Bluegrass Beat

By Berk Bryant

Making an assumption at the time I am writing this, SPRING must be here now? Maybe now we can open the doors and windows for days to come. Maybe now we can sit on the porch or at least outside now. That's what I look forward to. Good to sit on a bench outside with a cup of coffee, checking out the morning paper and watch neighbors and walkers go by. Oh those were -uh, are the days. Mild and peaceful start of the day.

Well, I'll start this time with a note of thanks to my friend Bob Mitchell. I had to be away on rather short notice on Sunday the 14th. Earlier in the week I had to leave for home (that's Virginia) for a family funeral. Not quite last-minute but close enough, I called on Bob to fill in. He is always ready to answer the call. That means he has to do two shows that week. He records his show for Owensboro, the International bluegrass Music Museum. So what else can I say?
Thanks, Bob.

Coming up this month is one of the yearly good ones for us: Forest Fest – Jefferson Memorial Forest. May 18gbut . The event is free, there is a $10 parking fee per car. Considering the acts, you couldn't see any one of them for that, so it's an all-day good deal. The time of the year to get outside, bring your chairs, enjoy the bands, renew or make new friends and relax. Show time 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. There's Chatham County Line (I am not familiar with this group). Local and national favorite (seven times, I think) and fiddle player of the year Michael Cleveland & Flame Keeper. Another area-and-beyond favorite who have visited Sunday Bluegrass a time or two, The Whiskey Bent Valley Boys. The featured act, another group I haven't seen or met, Della Mae. I feel pretty sure we've got we're gonna have a good day.

On the subject of good shows – and another favorite of mine – I will diverge slightly from picking and grinning to tricking and grinning. The Louisville Magic Club will present its yearly "Vegas Style" magic show at the Palace Theater May 19. I don't have the flier for the show in front of me but I remember an act that I'm pretty sure you will have seen on TV or You Tube. The one where a beautiful girl walks behind a small curtain or an assistant raises it in front of her, immediately drops it to the floor and there is the beauty in a completely different outfit. An instant and fantastic fast costume change. I want to see that on stage. There is much more. It has been suggested that you buy tickets at the Palace Box Office to save the on-line fee, plus an additional saving with a $2 coupon available at participating Wendy's restaurants. It's MAGIC for all. Much of the LMC's part in this goes is donated to Kosair's children's programs.

What's Coming – What's Going.

May 3 is the end of the Friday night bluegrass shows at Shepherdsville. The season closer will be Larry Efaw and the Bluegrass Mountaineers. Jams as usual – Wednesdays: BA jam at BBC St. Matthews, 3929 Shelbyville Rd., Louisville; Relic & Friends at The Monkey Wrench 1025 Barrett Ave. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays: Hickory Vaught & Friends Blu Cafe, Marriott Hotel 280 W. Jefferson St. 8-12 p.m. – Open Jam at Hillview City Hall, 6 p.m. Friday: first and third Friday nights at Vine Grove City Hall, 6-10 pm.

Well ga ga ga, tha' tha' that's all folks. Don't forget Sunday Bluegrass, WFPK 91.9 FM, 8 – 11pm. It goes right up to the Time to go GET A DOUGHNUT! Thank y'all – all y'all you heah.