Hey Folks,

Sorry it’s been so long since my last post, but just keeping the Calendar up to date has been crazy.  I will be trying to keep this news section updated more often.  From time to time, guest bloggers will contribute so everyone can be totally up to speed.

So first things first.  For those of you who come to this site often, you can see that the home page has changed a little.  I am actually learning how to build web sites, so I can now change things on this site more often.  The front page will now have some quick updates on the goings on in the bluegrass scene so check often.

I am booking a bluegrass series at banjo jims the first saturday of every month.  Come on down for the first show on Saturday April 5th.  If you are interested in playing, just contact me at info@nycbluegrass.com

 Anyway, keep checking back here for more frequent updates.

Wow, what a weekend of bluegrass this will be.  The annual Joe Val Festival kicks off Friday night at the Sheraton Hotel in Framingham MA.   Tons a great bands will be there, but more importantly lots of Jamming in the halls and rooms.  This year New York City will be well represented.  In addition our own Brad Einhorn will be showcasing his guitars in the convention room so definately drop by.

When its all over Ill give you a full report of the good times that happened.

Hey all you New York Bluegrass fans.  While we have a robust local scene here, the top line bluegrass bands dont come by as often as we would like.  That is why its great news when they do come and play here and we want to show up to support them.  Last night Rhonda vincent and the rage stopped by Joes Pub to celebrate the release of their new CD.  As usual, Rhonda and her crew put on a great hard driving show..  Now don’t be sad if you missed that cause the opportunity to see some great bluegrass is around the corner.  In february, Blue Highway is coming to Joes Pub.  They are a first rate band with some of the best pickers in the business.  Its a show not to be missed.   Its right after the long weekend where a lot of us will be at Joe Val Festival in Framingham, MA.  In addition, Tim Obrien is also coming in April and  David Grissam is here in May.  Be sure to come out and support these artists

Micheal Daves has been a staple on the new york bluegrass scene for a few years now.  During that time has grown into a well known musician with a unique sound all his own.  Last night, Michael celebrated the release of his live CD by performing at The Rockwood Music Hall.  Michael demonstrated why he is truly a force in the  bluegrass scene.  His voice is so powerful and his guitar can drive though the din of any bar or concert.  He was joined by many guests including Alicia Rabins, Brittany Haas, Jen Larsen, Jake Amerding, Skip Ward, Andy Cotton, and Tony Trischka.  His CD is available on his website and at his regular residency at Rockwood Music Hall on Tuesday Nights

National Heritage Masters Appalachian Journey: Bluegrass Legends

Ralph Stanley, Hazel Dickens, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Saturday, October 27, 2007  8:00 pm

Town Hall
123 West 43rd St
New York

This evening of down-home Southern music features the legendary Ralph Stanley, one of the patriarchs of bluegrass and a revered figure in country and mountain music, backed by The Clinch Mountain Boys; balladeer Hazel Dickens, who has been an inspiration for a new generation of women singers in the bluegrass and country music fields; and Doyle Lawson a central figure in bluegrass and bluegrass gospel for the past 40 years, with Quicksilver, which has received the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) “Vocal Group of the Year” award for the past six years.

Tickets $40, $30
WMI Friends $35, $25
Students $15 

WMI Box Office: 212-545-7536
Town Hall Box Office: 212-307-4100
Info: www.worldmusicinstitute.org

The New York bluegrass scene surprises many who don’t know of it.  Most of the attention over the last few decades has been spent focused on indie rock bands and the venues they play in.  Quietly, the bluegrass scene in New York has grown.  The scene is home to many established players including Chris Thile, Michael Daves and Mark O’Connor.   The Five Deadly Venoms, a new and adventurous bluegrass band is making its mark in New York, and they proved that New York is hungry for their music when they performed last week at the Living Room on Ludlow.  All the members of this group have made their mark and grown in other bands in and around New York.  Finding eachother, they are producing some of the most refreshing sounds in the bluegrass scene in years.  Elio Schiavo, lead vocalist and mandolin player brings a smokey sound to established standards.  His original songs harken back to great bluegrass artists such as Flatt & Scruggs and Jimmy Martin but also have a modern flair.  Rick Snell, the tallest man in bluegrass, can flat pick with the best of them.  The band is rounded out with the solid playing of Rob Hecht on Fiddle, Ian Riggs on Bass and James Kerr on Dobro.  Bluegrass bands sprout up all too often in this city, but The Five Deadly Venoms is one to be reckoned with.

An Evening with The Banjo Masters

Date: Saturday, November 3
Time: Doors at 7:30 pm. Show starts at 8 pm
Cost: $20 for Members. $25 for Non-Members
Location: Kleinert/James Arts Center, 34 Tinker Street, Woodstock, NY

An unique evening with four of the top banjo players in the country all under one roof performing solo and all together. Featuring: Bill Keith, Bruce Molsky, Tony Trischka and Eric Weissberg.