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New Local Musician Interview Coming Soon!

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Hello fellow jammers,  I added a couple of pictures that I thought you might enjoy. The second one is of a creature that was wondering through my back yard.  His name is Buck he doesn’t come around very often, so I thought I better get a picture.  A little later I found out that he was really looking for his female friend.  Oddly enough he found her and they hung around for about 30 minutes as he was courting her.  She wasn’t too interested.  Anyway, when you see a couple that were meant for each other it reminded me of my next interview that I will be posting.   See below for more info……


Very soon you will be reading my first interview of a local “duo” team.  I am sure many of you know and have seen them around at a few of the jams.   They are wonderful people and good musicians and add a lot to any jam circle.  Can you guess who they are?  Be checking the website frequently as I plan to post the interview real soon.

Secondly, I attended HABOT last Friday up North and WOW was it a great time.  There were a lot of good pickers and good bands playing.  It was a lot of fun.  I would estimate about 300 people attended including the listeners. 

Hope you to see you at the “Picking in the Heartland” jam this Friday, Feb 24th.  This jam starts at 6:30pm and is scheduled for the 4th Friday of the month all year long, even through this summers, so come on out.

Bill

Red Wing: Is it a Bird? or a an Indian Maiden?

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Hello everyone,


The expression “red wing” can mean many different things to many different people.  To some, it may make them think of a beautiful red bird, named the Cardinal as you see in the picture to the left (click on the image to see an enlarged view).   At the same time, to others, it could conjure up images of a “fallen angel” or imp.   Then again it could bring up a memory of the name of some old WWI airplane.
However, to us in the bluegrass genre of music, the expression “Red Wing” always makes one think of the song entitled “Red Wing”.  According to Wikipedia, the song was actually written back in 1908 with music by Kerry Mills and lyrics by Thurland Chattaway. 
I always enjoy playing and listening to the bluegrass style of this song.  Most of the time it is played as an instrumental but the song actually has a story when sang with the lyrics. The song portrays a picture of a young Indian maiden, named Red Wing, who is weeping due the loss of her sweetheart in battle.   Probably, most people remember the chorus with words that go like this:
Now the moon shines tonight on pretty Red Wing
The breeze is signing, the night birds crying
For far far away her brave is dying.
While Red Wing’s weeping her heart away.
Another interesting tidbit is that I have heard the song jokingly referred to as:  “Dead Wing” depending on who is playing or singing it.  Either way it is a great song and a popular selection at most Bluegrass Jams.  If you don’t know it, take some time to learn it as you now know more about its origination. Here is a very old rendition of the song:
Red Wing Song on YouTube
So next time you see a Cardinal, you can think of this great old time song.
Have a great day and keep on picking!
Bill

Local Musician Interview – from Kentucky?

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Dave and Mom

Hello Everyone.  I know you are going to enjoy this interview because it is from someone who has some real Kentucky roots, Mr  Dave Hicks.  I first met Dave in church in Kansas City, Missouri.  Dave is a fine friend and musician, so just enjoy his musical journey.

BB: Introduction – Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? 

Dave Hicks: Yes. I grew up in Eastern Kentucky near the town of Ashland. If you want to find it on a map, just look at the point where KY, OH and WV all meet together.  I joined the Air Force when I was 18 and spent the next 25 years traveling around the world until I retired in 1999 and settled in IndependenceMO.

BB:  When did you get started in your musical journey?   

Dave Hicks: [I always loved music. No one in my family played an instrument but the radio was always playing. Mom and Dad like Country Music and that is what I grew up listening to. Back then the country stations played a combination of country and bluegrass so I was exposed to both styles of music.

BB:  What happened after that?

Dave Hicks: I separated from the Air Force after my first enlistment and moved back to KY. While I was there I was attending vocational school and one of the guys in school played the Dobro and the teacher played guitar. They would sometimes play at lunch and I tried to get the guy to teach me the Dobro. He told me he couldn’t teach me so I bought a guitar and basically taught myself to play by listening to and playing along with records. I would close myself in the bedroom and play along until
I could keep up. The first song I really learned was Rebel Soldier. My wife still hates that song because I played it so much. During this time I reconnected with Bluegrassand that has been what I have mostly listened to since then.

BB:  Where did you go from there?

Dave Hicks:  I reentered the Air Force but didn’t really play much Bluegrass. I was heavily involved in church and mostly played Contemporary Praise & Worship music in church and small groups. Traveling around in the Air Force I played with a lot of different music but always preferred Bluegrass.  I continued playing in church and a little bit of county/bluegrass when I could.

BB:  How did you get into Bluegrass/Old Time/Other Music?

Dave Hicks: My Mom is probably one of the biggest Bluegrassfans in the world. So she and I have always kept up with the latest releases and talked about our favorites groups. I always loved it and played when I could. Then after settling in IndependenceI met a guy name Bill Barker at church. He told me he played the banjo and would like to get together. He and I played together some and then he took me to the jam at the Blue Rridge Mall and then to HABOT. That is when I really started playing Bluegrass almost exclusively (Thanks Bill). I have stuck with HABOT and have now been a board member for the last 2 years. Since then Bill and I started the weekly CountyMeadow jam which has now become the 4thFriday Picking in the Heartland Jam. I started playing Upright Bass about 4 years ago and it has become my main instrument.

BB:  What is your favorite Bluegrass Band or Artist? and who influenced you the most?

Dave Hicks: Being a Kentuckyboy I have to say Bill Monroe of course. Since I grew up second generation I have always listened to Ricky Skaggs and Tony Rice. I also listen to anything by the original Seldom Scene and Country Gentlemen.

BB:  How many songs have you written?

Dave Hicks:  That’s easy; None. I have written some additional verses to a few of the two verse songs that I play but never have been able to write a whole song. It is a goal of mine to do some songwriting someday.

BB:  What advice would you give to young people wanting to get started in Bluegrass?

Dave Hicks: Pick an instrument, find a good teacher and take lessons. I never did and many times have regretted it. Stay close to the music. Listen to a lot of different artist. Go to jams watch and listen. Play in groups to learn your timing and how to interface with others.  Learn and utilize good jamming etiquette.

BB:  Anything else you want to say to wrap up this interview?

Dave Hicks: Sure. Be serious about your music. That is practice and work on your craft but keep it fun. This music is great for enjoyment and relaxation but if it becomes a job you will resent it. I’m not a musician in the strictest sense of the word but I play an instrument. I’m not a singer but I enjoy singing. Most of all I love getting together with those who share my love for this music
BB:  Thanks again to Dave for sharing his musical journey!

SPBGMA Music Nomination Awards – Midwest Convention

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Mr Ed Sellers

Hello everyone.  It is that time of the year again for the Midwest Bluegrass Music Awards.  You will be glad to know that the KC Area has several individual nominations including:  Mike Collins – Songwriter of the year and Male Vocalist of the year (Traditional);  Dave Batson and Karla Campbell – Bass Fiddle Performer of the year;  Jimmy Campbell – Dobro Performer of the year;  Bob White – Guitar Performer of the year;  Ed Sellers – Fiddle Performer of the year;  Jim McGreevy – Male Vocalist of the year (contemporary);  Karla Campbell – Entertainer of the year.

Next time you see one of these folks, make sure you say congratulations to them.  If you want to see the complete list including band nominations, please click this link:  Midwest Music Award Nominations

Hope to see you at the KC Bluegrass Club this Friday.

Bill

Bluegrass Musician Interview – First Female

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Hello everyone.  Happy New Year!  As we start the new year, it brings me good pleasure to share with you an interview with our very first female bluegrass musician.  I have had many good times picking with Linda Garrison and know her as a friend and admire her as a wonderful person.   She definitely loves her banjo playing and singing.  Make sure you say hello next time you see her at one of our local jams.  
BB: Introduction – Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? 
Linda: I was born and raised most of my life in Missouri and have been married to Dennis for 50 years next July. We have one son, John and 2 granddaughters, Jessica and Rachel.
I have had 3 careers in my life, so far. Number one, I was a hairdresser for 18 years. Two, I had my own company and designed and marketed quilting books and soft sculptured items in the US and internationally for 15 years. Three I was a realtor for 15 years. But, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.
 
BB:  When did you get started in your musical journey?   
Linda: I have always loved music and played some kind of instrument most of my life. My dad’s family lived on a farm and supplemented their income with their band, playing for dances. That was before bluegrass.
 
BB:  What happened after that?
Linda: I was always whining and wanting music lessons, but there was no money,

so my formal music education came with a clarinet in junior high school, which I played through high school.

BB:  Where did you go from there?
Linda:  The next instrument I tried was a Sears’s guitar I bought for 5 dollars and taught myself finger picking style playing. After all it was when folk music was in.

BB:  How did you get into Bluegrass/Old Time/Other Music?
Linda: In the 1970’s some friends of mine that I square danced with played Bluegrass and got together once in a while and no one played the banjo, so that’s how I decided to play banjo. Plus, it was my favorite instrument.
I found Jeff Elsloo for a teacher and took lessons for about 6 months, but that was when I was starting my quilting business and found I had not time for my banjo, so I put it down.
Fast forwarding to 2001, I was retiring and thought I would try the banjo again and looked around for someplace to take lessons. I looked on the internet and figured Mountain Music might be a good place to start. I walked in to talk to them about lessons and there was Jeff. So he was stuck with me again. He can run but he can’t hide.
BB:  What is your favorite Bluegrass Band or Artist? and who influenced you the most?
Linda: Early on I found Nashville Bluegrass Band and loved their songs and style and Alan O’Bryant on banjo. I got to meet Alan at a banjo camp this last summer in Michigan. I wanted to tell him “I was his biggest fan”, but I thought that was to Kathy Bates.
I also am a great fan of Russell Moore and III Tyme Out and do a number of their songs.
BB:  How many songs have you written?
Linda:  I have not written any songs, but I do love a well-crafted song. Becky Bueller has written several songs I try to do, and I love her play on words.
BB:  What advice would you give to young people wanting to get started in Bluegrass?
Linda: Other than practice, practice, practice, the main thing is to get out there and jam with other people. You learn nothing being a closet player. When you first start just sit in the background and learn to play backup quietly. Your knowledge will increase greatly sitting in with good players.
Learn how to sing, this will increase your playing ability greatly and increase your repertoire.
Always be a courteous jammer and follow good jamming etiquette.   
BB:  Anything else you want to say to wrap up this interview?
Linda: I want to thank all the people who have allowed me to jam with them and put up with all my inadequacies’. This is what makes playing fun, coming together with other people and making a unified sound that is pleasing to the ear.
Bill:  Linda, thank you so much for sharing your musical journey.

Bluegrass Interview – Local Musician

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Hello everyone:  It never ceases to amaze me the talent that is around the Kansas City area.  This interview is another example of talent from Steve Gouge, known to many of us as “Curly”.  I just know you will enjoy reading his musical journey.  Steve is a wonderful musician and a great person as well with a very interesting background and I thank him for sharing it with us.
BB:  When did you get started in your musical journey?   
Curly: My father was the music minister in our church and my mother played piano, so music always filled our home.  I started playing the trombone in 5th grade.  I did very well with the trombone, sitting first chair in school and even winning a few medals at State competition.  However, by the time I was 14 or 15 I realized that the trombone wasn’t much of a “chick magnet” so I began playing guitar.
 
BB:  What happened after that?
Curly:  In my early 20’s I was introduced to bluegrass music by some over-zealous friends that invited us to go to the Walnut Valley festival in Winfield, Kansas.  One of those over-zealous friends
was Karla Peterie and her husband Mike Roark.  Karla is the daughter of Slim Peterie, the long time bluegrass player in the Kansas City area.  I told my wife that we should go to this “Winfield” thing one time to shut them up about it.  The love affair with bluegrass began at the festival, so much so that we have now attended the Walnut Valley Festival 26 of the past 28 years.
BB:  Where did you go from there?
Curly:  My interest in bluegrass music continued to grow and I began taking flatpicking lessons from Rick George, son of Bob George, at George’s Music Service on North Oak.  I practiced very earnestly for hours every day trying to get better at playing bluegrass.  But for some reason, flatpicking never really “clicked” for me.  So I decided that I would try playing some bass because we always had too many guitar pickers in the jam sessions and no one played bass.  So I bought an inexpensive upright bass from a friend. 
BB:  What happened after the next?
Curly:  Even though I was playing a lot of bass with various groups around town, I still played guitar.  My mother and stepdad were members of a Good Sams camping club in Dallas and we would occasionally take our camper to Oklahoma or Texas to join them on one of their monthly campouts.   When we would go to camp with them, all the guys in their club that played music would bring their instruments so that we could jam.  One of those men was a very dear man named Pop Penrod.  Pop was originally from Beach Creek, Kentucky, right smack in the heart of Muhlenberg County.  He asked me if I had ever tried to play “Thumbpicking” style, like Chet Atkins or Merle Travis.  I immediately told him that I didn’t think I could EVER play like Chet.  He said that he saw something in my style of playing the guitar that made him believe that I might be able to play like that.  So I told him I would try it. Well, from the first time I strapped on a thumb pick, I was astounded because I was indeed able to play that style.  I think what amazed me most was that it felt so natural to me and that I didn’t have to work at it nearly as much as I had flatpicking.
BB:  How did you get into Bluegrass/Old Time/Other Music?
Curly:  As I continued to progress in playing the thumb picking or finger picking style, I began to explore the idea of taking some of the popular bluegrass tunes and creating my own arrangement of them in the finger picking style.  Attending numerous bluegrass jam sessions around town helped immensely with that regard.  It gave me an opportunity to sit down with some great musicians and learn these songs, melodies and chord progressions.  Then I would go home and work out my arrangement of those songs.
BB:  What is your favorite Bluegrass Band or Artist? and who influenced you the most?
Curly:  Obviously Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Mose Rager influenced me heavily but I have also been influenced by Rhonda Vincent, New Grass Revival, Tony Rice, Dan Crary and Doc Watson.  Doc Watson is one of the few guitarists I’ve ever seen or heard that has the ability to flatpick or fingerpick and make it sound fabulous.  I really like Doc’s music.
BB:  How many songs have you written?
Curly:  I’ve only written a hand full of songs.  Songwriting is something that never really came very easy for me.  And I’ve found that there are so many great songs that have already been written that I want to learn, so it feels futile for me to pursue writing.  So many songs, so little time!
BB:  What advice would you give to young people wanting to get started in Bluegrass?
Curly:  Like to shoe commercials say, “Just DO IT”.  Get an instrument and get started.  Sadly though, most folks buy an inexpensive instrument to get started since they don’t know if they will like it or not.  But those inexpensive instruments are the hardest to play and often times discourage people from continuing to learn simply because they hurt the fingers so much.  So my advice would be to buy the best instrument you can possibly afford to learn on.  And practice EVERY day.  Even if you can only find 15 or 20 minutes a day.  Just make sure to spend some time practicing every single day. The internet offers tons of free material to learn from or you can find yourself an instructor to help you along the way. 
BB:  Anything else you want to say to wrap up this interview?
Curly:   My wife Carol and I were part of the staff of the Santa Fe Trails Bluegrass Festival that was held locally for several years.  We had the pleasure of meeting and hearing some of the best bluegrass musicians around, including Ricky Skaggs, Vassar Clements, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Rhonda Vincent, Brian Sutton and so many others.  Our experience there just strengthened our love of bluegrass music.  In fact, one afternoon at the festival, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Bob Redford, the founder of the Walnut Valley festival in Winfield, Kansas.  I told Bob “Thank you for changing my life”.  He gave me one of those deer-in-the-headlights looks and I could tell he was puzzled by my comment.  I explained to him that our friends had introduced us to his festival, and that after attending his festival we returned home to Kansas City and began to get involved in the local bluegrass jam sessions.  Through those jam sessions we have met so many absolutely wonderful folks, many of whom we now share holidays with, just like we do our own flesh and blood relatives.  The friends we have through the music circles ARE an important part of our family now.  And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Post Turkey – Pickin!

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Hello everyone.
We are having our 4th Friday Bluegrass/Gospel/Old Time Jam the day AFTER Thanksgiving!  Yes that’s right, so put the turkey in the fridge and come on out to an evening of fun pickin’ and grinnin’.   Who knows,  maybe some of your smiles and hot pickin’ may actually shed some calories?   We would love to see you while you share your time and talents at our monthly jam.  If you are first time attender you will see many different musicians singing and playing banjo, bass, guitar, fiddle, and mandolin.  If you are trying to learn come on out as all skill levels are welcome.  Hope to see you there!  Bill

Local Musician Interview

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It is always a pleasure to interview any local musician and Dale Sullivan is one person that is kinda of quiet but has a very interesting musical journey.  Dale is always a gentleman and person that you need to know.  He is a good friend and loves to play music anytime, anyday.  He knows more fiddle tunes than anyone I know and is still learning new songs after many decades.   I hope you enjoy reading the interview. 
BB: Can you tell me a little about your background?  Where you from? Hobbies? etc
Dale:   I was born at Fristoe, Missouri (BentonCounty) attended grade School at Locust Ridge, a one room school house, and attended High School at Cross Timbers Missouri.    I moved from Benton County Missouri to Kansas City in 1944.  I am an Army Veteran, having served in the occupation of Japan in 1946 until 1948, and in the Korean war in 1950 and 1951.   I started to  College in1948, but it was interrupted by the Korean war, however I finished college in 1955, having earned  BA and LLB-JD degrees.
BB:  When did you get started in musical journey?   
Dale:  Both, my father and grandfather played the fiddle.   When I was about 6 years of age, my father permitted me to play his fiddle.   At about 11 years of age,
I had my own fiddle and a fiddle instruction book.  At that time I learned to read music.
 
BB:  What happened after that?
Dale:  Part of the time while in college, I played for dances on Saturday nights at the Gay Nineties Square Dance Club who used the Odd Fellows Lodge at

Independence Avenue

and Hardesty in Kansas City, Missouri for their dances.  The dance program usually called for two square dances and one waltz, polka, or schottische, and the dance sequence was repeated as needed.  The band members were each paid $7.00 to $10.00 for playing music.  It was there that I first met fellow band member, Holly Baker.

BB:  Where did you go from there?
Dale:  In the early 1980’s I formed the Missouri Town Band and  played Contra Music for the Missouri Town Dancers and for Cloggers.  For over 20 years I played music for the Lloyd Shaw Foundation, at week long dance program in Colorado, playing Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes, Waltzes, and  English Country dance music for Square dances, Contra dances, English Dances, and other historic and ethnic dances.
BB:  How did you get into Bluegrass or Old Time Music?
Dale:  I don’t consider myself a Bluegrass Fiddler, but I like listen to it and attempt to play it.  
BB:  What is your favorite Bluegrass or Old Time Band or Artist? and who influenced you the most?
Dale:  My favorite fiddler is Howard Forrester, and my favorite local fiddlers were John Journagan, Lyman Enlow and Johnny Bruce, all of whom are now deceased.
BB:  What advice would you give to young people wanting to get started in Bluegrass or Old Time Music?
Dale:  I believe young musicians should learn to read music.  If one wishes to play dance music, most dance leaders wish to use specific music for their dances.  Being able to read music is a wonderful tool to learn new tunes.
BB:  What is your favorite Bluegrass or Old Time Festival or Magazine?
Dale:  During the past 35 years I have frequently attended Bluegrass Festivals at Dixon, MO and Kahoka, MO.
BB:  What is your favorite Bluegrass or Old Time instrument(s)?
Dale:  Fiddle and Guitar.
BB:  Anything else you want to say to wrap up this interview?
Dale:    I play tennis and golf, and I like to fish and hunt; but by far my favorite pastime in playing music.   I look forward to playing music most every day, and to get together with other musicians to play music.

Local Musician releases her first CD !!

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Hello everyone,
Hope you can come to our jam this Friday, August 26th at 6:30pm.   If you do, you will be able to offer your congratulations to Carolyn Armes for releasing her very first CD.  It is entitled:  Carolyn Niccum – “Steppin’ Out”. It is a compilation of her all time top ten favorite songs.  Including Blue Kentucky Girl, Singin’ the Blues, Jambalya and many more….

Carolyn is planning to be at the jam and have some of her CDs available for $10 dollars.  This is a wonderful first time accomplishment for her and I admire her for “steppin’ out” to make this new release.  


See you at the jam.
Bill

Record Crowd at the June 24th Jam

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Hello everyone,
Summer is buzzing and so is our monthly jam.  We had a record crowd (over 50 people) at our June jam along with several new faces.  I believe everyone had a good time because I saw lots of smiles, laughter and foot tapping and even singing by those that were listeners.  Thanks to Woods Chapel Church, the facilities are fantastic and we appreciate the use of the facility.  The halls were echoing with Bluegrass, Gospel and Old Time Music which is expected.  Here is the link to the photos that you can enjoy:
 http://www.fotfphotos.com/Music/Picking-in-the-Heartland/Picking-in-the-Heartland-6-24/17727358_7VHstG#1353143701_nTf5vc3

We had plenty of snacks along with our monthly FREE CD give away which was won by Mary Fisher.  I hope she is enjoying the Seldom Scene CD entitled “Different Roads”.   The photo shown above is a different road in Blue Springs, MO at one of the Burr Oaks Nature Trails.

I was able to go to the Fillmore, MO Bluegrass Festival last Saturday and had a great time.  It was really good to hear the band called “Driven” featuring Jimmy Campbell, and Liberty Highway along with the Duff Family Band.  It was also good to see several local folks attend as well, including Harvey, Sandy, Tim, Denny, Karla, Christie, etc and the list goes on. There was plenty of good jamming as well. 

Hope to see you at our next Jam on July 22nd.
Bill