The bluegrass music industry has been hit hard by the sudden announcement on January 29 that Pinecastle Records was shutting down, with only 2 days notice. The decision was made by the family of Tom Riggs, who founded the company in 1989, and triggered by their recognition that Tom would require 24 hour managed care when he is discharged from the hospital soon into a nursing facility.

Tom’s son Cort, who runs the other family music business, bluegrass retailer Music Shed, tells us that Tom’s health issues and his current hospital stay are related.

“They are all rooted in the chronic diabetes he has lived with for years. He is stable, but has shown little improvement in the two weeks he has been hospitalized.

We hope to move him to the nursing facility very soon.”

The family has decided to focus their time, energy and resources on their dad, and the resulting loss of Pinecastle has led to a good deal of confusion and uncertainty among the artists signed to the label. Cort says that he will be in contact with everyone soon, and is considering such options as may exist for the sale or licensure of existing recordings and masters.

But even with the status of their contracts unknown, the Pinecastle artists we contacted were universal in their admiration for the Riggs family and the company Tom founded. One of the newer artists, Dixie Bee-Liners – who have yet to hear anything official from the label or their attorneys – share concern for Riggs. Vocalist Brandi Hart was quick with her praise.

“Our hearts really go out to Tom, who has always been a straight-shooter, a guy who does what he says he will do.”

Greg Cahill of Special Consensus expressed a similar concern…

“I would only say that I have stayed with the label for almost 8 recordings (we just finished recording a ‘35th Anniversary’ project which I am now shopping to other labels) because Tom Riggs has always been an up-front and honest person. When we had disagreements, he would always listen and we could always work out whatever either of us perceived as a problem.

Tom is one of the most honest and sincere people I have ever worked with and it was indeed a sad day when the Pinecastle doors were closed for the last time – he worked very hard to help grow bluegrass music, he gave young artists the opportunity to put forth solo recordings and he created quite a legacy in the world of bluegrass music.

I hope Tom’s health improves and I plan to always stay in contact with him.” (more…)

We posted last Friday with the sad news that Pinecastle Records was closing its doors, effective February 1, after 20 years producing and marketing bluegrass music worldwide.

The company was started in 1989 by Tom Riggs after a successful career as a Pizza Hut franchisee in Florida. Riggs moved the company to North Carolina in 2008, along with The Music Shed, a large online music retailer managed by his son, Cort.

Tom’s health is such that he now requires 24 hour supervised care, and can no longer be a part of the business. Both his need for nursing care, and the current state of the music business were given as the reasons why Pinecastle has closed down. Music Shed will continue to operate without interruption.

Over the years they had been home to bluegrass legends like The Osborne Brothers and Jim & Jesse, stalwarts like Special Consensus and John Cowan, as well as newcomers like Grasstowne and Dixie Bee-Liners.

We have learned that the two Pinecastle releases that had been scheduled for February 2010 will be the final installments in the company’s two decades of operation. Down Home from Josh Williams and 20th Anniversary from Larry Stephenson both officially hit on February 23. The label will not be able to provide any promotional support, however, as the Pinecastle staff has been laid off.

Cort will soon begin negotiating with the various Pinecastle artists and other potentially interested parties about the disposition of existing stock, as well as the masters for active catalog titles. Until these issues are resolved, artists will be able to order product through Music Shed, as will distributors, resellers and the general public.

Any of Tom Riggs’ many friends in the music business can send him words of encouragement and good will at the following address:

P.O. Box 765
Columbus NC 28722

I’ll repeat my appeal from last week: If you are in the position to patronize a business, artist, festival or concert you would like to see survive this perilous business climate, please do so while you still can.

We just received this notice from Cort Riggs, son of Pinecastle Records and Music Shed founder Tom Riggs.

Given recent events related to my father’s health and the current business environment, we find it necessary to cease operation of Pinecastle Records effective February 1, 2010.

Artists and distributors will be able to purchase Pinecastle product through Music Shed, the retail/wholesale outlet started by my father and myself more than 22 years ago. Music Shed will continue to operate from our current location in Columbus, NC and can be reached at 828-894-2446.

We will soon begin exploring how to best preserve the vast catalog Tom, the artists and talented staff of Pinecastle have amassed over the 20-year history of the label.

Tom will be settling in to a skilled nursing facility, close to our family, and in the near future we hope to visit with our many old friends at shows and festivals.

This is very sad news for Pinecastle’s many talented artists, and for the bluegrass industry as a whole.

Folks, I know that times are tight for most of us right now, but if your situation allows it, please make a point to patronize bluegrass merchants, concerts and artists whenever and wherever you can. I am aware of several other companies in our part of the music world who are having a tough time making ends meet these days. Let’s not lose anymore if we can help it!

Gary Reid and Copper Creek Records (Bluegrass Productions of Virginia) have once again produced their annual Bluegrass Calendar.

The 2009 edition focuses on Pinecastle Records as they celebrate their 20th anniversary in ‘09. Each month features full cover photos of Pinecastle artists from their 20 year history, including Chubby Wise, The Osborne Brothers, Grasstowne, Special Consensus, Jim & Jesse, Larry Stephenson, Dixie Bee-Liners, Josh Williams and many others.

Of course, the long-running highlight of the Copper Creek calendars is the fact that important dates in the history of bluegrass music are indicated, including the birthdates, and dates of passing of prominent grassers, plus milestones in the development of the music.

The calendars can be purchased for $9.95 directly from Copper Creek, from Pinecastle, and from many resellers who specialize in bluegrass.