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News
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Fifteen years after
his death, Andrés Segovia has been buried, according
to his wish, in his hometown of Linares, Spain. Segovia's wife,
Emilia, had buried her husband in Madrid until a proper resting
place could be prepared in Linares. Segovia's remains will be housed,
along with a museum dedicated to the classical guitar virtuoso,
in a refurbished 16th-century palace.
Otis Taylor won
Best New Artist at the Blues Foundation's W.C. Handy Awards, held
May 24 in Memphis, Tennessee. Other winners included Keb' Mo'
(Best Acoustic Blues Artist), John Hammond's Wicked Gun
(Best Acoustic Blues Album), and Buddy Guy (Contemporary
Artist of the Year, Blues Album of the Year, and Best Instrumentalist
of the Year: Guitar). Sun Records founder Sam Phillips was
recognized with a lifetime achievement award.
Les Paul was
named honorary chairman of the first World Guitar Con-gress to be
held June 2–9, 2004, at Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Other participants include honorary president Mrs. Andrés
Segovia, official composer Jim Hall, and guest artist Sharon
Isbin. For more information, go to www.towson.edu/worldmusiccongresses.
Jazz guitarist Barney
Kessel was diagnosed late last year with terminal brain cancer.
Kessel has been unable to work since suffering a stroke ten years
ago. Donations to assist with his medical costs can be sent to Mrs.
Phyllis Kessel, 4445 North Ave., San Diego, CA 92116-3940.
Acoustic bluesman Fruteland
Jackson blends oral history and performance in his in-school blues
education series, All About the Blues, which is intended to
help students of all ages develop a deeper appreciation for the
blues. For more information, go to www.geocities.com/fruteland.
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Events
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The Floyd World Music
Festival brings bluegrass, world music, and healing arts together
in Floyd, Virginia, September 27–29. Attendees can take morning
yoga classes before watching performances by Doc Watson, the
David Grisman Quintet, Stacey Earle, Peter Rowan and Tony Rice,
Sweden's Garmarna, and South African reggae star Lucky
Dube. For information, go to www.floydfest.com.
Over 100 local, national,
and international bands will perform at the first MidPoint Music
Festival, in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 26–28. For a current
schedule of bands and venues, go to www.mpmf.com.
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New
Releases
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The new documentary
Render (Spanning Time with Ani DiFranco) chronicles
five years in the life of the folksinger in concert and behind the
scenes. The film, edited by DiFranco herself, is available on VHS
and DVD from Righteous Babe Records (www.righteousbabe.com).
Alt-country rockers
the Pine Valley Cosmonauts teamed up with such guest vocalists
as Neko Case, Steve Earle, and Rosie Flores to record
The Executioner's Last Song (Bloodshot, www.bloodshotrecords.com),
a benefit CD supporting the Illinois Death Penalty Moratorium Project.
The CD includes songs penned by Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Cole
Porter, and Bill Monroe about murder, mob rule, and punishment.
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Contests
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Taylor Guitars' Build
It with Bob contest offers players a chance to win an expenses-paid
trip to Taylor's facility in El Cajon, California, to collaborate
with Bob Taylor on their own custom guitar. Other prizes include
guitars from Taylor's standard line as well as accessories. Contestants
can submit their completed entry form (available at www.taylorguitars.com/builditwithbob)
to their local Taylor dealer.
The Alirio Diaz
International Guitar Competition, open to classical guitarists
from around the world, will award cash prizes of up to $10,000.
Finalists will perform for judges in Carora, Venezuela, on November
23. Applications are due September 13. For rules and entry forms,
go to www.sinadic.gov.ve/concursoaliriodiaz/English/Guidelines/body_guidelines.htm.
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In
Memory
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Songwriter Otis Blackwell,
who wrote such hits as "Don't Be Cruel," "All Shook Up," and "Great
Balls of Fire," died May 6 of a heart attack at the age of 70. A
prolific tunesmith, especially during the early days of rock 'n'
roll, Blackwell's stable of hits for other artists sold more than
185 million copies.
Noted archtop guitar
maker John Zeidler passed away on May 7, following a battle
with leukemia. Zeidler built his first dulcimers and banjos at age
15 and went on to build more than 100 guitars, approximately 30
mandolins, and many other stringed instruments. Known for his attention
to detail and fine craftsmanship, Zeidler contributed a guitar to
collector Scott Chinery's Blue Guitar project, exhibited at the
Smithsonian Institution. A group of luthiers are currently collaborating
on a one-of-a-kind instrument in Zeidler's memory. The guitar will
be sold at auction and all profits will be donated to the Zeidler
estate.
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Cyber
Notes
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Gypsy swing band
the Hot Club of San Francisco has released a virtual CD on its website,
www.hcsf.com.
New and old fans can download the CD booklet and MP3s to their home
computers with the band's blessing.
Folk Alliance's North
American Folk Music Business Directory is available online
as part of their website, www.folk.org.
One-year subscriptions to the fully searchable and frequently updated
directory are $25 for members and $50 for nonmembers.
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Meet
A.G.
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Click
here to meet the Acoustic Guitar team at a wide variety upcoming
music events and trade shows. Listed below are some things happening
in the next few weeks.
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Excerpted from Acoustic
Guitar magazine, September
2002, No. 117.
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Got some news? Send it to Happenings, Acoustic
Guitar, PO Box 767, San Anselmo, CA 94979-0767; email happenings.ag@stringletter.com;
or fax (415) 485-0831.
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