Current Status Of Various Non-NCBS In-Person Bluegrass Events During The Coronavirus Crisis As Of May 28

Here is the updated current status (as of 5/28/20) of various non-Northern California Bluegrass Society in-person bluegrass events during the Coronavirus Crisis. Check this website for updates.

Click for Status Of In-Person NCBS Events.

Click for Calendar of Live ONLINE Bluegrass May 26-June 1.

MAY

30-31 — Redwood Mountain Faire, Roaring Camp, Felton. Cancelled.

JUNE

6-7 — La Honda Fair & Music Festival, La Honda. Postponed.

18-21 — California Bluegrass Association Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley. Postponed Until 2021.

18-21 — Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride, CO. Cancelled.

25-28 — Kate Wolf Music Festival, Black Oak Ranch, Laytonville. Postponed until 2021.

26-28 — Susanville Bluegrass Festival, Lassen County Fairgrounds, Susanville. Cancelled pending final county approval.

JULY

2-5 — High Sierra Music Festival, Plumas County Fairgrounds, Quincy. Rescheduled to 2021.

4 — Fourth of July Bluegrass Freedom Festival, Atascadero Lake Park, Atascadero. Cancelled.

10-12 — Lost River Bluegrass Festival, Merrill, OR. Cancelled.

24-26 — Rockygrass Bluegrass Festival, Planet Bluegrass, Lyons, CO. Cancelled.

AUGUST

14-16 — Bower’s Mansion Bluegrass Festival, Bower’s Mansion Park, Carson City, NV. As scheduled, decision about festival will be made on June 1.

14-16 — Summergrass San Diego, Antique Engine Museum, Vista. As scheduled, ticketing delayed to June 15, under review.

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

August 30-September 7 — Burning Man Festival, Black Rock City, NV. Cancelled.

SEPTEMBER

3-7 — Redwood Ramble, Camp Navarro. Postponed from the original dates of July 16-19. (Note new dates.)

17-20 — McCloud Mountain Bluegrass Festival, Hoo-Hoo Park, McCloud. Cancelled.

18-20 — Millpond Music Festival, Millpond Park, Bishop. As scheduled, ticketing delayed.

22-27 — Berkeley Old Time Music Convention, various venues, Berkeley. Cancelled.

25-27 — KVMR Celtic Festival, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley. Postponed until 2021.

OCTOBER

2-4 — Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. As scheduled.

FEBRUARY 2021

13-17 — Folk Alliance International Convention, Kansas City, MO. Suspended (effectively cancelled).

18-21 — Wintergrass, Hyatt Regency, Bellevue, WA. Cancelled, future events will be redesigned.

Current Status Of NCBS-Related In-Person Events During The Coronavirus Crisis As Of May 27

Here is the Current Status (as of 5/27/20) of upcoming Northern California Bluegrass Society-related in-person events during the Coronavirus Crisis. Check this website for updates.

(Click here for Calendar of Live ONLINE Bluegrass May 26-June 1.)

MAY

30-31 — Pick & Gather Festival, Riverdance Farms, Livingston. (NCBS welcomed). Farm & river festival as scheduled, but very limited music not including bluegrass this year.

AUGUST

6-9 — NCBS Presents The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, San Benito County Historical Park, Tres Pinos. Cancelled.

SEPTEMBER

4-6 — Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival, Quincy. (NCBS welcomed) As scheduled.

September — NCBS Volunteer Thank-You Party. Cancelled.

September 29-October 3 — International Bluegrass Music Association World Of Bluegrass Convention, Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC. (NCBS welcomed) As Scheduled, Ticketing Delayed. May be rescheduled to a later date.

Brenda Hough Brings Her Insightful & Detailed Reviews To The NCBS Website — CD: “And Laurie Lewis”

Brenda Hough is the dean of West Coast recorded bluegrass music journalists. For the past two decades, she has published her insightful & detailed reviews in the CBA’s Bluegrass Breakdown and the NCBS Bluegrass By The Bay. These publications no longer exist and, for now, Brenda will publish her reviews on this website.

Brenda has served the bluegrass community well beyond her writing — she has spent many years on the board of directors of the Northern California Bluegrass Society and Redwood Bluegrass Associates. She has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Northern California Bluegrass Awards. She is a retired teacher turned world traveler and enjoys life in San Jose.

We are thrilled to welcome her to our NCBS online services as the world becomes increasingly digitized. Her first review, below, is of Laurie Lewis’ new duet album. Enjoy!

—

And ​Laurie Lewis

www.spruceandmaplemusic.com

Reviewed by Brenda Hough

Song List: You Are My Flower, Baby That Would Sure Go Good, Rooster Crow, My Last Go-Round, Old Friend, Mama Cry, The Lonely One, Ain’t Nobody Got the Blues Like Me, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, The Pika Song, O the Wind and the Rain, Troubled Times, This Is Our Home.

Laurie Lewis has been at the forefront of Bay Area bluegrass since the 1980s and she has been part of the landmark bands the Good Ol’ Persons, Phantoms of the Opry and her own bands Grant Street and the Right Hands.  Her powerful vocals and original songs have earned many awards and her participation in music camps and workshops have allowed her to share her musical skills to many musicians.

This collection of thirteen songs includes six written by Laurie, some traditional songs, and songs that highlight the skills of her collaborators on this project.  Laurie has also included a very detailed booklet with the album that contains song lyrics, her connection to the song and the duet singers, as well as information about the instruments used on the recording.  Having just one or two singers and two instruments focuses the sound and message of each song.  Laurie’s own production studio and recording techniques have an “up close and personal” intimacy that makes the songs fill the space.  Each fiddle stroke and guitar run stand out and add to the overall song.

Kathy Kallick and Laurie sing “Old Friend” with affection and grace, and Barbara Higbie’s piano flows gently with Laurie’s rendition of Dick Oxtot’s bluesy “AIn’t Got the Blues Like Me.”  Mike Marshall’s guitar and Laurie’s fiddle join on the traditional murder ballad “O The Wind and Rain.”  Todd Phillips plays a jazzy bass accompaniment to Laurie’s “Baby That Would Sure Go Good” while Craig Smith’s banjo adds a old time flavor to Laurie’s “Rooster Crow.”  Long time partner Tom Rozum joins Laurie on a Monroe Brothers version of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”   Nina Gerber’s electric guitar playing adds a flavor all its own to “This Is Our Home” and to the epic Rosalie Sorrels song, “My Last Go-Round.”

Laurie has been involved with many music camps, and among the rising stars in acoustic music are Molly Tuttle and Tatiana Hargreaves.  Molly’s stellar vocal style and guitar playing are featured on the Carter Family’s “You Are My Flower” and Emily Mann’s melancholy “The Lonely One.”  Tatiana’s fiddle playing adds another voice to Laurie’s banjo in “Mama Cry” and “The Pika Song.”  This is a landmark collection for Laurie with collaboration, cohesiveness, and contemplation joined in an amazing package.

 

NCBS Guide To Online Bluegrass Music Performances May 26-June 1

Here is the weekly selective calendar of Online Bluegrass Shows of interest to  Northern California fans, published Every Monday Night At 10:00pm. Bluegrass Performers with shows to add for this or future weeks should contact Michael Hall <hallmw@gmail.com>.

TUESDAY, May 26

5:00pm — Mike Mitchell Band.

6:00pm — Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers.

7:00pm — Justin & Angelica (Grim) Branum.

WEEKDAYS, May 26-29 & June 1

5:00pm Daily — Infamous Stringdusters.

TUESDAY-SUNDAY, May 26-31

4:30pm Daily — Alex Muddy Smith.

TUESDAY-MONDAY, May 26-June 1

3:30pm Daily — Toby Gray.

WEDNESDAY, May 27

3:00pm — BanjerDan Mazer.

4:00pm — Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. Monthly subscription, various artists.

6:00pm — David Grier.

THURSDAY, May 28

3:30pm — Lonesome River Band. Monthly subscription, various artists.

4:00pm — Goodnight Bedtime Story With Dolly Parton.

5:00pm — Michael Gaither.

6:00pm — Chris Jones & The Night Drivers.

FRIDAY, May 29

4:00pm — Becky Buller Band. Monthly subscription, various artists.

5:00pm — Mike Mitchell Band.

6:00pm — Stevie Coyle. Low cost, advance purchase.

6:00pm — Sister Sadie.

SATURDAY, May 30

4:00pm — Dan Tyminski. Monthly subscription, various artists.

4:00pm — Michael Gaither.

5:00pm — Grand Ole Opry.

6:00pm — Turn Your Radio ONline — The Kody Norris Show, The Gilly Girls, and the Plaid Strangers. The California Bluegrass Association is replacing its Father’s Day Festival with a series of weekend performances every Saturday through Father’s Day Weekend.

6:00pm — Tim O’Brien Band.

SUNDAY, May 31

11:00am — Blue Summit Trio.

3:00pm — BanjerDan Mazer.

4:00pm — Dan Newitt.

4:00pm — Irene Kelley Band. Monthly subscription, various artists.

6:00pm — Theo & Brenna.

7:00pm — Evie Ladin & Keith Terry.

MONDAY, June 1

7:00pm — New Monday. Monthly subscription, various artists.

7:30pm — Stevie Coyle.

Unless otherwise noted, these are FREE performances, supported by voluntary donations.

Bluegrass Musicians Are Invited To Post Their Music On The NCBS Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Facebook Page

Local Bluegrass Musicians are invited to post their music on the Northern California Bluegrass Society’s Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Facebook Group Page. For more information about the GOF group page, contact NCBS board member (and GOF festival director) Bruce Bellochio <Bbellochio@gmail.com>.

Good Old Fashioned Facebook Group Page

 

 

Bluegrass Musicians In NCBS Directory On This Website Offer Online Lessons For Students At Home

Bluegrass Musicians who usually play live for their fans in venues around Northern California are listed in the new NCBS Directory to give online lessons to bluegrass students during the Stay At Home period due to the Coronavirus Crisis. This is a FREE service.

The Directory is listed under Resources in the index on the left side of this website. Loyal fans can have some fun by checking the directory and arranging ONLINE LESSONS. The price will be between teacher and student.

Sign Up To Offer Lessons: <webmaster@ncbs.us>.

Bluegrass Musicians Should Submit May 26-June 1 Online Shows For Weekly NCBS Listings

Click for Calendar of Live ONLINE Bluegrass May 19-25.

During the Coronavirus Crisis, The Northern California Bluegrass Society website is publishing a Weekly Guide To Online Bluegrass Shows each Monday Evening At 10:00pm. The next selective listing of shows of interest to Bay Area and beyond bluegrass fans will run on Monday, May 25. The listing will cover Tuesday-Monday, May 26-June 1.

Now is the time for musicians to submit their LIVE ONLINE SHOWS this coming week to Michael Hall <hallmw@gmail.com>.

NCBS Guide To Online Bluegrass Festivals This Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend 2020 will not offer live in-person bluegrass music festivals, but several cancelled events have launched online festivals for your (at home) dining & dancing pleasure. The weekly NCBS Guide To Online Bluegrass Performances runs each Monday evening at 10:00pm. The current guide covers May 19-25.

Here are the weekend’s online festivals that replace live events. Enjoy!

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, May 22-24

Delfest At Home — FRI 11:30pm — Bluegrass Friday: Yonder Mountain String Band, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Del McCoury Band, Marcus King Band, Railroad Earth. SAT 9:30am — Bluegrass Saturday: The Broomestix, I’m With Her, Hot Rize, Greensky Bluegrass, Travelin’ McCourys, Billy Strings. SUN 8:30am — Bluegrass Sunday: Dre & The Gospel Collective, Sierra Hull, Leftover Salmon, The Wood Brothers, Infamous Stringdusters, The Grateful Ball, The Travelin’ McCourys & Jeff Austin.

SATURDAY, May 23

Turn Your Radio ONline — 6:00pm — Frank Solivan, Crying Uncle, The Bettyjacks. The California Bluegrass Association is replacing its Father’s Day Festival with a series of weekend performances beginning this Saturday.

SATURDAY-MONDAY, May 23-25

Northwest Folklife From Home To Home — FRI 11:00am-MON 9:00pm. Suggested Donation.

Unless otherwise noted, these are FREE performances, supported by voluntary donations.

Current Status Of Various Non-NCBS In-Person Bluegrass Events During The Coronavirus Crisis As Of May 20

Here is the updated current status (as of 5/20/20) of various non-Northern California Bluegrass Society in-person bluegrass events during the Coronavirus Crisis. Check this website for updates.

Click for Status Of In-Person NCBS Events

Click for Calendar of Live ONLINE Bluegrass May 19-25

MAY

21-24 — Strawberry Spring Music Festival, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley. Postponed until 2021.

30-31 — Redwood Mountain Faire, Roaring Camp, Felton. Cancelled.

JUNE

18-21 — California Bluegrass Association Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley. Postponed Until 2021.

18-21 — Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride, CO. Cancelled.

25-28 — Kate Wolf Music Festival, Black Oak Ranch, Laytonville. Postponed until 2021.

26-28 — Susanville Bluegrass Festival, Lassen County Fairgrounds, Susanville. Cancelled pending final county approval.

JULY

2-5 — High Sierra Music Festival, Plumas County Fairgrounds, Quincy. Rescheduled to 2021.

4 — Fourth of July Bluegrass Freedom Festival, Atascadero Lake Park, Atascadero. As scheduled.

10-12 — Lost River Bluegrass Festival, Merrill, OR. Cancelled.

24-26 — Rockygrass Bluegrass Festival, Planet Bluegrass, Lyons, CO. As scheduled, ticketing delayed. Official announcement will be made later this month.

AUGUST

14-16 — Bower’s Mansion Bluegrass Festival, Bower’s Mansion Park, Carson City, NV. As scheduled, decision about festival will be made on June 1.

14-16 — Summergrass San Diego, Antique Engine Museum, Vista. Ticketing delayed to June 15, under review.

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

August 30-September 7 — Burning Man Festival, Black Rock City, NV. Cancelled.

SEPTEMBER

3-7 — Redwood Ramble, Camp Navarro. Postponed from the original dates of July 16-19. (Note new dates.)

17-20 — McCloud Mountain Bluegrass Festival, Hoo-Hoo Park, McCloud. Cancelled.

18-20 — Millpond Music Festival, Millpond Park, Bishop. As scheduled, ticketing delayed.

22-27 — Berkeley Old Time Music Convention, various venues, Berkeley. As scheduled.

25-27 — KVMR Celtic Festival, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley. Postponed until 2021.

OCTOBER

2-4 — Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. As scheduled.

FEBRUARY 2021

13-17 — Folk Alliance International Convention, Kansas City, MO. Suspended (effectively cancelled).

Current Status Of NCBS-Related In-Person Events During The Coronavirus Crisis As Of May 19

Here is the Current Status (as of 5/19/20) of upcoming Northern California Bluegrass Society-related in-person events during the Coronavirus Crisis. Check this website for updates.

(Click here for Calendar of Live ONLINE Bluegrass May 19-25.)

MAY

30-31 — Pick & Gather Festival, Riverdance Farms, Livingston. (NCBS welcomed). Farm & river festival as scheduled, but very limited music not including bluegrass this year.

AUGUST

6-9 — NCBS Presents The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, San Benito County Historical Park, Tres Pinos. Cancelled.

SEPTEMBER

4-6 — Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival, Quincy. (NCBS welcomed) As scheduled.

September — NCBS Volunteer Thank-You Party. Cancelled.

September 29-October 3 — International Bluegrass Music Association World Of Bluegrass Convention, Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC. (NCBS welcomed) As Scheduled, Ticketing Delayed. May be rescheduled to a later date.