April Events Of Interest To Northern California Bluegrass Fans

Here are April 2023 bluegrass events of interest to Northern California bluegrass fans:

APRIL

13-16 ā€“Ā Walker Creek Music Camp, Walker Creek Ranch, Petaluma. (NCBS welcomed)

18-23 ā€“Ā CBA Spring Campout, Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, Lodi.

21-23 ā€”Ā California State Old Time Fiddle Association Open Fiddle & Picking Contest, Lodi Grape Festival Fairgrounds, Lodi.

21-23 ā€“Ā Berkeley Bluegrass Festival, Freight & Salvage, Berkeley. (NCBS welcomed)

27-30 ā€“Ā Merlefest, Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC.

28-30 ā€“Ā Two Day Town (Campout), Lake Del Valle, Livermore. (Note that there will be no Two Day Town Festival this year.)

Live In-Studio Music To Return To KKUP’s Monday Night Bluegrass April 10

Following the lifting of Covid-era restrictions, live in-studio live music will return to KKUP Radio’s Monday Night Bluegrass program on the second Monday each month, beginning on April 10, 2023. The program host is NCBS Vice-President Mike Russell and the live music emcee is NCBS past president Michael Hall.

Bands are being booked now for the remainder of the year. Interested bands should contact Mike Russell at <squelch@pacbell.net>.

The bluegrass program is on every Monday night 6:00-9:00pm with a different host each week. The live bands will play on the show on second Mondays. The station is at 91.5FM in the South Bay & Monterey Bay Areas and online at <www.kkup.org>.

Strings For Dreams Raffle To Benefit The IBMA Foundation — Tickets On Sale Now

The annual raffle that supports the IBMA Foundation is on now and will run through May 12, 2023. Now is the time to get your tickets and support bluegrass music!

The main prize is a vintage 1967 Martin D-35 Guitar with hardshell case, strap, stand, and other accessories valued at $5,000.

The other totally unique prize is a pair of handmade (in your size) cowboy boots from master boot maker Lisa Sorrell. The boots will feature the art of the Louvin Brothersā€™ iconic “Satan Is Real” album cover and are valued at priceless!

Raffle Information, Prizes, & Tickets

The IBMA Foundation is affiliated with theĀ International Bluegrass Music Association. The Northern California Bluegrass SocietyĀ is a longtime organizational member of the IBMA and NCBS past presidentĀ Michael HallĀ is a member of the Foundationā€™s board of directors.

Louvin’ Brothers boots!

Discount Tickets For Members & Non-Members For The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Are Now Available

TheĀ Northern California Bluegrass SocietyĀ welcomes allĀ new, renewing, and returning membersĀ as we get ready for festival season!Ā You can join or renew yourĀ NCBS MembershipĀ on this website or by mail!Ā Your support of bluegrass music in our area is much appreciated.

NCBS MembersĀ receive aĀ deep discountĀ onĀ Advance Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Tickets. Non-Members receive a discount. Tickets are now available on this website.

GOF Tickets — Non-Members

NCBS Membership Information

GOF Tickets — Members

David Stafford, KKUP Folk & Bluegrass Programmer, Dies Of Heart Attack

David Stafford, best known as the longtime host of the Friday Folk Off program on KKUP Radio-Cupertino, died following a heart attack on March 21, 2023. He was 72 years old.

Stafford was a key player in making the community broadcaster the leading folk (including bluegrass) radio station in the Bay Area and Monterey Bay Areas. He joined the station’s volunteer staff as an engineer in 1990, went on-air in 1992, and did his last show a few weeks before his death.

Although best known for hosting his weekly Friday afternoon folk show, he began his tenure with a classical music show and was also doing a jazz program on the station in 2023.

He served on both the KKUP Board Of DirectorsĀ and the Program Committee (which he helped initiate), was Station Manager for several years, and was the station’s Studio Engineer for over a decade. He was a hard-working volunteer and fundraiser for the non-profit station.

The popular Friday Folk Off featured both recorded and live in-studio performances by folk and bluegrass musicians. Dave supported music events throughout the South Bay & Santa Cruz areas.

David Stafford

Susanville Bluegrass Festival Cancelled For 2023, Under New Ownership But Same Management

The Susanville Bluegrass Festival, previously announced for June 23-25, 2023, has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict at the Lassen County Fairgrounds in Susanville. A citywide motorcycle ride-in will occupy the fairgrounds. Organizers plan for the festival to return in 2024 at a new location, which will be announced at a later date.

The 12-year-old event was started by Gene Bach (at the recommendation of the Lassen County Fair Board by then president, Dan Douglas) and then subsequently owned by its landlord, the Lassen County Fair, and headed byĀ Douglas. Now, Dan & Cheryl Douglas will continue to organize the festival with the new owner, the newly-formed Susanville Bluegrass Music Alliance.