Abingdon, VA., — The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail has named musician and former consulting engineer Jack Hinshelwood as its new Executive Director. Mr. Hinshelwood, from Shawsville, Virginia, grew up in Christiansburg, and is no stranger to The Crooked Road and its communities. As an award-winning guitarist and fiddler, he has performed at many of The Crooked Road venues and festivals, such as the Carter Fold and the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival. Mr. Hinshelwood has performed in the U.S. and Canada with New York Times Best Selling Author Sharyn McCrumb, and toured Alaska with the Appalachian and Celtic music group Celtibillies. Since 1988 he has worked as a consulting engineer helping Southwest Virginia communities meet their infrastructure needs.

“Over the years I’ve gained such a respect and admiration for the remarkable people of Southwest Virginia, and especially the musicians. And now to be a part of The Crooked Road and to celebrate that musical heritage is a thrill and an honor”, Hinshelwood said. “This is an exciting time in the development of The Crooked Road and the entire region, with the creation of Heartwood and the work of other organizations like ‘Round the Mountain and the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission.”

Mr. Hinshelwood formally begins his work as Executive Director on August 2nd and will be located at The Crooked Road offices in Abingdon, Virginia.

“The Crooked Road family is happy to announce the arrival of Jack Hinshelwood as our new Executive Director. Jack brings a unique combination of professional and organizational skills and musicianship to this effort to promote economic opportunity in the region through its unique musical heritage,” noted Jim Baldwin, President of The Crooked Road Board of Directors.

About The Crooked Road

The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, was founded in 2004 to support tourism and economic development in Southwest Virginia by celebrating and preserving this Appalachian region’s unique musical and cultural heritage. The Crooked Road, as designated by the General Assembly, is a 300 plus mile long Trail traversing scenic highways and backcountry roads and connecting eight major music venues, as well as weekly jams and annual festivals. The Crooked Road Region has been recently expanded to include additional counties and towns in Southwest Virginia and to allow those and other Southwest Virginia localities to join in celebrating their musical heritage.

– Source: The Crooked Road

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The Grascals have made available their newest video for “Last Train To Clarksville” to the masses. The video debuted last week on AOL’s The Boot and was the first “Bluegrass” video to premier on the site. You can check it out below.

The Grascals – “Last Train To Clarksville” Video directed By Marcel Chagnon

In other news The Grascals are recruiting members for their Street Team. Their hoping to find someone in every State to help promote upcoming Grascals appearances and concerts. Members of The Grascals’ Street Team will recieve updated concert information, Grascals Posters to help promote each show and backstage access (when applicable) to hang with the band. Those interested can contact pam@grascals.com for more information.

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• The Grascals

Snow Camp, NC., — Lil John’s Mountain Music Festival is ready to kick off their annual Labor Day Weekend Bluegrass Festival set for September 2, 3 & 4. In addition to a great lineup of Bluegrass Artists for this year’s Lil John’s Mountain Music Festival, attendees will find plenty of vendors, concessions and a fishing pond to wet a line in.

This years lineup includes: Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mtn. Boys, The Boxcars, Blue Highway, Tony Rice Unit, Donna Hughes, Constant Change, the Churchmen, Al Batten & The Bluegrass Reunion, Eddie Gill & the Grass Masters, James King Band, Josh Williams Band, Bluegrass Brothers, Snyder Family, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers and Rich in Tradition.

Lil John’s Mountain Music Festival offers on-site camping and Hot Showers.

Weekend passes with free primitive camping are still available at a discount price (before Aug. 14) for $50.00. After Aug. 14 the weekend pass will be $75.00. Single day tickets at the gate are $20 for Thursday and $30 on Saturday and Sunday. Children under 12 free with paid adult.

For more information visit Lil John’s Mountain Music Festival online at www.littlejohnsmountainmusic.com.

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Hendersonville, Tenn., — BlueHighways TV (BHTV), the multi-platform network that explores the people, stories, traditions and music of America, has announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with global content aggregator, ViviCast Media. Under the agreement, ViviCast Media will provide domestic and international distribution of BHTV’s platforms to Cable, IPTV and Broadband System Owners.

“ViviCast Media will greatly enhance the distribution of our network in their unique markets,” said Stan Hitchcock, CEO of BlueHighways TV. “BHTV’s fresh original programming of roots music, back roads adventure travel and Americana crafts and culture will complement what ViviCast Media provides to its customers.”

“BlueHighways TV is a welcome addition to our line-up,” said Stuart Smitherman, President of ViviCast Media. “The programming is original and unique and fits the diverse delivery options we make available to our member systems.”

BHTV’s original programming features roots music, including bluegrass, blues, folk, western, gospel and traditional country, outdoor adventure and agriculture, lifestyle, cooking, equestrian and a variety of other subjects valued by a wide and growing audience. Signature programs on BlueHighways TV include:

• American Journeys – America’s cultural and scenic treasures, festivals and concerts.
• Reno’s Old Time Music Festival – Bluegrass performances at their finest.
• Heart to Heart – Singers/songwriters talk about and play the music that has shaped their lives.
• Due West – Exploring the spirit of the people and beauty of the land that make up America’s West.
• Woodsongs – The best in Folk and Bluegrass music from the video version of the radio show.
• Storyteller’s Theater – Performances by the nation’s best storytellers in theater settings.
• Crusin’ – History and cultural discoveries along the premiere American highway, Route 66.
• Old Country Church – Gospel music performed in historic country churches.

About BlueHighways TV

BlueHighways TV is a satellite, cable and broadband delivered television network that grew out of the great interest that audiences have in exploring the folklore, music, traditions, destinations, festivals and artistry of America. Conceived and created by Network Creative Group, LLC, BlueHighways TV captures that welcoming, down-home spirit that Americans are known for – and are increasingly seeking on television — delivered with an interesting, honest and exploratory voice. BlueHighways also takes its musical offerings on the road to highlight the talent and traditions of the awakening entertainment centers in the United States such as Branson, Missouri and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The network has developed a number of innovative ways to work with satellite distributors and cable operators to reach and serve their local audiences, and BlueHighways TV is currently in active negotiations for carriage. For more information, visit BlueHighways TV’s website at www.bluehighwaystv.com.

About ViviCast Media

ViviCast Media, LLC has developed a comprehensive strategy to keep pace with changes in consumer viewing patterns. By focusing on both traditional and alternative means of distribution, ViviCast is well positioned to deliver a wide variety of programming to multiple platforms. The company has acquired the broadband and traditional distribution rights to a wide variety of networks ranging from mainstream networks and professional sports and unique lifestyle channels to varied and robust packages of international programming. For more information visit ViviCast web site at www.vivicast.com.

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• BlueHighways TV
• ViviCast Media

Santa Monica, CA, — Apogee Electronics Corporation introduces Symphony I/O, the most advanced multi-channel professional audio interface available with next-generation sound quality, Logic and Pro Tools compatibility and total I/O flexibility. Perfecting the collaboration between Apogee audio hardware and the Mac, Symphony I/O is the culmination of 25 years of award-winning design experience featuring a unique modular based system which can function in StandAlone Mode or connect directly to a Mac via any Mac-based audio workstation. With Symphony I/O, the new Symphony System sets an unprecedented standard with ground-breaking digital audio conversion technology, new Maestro 2 software, multiple I/O options and ultra low latency performance.

With flexible and scalable I/O architecture, the upgraded Symphony System now allows end-users to define a system to their specific needs while benefiting from an incredible feature set. Symphony I/O’s base chassis can accommodate up to 2 I/O modules, creating any combination of analog and digital I/O with USB 2.0, Symphony and Avid’s Pro Tools connectivity. The new Maestro 2 offers integral control of Symphony I/O with clean and clear software interface that makes work-flow easy by removing the guesswork from routing, mic pre adjustment, input and output calibration and hardware control. Lastly, connect Symphony I/O to the Symphony 64 PCI or Symphony Mobile Express/34 card for ultra low latency with Apple Logic, and all Apple Core Audio applications.

The new Symphony System offers an unparalleled option for professionals serious about the quality of their recordings, all at remarkably affordable pricing. “Symphony I/O takes Apogee’s high-end to the next level, and does so with an interface so adaptable, so efficient, so extraordinary, we are confident it will become the centerpiece of the modern audio recording studio,” says Apogee CEO and Co-Founder Betty Bennett. “For professionals who depend on extremely low-latency, precise clocking technology and the highest conversion quality, Symphony I/O is the answer.”

Symphony I/O Features

• The latest in Apogee conversion and clocking technologies
• Current I/O Modules include:
• 8 Analog I/O + 8 Optical I/O
• 8 Analog I/O + 8 AES I/O
• 8 Mic Preamp
• 16 Analog IN + 16 Optical OUT
• 16 Analog OUT + 16 Optical IN
• Audio Interface Mode (AIM): Easily configure Symphony I/O from the front panel for these modes:
• Symphony (connect to Symphony PCIe card or Symphony Mobile Express/34 card for ultra low latency use with Logic or any Core Audio application)
• Pro Tools HD (connect directly to Pro Tools PCIe card)
• USB (connect to high-speed USB 2.0 port)
• StandAlone (I/O inputs routed directly to I/O outputs)
• Front panel control including two encoder knobs for selectable input gain and output level adjustment and sixteen (16) high-resolution meters, audio system and clocking indication
• Two (2) studio quality headphone outputs
• Four (4) word clock connections
• Future proof with Ethernet and USB computer connectivity to be available with a future firmware update.
• Available with feet for desktop use or rack ears for rack mounting

Maestro 2

• Allows control of all Apogee hardware inputs, outputs, low latency monitoring and routing paths for single or multiple devices.
• Completely redesigned interface featuring a single window design
• Essential controls such as audio system, clocking, sample rate, headphone output and output level are placed at the top toolbar for quick and easy access.

Symphony I/O Feature Release Schedule

*NOTE: Features available via downloadable firmware updates and all dates are subject to change.

Release 1 – August 2010

• Symphony I/O Chassis
• 8 Analog I/O + 8 Optical I/O Module
• 8 Analog I/O + 8 AES I/O Module
• Connectivity for up to 2 I/O Modules per Symphony I/O Chassis
• Symphony System Audio Interface Mode
• One Symphony I/O connected to one Symphony 64 PCI card
• Maestro 2

Release 2 – September 2010

• Pro Tools HD Audio Interface Mode – One Symphony I/O, up to 32 channels
• Connection to Symphony Mobile – One Symphony I/O, up to 32 channels
• StandAlone Audio Interface Mode*
• Maestro StandAlone Routing
• Support for 64-bit kernel*

Release 3 – October 2010

• Up to four Symphony I/Os connected to one Symphony 64 PCI card (32 channels per port) or Pro Tools HD 2*
• Mic Preamp I/O Module
• 16 Analog In + 16 Optical Out I/O Module
• 16 Analog Out + 16 Optical In I/O Module
• Legacy support for X-Symphony equipped X-Series and Rosetta Series converters connected to one Symphony 64 PCI card in addition to one Symphony I/O (32 channels per port)*
• UV22HR

Release 4 – November 2010

• USB Audio Interface Mode*
• Low-latency Mixer enabled in Maestro 2

Release 5 – TBD

• Mic Preamp control via Pro Tools HD or Pro Tools control surface such as ICON
• All Maestro Routing enabled
• SBus support
• Eucon support
• Ethernet functionality
• MADI connectivity

About Apogee Electronics

For more than twenty five years, artists, producers, and engineers have trusted Apogee for their digital audio solutions. The simple secret: Apogee engineering carefully designs each converter based on a commitment to the integration of the best analog and digital technologies available. Please visit http://www.apogeedigital.com/ for more information about Apogee and its product line.

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The Bluegrass Bands & Helping Hands organization released the second music CD in the series, volume two “Through the Eyes of a Child” last Saturday to an enthusiastic audience. The event which included live music and activities for children was attended by approximately two hundred. The CD raised $620 during the evening’s festivities which will benefit the jobless through a North Georgia non-profit organization DOC-UP (The Dalton Organization of Churches United For People).

Lou Wamp, a performer during the event stated, “We are so glad to be able to participate in Bluegrass Bands and Helping Hands on many levels. Ask any bluegrass musician why they play and you’ll surely hear some version of “for the love of music and the joy it brings people”. We wholeheartedly support DOC-UP by contributing our time, talent, and tunes for this great cause”.

The CD is a unique collection of 22 donated tracks from various bluegrass artists including Grammy Songwriter Louisa Branscomb, 2006 IBMA Daughters of Bluegrass Recorded Event of the Year winner Jeanette Williams, and 5-time Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Association’s “Female Vocalist of the Year” Janet McGarry. The CD is a showcase for many regional performing and Georgia bluegrass artists.”

The CD may be purchased on-line at www.bluegrassbandshelpinghands.com or at the following area locations: Ace Hardware (Varnell), Bigham Discount Music (Dalton), Freight Depot Gift Shop (Dalton), Pentz Street Station (Dalton), Stephen’s Music Company (Calhoun), Sutton Family Pharmacy (Dalton), Weavers Pharmacy (Rocky Face).

– Source: Bluegrass Bands & Helping Hands

Bluegrass Bands, Helping Hands Volume Two: “Through The Eyes of a Child”

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Bluegrass Bands & Helping Hands

Willis, VA — Mountain Fever Records is proud to announce they have signed West Virginia-based bluegrass recording artists, No One You Know and will release the band’s CD, “Calm Before The Storm” on August 31st.

No One You Know is a talented and fresh bluegrass band comprised of five seasoned musicians – Rachel Burge; mandolin and vocals, Don Anderson; bass and vocals, Ramie Bennett; banjo and vocals, Bruce Jones; dobro, and Lance Gainer; guitar and vocals. Each member writes all of the band’s original music and collectively wowed audiences at this year’s National SPBMGA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America) Convention when they placed second in the International Band Competition.

“Calm Before The Storm” offers 13 tracks of some of the best bluegrass available today including 11 brand new songs written by No One You Know and new versions of bluegrass classics such as “Ashes of Love” and the Osborne Brothers’ “One Tear”.

“Looking for A Sign”, the first single from the new CD, will be released Tuesday, July 27th via www.AirplayDirect.com.

No One You Know band member Lance Gainer had this to say about the song:

“‘Looking For A Sign’ handles the omnipresent topic of relationships but with a unique twist. Rachel not only penned this gem, but delivers a superb vocal performance that only accentuates the conflict experienced by the main character. I feel the band achieved a higher level of cohesion where we move as one unit versus five individuals.” Lance Gainer

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No One You know
Mountain Fever Records

G2, haililng from Sweden, are currently in the midst of a four-month long tour in the States. The tour kicked off at the Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival in Grass Valley, CA. and has included stops at ROMP, the famed music city bluegrass joint… The Station Inn, a performance on Music City Roots, the Scott Valley Bluegrass Festival and along with shows in Georgia, Alabama and Indiana.

After a short break at their home-away-from-home this week, G2 heads to Virginia, and will also perform on the Chicago Bluegrass Legends Concert Series Stage in Evanston, IL in August. G2′s US tour will wrap up with a performance during IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Fan Fest on Oct. 2. in Nashville, Tenn.

Below is a list of remaining dates for G2′s summer tour.

G2 U.S. Tour Dates

• July 24 — Pocahontas Park, Chesterfield, VA
• Aug 21 — American Legion Hall, Chicago, IL
• Aug 28 — Monticello, KY
• Sept 4-5 — Chilliwack, Canada
• Sept 11 — Pickin’ in the Panhandle, Martinsburg, WV
• Sept 16 — Dumplin Vallley, Kodak, TN
• Sept 17 — Mohican, Glenmont, OH
• Sept 18 — Brewgrass Festival, Asheville, NC
• Sept.18 — Barley’s Taproom, Asheville, NC
• Sept 25 — Dalton, GA
• Oct 2 — IBMA Fan Fest, Nashville, TN

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G2 Bluegrass Band

Nashville, Tenn., — The Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum’s All for the Hall fundraiser will return to Los Angeles for a second consecutive year. The event, which will take place on Thursday, September 23, at Club Nokia, will again follow a “guitar pull” format featuring performances by Country Music Hall of Fame members Emmylou Harris and Kris Kristofferson, superstar Taylor Swift, and a very special fourth chair that must remain anonymous.

The evening offers a unique opportunity to see these acclaimed singer-songwriters interact with one another as they take turns swapping songs, stories and personal recollections. The “guitar pull” is a Nashville specialty; it originated in the homes of Nashville songwriters who gathered to try out new compositions for their peers. Nashville’s most storied guitar pulls were hosted by Johnny and June Carter Cash. The hallmarks of a great guitar pull are spontaneity and camaraderie.

The Museum launched All for the Hall, its first-ever non-bricks-and-mortar fundraising campaign, in 2005. The campaign addresses the Museum’s need for long-term financial security and will provide a safety net for the institution and its work. This is the fourth year the Museum has taken its “annual giving” event on the road, hosting previous All for the Hall events in New York in 2007 and 2008 and in Los Angeles in 2009.

“This year especially, the event will provide much needed support as Nashville works to recover from the devastating impact of a once-every-500-years flood,” said Director Kyle Young. “While our exhibits and collections are all on upper floors and never in danger, flood waters did reach ‘five feet high and rising’ in our ground-floor Ford Theater.”

Last year’s event, also held at Club Nokia, featured performances by Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Dwight Yoakam and Melissa Etheridge; special guests included Chris Isaak, who also acted as host, Kara DioGuardi and Michael McDonald.

“Our All for the Hall Los Angeles debut gave us an opportunity to focus on West Coast country music history and remind our guests that these artists and executives and their songs are a part of the story we both preserve and teach at the Museum,” said Young. “By design, guitar-pull content is unplanned and unrehearsed. It was very exciting to see West Coast country spontaneously become the theme of the 2009 performances, which included musical salutes to Gram Parsons, Buck Owens and Cindy Walker, among others,” he said. “We are grateful for our warm welcome last year and look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones in September.”

Describing last year’s event, Ann Powers of the Los Angeles Times wrote, “Any visitor to the [Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum] realizes that music also can take the form of a joke, a nursery rhyme, a prayer, a come-on or a campfire tale…Harris, Yoakam, Melissa Etheridge and Vince Gill touched upon all those forms, showing the flexibility of ‘country’ as they did so…” (10/2/09).

Guests at the 2009 event included legendary producer (and former Elvis Presley and Emmylou Harris pianist) Tony Brown; recording artist and songwriter Sarah Buxton; Desperate Housewives actor James Denton; eclectic singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones; renowned western tailor Manuel; actress-writer-director Marianna Palka; actress Mary Kay Place, star of television’s Big Love; and film-theater-television actor Jason Ritter, son of the late actor John Ritter and grandson of Country Music Hall of Fame member Tex Ritter.

All for the Hall Los Angeles patrons are offered their choice of seating for 10 for $10,000, or seating for five for $5,000. Individual tickets are available at $1000 per seat. A cocktail reception and dinner will precede the guitar pull. To purchase tickets or for more information, patrons may contact Holly Lane at hlane@countrymusichalloffame.org or telephone (615) 416-2035 or (800) 852-6437.

All for the Hall Los Angeles is chaired by AEG Live Chairman Tim Leiweke and produced by CAA’s Rod Essig and Vector Management’s Ken Levitan. The event is made possible by the generosity of AEG Live and Club Nokia LA Live. The 2010 host committee for All for the Hall Los Angeles includes Orly Adelson (dick clark productions), Thomas Carroll (SunTrust Bank), Jay Faires (Lionsgate), John Frankenheimer (Loeb & Loeb LLP), Gary Haber (Haber Corporation), Henry Juszkiewicz (Gibson Guitar Corporation), Levitan, Cameron Strang (New West Records) and Jody Williams (BMI).

All for the Hall Los Angeles’s supporting sponsor is Greenberg Traurig LLP.

About the Performers

Emmylou Harris introduced country music to a broader audience by building bridges to folk, gospel, rock and alternative music. She has sold millions of albums worldwide and claimed 12 Grammys in a career that now stretches over four decades. Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008, she remains an inspiration to new generations of artists. Harris is a champion of many humanitarian causes, including landmine removal and animal rescue. Her latest album, 2008’s All I Intended to Be, included contributions from Buddy Miller, Gill and Dolly Parton.

Kris Kristofferson has enjoyed a distinguished career that has encompassed the authorship of such classic American songs as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” “For the Good Times,” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”; stardom in such feature films as Lonestar, The Blade Trilogy, A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries, Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid and A Star Is Born; honors including three Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award; and years of outspoken political and social activism. Last year, the legendary songwriter was feted as a BMI Icon at the performing rights organization’s Country Awards. Kristofferson is a member of the Songwriter Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Taylor Swift is a four-time Grammy winner, the top-selling digital artist in music history, has had singles top both the country and pop radio charts, and had the #l best-selling album in any genre of music in both 2008 and 2009. This year, at age 20, she became the youngest artist in history to win the music industry’s highest honor, the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Also at the 2010 Grammys, she took home the awards for Country Album of the Year, Best Country Song and Best Country Female Vocal Performance. Her six-times platinum Fearless album is the most awarded album in country music history. In 2009, Taylor was named Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards and Entertainer of the Year at the CMA Awards. Taylor’s record sales top 13 million albums and 25 million song downloads. Her 40-date Fearless 2010 North American tour sold out arenas and stadiums in 32 cities.

About the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum

Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The Museum’s mission is the preservation of the history of country and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture. With the same educational mission, the Foundation also operates CMF Records, the Museum’s Frist Library and Archive, CMF Press, Historic RCA Studio B, and Hatch Show Print®.

More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.org

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• Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Nu-Blu (L-R) Daniel Routh, Carolyn Routh, Levi Austin and Kendall Gales.

Raleigh, NC., — North Carolina based band, Nu-Blu has been awarded Country Band of the Year by the Carolina Music Awards. The award was presented to the band last Sunday during the 3rd Annual Carolina Music Awards Show at the Progress Energy Center in Downtown, Raleigh, North Carolina. The focus of the Carolina Music Awards is the development of the music industry in the Carolinas, encouraging growth in music now and in the future.

Nu-Blu includes the talents of Daniel Routh, Carolyn Routh, Kendall Gales and Levi Austin who have garnered recent media attention including this month’s features in both The Alternate Root Magazine and Bluegrass Music Profiles Magazine. Their new album, “Nights” was released just a few short months ago and is already receiving very impressive airplay on Bluegrass, Americana and Roots radio stations around the world.

“Nights” is now available at Amazon.com, iTunes, Music Shed, CD Baby, Wal-Mart, the band’s website and more outlets.

For more information on Nu-Blu including a complete tour schedule and booking info., please visit www.nu-blu.com

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• Nu-Blu