SWBMAI member band Liberty Bluegrass Band is celebrating five years together by announcing they will start telecasting their performances live on the Internet.
“When the average band tenure is around 3 years, we feel very fortunate to be still around,” writes LBB leader James Brocksmith. “Over the years we have produced two studio albums, won two major awards, toured both coast, played some unbelievable stages and made some great friends along the way.”
The group will debut its new live “Liberty Cam” this Friday at the Heartland Café. “This is a new service where we hope to broadcast all our shows live,” according to Brocksmith. “It’s very simple, just go to our home page and view our show. No sign-up required but if you would like to chat on-line while we are playing, you will need to do a simple sign-up.”
Located in Roger’s Park, the Heartland Café is as much as a playground for twenty and thirty-somethings as it is a restaurant. Local music acts ranging from folk to rockabilly to jazz flock to it’s stage as frequently as the local art on the walls changes.an artsy entertainment complex that offers a full dining menu. Opening is Dean Milano and things will get started at 9PM. $5 cover. Advance tickets are available.
The 3rd Tuesday Beginner’s Bluegrass Jam, sponsored by SWBMAI and hosted by yours truly will be held this Tuesday evening, March 16, 2010, at the Up North Bar at 514 E. Wilson St. I’ll be there by 7:30 P.M., and we’ll start the jam by 8:00 P.M.
This week I’ve been trying to drum up requests and suggestions — and as an inducement, what a deal I’m offering! Here it is: If you send me a suggestion for a tune, I’ll create a chord and lyrics chart for it and post it at http://webpages.charter.net/dnance/songs/
Some suggestions have rolled in already (thanks) and here they are, with one of my own:
Whisky In The Jar – 4/4 time, Key of G — chords: G Em C D
Gotta Travel On – 4/4 time, Key of D — chords: D D7 G A
The Train Carryin’ Jimmie Rodgers Home – 3/4 time, Key of G — chords: G G7 Em A D D7
Can’t You Hear Me Callin’ — 4/4 time, Key of A — chords: A D E
Send any suggestions or requests, or bring ‘em Tuesday night!
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.
Celebrate the 65th Birthday of musician, actor, humorist and culinary artist Paul Bentzen at this annual jambalaya and jamming extravaganza on Saturday, February 13. Paul’s jambalaya is available through the Spring Green General Store’s restaurant beginning at noon. But like all good things it must end; so when it’s gone, it’s gone.
Jamming starts at 2:00 p.m.; free admission and birthday cake (while it lasts). Food and beverage available for purchase. Spring Green General Store; 137 South Albany,Spring Green, WI; (608) 588-7070; www.SpringGreenGeneralStore.com
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
Illinois resident and brand new SWBMAI member Pamela Love Martz took top honors and $150 in cash at last Saturday’s “SWBMAI’s Got Talent” competition, with a soulful and classic-sounding rendition of “Too Late” by Hugh X. Lewis. The competition took place at SWBMAI’s 2009 holiday party at the Goodman Center in Madison.
Eight acts competed for cash prizes before an enthusiastic crowd. Winners were decided by an Applause-O-Meter at the end of the competition. In addition, a “Crowd Favorite” award was selected by by direct ballot of the audience.
A jug band consisting of Beverly Hills, Scott Knickelbine, Arvid Berge, Dave Nance and Frank Parks won the Second Place prize as well as the Crowd Favorite award with a spirited performance of “Blues in the Bottle.” Sandy Nowak, Dan Hildebrand, Jim Carrier, John Jirak, Mitch Rosefelt, Dale Ward and Natalie Grady won Third Place with a winsome, multimedia rendition of the bluegrass classic “Roses in the Snow.” Catherine Ryner and Jim Hodges won Honorable Mention for their duet on “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind.”
The 2009 SWBMAI holiday party was the best-attended in recent years. Kudos to board member Sharon Manion for organizing the event, and for shooting this video of the winning acts!
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
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.
SWBMAI member band Art Stevenson and Highwater will be performing on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov 28th at 7:00 at the Sentry Theater (now called the Theater @1800).
Tickets are $10 for assigned seats and are available in person or online at the UWSP Box Office and at the door. Great music, a good show and the proceeds will go to the Stevens Point Skate Park, which is planned to break ground in Spring of 2010.
A spooky play featuring music from SWBMAI’s own Turtle Creek Ramblers will get a special encore performance tonight as part of the Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival. Beloit Memorial High School Theater students will perform “Dark of The Moon” 8 p.m. Thursday in the Irvin Young Auditorium of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Tickets can be bought at the door for $7.
Beloit Memorial High School was also chosen to perform the play at the 2010 American High School Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.
“Dark of the Moon” follows John, a witch boy from Bald Mountain who has fallen in love with Barbara, a human girl. John decides to strike a deal to become human so he and his love can be together. But, to become human, Barbara must stay true to him for one year. Prior to the show the Turtle Creek Ramblers will be playing bluegrass and gospel music. The group also has helped with the music for “Dark of the Moon.”
SWBMAI member band Liberty Bluegrass Band is celebrating five years together by announcing they will start telecasting their performances live on the Internet.
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.
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.
