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Frequently Asked Questions
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The Northern California Bluegrass Society
is happy to answer your questions. We'd love to answer
them in person by talking to you at a local show
or campout, but that's not always possible. Below are some issues that
often arise on the message board or through emails. If you have other
questions that are not addressed, please feel free to post them on our
Message Board, or email and ask!
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List of Questions
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The Big Question
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What is bluegrass?
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A very contentious question! But in brief, it is an American music
form created by Bill Monroe from a combination of traditions, with
Irish, Scottish, English, and African-American being the most commonly
cited contributing traditions. It is typically played by a group of
4-6 musicians on mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar, upright bass, and
sometimes resophonic guitar (aka "Dobro"). It is characterized as
having a "high, lonesome" sound, as the lead vocal usually sings in
a high register, accompanied often by 1-3 harmony vocal parts. It
originates in the Appalachian region of the US South with Kentucky,
West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia contributing
many of its finest practitioners. A good portion of the songs draw
on the gospel tradition, though secular topics are equally addressed.
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Other answers to
"What is bluegrass?"
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NCBS General Information
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How do I contact the NCBS?
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NCBS general mail:
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NCBS
PO Box 390846,
Mountain View, CA
94039-0846
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NCBS general e-mail:
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Bluegrass By the Bay magazine:
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NCBS Web Master
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Bluegrass By the Bay CD Reviews editor:
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NCBS Weekly Newsletter:
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Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass festival:
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Membership chair:
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What is the history of the NCBS?
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The society was founded in 1982
as the Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society,
with the purpose of being a club
for folks around Santa Cruz
who were interested in playing
and supporting bluegrass music.
It was incorporated as a non-profit
organization that is member supported,
and run by an organization of
volunteers. A monthly magazine
was started to keep the members
informed, and in 1994, the society put
on its first
Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival,
featuring California-based bluegrass
bands. The membership gradually expanded
to outward to several surrounding
counties that make up the extended metropolitan area
from Marin to Monterey.
In 1999, the membership voted to change the name
to the Northern California
Bluegrass Society. In 2000,
the first of the annual
San Francisco Bluegrass & Old Time Festival
was presented.
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SCBS / NCBS History
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1982 Society founded
1994
GOF
annual Fests begins
1999
Name changed to NCBS
2000
SFBOT
Fests begin
2001
Brookdale Lodge Fests Begin
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What is the mission of the NCBS?
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Our mission is to promote the performance, appreciation,
and enjoyment of bluegrass and related acoustic music
in the area which we serve. The NCBS supports concerts,
jams, festivals, campouts, education and the promotion
of bluegrass through organizational and/or communications
support.
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What area does the NCBS serve?
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We serve the San Francisco Bay area,
the San Jose metropolitan area, and the Monterey
Bay area. There are no plans to start doing concerts
in, say, Redding or making an effort
to recruit members outside the SF and Monterey Bay
areas. Interest in such activities are properly directed
to the statewide organization, the
California Bluegrass Association.
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What's the difference between the NCBS and the CBA?
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The California
Bluegrass Association is a statewide organization,
whereas the NCBS serves only the region bounded
by the San Francsico and Monterey Bay areas.
We share many members with the CBA,
and many people enjoy the activities
of both organizations. The NCBS is entirely
focused on nurturing the activites
of the bluegrass community in the area it serves.
The CBA's annual festival has traditionally been held
on Father's Day in Grass Valley, with blind selection
process and a strong representation of touring bands from
"back East." The NCBS's annual festival is
traditionally held in early to mid July at
the San Benito County Fairgrounds, outside
of Hollister, featuring only bands from California.
Both organizations are non-profits, run
by volunteer boards, with monthly
publications and several events year round.
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Why was the name of the society changed?
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The original name Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society
did not represent the true scope
of the Society’s current activities and
was very confusing to the uninformed.
The misleading name created much unnecessary work
for our volunteers
and reduced the effectiveness
of their dedicated efforts to promote
bluegrass throughout the San Francisco Bay Area
and the Monterey Bay Area. The Society will continue
to use the Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society
name where it makes sense -- for events
in Santa Cruz County, for example.
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What are the benefits of joining the NCBS?
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Your membership
will benefit you because you will receive
our monthly magazine,
Bluegrass By the Bay,
that serves as one of the primary channels
of communication between our members.
You receive discounts to concerts presented by
Redwood Bluegrass Associates (RBA).
In addition, you support an organization
that truly encourages and supports
the local bluegrass scene! You not only
become a patron of the arts,
but by joining, you become a member
of a fun and thriving community!
You get a whole lot for your $15!
And membership rates haven't been
raised in a long time...
See our membership
page to join.
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Who runs the NCBS? |
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We are run by a board of nine directors
who are elected every year
in a vote by the members.
A separate committee runs the Good Old Fashioned
Festival, and volunteers run the
campouts,
the monthly magazine
and this web site. Many
volunteers are needed to assist with all
of these activities, and
volunteering is a great way to contribute
to the community and to
meet other bluegrass pickers and organizers.
Our volunteer page
lists the various areas and activities that are available
for you to help out in.
NCBS Board 2002-03
Bruce Edmundson, Rich Evans,
Penny Godlis, Michael Hall, Brenda Hough,
Gary Mansperger, Mark Varner, Lora Hicks
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NCBS People
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Board of Directors
BBB Magazine Editor
Webmaestra
Membership Chair
GOF Festival Chair
Campouts Director
Calendar Editor
...and other friends and affiliates...
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Contact NCBS
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PO BOX 390846,
Mountain View, CA
94039-0846
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How can I pitch in to help to the society?
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We are always
happy to receive contributions
of time and money. We currently enjoy
one of the most active bluegrass communities
in the country -- this
is made possible because we have
so many active pickers, but also because
we have an effective organization
with good communication channels in
place. But we also know there is room
for growth! We can expand our
activities and offerings with
additional volunteer time and financial
support.
Our volunteer page lists the various
areas and activities that are available
for you to help out in. Your
financial contributions are tax-deductible and welcomed!
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How does my band apply
to play the Good Old Fashioned Festival?
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Application packets for
our July festival
are typically
due by January 31. Information will be published
in the monthly magazine
Bluegrass By the Bay
as well as on this website.
The GOF
proudly presents bluegrass
bands that are all based in California.
(Bands from out-of-state are
welcome to attend the festival and sign up
for a 15 minute slot on our
"tweener" stage.)
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Musical Instruction
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I want to learn a bluegrass
instrument -- where can I find a teacher?
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There are many talented musicians in the area,
and quite a few are experienced
at teaching students. There are a
few ways to go about finding a teacher.
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Check our
Teacher Listing
page.
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Call a local acoustic music store.
Gryphon
in Palo Alto and the Fifth String in Berkeley
are excellent resources
for bluegrass and old time musicians.
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Post a message on our
message board.
Someone will likely point you in the right direction.
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Use our calendar
to find a band that performs in your area,
go see them, and ask
them who teaches in the area.
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Become a member, and look through the ads
in the back of our monthly magazine,
Bluegrass By the Bay.
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I am a teacher and would like students
to be aware of my services. How
can the NCBS help?
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The NCBS would love to help!
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You can use membership priveleges to run
a free ad in the back of
Bluegrass By the Bay.
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Keep an eye on the Message Board: there
are occasional posts of students looking
for teachers.
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Submit your listing to our
Teacher List.
Email your name, location and phone number to
calendar@scbs.org
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Publicity & Communications
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How can I get my band listed
on the NCBS Band List?
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Although we recommend
membership
for at least one member of your band,
so that you will be informed
of society activities and opportunities,
there is no requirement to be a member.
We prefer to promote all
bands
that are enhancing the enjoyment and
visibility of bluegrass, rather
than being exclusive to society members.
Send band information to the calendar editor
at calendar@scbs.org.
Include band name, a contact name,
and phone number at the very least.
Include band web site URL and/or email address
if available. Area bluegrass
bands are periodically listed
in our monthly magazine,
Bluegrass By the Bay,
when space permits.
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How can I get my band's
gigs listed in the weekly Weekly Newsletter?
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The Weekly Newsletter
that goes out roughly once a week is intended
to be a highlight of area
activities. It is not a comprehensive
listing of events, so all gigs
will not be included. Concerts and jams
may be mentioned in the newsletter
if they are sponsored by the NCBS or
if they are of particular interest,
or if it's just a plain ol' slow news week.
Information can be sent
to hallmw@juno.com.
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How do I subscribe to
the weekly Weekly Newsletter?
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To receive the weekly Weekly Newsletter
of society and area events, send an email to
requesting that you receive the Weekly Newsletter.
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Live Music - Jams and Concerts
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Where can I go to jam
in my area?
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We are fortunate to have a number
of regular and active jams in the area.
Most of them are listed on the
NCBS calendar.
There are a few jams that might not be
listed here, but are spread by word of
mouth. Attend one jam and ask folks
about what other locations in the
area host jams.
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Where can I go to hear
live bluegrass in the area?
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All the information we receive regarding
bluegrass performances is listed in the
calendar
on this website. This is a free service we provide
in the interest of making information
about bluegrass easily accessible. Any
information that comes
in before deadline will be printed in the calendar
in our monthly magazine,
Bluegrass By the Bay,
which also features articles and ads
on specific events, festivals, concert series, etc.
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