Now, we’re pleased to bring you the news that the Haney has received a $7,250 grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, for the purpose of recording a CD to preserve the contributions Eric Ellis has made to bluegrass music.

The university’s new service is reporting:

In addition to Ellis’ banjo playing and baritone vocal harmony, participating musicians on the CD will include David Johnson (fiddle), David Haney (guitar), Nick Chandler (mandolin), Billy Gee (bass), Bobby Hicks (fiddle), and possibly Tony Rice (guitar).

This sounds like a project we’ll want to hear!

Bobby spent about three hours playing with and coaching Berklee students who attended the master class on 2/12. The main focus was on how to play fiddle on bluegrass songs – breaks, backup, etc. He emphasized the importance of playing in tune, knowing the melody really well, and the fact that it is the bow that really gives players their own voice.

He demonstrated some great twin fiddling with Mike Barnett, a student who studied with Bobby before enrolling at Berklee.

It was clear that Bobby had a great time and the session ended with he and a large group of students playing some fiddle tunes he had recorded years ago with Bill Monroe – with Bobby and everyone else grinning from ear-to-ear.

        

The adult camp is scheduled for April 30-May 9 and, in addition to Megan, will feature legendary fiddler Bobby Hicks as guest instructor. Stephen Mougin will offer a vocal workshop over this same weekend, included in the camp tuition.

The youth camp will run June 29-July 3 with Daniel Carwile assisting with the teaching chores.

Rates are available for on or off-site registration, and there is a special rate for parents to stay on-site during the youth camp.

You can find further details at FiddleStar.com.

Jens Kruger in particular has established himself as one of the most technically advanced banjo players in the history of the five string, and his brother Uwe is no slouch on the guitar. With bassist Joel Landsberg, they perform regularly as a trio all over the world.

The Krugers make their home now in North Wilkesboro, NC, not far from the annual Merlefest site. They have immersed themselves in the traditional music and culture of the Appalachian region, and their original tunes show how they have incorporated themes of their new home into the lush and complex instrumental music they compose.

Despite their demonstrated virtuosity, they have not received the same sort of acclaim in bluegrass circles as they have elsewhere. But that may be about to change.

Staring this weekend at the Carolina in the Fall festival, which they host in North Wilkesboro, The Kruger Brothers will unveil a more accessible, familiar sound featuring a couple of bluegrass heavyweights. Mandolinist Adam Steffey will be on hand and may do a number of future dates as his schedule allows.

“I’ve gone down to Wilkesboro a couple of times in the past month or so just to jam a little with the Krugers. They are talking about booking a few shows next year as an aside to their regular shows, with an emphasis on some more traditional sounding tunes. My involvement in this is totally contingent upon my schedule with Dan Tyminski. I may be able to do a few dates with them, or none. It’s really too soon to tell.

It’s a blast playing with them, though, because not only are they all superior musicians, they are the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet.”

Also on hand this weekend will be fiddle legend Bobby Hicks, who will also join the Krugers on stage.

“I’m working the festival with them this weekend, and I’m doing a couple things in Florida next year. I’m not a regular member of their band as of yet. But you never know what might happen.

They are some awesome musicians.”

Let’s hope someone records the shows.

HT: Ted Lehmann

Carpenter has worked with the Tony Rice Unit and with Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band. He is a recording artist in his own right.

In Spring 2005, Carpenter built a 50-seat concert room onto the side of his shop. In the Fall of that year he began promoting a series of concerts featuring, what else, fiddle players, and top names have rosined a bow there too. All concerts have been recorded on video.

It is the product of some of these first recordings that is featured on the first of the Fiddler Masters DVDs.

Appearing on this collection are Andy Leftwich (of Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder), old-time fiddle master Bruce Molsky, Jim VanCleve (of Mountain Heart), Bobby Hicks (possibly the top single fiddler to play both the bluegrass and western swing styles) and Aubrey Haynie (a regular with The Time Jumpers, a group made up of touring and studio musicians who enjoy jamming with each other at the Station Inn).

Molsky plays five pieces solo, including Last Of Gallahan and Peg & Awl, both on the fiddle, but switches to guitar for the tune Brothers & Sisters and the song Poor Cowboy. I cannot say how it was on the night that Molsky appeared at The Violin Shop, but the guitar interludes provide an enjoyable variation within the context of the video.

The other four fiddlers appear accompanied by their own pick-up band chosen from Byron House, Cody Kilby, Wyatt Rice, Charlie Cushman, Alan Bibey, Adam Steffey, Kent Blanton, Clay Jones, Ron Stewart, Jason Moore and Steve Gulley. It would be unfair to single out any of the support musicians for praise; all shine very brightly. While the setting is a showcase for fiddlers, each person called upon to take a break shows how superb they are at their craft.

VanCleve steps into spotlight on four occasions, performing his own #6 Barn Dance, the rollicking opener, Ride The Wild Turkey, and a barn-storming version of Big Mon.

Hicks appears just twice, playing two Monroe tunes including the twin fiddle show stopper Roanoke, which is played with Haynie on the other fiddle. What a night that must have been!

Haynie features on four other occasions, playing a couple of PD tunes, Red Wing and Ragtime Annie; and Arthur Smith’s Florida Blues and the western-swing favourite Maiden’s Prayer. A lovely set that tests Haynie’s versatility and he doesn’t disappoint.

Leftwich does four tunes also, two of which he composed himself; All Things New and Faultline. Topping the bill is his showcase piece, Stephane Grapelli’s Minor Swing. Leftwich switches to demonstrate how proficient he is on mandolin by playing that instrument on Over Cincinnati and Faultline. The former is briefly presented with a split screen, used while Cody Kilby plays a guitar solo.

Ronnie Bowman gets in on the act with the only song among the 20 pieces on this DVD, singing Love For An Angel, backed by VanCleve, Steffey, Stewart, Jones, Gulley and Moore.

The setting is intimate and the lighting emphasizes that intimacy with just a single light it would appear to pick out the soloist.

The camera work is professional with eight different camera-men used in all. Carpenter himself serves as Producer and shares with Jeff Wilson the roles of Director and Editor. They all should be very pleased with their work.

This set lasts 75 minutes and investment in this DVD will bring top quality musicianship and entertainment for all of that time. I’m now going to watch Volume II.

“I read the posting on The Bluegrass Blog about a birthday party that was being thrown for Bobby Hicks on Sunday July 20th in Marshall, NC, and decided to take the short trek from home to attend since it was open to the public.

The party was held at Marshall High Studios on what is called Blannahassett Island in Marshall, and is an old converted High School there. With the large gathering, the event was held in the building’s old gymnasium, and man-o-live! I bet it never rang out like that in all it’s life!

There were around 150-200 people there, all friends and family of Bobby’s, and the guest of honor was just about the happiest I have ever seen – his suprise and expressions were priceless. The invitation said to bring your instruments, and everyone did! There were so many fiddles and guitars, it was more of an orchestra than a ‘band.’

It was truly a wonderful gathering, and his family is to be commended for one of the best celebrations ever. I shot some video with my camera and it can be viewed on YouTube for anyone who might like to see it.”

Next Sunday, July 20, 2008, a surprise party will be held for him at Marshall High Studios. The studios are located in the old Marshall High school on the island in downtown Marshall, NC. The event is free and open to the public. If you plan to attend, you should be there no later than 2 PM. If you can’t make it by 2 PM and still want to attend, the organizers ask that you wait till after 3 PM before showing up. Bobby will be brought in sometime between 2 and 3 PM and they don’t want anyone spoiling the surprise.

The party will, of course, including some picking and fiddling so bring your stringing instrument with you if you decide to attend.

Cathy asked that we post this to announce it, knowing that Bobby doesn’t get online that often. She did request that no one mention anything to him, it is a surprise party after all!

Imagining how devastating such an injury could be to a musician, we were delighted to hear this week from Bobby’s daughter, Melissa Holland, that her dad was on the mend, and back to playing while continuing with twice weekly physical therapy.

Melissa says that Bobby taught last week at Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamp last week, and did fine, though he still doesn’t feel like he is back in top form.

“I know Dad was worried about how much movement he would get back on that finger. Luckily, he knows how to make accommodations until it’s back at 100%.”

Look for Bobby back on stage doing shows with Earl Scruggs in July.

Bobby fell and broke the ring finger of his left hand badly enough to require surgery earlier this month, but says that he recovering nicely at home.

“I’m doing OK I guess. I’ll just have to refrain from playing double and triple stops for awhile.“

Let’s hope Bobby is back in top form soon!

The scholarship awards will cover the full tuition costs, and are available for banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin or vocal. Applicants must submit essays describing their musical background, financial situation and their interests and aspirations in bluegrass music.

The management of the school describes the program as follows:

The purpose of these scholarships is to encourage the development and appreciation of bluegrass music and musicianship in the 16 to 25 year age group, and especially to facilitate participation in learning activities by those who without benefit of a scholarship would find it difficult to fund attendance personally.

Instructors at the ‘08 school will include Bobby Hicks on fiddle, Kenny Smith on guitar, Amanda Smith on vocals, Emory Lester on mandolin, Ross Nickerson on banjo, and Mike Bub on bass.

Applications must be received by March 21, 2008. Full details and necessary forms can be found online.

The faculty includes Ross Nickerson on banjo, Mike Bub on bass, Bobby Hicks on fiddle, Kenny Smith on guitar, Emory Lester on mandolin and Amanda Smith on vocals.

Class sessions will be held both morning and afternoon from May 8-11. Only 20 students will be enrolled for each class, so anyone interested in participating is encouraged to register right away.

He was a flamboyant performer, and a favorite with fans in the 50s and 60s for his singing and fiddling, plus his huge smile and larger-than-life persona on stage. Benny passed away in 2001, but had been in ill health since the mid-’80s, so a great many younger bluegrass fans and fiddlers have only a passing acquaintance with his brilliant playing.

Thanks to CMH Records, one of his classic recordings is set to be reissued on CD. The Fiddle Collection, originally released as a 2 LP set in 1977, is set to hit the street on October 9 in a special CD edition. The tracks from the original vinyl have been remastered, and a number of bonus tracks are included as well, all of which feature John Hartford on banjo.

Among the 28 tracks are such favorites as Lee Highway Blues, Fiddlers Dream, Back Up And Push and Ragtime Annie, as well as bluegrass numbers like Flint Hill Special, Footprints In The Snow and Foggy Mountain Breakdown.

To get a feel for just how influential Martin was on the next generation of fiddlers, we asked a few of the current nominees for the IBMA Fiddle Player Of The Year Award for comment.

First up is Mountain Heart’s Jim Van Cleve:

“Big Tige (Benny Martin) was the quintessential bluegrass fiddle player…Unbelievably rich tone, especially considering the recording technology of the time, an incredible awareness of the vocal and an inventiveness for where he needed be in context to it. It was so natural for him. Ultimately, he played a huge part in defining for a lot of players, myself included, what types of things were appropriate for the bluegrass fiddler. It’s not unlike what Tony Rice eventually did for bluegrass guitar. His signature fire and enthusiasm just underlined the fact that what he was playing and creating was perfect!”

Ron Stewart, fiddling with JD Crowe & The New South added these words:

“Benny Martin put the fiddle to a new level with tone, phrasing, and double stops!!! He played aggressive, got a huge tone, and slid double stops like no one has or ever will! His name was ‘Big Tiger,’ ‘Big’ for tone, and ‘Tiger’ for how he attacked! Anyone who plays fiddle, or aspires to play fiddle, should know Benny’s work.”

We also heard from Hunter Berry, from Rhonda Vincent & The Rage:

“Benny ‘Big Tige’ Martin is one of the greatest bluegrass fiddlers in history. His stint with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs gave his fiddling an opportunity to build himself a foundation for a prosperous career. Big Tige was one of the first fiddle players to play with the same authority as the lead vocal and with as much aggression as the banjo. Combined with incredibly well rounded vocals and swing-like rhythms, Benny created a category all of his own.”

Fellow fiddle legend Bobby Hicks also had a few words to share about Martin.

“Benny and I were good friends at the time I was working for Bill Monroe. I don’t know anything bad or funny about him, but God knows WHAT A FIDDLE PLAYER HE WAS!!!!”

You can hear several audio samples from The Fiddle Collection on the CMH web site.

The show has been scheduled again this year, and will be held next weekend (1/20/07) at The Paramount Center on historic State Street in Bristol.

The format of the current show is similar to the one we started in 2000, and reminiscent of the old “package tour” shows popular in the 1950s and 60s. An all star cast of prominent bluegrass pickers and singers will rotate on and off the stage in a variety of configurations, generally performing material outside of what you might normally hear them doing.

This year’s lineup includes Bobby Hicks, Ronnie Bowman, Mike Bub, David Talbot, Larry Cordle, Rob McCoury, Don Rigsby, Kim Fox, Darrell Webb, Steve Gulley, Jason Carter, Barry Bales, Paul Williams, Kenny & Amanda Smith and David Grier.

There will be two shows on January 20, at 3:00 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets and show details can be found at the Pickin’ at the Paramount site, or the Paramount Center site.

The show on September 25 will feature Tim O’Brien and Stuart Duncan, with support from Bryan Sutton and Dennis Crouch. There will be two shows that evening, at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m., with both shows taped for Volume II of their live Violin Shop concerts on DVD.

We posted about the first volume when it was released earlier this summer. That concert DVD features Andy Leftwich, Bruce Molsky, Aubrey Haynie, Jim Van Cleve and Bobby Hicks on fiddles, with contributions from Ronnie Bowman, Ron Stewart, Alan Bibey and several other fine pickers and singers.

Fred says that he really has no set release date for the Duncan/O’Brien concert DVD, but expects it will be in the first half of 2007. Details will surely appear on The Violin Shop site as they are clarified.

A collection of these concert performances have now been assembled on DVD, featuring some of bluegrass music’s finest fiddlers. Andy Leftwich, Jim VanCleve, Aubrey Haynie and Bruce Molsky are showcased on The Violin Shop Concert Series, Vol. 1. Guests and supporting players on the DVD include veteran fiddler Bobby Hicks, as well as Ronnie Bowman, Byron House, Cody Kilby, Wyatt Rice, Charlie Cushman, Alan Bibey, Kent Blanton, Adam Steffey, Clay Jones, Ron Stewart, Jason Moore, and Steve Gulley.

The Violin Shop is run by Fred Carpenter, and is both a favored repair facility for Nashville fiddlers, and their local meeting place as well. Carpenter spent several years as a member of The Tony Rice Unit while also serving a violin building apprenticeship in California. He moved to Nashville in 1987, and opened The Violin Shop while also touring with Emmy Lou Harris. His repair and restoration staff at the shop has grown over the years, and Fred now focuses on buying and selling fine violins. He remains active as a player touring with Kathy Mattea.

Carpenter said that there was never an intention to either record these live shows, or release them on DVD.

“My intention with the concerts was just to build a room where we could have some fun shows. Jeff Wyatt Wilson, a Nashville filmmaker, happened to come to the Violin Shop the day before our first show, looking for 3 seconds of fiddle playing for a documentary he was working on. We got to talking, one thing led to another, and this project just became what it is as the discussions evolved.”

The DVDs can be purchased on The Violin Shop web site.

This GrassCast is 12 minutes in length and the file download size is 11MB.

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