North West Bluegrass News July 1997: Letters to the Editor

Your Letters to The Editor

Vinny’s Quiz error
Dear Derek,
I would like to query the answer given to question 1 in Vinny’s Bluegrass Quiz (May 1997) i.e. Uncle Dave Macon. That cannot be correct - he was born in Warren County, Tennessee, 1870 - surely the correct answer is Grandpa Jones?

Chris Wing, Glossop.

Chris King and Phil Heald also wrote - of course, it was Grandpa Jones. Vinny had put that, and all the entries were correct- it was just me who was tired and did it from memory instead of checking. Apologies to all! Ed.

A truss in time...
Derek,
I enjoyed the May newsletter - lot’s of thought-provoking stuff! I was amazed that Ian Reynolds hadn’t heard of Doyle Lawson but pleased now that he’s ‘seen the light’ ,- our band (The Acme) has been singing gospel for years!

I would urge anyone who hasn’t seen the Duffey Brothers not to be put off by the review of their Melling Tithebarn show. Surely one of the greatest gifts is to be able to make people laugh, which they’ve been doing for years. They remind me that we all take ourselves too seriously

Most baffling was Mike Preston’s article. I agree completely with Peter Mackie, in the May Editorial, that this excellent Newsletter can only serve to strengthen membership in the BBMA, not weaken it.

Keep up the good work,

Bob Armstrong, Nenthead.

Thanks for the support Bob - we’ve had quite a lot of it!

Positive feedback...
Derek,
I’m writing in response to John Wirtz (Letters, Sept 1996) who said “Be positive, not negative, and ask ‘What can I do for the organisation, not what can the organisation do for me?’”. I say ‘become active’. Why not ring the organiser of your next event and offer your services? Not necessarily for a full weekend but at least consider putting yourself out for a short time. Don’t expect discounts for your duties; instead do it in the spirit of the organisers, who work diligently for many hours for little reward.

Andy Phillips,Wordsley, nr. Stourbridge

Well said, Andy - I wish someone would come and say “I’ll label & stamp the envelopes, or put the NL’s in them or collate and staple it, or type things up, or..... Ed.

New Shelor CD
Derek –
I got a copy of NWBN from Ted Silverman (San Francisco), but not double-sided. :=) It is a very impressive effort. I'm visiting your web page now... you plan to put the newsletter here as well? Great idea. Let me know of your progress and I'll put up a link.

Sammy Shelor just told me his new CD is entitled "Leading Roll" (Sugar Hill 3865) and is scheduled for release on June 17th. You can order the CD directly from Sammy by sending a cheque (check for UK price) to: Sammy Shelor, P.O. Box 787,

Meadows of Dan, VA 24120, USA

This is a great recording - a mix of old time, bluegrass, blues, and ballads. The cast includes Ronnie Bowman, Dan Tyminski, Tony Rice, Junior Sisk, Randy Howard, Jerry Douglas, Ronnie Simpkins, Sam Bush, and more that fail to come to mind just now. Don't delay - get yours today! :=)

John Lawless, AcuTab Publications.(by Write to)

John can be Write toed at: acutab@roanoke.infi.net or by mail at PO Box 21061 Roanoke, VA, 24018-0108, USA.

Hello from New Zealand!
Hi Derek,
I have received 3 newsletters so far, thank you, two arrived while I was on honeymoon. I’m pleased to tell you I have access to an write to address so I can now receive write to from you at this site: chrismc@ihug.co.nz.
Many thanks, Brian Oldham, Christchurch, NZ.
By Write to from c/o chrismc@ihug.co.nz

Sponsor Brian submitted the Dobro article and tab in the May issue. Maybe someone could drop Brian a line and let him know what you think - Ed.

There’s good news and bad news....
Derek,
After going to the Ironbridge festival I commend anyone who puts in the effort to organise these things. It was great to see the fabulous Lou Reid & Carolina, and Mark Shatz stole the show for us. But Steve and I found some major pains. For example, we bought tickets for the Saturday evening concert and arrived in good time, but weren’t allowed in the stockade until 7.0 p.m. The only source of beer on the whole site was the bar inside the compound. I can understand some of the reasoning, but there must be a compromise somewhere.

We usually go for weekends, but price of weekend tickets was just too much - we couldn’t afford it! Which average family can afford £140? And that’s just for starters!

And what makes a festival? Obviously friends, friendly faces and pickers. But we think picking/jam sessions are an essential part of festivals, but at Ironbridge no places were provided for that - we weren’t even allowed to play in the beer tent! The weather was foul at times, so cover really was needed.

Julie Cross, Crewe

Well, Julie, you may well think that, but I, of course, could not possibly comment! Ed.

King Arthur rules OK!
Dear Ed.,
I’m very new to Bluegrass - on my first visit to Chester BG club I won Arthur Robinson’s tape Tradition, which I played over and over, and learned Praying from it. Even though my playing is very basic I was made very welcome and thoroughly enjoyed both Arthur and Baker’s Fabulous boys, who really were!

Harry Leather, Frodsham.

Updated 23rd Jan 1999