We Will Miss You, Harley, Allen

CMT.com-Singer-songwriter Harley Lee Allen died Wednesday (March 30) of cancer at his home in Nashville at age 55. His father was the late bluegrass singer Harley "Red" Allen. The younger Allen established himself musically in the 1980s via such albums as Across the Blueridge Mountains (released on Smithsonian Folkways in 1983, reissued in 2010) and Suzanne with Mike Lilly (Smithsonian Folkways, 1985 and 2007). In 1996, he released the country album Another River on PolyGram, which yielded no chart singles, and in 2001 Live at the Bluebird on the American Originals label. It was as a country songwriter, however, that Allen had his greatest successes, beginning in 1997 with Alan Jackson's No. 2 recording of "Between the Devil and Me." Then came such hits as "The Little Girl" (John Michael Montgomery, 2000), "The Baby" (Blake Shelton, 2002), "My Last Name" (Dierks Bentley, 2003), "Tough Little Boys" (Gary Allan, 2003), "Awful Beautiful Life" (Darryl Worley, 2004), "If Nobody Believed in You" (Joe Nichols, 2004) and "I'll Wait for You" (Joe Nichols, 2006). Allen is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

An Afternoon of Banjos!!!

PRESS RELEASE

Galax, Virginia-An Afternoon with World Renowned Banjo Players to be presented at Historic Rex Theater, Galax, VA….
Banjo Masters, Stevie Barr, Jason Burleson, Joey Cox, Sammy Shelor, Terry Baucom, and Kyle Dean Smith will be showcased during a special Banjo Extravaganza, Saturday, April 2nd at 3:00 p.m.

Master of Ceremonies will be Cindy Baucom, host of syndicated radio show “Knee Deep In Bluegrass”.

The stellar lineup agreed to participate in this special presentation as a remembrance of fellow banjoist Houston Caldwell who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in April of 2010. All of the players knew Houston and were inspirations and mentors to him during his early years of learning to play banjo. Proceeds from the event will benefit HoustonFest which is being presented by Galax Volunteer Fire Department on May 6-7, 2011 at Felts Park in Galax.
The program will combine music and discussions from outstanding banjo players who will respond to questions and provide much of the history, context, and motivations behind their work. The “workshop”, defined as a kind of musical discussion will be conducted in a more casual intimate setting, providing the audience with the unique opportunity to not only get to know some of these amazing artists, but better understand some of the stories behind the music.

Key questions to be addressed include:
• What has been the impact of the banjo historically?
• What are the banjo’s roots, and what artistic elements of these roots remain in today’s playing?
• What are the differing styles and roles of the banjo in bluegrass and traditional music today?
• What lured these artists to the banjo?

More Info: Phone 276-236-9908
www.HoustonFestGalax.com
Banjo Extravaganza at the Rex Theater, 3pm, Saturday April 2, 2011

Admission $5 at the door

RenoFest This Weekend, Hartsville, SC

As I was growing up, I heard a lot of banjo music at my house. My dad played and listened to music all the time. He really enjoyed the music of Don Reno. I am happy I got to hear so much of that wonderful Bluegrass from Don Reno growing up. As a teenager, I would see Don Reno and The Tennessee Cut-Ups at various Bluegrass Festivals. Terry and I are good friends with Don's sons-Ronnie, Dale and Don Wayne.

We appreciate the Hartsville Downtown Development Association for organizing RENOFEST each year in downtown Hartsville, South Carolina, to pay tribute to the life and talents of the late Don Reno (who was born in South Carolina).

RENOFEST is always the forth weekend in March-which is this weekend-March 25, 26 and 27. The festival features some fun elements like the Banjo, Guitar and Band Championships. Cash prizes and instruments are awarded to the winners ($1,500 for the Champion Band, as well as as performance spot on next year's festival). Banjo builder, Ronnie Bales, has provided the top Banjo prize. The top prize for the Guitar competition is a Guitar built especially for RENOFEST by luthier, Gerald Anderson. Gerald's band will also perform.

Other performances by host band, Ronnie Reno and The Reno Tradition, Kenny & Amanda Smith Band, The Boxcars and Lonesome Meadow. There is a vendor area with Bluegrass merchandise and so much more.

Hartsville, South Carolina is a beautiful town...especially in the Spring with all the blooming taking place!

Visit their website at www.renofest.com for all the details. I hope you can attend.

Thanks to RENOFEST for your recent sponsorship on "Knee-Deep In Bluegrass"!

~CB

Knee-Deep PLAYLIST

(Hour One)

Up This Hill & Down---Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top Express
I Wish You Knew---Terry Baucom w/John Cowan & Russell Moore
When The Angels Carry Me Home---Mike Scott

(Bluegrass News)

Help My Brother---Gibson Brothers
Easy Come, Easy Go---Sierra Hull
Rare Bird Alert---Steve Martin w/Steep Canyon Rangers
The Other Side---Balsam Range

Can't Live Life---Edgar Loudermilk w/Rhonda Vincent
Backroads and Little Towns---The Expedition Show
Another Lonely Day---David Grindstaff
One Small Problem---Jett's Creek

(Vintage Vault) BILL MONROE
I'm Working On A Building
Somebody Touched Me

(Hour Two)

Head Hung Down---Dailey & Vincent
God's Front Porch---Lou Reid & Carolina
Grandma's Blues---Frank Solivan

Spotlight-TERRY BAUCOM
My Eyes Shall Be On Canaan's Land---Original Quicksilver
Stepping Stones---Terry Baucom w/Paul Williams
The Sentence---Terry Baucom w/Adam Steffey
Nothin' Like The Scorn of a Lover---Terry Baucom w/Russell Moore & Buddy Melton

(Concert) Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
Martha White Theme
Jolene

I'm Leavin'---Rhonda Vincent

Gonna Have Myself A Ball---Lonesome River Band

THANKS for listening!~CB

Knee-Deep PLAYLIST

(Hour One)

East Virginia Blues---Balsam Range
Hide Behind A Rock---Steve Martin w/Steep Canyon Rangers

(Bluegrass News)

Dusk Til Dawn---Special Consensus
Send Me The Pillow You Dream On---Larry Sparks
Singing As We Rise---Gibson Brothers
I'll Always Be Waiting For You---Sierra Hull

Justice For Willy---Larry Cordle
Do You Wrong Kind of Girl---Terry Baucom
If Here Is Where You Are---Del McCoury Band
I Could Change My Mind---Boxcars

(Vintage Vault) COUNTRY GENTLEMEN
Waiting For The Boy To Come Home
Where I'm Bound

(Hour Two)

God's Front Porch---Lou Reid & Carolina
Old Federal---Justin Moses

(Spotlight) BUDDY MELTON
Trains I Missed---Balsam Range
Heart That Won't Stop Loving You---Balsam Range
Nothin' Like The Scorn of a Lover---Terry Baucom w/Russell Moore & Buddy Melton
Gonna Be Movin'---Balsam Range

Witchita Lineman---Hot Rize
Gentle On My Mind---John Hartford

Nothing But A Whipoorwill---Blue Highway

THANKS for listening!~CB

KNEE-DEEP Playlist

(Hour One)

Sinner-Tim O'Brien
Bleeding For A Little Peace of Mind-Blue Highway w/Darrell Scott

(Bluegrass News)

Train Songs-Ralph Stanley II
Little Rock Getaway-Alan Munde
The Boys In Hats & Ties-Big Country Bluegrass
Don't Think Twice-Kruger Brothers

Fiddlin' Around-Dierks Bentley
Why You Been Gone So Long-Tony Rice
Stone Coal West Virginia-Dave Evans
Carolina Dreams-Edgar Loudermilk

(Vintage Vault) OSBORNE BROTHERS w/RED ALLEN
Once More / Ruby, Are You Mad

(Hour Two)

Help My Brother-Gibson Brothers
I Don't Remember Loving You-Charlie Sizemore

B Natural-Herschel Sizemore
We Live In Two Different Worlds-Larry Rice
Til I See You Face To Face-Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Be Assured-Dan Tyminski

Carolina's Arms-Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
Cheatin' Kind of Life-Rhonda Vincent & The Rage (feat. Josh Williams)
E M D-David Grisman
I Could Change My Mind-Boxcars

('Live' Cut-"Wait A Minute"-Lou Reid-Knee-Deep Exclusive)

John Henry Blues-Jim Mills with Tim Stafford

THANKS for listening to Knee-Deep In Bluegrass on one of nearly 100 radio stations nationwide and online that air it each week. Your support of the music greatly appreciated! ~CB