March 12

EARLY BIRD PRICES FOR MERLEFEST 2010 EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL 6

EARLY BIRD TICKET PRICES FOR MERLEFEST 2010 EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL 6

 WILKESBORO, N.C.  (March 8, 2010)—The deadline for Early Bird ticket prices to MerleFest 2010 has been extended to Tuesday, April 6, at 5:00 p.m. EDT.  That is the last day to purchase 4-day and 3-day tickets at the Early Bird price, representing an average 10% discount.

Ticket purchases can be made on the web at http://www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857.  As always, there are no hidden fees or surcharges on MerleFest tickets.  Free parking is available, and children 12 years of age and younger are admitted free to the festival when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.

10:03 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

March 05

FREE GUITAR TUNER APP FROM GIBSON

The highly anticipated Gibson App Has Arrived

This FREE-to-download App is available exclusively for all Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users directly from the Apple App Store. This is one App every guitarist and fan of Gibson Guitar must own. Over the past two years over 3 Billion Apps have been downloaded around the world, the Gibson Guitar App cements Gibson’s reputation as the industry’s leader in innovation and music technology.
The Gibson Guitar App includes a number of special features, such as a traditional chromatic tuner which starts in “All Notes” mode that tracks whatever is played. Owners of the App can choose a tuning on the “Mode” page so the tuner will only track notes for that particular tuning. Also included is a traditional chromatic tuner, a simple tuner which allows less advanced users to tune to Standard tuning Open G, Open D etc by touching the key. For iPhone users, the Gibson headstock inlay will automatically change colour indicating if the string is sharp, flat or in tune. For iTouch users they can turn the “Play Notes” option on so they can hear the appropriate since they do not have a microphone facility.
The Gibson app also features a standard metronome that allows users to choose a specific BPM or tap the screen three times to automatically set the tempo. Other key features of the app include over 30 chord charts with finger markings to help the user with mastering the chord. For those who prefer to learn new guitar riffs, licks or chord sequences via video tuition can now have that option from their Gibson App. The app will be updated frequently with new video content so users of all guitar ability can improve their technique from the comfort of their home.

Get yours today.

12:14 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

JOE MULLINS RETURNS TO REBEL RECORDS WITH NEW BAND, NEW RECORD

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (March 2, 2009)--Rebel Records of Virginia is proud to announce the addition of Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers to its roster of premier Bluegrass artists. The band's first project for the label--entitled simply Rambler's Call--is set for release March 30 and contains a fine mixture of old and new material performed in the rock-solid traditional style that Mullins has always been known for.

A native of southwestern Ohio and son of legendary Bluegrass DJ, fiddler and pioneer Paul "Moon" Mullins, Joe is no stranger to Rebel having founded the popular Traditional Grass, a band which recorded four very well received albums for the label in the early 1990s. This "new" group has been together since 2006 and has developed a classic Bluegrass blend. It includes four solid and experienced musicians who are fully at home with Joe and present a highly dynamic sound: Adam McIntosh on guitar and vocals, Evan McGregor on fiddle, Mike Terry on mandolin and vocals and Tim Kidd on bass.

As Joe states, "we are right at home with Rebel! My friendship and association with this label and most of the artists on its roster goes back two decades."

Mullins took leave from full time traveling in 1995 when he purchased WBZI Radio in Xenia, Ohio and has since built up a small network of radio stations in the central Ohio area. He hosts a daily two hour program of Bluegrass and Gospel music each weekday afternoon and recently received nominations for Broadcaster of the Year, Promoter of the Year and Radio Station of the Year at the 2010 SPBGMA Music Awards. In addition to his career in radio, Mullins has recorded and performed with the super-group Longview and has won awards for his banjo work on Rebel's Knee Deep In Bluegrass collection and as part of Ricky Skaggs' Celebration Of Life project which won IBMA's prestigious award for Album of the Year in 2006.

Mullins & The Radio Ramblers are already hard at work on their next Rebel recording, a Bluegrass gospel album that Joe has wanted to do for a long time. "The CD will include both classic and original gospel songs and will feature several special guests--many of them my heroes--like Doyle Lawson, Ralph Stanley, Rhonda Vincent, Larry Sparks and Paul Williams." Tentatively titled Hymns From The Hills, the project is projected for a late Fall release.

For more information on Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, please visit www.radioramblers.com

7:10 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

March 04

Benefit Concert At Bean Blossom

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2nd Time Around for Martin and Rangers

 

STEEP CANYON RANGERS PREPARE FOR SECOND TOUR WITH STEVE MARTIN                                                            Beginning April 19, Tour Includes Performances at New Orleans Jazz Fest, MerleFest and Bonnaroo

ASHEVILLE, N.C.  (March 4, 2010)—Once again Steve Martin has tapped the award-winning bluegrass group the Steep Canyon Rangers to tour with him in support of his Grammy®-winning Rounder Records release, The Crow:  New Songs for the Five-String Banjo.  The Banjo Tour will begin on April 19th in Detroit and is expected to continue into October, with performances scheduled at the New Orleans JazzFest, MerleFest and Bonnaroo.

“I am very excited to begin my banjo tour with the Steep Canyon Rangers,” commented Martin.  “It has been a long time dream of mine to travel around the country with a bunch of guys.”

Woody Platt of the Steep Canyon Rangers commented, “We had an incredible time touring with Steve in the fall.  He’s a consummate professional who thrills the crowd every night and is so gracious about introducing us and our music to new audiences.”

For their part, the Rangers also earned rave reviews while on tour with Martin in the fall, during which they had an opportunity to perform songs from their fourth studio album for Rebel Records, Deep in the Shade. The tour included performances at the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Show, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, Carnegie Hall, the Ryman Auditorium, Royal Festival Hall in London, and other venues in cities including Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, Washington, Toronto, Chicago, Denver and Santa Fe. The Rangers also performed with Martin on The Late Show with David Letterman, The View, NPR’s World Café, and the BBC’s Later . . . with Jools Holland.

“When Martin graciously left the stage to the group for several songs, the Rangers went into overdrive, mixing dazzling speed with high lonesome harmonies. Nicky Sanders’ blazing fiddle playing repeatedly stole the show, especially during an encore rendition of the bluegrass standard ‘Orange Blossom Special.’”

The Chicago Tribune

“absolutely smoking . . . the musical highlight was the Steep Canyon Rangers’ ‘Lovin’ Pretty Women,’ a stomping barnburner.”

The Boston Herald

Deep in the Shade, released in October 2009, was in the top 10 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart for the month of October, attaining the band's highest Billboard chart position at #3.  It was #2 on WNCW's top 50 CD's of 2009, #7 on Country Standard Time's list of the top 30 CD's of 2009, and top 10 on PopMatters' Best Bluegrass of 2009 list.  Deep in the Shade was the #1 CD for the month of December in Bluegrass Music Profiles.

“The Mountain’s Gonna Sing” from Deep in the Shade was included in NPR Music’s Best of 2009 series, in the Folk Alley top 10.

Steve Martin 2010 Banjo Tour Dates with the Steep Canyon Rangers - more dates to be announced:

For additional information on the Steep Canyon Rangers, including tour schedule, visit www.steepcanyon.com.

3:19 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

March 02

Deadline to Apply for IBMA Songwriter Showcase: May 1

Deadline to Apply for IBMA Songwriter Showcase: May 1
Good songs are the heart and the future of any musical genre, and IBMA will once again focus attention on 10 selected songwriters and their material during World of Bluegrass. To apply, submit a CD of one original song to: IBMA Songwriter Showcase; #2 Music Circle South, Ste. 100; Nashville, TN 37203, DEADLINE: May 1, 2010.

Click here to read more.

3:20 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

March 01

TWO RE-DISCOVERED TREASURES TO BE AVAIALBLE THIS MONTH

Rural Rhythm will Issue Two Rediscovered Treasures on March 23, 2010
Reno & Smiley with Special Guests Carter and Ralph Stanley “Bluegrass 1963”
Mac Wiseman with special guest, Lester Flatt & Chubby Wise “Bluegrass 1971”

Rural Rhythm Records is very proud to announce the upcoming March 23, 2010 album releases of two first generation bluegrass legends:  “BLUEGRASS 1963” by Reno & Smiley with special guests Carter and Ralph Stanley, and “BLUEGRASS 1971” by Mac Wiseman with special guest, Lester Flatt & Chubby Wise. These are the first two album projects by a new and exciting joint venture between Rural Rhythm Records and Ronnie Reno.  These historic albums will be available for purchase wherever bluegrass music is sold including; Walmart, Amazon, Borders, iTunes, Rhapsody, e-music, County Sales, Music Shed, plus the Rural Rhythm website.

“BLUEGRASS 1963,” produced by Ronnie Reno, is a welcomed treasure for those lucky enough to have seen and heard Reno & Smiley perform on their legendary “Top O’ the Morning” daily TV show in Roanoke, Virginia during the early 1960’s.   This 18 song collection features their long time sideman, The Tennessee Cut-Ups, Mac Magaha on fiddle, John Palmer on bass, guitarist Steve Chapman, plus a young Ronnie Reno on mandolin.  There are fine renditions of their classics like “I Know You’re Married,” “I’m the Talk of the Town,” “Love Please Come Home,” “I Wouldn’t Change You If I Could,” and “I’m Using My Bible for a Roadmap.”
Also featured on the album are guest spots from none other than The Stanley Brothers (Ralph and Carter) performing the classic “In the Pines,” “Nine Pound Hammer,” and Ralph joining Don Reno for a twin banjo workout on “Home Sweet Home.”  A special album highlight is the four-part harmony performance of “Over in the Gloryland” with Ralph & Carter Stanley joined by Reno & Smiley and their full band.  ‘As I look back some 47 years ago when we recorded this, I can’t help but think of my feelings on the music we were playing.  I was 16, playing mandolin in a great band on TV and recording hit records.  I guess I thought all bands sounded and played like Reno & Smiley.  Little did I know I was playing in one of the greatest bluegrass bands of all time.” said album producer, Ronnie Reno.
“BLUEGRASS 1971,” features Mac Wiseman with special guests Lester Flatt & Chubby Wise.  Mac Wiseman has been a very important part of the Country and Bluegrass music scene for many decades recording a tremendous amount of successful albums that have contained a long list of big hits in both genres.  Towards the end of 1970, Mac Wiseman and Lester Flatt talked about teaming up for an album that would re-create the mood and spirit of the late 1940s.  Lester had split acrimoniously from Earl Scruggs, so Lester and Mac began touring and recording together.  During this period, their albums were musically and commercially successful including their album, “Lester ‘N Mac” reaching #42 on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart.
This star-studded bluegrass album was recorded in 1971 at the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in Kentucky during this historic collaborative period between the two.  “BLUEGRASS 1971” gives us a historic treat as these bluegrass legends perform three classic songs together with Lester’s Nashville Grass Band, which included Paul Warren, Josh Graves, Roland White, Haskel McCormick and Johnny Johnson, special guest, Howdy Forrester, and nine classic songs performed with Mac and his band, The Shenandoah Valley Cut-Ups that included: Billy Edwards, Hershel Sizemore, John Palmer, Tater Tate, with special guest Chubby Wise.  Another highlight includes a fiery three fiddle instrumental version of the classic tune, “Liberty,” with Tater Tate, Joe Greene and Chubby Wise.

3:49 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

February 26

Dirt Band Gives Away Autographed Guitar – Still time to win

Win an Epiphone acoustic guitar signed by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band!

The band is giving away an Epiphone acoustic guitar signed by all the band members ... and all you have to do is submit your email address (and they really don't send out many emails). This contest ends THIS SUNDAY, February 28th.  Here's where to enter the contest

You'd be hard-pressed to find a musical group with more history, credibility, and importance to our current culture of Americana/roots music than the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Their 2009 record "Speed of Life" has been steadily moving up the charts of roots music radio, and the band has been out on tour playing to packed houses, proving that they still deliver the goods, decades after their transcendent album "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" changed music forever. .   The band has also dropped the price on their "Speed of Life" CD for a limited time - you can now get it for $6.99 plus shipping - exclusively through their website.

4:28 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

New Stringdusters coming soon

Infamous Stringdusters' third record "Things That Fly" coming April 20th
It has been said: “this latest record will blow you away, and certainly create some new fans as well.”

Anyone who has seen this band in concert knows that there is a unique energy that this band exudes in a live environment. On their third record, "Things That Fly", the Stringdusters "got deeper in the production aspects" and really tried to capture some of the ambience and exploration that have always been a part of their live shows. They haven't strayed far from their core -- they've just elevated their sound and expanded their arrangements. It's a really, really good listen.   The Stringdusters' style and consummate skill is really unmatched in today's acoustic/bluegrass scene.

You can read a pre-release review written by John Lawless at and listen to three full tracks, at The Bluegrass Blog.

1:27 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

The Last Johnny Cash Recording Released Today

On Friday, February 26, what would have been Johnny Cash’s 78th birthday, the Cash family, Rick Rubin, and Lost Highway Records are urging fans to celebrate “Wear Black for Johnny Day.” Cash’s posthumous album, American VI: Ain’t No Grave, the final installment in the American Recordings series, will be released Friday. In celebration of the Man In Black’s birthday, fans are encouraged to wear all black and post pictures of themselves on Facebook and Twitter, as well as joining the Facebook group “Johnny Cash’s 78th Birthday.” “Wear Black for Johnny Day” is intended to support the new album as well as celebrate the legacy of Johnny Cash.

 

As fans are reveling in the release of what is to be the final collection of Johnny Cash songs, one particular group of fans are lobbying for the re-release of an all but forgotten Cash album titled Bitter Tears. According to a Billboard article, his 1964 concept album about the plight of the Native American population was released on Columbia Records, a division of Sony, and received little to no radio support. The album, which includes the song “The Ballad of Ira Hayes”, is available on Amazon and iTunes but isn’t widely known or recognizable. Antonino D’Ambrosio, author of the book A Heartbeat and a Guitar: Johnny Cash and the Making of Bitter Tears, is leading the group petitioning Sony Legacy to re-release the album.

6:26 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)