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So, do you like to read good news? I'm betting if you like bluegrass music, then you do.
This is the place to find out what's happening around and about
And these days, "around and about" means "pretty much anywhere."
Consequently, State of the Ozarks is happy to include bluegrass news from anywhere — not just the Ozark region.
BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARDS!
(2008 WINNERS)
SPBGMA NATIONALS
Entertainer of the Year: RHONDA VINCENT
Entertaining Group of the Year: NOTHIN' FANCY
Song of the Year: LEFTY'S OLD GUITAR by JD CROWE & THE NEW SOUTH / ROUNDER
Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall): THE GRASCALS
Instrumental Group of the Year: THE GRASCALS
Vocal Group of the Year: RHONDA VINCENT & THE RAGE
Gospel Group of the Year (Traditional): PAUL WILLIAMS & THE VICTORY TRIO
Gospel Group of the Year (Contemporary): NEWFOUND ROAD
Male Vocalist of the Year (Traditional): JAMES KING
Male Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary): LARRY STEPHENSON
Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional): ALECIA NUGENT
Female Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary): RHONDA VINCENT
Fiddle Performer of the Year: HUNTER BERRY
Banjo Performer of the Year: KENNY INGRAM
Mandolin Performer of the Year: DANNY ROBERTS
Guitar Performer of the Year: JOSH WILLIAMS
Dobro Performer of the Year: PHIL LEADBETTER
Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year: MICKEY HARRIS
Bluegrass Album of the Year: THE ROAD HEADIN' HOME by GRASSTOWNE for PINECASTLE RECORDS / ROUNDER RECORDS
Bluegrass Song Writer of the Year: TOM T. HALL & DIXIE HALL
Bluegrass Newsletter of the Year: FIREBALL MAIL (SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION)
Bluegrass DJ of the Year: FREDDY SMITH, WDVX-FM
Bluegrass Radio Station of the Year: WDVX-FM, KNOXVILLE, TN
Bluegrass Promoter of the Year: JOHN & FERN HUTCHINSON
Be sure to check out: (www) SPGMA (.com)
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BIG WIN FOR RAVEN MOON
(ST. LOUIS)
"My band Raven Moon has been performing in St. Louis for 10 years now and just won the coveted Riverfront Times award.
We have worked hard to spread the good word about bluegrass and have taken it to the best top notch venues in town. It is our mission to bring the sound of bluegrass to new venues and new audiences.
This award tells us we are going in the right direction."
— Christine Pieck
Be sure to check out: (www) Raven Moon Band (.com)
(FEBRUARY 4)
Nothin' Fancy walked away from the 34th Annual National SPGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America), with a top win of the evening.
The Virginia-based group was named Entertaining Group of the Year by SPGMA's members. The awards were given at the Music City Sheraton Hotel in Nashville, on Sunday, February 3.
Nothin' Fancy has recently made a lot of fans in the midwest and Ozark regions.
The band has been nominated several times in this particular category and were visibly surprised when they were announced as the recipient of this prestigious award.
"We have a trophy case at home that's been waiting for us to put somethin' in it," stated Gary Farris, the band's guitarist and tenor singer.
Mike Andes, lead vocalist and mandolin player for the group, thanked the crowd for their votes and said, "Standing up here with me are four of the most fun and wonderful guys you could ever ask to work with."
State of the Ozarks congratulates Mike Andes, Gary Farris, Tony Shorter, Mitchell Davis and Chris Sexton on this well-deserved win!
Be sure to check out: (www) NothinFancy Bluegrass (.com)
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BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARDS!
(2008 WINNERS)
SPBGMA MIDWEST
Entertainer of the Year: BRUCE PUNCHES
Entertaining Group of the Year: THE FARIS FAMILY
Instrumental Group of the Year: THE MARTINS FAMILY
Vocal Group of the Year: ROWDEN REVIEW
Bluegrass Band of the Year (Traditional): MIDNIGHT FLIGHT
Bluegrass Band of the Year (Contemporary): ARLINGTON
Bluegrass Gospel Group of the Year: THE LINK FAMILY
Male Vocalist of the Year (Traditional): LONNIE FULTS
Male Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary): BRUCE PUNCHES
Male Vocalist of the Year (Traditional): LONNIE FULTS
Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional): RHONDA SLOAN
Female Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary): BECKY LINK
Fiddle Performer of the Year: KYLE LINK
Banjo Performer of the Year: JIM MCGREEVY
Mandolin Performer of the Year: ERIC COONS
Guitar Performer of the Year: RICKY FARIS
Dobro Performer of the Year: JACK FERGUSON
Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year: JIMBOB FARIS
Bluegrass Album of the Year: MEDALS FOR MOTHER by ROWDEN REVIEW / INDEPENDENT LABEL
Bluegrass Song Writer of the Year: BOB HAMMONS
Bluegrass Promoter of the Year: DON & BOBBIE DAY
Be sure to check out: (www) SPGMA (.com)
(FEBRUARY 8)
"To the best of my recollection, this is the first time that siblings fronting two different performing groups have occupied the number one and number two positions on the Billboard bluegrass chart," says Rounder Records co-founder, Ken Irwin.
He was referring to the debut album of the self-titled Dailey & Vincent release, currently at number two on the Billboard charts.
Darrin Vincent is co-producer of the CD, as well as that of the current number one CD, sister Rhonda Vincent's Good Thing Going.
Dailey & Vincent also remain at number one on the Sirius Bluegrass Countdown.
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BIG SMITH NEWS
(FEBRUARY 08)
Molly Healey has done what many deemed nigh impossible," writes the Big Smith band. "She has broken the gender and DNA barrier to become the newest full-time member, adding much needed fiddle textures to this previously testosterone-driven combo.
Healey's session work has already appeared on close to 20 releases on the MayApple Label alone and she released her own album, Expecting, in 2005.
Be sure to check out: (www) Big Smith Band (.com)
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CHAMBERS MUSIC NEWS
"We've got a new book, Talent On Loan, about our family bluegrass band.
Our most recent CD, out early this year, is titled Black&white: Redhotbluegrass."
— Maribeth Chambers
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LINDLEY CREEK NEWS
(JANUARY 4)
Lindley Creek Bluegrass is heading back home to Missouri from New Mexico.
The folks there like the Ozark music we play and enjoyed the kids' music especially.
It was our first Christmas away from Missouri and it was very different to be surrounded by cactus and desert scenes instead of oak trees and snow.
While there we met up with another band, Triple L, of Portales, NM. They've won the Silver Dollar City Youth In Bluegrass Contest and we had a great time jamming and checking out sand sledding instead of snow sledding!
Be sure to check out: (www) Lindley Creek (.com)
WHAT ARE THE FESTIVAL DATES?
Bluegrass & BBQ at Silver Dollar City runs from May 10 through June 1.
HOW MANY GROUPS / PERFORMERS ARE SCHEDULED?
We have over 50 bands coming. That makes for approximately 200 performers.
FOR THOSE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE FESTIVAL, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM?
Everybody loves music. It's the language of the soul. If you attend out festival, you will hear some of the finest musicians in the world.
We have seven stages operating daily. We will host several national touring stars, great regional bands, and some outstanding family music groups.
You can see two great contests: The National Single MIC Championship (May 17-18), and the KSMU Youth In Bluegrass Band Contest (May 24-25).
We have a special guest headliner on May 30, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, whose recordings introduced a generation of rock and roll fans to bluegrass and traditional country music.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE VISITORS TO TAKE AWAY FROM THEIR VISIT
We strive to present the best of America's wonderful cultural heritage.
As our ancestors came from many different countries around the world, the musical sounds of these immigrants congealed into the uniquely American music that we call bluegrass.
Today's bluegrass includes both traditional and contemporary styles. The contemporary bands employ modern lyrics and innovative techniques. Not only can we enjoy the music as played by Bill Monroe or Flatt & Scruggs, but also appreciate the exciting innovations of more recent artists.
IS THE FESTIVAL CONTRIBUTING TO THE BLUEGRASS GENRE?
Considering our deep involvement with young musicians and family bands, we may play a role in influencing the next generation of bluegrass players to remain committed to values and traditions even while they explore fresh ideas. If history proves that to be the case, we will have made our contribution.
Be sure to check out: (www) Silver Dollar City (.com)
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