There are a number of great opportunities today/tomorrow to check out live music and interviews via online radio.

This morning (11/13), Buddy Woodward of Dixie Bee-Liners will be with Carol Beaugard on WFDU. They will talk about the new Bee-Liners CD, Susanville, and The American Revival Tour they are currently working along with Sierra Hull and Uncle Earl.

WFDU broadcasts at 89.1 FM in NYC, and online via live streaming at www.wfdu.fm. The show, Lonesome Pine RFD, airs from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon (EST), and Buddy’s interview will air at 11:00. If you miss it live, look in the audio archives where it will reside for the next two weeks.

Carol also mentioned a show she did yesterday with Ned Luberecki, who broadcasts for Bluegrass Junction, the all-bluegrass channel for Sirius-XM. It can also be accessed in the archives.

“We spoke of his early work with the Paul Adkins Band. He updated us on Paul – who apparently worked for a while as a golf pro and then designing kitchens. Ned emailed him very recently and learned that Paul is back to playing music with a few gigs around the Maryland area and we both commented how wonderful it would be to see Paul back in performance.

Ned spoke at length about his work as a broadcaster on Sirius and credited his bandleader, Chris Jones for first recommending him to Sirius launching a new career so ‘he could support his banjo habit.’  We also played a couple of tracks that Ned co-wrote on the new album for Chris Jones and the Nightdrivers’ Cloud of Dust.

We also discussed his work producing the IBMA Awards show with Cindy Baucom at the Ryman Auditorium, as well as what an honor it was to broadcast the Awards Show this past year, in the same booth where Eddie Stubbs and other broadcast legends have stood.”

At noon, April Verch and her band will perform live on Blue Plate Special, broadcast on WDVX from Knoxville. We reviewed her terrfic new CD, Steal The Blue, earlier this year.

You can catch the show over the air at 102.9 in and around Knoxville, or online at WDVX.com.

Later this evening, you can hear Ricky Skaggs, The Whites and Mike Snider on The Grand Ole Opry. Of course, The Opry is carried live on WSM from Nashville, which is also simulcast live online. The show airs from 8:00-10:00 p.m. on Friday nights.

Then after Saturday’s (11/14) Opry (where The Whites and Jesse McReynolds will perform), bluegrass legend Curly Seckler will make a rare live appearance on The Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree from The Texas Troubadour Theater in Nashville, also broadcast on WSM.

Jesse McReynolds will host the Tubb show, and Curly is expected to sing a couple of songs with The Virginia Boys, and probably at least one with Jesse.

It is always a treat to hear Curly sing, who did as much as anyone to define bluegrass tenor singing during his tenure with both Flatt & Scruggs and Lester Flatt & The Nashville Grass.

Steal The Blue, the seventh recording from Canadian fiddler/vocalist April Verch, was released independently on January 20.

Verch has been known for some time for her fiery fiddle playing – winning her multiple championships – and her energetic live performances, which showcase her precision step-dancing as a regular feature. Over the years, the focus has been shifting to her lovely soprano voice, and this new CD puts her singing front and center.

Steal The Blue is another success for Stephen Mougin, who co-produced with Jon Weisberger. Mougin’s name is showing up quite frequently these days in CD credits, and without fail, these projects have offered thoughtful songs, impeccable tone, and production that eschews “cleverness” in favor of letting the songs shine.

Verch and Mougin understand just how crucial it is start with great songs, and here, the songs are terrific. Other than two fine instrumental tracks – one traditional, the other original – this CD is comprised of top notch songs by some of today’s finest writers. Tim Stafford, Steve Gulley, Larry Cordle, Sarah Siskind, Ron Block, Mark Simos and Jon Weisberger are among the writers whose songs are featured.

We asked April to share her thoughts about two of the tracks, which are presented here as audio samples.

You Hurt Me All Over Again – Listen now:    

“This is one of two Tim Stafford co-writes on Steal The Blue (he wrote this one with Steve Gulley). I’m a huge fan of Tim as a musician and a composer, and I feel really fortunate to have had an opportunity to record two songs of his on this CD that hadn’t previously been cut. This is one of those classic heart-break/moving on songs that most of us can relate to in one way or another…

The harmony vocalists on this track are Melonie Cannon & Stephen Mougin, you can’t go wrong there!”

He’s Holding Onto Me – Listen now:    

“I’d like to say this one was a blast to record…but that wouldn’t be completely honest of me. As much fun as it was, part of me was so nervous I could barely play! Steal The Blue was recorded with my touring band, with the exception of this Ron Block song, which features co-producers Stephen Mougin and Jon Weisberger on guitar and bass respectively, Travis Book and Patty Mitchell on harmony vocals, Scott Vestal on banjo, and Sam Bush on mandolin!

I’ve loved this song since I first heard it on Ron’s recording and it was a thrill to try a version of my own with this all-star cast. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!”

Members of her road band include Cody Walters on bass, Clay Ross on guitar and Marc Bru on Percussion.

You can hear more audio from Steal The Blue on CD Baby and on April’s MySpace page.

It must be Women In Bluegrass Friday this week – at least in online radio streams. We found two interviews scheduled for 11/14 with prominent female artists, and noted female radio hosts.

First up is fiddler April Verch who be a guest of Carol Beaugard on WFDU’s Lonesome Pine RFD at 11:00 a.m.

She’ll be talking about her latest CD, Steal The Blue, which features her on both fiddle and lead vocals on a musical melange of French Canadian, Appalachian, Bluegrass, and Celtic influences.

WFDU airs on 89.1 FM in the NYC area, and is streamed live online at WFDU.fm. Carol’s show is also recorded for rebroadcast at a later date on WAMU’s Bluegrass Country.

At 1:00 p.m., Sandy Cherryholmes with join Gracie Muldoon on WorldWideBluegrass.com to talk about the new Cherryholmes project, Cherryholmes III – Don’t Believe.

As the mom of this talented bluegrass brood, you can expect to hear Sandy brag on them a good bit.

To listen to the 24/7 WWB audio stream online, just visit their streaming page, and choose a connection speed and file type.

Renowned fiddle instructor Brian Wicklund and Canadian fiddle master April Verch have joined forces to bring a new instructional book/CD to market, American Fiddle Method: Canadian Fiddle Styles.

The book and CD set will introduce the student to the Canadian fiddle style. The instruction is geared toward those who are of an intermediate level and wish to expand their playing by adding this dynamic style to their repertoire. Canadian styles covered in the book include the traditions of Old Time Canadian, French Canadian, Cape Breton and M?©tis.

In this 80 page book and 60 minute CD, Brian and April teach the simple melodies to 18 Canadian fiddle tunes, and then go on to demonstrate variations using ornaments and bowing patterns common to Canadian fiddle styles. The instruction is presented in a clear and accessible manner, bringing these more advanced techniques within grasp for all intermediate level players.

The CD includes “play along” tracks for the students continued practice.

This instructional book/CD package is available for $24.95 directly from Brian, or you should be able to find it anywhere Mel Bay products are sold.