Prescription Bluegrass

February 08

Nothin' Fancy Scores Big With Third Straight Win

Nothin' Fancy were winners for the third year in a row of SPBGMA's (Society For The Preservation Of Bluegrass Music Of America) Entertaining Group of the Year award.  The 36th annual awards ceremony was held February 7th in Nashville, Tennessee with winners selected by the association's members.  Always entertaining in everything they do, the band delighted the audience during their acceptance speech while sparring with the award ceremony's hosts and good friends, Rarely Herd.  Nothin' Fancy continued to thank the promoters, fans and the Nothin' Fancy "team" for their success.

Acceptance Speech Video

Nothin’ Fancy was formed as a bluegrass band in September of 1994 with the sole purpose of competing in the East Coast Bluegrass Championship in Crimora, Virginia. After winning their auspicious debut, they have grown in popularity, released 8 full length albums and one CD single, played the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the Lincoln Center in New York City, and the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. They have successfully hosted the Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Festival annually since 2001 in Buena Vista, Virginia.

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February 05

Del McCoury Special

FAMILY CIRCLE FROM THE DEL MCCOURY BAND AVAILABLE FOR $5 AT AMAZON.COM

(Nashville, TN)For the remainder of February, the Del McCoury Band's latest album, Family Circle, will be available for download at Amazon's mp3 store for only $5 as part of their popular 50 albums for $5 program. For the month of Feburary, the editors at Amazon have actually chosen 100 titles to be part of this program.

Released to great acclaim in May 2009, the epic Celebrating 50 Years Of Del McCoury boxed set might have appeared to be the summary and crowning achievement of a fabled career. But with the release of Family Circle last October, the Del McCoury Band serves notice that the final chapter of the bluegrass patriarch's story has yet to be written—and that there are still a few surprises left, too. Recorded over the summer of 2009 at sessions sandwiched between appearances at some of the country's most popular and prestigious festivals—Merlefest, Bonnaroo, Grey Fox, and McCoury's own mind-bending Delfest—Family Circle is a potent blend of old and new that finds Del and the boys (sons Ronnie and Rob, fiddler Jason Carter and bass player Alan Bartram) ranging more widely than ever for songs and arrangements.

The Del McCoury Band is the most awarded act in the history of Bluegrass music with more than three dozen combined IBMA awards, including an unprecedented 9 Entertainer of the Year trophies. Del McCoury recently celebrated 50 years as a professional musician, and he and the band continue to tour and record non-stop.

Amazon.com, a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened its virtual doors on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and sellers list millions of unique new and used items in categories such as apparel and accessories, electronics, computers, kitchenware and housewares, books, music, DVDs, videos, cameras and photo items, toys, baby items and baby registry, software, computer and video games, cell phones and service, tools and hardware, travel services, magazine subscriptions and outdoor living items.

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Doyle Lawson Announces Partnership with CABOOTS

Bluegrass Icon Is Perfect Match For Custom Boot Company

Nashville, Tenn.— Bluegrass icon Doyle Lawson announces a new partnership with CABOOTS, a Texas-based boot and clothing company that specializes in custom designs and traditional manufacturing. In addition to his music and traditional bluegrass sound, Doyle Lawson has built a reputation for himself as a sharp dressed man, and his beloved boots are a staple of every performance, making CABOOTS a perfect match.
He may be a legend, but while Doyle Lawson takes pride in a career that’s stood at the center of bluegrass and bluegrass gospel for over 40 years, he’s hardly resting on his laurels. Look at his schedule and the point is unmistakable – at the same time he’s garnering new acclaim for his historic contributions, he’s plowing new ground alongside artists half his age. At once one of the busiest marquee acts in bluegrass and an iconic figure in its history – that’s Doyle Lawson.
Lawson is the one constant in a band that has featured over 40 different musicians over the years. The band has been a training academy for bluegrass players—initiating, training and then sending out into the world, some of the genre’s most respected musicians. Throughout it all, Doyle has maintained his devotion to a traditional sound with his signature vocal harmonies and stellar picking. Legends are made, not born and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have spent 30 years carving out their own eminent place in the bluegrass pantheon.

CABOOTS is a fourth generation boot company based in El Paso, Texas, that offers handmade boots at great prices with an old world quality and technique that has not changed for almost 100 years. Boot styles include yesteryear’s vintage classics and period reproductions as well as new designs reborn from grand and adventurous times in cowboy attire.

"We are proud to work with Doyle Lawson and see this as a great fit," said Priscilla Sanchez, a co-owner of CABOOTS along with her husband, Joey. "His music and style truly display the values we strive for and honor - a love of country American roots and quality fun!"

CABOOTS products are world-renowned for quality, fit and customer service. Their website (www.caboots.com) offers customers the ability to choose style, leather, toe and heel specifications with swatches and various options, providing an easy way to order custom boots.

Doyle Lawson has undoubtedly become a style icon in the bluegrass world thanks to his signature boot and jacket combinations, and the new relationship with CABOOTS is a perfect, custom-built complement to that style. Lawson and CABOOTS have both established their legacies without compromising their sound or technique, and now, after decades in their respective industries, they have formed a partnership built on a shared love of quality and tradition.

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Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Website
Caboots Website

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February 04

"Buckaroo Blue Grass II" Releases February 9, 2010

Michael Martin Murphey’s Follow-Up to Grammy Nominated Album

Michael Martin Murphey and his Buckaroo Blue Grass friends ride again on the February 9, 2010 album release of BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS II. The album expands on his passions of his Grammy nominated album, “BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS,” creating fully acoustic bluegrass versions of songs about the region to which Murphey has been deeply connected for a lifetime – the American Southwest.
The high lonesome sound in bluegrass music has always appealed to the cowboy soul. Somehow the acoustic instruments used in bluegrass have a drive, energy and expansive quality - an almost mystical "wide open country" sort of feeling that seems built into the design. You can hear and feel it on Rob Ickes' country sound in the new version of "Wildfire.” It seems the American West has produced "running-wide-open" acoustic musicians like Pat Flynn, Sam Bush, Rob Ickes and Ryan Murphey who have been key in developing the Buckaroo Blue Grass sound as they blaze a trail connecting Cowboy and Western music to Bluegrass by exploring Wild West sonic spaces.
Murphey has utilized his label’s strong roster of top bluegrass artists to help further define his Buckaroo Blue Grass sound. Included on the new album is a powerful duet performance with bluegrass veteran Audie Blaylock covering the classic Marty Robbins hit “Running Gun.” Also, included is a stunning duet version of his mega hit, “Wildfire” with # 1 hit artist, Carrie Hassler. “It doesn’t surprise me that the new duet version of Wildfire is having an overwhelming response from radio listeners when they first hear it and if this is any indication of what to expect from the forthcoming BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS II album, then I suspect the excitement level on that will be high as well,” said Today’s Country Magazine’s Jeff Kurtis.

Michael Martin Murphey's songs have been recorded by bluegrass artists such as Flatt and Scruggs, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Seldom Scene, Country Gentlemen, Bluegrass Cardinals, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and many others. BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS II reprises many of his songs covered by bluegrass bands, performed with a stellar cast of bluegrass players and singers that includes; Carrie Hassler, Audie Blaylock, Sam Bush, Rob Ickes, Andy Hall, Ronnie McCoury, Pat Flynn, Charlie Cushman, Andy Leftwich and more.

For more information on Michael Martin Murphey and his Grammy nominated album, BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS, and next week’s BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS II, please visit his site or Rural Rhythm Records.

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February 03

Brand New Bluegrass – No Strings Attached

Rural Rhythm Records is very proud to announce the new album, “NO STRINGS ATTACHED”, by BRAND NEW STRINGS. The CD is set to be released Feb. 16, 2010. “Real bluegrass from the real deal”, says album producer and top bluegrass artist, Steve Gulley. BRAND NEW STRINGS bring the sounds of East Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains to their music - combining hard drivin’ traditional bluegrass with gospel mountain music as well.  Their fine instrumentals and harmony vocals combined with two strong lead vocalists make up this exciting new band. Band members include: Randall Massengill (lead vocals and guitar), Mike Ramsey (lead vocals and mandolin), Tim Tipton (bass), Stuart Wyrick (banjo) and Matt Leadbetter (Resonator Guitar) who also deliver incredible original songs to the complete their fresh new sound.

"This is a band that demands national attention before the release of their debut CD. They embody all the best traits of a modern day bluegrass band with their masterful musicianship and flawless harmonies built from a lifetime of loving and respecting the fathers while reaching to the future with an anticipation that shows in the freshness of their music.

For more information on BRAND NEW STRINGS, please visit their site, Rural Rhythm Records, or Hope River Entertainment.

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Lorraine Jordan - Comin’ In Like A Hurricane

Lorraine Jordan and her band, Carolina Road, are set to release their album “Carolina Hurricane” April 13 with Rural Rhythm Records.

“For several years now I have witnessed the tremendous amount of energy and excitement along with a strong sense of confidence and pride [that] Lorraine Jordan has playing her style of hard drivin’ bluegrass,” Rural Rhythm president Sam Passamano Jr. said. “Lorraine is such a strong force in the bluegrass community that we wanted her to be a part of our team and Rural Rhythm family.”

The album was made by Carolina Road band members Jordan, Josh Goforth, Ben Greene, Dustin Benson and Brad Hudson, along with guests Kevin Richardson, Jason Moore, Greg Luck, Alan Perdue, Ronnie Stewart, Josh Crowe and Wayne Crowe. The album was produced by Goforth and Jordan and engineered by Greg Luck.

The record is filled with upbeat songs, many written or co-written by Jordan. She co-wrote the upcoming single release “Carolina Hurricane” with Louisa Branscomb and penned “Carolina Memories.” She also wrote “Lady of Tradition”— a potential fan-favorite — with Dixie Hall and Paula Breedlove.

“I appreciate a label that treats their clients like a team, and I already feel part of the Rural Rhythm family,” Jordan said. “They appreciate my roots and allow me to continue the style of music which I was raised on and have been performing for over a decade.”

Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road kicked off their 2010 Category 5 Hurricane Tour last month with performances across the country and beyond at venues and festivals in Arizona, Tennessee, St. Thomas, New York, Maryland, Ohio, Canada and more. They are scheduled to play at Garner United Methodist Church May 15.

For more information on this tour, visit the band’s Web site, carolinaroadband.com.

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February 02

Hats & Ties for BIG COUNTRY BLUEGRASS

 Mountain Roads Recordings is pleased to announce that Big Country Bluegrass has just completed the recording sessions for their new album, Back In Time, to be released in June 2010. Boys In Hats and Ties by Tom T & Dixie Hall along with Don Rigsby, will be featured as the #1 cut for this album and was released as an electronic single today. 

 According to Miss Dixie Hall: "Originally the idea for the new earth shaking single release from Big Country Bluegrass titled Boys In Hats and Ties came up in a phone conversation between Ms. Dixie and the legendary Don Rigsby. 'Don was considering doing a concept album of super-tradition, a salute to the boys who wore the hats and ties', Dixie recalls. “That in itself was a magic title and it ended up being basically the true tale of Tom T. as a child being taken to see Earl and Lester.” Don’s recording turned to another direction but when Ms. Dixie sent the song to Big Country Bluegrass they jumped up and down (if you can image that) and rushed into the studio! What a cut!! Goodness gracious, they’re good! Big Country Bluegrass not only sings about “the Boys” they indeed ARE the Boys In Hats and Ties". In this song, you will hear a short section of the Martha White Theme Song that Lester & Earl made famous. Many of you may already know that Big Country Bluegrass won the 100th Anniversary Martha White Jingle Contest and performed their version on the Grand Ole Opry in July 1999. Big Country Bluegrass, nominated for 9 SPBGMA Awards this year, will be premiering this release in Good Home Grown Music's booth in the McGavock Ballroom area at 1:00 pm Saturday, February 6th, during the convention.

Big Country Bluegrass was formed by husband and wife Tommy and Teresa Sells in the late 1980's and took its name from Tommy's coon-hunting buddy Jimmy Martin's instrumental, Big Country. In the ensuing years, they played numerous fiddlers conventions, capturing their share of individual and band honors, as well as performing at festivals in the southeastern US. Big Country Bluegrass signed a long-term recording recording contract with Mountain Roads Recordings of Bristol, Tennessee  in January 2008.

http://www.bigcountrybluegrass.com/

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February 01

BBC AWARD FOR NANCI GRIFFITH

Grammy award-winning Texan singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith who has influenced generations of musicians and music fans alike – will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award tonight at BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards

Nanci will also perform at the awards ceremony which takes place in London and celebrates the vibrant folk scene.

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January 29

MARATHON JAM INVITES ALL PICKERS AND GRINNERS

MARATHON JAM FOR FISHER HOUSE CHARITY TO GO NATIONWIDE!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Noon to midnight

AN OPEN CALL TO BLUEGRASS PICKERS EVERYWHERE TO JOIN THE CAUSE!!!
  Author/musician John Santa is pleased to announce the annual Marathon Jam for charity to be held on Saturday, February 27, 2010 from noon to midnight.
     Santa is asking ANY bluegrass pickers who might be interested in getting involved, to PLEASE contact him at www.bluegrassbook.com so he can help them set up Marathon Jams in their area. He is also encouraging people who know of service people who are musicians to contact them and urge them to set up Jams where they are stationed because Santa, The RDU Session Players and The Baghdad Bad Boys have a dream.

DETAILS ON HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED BY HOSTING YOUR OWN MARATHON JAM ARE POSTED ON THE PRESCRIPTION BLUEGRASS WEB SITE AT:   http://prescriptionbluegrass.com/MarathonJam.aspx
   

       For more information/interviews contact Whit Kenney at wkenney@ninesages.com. or John Santa at www.bluegrassbook.com
      Proceeds from the sale of "Bluegrass Is My Second Language" and the new CD from EIGHTwentythree "The Blessing Of The Strings" will go to support Fisher House.

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January 27

Lester Flatt Honored by U.S. House of Representatives

The House of Representatives voted unanimously Tuesday to honor bluegrass legend Lester Flatt. Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN), who now represents the area Flatt was born in, says the music and the late musician are as important to American culture as its best writers and painters.

Lester Raymond Flatt
Born: Tennessee, June 19, 1914
Died: May 11, 1979

Flatt was born in Duncan's Chapel, Overton County, Tennessee, to Nannie Mae Haney and Isaac Columbus Flatt. A singer and guitarist, he first came to prominence as a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys in 1945. In 1948 he started a band with fellow Monroe alumnus Earl Scruggs, and for the next twenty years Flatt and Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys were one of the most successful bands in bluegrass. When they parted ways in 1969, Flatt formed a new group, the Nashville Grass, hiring most of the Foggy Mountain Boys. His role as lead singer and rhythm guitar player in each of these seminal ensembles helped define the sound of traditional bluegrass music. He created a role in the Bluegrass Boys later filled by the likes of Jimmy Martin, Mac Wiseman, Peter Rowan and Del McCoury. His rich lead voice is unmistakable in hundreds of bluegrass standards.

Flatt and Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys did much to popularize bluegrass music. Their sound became widely recognized in the 1960s through their recording of “The Ballad of Jed Clampett,” the theme for the network television show The Beverly Hillbillies.

See and hear the NPR Story:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122993756

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