The Northern California Bluegrass Society will honor unsung heroes with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 12th Annual Northern California Bluegrass Awards Show to be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center Theatre, 1455 Madison Avenue in Redwood City. The Awards Show will be held 3:00-5:00pm, following a full day of bluegrass music and film beginning at 10:00am. All events are FREE and open to the public.
The honorees are:
Colleen Conley, Marshall — longtime sound engineer at many NCBS events and other key bluegrass performances around California. She has done the sound for the famed Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival ‘Tweener Stage for over 20 years. It is often said that Paul Knight is the best bluegrass sound “man” on the West Coast. Be it known that Colleen is considered the best bluegrass sound “woman.”
Mike Fisher, Ben Lomond — long-serving member of the NCBS Board of Directors and in charge of the gate at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival and many other events for decades. He has worked tirelessly for bluegrass in many capacities. He played exactly one gig with Jerry Garcia in a bluegrass band. His new band, the Open Heart Strings, is on this year’s Bluegrass On Broadway Sunday line-up. Most importantly, he hosts the NCBS board meeting at his home each month — and feeds the members a fine meal every time.
Linzey Hill, Turlock — cleanliness is next to goddessness when she hits the restrooms at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival year after year, arguably the most important feature for attendees at any bluegrass festival. After that, she sings and dances her way through the weekend. She makes the festival fun for everyone.
Brenda Hough, San Jose — by quietly writing the majority of the published reviews of bluegrass CDs for California fans, she danced dangerously close to fame over the past 20 years, but the full extent of her contributions is less well-known. She has served on the boards of the Northern California Bluegrass Society, the California Bluegrass Association, and the late Redwood Bluegrass Associates, helped mail Bluegrass By The Bay, and partnered with Debbie Weiner to operate a nice restaurant in a field serving three meals a day to hungry volunteers and musicians at the GOF Festival. Her many years of service on both the GOF organizing committee and the GOF band committee let her play a big role in the development of that beloved event. Oh, and that was in addition to all the other volunteer work she has done for bluegrass in our area.
Darlene Janine Walker, Turlock — one of the most committed Sidesaddle fans during the band’s long run, she is ever-ready when the music begins. She is the dean of the famed Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival restroom crew. Her festival camp is always welcoming to jammers and fans. NCBS cannot open the gates without her.
Debbie Weiner, Redwood City — in addition to feeding musicians and volunteers for many years behind the stage at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival during that event’s long run at Bolado Park, she has quietly been the force behind the success of Bluegrass On Broadway, helping to come up with the festival’s name, solving many behind-the-scenes crises, and making numerous well-timed donations to keep the project running year after year. Because of Debbie, the NCBS Bluegrass Film Festival has run for years on free popcorn, coffee and tea, just as all good cultural institutions should. She helps run the NCBS Information Booth at festivals all around the state, and was a partner for a time in a bluegrass record company. Somewhat significantly, she keeps the current NCBS president up and running and (mostly) out of trouble….not easy to do. Her festival camps are always ready to welcome bluegrass friends and she always supports our local musicians.
Randy Weisendanger, Ceres — a hardworking bluegrass volunteer even before he became a fiddler, he makes key facilities come to life at festivals large and small all around California, including stages, fencing, tents, and (most famously) the beloved audience shadecloth at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival. His commitment to quality on these projects defines the events he staffs, bringing safety and comfort to everyone who attends. He performed for a number of years with Ambergrass; his new band, The Gilroy Drifters, is on the Saturday bill at the BOB Festival. He jams everywhere he goes.
All of these “unsung heroes” have contributed to the area bluegrass community in important ways for many years with little or no recognition. We look forward to honoring their efforts.
Weekend Festival Information:
Complete Bluegrass On Broadway Schedule
Special Saturday Film Presentation Honoring Al Hawkes
Saturday Evening Show At The Freewheel
Sunday Evening Show At The Hub
Northern California Bluegrass Awards Finalists
The awards show and day-long concert is part of the FREE Bluegrass On Broadway Festival, January 26-27, 2019, presented by the Northern California Bluegrass Society with principal financial support from the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission and other Redwood City area organizations and individuals.