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RAY MORGAN PASSES AWAY
BMP's biggest supporter, Ray Morgan,  passed away on April 30. Ray loved of all things bluegrass. He wrote many reviews and observations for the SEBA (SouthEastern Bluegrass Association) publication SEBA Breakdown, and for Bluegrass Music Profiles.

THE GRASCALS
The Grascals, one of the most critically-acclaimed and dynamic groups in bluegrass music today, and the reigning IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Entertainers of the Year for the last two years, will release their third studio album for Rounder Records, Keep On Walkin’, on July 15.  The 12-song, self-produced album is the group’s first release in two years. 





JIM GASKIN PASSES AWAY
James M. "Jim" Gaskin, 70, died May 3, 2008. A broadcaster and musician for over 50 years, he was associated with Danville WDFB AM-FM Christian Radio and had been associated with many station throughout Kentucky. Jim was known as the "Voice of Renfro Valley" and was the writer of the nationally syndicated radio show "Sunday Morning Gatherin'" at Renfro Valley which was considered to be an American radio classic. He was also a Master of Ceremonies, Fiddler and Singer in the Renfro Valley Barn Dance for many years.

MAY IS BLUEGRASS MUSIC MONTH
For the past 20 years, May has been regarded as Worldwide Bluegrass Music Month, an idea that began in 1987 with Bob Wolff, a performing arts consultant from NYC and an enthusiastic bluegrass fan.  Wolff proposed the idea – after he had attended the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Fan Fest in Owensboro, KY – as a means to develop a larger audience for bluegrass music.  Wolff recalls, “My concept was that if people got to stand as close to the musicians as the musicians were to each other, there was no way that they could go away anything but fans.  If a friend invited them to an event, perhaps paying the price of attendance, it would be likely they would return to another and, if these folks left that group or that show with some way to get news of bluegrass events they could attend, they would become part of the audience.”

With the help of fans around the world, May 1988 was chosen as the First Annual Worldwide Bluegrass Music Month.  Though recognized by the IBMA in 1989, the concept is not supported by any one association; it is solely organized by bluegrass devotees who ensure that May is filled with bluegrass activities in their neighborhoods.

CLAIRE LYNCH
Sometimes the best things do come in small packages, as Claire Lynch’s spring creative writing contest aims to prove.  It’s deceptively simple:  Write your life in six words!  If she picks your six-word biography as the best, you will win a choice morsel of a prize: an iPod Shuffle, pre-loaded with all six of Lynch’s Rounder releases.  Check out the video presentation here:  http://app.talkfusion.com/talkFusionStudio/view.asp?174137_1573627

Here are the rules: two entries per person; submit your six word bio, along with your name, email address, city and state on or before May 31 to: clairelynchband@gmail.com.  Lynch will pick the winner based on “blind judging” (without your identifying info visible).  The winner will receive a 1GB iPod Shuffle, pre-loaded with Lynch’s Rounder releases: Crowd Favorites (2007); New Day (2006); Lovelight (2000); Friends for a Lifetime (1998); Silver and Gold (1997); and Moonlighter (1995).  The winner will be announced in Claire’s June e-newsletter, which you can join by going to www.clairelynch.com.

THE CHAPMANS
John, Jeremy, Jason and Bill Chapman are excited to announce one of many career enhancements they’ve achieved with the launch of their new website www.chap-tv.com.   This state-of-the-art, fan-interactive website encapsulates all there is to know about The Chapmans along with videos, lessons, behind-the-scenes-features and much, much more. 

The Chapmans remain family-oriented.  Having signed with ardent management and booking companies, this will allow The Chapmans to devote more time to not only their own families, but to their friends and their families out on the road.  They are proud to announce a new affiliation with KOR Artist Management from Nashville.  Keith Roberts proudly states, “I have watched them take control of their career by focusing on the things that will keep them successful.  They each understand the creative side and business side of the industry are inextricably linked.”  

The Chapmans have also aligned themselves with one of the hottest and most sought-after booking agents within the acoustic music circles, Sound Kitchen Productions.

THE STOCKDALE FAMILY
The ABC TV reality show, Wife Swap, featured the Ohio-based Stockdale Family Band on April 23.

HIGH WINDY RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM
Western North Carolina based Bluegrass artists High Windy will release their debut project, A Greater Storm, May 20^th on the Mountain Home label.  www.highwindyband.com

ALAN LIGHT PASSES AWAY
California Bluegrass Association member and banjo player, Alan Light passed away on April 22nd.

DANNY PAISLEY
The bluegrass world is excited about The Room Over Mine, the forthcoming Rounder album from bluegrass veterans Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass.  Raised to the strains of classic bluegrass, Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass learned the ropes first-hand as the sons (and eventually bandmates) of such beloved figures as Bob Paisley, Ted Lundy, and Donnie Eldreth.  Honed over decades of playing festivals, honky-tonks, Legion halls, and everywhere in between, their sound proudly reflects the timeless bluegrass soul of their fathers – while imparting a razor’s edge intensity all their own.  The Room Over Mine is due in stores June 24.

AMERICAN MADE BANJO COMPANY
(Aaron McDaris pictured left)
The American Made Banjo Company announce the Kel Kroydon Aaron McDaris Signature KK-RB75. Aaron's KK-RB75 is a replica of the famed "75" banjo of the 1930's. The Mahogany 75 with a Rosewood Fingerboard will be equipped with a Full Flathead Dannick Tone Ring.

WILLIAMS & CLARK EXPEDITION
Williams & Clark Expedition is proud to announce their new project, "Brand New Set Of Blues" will be released May 15th.  The CD is the fifth for the band since their inception in 2002.  Consisting of 13 songs, 9 of which are original to the band, and a bonus comedy track, this CD promises to be the best yet from the Expedition.  The CD features Tim Crouch, the band's honorary fifth member, on fiddle and special guests Claire Lynch and Buck White. 

GREENBRIER
Bluegrass band, Grennbrier announces the title track from their March 29, 2008 album, The Back of the Book has been released to bluegrass radio as the first single. This is an original song by band member Roger Helton who also performs guitar, banjo, Dobro and vocals on the CD along with other band members, Jimbo Whaley (vocals and guitar); Scott Carris (bass); and guests, Danny Barnes (mandolin); and Shad Cobb (fiddle).

THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN REUNION BAND
Eddie Adcock, Jimmy Gaudrea, Randy Waller and Tom Gray-- are pleased to announce that their brand-new CD is available. Released on lucky March 13, it's on new label RadioTherapy Records, and it contains a "lucky thirteen" tunes. 

THILO HAIN
Thilo Hain, the leader of Sacred Sounds of Grass and SPGMA’s “Best European Banjo Player,” endorses Recording King banjos.

CHRIS AUSTIN SONGWRITING CONTEST WINNERS FOR MERLEFEST 2008
General Category Winner:
David Myles from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada with “When It Comes My Turn.”

Gospel Category Winner:
Phil Ruff from Rutherfordton, North Carolina with “Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John.”

Bluegrass Category Winner:
Brandon Story from Bristol, Tennessee with “Famous for Doing Something Bad.”

Country Category Winner:
Wendy Newcomer from Nashville, Tennessee with “Runaround.”


RHONDA VINCENT
Bluegrass queen Rhonda Vincent has just released her 10^th career video – for the song “I Gotta Start Somewhere” from her latest album, Good Thing Going.  The video, filmed in Bryson City, NC with Los Angeles director Dallas Henry, features Vincent trying to get over a broken relationship by retreating to the mountains.  Vincent’s band, The Rage, make their video debut along with her driver, Yogi Bare.  The video will premiere on the bluegrass.cmt.com blog to help launch this new CMT initiative – a blog devoted to bluegrass music – on May 1 and will debut on CMT Pure in heavy rotation on Monday, May 5. www.rhondavincent.com
 

RICK HAYES
Rick Hayes, mandolinist for The Gibson Brothers, is in his studio putting the finishing touches to his first solo CD Fly By Night, with an expected May release. Rick plays mandolin, guitar and bass on the project and invited Ron Stewart (The Dan Tyminski Band) on banjo, Jim VanCleve (Mountain Heart) on fiddle and Josh Swift (DL&Q) on Dobro. Rick takes on lead vocal duties with the exception of a guest lead each by his bandmates Eric and Leigh Gibson. Harmony vocals are by Dwight McCall, the Gibsons and Clay Hess. The CD includes a bonus track sung by his father, Green Hayes.

DANNY PAISLEY
On June 24, Rounder Records will release The Room Over Mine, the new album from Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass.  Raised to the strains of classic bluegrass, Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass learned the ropes first-hand as the sons (and eventually bandmates) of such beloved figures as Bob Paisley, Ted Lundy, and Donnie Eldreth.  Honed over decades of playing festivals, honky-tonks, Legion halls, and everywhere in between, their sound proudly reflects the timeless bluegrass soul of their fathers – while imparting a razor’s edge intensity all their own. 

TIM HENSLEY
On April 4th, Tim Hensley debuted on The Grand Ole Opry. He recently debuted in the Top 10 debut on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart with Long Monday, his first album ever… He has national airplay for Rodney Crowell’s “Ridin' Out The Storm,” Monday’s lead single…He has accolades from Vince Gill on the song, “What A Sight To Behold”… He just performed at Ernest Tubb’s Midnight Jamboree… and now into his third decade as a journeyman musician, Tim Hensley played the Opry in support of his own music.

 "It’s kinda hard to believe,” says the acoustic guitar/tenor singer about the prospect of hearing his name called on the country music’s greatest tradition, the Grand Ole Opry. “I mean, when you’re looking at the history of this music, the Grand Ole Opry is the one thing that runs through all of it… It doesn’t matter who or when or how, it’s the one place I think everybody wants to play.”

EUGENE CRABTREE PASSES AWAY
James King's banjo player Eugene Crabtree passed away April 9th from a heart attack.

LONNIE NIPPER PASSES AWAY
Bluegrass musician/songwriter Lonnie Nipper passed away in March. The Nipper Brothers, were a mainstay on the bluegrass circuit in the 70's and 80's in the southern Ohio area.  Lonnie's health started to fail and the road was no longer an option, but Lonnie continued to write songs and pick around on the banjo or mandolin.

Lonnie wrote several bluegrass songs which most notable is Those Two Blue Eyes recorded by Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley on their Second Generation album, also recorded by Ginny Hawker and recently John Starling and Carolina project, Slidin' Home. He also wrote some tunes that Larry Sparks recorded back in his formative years.

PEGGY LOGAN PASSES AWAY
Peggy Logan passed away on March 27, in hospice care in Madison, New Jersey, after a lengthy illness. She was a passionate fan of bluegrass and country music. For many years co-hosting with her husband a legendary barbecue party where Bill Monroe would play all night long with current and previous members of the Blue Grass Boys and notable guests from the bluegrass community. In the 1970s, Peggy was a contributing editor of Muleskinner News magazine.

WES MILLER BAND
Shed Music recording artist Wes Miller is pleased to announce The Wes Miller Band is now represented by Lance LeRoy.  

IBMA LEADERSHIP BLUEGRASS 2008 GRADUATES 

The International Bluegrass Music Association announced the graduating class of Leadership Bluegrass 2008.  Leadership Bluegrass, now in its ninth year with more than 200 alumni, is an intensive three-day program of advanced level, interactive learning experiences that invites participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing our music along with related leadership issues.

 

Leadership Bluegrass 2008 was hosted March 25-27 at BMI in Nashville, Tenn., and was facilitated for the ninth year by Fred Bartenstein, a noted bluegrass historian and broadcaster as well as a professional meeting facilitator.

Photo Caption: The International Bluegrass Music Association is pleased to announce the graduating class of Leadership Bluegrass 2008, pictured here at BMI in Nashville on March 27.  Row 1, L-R: Marty Raybon, Dana Thorin, Lucy Weberling, April Verch, Lorraine Short, Debbie Durant, Cindy Gray, Ron Cox, Tim Graves, Roger Siminoff; Row 2, L-R: Katy Daley, Rebekah Weiler, Roger Ryan, Katy E. Leonard, Bill Hartley, Mike Marceau; Row 3, L-R: Serge Bernard, Matt Lindsey, Tim McFadden, Richard Hurst, Carl Jackson, Diane King, Wayne Taylor, Ethan Burkhardt, Arnie Fleischer (photo by Priscilla Warnock)

KINDRED RECORDS
Kindred Records has added The Watson Family to its roster.

JIMMY STEWART
Louisiana native Jimmy Stewart has issued single Angel Of The Night from his upcoming Warner Brothers release to Itunes and Sirius Radio.  The song was written by The Steeldrivers' Chris Stapleton who guests on the track as well. Jimmy played Dobro and fiddle with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver in the early 90's and spent the last 12 years on the road with country music duo Brooks & Dunn. 

RANDY KOHRS AND JIM LAURDERDALE
Americana icon/Nashville hit songwriter, Jim Lauderdale, and world-renowned resophonic guitarist/producer, Randy Kohrs, found a winning formula as they walked away with the Bluegrass Album of the Year at this year’s Grammy® Awards for Lauderdale’s highly-acclaimed Yep Roc Records release, The Bluegrass Diaries.  Wasting no time, they are already back in Kohrs’ Slack Key Studio working on the next one.

ROOTS MUSIC AWARDS
The city of San Antonio, Texas has been selected to host the annual Roots Music Awards. The annual event will be held in conjunction with the Roots Music Association’s upcoming Radio Seminar, Music Conference and Festival that will be held June 26-29, 2008.  The event is expected to bring hundreds of radio stations, networks, and independent artists to the Hill Country of Texas.  www.rootsmusicassociation.org

JESSE MCREYNOLDS
Jesse McReynolds' live radio broadcast on WHIN 1010AM is now worldwide streaming from the Internet.

THE FREIGHT HOPPERS
Jim Roe of Roe Entertainment is happy to announce the addition of Rounder Recording artists, The Freight Hoppers, an old time string band, to his roster of bluegrass bands.

SIERRA HULL
The forthcoming national debut album from 16-year old mandolin prodigy Sierra Hull is due May 6 on Rounder Records.  Secrets is an astonishingly mature album that balances hard-driving bluegrass with introspective ballads and features a who’s who of bluegrass all-stars including Ron Block, Dan Tyminski, Barry Bales, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Tony Rice, Jim VanCleve, Rob Ickes, Chris Jones, Jason Moore, and 17-year-old banjo whiz Cory Walker (who is in Sierra’s band, Highway 111).

JUNIOR SISK SIGNS WITH REBEL RECORDS
Junior Sisk & Ramblers' Choice have inked a recording contract with Rebel Records.  The Ferrum, Virginia based band consists of Sisk on guitar & lead vocals, Tim Massey on bass, Darrell Wilkerson on banjo, Chris Harris on mandolin, and Billy Hawks on fiddle.  Both band and label are excited by the
pairing.  Says Sisk, "I've always wanted to record for Rebel.  Now I feel like I've found a home."  The straight-ahead, traditional bluegrass favored by the band is a perfect fit for the like-minded label.  Mark Freeman of Rebel says that Sisk "is a strong singer with a solid band and we're looking forward to working with them."  The upcoming album, produced by Ronnie Bowman and tentatively titled "Blue Side Of The Blue Ridge," is scheduled for a mid-summer release.

LARRY STEPHENSON NEW RELEASE
March 18th is the release date of Larry Stephenson's latest all gospel release Thankful.  The single, "Press On O'Pilgrim," came in at number 1 on Prime Cuts Vol. 91.  This latest project showcases the talent of several guest artists including Sonya Isaacs, Warren Goad, Ben Surratt, Missy Raines, and Shad Cobb.  Stephenson's fans have been begging for another all gospel release since Heavenward Bound several years ago.
 

DAVID DAVIS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
David Davis is proud to welcome two new members to the Warrior River Boys: Versatile banjo player, Robert Montgomery, of Moulton, AL, and Paul Priest, from Custer, KY

BLUEGRASS NOW CEASES PRINT PUBLICATION 
After 19 years of publishing an innovative and successful magazine in a traditional print format, May 2008 will be a landmark issue for Bluegrass Now, as we cease publication of our print edition and evolve
as an equally innovative and totally electronic magazine. 
  
HOMEGROWN MUSIC: DISCOVERING BLUEGRASS
For visually-impaired bluegrassers or those who simply prefer digital versions and the portability of digital media, Homegrown Music: Discovering Bluegrass is available from the original publisher in E-book form. To access details directly, go to http://ebooks.greenwood.com/browse/ebookdetails.asp?c=EC8115
Follow instructions on that page to establish and account for purchase. A free trial offer is also available.

MOUNTAIN HEART VIDEO
Mountain Heart is blazing new trails for bluegrass and acoustic music with the March 5^th music video release of the title track from the ROAD THAT NEVER ENDS (The Live Album) on Rural Rhythm Records. This is Mountain Heart’s first music video and was produced by Josh Shilling and directed by Scott Hansen from Renown Studio. AristoMedia will distribute the video to National and Regional music video outlets in addition to their Internet and Closed Circuit panel. Jessica Bilak Porfirio, Manager of Video Marketing & Promotions with the company enthusiastically stated, “We are happy to be working with Rural Rhythm Records and Mountain Heart on this new project. We are looking forward to taking this high energy and well produced music video to our panel of outlets where we anticipate a great response.”

ARLIN MOON PASSES AWAY
Fiddler and instrument maker Arlin Moon passed away March 8th at the age of 91. Moon, who resided in Holly Pond Alabama, made hundreds of stringed instruments. Two are displayed in the Smithsonian Institute. He taught many musicians in the North Alabama area to play bluegrass music including his granddaughter Tina Miller, fiddle player and vocalist for bluegrass gospel group, Canaan’s Crossing. He also booked many musicians like Bill Monroe, Carl Story, The Sullivan Family, etc. at his music barn called "The Red Barn" in Holly Pond.

NEW MUSIC REVIEW WEBSITE
Otter's Bluegrass and Old Time Music Review -  The site is in it's infancy, but the goal is to give attention to regional artists, less-known groups, different groups, and also well-known artists.  They're also planning to do one classic album review per week.   http://ottersbluegrassreview.blogspot.com/.
 

DAILEY & VINCENT
Rounder Records duo Dailey & Vincent had the pleasure of congratulating the Statler Brothers on their forthcoming induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.  

 

"It's no secret how highly we regard the Statler Brothers," said Jamie Dailey.  "They set a new standard of excellence in writing and performing, in the way they handled their business and the way they treat their fans.  And Darrin and I count ourselves among their biggest fans."

 

"They are so deserving of this honor," echoed Darrin Vincent. "We're proud to know them and consider them friends."

 

The duo's admiration of the Statlers is evident on their self-titled debut, which includes the Statlers' hit "More Than a Name on a Wall," written by Jimmy Fortune, and another one of Fortune's compositions, "I Believe." In addition, the album contains Dailey & Vincent's version of "Place on Calvary," written by Langdon Reid, which the Statlers recorded in 2002 and performed during their farewell concert that year.

NO DEPRESSION CEASES PRINT PUBLICATION
No Depression, the bimonthly magazine covering a broad range of American roots music since 1995, will bring to an end its print publication with its 75th issue in May-June 2008. Plans to expand the publication's website (www.nodepression.net) with additional content will move forward, though it will in no way replace
the print edition.

PINECASTLE RECORDS WELCOMES SARA BAILEY
Pinecastle Records welcomes Sara Bailey as their Director of Publicity.   While attending college at Appalachian State University, Sara began her involvement in the music industry as an influential member of the Appalachian Heritage Council.   During her four-year engagement to the council, she co-organized and promoted music events at the university and was a recipient of several awards for her outstanding dedication and commitment to the Heritage Council.   Also while at ASU, Sara began her tenure as a booking agent when hired by an Asheville based booking agency.  She later established Music River Productions through which she books Americana acts on a national level and served as a talent buyer for music venues.  In addition to her behind the scenes involvement in the music industry, Sara is also a closet singer-songwriter herself.   After a short return to her roots in Beaufort, North Carolina, the mountains recently called Sara back to Western North Carolina where she has happily found a home with Pinecastle Records and is excited to further expand her involvement in the music industry.

2008 MONRO-STYLE MANDOLIN CAMP
The International Bluegrass Music Museum has now opened registration to its 2008 Monroe-Style Mandolin Camp. This popular, internationally attended camp coincides with the anniversary  of Bill Monroe's birth (he would have been 97 on September 13). Dates for this year's camp are September 12-14.