Your Letters to the Editor
 Dear Derek,Having received the magazine for a year, I thought you might appreciate a little feedback. I really enjoy and value the NWBN, especially as it covers material not found in other mags. available locally. Because I find it difficult to get to many bluegrass events in person through lack of time, family commitments and distance, I rely on the NWBN to keep me informed about what's happening and to keep in touch generally with the music. The reviews of live events are thus welcome, and I for one would be interested in even more record reviews and news of new and re-releases. The ‘For Sale’ and ‘Contacts’ ads are equally worthwhile, and must be unique to the publication. I note too that the ‘Grass Cuttings’ column in the July issue has some mention of tab and instruction books - these must be helpful to anyone who plays an instrument, who may be on the look-out for new sheet music, so I hope it may be possible to include further information about such publications. I also like the instrumental workshops. Being a mandolin player I particularly enjoy John Baldry's contributions. Having made personal contact with John to obtain a copy of his tab booklet (which is advertised in the newsletter) he was kind enough to provide me with additional advice and tabs for a number of tunes. I really appreciated the help and support which was generously given. Through John I made contact with a mandolin player / teacher in the States and was able to buy some mandolin tutor books and tabs from him, via air mail. I guess none of this could have come about had it not been for the news mag. As you can see, the newsletter has not only been an interesting read for me but has opened opportunities which would otherwise not have been available, so many thanks. I would be interested to know of any BG sessions, etc., in the Clitheroe/Blackburn area.
Bob Snape, Ribchester, Preston
I just discovered your web site and have really enjoyed looking at it. I would like to make one comment though - in looking at the March 98 Vol. 5 No 2 and reading the review of the Stanley Tradition CD I noticed that none of the performers were mentioned. In my opinion that is a very important part of any review. Bob Smith, San Bernardino, CA. Bsmith97@prodigy.net Thanks for the feedback, Bob - we consider our wrists slapped! It’s a bit late now for the printed mag, but I will update the Internet version ASAP. And we’ll try to avoid it happening in the future! Here is the full list: Tim Austin, Barry Bales, Ronnie Bowman, John "Buckwheat" Green, Jim Haley, Aubrey Hanie, James King, Shawn Lane, Raymond Legere, David Parmley, Wyatt Rice, Don Rigsby, James Alan Shelton, Charlie Sizemore, Craig Smith, Scottie Parks,Keith Tew, Ernie Thacker, & Dan Tyminski. Not all players feature on all tracks.
Bob had cause for concern - Craig Smith is his son!. Ed.
I just read my Sept. NWBN and I’d like to say how pleased I was to see the photo of the Rainy City on the front cover - especially in colour! They are my favourite band and I’d like to see a full story on them sometime if you can manage it. Also I think you should do a story on the Edale Bluegrass Festival, covering it’s evolution to the present day. Jim Sargeant, Moston, Manchester
Good suggestions, Jim. Do you fancy doing them? !!! Anyone who would
like to do them please contact me - we would beover the moon! Ed.
John and I set up Hipposound in 1988 because of the frustration we experienced when faced with poor sound systems in folk clubs and at festivals. What we have discovered over time is that common sense and, to use one of Mike Benson’s favourite expressions, “a good pair of ears” is the best attribute for getting it right. I do agree that knowing the music helps but a good sound engineer should be able to cope with any style. We have done sound for all sorts of weird and wonderful bands from classical to country and been generally well received. It’s really nice to get a little recognition as we normally only get a mention when things go wrong. This seems a good opportunity to thank all the festival organisers who put their trust in us and book us to do their festivals together with the all bands who have shown us their appreciation by way of the odd beer. Keep ’em coming! In line with the policy of NWBN of exposing profit-making organisations, we do charge for our services. We’re still not rich and in ten years I don’t think we are anywhere close to recovering the fifteen grand John spent on the system we lug about the country’s festivals. Moreover, he’s wrecked my poor little car!!! Moira Wirtz, Director - Hipposound Write to Moira “Exposing profit-making organisations” is not a policy of NWBN - see the Editorial I am very pleased to see good effort being recognised. Funnily enough, another Director of Hipposound told me how much he enjoyed the ‘Jack & Mavis Lee’ article (NWBN May 1998) but declined to write a letter to that effect (thus possibly giving all concerned a “feel-good factor”). The reason? “People should do things because they want to, not for recognition!” The Lord works in mysterious ways.... Ed.
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