HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
Our combination picnic and jamming at Stewart Park in Ithaca for June 3rd has been cancelled---hopefully we can get togetherin the near future.
Roger Edwards from Rome, NY won a Gibson SJ-200 10 Anniversary Guitar through the "Acoustic Guitar" giveaway--www.acousticguitar.com. He quoted that he was a member of the large Central New York Bluegrass Assoc., and that he has written 20 pieces so far and he will highly value his much prized guitar for many years. Check out the website and click on winners to see other winners as well as Roger.
Congratulations Delaney Brothers for being chosen to present themselves at the IBMA during the 2001 World of Bluegrass convention in Louisville, KY on October 1-4. This group was one of 18 chosen out of 94 based on professionalism, quality of work, entertainment value and potential appeal. A well-deserved honor!
Our April 22nd Jamboree at Raphale's was "one-of-a-kind" and the entertainment started during "sound set-up" with Bruce Power playing tapes of his compositions. Stump Hollow Bluegrass, with their high-stage presence offered a wonderful variety of traditional vocals with Carl Stump on guitar and vocals, Suzanne Privett on bass and vocals, Ed Entwistle playing fiddle and Chris Pepe on banjo. Between sets we were entertained by Rod Barnes on mandolin and Ed Hill on guitar and Ray Crouch on bass. Then was Dick DeNeve on sweet dobro, George Hall on fiddle and vocals, Jacqui McCarthy on guitar and vocals and Jim Hackett on wash-tub bass playing and singing familiar tunes. Next, joining Dick, George and Jim was Bill Light playing guitar and singing some rousing tunes. Bob Klaben on hot banjo and doing vocals, Neil Shortslef on guitar and vocals, Dick DeNeve on dobro and Jim Hackett on bass expressed their love for traditional bluegrass. Carol McGinley playing guitar and vocals, Tim Salisbury on guitar and vocals, Dick deNeve on dobro and Ray Crouch on bass played a nice variety of tunes. After the last set by Stump Hollow Bluegrass, all the musicians, joined by Bill Uffelman on guitar and vocals, joined the featured band for a GRAND finale'. Thanks to all who made our April Jamboree a success.
Welcome to new members and renewals for April: Bill and Maggie Anderson, Helen Butler, Robert Hook, David & Sandra Keim and Bruce Power.
This is our 25th Anniversary! Suggestions for a celebration will be appreciated.
RAMBLIN' WITH HELEN - by Helen Weldon
Well folks, it's that time of month again, so here goes for our monthly visit. As I'm starting to write this, my thoughts keep wandering to the fact that our April Jamboree is still going on. I hope there was a big crowd and I know our host band did their usual super job. I sincerely regret not being able to be there; but hopefully my O.E.S. obligations will soon allow me to join all of you more often.
Congratulations to our newly elected officers and board members: Carl Stump, President; Bob Hayden, Vice President; Peter Carr, our faithful Treasurer; Marion LaMont, secretary; and board members Karl Paisley, Neil Shortslef, Jerry Miller and Jack Burns. Ed Campbell, our out-going president will also serve on the board for one year. These officers will take over their duties at our September 9th meeting.
To ED, our outgoing president and Thayle Phair our outgoing secretary, each of us extends to each of you our sincere thanks for your many years of service, dedication to your duties, and untiring efforts to help our association grow and survive. Both of you will still be active, but hope perhaps you can sit back and enjoy things at a slower pace. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH FOR A JOB WELL DONE.
C.N.Y.B.A. has had two future members born since my last visit--Lori Thompson and her husband Warren are proud parents of Elise Jennifer, born on 3/21/01, tipping the scales at 8#-8 & 3/4 ozs and was welcomed home by her "big" brother. Jim Treat, one of our board members missed our April 8th meeting as his wife Leslie added another member to their family at 5am that morning--Lydia Nicole, weighing 6#-13ozs and 19.5" long. This makes 3 girls, enough to make an all-girl band with Dad being allowed to join too!
I received Carl Leege's renewal this past week and according to the note included they have certainly had a busy season in he sunny south. They are still dancing to country music on Fri. and Sat. evenings and sometimes Sunday too! They have season passes to a place in Silver Springs (30 miles from where they stay) and have enjoyed the Oak Ridge Boys, Willy Nelson, Little Jimmy Dickens, Johnny Russell, Jack Green, Stonewall Jackson, Jeanne Pruett, George Jones, So. Gospel, Glen Campbell, Ray Price w/Janie Fricke plus many others.
Also along with a 2 year renewal from Bill and Maggie Anderson, she wrote that they are very busy getting a new Cd ready and are scheduled to play at 7 festivals this summer. This couple have been entertaining for many years, and we hope you will and can continue to do so for many more.
I received a call too late to get in the April newsletter regarding the surgery Norm Volles had on March 27th. He had to have some fusion of the 5th and 6th vertebra's in his neck, and hoped to get his very uncomfortable neck collar off around April 13th. Sharon wrote a nice thank you for the phone calls and cards I sent and said they helped pass the long days for Norm. I also e-mailed Bill Knowlton and asked him to announce it on his Sunday 4/1 show, in hopes that would get co\some cards to him sooner. Sharon also wrote that she and their son-in-law are trying to keep things going with their business - three days spent sawing lumber in the sawmill, while waiting for parts to two tractors that are split apart waiting to be repaired. I think both Sharon and Norm would enjoy a friendly note at 3781 Otisco Road, Marietta, NY 13110. Norm is up and about some, but gets very tired--so let's all let them know that we care. Also, Norm, don't get too comfortable or used to that new recliner that you got!!
Betty Humphrey has been experiencing some severe back problems, so know a card or call to her at 8241 Exeter Drive, Baldwinsville, NY 13027 (315-635-9249) would help cheer her up. She hopes to be back in circulation real soon.
I had an e-mail regarding a new CD that is our on Copper Creek Records featuring James Reams and the Barnstormers, a traditional bluegrass band in NY. You can get more information regarding this by e-mailing: TinaAron@earthlink.net; or Tina@jamesreams.com; or visiting James website at http://www.jamesreams.com. I had a second e-mail but something prevents me from getting connected to Internet (probably I clicked something I shouldn't have) so can't give you any further information. iis a member of our association and you can write to him at 565 9th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215 or phone 718-965-8490.
Homer Reynolds called me after reading his April newsletter, and he is doing better each day, and wanted me to thank thosewho took time to send a card.
Plans are coming together for our festival...don't forget to get your Booster Ad and $3 to John VanDusen. Since they are due on May 13th, bring them to our meeting in Cato that day, or mail then as soon as you get this newsletter to 3419 Franklin St. Rd., Auburn, NY 13021. Bill Szabo has again donated money for the Irene Thurston Award. With Maxine's approvel, the $50 donated in memory of Dave Cleaveland will be given to the 2nd place winner of our Youth Talent Contest. For the first time, there will be a Bud Artlip Award presented to someone or someones that Lois has recommended. So, get your advance tickets ordered and plan to see who these deserving recipients are. Just maybe one of Dave and Maxine's granddaughters will be ready to enter our Youth Contest, and play her fiddle.
Don't forget to mark your calendar to reserve Sunday, June 10th for our Annual Picnic at Mercer Park in Baldwinsville - and I will see you there!!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of you mothers - tell your family you'd like to celebrate it by coming to the pancake breakfast in Cato, enjoy the wonderful music and our meeting at 2PM on Sunday, May 13th.
Until next time, remember - It takes a lot of unspectacular preparation to produce spectacular results.
...Helen
