Festival Season in Full Swing; MUSIC NEWS & More; May 7th edition, 2016...

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Topanga Banjo•Fiddle is a week away (it's Sun, May 15). But Festival season is already in full swing RIGHT NOW.

Plus, there are exceptional concerts this weekend, and a fun outdoor theatre event, tonight only. All that, a wonderful new DARRYL PURPOSE album, and more NEWS FEATURES, in this edition.

Note...
If you're headed for SANTA ANITA RACETRACK to catch the big screen live feed from the KENTUCKY DERBY and wager on th' ponies running hither an' yon? There's a fun FREE FESTIVAL in nearby Sierra Madre! So you can split the day and catch tunefulness, too. It's our # 1 feature.

Let's get started!

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Contents / in this edition...

1)  FREE FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND
2)  BIG TIME FESTIVALS THIS WEEKEND & NEXT
3)  SATURDAY WORKSHOP
4)  OUTDOOR THEATER EVENT AT INDIAN MUSEUM / STATE PARK, IN THE DESERT, TONIGHT ONLY
5)  CONCERT / GIG PICKS THIS WEEKEND
6)  POLITICIANS HIJACKING MUSIC
7)  IMPENDING CELTIC FESTS
8)  MUST GOOD BANJOS BE HEAVY?
9)  AUCTION ITEMS ANNOUNCED FOR "ADOPT THE ARTS" BENEFIT CONCERT, COMING MAY 12th IN HOLLYWOOD
10)  ACCLAIMED SINGER-SONGWRITER DARRYL PURPOSE's "STILL THE BIRDS" RELEASED MAY 6th

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# 1 news feature...


FREE FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND


The 54th annual "SIERRA MADRE ART FAIR" is May 7 & 8, from 9:30 am-6 pm Saturday and 9:30 am-5 pm Sunday. With plenty of live acoustic music, this quality event is sponsored by the Friends of the Sierra Madre Library,and is held in Memorial Park, 222 W Sierra Madre Bl, downtown Sierra Madre (about three miles above the 210 Fwy.

A little rain is predicted for Saturday afternoon, between 3 and 4; the morning should great, and there is no rain predicted Sunday.

Live Music is featured throughout the weekend in the band shell and on the southeast lawn.

Band Shell
Saturday:
• 11 am-1 pm Evan Marshall, Mandolin Maestro
• 2-4 pm Steve Trovato & Tim Kobza (Jazz-Rock-Country-Blues).
Sunday:
• 11 am-1 pm Liam Lewis & Zac Leger (Celtic-Americana fiddles, mandolin, guitar)
• 2-4 pm Shawn Oshmiansky presents International House of Jazz with guests David Naiditch and Tommy Davy.

Southeast Lawn
Saturday:
• 10 am-noon Luckpenny (Irish)
• 1-4 pm Bravo Celli (Cello Trio)
Sunday:
10 am-noon Banna Beag Mall (Irish)
1-3 pm Mark Heyes & Phil Salazar (Bluegrass).

Food vendors offer a variety of food & drinks. Scheduled: Taquito Lover, Korean BBQ, and the Gourmet Genie Food Truck. A Wine & Beer Garden is on the front lawn of the Park, open Saturday 11 am-6 pm and Sunday 11 am-5 pm.

The Friends of the Library has a booth selling their popular "sweet ‘quick breads" and the Sierra Madre Historical Preservation Society is selling their famous lemonade made with rangpur limes.

For the children, instructors from the Creative Arts Group have planned a craft activity called ‘Watercolors and Sunshine.’ Children will be using watercolors to create beautiful images of the sun.

80 artists, including 18 newly juried, display and sell their works of art. Mediums include oil paintings, jewelry, watercolors, glass, wood, metal, wearable art, photography, pottery, ceramics, mixed media and weaving.

Featured Artist this year is Sarah Moore. Her “Raven’s Jar” pottery piece appears on all post cards, posters, flyers, and other promotional materials. Her work is in booth # 4. The Fair this year is in honor and remembrance of Nancy Doyle, much accomplished and talented artist who participated in the Art Fair for over 20 years.

There's a Silent Auction where 35 artists have donated "lovely, one-of-a-kind pieces; you have an opportunity to bid on some really beautiful artwork" and support the Library.

All Proceeds from the Art Fair benefit the Sierra Madre Public Library. For more information call 626-355-7186. More at:

http://sierramadrelibraryfriends.org/the-54th-annual-sierra-madre-art-fair-may-2-3-2016/


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# 2 news feature...


BIG TIME FESTIVALS THIS WEEKEND & NEXT


You really didn't think you were nesting at home, did you? Topanga Banjo•Fiddle is a week away. But Festival season is in full swing NOW. (Plus, there are exceptional concerts this weekend, listed in a different section.)
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Here's THIS WEEKEND's festival action...

√  Annual "PARKFIELD BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL" through Sun, May 8, in Central California, at V6 Ranch, 70410 Parkfield Coalinga Rd, Parkfield 93451; 805-994-0929. Music by Bean Creek, Amber Cross, Sidesaddle & Co., Next Generation, Amaya Rose & the Gold Rush, Bluegrass Etc, Next Generation, Joe Craven & the Sometimers, Snap Jackson & Knock on Wood Players. Saturday sched. is 9:30 am-midnight.

√  Annual "GATOR BY THE BAY FESTIVAL" is a very big deal with multiple stages that continues through Sun, May 8, at 2326 India St, San Diego 92101; 619-234-8612;  www.gatorbythebay.com. Music by (take a deep breath) Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble, Bonsoir Catin, Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys, Roy Rogers, Johnny 'V' Vernazza, John Nemeth, Sugaray Rayford, Curtis Salgado Blues Band, The 44's with Kid Ramos, Billy Watson & International Silver String Submarine Band, Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Orchestra, Bill Magee Blues Band, Robin Henkel, Motordude Zydeco, The Euphoria Brass Band, Joe Sans Fontenot Cajun Creole Band, David Sousa & Zydeco Mudbugs, Bayou Brothers, Billy Lee & the Swamp Critters, San Diego Cajun Playboys, Theo & Zydeco Patrol, Three Chord Justice, Gregory Page, Palominos, Manny Cepeda, Kimba Light, Todo Mundo, Todd Waits Pigpen. Voulez les bonne temps roulez! Runs Sat, 11 am-11 pm. (Also an adjunct evening dance in a nearby venue; see concerts & gigs listings.)
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Festivals AFTER this weekend...

√  Annual "LOS ANGELES OLD-TIME SOCIAL" runs Thu, May 12-Sat, May 14. Concerts, workshops, dances, in an immersion in the good time roots music that preceded bluegrass.

√  Annual "TOPANGA BANJO•FIDDLE CONTEST & FOLK FESTIVAL" Sun, May 15, at Paramount Ranch in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, near Agoura. The best one-day folk fest anywhere. Full info at:
www.topangabanjofiddle.org

√  Annual "CLAREMONT FOLK FESTIVAL" Sun, May 22, is already SOLD-OUT.


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# 3 news feature...


SATURDAY WORKSHOP


BRUCE MOLSKY does a fiddle workshop Saturday morning, 10-11:30 am, at Fiddler's Crossing, 206 East F St, Tehachapi 93561; call for your spot, 661-823-9994.


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# 4 news feature....


OUTDOOR THEATER EVENT AT INDIAN MUSEUM / STATE PARK, IN THE DESERT, TONIGHT ONLY


It's a California State Park like no other. The Antelope Valley Indian Museum SHP, on Saturday, May 7, hosts an event that harkens back to what happened there in the 1930s.

The full evening, running 6-9 pm, includes food, a very rare chance to tour the museum at night, and the outdoor play. It's an encore performance of the Native themed production, "Owl and the Bear."

The event is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Antelope Valley Indian Museum. You can enjoy theater under the sky and support the museum.

"Owl and the Bear" is based on Ted Garcia’s version of a traditional Chumash story. The play is performed outdoors by local Antelope Valley kids at “Little Theatre of the Standing Rocks.” From 6 to 7 pm, the museum will be open. Food will be available for purchase from 6-9 pm, so you can enjoy dinner either before or after the play. The play starts at 7 pm. After the performance, the museum will reopen until 9 pm.

The museum highlights American Indian peoples of California, Arizona, and New Mexico. The history of theater at the museum dates back to 1932. Museum founder H. A. Edwards wrote an Indian pageant. It was performed outdoors, near the museum, annually from 1932 to 1935. Edwards’ drama students from Lincoln High School played the main roles, and local friends and neighbors played the secondary roles. Edwards named his outdoor stage "Theatre of the Standing Rocks." You'll know why when you see the dramatic natural landscape.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids age 6 to 12. Kids age 5 and under are free.

The museum is located at 15701 East Avenue M, near Lake Los Angeles. That's east of Lancaster, California.

From the 14 Freeway in Lancaster, go east on Avenue K to 150th Street East. Turn right and go south for two miles to Avenue M. Turn left and go east on Avenue M for 1 mile to the museum.

No pets allowed. For more information, phone the museum at 661-946-3055 (711 TTY relay service), or check the website at www.avim.parks.ca.gov


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# 5 news feature...


CONCERT / GIG PICKS THIS WEEKEND


Saturday...

√ ★★★ STRING FEVER plays Sat, May 7, 3 pm matinee, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations a must, and only by phone (10 am-10 pm, 7 days) 626-798-6236.

√ ★★★ WITCHER, RECUPIDO, LEVITT & WITCHER plays Sat, May 7, 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations a must, and only by phone (10 am-10 pm, 7 days) 626-798-6236.

√ ★★★ SEAN WATKINS of Nickel Creek plays Sat, May 7, 7 pm, at the Museum of Making Music, 5790 Armada Dr, Carlsbad 92008; 760-438-5996.

√ ★★★ ALBERT LEE and JERRY DONAHUE play Sat & Sun, May 7 & 8, 8 pm, at McCabe’s Guitar Shop, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.

√ ★★ MICHAEL CHAPDELAINE plays Sat, May 7, 8 pm, at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583.

√ SHIP OF FOOLS plays their "Acoustic Songs of Depravity," Sat, May 7, 8 pm, at the Buchanan Arms Restaurant & Pub, 2013 W Burbank Bl, Burbank 91506.

√ ★★ INCENDIO plays the "Brogden Bay Concert Series," Sat, May 7, 8 pm, at Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W Hillcrest Dr, Thousand Oaks 91360; 805-381-2747.

√ ★★ "GATOR BY THE BAY DANCE" is an adjunct to the festival, Sat, May 7, 9 pm-midnight, with MotorDude Zydeco, Curly Taylor & Zydeco Trouble, and Jeffrey Broussard & Kristi Guillory, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego 92101.

√ G BURNS JUG BAND plays Sat, May 7, 10 pm, at Black Cat Bar, 4246 University Av, San Diego 92105; 619-280-5834.

Sunday...

√ BLUEGRASS GHOSTS play the Sunday "Bluegrass Brunch" series, Sun, May 8, noon, at Cody's Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-845-2425.

√ ★★★ BRUCE MOLSKY with PAULA BRADLEY & ALLISON DE GROOT play the "Da Camera Society" series in L.A. harbor, Sun, May 8, at 2:30, 3:30, & 5:30 pm, at Banning Museum Stagecoach Barn, 401 East M St, Wilmington 90744.

√ ★★ MOIRA SMILEY plus HONEY WHISKEY TRIO play "Brad Colerick's Cellar Sessions," Sun, May 8, 3 pm, at Old Oak Cellars, 2620 East Foothill Bl, Pasadena 91107. Signs on buildings are confusing; use the address.

√ ★★★ PETE ANDERSON, a legendary musician, play Sun, May 8, 3:30 pm, at Cody's Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-845-2425.

√ JEFF BERKLEY plays Sun, May 8, 4 pm, for the FREE monthly "Red Rock Concerts Series" at Crown Books, 6100 Topanga Canyon Bl, #1340, Woodland Hills 91367. (Be sure you park at the correct mall.)

√ ★★ DIMITRIS "JIMMY" MAHLIS & JAMIE PAPISH play Sun, May 8, 7:30 pm; this is Greek and Middle Eastern Music, and these guys are very impressive. It's at Niroj Kurdish Cuisine, 30313 Canwood St, Agoura Hills 91301.

√ ★★★ ALBERT LEE & JERRY DONAHUE play Sun, May 8, 8 pm, at McCabe’s Guitar Shop, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.


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# 6 news feature...


POLITICIANS HIJACKING MUSIC


We go through this every election cycle. Some office seeker — usually a Republican — is called out by a famous musician, band, songwriter, or combination of these folks. And it's always the same story: prominently playing hijacked music to promote a campaign.

Eight years ago it was Ann and Nancy Wilson, songwriting sister duo of the band Heart, who had to threaten a high-dollar lawsuit to make VP candidate Sarah Palin stop using "Barracuda" as her theme song. A few months ago, it was presidential candidate and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie hijacking a sizeable chunk of the Bruce Springsteen catalog. Just this year, Jeb Bush, Scott Waker, and Mike Huckabee are among those called out who, having all been elected as governors, should have known better, but apparently didn't.

But if we get started on all the history, we'll be here awhile. So let's get to the now.

The problem derives from painfully stupid music licensing. The rules must be changed. Right now, anyone — including a politician — can buy a blanket license for all the material in a catalog, and arguably use it at their rallies. It's a short stretch to crafting their identity with music by someone they don't know and have never met. And now we have pseudo campaign theme songs / campaign soundtracks, and artists and songwriters wondering, WTF?

That's just plain wrong. The context in which your music is used? It's at least as definitive to your identity as to the politician playing it. No one can do that to advertise a product. You have negotiation and refusal rights for your music to sell soy sauce, software, soap, and tampons. So what's the difference with a politician who can brand you with your music at least as much as your music can brand them?

Well, as a specific thing you CAN do, that exists. The problem is the flip side — that you can't always play it that way. Because there's that nebulous territory that you think ASCAP or BMI or SESAC has covered for you, until you see a particularly repulsive politician's rally where they're playing your song.

Even when a campaign pays for a blanket license — and many don't even do that — artists can only do four things:

• be flattered by it.
• grimace and bear it.
• send a cease and desist order.
• threaten, then enact, a lawsuit.

These should all be replaced by just one thing: soecifically license it. Or not.

Instead we get a surprised, or horrified, artist spending money calling their publicist to issue a statement, after learning the hard way that their songs are promoting some politician.

Unless that politician is, say, Bernie Sanders, who is endorsed by two-thirds of Crosby, Stills & Nash and licensed to use their music.

Otherwise? Expect embarrassment, resentment, a sudden contingent of fans that are really disorienting, and inevitably, some encounter with vitriol.

Or, if you're the one needing tunefulness to pump-up crowd excitement? You might think you're a clever exploitive politician and steal from a dead guy.

Donald Trump just committed that sacrilege. Having been told by everybody from Neil Young to the Rolling Stones to cease and desist using their music at his rallies? He's now using the music of someone who can't object, because he's dead.

But there can be no doubt that departed artist would condemn Trump's lack of ideology, Trump's characteristically opportunistic ways, and condemn them every way he could, if he were here to do it.

That artist wasn't just a champion of most of what Trump has badmouthed.

That artist wasn't simply a passionate voice for protecting the planet — musically and as an activist, testifying before Congress, serving on a Presidential commission, active on the boards of many nonprofit environmental organizations.

That artist was the first one, not just from music, but all the arts, to play such a major role and mobilize the popular consciousness about caring for our little blue planet. And leading that awakening wasn't limited to his role in the U.S. — he played that role worldwide and was celebrated by the U.N. for doing it.

You see, the ever-exploitive, opportunistic predator with the uncontainable ego, the bloviator who not only doesn't know when to shut-up, but who can't and won't shut up — when what he most needs to do is listen, which he won't — the guy so arrogantly rich that he takes whatever he wants because he believes himself entitled to it — all those things that are Donald Trump? At his campaign rallies, the SOB is now playing the music of John Denver.

Y'know, Bill & Taffy Danoff have co-writes on "Take Me Home, Country Roads," the song Trump was using as a campaign singalong that made the global tv broadcast. Adding to Trump's two-billion dollars (and counting) in free media promotion for his campaign. Free coverage that includes phoners with him that pre-empt scheduled programs.

Of course, Trump, the man who can't ever be wrong about anything, has been blasted by plenty of artists whose music he has hijacked. Most recently by Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, for hihacking "Start Me Up" as his de facto campaign theme song. Like any predatory opportunist devoid of moral compass or conscious, Trump just moves on to another Borg-like assimilation of somebody else's music.

But — not having learned his lesson when he briefly stole James Taylor's music — Trump is back to messing with folk music again. The music of an artist who can't tell him what he thinks of him and his climate-change denial, xenophobia, racism, arrogance, and general odiousness.

But arrogance is always a gateway to stupidity. We suspect it's also the route to the John Denver Estate, which carefully protects the late artist's music from exploitation and use by individuals or causes the fair-haired country boy would have found objectionable.

And as we mentioned, there's also Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert Danoff, co-writers whose voices and instrumentation are on that most recent famous recording that Trump has plundered. We hope those two cloud up and rain all over him.


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# 7 news feature...


IMPENDING CELTIC FESTS


Just quickly, so you can get your kilt pressed and your bagpipes tuned (wait: those things can be TUNED?)

√  Annual "SCOTTISH FEST USA" is Sat & Sun, May 28 and 29 (part of Memorial Day Weekend) at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. Tix and schedule are now online:

www.scottishfest.com


√  Annual "IRISH ARTS FAIR" is Sat & Sun, Jun 18 & 19 (Father's Day Weekend) at El Dorado Regional Park in Long Beach. Tix, and schedule  filling-out online:

www.irishfair.org


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# 8 news feature...


DO GOOD BANJOS NEED TO BE HEAVY?


Our friends at Deering offer this as "Banjo Shopping Advice." We present it as part of our series on all things banjo and fiddle to get you ready for the Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival, coming Sunday, May 15. Where you can Deering in their booth; the instruments they make in the hands of contestants, jammers, recreational music-makers and pros all over the site; and the Guide's founding editor doing his stage emcee duties.

See you there. Meantime, enjoy.

(BARRY HUNN, author of this feature, is Worldwide Sales Manager for Deering Banjos, a position he's held for 18 years. He has over 40 years in the music industry. He has taught five-string finger picking at the Univ. of Idaho and performed with many iconic artists, including EARL SCRUGGS, DOC WATSON, THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS, DANNY O’KEEFE, and more. He developed Deering's “TWO FINGER METHOD” to show non-musiciand that they can play the banjo. Several music historiand credit him with selling more American-made banjos than any person, ever.)

By Barry Hunn

Beginning and intermediate banjo players who are shopping for their first professional level banjo often ask the question, “do good banjos need to be heavy?” The answer lies in understanding what the parts of the banjo do to create the tone or the voice of the banjo.

Contrary to popular belief, the resonator of the banjo, while adding a pound or two to a banjo, is not the primary source of the weight that creates these questions.

Everything is a Recipe

The tone of a musical instrument is created by a combination of ingredients. The resulting weight of any instrument is not from a desire to make something heavy but to use ingredients that create a specific tone or voice for an instrument. This is true of violins, guitars, banjos and every other instrument.

The Banjo Ingredients

Bell bronze cast tone rings, like Deering’s -06- tone ring, are designed to pronounce, increase and enhance midrange frequencies which tend to give a banjo a “punchy” or strong midrange sound. This pronounced midrange helps the banjo “cut through” or be heard above other instruments.

Lighter and more hollow brass tone rings like the Vega tubaphone or Vega Senator tone rings have softer more subdued midrange frequencies, but have good low frequencies and reasonably good high frequencies which makes them sound rounder or fuller.

These have been used by folk singers, plectrum banjo players and some jazz players as solo instruments because their depth enhances a singer’s voice.

However, just because a tone ring is heavy, it does not automatically create the punch of the -06- tone ring. A case in point is the Deering Twenty-Ten brass tone ring that is featured on the Deering Eagle II banjos. It weighs almost the same as the -06- tone ring, but because of its design, it does not have the pronounced “punch” in the midrange frequencies. The midrange frequencies are flatter and the high frequencies are very strong. This unique tone comes from the alloy used and part of this comes from the shape of the tone ring.

A wood tone ring, like Deering’s John Hartford model banjo, has a very flat midrange but does not have the pronounced midrange “bump” of the -06- tone ring. This gives the wood tone ring, though it is lightweight, a strong midrange without the high-frequency enhancement that comes from the brass or bronze tone ring.

It doesn’t have the “brightness” of a brass or bronze tone ring, but the midrange is clear and easy to record and can either stand out or blend in with other instruments beautifully. Its inherent clarity or “well defined” tone allows it to “cut through,” but it does so without the brightness of a bronze or brass tone.

Tone rings like the -06- or the Twenty-Ten weigh about 3 pounds, give or take a few ounces. A Vega Tubaphone tone ring like the one featured on the Vega #2 banjo is probably closer to 2 pounds. A Vega Senator tone ring or a Hartford tone ring made of wood is probably closer to one pound or perhaps even a pound and a quarter.

The Other Weight in a Banjo

The one-piece cast zinc flange that is found on many modern banjos (like the Deering Sierra, Deluxe, Calico, GDL, etc.) weighs in the neighborhood of about 3 pounds.

There are other flange styles like bracket shoes with individual platelets or light brass tubes with thin brass plates or light brass tubes with spring steelclips (like Deering’s pop on resonator attachment).

The heavy one-piece flange is musically inert. It is designed this way so that it does not vibrate with a sound of its own. This would interfere with the sound of the tone ring vibrations and the rim and even the neck. But since it’s attached to the banjo, it does increase the mass of the pot assembly and therefore does tend to increase the sustain of the banjo. This is in addition to providing a foundational attachment for the bracket hooks.

Bracket shoes, also made of zinc alloy, are usually screwed to the rim with machine screws that are tightened from the inside of the rim. The zinc keeps them from vibrating, and they are also a foundational attachment for the bracket hooks. However, they are very lightweight, so their contribution to sustain is very limited.

The Sum of the Parts

When most customers ask why good banjos are so heavy, it is virtually always in response to picking up a modern resonator banjo with a one piece zinc flange and a resonator. Since a bell bronze tone ring is about 3 pounds, and a one piece flange is about 3 pounds, that’s 6 pounds just in those two parts.

Legends of professional banjos weighing 25 or 50 pounds are exaggerations.

A modern banjo with a bell bronze tone ring and a one piece flange usually weighs no more than 12 to 14 pounds, depending on the design of the tailpiece, the tension hope, the armrest, and the wood used in the neck, rim, and resonator. Still, 12 pounds is heavier than most acoustic guitars or violins, so the contrast makes the difference seem greater than the reality.

Not Every “Good” Banjo is Heavy

Most bluegrass banjo players prefer banjos that have a bell bronze tone ring (like the Deering -06- tone ring). So, bluegrass players have learned to recognize that a “good” banjo has a heavy tone ring and a heavy flange and weighs 12 to 14 pounds.

Many jazz and Dixieland jazz players consider a “good” banjo to be built with Tubaphone tone rings and other lightweight tone rings which translate to banjos that weigh 8 to 10 pounds.

Folk players like the Kingston Trio and Pete Seeger have traditionally considered longneck banjos with Tubaphone tone rings to be “good” banjos which weigh in the 8 pound range.

Many claw hammer players prefer open-back five-string banjos with no tone ring at all: they just want the head stretched over a Maple rim. These banjos might only weigh 5 to7 pounds, and yet they are considered “good” banjos.

The Tone is the Goal

A “good” banjo is not necessarily heavy any more than a “good” pizza crust must be thick. The tone of the banjo is determined by the choice of the tone ring, the flange design, the tailpiece design, the wood used in the rim, the neck, and the resonator, and one of the most important ingredients: precision craftsmanship. A great tone ring, not correctly fitted, will make a very mediocre sounding banjo.

Traditional and Nontraditional Choices

A 12 pound resonator banjo with a bell bronze tone ring and a one-piece zinc flange is usually, but not always, chosen by banjo players who play bluegrass music. This is often considered a “good” banjo.

A 6 pound open back banjo with no tone ring and no flange is often, but not always, chosen by banjo players who play old-time “claw hammer” style banjo.

I have met claw hammer players who loved playing 12 pound resonator banjos, and I have met fingerpicking bluegrass players who enjoyed playing lighter weight open back banjos.

The Art of You

If possible, choose a banjo with your ears and your hands and not with someone else’s predetermined ideas. Who among us would tell Leonardo da Vinci “put some teeth in that Mona Lisa smile”.

Choose the banjo based on your ideas. You are, after all, the artist.
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Originally published May 6, 2016, at:

http://blog.deeringbanjos.com/good-banjos-need-to-be-heavy/


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# 9 news feature...


AUCTION ITEMS ANNOUNCED FOR "ADOPT THE ARTS" BENEFIT CONCERT, COMING MAY 12th IN HOLLYWOOD


Since the systematic defunding of arts and music programs in public schools nationwide, school districts that value and want programs for their students have had to innovate. In the LAUSD, one such innovation — and one uniquely suited to work in a city with a huge population of famous music-makers — is the "Adopt the Arts" Benefit Concert and its auction of donated instruments from famous players.

It happens Thursday, May 12, at the Henry Fonda Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Bl, in Hollywood.

Live auction were announced late this week. And it was issued in all caps:

MUSIC LUMINARIES TO HONOR AND PERFORM WITH 2016 ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES GLENN HUGHES & ROBIN ZANDER

RED CARPET (6 PM)
CONCERT BEGINS (7:30 PM)

ADOPT THE ARTS PROCEEDS CREATE MUSIC AND ARTS PROGRAMS IN LAUSD SCHOOLS

One auction item: a METALLICA guitar signed by the band. Keep reading.

ADOPT THE ARTS will launch a live benefit concert and live auction for LAUSD elementary schools. Music luminaries will gather to perform with and honor 2016 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees GLENN HUGHES (Deep Purple) and ROBIN ZANDER (Cheap Trick) for their contributions to American art and culture. Proceeds from the concert and auction will be donated to ADOPT THE ARTS music programs in LAUSD elementary schools (see VIP ticket/donation below).

Tickets are on-sale now at http://www.axs.com/events/308980/glenn-huges-robin-zander-tickets?skin=thefonda.

Comedian HAL SPARKS will be a part of the night's festivities.

Musicians confirmed to perform include ADOPT THE ARTS founder MATT SORUM (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, Hollywood Vampires) along with GEEZER BUTLER (Black Sabbath), STEVE JONES (Sex Pistols), COREY TAYLOR (Slipknot), GILBY CLARKE (Guns N' Roses), BILLY DUFFY (The Cult), DEAN DELEO & ROBERT DELEO (Stone Temple Pilots), STEVE LUKATHER (Toto), CHAD SMITH (Red Hot Chili Peppers), FRANKY PEREZ (Apocalyptica), STEVIE SALAS (Mick Jagger), PAUL III (Tina Turner, Disreputable Few), DAMON FOX (Big Elf and The Cult,) and DJ MORTY COYLE.

The Auction

Between live performances, guests will enjoy a live and silent auction featuring some of the following items from ADOPT THE ARTS supporters:

• ADOPT THE ARTS: Two Signed Concert Event Guitars (signed by all musicians above).

• SHEPARD FAIREY: Fine Art piece, "Black Sabbath," Print on metal (retail $3000.00).

• WOODY GUTHRIE: Signed Canvas Screen Print, 18' X 24" (numbered, edition of 450)

• 2010 IGGY POP Signed Raw Power Screen Print, 18' X 24" (numbered, edition of 650)

• 2010 BLACK SABBATH Signed Silver Black Crescent Print 18' X 24" (numbered, edition of 125) 2013 (www.obeygiant.com)

• METALLICA: Guitar signed by the band Metallica.

• SLASH: Guitar signed by Slash (Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, Guns N' Roses).

• JOE PERRY: Guitar signed by Joe Perry (Aerosmith, Hollywood Vampires).

• BRIAN MAY: Guitar signed by Brian May (QUEEN).

• DAVE GROHL: Guitar signed by Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters).

• JOURNEY: Guitar signed by Journey, Paul Reed Smith Se14 played by Neal Schon.

• MAROON 5: Guitar signed by the band Maroon 5.

• ELTON JOHN/DAVEY JOHNSTON: Signed guitar from Davey Johnston, legendary Elton John guitarist.

• MATT SORUM: Three signed Guns N' Roses drumheads signed by Matt Sorum (Guns N' Roses).

• PRINCE: Color print photo of Prince from rock photographer Gene Kirkland (signed). (www.genekirklandphotography.com)

• JOAN JETT & CHEAP TRICK: VIP Meet and Greet package at Los Angeles concert, August 23 at The Forum.

• CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG: 1974 box set.

• RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE: deluxe box set.

• AFRICAN SAFARI: All-inclusive eco-luxury African safari trip.

• LAGUNA MONTAGE: Two-night luxury hotel stay and lunch with drummer Matt Sorum (Guns N' Roses).

• SAMMY HAGAR: signed cook book, two bottles of Bum Rum and two t-shirts.

• JOHN VARVATOS: Four 4.2 oz colognes, "Vintage," "Artisan," "Dark Rebel," "Artisan Acqua." One pair of Aviator sunglasses (retail $295.00). Signed copy of John Varvatos' limited edition book, "Rock In Fashion" (retail $495.00). Weekender duffle bag (retail $1595.00).

• KLIPTSCH SPEAKER SYSTEM: Kliptsch Designer Speaker System (Retail $1,500).

• ZALEMARK (jewelry): Sterling 925 Silver: Crayola Colored Inspired Ladies Bracelet set 5.24 cts Natural African Amethysts & White Sapphires (Retail $ 1494.00). Sterling 925 Silver: Crayola Colored Inspired Ladies Ring set with 9mm Princess Cut Natural Madera Citrine & 1.10cts of White Sapphires (Size 7, Retail $ 1632.00). Sterling 925 Silver: Set of 5, Crayola Colored Inspired Ladies Stackable 5 bracelets set (Made in Italy) with magnetic clasps (Retail $ 1215.00).
__________

Ticket prices for the ADOPT THE ARTS event are below and all donations are tax deductible:

• GA/Standing room - $40 Tickets
• Balcony seating - $75
• Special floor seating - $125

And there are expensive options:
Meet & Greet tables & tickets -SOLD OUT!
VIP TABLES - $2500 (2 left)
Floor Tables - $1500 (2 left)  

All tix are on-sale now and can be purchased at :

http://adoptthearts.org
and at:
http://www.axs.com/events/308980/glenn-huges-robin-zander-tickets?skin=thefonda.

ADOPT THE ARTS (www.adoptthearts.org) is a Los Angeles-based charity co-founded by musician Matt Sorum and activist Abby Berman, and actively supported by artists like actress Jane Lynch (founding board member). The organization works to preserve arts programs in U.S. public schools.

To raise awareness, ADOPT THE ARTS honors individuals who've had a long-lasting impact on music culture and who inspire young musicians to follow in their footsteps. The ADOPT THE ARTS advisory board includes: SLASH, JOHN STAMOS, BILLY BOB THORTON, STEVE STEVENS, JULIETTE LEWIS, DANNY MASTERSON, SHEPARD FAIREY, ADRIAN YOUNG and GINA GERSHON.

According to Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), there are still not enough teachers, equipment or instruments for every child to receive an arts education of any kind. As in many school districts around the country, LAUSD has been slowly eroding its commitment to arts education, reducing the budget incrementally. The LAUSD district also estimates that 80% of its student body is living at or below the poverty line, which means the vast majority of these elementary school children will not have access to the arts outside of school.

"I'm extremely honored to be accepting an award from such an admirable charity, Adopt the Arts," explains GLENN HUGHES. "Matt Sorum has gone to great lengths to help create a program for children to have musical instruments in their lives and in turn to provide love and harmony in our lives. I'm humbled and grateful. See you at the event at the Henry Fonda Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday, May 12. I'm really looking forward to performing for you all, let's make it a magical night."

"All of my career I've been involved in promoting the arts in elementary schools and I'm proud to be part of Adopt the Arts Honors," adds ROBIN ZANDER. My thanks goes out to the foundation and I hope that fans everywhere will come and join us for a successful evening of fun, music and fundraising. See you there."

"Adopt the Arts was born out of the frustration for my own children losing education in the arts," explains ADOPT THE ARTS co-founder Abby Berman. "When the system is failing, we have to take action. With influential people like my co-founder Matt Sorum adopting schools, we can preserve this valuable component to childhood development, which is also known to boost test scores. Because Federal and State funding is falling short, the responsibility is upon us as concerned parents and citizens to ensure we're raising a new generation of healthy and well-rounded individuals."

ADOPT THE ARTS Chair and Co-founder Matt Sorum adds, "We're starting in our own backyard here in Los Angeles, and we'll continue to adopt schools across the nation. We believe that music and art are universal and necessary languages that unite us all, regardless of our backgrounds."

www.adoptthearts.org
https://www.facebook.com/adopt.the.arts
https://twitter.com/AdopttheArts


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# 10 news feature...


ACCLAIMED SINGER-SONGWRITER DARRYL PURPOSE's "STILL THE BIRDS" RELEASED MAY 6


"Yes, Darryl Purpose sounds like James Taylor. And, yes, he has an amazing backstory... These songs are so good they eclipse all that.  Purpose has a rare flair for writing memorable mellifluous melodies, and on 'Still the Birds' he pairs them with marvelous lyrics by Paul Zollo, who has written a rhyming dictionary and shows it by pairing 'Halloween' with 'gabardine.' Purpose's folksy tunes enchant thanks to their surprising twists, such as the octave-and-a-half leap in the chorus of 'When Buddha Smiled at the Elephant.' Elsewhere he sings about gangs, devotion, Dylan Thomas, and wars today and two centuries ago. Keep this up, and someday folks will say James Taylor sounds like Darryl Purpose."  — Steve Wine, Associated Press.

"Fascinating, ingratiating, controversial, interesting, deep and somewhat off-center…" — Frank Roberts, Virginian-Pilot.

Before we share or say more? The proof is always in the listening. Preview DARRYL PURPOSE's "STILL THE BIRDS" at:

https://soundcloud.com/darryl-purpose/sets/stillthebirds/s-2hbFs

Out now on Blue Rock Artists is songwriter-singer DARRYL PURPOSE’s "STILL THE BIRDS," his 7th solo release. Produced by Billy Crockett at Blue Rock Studios in Wimberly, TX it features 11 songs co-written by Darryl Purpose and L.A. musician, songwriter, and photographer Paul Zollo.

Purpose does the vocals and plays the acoustic guitar. Joining him in the studio were a stellar lineup. There's Roscoe Beck on bass (Leonard Cohen, The Dixie Chicks, Robben Ford); Eric Darken on percussion (Jimmy Buffet, Carrie Underwood); Daran DeShazo on electric guitar; Grammy-winning accordion and keyboard player Joel Guzman; and Billy Crockett.

"STILL THE BIRDS" features a duet with Eliza Gilkyson (“The Meaning Of My Love”), with additional guest vocals by Jonathan Byrd, Carrie Elkin, Matt Nakoa, Betty Soo, and others.

The 11 songs on "STILL THE BIRDS" paint compelling vignettes exploring the human condition — the tension between dark and light, despair and hope, vulnerability and triumphs. There's a Vietnam draft-dodger coming unhinged ("Hours in a Day"); the gangs of L.A. ("Evergreen Avenue"); twists on literary icons Dylan Thomas ("Prince of the Apple Towns") and Edgar Allen Poe ("Baltimore"); to Buddha ("When Buddha Smiled at the Elephant"); the Civil War ("Shiloh"); and the redemption of love ("Everywhere At Once"). Zollo's tales explore the tension amidst triumph and vulnerability.

The songs on the album are as unique and diverse as the stories from Darryl’s kaleidoscopic life. An internationally-acclaimed touring musician, Darryl is also a member of the Blackjack Hall of Fame. He’s walked across the country for peace, been banned from casinos on six continents, played the first stadium rock concert with Santana and Bonnie Raitt in the former Soviet Union, studied with global spiritual leader Thich Nhat Hanh, and co-founded The Second Strings Project, an organization that has delivered over 20,000 sets of strings to musicians of third world and developing countries.

Exactly how many musicians can start out their story with, "I left home as a teenager and became a professional gambler"-? There really is only one…. Darryl Purpose.

Before Darryl started touring, during a period of playing open mics and showcases around L.A., he found himself in a tough situation. "I cashed a couple of checks for a 'friend' that I owed a favor to, and ended-up getting arrested for laundering drug money. I didn't have great boundaries with the law in those days."

He was facing eighteen years mandatory sentence (he would have been getting out about now) until the prosecutors figured out that he wasn't a big time criminal and reduced the charge. They sentenced him to three months in a halfway house. During the intake meeting there, they told Darryl that this was a work-release program, and that he could go home during the day if he had a job. Thinking quickly, he told them he was a nationally-touring singer-songwriter, and he would have to go home during the day and work on his career. So he did, and in that three month period he found himself a record label and a booking agent, and started touring nationally.

He was now a professional songwriter and musician. “That brush with the criminal justice system lead to my career” he says.

Starting in 1996, Darryl clocked in thousands of miles, playing for tips, sleeping in his truck, and basically getting his music out there any way he could. By 2004, and about 1500+ shows later, he had played many of the top venues in North America and Europe and had released 6 albums that all did well on folk radio. Then in 2004, “I won a couple million dollars within a few months and bought a house in my favorite place in the world - Nederland, Colorado, where I still live.”

All of which he says rather casually.

That winning year changed his life in many ways, including being able to concentrate more on his music.

Darryl likes to say that luck is a residue of design — and he has been crafting his own luck for some time now, out of whatever wreckage has come his way. Though he always wanted to be small, the universe gave him acromegaly, a disease of excess growth hormone. So he went big, and lived his life for the story.

DARRYL PURPOSE's "STILL THE BIRDS" had taken flight and is available now.

"Darry Purpose's music hits all the vital areas;  the heart, the mind and the gut." — Michael Tisserand, Gambit Weekly.

Recommended.



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More music news is in numerous recent editions. More on upcoming FESTIVALS and events is in the April 16 edition, available at a separate click.

Much more, soon, on additional topics.


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The Guide brings you frequent editions covering MUSIC NEWS, arts and industry events, and ticket alerts, available right here on the Guide's Blogspot site.

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♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
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