An online resource for information on all things Bluegrass in southern New England from the folks at WHUS Radio's "Bluegrass Cafe." We broadcast each Sunday from 4:00-7:00PM (EST) on WHUS, 91.7FM and whus.org in Storrs, CT. Call us during the show -- (860)486-9487, or send email to bgcafe@gmail.com.
In addition to the Caouette Music Scholarship show, there is another big BG event happening in southern New England on October 12th...
The Canterbury Historical Society proudly welcomes the GIBSON BROTHERS with a show at the Finnish American Heritage Society, 76 North Canterbury Road (Route 169), Canterbury CT. Showtime is 2:30PM. The Gibsons played to packed houses at their CHS shows in 2003 & 2004, and with a couple of #1 CDs to their credit since then (including their latest #1, "Iron & Diamonds"), the 2008 show looks to be a winner, too!
Opening the show will be a brother-style duet, BEAR MINIMUM (one-half of the Bear Bridge Band), whose sound is reminiscent of the early days of country & Bluegrass music.
Tickets are $27 now, but will be $30 at the door (if any are available). As of today, there are about 40 tickets remaining for this show. The Finnish Hall is not huge, so you are encouraged to order your tickets as soon as possible. To do so, send your check (payable to "Canterbury Historical Society") to CHS, PO Box 2, Canterbury CT 06331. All funds we clear will be used to support our various Canterbury Historical Society programs and projects.
On Sunday, October 12, 2008, Julie Caouette will present the 3rd annual Caouette Music Scholarship Bluegrass Benefit at the Athol/Orange Elks, 92 New Athol Road, Orange, MA. The show kicks off at noon, and will feature some terrific performers who are donating their time and energy to make this a fabulous event. Performers include:
The Stillhouse Jammers
Travers Chandler & Avery County
The Hemingway Brothers
NewFound Grass
The Cowtippers (reunion)
Big Apple'achia
Sound is provided courtesy of Dave Helman & Country Corner Productions. There are various raffles & door prizes, and proceeds go to the Bernie Caouette Music Scholarship, which is available to students who wish to further their education in Music and/or children of the Athol Fire Department personnel. If you can't make the benefit, but would like to make a donation to the scholarship, you may send your gift to this address: The Bernie Caouette Music Scholarship, c/o Middlesex Savings Bank, 306 Great Road, Littleton MA 01460.
For more information, email Julie Caouette, call (978)544-7202, or click on this link.
There were no sports preemptions for theBG Cafeon Sunday, so we featured three hours of music, including several requests (highlighted below in RED). It's always fun to hear from listeners, as otherwise, how do we really know you're out there? Besides, it's very easy to get in a "rut" from this end of the mic and play only songs from performers we really like. Remember, it's your show, too, so don't be shy about calling us while we're on the air -- (860)486-9487. If you prefer email requests, those will work, too:bgcafe@gmail.com. You just may not hear them quite as quickly.
Marti will join you next Sunday in the Cafe. It looks like WHUS will be broadcasting UCONN Soccer beginning at 2PM, so expect to hear Marti sometime around 4PM, barring overtimes and all of those lovely things. Thanks for listening! Amy
Katy Hill / Del McCoury Band / RockyGrass / Blue Planet
Darlin’ Little Joe / Don Reno & Bill Harrell / Plum Pitiful / Time Life
When The Springtime Comes Again / Vern Williams Band / Bluegrass From The Gold Country / Rounder
You Can Keep Your Nine Pound Hammer / Traditional Grass / 10th Anniversary Collection / Rebel
Harvest Time / Lost & Found / Classic Bluegrass / Rebel
Through The Window Of A Train / Blue Highway / Through The Window Of A Train / Rounder
Hard Living / Hunter Berry with Rhonda Vincent / Wow Baby / Upper Management Music
I’ll Wash Your Love From My Heart / Jim & Jesse / Jim & Jesse, 1952-1955 / Bear Family
Poverty Row / Springfield Exit / Americana / Cracker Barrel
I’ve Lived A Lot In My Time / Dry Branch Fire Squad / 30th Anniversary Special / Rounder
Just Like You / Hot Rize / Untold Stories / Sugar Hill
Nashville Jail / Big Country Bluegrass / Open For Business / Mountain Roads Recordings
No More The Moon Shines On Lorena / Everett Lilly / Everett Lilly & Everybody & Their Brother / Swift River Music
Streamlined Cannonball / Bristol Boys / All Aboard With The Bristol Boys / Self-Produced
You Are My Sunshine / Tom Adams / Right Hand Man / Rounder
Sad Wind Sighs / The Grascals / Keep On Walkin’ / Rounder
She’s Left Me Again / Audie Blaylock / Tribute To Jimmy Martin / Koch
Hold Whatcha Got / Jimmy Martin / You Don’t Know My Mind / Rounder
Blame It On The Pain / Pine Mountain Railroad / Alone With Forever / Steeltown Records
I’ll Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms / New Roanoke Jug Band / Blockbuster Bluegrass / Copper Creek
Brand New Tennessee Waltz / Nashville Bluegrass Band / Nashville Bluegrass Band / Rounder
Two Hours Down / Rick Hayes / Fly By Night / Self-Produced
Bible By The Bed / Cadillac Sky / Gravity’s Our Enemy / Skaggs Family
Ridin’ That Midnight Train / Stanley Brothers / Appalachian Stomp / Rhino
Little Bessie / Dwight McCall / Bluegrass Goes Back To The Future / Rural Rhythm
Calloway County Flood / Balsam Range / Marching Home / Mountain Home
I’m Ridin’ This Train / Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper / Leavin’ Town / Rounder
Orange Blossom Special / Stanley Brothers / True Bluegrass Instrumentals / Rebel
I’m Not Over You / The Adrians / I’ll Take The Blame / MasterShield
Bury Me Beneath The Willow / Northern Lights / New Moon / Fifty Fifty
Hometown Blues / Seldom Scene / SCENEchronized / Sugar Hill
Beauty Of My Dreams / Blackjack / 10 Years Of European World Of Bluegrass / Strictly Country
Holding On When You've Let Go / Crowe Brothers / Brothers -n- Harmony / Rural Rhythm
Upstairs In The Bedroom / Avery County / Me And The Jukebox / Self-Produced
The Other Side Of Town / Gibson Brothers / Iron & Diamonds / Sugar Hill
I’m On My Way To The Old Home / Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys / High Lonesome / CMH
Don’t Throw Mama’s Flowers Away / Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass / The Room Over Mine / Rounder
Stranger In My Home / White Mountain Bluegrass / Aragon Mill / Strictly Country
You Let The Dog Off The Chain / Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice / Blue Side Of The Blue Ridge / Rebel
Who Showed Who / Dan Tyminski / Wheels / Rounder
One Of These Days / Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver / Help Is On The Way / Horizon
I Can Tell You The Time / Rickey Wasson / From The Heart And Soul / Rural Rhythm
Get In Line Brother / Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs / Essential Earl Scruggs / Columbia
Mother’s Only Sleeping / Bluegrass Diamonds / After All These Years / Self-Produced
When I Safely Reach The Other Shore / Johnson Mountain Boys / We’ll Still Sing On / Rounder
Will He Wait A Little Longer / James King / Stanley Gospel Tradition / Doobie Shea
You’ll Be Rewarded Over There / Joe Val & the New England Bluegrass Boys / One Morning In May / Rounder
Springtime In Glory / Charlie Monroe / Post War Country Classics / Cattle
Black Mountain Blues / Johnson Mountain Boys / Requests / Rounder
If you're looking for something to do this weekend, let me cordially invite you to celebrate Old Home Day with the Canterbury Historical Society. This event is held on the Canterbury Green (which happens to be the front lawn of the First Congregational Church, Route 169 -- just south of the intersection with Route 14). In addition to historical reenactors, fine & decorative artists, a farmer's market, local organizations, food, an open house at the Green (Centre) District School, games for the kids, and more, there will be music at various times throughout the day featuring the Bristol Boys. You may recall that the Bristol Boys lost a member early in August when band founder and Dobro player Matt Nozzolio died suddenly. Well, the remaining two members, Dave Aston and Dave Orlomoski (yes, my brother), have decided to play on. Filling the third spot on Saturday will be another Dave -- Dave Shaw of the Bear Bridge Band -- so that should make for some fine old-time country music on the Green. The Bristol Boys are tentatively scheduled to play at 11:45AM, 1:15PM, and 3PM.
Best of all, admission to this event isFREE.
For more information, click here. This event runs from 10AM-4PM, and happens rain or shine -- see you there!
Amy
[A small disclaimer: In my spare time, I am a volunteer and serve as president of the Canterbury Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. On occasion, we do produce some BG-related events, but all monies raised go directly to the Historical Society.]
9/25/2008 -- UPDATE John (Jack) Holland attended the Old Home Day festivities, and posted a wrap-up on his blog. Click here to see his comments and photos.
Our sports-shortened show was brightened by the appearance (by telephone) of Eric Gibson of The Gibson Brothers. The Gibsons will be paying us a visit by way of a concert in Canterbury, CT, on 12 October 2008, so it seemed a good time to check in with Eric to talk about their new CD, "Iron and Diamonds," which is commanding much chart attention lately. We had a delightful discussion which you can experience again here.
We also paid tribute to Bill Monroe on the day after the anniversary of his birthday, played a handful of requests (in blue below) , and played some classic cuts during the gospel set.
Be sure to tune in next week when Amy will energize the airwaves with more of the best in bluegrass.
Jim
SONG TITLE / PERFORMER / ALBUM TITLE / LABEL
Fire on The Mountain / Michael Cleveland / Sawing on the "C" String / Self-produced
True Life Blues / Bill Monroe / Blue Moon of Kentucky / Bear Family
Toy Heart / Bill Monroe / Blue Moon of Kentucky / Bear Family
Long Forgotten Dream / The Gibson Brothers / Long Forgotten Dream / Hay Holler
Cabin Down Below / The Gibson Brothers / Iron & Diamonds / Sugar Hill
Interview with Eric Gibson
Picker's Blues / The Gibson Brothers / Iron & Diamonds / Sugar Hill
Fly By Night / Rick Hayes / Fly By Night / Kang Records
This Sunday's (9/14) show may not begin exactly at 4PM, as the UCONN Women Soccer team's game with Penn State won't end until about 4:30PM.
The good news is that Jim & Marti will join you right after soccer ends for 2 1/2 hours of prime BG listening. Rumor has it that Jim has some great stuff in store for listeners, including at least one interview with a banjo playing Gibson Brother (who can be seen here with brother Leigh, and might-as-well-be brother, Mike Barber at the 2008 Jenny Brook BG Festival).
Don't know exactly what time you'll be able to hear Jim and Eric talk about the success of the Gibsons' most recent Sugar Hill recording, "Iron & Diamonds," and other topics, but I'm sure you'll want to tune in around 4:30PM and stay for the duration....
In addition, Jim will have a couple of copies of "Iron & Diamonds" to give to listeners who've not won anything from us within the past 30 days or so.
The Fall sports season is in full swing at UCONN, and so, once again begins the possibility of sports preemptions, especially for weekend programming. Sunday'sBG Cafe began about 5PM, as the UCONN Women's Soccer team played a game that lasted until about then. We still crammed plenty of music in our 2-hour slot, though -- hope you were able to hear something you enjoyed! A bit of new music was included this week in the form of two more fine releases from the folks at Rural Rhythm Records -- theCrowe Brothershave a great new brother duet project called "Brothers -n- Harmony" which is part classic country-sounding and part Bluegrass, andMelonie Cannonhas a mostly-country-sounding-with-some-BG CD called, "And The Wheels Turn." We also included a tune from Jeanette Williams' new project from Blue Circle Records, "Thank YouFor Caring." We also included a 2-song tribute to a music original who died on September 1st --Jerry Reed. While I don't recall any BG versions of Jerry's big hits like "Amos Moses" or "When You're Hot, You're Hot," his material has been covered in the BG world, and we included music from Tony Rice (a Jerry Reed fan) and the Johnson Mountain Boys in our tribute.
Jim & Marti are with you next Sunday in the Cafe -- join them! Amy Requests are RED.
Katy Hill / Del McCoury Band / RockyGrass / Blue Planet
Them Blues (1986) / Lonesome River Band / Lonesome River Band / Rebel
Them Blues (2008) / Lonesome River Band / Fresh Cuts & Key Tracks 2 / Rural Rhythm
The Train's Ready / Balsam Range / Marching Home / Mountain Home
Cumberland Gap / Charlie Cushman / Five String Time / Self-Produced
Golden Hair / Wayne Taylor / Dear Mom / Self-Produced
Old Man From The Mountain / BearTracks / Together Til The End / AMT Records
I Want To Be Loved / Bill Harrell with Del McCoury / Bill Harrell & Friends / Rebel
Drifting And Dreaming Of You / WhiteHouse / WhiteHouse / Pinecastle
Cash On The Barrelhead / Dreadful Snakes / Snakes Alive! / Rounder
Which One Is To Blame / Crowe Brothers / Brothers -N- Harmony / Rural Rhythm
I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know / Jeanette Williams / Thank You For Caring / Blue Circle
Dark Shadows / Melonie Cannon / And The Wheels Turn / Rural Rhythm
For Labor Day weekend we did a show mostly about work. There are many work songs in bluegrass to choose from, so our "work" in the studio wasn't too hard.
Tune in Sunday the 7th when Amy will serve up the best in bluegrass.
Jim & Marti
Requests in blue
SONG TITLE / PERFORMER / ALBUM TITLE / LABEL
Fire on The Mountain / Michael Cleveland / Sawing on the "C" String / Self-produced
Workin' End Of A Hoe / Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time / Songs From The Workbench / Shell Point
Working For A Living / Randy Waller and the Country Gentlemen / Keeper Of The Flame / Lendel Records
Born With A Hammer In My Hand / The Abrams Brothers / Iron Sharpens Iron / MasterShield
Lazy Man's Lament / Chris Warner / Back Again / Pinecastle
Poor Boy Workin' Blues / Dailey & Vincent / (self-titled) / Rounder
Black Lung Blues / Grasstowne / The Road Headin' Home / Pinecastle
Coal Miner's Dream / Darren Beachley / I Love You To The Moon And Back / Blue Circle
I've Been Working On The Railroad / Ron, Rob, & Del McCoury / Little Mo' McCoury / McCoury Music
Grandpa Was A Carpenter / Wayne Taylor / Dear Mom / Raincoe Music
Last Train From PoorValley / The Seldom Scene / Different Roads / Rebel
I'm A Coal Mining Man / Tom T. Hall / Sings Miss Dixie And Tom T. / Blue Circle
I Give All My Love To You / Rhonda Vincent with Russell Moore / Good Thing Going / Rounder
Lower On The Hog / Larry Cordle, Glen Duncan & Lonesome Standard Time / (self-titled) / Sugar Hill
A Hundred And Ten In The Shade / Seldom Scene / SCENEchronized / Sugar Hill
The Old Coal Mine / Larry Sparks / The Last Suit You Wear / McCoury Music
John Henry, The Steel Driving Man / The JohnsonMountain Boys / At The Old Schoolhouse / Rounder
Dream Of a Miner's Child / The JohnsonMountain Boys / At The Old Schoolhouse / Rounder
Cottonmill / Valerie Smith & Becky Buller / Here's A Little Song… / Bell Buckle
The Old Man Has Retired / Curly Seckler / Bluegrass, Don't You Know / Copper Creek
Today's The Day I Get My Gold Watch And Chain / David Davis and the WarriorRiver Boys / (self-titled) / Rebel
Union Man / Blue Highway / Still Climbing Mountains / Rounder
Sid / H. R. Cook / Neongrass / Fireball
Poor Boy Workin' Blues / Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver / The Hard Game Of Love / Sugar Hill
Walkin' The Dog / Shady Creek / Get Your Feet Wet Vol. II / Self-produced
Doin' My Job / Dappled Grays / Doin' My Job / BandRanch
Sold Down The River / Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper / Leavin' Town / Rounder
The Sailing Man / Cherryholmes / Cherryholmes III - Don't Believe / Skaggs Family
I'm Leaving Detroit / Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass / The Room Over Mine / Rounder
Farmer's Blues / Marty Stuart / Merle Haggard / Moneyland / McCoury Music
Where the Old Red River Flows / Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters / Live In Europe / Self-produced
Summertime Is Past And Gone / Bill Monroe / Bluegrass 1970-1979 / Bear Family
Barbara Allen / Dave Evans and River Bend / The Best Of The Vetco Years / Rebel
Iron & Diamonds / The Gibson Brothers / Iron & Diamonds / Sugar Hill
Mama's Hungry Eyes / Merle Haggard / The Bluegrass Sessions / McCoury Music
Savannah's Not In Georgia / Everett Lilly / & Everybody and Their Brother / SwiftRiver Music
Waves On The Sea / Everett Lilly / & Everybody and Their Brother / SwiftRiver Music
At The End Of A Long Lonely Day / Dan Paisley & The Southern Grass / Forty Years Of Trouble / Strictly Country
Run On / CodyShuler & PineMountain Railroad / Pickin', Praisin' & Singin' / Rural Rhythm
God Gave Noah The Rainbow Sign / The Lilly Brothers / True Bluegrass / Rounder
Heaven / The Bailey Brothers & The Happy Valley Boys / True Bluegrass / Rounder
Baptism of Jesse Taylor / Longview / Deep In The Mountains / Rounder
New Jerusalem Way / Carl Story and the Rambling Mountaineers / Neath The Tree Of Life / Old Homestead
Jacob's Ladder / Rick Hayes / Fly By Night / Kang Records
You're Drifting Too Far From The Shore / Jeremy Stephens and Tom Mindte / Old Time Duets / Patuxent
The Promise / The Gillis Brothers / Sunshine In The Shadows / Hay Holler
Word was released this AM that the Town of East Hartland, CT -- sponsors of the annual Hartland Hollow Bluegrass Festival -- have canceled the festival that was to be held this Saturday, September 6th. The reason for the cancellation is the potential inclement weather from the remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna.
Please pass this information to your friends and neighbors who may have planned to attend this festival.
We didn't create this blog to talk about ourselves. If you'd like to learn a bit about some of the WHUS Bluegrass alumni, you can find info in this blog. Primarily, though, the site exists to promote the Bluegrass music we play weekly on air at the "Bluegrass Cafe." We love to hear from listeners, so give us a call during the show (860-486-9487) or send an email to bgcafe@gmail.com.
