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Hello Bluegrass Lovers!
The bluegrass scene was alive and well through the summer with bands playing throughout Idaho. Idaho Bluegrass Association (IBA) stayed busy holding open mics on the 4th Monday of each month at Powderhaus Brewery in Garden City, holding its first annual open mic in front of Slocum Hall during festivities associated with the National Oldtime Fiddler’s Contest, and sponsoring bluegrass music at JUMP’s Flywheel Festival in August.
In the Summer 2021 Newsletter (June), I indicated that IBA was planning a busy fall with the kickoff of the IBA Concert Series. Unfortunately, we have decided to postpone this indoor concert series as Covid-19 resurges in Idaho. We look forward to initiating the Concert Series when the Covid situation improves and also hope to bring on the 2nd annual Winterfest early next year.
Top Pickin’ Idaho Bluegrass Citizen of the Year Award
This award, given annually to an individual, non-profit, or for-profit business, recognizes outstanding contributions to the presentation, preservation, or promotion of bluegrass music in Idaho. The recipient is chosen by a vote of the IBA Board of Directors, and the award includes a plaque and a small monetary award.
Jason Homey was awarded the inaugural Top Pickin’ Award in 2020.
This year, the Top Pickin award goes to…banjo roll please!…Mr. Gary Eller! Almost everyone in Idaho connected to bluegrass, roots music, and Weiser (National Oldtime Fiddle Contest), knows Gary and his long history of contributions.
In addition to performing music with Chicken Dinner Road, the StoryTellers, and Old Farthings, Gary has labored since 2006 (with lots of love) on the Idaho Songs Project, a one-man mission to collect, preserve, and perform songs written before radio came to Idaho in 1923. He has published multiple booklets with audio CDs of Idaho’s and West Virginia’s early musical heritage. Gary served on the board of National Oldtime Fiddlers in Weiser and launched a group of volunteers—the “Banjo Calamities”—to work on renovations (still in progress) at Slocum Hall. He has organized the annual banjo camp and contest and has been involved with many bluegrass music camps both as an organizer and instructor.
Please help me congratulate Gary in receiving the IBA’s 2021 Top Pickin’ Award 😊
And don’t miss the upcoming IBA Podcast about Gary’s life as musician, music historian, and community leader--soon to be released!
Bluegrass Community Bulletin Board – Call for Help
The “events” email from IBA and the “events” web page on the IBA website are now called the “Bluegrass Community Bulletin Board.” The goal is to have a one-stop posting of bluegrass music activities in Idaho. IBA’s role is to post information provided by others as a public service to the bluegrass community. We need your help! If you know of a bluegrass music event (concerts, jams, etc.), let us know (provide information on time, date, location, etc.) and IBA will post it. Please note:
· We typically need at least 1-week advance notice of the event. If it is a reoccurring event, let us know and we will keep it listed. · Notify us through email: Idahobluegrassassociation@gmail.com or on Facebook (use message feature): Idaho Bluegrass Association | Facebook
Jason’s Weekly Jams
Jason Homey has started up the weekly Beginner’s Jam at Powderhaus Brewery. Jason’s weekly emails include songs of the week and a wealth of information pertinent to the songs, history, and techniques of playing—check them out! If you are not receiving but would like Jason’s emails, please contact him at homeyjason@gmail.com. Also check out Jason’s blogs on the IBA website for songs and additional information. A big thank you to Jason for his leadership in the bluegrass community!
Link to Jason’s Beginner jam blog
The Intermediate Jams is held once a month, on the second Wednesday of each month, indoors at
Powderhaus Brewery with Jason leading it in the large back area of the building.
IBA’s Open Mic
IBA’s Open Mic started up again in April. It is held the 4th Monday of each month at Powderhaus Brewing (9719 W Chinden Blvd. Garden City, ID). We have had some great Open Mics and “after-jams” this summer. October’s Open Mic will be held outdoors and will be dependent upon weather. Look for announcements by IBA on status of the Open Mics for this fall and winter.
 
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