To receive email from World Wide Bluegrass, add newsletter@worldwidebluegrass.com to your safe sender list.
View as Web Page Subscribe Send to a Friend Preferences
Visit World Wide Bluegrass.com
Featured Artist - The Spinney Brothers
The award winning Spinney Brothers hail from the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia and are comprised of the talents of:
Allan Spinney (guitar and vocals)
Rick Spinney (banjo and vocals)
Gary Dalrymple (mandolin and fiddle)
Terry Mumford (acoustic bass)
The Spinney Brothers were founded in 1992 by brothers Allan and Rick Spinney, and were quickly noted for their brother duet vocals and distinctive sound. The cornerstone of this incomparable group is traditional, southern-flavored bluegrass. They bring along memories of the first generation of bluegrass while adding flavors of their own lives and regions.
Give them a listen, you won't be disappointed.
Be sure to tell them you heard them on the WWB!
See the Spinney Brother's Live this Month:
May 20:
Spinney Brothers and Rustic Harmony
7:00-9:30pm
Lions Centre, Amherst, NS
May 28:
77th Annual Apple Blossom Festival 2009
AVR Stage
Annapolis Valley, NS
Daughters of Bluegrass
Congratulations to our very own DJs
Vicki Abbott & Gracie Muldoon
Named as
Honorary Daughters of Bluegrass
Way to go ladies!!!
Also, be sure to check the schedule, to catch
Vicki's show, "Abbott's Bluegrass Habit"
and
Gracie's show, "Muldoon and the Blue Moon"
Rhonda Vincent Chooses World Wide Bluegrass for her International Debut of 'Destination Life'
Sammie-Marie Farnsworth
Heather 'Feather' Mandich (front woman for the band Heather Mandich and the Southern Alliance and Internet Radio DJ on World Wide Bluegrass Radio) has come together with the accomplished "Queen of Bluegrass", Rhonda Vincent in the efforts of encouraging and building the bridges of support for international bluegrass.
The song Destination Life was written by the very talented New Zealander songwriter Donna Dean and is the title track for Rhonda Vincent's new Album. While spending time in the World Wide Bluegrass chat-room Rhonda became aware of Heather's Bluegrass Downunder show, and how the focus during her show, is predominantly promoting Australian and New Zealand Bluegrass. She also became aware that Heather herself is a Kiwi, residing in Australia. She then petitioned Heather about using her radio show as a launching ramp for Donna Dean, being that she is a fellow New Zealander songwriter. Tuesday, April 21 Rhonda Vincent and Rounder Records, 'Destination Life' made it's international debut on the "Bluegrass Downunder" Show. Rhonda Vincent herself played an active part in the Internet radio chat-room that night and also remained tuned in for the duration of the program.
Heather Mandich is to be commended on her constant, passionate efforts of pulling together the worldwide family of bluegrass. She is quoted on her efforts as saying, " I hope that Australian and New Zealand artists will soon be able to enjoy more appreciation from the American audiences as awareness being raised regarding the high standard of bluegrass coming out of both countries. I think that it is timely and pertinent, that bluegrass news from New Zealand and Australia is reported. The IBMA has already chosen Australian Bluegrass artists "The Davidson Brothers" being listed as part of the show case for this year." We also expect to see many more great things to come from Donna Dean. Her songwriting surely comes from the heart and her lyrics are very pleasantly easy to relate to. Be sure to check the Be sure to check the schedule and catch Heather Mandich's "Bluegrass Downunder" show on World Wide Bluegrass Radio. Rhonda Vincent will release her new bluegrass album, Destination Life, on June 16 on Rounder Records.
DJ & Chat-Grass
-Written by Terry and Holly Poirier
Featured DJ of the month: Terry Poirier
Featured Chat-Room Regular: Holly Poirier
In their own words:
Holly and I actually met in 1997 in a music related website/chat room dedicated to folk singer James Taylor. We would visit the chat room twice a week and see each other and exchange pleasantries about the weather and so forth. At that time, Holly was in high school in KY and I was in college in Canada and away from home while dating my then girlfriend at the time. When 1999 come around and I headed back home, my family did not have the internet and I didn’t have my own computer. This lead to a hiatus for 6 years between Holly and I. We had no contact what-so-ever.
Let’s move ahead to August 2005 where Holly and I suddenly find each other in the same place and reconnect after six years of no contact thus began a whole new journey for the two of us. At this point, I was going through a divorce and there were no intentions of romance between Holly and I. We just started talking again as friends and as time went by, we realized we had a lot more in common then we thought we did.
While all of this was happening, I was checking my usual websites and forums one day and discovered an online bluegrass radio station and decided to come in. This was before the WWB came to be what it is today. At that time, there were eight DJ’s doing live shows from their own computers and I would go in and visit/listen with them and chat anything about Bluegrass. After a few weeks of me visiting on a regular basis, Miss Gracie Muldoon asked if I would be interested in doing a show. February 9th, 2006 was my debut show for OCRN (Online Country Radio Network) which now no longer exist.
Back to Holly and I, with her being in KY and myself in Eastern Canada with many things in common, the idea of us meeting came up. It had been a dream of mine since I was five to come to KY and a dream of mine since I was twelve to meet a girl from KY. In June, of 2006, those two dreams came true. I flew down (my first time on a plane) to meet Holly and her family for one week. We attended the “Festival of the Bluegrass” festival at the KY Horse Park in Lexington and saw some great bands. I was also going there to meet with Gracie Muldoon and Vicki Abbott. What a great weekend! I did some broadcasting with them and had a blast.
That Friday evening was beautiful. It was a very starry night with lovely temperatures and GREAT music. We were at the broadcast tent when Gracie told us to take a walk so we moved on to the pavilion in front of the stage and sat under the stars. IIIrd Tyme Out was on stage tearing it up while I would look at Holly then look up at the stars….no less then 15 times back and forth (just enough to put the icing on the confusion) This is where the most interesting thing could possibly happen. Steve Dilling, banjo player for IIIrd Tyme Out was at this point talking to the audience when Holly looks at me with a confused look on her face and says, “What are you doing?” This is where I tell her about my two dreams of wanting to come to KY and meet a girl from KY. I then had her look up in the sky and tell me what she saw. She told me it was the moon. But I told her it wasn’t just any moon, it was the Blue Moon of KY! This is where the band, not knowing what we said, and us not knowing their set list within seconds begin to play Blue Moon of KY. Holly looked at me in awe….unable to speak to me for the rest of the evening. It was a complete shocker to her system.
The next morning, we then became boyfriend and girlfriend. Holly was so elated (I was her first real boyfriend) she served me frozen Eggo waffles for breakfast. Booooyyyyy what loves does to a person!
September 30th, 2007 was our wedding day and it was a beautiful small wedding at the University of Kentucky’s Arboretum. Both of our parents were present for the occasion along with Holly’s best girlfriend and some extended family on Holly’s side. We will be celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary this coming September.
Besides being happily married, I play bass and sing for the Kati Penn Band. When I’m not playing music or DJ’ing, Holly and I love to go out to eat with our friends. We also love going to the movies and shopping and most importantly, we love going out and supporting as many bluegrass shows and festivals as we can. Some of our favourite foods are pasta, pizza, burgers and about anything home cooked as well. Holly will eat anything as long as there are no black olives. We love old classic movies and programs such as I Love Lucy, Andy Griffith Show, Perfect Strangers, Family Matters, Cosby Show and Home Improvement. On a more serious style, we enjoy Matlock, Murder She Wrote, Little House on the Prairie and MacGyver. For movies, we like classics such as anything with Don Knotts and Lucille Ball and Disney movies as well.
My musical influences are many, beginning with my mom and dad. Music has been in my family now for several generations and I’m very happy to continue to carry that torch. Other influences include in Bluegrass: Lynn Morris Band, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Bluegrass Album Band, The Tony Rice Unit, JD Crowe and New South, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Dailey & Vincent, Balsam Range, The Bishops, David Peterson & 1946. I have a few Jazz influences as well such as, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Django Reinhart, Stephane Grapelli, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Christian McBride, Diana Krall. Please note, this is a VERY short list.
Holly’s musical favourites are: Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, The Cherryholmes, Cadillac Sky, Mountain Heart, Kati Penn Band, The Eagles, James Taylor, Rolling Stones, Bruce Hornsby, Eric Clapton to name just a few.
Be sure to check the schedule for Terry's show: Kickin' Canadian Grass!
Con-GRASS-ulations
Congratulations to DJ Geoff Morris on his:
200th "Wall to Wall Bluegrass" Show!!!
Congratulations to DJ Gentleman Jim on his:
100th 'Bluegrass in the BassMent' show!!!
(be sure to catch his special anniversary show on May 16th for 'trivia night'!)
Festival Grass
May is finally here...you know what that means folks, FESTIVAL TIME!
Don't forget your sunscreen (or your "festival-pants")!
Parkfield Bluegrass Festival
Parkfield, CA
May 7-10
Picker’s Paradise Park Bluegrass Festival and Association
Ochlocknee, GA
May 7-10
15th Annual Bluegrass Festival North Bend State Park
Cairo, WV
May 8-9
Menokin Bluegrass Festival
Warsaw, VA
May 9
Smoky Mountain Bluegrass Festival
Fontana Dam, NC
May 9
Bluegrass on the Waccamaw
Conway, SC
May 9
Hope-Hempsted County Chamber of Commerce
Free Bluegrass Festival
Hope, AR
May 9
Bluegrass & BBQ Festival
Branson, Mo
May 13-31
Fire on the Strings
Montgomery, TX
May 14
Central Virginia Bluegrass Festival
Amelia, VA
May 14-16
Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival
Gettysburg, PA
May 14-17
Marietta Spring Bluegrass Festival
Marietta, GA
May 15-16
Topango Banjo-Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival
Agoura, CA
May 17
Spring Bluegrass Festival, Mossy Oak Music Park
Guyton, GA
May 20-24
Preddy Fest
Franklinton, NC
May 21-23
Ralph Stanley Bluegrass Festival
Coeburn, VA
May 21-23
The Acoustic Cafe Amphitheater Memorial Day Weekend Bluegrass Festival
Near Birmingham, AL
May 22-23
Delfest
Cumberland, MD
May 22-24
Fiddlers Grove
Union Grove, NC
May 22-24
Strawberry Park Festival
Preston, CT
May 28-31
Recipe-Grass
Po' Boy Workin' Blues Sandwich
Ingredients:
* 12 inch(or more) loaf of French bread or large Submarine Buns
* 1/2 cup mayonnaise
* 1 cup shredded lettuce
* 8 - 10 slices of cooked beef, shaved / thinly sliced
* Note: Home cooked roast beef not processed.
* 3/4 - 1 cup beef gravy, heated
* 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
* 1 onion, thinly sliced
* 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced - not original but we like it
* Note: You can use any meat or seafood you like ie. pork, chicken, deep fried clams / shrimp / craw-fish / catfish and she crab.
Directions:
Split the bread lengthwise and warm it in the oven.
Spread the bottom half with mayonnaise.
Pile on shredded lettuce and top with overlapping slices of beef. Spoon warm gravy over the meat, top with tomato slices, and add the top half of the bread.
Cut in half and serve warm.
Serves two - maybe *wink*
In New Orleans they make poor-boy sandwiches with fillings that start with fried potatoes and ascend to crab meat. The classic is this hot sandwich made with leftover roast beef and gravy.
Grass-Clippings & Grassifieds
As everyone associated with Bluegrass knows, no one takes up for us like other 'Grassers. That being said, one of our own is in great need of help. We received this email and in an effort to get it out to as many people as possible, decided to include it here. Our prayers go out to Larry McPeak and his family.
The letter is as follows:
Dear Friend,
Larry McPeak is fighting for his life.
This Virginia resident has battled health problems for years and received a lifesaving liver transplant in 2001. Since his transplant, Larry requires a number of expensive medications to keep his body from rejecting his new liver. Due to the combination of these medications and his diabetes, Larry now suffers from end-stage kidney failure. Doctors say a kidney transplant is his only hope for a second chance at life. Larry will undergo dialysis several times a week until he can receive a transplant.
Larry is an excellent musician and a well-known songwriter. He has played bluegrass professionally for more than 30 years. As a member of the McPeak Brothers and the VW Boys, Larry has spent much of his life performing. He has toured all over the world and gotten to work with many revered musicians, such as Tom T. Hall, the Lonesome River Band and Tim White. For Larry, music isn’t just something to listen to, it is truly a way of life.
Despite his struggles, Larry remains positive about the future. He would like nothing more than to have his health restored so he can continue to share his musical talent with others. Unfortunately, Larry’s hope for a new life comes at a very high price.
A kidney transplant costs approximately $250,000. And that’s only the beginning. Even with health coverage, Larry faces significant medical expenses. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. The cost of post-transplant medications can range from $2,000 to $5,000 per month—and they are as critical to his survival as the transplant itself. It is estimated that in the short term, Larry needs at least $25,000 to cover his medical expenses. What if your life depended on the compassion and generosity of others? The National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) is working with volunteers and supporters to help relieve the growing burden of expenses for Larry and his family. NFT has been assisting transplant patients with advocacy and fundraising support for more than 25 years. Your gift—of $25, $50, $100 or more—will enable NFT to provide Larry with the financial support he needs.
You can help by visiting www.transplants.org/donate/larrymcpeak to make a secure online donation.
If you have any questions about NFT, their services or volunteering, feel free to contact the NFT staff at 800-489-3863.
Many Thanks,
MeChelle M Mullins
Cell Phone 423-416-0019
"Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now" (Proverbs 3:28 TEV)
-----------------------------------------------------
Want your WWB on the go?
Remember: If you have an I-Phone or a Blackberry...you can access the stream through your media player!
Have you got a gig or jam you want to get the word out on?
Are you playing at a festival? Send us an email so we can get it in the newsletter!
Have old family recipes?
Remember we're still looking for your Bluegrass Recipes for the WWB cook book. We're trying to get it compiled in time to sell the cook book at Grass Stock!
Custom Scrimshaw by SUZIE
"Will work on many types of items, from your photograph or mine. Exceptional quality guaranteed! Will work on most any subject matter especially animals and flowers. Please contact Suzie for a free consultation at (540) 233-0831 and leave a brief message with your contact details!"
Grass Stock 2009!!
Hey Ya'll Remember Grass Stock
is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!!
Our 3rd annual FREE Bluegrass Festival and
Fundraiser EXTRAVAGANZA is going to be held on
Ron Workman's Farm in Guysville Ohio, August 13 - 15, 2009
So far we have 36 bands appearing over the 3 days!
Check out the official GRASS STOCK '09 WEBSITE for more info.
Only 3 more months to go! Woohoo! Get your plans and be there!
Want to volunteer at GS? We have lots of opportunities:
WWB Mart
50/50 Crew
Donations Crew
GS Traffic and Safety Crew
GS Environmental Crew
GS Hospitality Crew
GS Street Team Crew
GS Stage Crew
GS KidGrass Crew
GS Support Crew
Media Crew
Internet Technology Crew
GS Emergency Services Crew
Click here to apply
The Blue Stars Cafe & Sandwich Shoppe, a Musical Cafe
This newsletter is sponsored by:
The Blue Stars Cafe & Sandwich Shoppe,
a Musical Cafe
(located at 6th & Overton Streets in Newport Ky 41071 )
Sandwiches, Salads and Soups are the "hot" fare on the menu as well as the "hot" Bluegrass pickin' from time to time!
Stop in or email: BlueStarsCafe@yahoo.com, for more info.
"Blue Stars Cafe where Everyone gets the Star Treatment!"
If you choose to no longer recieve this newsletter, please hit the unsubscribe button at the top of the page. Thanks!
News-Grass:
Featured Artist Of The Month
Daughters of Bluegrass
Aussie-Grass
DJ & Chat-Grass
Con-grass-ulations
Festival-Grass
Recipe-Grass
Grass-Clippings & Grassifieds
Grass Stock 2009
The Blue Stars Cafe & Sandwich Shoppe, a Musical Cafe
Birthday-Grass
WWB Birthdays:
Tony - May 4
DJ Charlie Hall - May 13
Vanessa Nichols -May 22
Other Grasser Birthdays:
Bill Price - May 8
Mother Maybelle Carter-May 10
Red Smiley - May 17
Want to celebrate your birthday with the WWB? Send us an email with your name and birthday!
Giggle-Grass
From Jeff Foxworthy's Redneck Dictionary:
SUR.ROUND (SUA-RAUN') V. AND ADV used to declare that something is or has been in the general vicinity. Example:
"I knowed it surround here some someplace!"
-Submitted by Uncle Billy Dunbar
Need Help Answering those BIG life questions?
-------------------------------------------
Dear River,
I met this person in a chat-room that I frequent. I really like him and we seem to connect well! We are both very interested in meeting, but I am nervous about the whole 'internet dating scene'. What should I do?
-Wanna B. Dating, Dallas
Dear Wanna B,
Dating is an adventure. Add the internet and the adventure doubles! You are smart to want to play it safe!!! There are several good sites that publish guidelines to safe online dating. Use your common sense (as you would in ANY dating relationship).Mind your ABC’s and 123’s outlined below:
Get to know each other. Do not allow yourself to be rushed. If you feel pressured, this is a red flag.
A. Begin with a request for a picture and send them a recent one of you. If someone is unwilling to send a recent photo, this is warning sign. If he or she continuously comes up with an excuse, it is because that person has something to hide.
B. When you feel comfortable, talk on the telephone and continue to learn more about your new friend.
C. Before you go out with someone new, it is important to get as much information as you can about the person you will meet. Always ask for a full name, address, and telephone number before agreeing to go out with someone you have never met. Never go out with someone who will only give you a pager or work phone number. (There is a very good chance of a spouse in the house.)
Ready for the first date? Be careful when agreeing to meet anyone in person.
Set the conditions for your date and do not let the other person change them. Remember, you really do not know someone until you spend time together in person.
1. Always tell someone where you are going with your date and when you will return. Leave your date's full name and telephone numbers with that person.
2. Always meet in a public place that you are familiar with on your first date. Stay near other people in a lighted area. Getting together for coffee is a pleasant, casual way to get to know someone.
3. Never allow yourself to be picked up from your house. Giving your address out to a stranger is not safe. Arrange your own transportation so that you can leave if there is any sign of trouble.
Hope your dating experience is a safe and fun adventure.
River
-------------------------------------------
"Dear River"&