Happy Earth day week! What is newgrass? The term new does not refer to a temporal component, but a progressive style. The name is directly connected to the group New Grass Revival. Sam Bush is often heralded as the Father of New Grass. More on him here: http://bluegrasstoday.com/sam-bush-documentary-trailer-goes-live/ Lesser known groups who have had … Continue reading More on the bluegrass scene today [Wendesday 4/22/2115]
Author: jllaney
Videos in class on March 18, 2015
These videos go along with our discussion in class about festivals, folk and authenticity. There are a few included just for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy! Listening assignment: Lecture/Readings: https://archive.org/details/TheHighLonesomeSound1963 Cool things I didn’t want you to miss: http://couchbycouchwest.com/about/ http://bluegrasstoday.com/everything-changed-video-from-the-flatbellys/#vanilla-comments enjoy! JLaney
The President notes Bluegrass…
“We are storytellers, writers, poets, and artists who abhor unfairness, and despise hypocrisy, and give voice to the voiceless, and tell truths that need to be told. We are the inventors of gospel and jazz and the blues, bluegrass and country, hip-hop and rock and roll, our very own sounds with all the sweet sorrow … Continue reading The President notes Bluegrass…
Butch Robins
http://bluegrasstoday.com/butch-robins-video-star/ Above is a link which leads to the videos Bud Bennett (of Radford) has made of Butch Robins– these are the videos John Lawless mentioned in our class discussion today. enjoy!
FEB 16 [reading aids/guides]
As we begin to discuss the 2nd and 3rd generations of bluegrass performers we will be reading chapters 28, 33, 37, 45, 46, and 47 and an article on Jimmy Martin by Lance Leroy (we have watched Jimmy Martin in previous posts). Please view the following videos along with the readings: The Country Gentlemen: Notice … Continue reading FEB 16 [reading aids/guides]
pre-Grammy news on OCMS
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/country-group-old-crow-medicine-show-on-songwriting-new-album/
The First Generation.
In today’s readings there was a focus on the pioneers of the genre. These videos should help place images alongside the names: The Monroe Brothers: Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, and Bill Monroe (listen for the opening “g run”) Lester Flatt…
notes on readings 2.2.15
Mac Wisemen mentions a few of the following songs in his interview: And later, by Flatt and Scruggs: And today, by the Earls of Leicester: Mac Wiseman (live with Lester Flatt) Jim and Jesse as a country act: Jim and Jesse’s as a more traditional bluegrass act with, “Cotton Mill Man,” Jim and Jesse performing … Continue reading notes on readings 2.2.15
Resources for Oral History
[An image from a recent interview-based project in Connecticut, Jan. 2015] As we begin interviewing visitors and traveling to shows and venues, here are a few helpful guides: http://www.folklife.si.edu/resources/pdf/InterviewingGuide.pdf http://dohistory.org/on_your_own/toolkit/oralHistory.html http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO/resources/rohotips.html a more journalistic view: http://www.fretboardjournal.com/features/online/how-interview-your-favorite-musician We will discuss ethics and specific procedures in class. Please let me know if you have any questions. … Continue reading Resources for Oral History
The Usefulness of Definitions.
January 28, 2014 Christiansburg, VA We are presented with the task of attempting to define Bluegrass music as we begin our journey of exploring the genre’s roots and influences. The readings (the introduction to Rosenberg’s history, Goldsmith’s collection, Ted Olson’s Encyclopedia of Appalachia introduction, and the film, “High Lonesome: The Story of Bluegrass Music”) were … Continue reading The Usefulness of Definitions.