Northern California Bluegrass Society http://www.scbs.org Promoting bluegrass music in Northern California Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:10:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 en BOB Adds After-School Ice Cream Concert With The Tuttle Family And A.J. Lee http://www.scbs.org/2009/01/05/bob-adds-after-school-ice-cream-concert-with-the-tuttle-family-and-aj-lee/ http://www.scbs.org/2009/01/05/bob-adds-after-school-ice-cream-concert-with-the-tuttle-family-and-aj-lee/#comments Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:09:29 +0000 Michael Hall http://www.scbs.org/?p=496 The Tuttle Family and A. J. Lee will perform at a special after-school Ice Cream Concert on Friday afternoon, February 27, at the elegant Young’s Ice Cream Emporium in downtown Redwood City. The show is part of the free NCBS Bluegrass On Broadway Festival, February 26-March 1, 2009. More details soon!

]]> http://www.scbs.org/2009/01/05/bob-adds-after-school-ice-cream-concert-with-the-tuttle-family-and-aj-lee/feed/ Bluegrass By The Bay Magazine Has Upcoming Editorial Opportunities http://www.scbs.org/2009/01/05/bluegrass-by-the-bay-magazine-has-upcoming-editorial-opportunities/ http://www.scbs.org/2009/01/05/bluegrass-by-the-bay-magazine-has-upcoming-editorial-opportunities/#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:22:40 +0000 Michael Hall http://www.scbs.org/?p=494 Bluegrass By The Bay magazine is the official print publication of the Northern California Bluegrass Society. Current BBB Editor-In-Chief Mary Kennedy may retire, leaving an opening for a new editor. Another possibility is that the editorial staff could be expanded or restructured in some way.  Interested volunteers are welcome to contact Michael Hall, NCBS president.

]]> http://www.scbs.org/2009/01/05/bluegrass-by-the-bay-magazine-has-upcoming-editorial-opportunities/feed/ NCBS Presents 3 Festivals During February-March 2009 http://www.scbs.org/2009/01/01/ncbs-presents-3-festivals-during-february-march-2009/ http://www.scbs.org/2009/01/01/ncbs-presents-3-festivals-during-february-march-2009/#comments Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:05:32 +0000 Michael Hall http://www.scbs.org/?p=482 The Northern California Bluegrass Society will present three early-season festivals during a 6-week period in February and March. These events are designed to be convenient and affordable. Make your plans now to enjoy some great bluegrass close to home!

- “San Francisco Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival,” February 5-14 (SF, Berkeley, Alameda). Many great events with prices running from free to moderate to pricey.

- “Bluegrass On Broadway,” February 26-March 1 (Redwood City). Concerts, bluegrass authors, films, and the Northern California Bluegrass Awards. All free.

- “Brookdale Spring Bluegrass Festival,” March 13-15 (Brookdale, 10 miles north of Santa Cruz). Shows and jamming, Santa Cruz-style! Modest admission charge for all events.

Information about these NCBS events is on this website; more details will be posted as they become available.

]]> http://www.scbs.org/2009/01/01/ncbs-presents-3-festivals-during-february-march-2009/feed/ Redwood Bluegrass Associates Concerts Sponsored By NCBS http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/29/redwood-bluegrass-associates-concerts/ http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/29/redwood-bluegrass-associates-concerts/#comments Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:10:15 +0000 Ken Torke http://www.scbs.org/?p=422 The 18th annual RBA concert season rolls into 2009!

Great shows and a great time for all! Refreshments include NorCal’s greatest pies — sweet and savory — and the sound is by the one and only Paul Knight. The venue has been remodeled, and now boasts a new stage, floor, drapes (which helps the sound), and chairs with PADDED SEATS. Tickets for RBA shows are $18/advance, $20/day of show.

At the First Presbyterian Church
1667 Miramonte Avenue at Cuesta Drive, Mountain View
Jamming starts at 5:30 - doors open at 7:00. Shows Start at 8:00
Pie and Coffee - Fine Folks

Claire Lynch BandFebruary 7th, 2009
Claire Lynch Band

Some of The Claire Lynch Band members’ accolades include International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Female Vocalist of the Year and two Grammy nominations for Best Bluegrass Album (Claire); two IBMA Guitar Player of the Year awards (Jim Hurst); two IBMA Bass Player of the Year awards (Mark Schatz); and two Florida State Championships on both fiddle and mandolin (Jason Thomas). Claire has released six albums on Rounder, plus a half-dozen others, Jim has released six of his own albums and played on many sessions, and Mark has released two albums on Rounder and played on oh, say, another 50 albums.

“Claire Lynch is one of the classiest acts in bluegrass today, capable of turning bonafide classics like Jimmy Martin’s “Hey Lonesome” and the Osborne Brothers’ “Up This Hill And Down” into her own, even as she pays homage to the brilliance of the originals. Her infinitely expressive voice has earned her guest appearances with the likes of Dolly Parton, but it’s best heard in front of her own band — anchored by guitarist Jim Hurst, it also includes fiddle and mandolin player Jason Thomas and redoubtable bassist Mark Schatz, most recently of Nickel Creek. That’s a formidable lineup, and Lynch wisely gives them plenty of room to shine, but in the end, it’s her sensibilities — and talents — that shape the sound into one delicious whole.” Jon Weisberger, The Nashville Scene

For the rest of the 2009 RBA season, see below.


Blue HighwayFebruary 28th, 2009
Blue Highway

Winners of 2008 IBMA Awards for Song of the Year (”Through the Window of a Train,” the title track of their most recent release on Rounder) and Dobro Player of the Year (Rob Ickes, winning for the 10th time, making him the most awarded instrumentalist in the history of the IBMA Awards), Blue Highway celebrates a remarkable 15th anniversary together in 2009. They’ve won countless awards and #1 spots in the charts, and their most recent music might be their best. “It’s a testament to its immense talents and friendship that after 14 years together (that) Blue Highway keeps creating music that connects and entertains.” (Ken Tucker, Billboard)

Tim Stafford (guitar), Shawn Lane (mandolin/fiddle), Wayne Taylor (bass), Jason Burleson (banjo) and Rob Ickes (Dobro) combine to form one of the most esteemed and influential groups in contemporary bluegrass, excelling at every facet of the music, from instrumental dexterity to impeccable vocal interplay to literate, powerful songwriting. “‘Bluegrass supergroup’ may sound like an oxymoron, but you’ve earned the title when you boast five singer-songwriters whose résumés include stints with Earl Scruggs, Alison Krauss, and Ricky Skaggs. Why are these guys super? They can make your heart soar even as it’s breaking.” Bob Cannon, Entertainment Weekly

Mac Martin with Keith Little and Kathy Kallick

March 21st, 2009
Mac Martin & the California Travelers

Since 1954(!), Mac Martin has led a powerhouse traditional bluegrass band in the Pittsburgh area. Although he has rarely toured outside of western Pennsylvania, his many recordings and distinctive approach have won him a dedicated audience among fans of traditional bluegrass throughout the world. He has had his songs recently recorded by Longview, James King, Bob & Danny Paisley, Open Road, and King Wilkie, among others, and some of Northern California’s most experienced bluegrass musicians — Butch Waller, Kathy Kallick, Keith Little, Paul Shelasky, and Lisa Berman — once again will accompany this truly legendary bluegrass musician.

Laurie Lewis and the Right HandsApril 25th, 2009
Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands

The Sacramento News called her “as fine a singer as anyone on the acoustic music circuit, anywhere in the world.” Billboard praised her ability to “successfully walk the high wire above esoteric country, combining elements of bluegrass and pure country to form her own seamless mix.” Or as American folk icon Utah Phillips put it, “Whatever country music is supposed to be, she’s at the center of it.”

The Right Hands? Why that’s Tom Rozum, Craig Smith, Todd Phillips and Scott Huffman. You could spend a whole page talking about them!

Tickets are available now at www.RBA.org.

The Northern California Bluegrass Society sponsors all Redwood Bluegrass Associates concerts.

]]> http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/29/redwood-bluegrass-associates-concerts/feed/ December 31 Is Deadline For GOF Bands And For BOB Second Round Ballots http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/24/december-31-is-deadline-for-gof-bands-and-for-bob-second-round-ballots/ http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/24/december-31-is-deadline-for-gof-bands-and-for-bob-second-round-ballots/#comments Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:36:48 +0000 Michael Hall http://www.scbs.org/?p=466 One Week To Go:

- Band applications for the August 7-9, 2009 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival are due on December 31, 2008.

Band Application Form:  <http://scbs.org/pdf/2009BandApplication.pdf>

- Second Round Ballots for the Northern California Bluegrass Awards are also due on December 31, 2008. Final ballots will be due on January 31, 2009. The February 28 awards ceremony will be held at the Bluegrass On Broadway Festival, February 26-March 1, 2009.

]]> http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/24/december-31-is-deadline-for-gof-bands-and-for-bob-second-round-ballots/feed/ Warren Hellman On KQED-FM Today 10AM, 10PM, And On Podcast http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/23/warren-hellman-on-kqed-fm-today-10am-10pm-and-on-podcast/ http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/23/warren-hellman-on-kqed-fm-today-10am-10pm-and-on-podcast/#comments Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:22:48 +0000 Michael Hall http://www.scbs.org/?p=461 Warren Hellman and his sister Frances are interviewed by Michael Krasney on KQED-FM’s Forum program about her book about the Hellman’s great grandfather. 88.5FM or at www.kqed.org. So far, one song by The Wronglers! Live 10:00-11:00am, repeated 10:00-11:00pm tonight, December 23. On podcast thereafter.

]]> http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/23/warren-hellman-on-kqed-fm-today-10am-10pm-and-on-podcast/feed/ NCBS Stolen/Missing Instrument Page — Under “Resources” http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/21/ncbs-stolenmissing-instrument-page-under-resources/ http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/21/ncbs-stolenmissing-instrument-page-under-resources/#comments Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:55:10 +0000 Michael Hall http://www.scbs.org/?p=458 The NCBS National Stolen/Missing Instrument Page, listed under “Resources” on this website, offers a central reporting location for stolen bluegrass instruments. Musicians should immediately self-report stolen instruments. Used instrument buyers should check the page prior to any purchase. This is a free service. Please report when instruments are recovered.

]]> http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/21/ncbs-stolenmissing-instrument-page-under-resources/feed/ Jamming 101 With Sid Lewis Added to BOB Line-Up http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/17/jamming-101-with-sid-lewis-added-to-bob-line-up/ http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/17/jamming-101-with-sid-lewis-added-to-bob-line-up/#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:35:49 +0000 Michael Hall http://www.scbs.org/?p=450 Jammers are welcome at the NCBS Bluegrass On Broadway Festival Feb. 26-Mar. 1, 2009. Sid Lewis from Chico will lead his popular “Jamming 101” workshop on Saturday, February 28 at the free Redwood City event.

]]> http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/17/jamming-101-with-sid-lewis-added-to-bob-line-up/feed/ Dan Crary, Infamous Stringduster Films Announced For BOB Film Festival http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/16/dan-crary-infamous-stringduster-films-announced-for-bob-film-festival/ http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/16/dan-crary-infamous-stringduster-films-announced-for-bob-film-festival/#comments Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:34:41 +0000 Michael Hall http://www.scbs.org/?p=446 Two 2008 bluegrass documentary films, one featuring Dan Crary and the other The Infamous Stringdusters, have been announced for the film festival at the second annual Bluegrass On Broadway festival in Redwood City. The film event will take place on Sunday, March 1, 2009 at the Redwood City Main Library. The NCBS BOB festival will run Thursday-Sunday, February 26-March 1. All BOB events are free and open to the public. More films will be added to the program.

]]> http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/16/dan-crary-infamous-stringduster-films-announced-for-bob-film-festival/feed/ Two Weeks Reminder — GOF Band Apps Due By December 31 http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/15/two-weeks-reminder-gof-bands-apps-due-by-december-31/ http://www.scbs.org/2008/12/15/two-weeks-reminder-gof-bands-apps-due-by-december-31/#comments Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:31:00 +0000 Michael Hall http://www.scbs.org/?p=440 Band applications for the August 7-9, 2009 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival are due on December 31, 2008. The application form is here.

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