The 2007 SXSW (South by SouthWest) technology conference and trade show has been happening all week. The first half of the week was dedicated to video/film and related topics. Today the conference turns it’s attention to the music industry. This focus will continue through the remainder of the week, ending Saturday evening.

The conference includes panel discussions on a range of topics including legal matters, publicity, merchandising, publishing, new media and emerging markets. Also included are mentor sessions, demo listening sessions, a keynote speach, and of course, some live performances.

Held in Austin, TX the SXSW is a major event with over 13,500 attendies of the tradeshow itself. The various events will be made available online in the coming weeks as audio and video podcasts. You’ll find those on the event’s Coverage Blog. Some content from the first part of the week, covering interactive media, is already available.

Here’s the schedule for the music focused part of the event. Look it over and see if there are any panels or events you’d like to hear, then keep an eye on that coverage blog for your events to be posted. The podcasts are available free of charge, btw.

This is a great way to incorporate that new media into an event, and make the event available to a much wider audience. IBMA should consider doing the same.

We’ve posted many times this past few weeks with updates about CMT.com’s online video competition for unsigned artists, with the winner being flown to Nashville to record a segment for CMT.com’s Studio 330 Sessions.

Our focus has been on the bluegrass or bluegrass-related entries, and we are delighted to report that Buncombe Turnpike, with the sole bluegrass video in the 3rd round of 16 competitors, has made it through to the the 4th round of eight.

Mimicking the NCAA basketball tournaments, CMT’s Music City Madness has paired videos in head-to-head match ups in each round, starting with 64 entries selected from those submitted for this contest.

This 4th round, which will select the Final Four, allows online voting until March 19. If you would like to see a bluegrass band in the semi-finals, head over to CMT’s Music City Madness site and cast your vote.

Mandolin (and clarinet) monster Andy Staman will be a featured guest on this afternoon’s Blue Plate on WDVX. The show will feature live performance and discussion, and is broadcast from Knoxville, TN at 89.9 FM.

The station’s feed is also streamed live online, in a variety of audio formats, so you can hear the show from anywhere. Listen in at noon, eastern US time.

It’s not clear whether Statman will be featured doing mandolin music, or whether me might have his klezmer outfit in tow. Either way, it should be an hour of inspiring and viruosic instrumental music.

We posted a heads-up when The Grascals were scheduled to appear on The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson on February 12, performing with their friend Dierks Bentley. They were on to assist Dierks with his song, Prodigal Son’s Prayer, from his latest CD, Long Trip Alone - as they did on the recording.

That show is set to re-air tonight (3/13), so a second chance is in the offing for Grascals fans who missed it the first time around. The Late, Late Show airs at 12:35 p.m. (ET/PT) on CBS.

Their performance is also available on YouTube, for online viewing.

Brent Davis has worked in television in Georgia, Alabama and Ohio. He is also an avid bluegrass banjo player, and an author of fiction.

His second book, Raising Kane, released in 2006, tells the story of Eddie Kane, a 12 year old Alabama banjo picker who is learning both about the professional music world, and the social upheavals of the 1960s in the southern US.

The tension in the story comes from Eddie’s mom, who worries that her young son will turn out like his uncles who have a touring bluegrass band, and the various faces of the civil rights movement he encounters on the road. In the story, Eddie’s dad loses his job just when his uncles need a banjo picker, and Eddie goes out with them to help support the family.

Davis says that he wrote the book primarily for middle school boys, and middle-aged men.

“I think it’s possible for women of all ages to read this book and enjoy it. But I felt that many young adult novels don’t engage boys in middle school, and I wanted to write a book that would. I also wanted that same book to be of interest to a middle-aged man who is curious about traditional music, The South, and modern history.”

Raising Kane is published by Livingston Press, and is available though Amazon.com.

The author has created a web site to help promote the book, which also includes a free study guide for teachers who may want to include it in their curriculum.

Clyde Scott writes in to tell us about some upcoming live shows that will be available on BluegrassRadio.org this weekend.

We are very excited to announce that next weekend the fun in South Georgia continues. Saturday 3/17, we will present Michelle Nixon and Drive, Live in the Bluegrass Radio studios. on Sunday 3/18, we will present Blue Moon Rising. Both bands will do a complete set live and we will record each for playback later each day. This is a wonderful time for BluegrassRadio.org considering that every effort is being made to kill internet radio. We will not let the music stop.

You might want to go read these posts here, here, and here if you don’t understand what Clyde is referring to with his last two sentences. Make sure you read the comments on that first post as well.

If you have any trouble connecting to BluegrassRadio.org during the shows, be patient and continue trying. Clyde has mentioned that due to this recent ruling he will be limiting the number of connections to the stream.

The Trail Of Aching Hearts is the newest recording by Chicago based bluegrass band, Special Consensus. Led by banjo player Greg Cahill, current IBMA President, Special Consensus has been producing great bluegrass music 12 albums, and this lucky number 13 is no exception.

Due to be released May 15, 2007, The Trail Of Aching Hearts is sure to earn the band some well deserved accolades. Even with his busy schedule, Greg took the time to answer a few questions about this new recording via email.

Brance: Where was the CD recorded? And what was the process like?

We are very pleased with this recording, although it was a bit stressful to complete because we toured so much in 2006 that we had to pop into and out of the studio many times to get it done (we usually just sit in Nashville for a week and do the entire recording all at once). But our good friend and master producer/engineer/studio owner Brent Truitt kept us on track (pun intended) and we had some great guest musicians (Tim Crouch, Rob Ickes, Phil Ledbetter and former Special C members Tim Dishman and Tres Nugent) helping us out as well.

Brance: Tell us about the songs on this recording. Special C has a reputation for finding great songs from other genres, primarily swing tunes, or old country songs. What have you got on this CD for us?

The format is similar to all Special C recordings: original songs (two by Ron, including a gospel quartet, and several from friends); a swing tune (Blue Skies by Irving Berlin); an Irish song (Josie’s Reel, co-written by Nashville songwriter Keith Sewell and our friend in Ireland Niall Toner); and old country song (The Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight, from the Marty Robbins repertoire) and a good but obscure song recorded by Flatt & Scruggs (Branded Wherever I Go).

Brance: One last question, where did the title cut come from?

The title song, Down the Trail of Aching Hearts, is one that Ron heard on his car radio some 15 years ago but could never track down. When we played in Ft. Collins, CO this past summer, we visited Conway Gandy, an avid collector of old country music and radio personality for KRFC, and he found the song in his collection, as performed by Hank Snow. We sped it up a bit and made it more grassy sounding and then decided it would be a great title song because of the fine harmonies the boys laid down.

If you have ever been a fan of Special Consensus in the past, you’re sure to love this CD. If you’ve not heard Special C before, then you’ve got quite a treat waiting for you when you hear this CD. Samples can be found online at the band’s Myspace page.

Also posted today at Rounder.com are audio samples from the upcoming Alison Krauss compilation, A Hundred Miles Or More - A Collection. When we first posted about this CD last month, we mentioned that it was created to showcase the many songs she has recorded for, or with, other artists, including duets with Brad Paisley and James Taylor, and tracks for several films.

This one isn’t a bluegrass recording by any stretch, though it does include her lively version of Sawing On The Strings from the 2004 CMT Flameworthy Awards show.

The CD is due for an April 3 release. Find more details and listen to samples on Rounder’s site.

A while back we did a short piece about the band Crooked Still and where they came up with their band name. It was requested by a reader in the comments that we do a similar piece about The Infamous Stringdusters.

“Stringdusters” is fairly easy to figure out by itself, it’s probably a reference to keeping the strings clean by playing all the time. But where did the “Infamous” part come from? Andy Hall was kind enough to relate the story to me. Here’s what he had to say.

Actually Ben Eldrige came up with it. We had been through quite a naming crisis at the beginning. We started as Wheelhouse, but that was a metal band from L.A. Then we were Broken Drought, which is the title of a Robert Frost poem. Noam Pikelny suggested that, so we’ll blame that one on him. The Stringdusters was a band that Jethro Burns was in, but wasn’t around anymore. We added the “Infamous” to help distiguish from that. Hopefully we will eventually earn that description!

Coming up with band names is so hard. The ridiculous ones come easy. Sabertooth, Six On A Stick, The Free Radicals to name a few. Ironically these are probably all taken. I like where we ended up. The other cool part of The Infamous Stringdusters is that it’s acronym is IS.

I would guess we might be seeing that on a T-shirt sometime later this year!

Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens invaded the US bluegrass scene last fall at the IBMA World Of Bluegrass in Nashville. Having been selected as the top European Bluegrass Band in 2005 by the European Bluegrass Music Association, this Irish group represented the EBMA as an official showcase act at the annual IBMA event in 2006.

Now in 2007, they are headed back to the US to tour on their own. The band consists of vocalist Carmel Sheerin, and her brothers Danny (guitar), Des (bass) and Tom (mandolin), along with Jonathan Toman on banjo.

Their debut CD, Runaway, was produced by Bil VornDick, who is currently putting the finishing touches on their second project in Nashville. It was favorably reviewed in the August 2006 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited.

The Ravens’ 2007 US summer tour is being managed and promoted by Hope River Entertainment, and you can contact them for booking or publicity.

Audio samples for all 12 tracks on the new Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver release, More Behind The Picture Than The Wall, are now available on the Rounder Records web site. The CD won’t be available until March 27, but pre-orders are being accepted from either Rounder, or directly from Doyle’s web site.

This new release should be a welcome one for Quicksilver fans, as it will serve as the final recording from this current edition of the band, a lineup that has been especially beloved by Doyle’s legion of admirers.

We posted about this CD back in February when the release date was first announced, and included a number of comments from band members about the material they cut. We posted again recently when we received a promo copy for review, and found it to be up to the high standards Doyle has set over a long career in bluegrass.

Listen for yourself online.

Our friends at The Bluegrass Ireland Blog found a terrific video on YouTube that is sure to be a treat for bluegrass mandolin fans.

It features Jethro Burns performing a talking blues tribute to the greats of the mandolin, with able assistance from Red Rector. Jethro and Red each take a turn with a solo, and are joined at the end by a very special guest.

It’s a classic clip, and a great reminder of what a clever performer Jethro was - as well as a fine picker.

Find the clip on YouTube.

The debut single from Grasstowne is available for preview on the Pinecastle Records web site. The track is Dixie Flyer, from their upcoming Pinecastle CD, The Road Headin’ Home, due for a June release.

The band has generated a good deal of anticipation since their formation was announced in December, with members of three prominent groups leaving to launch this new venture. Grasstowne is made up of Steve Gulley on guitar and vocals, Alan Bibey on mandolin and vocals, Phil Leadbetter on dobro and vocals with Jason Davis on banjo and Lee Sawyer on bass.

Alan and Steve trade verses singing lead on Dixie Flyer, and Alan, Phil and Jason each get a chance to pick it solid.

If you’ve been curious about this new band, head on over to the Pinecastle site and give them a listen.

Note: If you have pop up windows blocked in your browser, you may not be able to launch Pinecastle’s MP3 player. You can allow pop ups on their site in your browser preferences.

Blue Highway has been chosen to sing the National Anthem prior to the Sharpie Mini 300 at the Bristol Motor Speedway, March 24. This race is part of the NASCAR Busch series, and will be televised on the Fox Network. The pre-race ceremonies, including the anthem, are scheduled for 2:45 p.m.

I asked Tim Stafford if they expected their appearance to be included in the telecast.

“I actually saw the anthem last weekend for the Busch race because it was in Mexico City and the TV was on at the Mexican restaurant where we were eating, so… As far as I know, it will be.”

It seems safe to speculate that the guys won’t present some new wrinkle on The Star Spangled Banner, but will do it up proud with bluegrass-style harmony.

If you don’t have any other plans tonight, you may want to tune into the Grand Ole Opry on GAC TV. Ricky Skaggs will be on the televised portion of the show. Other bluegrass artists scheduled to perform at Del McCoury and Bobby Osborne.

The show airs at 8PM ET on GAC. You’ll need to check your local listings for cable channel info. GAC is also carried on DirecTV channel 326, and Dish Network channedl 167.

We told you a while back that Missy Raines was putting together a new band to play a few dates when she’s not on the road with Claire Lynch.

The band’s first performance is coming up the end of this month at the Down Home Pickin’ Parlor in Johnson City, TN. The band will be performing both Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31, 2007. The shows start at 9PM and tickets are $14.

The band, The New Hip, consists of:

• Megan McCormick: guitar(s) and vocals
• Michael Witcher: dobro, lap steel and vocals
• Ethan Ballinger: mandolin and guitar
• David Heyer: percussion

More info about The New Hip can be found on Missy’s website.

In addition to this first outing by the band, Missy is running a contest to name the bands tour vehicle. The vehicle is a white Dodge Grand Caravan. Fans can submit names for the van between now and midnight CST, March 28, 2007.

Entries will be judged by bandmembers of the new hip for originality, aptness, humor, how well the name rolls off their tongues and mostly by which name they like best. In the event of a tie, Missy will choose the winning name.

The winner will be announced on Missy’s website and at the Down Home show the end of this month. Prizes include the first membership to the new band fan club, an autographed show poster from the Down Home Wold Tour, acknowledgement from the stage at the band’s first show.

Submit your entry here.

We received a note last night from David and Linda Lay, sharing the news that Carson Cooper had passed away yesterday afternoon (3/8/07). He had been battling liver cancer for quite some time, and was well known to bluegrass people in southwest Virginia and east Tennessee.

Just wanted to let you know that Carson Cooper passed away this afternoon. He was the owner of Cooper’s Morrell Music in Marion, VA and was instrumental in bringing back the “one” mike system. (Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver) He was one of the best sound men in the business.

Carson was a founding member of Appalachian Trail and played banjo in the group for 20 + years. He has a son, Kevin, daughter Susan, grandchildren, and brothers and sisters.

Over the years, Carson has helped many, many people in our music. He will truly be missed by all of us. Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Doyle Lawson also passed along a fond remembrance of Carson.

“Carson was an under-rated banjo player and a good parts singer. More importantly, he was a genuinely good person and had a good heart about him. When young people came into his store, he would take time with them. I dealt with Carson a lot . . . . most of the time he was my ‘go to’ guy. If he didn’t have what I was looking for, he would advise me where to look for it. He suffered a long time. When I went to see him last week, he was nearing the end . . . when I asked if there was anything I could do for him, he said he was just fine. He was a totally unselfish person and just wanted to help people.”

Randy Kohrs has scheduled a release party for his new CD, Old Photograph. The party will be held March 21, 2007 at The Tin Roof in Nashville, TN. The CD itself will be released this coming Tuesday, March 13, 2007.

The theme of the release party will follow the title of the CD. Door prizes are being provided by GHS and ProPhoto.

The photo company is giving away headshot packages- 50 pics, including the name and info that is typically printed on the bottom. They’re also giving away a couple of coupons for free large professional digital prints. Keeps the “photograph” theme going.

I’m told that WSM may also be involved in some door prizes, but that it hasn’t been confirmed at this time.

If you’re in Nashville on the 21st of March you’ll want to make an effort to attend this show. There will, of course, be performances by Randy and his band The Lites, but there are a lot of special guests scheduled to appear on the show as well, and it’s shaping up to be quite an evening of great music.

Earlier this week, we published an open letter to the bluegrass community from Rhonda Vincent, in which she voiced a number of concerns she has with the direction she sees IBMA heading with their annual Awards Show. In particular, she was disappointed in what she felt was an intent to modify the show’s bluegrass character in order to accommodate the possibility of television broadcast, most notably the dimunition in importance given to the presentation of individual instrumentalist awards in the program.

Greg Cahill, leader of the popular band Special Consensus, and IBMA Board Chairperson/President in his spare time, responded on Wednesday on behalf of the IBMA Board. His letter was initially published on Wednesday (3/7) via the official IBMA members email discussion group, and republished here for the sake of those who have an interest in this matter.

It is a lengthy response, but worth you time if this issue concerns you.

Thanks for the recent messages and in response to concerns expressed by Rhonda Vincent and others regarding the IBMA Awards Show. The following is provided for background information and clarification on several issues.

As has been noted in previous messages to the membership, the board formed a task force in recent months to study and make recommendations regarding guidelines for the awards show and new oversight procedures.

The recommendations unanimously agreed upon by members of that task force (we are proud that Rhonda served on this task force) will be considered by the IBMA board at its April meetings. These recommendations are fully posted at the IBMA website along with a link for members to offer input and comments:

http://www.ibma.org/about.ibma/guidelines.asp

If adopted by the board, these guidelines and procedures will be expected to be followed for future awards shows – televised, radio broadcast or otherwise – and speak to the type of performances, hosts, presenters, and others to be involved in the show.

To further clarify, the board has neither mandated nor requested that the six instrumental awards be eliminated or edited from the awards show broadcast. IBMA’s leadership, like the membership, has great admiration for the instrumental skills embodied within our music. (more…)

Save Our Internet Radio is a new blog launched this week in response to the proposed royalty rates recently announced by the US Copyright Royalty Board. The site is managed by Bill Goldsmith, who started the popular online station ParadiseRadio with his wife Rebecca, along with Trevor Moyer.

They have also started an online petition drive to collect digital “signatures” for their open letter to the US Congress.

If you are concerned about how these new royalty rates might affect bluegrass radio online, you may be interested in their efforts.