IdaGrass May-June 2007

Message from the President

Hello to all ISBA members,

The Super Jam at Kamiah 2007 is now history and I am just now getting rested from that outstanding weekend of fellowship with so many wonderful people who just happen to be the best bunch of

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IdaGrassInside this Issue:

Contact Us………………………...page 11

Disk Space………………………...page 10

IdaGrass Calendar…….…………..page 1

In the Spotlight…………………....page 7

Message from the President…........page 2

News from the Middle Zone.....……page 10

News from the Southern Zone........page 9

Rudy’s Mercantile and Sundries…..page 4

Super Jam Pix……………………...page 3

Some of our favorite Websites Montana Rockies Bluegrass Assoc:www.mrba.com

University of Idaho Bluegrass Club:http://stuorgs.uidaho.edu/~bluegrass/

ISBA Website:www.idahosawtoothbluegrass.org

Bluegrass Events CalendarSouthern Zone Monthly Jams, 7pm at Gerties’ Brick Oven Cookery in Twin Falls

Hot Jam, 1st Monday of the monthSlow Jam, 3rd Monday of the month

For more information contact John Boyer, 208-733-4552 boyerj1@mindspring.com

Middle Zone Monthly Jam – June 9th, 7pm at the Star Community Center. For directions or more information contact: dennisstokes@speedyquick.net

Northern Zone Monthly Jam – 1st SAT of the month at the Orchards Methodist Chruch, 1213 Burrell Ave, Lewiston 12 Noon to 5:00pm.. For more information contact: Steve Gleason (208) 798-8280 or Pete Northcutt (208) 983- 2277

If you have calendar events, jams or festivals you would like included in the next issue of Ida-Grass, please email them to trueblue@wildblue.net

ISBA Website:

www.idahosawtoothbluegrass.orgCheck out more photos from the Spring Super Jam –

“Hey Mom, Look, I’m famous”

Volume 3 Issue 3 May-June 2007

The purpose of the Idaho Sawtooth Bluegrass Association: To preserve and perpetuate Bluegrass music as a heritage of our

country, To promote the education and the enjoyment of Bluegrass music, To promote fellowship among all musicians and supporters who

have a love for Bluegrass music, regardless of race, creed, color, ethnicity, or ability to play music.

IdaGrass May-June 2007bluegrass pickers that I have the privilege of knowing. What a wonderful time it was.

I would like to begin by thanking all the members in the Northern Zone for putting forth the effort required to put on the Super Jam. The new location you found for the event was perfect in the opinion of all that I heard talk about it.

It gave me great pleasure to start what I hope will be an ongoing tradition by presenting the first ISBA V.I.P. Awards. It is only proper to recognize the outstanding service volunteered by certain individuals. It was hard to single out some and not mention so many who have also done so much. But we had to start somewhere and, Ladies first. Helen Smith and Carolyn Johnson certainly deserve recognition for their willingness to give their service to the ISBA. When you work closely with someone you get to observe, in a way most never see, just how dedicated they are to filling the needs of our organization. On behalf of the entire membership, I say a special heart felt, Thank You.

Thanks are in order to The Grangeville Bluegrass Company, Chicken Dinner Road, Tradition and all of the groups that graced the stage to help make up the entire entertainment program. They deserve a great big thank you for contributing their services. I especially want to thank each and every person who made the effort to attend. You all made it a tremendous success.

The improvement of the Super Jam, compared to the first year, is remarkable. If we accomplish anything near that with the Fall Festival we are in for a great festival this year. We are progressing on preparations for the 2nd Annual ISBA Fall Bluegrass Festival. The date has been set for October 5-7, 2007. The Bands have been selected and all ten possible positions have been filled. We have already started the raffle ticket sales to give away a Recording King Banjo, which is a replica of a 1930’s Gibson Banjo. It is a very nice banjo and it will be present at various programs throughout the summer for you to see it and purchase your winning ticket. The tickets are available to anyone and everyone at $1.00 each, or 12 for $10.00

There has been progress toward opening another venue for the ISBA and Bluegrass Music here in Treasure Valley. It will be in the Barn on the Alden and Jacqueline Harshman home place. They have expressed their desire to help us by

making their Barn available for various Bluegrass shows. We are taking this one step at a time and we have tentative plans for the first show to be held July 7, 2007. The Barn is a replica of a very old barn that stood on that location until it burned down about 12 years ago. They have rebuilt the barn and it has a nice concrete floor with room to seat 250 plus. It should be great for our shows. I will keep you informed as we progress on this project.

If you have kept up with the postings on the ISBA website you may have noticed that there are two additions to the ISBA Board of Directors. We welcome Bill Elmer and John Boyer as newly elected members of the ISBA Board of Directors. I feel that their addition to the Board will help as we continue to affect the stated purpose of the Idaho Sawtooth Bluegrass Association.

Thank you for your continuing support. I hope to see you at our upcoming functions.

Keep the tradition,Bob GreerPresident, ISBA

A Special Thanksto the following photographers:

Gail Williams -White Bird, IDWill Williams - White Bird, IDJim McCue - Payette, IDDeb Lynde – Missoula, MT

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IdaGrass May-June 2007

Super Jam Pix

Circle Jam

Young Picker, Caleb Dostal

A little dobro business – Pat Massie, Pete Northcutt and Bill Molinda

Open Mic – Kade Roach, Brandi Lynde, Raynae Redman & Pat Threewit

More jammin’

Open Mic - Barb and Ron Cole

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IdaGrass May-June 2007Rudy’s Mercantile and SundriesBy Rudy Corbett

It all started one fall evening in 1978. I was eight years old. We lived on the corner of NC-42 and SR 10-10, Johnston County, North Carolina. On the opposite corner was The Old Drug Store. Over the years it was everything from a drug store, as the name implies, to an automotive repair shop, and finally a convenience store. I have fond memories of enjoying a Moon Pie and a RC Cola in the heat of the afternoon after putting in a barn of tobacco. (If you know what I’m talking about, you understand.) I remember listening to the old men in the back of the store arguing over a game of chess, then turning my attention to the sound of my RC Cola bottle cap landing at the bottom of the opener on the side of the soda chest.

The Old Drug Store had changed hands and the new owner was constructing a new building just to the left of the store. Of course, my interest was high. There really wasn’t anything for miles around except houses and tobacco fields. What could he be building? Turns out it was a music store. A music store out here in the middle of nowhere!?!? What was he thinking?

Whatever he was thinking, it worked. People came from all over to buy instruments and get their instruments repaired, but what peaked my interest was on Thursday nights. It was the only night he kept the store open after normal closing time and the parking lot was packed. My curiosity was getting the better of me when my oldest brother, Nelson, went over to find out what was going on. He didn’t return for several hours. When he did come back I remember the big grin on his face and him saying, “You have to go with me next week.”

When next week came I was filled with excitement. I was finally going to find out what was going on over there. I could hear the sounds of music before we reached the door. Little did I know that the rest of my life was about to be changed. When we stepped inside I was overwhelmed by the sounds of the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bass. It was AWESOME! I was hooked from that day and couldn’t get enough. I remember the faces of the men and

women playing, the joy in their eyes. This music was phenomenal!

Hi, my name is Rudy Corbett. Over the next few issues of the newsletter I would like to take you on a journey that will lead you to a better understanding of what I call Bluegrass. I want to start this journey by giving you some history behind the music and then we will move on to how the music has evolved.

Having grown up in a place where the Bluegrass roots run deep, at eight years old I didn’t have much interest in the history. All that changed when I met Carlton Haney at the Bass Mountain Bluegrass Festival during Memorial Day weekend, 1992. I remember he was sitting in a lawn chair just to the left of the stage listening to The Lewis Family. I don’t know why I chose to speak to him but being friendly I simply said, “Hello.” He acknowledged me and asked if I was enjoying the festival. This simple exchange of conversation turned into several hours of him telling stories from first-hand experience. I was captivated, to say the least. I didn’t know until after we parted ways that I was just conversing with a legend in Bluegrass history.

Carlton Haney has been credited with producing the World’s first multi-day, multi-band Bluegrass festival in Fincastle, Virginia, Labor Day weekend, 1965. The festival featured: Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys, Fiddler Howdy Forrester, Jimmy Martin & the Sunny Mountain Boys, Clyde Moody, The Osborne Brother & Gordon Cash, Don Reno & The Tennessee Cutups, Red Smiley & The Bluegrass Cutups, The Stanley Brothers & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Mac Wiseman, and Doc Watson. Although this festival went down in history it could not have happened without certain other events taking place in times past.

Some have said that Bluegrass became what it is in 1939 when Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys first played the Grand Ole Opry. Bill had put together another group when he and his brother, Charlie, parted ways in 1938. After going through many combinations, Bill finally settled on the banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass and guitar as his choice instrumentation. Combined with Bill’s high lonesome vocals, the group produced duets, trios and even some quartets that

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IdaGrass May-June 2007began to shape the sound that bluegrass would become.

It is my opinion, and others, that bluegrass finally blossomed in 1945 when a young North Carolinian named Earl Scruggs joined the Bluegrass Boys. (Did I mention that I’m also from North Carolina?) Earl’s energetic, hard-driving, three-finger style of banjo revolutionized the instrument and provided the backbone of what bluegrass would become.

Soon after Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys were formed, folks began to call the music bluegrass after their name. The term bluegrass caught on and the genre became recognized. (I would like to note that although bluegrass gets its roots from folk music brought over by European immigrants, it is one of the few forms of music born in the United States.)

Please join me next issue when the pages of time begin to turn and I share more on the history of this great music. Stay tuned…………..

Summer Bluegrass HappeningsMike and Tari Conroy's 11th annualMemorial Weekend Bluegrass Campout, May 25th -28th Rain or shine... We furnish heated wall tents for late-night jammin...

Free camping... Potlucks at 6 pm... Beautiful campsite...on the edge of the

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness... Plenty of room for big-rigs... Paved to campsite--- Approximately 25 miles south of

Darby.... ..All bluegrass lovers welcome... tariconroy@webtv.net or 1-406-821-3777

Grand Opening of the Harshman BarnThe Inaugural ISBA event to be held at the Harshman SAT July 7th at 6:30pm. Performing Bands: Chicken Dinner Road, Will Williams and Friends, Tradition, Buckhorn Mountian Boys. The Harshman Barn is located on Middleton Road, near UStick, Nampa, ID

Camp & Jam in Sandpoint

Come pick a little bluegrass with your friends at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, Sandpoint, ID. Beginning WED, July 25th through SUN noon, July 29th.The fee for camping is $15.00/night, payable to the Bonner County FairgroundsActivities include: Potluck supper, Band Scramble, and Gospel Jam. For questions/more information:

Herman & Gail WaldronPO Box 475 Pomeroy, WA 99347(509)843-1404

"Bluegrass in the Blues" is a very relaxed weekend of camping and spontaneous acoustical bluegrass jamming in the scenic Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. There will be no schedules, stages, band performances, or contests. You may want to leave your watch at home. This year it will be at Emigrant Springs, near Meacham (I-84 exit 234), August 10-12, 2007. For more details: http://mysite.verizon.net/res8aypu/

CongratulationsCongratulations! Randy Helton who received notice that his song, "Badger In The Outhouse" has received Honorary Award status in the Great American Song Writing Contest. Randy says, “I'm so tickled I can hardly stand it. I've completed several songs so far and have a bunch in various stages of progress. This has really put a spark to my tail. Jerry, Cathy and I have been stepping up the pace to complete our CD and hope to be ready for a May release.” You can view the award or read more about the Great American Song Contest at: http://www.greatamericansong.com/honorary Click on the Past Winners link and look in the “Special Music" category.

Congratulations! to Chicken Dinner Road on the release of their first CD,

“I’ve Turned Around”All are invited to the CD Release Party, SAT May 19th at the Library Coffee House in Meridian. Come hear some bluegrass music, have some refreshments, and help them

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IdaGrass May-June 2007celebrate. For directions or more info contact Dennis: dennisstokes@speedyquick.net

Super Jam Pix

Guitar Class taught by Raynae Redman.

Jammin’ – Doug Jenkins, Bill Elmer, Ron Hillier, Raynae Redman, Pat Massie and Dennis Goff

Open Mic –Ken Kilgore, Judy Webb, Roland Apperson and J.D. Webb

Young pickers

Banjo instruction with Will Williams

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IdaGrass May-June 2007Expression of Appreciation to

Carolyn Johnson & Helen Smith

In the Spotlight withNew South Fork

This month’s interview is with a bluegrass band from the Idaho Falls area. The whole band has graciously agreed to share their thoughts with us.IdaGrass: Fred, tell us just a little about each band member and what they bring to the band.Fred: Well, I’ll start with my wife, Emily. She’s the guitar player and also writes and sings a lot of our music. Emily can write a song that sounds like it’s straight out of the Flatt & Scruggs or Stanley Brothers repertoire. Carrie Bean, our bass player and vocalist, also writes a lot of material for the band, but it is a little more contemporary sounding. It gives our song list a good balance between traditional material and the more modern sound.Tom Middleton, who plays five-string banjo with the band, brings an enthusiasm for the music, which is infectious. He also writes songs that find their way into our shows and recordings. Tom is a very creative and talented banjo player and a lot of fun to pick with.Our fiddle player, Jeff Forbes is no doubt the best Bluegrass fiddler I have ever worked with. Well, I played one show with Byron Berline, but that doesn’t count. Jeff plays some of the most tasteful and bluegrassy breaks you’ll ever hear, but I think where he shines is on his backup and fills. I have to stand next to him on stage, and sometimes I’ll find myself listening to him and not thinking of the words to the song! I play the mandolin in the band, and it has been a learning experience for me. I was originally the banjo player until we found ourselves without a mandolin. Once Tom joined the band, I knew I could focus on the mandolin. I try to sing a little bit, and have been known to write an instrumental now and then.IdaGrass: Fred, your experience in bluegrass bands has included some great bands, Stone Mountain Bluegrass Company and Deep River, which is now Kane’s River. What is one of the things you most enjoy about this band, New South Fork?

Fred: The two bands you mention were invaluable learning experiences for me. Stone Mountain was my first real exposure to actual bluegrass, and having played with them off and on for ten years gave me an insight into traditional bluegrass in its purest form. Deep River, formed by John Lowell, Dave Thompson, Joe Rockafellow, and myself, gave me a more contemporary look at how Bluegrass could be done.With New South Fork, I have the opportunity to combine all I have learned into one band. And the personnel in this band do a great job of doing whatever we want with a song.IdaGrass: Tom you grew up in Virginia, what advantages or disadvantages do you think you have because you grew up with bluegrass music as a part of your childhood and young adult life?Tom: I had the good fortune to grow up in Fairfax, Virginia, which is part of the Washington DC area. Believe it or not, the Washington DC area was a bluegrass hot spot. I had various family members and neighbors that played mountain music and bluegrass. It was everywhere. WAMU 88.5FM had hours of bluegrass programming every day. The Birchmere brought in fantastic bands all of the time. When I was in high school and college, we would go to the Birchmere and sit at the foot of the stage and watch shows like the Seldom Scene, the Country Gentleman, Boone Creek, Hot Rize, and the Newgrass Revival. We loved every minute of it. We never had enough money to buy any food. We could just barely scrape together the cover charge. We’d sit and drink water all night. I went to college at Virginia Tech. There were exceptional bluegrass musicians everywhere. My father still tells everyone that I went to college to play the banjo. My roommates were all pickers. The advantage of being around so much bluegrass was that it became part of who I am. I love bluegrass music. It has been a big part of my life. I’ve lived in a lot of places, including overseas, and I’ve never found a place where I couldn’t take out my banjo and make friends. I guess you could say one of the disadvantages is that I learned to play the hard driving southwest Virginia style of banjo. I can still hear the words echoing in my mind, “The banjo player drives the band.” For those who prefer a gentler style of banjo, I guess I can get a little loud.

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IdaGrass May-June 2007IdaGrass: Tom, as you think back about all musicians you have had the opportunity with which to play, please tell us about one of the most memorable?Tom: I have to say that my memorable musician isn’t so much one person but a place - Hay Holler. Kerry and Sue Hay, Hay Holler Records, would hold “pick ins” at their place outside of Blacksburg, Virginia. There were many exceptional musicians around the Blacksburg area - Sammy Shelor, Ricky Simpkins, Ronnie Simpkins, Butch Robbins, and more. If you went to a Hay Holler “pick in” you would probably have the privilege of getting into a jam session with a number of those folks. They were some of the most awesome jam sessions in the history of the world. The other memorable place at which many of these same awesome pickers could be found was the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, Virginia. We would pick for days without stopping. IdaGrass: Emily, you write much of the traditional sounding original music done by New South Fork. Tell us a little about the process when you write a bluegrass song. Emily: This is a hard question for me to answer because there is no set process that I use. I find that song writing for me comes when I hear a phrase or line that, for whatever reason, strikes a chord with me or I find amusing.I’ll write it down and it may some time down the road form a song. I truly enjoy song writing; it is a great way to express myself. If I can touch someone with a song that is the cherry on top!IdaGrass: Emily, you play guitar and are a lovely vocalist. Do you play other instruments or have aspirations to do so?Emily: Thank you for the lovely compliment. I’m always in the learning stage when it comes to music. I play guitar with our band New South Fork, and I’m learning to play old time banjo with a small, girls’ band called Chickweed, also in Idaho Falls. I play upright bass at camp outs and jam sessions, and when Mike and Tari Conroy need a bass player for any of their gigs. I love playing different instruments; it seems to give me a broader understanding and different view of the music. Challenging yourself is always a positive thing to do.

IdaGrass: Carrie, you started on the electric bass and Rock and Roll music, tell us about the journey into the world of bluegrass.Carrie: I met Fred and Emily (and later Tom and Jeff) through my friend Vince Crofts. Vince knew that I played in a rock and roll band and asked if I knew anything about bluegrass? I said no, but that I was willing to learn. My main goal was to play music with good musicians. Bluegrass was what these guys played. So, yes, I did it—I gave up sex, drugs, and rock and roll, (well maybe not all of that completely) and switched to bluegrass. IdaGrass: Carrie, what bluegrass hopes do you have for the future?Carrie: I want to keep playing, singing, and writing music until the day they lay me down. I also want to continue to play music with other good musicians. Emily and I are collaborating with National Fiddle Champ, Jacie Sites to form a girl group called “Chickweed,” and I also play with a group called the “Wild Coyotes,” which is a string band from Pocatello.IdaGrass: Jeff, tell us about the background and events that lead your interest to bluegrass.Jeff: During the 1980’s and 90’s, I was playing violin with orchestras in Seattle and New Mexico, but found my interest in classical music was waning. One Saturday morning in 1994, while driving down the road, I was blown away by something I heard on the local NPR station. Awestruck, I pulled over and learned that it was a band called Alison Krauss and Union Station doing Every Time You Say Goodbye. I got hold of that CD and listened to it endlessly. From that moment on, I was absolutely hooked on bluegrass.IdaGrass: Jeff, what do you think is the greatest challenge for a bluegrass fiddler?Jeff: Trying to keep up with the banjo player! Aside from that, I would say it’s always a challenge to avoid playing the same licks too often. As they say, there’s a fine line between a good groove and a bad rut.IdaGrass: Fred, you recently released a new album, Fred & Emily, the Montana Sessions. Tell us about this new venture.Fred: “The Montana Sessions” is a CD project that Emily and I recorded with Mike and Tari Conroy from Conner, Montana. We had formed a close friendship with these folks through an organization called The Montana Rockies

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IdaGrass May-June 2007Bluegrass Association. Mike runs a recording studio and since Emily had a few tunes we hadn’t ever used in the band, we thought we’d put them on an independent project. The recording includes Jeff Forbes on fiddle, Ivan Rosenberg on dobro, Mike Conroy on bass, and Tari Conroy adding some guitar and harmony vocals. Of course, Emily plays guitar and does most of the lead vocals, and I get to play not only mandolin, but banjo and some lead guitar. Recording with Mike and Tari was one of the most fun things we’ve ever done in music.

New South Fork - Jeff Forbes, Fred Frank, Emily Frank, Carrie Bean & Tom Middleton

IdaGrass: I’d like each of you to name the person who has been most influential in your bluegrass journey and why.Jeff: As a fiddle player, Stuart Duncan is the one I’ve listened to the most. I’ve attended quite a few fiddle workshops over the years, and I’ve heard many of the best players in the nation refer to Stuart as the guy they most admire. Of all the phenomenal fiddlers around today, Stuart is the one with the monster tone and spot-on intonation who consistently surprises with something different, but always appropriate and tasteful.Fred: I think this would actually be two people for me. They would be the Land brothers, Mitchell and Bosco Land These are the fellows who introduced me to Bluegrass music through the Stone Mountain Bluegrass Company. They came from East Texas where they had played in the Stone Mountain Boys, a band that included Byron Berline and Alan Munde. Mitch also played guitar in Bill Monroe’s band for a year. Mitchell was a great inspiration to me in learning to play mandolin.Emily: There are so many people that have been very influential, but the very first and most prominent would be my dad, Carl (Bud) Greer. He taught all of his girls to love Bluegrass music, and

that was all that was allowed in the house for music. I have since learned to appreciate all kinds of music, except for rap. My favorite female vocalist would be Dale Ann Bradley and Rhonda Vincent; just can’t get enough of them.Carrie: The person who influenced me most was Julie Elkins. In the beginning when I was trying to figure out what bluegrass was, I went to the Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival and Kane’s River happened to be performing. Julie walks onto the stage and she was so unassuming. Here are all these talented guys—and just this one girl. She starts to sing and play the banjo and suddenly she transforms into something so much greater than just her outward appearance. I remember thinking, “Wow, I want to do what she is doing.” And that was that.Tom: There are four most influential people in my musical journey: Fred, Emily, Carrie, and Jeff. They gave me a reason to play the banjo again. They are exceptional musicians and I have to practice harder, be more innovative, and play at a level that only musicians of their quality could inspire someone to do. Hearing Fred, Emily, Carrie, and Jeff sing or pick a song that I wrote has been one of the most fulfilling events in my life. I can’t describe to you what it feels like to write a song and have musicians of their caliber turn it into music. When I listen to Emily and Carrie sing, “Do Whatever He Tells You” off our used CD, I tell God, “It’s OK to take me now because it won’t get any better than that for me.”

News from the Southern ZoneThe Northern and Middle Zones better watch out. The Southern zone is coming on strong. The April Hot Jam at Gerties’ Pizza was a good one. In attendance were Mike McCarthy on banjo and guitar, John Boyer on banjo, Steve Parks on fiddle, Ron Cole on mandolin, John Lytle on guitar, Ed Navarro on guitar, Suz Cromer on the pepperoni, and Ron Hillier on banjo and guitar. Some good music was played and a good time had by all. There is a three-way tie for most improved player: John Boyer, Ed Navarro, and Steve Parks. These boys have been practicing! Longtime fiddler, Steve Parks, has been honing his bluegrass chops and was doing an excellent job with tasty fills and good solid solos. John Boyer had the Ol’ 28 cracking with good solid Scruggs stuff. Ed Navarro has left the ranks of bluegrass beginner, and is now laying down some decent flatpicking. Ron Hillier

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IdaGrass May-June 2007

Disc Space by Mike McCarthyISBA Member, Mike McCarthy lives in Twin Falls and thinks “you can never have too much banjo.” Mike has agreed to share review newly released and other CDs with our readers. Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands. The Golden WestBill Monroe taught us that the best bluegrass features the band over any individual and that’s what this CD does. Every vocal and every break is done with the overall sound of the band in mind. There are some hot licks, but they are subtle and tasteful (you’ll get sick of hearing this adjective). So it’s fitting that the title tune is an underplayed Monroe instrumental. Three different people sing lead vocals and each is unique. I was not familiar with Scott Huffman. His lead guitar work is very tasteful, and I really enjoyed his lead singing on “Burley Coulter”s Song” and “Live Forever.” Tom Rozum sings a great Jimmie Rodgers’ tune and plays his own version of Monroe-esque (is that a word?) mandolin. Craig Smith is one of the most innovative and tasteful banjo players out there right now. Todd Philips plays bass and he mixed and mastered this tasteful project. Highlights include a great version of “Rank Stranger,” John Hartford’s “Goodbye Waltz” and Laurie’s original “A Hand To Hold.” Laurie does her usual good job of singing and fiddling, but I give her the most credit for having the vision to make this a CD that features the band over an individual. If you like the ensemble sound of a tight, traditional bluegrass band, you should like this—it’s very tasteful.Dale Ann Bradley. Catch Tomorrow This may be the best CD I have heard this

year. Practically every song is great. She is a fine lead singer. There is great harmony. The songs themselves are a nice blend of new bluegrass in a traditional vein. There is a wonderful gospel tune (Pass Me Not) with Larry Sparks. A murder ballad (Rita Mae) and songs about moonshine, coal mining and a ‘57 Chevy. A duet with Marty Rayborn that shows what country songs should sound like. The Billie Joe Shavers’ song “I’m Gonna Live Forever” (which also appears on the Laurie Lewis CD). An interesting Irish flavored song and tune (When the Mist Comes Again). A steamboat song that pays tribute to John Hartford. She is backed up by some of the best pickers in bluegrass - Michael Cleveland fiddle, Pete Kelly and Alison Brown on banjo (great to hear her playing bluegrass banjo ). Alison Brown did a fine job of producing this CD. Highly recommended.

News from the Middle ZoneHey Everyone,

We had a great jam in Star on Saturday night. It was attended by about 40 pickers and a dozen or more onlookers. One of the best crowds at a jam in a while. For those who attended, give me some feedback on the venue. Would you want to continue having monthly ISBA jams there? I’ve got big plans for some future concerts there and possibly a monthly supplement (alternate weekend) to the Bluegrass in the Barn. This would provide local bluegrass and other music fans one more opportunity to hear great music each month. Feedback would be appreciated.Thanks, Dennis Stokes ISBA

More super Jam Pix

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IdaGrass May-June 2007

Ingrid and Bob Greer

Jammin’ in the glorious sunshine

More jammin’

Open Mic - Kenny Heustis, Pauly Snodderly, Gail Gleason, Steve Gleason, Bob Greer & Ron Reed

“Mac”, Dale McMinn taking a well-deserved catnap

Dennis Stokes, Harry Strang and Brian Hakenof Chicken Dinner Road

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