Tom & Ryan have each won a pair of tickets to the Earl Scruggs and Friends concert in Charlotte, NC on April 11. We hope you guys enjoy the show.

Thanks to Cindy Baucom for providing the tickets and the concert info. We all appreciate your hard work promoting and providing quality bluegrass music to the masses!

Our friend Cindy Baucom of Knee-Deep In Bluegrass, has teamed up with JohnBoy & Billy to produce an Earl Scruggs – Family & Friends concert in Charlotte, NC on Saturday April 11, 2009. To celebrate the event, Cindy has graciously given us 4 tickets to share with our readers.

Here’s the concert info.

JohnBoy & Billy and Knee-Deep In Bluegrass present:

The Legendary EARL SCRUGGS with Family & Friends

Saturday April 11, 2009
Ovens Auditorium
2700 East Independence Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28205

Tickets: $26 – $46.50 (available through TicketMaster and these locations)

Doors open at 7PM, Show starts at 8PM

Here’s how this is going to work. We have 4 tickets to give away, so we’re going to give away two pairs of tickets. That means you have two chances to win.

Between now and April 7, 2009 we’ll place the following text somewhere on the main page of The Bluegrass Blog, in blue.

FREE EARL SCRUGGS TICKETS

When you see that text, be the first to email us at giveaway@thebluegrassblog.com with the exact location of the text, and the tickets are yours. You must specify the location in order to win. For example, the text might appear directly below the search box in the left sidebar, or at the top of a particular post (in which case you will need to specify the title of the post).

We’ve used random.org to preselect the dates and times for the two appearances of the winning notice.

Have fun, and keep an eye out for that winning text!

Many thanks go out to the fine folks at GrooveGrass Records for allowing us to give away so many copies of this CD.

If you are one of our lucky winners, please listen to the CD, then write in telling us which song is your favorite, and why. We’ll do a follow up post with your responses.

I still haven’t heard back from a couple winners from previous weeks. Check your junk mail filters and make sure you can receive mail from thebluegrassblog.com.

If you want to win a copy, you’ll need to register for the giveaway. You can find the entry form at the bottom of this post.

Last week’s winners have been notified and their CDs are on the way. Tomorrow we’ll be drawing 10 more winners to receive free copies of the CD. If you haven’t entered the giveaway, now is the time.

You can enter the promotion by going to this post. The entry form is at the bottom of the post.

We’re giving away 10 copies of the CD each week for the next several weeks. Be sure to read the original post and register to win your copy.

The folks at GrooveGrass have uploaded a video clip to YouTube featuring the album artwork and an audio track comprised of clips of the various tracks on the CD. So if you want to hear what the record sounds like, watch this video.

The CD is a compilation of recordings made during a period of time beginning in the in the mid-late 90’s. I clearly remember the first time I heard the GrooveGrass version of the Macarena. Then I heard GrooveGrass 101 and I was hooked. I already liked Del as a vocalist, and hearing him in this context was just too fun. GrooveGrass is the original mash-up of Hip Hop and Bluegrass. Somehow, it works.

During that time though, a number of strait up, hard driving bluegrass tracks were cut as well. They were released as part of various albums GrooveGrass Records was putting out. Now these tracks have been gathered into one place on The Best Of Del McCoury: The GrooveGrass Years.

The CD is scheduled to be released tomorrow, August 12, 2008, on all digital formats.

An “Online Limited Edition” version on disc is currently available at TheBestOfDelMcCoury.com. This limited edition CD contains 2 bonus tracks (12 tracks instead of the 10 the regular album will contain). There are only 3,500 available so order yours today.

I’ve had a chance to listen to the CD and I’ve got to say that these newer recordings are infinitely better than the originals in many respects. Engineered and mixed by Gary Paczosa, this CD could appropriately be labeled as an audiophile recording. As a long time fan of Del McCoury’s sound, I thouroughly enjoyed his remakes of these classic tunes. Some of these were orignially recorded somewhat early in his career, and these newer recordings showcase Del as a more matural vocalist with great pitch and phrasing.

The ten tracks include:

1. Get Down On Your Knees And Pray
2. I Feel The Blues Movin’ In
3. I’ve Endured
4. Speak To Me Little Darlin’
5. I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
6. Beauty Of My Dreams
7. I’ll Sail My Ship Alone
8. White House Blues
9. Can’t You Hear Me Calling
10. More Pretty Girls Than One

Some of the tracks are Del and his band, some are collaborations with Doc Watson, Mac Wiseman, and others. The most unusual pairing, and the one track that is not straight up bluegrass is Bill Monroe’s Can’t You Hear Me Calling. This is the only GrooveGrass track on the CD, featuring Del and Bootsy Collins. It’s an enjoyable track and showcases the best of the GrooveGrass style.

GrooveGrass Records has set up a Bluegrass Room in Google’s new virtual world, Lively, where you can hear some of the tracks. Lively currently only supports Windows XP and Vista, and you will need to install the Windows client to enter the room.

To celebrate the release of this best of recording, GrooveGrass Records has graciously offered to let us give away 10 copies each week for the next few weeks. Enter the drawing below and each week we’ll randomly select 10 winners to receive a free copy of The Best Of Del McCoury: The GrooveGrass Years.

This promotion has been closed. Thanks to all who participated, and a big thanks to the folks at GrooveGrass Records for making it possible!

Our giveaway includes two prize packages that will be given away later this week. Each prize package includes two t-shirts. We just received the new t-shirts designs and they were so cool looking I thought I’d share them with you. The shirt comes in two colors, blue and brown.

If you haven’t entered the giveaway, you can do so here.

Mark Roberts of WearBluegrass.com pointed out that one of the prize packages included tickets to a festival this Saturday, while the promotion won’t end until next Wednesday.

We checked with Wichita about borrowing his Time Machine for the winner to use, but it’s scheduled for some maintenance time in the shop. Apparently Smarty drools a lot…

Accordingly, we updated the promotional prize package with tickets to a festival that ends after the promotion ends.

The two festivals included in the prize packages are now:

• Cumberland County Fair – Crossville, TN – Aug 22, 2008, at 8:00 PM
• Pickin’ in the Panhandle – Hedgesville, WV – Sep 6, 2008, All Day

The original post has been updated to reflect this change. Check there for details about other prizes included in the giveaway, and instructions for entering to win.

Yesterday saw the release of the sophomore recording from Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain. The CD is simply titled CHHR2.

Produced by Jim VanCleve of Mountain Heart, this new CD is an impressive outing for this young band. We have a review of the CD coming soon, but for now we wanted to let you know of it, and tell you about an exciting promotion we’re running in conjunction with its release.

I’ve embedded a player to the right that will let you preview the entire CD.

To commemorate this release, of the band’s second CD, we’re giving away two prize packages, each containing the following items.

Prize Packages Include:

• 2 Tickets to a festival where Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain will perform.

The winners will be able to watch Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain perform their favorites songs and have a special meet and greet with Carrie and the band. The concert dates available are:

• Cumberland County Fair – Crossville, TN – Aug 22, 2008, at 8:00 PM – Prize Winner One
• Pickin’ in the Panhandle – Hedgesville, WV – Sep 6, 2008, All Day – Prize Winner Two

Each winner will also recieve:

• 2 Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain Shirts (Shirts will be shipped to the winner in 3 weeks)
• 1 Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain Hat ( Hat will be shipped to the winner in 3 weeks )
• 1 Box of Moon Pies
• 2 CD’s signed by Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain (1 each of Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain – RHY-1028, and Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain – CHHR2 – RHY-1037)

UPDATE (08.07.2008 2:10PM EST): The promotion has ended.

Here’s the fifth installment of the video content we’re bringing you as part of our Infamous Stringdusters promotion.

The album The Infamous Stringdusters, will be released tomorrow, June 10, 2008. See our original post for information about the pre-order special.

This video is provided in cooperation with The Infamous Stringdusters, Sugar Hill Records, and Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival.

Each episode (5 in total) will be accompanied by either a streaming track or an mp3 download from the new CD. Access to the tracks will be limited to registered users of The Bluegrass Blog, and accessing the track will enter you in a promotional giveaway to win one of three autographed copies of the CD.

We also have one other contest for you – there will only be one winner in this contest, but it’s big. We’re giving away a pair of tickets to this year’s Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, a meet and greet with the band at the festival, and some merchandise the guys will autograph just for you on site.

Enjoy the video, listen to this week’s track, and enter to win free festival tickets!

This fifth installment of the video is a look inside the production of the CD. The tune is Get It While You Can.

Enter to win an autographed CD (and listen to the streaming track)

Enter to win a pair of tickets to the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival

Here’s the fourth installment of the video content we’re bringing you as part of our Infamous Stringdusters promotion.

The album The Infamous Stringdusters, will be released on June 10, 2008. See our original post for information about the pre-order special.

This video is provided in cooperation with The Infamous Stringdusters, Sugar Hill Records, and Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival.

Each episode (5 in total) will be accompanied by either a streaming track or an mp3 download from the new CD. Access to the tracks will be limited to registered users of The Bluegrass Blog, and accessing the track will enter you in a promotional giveaway to win one of three autographed copies of the CD.

We also have one other contest for you – there will only be one winner in this contest, but it’s big. We’re giving away a pair of tickets to this year’s Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, a meet and greet with the band at the festival, and some merchandise the guys will autograph just for you on site.

Enjoy the video, download this week’s track, and enter to win free festival tickets!

This fourth installment of the video is a live performance at the 2008 Merlefest. The tune is Lovin’ You, written by Sarah Siskind who wrote Simple Love from Allison Krauss’ A Hundred Miles Or More CD and Goodbye Is All We Have from the last AKUS CD, Lonely Runs Both Ways – and is also engaged to Travis Book of the ‘Dusters. Tim O’Brien joins the guys onstage for the performance.

The free mp3 download this week is the live version of Lovin’ You from the live CD download available only when you pre-order the new CD. This version is over 8 minutes long, featuring extended instrumental sections.

Enter to win an autographed CD (and listen to the streaming track)

Enter to win a pair of tickets to the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival

Here’s the third installment of the video content we’re bringing you as part of our Infamous Stringdusters promotion.

The album The Infamous Stringdusters, will be released on June 10, 2008. See our original post for information about the pre-order special.

This video is provided in cooperation with The Infamous Stringdusters, Sugar Hill Records, and Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival.

Each episode (5 in total) will be accompanied by either a streaming track or an mp3 download from the new CD. Access to the tracks will be limited to registered users of The Bluegrass Blog, and accessing the track will enter you in a promotional giveaway to win one of three autographed copies of the CD.

We also have one other contest for you – there will only be one winner in this contest, but it’s big. We’re giving away a pair of tickets to this year’s Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, a meet and greet with the band at the festival, and some merchandise the guys will autograph just for you on site.

Enjoy the video, download this week’s track, and enter to win free festival tickets!

This third installment of the video focuses on the addition of guitar player Andy Falco to the band. This week we also have a free mp3 download from the new CD.

Enter to win an autographed CD (and listen to the streaming track)

Enter to win a pair of tickets to the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival

Here’s the second installment of the video content we’re bringing you as part of our Infamous Stringdusters promotion.

The album The Infamous Stringdusters, will be released on June 10, 2008. See our original post for information about the pre-order special.

This video is provided in cooperation with The Infamous Stringdusters, Sugar Hill Records, and Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival.

Each episode (5 in total) will be accompanied by either a streaming track or an mp3 download from the new CD. Access to the tracks will be limited to registered users of The Bluegrass Blog, and accessing the track will enter you in a promotional giveaway to win one of three autographed copies of the CD.

We also have one other contest for you – there will only be one winner in this contest, but it’s big. We’re giving away a pair of tickets to this year’s Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, a meet and greet with the band at the festival, and some merchandise the guys will autograph just for you on site.

Enjoy the video, download this week’s track, and enter to win free festival tickets!

This second installment includes episode two of the video, and a streaming mp3 of a track from the new CD, .

Click here to view the embedded video.

Enter to win an autographed CD (and listen to the streaming track)

Enter to win a pair of tickets to the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival

The CD is available for pre-order now, directly from the band, and those who do so will receive a signed copy of the CD along with immediate access to download a live recording of the April 15, 2008 show the guys put on at the Fox Theater in Boulder, CO. This live recording features 11 tracks, two of which are over 10 minutes in length. It was a great show, the recording is top notch and the music very enjoyable.

So here’s the content we have for you.

Sugar Hill Records has commissioned our friends at String Theory Media to produce a Best of 2007 video about The Infamous Stringdusters. The video will be debuted here on The Bluegrass Blog in 5 episodes, the first of which is embedded below. Each monday for the next four weeks we’ll present another installment. The last episode will be posted on June 9, 2008, the day before the CD hits the streets.

Each episode will be accompanied by either a streaming track or an mp3 download from the new CD. Access to the tracks will be limited to registered users of The Bluegrass Blog, and accessing the track will enter you in a promotional giveaway to win one of three autographed copies of the CD.

We also have one other contest for you – there will only be one winner in this contest, but it’s big. We’re giving away a pair of tickets to this year’s Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, a meet and greet with the band at the festival, and some merchandise the guys will autograph just for you on site.

So enjoy the video, download this week’s track, and enter to win free festival tickets!

This first installment includes episode one of the video, and an mp3 download of the first track from the new CD, Won’t Be Coming Back.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Enter to win an autographed CD (and download a free track)

Enter to win a pair of tickets to the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival

Most every Tuesday evening the guys perform at the Station Inn there in Nashville, TN. Last night was no different, except that the usual performance doubled as a CD release party.

The first single release from the CD is their remake of the Flatt & Scruggs classic, Take This Hammer. In coordination with this release we’re hosting a fun promotion here on The Bluegrass Blog. For the next ten days, all registered readers will be able to enter our Take This Hammer promotional drawing. One lucky reader will win an autographed copy of the new CD, plus their very own personally signed claw hammer! (see photo) Nine other winners will also get a signed CD.

Courtesy of Rural Rhythm Records, everyone who enters the contest will also be able to download a free, MP3 copy of Take This Hammer from the new CD.

There is no cost to enter and the contest is be open to all registered users on The Bluegrass Blog. The guys do ask that the winner use the hammer responsibly!

UPDATE 5/2: This contest is now closed – winners to be announced shortly.

If you downloaded the free audio track from this CD last week, you are already registered for the CD giveaway. Everyone else can simply visit this page to register.

Registration will remain open through Friday of this week (Nov 2, 2007). Six winners will be notified by email early next week.

Thanks to Mountain Heart and Rural Rhythm Records for providing the prizes for this giveaway.

Just visit this page and register to win one of six autographed copies of the new CD, Road That Never Ends: the live album. Other Mountain Heart merchandise, such as t-shirts and ball caps, will also be given away.

Registration will remain open through Friday of next week (Nov 2, 2007). At that time six winners will be randomly selected from among the entries. We will contact the winners via email to get shipping info.

This is one fantastic album folks, you’re going to want a copy for yourself. Enter now and win an autographed copy!