Gena Britt-Tew just wrote to tell us about a new addition to her family. She and her husband Tim are celebrating the birth of their second child, Dalsyn Vara Tew. Dalsyn was born on Wednesday November 1st, at 7:59 AM. The new Tew weighed in at 7lbs, 6 oz. and measured 19.75″ long. Her big sister Jalyn seems happy about having a little sister to play with.

Congratulations Tim and Gena!

Dalsyn Vara Tew	Sisters Tew

Back To The Well is the title of the second recording from The Daughters Of Bluegrass, an effort spearheaded by Lorraine Jordan and Gena Britt Tew to highlight the musical gifts and skills of the many female bluegrass pickers and singers currently performing in the US. The first CD on CMH Records, Daughters Of American Bluegrass, was nominated for the Recorded Event Of The Year award from the IBMA in 2005 and featured Lorraine and Gena along with Kristin Scott-Benson, Dale Ann Bradley, Kim Fox, Missy Raines, Honi Deaton, Cindy Cashdollar, Michelle Birkby-Vance, Anita Fisher and Chrystal Franklin.

The new project also prominently features Lorraine and Gena, along with Mindy Rakestraw, Frances Mooney, Donica Christensen, Jeanette Williams, Valerie Smith, Becky Buller, Beth Lawrence, Julie Elkins, Angela Oudean, Louisa Branscomb, Michelle Nixon, Dale Ann Bradley, Heather Berry, Megan McCormick, and Vicki Simmons. From The Well was released on Blue Circle Records in mid-March, and can be ordered from the Daughters web site.

The Carolina Road Band is currently going through some personnel changes. Gena Britt and her husband Tim Tew have joined the band for the first part of 2006. Lorraine Jordan tells us:

Gena and her husband Tim have agreed to join Carolina Road for the start of the upcoming season. Gena and I also play together in the Daughters of Bluegrass. The Daughters of Bluegrass are signed with Blue Circle Records out of Nashville, TN. Carolina Road plans to stay traditional and looks forward to a new show for 2006.

We contacted Gena to ask her about it, and to find out what her future plans were.

For the time being, I will be playing banjo and Tim (my husband) will be playing dobro until about mid-April this year (unless she finds permanent replacements before then). Lorraine is beginning her search for permanent band members and she’s making an effort to find the right people for the job.

After Tim & I finish our free-lance gig with Lorraine, we have alot of great things coming up. I have a new album coming out this year called “Doing All I Can” and I will be re-forming the Gena Britt Band.

Be sure to check back here in the future as we’ll bring you updates about Gena’s new CD and new band.

We previously posted about the instruments stolen from the home of Gena Britt - Tew. Gena just wrote in with the great news that the instruments have been recovered and returned. Here’s her email.

My instruments were recovered! Yeah!! I got them back yesterday,and am very thankful. Thought I’d send this news in, so you can share with all those that were keeping up with it. Was great to see you at IBMA. I appreciate all you & John are doing. Love the Blog!

Best,
Gena

Gena Britt Tew just contacted me with an alert that her husband and herself were robbed yesterday while at work. The thieves got three instruments along with a few household items.

They got the XBox, about 20 games, a Watch, tried to get the computer, but must’ve got spooked in the middle of that. But, what makes my heart hurt the most is that 3 of our instruments were stolen. They got a newer model Michael Kelly acoustic bass with a gig bag, my husband’s Phil Leadbetter model dobro and case, and my (gasp) 1964 Gibson RB-250 Banjo. I still don’t know what to say. I have had this banjo for 21 years (since I was 12). Some distinguishing markings on the banjo is that it has a brand new head on it that was just put on, and the old “D” tuners were removed and the holes were filled in a long time ago. Please keep your eyes and ears open.

If you have any information about these instruments please contact Gena immediately.