Bluegrass Underground, the new live performance radio show we posted about last month, debuts tonight (8/29) on WSM. The show features a live performance by The Steeldrivers, recorded August 16 more than 300 feet underground at Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville, TN.

The show’s premise is based around the unique environment where it is recorded, this underground cavern completely removed from any sound generated at the earth’s surface. Each month, a new episode will be taped before a live audience, using as few microphones as possible to capture the natural acoustic sound, and aired on the last Friday night of the month.

Producer Todd Mayo told us that this first concert taping was a sellout, and that The Steeldrivers put on a whale of a show. He also sent along some photos that demonstrate the dramatic surroundings where they record.

Tonight’s show airs at midnight central time, broadcast on WSM AM 650 in Nashville, and simulcast via audio streaming on wsmonline.com.

Here’s a video clip that gives an even better look at the concert hall.

The Grascals will be performing live today (8/29) on the News at Noon program on Chicago’s WGN TV. WGN is carried on most US basic cable packages and many satellite packages as well.

They will be highlighting songs from their new CD, Keep On Walkin’ which has been a fixture on the Billboard bluegrass chart since its release.

Look for The Grascals on WGN at noon central time on Friday, August 29. WGN posts many video clips from the News at Noon show online, so keep an eye out there if you miss them live.

Some of our readers may have seen a video documentary on Bill Monroe in the mid 1990s called Bill Monroe – Father Of Bluegrass Music. It aired on several PBS affiliate stations and The Nashville Network (TNN), and was briefly available on VHS and later DVD, but was not widely distributed – until now.

Using both archival footage and newly shot performances during Monroe’s final years, together with lengthy interviews, the film tells the story of Bill Monroe in his own words, with his own music. There are musical segments from Bill and The Blue Grass Boys along with a reunion performance featuring Del McCoury, Chubby Wise and Bill Keith.

Interviews on the impact of Bill Monroe’s music are included with artists as diverse as Jerry Garcia and Roy Acuff, as well as legends like Lester Flatt, Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton and John Hartford.

Bill Monroe – Father Of Bluegrass Music has been remastered for DVD and was re-released by MVD Entertainment in July of 2008, and is available now for purchase.

The 90 minute film was the brainchild of Steve Gelbhardt and Larry Nager, who wrote, produced and directed it as a labor of love while both held down full-time employment outside the music or film worlds. We had a chance to get some details from both of them about this film and how they came to create it.

Nager, who will host a screening and a panel discussion during IBMA week at The Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum (10/2), shared a bit about his involvement.

“The film’s inception came through director Steve Gebhardt, who approached me about writing it (and writing a lot of the grant application materials). It was 1988 or 1989.

I was then music editor of the Cincinnati Post and before that, had played upright bass with Red Allen, the Harley Allen-Mike Lilly Band, the Katie Laur Band. At the time I was playing sporadic shows with former Blue Grass Boy, Tony Ellis (we were the first bluegrass group to play in Belarus). So the Bill Monroe project seemed a perfect fit, bringing together both my worlds. And Mr. Monroe was the reason I started playing in the first place, through an album I happened to pick up in 1969 when I was 15 – 16 Bluegrass Instrumentals.” (more…)

Ernest V. Stoneman’s contributions to the musical heritage of 20th century America cannot be ignored. He was among the first rural performers to record and release his music. He practically defined the “three chords and the truth” approach to songwriting. He formed a unified whole out of the disparate world views of modern society and the mountain traditions of Southwestern Virginia.

Next month (September 23, 2008) will see the release of a two-disc compilation of his works, titled The Unsung Father Of Country Music, 1925-1934. Included with the disc is a 44 page booklet containing an introduction by Patsy Stoneman, along with many historical images.

The release party for this CD set is a planned two-day affair to be held in Galax, VA September 5-6. The event will include live concerts, presentations, and advance sales of the product. On September 5 there will be a series of performances, by local and regional artists, presented at the Rex Theater in Galax. September 6 will see a presentation by Henry Sapoznik, co-producer of the box set, taking place at the Blue Ridge Music Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Galax, VA, followed by a performance by Roni, Patsy & Donna Stoneman. This event is free, and open to the public.

Many of Virginia’s leading political figures have invited, including Governor Tim Kaine (D-VA), Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA, 9th Dist.), Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) and Senator John Warner (R-VA). If they all choose to attend, this is sure to be a high profile event honoring the music of one of America’s historical treasures, Ernest V. Stoneman.

2008 also marks Stoneman’s induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. A well deserved honor.