Tag Archive for: Bluegrass

Sam Bush Keynote To Open IBMA Conference

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Sam Bush

Renowned musician Sam Bush will deliver the keynote address at the International Bluegrass Music Association Business Conference on Monday, September 27, 2010. The acclaimed mandolin player and seminal newgrass star is expected to focus his speech on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Father of Bluegrass Bill Monroe, coming up on Sept. 13, 2011. Bush will talk about what that milestone means to the bluegrass music community and industry, and how to celebrate a century of Monroe’s influence.

Bush has been honored with the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He’s the co-founder of the genre-bending New Grass Revival and an in-demand musician who has played with everyone from Emmylou Harris and Bela Fleck, to Lyle Lovett and Garth Brooks. His latest solo album, Circles Around Me, (Sugar Hill) is an inspiring mix of bluegrass favorites and new songs.

The IBMA Business Conference is part of the organization’s annual World of Bluegrass convention, running Sept. 27-Oct. 3 in Nashville, which also includes Fan Fest (Oct. 1-3), and the International Bluegrass Music Awards Show (Sept. 30). The theme for World of Bluegrass 2010 is “Face Time. It Matters,” highlighting the importance of relationship building.

Tickets to all World of Bluegrass events are available at IBMA.org, or by calling 1-888-GET-IBMA.  For discount rates on accommodations, call the event housing bureau at 1-877-259-4716.

Music City Roots Salutes IBMA

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Music City Roots, the weekly show at the Loveless Barn, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the IBMA with a special installment Wednesday night (6/23). This jam-packed night features nine bands spanning the history of bluegrass, from the mountain-influenced early days to the young standouts of tomorrow. On the line-up are Jesse McReynolds, The Whites, Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band, Dale Ann Bradley, The G2 Bluegrass Band, The Farewell Drifters, Sierra Hull, The Rockin’ Acoustic Circus, and Alison Brown & Fair Weather Friends. The show starts at 7 PM and is hosted by Jim Lauderdale.

A special $25 ticket includes a reception, food and an early evening hang with IBMA members and artists. Regular tickets are $10 or $5 with college ID. Ticket info and live streaming at www.musiccityroots.com.

In more MCR news, the show has started using NewTek TriCaster for live streaming. Last Wednesday was the first time fans could watch the weekly concert online. The radio show is broadcast on legendary WSM/650 AM.

Dailey And Vincent; Mother Maybelle Tribute; IBMA News

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Dailey & Vincent celebrated the release of their new Statler Brothers tribute album at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville. The new CD, featuring bluegrass versions of 12 of the Statlers' best-loved songs, is available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores and www.crackerbarrel.com. (L-R): Rounder Records co-founder Ken Irwin; Dailey & Vincent's manager, Don Light; Harold Reid, Jimmy Fortune, Jamie Dailey, Darrin Vincent, Don Reid, Phil Balsley; Peter Keiser, Cracker Barrel's Vice President of Marketing; and Julie Craig, Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager. Photo credit: Randi Radcliff

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Lipscomb University presents the inaugural “Music From The Mountain” show, an evening honoring Mother Maybelle Carter. It will be hosted by Larry Gatlin on Feb. 11 at the Collins Alumni Auditorium, featuring the Del McCoury Band, The Whites, Tom T. & Dixie Hall, the Gatlins, Heather Berry, and The Carter Family III with Dale Jett, Laura Cash and John Carter Cash. Proceeds benefit the Nashville Rescue Mission. Tickets available at Lipscomb box office (966-7075) and Ticketmaster.

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The Grascals were named Overall Bluegrass Group of the Year during the 36th annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards Show & Convention, held at the Sheraton Music City in Nashville Feb. 4-7. The band is currently preparing for the upcoming Hank Williams Jr. Rowdy Friends tour, featuring Eric Church, Jamey Johnson and Hank Williams, Jr.

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IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2010 has been announced. Among the Nashvillians in the group are Kissy Black, Lotos Nile; Linda Bonner, Grassland Elementary; Thad Keim, Compass Records Group; Patty Mitchell, Artist; Jess Norburg, IBMA; Andrew Stokes, McLachlan Management International; and Donna Ulisse, Donna Ulisse & the Poor Mountain Boys/Hadley Music Group. Click here to see the entire list.

Recommendations Sought for Board Nominations: IBMA is currently seeking written recommendations for members interested in serving on the organization’s board of directors. The four seats to be filled by election by fellow members during 2010 include representatives for:
-Artists, Composers & Publishers
-International (non-US members)
-Associations
-Merchandisers & Luthiers
Click here for details.

The IBMA will host the World of Bluegrass Convention in Nashville, September 27 – October 3, 2010.
Deadline to submit for the IBMA Songwriter Showcase is May 1, 2010.

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Roe Entertainment has signed 3-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year Dale Ann Bradley for exclusive booking representation. Roe can be reached at 877-688-5885 or [email protected].

Nashville Scene: Women’s profiles in bluegrass have risen

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Generation by generation, women’s profiles in bluegrass have risen

By Jewly Hight

Funny how straightforward Rhonda Vincent sounds proclaiming herself an “All American Bluegrass Girl” in the song of that title—until you listen past the hook. Read more.

Bobby Karl Works The Room: IBMA Awards

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Dailey and Vincent

Dailey and Vincent (front) with fiddle player Adam Haynes (far left) and sound engineer Key Chang. Photo: Collin Peterson

Chapter 321

This year’s IBMA awards belonged to Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, who picked up five trophies, but last year’s champs Dailey & Vincent snagged the biggest prizes of all.

Cleveland and company won the Instrumental Group, Instrumental Performance and the Fiddler, Bass Player and Mandolin Player of the Year awards. Dailey & Vincent triumphed as the Entertainers of the Year, as well as winning the Vocal Group of the Year and the Gospel Recorded Performance honors.

Dan Tyminski, Photo: Dan Loftin

Dan Tyminski, Photo: Dan Loftin

But the 20th anniversary of these bluegrass awards, staged Thursday (10/1) at the Ryman Auditorium, wasn’t really about who won or lost. It was about outstanding music. For those of you who gripe about the lack of true “country” in today’s country music, I hereby direct your attention to the world of bluegrass. The event featured stunning performances by The Lonesome River Band, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, The Dan Tyminski Band and more.

Kathy Mattea and Hot Rize co-hosted, drawing from a usually witty script and interspersed with appearances by the band’s honky-tonk alter ego Red Knuckles & The Trailblazers. Presenters included Dixie & Tom T. Hall, Andy Leftwich, Cia Cherryholmes, Claire Lynch, Ronnie Bowman, Alecia Nugent, Chris & Sally Jones and Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White.

“I don’t have much voice this week,” whispered Tyminski when he was ironically named Male Vocalist. When he also won Album of the Year, presenters Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas humorously spoke for him while he moved his lips.

Female Vocalist winner Dale Ann Bradley turned Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” into a bluegrass romp. In a nice twist of fate, her honor was presented to her by her producer, Alison Brown. They hugged.

“This is one of the greatest thrills of my life, to be here tonight,” said Steve Martin. He meant it. And he was wildly cheered by the capacity audience, for his The Crow CD has dramatically raised bluegrass music’s profile. In addition to presenting, Martin performed with The Steep Canyon Rangers. His CD won awards for liner notes and artwork.

When Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent won for their gospel performance of “On the Other Side,” they called songwriters Jimmy Fortune, Kevin Denney and Tom Botkin to the stage. “This is killer, right here,” said Cleveland when his band won the Instrumental Performance award. During the evening the blind fiddler thanked his parents for transporting him to competitions and festivals.

Michael Cleveland and the Flamekeepers took home five awards at last night's (10/1) IBMAs.

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper took home five awards at last night's (10/1) IBMAs. Photo: Collin Peterson

Doyle Lawson inducted The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. He noted that the group was founded by the late Ezra Cline in 1937 in West Virginia. “The group weathered a lot of personnel changes,” he noted, adding, “I wonder what that feels like.” Lawson’s Quicksilver has long had a rotating cast. Surviving Lonesome Pine members Melvin Goins, Paul Williams and Bobby Osborne accepted and got a standing ovation.

One of the most interesting performances occurred when Danny Paisley & Southern Grass and Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice took the stage together. Both were nominees as Male Vocalist and Emerging Artist. Each performed separately and then as a big, merged band.

The Recorded Event trophy went to The Daughters of Bluegrass. There are 31 women on this record, and more than a dozen of them trouped to the stage to accept en masse.

Among my favorite performances of the show was “Ring the Bells” by The Gibson Brothers. Dailey & Vincent drew gasps with a tour de force, a cappella gospel number punctuated by long sustains in perfect harmony. The Grascals were quite moving on “Satan Knew My Grandma Well.” Mattea and Hot Rize sang her hit “Untold Stories,” which the group’s Tim O’Brien wrote. One of the most memorable instrumentals of the night came from an all-star lineup consisting of Stuart Duncan, Rob Ickes, Ronnie McCoury, Jim Mills, Missy Raines and Bryan Sutton. Between them, they account for 44 IBMA Awards. Speaking of McCoury, The Del McCoury Band turned in a eyebrow-raising bluegrass-rockabilly performance of the Jerry Lee Lewis classic “Break Up.”

“The only reason I’m here is this group,” said John McEuen when inducting The Dillards into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. “I’m flabberghasted,” said Doug Dillard in accepting. “I want to thank God for giving us bluegrass music. Keep this music alive forever.”

The packed-to-the-rafters crowd was notable for its whoops and hollers throughout the show. This was especially notable during the instrumental by Cleveland & Flamekeeper.

They also erupted several times during the finale. Osborne, Williams and Goins joined Hot Rize in a “Pain in My Heart” tribute to The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. All three of the senior citizens are still in excellent voice. The show-closing Dillards tribute, “The Old Home Place,” demonstrated that the veteran group can also still “cut the mustard.”

“I think we have some of the best musicians in the world in this music,” said Rob Ickes in accepting his 11th consecutive Dobro Player of the Year IBMA honor. Amen to that, pal.

Spotted in the admiring crowd were David Preston, David Crow, Dan Keen, Joey & Rory, Jerry Salley, Perry Howard, George Walker IV, Scotty Cline, Vernell Hackett, Stan Hitchcock, Keith Bilbrey, Lance Leroy, Lynn Robin Green and Carl Jackson.

martin
Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers, Photo: Collin Peterson

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International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame – The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, The Dillards
Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients – Hylo Brown, Pati Crooker, Jody Rainwater, Dick Spottswood, Joe Wilson
Entertainer of the Year – Dailey & Vincent
Male Vocalist of the Year – Dan Tyminski
Female Vocalist of the Year – Dale Ann Bradley
Album of the Year – Wheels, The Dan Tyminski Band, produced by Dan Tyminski, Rounder Records
Vocal Group of the Year – Dailey & Vincent
Instrumental Group of the Year – Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Song of the Year –  “Don’t Throw Mama’s Flowers Away,” by Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass (artist), Chris Stuart & Ivan Rosenberg (writers)
Recorded Event of the Year – “Proud to Be a Daughter of Bluegrass” featuring Dale Ann Bradley, Heather Berry, Lisa Martin, Gloria Belle, Sierra Hull, Rhonda Vincent, Lisa Ray, Linda Lay, Sally Jones, Jeanie Stanley, Carol Lee Cooper, Sonya Isaacs, Becky Isaacs Bowman, Michelle Nixon, Jeanette Williams, Sophie Haislip, Louise Tomberlain, Mindy Rakestraw, Lizzy Long, Frances Mooney, Lorraine Jordan, Annette Kelley, Lilly Lieux, Dixie Hall, Judi Marshall, Melissa Lawrence, Beth Lawrence, Rebecca Frazier, Donica Christensen, Lisa Maning & Jenni Lyn Gardner (artists); Dixie Hall, Paula Wolak & Frances Money (producers); Blue Circle Records
Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year – “Jerusalem Ridge,” Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (artist), Bill Monroe (writer), Jeff White & Michael Cleveland (producers), Rounder Records
Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year – “On the Other Side;” Dailey & Vincent (artists), Jimmy Fortune, Kevin Denney & Tom Botkin (writers); Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers); Rounder Records
Emerging Artist of the Year – The SteelDrivers
Instrumental Performers of the Year:
Banjo – Kristin Scott Benson
Fiddle – Michael Cleveland
Dobro – Rob Ickes
Mandolin – Jesse Brock
Bass – Marshall Wilborn
Guitar – Josh Williams
Bluegrass Event of the Year – Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival; Oak Hill, New York; July 2008
Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year – Katy Daley; HD Radio WAMU 88.5 Channel 2, 105.5 FM & www.bluegrasscountry.org; Washington, D.C.
Print Media Person of the Year – Roger Siminoff; Siminoff’s Luthiers Glossary, Banjo Newsletter and Bluegrass Breakdown
Best Liner Notes for Recorded Project – Steve Martin (writer), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions (label)
Best Graphic Design for Recorded Project – Greg Carr & Salli Ratts (designers), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions (label)

The International Bluegrass Music Awards are voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), which serves as the trade association for the bluegrass music industry. The IBMA Awards Show is the centerpiece of the World of Bluegrass week, including the industry’s Business Conference and Bluegrass Fan Fest, September 28 – October 4 in Nashville.

Tyminski Leads Bluegrass Award Nominees

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The Dan Tyminski Band (L-R) Barry Bales, Adam Steffey, Dan Tyminski, Justin Moses, Ron Stewart

The Dan Tyminski Band (L-R) Barry Bales, Adam Steffey, Dan Tyminski, Justin Moses, Ron Stewart

Today the IBMA announced the nominees for the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, to be hosted by Kathy Mattea and legendary bluegrass band, Hot Rize, on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

ibma-awards-logoThe Dan Tyminski Band, including Union Station alumni Adam Steffey and Barry Bales, lead with nine nominations on the strength of the chart-topping album Wheels. In addition to Entertainer of the Year, Instrumental Group, Album, Song, and Male Vocalist nods, band members received individual nominations.

Dailey & Vincent, whose popularity has only continued to grow since they received seven awards in 2008, including Entertainer of the Year, have seven IBMA nominations.

Actor/musician Steve Martin burst onto the bluegrass scene this year, trusty banjo in hand, to receive nominations in six IBMA award categories. Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper have also been recognized with six nominations.

The Grascals, who were named Entertainers of the Year in 2006 and 2007, have nominations in five categories.

This year’s inductees for the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame are The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, the legendary string band formed in 1937 by Ezra, Ray and Ned Cline in West Virginia; and The Dillards, the influential band from Salem, Missouri, known for their popular appearances on The Andy Griffith Show.

IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Award will go to early bluegrass pioneer Hylo Brown; long-time event producer from Maine, Pati Crooker; veteran performer and radio announcer Jody Rainwater; author, musicology and radio broadcaster Dick Spottswood; and the National Council for the Traditional Art’s Joe Wilson.

The member-voted IBMA Award Show is the centerpiece of the World of Bluegrass week, including the industry’s Business Conference and Bluegrass Fan Fest, slated for September 28 – October 4 in Nashville. Ticket and conference details at www.ibma.org. The award show will be broadcast live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio and syndicated to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks.

THE NOMINEES for the 2009 INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARDS
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
•    Dailey & Vincent
•    The Grascals
•    Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
•    The Del McCoury Band
•    Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
•    Dan Tyminski Band

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
•    Blue Highway
•    Dailey & Vincent
•    The Isaacs
•    Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
•    Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
•    Blue Highway
•    Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
•    The Infamous Stringdusters
•    Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
•    Dan Tyminski Band

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
•    Jamie Dailey
•    Russell Moore
•    Danny Paisley
•    Junior Sisk
•    Dan Tyminski

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
•    Dale Ann Bradley
•    Sonya Isaacs
•    Claire Lynch
•    Alecia Nugent
•    Rhonda Vincent

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
•    Blue Side Of The Blue Ridge, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice (artist), Ronnie Bowman (producer), Rebel Records
•    Brothers From Different Mothers, Dailey & Vincent (artist), Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records
•    Keep On Walkin’, The Grascals (artist/producers), Rounder Records
•    The Room Over Mine, Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass (artist), Ken Irwin & Danny Paisley (producers), Rounder Records
•    Wheels, Dan Tyminski, (artist/producer), Rounder Records

SONG OF THE YEAR
•    “Don’t Throw Mama’s Flowers Away,” Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass (artist), Chris Stuart & Ivan Rosenberg (writers)
•    “Iron & Diamonds,” The Gibson Brothers (artist), Leigh & Eric Gibson (writers)
•    “Leaving Baker County,” Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice (artist), Tom T. & Dixie Hall (writers)
•    “Moneyland,” Del McCoury Band (artist), John Herald (writer)
•    “Wheels,” Dan Tyminski (artist), Patrick McDougal (writer)

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
•    “After The Fire Is Gone;” Bobby Osborne, Rhonda Vincent & Darrin Vincent (artists); Glen Duncan & Bobby Osborne (producers); Rounder Records
•    “The Crow,” Steve Martin with Tony Trischka (artists), John McEuen (producer), 40 Share Productions
•    “Daddy Played The Banjo;” Steve Martin with Tim O’Brien & Earl Scruggs (artists), John McEuen (producer), 40 Share Productions
•    “Proud To Be A Daughter of Bluegrass;” Daughters of Bluegrass featuring Dale Ann Bradley, Heather Berry, Lisa Martin, Gloria Belle, Sierra Hull, Rhonda Vincent, Lisa Ray, Linda Lay, Sally Jones, Jeanie Stanley, Carol Lee Cooper, Sonya Isaacs, Becky Isaacs Bowman, Michelle Nixon, Jeanette Williams, Sophie Haislip, Louise Tomberlain, Mindy Rakestraw, Lizzy Long, Frances Mooney, Lorraine Jordan, Annette Kelley, Lily Lieux, Dixie Hall, Judi Marshall, Melissa Lawrence, Beth Lawrence, Rebecca Frazier, Donica Christensen, Lisa Manning & Jenni Lyn Gardner (artists); Dixie Hall, Paula Wolak & Frances Mooney (producers); Blue Circle Records
•    “Sad Wind Sighs,” The Grascals with Vince Gill (artists), The Grascals (producers), Rounder Records

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
•    “Darkness Wept,” Lonesome River Band (artist/producers), Dee Gaskin & Rebecca Bowman (writers), Rural Rhythm Records
•    “On The Other Side;” Dailey & Vincent (artist); Jimmy Fortune, Kevin Denney & Tom Botkin (writers); Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers); Rounder Records
•    “What A Journey,” Paul Williams & The Victory Trio (artist), Bret Bronson & Louise Gorman (writers), Paul Williams (producer), Rebel Records
•    “When The Last Of Our Days Shall Come,” Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artist), Chris Stuart (writer), Doyle Lawson (producer), Rounder Records
•    “Who’ll Sing for Me?” Audie Blaylock & Redline (artist), Thomas J. Farris (writer), Audie Blaylock (producer), Rural Rhythm Records

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
•    “Angeline The Baker,” Rob Ickes & Andy Leftwich (artists), public domain, Rob Haines (producer), Mel Bay Music
•    “The Crow,” Steve Martin (artist/writer), John McEuen (producer), 40 Share Productions
•    “Don’t Tread On Me,” Kristin Scott Benson (artist/writer/producer), Pinecastle Records
•    “Jerusalem Ridge,” Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (artist), Bill Monroe (writer), Jeff White & Michael Cleveland (producers), Rounder Records
•    “Struttin’ To Ferrum,” Lonesome River Band (artist/producer), arrangement by Gene Parker, Rural Rhythm Records

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
•    Sierra Hull & Highway 111
•    Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass
•    Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice
•    The SteelDrivers
•    Josh Williams Band

INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR
BANJO
•    Kristin Scott Benson
•    J.D. Crowe
•    Steve Martin
•    Sammy Shelor
•    Ron Stewart

BASS
•    Barry Bales
•    Mike Bub
•    Missy Raines
•    Darrin Vincent
•    Marshall Wilborn

FIDDLE
•    Hunter Berry
•    Jason Carter
•    Michael Cleveland
•    Stuart Duncan
•    Ron Stewart

DOBRO
•    Mike Auldridge
•    Jerry Douglas
•    Andy Hall
•    Rob Ickes
•    Randy Kohrs
•    Phil Leadbetter

GUITAR
•    Jim Hurst
•    Tony Rice
•    Kenny Smith
•    Bryan Sutton
•    Josh Williams

MANDOLIN
•    Jesse Brock
•    Sam Bush
•    Sierra Hull
•    Ronnie McCoury
•    Adam Steffey

BLUEGRASS EVENT OF THE YEAR
•    Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival; Oak Hill, New York; July 2008
•    33rd Annual Tri-State Bluegrass Festival; Kendallville, Indiana; May 2008
•    2008 World Cultural Fusion Festival; Kawaguchi City, Japan; July 2008

BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
•    Kyle Cantrell; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, Tennessee
•    Katy Daly; HD Radio WAMU 88.5 Channel 2, 105.5 FM & www.bluegrasscountry.org; Washington, D.C.
•    Ned Luberecki; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, Tennessee

PRINT MEDIA PERSON OF THE YEAR
•    Tom Adams, Banjo Newsletter
•    Dan Miller, Flatpicking Guitar
•    Roger Siminoff; Siminoff’s Luthiers Glossary, Banjo Newsletter and Bluegrass Breakdown

LINER NOTES FOR RECORDED PROJECT
•    Charlie Cushman, Marty Stuart, Eddie Stubbs & Johnny Warren (writers); A Tribute to Fiddlin’ Paul Warren; Johnny Warren & Charlie Cushman (artists); no label
•    Eddie Dean (writer); Old-Time Pickin’: A Clawhammer Banjo Collection, Ralph Stanley (artist), Rebel Records
•    Steve Martin (writer), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR RECORDED PROJECT
•    G. Carr & Salli Ratts (designers), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions
•    Stumptown Printers (designer), Uncle Charlie Osborne: The June Appal Recordings, Uncle Charlie Osborne (artist), June Appal Recordings
•    Loren Witcher (designer), Inside Out, Missy Raines & the New Hip (artist), Compass Records

Industry Items: McDonough Leaves Capitol, IBMA Nominees

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Judy McDonough has left her post as Dir., Media at Capitol Records Nashville. She worked for the label that is home to artists Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Lady Antebellum and more. She can be contacted at [email protected].

The changes keep coming at the national and international levels as well for Capitol’s parent company EMI. Last week new EMI EVP of Digital Marketing Cory Ondrejka hired a new team of digital marketing executives. Full list here.

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Nominees for the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards will be announced Thurs. Aug. 13, 10:00 a.m. at press conference in the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s Ford Theater.

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A New York Times article focuses on the latest options for indie artists trying to make it without a major label. Included is Polyphonic, a startup company founded by Radiohead manager Brian Message, Adam Driscoll, and Nettwerk’s Terry McBride. Other ventures: WME’s Marc Geiger is working on a division called Self Serve, and EMI is offering services to musicians not signed to the label. More on Polyphonic here.

Trade Organizations Work Best As Separate Entities

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While the goals of Nashville’s top three music trade groups are closely aligned, each has issues and objectives specific to its genre. The Country Music Association, Americana Music Association, and International Bluegrass Music Association work tirelessly to promote the music they represent to consumers and the industry.

A recent poll on MusicRow.com posed the following question: “Would Music City would be better off if the CMA, AMA and IBMA merged and became one large trade organization?” Our readers responded with an overwhelming “no.” The results were 77 percent “No,” and 23 percent “Yes.” The feeling is shared by the leaders of the three groups.

Dan Hays

Dan Hays

IBMA leader Dan Hays explains, “As genres of music…Bluegrass, Americana and Country music have important and interrelated connections with one another, but they’re three distinct communities. Each of the organizations listed, functions as the ‘chamber of commerce’ for their community and each has its own unique culture, economic climate and professional development needs. I believe both Music City and the music industry around the world benefit from having healthy organizations devoted to each. We work together with AMA and CMA whenever mutual opportunities arise (in addition to many other music trades), but having ‘one large trade organization’ would be akin to suggesting one Chamber of Commerce to serve New York, L.A. and Nashville.”

Tammy Genovese

Tammy Genovese

“While there are some artists and industry employees whose work crosses between them, Country, Bluegrass and Americana are three distinct genres of music,” agrees CMA CEO Tammy Genovese. “Each format is better served by having a specific trade association to represent them and their unique needs instead of one combined organization. However, we highly respect both the other organizations and all that they do.”

Jed Hilly

Jed Hilly

“I think the missions of each of these three organizations are very different as are the expectations of their respective memberships,” says Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the AMA. “While I believe in change and in collaboration, I don’t believe such a merger into one large trade association would make sense. As far as Nashville goes, the IBMA feels like a brother, CMA a cousin, but today, the cute girl at school is the NSO, and I am looking forward to that first date!”

Vote in the new poll on the home page of MusicRow.com—Do you follow MusicRow on Twitter, Facebook or both social networks?

“WSJ” Highlights Compass Records; NaFF Entries; Etc.

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bluegrassGrammy award winning banjoist Alison Brown, two-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year  Dale Ann Bradley, and seven-time IBMA Bass Player of the Year Missy Raines are featured in The Wall Street Journal in an article written by Barry Mazor entitled “The Sisterhood of Bluegrass.” The article focuses on the tradition of women in bluegrass and how Brown, Bradley and Raines have each forged unique career paths in a traditionally male dominated musical genre. All three have released albums on Compass Records this year, and each new release is highlighted in the article, as is the 15th anniversary of Compass Records, which was co-founded by Brown in 1994.

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The Nashville Film Festival (NaFF), an Academy Award qualifier for short films and a showcase on the festival circuit for renowned World and U.S. premieres, is currently accepting entries for the 2010 edition of the Festival, scheduled for April 16-23, 2010 at the Regal Green Hills Cinemas. NaFF, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009 with record attendance, gives filmmakers the opportunity to compete in close to a dozen categories. Early bird deadline is July 15, 2009 and regular deadline is October 15, 2009. For a complete list of deadlines and fees and an entry form, please visit nashvillefilmfestival.org.

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This Wednesday (7/15) Live Nation is expanding its “No Service Fee Wednesday,” promotion to include select $49.99 All-In reserved seats for hundreds of concerts across the country. These All-In prices include a ticket, parking, all fees, a hot dog and a soda. The company is also offering the All-In $29.99 lawn ticket. The special offer, which is good at Live Nation ticketed amphitheaters, runs for 24 hours beginning on Wednesday, July 15 only at LiveNation.com. Among the Country concerts included in the bargain are Brad Paisley with Dierks Bentley, George Strait with Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough, Kid Rock & Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rascal Flatts with Darius Rucker, and Toby Keith with Trace Adkins.

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EMI owners Terra Firma is pushing Citigroup for a 250-300 million pound injection into the struggling record company, the Sunday Times reports.

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Sony Music Nashville is seeking a Manager for Web Business Development…interested parties can check out the Careers section of sonymusic.com or make a beeline for the posting here.

Dailey & Vincent Sign With Columbia Artists

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dvColumbia Artists Management, Inc. (CAMI) has signed Rounder Records bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent to represent them for bookings in North American performing arts venues. Don Light Talent will continue to manage Dailey & Vincent and book them for all other venues, including bluegrass festivals.

The duo is made up of Jamie Dailey, former lead singer and guitarist for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; and Darrin Vincent, who most recently was guitar and mandolin player and harmony vocalist with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Joined by band members Jeff Parker, Joe Dean, and Adam Haynes, the group is in the midst of its 2009 Rolling Your Way Tour, which includes over 130 dates.

Dailey & Vincent took home an unprecedented seven honors at the most recent International Bluegrass Music Awards. They also accomplished a feat no other artist has done—winning Entertainer of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year in the same year.