Gráda

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, it seems fitting to feature one of today’s leading Irish bands, Gráda.  Much like Bill Monroe did in developing the Bluegrass style,  incorporating Irish & Celtic influences among others, Gráda is a bit of a modern day reversal. Gráda’s latest CD, Natural Angle, (Compass Records) finds the group’s music “bridging traditional Irish and Appalachian tunes and songs with Americana songwriting.”

Gráda sought out famed bluegrass musician and singer Tim O’Brien, whom they had met at the Tonder Festival in Denmark in 2005, to produce the album in Nashville. Harnessing the explosive energy of Gráda in the discipline of a Nashville studio was a challenge and a revelation, but Natural Angle perfectly captures the zest of the band’s live concerts

Gráda, whose name means “gradient” in Irish, have always drawn on a melting pot of influences. Natural Angle, with its Americana edge and bluegrass twang, sets their Irish melodies and styles in sharp relief. Four of the twelve tracks are American songs-although some of those have older Irish roots-and there are three original songs from the band, including, for the first time, an original song by vocalist Nicola Joyce.

Gráda is comprised of singer and bodhran player Nicola Joyce, David Doocey and Stephen Doherty all from the west of Ireland, along with founding members Andy Laking and Gerry Paul.

Guests on Natural Angle include banjoist Alison Brown, Bearfoot’s Odessa Jorgensen, and and veteran Nashville sideman John Gardner on drums.

Natural Angle Track Listing

1. Abe’s Axe
2. John Riley
3. No Linen No Lace
4. The Hutt Reels
5. The Butcher Boy
6. Five Jumbs
7. Panama
8. Pretty Polly
9. Dotsy’s
10. Louis Collins
11. Bottom of the Hill

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, Compass Records is currently having a sale through March 19 on all their Irish CDs from the Compass Records Group family of labels. Irish CDs are available for $12 and orders over $30 qualify for free domestic shipping. A small selection of artists’ music you’ll find include:

• Altan – 25th Anniversary
• Grada – Natural Angle
• Jeremy Kittel – Chasing Sparks
• Karan Casey & John Doyle – Exiles Return
• Nuala Kennedy – Tune In Nuala Kennedy – Tune In
• Solas – The Turning Tide

Related Links

• Gráda
• Compass Records Group
• Compass Records Irish Sale

On tonight’s WSM 650 AM broadcast of Music City Roots, you’ll hear the Alison Brown Quartet, The Chapmans, Maura O’Connell, Shannon Quinn and Aly Sutton.

Music City Roots begins at 7:00 p.m. (Central) and can be heard on the Radio dial at 650 AM and online at wsmonline.com. You can also attend the live broadcast at the Loveless Barn, just outside of Nashville proper, where tickets can be had for $10. ($5 with college ID).

Some Tidbits from Music City Roots about the Artists:

• Alison Brown Quartet — An internationally recognized musician with a wide-reaching and loyal fan base, banjoist Alison Brown first came to national prominence when she was asked by Alison Krauss to join her band Union Station in 1989.
• The Chapmans — Albeit a young band, The Chapmans have been touring professionally for almost two decades, while fans and peers alike have nominated and honored them with numerous awards for their songwriting, instrumental, vocal and entertaining talents.
• Maura O’Connell — Singing was a simple joy for O’Connell, an elemental pleasure that didn’t require instrumental accompaniment. Growing up in a culture with a rich social tradition of unaccompanied singing freed her, and the vast Irish repertoire is well represented on Naked With Friends.
• Shannon Quinn — Inspired by a wide variety of genres and musicians, Shannon is extremely passionate about creating music. Her musical style is highly influenced by her ancestors originating from County Clare, Ireland.
• Aly Sutton — As a model, actor, song writer and Vietti Chili’s own brand ambassador and spokes person, Aly Sutton, is a multitalented country music artist who can really rock your boots off!

Related Links

• Music City Roots
• WSM 650 AM
• Alison Brown Quartet
• The Chapmans
• Maura O’Connell
• Shannon Quinn
• Aly Sutton

Steve Kaufman

Schedules and instructors have been announced for the annul Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamps, held each year on the grounds of Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn. That’s 17 miles south of Knoxville.

Week One will be held June 13-19 with instruction offered in flatpicking, finger picking, fiddle, bass, resophonic guitar, mountain lap dulcimer, old time banjo and songwriting/vocalsd.

Week Two, June 20-26, offers a more concentrated curriculum in flatpicking, bluegrass banjo, mandoline and songwriting/vocals.

Kaufman, director of the camps, is a three-time national guitar champion and author of more than 100 pieces of instructional material, including books, CDs and DVDs.

“Our special Kamps are designed to gather folks and musicians of all levels from around the globe with common goals- learning, playing, eating and sleeping music,” Kaufman said in a press release. “Whether you are a beginner’s beginner or a seasoned professional, each Kamp’s classes and activities will inspire and challenge you. Our intent is to maintain a non-competitive, learning atmosphere that will encourage you to grow musically and seek out new ways of playing your instrument.”

“The instructors are well known for their individual and unique picking and teaching styles,” he said. “They were carefully chosen for their talents- not only as musicians but also for their instructional expertise, easy-going attitude and approachability. Hundreds of topics will be discussed, thoroughly examined and instructed.”

Costs for the camp are $755, which includes classes, meals, housing and concerts. Commuters who do not stay on the campus pay $675.

Special rates are offered for family members wanting to attend Kamp with their spouse or family member but are not interested in classes. Companions share the bedroom, have meals, after-class activities and the evening concerts.

Many other details are on the official Kamp Web site, Acoustic-Kamp.com

Related Links

• Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamp

Ronnie King

Irvine, KY — Kindred Records has signed a record deal with Americana/Folk/Bluegrass artist Ronnie King.

Ronnie King’s new solo project “Free of Guilt” is scheduled for release on Kindred Records May 1, 2010. The first single “I’d Like To See You” is accompanied by award winning vocalist Dale Ann Bradley, and is due to be digitally released to radio in April on AirPlayDirect.

“Free of Guilt,” includes eleven original songs by King, plus one track “Cigarette Girl” by James Overbee. Studio musicians include CJ Cain on guitar, Matt DeSpain on resonator, Will Parsons on banjo, James Overbee on harmonica, Daniel Carwile on fiddle, Scott Lambert on drums, and Owen Reynolds on bass. Billie Renee Johnson also contributes harmony vocals on one track.

Ronnie King recorded and performed with “New River Line” from 2002- 2006, an original bluegrass band he co-founded in Kentucky. It was during this time in which King began his songwriting, contributing many originals to NRL’s first two projects, one of which “My Brother Paul” earned runner up in the 2007 Chris Austin Songwriting contest at the annual MerleFest festival in Wilkesboro, NC.

Ronnie left NRL in 2007 to pursue solo interest in other genres such as folk and rock, devoting his time to a song writing journey in multiple paths. His songwriting is emotionally intense with socially relevant material, and ranges from controversial subjects such as poverty, drug abuse, and politics to memories of home, thoughts of freedom, love, and social responsibility.

“Free of Guilt” was recorded, engineered, and produced by Ken Holbrook at Wickerbrook Studios in Richmond, Ky.

Kindred Records is pleased to add Ronnie King’s new project “Free of Guilt” to its catalog of Kentucky artists. For bookings and more information visit his website at www.myspace.com/ronnieking123 or his artist link at www.kindredrecords.com.

Related Links

• Ronnie King on MySpace
• Kindred Records

SoundExchange is hoping to pay out nearly $1 million in unclaimed digital performance royalties to artists and copyright holders (usually record labels) at this week’s South By Southwest festival in Austin.

The non-profit performance rights organization has released this list of showcasing artists and attending labels at SXSW this month who are owed digital performance royalties, but have not registered to receive them.

They also have money for unregistered artists and labels who aren’t on the official SXSW schedule. To collect these unclaimed royalties, artists/copyright holders must register online or stop by booth 400 at SXSW for more information. Membership with SoundExchange is always 100% free.

SoundExchange is required by law to collect royalties from Internet radio, satellite radio, cable TV music channels, and other digital streaming services on behalf of artists and copyright holders (like ASCAP, BMI and SESAC do for songwriters and publishers), but can’t send out the checks without the necessary information.

Only SoundExchange is authorized by Congress to distribute these royalties, so let me know if you can help get the word out on this list and how artists/copyright holders can collect on these royalties.

Related Links

Are you on the SXSW SoundExchange list?

Register with SoundExchange

Berkleemusic.com, the online school of Boston’s renowned Berklee College of Music, is debuting the new course “Pro Tools: Virtual Instruments and Effects” for their upcoming spring term, beginning April 5th, 2010. The course is designed to teach students to play the new virtual instruments and effects found in Pro Tools 8 and beyond, and improve their overall musical productions, whether for TV, film, commercials, Web sites, video games, or the productions of artists they may be working with.

The course focuses on creating music with all of the new A.I.R. instruments and effects in Pro Tools 8, including the six free instruments and 20 new effects. “The first six weeks of the course are devoted to covering one instrument per week (Boom, Vacuum, DB-33, Xpand!2, Structure Free, and Mini Grand) where we’ll go through what every single control on each instrument does and use them to create our own sounds and music,” says course author and Pro Tools expert David Franz. “In the following six weeks, we’ll concentrate on the variety of new A.I.R. effects that are included with Pro Tools 8, with lessons on EQ, Dynamics (compression, etc), Delay & Modulation, Reverb, Harmonic/Distortion, and all more.”

Students will also learn important background information about each instrument and effect, and listen to examples of how they are properly used. The course features a wide array of artist examples, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans and many more.

By the end of this course, students will be able to utilize automation and MIDI Learn functions, create, edit, and arrange drum beats in Boom, adjust VTOs, Filters, Envelopes, Modulation, and Arpeggiators to create new sounds using Vacuum and much more.

To learn more, visit: http://www.berkleemusic.com. Spring Term begins April 5th, 2010.

About Berkleemusic.com

Berkleemusic.com is the continuing education division of Berklee College of Music, delivering online access to Berklee’s acclaimed curriculum from anywhere in the world. Berkleemusic’s award-winning online courses and certificate programs are accredited and taught by the college’s world-renowned faculty, providing lifelong learning opportunities to people interested in music and working in the music industry. As the business of music continues to move online, Berkleemusic is taking a leadership role in educating the next generation of producers, performers, and entrepreneurs on this evolving industry landscape. Berkleemusic’s students come from over 80 countries around the world, and include Grammy award winners, managers, artists, publishers, music business entrepreneurs and major international touring acts.

Related Links

• BerkleeMusic.com

Los Angeles, Ca., — The 1st Annual Los Angeles Bluegrass Situation music fest will kick off 5 nights of stellar bluegrass and their inaugural run Thursday, March 18, 2010 at Largo at the Coronet Theater.

Acts scheduled to perform include Sara and Sean Watkins, Steep Canyon Rangers, Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings, The Infamous Stringdusters and a plethora of special guests.

The Los Angeles Bluegrass Situation is a result of Comedian Ed Helms (The Office and The Hangover) and Largo proprietor Mark Flanagan realizing “there wasn’t enough bluegrass in the Los Angeles area.” According to the website for the L. A. Bluegrass Situation, “after a near-religious experience at the legendary Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Ed came home on a mission to bring more bluegrass to L.A.” Helms and Flanagan got together once again and the Los Angeles Bluegrass Situation became a reality.

Largo at the Coronet Theater is located at 366 N. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048.

Tickets for all the shows are $25 and are available three ways.

• Advance Tickets By phone at 310-855-0350
• In person @ Largo Box Office (Mon., Wed., & Fri. only from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.)
• Day of show at Largo Will Call (Cash Only )

All shows for the Los Angeles Bluegrass Situation begin at 8:00 p.m. For more info visit LABluegrassSituation.com

1st Annual Los Angeles Bluegrass Situation Schedule

• Thursday, March 18th — The Watkins Family Hour
  Sara and Sean Watkins with special guests including Jackson Browne, Gillian Welch and more.
• Friday, March 19th — Steep Canyon Rangers w/ special guest Steve Martin
• Saturday, March 20th — A Song Cycle Situation
  A fun filled night of laughs and music hosted by John C. Reilly. With special guestsTom Brosseau, Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, Sarah and Sean Watkins, The Living Sisters and more.
• Sunday, March 21st — The Whiskey Sour Radio Hour
  Ed Helms hosts his own twisted take on the old-time, radio variety show. Expect to see Ed and his all-star comedy pals sharing the stage with truly stellar musicians plucked from the amazing LA Bluegrass Situation line-up!
• Monday, March 22 — The Infamous Stringdusters

Related Links

• Los Angeles Bluegrass Situation
  
• Los Angeles Bluegrass Situation on Facebook
  
• Los Angeles Bluegrass Situation on Twitter
  

Cherryholmes

High Point, NC., — Joyful, uplifting, energetic and virtuosic, Cherryholmes brings their deeply rooted, sweetly soaring sound to the High Point Theatre for one night only, Saturday, March 20. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 orchestra, $20 balcony, available through HighPointTheatre.com or by calling the Theatre box office at 336-887-3001.

More than a decade of performing together has honed Cherryholmes into a truly fine embodiment of the American Bluegrass tradition. In addition to appearing regularly at the Grand Ol’ Opry, Cherryholmes has recorded six albums together. Their first, “Cherryholmes,” was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2006 and their second, “Cherryholmes II,” opened at number one on the Billboard charts. In addition to their recording success, the band received honors as Entertainers of the Year from the International Bluegrass Music Association, in 2005.

About High Point Theatre

Owned and operated by the City of High Point, the High Point Theatre is conveniently located in downtown High Point at the corner of Commerce and Hamilton Streets. The Theatre features an elegant 965-seat auditorium with continental style seating and three exhibition galleries for meetings, display, or receptions.

Related Links

• Cherryholmes
• High Point Theatre

“Over the past few months, we have made various announcements of state and federal funds that have put us to two-thirds of our goal,” commented Bill Hartley, Executive Director of the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance. These recent announcements include $1,950,000 in funding from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, $2,500,000 in funding from the USDA Rural Development, and a $500,000 recommendation for funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission. “These commitments are in addition to the over $1.6 million that we have already invested in the project,” noted Hartley. Those investments include current site work, a new roofing system, utility work, exhibit design work, and architectural drawings.

“This Banjometer is a visible reminder of progress made and the work that still lies ahead,” commented Edd Hill, President of the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance. Hill noted that to access the public funds committed and put the project out to bid, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance needs to finish out its fundraising efforts. By putting the project out to bid now, the Birthplace of Country can help create an immediate stimulus for the economy, as the construction phase will employ over sixty individuals locally. Additionally, once the facility is open it will serve as a tourist destination for the region, drawing over 75,000 visitors annually and generating over $43 million in economic impact and $1 million in local and state tax revenue over five years. This impact will help support and sustain business in the region, including restaurants, hotels, and the over 150 businesses in the downtown historic district. “We are entering the final phase of our fundraising efforts and are looking to the community to invest in Bristol’s future.”

The Birthplace of Country Music Cultural Heritage Center will be located in the heart of historic downtown Bristol in a building donated to the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance in 2004. The facility will feature both permanent and temporary exhibits that will trace the history, cultural influences and development of country music. A sequence of audio-visual, interactive experiences will allow visitors to hear both the melodies and stories of the region’s performers, as well as the ability to make their own music. The facility will also enable the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance to expand its presence and programming through educational activities for all ages, live musical performances, lecture and film series, and other outreach initiatives.

About the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance

The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to telling the story of the living musical heritage of the Appalachian mountains and the cultural traditions that sustain it. The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance is an affiliate of The Smithsonian Institution and is funded in part by grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Tennessee Arts Commission. For more information, call (276) 645-0111 or visit us online at www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org

Related Links

• Birthplace of Country Music Alliance

Bluegrass Underground is a monthly show held in the Volcano Room of the Cumberland Caverns located 330 feet below ground. It features the best in Bluegrass music and is taped in front of a live audience.

Bluegrass Underground gets underway at 1:00 p.m. For ticket information visit Bluegrass Underground online.

Bluegrass Underground shows can be heard on 650 WSM and online at wsmonline.com each Saturday night from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Bluegrass Underground is also aired on Thunder Radio WMSR-AM in Tullahoma, Tenn. each Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

Cumberland Caverns is located in the heart of Middle Tennessee, centrally located between Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville. The cave is just off of Highway 8, six miles southeast of McMinnville via US 70-S, between Nashville and Knoxville, or via Highway 55 from I-24 at Manchester, between Nashville and Chattanooga.

About the Chapmans

The Chapmans, albeit a young band, have been touring for more than two decades. The Chapmans area a SPGMA International Bluegrass Band Championship title holder and John Chapman has won the SPBGMA Guitar Player of the Year award. They have also previously garnered an IBMA nomination for Emerging Artist of the Year. Having played thousands of shows, The Chapmans have evolved into a band with a great artistic formula which reaches any size and aged audience, crossing several genres of music.

“Grown Up,” their Compass Records debut, is “dominated by ballads, bittersweet tales of lost love and stories of murder, with guitarist John’s reedy tenor providing the plaintive lead vocal amid soaring harmonies,” says journalist Don McLeese. “Like so many within the emerging generation of bluegrass artists, The Chapmans sidestep the show-off strain of technical virtuosity as they employ instrumental arrangements that enhance the song rather than overpower it.”

About Scott Miller

Scott Miller is best known for non-stop touringwith his band the Commonwealth, and for his eight prior critically acclaimed albums including the recent Appalachian Refugee Demos. In fact it was with proceeds from Internet sales of that album (demos from a Marantz hard-disc recorder with handmade cover art for each copy) that he financed his forthcoming release titled For Crying Out Loud. The album, due out April 14 on Miller’s own F.A.Y. Records, was produced by Nashville producer Mike Webb (Allison Moorer, Stacey Earle, Glenn Tilbrook) and features the Commonwealth (guitarist/keyboardist Jeremy Pennebaker, bassist Chris Autry and drummer Shawn McWilliams) and includes guest artists Patty Griffin and Tim O’Brien.

Related Links

• Bluegrass Underground
• WSM 650 AM
• The Chapmans
• Scott Miller