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INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS

International Bluegrass Music Association Vol. 28 | No. 7 | July 2013

2 | Putting the “I” in International Bluegrass

4 | July Webinar

5 | Bluegrass at Bonnaroo

7 | IBMA Board Elections to be held in July

8 | Tallgrass Music Festival Canceled Due to Flooding

9 | Throwback Thursdays

10 | World of Bluegrass 2013 Schedule

13 | Get Special Attention at World of Bluegrass

17 | Bluegrass Nation is Rocking

18 | Fresh Sounds July

19 | Bluegrass Music Industry News

21 | Heard ‘Round the World

21 | Position Open at IBMA

IBMA Staff IB | International Bluegrass Nancy Cardwell Editor: Taylor Coughlin Executive Director taylor@ibma.org Joe Lurgio Member / Convention Services Director Taylor Coughlin Publications Editor / Special Projects Director Katherine Coe Administrative / Media Assistant INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS (ISSN #1095-0605) IBMA: Working together for high standards of professionalism, a greater appreciation for our music, and the success of the worldwide bluegrass community. The monthly emailed publication of the International Bluegrass; 608 W. Iris Drive; Nashville, TN 37204; USA; Phone: 615-256-3222, 888-GET-IBMA; FAX: 615-256-0450; E-mail: nancyc@ibma.org; Website: www.ibma.org

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Putting the “I” in International Bluegrass IBMA Membership Increases 18%, New Staff Welcomed By Taylor Coughlin

When Nancy Cardwell informed the IBMA staff of 20+ Japanese guests visiting in June, unsurprisingly, we were all excited. I personally couldn’t help but look forward to seeing the “I” in IBMA (International) being put into

action. I couldn’t wait to see first-hand how the affinity for bluegrass music is felt universally, across physical borders and linguistic ones.

A regular Wednesday was turned into an epic jam session as we welcomed Sab Watanabe Inoue and Akira Otsuka from Japan’s Bluegrass 45 and their 20 guests. Sab and Akira were giving their friends a “bluegrass special” tour of the U.S. Sab thought it would be fun to invite some local friends who have toured Japan in the past, so we welcomed Tim O’Brien, David Grier, Mike Compton, Roland White & Diane Bouska, Billy & Marilyn Smith, Jeff White, Missy Raines, Todd

Phillips, and Barry Crabtree to come jam. The IBMA staff (Nancy, Jill, Taylor, Katherine, and newcomer Joe Lurgio) was just slack-jawed to be along for the ride.

The communal friendship of bluegrass musicians, both amateur and pro, organically transcended language and cultural barriers as cameras flashed, videos rolled, and looks of “can you believe this is happening?” were shared. It was truly the first big jam the new IBMA office has seen! We were so glad to welcome our new Japanese friends, and hope they enjoyed their time in the United States.

As if that wasn’t enough to cleanse our international bluegrass palette, we also were happy to welcome Swedish bluegrass band G2 to record a

From left, Roland White, Jeff White, Japanese friends, David Grier, Diane Bouska.

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Backyard Bluegrass Session for Bluegrass Nation. Again, we were all reminded that music has no borders, and we honestly wouldn’t mind being reminded more often (so, international bands: Can we hop over for a visit?)

Other tidbits:

-We welcomed new

staff member Joe Lurgio, who was stunned to see a legend like Roland White come in to our office his first week on the job, just to say hi and chat.

-Membership jumped up 18% since our reports in May! If you want to help keep spreading the IBMA message, contact us to send you promotional materials.

-Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, August 14, when IBMA will host a press conference live from the Loveless Café Barn. We will announce our Hall of Fame Honorees as well as the nominees for the IBMA awards. Following the press conference, there will be a live broadcast of an all-bluegrass Music City Roots. Stay tuned for more info!

-Look for the second IBMA Awards ballot, to be mailed Tuesday, July 9.

-Look for WOB registration materials to be emailed/mailed to members this month! Call 1-888-GET-IBMA or go to IBMA.org for more info.

Stay fresh this July, IBMA!

- Taylor Coughlin IB Editor

IBMA staff, G2, Brandon & Jess Bostic pose outside the IBMA office

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July Webinar: How to Co-Write Songs (and still remain friends) with Becky Buller, and Mark “Brink” Brinkman

Thursday, July 11, 6:00 p.m. CST

It takes two to tango, right? Well, sometimes it takes two to write a really great song. Maybe you’ve tried before and found yourself at odds with your co-writer, or maybe you and your other half think you’re the next Bernie Taupin and Elton John (of the bluegrass world, of course) and need the some expert advice on what do next.

With years of successful solo and collaborative songwriting experience between the both of them, Becky Buller and Mark “Brink” Brinkman will dive into this topic head first. They’ll explore such topics as:

• Setting the ground rules • The first writing session (how to fight fair) • Brainstorming ideas • Tapping into images and emotions • Synergy: Two heads are better than one • Forms of co-writing • Demos & Pitching

They will also be fielding your questions, and playing a song they co-wrote together. You don’t want to miss this chance to be this bluegrass generation's next Pete Goble and Leroy Drumm!

Webinars are $20 for IBMA members, and $40 for non-members. To register, email Taylor@IBMA.org with your request, or call (615)256-3222. Space is limited, so register early for this knock-out experience.

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Bluegrass at Bonnaroo By Taylor Coughlin On a dusty farm-turned-temporary metropolis, thousands of music lovers are getting their souls fed. Some are half naked in response to fashion statements and the weather, and some are adorned with band t-shirts they found in thrift shop bins from 1972. They bob their heads to the beat of the music coming from a hip-hop set, and boogie down to the rhythms of soul-shaking band on another stage a few yards away.

And then there are two men, with a little bit of grey and white in their perfect hair, with nothing but string instruments poised in their arms, whose audience melts outside the shade of their tent, attempting to clamber in.

This is the ‘That Tent’ designated for bluegrass on the last day of the festival, produced and hosted by The Bluegrass Situation. It’s Sunday, and Bonnaroovians are going all out, soaking in every last melody before the festival ends, and Sam Bush and Del McCoury are giving their all, attracting new fans, and nailing it- as usual. By the end of the night, and with the help of the other groundbreaking artists who played on The Bluegrass Situation stage that day, the genre of bluegrass would have new fans.

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Bluegrass is no stranger to the world-famous Bonnaroo Music and Arts festival held annually in Manchester, Tennessee. In its inaugural year in 2002 The Del McCoury Band, Bela Fleck & Edgar Meyer, and Old Crow Medicine Show were on the bill. What was different this year, however, was the star power behind it all: Actor and comedian Ed Helms, whose blog and brand The Bluegrass Situation, was asked to produce the ‘That Tent’ lineup for Sunday.

Spanning from progressive to traditional, the Tent held sets from: Aiofe O’Donovan, the Crooked Still frontwoman, who has a new album called Fossils; John Fullbright, a rock/rootsy Grammy-winning force to be reckoned with; Black Prairie, a progressive string band from Oregon with a couple Decemberists members; Noam Pikelny & Friends, the likes of

whom are Bryan Sutton, Jesse Cobb, Luke Bulla, and Barry Bales; and the dream duo of Del McCoury and Sam Bush, who have been touring together recently as a duo.

The evening ended with a Superjam with all of the above, with Critter Eldridge, Chris Stapleton, Ed Helms, and Dan Tyminski joining the ranks. This all happened the same time Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were playing the main stage, and the tent was packed to the brim.

Throughout the day, new fans were brought to bluegrass through O’Donovan’s nerve-tickling vocals, Fullbright’s soulful blues-tinged rock, and Black Prairie’s hazy, string roots tunes. The same audience who had danced and yelled for those artists happily stayed put for the rest of the night as the sound drifted into strictly acoustic stringed instruments. It was easy to notice the new fans: They would have a look of surprise and joy on their face, as if they had just discovered something that they wouldn’t let leave them when they left Bonnaroo.

New fans of bluegrass were brought in by sounds rooted in Americana, blues, and roots rock. Or, they were brought in by two men with a little bit of grey and white in their perfect hair, with nothing but string instruments poised in their arms.

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IBMA Board Elections to be held in July Thanks to the following IBMA members who will be running for seats on the IBMA Board of Directors in an election to be held this month.

At Large: Stephen Mougin, Sam Bush Band, Dark Shadow Recording Garian Vigil, Pow'r Pickin' (Colorado Bluegrass Music Society), G-Run Media & Publicity Merchandisers & Luthiers: Will Parsons, ETSU/ Parsons Mandolins Mike Kropp, NS Design/Kropp Sales, Inc./The KroppDusters Artists & Composers: Jeremy Garrett, The Infamous Stringdusters (second term) Alan Bartram, The Del McCoury Band Associations: Alan Tompkins, Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Regina Derzon, DC Bluegrass Union International Reps: Angelika Torrie, EBMA/ Editor, Bluegrass Europe magazine Trevor Hyett, Editor, British Bluegrass News, magazine of the British Bluegrass Music Association Many thanks to the following board members whose terms will be ending in September 2013: Janet Davis (Merchandisers & Luthiers), Dwight Worden (Associations), Rienk Janssen (International), and Dan Keen (At Large-board appointed). The Mougin/Vigil race for the At-Large seat will fill Donica Christensen’s At Large Seat, which is vacant now. Jon Weisberger’s three-year term as Vice-Chair and Stan Zdonic’s six-year term as Chairperson and Vice Chair also end in October 2013.

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The 9th Annual Tallgrass Music Festival Canceled Due to Flooding By Larry Nunley, Festival Director On Wednesday, May 29th the festival grounds in Skiatook Oklahoma were beautiful. The new stage prop resembling a log cabin was decorated and ready to go, all banners and directional signs were in place, and campers were rolling in.

Then the rains came! Nearly seven inches came down late that night and into the early morning. The flooding started about 6:00AM on May 30, the start of the usual two-day festival. Two things were on our minds: get all the campers out safely, and call the bands to cancel.

We got the campers out with no problem and the bands were very understanding. It was absolutely the right call because there was another round of severe thunderstorms Thursday night and tornado warnings all around on Friday night. Saturday was beautiful but the grounds were a muddy mess.

After the flood waters receded and the urgency of the matter calmed, the Skiatook Bluegrass Association had a “what do we do now?” meeting. We decided to host a free benefit concert in Central Park located in downtown Skiatook. We felt it was very

important to honor our sponsors, the City of Skiatook, and our festival fans.

We had the concert on June 23, 2013. The legendary Bryon Berline was our featured band. We also had local television celebrities passing around rubber boots for donations which collected over $2000!

Lesson learned: Always have a “plan B.” Hopefully, we will never experience this again, but rest assured, next year (June 5-7, 2014) we will have alternate camping and performance locations. Thanks for everyone’s support—Tallgrass is alive and well!

Jim Paul Blair, LeAnn Taylor, Alan Krone, Rich Lenz, Bill Morgan, & Tim Tim Gilliam after a great performance at the Tallgrass Music Fundraiser

The stage area, flooded

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Throwback Thursdays Our Facebook follower and friend Travis Oliver kindly shared his family’s pictures of the Imperial Bald Mountain Park Bluegrass Festival from April, 1975. The festival was operated on his family’s land in Hiawassee, Georgia and had quite the line up: Bill Monroe, The Osborne Brothers, The Stanley Brothers, and Jimmy Martin. The Hiawassee Cloggers also made an appearance.

With Oliver’s permission, we shared the pictures on IBMA’s Facebook page for Throwback Thursday, and needless to say, it was wildly popular.

We are looking for pictures and the stories that go with them to share each Thursday for Throwback Thursday. If you ever needed an excuse to get nostalgic and go through your old festival and concert photos, this is it!

Share them with us on our Facebook page, or email them to Taylor@ibma.org. We can’t wait to see what memories you find!

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World of Bluegrass 2013 Schedule Tuesday, Sept. 24 10 am-8 pm Registration Open Noon Orientation for Attendees 1-2:30 pm SEMINARS Grant Writing Workshop Creating a Business Model for Your Bluegrass Venture Recruiting & Maintaining Volunteers for Associations & Events 2:30-3:30 pm Membership Constituency Meetings 4-5:30 pm Pre-Bluegrass Ramble hors d'oeuvres and keynote reception,

sponsored by the Raleigh Convention Center 6 pm – 2 am Bluegrass Ramble Evening Showcases: The Longview Center,

Pour House Music Hall, Tir Na Nog, Kings, Lincoln Theater, The Architect Bar & Social Club, Raleigh Convention Center

Wednesday, Sept. 25 8 am-9 pm Registration Open 9-10 am Story Telling Sessions with COD breakfast: North Carolina’s Roots

Music Heritage 10:30 am-Noon SEMINARS The Bluegrass Merch Table Bluegrass Radio Today Performing Gigs & Festivals Abroad Noon-2 pm Showcase Lunch & Momentum Awards 3-4:30 pm SEMINARS Online Tools Changing the Industry Women in Bluegrass: Pretty Good for a Girl Grant Writing Part 2 3-6 pm Artist Showcases (Convention Center) 6-7:30 pm Receptions (DJ & Artists, Agents & Talent Buyers) 6 pm – 2 am Bluegrass Ramble Evening Showcases: The Longview Center,

Pour House Music Hall, Tir Na Nog, Kings, Lincoln Theater, The Architect Bar & Social Club, Raleigh Convention Center

Thursday, Sept. 26 8 am-5 pm Registration Open 8 am Sign up for Gig Fair Appointments

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9-10 am Storytelling Session/ COD Breakfast: Remembering Josh Graves 9-10:30 am SEMINARS Business Models for Luthiers

Negotiating Contracts for Bands Connecting with Audiences for Events and Associations 11 am-1 pm Special Awards Luncheon 1 pm Songwriter Showcase 2-3 pm Gig Fair 1-5 pm Exhibit Hall open 2-3:30 pm SEMINARS How to Start a Band and Make it Work Music Publishing & Copyright for Songwriters 2-3 pm Song Demo Listening Session 5:30-7 pm Nominees Press Reception & Red Carpet 7:30-10 pm International Bluegrass Music Awards (Duke Energy Center for the

Performing Arts) 10 pm-2 am Bluegrass Ramble Evening Showcases: The Longview Center,

Pour House, Music Hall, Tir Na Nog, Kings, Lincoln Theater, The Architect Bar & Social Club

Friday, Sept. 27 Wide Open Bluegrass—presented by PNC Bank 8 am-10 pm Wide Open Bluegrass Festival - sales open 10-11 am Town Hall Membership Meeting 10 am-7 pm Exhibit Hall open 11 am-12 pm State of Bluegrass Town Hall Meeting 10 am – 4 pm Wide Open Bluegrass Convention Center stage open Noon-1:30 pm SEMINARS Best Practices: PR & Publicity Getting the Most Out of An Interview - for Artists Instrument “Tasting” Noon – 2 pm Celebrity Jams Noon – 11 pm Wide Open Bluegrass Street Fair 2 pm – 11 pm Wide Open Bluegrass amphitheater stage open (Red Hat

Amphitheater) Noon-6 pm Workshop Stage open 1- 5 pm Emerging Bands Track 10 pm – 2 am Bluegrass Ramble Evening Showcases: The Longview Center,

Pour House, Music Hall, Tir Na Nog, Kings, Lincoln Theater, The Architect Bar & Social Club

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Saturday, Sept. 28 Wide Open Bluegrass—presented by PNC 8 am-10 pm Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Sales open 9 am-11 pm Wide Open Bluegrass Street Fair 10 am –4 pm Wide Open Bluegrass Convention Center stage open 10 am-7 pm Exhibit Hall open Noon North Carolina Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship - judging Noon-1:30 pm SEMINARS Staying Healthy on the Road Call Backs and Bookings: How to Get Both Trends in Bluegrass Education Noon – 2 pm Celebrity Jams 2 -11 pm Wide Open Bluegrass amphitheater stage open (Red Hat

Amphitheater) Noon-5 pm Workshop Stage open 1-3 pm Youth Track 10 pm – 2 am Bluegrass Ramble Evening Showcases: The Longview Center,

Pour House, Music Hall, Tir Na Nog, Kings, Lincoln Theater, The Architect Bar & Social Club

ALL TIMES AND TOPICS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. All times are US EASTERN. ** Separate ticketing required for certain functions

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Get Special Attention at the World of Bluegrass Sponsorship, Exhibit Space, Advertising, and “Bluegrass Ramble” Showcase Co-sponsorships Still Available! IBMA’s World of Bluegrass week is a gathering of some of the most devoted and passionate people in the entertainment world. Most call it a “family reunion.” During World of Bluegrass week, connections are made, careers are enhanced and a high level of interaction happens with key industry leaders each year. Thousands of people with different reasons for attending make for a musical montage of opportunities. This is when the ability to create awareness for your products and services is at a premium. As you plan your participation at World of Bluegrass, here are some special ways to get attention and make sure you’re achieving your goals. Event Sponsorship With hundreds of companies and groups vying for attention, the key is to have your message stand out. The highest level of recognition is to become an Official Sponsor and add “marquee value” to your promotions—before, during and after the events. Sponsor packages can be customized to your promotional needs and may include such things as:

• Extensive branding within national and international advertising for the events

(reaching millions!) • Broadcast advertising to millions of consumers during the IBMA

Awards • On-site name presentation to heighten

brand awareness during events • Premium exhibit space locations • Program advertising • Attendee registrations • Hotel accommodations

Several packages are available, ranging from $2,500 to $25,000. Contact Nancy Cardwell at IBMA for more details and let us design a package for you. (615) 256-3222, nancyc@ibma.org

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Exhibit Space This is one of the most beneficial ways to participate in World of Bluegrass Week! You can essentially create your own “address” where people are sure to find you, Thursday – Saturday, Sept. 26-28, to do business. Take advantage of opportunities to display your goods and services, at a minimal exhibit cost, to over 20,000 attendees expected to walk through the doors over five days. Most exhibitors find the standard booth size (10’ x 10’) ample space to meet their needs but additional square footage options or even smaller table-top displays at affordable rates can create a flexible and inviting environment to do business. Gathering and lounge areas are also featured to enhance attendees’ experience and encourage traffic flow throughout the exhibit floor. Sponsors and prior year exhibitors are given first option on location and availability, but the expansive hall (with all exhibitors in one room) is designed to maximize visibility no matter your location. Complete pricing and exhibitor kits are available now. Contact Joe Lurgio at IBMA for more information. (615) 256-3222, joe@ibma.org Advertising To reach attendees at the events, place your ad in the IBMA Business Conference Program and online at ibma.org. Whether you want to drive traffic to your booth, promote an on-site function, tell folks about your latest release or simply share your latest news with the bluegrass music industry, your advertisement makes sure your message is in everyone’s hands. “Bluegrass Ramble” Evening Showcase Co-Sponsorships New this year, we’ve combined official IBMA Showcases for 30 bands (each performing two or three times during the week) with off-site member hosted functions. The “Bluegrass Ramble” will feature 44 hours of music Tuesday – Saturday evening, Sept. 24-28 onstage at the Raleigh Convention Center and at six venues in town, all within walking distance from the convention center. Raleigh’s “R-Line” free bus transportation will also provide rides for conference attendees throughout the week. Venues will include The Lincoln Theater, The Pour House Music Hall, The Tir Na Nog (an Irish pub), The Longview Center (a historic church now used for concerts and weddings), Kings, and The Architect Bar & Social Club. Bands will begin sets on the hour from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 24-25, and from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday –

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Saturday, Sept. 26-28, after the IBMA Awards and main stage sets at the Red Hat Amphitheater at Wide Open Bluegrass. Record labels, associations, agents, events, and other businesses are co-sponsoring Ramble showcase nights at the six town venues for a minimal amount—which covers venue rent, sound, lights and door personnel. Showcases will also take place during the day Wednesday, Sept. 25, from noon-2 pm at a Showcase Luncheon and also from 3-6 p.m. Ramble co-sponsors confirmed so far include Moonstruck Entertainment, MerleFest, Jordan Entertainment with a “North Carolina Band Night,” Quicksilver Entertainment & Folk Alliance International, Mountain Fever Records, SteelBridge Insurance, KCA Artists, Christmas in the Smokies, Mountain Home Music & Class Act Entertainment, John Boy

& Billy Inc., McCoury Music & Rainmaker Management, Foreign Affairs (international bands), TG2 Artists, Make Welcome Entertainment & Jason Grub, The Outer Bands Bluegrass Festival, Dark Shadow Recording, Deep River Management. The Foundation for Bluegrass Music will also be hosting an After Party fundraising night at the Tir Na Nog on Thursday, Sept. 26 featuring Blue Highway, Jim Gaudet and Creek Bend (see Bluegrass Music Industry News for more details). We have just a few Ramble co-sponsorship spots still open! Contact Nancy Cardwell nancyc@ibma.org or

615-256-3222 for more info. Information For additional details on any of the above mentioned promotional opportunities or participation at World of Bluegrass, call us at 1-888-438-4262, or email us at info@ibma.org. All opportunities have limited availability and unique deadlines to participate SO INQUIRE EARLY to make sure you are getting the most out the events.

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Bluegrass Nation is rocking You’ve seen the logo, right? Maybe you’ve created a free profile and enjoy reading the news that pops up. But do you really know what Bluegrass Nation does? Bluegrass Nation is an online community for bluegrass lovers of all categories. From fans of The Infamous Stringdusters, to event producers of bluegrass festivals in rural counties – Bluegrass Nation is the place to share your

information, as well as keep up on the what’s-what of bluegrass! It’s easy to post a video, article, or photo from your free profile. And, there are chances for you to become the featured member of the week, or have your story or video

highlighted as a feature story! Bluegrass Nation is a great, easy way for you to promote your band, event, or simply share your favorite bluegrass music, whatever it is! To sign up, go to www.bluegrassnation.org and click “JOIN BLUEGRASS NATION,” Fill out the information, and start immersing yourself in all things bluegrass!

So what’s been happening at Bluegrass Nation lately?

• Backyard Bluegrass Sessions featuring: The Barefoot Movement, The Rigneys, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, 10 String Symphony, and G2… and that’s just in the month of June!

• Our video of the day series features videos from 1974 to 4 hours ago!

• Links to stories from Bluegrass Today, Cybergrass, The Bluegrass Situation, and more.

By the time you’re reading this, there will be even more great stuff to dig into on The Nation. Don’t miss out!

Darin & Brooke Aldridge

The Barefoot Movement

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Fresh Sounds July Al, Alice & Ruth, Let the Mountains Roll: Appalachian-flavored bluegrass trio Al White, Alice McLain White, and Ruth McLain Smith (Al, Alice & Ruth) play through covers and originals, spanning themes from love to loss. Harmonies abound and strong musicianship is felt throughout each song. (www.alaliceandruth.com) Big Country Bluegrass, Memories of the Past: For a band who has been playing together for 26 years, traditional Big Country Bluegrass delivers a fresh array of new material, and twists on old classics. Poignant and pleasing, Memories stands out as a top notch hit for the group. (www.bigcountrybluegrass.com, Rebel Records) Ron Block, Walking Song: From singer, songwriter, producer and all-around bluegrass virtuoso comes the third album on Rounder Records from Ron Block. Co-writer Rebecca Reynolds adds even more depth in the 11 original songs on the 14 song album. (www.ronblock.com, Rounder Records) Shannon &Heather Slaughter & County Clare, One More Road: The debut album from Shannon & Heather Slaughter & County Clare shows off tight band chemistry as well as the band’s infectious harmonies. Rob Ickes on resonator guitar, Tina Steffey on clawhammer banjo, and Mike Johnson on pedal steel guitar give great support. (www.countyclareband.com, Elite Circuit Music) The New Kentucky Colonels, Live in Holland 1973: This album is a gem. It’s a never-before-heard concert tape of The New Kentucky Colonels (Roland, Eric and Clarence White and their good friend Herb Pedersen), recorded during a 1973 tour of Holland, and rediscovered after nearly 40 years. “Is This My Destiny” stands out, but all are a must-hear. (www.rolandwhite.com, www.herbpedersen.com) The Deadly Gentlemen, Roll Me, Tumble Me: The Rounder Records debut from The Deadly Gentlemen is a testament to their innovative song craft. Roll Me sees the quintet getting more playful, evocative, and inventive. Their intriguing individuality and boldness demonstrate a motive to think beyond genre borders ,while respecting and honoring traditional roots. (www.deadlygentlemen.com, Rounder Records) Donna Ulisse, I Am A Child Of God: Ulisse’s unique and powerful songwriting talents are brought out beautifully in this special gospel collection, with all but one original by Ulisse. What stands out among her messages of faith, love, redemption, and reflection are are Ulisse’s unwavering voice, consistently delivering emotion and truth. Sonya and Becky Isaacs add seamless harmony on “This is My Father’s World.” (www.donnaulisse.com, Hadley Music Group)

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Bluegrass Music Industry News: July 2013 Chart toppers at press time

Billboard: Steve Martin & Edie Brickell’s Love Has Come For You has stayed at Number 9 since its release five weeks ago. Steven Curtis Chapman’s Deep Roots is at Number 2, and Old Crow Medicine Show’s Carry Me Back is at Number 3 and has been out for 49 weeks.

Bluegrass Today Weekly Airplay Chart: Kenny & Amanda Smith Band’s “Why Did You Call” at Number 1, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen “I Fell Short” at Number 2, and Dailey & Vincent “Steel Drivin’ Man” at Number 3.

Bluegrass Unlimited Songs: Balsam Range “Any Old Road (Will Take You There)” Number 1; Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice “The Story Of The Day That I Died” at Number 2, and Kathy Kallick Band “Time” at Number 3.

Bluegrass Unlimited Albums: The Gibson Brothers They Called It Music at Number 1, The Story Of The Day That I Died by Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice at Number 2, and Dailey & Vincent’s Brothers of the Highway at Number 3.

Congrats!

Fiddler and 9-time IBMA award winner Michael Cleveland has signed with Compass Records. Cleveland is busy at work on a new album that will be released in 2014.

Australian Kristy Cox has joined Pisgah Ridge for promotional assistance. Cox has worked heavily with producer and songwriter Jerry Salley, and will perform at World of Bluegrass in Raleigh in September.

Entertainer and actor Randall Franks is a recent inductee to the Independent Country Music Hall of Fame. Franks’s musical stylings have been heard in 150 countries and by more than 25 million Americans. His musical career boasts 19 album releases, 17 singles, and over 200 recordings with various artists from various genres. Franks played the part of “Officer Randy” on the television show In the Heat of the Night, starring Carroll O’Connor.

Claire Lynch was awarded by United States Artists with a fellowship amounting to $50,000.00. This fellowship is given by a group whose mission is to support and sustain the careers of all kinds of artists in the U.S.

Shannon and Heather Slaughter & County Clare are proud to announce “If I Were A Carpenter” as the second radio single release from their album, One More Road.

Band member changes

Jesse Brock has joined 2012 IBMA Entertainers of the Year The Gibson Brothers on mandolin. Brock will join The Gibson Brothers at the Red, White and Bluegrass Festival in Morganton, NC on July 3.

Skip Cherryholmes is the new guitar player for Lou Reid & Carolina. Skip joins Lou and Christy Reid on mandolin and bass respectively, and Trevor Watson on banjo.

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Mandolin player Chris Davis has parted ways with Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice. Davis plans on staying closer to home and starting a new musical venture with his wife, Julie Reeves Davis.

Blake Pitney has joined The Sleepy Man Banjo Boys on bass. The 20-year-old joins brothers Tommy, Johnny and Robbie Mizzone. Pitney is from Nashville and has played with the Mizzone Brothers before.

New books

Author Ariel Hyatt has announced her newest and most comprehensive book: Cyber PR For Musicians: Tools, Tricks & Tactics For Building Your Social Media House 2nd edition. The book focuses on how to maximize your social media entities efficiently. To purchase the book online, click here. Ricky Skaggs has written an autobiography titled Kentucky Traveler-My Life in Music. It will be released by Harper Collins on August 18 and follows Skaggs from his youth in eastern Kentucky to fame and fortune as a country music hit maker. Foundations and Associations The Foundation for Bluegrass Music is hosting an After-Awards Show Party fundraiser on Thursday, September 26 in Raleigh at Tir Na Nog during World of Bluegrass week. The fun starts at 10:30p.m., and will feature performances from Blue Highway, Creek Bend, and Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys. There will also be food and drinks for purchase. Tickets are $10 per person during World of Bluegrass. Summergrass San Diego is gearing up for another fantastic festival. Mark your calendar for this premier event happening in San Diego County, August 16-18, 2013, at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in Vista, CA. Visit www.summergrass.net for more info. Tours and promotions Dr. Ralph Stanley has announced his farewell tour, “Man of Constant Sorrow Tour: The Dr.’s Farewell”. The revered banjo and singing legend, age 86, will commence his final tour in October, spanning 80 events that will end in December 2014. For more information, visit his website. Nu-Blu has announced Sam Ash Music Store appearances have been added to The Ten Tour. The band has partnered with Peterson Tuners, QSC, D’Addario, and Sennheiser, to host a series of meet and greet appearances, clinics and performances at Sam Ash stores around the country. Remembering

Glenn Christensen, of Hauula, Hawaii, passed away the weekend of June 22nd. Christensen co-founded the Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society (now the Northern California Bluegrass Society). He was 70 years old. Kenny Sloas of Isonville, KY, passed away on Thursday morning, June 20 at age 78. Sloas was a banjo player with the Sloas Brothers Band and the Dixie Play Boys.

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Heard ‘Round the World Jan Johansson will be in Sweden for a little over a month mid July to mid August touring as Jan Johansson & Friends around Sweden and Finland. On July 18 Jan Johansson & Friends will be doing a gig at The Music of Bill Monroe in Stockholm, Sweden. As a guest artist they have invited Jimmy Martin & The Sunny Mountain Boys alumnus fiddler Thomas Haglund.

'WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour’, hosted by folksinger Michael Johnathon, is a live-audience celebration of grassroots music. The show is coming to Dublin, Ireland, on Thursday, July 18 to tape a double broadcast exploring the Irish roots of bluegrass. Artists scheduled to appear include Mary Black, Paul Brady, We Banjo 3, and the Niall Toner Band. More will be added. Any interested artists, songwriters, bluegrass bands, and acoustic musicians who can be in Dublin on 18 July can submit their work for consideration on the WoodSongs broadcast. Only artists and/or their management/PR/record labels can submit to the broadcast. Send an e-mail to radio@woodsongs.com with a brief bio and description, including websites and links.

Roni Stoneman (USA), and her husband Tom Connor took a three-week tour of Ireland in June. Though this was basically a friendly visit, Roni played select performances in locations including the Cabin Sessions and the Purty Loft, Dublin, the 7th Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival in Co. Mayo, and finally Ireland's premier house-concert venue, the Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. A brief feature on Roni will appear in Bluegrass Europe #88 (July-Sept. 2013), which has “Women in Bluegrass” as its main theme.

Technology & Office Systems Manager Position Open at IBMA The International Bluegrass Music Association is seeking a web applications developer to assist with development and maintenance of various systems. The candidate will also assist with internal network maintenance (i.e. installing software and network devices), in addition to tech work on ibma.org, bluegrassnation.org and IBMA databases.

Proficiency in the following is a plus: Windows 7, WordPress, PHP, MySQL, CSS, html 5, experience with e-commerce, graphic design, and video production. Office management duties will also include data entry, online registration, ticket & merch sales, accounts receivable processing & deposits, help with information requests (phone, email), and organizing volunteers for the annual, week-long World of Bluegrass conference.

Also a plus: knowledge about and involvement with the bluegrass music genre/community/industry, and familiarity with IBMA and World of Bluegrass events.

IBMA is the trade association for bluegrass music, with its home office located in Nashville, TN. We have members in 50 states and 30 countries. Our annual World of Bluegrass Business Conference, Awards Show and Wide Open Bluegrass festival takes place in Raleigh, NC in September. IBMA is an equal opportunity employer.

Please email resumes to: Nancy Cardwell at nancyc@ibma.org. For more info about IBMA, please go to www.ibma.org, www.bluegrassnation.org and www.wideopenbluegrass.com.