We’ve just learned that Yonke has recently been commissioned to create artwork for the 2010 Delfest. The artwork will be used as the “graphic foundation” for the festival poster and other related promotional pieces.

Yonke is a mandolin player himself, and finds great joy in combining his two artistic passions, bluegrass music and watercolor painting.

We’re fans of his work here at The Bluegrass Blog, and excited to see this fusion of two fine art forms.

Be sure to visit his online studio at AppalachianStudio.com.

The company is the brainchild of Ken Caulkins, who has modified the concept of the player piano for a variety of other stringed instruments and percussion. He has also created full-sized MIDI music boxes with actual instruments that perform upon command.

Ken is obviously a bluegrass fan, as he offers several versions of his automated music players in a Bluegrass Special line. The lovely conversation starter pictured above is his Grade 3 model, complete with banjo, guitar and bass, selling for $37,950 in cherry.

Here’s a look at one in action.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Hollender forwarded me the following video, which gives a great look at his robot banjo in operation, this time in clawhammer style.

What do you get for the bluegrass picker who has everything? You can see more and get full details on these fascinating machines at www.ragtimewest.com.

Shelton was diagnosed with leukemia, which at age 73, is an awfully serious bit of news. He had been receiving chemo and other treatment at the Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, and was released this past Friday (11/13).

Here is the report we received from Allen’s daughter in law, via Fred Robbins:

“He still has a way to go on his recovery, but the doctor told them (him and Mrs. Shelton) that as long as they are very careful (wearing masks, gloves, and limited visitors) he could recover at home.  They were thrilled to get out of that hospital room.”

That’s wonderful news for Allen’s many friends and admirers of his tremendous contribution to the world of 5 string banjo.

The October 25th benefit show for Eddie and Martha Adcock at Nashville’s Station Inn was a great success. The packed audience at the Station Inn was treated to the sounds of some of the finest in Bluegrass, who donated their services (and also their own funds) to help Eddie and Martha through some difficult times following Eddie’s successful brain surgery last August.

The Nashville Bluegrass Band was followed by Missy Raines and the New Hip. Then Jerry Douglas told how his father’s first experience hearing the Country Gentlemen with Eddie Adcock prompted his father to buy every Country Gentlemen record he could find, which Jerry listened to constantly for the next year. Jerry was joined by Russ Barenberg on guitar for some hauntingly beautiful tunes.

Next the Whites with dad Buck and daughters Cheryl and Sharon demonstrated family harmony at its best. Jerry Douglas joined with surprise guest Ricky Skaggs to round out the Whites’ portion of the show. Jesse McReynolds and his family showed that the Virginia Boys sound is alive and well. Jesse concluded his set with El Cumbanchero, again confirming that his picking is as fast (or faster) and clean as ever — an amazing performance.

Harley Allen sang several of his own songs, showing all why he is one of the world’s best songwriters. He was ably assisted by the Infamous Stringdusters’ Andy Hall on Dobro, David Harvey on mandolin, and Barry Crabtree on banjo. Speaking of songwriters, Dixie and Tom T. Hall were in the audience. Others attending to support Eddie and Martha included Sonny Osborne, Terry Eldridge, Roland White, David Sebring, and many other notable Nashville area musicians.

Sam Jackson handled the emcee duties and “Supe” Granda from St. Louis delivered several of his original songs. The climax was when Eddie Adcock himself took the stage with former II Generation bandmate Gene Johnson (now of Diamond Rio), Missy Raines, and Don Wayne Reno. After a few moments of Eddie’s picking, there was no doubt that his surgery had been a success, and his trademark baritone voice proved as smooth as ever.

It was a magical evening where the excellence of the music mixed with the atmosphere of love and respect, and once again our Bluegrass community stepped up to assist one of our own.

If you would like to add your contribution to assist Eddie and Martha, you may send a contribution to:

Martha Adcock
P.O. Box 219
Lebanon, TN 37088

Money, meet mouth.

Support Our Soldiers is a non-profit organization based in Florida that…

is dedicated to supporting the many Veterans organizations that share our sincere commitment to uphold a strong sense of community service and social responsibility by providing services to needy active duty soldiers, veterans of war, and their families.

Our organization was created to both raise the funds necessary to support well-deserving Veterans Organizations, as well as to invoke a movement to renew a sense of patriotism and brotherly love – to unify, raise awareness, educate, inspire and embrace our great nation.  This is about America taking care of “its own.”

To participate, simply make a CD purchase from Rhonda’s online store by midnight tonight, and she will make a donation equal to the proceeds from today’s sales to SOS. Direct donations are also being accepted online.

Here’s a Veterans Day salute to all current and former members of the US military from The Bluegrass Blog.

The event outgrew Owensboro quickly, and in 1997 moved to Louisville and The Galt House where it remained through 2004. Of course, Nashville’s Convention Center is IBMA’s new home, along with The Renaissance Hotel. With growth comes change, and a few at IBMA each year can be heard reminiscing about “the old days” in Owensboro.

Yesterday (11/8), The Executive Inn Rivermont in Owensboro was razed as a part of the city’s $80 million redevelopment and revitalization campaign. The Evansville Courier Press has an article about the fate of “The Big E”  available online, along with this video report on the demolition.

There are a number of other videos of the hotel coming down on YouTube as well.

Goodbye old friend. You will be remembered well.

Soon after, Haden was performing on the Grand Ole Opry. On November 17, 2009 he’s going to be putting on a very special concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A. Presented by the LA Philharmonic, Haden will be performing with his family, including son-in-law funny man Jack Black, and some powerhouse bluegrass guests.

Dan Tyminski, Sam Bush, and Jerry Douglas will be joining the Haden clan for this show. It sound like a fun show.

Visit the LA Phil website for more information and ticketing info.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that Steve Martin will co-host this year’s (82nd) Academy Awards (otherwise known as the Oscars).

Martin has been getting a lot of press recently for his banjo playing. He was involved with the 2009 IBMA Awards Show in Nashville, performing with the Steep Canyon Rangers. He has also performed on the most prominent of TV’s late night talk shows.

It is unclear at this point if Steve will break out his banjo at the Academy Awards, but his co-host Alec Baldwin is certainly feeling the pressure.

“I don’t play the banjo but I’m thrilled to be hosting the Oscars – it’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Baldwin.

The announcement on the Academy’s website includes the following in their brief bio about Steve.

He is currently touring with the bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers in support of his latest album “The Crow:  New Songs for the Five String Banjo.”

Perhaps Steve should receive an official appointment as a bluegrass ambassador?

Long-time bluegrass fans know Allen for his banjo playing with Jim Eanes and Jim & Jesse. He always played with a driving sound, but also developed a distinctive, jazz-inflected swing style which formed the perfect accompaniment to the more country flavored music of Eanes and the McReynolds. Shelton also recorded a number of classic banjo albums under his name, and was known for his use of a dobro-banjo in the later years of Jim & Jesse’s touring days.

As much as his immediately-recognizable banjo sound, Allen was known for his huge smile and his warm, friendly manner.

Fred passes along this update from Allen’s daughter-in-law:

“We had hoped he was coming home [Saturday Oct 31], but now it looks like it will be next week. We’ve spent [Friday] helping Mrs. Shelton get the house ready for his arrival. He is feeling pretty good, the Dr. just wants some of his numbers to increase before he lets him go home.”

Wonderful news!

Here’s a video from 1988 of Shelton playing one of his most popular tunes, Bending The Strings.

Thanks largely to a big surge of votes following a previous post on The Bluegrass Blog, banjo picker Cluny Macpherson from Victoria, BC made it to the 3rd and final round of a contest to win up to a $100,000 college scholarship. The Class Act Canada contest will award 10 deserving students from around the world with an all-expenses-paid education at Sprott-Shaw Community College in British Columbia, Canada. Voting ends this coming Friday, and the judges will select 10 winners (out of 20 finalists) based on the merit of contestants’ video entries as well as their ability to earn votes.

Cluny intends to work in the field of geriatric nursing. His video entries have displayed some nice banjo chops while also speaking of his desire to make a difference in the community by serving elderly residents.

If you get a chance, please visit Class Act Canada to see Cluny’s new video. According to the contest rules, each IP address can vote 10 times in a row each day. No personal information is required, and just takes seconds to vote–Cluny mentioned that after the first post about this in the Bluegrass Blog, he jumped up 10,000 votes that very day. Competition is tight, and he’s currently around #18 out of 20. But with a few more days of clicking, we can help a great banjo player reach his very commendable educational and professional goals.

Remember, you can vote 10 times in a row each day. Thank you!

We’ve heard from many readers since then asking how she is doing, and we are happy to share that she is doing fine, and continuing to make progress in her struggles to recover. Lynn suffered her stroke 3 days after what was expected to be a routine knee replacement procedure (due to a blood clot), leaving her with a substantial reduction in facility on her right side, and a frustrating aphasia that restricts her ability to communicate verbally.

As we spoke today, Lynn’s language issues were apparent, but she takes it all in stride with good humor and an enduring spirit. Marshall, her husband and former musical partner, joined us in the conversation, and would pop in to help whenever Lynn was unable to complete a thought or find the word she was after.

She has been working with a speech therapist, and is making progress in dealing with her aphasia.

“I found a teacher in DC, Darlene Williamson – I can write a letter now. She works with stroke survivors, and has all the knowledge.

My talking is not exactly right, but I’m good. I’m a strong woman.”

Marshall explained how Williamson came into their life…

“Darlene has been working with Lynn for a while, and it’s a very positive thing. The two of them have become great friends. Darlene is one of many angels that have come into her life.

Our friend Esther Meckler (from Connecticut) found Darlene for us. Esther is the head of SpayUSA, and we became friends through Lynn’s association with ASPCA and her animal welfare activities.

About 3 years ago Esther was visiting DC, and we met her for dinner and talked about Lynn’s aphasia. Within a day or two after that, Esther had done the one thing that had never occurred to me to do – get on the Internet and Google aphasia – and she found this place about an hour from where we live called the Stroke Comeback Center, Darlene’s practice.”

I think I first heard Lynn Morris in the mid-1970s when she was the banjo picker and vocalist with the City Limits Bluegrass Band, based in Denver, CO where she was in college. She made quite a splash as a banjo picker – at a time when female pickers were much rarer than today – winning first place at the prestigious National Bluegrass Banjo Championship in Winfield, KS in both 1974 and 1981.

She and Marshall soon appeared together in a Pennsylvania-based group called Whetstone Run. Though they had met previously and jammed together, this was the first time they had worked regularly together.

“Lynn and I met in my home town, Austin, TX, in the spring of ‘82. She was in the midst of talking about joining Whetstone Run. When she took the job, and moved to Pennsylvania, we kept in touch, and when the bass player gave his notice, Lynn told them that I was the guy for the bass job. They, solely on her recommendation, offered me the job, and I packed up and moved to PA.”

They had a good run in the ’80s, even making a TV appearance on The Nashville Network (now CMT) for their popular Fire On The Mountain program in November of 1983. Lee Olsen (now with Keith Case & Associates) was on mandolin, and Mike Gorrell (now with Northwest Territory) was on guitar. Lynn played both banjo and guitar.

The Lynn Morris Band debuted in 1988, and over the years utilized the talents of such noted musicians as Tom Adams, Rob Ickes, David McLaughlin, Ron Stewart and Jesse Brock. Lynn would play either guitar or banjo, as her personnel dictated, and Marshall always held down the bass duties. She and Marshall were married in 1989.

During this time, she also recorded a clawhammer banjo video for The Murphy Method, now available on DVD. The Lynn Morris Band continued to be a top draw at festivals and concerts – also winning awards for their stellar recordings – until her stroke in 2003.

Lynn said that she is able to get out again, and is currently running sound on shows for Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie. She isn’t quite ready to return to performing, however.

“I don’t sing – I can, but I don’t want to yet. Almost ready – just not yet.

My left hand is great – right hand is not good.  Banjo playing is slow, slow, slow…

I can’t write either – letters are hard now. I know everything fine, but I can’t bring them out.”

She also expressed affection for the many folks who encourage her return to the stage, and is grateful for their support.

“I love these people… I had a stroke, but I’m living, and every day (God… thank you so much for every day!) I am thankful for them all.”

Lynn Morris is a rare gem who will be long-remembered should her musical contributions all be behind her, but what a treat it would be to hear from her again.

She not only got to sing, but also enjoyed the game with her husband Herb Sandker from the private box of Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, Jr. Unfortunately, Rhonda failed to provide a good luck charm, and the Chiefs went down 37-7.

Rhonda sent along a few photos of her big day in KC, the first time she’s been able to attend an NFL game.

UPDATED 1:30 p.m. – Rhonda just sent along this video from the game. You can’t see much, but you can hear her excellent rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.

The first video featured Casey trying out instruments, trying to make his choice. In this second part, we see the winner (America’s Next Top Fiddle!), and enjoy a brief interview with Silakowski.

These brief comments came to Fred from Allen’s daughter-in-law:

“Just wanted you to know that he has had several good days. We’re hoping he may get to come home soon.

My family got to go and visit today. He seems to be doing much better. He received many cards over the weekend and today and he wanted me to let everyone know how much he has enjoyed them.”

Cards can be sent to:

Allen Shelton
Centennial Medical Center
Room 3306
2410 Patterson St.
Nashville, TN 37023

There is a comment thread on The Banjo Hangout where fans have left messages, which the Shelton family is following.

As most people in the industry had expected, the economic downturn seems to have taken a toll on attendance, though perhaps not as badly as pessimists may have presumed. These numbers do show some decreases, but the big picture won’t be complete until the dollar figures are in.

A quick side-by-side of some important numbers demonstrates how income to IBMA was affected.

Given severe unemployment and a recessionary global economy, these figures don’t seem particularly dire. IBMA is a membership organization, but annual dues are not their major source of funding each year. Most of that comes from the World Of Bluegrass events – attendance fees, sponsorships and exhibitor fees. Half of the net proceeds from Fan Fest are donated to The Bluegrass Trust Fund, which offers anonymous assistance to grassers in need.

The exhibit hall numbers are somewhat skewed this year since all 19 invited showcase artists were offered complimentary booth space during the Business Conference, and their numbers were included in the total exhibitors figure. I have had some difficulty resolving the number of exhibitors listed in the World Of Bluegrass program book and the numbers supplied by IBMA, though that confusion may come from not including sponsors among the list of exhibitors.

One number that doesn’t show up above is a measure of foot traffic in the exhibit halls, which struck us – and many of the exhibitors – as being down substantially this year. Since all registered Business Conference and Fan Fest attendees have access to the exhibit area, IBMA has no way to actually count the number of people who visit the hall over six days, so we are left with impressions as our sole gauge.

IBMA Executive Director Dan Hays shared a few comments about the situation in the exhibit hall…

“A few companies that used significant space in recent years chose not to participate in 2009 and the indication we’ve received from them is a downturn in spending is the primary factor. For others who choose to enhance their presence in the bluegrass world despite the current recession, several have indicated that having ongoing promotions are critical in jumpstarting new business when the economy rebounds.

With regard to traffic and sales for exhibitors there are probably several answers to the questions as broad as the objectives a varied set of exhibitors have for participating. We’ve heard from several that sales increased and others that sales were down, but I won’t pretend to be able analyze each situation in a short email.

We continue to explore options for giving the exhibitors a great value for their investment and working on means to enhance the relationships generated at the events. Part of that process includes listening carefully to both exhibitors and attendees which we’re in the process of doing right now through surveys and other communications.”

We have been conducting a survey of exhibitors as well, and will share those results soon, along with some suggestions for increasing exhibit hall traffic. The Bluegrass Blog is a strong supporter of IBMA and their annual convention, and would hope to be part of the solution in ensuring the ongoing success of both.

Perhaps the most telling contrast comes when we compare the numbers from 2005, when IBMA first hosted their week-long events in Nashville, and the recently-concluded convention.

It seems clear that support for bluegrass’ big night, The International Bluegrass Music Awards show, continues to be a hot ticket but, outside of that, the trend lines for the World Of Bluegrass are all moving in the wrong direction.

You can be sure that this question is high on the list of priorities that occupy the IBMA Board of Directors, who have the personal fiduciary responsibility to steward the financial resources of the organization. Voting members of IBMA may be well-advised to stay in contact with the Board member who represents their specific constituency to stay on top of this discussion, and for ongoing progress reports.

Fretboard Journal ran a story about Tone Balls back in 2006, but Boing Boing picked it up this week.

According to the story, one of the guitar repair men at Elderly collects these things, and has

catalogued dozens of examples by make, model and year of the host instrument.

Interesting hobby…

Pardon me while I get my Collings out and check for Tone Balls…

Stephen and Jana are both musicians, with Stephen currently working as guitarist with Sam Bush, and as a free lance producer and session player.

Jana was the bass player and lead singer for Fragment, a very popular group from the Slovak Republic.

We visited with them during IBMA in late September, where Jana was clearly ready for the baby to come. Stephen sent along a few photos, along with a brief status report…

“We’re up to our eyeballs in baby stuff here at the hospital! Things are well, baby is rockin’, momma is rockin’!”

Congratulations to Stephen and Jana from The Bluegrass Blog!

The Class Act Canada contest will award 10 deserving students from around the world with an all-expenses-paid education at Sprott-Shaw Community College in British Columbia, Canada. Currently in Round 2, contestants upload videos describing their educational goals, and the top 20 vote-getters will advance to the final round. Currently in the top 20 with around 70,000 votes is one of British Columbia’s top bluegrass musicians, Cluny Macpherson, from the band Flash in the Pan.

His current video shows off his banjo chops while making the case that music is also good medicine – Cluny intends to work in the field of geriatric nursing, and his band is always happy to drop in on area nursing homes to help lift the spirits of elderly residents.

If Cluny gets in the final round – and we can help him get there with our votes – judges will pick the 10 winners using several criteria, one of which is being able to use “social networking sites, video-sharing sites, blogs and more to get as many votes as possible.” Readers of The Bluegrass Blog certainly fit the bill! Please visit Class Act Canada to see Cluny’s video.

According to the contest rules, each IP address can vote 10 times in a row each day. No personal information is required, and just takes seconds to vote. I’ve bookmarked the site and visit it daily, and with the help of more bluegrass fans, we can hopefully help a great picker get a world-class education and make a difference in the lives of our oldest and wisest. Round 2 ends this Friday, so vote soon and often!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Go here to vote.

Visitation and phone calls are limited to immediate family at this time.

Allen is remembered for his brilliant banjo work with Jim Eanes and Jim & Jesse. I last heard him play about five years ago, and the joy he expressed in his music was as strong as ever. He is a man who loves people and music, and he has given a great deal to all banjo lovers – and lovers of fine music.

Words of encouragement and good cheer can be sent to:

Allen Shelton
Centennial Medical Center
Room 3306
2410 Patterson St.
Nashville, TN 37023

You know that we had a busy IBMA when it’s Sunday morning before I have a chance to post comments on the Wednesday night showcase performances.

Sugar Hill hosted a reception late Wednesday afternoon, and I enjoyed speaking with a number of folks, including music writer, author and Wall Street Journal columnist Barry Mazor. His new book, Meeting Jimmie Rodgers, was published earlier this year, and he has a couple of new projects in the works that will be of interest to bluegrass lovers. Sorry… can’t share details yet.

I also spoke with Barry Bales, who said that the next Alison Krauss & Union Station CD which he had told us earlier would be completed in August, has been pushed back a ways. He told us that once they finished the songs they had chosen to cut, a number of them just didn’t seem strong enough, so they are heading back to the drawing board to find some new material. No predictions yet on when the album might see the light of day.

From the Sugar Hill soiree we headed to one hosted by Rural Rhythm Records. It featured sets by several of their artists, plus a special announcement. More on that later.

I made it down to the ballroom for the main stage show just in time for Joe Diffie’s set. Joe had a string of country hits in the 1990s, both as a songwriter and a singer, but he is returning now to his bluegrass roots for Rounder Records, with a new CD expected early in 2010.

NewFound Road served as Diffie’s band, with Chris Ward on fiddle and Cory Walker on resonator Guitar. Joe stuck with music from his upcoming Rounder album, and his voice was strong and definitely bluegrass. He is a very solid performer and his re-embrace of bluegrass is a welcome one, judging from the reaction on Wednesday night.

We’ll try to get some details about this CD next week.

Despite being completely worn out, I slipped downstairs to catch a couple of the late night sets. The Jeff & Vida Band was one that I had been looking forward to hearing at IBMA, and their showcase on Wednesday did not disappoint. The group is fronted by Jeff Burke and Vida Wakeman, whose original material is the basis for their recordings and live shows.

Theirs is an eclectic sound, combining buegrass, old time and traditional country in a quirky-cool mix. The band includes Jake Schepps on banjo, Justin Hoffenberg on fiddle, Greg Schochet on guitar and Will Downes on bass. Jeff plays mandolin and Vida guitar, with both sharing vocal duties. I enjoyed their music very much.

Before falling over from exhaustion, I also caught part of a set by Toy Hearts, who traveled from England for a US tour, culminating at IBMA this week. The focus here is on the Johnson sisters, Hannah on mandolin and vocals, and Sophia on guitar. They are lovely and talented young ladies, and the group made quite a mark with several appearances over the past few days.