July/Aug - Northern California Bluegrass Society

2
Publication of the Northern California Bluegrass Society
For additional information, visit www.
www.ncbs.us
July/August 2016
Editor: Linda L. Descoteaux
Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Aug. 11-14
Kitchen Help
elp returns to the Good Old Fashioned line-up
The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival will be held August 11
11-14,
14, 2016 at the San Benito County
Count
Historical Park in Tres Pinos. The festival's new home is in the same beautiful valley as Bolado Park and
has more shade, more grass, a historical village, festival camping, and improved facilities. The festival is
a benefit for the Northern California Bluegrass Society and has some of the best jamming around.
In this issue
Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival
Dr. Ralph Stanley Tribute
Good Old Fashioned Ticket Order Form
NCBS Board Candidate Statements
NCBS Board Election Ballot
Beyond the Holler
Fresh off the Griddle
Venues, Festivals & Concerts
Gryphon Stringed Instruments
Bluegrass By The Bay
Here is the main stage line-up:
up: Amazing Dr. Zarcon’s
Breathing Machine, Barwick & Siegfried, Blue Summit,
Brookdale Bluegrass Band, Cliff Compton and
Mountaintop, Courthouse Ramblers, Damdave & The
Left-Hand
Hand Band, The Dim Lights, Extended Roots, Glad
to Be Here, GrassKickers, Kids on Stage, Kitchen Help,
Mountain Fire Band, One Button Suit, Pacific Drive,
Rambling Minors, Shepherd Canyon Band, Sidesaddle &
Co., Sidetrack, Stray Hollow, Susie Glaze & The
Hilonesome Band, The Vivants, Vintage
Vintag Grass, and the
Wildcat Mountain Ramblers. For more information on
the festival, or to volunteer, visit www.ncbs.us.
www.ncbs.us
Page 1
Iconic Bluegrass Pioneer Ralph Stanley, Carter’s Brother & Leader Of
The Clinch Mountain Boys, Dies At Age 89
by Michael Hall
Iconic bluegrass pioneer Ralph Stanley, the quiet, shy half of
The Stanley Brothers who, following the sudden 1966 loss of
his brother Carter persevered to achieve international fame,
died on June 23, 2016 at age 89.
Following his brother’s death, he led Ralph Stanley & The
Clinch Mountain Boys until a week before his passing, when
he announced that he was giving the band to his son and
performing partner Ralph Stanley II.
Banjo player and singer Stanley was revered as the senior
surviving performer of the first generation of bluegrass
musicians. His career spanned over seven decades, not even
ending with his long-announced “retirement” at the end of
2014.
Although The Stanley Brothers were famously overlooked by
the Country Music Hall Of Fame, Ralph Stanley was an early
admittee to the International Bluegrass Hall Of Honor (now
the International Bluegrass Hall Of Fame). He also held the
Dr. Ralph Stanley, 1926 - 2016
most utilized Honorary Doctorate ever granted. The honor
was bestowed in 1976 by Lincoln Memorial University, and added to his formal education that ended after
only a few years in elementary school. For the remainder of his life, he was known and formally addressed by
all true bluegrass fans as Dr. Ralph Stanley. Stanley was honored with a second Honorary Doctorate from Yale
University in 2014, along with many other honors.
Onstage, Dr. Stanley was low-key, earnest, and sincere. He spoke slowly and carefully, always commanding
the respect and attention of his fans between songs. The thrill for his listeners came from his banjo and his
signature high lonesome vocals. His vocals cried and soared with the terrible pain of his lyrics. His most
famous performance for the general public came in the Hollywood film Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, when he
sang the old tune Oh, Death. His other big hit, the banjo instrumental The Clinch Mountain Backstep, was best
known to hard-core bluegrass fans. Along the way, he popularized Man Of Constant Sorrow and Rank
Stranger, among many other bluegrass standards.
Ralph Stanley did not come easily into the bluegrass fold. For many years, he called his music “mountain
music,” and strongly resisted having his music grouped with that of other bluegrass pioneers. In his later
years, he changed course and fully embraced his critical role in having established and popularized the
bluegrass genre.
Perhaps more than any of the other bluegrass creators, he rejected off-mountain musical influences, and
played his music clear, clean, straight, simple, and unadorned. In important ways, his music was significantly
more “hard-core” than other famous progenitors of the bluegrass style, including the Father Of Bluegrass
Music Bill Monroe.
Dr. Ralph first performed in church and, with his brother, enjoyed a long pre-fame run on radio stations WNVA
and WCYB (”The Farm And Fun Hour” at noon each weekday) along the Tennessee/Virginia border. These
1950s programs established the band and led it to national stature.
Ralph Edmund Stanley was born February 25, 1927 in the rural community of Big Spraddle Creek, Dickenson
County, Virginia. He is survived by his wife Jimmi Stanley and his children, Lisa Stanley Marshall, Tonya Armes
Stanley and Ralph Stanley II.
Bluegrass By The Bay
Page 2
Bluegrass By The Bay
Page 3
Candidate Statements
Northern California Bluegrass Society - Board of Directors
Penny Godlis
Being on the board of
directors for the
Northern California
Bluegrass Society is
both fun and
challenging. I enjoy
working with the many
wonderful volunteers
who are the backbone
of our events. We
could not do the
programs we do
without each and
every one of you. I
have been on the
festival committee for
the Good Old
Fashioned Bluegrass Festival since its beginning, 23
years ago. Promoting Bluegrass and related music is
very rewarding to me. Encouraging new musicians,
bands and children to keep bluegrass music alive by
performing is a personal goal of mine. I enjoy helping at
the concerts, festivals and in planning new events. I
would like to continue to serve on the board of
directors. Sincerely, Penny Godlis
Bruce Edmundson
I have been an
active bluegrass
music volunteer
with
NCBS/SCBS and
Redwood
Bluegrass
Associates for
many years,
and plan to
continue to help
with the GOF
and other
activities as well
as continuing to
serve as the
Treasurer. I
would
appreciate your
vote so that I
can continue to be part of the bluegrass team.
Bluegrass By The Bay
Michael Hall
Bruce Bellochio
Bluegrass -- not just
music, but a way of life!
Your Northern California
Bluegrass Society has
had a great year! A new
home for the Good Old
Fashioned Bluegrass
Festival, plus Bluegrass
On Broadway, the Santa
Cruz Bluegrass Fair, and
the Foggy Mountain
Bluegrass Festival are
just the beginning.
Thanks for your support
as we make plans for
the coming year! See
you where the music is!
I have enjoyed my
experiences with
the NCBS over the
last year, whether
showing our booth
at festivals and
bluegrass shows to
working at the
GOF in August. I
feel that we as a
board have made
some major
changes in the last
year, and I look
forward to the new
challenges as we move forward in the coming years.
Eric Burman
Count me in,
again. I'll work
hard to put on a
good festival for
you.
Page 4
Mike Russell
I've enjoyed
being a part of
the NCBS Board
of Directors
sin
ince 2007. My
passion is
producing a
radio program
for the local
bluegrass scene
which provides
an avenue for
bands to
showcase their
talents live on the radio. I look forward to another great
year in 2016-2017.. Thank you for your support!
Mike Fisher
I have been on tthe
Board off and on for
over eleven years and
been GOF gate chair
for close to twenty
years. I am again
running form the
board although I
would gladly give up
that position to
younger people who
may want a chance to
serve. We need new
blood to help run our
organization. Please, if you have the time, volunteer for
the GOF or the board.
David Field
As a life
member of the
NCBS, and a
long time
volunteer, it
feels like this is
the right time to
try to be on the
board of the
Society. As an
active musician,
I love what the
Society does for
traditional music and related sub-genres,
genres, and I look
forward to promoting the heck out of them! I hope to
have your support to do my support of these arts.
Bluegrass By The Bay
Page 5
Official Ballot
Annual Election
Northern California Bluegrass Society
Board of Directors
Enter Member # from Mailing Label:
1st Member #
2nd Member #
Top of Ballot to be removed
after verification and before counting.
Voter
#1
Vote for no more than 9
candidates.
Voter
#2
Candidate
Bruce Bellochio
Eric Burman
Bruce Edmundson
David Field
Mike Fisher
Penny Godlis
Michael Hall
Mike Russell
Write-in
in Candidate(s):
Vote in person at the annual
meeting or by mail.
Annual Meeting: Bring ballot to the Good
Old Fashioned Festival,
Festival Bolado Park, Tres
Pinos, CA and deposit it in the ballot box
on Saturday, August 13,
1 2016 between
10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Mail:: Mail ballot to NCBS, PO Box 390846,
Mountain View, CA 94039-0846.
94039
Mailed
ballots must be received on or before
Monday, August 8, 2016.
2016
Beyond the Holler
by Linda L. Descoteaux
The Mountain Men Collective descends from
Mariposa to San Francisco for a Red, White, &
Bluegrass show at the Plough & Stars on July 2.
www.theploughandstars.com
Steep Ravine and American Nomad are among the
bands slated to play on July 2 at the inaugural Sonoma
Mountain Music Celebration, to be held at Five Springs
Farm in Petaluma (4497 Old Adobe Road).
www.sonomamountainmusic.com
Join Peter Rowan at his 7th Annual Bluegrass Birthday
Party at Rancho Nicasio’s BBQ on the Lawn on July 3rd
at 4 p.m. www.ranchonicasio.com
The King of Telluride and the Father of Newgrass, Mr.
Sam Bush, takes the stage with his band at Berkeley’s
Freight & Salvage on July 9 at 8 p.m. Pay homage.
Songs from Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley’s new CD,
The Country Blues, are sure to be on the set list for
their July 9 show (8 p.m.) at the Sebastopol
Community Center Annex, and July 10 at 6 p.m. at the
Split Rock Ranch in Ukiah. www.robandtrey.com
The Green Music Center’s 2nd Annual Bluegrass Festival
take place at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park
on July 10. The David Grisman Bluegrass
Experience features not one, but two Grismans, David
and Samson, as well as California bluegrass stalwarts
Keith Little, Jim Nunally, and Chad Manning.
With Sam Bush and the Jeff Austin Band on the bill,
you won’t want to miss this NCBS-welcomed event. The
Festival starts at 3 p.m. gmc.sonoma.edu
The Paul McKenna Band’s new CD, Paths That Wind,
is aptly named for a foray into original folk music
influenced by their Scottish traditional roots. Their
summer tour takes them to The Back Room in Berkeley
(July 14, 8 p.m.), The Plough and Stars in San
Francisco (July 16, 9 p.m.) and Don Quixotes in Felton
(July 17, 7 p.m.). www.paulmckennaband.com
Bay area favorites High Country are featured at The
Back Room in Berkeley (1984 Bonita Ave.) on July 16 at
8 p.m. backroommusic.com
On July 21 at 8:30 p.m., the Grateful Bluegrass
Boys and Achilles Wheel each play a set at Moe’s
Alley in Santa Cruz, followed by a joint tribute to the
Grateful Dead’s Reckoning album. www.moesalley.com
The show is also offered the following evening at San
Francisco’s Great American Musical Hall at 8:30 p.m.
www.slimspresents.com
Bluegrass By The Bay
The second Foggy Mountain Bluegrass Festival will
be held on Sunday, July 24 at The Surf Spot in Pacifica.
Performances begin at 11 a.m. and include Festival
Speed, The Dim Lights, The Redwood Ramblers,
Sara Rodenburg, and the Foggy Coast Kids. Good
food and drink will be available. The FREE event is
presented by The Surf Spot Restaurant and welcomed
by the Northern California Bluegrass Society.
The Shepherd Canyon Band heads to The Back
Room in Berkeley on July 30 for an 8 p.m.
performance. backroommusic.com
Dave Holodiloff’s Bluegrass Band celebrates Jerry
Garcia’s birthday in Felton with a bluegrass tribute at
Don Quixotes on August 1 at 7:30 p.m.
www.donquixotesmusic.info
Members of Houston Jones have regrouped as The
Jones Gang, with Travis Jones on vocals and guitar,
Henry Salvia on piano and accordion, Peter Tucker
on percussion, and Joshua Zucker on bass. Enjoy an
intimate trio performance in Berkeley on July 1 at
8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Avenue.
Saddle up and see the full gang at Don Quixotes on
August 7 at 7 p.m. and at the San Gregorio General
Store on August 28 at 2 p.m. www.thejonesgang.com
From Quebec comes De Temps Antan, a three man
powerhouse of traditional music featuring dueling
harmonica and fiddle leads, strong harmonies, and a
whole lot of charisma. See them at Don Quixotes on
August 21 at 7 p.m. www.donquixotesmusic.info
Three stellar musicians--Laurie Lewis, Robin
Flowers, and Suzy Thompson—perform at the
Freight & Salvage on August 21 at 8 p.m. Look
forward to bluegrass, acoustic blues, and old-time
music.
Three-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year Claire
Lynch and her band perform on August 27 at
7:30 p.m. at the Twisted Oak Winery in Vallecito (on
Red Hill Road and Highway 4 between Angels Camp
and Murphys). www.twistedoak.com/concerts2016
Sam’s Bar-B-Que in San Jose (1110 S. Bascom Ave.)
serves up slabs of home-grown bluegrass on Tuesdays
and Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The JulyAugust menu includes Bean Creek (July 5, Aug. 2);
Sidesaddle & Co. (July 6 & 20, Aug. 3 & 17),
Carolina Special (July 12, Aug. 6), Dark Hollow
(July 13, Aug. 10), Cabin Fever (July 19, Aug. 16),
Slide Road (July 26, Aug. 23), Loganville (July 27,
Aug. 24), Leftover Crow (Aug. 30), and Matt &
George and Their Pleasant Valley Boys (Aug. 31).
Page 6
Fresh Off the Griddle
Evie Ladin Band
Jump the Fire, ©2016
www.evieladin.com
by Linda L. Descoteaux
Evie Ladin’s
earthy voice and
clawhammer
banjo are at the
heart of this new
release; the stark
and traditionallystyled Ease on
Down and Under
the Waterline
need no
embellishment.
Jump the Fire and Walking in a Straight Line are
punctuated by the percussive genius of Keith
Terry; his harmonies with Erik Pearson on the
latter add a Hot Licks twist. The band saddles up
for country-western territory in Drinking About
You, and slithers into the jazzy Have It All; indeed,
you can have it all on this multi-genre gem.
The Danberrys
Give & Receive, ©2016
www.thedanberrys.com
Dorothy Daniel and
Ben DeBerry (hence
The Danberrys) offer
ten original songs
that chronicle the
depth of human
emotion. Contributors
to this album include
Sam Grisman (bass),
Christian Sedelmeyer
(violin), Kyle Tuttle
(banjo) and producer Ethan Ballinger (mandolin).
Receive, a message of hope and renewal, is awash
in classic country harmonies embraced by
enchanting violin. Dorothy Daniel’s gentle and
mournful Lady Belle expresses heartache with Celtic
overtones. Get Back Home is a standout track; with
simple melody and coaxing harmonies that beg to
be sung around a campfire with friends.
Bluegrass By The Bay
Nefesh Mountain
Nefesh Mountain, ©2016
www.nefeshmountain.com
What do you do
after creating
award-winning
children’s
albums, being
lauded at the
International
Jewish Music
Festival in
Amsterdam,
and writing a
cookbook? Doni
Zasloff (a.k.a.
Mama Doni) and Erik Lindberg artfully meld Jewish
prayer and text with bluegrass in what may be
their crowning accomplishment. Although the two
can solidly stand their own ground, guest artists
Sam Bush, Rob Ickes, Mark Schatz, and Gary
Oleyar add luscious layers that make this offering
a standout.
Special Consensus
Long I Ride ©2016
Compass Records, compassrecords.com
Banjo master and
Special C founder
Greg Cahill leads
band mates Dan
Eubanks, Rick
Faris, and Nick
Dumas in an
exquisite musical
celebration of the
band’s 40th
anniversary. If
you caught the
band on their Spring tour, you know that not only
do they set the bar high for musicianship, but they
also communicate the pure joy in which they
answer their calling. Precise harmonies reel you in
on the title song and Where the Wild River Rolls.
Fireball features Cahill and Alison Brown on
dueling banjo leads, Faris and Dumas on dueling
mandolins, and Rob Ickes on dobro and Trey
Hensley on guitar—one big “Hot Dang” moment.
Page 7
Venues
San Francisco
Amnesia, 853 Valencia St Amnesiathebar.com
Atlas Café, 3049 20th St www.atlascafe.net
Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell St www.gamh.com
The Music Store, 66 W Portal Ave www.themusicstoresf.com
Plough & Stars, 116 Clement St www.theploughandstars.com
East Bay
The Backroom, 1984 Bonita Ave, Berkeley
backroommusic.com
Cleophus Quealy Beer Company, 448 Hester St, San Leandro
www.cleoph.us
Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St, Berkeley
www.freightandsalvage.org
Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley www.jupiterbeer.com
Rooster’s Roadhouse, 1700 Clement Ave, Alameda
North Bay
Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave, Mill Valley
www.sweetwatermusichall.com
Willowbrook Ale House, 3600 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma
707-775-4232
South Bay/Peninsula/Coast
Don Quixote’s Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton
www.donquixotesmusic.info
Mission Pizza & Pub, 1572 Washington Blvd, Fremont
www.missionpizza.com
Phil’s Fish Market & Eatery, 7600 Sandholdt Rd, Moss Landing
www.philsfishmarket.com
Sam’s BBQ, 1110 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, www.samsbbq.com
San Gregorio General Store, Hwy 84/Stage Rd, San Gregorio
www.sangregoriostore.com
Summit House, 23123 Highway 17, Los Gatos
www.facebook.com/summithousebeergarden
Festivals & Concerts
June 30 –
July 3
High Sierra Music Festival, Quincy
http://highsierramusic.com/
July 10
2 Annual Green Music Center Bluegrass Festival
Sonoma State University gmc.sonoma.edu
Sep 2-5
Rivertown Revival, Petaluma
http://www.rivertownrevival.com/music
Sep 22-25
July 8
July 14-17
July 16
July 24
Tres Pinos
www.scbs.org/events/gof
Yosemite Music Festival, Mariposa County
Fairgrounds www.yosemitemusicfestival.com
Aug 19-21 Summergrass, Vista
California WorldFest, Nevada County Fairgrounds,
Grass Valley worldfest.net
Sep 21-25
Foggy Mountain Bluegrass Festival
The Surf Spot, Pacifica
Sep 30Oct 2
nd
Radio Stations
89.7 KFJC
Aug 11-14 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival
www.kfjc.org
90.1 KBCZ kbcz.org
91.5 KKUP www.kkup.com
Bluegrass By The Bay
91.7 KALW www.kalw.org
94.1 KPFA www.kpfa.org
107.5 KPIG www.kpig.com
Page 8
http://www.summergrass.net/
Strawberry Music Festival, Westside, Tuolumne
strawberrymusic.com
Berkeley Old Time Music Convention
http://www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org/
Lost Sierra Hoedown, Plumas Eureka State Park
http://lostsierrahoedown.com/
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, Golden Gate
Park
www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com
KVMR-Nevada City http://www.kvmr.org
The Bluegrass Mix
WAMU Online
www.bluegrassmix.com
bluegrasscountry.org
Bluegrass By The Bay is published bi-monthly by the Northern California Bluegrass Society, an all volunteer, nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization. The NCBS was founded in 1982 as the Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society, and
continues to be known by that name in the Santa Cruz area. The name was changed in 1999 to reflect the
expanded scope of the Society’s activities. The Society brings people together for the preservation, enjoyment, and
advancement of bluegrass and related acoustic music through jams, workshops, concerts, festivals, and this
newsletter. © 2016 by the NCBS
NCBS website: http://ncbs.us or http://scbs.org
Northern California Bluegrass Society
Board of Directors
Committees
Mike Hall, President
hallmw@gmail.com
Good Old Fashioned Festival Director:
Bruce Bellochio, Vice-President estates@brucebellochio.com
Eric Burman, bluemoonranch@msn.com
Alison Steele, Secretary
sugarsnapmarie@gmail.com
Membership Committee Chair:
Bruce Edmundson, Treasurer bruce@rba.org
Gary Anwyl, ganwyl@gmail.com
Eric Burman
bluemoonranch@msn.com
Webmaster Committee Chair:
Mike Fisher
bubberry@sbcglobal.net
Stewart Evans, stewart@lunula.com
Penny Godlis
pennyg44@verizon.net
Uriah Langmeyer
Mike Russell
squelch@pacbell.net
Bluegrass By the Bay Linda L. Descoteaux, Editor
Submission Deadline:
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BLUEGRASS SOCIETY
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Please list first names of family members who are joining, volunteer work you would be interested in doing for NCBS, or any comments, questions, or
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Bluegrass By The Bay
Page 9
Make checks payable to NCBS
NCBS Membership Chair
PO Box 390846
Mountain View, CA 94039-0846
Northern California Bluegrass Society
Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society
PO Box 390846
Mountain View, CA 94039-0846
Send Address & E-mail Changes to
NCBS Membership Chair
at the above address
Bluegrass By The Bay
Cut out this box! The mailing label is now your NCBS membership card.
Kindly remember to send your renewal. Expiration date is listed below.
Page 10