Jody hails from Gordo, AL, and has been filling in with the band here and there for the last couple years. It’s only recently that he has permanently joined the group though.

Jody will be singing the baritone part of the trio, in addition to playing guitar.

Be sure to check the band’s tour schedule for a chance to see them in your area.

2008 marks the ninth year IBMA has held the Leadership Bluegrass conference with more than 200 alumni now having participated. The program brings together 25 individuals each year for a three days of intensive sessions designed to build networking opportunities, commitment, and address issues important to the future of the bluegrass music industry.

…advanced level, interactive learning experiences that invites participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing our music along with related leadership issues.

The 2008 class was held March 25-27 at the BMI offices in Nashville, TN. Fred Bartenstein has been the facilitator for all nine years of the event. Bartenstein is known as a bluegrass historian and broadcaster, he is also a professional meeting facilitator.

Dobro player and band leader, Tim Graves, was one of the participants this year. Tim wrote in to share his experience and encourage others to attend in the future.

I just finished the Leadership Bluegrass class of 2008. Everyone needs to sign up for this class and hope you are selected to attend. It is a wonderful experience for anyone in the business. You will be able to make some wonderful friends and be exposed to all the changes that are happening in the business.

This is an IBMA function and I support it 100%. Contact IBMA today and sign up for LBG today for 2009. Also IBMA is giving everyone who signs up for membership a discounted rate for April of $45.00 for a one year membership. Everyone needs to be a member of IBMA if you are going to be in the Bluegrass Music Business. There are a tremendous amount of resources that the IBMA offers to all Bluegrass musicians, that can be used to better the chance of success in this wonderful business we call Bluegrass Music!

This year’s graduates are:

Serge Bernard; Diamond Productions PEI; Stratford, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Ethan Burkhardt; Pinecastle Records; Columbus, N.C.
Ron Cox; Avenue Bank; Nashville, Tenn.
Katy Daley; WAMU’s Bluegrass Country; Washington, D.C.
Debbie Durant; Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music, Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival; Landenberg, Penn.
Arnie Fleischer; The Emelin Theatre; Mamaroneck, N.Y.
Tim Graves; Tim Graves & Cherokee; Northport, Ala.
Cindy Gray; The Nevada Bluegrass Project; Reno, Nev.
Bill Hartley; Birthplace of Country Music Alliance; Bristol, Tenn.
Richard Hurst; Ulster American Folk Park, EBMA; Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Carl Jackson; Colonel Rebel Music; Nashville, Tenn.
Diane King, Event Producer/Songwriter; Franklin, Tenn.
Katy E. Leonard; IBMA; Nashville, Tenn.
Matt Lindsey; Matt Lindsey Music LLC; Nashville, Tenn.
Michael W. Marceau; D.C. Bluegrass Union; Kensington, Md.
Tim McFadden; Tim McFadden Management LLC; Brentwood, Tenn.
Marty Raybon; Marty Raybon & Full Circle; Tuscumbia, Ala.
Roger Ryan; CMA of Ireland; Cork, Ireland
Lorraine Short; Prime Tyme Solutions; Raleigh, N.C.
Roger H. Siminoff; Siminoff Banjo & Mandolin Parts; Arroyo Grande, Calif.
Wayne Taylor; Raincoe Music; Crofton, Md.
Dana Thorin; Breezy Ridge Instruments, John Pearse Strings; Scotts Valley, Calif.
April Verch; April Verch Band, April Verch Music; Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
Lucy Weberling; Festival Yoga/ Inner Smile Productions; Skiatook, Okla.
Rebekah Weiler; Middle Tennessee State Univ.; Murfreesboro, Tenn. (student monitor)

If you are a fan of strait up bluegrass, this CD should sit well in your ears. From the opening notes of Used To Be to the last lick in Ruby Ann, this CD is bluegrass through and through.

Tim Graves is not only an accomplished dobro player, but also a talented singer, and he proves it on this CD. Tim is joined by his band which includes Bennie Boling on bass and bass vocals, Daniel Grindstaff on banjo and baritone vocals, and Joe Miller on guitar and tenor vocals. Steve Thomas contributes fiddle and mandolin parts to the recording in addition to the band.

Their are several traditional numbers like Used To Be, Sunny Side Of The Mountian, and Will You Be Loving Another Man. These are well done and enjoyable, paying tribute to the traditional bluegrass sound. A Jerry Reed number that’s done bluegrass style contributes some variety to the mix. The real gems here though are the original tunes.

One that particularly caught my ear was the gospel tune Hell, Fire and Brimstone. Written by Bennie Boling, this gospel song tells the story of a man who is a “disciple of the King James, but a prisoner to Jim Beam.” It’s just one of several gospel songs that grace this recording.

The Tom T. Hall contribution is a tune called I’m Not Living Life, It’s Living Me. This may be one of the better Tom T. Hall tracks I’ve heard on recent bluegrass CDs.

On all the tracks Tim’s smooth lead vocal is front and center leading the listener on a musical journey you’ll be glad you took.

The CD is available now directly from the band’s website. No audio clips are available at this time, but Tim tells me they’ll be up soon.