The Richmond Indiana-based Palladium-Item reported on Sunday that bluegrass veteran Larry Sparks is to receive the Legacy Continues Award from the Starr-Gennett Foundation.

Sparks who has enjoyed over 40 years as a professional bluegrass musician, beginning when he started high school and was at the same time working for the Stanley Brothers. Subsequently, he formed his own band, The Lonesome Ramblers.

Twice he has been named the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Male Vocalist of the Year (2004 and 2005) and was honoured for Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year (both for 40; 2005).

Sparks is headlining the foundation’s Walk of Fame Musical Festival on September 6, when the award will be made.

To read the full story go to the Pal-Item website.

The Starr-Gennett Foundation Inc. is dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Gennett Records and its parent organization, the Starr Piano Company. The Foundation is working to save this important legacy and foster worldwide appreciation for this remarkable piece of American popular music history.

For information about the Starr-Gennett Foundation, the arrangements for the day’s events (on September 6), including a concert appearance by Mike Compton and David Long, and the evening Larry Sparks concert visit the Starr-Gennett Foundation website.

Larry Sparks latest CD is the Gospel collection I Don’t Regret A Mile (Sparks Music), the first release on his own label.

Yesterday (Friday 6/13) I received a note from John Lilly, the editor of Goldenseal (the magazine of West Virginia traditional life) and multi-talented acoustic music performer, telling me about what’s on West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Mountain Stage show this coming week.

The programme schedule includes the recording of a show taped on March 16 in Beckley, West Virginia, featuring top band Blue Highway, the inimitable Larry Sparks, award-winning banjo and slide guitar player Tony Furtado, folk artist Carrie Newcomer and John Lilly, himself.

The show was shipped to 120 radio stations worldwide yesterday and will air locally in those markets during the coming week.

To find a station near you that carries the Mountain Stage programme visit the website.

Playlist details can be found elsewhere on the Mountain Stage website. The show will be available on-line for download in about two weeks time.

Footnote:

Lilly edited Mountains of Music: West Virginia Traditional Music from Goldenseal, the excellent collection of profiles of some of the state’s most colourful folk musicians from said magazine - University of Illinois Press.

Rebel Records has announced the release in early May of two new collections of music from their archives.

The first of these is The Best Of The Vetco Years from Dave Evans & River Bend (REB-7519) drawn from the LP’s-worth of material Evans recorded for the Cincinnati-based Vetco label. The first, Dave Evans and Riverbend (Vetco LP 3033)- sometimes referred to by the title of the first track on that LP and this CD, Highway 52 - was released in 1979 while the second, Call Me Long Gone (Vetco LP 3036), came during the following year.

Among the songs that Evans recorded for Vetco are Short Life Of Troubles, Barbara Allen, 90 Years - Tis Almost For Life, Dark As A Night, Is It Too Late Now?, Sweeter Than The Flowers, Whitehouse Blues, Legend Of The Johnson Boys and Little Joe, 21 songs in all. The new Dave Evans CD contains 15 of those songs, all 11 tracks from his first LP and four tracks from the second.

Rebel recently acquired the master tapes for the two albums in question from Crosscut Records, who had issued separate CD versions of both titles at one time, but only one of them (Call Me Long Gone) is still currently available. With this acquisition, Rebel Records now controls the masters to all of Dave’s recordings. The CD has been digitally re-mastered and features liner notes from bluegrass biographer and long-time friend of Dave’s, Frank Godbey and the latter’s wife, Marty.

Apropos of nothing really related to this CD, Frank Godbey shares this brief anecdote …..

“I played a couple of shows with Dave in the early 1980s… an interesting thing for a (then-) slender chap to do– ie. stand between Dave and Tommy Cordell… about like a Mini Cooper running between two 18-wheel semi-tractor-trailers on the Autobahn! Well, I exaggerate for emphasis, but they both outweighed me by 75 or 80 pounds or more. They called each other ‘Big ‘un.’ “

The second CD is Larry Sparks’ The Best Of Larry Sparks: Bound To Ride (REB-7522).

The Sparks compilation is produced by David Freeman, while the notes were written by Jon Hartley Fox. Mark Freeman, production co-ordinator at Rebel Records, says this of the new Sparks reissue: (more…)

Larry Sparks is set to release his new, all-Gospel CD, I Don’t Regret A Mile, on March 27.

After his last two critically-acclaimed projects, 40 and The Last Suit You Wear - both of which featured Larry with a great many guest studio performers - he has decided to create an album with his touring band, The Lonesome Ramblers.

“I thought it would be best to go back to my road band for this album. I did use Ronnie Stewart on two songs, but I really like to have the same sound on stage and on the recordings. That is very important to me.”

The current edition of The Lonesome Ramblers includes Michael Feagon on fiddle and harmony vocals, Jackie Kincaid on mandolin and tenor vocals, Josh McMurray on banjo, Larry D. Sparks on bass, and Larry on guitar and lead vocals.

Another change this time around regards the label. Sparks has formed his own, Sparks Music, to release I Don’t Regret A Mile.

“After the Last Suit album I was really left with no recording company. McCoury Music didn’t want another Larry Sparks album so I decided to go at it myself. I’ve recorded with different labels over the years, and was with Rebel Records for 25 years. I thought we were very good for each other, thanks to Dave Freeman.

I feel that in time I can do what any other recording company can do.”

Larry tells us that there are 10 tracks on the new album, with a mix of new songs and ones that have been part of his repertoire for years.

“I always like to record new material, and I have 6 new songs here. A couple I’ve recorded before - Jesus Walks Ahead Of Me and What Kind Of Man.

I also have some good writers - Connie Leigh, Doug Crabbe, Homer and Bruce Jackson, Marshall Warick, Greg Preece, Rusty Goodman, Buddy Cannon and Larry Shell. Ralph Stanley and I put together What Kind Of Man.”

The CD will be available soon on Larry’s web site, and will be marketed to large resellers through a national distributor. Smaller stores and wholesalers will be serviced directly though Sparks Music.

There are no audio samples up at this time, but we’ll post back when we find some. Should be a good’n!

Larry Sparks is on the cover of the September/October ‘07 issue of Bluegrass Music Profiles. The cover feature finds Larry discussing his new CD, The Last Suit You Wear, plus his road band, his personal guitar, his sister’s songwriting and his future performing and recording plans.

Also profiled in the current issue are radio host Terry Herd (Into The Blue), Curly Seckler, Bobby Osborne and songwriter Mark Brinkman. Sammy Shelor shares his Bluegrass Favorites, and Brad Davis talks guitars. The new Recording King Artist Supreme banjo is written up, and coverage of the 50th anniversary Country Gentlemen concert is included.

Find out more about this bi-monthly print publication online.

Rebel Records continues to make notable recordings from their back catalog available as download-only releases via iTunes. Two new titles have been added to their digital catalog this month.

Blue Sparks is a 1983 release from Larry Sparks with Jim Heffernan on dobro, Gene Elders on fiddle, John Masters on banjo, Terry Barnes on mandolin and Dee Sparks on bass. This one was never made available on CD, and offers Larry’s take on a couple of classic Lester Flatt songs (Come Back, Darling & Lonesome And Blue) plus a signature Sparks instrumental take on When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again.

Hear audio samples and purchase Blue Sparks for download, exclusively in iTunes.

Also available as a digital-only reissue is A Daisy A Day from Wilma Lee Cooper and the Clinch Mountain Clan, released as an LP in 1980 on Leather Records. Notable band members on this project include the late Gene Wooten on dobro and Craig Duncan on fiddle.

The songs mix bluegrass favorites like Uncle Pen and Pretty Polly with some traditional country and old time songs.

This one is also only found in iTunes.

Here are three interviews we found this past few days in local newspapers’ coverage of upcoming entertainment events.

First up is King Wilkie, whose Reid Burgess was interviewed in The Dallas Morning News on July 23. He spoke with Mario Tarradell about the band’s decision to break with their traditional bluegrass sound for a more melancholy pop approach.

“I don’t think anybody wanted to go back in the studio and make the same bluegrass record,” Mr. Burgess, 27, says by phone from Richmond, Va. “Over the course of about five years we did every arrangement of a bluegrass song that we could possibly think of. I’m not the same person I was then. It would make sense to not do the same type of songs. We were steering ourselves in that direction. We were writing songs that sounded this way. We didn’t want to do the same thing again. It was starting to sound forced.”

You can read the entire interview on the Morning News site.

The Vail Daily ran an interview with John Cowan on 7/23. John spoke with Ted Alvarez about his current CD, New Tattoo, and also about his days performing with Sam Bush, Bela Fleck and Pat Flynn as Newgrass Revival. He suggests that he is enjoying returning to that Newgrass vibe with his road band.

“This incarnation of my band is the first time since New Grass that I’ve felt we could get back to that special place and make magic happen,” he said. “For me it’s coming back to something I know really well — It’s been a coming home of sorts. We’ve had this line-up of the band for over a year now and the response from the crowds has been overwhelming.”

That full piece can also be found online.

On July 27, the Cabot Star-Herald in Cabot, AR carried an interview with Larry Sparks. The piece is primarily about the new Sparks release, The Last Suit You Wear, but touches on Larry’s long career in bluegrass along the way. At one point, writer Charles Haymes brings up how much bluegrass has changed over the years, with pop and country influences being absorbed into the sound.

However, Sparks has stood as tall as a redwood tree, remaining unchanged and loyal to the genre.

“I’m exactly where I belong,” Sparks acknowledged. “I love bluegrass music. I’ve always felt that bluegrass music needed me and I know that I’ve needed it. I think we’re a good match for each other. “

That one can be read on the Cabot Star-Herald site.

There is an online feature about the latest Larry Sparks release, The Last Suit You Wear, up at CMT.com.

Written by Edward Morris, the piece provides details about the new release, interspersed with comments from Sparks, along with a brief overview of his more than 40 year career in bluegrass music.

Sparks was just 16 and still living in his native Ohio when he began playing occasional dates with the legendary Stanley Brothers. After lead singer Carter Stanley died in 1966, Sparks took his place and held that post for the next three years. Then he quit to form his own band, the Lonesome Ramblers.

He says he learned a lot about stage presence from watching Carter Stanley work. “He was pretty good at it,” Sparks recalls, “and he always had something to say. He could always say it well and make that contact with the audience.”

Also like Stanley, Sparks is a sharp dresser on stage, invariably clad in a tailored suit and wearing a tie, his curly hair immaculately coiffed. “I think it gives the people something to look at,” he says, “[it’s] more of a show look. I’ll admit it’s more comfortable in jeans.”

He points out that his prized 1953 Martin D-28 guitar, with its artist’s palette pick guard, has become part of his image as well. “Some say my pick guard is designed like my hair,” he quips. “That’s what a lot of the old ladies tell me.”

Read the full article at CMT.com.

You can hear audio samples from The Last Suit You Wear in the iTunes Music Store.

Here are two more reflections on the passing of Ray Goins from his friends and contemporaries in the music business.

Paul Williams had this to say about his old friend.

I first met Ray Goins, when I was with The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers in 1951. Jimmy Williams had left to go and work for Mac Wiseman, and Ezra hired Ray to play the banjo. He was a good lead singer as well. We did the first recording on RCA Victor with the Fiddlers, and became and remained friends.

Ray was a real good person, sorta laid back, and easy going in those days. We had some great times together in Bluefield, WV on WHIS. I have very fond memories of a real good person.

He was ready to leave here, he had told me in the past. Now his troubles, pain, heartaches and worries are all over. He is at rest in the Paradise of God. He will be greatly missed in the Bluegrass world.

Larry Sparks also shared a few thoughts about Ray.

Ray Goins played a part in the making of bluegrass music, starting back in the early years with his banjo playing and his good tenor singing playing with his brother Melvin Goins. I remember Ray as being a very nice man - always friendly with everyone and willing to give of himself to his fans. He loved this music.

I’m glad we got to meet over the years and to sing together a few times. We were friends, and most importantly, brothers in Christ Jesus.

CMT.com is reporting that McCoury Music has signed an exclusion distribution deal with RED Distribution.

McCoury Music was formed to release the recordings of bluegrass superstar Del McCoury when he left Rounder Records in 2003. They are also set to release the new CD from Larry Sparks, The Last Suit You Wear, tomorrow (5/1), and will release an acoustic project from Merle Haggard later this year.

RED is owned by Sony/BMG, and is considered to be the dominant distributor in the US for independent labels. Formed initially to distribute the recordings of smaller, independent heavy metal labels in 1979, but have since expanded to include music from a great many popular genres.

McCoury Music seems to be their first truly bluegrass label, though they also distribute the projects from SCI Fidelity, the String Cheese Incident label that has expanded to include several other artists as well.

The RED Distribution web site is currently being redesigned, but you can find them on MYSpace in the meantime.

McCoury Music has posted audio samples for all 12 tracks on the new Larry Sparks CD, The Last Suit You Wear - along with special, pre-release Internet pricing.

The CD isn’t set for an official release until May 1, but online orders are being shipped now, and offered for only $10 plus shipping. As they said in their press release - and posted in The B:

“We couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the first non-McCoury release on the label than to share it with our friends first.”

Check out the audio clips or place your pre-order at mccourymusic.net.

McCoury Music has four tracks from the upcoming Larry Sparks CD, The Last Suit You Wear, available for online listening on their MySpace page. The CD is due for release shortly on the McCoury label, produced by Don Rigsby and Larry Sparks.

The tracks available online are The Last Suit You Wear, For Your Love, Goodbye Little Darlin’ and Casualty Of War. There is one additional track from the Sparks CD on Del’s MySpace page, Those Blue Eyes Don’t Sparkle Anymore, which features Del singing tenor with Larry.

Bluegrass legend Larry Sparks will be lending his talents to the fight against cancer later this month. Arcadia, IN youngster (he’s 11 years old) Eric Taylor was diagnosed with cancer when a tumor was found on his spine last year. Apparently it’s a rather aggressive from of cancer and has left Eric in a state of constant pain in his back and without feeling in his legs. As the doctors continue to fight the cancer, the family’s medical expenses are adding up (their second child is due in February).

To help the family offset these rising medical expenses, a charity event, including a concert, raffle, and auction, will take place from noon to 10 PM on Saturday, January 27th at Hamilton Heights Middle School in Arcadia, IN. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children, free for 6 and younger.

The concert features performances by Larry Sparks, Diamond Hill Station, Revival Ridge, Jackie Kincaid, The Rock Bottom Mining Company, The Circle City Bluegrass Band, The Bluegrass Briar Hoppers, Friends & Strings, Linda Lee with Night Train Edition including Billy G Miller formally of the “Platters.” The show will be hosted by Cary Allen Fields of The Fields of Bluegrass Radio Hour.

The charity auction will feature donated items, including Pacer’s tickets, musical equipment, CDs, gift certificates, and merchandise from area businesses. All will be auctioned off by a national auction house in traditional style, and raffle tickets will be available for purchase on selected items, as well.

An appearance by Indianapolis Colts tight end Ben Utecht is also planned during the day.
More information about the event can be found here.

Donations can be made to:

Eric Taylor Trust Fund
c/o Key Bank
100 S. Peru Street, Cicero, IN 46034
Or call: (317) 984-9150

Michael Feagan is the newest member of Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, joining the band on fiddle. He had worked previously with Bill Monroe and David Peterson & 1946, as well as country singer and guitarist Jerry Reed.

That makes the current lineup Larry Sparks on guitar and lead vocals, Jackie Kincaid on mandolin and tenor vocals, Josh McMurray on banjo, Larry D. Sparks on bass, and Michael on fiddle and harmony vocals.

You can look for a chance to catch Larry and the band by checking their tour schedule on the band’s web site.

CMT.com is reporting that Larry Sparks’ next album will be released on the McCoury Music label. The album is being produced by Don Rigsby and a spring 2007 release is planned.

Larry has a style all his own, both with his singing and playing, and is one of my favorite singers of all time, I am very pleased to have such a renowned musician on the roster, and I’m really looking forward to this new partnership.

Larry’s last CD, the highly celebrated 40, was released on the Rebel Records label. At this time I have been unable to find any additional details on this new deal at either Del or Larry’s sites. We’ll be sure to bring you updates when we do hear more.

Larry Sparks is pleased to welcome two new members to The Lonesome Ramblers. Jackie Kincaid comes onboard playing mandolin and singing tenor, and Larry’s son, Larry D. Sparks, has taken the bass spot. In addition, Johnny Collins is the new bus driver for the band.

Jackie is a first rate Monroe-style mandolinist and a strong tenor vocalist who had worked once before with Larry.

“I received a phone call from Larry in 1979, saying he liked my tenor singing. I sang ‘I Wonder Where You Are Tonight’ over the phone, and he hired me that night.”

Now, 27 years later, after just one weekend’s tryout with the band, Sparks has put Jackie back on the payroll.

“I cannot express how proud I am to be chosen by the ‘Best In Bluegrass.’ I have never heard a bad word spoken about Larry Sparks. I learned valuable lessons from him in the seventies and he is still a True Gentleman. With his unique style, golden voice, and heartfelt singing, he has been a tremendous influence on Bluegrass from day one, and it is far from over. I will always be grateful for this opportunity and grateful to my parents, Maxine and Neil Kincaid, for supporting me and leading the way for me to experience this great opportunity.”

Audio samples from Jackie’s solo CD, Second Time Around, can be found on his web site.

Larry D. Sparks, the 39 year old son of bandleader Sparks, has performed in local and regional bands for many years but this job in the family business is his first full-time band gig.

Larry is very excited about his new band members, and the sound they get with this grouping.

“The harmony in the group is very strong now, and the blend with the new band members is really great.”

Larry D. and Jackie will take the stage as members of The Lonesome Ramblers for the first time this weekend in Valdese, NC and Norfolk, VA. Check Larry’s schedule online to find a chance to catch Larry and the new lineup in concert.

Award for an outstanding recorded performance by an artist or artists, first commercially released during the specified time period (Award to artist(s), producer, and label):

The Album Of The Year for 2005 is:

Album Title links to audio	Artist(s) links to artist(s)	Label links to label
40	Larry Sparks	Rebel Records

Review past recipients of this award.

Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers will be a featured musical guest on the popular Prairie Home Companion radio show tonight (10/8).

If you’re not sure who may broadcast the show in your area, you can search their station list, or you can log on and listen to the show online via live streaming audio (Real Player format). The show’s stream is netcast from 5:00-7:00 p.m. (central).