JOELSCARBROUGH.COM

Northeast Texas Women

joel scarbrough — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:43:00 GMT

Willis Alan Ramsey plays Poor Davids Pub on August 25th. Writer and performer, Willis penned a number of great songs including Northeast Texas Women, Muskrat Love, Watermelon Man and a whole record of others. I personally covered many of his tunes during the years with Chuck Justice and Modern Acoustics. Tickets are $20 at the door and seating begins at 7 p.m.

Pops Place

joel scarbrough — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:04:00 GMT

Joel is sitting in with the Upper Grassmen this Friday night July 30th at Pop's Place in Denison, TX. Music lasts from 5 to 8 p.m. Last time we played there it was a packed house. Great place to eat and if you like Bluegrass Music we can fill that order as well.

This Weekends Festivals

joel scarbrough — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:52:00 GMT

First off let me say "Happy Birthday" to me. Ok, that's done. Now for festival information:

This 23rd through the 25th is the Old Mobeetie Festival in Old Mobeetie, Texas located in the Texas panhandle about 2 and a half hours west of Oklahoma City. So if are looking for a little road trip and don't care about the heat here is the most recognized line-up for me: Star Canyon from San Antonio, Salt Grass from the Houston, TX area and Gary Wilson's Cedar Ridge group from Oklahoma City. The festival features more in the lineup so it will surely be a full 3 days of great traditional bluegrass music. Camping is available as well.

Closer to this blogger, Melody Ranch in Tom Bean, TX fires up another round of activity this weekend with the Gospel Grass festival on Friday and Saturday. A great selection of bands and a break from the heat make this one a comfortable venue for listeners. Click on the links for more detailed information and to go to the respective websites.

Support Sherman's Newest

joel scarbrough — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:17:00 GMT

Never being a place were you could find a decent music store with great people to help, musicians north of Plano, TX now have a good outlet for music supplies in Sherman, TX. Called DB Music, this place is has a great location off Hwy. 75, a nice store and a good selection of strings, sound equipment, amplifiers and mid level guitars, banjos, ukes and banjos. The proprietors are friendly and very knowledgeable.

Tuesday nights starting at 5 p.m. a bluegrass/acoustic jam happens inside the store. It's a new venue for this type of song sharing so support it if you can. Last time I was a visitor to the event there were 10 musicians in the circle. From Gordon Lightfoot to Tony Rice to Ralph Stanley the music was plentiful.

Support David at DB, located at 328 W. Lamar in Sherman.

FastLane Band

joel scarbrough — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

"Take It Easy" with FastLane.

This Week With Fastlane

joel scarbrough — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:53:00 GMT

I'll be performing as a guest with the FastLane Band this Thursday in Rockwall, TX. Fastlane is Dallas premier Eagles Tribute band. We'll be at the Concert Series on the Lake. Music begins at 7 p.m. I'm contributing very little, but Fastlane is a good band and always fun. It's free so come on out! Thanks Todd and Gary!

MELODY RANCH A SUCCESS

joel scarbrough — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:29:00 GMT

Hey picker friends. Just a quick note to let you know that if you missed the Melody Ranch Festival this past weekend you missed a good one. Even though the temperature was downright hot, the air conditioning made the inside very comfortable.

The festival is in need of sponsors. Most importantly a corporate sponsor. The festival grounds could even be renamed if the sponsorship level is high enough. Honestly, the possibilities are almost endless.

Let me take a few lines and give you some background on the event. The festival is put on by Bill Hayes. Bill and his wife have put so much time and money and very hard work into the building, the camping and the sound system and try to bring you some of the areas top bluegrass talent to boot. Bill has held back nothing to make it one of the finest bluegrass venues this state has ever seen. Now all the festival needs is YOU. To tell the truth, without the attendance, the festival may not continue. That would be a sad occurrence. No one person has set out to make money with this event and facility. It is ALL about the music. A need to be able to keep it running without continuously pouring more money into it is the only goal. You can help out by just attending and enjoying yourself! The next festival is scheduled for August 25-28. Click here here for more information and make your plans to attend. Bluegrass music in north Texas needs you and so does Melody Ranch. As the saying goes "if you build it, they will come." Well, it's built.

4th Annual Melody Ranch Festival

joel scarbrough — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:54:00 GMT

I'm sitting in with the Upper Grassmen for the fest beginning this Thursday the 2nd of June. It's really going to be the largest one to date. Lots of folks, lots of campers and great on stage music. Check it out at the Melody Ranch Festival.com.

Watters Creek

joel scarbrough — Sat, 22 May 2010 12:56:00 GMT

If you haven't heard of Watters Creek in Allen, TX for live music, then you should check it out. The spring time brings back the outdoor concerts which start at 6:30 on the Green each Friday and Saturday night. The schedule of bands is repetitive through June and July, but there are a few that are worth the trip. It's free, but there are lots of small children and families. So if you want to bring an ice chest and party, it's probably not the place for you, although there are a few great places in the shopping village such as Cru and the Blue Fish. If you are lucky enough to arrive at the right time Cru does have patio seating which directly overlooks the crowd and the band area.

Banjoman

joel scarbrough — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:22:00 GMT

The next two weeks could be a little busy for me. Between jobs, I'm trying to make more time for music. Of course looking for a full time job is...a full time job. Yes, it is.

I'm planning on attending a group of like minded musicians tomorrow near Fort Worth. I've been trying to make that rehearsal for a month, but one thing after another including college graduations has kept me from doing so. I am in hopes that tomorrow cooperates. Next Tuesday I'm heading to Richardson for some re-visit time with Gary (The Green Council). He's got a little time on his hands between gigs and I was glad that he accepted my invitation to run over some songs.

Two weeks from today I'm doing fill in at the Melody Ranch. It's their annual spring festival. I got invitation to join my old traditional band and I accepted. Should be fun and give me a much needed workout.

Thanks for staying up with the website. I'm trying to keep it updated. Sometimes it's hard.

Pick on!

Joel

Workshop Report

joel scarbrough — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:36:00 GMT

The 1st annual Youth Acoustic Festival was a big success. Thanks to all the bands that made it out to White Mound. I want to especially like to thank the group Rockin' Acoustic Circus. What a great bunch of teenagers that will soon be doing much more than playing on a local level. Most especially fiddler Eric Dysart. He actually dropped his post at the record table and took time out to assist us with a little fiddle instruction. Eric is one of those special youngsters that wants to take his music to a career level. I'm sure that it is only a matter of time for him.

As for me? Watching those still in high school? I'm out to do quite a bit of wood shedding over the next few weeks. Pick on!

Banjo and Mando Workshops are Here

joel scarbrough — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Banjo and mandolin workshops hosted by yours truly begin Saturday May 1st at 4 p.m. Bring yourself out the the 1st Annual Youth Acoustic Festival this weekend for some great music that is not just bluegrass but a great mixture of acoustic music from 4 different bands. The festival grounds are growing and so are the shows. Remember that admission is free for those 18 years old and younger. Come support us at the Chrystal Opry House just of Hwy. 902 near Tom Bean, TX. Just follow the signs!

1st Annual Youth Acoustic Music Festival

joel scarbrough — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 03:39:00 GMT

The 1st Annual Youth Acoustic Music Festival is scheduled for April 30th and May 1st at Melody Ranch in Tom Bean, TX. This festival is geared at teens and youth 17 years old and under. I'll be leading beginning mandolin and banjo workshops on both days. They'll also feature workshops by musicians on bass, autoharp and guitar. If you have someone in your family that is a young growing musician bring them out. The admission is free for them and just a small fee for parents or guardians. Bands include the Acoustic Circus from Claremore, Oklahoma and the Buddy and Tina Wright Group! I'll be there and you should too. It's a great chance to learn about bluegrass and progressive acoustic music from the ground up! And it's FREE!

We're On Hold!

joel scarbrough — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:37:00 GMT

Once again I can say that my music habit is on hold for a little while. Personal issues are taking its place. Keep checking back. I've got some extra time and will surely post more music information in the coming days.

Rock/Goth News

joel scarbrough — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:16:00 GMT

This is a weird post for my site I know. But I have a secret. All this acoustic/banjo/newgrass/heartfelt stuff gets interrupted now and then by my attraction to a great songstress and band. Evanescence. The report is that Amy Lee (lead singer and writer) is in the studio in New York with famed producer Steve Lillywhite. Steve has produced the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews and others. This is the first collaboration of Lillywhite and the band.

Two things make this more noteworthy for my interest. First off this is the bands first album in 4 years and the album is being co-written by Fort Worth producer and drummer Will Hunt. According to Rolling Stone and Amy, this album shows a different side to the band. Cool stuff.

Rehearsals

joel scarbrough — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:26:00 GMT

I recently secured a temporary rehearsal studio in Richardson. It's small but will work for removing my cobwebs. Finding the time slot has been a burden but I think I've got that one figured out.

I broke it in with the first practice with a new female vocalist/guitarist. She's got a great voice and solid rhythms. We're working on putting together a set list of covers and originals. More information as it happens.

Latest Intentions

joel scarbrough — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:44:00 GMT

Being disconnected from a band or endeavor is becoming more of a issue for me. I've been considering during the past few days that I would start putting out some feelers in the acoustic music community. It feels more and more like Dallas is full of musicians but not what fits well with my progressive style. I don't want to get back into trying to train someone to work with the kind of music I'm targeting. The vocal part of this requires someone that has an appealing voice that fits well into not only original music but covers that are all over the place. Other musicians I'm considering have to be able to play with aggression, speed and feeling for the ballads. In other words, very open minded and the ability to be versatile.

New Year, New Ideas

joel scarbrough — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:33:00 GMT

Hey. It's hard to imagine that on Christmas Eve I was running in and out of Barney's at Northpark in the snow! I just returned from a trip to Lubbock and can't believe the weather, it feels like spring. I think I could use another couple shots of winter before we start seeing wildflowers.

I just downloaded the entire first album from Lady Antebellum. I must admit that I initially think that Hillary Scott (LA's female singer) could easily get out there and do this thing herself. She's got the looks and a great passionate voice to go along with it. Funny thing, as I started looking a little closer at the band members, I realized that she is actually the daughter of Linda Davis, a Grammy Award winning county singer from the 90's. Linda sang back up for Reba McEntire and got her break through that gig. She had the looks too, more like a model than your girl next door.

Lady Antebellum, weird name, fairly commercialized first album. I am looking forward to the accompanying tracks to "Need You Now." If they are close to being as good as that song then they have a number of hits on their way.

Christmastime. Be Merry!

joel scarbrough — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:55:00 GMT

Today, many people say "Happy Holidays." And because there are so many people who celebrate other things as well, I find myself when in a retail or business environment saying just that, "Happy Holidays." Many times I will chance the term 'Merry Christmas" and so far this year when testing it, I've had success. We seem to get further and further away from the things that so many of us have grown up with. I'm not going to start a political blog here but it is my site and I had to get it off of my chest.

I want to thank each and every one of you for keeping up with the musical endeavors of me and my peers. It's been a rocky year with little to report, but as I look back I realize that I've learned.

As 2010 rounds the corner I'm looking to re form some sort of musical organization. That will take another strong effort just as it did over a year ago. I've got ideas and more details will follow.

For now "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you." Thanks for your support. Pick on!

Legends Coming Here!

joel scarbrough — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:18:00 GMT

I just found out that the reason that I learned to play banjo is coming to a venue close to home.

The Choctaw Event Center is announcing a featured event called "The Legends of Bluegrass."
Earl Scruggs, The Dan Tyminiski Band and The Grascals come to the center on Saturday November 14th. Tickets are $30 and $40. To realize the greatness of Earl Scruggs, the pioneer of three finger banjo, he has never played anywhere close to DFW that I am aware of. I can remember the "Earl Scruggs Review" at the Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa many years ago, but I couldn't attend. This is a great source of excitement with the opportunity to see the guy whose records I used to sit in front of and play over and over again, with banjo in hand, only trying to learn the licks. Earl is up in years and for me it's a blessing to get to see him live.