Grass Cuttings and News
InBrief
USA and (some of the) Rest-Of-The World News
Click for UK and European
27th March 2003
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Sorry - I haven't time to chase news... Steve Kaufman writes "Our special 'Kamps' are designed to gather musicians of all levels from around the globe with common goals - learning, playing, eating and sleeping music. Whether you are a beginner's beginner or a seasoned professional, each Kamp's classes and activities will inspire and challenge you. Our intent is to maintain a non-competitive, learning atmosphere that will encourage you to grow musically and seek out new ways of playing your instrument.
I (Steve) have put together the strongest team of Guitar, Banjo and Mandolin
instructors the world has to offer. All of these instructors are well-known for their individual and unique picking and teaching styles. They were carefully chosen for their talents- not only as musicians but also for their instructional expertise, easy going attitude, and approachability. Hundreds of topics will be discussed, thoroughly examined and instructed. More details: Write to | Website I am sick I can't go! [Ed] Regular NWBN correspondent Ted Silverman reports, 9 Jan: A great bluegrass fiddle player, Joe Meadows, died Saturday 8th Feb. Joe had been fighting cancer and taking chemo off and on the past few years, but apparently died of a heart attack. Joe worked with the Stanley brothers back in the early/mid 50's, recorded on both fiddle and guitar, also stint with Jim and Jessie in the 70's, among others.
Discography: We got a greetings from Martha, one of the original Buffalo Gals (the first all-woman bluegrass band). Seems she's still active in music, but left the bluegrass scene when she left the Gals late in 1977. These days, she's more or less in the 'Americana' singer/songwriter category. Still, she did wind up in the IBMA Songwriter Showcase in 2000 and 2002, and has had songs cut by Tony Trischka & Skyline, Kathy Chiavola, and Missy Raines & Jim Hurst. Martha released a CD that features Marty Stuart, Tony Trischka, Dede Wyland and Barry Mitterhoff, among others. It's NOT bluegrass (What? Truth in advertising?), but it was warmly received by Louisa Branscomb in her review in Bluegrass Now. Read more at www.momandpoprecords.com Regular NWBN correspondent Ted Silverman reports, 8 Jan: "Buzz Busby, mandolinist out of Washington D.C. died today. He influenced many and his band became the Seldom Scene with John Duffey." Jim McReynolds, founding member of Jim & Jesse and The Virginia Boys, died from cancer on New Years Eve. Click for article 2003 Grammy's Nominations (Bluegrass related) The nominations for Best Bluegrass Album are:
Bill Monroe's family sue The family of a bluegrass music legend has filed legal action this week in a squabble over a historic mandolin worth more than $1 million. James Monroe, son of the late Bill Monroe, is seeking a declaratory judgement from Davidson County Chancellor Irvin Kilcrease to determine who has the rights of ownership to his father's 1923 Gibson F-5 mandolin. Built by Lloyd Loar, whose Gibson guitars and mandolins constructed in the early part of the 20th century are considered some of the best of their kind, the mandolin in question is believed to have been used by Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music, from the early 1940s until his death in 1996. James Monroe agreed to sell the instrument to Rosine, Kentucky.-based Bill Monroe/Bluegrass Music Foundation in April 2001 for $1.125 million to be collected from an endowment created by funds from private donors. The Country Music Hall of Fame and the Smithsonian Institution also are said to have expressed interest in purchasing the instrument. The foundation paid 10 percent of the purchase price upon execution of the contract, with an agreement to pay the balance within a year.
The foundation, a not-for-profit organisation created for the purpose
of celebrating the life and music of Bill Monroe, made an additional $50,000
payment in April, which, according to the contract, allowed it a six-month
extension to pay the balance. James Monroe's action alleges that the extension
ended on October. 26 without payment of the remaining $962,500. He alleges
failure by the foundation to make payments within the specified time period
is a breach of the original contract, which he is seeking to nullify.
A sign in Shelby, North Carolina on U.S. 74 says "Welcome To Shelby - Home of Earl Scruggs". Associated Press says the city's fathers and mothers honored the 78-year old super picker with the sign during ceremonies last week. Scruggs grew up near Boiling Springs and moved to Shelby to work in a textile mill in the forties. Now, of course, he lives in Nashville. Following the advice of an old Flatt & Scruggs song, they're giving Earl his flowers while he's living. As we reported last week, he'll get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in February.
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