Wife Swap featured Ohio Family Bluegrass Band

The ABC TV reality show, Wife Swap, with over 5 million viewers across the nation visited Ohio-based Stockdale Family Band on a show this April 23, 2008.

If you didn’t get a chance to watch the show and see the family bluegrass band… the episode is available to watch on You Tube!

Click HERE For the First Part of the Show

And you can visit the Stockdale’s Family Website Here www.StockdaleFamilyBand.com

Ray Goins dies at 71

Ray Goins, former Goins Brothers band member and bluegrass legend, died after an extended illness on July 1st, 2007. He was 71 years old.

He played alongside his brother, Melvin Goins for a quarter of a century before health problems prevented him from traveling to shows. He had a heart attack in 1994 and retired in 1997, but he appeared with the group for occassional performances after he stopped traveling.

“Bluegrass music has lost a true friend and one of the pioneers of bolugerass music. Ray and Melvin gave their lives to this style of music. He will be missed by all his peers as a musician, but more importantly, as a good friend,” said Grasstowne band member, Steve Gulley. Gulley and other members of the group Mountain Heart bought their first bus from the Goins Brothers.

Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road New Release

Blue Circle Records is proud to announce the latest release of the album Carolina Road by the bluegrass band, Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road. Newest band member Jerry Butler has proved to be a great addition to the group and many are calling this the best album to date by Carolina Road.

Lorrain Jordan and Carolina Road have a very heavy tour schedule with many stops in the tri-state area. Be sure to check them out!

www.carolinaroadband.com

Sever Flooding in Western Iowa – Bluegrassers to Help!

In May of this year, terrible flooding in May broke a levee on the Missouri River, flooding a valley with 6 feet of water! Many families were not covered with flood insurance and lost a great deal.

Bob Everhart, the old-time country and bluegrass promoter that does his annual festival in Missouri Valley, has arranged to do a benefit bluegrass show to help these people at the old Farm Museum in Missouri Valley, Iowa on August 25-26th, 2007. Any bands willing to help are encouraged to contact Bob and he will give information on the benefit. You can reach him at (712) 762-4363 or email him at: bobeverhart@yahoo.com

More benefit information: www.oldtimemusic.bigstep.com

Michigan Band to Play at Telluride Bluegrass Festival

We have learned that the Michigan band, Greensky Bluegrass is playing 3 times at the world famous Telluride Bluegrass Festival (Mainstage, NightGrass and Elks Park) as they won 1st place in the Band Competition last year.

How exciting! Way to go boys!

Learn more about the band…. www.greenskybluegrass.com

Bluegrass Meets Classical Chorale Music!

Special Free Event – May 16, 2007

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) presents
bluegrass quintet Monroe Crossing alongside the CCM Chorale to perform the regional premiere of Carol Barnett’s “The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass” Guest conductor Dale Warland takes the podium for this event, which takes place Wednesday, May 16, at 8 p.m. in CCM’s Corbett Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public.

According to visiting composer Barnett, “The World Beloved” melds “the solemnity of the classical choir-based mass with the down-home sparkle of bluegrass.” The piece received its world premiere in January 2007 to critical acclaim; said the Minneapolis Star-Tribune “The contrasts between the sophisticated classical choral sound and the jubilant bluegrass harmonies were effectively used to make the text come alive.”

Held at the Corbett Auditorium
University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music

for additional information: (513) 556-4183 or visit www.ccm.uc.edu

Bluegrass Boys Gather for Tater Tate Benefit

The Appalachian Cultural Music Association (ACMA) in partnership with the East Tennessee State University Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music program presents a Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys Reunion. The reunion, entitled “An Afternoon with Tater Tate,” will honor one of the living legends of bluegrass music. Tater Tate, who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer has been undergoing treatment in recent months while trying to maintain his current roll as fiddle instructor at ETSU.

An accomplished musician from a southwest Virginia family of musicians (six of his eight siblings played instruments) young Clarence “Tater” Tate showed an interest in the guitar by age four. By age five he had made his radio debut. He is quoted as saying that when he heard Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs cut loose with “Train 45” on WCYB out of Bristol, “that sound just sent cold chills up my spine,” and prompted the mandolin/guitar player to pick up a fiddle and bow.

Tater went on to work with many of the greats of Bluegrass including his numerous years with Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys, and with Lester Flatt as his last fiddle player. Tater has performed on over 60 albums with various artists. He has also “given back” to the music he loves by providing individual instruction on bluegrass fiddle to students of the ETSU Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music program.

“An Afternoon with Tater Tate” will take place April 15th at the “Pickin’ Porch” of the Bristol Mall in Bristol TN/VA and will include a special Bluegrass Boy reunion with an emphasis on Tater Tate stories. Former Bluegrass Boys who are scheduled to appear are Blake Williams, Bobby Hicks, Butch Robbins, Robert Bolin, Tom Ewing, Wayne Lewis and many more.

For those friends and fans of Tater who may not be able to make the show, a fund has been set up for him and donations may be sent to Clarence “Tater” Tate c/o ETSU Bluegrass Department, P.O. Box 70435, Johnson City, TN 37614.

Cool Fiddle & String Camp!

Learn more at: www.PeachBottomFarm.com

WifeSwap TV Show is looking for you!

Attention Family Bluegrass Bands!

The ABC TV Show “Wife Swap” is looking for a family that loves music, plays and performs in front of crowds. It should be more than just a fun thing to do, it should be a passion in their lives! They should practice and perform several times a week. Ideally, everyone in the family should participate and/or play an instrument.

The premise of Wife Swap is to take two different families and have the moms switch place to experience how another family lives. Half of the week, mom lives the life of the family she is staying with. Then she introduces a “rule change” where she implements rules and activities that her family has. Each family should consist of two parents and at least one child over the age of five and should reside in the continential US. It’s a positive experience for people to not only learn but teach other families other ways of life.

If you are interested, or if you know of a family that might fit well in this bluegrass family themed show to air in the Fall some time… please send an email with information and WHY you think your family or the family you would like to recommend might be a perfect match!

Thanks!

Virgil Dorjo, Casting Producer, Wife Swap

wifeswapproducer@gmail.com

Time is limited, this family must be found soon!

Cool New Girl Scout Badge

How come this was NOT available when I was a kid?????

The International Bluegrass Musuem in Owensboro, KY, has announced the first annual Girl Scout Day at the museum and girls participating will earn a “History of Bluegrass Music” patch for their sash or vest! They will be participating in a guided tour and instrument demonstration.

The badge was designed by Owensboro girl scout and talented fiddle/vocalist Ally White as her Gold Award project in 2001.