News Flash: 8/99
**Pizza Hut International Showdown offers stand-alone events nationally, whereby all bands will be judged by their peers in the same way a band is judged for a qualifying or semi final event, and whereby all bands receive the 1:1 critique from the President of Showdown International as well as the opportunity to look at the judges scores and comments, BUT no one is eliminated from the opportunity to get into the 2000 semi finals.  An excellent opportunity for all bands interested in improving their performance, and certainly a fine opportunity for bands who are interested in competing in the talent search all the way to the International Finals.  Bands will get the tools they need to build their competitive edge either way.  The fee is $50 (payable to Showdown International), and bands who enter the semi final later on will not have to pay again.  Other regions around the country have been given this opportunity in the past, but never before has it been available to the Northwest Region. Robyn Swenson is pleased to be able to offer this
stand-alone Pizza Hut Bluegrass Showdown event for the first time in the
Pacific Northwest during the last day of the Strait Bluegrass Festival in Port Angeles, WA (Sept. 10, 11, 12).  Headliner bands in the Strait festival are not disqualified from entering the Showdown stand-alone event.  There's still time to sign up for what is conceivably the best opportunity for growth ever offered to bluegrass bands in our area.  Interested parties may reserve a place in the Showdown lineup by contacting Robyn directly at 360-417-8878.
Please call after 6 p.m. M-F or on weekends...she works a day job just like the rest of us!**
P.S.:  Ed was going to have a Showdown up there [at the Chilliwack Bluegrass Festival?] this year but changed his mind.  Milton [Harkey of the Showdown] wants me [Robyn] to invite him to bring his band down here.

News Flash: 8/99
FROM THE VICTORY REVIEW:
The Victory Music organization will soon be moving out of it's current office because the $500-month rent will double.  They must remain in the downtown Tacoma area (grants stipulation).  The only two options so far are both fixer-uppers.  They could use help with repair work, moving, and additional income (first & last month rent plus deposit;  utility disconnection and hookup fees, etc.).  Contributions to Victory Music may be tax deductible and they'd be happy to supply receipts for such:
Victory Music
POB 2254
Tacoma, WA 98401-2254
(253)428-0832

News Flash: 8/99
The Madison's Cafe in west Seattle is for sale.  It is prospering well but current owners, Bill & Kathy Pritchard,  are embarking on the opening of a new place in the University District, "The Paradox,"  a 300-seat concert venue for all styles of music.  Bill would be happy to continue to act as booking agent for the old Madison Cafe if the new owner will be interested,
(206)938-3007.

News Flash: 8/99
See the Danny Barnes October'99 workshops in the Workshops
section.

News Flash: 8/99
KBCS 91.3fm-Bellevue, Washington, has a new program director and a new website.
Kristen Walsh
mailto:kwalsh@bcc.ctc.edu
http://www.kbcs-fm.org
 

News Flash: 8/99
NEW A Cappella Open Mic in Bellevue, Washington at the Crossroads Shopping Center;
See the Sunday section of our "Jams, Open Mikes & Venues" page.
 

News Flash: 8/99
Snipped from the bluegrass listserv:
Subject: Re: Bluegrass in the movies!
>The Whites will appear in "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou", a film starring George Clooney.  They will portray a gospel group in the 1930's.  The Cox Family, Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss & Union Station, and Emmylou Harris will have tracks in the movie.  When you watch the movie and see George Clooney singing, you'll be hearing the voice of Dan Tyminsky of Union Station.<
   Also snipped:
>At an LRB show, they said that Third-Tym-Inski sings "Man of Constant Sorrow" in the movie! Danny Joe Cecil<
 

News Flash: 8/99
From Ken Cartwright:
Ken Cartwright, Louannne Clevenger and her husband Clyde, and their oldest son, Chad, have formed a new bluegrass group playing mostly traditional music.
The group is simply called "Ken Cartwright and The Clevengers." Cartwright's
music will be at the Mt. St. Helens festival in Toledo, WA (next weekend!), and at the Hood River Festival in Oregon.
    Ginny Hollon, the publisher and editor of Mandolin Magazine will also be at the Cartwright's store to show her new magazine and take subscriptions.
    There are a ton of new CD releases and we (Cartwright's Music) will
bring them to the shows.
    A benefit auction and concert for Rocky Top Bluegrass farm performance
barn will be October 3, 1999, featuring the Sawtooth Mt.. Boys. Some of the
items to be auctioned will be a 1921 Martin Koa K-21 completely restored.
A 1985 Yamaha golf cart in excellent condition, fiddles, a Nechville Banjo,
and a paid weekend at Wintergrass.
For more information call
Ken Cartwright  (503) 769-2778  or
kenc@teleport.com
 

News Flash 7/99:NEW BAND IN MONTANA:
Lone Mountain formed in March of this this year and is comprised of 5 seasoned bluegrass veterans.
     Nancy Padilla, formerly of Wheel Hoss and Deep River, is the fiddle player and has many years of musical experience.  Nancy won the 1999 Weiser Fiddle Title in the Adult division;  and Nancy is a former Montana State Fiddle Champion, having won it in 1996.
     Ray Padilla plays accoustic bass fiddle, and was a founding member of Wheel Hoss, and is a bluegrass veteran of many years.  Ray sings lead and harmony for the group, and is most known for his crystal clear lead vocals.
     Joe Rockafellow, is the groups tenor singer and 5 string banjo picker. He is known though out the Northwest for his clear tenor voice and can sing higher than most people can whistle.  Joe has also put in time with Deep River.
     Tom Mullen, a bluegrass veteran of over 30 years, holds down the mandolin position and signs lead and harmony in the group vocals. He is an original member of the Bluegrass Cardinals and Within Tradition.
     Pat Asay, plays lead and rhythm guitar, and sings baritone for the group.
He has developed a smooth lead style is becoming a favorite among many fans.
Pat has previous bluegrass experience with several bands in the Montana are, and is a welcome addition to the group with his solid guitar rhythm.
     Lone Mountain recently played at the Columbia Falls, MT festival over the
July 4th weekend, and is slated to play at the Last Chance Bluegrass Fest in Helena, MT, on August 21st, and at the Gallatin Gateway Inn in September.
For further information, contact Nancy Padilla at 406-388-0124, or Tom Mullen at 1-800-949-0014 (weekdays).
Submitted my Tom Mullen
 

News Flash 7/99:
 From Dean & Ruth of the Reedy Buzzards:
    We are heading out today for a summer on tour with the Buzzards.  We'll be based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (our old home town) and we are schedule to play at Musikfest (Bethlehem, PA, in August), the Lake Superior Music Festival (Bayfield, Wisconsin) and the Fox Valley Folk Festival (Aurora, Illinois).
We'll also be appearing August 16 on the Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour in Lexington, Kentucky, carried on about 100 stations (maybe one around here? but I'm not sure where).
    Bluegrass Unlimited gave our CD a good review in the new July '99 issue and they gave limited contact info.  If anyone on your list might be interested in ordering the CD, here's where they can order:
Please send a check for $16.25 ($15 plus $1.25 for postage) to:
Ruth Werner
23312-82nd Pl. W.
Edmonds, WA 98026
reedybuzzards@hotmail.com
        Our mail will be forwarded to us in Wisconsin so it might take a few days longer to receive the CD.  Contacting me by e-mail is always faster and easier.
-Ruth and Dean-
-The Reedy Buzzards-

News Flash 7/99:
There will be no Maltby Bluegrass Jam & Potluck (located in south
Snohomish, Washington state) this July,
nor in September,  due to the holidays.  There WILL be a regular session in
August.  For details on the Jam, check our Saturday section from the Jams
webpage.
 

News Flash 7/99:
2nd & 4th Wednesdays until August 25th, 1999:
In Lynnwood, Washington:  Acoustic Coffeehouses, 6:30pm, at the Lynnwood
Library.
 

News Flash 7/99:
From the northwestern peninsula in Washington:
Occasionally I'll get a phone call from someone WANTING TO HIRE A BLUEGRASS
BAND to play for a private function here on the Olympic Peninsula.
Unfortunately we don't have a lot to choose from. I'd really like to be
able to help them out. So, if anyone is interested in a gig out this way and would
like to be on my list, I'd be happy to refer them. Please ask interested parties to send me an e-mail note with necessary pertinent information (including the amount of $$ they charge for various performances).
Sometimes I'm asked for duos and trios too. Thanks for your help.
Robyn Swenson
robyn@olypen.com

News Flash:
REMINDER:  Don’t forget to check out the Workshops & Multiple Date Events in our "Calendar of Events" page.

(5/99):  The Victory Music Friday "Live at the Lunchbox" Concerts for Kids in Tacoma, WA, is looking for a new location.  (253)428-0832.

 ALSO:  The Victory Music Saturday Night "Union 84 Concerts" is no more.

5/99:  SEATTLE MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA rehearsals every Monday at Queen Anne Manor, 7-9:30pm.  Interested guitarists, mandolinists, and players of mandolas, mandocellos and mandobasses welcome.  100-Crockett.  Lynn Wilton (425)745-3477.
 

For DJ’s, 5/99:
From James Moss at Blueberry Records:
Frank Wakefield's new release coming up:
In addition to beginning work on another new album...
Frank Wakefield and Jim Moss have been working on 300 station ID's for
Bluegrass radio stations.  These are being distributed in a Bean Blossom
promo CD.  This station specific CD contains a program of classic Wakefield live
recordings narrated by Frank himself.  You can call your local stations to
request the CD be played, as it is being offered to them at no cost.
The CD's were recorded the first week of May 1999, and sent out soon after.
If your station has not received the CD yet they can contact us:
By email
Stations@mossware.com
Check out their website at
www.mossware.com/BeanBlossom.htm

News Flash 5/14/99:
Looking for performers, individuals, bands who can play bluegrass or
ol'time country music and handmade crafters (leather, quilts, etc), artists who
would be interested in performing at a 3 day bluegrass/ol'time country music
heritage festival. We are trying to establish one in our area to not only celebrate
our 100 years but to celebrate our millennium.  This will be our second year.
The money raised will go toward our community, youth, museum and school band.
Please contact me if you have any suggestions or know of anyone interested.
The Bluegrass festival will be held in Entiat, WA at the City Park.
It is 16miles North of Wenatchee on 97A or 18 miles South of Chelan, WA on 97A, either
way you come. It will in August 20th -22nd. We are trying to line up performers
to put on our flyers. Last year we had 8 bands come and perform. They all
donated their time and talent. We can provide camping, lodging and the sound
system, mics, etc. Just need to know how many. We want to add handmade arts and
crafts to this years event, as our goal is to establish a bluegrass/ol'time
country music and handmade arts and crafts Heritage festival. We are willing to pay
for performers, but need to know how much they charge for a set. As I stated
before, we are not selling tickets, but asking for donations to raise funds
for the community, youth, museum and school band.
Thanks
May
jsegle@crcwnet.com
 
 

News Flash 5/9/99:
EVERETT CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
 SIX CONCERT MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE:
1.  Tribute to Century, A National Celebration of 20th Century Music & Dance; October 1999
2.  The Wolfe Piano Duo;  November 1999
3.  Joe Trio,  Humorous Classics on Strings & piano?;  January 2000
4.  Roslyn Kind, Humorous Streisand type singer;  March 2000
5.  The Side Street Strutters, Dixieland to classic versatile repertoire; March 2000;
6.  The Brothers Four;  Acoustic; guitars, banjo, mandolin, upright bass, vocals.  April 2000.

Admission by Season membership card ONLY.  Contact phone numbers:
(425) 252-6258; 252-7110; 252-8855; 252-1426; 334-9523; 349-2211; 743-7074; 355-8125,
or the Whidbey line at (360)221-5890.
Everett Civic Auditorium is at 2400-Colby Avenue.
Membership:  Adults 18 & over, $40;  Younger, $20.  Send Name, Address, City, Zip, Phone number, and Checks to:
PO Box 665
Everett, WA 98206.
 

Date: Sat, 1 May 1999
 Subject: Stolen Martin
1936 Martin D18 guitar, Serial # 62180 was stolen from a Fort Collins, CO home, Thursday, April 29th.  It has gold open geared Waverly tuners;  No fret dots, Sound hole is worn away around pick guard.  Guitar has a dark amber top and shows considerable wear including many cracks.  Calton Airline case: Charcoal Gray exterior green interior. The Name "Brent Hawley" is engraved into the case.  If you see this guitar or see it for sale, please contact Brent Hawley at (970)484-4475 (home) or 970-224-1930 (work); or, contact Bob Cherry  cherry@banjo.com  at Cybergrass.

News Flash 5/7/99:
April 1999:
From KSER D.J., Joe Cloud:
KSER 90.7fm of Everett-Lynnwood is now broadcasting at it's new power of 5800 WATTS from it's new antenna near the Granite Falls/Lake Stevens area.  It should now be heard clearly throughout the entire northwest interior.
There were previously pockets in Everett that could not receive KSER that should now be able to.  Please advise Joe Cloud at  jscloud425@aol.com if you are now getting the signal where you were not previously or if you could get the station but now get it clearer.

April 1999:
A NEW LOCATION: Washington Old Time fiddlers District 16 Jams at Fidelity Grange in Arlington:  one mile south of I-5 exit #206 on the west side of I-5 (the Cascade mountain side) at 156th Street N.E. and Smokey Point Boulevard. Free, donations appreciated;  Old time fiddle and acoustic music jam sessions on the 2nd & 4th Fridays each month;  6pm back-up workshop;  7pm circle jam; 8pm regular program.  Musicians & listeners welcome.  For further information,
call (360)435-5848  or  (425)339-6061.

April 1999:
Stolen Instrument Alert submitted by Pam at Heritage Music Center in Stanwood, WA:
Pam  hmc@whidbey.net
----------
From: John & Kathie Hollandsworth kholland@vt.edu
To:  the "cyberpluckers" and the "New-River-Old-Time" listservs:
Date: Thursday, April 22, 1999
   (Russell Cook is one of the premier Hammered Dulcimer luthiers, based in Texas. The numbers like 12-11, 15-14, etc., refer to the number of string courses on the 2 bridges):
While on his way to the Southern Regional Dulcimer Contest in Mountain View, Arkansas, the van that Russell Cook was driving was broken into and 4 Master Works hammered dulcimers and 4 Master Works bowed psalteries were stolen.
If you are looking to buy a used instrument please beware that you need to check that it isn't one of the stolen ones.
The instruments stolen were
1 12-11 #3586
1 15-14 #3571
1 16-15 #3320
1 16-15c #3611
4 Bowed Psalteries #'s 335, 336, 340, 375
     Thank you,
Beth Hindman, Office Manager
Wood N' Strings / Master Works
1801-Peyco Dr. S.
Arlington, Texas  76001
(817)472-6991;  Fax (817)472-7704
888-PLAY A HD  (888-752-9243)
www.wnsdulcimer.com
 

News Flash 5/7/99:
( From the president of The Idaho Bluegrass Association)
Our normal meeting is the second Sunday of each month at the Senior Center in Meridian, Idaho.  We have a regular jam at the Odd Fellows Lodge Hall in Mountain Home the last Sunday of each month.  When a month has five Sundays, we added in the fourth Sunday at the Senior Center (why give up on an opportunity?).  When no one sponsors a pot luck or other event on the first Saturday of a month, the default is a jam at the Meridian Senior Center.
Is that confusing enough?  No? Okay, we are considering changing to the third Saturday afternoon of each month at the Elmore County Nursing Home (after having just changed to Saturday evenings) because that time slot came open, but that's up in the air so far.  And, to top things off, we are looking at the possibility of opening a venue in Twin Falls sometime each month, but that, too, is up in the air.  The beginners' jam will stop in May.  For now, I'm
going to change our publicity to say to call me for further info.  We will be starting that one back up probably in July or August.  Now, you must be thoroughly confused, so I'll shut up and leave you to try to figure it all out.
Thanks for your support!
Bob Sisco
(208)587-7120
E-mail: bobsisco@micron.net
 

News Flash 4/99:  A note from Montana's Alison Keehn about The Greasy Beans: I want to tell you guys about a new band from Asheville, NC called the Greasy Beans. They are coming out in August and so far they are booked at the Helena Bluegrass Festival on August 21st. I am looking for other gigs in the area for them. I will attach a bio on them [ the text is pasted below ] If you have any suggestions let me know. Also, if you could pass this bio on through the network, I sure would appreciate it. Alison
[ Here is the bio on the Greasy Beans ]
THE GREASY BEANS
In order to move ahead sometimes you have to look to the past for direction. There is no better way to describe the Greasy Bean's attitude towards our music. We play bluegrass, but just as important we play soul music. Not soul as in Mowtown, but music that comes from the gut. As a band we draw heavily on the influence of the pioneers of bluegrass
music; Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs and the White Brothers.
Six years of woodshedding with these old records has taught us the value of timing and tone, and it has paid off. Initially, we were drawn to bluegrass completely by the feel of the music, when you get those shivers up and down your spine. We have not forgotten that
feeling, the mark of soul or heart or whatever you like to call it. That feeling is always there in our music. We have studied and worked on our music, making sure that all of the elements such as timing and tone are there. However, we do not let these more technical pursuits overpower the feeling. We are especially proud of the diversity of our repertoire. We will play breakdowns and holler all night for a good-time bar crowd, or serenade
sweet old ladies with waltz's and gospel tunes. Of course we like to showcase certain tunes like "Ruby" and other old standards, as well as our own material like "Broken Hearted Woman" and "Holler #1". But what we love the most is working through a show and mixing things up depending on the atmosphere and the crowd. We enjoy taking our brand of bluegrass to people like the crowd on Long Island, New York who barely knew what bluegrass was, as well as the old-timers at the fire station in Old Fort, NC who have been going there to see mountain music since before Bill Monroe joined the Grand Ole Opry.
Now for logistics. Charley Brophey plays the mandolin and sings lead and tenor. Josh Haddix plays guitar and sings lead and tenor as well. Daimon Empfield plays banjo and sings baritone. John Matteson holds it all together playing and singing the bass. The Greasy Beans were formed and continue to work in the vicinity of Asheville, NC. If you want to add us to your festival lineup, have a great party or help out in any way, give us a call.
(406) 587-6318
Alison Keehn (Northwest Contact)
Artistic Fundamentals
2740 Nelson Road
Bozeman, MT 59718
alisonkeehn@usa.net
 

News Flash 3/99:
Hi, I've just started getting calls from the bands who want to play at the [Olympia Farmers] market [festival].  I know, so far, we have Ohop Valley Boys, Tri County Pickers and Ken Presthus.  I'll keep you posted as we go along.  Also, I just coordinated some dates for "Bluegrass Jam Day" at the market.  These will be open mike jams during market hours (10am to 3pm).
The dates are:  April 17,  May 2, June 12,  July 11,  Aug 8, and of course we have open mike every day during the pickers festival,  Sept 16-19th.  Anyone can come & do some stuff.  Visitors to the market seem to really love the chance to buy their lunch, or do their shopping and get the bonus of some really good entertainment, plus buy a tape or two if the folks playing have them to sell.
I know when our band played there, we got some great exposure and had many "paying" jobs as a result of someone hearing us play there.  Thanks for helping us out,  Appreciate it much.  Libby kentuckygirl@olywa.net See the 9/16-19 Olympia entry for details on the location or the festival, in the Calendar of Events page.
 

Spring '99 Snohomish, Washington:
Denny Perrigoue, together with the Historic Snohomish Business Association and Snohomish Chamber of Commerce,
aims to bring live, heritage type music (big bands, polka, jazz;  it wouldn't hurt to ask if bluegrass would be heritage enough) for outdoor concerts in downtown
Snohomish. Snohomish is east of Everett along the Highway 2 corridor.
For further information call Denny at (360)568-3141.

TENTATIVE dates for the year 2000
"Puget Sound Guitar Workshop Retreats" in Washington:
Winter Retreat,  Fri 2/11 - Mon 2/14;
Spring Retreat,  Fri 4/14 - Sun 4/16;
JAM Camp (Sound Acoustic Music Camp Retreat) #1,  Sun 6/25 - Fri 6/30;
Puget Sound Guitar Workshop Session 1,  Sat 7/22 - Fri 7/28;
Puget Sound Guitar Workshop Session 2,  Sat 7/29 - Fri 8/4;
Puget Sound Guitar Workshop Session 3,  Sun 8/6 - Sat 8/12;
Fall Retreat,  Fri 1135 - Sun 11/5;
New Year Retreat,  Fri 12/29 - Mon 1/1.
Write to:
PSGW
PO Box 75087
Seattle, WA 98125-0087
Or call (206)784-1059
Or E-mail  Info@PSGW.com
Website  www.psgw.org