Follow-up: Stringbean murderer to go free?
We posted earlier in the week concerning the possibility that John A. Brown, convicted for the brutal murders of Dave Akeman (a.k.a Stringbean) and his wife Estelle, might be released on parole.
That piece prompted a note from Sandy Rothman, a prominent west coast picker and former Blue Grass Boy, suggesting that we share a bit more information about how String’s many fans and friends could become involved in helping to thwart Brown’s release.
Specifically, Sandy suggests that letters sent to the Parole Board might help sway the two remaining votes on the parole application.
“Letters may influence these board members who have not heard from people who remember String and know his history, not only as a country music entertainer but as the first banjo picker in Bill Monroe’s band.”
Communication can be sent to:
404 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 1300
Nashville, TN 37243
BOPP.Webmail@state.tn.us


The seating of five newly-elected members of the Board of Directors for the International Bluegrass Music Association has just been announced. Three incumbent board members return to their seats along with two new members to fill the Board's full complement of 17 members.
From IBMA's press release...
Alison...
Banjo picker extraordinaire Alison Brown and her husband (and Compass Records co-founder) Garry West recently celebrated the birth of their son, Brendan Brown West.
Brendan was born on April 10, and arrived at 8 lbs. 8 oz. His dad is also a fine musician, so young Brendan will surely get a fine start...
In November last year Jim Peva gave notice of the impending sale of the Bill Monroe Memorial Park and Campground, home of the famous Bean Blossom bluegrass festivals.
More recently, he informed us of current plans. Following on from that comes news of the formation, by a group of devoted enthusiasts...
The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the election of several new members to its Board Of Directors, the governing body charged with setting long range goals and priorities for the organization. Election of board members is done by an annual ballot sent to all professional IBMA...
Nothin' Fancy has launched a message board on their web site for fans and friends to discuss the band, their new CD, or anything else that may strike their fancy. The board is still new, and message traffic is still on the light side, but that will surely change as fans find the site.
The message...
Here's a bit of lighthearted bluegrass history for your post-Christmas climbdown...
The anecdote comes from multi-instrumentalist and singer Orrin Starr. It involves a phone conversation between fiddler Jim Moss and James Monroe. Jim is a prominent west coast fiddler, and he spoke with James (son...




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I would like to encourage everyone that reads this to send an email to the address provided. This guy deserves to rot in prison.
You must