Monday morning, I was honored to participate in an IBMA seminar entitled State Of The Industry: Open Forum. It was moderated by Archie Warnock, and the panelists also included Brandi Hart of The Dixie Bee-Liners and Ronnie Reno, founder of Blue HighwaysTV.

Each of us spoke briefly about ways we have seen the industry change over the past 5 years, which led to some very interesting questions and comment from the folks in attendance. One remarkable thing about World Of Bluegrass is seeing prominent artists, record company heads, print publishers, major festival producers, entertainment attorneys and PRO reps sitting in the gallery taking it all in – and giving some back as well.

I sensed a major change in the pulse of the group from when a similar discussion was hosted two years ago. At that time, the notion of free distribution of recorded music raised the hackles of most of the artists and songwriters, whereas now they are eagerly seeking other ways to monetize their music. It is a very unsettling time in the music business, with long-established models falling left and right, and I’m encouraged to see our little piece of the industry actively embracing and researching new methods and modalities.

The audio from this seminar will be made available, as will all held during this week, shortly after the World Of Bluegrass concludes. Information will be found on the IBMA web site.

Ted Lehmann was also in the audience, and he has a number of photos on his site.

After the session concluded, I had a chance to speak with Alan Munde about the discussion. Alan was also in attendance, and suggested that he had the perfect solution for monetizing free content.

“What I would do is have a form they had to fill out before anyone can download free music online. I would have them put their address, when they are least likely to be home, and where they hide their spare key.

Then I can burgle their homes.”

Better head back to the chalkboard, Professor Munde.

Our post earlier this week about Alan Munde doing shows with The Two High String Band may have left an incorrect impression about the status of The Alan Munde Gazette. Munde says that band is still going strong, even while he does occasional shows with his Austin, TX music buddies.

“The Alan Munde Gazette is my mainest gig. Billy and others are the Two High. I did record with them and I do some dates, although there are other banjo players – like Gerald Jones – who have done a gig or two as well. It is an interesting happening in the music biz that for musicians to make a living – those that want to anyway – they have to do as much as possible.

In Austin anyway, the musicians all play in several different configurations. It’s kind of a fascinating story to me.”

Alan tells us that his “retirement” from the faculty of South Plains College has found him as busy as ever. On top of working shows with Alan Munde Gazette and Two High String Band, he spends time doting on his grandson, fixing up his house just south of Austin, and running his mail order business, Alan Munde’s Banjo College.

The Two High String Band from Austin, TX has a new lineup, and a new CD, to announce to the world.

Hot Texas Burrito will hit in July, featuring new band members Alan Munde on banjo and Mark Rubin on bass. Alan has been a fixture on the bluegrass circuit for his 20 plus years with The Country Gazette and his career on the faculty at South Plains College in Levelland, TX, and Mark is familiar from his work with Danny Barnes in Bad Livers, another Austin product.

They join Billy Bright on mandolin, Brian Smith and Geoff Union on guitars, and Erik Hokannen on fiddle.

You can find several audio samples on the band’s MySpace page, including Munde’s arrangement of John Coltrane’s Lazy Bird.

Look for them out on the road this season promoting the new CD.

Happy news from the home of semi-retired banjo picker Alan Munde…

Alan and his wife Kitty are celebrating the birth of Casey Patrick Alan Rice on May 1 – Alan’s first grandchild! Also celebrating, of course, are the new parents, Rachel Munde and Jeff Rice.

People who know Alan recognize him not only as a talented and dedicated musician, but also one of the kindest, warmest-hearted people on the planet. Little Casey is a lucky young man to have such a fine grandpa.

Congratulations to the Munde and Rice clans!