Category: Bluegrass on Broadway

The young Santa Cruz-based bluegrass band Blue Summit ruled at the 2019 Northern California Bluegrass Awards held in Redwood City on January 26th. The popular group was voted Best Bluegrass Band, with individual awards going to members AJ Lee (Best Female Vocalist, Best Mandolin Player) and Sullivan Tuttle (Best Male Vocalist, Best Guitar Player). Lee lives in San Jose and Tuttle in Palo Alto.

The 12th annual awards program was presented by the Northern California Bluegrass Society as a part of the Bluegrass On Broadway Festival.

Other winners included Sonia Shell (San Jose), Best Banjo Player, and Lisa Burns (Mountain View), Best Bass Player, both of the hot new women’s band, The Goat Hill Girls. Burns also performs with Sidesaddle & Co and Pick-A-Boo.

Paul Knight (Marshall) tied with Burns for the bass award. He is a popular bluegrass soundman who performs frequently with the Peter Rowan Band and with others at an eclectic, invitation-only music series he books and hosts in Point Reyes Station.

Pete Hicks (Aromas), of the Central Valley Boys and Bean Creek, tied with Mark Wardenburg (Palo Alto) of the Wildcat Mountain Ramblers, Dark Hollow, and the Pigs Foot String Band, for the Best Fiddle Player honor.

Jim Mintun continued his long run as Northern California’s Best Dobro Player. He is from Santa Cruz, and plays with High Country, Slide Road, and the Abbott Family Band.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Awards honored the Unsung Heroes of the Northern California bluegrass community. Heartfelt thanks went to festival sound master Colleen Conley (Marshall), longtime bluegrass recordings reviewer and relentless volunteer leader Brenda Hough (San Jose), bluegrass association leader, volunteer, and jammer Mike Fisher (Ben Lomond), plus hard-working Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival volunteers Darlene Janine Walker and Linzey Hill, both from Turlock.

Also honored was Debbie Weiner (Redwood City) for her years of service to the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival and to the Bluegrass On Broadway Festival, along with Cere’s Randy Weisendanger, appreciated for his longtime work on heavy facilities set-up at numerous area festivals in Northern California and for his contributions to the evening camp jams.

The NCBS Bluegrass On Broadway Festival is free to the public due to principal financial support from the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission, and from Redwood City area organizations, businesses, and individuals. The festival will conclude on Sunday, January 27 with a free afternoon and evening program at The Hub, host of the new weekly bluegrass music series in Redwood City. More information is on the NCBS website <www.ncbs.us>.

 

Festival Fun: The Northern California Bluegrass Society’s FREE Bluegrass On Broadway Festival is this weekend, January 26 & 27, 2019, at various venues in Redwood City. Here is All You Need To Know to enjoy the 12th Annual event:

The Festival: Bluegrass On Broadway includes the Northern California Bluegrass Awards Show & Concert (Saturday) as well as other shows.

Tickets: NO tickets are needed. All shows are FREE and held in Redwood City.

Festival Schedule:

SATURDAY, January 26

Veterans Memorial Senior Center Theatre, 1455 Madison Avenue:

10:00am — Special Film Presentation: The Eventful Life Of Al Hawkes (Andrew Jawitz, Rockhouse Mountain Productions, NH), in memory of Allerton Hawkes (1930-2018)

11:00 — The Gilroy Drifters

Noon — The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers

1:00pm — Mission Blue

2:00 — Blue Summit

3:00-5:00 — Northern California Bluegrass Awards Show (with additional musical performances)

Freewheel Brewing Company, 3737 Florence Street:

8:00-11:00pm — The Stoney Mountain Ramblers

SUNDAY, January 27

The Hub, 2650 Broadway:

3:00pm — Welcome

3:10 — The Open Heart Strings

4:00 — Bear Grass Creek

5:00 — The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers

6:00 — 27strings

8:00pm — Concert Ends

Directions:

Bluegrass On Broadway is held at various venues in Redwood City (mid-Peninsula in the middle of the Bay Area), easily accessible from Freeways 101 and 280, via the Woodside Road exit.

Downtown Redwood City is about a half-mile north of Woodside Road via Middlefield Road. The Hub, 2650 Broadway, is located downtown near the intersection of Broadway and El Camino Real, not far from Sequoia High School.

The Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Avenue, is about 2 miles west of downtown off of Jefferson Avenue. Turn left on St. Francis, which leads directly into the VMSC parking lot.

To reach the VMSC from I-280, exit at Farm Hill Blvd. and go east, Farm Hill becomes Jefferson Avenue. Go past the Alameda de Las Plugas, then right on St. Francis, which leads directly into the VMSC parking lot.

To reach the VMSC from Woodside Road, go north on Alameda de Las Plugas then right (east) on Jefferson Avenue. Turn right on St. Francis, which leads directly into the VMSC parking lot.

The Freewheel Brewing Company, 3736 Florence Street, is located in the Marsh Manor Shopping Center, not far from the Marsh Road exit off Highway 101 at the southern edge of Redwood City. From 101 go west a short distance, then right on Florence Street. The shopping center is on the left.

Redwood City Weather:

All festival events are INDOORS with close-in parking. High 72, Low 72.

SAT: Partly Sunny, High 64 Low 45. SUN: Partly Sunny, High 66, Low 46.

Community & Fun: Remember, All Of Your Friends Will Be There!

Since the very first festival in 2008, the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission has provided a base grant that enables the festival to be presented without charge to old and new bluegrass fans. Enjoy!

The Guest Performers have been announced for the FREE 12th Annual Northern California Bluegrass Awards Show on January 26 at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center Theatre in Redwood City.

They are: Blue Summit, Eric Burman, The Gilroy Drifters, Linda Maki & Lisa Burns, Mission Blue, Teo Quale, & The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers.

The awards show proper will run 3:00-5:00pm on Saturday, and will conclude a day-long program of live bluegrass music and a bluegrass documentary film that begins at 10:00am.

Saturday’s daytime awards show and concert is part of the weekend-long Bluegrass On Broadway Festival, with more music on Saturday night at the Freewheel Brewing Company and on Sunday afternoon and evening (January 27) at The Hub.

All programs are presented by the Northern California Bluegrass Society and all are FREE and open to the public. The festival is supported by a grant from the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission and by Redwood City area businesses, organizations and individuals.

Complete 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

Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees

 

 

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.

Redwood City is the Peninsula’s Home Of Bluegrass Music. The city has a strong tradition of supporting the arts and has a deep appreciation of good music. Bluegrass music is a regular feature of local civic celebrations.

For the past 12 years, the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission has awarded a base grant that allows the Northern California Bluegrass Society to present the Bluegrass On Broadway Festival on the last weekend of January.

The highlight of the BOB festival is the Northern California Bluegrass Awards Show & Concert, set for Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center Theatre, 1455 Madison Avenue. The FREE day-long program runs from 10:00am-5:00pm and is open to the public.

Complete Bluegrass On Broadway Schedule

Special Saturday Film Presentation Honoring Al Hawkes

Saturday Evening Show At The Freewheel

Sunday Evening Show At The Hub

Lifetime Achievement Honorees

Northern California Bluegrass Awards Finalists

The 12th Annual Bluegrass On Broadway Festival will be held at various venues in Redwood City. All shows are FREE and open to the public. The festival is presented by the Northern California Bluegrass Society.

SATURDAY, January 26

Veterans Memorial Senior Center Theatre, 1455 Madison Avenue:

10:00am — Special Film Presentation: The Eventful Life Of Al Hawkes (Andrew Jawitz, Rockhouse Mountain Productions, NH), in memory of Allerton Hawkes (1930-2018)

11:00 — The Gilroy Drifters

Noon — The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers

1:00pm — Mission Blue

2:00 — Blue Summit

3:00-5:00 — Northern California Bluegrass Awards Show (with additional musical performances)

Freewheel Brewing Company, 3737 Florence Street:

8:00-11:00pm — The Stoney Mountain Ramblers

SUNDAY, January 27

The Hub, 2650 Broadway:

3:00pm — Welcome

3:10 — The Open Heart Strings

4:00 — Bear Grass Creek

5:00 — The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers

6:00 — 27strings

8:00pm — Concert Ends

Since the first festival in 2008, the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission has provided a base grant that enables the festival to be presented without charge to old and new bluegrass fans. Enjoy!

The Northern California Bluegrass Society has announced the performance schedule for the 12th Annual Northern California Bluegrass Awards Show & Concert, on January 26, 2019 at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center Theatre, 1455 Madison Avenue in Redwood City.

SATURDAY, January 26

10:00am — Special Film Presentation: The Eventful Life Of Al Hawkes (Andrew Jawitz, Rockhouse Mountain Productions, NH), in memory of Allerton Hawkes (1930-2018)

11:00 — The Gilroy Drifters

Noon — The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers

1:00pm — Mission Blue

2:00 — Blue Summit

3:00-5:00 — Northern California Bluegrass Awards Show (with additional musical performances)

The day-long event is part of the FREE weekend-long Bluegrass On Broadway Festival at various venues in Redwood City. The BOB is presented by NCBS with principal financial support from the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission.

The FREE Bluegrass On Broadway Festival presented by the Northern California Bluegrass Society will come to Redwood City the weekend of January 26-27, 2019.

The 12th Annual festival will include the Northern California Bluegrass Awards Show & Concert beginning at 10:00am at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center Theatre on Saturday, January 26, 2019, plus evening shows at the Freewheel Brewing Company on Saturday evening and The Hub on Sunday afternoon and evening, January 27.

The FREE Bluegrass On Broadway Festival, presented by the Northern California Bluegrass Society will include the Northern California Bluegrass Awards Show  at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center Theatre, 1455 Madison Avenue, Redwood City, on Saturday, January 26, 2019, 3:00-5:00pm.

The awards show will follow an all-day concert. The 12th annual festival will be held the weekend of January 26-27.