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If you found this special issue helpful, please let me know my emailing opinions@ibluegrass.com.

Feature:
Bluegrass music is enjoying an unprecedented popularity these days. There are several reasons for this, including the popularity of "O Brother Where Art Thou?" but that is certainly not the only reason. Bluegrass is slowly shedding the "hay bale" image it has unfortunately retained for so long. Those who may not consider themselves actual fans but do like Bluegrass to a degree - the casual fans - are hearing more Bluegrass on TV, in advertising and on the radio. These people are coming out of t...

New in iBluegrass.com

IBMA Announcement: Shari Lacy Named IBMA Marketing/PR Director (Press Release)
IBMA Awards Show: Patty Loveless and Ricky Skaggs to Host IBMA Awards, Show Slated for October 17 in Louisville (Press Release)
Up To The Neck Backup for Bluegrass Banjo: Bill Evans Banjo Tape (Press Release)
International Song Writing Competition Accepting Entries: Could You Use $65,000? (Press Release)
IBMA News: 2002 Hall of Honor Inductees, Bluegrass Hall of Honor to Induct The Lilly Brothers & Don Stover, David Freeman (Press Release)
IBMA Awards Nominees Announced: Krauss, McCoury, Skaggs and Mountain Heart Lead List (Press Release)
Label News: Recent Releases from Pinecastle (iBluegrass Staff)
Doobie Shea Records: James Davis Hired as New VP of Sales and Marketing (Press Release)
Label News: Bluegrass Releases from Rounder (iBluegrass Staff)
4th Annual Bluegrass Cruise: A British Review, Bluegrass Cruising (Steve Wallach)
DMZ Records Formed: T Bone Burnett, Coen Brothers Venture, Columbia Records-DMZ Joint Venture To Launch With New Studio Album From Grammy-Winning Bluegrass Legend Ralph Stanley (Press Release)
iBluegrass Seeks Staff Writers: Contributors Wanted (Skip Ogden)
BOS Music, Redeye Distribution Ink National Deal: Next-generation Label, Customers to Gain (Press Release)
Valerie Smith: No Summer Storm Predicted (Press Release)
Birthplace of Country Music Alliance: Announcing Initial Year of Appalachia Venues/Events (Press Release)
Dancin' Dave's Festival Camping: Ready to Use Festival Campsites, Now This is the Way to Camp! (iBluegrass Staff)
Southeast Tourism Society: IBMA World of Bluegrass Events Make Southeastern Tourism Society's Top 20 Events (Press Release)

Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor: Letters From Our Visitors (Skip Ogden)
Letters to the Editor: Mad in Mississippi, I Guess He Told Us (Skip Ogden)

iBluegrass.com Feature
The Future of Bluegrass: The Fork in the Road Or Dead End Sign?, A New Generation of Music Changes the Rules (Skip Ogden)

CD Review
John Hartford: Steam Powered Aereo-Takes, Rounder Recordings (Steve Romanoski)
David Grier: I've Got The House To Myself, Dreadnought Recordings (Steve Romanoski)
Jaime Brockett: North Mountain Velvet, Japanese Re-release of 1977 Album (Skip Ogden)
Chris Thile: Not All Who Wander Are Lost, Sugar Hill Records (Steve Romanoski)
Jerry Douglas: Lookout For Hope, Long Awaited Release Worth the Wait (Steve Romanoski)
Scotty and Tommie Howard: The Angel Song (Skip Ogden)
The Cagle Family: Stepping Out (Skip Ogden)

The Soundman
The Soundman: I Predict (Ray Graeff)

Inside the Industry
Inside the Industry: The Record - Part I (Gregory E. Seneff, Sr., Esq.)

Vocal Point
Vocal Point of View: Tips And Techniques For Reducing Range-Inhibiting Tension, Vowels: The Troublesome Trio (Dede Wyland)

Audible Mutterings
Audible Mutterings: Reshaping My Future (Doc Roberts)

Rushing to the Stage
Rushing To The Stage: Thou Shalt Do and Thou Shalt Don't, They May Be Jams - But There Are Rules (John Rushing)

Friends Gone On
Friends Gone On: Obituaries Summer 2002 (iBluegrass Staff)

In Memory
Dallas Smith: Remembering My Friend Dallas Smith (Bill Jorgenson)


iBluegrass Odds and Ends
In the "Who'd a Thunk it" department, oddball Pop superstar Michael Jackson and his Sony Music partners have acquired country music publisher Acuff-Rose from Gaylord Entertainment. The Acuff-Rose coral includes songs by Hank Williams, the Everly Brothers and other classic country and pop hits. The reported price tag was $157 million. Alison Krauss + Union Station's, New Favorite was officially certified Gold (500,000 units sold) earlier this year and is the fastest album to reach gold status in Alison's career. Speaking of Alison, Krauss is the all-time top Grammy female country artist with 13, just two behind all-time female leader Aretha Franklin with 15 Grammies. Alison Krauss + Union Station's, New Favorite was officially certified Gold (500,000 units sold) earlier this year and is the fastest album to reach gold status in Alison's career. Speaking of Alison, Krauss is the all-time top Grammy female country artist with 13, just two behind all-time female leader Aretha Franklin with 15 Grammies. Dayle Eskridge Banjo player and bandleader of Changing Times was injured in a traffic accident Monday August 5. Although Dayle was wearing no helmet he miraculously escaped neck and head injuries. Dayle did however suffer massive trauma to his left leg, a severe burn down his right forearm and three cracked ribs. His Harley was totaled. Thoughts and wishes may be sent to him at eskridge@bbtel.com Earlier this year, the Country Music Hall of Fame without notice demolished the old building including the famed Walkway of Stars. Answering to the criticism of enraged music lovers, the HOF replied: "In line with restrictions required of an accredited museum, these historic artifacts had to be completely destroyed in order to protect the integrity of the new memorial."

Sorry, I don't buy it. Congratulate Valerie Smith next time you see her. If it isn't obvious by then, Valerie and husband Kraig will be joined by a new addition to the family later this year. Doyle Lawson is rapidly recovering from quadruple bypass surgery performed on August 12. We wish Doyle a speedy recovery.

If you found this special issue helpful, please let us know my emailing opinions@ibluegrass.com.

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