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World of Bluegrass

2015 World of Bluegrass Schedule

11:00am EDT

Get the Mojo: A Live Coaching Session with Stephen Mougin

Every band wants to perform at its’ best. Hours of rehearsal and diligent practice can get an ensemble most of the way, but sometimes it’s helpful to hear the opinion of an expert. Stephen Mougin will conduct a live band-coaching session on stage with a brave, pre- selected band of volunteers. Expect a no-holds-barred exercise in taking a band to the next level. There are sure to be techniques presented that can be applied to your band immediately.

Moderators

The Watson Room (306 C)

Speakers

Stephen Mougin

Showcase Artist, Becky Buller

Stephen Mougin is a teacher, guitar player (Sam Bush Band), songwriter, and producer, engineer and label owner at Dark Shadow Recording. He received his degree in music education at UMASS - Amherst, where he studied vocal coaching. After a high school music teaching job, Mougin moved... Read More →

Friday October 3, 2014 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
RCC Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

12:00pm EDT

Monroe Style Mandolin with Mike Compton

Moderators

Conventer Center

Workshop Stage

Friday October 3, 2014 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Raleigh Convention Center Workshop Stage 500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Dobro Workshop w/ Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley

Moderators

Conventer Center

Workshop Stage

Friday October 3, 2014 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Raleigh Convention Center Workshop Stage 500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Banjo banter: Tony Trischka & Noam Pikelny

A lively discussion between two undeniably impactful banjo players about their music, THE music, and whatever else comes up!

Moderators

The Monroe Room (305 A & B)

Speakers

Noam Pikelny

Tony Trischka

Tony Trischka (United States Artists Friends Fellow-2012) is considered to be the consummate banjo artist and perhaps the most influential banjo player in the roots music world. For more than 45 years, his stylings have inspired a whole generation of bluegrass and acoustic musicians... Read More →

Friday October 3, 2014 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
RCC Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Wernick Method Jam Class

Pete (Dr. Banjo) Wernick's inventive teaching method focuses on the student's desire to play music in a social setting. Pete's emphasis is to address the general lack of this type of learning situation, and these camps have been launching beginning jammers everywhere!

Pete will show you how to be in a bluegrass jam session, fitting in at your own ability level. You will be jamming the first day!

Learn:

Understanding, low-pressure, experienced teaching by Pete and Joan Wernick.

Hands-on learning in large and small groups

How to play lead, fake solos, sing harmony

Group and individualized instruction on backup techniques.

Ground rules and etiquette; learn many bluegrass standards,

In over 100 camps, we've taught hundreds to jam. You can too!

All bluegrass instruments, all skill levels welcome.
Supportive instruction and easy and fun jamming!
For free student materials, register in advance (no charge) here

Moderators

The Scruggs Room (306 A/B)

Speakers

Gilbert Nelson

Self-taught multi-instrumentalist, experienced at festivals and jam scenes for decades, Gilbert leads "The Jam Town Grass" and is a full-time music teacher and ambassador of the Wernick Method for learning bluegrass jamming. He believes: "Some think you need to get good to play with... Read More →

Pete Wernick

Friday October 3, 2014 1:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
RCC Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Wernick Method Jam Class

Pete (Dr. Banjo) Wernick's inventive teaching method focuses on the student's desire to play music in a social setting. Pete's emphasis is to address the general lack of this type of learning situation, and these camps have been launching beginning jammers everywhere!

Pete will show you how to be in a bluegrass jam session, fitting in at your own ability level. You will be jamming the first day!

Learn:

Understanding, low-pressure, experienced teaching by Pete and Joan Wernick.

Hands-on learning in large and small groups

How to play lead, fake solos, sing harmony

Group and individualized instruction on backup techniques.

Ground rules and etiquette; learn many bluegrass standards,

In over 100 camps, we've taught hundreds to jam. You can too!

All bluegrass instruments, all skill levels welcome.
Supportive instruction and easy and fun jamming!
For free student materials, register in advance (no charge) here

Speakers

Gilbert Nelson

Self-taught multi-instrumentalist, experienced at festivals and jam scenes for decades, Gilbert leads "The Jam Town Grass" and is a full-time music teacher and ambassador of the Wernick Method for learning bluegrass jamming. He believes: "Some think you need to get good to play with... Read More →

Pete Wernick

Friday October 3, 2014 1:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
RCC Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

1:30pm EDT

Instrument TLC

Have questions regarding your instrument's condition or how to keep it in service for years to come? This discussion might be just what you've been seeking. You'll have ample time to talk with and ask questions of some of the top experts in the business. Caleb Smith, guitarist/vocalist with the dynamic Balsam Range bluegrass band, is also a guitar designer, builder, and repairman. He'll answer your questions about repairs and how to start your career as a luthier. Stan Werbin is the founder and owner of Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI and has seen all sorts of instruments come over his threshold and in a variety of conditions, from new to broken. Stan has a sizeable repair staff and can explain how some instrument damage could have avoided. David Sheppard has joined Lowe Vintage Instrument Company as their in-house luthier, bringing over 40 years of instrument repair experience to the shop. David was the owner and proprietor of David Sheppard Instruments and Repair in Greensboro, NC for 28 years and has been an authorized Martin Guitar repair technician since 1977. Have you been wondering whether grandpa's old instrument is worth repairing? Bring your question here for some advice.

And don't forget the value of a good carrying case for your instrument; our panel can validate that as well.

Moderators

The Martin Room (307)

Speakers

David Sheppard

David Sheppard has joined Lowe Vintage Instrument Company as their in-house luthier, bringing over 40 years of instrument repair experience to the shop. David was the owner and proprietor of David Sheppard Instruments and Repair in Greensboro, NC for 28 years and has been an authorized... Read More →

Caleb Smith

Caleb Smith was born and has spent all his life in Haywood County. Coming from a musical family, Caleb began playing music at the age of 7. In 2002 he was influential in starting the bluegrass gospel band Harvest. With Harvest, Caleb traveled all over the eastern U.S. performing at... Read More →

Stan Werbin

Elderly's story begins in the Brooklyn of the early 1960s, where Werbin grew up. He recalls one night when he was given a ticket to see Pete Seeger play banjo with the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. "I was mesmerized," says Werbin. "It was 1961, I was 14 years old and records were... Read More →

Friday October 3, 2014 1:30pm - 2:45pm EDT
RCC Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

2:00pm EDT

Fiddle Workshop w/ Becky Buller and Deanie Richardson

Moderators

Conventer Center

Workshop Stage

Friday October 3, 2014 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Raleigh Convention Center Workshop Stage 500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

3:00pm EDT

Family Harmonies Workshop with GoldHeart

Moderators

Conventer Center

Workshop Stage

Friday October 3, 2014 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Raleigh Convention Center Workshop Stage 500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

4:00pm EDT

Bass Workshop w/Edgar Loudermilk, Barry Bales, Barry Reed

Moderators

Conventer Center

Workshop Stage

Friday October 3, 2014 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Raleigh Convention Center Workshop Stage 500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

5:00pm EDT

Bluegrass Karaoke with Bull Harman and Kenny & Amanda Smith

Moderators

Conventer Center

Workshop Stage

Friday October 3, 2014 5:00pm - 5:45pm EDT
Raleigh Convention Center Workshop Stage 500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

11:00am EDT

Songwriters on Songs

Here's a panel of singer/songwriters that represent some the best talent in the bluegrass community. Get a feel for the various approaches to songwriting and how a song takes the journey from beginning to completion.

Along the way of course there are many choices, whether working alone or collaborating with others. Does one come up with melody or lyrics first?

Do you write for your own performance of the song or for someone else?

There's no limit to creativity in songwriting and not every song makes a big splash. Why do some songs succeed and others flop? Do you write with someone in mind to interpret and present the finished song? How do you fulfill a request to write a song about a particular topic or event? These are but just a few of the questions our panel will tackle in addition to fielding the questions from the audience. Come join the fun as we explore the broad area of songwriting.

Speakers

Mark "Brink" Brinkman

Mark “Brink” Brinkman has been writing songs his entire life, along with being an avid musician who plays everything from piano to guitar and banjo. Brink is one of the most sought after, respected and recorded songwriters with over 200 “cuts” of his songs. Many top 10’s... Read More →

Russell Johnson

Growing up on a farm in rural Four Oaks, North Carolina, Russell's first exposure to bluegrass was from an older brother. He got his first mandolin as a freshman at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1982, and his first “official” show was in August of 1989. Since... Read More →

Rick Lang

Artist

A native of New Hampshire, award-winning songwriter Rick Lang has become well known in the Bluegrass community and beyond. His songs have been covered by some of the most renowned artists in Bluegrass music, Southern Gospel and even the Jazz world. Rick's release "Look To The Light... Read More →

Wayne Taylor

Wayne Taylor is from Maiden, NC. He started playing music at the age of nine, and joined his first band at age 11. The first song that he wrote came from a broken heart when he left High School. He served 24 years in the US Navy, 23 of those years as a Navy Musician playing in many... Read More →

Donna Ulisse

Artist, Hadley Music Group Records

Prolific bluegrass and gospel singer-songwriter Donna Ulisse has been nominated as the International Bluegrass Music Association's Songwriter of the year for two years running, and has been blessed to have her songs recorded by the Del McCoury Band, Claire Lynch, Darin and Brooke... Read More →

Venues

The Watson Room (306 C)

Saturday October 4, 2014 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Graves Room, 306C 306C

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

11:00am EDT

Vintage Instrument Tasting

Back by popular demand! Master musician and collector Tony Williamson has gathered a fantastic group of colleagues and instruments together for an encore of this popular session. Top players and collectors will put some very special vintage instruments through their paces and discuss the history of these rare Bluegrass instruments.

Moderators

Tony Williamson

"Mandolin Virtuoso Tony Williamson sure can play, and what he doesn't know about mandolins, nobody does!" This is how Acoustic Musician magazine summed up the skill of a man whose concerts have delighted audiences for over 40 years in every state of the Union and in many foreign... Read More →

Speakers

Noam Pikelny

Ron Shuffler

Jon Stickley

Venues

The Monroe Room (305 A & B)

Saturday October 4, 2014 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Osborne Room, 305 A&B 305 A & B

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

12:00pm EDT

#MASHTAG- Youth Band - Wyatt Harman, John, Mary, David Meyer, Gaven Largent, Stephen Burwell

Back by popular demand! These friends took the stage last year on our workshop stage as a youth band and brought the house down. Ranging from the age of 17 to 21, be sure and catch them. Our future is in good hands!

Saturday October 4, 2014 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
RCC Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Mandolin Workshop w/ Emory Lester, Scott Napier, Alex Hibbitts

Moderators

Conventer Center

Workshop Stage

Saturday October 4, 2014 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Raleigh Convention Center Workshop Stage 500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Kickin' It Back with the Ladies in Grass

Looking at the lineup of any festival today, it’s hard to believe that just a few years ago it was rare to find a female led bluegrass band---- go back a bit further and it was rare to find a woman in the lineup of any band.

Today, some of the greatest musicians playing bluegrass are women…but getting to the top wasn’t as easy as they make it look when they walk out on stage. Join Claire Lynch, Missy Raines, Becky Buller and Claire Armbruster and find out what it was like “back in the dark ages” and how it compares to this golden age of women in bluegrass. Things are so much better in 2014…or are they???

This panel isn’t just another “history of women in bluegrass” --- we’ll give you the truth about what it’s like for women in music today. Find out what attracted these musicians to bluegrass, how they stay passionate about the music and stay focused on their career, while trying to keep that work-life balance we keep hearing about.

Moderators

Joan Kornblith

Joan Kornblith has been a program presenter and music correspondent at the Voice of America in Washington, DC since 1992. Her programs and interviews are available on radio, TV and the web in English and also translated into more than 45 languages for international broadcast and web... Read More →

Speakers

Claire Armbruster

Claire Armbruster has lived in Nashville for the past seven years, working at one of the country’s premier talent agencies, KCA Artists. She served as the company’s General Manager and was Artist Manager for Sierra Hull and Guy Clark. Prior to her tenure with KCA, Claire was Artistic... Read More →

Kimber Ludiker

Claire Lynch

Missy Raines

Seven-time IBMA Bass Player of the Year, Missy Raines, is also a bandleader, singer and songwriter. Her latest release "Royal Traveller" was produced by Alison Brown on Compass Records. Missy has three 2019 IBMA Nominations including Collaborative Recording of the Year, Instrumental... Read More →

Exhibitors

Becky Buller

Showcase Artist, Becky Buller

Becky Buller has penned songs for some of the best in Bluegrass, including the Infamous Stringdusters, Ricky Skaggs, even the title cut of Special Consensus’ album Scratch Gravel Road, a 2013 Bluegrass Grammy nominee. She tours with The Becky Buller Band and is currently working... Read More →

Airplay Direct

Venues

The Flatt Room (304)

Saturday October 4, 2014 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Wiseman Room, 304 304

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Sing Out Loud: A Vocal Workshop with the Duke Voice Care Center

Want to learn how to take care of your vocal instrument so that it will last for a lifetime? This workshop may be just what you’re looking for. Leda Scearce, MM, MS, CCC-SLP and Tara Nixon, MM, MS, CCC-SLP are clinical singing voice rehabilitation specialists from Duke Voice Care Center with extensive experience as singers and teachers of singing. They will show you how to achieve your best vocal health. You’ll learn vocal exercises for warming up your voice and keeping it healthy, and what you need to do to keep your voice going strong. The seminar will also include information on typical voice injuries, how they are evaluated and treated, and what you should do if you ever have a problem with your voice. Additional topics include vocal anatomy and physiology, how the voice works and why different singers sound so different.

Speakers

Tara Nixon

MM, MS, CCC-SLP, Singing Voice SpecialistClinical Speech-Language Pathologist, Duke Voice Care Center

Leda Scearce

Leda Scearce, M.M., M.S., CCC-SLP, Singing Voice Specialist Director of Performing Voice Programs and Development, Duke Voice Care Center Clinical Associate Faculty, Duke University School of Medicine

Venues

The Watson Room (306 C)

Saturday October 4, 2014 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
RCC Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Wernick Method Jam Class

Pete (Dr. Banjo) Wernick's inventive teaching method focuses on the student's desire to play music in a social setting. Pete's emphasis is to address the general lack of this type of learning situation, and these camps have been launching beginning jammers everywhere!

Pete will show you how to be in a bluegrass jam session, fitting in at your own ability level. You will be jamming the first day!

Learn:

Understanding, low-pressure, experienced teaching by Pete and Joan Wernick.

Hands-on learning in large and small groups

How to play lead, fake solos, sing harmony

Group and individualized instruction on backup techniques.

Ground rules and etiquette; learn many bluegrass standards,

In over 100 camps, we've taught hundreds to jam. You can too!

All bluegrass instruments, all skill levels welcome.
Supportive instruction and easy and fun jamming!
For free student materials, register in advance (no charge) here

Speakers

Gilbert Nelson

Self-taught multi-instrumentalist, experienced at festivals and jam scenes for decades, Gilbert leads "The Jam Town Grass" and is a full-time music teacher and ambassador of the Wernick Method for learning bluegrass jamming. He believes: "Some think you need to get good to play with... Read More →

Venues

The Monroe Room (305 A & B)

Saturday October 4, 2014 1:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Osborne Room, 305 A&B 305 A & B

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

2:00pm EDT

Guitar Workshop w/ Kenny Smith, Rebecca Frazier and Allen Shadd

Moderators

Conventer Center

Workshop Stage

Saturday October 4, 2014 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Raleigh Convention Center Workshop Stage 500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

3:00pm EDT

Banjo Workshop w/ Kristen Scott Benson, Jason Davis & Ned Luberecki

Moderators

Conventer Center

Workshop Stage

Saturday October 4, 2014 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Raleigh Convention Center Workshop Stage 500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop

4:00pm EDT

Clawhammer Banjo w/ Mark Johnson, Joe Newberry, Jens Kruger

Moderators

Conventer Center

Workshop Stage

Saturday October 4, 2014 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Raleigh Convention Center Workshop Stage 500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Workshop