News and Rumors page

Locl.net has replaced all of the equipment at the Kendallville, IN fairgrounds including the transmitter and the receiver on the WAWK tower. Al Marshall, Locl.net executive, said, "I have had the same setup working at the Angola downtown for the last nine months without any problems. The fairgrounds setup is very similar and should not have the same problems as last year." He continued, "We still have our transmitter on the grandstand since the new tower has not been erected. When it is in place we'll look at moving to it."

The new setup was tested April 24 and is working.

Locl.net has had problems with spammers using their hot spots to send thousands of spam emails. To prevent this, they are limiting sending email to web based browsers. This means that you need to be using your ISP web mail server versus Microsoft Outlook as an example. You will be able to receive email in Outlook but you will not be able to send replies. Hotmail, gMail, Yahoo and similar web based services will send and receive email without a problem.

Before you come to Kendallville, ask your ISP provider if they have a web mail service so you can send and receive email using the web based service. If you need a new ISP service, consider Locl.net. Call (877) 456-2563, tell them you're a bluegrass'er.

By Memorial weekend, the trees will have leafed out and this may affect the speed of service but hopefully everything will work.

April 10, 2007 AcuTab Publications have been producing instructional DVDs of the highest quality since 1994 for serious students of bluegrass music - banjo, dobro, fiddle, guitar and mandolin. They are sold by retailers and online merchants all over the world, and distributed to the retail trade through Mel Bay Publications.

We are delighted to announce the release of our Bluegrass Banjo Master Class DVD, featuring Bill Evans. It runs for 2:20 hours, and includes a printed tab booklet. The retail price is $35.

Bill Evans is one of the world's best known banjo teachers and players, and is also the author of the upcoming Banjo for Dummies from Wiley Publishing. He has taught hundreds of players from all over the world and is a frequent contributor to Banjo NewsLetter magazine.

Bluegrass Banjo Master Class provides the most detailed analysis of right and left hand technique in bluegrass banjo currently available on DVD. Bill begins by showing you how to fit and shape the picks and how to find the optimal position on the banjo head. He proceeds to explore how hand position and angle of attack work together to produce great tone and volume.

Bill teaches essential bluegrass roll patterns and explores such topics as straight time vs. playing with a bounce, and how to practice with a metronome. His analysis is designed to help both new pickers get on the right track, and to refocus more experienced players on the importance of the basics - solid rhythm, big tone and bluegrass drive.

He also spends time on the most effective approach to common left hand techniques, and to things that may seem relatively unimportant - but aren't! - such as proper posture, and tips to help you stay relaxed when picking. Bill then introduces 21 essential licks, and shows how to use them to improvise and build new licks.

Finally, Bill presents 20 chordal exercises to help pickers become more familiar with the neck - all based on familiar bluegrass rolls. More skilled players will especially benefit from these exercises, as they open your ears to some new sounds while showing your fingers some new places to go.

More details are available on the AcuTab web site, including several screen shots and a number of brief sample video clips.

04/02/2007
I talked to Cliff today. His spirits are good. Seems cancer spots were found in his lung, kidney and liver. Without treatment this very aggressive cancer could take a life in 6 to 8 weeks. HOWEVER, the good news is Cliff is receiving Chemo treatments which started Sunday. The Doctor said he has a 90 % chance of beating it. He will likely be discharged Tuesday after his 3 rd treatment. He will then have outpatient treatments April 11 th for 3 days in a row. That's as far in the future as he knows now.
Cards can be sent to:

Hope all is well with you. I wanted to let you know that Buncombe Turnpike has made a music video for an on line voting contest for CMT. It was one of the 64 chosen out of over 600 entries. We would appreciate your votes. The contest is set up like the NCAA basketball tournament. The first round ends on Feb.26, and a new one begins on the 27th. With other rounds to follow until the end of March. You can vote as many times as you want to in each round. We are up against many main stream type country acts, so we need all the help we can get. I believe that bluegrass fans might just be the key to us doing well in the contest, SO PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS. Go to www.buncombeturnpike.com, www.legacyfilmsltd.com (vote here)

(Buncombe has been at our festival twice and they were an IBMA showcase band. Help them by viewing and voting if you like their video. J.W.)

Thanks to all of you who voted for us!

We are very proud to have made it to the final eight in the Music City Madness Contest at CMT. We are grateful for your votes and your support!

Thank you!

Tom Godleski / Buncombe Turnpike twgodleski@charter.net

The Davis family is once again hosting a BLUEGRASS Jam.

Date: Mon. Jan 1
Time: eat @ 1pm, pick until whenever
Place: Municipal Building, Wheatfield, In (Old Library next to the grade school) What to Bring: A dish for the potluck dinner, your instrument and a smile! (maybe thro a few lawn chairs in your car just in case, there isn't alot of chairs here)

If there is someone you would like to bring, feel free to do so...

Any Q's , call me 219-869-8864

Bobby

I know a lot of folks are coming from Florida on there way home and they don't know about our problems. I'll have the camp ground open just for them but I probably won't be there.

Jan. 28, 2007 Rita Verhoff (Hillbrook Recreation, Ottawa, OH) – along with Henry offered bluegrassers great shows over the years and in recent years gave us a place to reunite with other bluegrass folks. Rita was recently diagnosed with Acute AML Leukemia which is a fast progressing form of leukemia.

She is currently undergoing an experimental study treatment through the University of OH Cancer Hosp. She will have several more weeks of treatment.

Cards and prayers are welcome. They firmly believe the prayers have helped keep her alive this long. Thanks!

Rita Verhoff
10087 State Route 224
Ottawa, OH 45875

Rita, has been in hospital since two days before Thanksgiving. Thought it was her heart but that is fine. We were surprised with finding she has a fast progressing Acute AML Leukemia. She is still in hospital and can surely use many PRAYERS. Visitors limited to family members.

Cards can be sent to her at
Rita Verhoff
Room 6B-29
St Rita's Hospital
730 W. Market St.
Lima, Ohio 45801

Rita and Henry own Hillbrook Recreation in Ottawa, OH where they were one of the very early bluegrass festival producers. Many stars have appeared on their stage at three festivals each year. In recent years they have continued with bluegrass campouts the first full weekend of May and October with no stage acts.

A party for all friends of Merles will be held Dec. 30 at the Old Chrysler Union Hall, Pleasant and Fulton Rd., Van Wert, OH 2pm If you are unable to attend you may send cards to:

Merle and his brother Don were know as the Fox Brothers and preformed at many early NIBGA festivals.

Kitty McIntyre
Famous Old Time Music Co.
419-568-1220 513-607-1874
www.fotmc.com fotmc@iglou.com

July 17, 2006 Fran came home and is getting around with a walker. She has visiting nurses to help out.

July 9, 2006. Fran Miller, Sharron (Zeb) Miller's wife is recuperating from some serious problems. She is out of ICU and is doing a little better. Send her a card at:

May 2006 Harold Lamb, noted guitar player has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He has declined chemo. There will be a benefit for him at Lowell Memorial Post 6841 VFW, 17401 Morse St., Lowell, IN 46356 contact Jim Slavings 219-696-4361. 2-10 pm Bands are needed. $5 donation

He is doing fine. He has gained 30 pounds, cuts firewood, keeps his house perfect, plays guitar and mandolin as a good as ever. He even has a new girlfriend

Amazing

A.C. Cargill

August 2006 ERNIE THACKER
Bo McCarty reports Ernie Thacker is now in the Norton Community Hospital doing rehab for serious injuries he sustained in a car wreck in April 2006. He hopes to be home sometime in August. www.erniethacker.com

June 7, 2006 Ernie is better

I'm doing better. I'm still in ICU (a step down unit), but I hope to be doing a lot better the next couple of months. I have to go to rehab for about 2 months, so I hope to be back on the road as soon as possible, which I have no idea when that will be. Please tell every one thanks so much for all the prayers, if it wasn't for everyones prayers I wouldn't be here now. Its incredible the power of the Lord.

I love every one out there.

May 12, 2006.

"Ernie's condition is improving. He is still listed in critical but stable condition. He remains in ICU and is expected to be so for some time. But with every day that goes by his doctors say that they see small improvements. They say it will be a long road to recovery, and that still things are uncertain, but with a lot of time, and with the help of the good Lord, doctors are hopeful that he will recover from this accident. We would like to thank everyone for their prayers, well wishes, donations, cards, and calls.

We will always remain thankful from the bottom of our hearts. We apologize for not being able to update every day, but right now we've been focusing all of our attention on Ernie and being there with him, which usually leaves very little time for updates. We hope everyone understands that we genuinely appreciate the outpouring of love and concern for Ernie. Please continue to visit the website for updates as we are able to post them, and once again, please remember Ernie in your prayers...they are all greatly appreciated and needed.

Thank you,
The Family of Ernie Thacker"

I've been asked many times over for updates on Ernie Thacker. As of Monday or Tuesday night (May 1 & 2) they are reporting from the hospital that Ernie is showing improvement daily.

Please to continue to keep Ernie in your prayers and on your prayer lists.

Many bands are pitching in for Ernie Thacker by playing his sets at festivals and then giving the money to the Ernie Thacker Trust Fund. Several benefits are still being planned and there have been several smaller shows to date.

A great big thank you from the family for all those that have prayed, donated money, time and talent and for asking about the Thacker family.

If you are so inclined:

The Ernie Thacker Fund
ATTN. Theda Viers at New Peoples Bank
P.O Box 1053
Grundy, Va. 24614

The last update I got was about 3pm today 4/20. He's showing improvement and his chances of survival has increased from 50% on Wednesday night to 60-70%.

His aorta was crushed, spleen ruptured and many broken bones, all his ribs and both collar bones. They did a tracheostomy to help him breathe and he's had several surgeries. They are concerned about paralysis from the waist down. His kidneys had started to shutdown but there has been some improvement there.
Bo McCarthy

Mike Cleveland, Jesse Brock, and Pete Kelly have left the Dale Ann Bradley band. Along with Audie Blaylock, Jeff Guernsey, and interim bass player Marshall Wilborn, they have formed a new band called Mike Cleveland and Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock.

The band has already played a handful of dates including the recent March 24-25 Botofest in Louisville, KY. As you can tell from the personnel involved, this is a band at the very cutting edge of hard-driving, straight- ahead bluegrass.

For booking Mike Cleveland and Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock please call Jim Roe of Roe Entertainment at 615-770-2622 ext 10.

Feb. 16, 2006 Joe Steiner, NIBGA member, selected attend IBMA Leadership Bluegrass workshop in Nashville March 21-23.

Joe has been responsible for several workshops held at the Tristate Festivals. The below article appeared in the Findley, OH Courier on Feb. 16 & tells it all. Way to go Joe!!

The Findlay man has been immersed in the American bluegrass scene for the past 25 years -- he plays bluegrass on the banjo, guitar, harmonica and string bass; he teaches bluegrass to local high school students; and he also works as a disc jockey on Blue Ridge Breakdown, an old-time/bluegrass radio show.

"It's a lot of fun. I love it," said Steiner, who makes his living as an auditor at Marathon.

He was also one of 25 musicians worldwide selected for Leadership Bluegrass 2006. The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) program is designed to build commitment, motivate talents and instill enthusiasm for addressing the future challenges and opportunities of bluegrass music.

"Really, it's a tremendous honor. I'm extremely honored," he said. "I mean, when I look at the other people who were selected, it's pretty amazing. I'm just a volunteer in pretty much all aspects of bluegrass music. These people are earning a living at it and have received awards for it."

"I'm very much excited," said Steiner, 46. "I made the application, but I never figured in a million years that I'd be selected."

The Barberton native was in high school when the bluegrass bug bit. He became addicted to the music after hearing the Highwoods String Band on the radio.

"I started playing the banjo in high school," he said. "Really, I would have had no interest in music whatsoever if it hadn't been for initially hearing the banjo. I heard it and all of a sudden I was interested in music and I had to learn to play. I got interested in bluegrass and old time music, and I've been obsessed with it ever since."

In fact, much of the world has become preoccupied with this music genre, he said. Bluegrass is a style of acoustic music that originated in the 1940s when Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs combined elements of country/western, gospel and blues music with the British, Irish and Scottish music of their Appalachian mountain heritage. It is played most commonly on the mandolin, fiddle, five-string banjo, six-string guitar and upright bass, but the resonator guitar, harmonica and electric bass are also found in bluegrass.

"These days it's enjoying more popularity than ever," said Steiner. "It's always been one of those fringe type musics which is fine. You want it to be recognized, and you want some of these other attendees to be able to make a living in the music business if they want to. But as far as being a mainstream type of music, I don't think that's really a goal of anybody in the industry."

He attributed part of that popularity to recognition at various award shows like the Grammys which has honored the Best Bluegrass Album since 1982.

"That's really the reason it's popular right now is the IBMA," said Steiner. "Number one, all the different things they're pushing like Leadership Bluegrass, the trade shows, the award shows. And it also helps when you have movies like, 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?'"

"Some people argue, if there's no banjo, it's not bluegrass. I don't know that that's necessarily true, but certainly the banjo and the style of playing is what drew me to the music," he said.

As a result, Steiner became more interested in other styles of banjo and music in general. He now has a set of 20 banjos that he takes to workshops.

"I think the big appeal to me overall now that I'm in the music business is, number one, enjoying listening to the music, the acoustic nature of the music. And then the educational aspect of it, being able to teach people and the pleasure I get from seeing them develop and enjoy being able to get in a jam session and that type of thing," he explained.

Steiner also coordinates many in-school music programs, workshops, clubs, and performances for children and adolescents in conjunction with Nashville's Bluegrass in the Schools program.

At Findlay High School, the weekly club is sponsored by Jeanette Mathern. Steiner goes once a month to teach the students how to play guitar, mandolin, bass and banjo.

"A big thing in the IBMA is educating kids," he said. "Instead of learning traditional band instruments, why not teach them bluegrass instruments," he said.

Steiner has also played and recorded with several groups. He and Chris Cooperrider combined their talents to record "Ragged but Right." The two also perform with Kathy Baltz as the Old Peculiar String Band.

He's a member of the Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association. And for the past five years, Steiner has been a DJ with WLFC, the University of Findlay radio station. He hosts the show, Blue Ridge Breakdown, from 6-9 p.m. every other Monday.

"I hope to bring a lot back from Leadership Bluegrass," he said. "I hope to bring back a general knowledge that will improve all of the things I do with bluegrass, the work I do in the schools, at the radio station, everything," he said.

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