The Bluegrass Painter

SteelDrivers

Petunia tells me that she's enjoying her new SteelDrivers cd, just out from Rounder Records.  You can read more about the band in this week's Wall Street Journal Online in Bluegrass With a Difference.

Thank You!

I'd like to thank some folks for the recent press they provided me with regarding my IBMA art.   The Mandolin Cafe and The Bluegrass Blog both posted about the work last week.  Also, David Grove, webmaster for www.pabluegrass.com was kind enough to post my story on Topix and the Western Pennsylvania Bluegrass Board.   The bluegrass community is a friendly one, and I truly appreciate the support. 

The Real Deal

The Gardner Winter Music Festival is one of my favorite events of the year, and I'll do just about anything to get there...Saturday morning I left the house to drive down (about 60 minutes worth of driving) and slid through the first stop sign at the end of our block due to snow over ice with fog and freezing drizzle. I thought seriously about bagging this but considered what I would miss and kept on going. 

Lots of other folk did, too! And had a heckuva good time at the Middle School there in Morgantown.

Here are a few pictures of real down home pickers going at it in the school cafeteria. The neat thing about this gang is that its a mix of pros, old-timers, and fans doing bluegrass, old-time, gospel and country.

David Miner

Last month we posted about our new friend David Miner.  Sadly, David passed away last week.  Our sympathies go out to all his friends and family.  Flint Hollow has posted a tribute video to Dave on their site, www.flinthollow.com. 

IBMA 2008 Art

I think it was mentioned here before on this blog how pleased we were to be asked last year by the IBMA to provide artwork for the 2008 World of Bluegrass marketing materials.   Here's a look at an image they sent out yesterday in an email some of you probably received about the event.  They did a great job with the graphics on this.   Thanks again to Dan Hays for involving us in this project. We're looking forward to attending the event again this year. 

Blue Highway's "Through the Window of a Train" Out Today

Blue Highway's new album is out today on Rounder Records.  Here is a post about them on CMT's Blog.

Fiddlin' Bass

Here is a new one, Fiddlin' Bass, that we just put up on Appalachian Studio.

Gardner Winter Music Festival

Next weekend, the South Middle School in Morgantown, West Virginia will be taken over by bluegrass, old-time and country music pickers and singers. They will be grinnin' because its time for the 30th Gardner Winter Music Festival - a continuation of the original festival started by the late Worley Gardner and  wife Margaret. There will be jamming, socializing, workshops and stage performances showcasing Appalachian acoustic music. Admission on Friday is $3 and $5 on Saturday.

I make it a point to get to this every year. My good friend, Randy Thomas of Randy Thomas and Friends, gets a slot on the stage and graciously allows me to pick along. Hope to see you there. By the way, musicians are admitted free. Check the GWMF website for specifics on the program, on the workshops and for directions.

Watch out for Frank Solivan II

Now this guy can pick, sing and write songs too! Major talent...and a fisherman. Frank Solivan II may be new to me, but not to the real professionals of the bluegrass community. The other day I saw a post on the Mandolin Cafe message board to check out a MySpace duo of Frank  and Jesse Cobb. As a mando picker myself, I'm a real fan of Jesse so I had to watch. This duet could aptly be titled a mando duel with these two hot pickers just rippin' on Cherokee Shuffle. So then, I see posted on the Mando Cafe news that Frank Solivan II is doing a workshop in Rockville, MD on Saturday, March 22. Now, I have to check this out...and that's how I came onto Frank's website. Well done, fun and great music, visit and enjoy. Frank is now with Country Current and has a band of his own as well.

Here's Frank and Jesse on Cherokee Shuffle...smokin' fingers.

"Showcase"

As you can see, I've really been hitting the canvas lately.  Here is another new one, entitled "Showcase".