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Rounder Records sends us a reminder on Josh Williams' "Bird Video." I know most of you have probably already seen this, but in case you haven't, please take a moment to watch this cute video of the Josh Williams Band shot by Ted Lehmann at the Doyle Lawson Bluegrass Festival last May. The video has over 830K views already!

The band never misses a beat as the cute little baby bird unexpectedly lands on Josh's guitar while he's playing it. The song continues with the bird riding comfortably on the back of the guitar. Needless to say, Josh couldn't continue picking for the rest of the song. It didn't matter as the bird even tried to sing during the performance.

At around 1:30 a baby bird lands on Josh's guitar and continues to sit & listen while Josh finishes his song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vBo0ptYJNs Thanks to Ted for capturing this special moment.

The Josh Williams Band became one of the leading explosive tributes to the tradition of music last season, after a nomination to the final round as IBMA's Emerging Artist for 2009 set their course. Their smooth vocals hold the fans spellbound. Josh, Randy, Jason & Nick blend hypnotically to take their audiences through all realms of musical sentiment, from easy-going ballads to fiery, hard-driving instrumentals. The band's unique chemistry with each other, their charisma and connection to their fans, along with their inherent musical and lyrical gifts, are producing riveting performances to sold-out audiences. Their instant appeal to every demographic is soaring JWB to new heights. With the electrically-charged magical sounds that make them so popular, Josh led the band to become “the people's choice” when they won 2010 IBMA Emerging Artist.

Tags: Josh Williams BandRounder RecordsTed Lehmann

Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam has become recognized as the kick off event of the CMA Music Festival and in 2012, Marty will celebrate the jam session's 11th year. Marty started the event as way to welcome fans to country music's biggest festival, but the jam has also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for MusiCares, which provides assistance for music people in times of need.

In the past, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Porter Wagoner, Neko Case, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jerry Lee Lewis and many more have shown up for the jam session.

Last year Marty Stuart celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Late Night Jam as he kicked off that year's CMA Music Festival and the annual Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman summer concert series. Stuart is a favorite at the Ryman and if last year's sold-out performance is a any indication, if you want tickets, you need to act fast. Tickets are available at: The Ryman Ticket Sales web site.

Stuart, a stalwart of traditional country music, recently received his fifth career Grammy® award for "Best Country Instrumental" for "Hummingbyrd," from his critically acclaimed album Ghost Train (The Studio B Sessions). His TV show, The Marty Stuart Show, continues to bring traditional country music into living rooms across the country every Saturday night on RFD-TV.

Established in 1989 by The Recording Academy, MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. For more information, please visit www.musicares.com

Tags: Marty StuartLate Night JamCMA Music Festival

That wonderful action filled group, Leftover Salmon is announcing another tour! If you haven't heard yet, the group is preparing and getting ready to get back on on the road for their 2012 tour.

This spring the roads will take the band to parts of the Midwest and Southeast. They have also just got out of a Portland, Oregon studio and have completed their first record in more than 8 years. You'll be hearing a lot more about that in the coming months.

The band notes, "There is a full festival season ahead for us and we kick off our Winter Tour on February 28th in Fort Collins. We've also just added a second date at the Sheridan Opera House. So, if you didn't get tickets to the first sold out show in Telluride, you now have a chance."

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for the second date at the Sheridan Opera House on March 12 and their Spring Tour! They can't wait to see all of you out on the road.

Tags: Leftover Salmon2012 Tour

A big package arrived recently from Mel Bay Publications, chock full of new instructional books that may hold some interest for pickers who read Bluegrass Today. Some are aimed at new players, or those with modest skills, while others will be quite demanding indeed. Serious [...]

The Likely Culprits will make their official band debut, Saturday night at the world famous Station Inn, in Nashville, TN. This new group consists of Ashby Frank (mandolin, vocals), Deanie Richardson (fiddle), Melonie Cannon (vocals), Garnet Imes Bowman (vocals), Brandon Bostic (guitar, vocals), Austin Ward [...]

Growing up in Hurricane WV was a real blessing in my life. Hurricane and surrounding towns were a hotbed of bluegrass music lovers, with a wealth of fine musicians. I remember as a young man, when my dad took me to a little establishment outside [...]

Here’s something fun we found online, courtesy of the good folks at Janet Davis Music. We all remember the Magic 8 Ball, the ersatz occult toy that rose to popularity in the 1950s, along with the Oiuja board. Children (and adults?) were to hold the [...]

Lebanon, TN -- Rounder Records recording group Dailey & Vincent were honored with multiple awards during the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) awards show on February 5, 2012 in Nashville, Tenn. Together they won Gospel Group of the Year (Contemporary), Vocal Group of the Year, and Overall Bluegrass Band of the Year. Separately, Jamie Dailey earned Entertainer of the Year and Contemporary Male Vocalist, and Darrin Vincent earned Bass Performer of the Year. In addition, acclaimed bluegrass group The Grascals was named Instrumental Group of the Year at the 39th Annual SPBGMA Awards.

"We are delighted that Jamie Dailey, Darrin Vincent, and their group have been recognized by their fans and members of SPBGMA in such an exciting way," said Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager Julie Craig. "Since they released The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent on January 9, their second CD in the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® exclusive music program, Jamie and Darrin have connected with our guests in Cracker Barrel stores throughout their travels. Their talent and spirit shines through whether they are performing on stage or visiting at one of our tables and we're very proud of them."

"The Grascals hit the ground performing at the start of 2011 with phenomenal music steeped in the bluegrass tradition that touched the hearts of their contemporary audiences," said Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager Julie Craig. "We are thrilled to congratulate them on their achievements and proud of all of their accomplishments, particularly the success of their January 3, 2011 Cracker Barrel exclusive music program release of The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin CD<?em>." The album debuted at #1 on Billboard magazine's Bluegrass Albums chart and at #26 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart.

The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent, the latest CD in Cracker Barrel's exclusive music program, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums chart (week ending January 15, 2012) and has remained #1 for four weeks. 2011 Cracker Barrel releases include The Oak Ridge Boys' CD It's Only Natural in September; Jason Michael Carroll's all-country Numbers with 11 new songs and one previous hit in July; the May release of Teddy Gentry's Best New Nashville with original music from 12 talented new artists and Randy Travis' self-titled album Randy Travis. In March 2011 Cracker Barrel released Kenny Rogers' The Love of God, which debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and #2 on the Top Christian Albums chart; The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin in January, which debuted at #1 on Billboard magazine's Bluegrass Albums chart and at #26 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. In November 2010, Cracker Barrel released Smokey Robinson's Now & Then, which debuted at #19 on Billboard magazine's R&B chart and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. September saw the release of the self-titled Rodney Atkins, which included four #1 hits, and Mandy Barnett's Winter Wonderland. Over the last few years, Cracker Barrel has released exclusive CDs with Craig Morgan, Wynonna, Alan Jackson, the Zac Brown Band, George Jones, Montgomery Gentry, Dolly Parton, Bill Gaither, Ricky Skaggs, Aaron Tippin, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Josh Turner, Amy Grant, Sara Evans and Charlie Daniels.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that's surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America's country heritage…all at a fair price. The restaurant serves up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n' dumplins as well as its made from scratch biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 610 company-owned locations in 42 states. Every Cracker Barrel unit is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. For more information, visit crackerbarrel.com.

Tags: SPBGMADailey & VincentThe GrascalsCracker Barrel

Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce the new single, "Life Goes On" by the Musicians Against Childhood Cancer®. The title track surely speaks to the heart and soul and gives us a glimpse of the all-star power contained on this exciting new 2 CD Set releasing March 27, 2012. This beautiful song was written by Dale Pyatt and Steve Thomas and includes lead vocals by Jerry Salley, Carl Jackson, Rickey Wasson, Larry Cordle, and Ronnie Bowman. It was recently released on the label's Fresh Cuts & Key tracks radio compilation CD and is now available at AirplayDirect.com

"Life Goes On" also includes the talents of: Ron Stewart (Fiddle); Jim VanCleve (Fiddle); Alan Bibey (Mandolin); Clay Hess (Guitar); Randy Kohrs (Harmony vocal, Dobro); Jay Weaver (Bass); and Garnet Bowman, Ashley Kohrs, D.A. Adkins, Len Butler, Gary Payne, Dale "Chicken Grease" Pyatt (Harmony Vocals).

The Life Goes On album was recorded live during the annual MACC festivals from 2006 - 2011 with the exception of the new single "Life Goes On" that was recorded at Randy Kohrs' Slack Key Studio in Nashville , TN.

Proceeds from the festival benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Performers at the festival generously donate their time and talent to this cause. MACC was founded by Darrel & Phyllis Adkins in honor of their daughter, Mandy who lost her battle with cancer on November 25, 2000. Life Goes On is the next chapter for this important music project and once again the Bluegrass music community has stepped up and supported the project with open arms and a big heart.

For more information on Musicians Against Childhood Cancer, please visit their website at www.BluegrassClassic.com and for more information on Rural Rhythm Records, please visit www.RuralRhythm.comRural Rhythm Records is proud to announce the new single,

Tags: Life Goes OnMusicians Against Childhood CancerMACCBluegrass ClassicRural Rhythm

The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation's Concert Series and Downtown Rome's Living & Giving will present Shannon Whitworth in Concert on Friday, March 2, at 8 p.m. A bluegrass/Americana singer, she comes to Rome to perform in the town that her parents call home. The daughter of Darlington School Headmaster Tom Whitworth and his wife, Margo, Shannon credits her parents with filling their home with music that inspired her, including Paul Simon, James Taylor, John Prine, and Crosby Stills, Nash & Young.

"We are very excited that our daughter and her group are supporting the efforts to help the DeSoto be all that it can be," said Tom. "We are very, very proud of Shannon, and proud that she'll be here. We look forward to everyone getting to know her."

Shannon was a founding member of the Biscuit Burners, the bluegrass band that brought her to the attention of the music world and performed during Darlington's Centennial Alumni Weekend in 2005. After appearances on the BBC and PBS, she left the band to pursue a broader musical vision.

In 2007, she released her first solo album, No Expectations, followed by Waterbound in 2010. She was also featured last year in the popular Southern magazine Garden & Gun. Under the cover headline "Bluegrass Nation, 25 Bands Giving Old-Time Music a Whole New Sound," Shannon is said to have eclectic musical tastes ranging from Beck to Patsy Cline. "Her sound may be hard to define, but her voice is unmistakable," said the magazine about her distinctive, husky voice.

Shannon is married to musician Woody Platt, whose band, Steep Canyon Rangers, performs with comedian and banjo player Steve Martin.

Opening for her will be Rome's own Thunderbolt Patterson. A VIP Patron's Party will be held jointly at the Swift and Finch café and the Great Room at the Seven Hills Building, two new spaces just opening to the community at the former Clyde Collier and White Rabbit buildings. The VIP reception will continue after the concert at the Swift and Finch café, which will also be open to the general public.

Downtown Rome's retail business Living & Giving is the concert's marquee sponsor and was instrumental in bringing Shannon Whitworth to Rome. Her mother, Margo, has been on the Living & Giving staff for the past five years.

"You can imagine my excitement at being able to introduce our community to Shannon's sultry bluegrass sound, Swift & Finch, and Seven Hills all in one evening," said Lisa Landry, event co-chairperson in charge of the VIP Reception.

"We're excited that so many elements of the Rome community have come together in support of the DeSoto Theatre," said Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation President Paul Griffin. "Seven Hills Fellowship has been holding Sunday morning church services at the DeSoto Theatre for over five years and is an instrumental partner in the theatre's restoration efforts."

The Historic DeSoto Theatre, built in 1929 by O.C. Lam, was the first theatre in the south built exclusively for "talkies." The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation was established in 2008 to lead a community effort to restore, maintain and operate the DeSoto Theatre as a historical, cultural and economic asset. All proceeds from the concert will go toward the Foundation's restoration efforts.

Tickets for the concert are $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Tickets for the VIP Patron's Party are $50 per person and include the meet-and-greet reception with live music, reserved seating at the theatre, and coffee and desserts after the concert. Tickets are available at www.desototickets.com , Living & Giving, Schroeder's New Deli, Blue Sky Outfitters, DeSoto Box Office, or by calling 706 295-7171.img src=

Tags: Shannon Whitworth

Bristol, TN/VA -- The Appalachian Cultural Music Association will present their 16th Annual Leon Kiser Memorial Tribute Concert at the Paramount Theatre in Bristol, Tennessee on Saturday, February 25th. The concert is named in memory of the late Leon Kiser who was bandleader of his group the Holston Mountain Boys for over thirty years. Kiser was also a local legend who not only performed bluegrass music but also was a promoter of the music as well in the regions of East Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia.

The concert is presented each year by the ACMA and showcases local, regional and national artists who volunteer their talents to honor musicians and contributors who help further bluegrass and old time music in the southern Appalachian Region.

Honorees this year will be the legendary Stoneman Family who were originally from Galax, Virginia. Patsy, Donna and Roni Stoneman are the surviving children of the late Ernest V. and Hattie Stoneman. Ralph Peer and the Victor Company recorded Ernest and Hattie Stoneman at the famous Bristol Sessions of 1927 and Ernest is credited for urging Peer to come to Bristol for these legendary recordings. Stoneman's surviving daughters Patsy, Donna and Roni will be honored along with their famous family and they will perform on the show as well.

Also being honored at this year's concert will be the McPeak Brothers from Wytheville, Virginia. The McPeaks have been performing and writing bluegrass music for over 40 years and are legendary in the bluegrass music world. Dewey, Larry and Mike McPeak will be honored at the concert along with their late brother Udell who originally helped form the band back in the 1960s. The McPeaks are scheduled to perform on the show also.

Emily Spencer is another honoree this year. Emily is best known for her decades of work and music making with the White Top Mountain Band. She is also been very giving of her time and talents by teaching others how to play and sing old time music. The White Top Mountain Band will perform on the concert on February 25th as well.

The Vanover Sisters played music for over six decades in the Tri-Cities Region with a career going back to the Farm and Fun Time Show on WCYB Radio in the 1950s. Monet and Estelle Vanover who were originally from Southwestern Virginia performed classic country music for countless audiences over the years. Estelle passed away last year. Monet will be on hand for the concert and will perform on stage with Robby Spencer on the February 25th concert.

The final honoree at this year's concert will be Harry Esenwine. Esenwine will be awarded the “Award of Merit” by the ACMA for his contributions and support of the region's music. Esenwine retired a few years ago as manager of the Bristol Mall but back in 1998 gave the Mountain Music Museum their first home. The ACMA supports and operates the Mountain Music Museum at the Bristol Mall which still thrives there today thanks in large part to Harry Esenwine's vision and support. Esenwine still lives in Bristol since his retirement four years ago.

The concert will feature many talented bands and musicians including the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band, the Stonemans, McPeak Brothers, Holston Mountain Boys, Kiser Family, Kody Norris, Morehead State University with Raymond McLain and their Mountain Music Ambassadors, Lightnin' Charlie, Monet Vanover with Robby Spencer, Breaking Tradition and Duty Free. Tim White who hosts the popular television concert series “Song of the Mountains” will emcee the concert.

The 16th Annual Leon Kiser Memorial Tribute Show will begin at 7:00 pm on Saturday, February 25th. Tickets are available at the Paramount Theatre in Bristol, Tennessee. For tickets and information call 276-274-8920 or visit www.theparamountcenter.com information is also available at www.mountainmusicmuseum.org or www.pickinporch.org

Proceeds from this concert go to benefit the Benny Sims and the ACMA's Leon Kiser Scholarships at East Tennessee State University.

The concert is sponsored by Bryant Label Company, Arrington, Schelin & Herrell, P.C., Toyota of Kingsport, Kiser Supply, Johnson City Honda, The Tim White Bluegrass Show, Rock 102.5 in Marion, Virginia, News5 WCYB, News Channel 11, Eddie's Trophies, Charter Media and WPWT 870 am Top Gun Country.

Tags: Appalachian Cultural Music AssociationThe Stoneman FamilyMcPeak brothers

Deering Banjos has published a lengthy interview with Scott Avett, of the notorious Avett Brothers. I say notorious because discussions about the band can become quite heated in bluegrass circles, especially where the “that’s not bluegrass!” crowd is concerned. From the start, Scott has played [...]

Procrastination alert… this is a piece I’ve been meaning to write for weeks. Months even. You can mark this down as one of those “power of World of Bluegrass” stories, where it happened that I had to go to Nashville to discover a trio of [...]

We posted about The Tuttles with AJ Lee just a week ago, noting that the band of young pickers had been signed with Roe Entertainment for artist representation. What we didn’t know at the time was the fact that this Bay Area group had cleaned [...]

Fox 17 news in Nashville ran a story on Tuesday about the nasty contract dispute between The Grascals and Entertainment Evolution. A channel 17 reporter caught up with the two attorneys representing the band and Kirt Webster, owner of Entertainment Evolution and Webster & Associates [...]

Lyons, CO -- Planet Bluegrass sent us this announcement... "Dearest festivarian: It's time to get serious for a minute. No more easily-ignored pleas to scribble lottery dates on your calendar. The time for summer solstice action is now. Before your curious eyes get immersed in the single-day Telluride lineup (yes, it's below), stop and consider anyone you know who is still looking for tickets to Telluride Bluegrass... Maybe it's a pickin' buddy? Maybe it's the couple that camped next to you last year? Maybe it's you? Send them a reminder to enter the online lottery for single-day tickets right now. These are the only tickets left for the grand gathering of Festivarian Nation in Telluride; and the lottery closes this Thursday, February 9. Reminder sent? Great. Onto the good stuff...

And, now, here is the schedule lineup for the 39th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival...

Thursday, June 21: Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, John Prine, Laura Marling, Thelma & Louise featuring Chris Thile & Béla Fleck, Greensky Bluegrass, Dan Mangan, Della Mae

Friday, June 22: John Fogerty, Leftover Salmon, Del McCoury Band, Béla Fleck & the Marcus Roberts Trio, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Edgar Meyer & Mike Marshall, Joy Kills Sorrow, Head for the Hills

Saturday, June 23: Sam Bush Band, k.d. lang & the Siss Boom Bang, Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, Yonder Mountain String Band, Jerry Douglas featuring Omar Hakim & Viktor Krauss, The Devil Makes Three, Run Boy Run

Sunday, June 24: Telluride House Band featuring Sam Bush, Béla Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Bryan Sutton & Stuart Duncan, Glen Hansard, Punch Brothers, O'Brien Party of Seven, and several more early-day sets still to be announced...

The legendary John Fogerty makes his long-awaited Telluride Bluegrass debut on Friday night – filling the box canyon with his iconic voice, gritty guitar, hard rocking band, and remarkable repertoire. Then Saturday, the artist whom Fogerty calls "my favorite musician" – Jerry Douglas – reunites his brilliant power trio of Omar Hakim & Viktor Krauss.

Béla Fleck & Chris Thile open the festival with a completely improvised set – in which their only discussion before hitting the stage is their choice of name: Thelma & Louise. Four years since his unforgettable set with The Swell Season, Glen Hansard returns with his powerful new band on Sunday evening; while one of our favorite voices in modern British folk, Laura Marling, makes her enchanting Telluride debut on Thursday.

From contemporary stringband (Joy Kills Sorrow) to jamgrass (Head for the Hills) to post-singer-songwriter band (Dan Mangan) to punky backporch singalongs (The Devil Makes Three) to jawdroppingly virtuosic (Edgar Meyer & Mike Marshall), these latest additions explore the many crags and cornices in the distinctive musical landscape of "Telluride Bluegrass."

As we mentioned above, the only remaining tickets (1,500 single-day tix per day) are being sold via an online lottery from February 7-9 – that's today thru Thursday. Read all the lottery rules (1 entry per credit card, 2 tix per day) and submit your entry right now at bluegrass.com. We'll begin processing the lottery this Friday, February 10. Good luck!

Camping is still available at Lawson Hill and Mary E. Or if sleeping under the stars isn't your thing, check out our lodging partners in Telluride and Mountain Village, including special early-bird discounts.

Though 4-day passes sold-out on December 25, there is still one way to earn your pass: the Telluride Troubadour Songwriting Contest. We'll invite 10 songwriting finalists to perform in Telluride, with 1 Troubadour winning a custom Shanti guitar and a Saturday afternoon set on the main stage. Submit up to 2 songs either online or by mail, thru April 13.

Tags: Telluride Bluegrass FestivalPlanet BluegrassAlison Krauss

Wilkesboro, NC -- This Sunday, the Staples Center in Los Angeles becomes the focal point of the entertainment world, when music's top artists are celebrated at the 54th Annual Grammy® Awards. Several of the artists nominated for these prestigious awards will grace the stages of MerleFest 25 this spring, continuing a twenty-five year tradition of bringing music's most talented performers to Wilkesboro, N.C., for one of the country's premier music festivals.

MerleFest 25, presented by Lowe's and slated for April 26-29, is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, gathering to celebrate the memory of musician Eddy Merle Watson, beloved son of American music icon Doc Watson - who himself is the recipient of seven Grammys. Doc will share the MerleFest stages with the following 2011 Grammy nominees: Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, the Original Lineup (nominated for "Best Instrumental Composition"), Vince Gill (nominated for "Best Country Song"), Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas (nominated for "Best Bluegrass Album"), Jim Lauderdale (nominated for "Best Bluegrass Album"), Steep Canyon Rangers (nominated for "Best Bluegrass Album"), Tedeschi Trucks Band (nominated for "Best Blues Album") and artist Chris Thile, performing with the Punch Brothers at MerleFest 25 (nominated for "Best Bluegrass Album").

Of course, MerleFest 25 boasts the talents of many artists who have already received that most prestigious of music awards. Besides Fleck (12-time Grammy recipient), Gill (15-time Grammy recipient), Lauderdale (three-time Grammy recipient), Tedeschi Trucks Band and Thile (two-time Grammy recipient), other Grammy honorees include Sam Bush (three-time Grammy recipient), John Hammond, David Holt (four-time Grammy recipient), Jerry Douglas (12-time Grammy recipient), Los Lobos (three-time Grammy recipient), Nashville Bluegrass Band (six-time Grammy recipient), Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, Marty Stuart (five-time Grammy recipient) and dobroist Tut Taylor.

Of special note in Grammy history is MerleFest 25 performer Alison Krauss, whose 26 prior wins makes her the most awarded female artist in Grammy history.

In addition to its stellar roster of Grammy-nominated performers, MerleFest has also become known for spontaneous moments, collaborations and last-minute performance additions. To keep up with any additional changes and additions to this year's lineup – even during the festival – MerleFest encourages fans to sign up for the e-newsletter and to follow the festival through Facebook and Twitter. Links are available at www.merlefest.org.

Ticket purchases for MerleFest 25 can be made on the web at www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. An early bird ticket discount is available through March 12, 2012.

With over 90 artists performing on 14 stages during the course of the event, MerleFest 25 is an excellent entertainment value. A complete list of confirmed performers is available at www.merlefest.org.

MerleFest, considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson and is a celebration of what Doc Watson calls "traditional plus" music, meaning the traditional music of the Appalachian regional plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play." The annual festival has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.

Tags: MerlefestGrammyDoc WatsonAlison Krauss & Union StationSteep Canyon Rangers

/CMA/ Nashville, TN -- By Bob Doerschuk
CMA has pledged $10 million to "Working on a Building: Country Music Lives Here," the capital campaign that will finance the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's expansion from 140,000 square feet to more than 350,000 square feet. This donation is the largest philanthropic gift in the not-for-profit, Nashville-based educational organization's history.

In 1961, the CMA Board approved the establishment of the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize noteworthy individuals for their outstanding contributions to the format. In 1964, CMA organized the not-for-profit Country Music Foundation (CMF) for the purpose of "establishing a museum and archives for the preservation and exhibition of historical and cultural materials and exhibits within the field of Country Music and to make the same available to students, researchers and the general public."

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened in 1967. Since then, CMA has contributed nearly $5 million to the Museum, including a $1 million endowment to their flagship school program Words & Music, and underwriting the Museum's annual Medallion Ceremony, which has served as the official rite of induction for CMA's new Hall of Fame members since 2007. CMA is proud to be one of the Museum's most generous and consistent benefactors.

"CMA and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum are connected by history and our shared interest in preserving the legacy, rewarding excellence and advancing the future of the format," said CMA CEO Steve Moore. "This donation is the latest example of CMA's longstanding commitment to the Hall of Fame. We are proud to support the growth of the Hall and we look forward to using the CMA Theater in a variety of ways that will shine a spotlight on the Country Music industry and format."

An integral part of the expansion project, the 800-seat, state-of-the-art CMA Theater is designed to be flexible and adaptable for a broad range of activities, from concerts and films to lectures and corporate meetings.

"We are indebted to CMA for a gift that serves our educational mission, benefits Music City and serves a worldwide audience," said Museum Director Kyle Young. "In Nashville, the CMA Theater's seating capacity is unique and will fill a gap in available performance halls. It is sure to become a coveted venue for touring artists in many genres of music, and it will be recognized as one of Music City's crown jewels.

"In addition to expanding the size and number of our own educational programs, the CMA Theater will give us the additional opportunity to partner with other cultural organizations, such as the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the Belcourt Theater and Nashville's downtown library," Young added. "We anticipate that the theater will be a critical asset to both the Music City Center and the Omni Nashville Hotel, whose clients will need convenient access to a theater like this for speakers, programs, performances and other events throughout the year. These activities could easily keep the theater booked 250 days a year."

The CMA Theater's sound and lighting is by Fisher Dachs Associates, renowned internationally for their work with technically superior and highly functional theaters, opera houses, concert halls and arts education facilities. Their work includes intimate setting such as Shakespeare's Globe, the Guthrie Theater and Arena Stage among repertory theaters; major venues including Radio City Music Hall and the Hollywood Bowl; and the Schermerhorn and other symphony halls.

The television-ready CMA Theater will feature a 500-seat main floor and two balconies of 150 seats each, ensuring that sightlines are unimpeded for audiences of 500-, 650- or 800-seat events. Its back-of-house will include a green room, band room and four dressing rooms. Exterior signage on Fifth Avenue South will make the theater visible and accessible to patrons of the 1.2 million-square-foot Music City Center. The lobby entrance will also connect with the 800-room Omni Nashville Hotel.

With Country Music Hall of Fame member Kris Kristofferson and Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford as honorary co-chairs, the Museum launched its $75 million "Working on a Building" campaign in late July with $56.8 million in cash and pledges already secured. Designed by Tuck-Hinton Architects, the expansion is expected to complete in early 2014.

© 2012 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
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Tags: CMA CloseupCountry Music Hall of Fame

Review by Joe Ross
Janie Fricke has had success with various country styles, whether slower numbers, snappy hard-driving songs, or duet hits with the likes of Johnny Duncan, Charlie Rich, Merle Haggard and Moe Bandy. Like so many other country artists who have released bluegrass music projects, it only seems logical that she add that genre to her catalogue. She started her professional career as a Nashville backup vocalist in 1975. She sang on over 1,200 albums before producer Billy Sherrill launched her career as a solo artist.

The two-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year (1982-83) has a professional and precise vocal style, and she doesn't try to deliver either backwoods rusticity or intense vocals that more often characterize bluegrass music of the hard-driving variety. Rather, it's polished, smooth, and best described as pop-oriented radio-friendly bluegrass, hence the album's title. While we've heard her sing these songs before, "You Don't Know Love," "Tell Me a Lie," "Don't Worry ‘bout Me Baby," and "It Ain't Easy Bein' Easy" are given some additional tempo and acoustic flair that breathe new life into their bluegrassy renditions. Janie's only self-penned number on the album, "Goodbye Broken Heart," has a conservative country music formula, message and hook that have succeeded for decades. That same goes for the smooth Nashville background vocals of Chip Davis, Margie Cates and Judy Rodman. The duet with Davis on the classic "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" (In Love with You)" will surely be a crowd-pleaser.

Regardless of how you define bluegrass, this album has some enchanting repertoire with Fricke's torchy voice always in the forefront. If your brand of bluegrass requires banjo, then focus on those eight (of 13) tracks with David Talbot's 5-string in the mix. Songs like "She's Single Again" and "I'll Need Someone to Hold Me (When I Cry)" do it for me. "Don't Worry ‘bout Me Baby" has plenty of banjo and fiddle (and a cleanly flatpicked guitar break by Johnny Hiland), but it's tough to call it bluegrass without that alluring heartfelt simplicity that's so prevalent in older bluegrass. The songs without banjo are infused with Randy Kohrs' nimble-fingered Dobro.
I definitely miss more of the lively sound of the mandolin that is relegated to a rather minor understated role on nine tracks, courtesy of four different Nashville session players (Luke Bulla, Andy Leftwich, Jimmy Mattingly, Glen Duncan) better known for their world-class fiddling also heard on the CD. Bob Mater's drums provide that "chop" and "bark" which the mandolin typically play in a bluegrass band. So, this album is really acoustic country music, and perhaps it should've been named Janie Fricke's "bluegrassy side of country" instead. No matter … there's plenty for folks in both camps to enjoy. Nashville bluegrass-pop has a lot of fans, and this album provides an hour of very enjoyable listening.

Tags: Janie FrickeJoe RossCountry Side of BluegrassReview

2011 proved to be a fantastic year for AirPlay Direct's growth and evolution now accelerating to over 7,200 radio station members globally and over 32,000 artist and record label members around the world. This type of global market place positioning and advancement in 2011 has set a firm foundation for APD's continued strong growth throughout 2012.

"As AirPlay Direct has grown and our needs have changed, we decided to reorganize the company early last year and bring on a more experienced executive team to help fuel our expansion to a new level, and the resulting growth has been excellent. We've now got the right team in place, the product and a system that continues to excel at delivering viable, relevant content to our radio programmers globally," says Robert Weingartz, Chairman and CEO of AirPlay Direct. "Our artists are cutting through the boundaries and finding placements around the globe and that is a fact that we cannot overlook… in fact it must be amplified. This system wouldn't exist without the effective network that we have behind the scenes. I continue to be very excited and inspired by the support AirPlay Direct receives daily from all of our strategic partners around the world."

With over 39,000 global members total, AirPlay Direct has secured 1.2 million song downloads by radio, delivered over 10 million artist Digital Press Kits (DPKs) and has had over 17 million visits to APD artist websites to date. AirPlay Direct recently announced their plan to add new promotional opportunities for users this year, having e-blasts that will be available twice a month and a featured artist slot for each blast when members need increased exposure and awareness.

The promotions truly deliver the numbers for artists and labels, for example, pre-e-blast promotion William Shatner's latest album only logged 12 radio downloads. However, within 24 hours of launching a promotion with AirPlay Direct his songs accumulated more than 1,300 downloads.

Independent artist Red Molly started with no presence on the AMA / Americana Radio Airplay Chart, and then with a small promotion on AirPlay Direct has now risen to #9 on the AMA Chart. These numbers repeat for major label, independents, and celebrity artist members.

The diversity among AirPlay Direct's members covers a broader perspective as they embark on 2012. APD is now distributing / delivering more diversified content from various creative sources --- artists, labels, publishers and radio stations. http://airplaydirect.com/charts

"The Del McCoury Blue Side of Town" radio show is now hosting its syndicated programs on AirPlay Direct's platform for delivery to its stations around the globe. The platform serves as a cost efficient paradigm shift that majors, independent and radio programmers around the globe are turning to. Among its 39,000 members are notable names like Robert Plant, Gregg Allman, Grace Potter, Merle Haggard, Steve Vai, Justin Townes Earle, Rosanne Cash, Vanguard / Sugarhill Records, Rounder Records, Alligator Records, Bloodshot Records and Rural Rhythm Records. New and upcoming releases on AirPlay Direct include Lydia Loveless, Justin Townes Earle, Joe Louis Walker, Janiva Magness and Shurman.

AirPlay Direct is continuing to create partnerships within the music industry at large as member benefit exchange services were executed for ASCAP this year, and a new partnership with the Folk Alliance, and also a new partnership with the Hard Rock Café will be announced soon.

AirPlay Direct's e-based artist marketing, promotion and education platform allows artists, record labels, and music publishers to securely deliver broadcast-quality music and Digital Press Kits / DPKs to music industry professionals worldwide. Our system allows radio programmers and film / TV music supervisors globally to connect to new music, create music calls, browse top downloaded artists, and immediately download music and related artist information. AirPlay Direct recently introduced our genre-based APD Global Radio Indicator Charts™ which track the download activity that our member's music receives from our world-wide radio panel. AirPlay Direct also publishes the digital/interactive publication, the Direct Buzz. For more information about AirPlay Direct visit www.AirPlayDirect.com
Independent artist Red Molly started with no presence on the AMA / Americana Radio Airplay Chart, and then with a small promotion on AirPlay Direct has now risen to #9 on the AMA Chart. These numbers repeat for major label, independents, and celebrity artist members.

Tags: AirPlay DirectBusiness