About Phyllis Erck

Dobro player and singer

Idaho Sawtooth Bluegrass Associatian – 2009 Spring Super Jam

Will Williams and Gravel Road, Chicken Dinner Road, and Tradition

Date:  May 8, 9, 10 Mother’s Day

Location: Lewis & Clark Resort, Kamiah, Idaho

Cost: Free Admission

Camping/Hotel
Make reservations at Kamiah Resort 208 935-2556
Motel, RV spots, cafe, dry camping.
Special Bluegrass Rates
email: lewisandclarkrvresort.com

 

 

Schedule

  • Friday, 8th
    Open jam, all day and into the night
    Open mic Friday evening from 4-6pm
  • Saturday, 9th
    9:00 AM Annual ISBA general meeting
    10:00 Instrument Workshops — Banjo, guitar, and fiddle
    11:00 Instrument Workshops — Bass, Dobro, and guitar
    12:00 Noon Open jam all afternoon
    2-6 Free performance of bluegrass bands: Will Williams and Gravel Road, Chicken Dinner Road, and Tradition
    6:00 Catered dinner and buffet
    7:00 Jam all night
  • Sunday, 10th
    Open MIC bluegrass gospel. Sign-up with Raynae Redman

New This Year: Beginner/Intermediate Jamming

This year we are trying something new — a beginner/intermediate jam for the shy people of the bluegrass world. We have consulted with the jams in the three areas of the state to compile a song list for this jam so that you may come prepared. There will be no pressure to do breaks. Our goal is to have fun and give beginner/intermediates a chance to play with other people at their level. We will post a sign where people can gather for this jam and have a jam master to moderate and help those with questions.

Song List for Beginner/Intermediate Jam

  1. Bury Me Beneath the Willow G
  2. I’ll Fly away G
  3. Life is Like a Mountain Railway G
  4. Lonesome Road Blues G
  5. Salty Dog Blues G
  6. Will the Circle Be Unbroken G
  7. Gold Rush A
  8. Rebekah B
  9. Randy Lynn G
  10. All the Good Times Are Past and Gone G
  11. Fireball Mail G
  12. No Mother Nor Dad
  13. Cripple Creek A
  14. Old Joe Clark A
  15. John Hardy A or G
  16. Bury Me Beneath the Willow G
  17. Maggie G
  18. Cumberland Gap G

Kids in Bluegrass

The Kids in Bluegrass program was so successful at our Round Valley Festival last Fall that we will be continuing with this program at both the Superjam in Kamiah, and once again at Round Valley. Our association is about helping to preserve and promote the bluegrass music that we all enjoy and play. Through the encouragement and teaching of the children and then allowing them so showcase their talents at our activities we can show them how we value their efforts.

If you have a child or know of a child 18 years and younger who is playing or singing bluegrass they are welcome to participate in the “Kids In Bluegrass” program. This is for all abilities and all children under age 18. The only criteria is that it must be bluegrass music that the child is playing or singing. So if you have a child and would like them to participate you may contact Raynae Redman blugrssmom@aol.com or by phone at 208-839-2267 or you can just get ahold of me at the festivals and let me know of your child. I will be working with the kids at the festivals and more information as to times and places will be available there. So come one come all. Raynae (Cuzin Ray)

For more information about the Idaho Sawtooth Bluegrass Association visit their website.

Lots of pictures from the 2008 Jam

Rounder Bluegrass Month giveaway (Free stuff)

PRESS RELEASE

Rounder Records Burlington, MA — Every year Rounder Records is an active participant
in the unofficial May is International Bluegrass Music Month! This year is no
different. And this year, they have a special treat for Rounder fans.

Rounder Records celebrates Bluegrass Month with new releases, special discounts,
and EXCLUSIVE PRIZES! Enter your email address to sign up for the Rounder email
list, and you’ll be entered to win one of the following great prizes:

Grand Prize

  • 1 lucky winner will receive a Deering “Goodtime 2” banjo autographed
    by Steve Martin!

5 First Prize Packages:

  • $50 Rounder Gift Certificate good toward purchases from Rounder.com
  • Rounder artist merchandise autographed by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver,
    Blue Highway, Michael Cleveland, The Grascals, Dailey & Vincent, and the
    SteelDrivers

3 Second Prize Packages:

  • $50 Rounder Gift Certificate
  • Free 1 year subscription to Bluegrass Unlimited
  • Rounder logo T-shirt

Contest runs from May 1st to June 30th. Winners will be drawn at random from
the Rounder email list and notified by July 1st via email. For a chance to win
one of the prizes above, visit The Official Rounder Contest Website.

Letter from the President

Well the 10th annual MRBA festival is behind us and it was a great success. We had a good turnout despite the great weather and the crowd stayed until the last band played their last song. As you all know the festival has two main purposes. The first is to get together and enjoy some great bluegrass music. The other is to raise money to support the activities of the association. We were very successful on both counts.

The bands who played throughout the day were great. The youngsters kicked off the festival and what a job they did. Some were polished performers and others were just getting started but they all played with enthusiasm.  Throughout the day, we were also able to enjoy several bluegrass styles and heard some old standards, some new songs and quite a few written by the performers themselves. I heard some comments that this festival was one the best so far.

Total receipts were $2436 and that was $1087 from admission fees, $201 from merchandise sales, $718 from food, and $345 from membership renewals. We had 7 new members sign up as well. The cost of food was about $300 so we made about $400 profit on the food. Thanks to all who donated food items for sale.

There are some people I want to thank for their efforts in making the festival a great success. First, I want to thank all the musicians who played at the festival without any compensation. Some travelled long distances at considerable expense to volunteer their talents, The festival would not be possible without their effort.

There are some other people I and the board of directors want to thank by name. First is Mike and Tari Conroy who rounded up all musicians and did a hundred other things to make the festival happen. John and Lois Malikie’s work started long before festival day. Their efforts were key to organizing the “business” end of things, getting the food ready and they worked tirelessly the day of the festival. Lela Shaffer, who is in charge of the merchandise, spent a lot of time getting together shirts, caps, bumper stickers and other items which promote the MRBA. She also worked tirelessly at the merchandise table on festival day. Raynae Redman organized the Kids in Bluegrass set. Forrest Clark, Mary Jane Cunningham, Roger Underwood and Kate McMahon worked the admissions and membership table throughout the day. Faun Treichel, John Redman and Mary Irwin worked in the kitchen. I’m sure there are other members who helped out but I failed to get their names. Thanks to them also. We even got great help from the folks in the audience who stacked all the chairs when the festival ended.

However, we could have used more volunteers in the kitchen and at the other tables. According to the old saying many hands make light work.

We have a lot of bluegrass events coming up on the calendar so I hope to see you at one down the road.

-Dallas Olson

MRBA Newsletter Vol 12 Issue 3 (May-Jun 2009)

MRBA Newsletter Vol 11 Issue 3 (May-Jun 2009)

MRBA Newsletter Vol 11 Issue 3 (May-Jun 2009)

Spring Gardening and Bluegrass Music Month

Happy spring everyone.  Spring is springing in Montana and May is Bluegrass Music Month. 

We kick off the month with the Zurich Pickers & Fiddlers Rendezvous May 1-3.

Memorial Day falls on May25th this year.  Keep your eyes out for an invitation from Mike & Tari Conroy for their annual Memorial Day campout at West Fork on Memorial Day weekend. 

Save yourself some time with your gardening this year by just clicking on the box below.  Really do it up bluegrass style, by holding down the mouse while you click.

Larry Barnwell

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Larry Barnwell.  If you’re missing him, like me, you’ll enjoy these videos of him.

Sunny side of the Mountain  from the Montana Musician’s website

Little Girl From TN

 

And another one from Elderly Instruments’ YouTube Channel

Celebrating Martin Guitars 175th anniversary at Elderly Instruments playing Lester Flatts hit “Head Over Heels in Love with You”

It’s band booking time in Montana

It’s a busy time of the year for bluegrass bands.  Folks are busily booking bands for summer events.  Don’t be left out in the cold.  Make sure that you are easy to find on the internet. 

Here are some tips for getting bookings.

To get listed or update your listing in the Members Section here

[contact-form 1 “Band Contact”]

If you have any other suggestions for bands on how to get their names out there, please post them here as a comment to this Posting.