One thing that has always warmed my heart about bluegrass people is how willing we are to take care of our own. Though it is sometimes sad to see how often they occur, it is wonderful to see musicians and fans come together to support members of our extended bluegrass family when such a need arises.

Another opportunity comes up this weekend, when the Friends of Eddie & Martha Adcock host a benefit concert on Sunday (10/25) for these longtime bluegrass troopers at Nashville’s storied Station Inn.

Eddie has been performing on banjo since the early 1950s, including stints with Bill Monroe and (most memorably) with The Country Gentlemen in the ’60s. After leaving that group, he and Martha fronted a number of acts (IInd Generation and Talk Of The Town) before settling in to performing as a duo, which they have done for many years.

The Bluegrass Blog posted several times last year about Eddie’s pioneering deep brain surgery to correct a disabling hand tremor. Prior to the surgery, he was unable to play the banjo for the shaking in his hands, but since the implantation of electrical leads in his brain, he is again able to pick – and play his trade.

Though the surgery has been an amazing success, its outcome wasn’t certain when it was scheduled in 2008. The Adcocks were unwilling to book shows until Eddie’s capability to perform was demonstrated, and as a result, they have been unable to work for the past 18 months. Sunday’s concert is designed to raise some cash to assist them financially, and to remind promoters that Eddie & Martha are back, and looking forward to performing regularly in 2010 and beyond.

The show will feature performances by The Whites, Jerry Douglas, Gene Johnson, Jesse McReynolds, Don Wayne Reno, Randy Waller, The Harley Allen Band, Missy Raines & The New Hip and many others. Music begins at 7:00 p.m. and a donation of $20 is requested, though larger donations are most welcome.

Those who are unable to attend can send a contribution, payable to:

Not only have the Adcocks dedicated their lives to bluegrass music, their personal generosity is well known to a great many friends all over the world. Their annual bluegrass Benefit For The Homeless is a Nashville tradition, one which will be continued by Eddie & Martha.

Hat’s off to Terry Comer, the “Bluegrass dentist” of Franklin, TN and his assistant Patty Mitchell who have arranged the 10/25 show, the many artists who are donating their time, and the fans and friends who will support the Adcocks through this venture.

On behalf of The Bluegrass Blog, we ask any of our readers who are in a position to do so, to please consider making a contribution of your own.

In addition to Richard Thompson’s overview of Bill Harrell’s long career in bluegrass, we spoke to a number of artists who had worked with Bill, and wanted to share their thoughts on his passing.

First up is Ronnie Reno, who performed with Bill as a member of Reno & Harrell.

“Bill Harrell goes deep into being a Pioneer of the music and was a great influence on a lot of young pickers and singers. I know for a fact that my friend Larry Stephenson was a student of Bill’s. Bill met my Dad (Don Reno) and Red Smiley in the middle 50’s and I remember Bill playing mandolin with them at the Old Dominion Barn Dance in Richmond VA.

Shortly after that I believe Bill went onto the Army. Dad and I moved to Riverdale MD in 1966 and he and Bill had a great 10 year partnership. I was with them for a year and then I moved to Nashville TN. During that short year I got to know Bill very well. He was a gentle man with a lot of talent and was a great business man. Bill had a very smooth voice and played a hard driving rhythm guitar. He was also a very good song writer and interacted well with his fans and friends on stage.

Bill will be remembered as a great influence on our next generations for years to come. I will miss Bill as I considered him a friend and he was always there when I needed him.

May he rest in piece and enjoy singing with Dad and Red on a wonderful trio as of this writing.”

Larry Stephenson also had a few thoughts to share…

“Bill Harrell was the complete package. Guitar playing, songwriting, emceeing, working an audience, and he knew how to sing a song. His phrasing was second to none. When I was with Bill he kept us very busy. He did his own booking and also did some booking in the early days for the Johnson Mountain Boys and other acts in the DC-Baltimore area.

I learned the business of Bluegrass from Bill Harrell……how to find songs, put an album together, book a band, how to treat your band….. just everything about running a band as a business. I’ve tried my best to carry on my ‘Bill Harrell Schooling’ for the last twenty years of the Larry Stephenson Band. He was the best and I will miss him forever.

I want to thank IBMA for Bill’s Distinguished Achievement Award last October at the World of Bluegrass in Nashville, TN. He’s was so happy and never quit talking about it. It was well deserved and way over due.” (more…)

Last Fall we brought news of the amazing correctional surgery that has enabled 70 year old Eddie Adcock to continue with his passion, nay necessity, of banjo playing.

Recently Adcock talked to a reporter with TSWI (The State We’re In), Jonathan Groubert, about his upbringing, his playing and gave a demonstration of the effectiveness of the electrodes that were inserted in Adcock’s brain.

You can listen to the approximately nine minute audio file from Radio Netherlands online.

By any tradition, Christmas is a season of giving. It is a time when charities seek to raise funds to help those in need, especially during a colder time of the year when many are without a warm meal and place to sleep for the night.

A group of bluegrass musicians in Nashville, spearheaded by Eddie and Martha Adcock, are putting pick to string in an effort to help. The Adcocks have assembled an impressive line up of Nashville based musicians who will gather for a performance at the Station Inn on December 14 to raise money for a Nashville area, faith based charity that provides food and shelter to homeless persons during the coldest part of the year.

Musicians slated to perform include:

Ned Luberecki
Larry Stevenson
Roland White Band
Tim Graves & Cherokee
Dale & Don Wayne Reno
Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe
Gene Johnson of Diamond Rio
Jack Hicks & Summertown Road
Sam Jackson & the Jackson Gang
Dr. Terry Comer & the Best In Town
Alan Sibley & the Magnolia Ramblers
Randy Waller of the Country Gentlemen
and…
Eddie & Martha Adcock

Suggested donation at the door is $15. Larger amounts will be gratefully accepted. Attendees are encouraged to bring items that individuals and families can use, such as: soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and paste, deodorant, razors, shave cream, combs, personal-size tissues, new socks & underwear, washcloths, sewing kits, pens, pencils and small notebooks.

All proceeds and gifts will be distributed through Room In The Inn.

Anyone who wishes to contribute can make a check out to Room In The Inn and send it to:

Eddie & Martha Adcock
P.O. Box 219
Lebanon TN 37088