read "The Bristol Sessions"

THIS REBEL CD 1759 is scheduled for release on June 2, 2000. The basic idea was to showcase as many of the artists for whom AcuTab has done transcription books as possible, and combine them in settings that might be interesting or unexpected. We wanted to include a mix of material, blending new songs with classics, instrumental with vocal and full group presentations with solo and duet settings. Featured on the CD are performances by: Barry Bales, Butch Baldassari, Terry Baucom, Wayne Benson, Alan Bibey, Ronnie Bowman, Rob Ickes, Jason Moore, Joe Mullins, Alan Munde, Mark Newton, Alan O'Bryant, Sammy Shelor, Kenny Smith, Tim Stafford, Adam Steffey, Ron Stewart, Tony Trischka, Dan Tyminski, Scott Vestal, Pete Wernick Among them, this bunch can boast of more than 65 awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, close to a dozen Grammies and at least a couple of Country Music Association Awards. Within the realm of bluegrass music, these guys are the superstars! There is some superb music here which will appeal to anyone with a taste for bluegrass, old time or acoustic music. Comments include:

• "A truly great project! Superstar line-up, strong material, something for everyone. I am really happy to be a part of it........" (Terry Baucom)
• "The attitude of the musicians and everyone else involved made this project a blast to be a part of, and I think it shows in the performances and in the feel of the songs. I can't wait for Vol. 2!" (Alan Bibey)
• "I appreciate John and Tim asking me to be involved with this project. It was a pleasure working with musicians who have created their own distinctive styles and placed their names among the innovators of bluegrass and acoustic music, as well as working with the younger players who are using their own unique talents to make names for themselves among the current generation of bluegrass musicians." (Barry Bales)

More info (including sound samples, studio photos and release/purchase info) will soon be available on the Internet at: http://www.acutabsessions.com

I SPENT A SNOWY weekend reviewing the rough cut of the video of the Knee Deep in Bluegrass show reported in NWBN March 2000. We've about 2.5 hours of tape to edit down - an hour is probably ideal - and the performances are tremendous. There are a good many magic moments - a few that are fresh in my mind:

• Terry Baucom and Scott Vestal playing a twin banjo break on Rebecca with Scott intently focused on mirroring everything Terry played; a riveting image!
• Scott's By Stealth - a very impressive performance.
• Sammy Shelor and Ron Stewart smoke a fiddle/banjo duet on Turkey In The Straw
• Paul Williams stirring rendition of Hills Of Roan County
• The Bluegrass 2000 crew (almost: Barry bales instead of Mark Schatz on bass) doing Wayne Benson's Old Rowdy - great tune with Scott playing a low-tuned Stealth.
• Amanda Smith doing Lay This Broken Heart To Rest with Kenny Smith and Ronnie Bowman - simply gorgeous.
• Pete Wernick and Alan O'Bryant doing Ruthie from Pete's On A Roll CD and Rob Ickes' emotional solo performance of How Great Thou Art
• Baucom's cut of the title track (Knee Deep In Bluegrass) - this is a killer banjo tune in B and they drive it into the ground. Watching Kenny Smith stomp the stage floor during the final banjo break is priceless!

The plan is for the video (NTSC format) and CD versions for Knee Deep In Bluegrass to be released simultaneously and both will be available for on-line purchase.

We will also be setting up a web site with sound and video clips, photos, commentary and the like. A smaller run in the PAL/SECAM format for our European friends is likely though I'm not sure when they will be ready, but it will also be available through Frets Old & New, Liverpool.

We are working on tab books now that will accompany the Knee Deep In Bluegrass CD. There will be books for banjo, mandolin and guitar. Write to | Web site

23rd April 2000