Bluegrass news and events, near and far - May 7

A note from the webmail author:

Hi, I'm Jim Penson.

First, I'd like to draw to your attention the beautifully redesigned Southwest Bluegrass Club website! Kirk Green, our webmaster, has retooled from stem to stern, and it looks great. Please visit: http://www.southwestbluegrassclub.org/

A couple of weeks ago Ed Flynn turned over the reins of the weekly email to me, so please address any submissions, suggestions or comments to me at swbcnews@tx.rr.com.

You will see some changes in the new mail format. I've been working with Kirk Green to take some of the regular recurring information, site links, archived information to the website where it can be assessed any time. It's my goal to send out an email each week with information that has changed or has been added since the previous week, and point you to the website for the recurring stuff. Some of the information below will be "sunsetted" from the email to the website. Links to the related site pages are provided below.

My goal is to please our members, so let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!

Jim Penson

swbcnews@tx.rr.com

Announcements/Reminders/News

Southwest Bluegrass Club New Venue Search

The Board of Directors of the Southwest Bluegrass Club has renewed its search for a suitable location for our monthly meetings that will afford us more enjoyable monthly shows, indoor jamming and regular meeting place. Monthly meeting/show will change from Sunday to Saturday and we want the new facility be available for our use from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. Preferred (but not required) location is near the intersection of Hwys 183 and 360, just south of DFW Airport. We hope to find a location with rent no more than $300 per use.

* We need your help ! We are asking for help from all members in finding our new venue. Please check out all possible locations you can think of. Use the forms attached (Contact Guide and New Venue Rating Form). The contact guide will introduce you as a member of the club; your completing the New Venue Rating Form will help the board evaluate each venue submitted.

* REWARD !! The club member who submits the location that is selected by the board will receive free membership in the club for a period of five years (a $125 value). In the event that more than one individual submits the location that is selected, the member who has submitted the form the earliest will be declared the winner. Please make sure your name and the date are on the form before you submit the form. Download forms: Contact Guide, New Venue Rating Form

* To submit the form: President Paul Stimson will collect the completed forms. Please give your form to Paul in person, mail it to him at 9741 Forest Drive Burleson, TX 76028 or scan & email the form to Paul at stimsonpaul@sbcglobal.net

* Deadline: Completed forms must be received by Paul by June 1, 2009. Plan is for the board to decide on a new venue by the June 2009 meeting.

* Questions ?? Call Paul at 817 790-8722 (home) or 817 929-8391 (cell)

Sunday, May 17th (in place of our regular 3rd Sunday Club Meeting

*

Frank & Mary Simurdak's Annual Pickin' Picnic, at their home on south side of Hwy 67, 1 mile west of the Brazos River Bridge, just north of Glen Rose, TX - watch for sign on the mailbox. Meats, condiments and drinks provided. Come when you can, we'll eat around 2:00. Bring instruments, lawn chairs and something for the table (salad, fruit, dessert, etc.). Call 254 897-9753 if you're lost.

*

Copper Canyon's new CD "Faith & Freedom" is now available. We will have CD's available for $15.00 each at our show at the Chrystal Opry House i n Tom Bean, TX. the weekend of 5/9/09.

Changing your email address or any other contact? Please respond to this email with any changes.

Area Jams

web link: http://www.southwestbluegrassclub.org/Shows_Jams.htm

New this week

3rd Saturday night show and jam - Chandler, Tx

*

The show is non-profit and is held at the Forest Grove Community Center. We provide concessions, including sandwiches and desserts. Jamming is encouraged.

We charge a $5 door for adults to help with expenses. Children 12 and under are free.

*

The address of the community center is 21401 Forest Grove Dr., Chandler, Tx. 75758. This is a physical address. Our mail comes to P.O. Box 1222, Chandler, Tx. 75758. Mail about the music show should be addressed to Al Murphy, P.O. Box 183, Chandler, Tx. 75758.

*

We need all the help we can get. Anyone who wants to jam is welcome.

*

Directions: From Chandler go south on FM 315 for 8 miles. Turn left at Forest Grove entrance 2. The community center is a quarter mile straight ahead.

Festivals/Concerts

web link: http://www.southwestbluegrassclub.org/Special_Club_Events.htm

New this week

May 2009

* Friday May 8th, 6PM –8PM. Grayson Acoustic Trio (SWBC members George Kirby – fiddle, Bill Kline – guitar, David Dees – upright bass). Bluegrass, old-time fiddle, old-country, gospel. Lupe’s World Famous Tamales (and more), 129 E Wall St, Sherman. Good food and music, two blocks from the courthouse square. 903-868-4300 (Lupe's) or 903-337-0950 (Bill)

* Saturday, May 9th - Saturday, May 16th: Spring Jam, Arbuckle Mountain Bluegrass Park, Davis, OK. More info available on their website.

* Saturday, May 16th: Summer Jam (2nd Session), Heritage Farmstead Museum, 1900 West 15th St. (W. 15th St. is also known as Norman F. Whitsitt Pkwy and FM 544), Plano, TX. Click here for map. 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., $2.00 admission ($1.00 per person if carrying an instrument). Visit website for complete information: http://www.heritagefarmstead.org/

* Sunday, May 17th: Frank & Mary Simurdak's Annual Pickin' Picnic, south side of Hwy 67, 1 mile west of the Brazos River Bridge, just north of Glen Rose, TX - watch for sign on the mailbox. Meats, condiments and drinks provided. Come when you can, we'll eat around 2:00. Bring instruments, lawn chairs and something for the table (salad, fruit, dessert, etc.). Call 254 897-9753 if you're lost.

* Thursday - Saturday, May 14th - 16th: Fire on the Strings, Lake Conroe KOA Campgrounds, Conroe, TX. Lineup includes Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Williams & Clark Expedition, Hickory Hill, Appointed, The Bluegrass Solution, Classical Grass, The Lonestar Bluegrass Band. Workshops included. For information, contact Rick Kirkland 582 488 -2244 or crk5820@msn.com - or visit http://bayareabluegrass.org/Festival09/FOTS_photo_flyer_2009.pdf

* Friday - Sunday, May 22nd - 24th: 12th Annual Gospel Bluegrass Festival, Salmon Lake Park, Grapeland, TX. For information contact Fannie Salmon 936 687-2594, info@salmonlakepark.com or website http://www.salmonlakepark.com/gospel_fest.htm

* May 22nd LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH - SANGER, TEXAS - 940 458 7771 GRASS NOTES plays at 7:00 PM., COPPER CANYON plays at 8:00 PM.

ADMISSION IS FREE. Directions: Take the HWY 455 exit off I-35. East on 455, turn South on 3rd Street. Go to Cherry St , turn right. Church is at 314 Cherry St.

* Thursday, May 28th: Artsnet 2009 Masterworks Concert Series, Front Lawn, Old Bedford School, 2400 School Lane, Bedford, TX. White House Harmony will perform. Admission is free. Click here for map. For information call 817 283-3406 or visit http://www.artsnetc.org/homepage.asp

June 2009

* Wednesday - Saturday, June 3rd - 6th: 3rd Annual Bluegrass Festival, Melody Ranch RV Park, off Hwy 902 between Howe & Tom Bean, TX. Lineup includes Grandpa's Neighbors, Herzog Family, Prairie Night, Buddy & Tina Wright Group, Star Canyon, High Strung, Upper Grassmen, Cedar Ridge, Midnight Flight. Bands subject to change; check website for band schedule. Thursday (Gospel Night) 6:00 p.m.; Friday 2 shows 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 2 shows noon and 6:00 p.m. Thursday & evenings $8; Friday $15; Saturday $15; 3 day pass $32. RV parking available. For more information call 903 271-4260, 972 752-5223 or visit http://www.melodyranchbluegrassfestival.com/

* Thursday - Saturday, June 4th - 6th: Texas Bluegrass Celebration, Brownwood Coliseum, Brownwood, TX. Lineup includes Tennessee Valley Authority, Digger Davis & Tombstone, Saltgrass, 3rd Generation, Clear River. For more information call Charlotte Parrack 325 646-8531, email cparrack@pgrb.com or visit the festival website: http://www.texasbluegrasscelebration.com/1.html

* June 4th, 2009. - GRASS NOTES WILL PLAY THURSDAY NIGHT. Melody Ranch Bluegrass Festival at Chrystal Opry House - Tom Bean, Texas

Thursday thru Sunday, Gospel night is Thursday night, June 4th., Show starts @ 6:00 PM. Admission: Thursday and evenings only - $8. Friday - $15, Saturday - $15, Three day pass - $32. Directions: Between Howe and Tom Bean off Hwy 902, near Tom Bean, 3 mi. south on White Mound Road.

* Wednesday - Sunday, June 10th - 14th: West Texas Bluegrass Association Summer Fest Jam, Texas RV Park, 4100 U.S. Hwy 87, Big Spring, TX. Click here for Texas RV Park website. Cooked breakfast available every Morning, ice cream social Thursday 7:00 p.m., catered meal provided Friday night, Saturday night "Cowboy Pot Luck" dinner. Full hook up sites, call 432 267-7900 for reservations. For info call WTBA: Pete & Claudette Stull 432 362-6644, 432 238-5633 or email wb7amp@cableone.net

* Friday & Saturday, June 12th & 13th: Overton Bluegrass Festival, City Park Overton, TX. Lineup includes Lonesome River Band (Sat), Charlie Sizemore Band (Sat), Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad (Fri), The Donna Hughes Band (Fri & Sat), New Found Road (Fri), Hickory Hill (Fri & Sat), Bowles Creek (Fri & Sat), Pick'n Grass (Sat). More bands to be added. Friday 1:00 p.m. - 10:45 p.m. ($15), Saturday noon - 10:30 p.m. ($20). Both days: $25. Workshop schedule TBA. Click here for map. For info call 903 834-3171, email overtonbgf@embarqmail.com or visit http://www.overtonbluegrass.com/index.html

* Wednesday - Saturday, June 17th - 20th: Turkey Track Bluegrass Festival, Waldron, AR. For information, call 479 637-3717, email turkeytr@valuelinx.net or visit the festival website: http://turkeytrackbluegrass.com/index.html

* Saturday, June 20th: Summer Jam (3rd Session), Heritage Farmstead Museum, 1900 West 15th St. (W. 15th St. is also known as Norman F. Whitsitt Pkwy and FM 544), Plano, TX. Click here for map. 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., $2.00 admission ($1.00 per person if carrying an instrument). Visit website for complete information: http://www.heritagefarmstead.org/

* Johnson County Peach Festival Fiddle Contest, Sat., June 20, registration starts at 11:30, contest starts at noon. No entry fee. Country Heritage Music Barn, 134 W. Main St., Clarksville, AR 72830. 3 divisions (Open, first place pays $500; Junior, 14 & under, 1st place $100; Senior, 65 & up, 1st place $250). 5 places each division. For details, check www.countryheritage.net or email dobropicks@yahoo.com or phone (479) 754-4604.

* Thursday - Saturday, June 25th - 27th: 32nd Free State Bluegrass Music Festival, Civic Center (inside & air conditioned), First Monday Grounds, Canton, TX. Lineup includes Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Special Consensus, Rarely Herd, Nothin' Fancy and many more. Visit the festival website for more information: http://bluegrasscanton.com/index.php/index

*

Saturday June 27: Jackson Hole Bluegrass Festival in Maypearl, Texas (south of DFW). $10 at the gate. Gates open at 1pm for jamming, show starts at 5 pm. Three miles north of Maypearl, Texas on FM157 at Ozro Rd. Come out an support this brand new festival. Bands:

o The Texas Prairie Band

o Ellis County Bluegrass

o Blue River are all playing.

For future dates, go to http://www.southwestbluegrassclub.org/Special_Club_Events.htm

Upcoming Workshops & Camps

Web link: http://www.southwestbluegrassclub.org/Workshops_Camps.htm

New this week

* Wednesday - Sunday, June 3rd - June 7th: Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp, Schreiner University, 2100 Memorial Boulevard, Kerrville, TX. For information and registration, visit

# http://www.hcamp.org/ Sunday - Friday, July 19th - 24th: Camp Bluegrass, South Plains College, Levelland, TX. Registration is available online at http://www.campbluegrass.com/

# Thursday - Sunday, August 6th - 9th: Acoustic Music Camp, South Oaks Baptist Church, 5925 U.S. Highway 287, Arlington, TX. Contact Gerald Jones 214 236-0783 or info@acousticmusiccamp.com - also visit http://acousticmusiccamp.com/

Jim Penson

Southwest Bluegrass Club

swbcnews@tx.rr.com