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Volume 18 Issue 4 December 2013/January 2014
GRASS CLIPPINGS
DESERT BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION
THE 2013 DBA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
The 2013 DBA Festival Committee
Tucson’s 14th
Annual Desert Bluegrass Festival By Mike Headrick, DBA Secretary & Festival Committee Chairman
Our 14th Annual festival is now “in the books” but more importantly in our
memories. It was a great weekend of bluegrass music and friends. Once again we were blessed with perfect fall weather. The festival got off to a roaring start Friday evening with another great band contest and Drop of the Hat Band Scramble. The band contest moved to a new level with 7 very talented bands joining the competition. Congratulations to the winners: 1
st
place – Cisco & the Racecars, 2nd
place – Chris & Dave, 3rd
place – O & Co. The band scramble was joined by quite a few youngsters
reminding us that bluegrass music has a strong future if we will just encourage Continued on Page 5
Newsletter Editor--John David: For information concerning letters to the editor, reviews, contributing newsletter articles, submitting Concert & Band Listing information, Contact John via phone at (520) 400-8853, e-mail, [email protected], or snail mail, 8205 E. Crooked Tree Trail, Tucson, AZ 85715
Webmaster--Andy MacLeod: For information concerning the DBA website www.desertbluegrass.org contact the webmaster at [email protected]
Membership Secretary--Mike Headrick: To join the DBA, renew a membership or submit an address change, contact Mike via phone at (520) 760-0745, email, [email protected] or snail mail, 13308 Placita el Algodon Tucson, AZ 85749
Publicity--Mike Headrick: Contact Mike at (520) 760-0745 or [email protected]
Booking Bands--Bonnie Lohman: To book a DBA band for an event, phone (520) 349-4812 or email, [email protected]
Advertising-- John David: To purchase advertising in our newsletter, contact by phone or email
How to Contact the DBA
OFFICERS
NEWSLETTER ADVERTIZING PRICES 1/4 PAGE--$25 PER ISSUE, $100 ANNUAL 1/2 PAGE--$40 PER ISSUE, $160 ANNUAL FULL PAGE--$60 PER ISSUE $240 ANNUAL CLASSIFIED ADS--$5 FOR 5 LINES OR LESS*
*DBA Members Free, Space Permitting
The opinions expressed in the DBA newsletter are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Desert Bluegrass Association, its staff or members. Reviews, concert listings, band announcements and advertising are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by the Desert Bluegrass Association. In the event of an error, our liability is limited to printing a correction. Copyright 2013,. All Rights Reserved.
PAGE 2 GRASS CLIPPINGS VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4
President:: John David (520) 400-8853 [email protected]
Vice President: Bonnie Lohman (520) 349-4812 [email protected]
Secretary: Mike Headrick (520) 760-0745 [email protected]
Treasurer: John Camm (520) 408-8092 [email protected]
TRUSTEES
Geoff Fox (520) 731-3601 [email protected]
Jo Ann Shifflet (520) 647-4496 [email protected]
Andy MacLeod (520) 237-9832 [email protected]
Jim (Doc) Reifschneider (520) 290-6615 [email protected]
Jim Sanchez (520) 869-8468 [email protected]
Charlie Sides (520) 579-5918 [email protected]
Paul “Doc” Simpson (520) 298-9746 [email protected]
PAGE 3 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
GREAT WEBSITES
Desert Bluegrass Association www.desertbluegrass.org
Arizona Bluegrass Association www.arizonabluegrass.com
Bluegrass Arizona Blog www.bluegrassarizona.blogspot.com
Daily Dose of Bluegrass; www.bluegrassonthetube.com
Bluegrass Lyrics http://bluegrasslyrics.com/
Bluegrass Tablature http://www.alltabs.com/bluegrass_tabs.php
Guitar: www.bluegrassguitar.com/
Fiddle: www.fiddlehangout.com
Banjo: www.banjohangout.org
Bass: www.bluegrassbassplace.com
Mandolin: www.mandohangout.com/
Dobro: www.reso-nation.org www.resohangout.com
PAGE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4
PAGE 5 GRASS CLIPPINGS VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4
the young pickers. Saturday brought a full day and night of great performances. It was all kicked off by the Greg Morton Band. Greg’s band has some of the best of our Tucson musicians and they showcased local bluegrass at its best. They were followed by last year’s band contest winner, the Desert Heart Bluegrass band and the always-amazing Jam Pak Blues “n” Grass Neighborhood Band. The afternoon featured a set from each of our “out of town” bands – Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado, Thomas Porter and Copper River and the Tuttles. When not listening to the performances you could visit with the vendors or attend a workshop. After a dinner break, we had our Saturday evening show in the AVA amphitheater lights with a very enthusiastic audience. Thomas Porter got things underway with a set than
included his children singing on stage. Next Jeff and Tristin Scroggins with their bandmates in Colorado put on the most energetic and lively performance that I have seen in a long time. They really got the crowd going. Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers finished the evening showing us why they won Emerging Artists of the Year for 2012. Jamming in the camp ground was still going strong at 12:30am when I had to call it a day. Sunday we enjoyed one more set from our out of town bands
including an all gospel set from the Radio Ramblers. Sunday afternoon was topped of by fine sets from Cisco & the Racecars, Desert Heart, and last but not least our own Old Pueblo Bluegrass Band. Combined with a lot of great jamming and visiting with friends, it was a wonderful weekend.
Of course, a festival like this takes a lot of work from a lot of people and we should take a moment to thank them. Start with all of the volunteers under the direction of John David. They setup the venue on Friday, staffed the entrance gates, sold memberships, tee shirts and raffle tickets at the DBA booth, chauffeured bands to and from the venue, hosted the bands back stage and tore-down the venue on Sunday. Amy Wheeler was our lead back-stage hostess, created our festival program
and coordinated our raffle. Doc Simpson, J.P. Thom-Gronachan, Pastor Joe Grizzle and Gregory Sweet handled the MC duties. Dave Polston recruited and organized all of the vendors. Jim Sanchez did an awesome job of getting great sponsors. Geoff Fox landed a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Andy MacLeod posted the latest information on our
Continued on Page 7
Tucson’s 14th
Annual Desert Bluegrass Festival (CONTINUED)
VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 PAGE 6 GRASS CLIPPINGS
Bill Breen Scruggs style banjo by ear 520-544-2418
Corrine Cortese Fiddle lessons 520-235-3199
Rudy Cortese Banjo lessons 520-954-2103
Nick Coventry Fiddle lessons 805-252-1851
Reid Griffin Guitar Instruction All Levels and Styles (520) 349-4321
Greg Morton Bluegrass Guitar lessons 520-682-2558
Andy McCune Bluegrass & clawhammer banjo, man-dolin, and beginning Dobro 520-869-6818
Peter McLaughlin Flatpick & bluegrass guitar: Beginner & advanced 520-247-1027
Dave Polston Beginning Banjo lessons 520-245-6126
Mike Purdy Guitar, mandolin & Banjo 520-318-0659
Jeff Sanders Guitar & banjo Chicago Store Eastside 850-9802
J.P. Thom-Gronachan Banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, theory 520-682-6201
Lora Staples Online Fiddle and Violin lessons RedDesertFiddle.com; RedDesertViolin.com Email: [email protected]
INSTRUCTION
BANDS
TO INSTRUCTORS AND BANDS Would you like your services, band, and or concerts listed on our website (www.desertbluegrass.org)? Current DBA members can be listed by sending their contact information to Andy MacLeod at [email protected]. Refer to the 'Links' tab on the homepage for the bands and instructors. For band concert information I will do my best to get your listing posted in a timely manner onto the 'Events - Concerts' tab. Please send me plain text with the details for the webpage. Varied fonts, colors, formatting, and inserted graphics are extremely time consuming to match in the webpage editor. A
link to a pdf flyer you provide me can be inserted from your listing on the Concerts page.
Bear Canyon Ramblers Marilyn 520-760-0479 [email protected] www.bearcanyonramblers.com
Buffelgrass Tim Barrett 520-235-3518 [email protected] www.buffelgrassband.com
Crystal Ridge Bluegrass Band Brian Davies 520-349-9497 www.MusicTucson.com
Cadillac Mountain Corrine 520-235-3199
Crucial County Corrine 520-235-3199
Dusty River Boys Rich Errico 520 818 0358 [email protected]
Greg Morton 520-682-2558
Greenwood Sidee [email protected] www.facebook.com/greenwoodsidee
Jam Pak Blues 'N' Grass Neigh-borhood Band www.jampak.com Anni Beach- 480-963-6811 Chandler, Arizona
James Reams & The Barnstormers James Reams 718-374-1086 http://ww.jamesreams.com [email protected]
Los Hombres Kenny Erickson 520-235-7473
Old Pueblo Bluegrass Reid Griffin 520-349-4321 http://www.maranafestival.com/old-pueblo-bluegrass.html
Peter McLaughlin 520-247-1027
Rusty Strings Klyle Stall 520-709-1279 [email protected]
Superstition Ridge Bluegrass Band Larry Martell 480-588-5552 [email protected]
The Bost Family Tradition Jeff Bost 520-432-5053 [email protected]
The 2 Lazy 2 Ranch Band John Hall 520-647-1234
The Real Deal Band Francisco Briseno 520-251-7183 www.facebook.com/realdealband [email protected]
Titan Valley Warheads Ed Davenport 520-904-6050 www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/The-Titan-Valley-Warheads/161939573828277
Way Out West Emmy Creigh 520-323-0704
Whistle Stop Carol Pearse 970-375-9428 [email protected] www.whistlestopbluegrass.com
VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 PAGE 7 GRASS CLIPPINGS
website and sold tickets on-line as well as leading the venue set-up and tear-down. John Hooper procured our festival tee shirts and kept the stage show running on time. Joe Reighley coordinated our band contest. Jack McMeekin ran our workshops. Bonnie Lohman kept the money straight. Doug Nelson donated his talent as a graphics artist in designs for our flyers, posters, program cover and tee shirts. Jeff Collins was our campground host. Our friends at Old Blue Sound provided the best in sound reinforcement. THANKS to everyone who made this event happen.
We owe Sol Casinos a GREAT BIG THANK YOU for hosting our festival. The AVA Amphitheater is simply an awesome facility and working with the AVA staff, particularly Woody Fuentes, was a delight. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. This venue was high on everyone’s list of what they liked best about the festival.
We work very hard at financing the festival so that we may provide the best talent at affordable prices. Thanks to our festival sponsors for their support. They have supported us and I urge you to support them. Thanks to our festival patrons for going the extra mile with their generosity. Thanks to the Arizona Commission on the Arts for their grant. Thanks to each of you who bought tee shirt or raffle ticket.
So kick back, relax and enjoy the afterglow. Soon enough we will need to get to work on next year. If you are not already helping with the festival, please consider joining the festival committee next year. We need to have new people with fresh ideas and we need to not “burn-out” those who have worked so hard. If you are interested contact me and we can discuss the possibilities. You may reach me at 520-760-0745 or [email protected].
Tucson’s 14th
Annual Desert Bluegrass Festival (CONTINUED)
Editor’s Note: Due to the current number of time-sensitive articles and newsletter space limitations, some photo coverage of the 14th DBA Fall Bluegrass Festival will be deferred until the February/March issue.
PAGE 8 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
THANKS TO OUR FESTIVAL SPONSORS
The Folk Shop
Roadrunner Lock & Safe
Lazydays RV
Century Link
Music & Arts
eegee’s
Rainbow Guitar
In-n-Out Burger
Brooke Miner
THANKS TO OUR FESTIVAL PATRONS
R. Brian Davies, D.D.S.
Dan & Aina Dickerson
Geoff & Helen Fox
Hank Hasenpat & Marny Nilsen
Mike & Betty Headrick
Jam Pak Blues ‘N’ Grass in memory of Vincent Beach & Debi Stone
Bonnie & Jim Lohman
Andy MacLeod
Gerry & Barbara Miller
The Station Pub & Grill
S&S Promotions
A big thanks to all of you who volunteered at this year’s DBA Festival. We all worked together and the help of ALL volunteers made our 14th DBA Festival a success. All operations went very smoothly from the setup, Front Gate, DBA Booth, Raffle Booth, T-Shirt sales, Backstage, vendors, camping/RV support and final teardown.
I sure appreciate everyone who volunteered this year. Using the Sign Up Website proved to be an excellent way of volunteering. I learned some lessons that will help make the volunteer program sign up for the Marana Festival and our 15th DBA Festival next year go more error free and easier.
If any one has any suggestions to make things work even better feel free to contact me with your thoughts. Just email me at [email protected].
Again, thanks to all who helped this year.
John David, Volunteer Coordinator.
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! By John David, DBA President
PAGE 9 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
JIM “DOC” REIFSCHNEIDER RECEIVES TURQUOISE AWARD
By Mike Headrick, DBA Secretary
The fifth recipient of The Desert Bluegrass Association's Turquoise Award is Jim “Doc” Reifschneider. The turquoise award is an annual recognition given to a DBA member who displays outstanding service to our bluegrass community. The recipient is determined by the prior recipients. The award was given at our 14th Annual Desert Bluegrass Festival.
Jim Reifschneider was raised on a farm in Oregon and remains something of a farm boy to this day. "You can take the boy away from the farm but you can't take the farm away from the boy"!! He received his medical degree from the Oregon Health & Science University and has practiced medicine in Tucson for most of his career.
Doc has been active in the Tucson music scene for many years with focus on traditional old-time bluegrass music. The DBA archives show that he joined in October 1997. Doc served as DBA president in 2002. In 2009 he was elected DBA Treasurer and served with distinction for 2 weeks until he found a replacement. Doc has served on the DBA board as a trustee ever since.
For many years, Doc organized jams on the east-side. It was first at the Kick-start Bar and then at the Casa Vallarta Mexican Restaurant. He worked very hard at assuring that the jam had a full band of pickers and that the quality of music was good. He pioneered the idea by example that every jam needed to have a jam leader. Doc owns great sound systems and he has been both generous and hardworking in providing a system for DBA use.
In recent years, Doc has been the DBAs presence on 4th Avenue. He has worked with the 4th Avenue Merchant’s Association to give concerts at various locations on 4th Avenue. From those concerts grew the band “Unusual Suspects” which performed at our festival last year.
Doc has been a solid advocate for Bluegrass Music in Southern Arizona for decades and a most deserving recipient of the Turquoise Award.
PAGE 10 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
THE 2013 DBA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL BAND CONTEST WINNERS
First Place Cisco & The Racecars
Second Place Third Place Chris & Dave O & Co.
PAGE 13 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
THE 2013 DBA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL ON STAGE
Greg Morton & the Gila Woodpeckers
Greg Sweet - MC
Continued on Page 12
Desert Heart Bluegrass Band
2 Lazy 2 Ranch Band Contest Participant
PAGE 12 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
THE 2013 DBA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL ON STAGE (CONTINUED)
Desert Heart Bluegrass Band
Jam Pak Blues ’n’ Grass Neighborhood Band
Bill Paul & the Southern Comfort Band Band Contest Participant
Continued on Page 16
J.P. Thom-Gronachan-MC
PAGE 11 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
DBA AT THE VAIL COUNTY FAIR
The Desert
Bluegrass Band
performed just
outside Thurber Hall
during the Vail
County Fair on
Saturday at the
Pima County
Fairgrounds, 11300
S. Houghton Road.
The band is made
up of members of
the Desert
Bluegrass
Association.
PAGE 14 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4
1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 0 2 1
2 2 2 3 2 4 2 5 2 6 2 7 2 8
2 9 3 0 3 1 WORKSHOP (EAST SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Christ Community Church
7801 E Kenyon Dr
JAM
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Emeritus Senior Living
8151 E. Speedway
WORKSHOP (EAST SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Christ Community Church
7801 E Kenyon Dr
JAM
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Pinnacle Peak Restaurant
6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Marana Community Center
13251 N Lon Adams Rd., Marana
WORKSHOP (EAST SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Christ Community Church
7801 E Kenyon Dr
WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Marana Community Center
13251 N Lon Adams Rd., Marana
WORKSHOP (EAST SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Christ Community Church
7801 E Kenyon Dr
JAM
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Udall Park Ramada
7200 E. Tanque Verde Road
WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Marana Community Center
13251 N Lon Adams Rd., Marana
JAM
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Music & Arts
8320 Thornydale Rd Suite 150/170
D BA Ev e nts
D ec em ber 2 0 13
WORKSHOP (EAST SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Christ Community Church
7801 E Kenyon Dr
JAM
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Thirsty’s Neigh-borhood Grill
2422 N. Pantano
PAGE 15 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1
1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8
1 9 2 0 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 5
2 6 2 7 2 8 2 9 3 0
JAM
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Emeritus Senior Living
8151 E. Speedway
WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Marana Community Center
13251 N Lon Adams Rd., Marana
WORKSHOP (EAST SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Christ Community Church
7801 E Kenyon Dr
JAM
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Thirsty’s Neigh-borhood Grill
2422 N. Pantano
JAM
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Pinnacle Peak Restaurant
6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Marana Community Center
13251 N Lon Adams Rd., Marana
WORKSHOP (EAST SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Christ Community Church
7801 E Kenyon Dr
JAM
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Music & Arts
8320 Thornydale Rd Suite 150/170
CLINIC Fiddle
Nick Coventry 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Chicago Music Store
5646 E. Speedway
WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Marana Community Center
13251 N Lon Adams Rd., Marana
WORKSHOP (EAST SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Christ Community Church
7801 E Kenyon Dr
WORKSHOP (EAST SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Christ Community Church
7801 E Kenyon Dr
JAM
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Udall Park Ramada
7200 E. Tanque Verde Road
D BA Ev e nts
J a nua ry 20 1 4
WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Marana Community Center
13251 N Lon Adams Rd., Marana
PAGE 16 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
THE 2013 DBA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL ON STAGE (CONTINUED)
Thomas Porter & Copper River
Pastor Joe Grizzle—MC
The Tuttles
Dust Devils Band Contest Participant
Continued on Page 17
PAGE 171 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
THE 2013 DBA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL ON STAGE (CONTINUED)
Jeff Scroggins & Colorado Paul “Doc” Simpson - MC
Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow Band Contest Participant
Continued on Page 18
PAGE 18 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
THE 2013 DBA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL ON STAGE (CONTINUED)
Old Pueblo Bluegrass Band
WHAT DOES SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION HAVE TO DO WITH BLUEGRASS?
By Jim Sanchez, DBA Trustee
Let’s begin with the definition of Six Degrees of Separation. Six degrees of separation is the theory that anyone on the planet can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more than five intermediaries. The theory was first proposed in 1929 by the Hungarian writer Frigyes Karinthy in a short story called "Chains."
Who would have thought that by doing a bluegrass jam we would have the opportunity to meet the grandson of a famous rock star with roots in bluegrass music? Roger McGuinn was a founding member of the Byrds as was David Crosby of Crosby Stills and Nash. Their big hits were “Hey, Mr.
Tambourine Man” and “Turn, Turn Turn”. A later member of the Byrds was
THE DBA BRINGS BLUEGRASS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS By Jim Sanchez & JoAnn Shifflet
Continued on Page 19
PAGE 19 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
Clarence White, the founding member of the Kentucky Colonels. The link below is a YouTube video of Earl Scruggs jamming with the Byrds and his son. Clarence White is the guitar player with dark hair and full beard and mustache, Roger McGuinn is the singer who starts the second song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWXulD-gxuw
The DBA’s Treasurer, Nannette Akins, asked me if I would have my band, Saguaro Sunset Bluegrass Band, play for Sky Island High School on October 4th. Since most bluegrass bands have members that work for a living, it’s tough to schedule a performance at 11:00 AM in the morning. I told Nannette I would try my best to put together a jam group from our Marana Wednesday workshop. This resulted in the following: Dave Polston-Banjo, Jim Sanchez-Guitar, Jeff Collins-Mando, Jason Otto-Dobro, Sue Elsclager-Fiddle and Gene & Jolene Berg-Bass & Banjo also agreed to participate. We felt the band was successful in educating these young people with our music as well as imparting a little history on the origin of bluegrass music and some of the greats who played this totally Americana music. Dave Polston gave a great explanation of this history and the role played by each of the acoustic instruments that make up a bluegrass band.
Jamming for these High School students provided us the opportunity to reach out with our music and promote both the DBA and its Mission Statement. Two students actually jammed with us and they did really well. One played guitar and the other Banjo and they each took
Continued on Page 20
WHAT DOES SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION HAVE TO DO WITH BLUEGRASS?
(CONTINUED)
PAGE 20 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
BLUEGRASS IN OUR SCHOOLS By Jo Ann Shifflet, DBA Trustee
At our last DBA board meeting there was much discussion on the subject of how we can get our younger generation to learn to appreciate Bluegrass music. I teach music at Hudlow Elementary which is a title 1 school where there are not a lot of funds for assemblies so it is always a treat when I bring my Bluegrass friends into my school to put on a show.
I'll never forget two years ago I was able to have Bill Evans come to my school and with a few other bluegrass musicians we put on a great show. Bill told the history of the banjo and brought and played some very ancient looking examples of early banjos. What a treat! The best part for me was when he invited me to play "Dueling Banjos" with him, on stage in front of my children, I was so nervous, I mean we are
talking about Bill Evans the best banjo picker in the world and I was playing a duet with him! Wow! I saw Bill at Bluegrass camp last summer and he told me he still remembered coming to my school and what a great time he had. Thanks to Marshall Vest for making that possible.
On November 5th my friends started arriving at my school at 12:30 PM so we could warm up and run through a few songs. We had only had one practice prior to this show but we were ready! Soon the children started filing in and we began our show with "All American Bluegrass Girl". I sang this song and the kids
loved seeing
breaks to our surprise. This leads me to this article’s title re: Six Degrees of Separation. The young boy who played the banjo is the grandson of Roger McGuinn and it appears he could be headed for a career in music as did his grandfather. So this is the chain of events. Jim Sanchez meets James McGuinn, grandson of Roger McGuinn who played with Earl Scruggs and also played with Clarence White. (5 intermediaries). Although my connection with this young man was brief, I believe it was a positive musical experience for him. Who knows, this encounter may somehow contribute to his seeking a career in music and maybe it will be bluegrass!! The End or is it the Beginning?
WHAT DOES SIX DEGREES OF SEPERATION HAVE TO DO WITH BLUEGRASS?
(CONTINUED)
Continued on Page 21
PAGE 21 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
their music teacher on stage singing to them with a band and they cheered and clapped wildly. Then Jim Sanchez did a wonderful job as he took the stage and instructed the children on how to help us sing "Mamma Don't Allow". The children contributed the hand clapping and finger snapping portion of the song and did a fine job. The next song was all about a dog and what kind of life they lead. Bob Sisco led on the Dobro "The Dog Song" and the children helped sing this song by making sure they howled and barked at the appropriate times to make the song really fun. The next song was performed by Don Domkowski, he did a fine
job on "Old Susanna" and some of the kids knew a few of the words and sang along. My dear friend Leslie Tuck sang the next song. It was titled "Alberta Bound". Leslie is from Canada but every October if they are able they make the trek down here to Tucson, AZ, for our annual Bluegrass Festival. They stay for two or three weeks down here and visit, jam and volunteer at my school. Leslie is a retired school teacher and enjoys giving back the gift of music and always comes into my classroom to give each of my music classes a lesson on music appreciation and teaches a couple of fun songs which I use in my current curriculum.
Then Bill Beach got up and sang a fun song called "The Fox". He told a cute story and changed his voice for each character he sang about and the kids loved it. Next up my extremely talented friend Bob Frankot who took the microphone and explained to the children about how a High School teacher named Jimmy Driftwood wanted to teach his students about the War of 1812 and he did it in the form of a song. So Bob led us in "The 8
th of January." I sang as
many of the lyrics as I could remember and the children loved it and clapped to the rhythm.
The concert ended with my friend Leslie leading the children in the "Crawdad Song". She had already instructed most of my classes to echo the words
BLUEGRASS IN OUR SCHOOLS (CONTINUED)
Continued on Page 22
VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 PAGE 22 GRASS CLIPPINGS
BLUEGRASS IN OUR SCHOOLS (CONTINUED)
“honey” and “Babe” so they knew what to do and we all had a good time singing together while my friends and I accompanied the children.
My favorite part about our concert was the excitement created by the children when they clapped their hands and sang along with us. In turn we were able to feed off that energy and it felt pretty good.
Even today as I walk down the halls of my school the children and teachers comment on what a fun concert we put on and how much they enjoyed it.
Putting on a short concert in a public school is one way to generate interest and enthusiasm
about Bluegrass music. If anyone in the association would like to get involved with projects such as this one you are free to contact any of us on the board and we can talk further about spreading the joy of bluegrass music.
PAGE 23 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 GRASS CLIPPINGS
VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 PAGE 24 GRASS CLIPPINGS
Southern AZ Old Time Fiddlers Assn. Southwest Community Center Cardinal Ave, Tucson, AZ Tuesday 7 PM Info: Wilbur 520-743-7086 Catalina Mountain Chapter of the AZ Old Time Fiddlers Association 3rd Monday at 7 PM Info: Laura 520-743-9491
Tradition Acoustic Bluegrass Jam Sessions Tempe, AZ Wednesday 7-10 PM Call for confirmation of dates Info: Howard or Susan 480-897-7425
Saddlebrooke Jam 38759 S Mountain View Blvd Workshop at 2:30 pm Jam 4-6 pm Info: Rich 520-881-0358
Open Mic at The Hut on 4th Ave Every other Monday 6:30 PM Info: Rudy [email protected] Kibbey’s Jam and Open Mic Info: Jim Howard, 520-825-9413 Twin Lakes Drive, Catalina, AZ Every Friday Night 6:30 PM–9:00 PM 1st Baptist Church Jam and Open Mic Wilds Road, Catalina, Arizona Info: Jim Howard, 520-825-9413 Every Saturday, 6:30 PM-9:00 PM
Anderson’s Traditional Acoustic BLUEGRASS Jam Sessions The Anderson's, Tempe, AZ Info: Howard & Susan Anderson - (480)897-7425 Howard's web sites: www.astroshow.com & www.AZcendant.com Howard’s email: [email protected] Susan's web site: www.carcinoidinfo.info Susan's e-mail: [email protected] ALL jams, will be held on the 2nd Wed. evening each month, 7 P.M. until 10 P.M. (NO JAM IN SEPT)
JAMS & OPEN MICS DBA sponsored jams are listed at www.desertbluegrass.org & on the enclosed calendar.
VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 PAGE 25 GRASS CLIPPINGS
As some of you may know, Nannette Aiken, our hardworking DBA Treasurer, has been very sick with Pneumonia. She spent several weeks in the hospital, most of the time in the ICU but she is now on the mend. We have received the following
message from her.
“I am home and getting better everyday. We will be closing Tuller School on 12/20/13 and then refocus on God's path for the Sisters and myself. Thank you all for you support and Prayers. Please, pass this on to everyone.
Many Blessing, Nannette”
Nannette has asked that a replacement for her as DBA Treasurer be found as her time now has to be focused on her medical and school challenges. The DBA Board and membership thank you, Nannette, for all your help over the past two years. You are always welcome at our table.
NANNETTE AIKEN UPDATE
VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 PAGE 26 GRASS CLIPPINGS
JAM AT TOWN OF MARANA SENIOR PICNIC By Jim Sanchez, DBA Trustee
The Town of Marana asked me
(Jim Sanchez) if we could have a
couple of players come and play
bluegrass music for the senior
picnic. Well since the Town has
been really good to us by letting
us use the community center/
senior center I decided to put
together more and just a few
jammers. The above list are the
jammers who attended and had a
great time playing for them even
taking some requests. We also
enjoyed the fried chicken lunch
provided!! Klyle Stahl brought his Hi-Tech sound equipment and we enjoyed the ability to sound like
a real bluegrass band.
VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 PAGE 27 GRASS CLIPPINGS
ASSOCIATIONS
Arizona Bluegrass Association 7257 N. 50th Dr. Glendale, AZ 85301 Jan Zales--Chair [email protected] www.azbluegrass.org
International Bluegrass Music Association 2 Music Circle South, Suite 100 Nashville, TN 37203 615-256-3222 Toll Free: 1-888-438-4262 http://www.ibma.org
International Bluegrass Music Museum Museum Entrance: 117 Daviess Street Mailing Address: 207 East Second Street Owensboro, KY 42303 270-926-7891 888-MY BANJO (toll-free)
So. Arizona Old Time Fiddlers Association 3020 W. Avenida Cresta Tucson, AZ 85745 Info: Wilbur 520-743-7086
Tucson Friends of Traditional Music Info: 520-408-6181 www.tftm.org
Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association PO Box 26531 Tucson, AZ 85726 www.tkma.org
Tucson Old Time Music Circle [email protected] Brad 520-818-0260 www.totmc.org
Edward Taczanowsky Oro Valley Debbie Chendanda Marana Jim, Joy & Kelly Carey Tucson Sam & Martha Erdem Tucson Joe Gorta Tucson Elizabeth Randol Box Elder, SD Gary Hall Tucson Joe Wilkie Tucson Bob Groendyke Tucson Marc Brown Tucson Kenneth Snyder Tucson Paul Lauritzen Tucson
James Parkerson Green Valley Ginny Riley & Nicky Nicastro Buckeye Tex & Lois Dasher Faywood, NM Debbie & Dennis Umber Desert Hills Robert Henry Tucson William Tearney Tucson Cinder Mountain Bluegrass Band Sun City Bailey Hesson Tucson Mark Raborn Sullivan, MO Diane Shrager Catalina Seth Basker Tucson William & Sherry Kaplan Tucson
WELCOME TO OUR NEW & RETURNING MEMBERS New Members:
JOHN CAMM IS NEW DBA TREASURER
John Camm has volunteered to take over the DBA treasurer’s job from Nannette
Aiken. John was born in “beautiful downtown” Burbank, but grew up in Ohio, and
later in life was transplanted first to New York City, and then to Tucson. A long-
time senior financial officer with the Hobart Corporation, John is a CPA and now has
an individual tax practice in Tucson. He grew up listening to “the classics” (Beatles,
Beach Boys, Grateful Dead, etc..), but fell in love with bluegrass during his freshman year of college
via “The Nitty-Gritty Dirt Band – Will the Circle be Unbroken” album. A DBA member since 2004,
John plays 5-string banjo (early ‘60’s Bowtie Mastertone) and guitar, plus loves to sing harmony.
DESERT BLUEGRASS ASS OCIATION 8205 E . CROOKED TREE TRAIL TUCSON, AZ 85715
First name: Last name:
Street Address: City: State: Zip:
Home phone: Cell phone:
Email address:
Do you wish to be included in the Membership Directory? (check one) YesNo
What instruments do you play? Banjo BassFiddle Guitar MandolinResonator Guitarother
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL FORM
A NON-PROFIT VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION
Membership dues for the Desert Bluegrass Association are $20 annually per family, due March 1st, and includes bulk mailing of the bi-monthly newsletter to each member. Members joining after November of any year will have their membership extended through the next year. Those joining before November must renew the following March 1st.
Complete this form then mail it, along with your personal check or money order payable to Desert Bluegrass Association, to:
Mike Headrick (DBA Membership Secretary) 13308 Placita el Algodon
Tucson, AZ 85749
WWW.DesertBluegrass.org
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
TUCSON, ARIZONA
PERMIT NO. 1830
MEMBER OF THE DESERT BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION
Cut out this box The mailing label is now your DBA membership card
December 2013/January 2014 Volume 18 Issue 4