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Bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs with the Kentucky Thunder performs with the Boston Pops Orchestra. I wrote the orchestrations for them. You don’t often hear a bluegrass group with an orchestra, but I think it turned out pretty well!
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Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder – Shady Grove LIVE on Bluegrass All Star Celebration 2002
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Wilkesboro, NC (PRWEB) May 20, 2011

The Wilkes Heritage Museum will host the fourth annual Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony on Saturday, June 11 at the Stone Center for the Performing Arts, 613 Cherry Street in North Wilkesboro, NC. The event will be a night complete with dinner, the anticipated 2011 ceremony and live performances.

This years celebrated inductees are singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris, regional musician Jens Kruger, songwriter Jim Lauderdale, fiddler Jim Shumate and traditional dancer Willard Watson.

Were honoring these artists for their contributions to traditional music in the Blue Ridge Mountains, explains Museum Director Jennifer Furr. Were paying a tribute to some of the greatest traditional musicians known from northern Georgia to northern Virginia.

A 15-member Nomination Committee, including representatives from Appalachian State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, the University of Wisconsin, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution, selects the inductees. Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, The Carter Family and Dolly Parton are among past inductees.

This years ceremony will be spectacular, explains Furr. Many of the inductees have close relationships to the area. Three of the 2011 inductees, Jens Kruger, Jim Lauderdale, and Jim Shumate, will appear and entertain us with a live performance. Other performers include Darin and Brooke Aldridge, The Kruger Brothers, Arthur Grimes, David Johnson, Scott Gentry and Eric Ellis.

The Hall of Fame educates, defines and interprets the history of music in the Blue Ridge area and musicians in all genres from the region with exhibits and an annual celebration of inductees. The Wilkes Heritage Museum offers year-round opportunities for visitors to experience the deep-rooted relationship between a myriad of musical styles and Blue Ridge culture.

Tickets are on sale now at http://www.blueridgemusichalloffame.com or call 336-667-3171.

About the Inductees:

Emmylou Harris, Nationally Known Artist

Emmylou Harris is a twelve-time Grammy Award Winner known for her polished talents in songwriting, vocal performances and musical interpretation across many genres of music like country-rock, bluegrass, folk and Americana. She is also recognized for her collaboration with stars like Linda Ronstadt, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Gram Parsons.

Jens Kruger*, Regional Musician

Jens Krugers musical career highlights his accomplishments as a string instrument performer, a banjo developer, a composer and a producer. The Swiss native who calls North Carolina home has captured audiences and the respect of musical virtuosos like Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Scaggs and Willie Nelson all who performed with Jens Kruger.

Jim Lauderdale*, Songwriter

Jim Lauderdale is a diverse artist delivering songwriting masterpieces to the worlds of country music and bluegrass music. His accolades include two Grammy Awards as well as two Americana Music Association Awards. Born in Statesville, NC, this creative song-writing maestro has planted the seed of Blue Ridge culture across America and internationally. His music is recorded by countless artists like Patty Loveless, George Jones, The Dixie Chicks, Solomon Burke, Kathy Mattea, Lee Ann Womack, Blake Shelton, Vince Gill and George Strait, to name a few.

Jim Shumate*, Pioneer Artist

Jim Shumate won the title as Master Fiddler from the National Fiddlers Convention in 1948. He is a legend in his native Wilkes County and to his musical celebrity counterparts – Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, and Bill Monroe. A self-taught prodigy, Shumate has manifested his astonishing talents in the world of Blue Ridge music as a performer, recording artist, composer and fiddle instructor.

Willard Watson, Traditional Dance

Posthumous inductee Willard Watson, also immortalized by the Smithsonian Institute, is commemorated near and far for his Blue Ridge heritage. A mainstay to the Watauga region of the Blue Ridge, Willard Watson is first cousin to the renowned Doc Watson. Willard Watson is known for his custom flatfoot dancing, wood carving, storytelling, and banjo playing. Folks enjoy his spirit for the hills and the arts at places like the Darby Community Center, the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh, the Newport Folk Festival and the National Folk Festival.

*Denotes inductees performing Saturday, June 11, 2011.

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Now charting on Billboard! – Sleepy Man Banjo Boys ‘America’s Music’ iTunes – bit.ly Amazon – amzn.to CD – www.sleepymanbanjoboys.com Another bedroom practice of Earl Scruggs’s Flint Hill Special. Brothers Jonny Mizzone age 8 on banjo, Robbie Mizzone age 12 on fiddle, and Tommy Mizzone age 13 on guitar. http facebook.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Continue reading »]]> Ralph Stanley, LeAnn Rimes In Multi-Genre ReDocumentary
Nashville, TN — Ralph Stanley and LeAnn Rimes are featured in the new electronic dance music documentary, Re: Generation, in which five high-profile DJs "remix, recreate and re-imagine five traditional styles of music," according to the project's …
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Ralph Stanley celebrates 85 years
DAVID CRIGGER/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER – Dr. Ralph Stanley and his wife, Jimmi, look at his banjo birthday cake during his 85th birthday celebration Saturday night at Heartwood in Abingdon, Va. DAVID CRIGGER/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER – Tony and Jeff Brown, …
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Continue reading »]]> Revelstoke, BC (PRWEB) February 16, 2012

With the recent release of their second album, Amazing Things Happen, Revelstoke, BC based country roots band Sister Girl believe amazing things really can happen.

Recorded in October 2011 at Watershed Studios on Protection Island, Amazing Things Happen was produced and mixed by renowned Canadian folk artist and producer David Essig.

Were really proud of the album, said Sister Girls Stephanie Ballendine.

From love songs to songs poking fun at life, all tracks on Amazing Things Happen were written or co-written by band members Sharlene Foisy and Joanne Stacey.

The title track, Amazing Things Happen, saw Joanne team up with band member Janine Carey-Bourke to write a piece filled with gorgeous harmonies and melodic piano. While Joanne had all the pieces of the songwriting puzzle — the words, music, and melody — it was Janine who fit the puzzle together.

Thats my forte, Im always coming up with musical licks or riffs, said Janine. By the time we sat down together it only took about 10 minutes for the song to come together.

The piano track for Amazing Things Happen was recorded at the Amble Inn Bed and Breakfast (owned by Stephanie) in Revelstoke, BC — the bands home base — and was mixed by Jesse Clarke of Earthtone Studios in Salmon Arm, BC.

I was very grateful, said Janine of the chance to play the white-coloured Canadian custom built baby grand housed at the Amble Inn. It was a fun afternoon and its a beautiful piano.

Sister Girl is: Joanne Stacey, (vocals, guitar, mandolin), Sharlene Foisy, (vocals, guitar, banjo), Janine Carey-Bourke, (vocals, bass guitar, piano), Stephanie Ballendine, (vocals, keyboard, harmonica and banjo) and Russ Brackenbury, aka Mr. Sister, (drums, percussion, vocals).

Sister Girl has garnered numerous honourable mentions for songwriting and was a Top 10 Canadian finalist in the 2009 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest for the song Lonesome Rambler. The release of Sister Girls self-titled CD in July 2009 saw success with radio airplay worldwide.

Sister Girls has performed throughout BC including at the Vancouver Island Exhibition, The Crofton Hotel Showroom, the Duncan Garage, Kamloops Music in the Park, Celista and Sunnybrae Coffee Houses, Kelowna Parks Alive, Kelownas Rotary Centre for the Arts, Capital Sound Stage in Merritt and the Serenity Performing Arts Centre in Clearwater.

Amazing Things Happen is available for purchase at http://www.sistergirlmusic.com.

To arrange an interview contact Joanne Stacey

at (250) 814-7324 or email sistergirlmusic(at)gmail(dot)com

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Vail, CO (PRWEB) February 17, 2012

Nick Steingart tells Alpine Taverns Scott Kneeland, Music is the most important thing to me. When I wake up in the morning to when I go to sleep at night, I dream about music too. I feel lucky to have a special gift that brings me joy and, I hope to others as well. I feel the need to pass on the music. I love all different styles; Classical, Jazz, Bluegrass, Rock. I play many different instruments, but my true love is the mandolin.

Nicks feelings about music are best described by an ancient philosopher, I would teach children music, physics and philosophy; but most importantly music, for in the patterns of music and all the arts are the keys of learning.” ~Plato

The best of the best is when Nick teams up with Bob Masters-Guitar/Vocals, and Patrick Pagget-Banjo/Vocals and Skin the Rabbit comes on stage. Nick, Bob, and Patrick met during the winter of 2004 and quickly developed a bluegrass band with a twist, Skin the Rabbit. Which is a mix of eclectic covers and foot stomping originals. Sometimes it is an acoustic trio, other times it is a six piece with drums and sax. Guests will love the original musical treats including Salty Dog Blues, How My Girls Can Love, Sally Goodin and Little Maggie.

The Alpine Tavern is home to Vails most experienced and creative chefs including Paolo Busi, executive Chef. Paolos unique cuisine draws on his training and experiences around the world. Alpine Taverns dishes are created from a symphony of ingredients and spices from America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Scandinavia. Just as a composer combines the musical instruments and personalities of the musicians to create unique musical experience, Paolo and his team produce unique global dishes from foods, spices, and sauces from the global marketplace. Truly a must-do experience while in Vail

Check out the Alpine Taverns new selections and weekly music lineup in SneakPEAK Vails event calendar.

The Alpine Tavern is not just Vail..its the best of Vail.in East Vail 4695 Racquet Club Drive in East Vail. To make a reservations at the Alpine Tavern call 970-476-7888 or visit http://www.alpinetavernvail.com for more information.

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