Rounder to Release Earl Scruggs, Family and Friends at the Ryman

Image via WikipediaRounder wrote: on Sep. 30, 2008:
Burlington, MA – American music icon Earl Scruggs helped give birth to bluegrass music when he first appeared on the legendary stage of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium in 1945. Another historic night for Scruggs came in 2007 when he headlined his first-ever Ryman concert. Rounder Records is proud to announce the release of that concert – The Ultimate Collection/Live at the Ryman – first as a digital only release on September 30 and then in CD format on November 18. On this career-spanning set of many of his signature tunes, the ingenuity and undiminished vitality of Earl’s playing, along with the stellar contributions of his Family & Friends Band, make for a magical and unforgettable listening experience.

From Cybergrass

Great Article!

Image via Wikipedia Bill Graham has written a great little piece for The Mandolin Cafe about Ray Jackson... the source for the mandolin riffs on Rod Stewart's "Maggie May". The article was influenced by a conversation with Sam Bush.

Many guitarists take up mandolin to bring something fresh to sessions and the stage, Bush said, and they often get to the heart and soul of a song more directly than a more accomplished mandolin player would.

"Take Maggie May by Rod Stewart," he said, "we heard that in the van today on the way here from the hotel. I said 'that has got to be the most well known mandolin solo there is.' Because we've been hearing it since what, the early 70s."

The piece is titled "The Man With The World's Most-Heard Mandolin Solo" and hit the site just today.

From songs: Illinois >> Gregory And The Hawk’s “Grey Weather”

From songs: illinois

In the entire 4 year run of Songs:Illinois I can count on one hand the number of times I found a song on another blog (here or here) and re-posted it here. But with the new song from Gregory And The Hawk I couldn’t resist. Musically “Grey Weather” sounds a bit like the song title. All minor keys and somber swaths of sound, but it’s Meredith Godreau’s childlike voice that lifts this song from a angst fueled downer into a light and airy tale of lost love.

From The Bluegrass Blog » New Bill Monroe Book

Fast approaching the 12th anniversary of the passing of Bill Monroe... my how time flies. A new book is available that shares the life in pictures of "Big Mon" from one of Monroe's closest friends, Javonda Smith. Bill Monroe would have turned 97 on September 13.

Recently, I learned of a new book about Bill Monroe that was published yesterday, Bill Monroe & Friends, written by Javonda (Charlene) Smith, one of Monroe’s closest friends during some of his later years. How appropriate that she has chosen September for its release.

Inside the life of Bill Monroe, as the book is sub-titled, is a collection of black and white photographs, taken from various sources, including the author’s own collection, and from Denise Painter and Scott Farnum, predominantly. The author provides extended captions with background information.

~ Richard Thompson, The Blugrass Blog

Josh Williams Adds New Band Member

From The Bluegrass Blog:

A recent post on JoshWilliamsMusic.com lists Greg Blaylock as the newest member of the band. Blaylock is a young resophonic guitar player. I got in touch with Josh and asked him about Greg. He tells me Greg joined the band after filling in during a sold out show at the Station Inn in mid-July.

Full Article at http://www.thebluegrassblog.com/greg-blaylock-joins-josh-williams-band/

Upcoming Shows in Our Region

Some great shows headed to western Kentucky.

Saturday, October 25 @ 8:00PM
John Prine
Carson Center Paducah, KY

http://www.thecarsoncenter.org/event-details.cfm?ID=454
www.johnprine.net/

Legendary songwriter John Prine returns to the Carson Center for another great night of music. If you have never been to this venue then this would be a great night to give it a spin. A beautiful setting to see a concert.


=============================================


Image via Wikipedia Friday, November 7 @ 7:30
The Del McCoury Band
Lovett Auditorium Murray, KY

http://www.myspace.com/lovettlive
www.delmccouryband.com/

The Del McCoury Band is one of the best touring bluegrass acts on the scene today. Murray State University teams up with Lovett Live and WKMS to bring you yet another incredible night of music.


==========================================


Saturday, January 17 @ 7:30
The Greencards
West Kentucky Community & Technical College Paducah, KY

http://focus.westkentucky.kctcs.edu/
www.thegreencards.com/

A great Americana music act that ranges from bluegrass to pure folk music and sometime beyond. This is the 40th anniversary of the Arts in Focus series and they have done it again! This should be a "not to miss" evening of music.