Here is a great YouTube video of Crooked Still and The Infamous Stringdusters jamming at the Strawberry Music Festival earlier this year. It was created and narrated by Dan Ruby of FestivalPreview.com.

Both groups back up Crooked Still vocalist Aoife O’Donovan on Look On And Cry, and then jam out on a spirited version of Old Joe Clark. Ruby also interviews Aoife, with those segments interspersed throughout.

Since this performance was captured before recent personnel changes in both groups, you’ll see Chris Eldridge with the ‘Dusters and Rushad Eggleston with Crooked Still. If you’ve not witnessed Eggleston’s manic cello live, you’ll want to get a good look at him here.

The folks at BluegrassCountry.org have a special program running this next two weeks, highlighting some of the live performances they have presented on their 24/7 bluegrass audio stream.

The show is entitled Fantasy Festival at the Kampground of Our Minds, and will run through January 11 in their Open Mic time slot.

BluegrassCountry.org host Katy Daly says that they will combine many live shows into one show, where you can hear some of your favorite groups on stage.

“We wanted to highlight some of the live music that we’ve presented in special programs over the past year — groups like IIIrd Tyme Out, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Greencards, Stephen Wade, The Wilders and The Steep Canyon Rangers. We thought it would be fun to use the magic of radio to pretend that they’re all at the same venue; hence, the Fantasy Festival.”

Look for Fantasy Festival at the Kampground of Our Minds, running on Saturdays at 6:00 a.m., Mondays at 5:00 a.m., Thursdays at 3:00 a.m. and Fridays at 6:00 p.m. through 1/11/08 (all times EDT).

Catch it all live via live streaming at www.BluegrassCountry.org.

David Grier has released his latest album of solo flatpicked guitar.

Live At The Linda was recorded in concert at the Linda Norris Auditorium in Albany, NY in September of 2006. It showcases David in his element - performing his unique improvised guitar style before an appreciative audience.

The 13 tunes are drawn from David’s own compositions, traditional fiddle music (Red Haired Boy, Red Wing, Bonaparte’s Retreat), bluegrass instrumentals (Randy Lynn Rag, Old Ebeneezer Scrooge) and pop hits (Killing Me Softly, Yesterday).

There are no audio samples up yet online, but David says that you’ll be able to find them on his web site soon.

In a lawsuit being heard in Arizona, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is arguing that copying legally purchased CDs onto a computer for personal use amounts to unauthorized use.

Sunday’s Washington Post has the story about Jeffrey Howell who is fighting RIAA in court. Though their primary issue with Howell was his making digital audio files available on a peer-to-peer network, The Posts’ Marc Fisher says that their position on copying CDs onto a personal computer is new, and could have a potentially major impact on the ongoing legal battles about digital distribution of commercially produced music.

RIAA’s hard-line position seems clear. Its Web site says: “If you make unauthorized copies of copyrighted music recordings, you’re stealing. You’re breaking the law and you could be held legally liable for thousands of dollars in damages.”

Whether customers may copy their CDs onto their computers — an act at the very heart of the digital revolution — has a murky legal foundation, the RIAA argues. The industry’s own Web site says that making a personal copy of a CD that you bought legitimately may not be a legal right, but it “won’t usually raise concerns,” as long as you don’t give away the music or lend it to anyone.

Read the Post piece online.

This initial installment of Sunday Morning Revelations comes from our UK correspondent, Richard F Thompson. We will offer reviews of Gospel bluegrass releases on Sunday’s from time to time.

Everybody is familiar with Mickey Harris and his ‘day job’ as the excellent bass player with Rhonda Vincent & the Rage. Not so many will be aware that he a recording artist in his own right. This all gospel set Kneel And Pray [MJH Records 0003], actually released last year, is Harris’ third released in his own name.

Harris sets off at a fast lick with the title track and then shows that he is equally comfortable singing at a more relaxed tempo on Gates Of Glory. On the former his boss sings tenor to Harris’ lead and baritone while on the latter Alecia Nugent provides the high baritone part in another lovely trio number.

Peace Of God is an excellent original song performed as a duet with Jamie Dailey providing the tenor part. This number and the following track, a solo version of Walter Bailes’ Oh Mum epitomises everything that is good about this album; sincere, precise vocals and exquisite instrumental support.

For a while I was wondering who Harris sounded like vocally, then I happened across the Marty Robbins song Master’s Call and I got the answer. Harris has all the range that Robbins possessed and, come to think of it, he can match Charlie Sizemore for empathy and intensity also. There’s a hint of Raul Malo as well. Clearly, Harris feels everything that he sings.

There are so many highlights on this CD that it is difficult to list them without forgetting an exceptional track or making the review a simple track listing. Suffice to say, there’s some exceptional gospel performances, ranging from a traditional quartets - A Beautiful Life and When I Wake Up - to an old and a new song from the pen of Tom T Hall, and classics from two extremes, the repertoires of Don Williams, Lord I Hope This Day Is Good, and Roy Acuff, The Great Speckled Bird.

This superb 13 track set concludes with an excellent a cappella version of Just A Little Talk With Jesus, with Harris doubling up on bass vocals as well as lead, supported by Louise Tomberlain and Sophie Tipton Haislip, Mickey’s grandmother and aunt respectively.

Harris is supported by a core band of himself, playing bass, Wayne Benson (mandolin), Hunter Berry (fiddle), Kenny Ingram (banjo) and Josh Williams (guitar, mandolin and resonator guitar), providing straight-ahead bluegrass backing or a stripped down combination of guitar, mandolin and bass.

Much thought has been put into the selection of the songs featured and the recording, engineering and production - at Top Dog Studios - is top notch also. The music is as sharp as the suit Mickey is pictured wearing on the front cover. More seriously, here his music bears all the hallmarks of one who, with his family, has grown up singing and continues to sing the Lord’s praises.

Kneel And Pray is a must-buy for lovers of traditional bluegrass gospel music. Don’t miss out; grab a copy at the record table or order your copy by contacting Mickey Harris direct.

Banjo maker Steve Huber got a late Christmas gift yesterday - the birth of his son, Christopher Steven Huber.

Steve and his wife Heidi welcomed Christopher on Friday morning (12/28) at 9:18 a.m. (EST). He weighed in at 8 lbs., 6 oz. and was 20” long.

Steve said that he had been whispering “thumb, index, middle” into the baby’s ear all day.

Congratulations to the Hubers on the new addition to their family, and to proud grandparents Marty and Charmaine Lanham of Nashville Guitar Company as well.

Sirius Bluegrass (Channel 65) is giving New Year’s Eve over to Del McCoury, with 36 hours of back-to-back McCoury.

Starting Monday (12/31) at noon and running throughout New Year’s Day, Sirius Bluegrass will air encore presentations of their Hand Picked with Del program, hosted by McCoury. Del plays his favorite bluegrass songs (old and new), and shares stories from his long career in the business.

The only interruption from the Hand Picked Del-a-thon comes at 10:00 p.m. (EST) when Sirius will carry a live broadcast of the New Year’s Eve McCoury Family Pickin’ Party from The Ryman in Nashville. In addition to The Del McCoury Band, the show will feature performances from Ronnie Bowman, Leftover Salmon’s Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman, Jon Fishman (from Phish), and Steep Canyon Rangers.

It’s sure to be a rollicking good time, and a fine way to welcome 2008.

Missy Raines has announced that she will leave her position as bass player with The Claire Lynch Band, her musical home for the past 12 years, to focus full-time on her own group, Missy Raines & The New Hip.

The band features Missy on bass with the assistance of Michael Wichter on resonator guitar, Megan McCormick on guitar, Ethan Ballinger on mandolin and Lee Holland on percussion.

Missy said that she would send us some details shortly about the band’s plans for ‘08 and beyond, and we’ll post an update as soon as we hear back from her.

We wish her well in her new career as a band leader.

The Transatlantic Bluegrass School, scheduled for May 7-11, 2008 in the Welsh town of Pembrokeshire, has announced the formation of a  scholarship program for young students, aged 16-25, based on financial need.

The scholarship awards will cover the full tuition costs, and are available for banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin or vocal. Applicants must submit essays describing their musical background, financial situation and their interests and aspirations in bluegrass music.

The management of the school describes the program as follows:

The purpose of these scholarships is to encourage the development and appreciation of bluegrass music and musicianship in the 16 to 25 year age group, and especially to facilitate participation in learning activities by those who without benefit of a scholarship would find it difficult to fund attendance personally.

Instructors at the ‘08 school will include Bobby Hicks on fiddle, Kenny Smith on guitar, Amanda Smith on vocals, Emory Lester on mandolin, Ross Nickerson on banjo, and Mike Bub on bass.

Applications must be received by March 21, 2008. Full details and necessary forms can be found online.

The music video for Sadie’s Got Her New Dress On, from the latest Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver CD, More Behind The Picture Than The Wall, debuts today at CMT.com. It’s a production video, complete with dancers, Sadie and several new dresses, Doyle and the boys pickin’ at a dance - and even a fight scene!

Watch the full length video at CMT.com.

The band has been hard at work this fall on their next CD, an all Gospel project titled Help Is On The Way. It is set for a March release on Horizon, and Doyle feels like it may be his best recorded effort to date.

We’ll keep you posted as more details about the new CD emerge.

This weekend’s two Grand Ole Opry broadcasts have much to recommend them to bluegrass fans.

Tonight’s show (12/28) will feature performances by The Grascals, Bradley Walker and Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press. The show is broadcast on WSM AM-650 from 9:00-11:00 p.m. (EST).

On Saturday (12/29), you’ll have a chance to hear the Opry debut of Dailey & Vincent, of whom we have spoken so highly of late here on The Bluegrass Blog. The band is fronted by former Quicksilver vocalist/guitarist Jamie Dailey and former Kentucky Thunder singer/guitarist Darrin Vincent, along with former Lonesome River band mandolinist/vocalist Jeff Parker, banjo picker Joe Dean and fiddler Adam Haynes.

Their first recording is due for a Rounder release on January 29, and unless you were lucky enough to catch the band at IBMA’s Fan Fest in October or hear one of the tracks from the new CD on the radio, this Opry show will mark the first time most bluegrass fans will have a chance to hear them perform.

Look for Dailey & Vincent in the 7:30-8:00 and 10:30-11:00 p.m. segments on Saturday’s show (all times Eastern). The Grascals, Bobby Osborne and Jesse McReynolds will all appear on the 12/29 show as well.

The Saturday show runs from 7:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Both shows are available over the air in the Nashville market on WSM AM 650, and simulcast worldwide via online streaming at wsmonline.com.

Starting this Sunday (12/30), we will launch a new semi-regular feature on The Bluegrass Blog. Our UK correspondent, Richard F. Thompson, will offer comments on new Gospel music releases in a series of posts he calls Sunday Morning Revelation.

The first will examine Kneel And Pray from Mickey Harris, Rhonda Vincent’s bass man in The Rage, and will be posted on Sunday, December 30.

These columns will run as often as Richard’s time and the supply of new releases allow. Artists, labels or publicists who regularly service The Bluegrass Blog can send along new Gospel CDs just as you have always done in the past, and they will be forwarded to Richard.

If you have a project you would like to be considered for inclusion in Sunday Morning Revelation, you can send it to:

There are six short videos up on Gibson’s web site that feature banjo legend Earl Scruggs discussing his life and career in bluegrass and acoustic music. It seems that they were all recorded earlier this year.

Each of the links below go to one of the individual video clips, each focusing on a specific aspect of the Scruggs legacy.

• Earl’s Early Banjos
• Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys
• The Flatt & Scruggs Era
• The Beverly Hillbillies
• Earl’s Influences and Styles
• The Earl Scruggs Revue

Thanks to the folks at Gibson for making these available.

Here’s a bit of lighthearted bluegrass history for your post-Christmas climbdown…

The anecdote comes from multi-instrumentalist and singer Orrin Starr. It involves a phone conversation between fiddler Jim Moss and James Monroe. Jim is a prominent west coast fiddler, and he spoke with James (son of Bill Monroe) while Bill was in the office many years ago.

It’s an old story, which Moss swears is true, and some of you may have encountered it before. All the same, it is a lovely glimpse into the Monroe world.

The discussion, as Jim has related it to Orrin, is as follows:

Jim Moss: So, ah.. James… can you ask your father something for me?
James Monroe: What is it?
Jim Moss: Well, it is about the song Foot Prints In The Snow….
James Monroe: The boy on the phone wants to ask you something about Foot Prints In The Snow.
Bill Monroe: What does he want?
Jim Moss: Ask him… (testing the waters) if in the song it is snowing?
James Monroe: The boy wants to know if it is snowing in the song..
Bill Monroe: Yes, it is snowing..
James Monroe: Yeah, it’s snowing
Jim Moss: I thought so.. (that worked all right)
Jim Moss: OK, ask him, does the girl gets lost out in the forest?
James Monroe: The boy from California wants to know if the girl gets lost out in the forest?
Bill Monroe: Tell him yes the girl is lost. (it sounds like Bill is reading or doing something else)
James Monroe: Yes the girl is lost.
Jim Moss: (also, now I am the boy from California!!, I wonder what the meaning of that is?)
Jim Moss: OK, ask him if she dies in the snow.. When he finds her is she dead?
James Monroe: The boy wants to know if she dies in the snow?
Bill Monroe: ( pause.. ) Yes she dies out in the snow.
James Monroe: She dies in the snow.
Jim Moss: Well, now here is one last question, James: Why is it that he blesses that happy day when Nellie lost her way only to die in the snow? Why is he happy that she is dead?
James Monroe: The boy wants to know why is you are happy that she is dead?
Bill Monroe: (…real long pause….)
Bill Monroe: Those old songs… Who knows what they mean!
James Monroe: We have work to do here, is there anything else I can do for you?

Classic… God Bless Bill Monroe!

Mel Bay Publications has a new book/CD set sure to be of interest to serious mandolinists.

The Complete Mandolinist is written by Marilynn Mair, a professor of music at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island and an internationally recognized artist and instructor of the mandolin, specializing in classical chamber music. She has also been active in performing and promoting Brazilian choro music, a jazz-inflected style where mandolin is prominent.

Her new book follows the traditional format of a method book, starting with basic reading skills and technique, progressing through scales and arpeggios, exercises, position shifts, tremolo, pick techniques and duets to demonstrate the state of mandolin proficiency at this point in time.

Musical examples used to convey these techniques are drawn from the wide range of the mandolin repertoire, including fiddle tunes, choro, and both Vivaldi concertos and Beethoven sonatinas.

The book (with audio CD) is directed at both new mandolinists who want to follow a classical model, or more experienced players who seek to profit from the long and distinguished career of Marilynn Mair.

More details and ordering information can be found on the Mel Bay site.

Our friend Ted Lehmann has just celebrated his 1st anniversary as a blogger, posting at Ted Lehmann’s Bluegrass, Books, and Brainstorms.

To celebrate, he has posted several portfolios of the photos he has taken at festivals and concerts over the past year. He has images of Béla Fleck, Larry Sparks, Lynn Morris and a great many others.

Ted also offers previews and reviews of live shows and bluegrass recordings.

Congrats, buddy, on a full year online!

We’ve posted repeatedly about Punch Brothers, the most recent permutation of Chris Thile’s supremely talented band of acoustic superpickers.

Their debut release on Nonesuch Records is due on 2/28/08 built around Thile’s composition, The Blind Leaving The Blind - a magnum opus by the standards of the acoustic string world from which he sprang. The piece is written in four movements, mixing voice with banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar and bass in an orchestrated amalgam of Thile’s imagination.

You can get a taste of the music from the upcoming CD on Reverb Nation where one track, Punchbowl, can be previewed online. It is not as complex a piece as Blind, but does offer a taste of the direction the band is taking.

It isn’t clear whether Punch Brothers live shows will all feature a complete performance of The Blind Leaving The Blind, something that may offer a challenge to Thile’s many fans from his freewheeling Nickel Creek shows, and his more recent followers attracted to the sound of his How To Grow A Woman From The Ground CD.

Here’s a late Christmas present from Sirius Bluegrass…

Later this morning, they will present a live, in-studio performance of the music from Tony Trischka’s award-winning recording, Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular. The CD features Tony in duet with some of the most prominent pickers ever to set three picks to five strings: Earl Scruggs, Béla Fleck, Bill Emerson, Alison Brown and several others.

Tony has called on a number of fine banjoists to accompany him for touring in support of the CD, including Sirius Bluegrass co-host Ned Luberecki, and it is Nedski himself who plays second banjo with Trischka for this program.

The show will air at 11:00 a.m. (EST) on Sirius Bluegrass (Channel 65), rebroadcast on 12/28 at 5:00 p.m., 12/29 at 8:00 p.m. and on 12/30 at 4:00 p.m.

Niall Toner will be on Ireland’s RTÉ Radio 1 this week with the first two installments of his Nashville Sessions series, recorded while he was in attendance at the IBMA World Of Bluegrass convention earlier this fall.

These shows will air at 1:00 p.m. (EST - 6:00 p.m. local UK time) on December 27 and 28 and feature interviews with several performers, songwriters and instrument builders Niall caught up with in Nashville. Guests include Greg Cahill, Pete Wernick, Barry and Holly Tashian, Steve Huber, Goldheart, Broken Wire, Steve Kaufmann, Keith Sewell and a number of others.

Additional shows to be broadcast in 2008 will be announced shortly after the new year.

RTÉ Radio 1 broadcasts over the air at 88-89 FM, and listeners worldwide can tune in online via live audio streaming.

Niall is also hard at work finishing up his latest CD, We Believe In Clean Endings. He says it will feature 13 of his new songs, and a release date for next year should be announced by February.

Wichita Rutherford remembers things most of us were unaware ever happened. When I asked him about his favorite Christmas memories the other day, he poured his heart out, and asked that we share it all with you.

Christmas. What a wonderful time of year. When the snow falls and the family gathers and the fire glows in the living room it reminds me of when I was younger and of the little Bluegrass children who would one day grow up to be stars scampering around the Christmas dinner table. I think about all the times a little Mac Wiseman would be singing “Christmas Memories.” I can still see a tiny Arthel Watson asking his mother when the cornbread would be ready and a short haired Ronnie McCoury jumping up on my lap thinking I was Santa Claus’s brother, Richard, because I was so fat. I’ll never forget the time Tim O’Brien was a toddler and threw up up on my aunt Pearl because he’d been eating tinsel all morning. Then there were the ever precious, pre-teen, Sonny and Bobby Osborne fighting over who would be the first to give me a “wet willie” (that’s when you lick your finger and stick it in somebody’s ear when they’re not looking) while I was wrapping presents for Jerry Douglas and Sam Bush who thought they were hiding in the box I brought the new refrigerator in. It was supposed to be a submarine or a spaceship. I can’t remember which. As a matter of fact I had to spank Ricky Skaggs a few minutes after that for giving Larry Cordle a wedgie… for the 3rd time. Then Doyle Lawson kept sassing me and I couldn’t catch him because he ran so fast. Those 8 year olds are quick. Then there was sweetest little flower of all of Christmas time, the baby, Alison Krauss. Oh what a precious little angel. 2 years old. Oh my goodness, gosh-a-mighty me. I would just talk to her and she would giggle and smile and laugh and scooch around in that little high-chair. Then she threw her fork and put my eye out.

Your Pal,

Wichita