The Hazel Dickens Songwriting Contest celebrates the life and muse of one of bluegrass music’s most beloved songwriters.

Early this year we posted an ETSU “Appalachian Places” article by Jack Tottle, (find it here:
https://www.appalachianplaces.org/post/the-1950s-appalachia-invades-the-nation-s-capital-peacefully),
in which he recalls 1950s bluegrass as it spread from rural areas to urban settings like DC. Now the magazine carries Jack’s latest article:
https://www.appalachianplaces.org/post/bill-monroe-s-bluegrass-black-and-white-music-intertwined
Jack shows how clearly and directly Bill Monroe was influenced by black origins in the blues alongside white origins from music of the British isles. Thanks again to Appalachian Places for permission to link the article here.

January 19, 2024 marked the 50-year anniversary of the world’s longest continuously operating bluegrass concert series. In January 1974 in the village of Lucketts, 10 miles north of Leesburg Virginia, E.J. Spence and his family band, the Grass Reflection hosted the first of concerts held in the newly closed Old Lucketts Schoolhouse.

In a large part, bluegrass music saved the old schoolhouse from demolition. It was built in 1913, was closed in 1972, and remains on the National Register of Historic Places. The Old Lucketts Schoolhouse now serves as the Lucketts Community Center and host to the word-famous Lucketts Bluegrass Concert Series.

Bluegrass music has been hugely popular in the Washington DC area since the 1950s. Bands such as Buzz Busby and the Bayou Boys, the Country Gentleman, and the Johnson Mountain Boys frequented DC bars and suburban venues alike. In 1989, the Johnson Mountain Boys released their Grammy-nominated recording of their live performance at Lucketts, At the Old Schoolhouse (Rounder records) which is often cited as one of the best bluegrass albums of all time.

Since its inception volunteers have worked tirelessly to keep the music flowing at Lucketts Saturday nights from October through April. Even when COVID forced the cancelation of concerts, The Lucketts Bluegrass Foundation funded virtual concerts, whereby a few selected bands played to a video camera in an empty auditorium. WAMU Bluegrass Country Radio, an almost 60-year DC bluegrass broadcaster, played the recordings to faithful listeners on its Internet streaming service.

In a large part, Lucketts Bluegrass owes its lasting success to the implicit agreement between musicians and its audience. People come to Lucketts to listen to music without the distraction and hubbub associated with food and beverage service. Bands love playing to an attentive audience, especially after the long outdoor summer festival season. Karen Capell, who books the bands notes how frequently national touring bands tell her that playing at the Old Lucketts Schoolhouse is on their bucket list.

Formative musicians from our area include Jack Tottle, probably best known for the band Tasty Licks and for founding the ground-breaking bluegrass curriculum at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). From his home in Hawaii, Jack recently forwarded this reflection on early bluegrass, the DC area’s prominent place in it, and how the music’s roots in Appalachia kept pulling him south.

It is published by ETSU’s “Appalachian Places,” posted here by permission. We thank them.

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Every third Sunday of the month, DCBU now is hosting Open Mics at the Lucketts Community Center (aka, the Old Schoolhouse). At no charge, your band is welcome to come and sign up for time on the sound-equipped stage! Not a band? We’ve got you covered for accompaniment by some talented volunteers. Time slots start at 6 PM and we clear the stage at 8 PM; in between times, there’s been a lot of fun and great music. Thanks to Loudoun County Parks and Recreation for joining with us to keep raising the roof at Lucketts.

One important aspect of DCBU’s mission is to promote music education. We offer an instructor directory so students can locate teachers in their local area for in-person instruction. Additionally, since so many great musicians teach online classes, we’re now posting information for instructors wherever they are located. To sign-up as an instructor fill out the form by selecting the link below. Your submission will be reviewed and added to our directory within a few days.

Friday, March 22, 2024
Friday 03/22/2024
7:15 pm - 8:30 pm
Piney Branch Pickers @Artomatic
Artomatic, Washington DC

Join the DC Petworth-based Piney Branch Pickers at the 5th floor Cabaret stage at the Artomatic arts festival for a lively show. Armed with two guitars and a banjo, the Pickers will play familiar favorites and obscure deep cuts, and occasionally go off the bluegrass script. Artomatic is big; when you arrive, head to the fifth floor and follow the signs for the Cabaret Stage.

Relevant links:
www.pineybranchpickers.com
www.artomatic.org

 
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Saturday 03/23/2024
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Amanda Cook Band at Lucketts Bluegrass
Lucketts Community Center, Leesburg VA

Meet one of the most dynamic female bluegrass vocalists and band-leaders of today! Making her home in southwest Virginia, Amanda has loved bluegrass from childhood. Determined to create her own sound, she formed The Amanda Cook Band in 2013. A Mountain Fever recording artist, she offers a mix of traditional and contemporary bluegrass with a down-to-earth personal style and stunning vocals. Doors open 6 pm.  Advance tickets available at https://luckettsbluegrass.org/event/the-amanda-cook-band-2/

 
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Sunday 03/24/2024
2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Southern Maryland Bluegrass at the Elks
Calvert Elks #2620, Prince Frederick MD

The Calvert Elks Lodge #2620 located at 1015 Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick, MD
Will host a Southern Maryland Bluegrass at the Elks concert featuring:
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
Sunday March 24, 2024
2:00 pm, Doors open at Noon.
Tickets: $23.00 per person, under 12 free with a paid adult
Food available for sale starting at Noon.
For more information, call 301-737-3004 or go to: www.somdbluegrass.com

 
Friday, April 19, 2024
Friday 04/19/2024 - Saturday 04/20/2024
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Morgan's Coffeehouse
Morgan Chapel United Methodist Church, Woodbine MD

Morgan’s Coffeehouse
Featuring Americana Music in the Hall 3rd Fridays of Every Month
Doors open at 5:30 PM and music begins at 7 o’clock.
Food, snacks, desserts, coffee, tea and sodas will be on sale throughout the night.

Free admission. Donations encouraged. Family friendly. Come join us!

 
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Saturday 04/27/2024
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Tim O'Brien & Jan Fabricius
Carroll Arts Center, Westminster MD

Common Ground Downtown presents Tim O’Brien & Jan Fabricius. Multi-Grammy award winner Tim O’Brien and his wife Jan Fabricius have performed together nationally and internationally either as a duo or as part of the Tim O’Brien Band since 2015. Co-founder of Colorado’s Hot Rize, Tim’s songs have been covered by Kathy Mattea, Garth Brooks, and the Dixie Chicks, and his collaborators include Darrell Scott, Dirk Powell, Mark Knopfler, and Sturgill Simpson. Awarded Grammy’s in both the Folk and Bluegrass categories, Tim is a member of both the West Virginia and the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.

Tickets $25/$28 at https://carrollcountyartscouncil.org/event/tim-obrien-jan-fabricius/

Common Ground Downtown is a partnership between Common Ground on the Hill and the Carroll Arts Council.

 
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