NEWS FEATURES, Sep 5 edition, Acoustic Americana Music News 2008

.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
.
"Tied to the Tracks"
ACOUSTIC AMERICANA
MUSIC NEWS
.
NEWS FEATURES for September 5, 2008
.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
copyright (c) © 2008, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
.
WELCOME to the ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC NEWS, our weekly news feature companion to the ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC CALENDAR. Here, you’ll find news for artists and music fans alike, ranging from the immediately useful to the merely informative, from gig opportunities and festival deadlines to early bird discounts, from venue openings and closings to career tips, and hot tips for acoustic music fans.
.
The Acoustic Americana Music Calendar with frequently updated posts of upcoming events well into 2009, is available at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com and various other places around the web. We post links for current editions on our Myspace page, but new editions of the calendar are no longer there. Myspace has made changes that limit the size of posts, and that makes it far too time-consuming and ponderous to post the calendar there in far too many small pieces.
+
Our myspace site, www.myspace.com/laacoustic is still the place to go for news of the syndicated “Tied to the Tracks” radio show, and its new TV counterpart that launches soon.
.
LATEST NEWS FEATURES always post separate from the calendar. Recent editions are available on Blogspot at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com; older archived editions are available on the myspace page (www.myspace.com/laacoustic), by using the “View All” button and scrolling, and if you don’t see what you want, then journey farther back by using the “older entries” button and scrolling, as many times as necessary. You can go all the way back to when acoustic music was made by trees crashing to the floor of the primeval forests when the dinosaurs got too rambunctious.
+
MOST RECENT previous News Features posted AUGUST 28, 2008, at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2008/08/news-features-august-28-edition.html and a compilation of previous editions published in August, 2008 are available, from most recent to oldest editions (posted August 22, August 16, August 10, August 4) at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2008/08/news-features-all-august-editions-to.html
.
COMMUNICATE WITH US about anything related to the Acoustic Music Calendar & News, or “Tied to the Tracks,” at tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com.
.
.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
NEWS FEATURES:
September 5, 2008
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
.
1) 9th ANNUAL “AMERICANA MUSIC CONFERENCE & FESTIVAL”
It’s happening in Nashville, Sep 17-20; www.americanamusic.org, and it’s the yearly summit of the Americana music world. It has panels, workshops, awards, a trade show, and an amazing lineup of wall-to-wall evening performances that include artists who have performed on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” including ROSIE FLORES, BEN SOLEE, ANNE McCUE, DIANA JONES, & MARK OLSON (from the Jayhawks).
+
If you go, in addition to the above, we recommend the 9 pm show on Sep 17 with ROBIN & LINDA WILLIAMS. Their new record was produced by Grammy winning artist TIM O’BRIEN in Nashville and is a radio-friendly mix of traditional country, Americana roots and bluegrass. Tim lent his own superior fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bouzouki talents to the project and also brought together some of the hottest Americana players, including JERRY DOUGLAS (dobro, lap steel), DENNIS CROUCH (bass), KENNY MALONE (drums, percussion) and fellow Red House artist RAY BONNEVILLE (harmonica). Red House Records Ellen Stanley says the new record is, “An exploration of life’s hard times and unexpected joys, this new collection of songs takes us down south to country’s bumpy back roads and mountain views. ‘Buena Vista’ showcases their finest songwriting to date and is destined to become a country/roots classic.” More at www.redhouserecords.com.
+
Everyone is accustomed to seeing prices for conferences that are high enough to keep us from going. Good news: in addition to the full conference, the event offers an evening “Music Festival,” accessed with wristbands that admit the wearer to ALL venues on ALL four nights, for just $35. The evening Music Festival lineup appears in the calendar listing for Wed, Sep 17.
.
.
2) INT’L BLUEGRASS MUSIC ASSOCIATION “WORLD OF BLUEGRASS”
The big, weeklong, annual event of the BG world is Sep 29-Oct 5, in Nashville; www.ibma.org; 888-438-4262. This one is structured to be three events in one:
+
(a) “IBMA BUSINESS CONFERENCE” Sep 29-Oct 2, at Nashville Convention Center / Renaissance Hotel. The annual business conference for the bluegrass music industry with artist showcases, an exhibit hall with more than 100 booths, professional development seminars, member constituency meetings, one-on-one industry networking and much more.
+
The “Business Conference” includes “Official” and “After Hours” (also official) showcases that include some big names, including KATHY MATTEA. If you go, here are some to catch at the late-night shows, including some who have performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks:” APRIL VERCH BAND, JOHN JORGENSON QUINTET / JOHN JORGENSON BLUEGRASS BAND, MISSY RAINES AND THE NEW HIP, CHARLIE SIZEMORE (solo) / CHARLIE SIZEMORE BAND, THE PACKWAY HANDLE BAND (from Georgia), LONESOME RIVER BAND (from Virginia), CLAIRE LYNCH BAND, DAVID GRIER, PINE MOUNTAIN RAILROAD, ALECIA NUGENT, STEEP CANYON RANGERS, MOUNTAIN HEART & TONY RICE, CHERRYHOLMES, RICKY SKAGGS & KENTUCKY THUNDER, J.D.CROWE & THE NEW SOUTH, THE BROMBIES, TONY TRISCHKA, ROBIN & LINDA WILLIAMS, DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER, GRASSTOWNE, RUSSELL MOORE & IIIRD TYME OUT, MARK JOHNSON / MARK JOHNSON & EMORY LESTER.
+
(b) “INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARDS SHOW” Oct 2, at the historic Ryman Auditorium. This is the most anticipated night of the bluegrass music year, akin to Grammys or Emmys. The envelopes are opened to salute the year's most outstanding achievements amid a fast paced evening of performances and the music's top awards.
+
(c) “BLUEGRASS FAN FEST” Oct 3-5, at Nashville Convention Center / Renaissance Hotel. More than 60 artists from around the globe perform on multiple stages. Fan Fest has been called the “indoor bluegrass music festival of the year.” It features performances by the industry's top acts on the Masters Workshop Stage, Roots & Branches Stage, and in the exhibit hall, and there scores of jam sessions. Artists include: THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS, SIERRA HULL & HIGHWAY 111, TONY TRISCHKA, JOSH WILLIAMS BAND, GRASSTOWNE, BLUE HIGHWAY, DALE ANN BRADLEY, RUSSELL MOORE & IIIRD TYME OUT, DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER, CHERRYHOLMES, THE DAN TYMINSKI BAND, THE GRASCALS, TONY RICE & MOUNTAIN HEART, MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHY, THE GREENCARDS, RALPH STANLEY II, VINCE GILL, KATHY MATTEA, THE LONESOME RIVER BAND, DAVID PARMLEY & CONTINENTAL DIVIDE, CODY SHULER & PINE MOUNTAIN RAILROAD, THE APRIL VERCH BAND, THE FREIGHT HOPPERS, MIKE SEEGER, THE RED DESERT RAMBLERS, ROBIN AND LINDA WILLIAMS & THEIR FINE GROUP, THE TENNESSEE MAFIA JUG BAND, LARRY CORDLE & LONESOME STANDARD TIME, DENNIS CASH AND FRIENDS, THE SONGCATCHERS, THE MAYBELLES, and many more.
+
Prices vary, from a 7-day full-event pass for $385 mbr / $480 non-mbr, to a one-day pass for $150 mbr / $170 non-mbr. Single-day conference passes are $50 adult, $30 student. Awards Show tix are $110-$70. The 3-day “Fan Fest” has adv tix (before Sep 5) for $70 mbr / non-mbr $85; at gate, they are $90; children under 16 are free at Fan Fest, with an adult.
.
.
3) ONE LESS REASON TO WATCH MTV’s VMAs
Here’s the direct quote, apparently intended as a promo to make you want to watch the thing: “Britney Spears is scheduled to open Sunday's MTV VMAs - despite her disastrous performance on last year's show. Let's see how far the pop princess has come in the past year.” Uhh, let’s not. When they can offer anything other than soundalike sh-thump-thud, revolving-door-rehab, pop-tart-du-jour crap, let us know.
.
.
4) CALL FOR ORIGINAL SONGS FOR “SONGSALIVE! CD SAMPLER 10”
Songsalive! is the largest international non-profit organization supporting songwriters and composers, and they sponsor workshops and performance showcases in many places, including L.A. and the OC. They’ve released a number of CD projects, including nine previous promotional compilation “Sampler” CDs since 1997. Now, they’re accepting submissions for “CD Sampler 10.” They assert, “It's all about the song, and the songwriter is represented on the packaging.” You can apply through Sonicbids or directly to Songsalive! at www.songsalive.org - go to “Programs > CD Samplers.” All genres accepted, including instrumentals and songs with vocals. The deadline is November 30, 2008. Address questions to usa@songsalive.org.
+
They promise “exposure of great talent to the world's music markets, film and tv music supervisors, radio, labels, producers, publishers, a unique promotion of independent songwriters.” Songsalive will distribute the upcoming Sampler to film and television music supervisors, radio stations, print media, music conferences, music industry executives and promote it online throughout North America, Europe and Australia.
.
.
5) “DOWNTOWN LA LIFE” MAGAZINE CALLS FOR ARTIST SUBMISSIONS
They (http://downtownlalife.com) are an award-winning publication, and are well-known for frequently inviting artists to participate in thematic presentations. This one is called, “The Urban Experience. Unique views of life in the city.” They have issued a “call to artists, writers, poets & photographers,” and the deadline is Sep 24, for the Oct issue.
+
Stick to the theme. They are seeking: (a) ART, 150k (size) & 4 lo rez / 100 dpi artwork, as a JPG or GIF only; send with a short bio and artist statement; (b) WRITER’S articles in MS Word format only, double spaced, no more than 1800 words, shorter is better; (c) PHOTOGRAPHY, 6 low rez samples (they “love B&W”) with a short bio; (d) POETRY, 3 samples. Send (a), (b), and (c) to editor@downtownlalife.com; send (d) to PoetryConnection@downtownlalife.com
.
.
6) YOU WERE PLAYING WHERE?
When the latest “Mammalgram,” the e-newsletter from THE MAMMALS, arrived last week, it showed that band member TAO RODRIGUEZ-SEEGER was doing shows with GUY DAVIS & Tao’s folk-icon family patriarch, PETE SEEGER, from August 28 through September 5 - at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, MN. Before you pass out, as we nearly did, wait for the other shoe to drop: yep, they were playing at the protest rallies. Info, www.myspace.com/taorodriguezseeger and www.themammals.net.
+
Meanwhile, there’s this news from the previous week’s Democratic Convention. Colorado’s top award-winning singer-songwriter, perennially for the last several years, ANGIE STEVENS, (www.angiestevens.com) wrote on Aug 28 to tell us, “If you can grab a copy of today's ‘Rocky Mountain News,’ there are two photos of me in the Spotlight section - one on the cover and another inside. The fashion issue has me and five other musicians dressed up for the Democratic National Convention.” (If Angie doesn’t have the link on her site, it’s www.rockymountainnews.com.)
.
.
7) ANOTHER SONG HIJACKED BY POLITICIANS
Perhaps you remember when, in past campaigns, or earlier in the current, 18-months-and-counting presidential campaign, JACKSON BROWNE, NEIL DIAMOND, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, and too many others have had their songs appropriated by those with whom they are politically and philosophically at odds. Unfortunately, it continues. We received news through the “SFGate: Daily Dish,” that HEART, the sister duo of ANN & NANCY WILSON, is “Furious Over Republicans' Use of 'Barracuda.'” The message arrived, addressed “To All Musicians and likewise minded Supporters of Artistic Rights and Freedom.” We heard the song played at the Republican National Convention, thanks to the global broadcast radio & TV coverage, so we knew that part was true. It was played in connection with the nomination of Republican Vice Presidential candidate SARAH PALIN, whose nickname is “Sarah Barracuda,” dating to her high school basketball days (together with her high school beauty queen status, among the strongest things in her résumé). With no trouble at all, we independently verified that the complaint from HEART is true.
+
Other musicians have been quick to register their thoughts. Among them, “Here’s yet another illegal usurping of music by the McCain campaign to piss you off.” And, “As a musician, I am outraged that these bogus boneheads are getting away with this. The McCain / Palin campaign needs to be publicly slammed big time for their blatant piracy of music usage. This is SO unfair.” And, “If the base you're trying to energize is redneck NASCAR fans, why not stick to country music (except the Dixie Chicks)?” And, “Have you noticed that Sarah Palin says NU-KEW-LAR, just like Gee Dubya? ” And, “To paraphrase an old PETE SEEGER song, when will they ever learn? Do you remember when the ORLEANS song ‘Still The One’ was used by GEORGE [W.] BUSH in the 2004 elections without the permission of the writers, who had strongly and publicly supported the opposition? And recently JACKSON BROWNE sued SENATOR McCAIN for his unauthorized use of ‘Running On Empty’ - what's with these characters anyway?” And, “How stupid must you be to not try to determine if the songwriters / band support your cause, and if they don't wish to be associated with you, find someone with some sort of theme who does? Oh, that's right ... they're ‘politicians.’”
+
Thanks to artists BECKY BISHOP and ADRIEN BURKE for contributing info. Read more at www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=29941
.
.
8) “NEW MEDIA EXPO” CONFERENCE SESSIONS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
The recent New Media Expo, held in Las Vegas, featured a big exhibit hall and numerous workshops and panels on podcasts, webcasts and archives, direct-to-PDA / cellular devices, etc. TIM BOURQUIN, New Media Expo founder, wrote to tell us, “all the recordings from all of the conference sessions are now available for download!” You can see all of the workshop descriptions at www.NewMediaExpo.com/conference.htm. If you’d like to purchase a package of mp3 recordings from every workshop, go to http://www.premiumcast.com/newmediaexpo2008
+
They also promise to post details on the 2009 conference in the near future, at www.NewMediaExpo.com
.
.
9) THIS WEEK’S VIDEO PICKS
First, shura begorah, it’s time for some Irish music, don’t ya know? KEN O’MALLEY recently posted a splendid (4 min+) two-song excerpt from a 1984 performance, with superior sound quality, of THE MULLIGANS (KEN O'MALLEY, TERRY MCCARTAN, & DENIS MURRAY) at www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1037861539607. Also there are a video of KEN O’MALLEY & THE TWILIGHT LORDS and a nice long (9 mins+) multi-song piece from Ken's recent solo acoustic performance at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, including his excellent lyrical adaptation of the “Garry Owen” for an Irish-American cavalryman who rode with Custer. Studio CDs and a full length DVD are available through Ken's website, at www.kenomalley.com.
+
Second, imagine little SHIRLEY TEMPLE plying her “I’m-so-cute” singing in a Western movie, and doing a song that requires yodeling. So far as we know, Hollywood never made that happen. But if that idea is just too irresistible, then have a look at this shaky-cam video of little CORA ROSE, with her mom LAURIE WOOD backing her on guitar. It was shot at this summer’s “Cowboy Gathering” in Riverton, WY, in August, by a “volunteer camera operator.” It’s Cora singing "Cowboy Sweetheart" at the event’s main Saturday night show, and it’s at www.woodwesternmusic.com/coraspage.cfm or on YouTube at http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=-sbBBfKrhig
.
.
10) R.I.P., WESTERN MUSICIAN TONY REED
He opened for DWIGHT YOAKAM and shared lineups with ALISON KRAUS & UNION STATION, and TIM MCGRAW. Reed was involved with many bands in the Pacific Northwest, including THE WILLIES, NORTHWEST STAMPEDE, and THE OUTRIDERS. Tony Reed, 41, was found dead in his home by his fiancée on Sep 2. Reed has two children, son Cody, 9, and daughter Tasha, 8.
+
The local newspaper (url below) quotes MOLLY MORROW, Reed’s longtime friend who knew him since childhood. She also did the photography for Reed’s CDs, web site and other advertising material. Morrow told the local paper, “He was a fabulous musician and a wonderful songwriter.” She added, “Plus, he was just a real good friend.” Reed was a regular at the Dairy Queen owned by Morrow and her husband in Ellensburg.

BRUCE COE worked creatively with Reed for 10 years. The two founded the band “The Outriders” in 1999. They co-wrote and co-produced the CD, “Wonderin’ Which Way to Go.” Coe is quoted in the local paper, saying, “I’m torn up. I guess in my mind Tony and I would be singing and writing songs together for years and years. A big part of my musical presence and influence has disappeared and that’s a little bit hard.”
+
JUNI FISHER, a Western Music Association “Female Artist of the Year” and past guest on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” wrote on Sep 4, "Tony was a gentleman and a friend to everyone he knew. It was always a joy to see him sing, and he loved music, his children, and everyone around him. I will miss Tony. My deepest condolences to his family." And KUZIN KEITH, deejay at KRRM 94.7 FM in Grants Pass, OR, wrote on Sep 6, “What a loss. I only met Tony once, when he came to the station with his friend Butch Martin. He had a great laugh and a wonderful presence. His voice will live on… Rest in Peace, Tony. "
+
More in the Ellensburg, WA, “Daily Record” newspaper, at www.kvnews.com/articles/2008/09/04/news/doc48c03cf105aa8164355936.txt
.
.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
.
NEXT WEEK, we’ll bring lots more news.
.
=====================
.
copyright (c) © 2008, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
.
=====================
.
Be sure to check EVERY WEEK for
.
+ the extensive and always huge ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC CALENDAR’s event listings at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, or at www.myspace.com/laacoustic.
.
+ news of the “TIED TO THE TRACKS” radio & TV shows coming soon in syndication.
.
+ the latest NEWS FEATURES from the acoustic music universe!
.
.
WANT TO CONTACT US?
tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
.
.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
.
.