March looks to be another great month for bluegrass in San
Diego. The Gibson Brothers and their band are coming to the Del Mar Powerhouse
on Sunday, March 21 for a special concert, co-sponsored by the Del Mar
Foundation and the San Diego Bluegrass Society. The Gibson Brothers are one of
the top national bluegrass bands presenting the very "best of the best" in
brother harmony singing, of a caliber that holds its own with the Louvin
Brothers, the Everly Brothers, and other great sibling duos.
Here's what
some of the reviewers have said about this band: "Beautiful. Timeless.
Wrenching." - Bill Eichenberger, Columbus Dispatch. "The Gibson Brothers
deliver their tales of rural life with a mixture of pain and joy that rings
true. . ." - Geoffrey Himes, Washington Post. "To say they've got the classic
brother duet thing down is an understatement; they own it." - Michael Eck, No
Depression.
The Del Mar
Powerhouse is a beautiful venue, located right on the beach in Del Mar, but it
is small, seating only about 120, so get your tickets early. For info and
tickets visit: delmarfoundation.org.
On March 6
Chris Stuart and his band Backcountry will present a songwriting workshop at
Old Time Music, 2852 University Avenue at the corner of Utah in North Park. The
workshop is from 2-4 pm. Call (619) 280-9035 for registration and info. Chris
is the most recent winner of the IBMA award for "Song of the Year" in bluegrass
music. In addition, Chris was the winner of the prestigious Chris Austin songwriting
competition at Merlefest in both the bluegrass and gospel categories, so the
man knows how to write a bluegrass song.
The
Temecula Bluegrass Festival will be in full swing on Saturday and Sunday, March
20-21 in Old Town Temecula. This year's event features performances by
Bluegrass Etc., the Alan Munde Gazette, Lonesome Otis, the Silverado Bluegrass
Band, Sligo Rags, Gone Tomorrow, the Bluegrass Brethren, and others. The action
happens Saturday from 11am to 10pm and Sunday 11am to 6pm. Admission is free
for all of the day concerts. The Saturday evening (7pm) concert with the Alan
Munde Gazette and Bluegrass Etc. is $15 and the Sunday afternoon (3pm) concert
with the Alan Munde Gazette and Sligo Rags is $5. Camping is also available
(call 951-678-0831). For more info: www.temeculacalifornia.com.
On March 27
Jay Ungar (author of "Ashokan Farewell"), Molly Mason and their family band
will be here to give an evening concert at the San Dieguito United Methodist
Church in Encinitas. The concert is sponsored by the San Diego Folk Heritage
Society. For tickets and info visit: http://sdfolkheritage.org.
Banjos!
Last month we took a look at some of the great bluegrass
guitar players, identifying some of the historical and national greats as well
as some of the local standouts. In this issue we'll take a look at banjo
players.
Any
discussion of great banjo players must start with Earl Scruggs. Earl was a
member of the seminal early edition of bluegrass' founding band, Bill Monroe
and his Blue Grass Boys, wherein Earl redefined banjo playing by perfecting and
popularizing his three-finger technique. Earl then went on to even greater
success as part of the all-time group Flatt and Scruggs, featuring Lester Flatt
on vocals and guitar and Earl on banjo. You won't get many banjo players who
argue against a claim that Earl was the "best of all time" and none who will
argue he was (and still is - he's still performing!) the most influential of
all time. You simply cannot seriously study bluegrass banjo without dosing
yourself with some heavy Earl Scruggs.
Reasonable minds can differ on any list of the greats other
than Earl, but here is my take. Other influential banjo players include Don
Reno, an early contemporary of Earl Scruggs, who was also a stellar technician
and performer rightfully able to claim, along with Earl, at least some of the
credit for early three-finger innovation. And, of course the great Ralph
Stanley of the Stanley Brothers who penned such banjo classics as "Clinch
Mountain Backstep." Other players of stature and influence whose presence has
been prominent in the banjo world for decades include J.D. Crowe (The New
South; the Sunny Mountain Boys with Jimmy Martin), Allan Munde (Country
Gazette, Allan Munde Gazette), John Hickman (Berline Crary and Hickman;
California), and Eddie Adcock (Country Gentlemen).
As we step
into the modern era we acknowledge many great banjo players. Noteworthy among
this very competitive crowd are Jim Mills (Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder),
Ron Stewart (Lynn Morris Band; JD Crowe and the New South), Craig Smith (Laurie
Lewis and the Right Hands), and Richard Bailey (the Steeldrivers). And, while
not currently playing a heavy mix of traditional bluegrass, Bela Fleck (Bela
Fleck and the Flecktones, New Grass Revival) and Noam Pikelny (Punch Brothers)
have to be mentioned as these two have developed banjo skills of the very
highest caliber.
Turning to
the local scene, we recognize Mike Tatar, Sr. (Virtual Strangers) and Wayne
Rice (Lighthouse) as long-term contributors to the local bluegrass scene who
play solid traditional style banjo. Chris Beucler of Highway 76 is a standout
with a hard-driving style that combines tradition with a more modern approach,
and Jason Weiss (Bluegrass Ramblers; Taildraggers) shines in technical skills
and modern banjo styles as well as traditional. Steve Dame of Gone Tomorrow may
be the most underrated of the top local banjo players, but give him a listen
and you will appreciate his talent. And, recent transplant to San Diego, Janet
Beazley (Chris Stuart and Backcountry) plays as well as anyone on the local
scene with a beautiful and clean rock solid style.
Ever wonder
who plays the most bluegrass type gigs in any year? It may well be the San
Diego Bluegrass Society-sponsored Emma's Gut Bucket Band. The Gut Bucket Band,
as it is affectionately called, was founded by Emma Radcliffe and has been
playing for three decades or more. The group is all volunteer and takes its
unique brand of bluegrass, string music, and old time music to schools,
assisted living facilities, community centers, and the like - all for free
(donations are accepted and the money is used to support an instrument donation
program that provides instruments to school and other worthy causes. Dave Kelly
serves as gig coordinator and Larry Edwards manages the website. The band has
played everywhere from the Balboa Park Organ Pavilion Stage to the Drop in
Center for Homeless children. Here is a rundown on the Gut Bucket Band Gigs for
2009:
Convalescent
Hospital gigs: 21
Senior
Events: 14
School
events 3
Fund
Raisers for worthwhile causes 3
Miscellaneous
other 5
That's a
total of 46 gigs, or almost one per week. Dave reports that some of the
highlights of the year included a fundraiser played for border patrol agent
Robert Rosas who was slain in the line of duty, a performance for a fashion
show for the San Diego County Women's Club in El Cajon, and a fundraiser for
veterans attending Palomar College. You can learn more about Emma's Gut Bucket
Band at: http://www.larryedwards.com/egbb/index.html. The band meets every
Wednesday evening for practise and all players are welcome. Way to go, Gut
Bucket Band! You do the bluegrass community proud!