We posted last month about the benefit concert for Eddie & Martha Adcock, held to help them overcome the financial difficulties they face as a result of Eddie’s medical issues this past year. Scott Street, an attorney in Richmond, VA – and a fine banjo picker as well – sent along this report of the concert along with a number of photos.

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

Rhonda Vincent is marking Veterans Day (11/11) by donating all proceeds from product sales on her web site today to the Support Our Soldiers radiothon, a 24 hour fund raising event broadcast live online.

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.

IBMA old-timers will remember The Executive Inn in Owensboro, KY where the first 10 years of World Of Bluegrass were held. It is often recalled as smaller, yes, but more intimate, with the experience of the music ringing up through the open atrium at all hours, day and night.

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.

It was around this time last year that we were telling you about a new CD by renowned jazz bassist Charlie Haden. Rambling Boy marked Haden’s return to his bluegrass/country roots.

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.