning off his 1944 Model 00028 Martin Guitar to raise funds to help his grandson David finish his music degree at Moody Bible Institute. The guitar — which Bob Dylan once tried to buy — is up for auction on eBay; the auction will close on Friday, Dec. 18.

Jim writes: ” David will continue at school but my Martin won’t know me any more. I never thought I’d sell any of my guitars, but family is a priority. Well, I still have two Martins left but still, it’s like you have three children and you lose one but you still have two left. It’s not quite the same but you get the idea.”

By Julie Cherney

Do you love flat-picking guitar?  Are you looking for a Christmas gift for the guitar player in your life?  Well you’re in for a treat because Jim Hurst, two-time IBMA Guitar Player of the Year and member of the Grammy-nominated Claire Lynch Band, comes to Madison January 30 for a guitar workshop and concert.

Jim’s mastery of the guitar and expert vocal harmonies earned him membership in Trisha Yearwood’s band, as well as the opportunity to perform with Sara Evans, Travis Tritt, and the McCarter Sisters.   As a popular Nashville studio musician, he’s performed and recorded with John Cowan, Mark Schatz, Tim O’Brien, and Sam Bush.  Collaborating with bassist Missy Raines, the duet wowed the bluegrass community and won IBMA Guitar and Bass Player of the year for 2001and 2002.  Jim currently tours with the Claire Lynch Band not only as a wizard on the guitar, but also as a remarkable frailing banjoist.

Jim’s skill as a vocal and guitar instructor makes him highly sought-after.  He teaches at guitar workshops, clinics, and music camps around the country.  So take advantage of this opportunity to learn from and enjoy a concert by this maestro!  For more information about Jim, go to www.jimhurst.com.

“There’s not a more inventive, talented guitar player in the bluegrass business than Jim Hurst. He brings a world of experience in so many different kinds of music and formats to everything he does.”
- Tim Stafford

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

As many of you already know, Madison guitarist and singer-songwriter Jeff Hickey died yesterday morning, July 14, of injuries sustained in a car accident. All of us in the SWBMAI family send our condolences to Jeff’s family.

Jeff’s close friend, Maine musician Harvey Reid, is organizing a way to pay tribute to Jeff and help his family out in this time of need. He writes:

“I just returned from Wisconsin where did the best I could to say goodbye to Jeff and to help clean up the unfinished projects and details of his complicated, free-lance life style. In doing so I have come upon what I think is a perfect way to remember him and pay tribute to a fine man. Among the things in his house are a few hundred copies of his quite marvelous solo CD “Loose Ends” that he made at my studio in 2003. It is just Jeff playing guitar and singing, and it deservedly won the Madison Best Acoustic CD of the year award. I think it is a powerful recording, and one of the finest and most durable things he has left behind.  There was only one pressing of 1000 discs of it, and it is not clear if there will ever be another pressing done.

“I would like to lead an effort to encourage all those who loved him or enjoyed his company to express their condolences in a way that is consistent with Jeff’s lifelong love of music and participation in the underground “indie” music economy. Rather than sending something like flowers–

1) Buy his CD, or several…
2) Write a note to Terry or about Jeff — you can send it to me as an email or a PDF. I might try to put them up on a web or Facebook page, and maybe Terry or the kids can make a book out of them.”

You can find full instructions for buying a copy of Jeff Hickey’s “Loose Ends” and sending a message to his family at http://www.thirdhandcapo.com/jeff/

The News & Observer is running a fine story on Bluegrass Pioneer George Shuffler. Mr. Shuffler was that “tall feller” who sang and played guitar with the Stanley Brothers for so many years. In addition to popularizing guitar crosspicking, he also admits to being a better than average horse trader:

“I was pretty fair at that because I’d grown up around it,” Shuffler says. “I could look a horse in the mouth, tell its age, how hard it’d been worked. Livestock’s been a love my whole life. We’d be on the road and Carter would say, ‘I just caught George looking at cattle trucks. Guess he’ll be going home again soon.’ I head that more than once and I’d always say, ‘Nah, I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ But sure enough, a week or two later, it would happen.”

A fine glimpse back to a time where one could swap a possum dog for their first horse!

Here is a medium tempo demonstration of the quintessential flatpicking tune. This is based off Doc Watson’s original recording in the key of D (capo 2nd). Apart from Doc most people generally play the tune in the key of A.