| August
2009 |
25th August Early news this weeks as I'm escaping for a few days... *************************************** Diane Jones operation update: Diane wants everyone to know that she is not ready for visits, nor phone calls for a while yet. But she is doing VERY well, and amazingly not in pain except if she moves fast, which she doesn't. For those with a gruesome curiosity, surgery was only TWO hours. The tumor was HUGE, but not attached to either the skull or the brain, and came out complete. Everyone is still assuming it was benign, but at any rate it has all been removed. Oh, and 50+ staples ..... Cards can be sent to: Diane Jones, 12544 Massey Rd., Massey, MD 21650 emails can be sent via Betty Vornbrock by using the subject 'for Diane' to make them easy to find. *************************************** Another gig added to Beverly Smith & Carl Jones' tour: Sept 23rd The Cross Keys, Selattyn, nr Oswestry £6.00 Call 01691 791500 Negotiations are underway for a southwest gig probably during 15th-17th Sept. More details as soon as possible. *************************************** Tabs for the tunes Dave Marshall taught at the Sacrewell are now uploaded to his web site at www.virtualbluegrassband.com *************************************** Here's an appeal for photos, reviews etc. for the next issue of the Old Time News. Deadline is early September. Please send to Fiona Cameron by *************************************** Interested in learning to play old-time banjo? Did you know that FOAOTMAD has its very own starter instrument, available to members on free long-term loan? This is a Windsor 5-string - specially selected by ex-FOAOTMAD chairman and banjo player extraordinaire Ray Banks. The only stipulation is that you pass it on to another member when you have no more use for it. It is currently residing with Cathy Benjamin, but she now has her own banjo. If you want more details . The banjo is in Bristol, and will be visiting the Didmarton festival on the weekend of 5-6 Sept where it could be collected. *************************************** Colm Daly draws your attention to a free and rare album download of Cliff Carlisle - Kountry Kind LP. I've looked and it's not my scene but it may be yours. http://allensarchiveofearlyoldcountrymusic.blogspot.com/2009/08/cliff-carlisle-kountry-kind-lp.html Technical queries about the download to Colm *************************************** DIDMARTON BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2009 Kemble airfield, Kemble, near Cirencester. Gloucestershire Friday 4th to Sunday 6th, 2009. Didmarton Bluegrass Festival is now considered by many to be the premier Bluegrass Festival in Britain. It brings the pick of the best bands from the UK and North America to perform. At twenty one years old this year the festival is proud to have hosted top US bands, The Roland White Band, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Blue Highway, Sally Van Meter and Cadillac Sky. Headlining this year are the high energy Mountain Heart who are sure to send their audience into a frenzy when they take the stage on Saturday and Sunday at this year’s event. There is a fantastic line up of Bluegrass and Old Time bands keeping to the main theme. So alongside the distinguished guests from the USA will be Carl Jones and Beverly Smith who pay a second visit to Didmarton, The Scoville Units - Leon Hunt’s new band, Rabbi John, A Band Like Alice, Monroe’s Revenge, rising stars The Carrivick Sisters, Old Yeller Dog, The Kitty Hawks and many more. The fantastic Chris Newman and Maire Ni Chathasaigh are headlining the folk section. They will be supported by several bands playing all sorts of different stuff for example: Brejeiro performing some Brazilian Choro, Kelly Elliott with her brand of smooth Jazz, The highly acclaimed Fastest to Canada with their eclectic mix of Folk, and many others. The main programme of music will be supplemented with a full dance display programme featuring Chequered Flag and Applejacks, and Instrumental Workshops featuring the best musicians present on site are always a highlight. Full details appear on the website at www.didmarton-bluegrass.co.uk For more information, contact John Wirtz 0781 453 5106 or *************************************** BBMA Tuition Tent at Didmarton. This year at the Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, the British Bluegrass Music Association (BBMA) is introducing a brand new learning scheme. The idea behind this innovative concept is that anyone of any age or ability will have access to one-on-one lessons on their chosen bluegrass instrument. Spare instruments will be available, with the aim of enabling festival goers to try out a new instrument. The instruments offered include banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and Dobro. Lessons on these five instruments will be covered by three experienced British teachers, John Breese, Charlotte Carrivick and Laura Carrivick. The half hour lessons, costing only £10, (£8 for BBMA members) will take place in a purpose built marquee. Lessons will commence at 12:00 (noon) on each day (Friday and Saturday, 4th and 5th September) with the last session from 15:00-15:30. Sign up sheets will be available at the on-site merchandising stall. Alternatively, slots can be booked in advance by sending an Put “BBMA Tuition” in the subject line and provide your Name, Address and Telephone number together with your choice of lesson: The lessons available are ….. Banjo - John Breese Mandolin and guitar - Charlotte Carrivick Fiddle and Dobro - Laura Carrivick REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT FOR ANY LESSON(S) MUST BE COMPLETED ON ARRIVAL AT THE FESTIVAL SITE BY GOING TO THE MERCHANDISING STALL. *************************************** ADVANCE NEWS ABOUT SORE FINGERS SUMMER SCHOOLS - this year and next Sore Fingers October Weekend – Friday October 23rd to Sunday 25th, 2009 Places available on all courses: Old Time Banjo - Bill Whelan Old Time Fiddle – Jock Tildesley Autoharp – June Maugery Banjo – Howard Burton Guitar – Jason Titley Mandolin – Percy Copley Fiddle - Greg Smith Singing – Gary and Sherryl Payne Dobro – Bill Dalton with Pete Wraith Sore Fingers Week 2010 Here’s special appeal from organiser John Wirtz to Old Time folk from everywhere! Please help us secure these courses by booking early. As previously stated, we are firmly committed to keeping Old Time on the programme at Sore Fingers Week and with your support we will! So what’s on offer: Old Time Banjo – Adam Hurt Old Time Fiddle – T.B.A. Autoharp – T.B.A. Banjo – Tony Furtardo Mandolin – Matt Flinner Guitar – Tim Stafford Fiddle - T.B.A. Singing - Chris Stewart and Janet Beazley Songwriting – Ben Demerath T.B.C. Dobro – Jimmy Heffernan T.B.C. Bass – Eric Thorin Beginners – Stewarts Williams and Team It’s usual for us to add a second banjo and mandolin courses due to the demand. As soon as we approach the stage where the advertised classes are full, we will identify additional tutors. There’s more information on our website at www.sorefingers.co.uk *************************************** Devon - Wednesday 9 September 2009 7.30pm - Appalachian Beginners' Course - Harbertonford Village Hall nr Totnes for dancers interested in performing to an audience. Hard-soled shoes needed, not trainers. See www.shufflethedeck.co.uk for contact details. *************************************** Following the success of last years June festival, a second festival has now been planned and arranged for 25th -27th of September 09. It will be West Wales' second Old Time American dance music festival, bringing to west Wales bands and artists that otherwise would not visit this region. It will take place SEPTEMBER 25th - 27th 2009 in the Snooty Fox, Martlertwy, nr Narberth, SA67 8SD. The Snooty Fox has a great area for holding dances, and concerts. It is in the heart of the National Park where nearby the Preselli Hills are perfect for walking and seeing the whole county from the top! Beaches are not too far away and there is the River Cleddau a tidal estuary to explore! http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=311654098 Concerts, Dances, Workshops and lots more! Meals available from the bar! Tickets available from £7.50 for evening concert (£6.00 concessions) or £29.00 for the whole weekend including camping and workshops......... call 01646 661363 for more information.... Artists Appearing Beverley Smith & Carl Jones http://www.smithnjones.net/about.html The Buffalo Gals http://www.buffalogals.co.uk/ *************************************** I believe that the BBC4 'Folk America' is being re-transmitted next Saturday (29th). Better check your local schedules. *************************************** 20th August Diane Jones, banjo player with the Reed Island Rounders, has recently been found to have a large tumor on her brain. It is the size of a tennis ball but is on the surface, therefore easier to get to, and is most likely of the variety that is benign. She underwent surgery last Friday (14th Aug) and the usual routine would normally be 2 weeks in the hospital, then maybe a rehab place, or back home. They have no way of knowing what abilities may be affected until it is done. The tumor affected the part of the brain that deals with personality, mood swings, emotions, etc. It had not caused her any headaches or seizures, so it was an unexpected find. Betty Vornbrock has set up an email group to keep folks updated and the latest news is very promising. Indeed, Diane is now recuperating at home far sooner than expected. If you wish to be added to Betty's email list and/or forward any messages to Diane you should Betty We wish Diane a speedy recovery. Cards can be sent to: Diane Jones, 12544 Massey Rd., Massey, MD 21650 *************************************** The Cellar Upstairs club has provided details of the forthcoming season and also their revised website. Details further down. *************************************** Linlithgow Folk Festival, Saturday 12th September Mixed Instrumental Workshop: Old Time Music with Nigel Gatherer – 2:00 till 4:00pm Nigel is a very popular tutor of instrumental classes, his particular favourite instruments being mandolin and whistle. He has a wide knowledge of traditional and Old Time music. Open to all instrumental players: not suitable for complete beginners. 2:00 – 4:00pm in Cross House *************************************** Shammick Acoustic Club over at Combe Martin, Devon, has Jeff Warner as their special guest at The Pack o’ Cards, High Street, EX34 0ET. Doors are open at 7.30 for an 8 p.m. start. However, it seems Jeff's workshop in the daytime on 'Songs from across the Pond' (both ways) is in danger of not taking place as they are short of about 6 people to make it viable. See what Shammick have to say on their website www.shammickacoustic.org.uk and if you are interested get in touch quickly *************************************** The New Lost City Ramblers are featured on NPR - 4 minutes which is basically promoting Smithsonian Folkways Recordings celebration of 50 years of The New Lost City Ramblers with Where Do You Come From? Where Do You Go? — a three-disc box set of core performances and field recordings. The set will be released Aug. 25, 2009 www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111971414 where there are short clips of the first cd to whet your appetites. *************************************** Also on NPR: (48 minutes) The latest project from famed singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III is a double-album tribute to another musician entirely. Called High Wide and Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project, it's a celebration of the old-time country banjo player, who died in 1931. Wainwright and producer Dick Connette dug into Charlie Poole's recordings — and into Kinney Rorrer's biography, Ramblin' Blues — eventually writing nine new songs about the life and times of a man they celebrate as a country-music pioneer. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112023188 Ramblin Jack Elliott makes a brief foray this side of the Atlantic Wed Sep 23 London Union Chapel, Compton Tce, off Upper St., London N1 2UN 020 7226 1686 Thu Sep 24 Manchester Club Academy, University Union, Oxford Road, Manchester 0161 275 2930 Sat Sep 26 Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Longford Arms Hotel, Longford, Ireland *************************************** 13th August 2009 Last weeks comment about Mike Seeger going into a hospice due to his cancer has been overtaken. As many of you may already know, he died on August 7th, a week before his 76th birthday. There is an appreciation on NPR at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111690155 and the NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/arts/music/10seeger.html?_r=1 and some great pictures here http://www.mikemelnyk.com/MikeSeeger8_7_09/ *************************************** Every so often I give a mention to the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, not because they are oldtime (definitely not!) but because they are such fun exponents of the 'flea'. Anyway, they are performing at the Proms on August 18th and I guess they will be broadcast, probably on BBC Radio 3 which can be accessed on the web. It may be a fun evening. *************************************** "COURT SESSIONS" Friday September 11th: NIAMH PARSONS & GRAHAM DUNNE South London's traditional song and music club has booked now-famous and wonderful Irish singer Niamh Parsons, with long-time accompanist, guitar genius Graham Dunne, for the opening Autumn concert at- The Antelope, 76 Mitcham Road, Tooting, SW17 9NG Tickets on sale soon, with discounts for adv. sales and CS membership..: CS members- in adv.: £8.00, on the night £9.00 Non-members- in adv.: £9.00, on the night £10.00 or phone 020 8677 9989 *************************************** Tom Paley and Joe Lockyer are performing at Whitby Folk Festival on Sunday 23rd Aug *************************************** The gala grand opening celebration of the American Banjo Museum takes place in the Bricktown arts and entertainment district of downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 10th-13th. It will feature state of the art exhibitory and present every chapter of the banjo's story, from its humble roots in American slavery, through the minstrel and classic periods, continuing through the jazz age four-string banjo era up to its most recent identities in Bluegrass and international folk music. The Museum will also contain a gift shop, a coffee/snack bar, a Shakey's pizza room that will be able to be converted into a 160 seat concert hall complete with stage area and a state of the art sound and recording system, a large research and archival room, a Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame room and our core, nearly 300 piece, 4-string banjo collection. All events during the grand opening weekend are open and free to the public. In addition to the Museum itself, the four days of the grand opening weekend will be highlighted by many musical performances from visiting musicians and celebrities. A limited number of performance opportunities are available during the grand opening weekend. Banjo players or groups wishing to participate must request to be scheduled as soon as possible. For out of town guests, there are several fine hotels all within walking distance of the Museum. For more information regarding the grand opening of the American Banjo Museum, call 405-260-1323 or visit www.banjomuseum.org *************************************** The Buffalo Gals have got 6 gigs in Leicestershire and Worcestershire from Tuesday 20th October to Sunday, 25th October. We're looking for accommodation for 6 people (2 are a couple) and wonder whether any FOAOTMAD members might have contacts in the B&B, self-catering field (for those areas) that they could contact. (or people with spare rooms!!) In Leicestershire, they'll be appearing in Appleby Magna, Barlestone and Hoby (nr Melton Mowbray). In Worcestershire in Eckington, Stourport-on-Severn, and Sinton Green. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Contact Sibs by *************************************** 6th August Down Trodden String Band updates Friday 18-Sunday 20 September - Cornish Bluegrass Festival Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay, TR8 4NY Their first appearance at this popular bluegrass festival held in the beautiful Hendra holiday park on the edge of Newquay. They'll be playing in the Friday evening and Saturday afternoon concerts and also running a couple of workshops on old-time banjo and mandolin. Full details at http://www.cornishbluegrass.co.uk/ Sunday 20 September - Bothy Folk Club Park Golf Club, Southport, PR9 0JS, 8-11pm Hot-foot from Newquay to Southport to play at the Bothy club. Why not go along and support them - they may need it after a day of hammering up the M6! Wed 7 October - Travellers Rest, Draycott, DE71 3NJ, 8-11pm, Free *************************************** Here’s something that might interest those who like to poke around in the dusty attics of old-time music – a site dedicated to preserving and distributing old cylinder recordings http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/index.php *************************************** Banjo Camps and Music Camps directed by Ken Perlman Ken's banjo and music camps all feature great musicians on staff and well thought-out, well balanced schedules. See below for the bare bones; for more info see the respective websites. - American Banjo Camp. Fort Flager State Park, Nordland, Washington, Sept. 11-13, 2009 (http:\\www.americanbanjocamp.com) - Suwannee Banjo Camp. O'Leno State Park, High Springs, Florida, March 19-21, 2010 (http:\\www.suwanneebanjocamp.com) - Midwest Banjo Camp. Olivet College,Olivet, Michigan, June 4-6, 2010 (http:\\www.midwestbanjocamp.com) - Northeast Heritage Music Camp. Johnson State College, Johnson, Vermont, June 13-19, 2010 (http:\\www.northeastheritagemusiccamp.com) Summer 2010 Touring schedule - July 25- 31. Puget Sound Guitar Workshop. Bremerton, Washington. - Aug. 14-15, Montreal, QC, Canada. Festival La Grande Rencontre (TBC) with Alan Jabbour. - Port Hadlock, Washington, Sept. 11-13, 2009: American Banjo Camp Website: http://www.kenperlman.com *************************************** Jim Couza, large than life hammer dulcimer player, died last Sunday (2nd). His "Appalachian Beach Party" was an early source of oldtime music to me... although I never did come to terms with the artwork! Nick. *************************************** |