See tragedy unfold below as Noam Pikelny, banjo badass, makes a bad career decision. We were pleased to shoot the scenes with Bela Fleck and Earl Scruggs. Awesome to see how this came together. And by the way, the new Noam Pikelney album Beat The Devil And Carry A Rail is simply amazing.
I was thrilled to see somebody taped and posted this interview from World of Bluegrass. Yonder Mountain's Ben Kaufmann and Dave Johnston were interesting, funny and inspiring. Please enjoy.
I've thought a lot about why YMSB has been controversial in the bluegrass community and part of me gets it. Because when an act comes along that you think violates core tenants of tradition but is seen as part of that tradition by newcomers, AND you don't like the music from a taste point of view, you want to wave your arms and cry 'wait a minute! That's NOT what you think it is!'
That's what I've thought for years about Rascal Flatts viz. country music. I hate that band. I think they're awful with awful taste in music and clothes. AND they are in the COUNTRY format. It pains me to think a 14 year old girl's first impression of country music is RF rather than Alan Jackson or Patsy Cline. And yet I should probably relax. The world will go on. Folks inclined to hear country music will hear it and get into it. For the record, I am NOT calling YMSB the Rascal Flatts of bluegrass, so let nobody make a mistake. Sons of Sylvia are the Rascal Flatts of bluegrass.
In all objectivity, Yonder shows are not my complete cup of tea. I always feel needy of more individual virtuosity and instrumental interplay (for me the great strength of their buddies the Infamous STringdusters), where Yonder are masters of group dynamics and good-time management. They're brilliant at creating a happy space and a dancing groove that pulls everyone together, and I admire the hell out of that. Nearly every mid-pack bluegrass band I've ever seen could use a crash course in Yonder's skills at cultivating the vibe. I am very glad Yonder has carved out such a vital and vibrant niche in the bluegrass, and this interview was, for me, a gift of an opportunity to explore how Yonder's tactics and methods could be picked up by other bands, with the aim of making the whole bluegrass world, from trad to rad, bigger and better-loved.
As I expound below, the Del McCoury Band collaborates with all kinds of folks, including an awesome recent album with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. But in this 100th birth year anniversary of Bill Monroe, Del’s bedrock bluegrass chops have been front and center. His brand new album is Old Memories: The Songs of Bill Monroe. Nobody will be surprised by the intensity and authenticity of these performances of songs at the core of the bluegrass canon. But you might be surprised to learn that Del and band allowed cameras into the recording sessions - our cameras! Steve Fishell’s Music Producers Institute called on String Theory Media and video-guy extraordinaire Paul Whitfield to capture nearly a full day of recording at Sound Emporium. Steve edited the footage down to an hour-plus edu-doc that covers all aspects of the recording process and visits with Del about his time with Monroe. Also, in keeping with Fishell's history as a musician and Grammy-winning producer, the audio is flawless. It’s a pay-per-view thing, but it’s a steal at $4.99 for two streams. Here’s the trailer. The full length video lives HERE.
On Thursday night at the International Bluegrass Music Assn. Awards at the Ryman Auditorium, on the very stage where the music was introduced to the world, Del McCoury was inducted into IBMA's Hall of Fame. This was an inevitable induction, but it was gratifying to see a legend inducted while still very much at the top of his game and not, for example, dead. Del’s sons Ronnie and Rob offered a warm career overview, and when Del came up on stage, he invited along his extended family, including a grandson Del. And looking like a patriarch at the center of a Christmas card photo, Del made the loveliest, funniest, sunniest acceptance speech one could imagine.
My heart was full and my eyes moist, but none of it topped what happened a couple hours later when, following an awards after-party at the Hard Rock Café, I walked back up the hill toward the Renaissance Hotel. I cut through the Ryman parking lot and there, at about 12:45 am, was Del and his wife Jean, his managers and a couple other family members saying good-night around their cars. It was a great opportunity to stop and say congratulations.
String Theory Media is the web home and blog of author, producer and consultant Craig Havighurst.
Air Castle of the South
Craig's book "Air Castle of the South: WSM and the Making of Music City" chronicles the 80-year history of the broadcaster that turned Nashville into a music town.
