IBMM's Bill Monroe-Style Mandolin Camp 2010

Our Bill Monroe-Style Mandolin Camp will be held at the IBMM in Owensboro, September 10-12.

From Camp Director Mike Compton:

This year's Monroe Mandolin Camp at the IBMM will feature what we think is a bit more adventurous and varied schedule than in years past. We have returning instructors Richie Brown and Skip Gorman and myself from last year. Joining us will be bluegrass legend Bobby Osborne for his second time.

We are looking to Bobby for his memories of days working in close contact with Monroe and hope to include a storytelling class along these lines relating tales of working with Bill backstage at the Opry, working the road, etc .

In addition to that, I have suggested that Bobby teach a couple classes on bluegrass style singing, and he is of a mind this is a good idea, so this is of special interest for those who are fans of authentic bluegrass style singing. Also, he will bring his own unique mandolin style to the table.

We have on staff this year, Dave Harvey and are proud to get him. I think that he is one of the most gifted technicians to ever play a mandolin. Dave's father was an outstanding Monroe style player as well, so Dave gets his influence in that area honestly. He is also very adept at playing in more contemporary stylings, so I think this is an opportunity to learn from him how to step outside the box a bit, to give the old ideas a new twist.

We also are including this year a general help desk for those whose questions are not being answered elsewhere. Each of us will man the desk during the weekend, so be watching for that. Bring questions and come sit a spell.

We are fortunate to have luthiers Will Kimble and Paul Duff with us this year. They have a very informative lineup of topics regarding the history of the F5 mandolin, construction, finishes, self-maintenance, how to install frets, etc.

This is not to be missed for those who are interested in not only playing the mandolin, but possibly building their own. I know that in years past we've had students who were interested in this area, so here's your chance to get your feet wet.

Finally, we will still have the instructor concert as well as the all-night jam at Gabrielle's house. I think this year's event will be better than ever, so tell about 20 of your closest friends and come on to Owensboro this September!

Registration is limited, so don't wait! Click here for more details.

Pioneers of Bluegrass Exhibit

Pioneers of Bluegrass Exhibit
By Forrest Roberts

The Pioneers of Bluegrass Exhibit highlights over sixty first generation bluegrass musicians. Artists from across the country contributed artifacts and then gathered at ROMP 2009 to tour the exhibit, reminisce, renew old friendships and perform.

The exhibit includes historic and contemporary photographs ranging from the Original Blue River Boys and Tony Ellis with Reno and Smiley and the Tennessee Cutups in the 1940’s to more contemporary pictures of the Osborne Brothers, Jim and Jesse McReynolds and J.D. Crowe.

One section is devoted to instruments, including those owned by Curly Seckler, Ramona Jones, Pete Goble and others. Posters, performance clothes and album covers can also be viewed in the collection, along with more unique items, such as the first edition of Bluegrass Unlimited produced on a mimeograph machine; a piece of wood carved by Bill Monroe with the names of the Blue Grass Boys at the time; and some of Monroe’s smoking pipes, which presumably only had Prince Albert tobacco in them.

The Exhibit will continue on display until September of this year.

Recent Donations Add to Museum's Exhibits

Acquisitions Update
by Forrest Roberts

Ronald Stuckey
Ronald Stuckey is a retired professor of botany from Ohio State University. In addition to aquatic and wetlands plants, Dr. Stuckey loves bluegrass music and for years photographed his favorite artists at bluegrass festivals and concerts. He then exchanged his photographs for the artists’ CDs and tapes. Dr. Stuckey also collected programs, articles, flyers and other bluegrass memorabilia. Dr. Stuckey made his first donation to the International Bluegrass Music Museum in 1995 with the donation of a 1947 souvenir program from the Grand Old Opry. In 2009 Stuckey donated the rest of his collection which included hundreds of photographs, tapes, CDs and other items.

Benny Cain
Benny Cain and his wife, Vallie, for many years performed as a bluegrass duet in the Washington, D.C., area. In his later years Mr. Cain gave much of his professional memorabilia to his friend and fellow musician, Andrew Acosta. In 2009 Mr. Acosta donated this collection to the IBMM. The collection includes sheet music, song books, tapes of live performances, historic photographs, music publications and much more.

Henry “Red” Horrocks
Longtime Museum supporter Henry “Red” Horrocks has made several donations of bluegrass memorabilia over the years. His latest donation includes bluegrass related books; discographies; song and photo souvenir albums; newsletters and journals; autographed photographs, vintage albums and other miscellaneous items.

Owen Lawson
Owens Lawson owns an antique store in Owensboro. He had collected historic photographs and newspaper clippings, vintage song books, song folios, magazines and souvenir booklets with the intent to sell them. When it was suggested that such a unique and valuable collection should be donated to the Museum, he readily agreed.

Don Sherburne
Don Sherburne has been sending portions of his extensive record collection to the Museum for years. His most recent shipment included a gift of 62 vintage albums, including 10 of Bill Monroe’s releases.

The IBMM appreciates very much all the donations it receives and thanks all donors, both those appearing above and others, not mentioned here, who will be highlighted in future blogs.

IBMM Announces new concert series in Owensboro

The International Bluegrass Music Museum is pleased to announce a new benefit concert series to be held at the Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky and beginning this month. ‘Musicians for the Bluegrass Music Museum’ was conceived and organized by Ernie Evans, guitarist for Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike, a longtime supporter of the Museum and its programs.

The series will begin on Friday, March 26th with a performance by the James King Band. More concerts will follow in April, featuring Summertown Road and Kenny & Amanda Smith. There are more musicians who have expressed interest, according to Evans, such as Blue Moon Rising, Brand New Strings and Jeff & Vida.

Evans says he got the idea for a concert series after donating a show with Liberty Pike back in December. “Based on the enthusiasm of a sold out crowd, it occurred to me that if other bands were to follow suit, that a series of concert could have a huge impact that would benefit the museum,” Evans says.

“I realize that funding is difficult for any non profit organization today and after visiting the museum it became obvious to me that it is costly to maintain a first class facility like IBMM.”

Evans himself will take part in the concert series with a performance later this spring with Liberty Pike celebrating the release of their new CD, Blame it on the Bluegrass, recorded at the Museum during their Bluegrass in the Schools residency in January.

Evans is busy recruiting more bands to the cause through his personal connections and through social networking. He created a group on Facebook called ‘Musicians for the Bluegrass Music Museum’ to spread the word throughout the bluegrass community.

Any bluegrass bands are welcome to help, Evans says. “Most artists that are touring nationally will, at some point in time, travel through or close to Owensboro,” he says. “We are flexible on what day of the week concerts can be held. So it can be convenient to the artist’s itinerary.”

Even if bands don’t travel to Kentucky, Evans says they can still assist by helping to spread the word. Bands can also become members and can donate proceeds from special shows.

The price for the ‘Musicians for the Bluegrass Music Museum’ series will be $10 per ticket. All performances will take place at the Museum at 7 PM. For more information on tickets and specific dates, see www.bluegrassmuseum.org or call 888-MY-BANJO.


SCHEDULED CONCERTS

Fri, March 26th-James King Band


Thurs, April 1st-Jack Hicks and Summertown Road
Thurs, April 15th-Kenny & Amanda Smith

Pete Wernick’s world-famous Jam Camp comes to ROMP

For the first time ever, the Bluegrass Museum’s ROMP activities will include a music camp. Pete Wernick’s Jam Camps have inspired “closet pickers” all over the country and will make a stop in Owensboro during ROMP, June 21st-24th. The camp will be held at the Museum from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Wednesday, and 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Thursday. Pete plans to include special guests and top bluegrass talent to help teach at the camp.

Bluegrass jam camps were first conceived by Pete to help encourage novice fans to participate in the bluegrass community. “A jam camp is to help closet players or people getting into bluegrass—or even more experienced musicians—develop their ensemble skills,” Pete says. “A lot of people are learning to play bluegrass, but are rarely taught the skills involved in playing as part of a group.”

Pete uses a variety of teaching methods, including traditional classroom workshops, large group lessons and small group ensemble in a fun, low-pressure environment. “In a few days, everyone gets the hang of the process. Even if they can't lead a song or take a solo, they can be a ‘follower-alonger’ as we say.”

Using multiple teaching strategies ensures that everyone is included in the learning process, Pete says. “People learn all sorts of ways, but one thing we try to make clear is that bluegrass is not about reading chord changes or solos from a piece of paper or only being able to play what you've memorized,” he continues. “We show how to follow along by watching and hearing the basic chord changes, which is the key to making it all work. We even teach how to solo convincingly when you barely know the song, but are just going from the chord pattern.”

Soloing isn’t a requirement nor is it the main focus of the camp, according to Pete. All that is required of potential Jam Campers is the ability to tune their instruments and change smoothly between G, C, D and A, nothing more. “We especially like to welcome people who have been struggling with trying to play instrumental solos as a way of starting to play bluegrass,” Pete says. “We tell them to never mind that, it's more about following chords, keeping rhythm and hopefully doing some singing. It's often news to them that singing is more fundamental than instrumental soloing, and that we don't expect people to play at fast tempos.”

Pete, who was a long-term president of IBMA, says he’s especially pleased at the success of the Bluegrass Museum and is looking forward to seeing old friends and returning to the Riverpark Center. “This building and the IBMM are living monuments to the dedication of people worldwide to the beauty and power of bluegrass music,” Pete says. “As a native of New York City, I understand if people are surprised at my lifelong commitment to bluegrass, but it feels as natural as can be, and returning to Owensboro and the Museum are going to be among my highlights of 2010.”

For Jam Camp information and registration, point your browser to DrBanjo.com.

Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike to bring even more bluegrass music into Kentucky elementary classrooms!

Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike will perform concerts in 21 Owensboro, Ky.-area elementary schools during the month of January. The All-School Bluegrass Assemblies are a part of the International Bluegrass Music Museum’s Bluegrass in the School Program (BITS).

The January dates mark Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike’s second term as the featured artists for this presentation. They were the very first assembly program presenters in Owensboro in 2004 and their overwhelming popularity created a successful foundation for a program that is now in its seventh year of implementation.

“Our presentation is about 45 minutes and covers the basics about how and where bluegrass was formed,” says Liberty Pike’s Becky Buller. “Valerie is a former junior high music teacher and has a knack for putting together a program that keeps the students engaged 'til the last,” she adds.

The in-school concerts by national acts are a much-anticipated annual event in the Owensboro area, taking place as part of the Museum’s ongoing educational outreach efforts. Schoolchildren, faculty and administrators, as well as parents who take in the concerts during the school day, often report back that they are the best programs they’ve ever seen in the schools.

“The students seemed to have a lot of fun and were really open-minded to learning about this uniquely American music,” Buller agrees. “I would encourage other bands to look for ways to reach out to students in their own communities with this kind of program. Who knows? They may catch the attention of a kid who will grow up to be one of the next icons of our music!”

The Museum’s BITS program is designed to interest elementary-age schoolchildren in bluegrass music. If—after receiving an eight day, in-depth introduction to fiddle, guitar, mandolin and banjo in their classrooms—they want to learn to play bluegrass, they can then sign up for group lessons at the Museum, with instruments on loan as part of the Saturday Lessons Program.

After four years, 1,711 beginning and intermediate students of all ages have taken group music lessons in this one-of-a-kind, authentic and historic setting. There’s nothing else quite like learning to play bluegrass while surrounded by the actual clothing, posters, photographs and artifacts of Bill Monroe and other greats!

"Bluegrass is one of the few truly American musical genres," Buller says. "The museum is preserving all the wonderful stories of Bluegrass' creators and innovators for not only future generations of musicians, but also for the public at large. By becoming a member, we are supporting the preservation of a national treasure," she says.

Sponsors of the Museum’s BITS program are the Michael E Horn Family Foundation, Lester E. Yeager Charitable Trust, Kentucky Arts Council and the John D’Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts. Participating school systems are Daviess County Public Schools, Owensboro Public Schools and Owensboro Catholic School System.

For more information on the Museum’s educational outreach and lessons programs, call Gabrielle Gray at 270-926-7891 or email her at Gabrielle@bluegrassmuseum.org.

Assembly schedule for Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike:

Jan 11
8 am Foust
10 am Newton Parrish
1 pm West Louisville

Jan 12
8:15 am Cravens
10 am Tamarack
1 pm Country Heights

Jan 13
10 am Sutton
1 pm Meadowlands

Jan 14
8:15 Catholic K-3 Campus
10 am Catholic 4-6 Campus
1 pm Sorgho

Jan 15
8 am Whitesville Elementary
1 pm East View

Jan 19
8 am Mary Carrico Knottsville
10 am Saint Marys of the Woods Whitesville
1 pm Deer Park

Jan 20
8:30 am Estes
1 pm Burns

Jan 21
1 pm Southern Oaks

Jan 22
9:30 Audubon
1 pm Highland

Holiday Concert Fun

Our Holiday Concert fundraiser December 10 was a resounding success. Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike were so funny and entertaining that the “sell-out crowd” (about 75 more than filled up the Bluegrass Unlimited Theater) was on their feet clapping several times.



The concert lasted nearly 3 hours and no one left before it was over, amazing for a weeknight. We made a few hundred dollars and many more friends. Now it seems everyone wants a concert date. The show was broadcast on RBI and the museum is getting offers now from other national acts to do benefit concerts in like fashion.




Up-N-Gone opened with a fine 20-minute set, staying to join in for a finale where both bands performed and the audience sang along. A frolicking good time was had by all.