CornNutCreek

June 2021 Newsletter

Mountaingrass Newsletter  –  June 2021
This year’s Mountaingrass will be back at the George Kerford Hotel, Mayday Hills, Beechworth from Friday19th to Sunday 21st November, 2021. 

Welcome to our June Newsletter!        

In this issue we have: 
  • First announcement  of acts for Mountaingrass 2021
  • What’s On: Upcoming events and regular picks and sessions.
  • Resources for pickers – backing tracks on You Tube
  • Harro’s videos of the Harrietville National Bluegrass & Traditional Country Music Convention.
First announcement  – Mountaingrass 2021
This year, since we cannot bring out any acts from overseas,we are focusing on the great talent that we have here in Australia and New Zealand.

Bluegrass Parkway
Our friends from the west formed their band in 1987 and have not only stayed together but have been going strong ever since!  They were all set to come to Mountaingrass 2020 when we had to cancel, so we are looking forward to seeing them at Mountaingrass this year. Their current lineup is Paul and Maria Duff, Wayne Perry, Mick O’Neill and Michael Patrick.

At Kiwigrass in 2019. Photo by Ian Fisk. 

BGP are also fabulous gospel singers. Here they are with a beautiful arrangement of Rock My Soul.
Living in WA BGP have been lucky enough to get the odd gig during these Covid times. Here are a couple of songs from a recent gig:  Lonesome River – January 2021 , Gone Gone song – January 2021
And, for more info go to www.facebook.com/bluegrass.parkway

Corn Nut Creek
We are very pleased to have Tanya and Danielle on the bill this year with their beautiful old time banjo, fabulous fiddling and soaring vocals!

Corn Nut Creek are Tania Bradley (banjo) and Danielle Vita (fiddle) 

Nowhere to Go  and the House is Falling Down from the Feels like travelling home album which you can buy via their website www.cornnutcreek.com
BBT Bluegrass Backing Tracks
Finding practicing on your own hard? Need to work on your timing? Tony O’Rourke has just let us know about some great backing tracks for bluegrass pickers on You Tube. He says that for the ones he’s used so far the timing is very accurate and is a great aid for practicing. You can even pretend that there is someone else in the room playing along with you!
The page is here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB9CEXR7cXSDV3wP8gDQ2lw/featured
Thanks Tony for letting us know about this great resource.
What’s on
and
Coming soon
Upcoming events:
Sydney and NSW: 
BLUEGRASS AND OLD-TIME RETREAT – 9-11 JULY 2021
9-11th July 2021 (Friday afternoon until Sunday lunch time)
Location: Pittwater Youth Hostels Association (a short ferry ride from Church Point)
Cost: $170 (actual price TBC)
Ticket cost includes 2 nights rustic bunk style accommodation, lunch and dinner.
For more information, contact Mark Stevens: markplaysdoublebass@gmail.com

Katoomba Oldtimey Folk Festival
15-17 October, 2021. https://katoombaoldtimeyfolkfestival.com

Melbourne and Victoria: 
Mountain Pickers Association last Tuesday of the month: Next on is June 29th at Ferntree Gully Bowls Club, 2a Glenfern Rd, Ferntree Gully with The Weeping Willows, Slim Dime and Greenfieldz. Ph 97535888 for bookings.

Phillip Island, Vic
2021 Phillip Island Jam Camp  24th – 26th July, 2021
Using the very successful Wernick Method this camp is for all bluegrass instruments and all skill levels. Be quick – there is one single room left.  For more info and to register go to https://jamcampsaustralia.com.au/2021-phillip-island-jam-camp/ .

Beechworth, Vic
Kelly Country Pick Bluegrass and Old-Timey music festival.
August 20-2, 2021. Old Priory, Beechworth.
The music camp will be held again this year from 17th-19th of August with camp tutors Andrew Clermont, Josh Bennett and Craig Woodward. Email peter at admin@kellycountrypick.org if you interested in attending the music camp.

Picks and sessions: 
Victoria:
Note that restrictions on gatherings may be in place. Check before you attend!

Yackandandah, Vic: Session every Wed Night 7:30 Star Hotel Yackandandah (Top Pub) Songs, Tunes and Irish

Melbourne: Jells Park, Wheeler’s Hill. Session every 2nd Saturday of the month at 12pm. Acoustic jams for fun. The Guide to Traditional Jamming available on the Jammalong in Melbourne  facebook page is a great resource.

Sale: Wellington Bluegrass Jammers
Meet monthly and welcome audience members. Go to their facebook page for details.

Chewton: Old time jam 6-8pm last Friday of the month at the Red Hill Hotel.

 
Canberra area:
Canberra: Old Time session every Wednesday afternoon from 4pm at Smith’s Alternative, Alinga St, City.
Jammalong in Canberra: 2nd Saturday of each month from 12 noon outdoors under the pergolas near Questacon. Beginners and emerging players are very welcome!
 
Sydney and surrounding region:
St Peters. Pick in the Pub Old Time jam: Town & Country Hotel, 2 Unwin Bridge Rd: Every second Sunday of the month. Next one is June 13 from 12-7pm.

Katoomba. Oldtimey music Jam Thursdays at Plantbased Wholefoods cafe/restaurant, 97 Katoomba St, Katoomba.  Hosted by David Hoffmann and John Paul Healy. From 630pm.

Illawarra Bluegrass and Old Time Music Sessions
4th Saturday of each month at Albion Park, NSW.
6-9pm, Shellharbour City Museum, Albion Park.
Go to the BTCMSA’s facebook page for details. Covid restrictions apply

The BTCMSA’s Sydney Bluegrass & Old Time music facebook site is a great site for details of picks jams, and events in Sydney and surrounds.

If you organise or attend a pick, session, blackboard in a public place, or any upcoming events, and want others to know about it, please send us the details to info@abotma.org.au
Videos of the Harrietville National Bluegrass & Traditional Country Music Convention        
 
Sadly, this month we have the final video in our series of videos of the former Harrietville Convention run by the Bluegrass and Traditional Country Music Society of Australia  (BTCMSA)  made by Harro Skapinskas and Sieglinde Jobson, However, it is one we are sure you will enjoy: an entire concert of that great Canadian band Hungry Hill, (Ross Nickerson, Jenny Lester, Nadine Landry, Bob Hamilton and Mark Thibeault), from the 2009 Harrietville convention.
A huge thank you again to Harro for allowing us to share these videos with you all over these past months.
Don’t forget our Spotify play list:  You can listen to it here.

If you would like to contribute any video footage or memorabillia from either Mountaingrass or the Harrietville Convention please let us know by emailing as at info@abotma.org.au
ABOTMA Executive committee for 2021
President: Helen Ludellen, Vice President: Dave Diprose, Secretary: Susan Boothroyd, Treasurer: Karita Brokenshire.

Many thanks to our sponsors and supporters: 
The George Kerferd Hotel; The Mayday Hills Art Society; Wangaratta Sound and Lighting and the Mayday Escape Rooms; Alexander Bell Studios; Evan Webb, John Boothroyd, George Fendyk; Cole Clark Guitars for supporting our raffle; Jan Dale and the Southern Style program on PBS 106.7FM in Melbourne; Grundy banjos; Gerald Pink picks; Chip Bragg leather straps; Madam PC and Comedy Hypnotist Gerard V for technical services; and  the Australian Bluegrass (dot) com for the best bluegrass blog in Australia!
Stay safe and happy picking! 
Contact us at:
Email: info@abotma.org.au

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