The East Tennessean, the student paper for East Tennessee State University, is reporting that the Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music program at the school is hoping to expand from a minor in the Appalachian Studies department to a four year Bachelor of Arts degree.

There are still a few more steps in the accreditation process before the Bachelors Degree can begin, but a Spring 2010 announcement is their current goal. The school has offered a minor in Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music since 2006, with a total of 72 students declared since that time.

I spoke earlier today with Raymond McLain, Director of the BOTCM at ETSU, and he was understandably excited about this possibility.

“Last week we presented our proposal to the ETSU Academic Council – which includes the Deans of the various schools, the Provost, Vice Presidents, and members of the curriculum committee – and received their unanimous approval. We feel tremendous support for our program here at the University, from the President down to the students themselves.”

McLain tells us that the proposal for a 4 year bluegrass program must pass muster with the Tennessee Board of Regents at their next meeting, and then be presented to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission for their approval before the Bachelors degree can be offered.

If approved, it will be offered within the ETSU Center For Appalachian Studies & Services, and will be known as a Bachelor Of Arts in Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music.

The course requirements would jump from the current 21 hours to 45 for the four year degree, which will include the core didactic, skills and ensemble music credits plus general education courses in the sciences, humanities and language. Students take 4 semesters of music theory as they might in a conservatory setting, but McLain says that the lessons are geared towards the musical styles the program covers.

“Traditional music schools study European music – and maybe some jazz and band music – and you study theory and harmony in a particular way that relates to that type of music. Our students learn theory and technique as it applies to bluegrass, old time and country music. We study some standard notation, but also the Nashville number system. They study songwriting, harmony singing and instrumental technique as they apply to these musical styles.

I believe it is an effective program. When I first got here there were about 100 students enrolled – now we have between 400-500. For the past 3 years now, one of Ed Snodderly’s students has won the Merlefest songwriting competition.” (more…)

This past Friday, Special Consensus spent the day in Nashville doing radio spots and celebrating the release of their latest CD. Fearless leader Greg Cahill sent along this report.

The Station Inn in Nashville was the site for The Special C album release concert for the new Signs recording on the Pinecastle Records label on Friday, April 24. We enjoyed seeing friends, fans and family members and had a wonderful time playing songs from the new release and bringing up to the stage many of the great musicians in attendance (including Special C bass player alum Tim Dishman and his wife Tina Adair Dishman, Brandon Godwin, Nora Jane Struthers, Robin Roller).

There was plenty of delicious cake for all, supplied by our great friend Megan Lynch. and the best homemade cheesecake in the land made by Ashby’s Mom. A truly enjoyable and memorable evening for us and we greatly appreciate the support of so many friends and fans.

The Special C visited with XM Radio host Kyle Cantrell in the XM Nashville studio earlier that afternoon for a Track by Track review of the new Signs recording. Be sure to listen to the Bluegrass Junction show on June 10 to hear our very enjoyable visit with Kyle and to hear every track on the new recording.

The band also visited later in the afternoon with Nashville Public Radio Bluegrass Breakdown host Dave Higgs for an interview and live performance of several songs from the new Signs recording. We told stories about the songs and about ourselves, which of course included a good deal of laughter and (mostly) friendly banter.

Here are a few more photos sent along by Special C mandolinist Ashby Frank. 

              

Larry and Dreama Stephenson welcomed their baby girl to the world last Saturday.

Falon Whysper Sidney Stephenson was born on the morning of April 25, weighing in at 6 lbs, and standing 18” tall.

Hearty congratulations to Larry and Dreama, who had been praying for this day for several years.

Vern Gosdin, who was known simply as "The Voice," passed away yesterday (4/28) in a Nashville hospital. The cause of death is not known at this time, but Gosdin is reported as having suffered a stroke a few weeks ago.

Vern Gosdin was born in Woodland, Alabama, on August 5, 1934. He idolized The Louvin Brothers and The Blue Sky Boys as a young man and sang in the local church where his mother played the piano.

As a teenager, his family hosted The Gosdin Family Gospel Show on a radio station in Birmingham, Alabama.

In 1961, he moved to California, where he joined the West Coast Country music movement, first as a member of the Golden State Boys, then the Hillmen before forming The Gosdin Brothers with brother Rex. The duo hit the charts in the late 1960s with Hangin’ On on the Bakersfield International label, then with Till The End on Capitol Records.

It was while with the Golden State Boys and then with another bluegrass group, the Hillmen, that Gosdin became known within bluegrass music circles. In 1963 and 1964 the quartet of Vern Gosdin, brother Rex, Don Parmley and Chris Hillman did some recordings that were released on the Together label. With its forward-looking sense of exploration, the album helped to pave the way for other progressive bluegrass groups like the New Grass Revival and the Seldom Scene.

The eponymous album was later released by Sugar Hill Records (SH-3719).

Gosdin went on to have an illustrious career in country music. His recording of Yesterday’s Gone reached No. 9 on the country chart in 1977. After that he enjoy much success with his recordings of I Can Tell by the Way You Dance (You’re Gonna Love Me Tonight), Do You Believe Me Now, Chiseled in Stone, Set’ Em Up Joe and I’m Still Crazy.

His last Top 10 singles Right in the Wrong Direction and Is It Raining at Your House? were released in 1990.

One of the most recognisable voices in traditional country music is now silent.