GRASS CLIPPINGS - Desert...

Volume 22 Issue 6 April/May 2017

GRASS CLIPPINGS

DESERT BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

At the DBA 2017 Annual Meeting, held on February 13th, the Board of Directors was voted into office by the membership present. The Board consists of the officers and trustees of the DBA. Three new officers and two trustees were elected. John Camm and Geoff Fox retired from the Board

Dave Polston Jeff Collins Mike Headrick Marlene Simpson President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer

Paul (Doc) Simpson Carole Wothe John David Bonnie Lohman Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee

Andy MacLeod Scott Warren David Lanham Trustee Trustee Trustee

2016 DBA OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES

Newsletter Editor--John David: For information concerning letters to the editor, reviews, contributing newsletter articles, submitting Concert & Band Listing information, Contact John via phone at (520) 400-8853, e-mail, [email protected], or snail mail, 8205 E. Crooked Tree Trail, Tucson, AZ 85715

Webmaster--Andy MacLeod: For information concerning the DBA website www.desertbluegrass.org contact the webmaster at [email protected]

Membership Secretary--Mike Headrick: To join the DBA, renew a membership or submit an address change, contact Mike via phone at (520) 760-0745, email, [email protected] or snail mail, 13308 Placita el Algodon Tucson, AZ 85749

Publicity--Mike Headrick: Contact Mike at (520) 760-0745 or [email protected]

Advertising-- John David: To purchase advertising in our newsletter, contact by phone or email

How to Contact the DBA

OFFICERS

NEWSLETTER ADVERTIZING PRICES 1/4 PAGE--$25 PER ISSUE, $100 ANNUAL 1/2 PAGE--$40 PER ISSUE, $160 ANNUAL FULL PAGE--$60 PER ISSUE $240 ANNUAL CLASSIFIED ADS--$5 FOR 5 LINES OR LESS*

*DBA Members Free, Space Permitting

The opinions expressed in the DBA newsletter are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Desert Bluegrass Association, its staff or members. Reviews, concert listings, band announcements and advertising are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by the Desert Bluegrass Association. In the event of an error, our liability is limited to printing a correction. Copyright 2013,. All Rights Reserved.

PAGE 2 GRASS CLIPPINGS VOLUME 22 ISSUE 6

President:: Dave Polston (520)245-6126 [email protected]

Vice President: Jeff Collins (520)403-4062 [email protected]

Secretary: Mike Headrick (520)760-0745 [email protected]

Treasurer: Marlene Simpson (520)355-4000 [email protected]

TRUSTEES Carole Wothe (520)760-0993 [email protected]

Andy MacLeod (520) 237-9832 [email protected]

John David (520)400-8853 [email protected]

Scott Warren (520)419-7556 [email protected]

Paul “Doc” Simpson (520)298-9746 [email protected]

Bonnie Lohman (520)349-4812 [email protected]

David Lanham (520)749-0335 [email protected]

VOLUME 22 ISSUE 6 GRASS CLIPPINGS

GREAT WEBSITES

Desert Bluegrass Association www.desertbluegrass.org

Arizona Bluegrass Association www.arizonabluegrass.com

Bluegrass Arizona Blog www.bluegrassarizona.blogspot.com

Daily Dose of Bluegrass; www.bluegrassonthetube.com

Bluegrass Lyrics http://bluegrasslyrics.com/

Bluegrass Tablature http://www.alltabs.com/bluegrass_tabs.php

Bluegrass Backing Tracks http://www.fbbts.com/

Guitar: www.bluegrassguitar.com/

Fiddle: www.fiddlehangout.com

Banjo: www.banjohangout.org

Bass: www.bluegrassbassplace.com

Mandolin: www.mandohangout.com/ http://www.mandolincafe.com/

Dobro: www.reso-nation.org www.resohangout.com

The Dust Devils: Newgrass and Bluegrass By Marshall Vest

The Dust Devils band formed some four years ago July when an event needed a band. David VanGelder assembled the group after visiting a number of DBA workshops and jams. He was looking for folks who could sing those tight bluegrass harmonies. Original members included Jo Ann Shifflet, Aaron Vest, Brad Austin, Bob Frankot, and Marshall Vest. As with most bands, members come and go, and today only original members David and Marshall remain.

Current members include former DBA president Ron (aka Rudy) Mamula who plays mandolin and sings. David VanGelder, a prolific songwriter with a wonderful voice, sings mostly lead and plays rhythm guitar. On bass is Leslie Ritter, a relative

newcomer to bluegrass who fell in love with the music and promptly ditched the French Horn to master the stand-up bass. Mark Van Dyke came to Tucson some three years ago from Colorado where he played in folk and blues bands over some 30 years. Mark sings harmony and lead, and

plays lead guitar and a Dobro which he plays with both the slide and a flat pick. Violin-virtuoso Rose Briones (who plays violin in an ensemble group and the Tucson City Orchestra) plays fiddle and sings high harmony parts. Contributing to the rhythm section with “tasteful banjo noise” is Vest, a three-decade member of the DBA.

If The Dust Devils have a trademark it would be their harmonies -- sometimes 2 voices, sometimes 3 or 4. Often a fourth voice is utilized with

Continued on Page 4

GRASS CLIPPINGS VOLUME 22 ISSUE 6

Boy, those guys can pick! From the fast paced classic Wreck of The Old 97, to a couple of sweet old ballads in 3/4 time, the DBA brought the house down. The jam at the VA on Saturday afternoon

filled the cafeteria in Bldg 60 with the veterans who've given so much to our country. Since I usually hang out at the Marana Jam on Tuesdays, I didn't recognize many of the pickers, but everyone welcomed me and I had a great time listening and snapping pictures.

Providing food service and conversation with residents was the local chapter of the American

Continued on Page 5

the baritone part doubled, i.e., a high baritone part sung an octave above – just like the Eagles did it. Occasionally a bass part is added on gospel tunes. The voices and arrangements are really special and crowd-pleasing.

Because of its members’ diverse musical backgrounds, song selection can only be described as eclectic, with offerings from traditional bluegrass, newgrass, folk, country, and blues. In addition, the mix includes originals authored by all four of the singers. Examples of covers include songs from Bill Monroe, Grandpa Jones, Delmore Brothers, Hot Rize, Claire Lynch, Becky Buller, The Stringdusters, Steel Wheels, Seldom Scene, Daily and Vincent, Travis Tritt, Merle Haggard, John Prine, The Eagles, and Dan Folgelberg.

The Dust Devils play regular gigs at the Public Brewhouse and Noble Hops, and at private parties, country clubs, art fairs, and festivals. Last fall, the band made it to the finals in the band contest at Flagstaff’s Pickin-in-the-Pines (a band comprised of young folks won). Upcoming dates include the Tucson Festival of Books on March 11, Pinal County Fair on March 24, Friends of Madera Canyon Concert on April 2, Meet Me Maynard’s on April 10, Public Brewhouse on April 19, and the Tucson Folk Festival on May 6. You can follow

band activities on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dustdevilsbluegrass/.

The Dust Devils: Newgrass and Bluegrass (Continued)

DBA JAM AT THE VA HOSPITAL, FEBRUARY 11, 2017 By Jeff Greenspon

GRASS CLIPPINGS VOLUME 22 ISSUE 6

Legion Riders motorcycle organization. They are well known locally for their service contributions to local charities.

If you are considering coming out to the jam, it's really easy to find. Just get through the front gate

saying you are there for the bluegrass jam in

building 60 and they'll give you directions. Once parked and inside building 60, it was no problem

following the sweet sounds of banjo and mandolin picking through the halls to the cafeteria. It was a good time had by all, and after speaking with a couple of the vets, my appreciation for the men and women who serve our country was really brought home.

DBA JAM AT THE VA HOSPITAL, FEBRUARY 11, 2017 (Continued)


GREETINGS FELLOW BLUEGRASS LOVERS! By Dave Polston

For those who do not know me, I have been elected as your new president.

I started playing banjo 11 years ago this summer. After a year of self teaching I discovered the Desert Bluegrass Association and a workshop they ran. I also saw the number of jams they had around the city. I thought, "This is great, so much bluegrass in the heart of the Sonoran desert!" I have to admit I was overwhelmed and intimated by the workshop. The experienced players made it look simple and I felt I would never get it. I had no music background. I couldn't hear chord changes, let alone try to hear and pick out the melody notes. In the beginning there were usually less than 10 pickers at the

workshop. New people came and didn't return, probably for the same reason, overwhelmed and intimidated.

When Doc Simpson became president, about eight years ago, one of his first challenges was to find a new venue for the workshop. The Udall center changed their

operating time and Continued on Page 10

VOLUME 22 ISSUE 6 PAGE 8 GRASS CLIPPINGS

Bill Breen Scruggs style banjo by ear 520-544-2418

Corrine Cortese Fiddle lessons 520-235-3199

Rudy Cortese Banjo lessons 520-954-2103

Nick Coventry Fiddle lessons 805-252-1851

Reid Griffin Guitar Instruction All Levels and Styles (520) 349-4321

Greg Morton Bluegrass Guitar lessons 520-682-2558

Andy McCune Bluegrass & clawhammer banjo, mando-lin, and beginning Dobro 520-869-6818

Peter McLaughlin Flatpick & bluegrass guitar: Beginner & advanced 520-247-1027

Dave Polston Beginning Banjo & Dobro lessons 520-245-6126

Mike Purdy Guitar, mandolin & Banjo 520-977-9780

Jeff Sanders Guitar & banjo Chicago Store Eastside 520-850-9802

J.P. Thom-Gronachan Banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, theory 520-682-6201

Lora Staples Online Fiddle and Violin lessons RedDesertFiddle.com; RedDesertViolin.com Email: [email protected]

Nate Lee Live Online Mandolin & Fiddle Lessons 469-383-4840 www.TheNateLee.com

INSTRUCTION

BANDS

TO INSTRUCTORS AND BANDS

Would you like your services, band, and or concerts listed on our website (www.desertbluegrass.org)? Current DBA members can be listed by sending their contact information to Andy MacLeod at [email protected]. Refer to the 'Links' tab on the homepage for the bands and instructors. For band concert information I will do my best to get your listing posted in a timely manner onto the 'Events - Concerts' tab. Please send me plain text with the details for the webpage. Varied fonts, colors, formatting, and inserted graphics are extremely time consuming to match in the webpage editor. A

link to a pdf flyer you provide me can be inserted from your listing on the Concerts page.

The 2 Lazy 2 Ranch Band John Hall 520-647-1234

Bear Canyon Ramblers Marilyn 520-760-0479 [email protected] www.bearcanyonramblers.com

Buffelgrass Tim Barrett 520-235-3518 [email protected] www.buffelgrassband.com

Cabin John Howard Anderson--480-897-7425 Anni Beach--480-963-6811 www.cabinjohnbluegrass.com

Cadillac Mountain Corrine 520-235-3199

Cinder Mountain John Bragg (623)251-0613 [email protected] www.facebook.com/CinderMountain

Cisco & The Racecars Francisco Briseno--520-251-7183 www.facebook.com/ciscoandtheracecars www.ciscoandtheracecars.com [email protected]

Crucial County Corrine 520-235-3199

Dusty River Boys Rich Errico 520 818 0358 [email protected]

Greg Morton 520-682-2558

Greenwood Sidee [email protected] www.facebook.com/thegreenwoodsidee www.greenwoodsidee.com

Jam Pak Blues 'N' Grass Neighborhood Band www.jampak.com Anni Beach - 480-963-6811

James Reams & The Barnstormers James Reams 718-374-1086 http://ww.jamesreams.com [email protected]

Linda Lou & the Desert Drifters www.lindaloureed.com [email protected] 520-444-9897

Los Hombres Kenny Erickson 520-235-7473

MojoGrass 520-369-7524 www.facebook.com/mojograss

[email protected]

Old Pueblo Bluegrass Reid Griffin 520-349-4321 http://www.maranafestival.com/old-pueblo-bluegrass.html

Peter McLaughlin 520-247-1027

The Real Deal Band Fransisco Briseno 520-251-7183 Www.facebook.com/realdealband [email protected]

Saguaro Sunset Trio Jim Sanchez 520-869-8468 [email protected]

The Sonoran Dogs Peter McLaughlin 520-247-1027 Brian Davies 520-349-9497 www.thesonorandogs.com

Sonoran Sun Robert Holcombe 520-981-6225 Paul Christiansen 520-336-7755 [email protected]

Superstition Ridge Bluegrass Band Larry Martell 480-588-5552 [email protected]

Titan Valley Warheads Ed Davenport 520-904-6050 www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/The-Titan-Valley-Warheads/161939573828277

Way Out West Emmy Creigh 520-323-0704

Whistle Stop Carol Pearse 970-375-9428 [email protected] www.whistlestopbluegrass.com

callto:+1469-383-4840

http://www.desertbluegrass.org

mailto:[email protected]

callto:+1235-3518

callto:+1718-374-1086

GRASS CLIPP INGS VOLUME 22 ISSUE 6

closed an hour earlier, which did not allow us the 2 hours needed to run the workshop. Paul found a new location and formed a group of us that had been attending to create a leadership team. One of the first things we did was to make it extremely beginner friendly. We slowed things way down, to enable the students to join in and work on their breaks.

After the restart of the workshop, we discovered the Parking Lot Pickers book. This was a great tool for the workshop since there was a version written for each bluegrass instrument. Through this workshop I met several musicians and by my 4th year of playing, I was in a band. I am now in my 3rd band, The 2 Lazy 2 Ranch Band. We have been together 4 years and just finished our 2nd CD. This would never have been possible if not for the DBA and the weekly workshops.

About 4 years ago, with a growing number of pickers on the Northwest side of Tucson, a 2nd workshop was started. Being from the NW side I was asked to help run this workshop. In the past year I have come back to the Eastside to assist in that program. I have a great passion for these workshops and am grateful they were around to help advance my playing.

Over the past year I have put together a format so that both workshops are running on the same syllabus so you can attend either or both and receive the same

teachings. I base the format on looking at 7 popular song progressions. Each 4 or 5 weeks we pick a new song that fits the structure. This helps the picker go to jams and be able to improvise over songs they may never have heard. As I stated earlier, 10 years ago, there were less than a dozen attendees at the workshop. We now have 40 to 50 attending the Eastside and about 20 attending the NW workshops. I think this is the greatest thing that the association does and as President, keeping this going and growing is my main objective.

Besides the growth of the workshops, I also plan to work hard on membership growth (I would like to see us reach the 300 mark), a successful and profitable festival, exposure of bluegrass to the next generation (pickers under the age of 50), reaching pre adults, using our scholarship fund to send the kids to bluegrass camp and the return of our annual campout. In addition, I also want to increase the use of social media to help keep members informed and reach that newer generation. I am grateful for exposure to bluegrass and the many friends I now have by finding the association. I hope to serve you well and make the DBA one of the greatest bluegrass association in the country.

Your President, Dave Polston.

GREETINGS FELLOW BLUEGRASS LOVERS! (Continued)


Hi Bluegrass Fans,

In the last issue of Grass Clippings I asked you to check the expiration date of your memberships and renew their memberships if needed. The Desert Bluegrass Association uses a common expiration date. All expirations for the year occur at the end of February. This year 175 memberships expired. So far 98 members have renewed and thanks to all of you. However, if you do the math, 77 memberships are now delinquent. So take a minute and see if you are one of the 77 who needs to renew. Check the mailing label on this

newsletter. If it says “expires 2-17” above your name then your membership needs to be renewed. You may renew either by mail or from our website. To renew by mail simply fill out the form in the newsletter, enclose a check made out to DBA, then mail it to the address listed. If your information is current you don’t even need to fill out the form - just include the mailing address with your payment. To renew from the website go to www.desertbluegrass.org, look for the “join DBA” area, click the “buy now” button and follow the instructions. Either way is simple and easy.

Keep supporting Bluegrass Music in Southern Arizona!

Thanks Mike Headrick Membership Secretary

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL


WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Marana Community

Center 13251 N Lon Adams

Rd., Marana

JAM 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Sierra del Sol Senior Living

8151 E. Speedway

S M T W T F S 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5

1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 0 2 1 2 2

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30

WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)



Rd., Marana

WORKSHOP (EAST SIDE)

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Christ Community

Church 7801 E Kenyon Dr

JAM 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Thirsty’s Neigh-borhood Grill

2422 N. Pantano

WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)



Rd., Marana

JAM 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Music & Arts 8320 Thornydale Rd Suite 150/170

JAM 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Pinnacle Peak Court Yard

6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)



Rd., Marana




JAM 12:00pm - 2:00 pm

VA Hospital Bldg 60

6th Ave & Ajo

WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)



Rd., Marana




JAM 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Udall Park Ramada

7200 E. Tanque Verde Road

D BA Ev e nts

A PR IL 2 017

JAM 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Sierra del Sol Senior

Living (Dining Room)

8151 E. Speedway

JAM 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Main Stage U of A Mall

JAM 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Main Stage U of A Mall


WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)



Rd., Marana

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3

1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 0

2 1 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 5 2 6 2 7

2 8 2 9 3 0 3 1

WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)



Rd., Marana




JAM 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Thirsty’s Neigh-borhood Grill

2422 N. Pantano

JAM 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Sierra del Sol Senior

Living (Dining Room)

8151 E. Speedway




JAM 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Music & Arts 8320 Thornydale Rd Suite 150/170

JAM 6:30pm - 8:30 pm

Pinnacle Peak Court Yard

6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)



Rd., Marana




JAM 12:00pm - 2:00 pm

VA Hospital Bldg 60

6th Ave & Ajo

WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)



Rd., Marana




JAM 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Udall Park Ramada

7200 E. Tanque Verde Road

Newsletter Inputs Due

D BA Ev e nts

MAY 2 0 17




WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)



Rd., Marana

WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)



Rd., Marana


MARANA VESTIVAL VOLUNTEER REQUEST By Jim Wagner

Hello DBA Pickers and Grinners!

Happy first day of spring to everyone! It's time to celebrate bluegrass mu-sic and good times at the Annual Marana Bluegrass Festival at Ora Mae Harn Park in Marana, AZ! This year's happy occasion will occur on Apr 28, 29, and 30! It is also very special because it is the Festival's 5th anni-versary! As usual, the festival is dependent upon volunteers to be suc-cessful! As in previous years, your response to my request for volunteers has been wonderful and I thank each and every one of you who answered the call! There are volunteer opportunities still available for those who wish to do so, but haven't yet. Please consider volunteering! It is very simple to sign up: go to the festival website: www.maranafestival.com and

select the volunteer tab from the dropdown column on the upper right under "more". It will take you where you need to go to sign up. Select what time slot you wish and you are all set!

As in the past, volunteers are admitted free to the festival. We will have a fun time!

Thank You! Jim Wagner 520 407-6572

PICK LIKE A WILDCAT! By Daniel Stolte

Mark your calendar for two jams hosted by the DBA on the UA campus in April!

Banjos will ring, and fiddles will wail where normally students are milling about, hustling and bustling between classes. Starting at 4 p.m. on April 5, and again on April 26, the DBA will set up a jam session on the Main Stage on the University of Arizona campus mall. We plan to play bluegrass tunes in a relaxed atmosphere, hopefully under a friendly Tucson Spring sky, for as long as there are people hungry to pick.

The jams are in an effort to create a presence of the DBA within the University of Arizona community, especially for students, with the ultimate goal of establishing a Bluegrass Club run by UA students. During a similar event held last fall, DBA jammers were able to gather an appreciative audience of "grinners" who passed by on their way home from class or to the library, happy to drop their backpacks into the grass and plop down to listen to some handmade music, the kind one rarely, if ever, gets to hear on campus. DBA members handed out fliers, explained the anatomy of a banjo, and even offered help with chord shapes to a few enthusiastic students who had run back to their dorm room to grab that guitar and pick along with the jammers on the stage.

"The idea is to introduce the DBA to those students on campus who brought their banjo or guitar or fiddle, or whatever other stringed instrument with them when they moved to Tucson to attend the UA," said Dan Stolte, who works at the University and volunteered to explore opportunities for establishing a student-run bluegrass club. "With these jams, we hope to bring likeminded folks together and hopefully plant the seed for something more long-term, so they Continued on Page 19


THREE NEW DBA BOARD MEMBERS

By John David, Trustee

Prior to the annual meeting on February 13th, three of the DBA officers decided not to stand for re-election and one trustee decided to retire. John Camm, and Geoff Fox informed the Board that they were not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting. The remaining board members consisting of the Association officers and the trustees fully understand their need to move on. We will miss their insight, leadership and contributions to the management of the DBA. They have contributed significantly to the success of the organization during their tenure. The Board certainly reserves the right to consult them on any topic it feels their insight and

advice can help with furthering the goals of the Desert Bluegrass Association. Fair winds Folks and Keep On Pickin’

At the Annual Meeting, three new officers and three new trustees were elected by unanimous consensus. They will all bring fresh ideas and excitement to the leadership of the DBA.

President Dave Polston - Dave has been playing banjo for 10 years. He found the association and workshop about a year after starting. "I was addicted to the banjo and bluegrass after a year and was amazed at the amount of bluegrass (workshop and jams) there were in the Sonoran Desert."

A couple of years later he assisted Doc Simpson in forming the new workshop when it relocated to the church. "Because of the workshop, I was in my first band by 4 years."

His next band "Drops in the River" placed 3rd in a group of 7 at the next years DBA band contest.

Dave started assisting at the NW workshop soon after it started a few years ago. He has helped build a format for this workshop and currently runs it with Jeff Collins. Dave also runs the program at the Monday workshop. Under his tutelage, both workshops are focused on helping participants contribute in the various jams organized by the DBA

Dave has been playing with his current band, "The 2 Lazy 2 Ranch Band" for over 4 years now. The band has two CDs available. Dave also lends his banjo playing to the "Ocotillo Rain and Thunder Band." This is a band that formed from the NW workshop and they donate all their earning to a different charity each month.

Besides teaching both workshops he also privately teaches banjo and dobro.

Vice-President Jeff Collins - Jeff was born and raised in New York City; Flushing , Queens to be exact. He worked 34 years at Tucson Electric Power. Jeff has two sons, 4 grandchildren, and has been married for 20 years to Lauren Lucas. He is very much a fishing and, specifically, a fly fishing fanatic. He served as the Trout Unlimited State Chairman for 4 years. Jeff also volunteered as Conservation Chairman for Trout Unlimited for 8 years. He still enjoys fishing every summer out of his RV. Jeff has also been volunteering for the Fox Theatre for 3 years.

Jeff started playing guitar at age 50 after messing with it as a teenager. Now at age 59, he plays guitar, Continued on Page 18

This is my first article as your Vice President for DBA. We're hoping this will become a monthly thing which will highlight festivals I go to in my travels, jams I attend around our Nation, and our Charity giving through my band Ocotillo Rain and Thunder. This month I'd like to discuss my recent attendance in a festival, Bluegrass on the Beach, and a little on the activities of my band.

Bluegrass on the Beach has a beautiful setting on the shores of Lake Havasu, in the city with the same namesake. People arrive days early just to get a camping spot in this great state park. There were at least 150 RVs there this year and, at a guess, 4,000 attendees. It is run by Larry and

Sondra Baker of L&S Promotions with the help of a multitude of volunteers and sponsors. They get top Headliners every year, this year was the Boxcars. they also had Bluegrass Etc, the Navy Bluegrass Band and a host of others. It goes three days, Friday through Sunday. This year my wife and I decided to camp at a state park south of the festival. She wanted hookups cause we had our animals with us and we thought it would roast the animals without hookups; but the weather was perfect. There are a few sites at the festival that have hookups. I also like this festival ‘cause I like to fish and Lake Havasu has become one of the premiere Smallmouth Bass lakes in the country. Continued on Page 19

mandolin, dobro, and is trying to learn banjo and fiddle. Jeff taught a beginning bluegrass mini workshop for 2 years at the East and Marana Workshops. In 2014, he started a band called Ocotillo Rain and Thunder, made up of many of the beginners Jeff taught in the workshops, playing for charity. To date the band has raised over $13,000 for local charities; " Giving back to the community".Jeff has been volunteering for DBA Festivals for 6 years and is now honored to be Vice President of the DBA.

Marlene Simpson Treasurer - Marlene moved to Tucson, AZ from the Midwest in 1986. She is originally from Nebraska. She worked for the University of Arizona for over 27 years prior to retiring as an Accounting Manager, Senior in 2015. She is currently completing a Masters in Forensic Accounting. Marlene started attending the workshop in 2012, where she plays bass and is attempting the learn the mandolin. She also plays the piano and is a former chair for the Southern Arizona Women’s Chorus. Marlene is married to “Doc” and has two daughters, two sons-in-law, two grandkids, two step-kids, and two dogs.

PAGE 18 VOLUME 22 ISSUE 6 GRASS CLIPPINGS

VICE-PRESIDENT’S CORNER By Jeff Collins

THREE NEW DBA BOARD MEMBERS (Continued)


As for my band, Ocotillo Rain and Thunder, we choose a charity every month. All the money we make that month goes to that charity. Our February charity was Fischer House. This organization puts wounded hospitalized servicemen together with their families by bringing the families to the hospital campus, where Fischer House has lodging, food and transportation. This way the families can be with their beloved serviceman for short durations. Great Organization.

Our March Charity is Pancreatic Cancer Research, PanCan. One of our band member’s, and also a DBA member, wife passed away from Pancreatic Cancer several years ago. Her birthday is in March so we always dedicate March to this cause. S o far we have given over $13,000 in charity, and growing. We play a lot of adult communities and resorts which is very rewarding and we also play events like Festival of Books, Zoo Lights, Tucson Meet Yourself, Tubac Art Festival, Empty Bowls ICS fundraiser, etc… It's all about the giving though!

At this writing, we are preparing for our own Festival, 5th Annual Marana Bluegrass Festival. This is my fourth rodeo with this Festival, and I'm hoping it's the best. Dave Lahnam took the reigns to head the event and I told him I'd help out. We have some great bands lined up and I hope you all can attend. This is also our biggest fundraiser event of the year along with your ever supporting memberships. Get out and meet the members and enjoy some picking of your own April 28-30.

VICE-PRESIDENT’S CORNER (Continued)

can share their passion for acoustic music with one another in regular workshops and jams."

"At this early stage in the game, the questions we have at this point are, where such workshops could take place and how we can best reach students," adds Marshall Vest, a longtime DBA member and retired faculty member of the UA's Eller College of Management, who also would like to see a UA bluegrass student club come to fruition. "We welcome any comments, advice, suggestions, or guidance you may offer."

So, come on out to pick with us on April 5 and/or 26 from 4 p.m. till 8 p.m. on the UA mall! The main stage is located south of the UA Student Union, just east of the Cactus Garden. Parking is available in 2

nd Street Parking Garage, on the Southeast corner of Mountain Ave and 2

nd Street. It's a short

walk from the parking garage to the stage.

Finally, if you have ideas on how the DBA could get more involved with the University of Arizona community, we'd love to hear from you!

Dan Stolte, [email protected], 520-954-1964

Marshall Vest, [email protected], 520-907- 9698

PICK LIKE A WILDCAT! (Continued)


Continued on Page 21

DBA ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES


DBA ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES (Continued)


Southern AZ Old Time Fiddlers Assn. Southwest Community Center Cardinal Ave, Tucson, AZ Tuesday 7 PM Info: Wilbur 520-743-7086

Catalina Mountain Chapter of the AZ Old Time Fiddlers Association Fiddler’s Workshop 3rd Monday at 7 PM

Info: Rusty 520-981-8152

Open Mic at The Hut on 4th Ave Every Sunday 6 - 9:00 PM Info: Rudy [email protected]

Kibbey’s Jam and Open Mic Info: Jim Howard, 520-825-9413 Twin Lakes Drive, Catalina, AZ Every Friday Night 6:30 PM–9:00 PM

1st Baptist Church Jam and Open Mic

Wilds Road, Catalina, Arizona Info: Jim Howard, 520-825-9413 Every Saturday, 6:30 PM-9:00 PM

JAMS & OPEN MICS

DBA sponsored jams are listed at www.desertbluegrass.org & on the enclosed calendar.


THE COLTON HOUSE SESSIONS

SONGS FOR THE SOUTHWEST

Chris Brashear, Peter McLaughlin & Todd Phillips

2017 Arizona Archive Recordings

Produced and Engineered By Todd Phillips

Review By Marilyn Ryan Hulbert

A songwriting residency from the Museum of Northern Arizona in 2014..... Chris Brashear and Peter McLaughlin began researching - books, articles, their own exciting experiences, family histories, archival photos and museum paintings. At the Colton House they wrote and recorded the songs that make up this album. Their close friend Katie Lee is responsible for the "Song of the Boatman", and the inspiration for Peter’s songs “She Knows the River” and the beautiful “Katie’s Tune”

Special guests are Al Perkins on Dobro and Charlie Cushman on banjo. Also Charlie McCoy playing harmonica.

This wonderful tribute to the Southwest and the Colorado Plateau was recorded in 2016.

Peter McLaughlin is an award winning guitarist, music instructor, songwriter, vocalist and an engaging performer with many genres of music to share. In 1988, Peter took 1

st Place in the National Flatpick Guitar Championship, at

the Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield, KS. In 1986 he had won 2

nd place at Walnut Valley. In 1988 and 1991, Peter

won 1st place as the Telluride Bluegrass Guitar Champion

at the Telluride Bluegrass festival in Telluride, Colorado. Look at petermclaughlin.info for great photos and plenty of information about Peter.

His flatpicking is amazing and so is his fingerpicking and crosspicking! His lyrics are brilliant and range from love songs to adventure stories to songs that make his audiences laugh and yell out request after request. Five of the songs on this album were written by Peter.

When Chris moved to Tucson, he and Peter met and played music and recorded together, forming a strong musical bond and an important friendship.

Six of the songs on this album were written by Chris. In his bio. he states that he has always played a musical instrument and singing has always been second nature to him. No doubt about it!

Songwriting ....his inspirations come from everywhere and his songwriting style is what I call "in the old way." He is a wonderful fiddler, mandolin and guitar player.

Chris played fiddle and mandolin, touring and recording with Robin & Linda Williams and “Their Fine


MARANA VESTIVAL VOLUNTEER REQUEST By Jim Wagner

Hello DBA Pickers and Grinners!

May I wish you all a Happy 2017! Every year about this time, as you may recall, it's time to celebrate bluegrass music and good times at the Annual Marana Bluegrass Festival at Ora Mae Harn Park in Marana, AZ. This year that happy occasion will occur on April 28, 29, and 30! This year is also special because it is our Festival's 5th anniversary! Amazing how fast time flies by! As usual, the festival is dependent upon volunteers to be successful! In previous years, your response to my request for volun-teers has been wonderful and I thank each and every one of you who an-swered the call! Please consider volunteering again! It is very simple to sign up: go to the festival website: MaranaFestival.com and select the vol-unteer tab from the column on the left. It will take you where you need to

go to sign up. Select what time slot you wish and you are all set!

As in the past, volunteers are admitted free to the festival.

Thank You!

Jim Wagner

520 407-6572

[email protected]


Group” for 7 years. He also plays with the Piedmont Melody Makers (Alice Gerrard, Cliff Hale and Jim Watson).

There is something very special abut Chris' songs. The lyrics tell important and fascinating stories and his pure and honest voice relates each story so that you want to listen over and over again. I know I certainly want to. The first time I heard Chris perform on stage, I fell in love with his music and he has never disappointed. chrisbrashear.info will get you to lots more information about Chris.

Chris and Peter's previously recorded albums are "Canyoneers" and "So Long Arizona" - albums I have played song after song on the radio show I sometimes deejay in Maine on WERU, proudly announcing that these talented

musicians are friends of mine. Actually, I know, they are friends to most of you reading this review. Chris now lives in Massachusetts. When he comes to the Old Pueblo to make music with Peter, we are sure to be there.

Todd Phillips, Grammy award winner and many time Grammy nominated bassist, percussionist, mandolin picker, harmony singer, engineer and producer, did a terrific job producing, engineering, mixing and mastering this recording. He transported his entire recording studio from Nashville to the Colton House and it was his expertise that brought the clarity and superior tonal quality to this recording. Todd has played, toured and recorded with the original David Grisman Quartet, Tony Rice, Joan Baez, PsychoGrass, J.D. Crowe, Tim O’Brien, Claire Lynch, Phillips, Grier & Flinner, New Grange, Laurie Lewis, Bryan Sutton and Robbie Fulks, along with many others. You can find more information on Todd at toddphillipsmusic.com.

You will encounter adventures on the rivers, a tale of murder, thoughts of being alone in the canyons, and the "Hassayamper Blues" with Charlie McCoy playing some tasty harmonica licks as a delightful ending song to one of the best albums I have ever heard.

There's no need to list each song, for every one is a treasure beyond compare - originals so beautiful and powerful - played and sung directly from their hearts.

Upcoming shows in AZ - Sept. 12th at Hotel Congress in Tucson and Pickin’ in the Pines Festival Flagstaff – Sept. 15-17

th.

Yours ever so truly!

Marilyn R. Hulbert

THE COLTON RIVER SESSIONS

SONGS FOR THE SOUTHWEST

Chris Brashear, Peter McLaughlin & Todd Phillips

(Continued)


ASSOCIATIONS

Arizona Bluegrass Association 11411 N 91st Ave #213 Peoria, Az 85345 Leslie Rhodes President 602-565-3285 [email protected] www.arizonabluegrass.com

International Bluegrass Music Association 2 Music Circle South, Suite 100 Nashville, TN 37203 615-256-3222 Toll Free: 1-888-438-4262 http://www.ibma.org

International Bluegrass Music Museum Museum Entrance: 117 Daviess Street Mailing Address: 207 East Second Street Owensboro, KY 42303 270-926-7891 888-MY BANJO (toll-free)

So. Arizona Old Time Fiddlers Association 3020 W. Avenida Cresta Tucson, AZ 85745 Info: Wilbur 520-743-7086

Tucson Friends of Traditional Music Info: 520-408-6181 www.tftm.org

Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association PO Box 26531 Tucson, AZ 85726 www.tkma.org

Tucson Old Time Music Circle [email protected] Brad 520-818-0260 www.totmc.org

WELCOME TO OUR NEW & RETURNING MEMBERS

William Noland Tucson Luke Stone Tucson Warren Rolek Minnesota Mark Stone Tucson Lee Misevch Tucson Michael Zbojniewicz Michigan Christopher Kibbey Green Valley

Danny Starkey Marana Lawrence Jones Tucson Tom Kusian Tucson Jan Koltun Green Valley Paul Pipik Sierra Vista Christine Morales Tucson

DESERT BLUEGR ASS ASSOCIATION

8205 E . CROOKED TREE TRAIL

TUCSON, ARIZONA 85715

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MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL FORM

Phone: 520-400-8853 Fax: 520-722-3173

E-mail: [email protected]

Membership dues for the Desert Bluegrass Association are $20 annually per family, due March 1st, and includes bulk mailing of the bi-monthly newsletter to each member. Members joining after November of any year will have their membership extended through the next year. Those joining before November must renew the following March 1st.

Complete this form then mail it, along with your personal check or money order payable to Desert Bluegrass Association, to:

Mike Headrick (DBA Membership Secretary) 13308 Placita el Algodon

Tucson, AZ 85749

WWW.DesertBluegrass.org

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PERMIT NO. 1830

MEMBER OF THE DESERT BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

Cut out this box The mailing label is now your DBA membership card

April/May 2017 Volume 22 Issue 6

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