There were no “official” CBA events scheduled in July but our regional CBA musicians showed off their talents at festivals across the Western States and abroad:
The Crying Uncle Band toured Finland for two weeks and performed in both house concerts and huge festivals. They made a big splash as musicians and ambassadors for the music and the CBA.
The Lost River Bluegrass Festival in Merrill Oregon featured an almost all CBA lineup: Keith Little and the Little Band, the Hossettes, the Central Valley Boys, The Blue Js and the Crying Uncle Band. This is a sweet little festival worth a look for 2020.
Meanwhile at Rockygrass 2019 in Colorado, The Bow Ties (winners of the 2018 Band Contest) kicked off the festival. Max Schwartz won 1st place in the Banjo Contest. Red Dog Ash and North Country Blue both competed in this year’s band contest and NCB walked off with 3rd place.
The Blue Js also played the Darrington Bluegrass Festival in Washington and AJ Lee & Blue Summit flew off to France to perform at the prestigious La Roche Bluegrass Festival with CBA members and friends Della Mae. Voting in another CBA Board election is on your “to do” list. The CBA elects/re-elects a sitting Board of Directors annually with results announced at our Annual Membership Meeting in October (at our Fall Campout). It is a member’s responsibility to vote, so read the candidate statements and vote. Current Board Member Bruce Campbell is resigning his seat on the Board but will continue in his roles as Contra Costa County Area VP, Publicity Coordinator and Instrument Raffle Coordinator. It doesn’t sound like he is lightening up his CBA duties but his position will be open to a new Board member. Thank Bruce for his service the next time you see him.
Mark Hogan has agreed to be the next CBA Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival Director (replacing Montie Elston). The Board is discussing ways to spread the responsibilities of this huge job over more than one volunteer. Mark was the Director of the festival in the beginning days and has worked in various high-level festival volunteer positions every year. Thank Mark for stepping into this huge role.
I know it’s still summer but the Bakersfield Marriott is filling up with people planning to attend our Great 48 in January. Make your reservations soon. Lani Way is leading the World of Bluegrass Team for Raleigh. The CBA will not host a CBA Suite for the first time in a couple of decades. The event is evolving and so are we. Lani is recruiting a much smaller team to sponsor a luncheon (featuring our own AJ Lee & Blue Summit), produce two evenings of
showcases on the first floor of the Raleigh Marriott (the host hotel) and to present a CBA booth at the Trade Show. Many CBA members fly to Raleigh for this huge annual event and many of us volunteer our time to showcase the CBA. Contact Lani with offers to help out. LaniWay12+bgrass@gmail.com.
Did you know that you can write for the Bluegrass Breakdown? If you have something to say or report contact Mark Varner our editor. Mark is always looking for fresh copy and reports of what is happening in your area. Mrvarner@ix.netcom.com Deadline for the next month is the first of the previous month e.g. deadline for September is August 1.
Next month we can report on the Old Time Campout held in August at Lake Sonoma. Robin Fischer and Rowan McCallister stepped up to produce this event which is always well attended and enjoyed by mem-bers of our old time community. Robin and Rowan also work hard to make certain our old time fans and musicians have plenty to look forward to at our Father’s Day event.
We kick off our Annual CBA Youth Program Fundraising in October but that doesn’t mean you must wait to donate money! See the article on IBMA KOB in this issue and donate to help send our young musicians to Raleigh. Most of the bands I cited above have members who are or were kids in our programs. You make a difference in the lives of young musicians by generously donating to the Youth Program. It matters.
