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14 The Nashville Musician October-December 2006 King of the Dobro Ex- Foggy Mountain Boy Josh Graves dies Josh Graves Three days after his birthday, dynamic dobro master Uncle Josh Graves died Sept. 30 in Nashville’s Skyline Medical Center, following a long illness. He had suffered the loss of both limbs earlier, as a result of circulatory problems. The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Hall of Honor member (1997) had performed with such acclaimed acts as Flatt & Scruggs’ Foggy Mountain Boys, Mac Wiseman’s Country Boys, and Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper’s Clinch Mountain Clan. A Lifetime Member of Nashville Association of Musicians’ AFM Local 257, Josh helped in defining bluegrass music, while reviving interest in the dobro which first found favor in the 1920s. His energetic pickin’ style, including banjo-style finger rolls and bluesy lead lines, influenced such latter-day players as Jerry Douglas. Graves’ performance on Sugar Hill’s 1994 set “The Great Dobro Sessions” earned the IBMA Record Event of the Year award. Another highly-acclaimed album, “Josh Graves, Sultan of Slide,” was co-produced for OMS Records by Hugh Moore & Billy Troy (Josh’s son) in 2000. Another son Josh Jr. once performed with the Nashville-based rock group Ronny & The Daytonas, scoring in 1964 with the pop Top Five Billboard single “Little GTO,” before becoming a Hendersonville, Tenn., policeman. Burkett Howard (Buck) Graves was born Sept. 27, 1927 (although some report it as 1925) in Tellico Plains, Tenn., to Elizabeth and Troy Graves. At age 9, he heard and was inspired by Cliff Carlisle playing the dobro while performing Jimmie Rodgers’ songs. Later, he and Cliff became close friends, and Josh called his 1927 model dobro “Cliff” in tribute to his mentor. Other instrumentalists who influenced him later included George (Speedy) Krise and Earl Scruggs. In 1942, Graves began playing bass in the Pierce Brothers band at Gatlinburg, Tenn.; and by the late 1940s, while performing with Esco Hankins’ band, recorded for King Records. During his tenure with Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper he appeared on WWVA’s Wheeling Jamboree broadcasts, and later played WSM’s Grand Ole Opry as a member of Flatt & Scruggs. From 1955 thru 1969, Josh played dobro with Flatt & Scruggs’ Foggy Mountain Boys. After the duo split, he joined Lester Flatt’s Nashville Grass band until ’71, but also did sessions in the studio, supporting such artists as Kris Kristofferson, Ferlin Husky, Johnny Cash, Charlie McCoy and J. J. Cale. Then after bowing out of Flatt’s unit, Josh went with the Earl Scruggs Revue, re- maining until 1974. Although Graves went solo in 1974, he soon linked up with fiddler Kenny Baker to tour and record. The Uncle Josh and Cousin Jake Tullock album “Just Joshing” (1975), represented a reuniting of the Foggy Mountain Boys, the two who had provided comic relief for concert audiences. Come 1989, Josh and Kenny also toured with fellow instrumentalists Eddie Adcock and Jesse McReynolds as The Masters. Among Graves’ albums are “Alone At Last” (Epic Records, 1974); “Same Old Blues” (CMH, 1978), “Sing Away the Pain” (with Vassar Clements, CMH, 1979) and “King of the Dobro” (CMH, 1982). A collaborative album with Bobby Smith, “Sweet Sunny South” (CMH, 1978), also featured The Boys From Shiloh and Benny Martin. Graves’ sense of humor and faith - he wrote "Come Walk With Me" - helped him through a long and costly illness. Reportedly the musician joshed that he expected it would cost him “an arm and a leg” to go in the hospital (financially speaking), “but this is ridiculous (referring to his amputations, actually done at different times).” Despite his great losses, he smiled and said he would play again: “They didn’t operate on my hands . . . I won’t quit.” Survivors include his wife of 61 years Evelyn Graves; daughters Linda Howell and Bambi Lynn Broersma; sons Burkett (Josh) Graves, Jr., Billy Troy Graves, and Raymond Bryan Graves; sister Jewel Key; brother Harold R. Graves; 18 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Oct. 3 at the Chapel of Madison Funeral Home, with Eddie Stubbs giving the eulogy, and The Reverend Bruce Lowhorn officiating. Performances were offered by the Dean Osborne Band, with a prelude by Tim Graves, and other participants included Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, Lance LeRoy and Marty Stuart. Interment’s in Hendersonville Memory Gardens. Regular Pallbearers were Larry Perkins, Hide Watanabe, Rick Keisler, Dan Hays, Hugh Moore and Benny Boling. Honorary Pallbearers: Earl Scruggs, Kenny Baker, Lance LeRoy, Curly Sechler, Mac Wiseman, Eddie Adcock, Jesse McReynolds, Jerry Douglas, Gary Scruggs, Randy Scruggs, Chris Sharp, Johnny Warren, Billy Pack and Todd Wright . - Walt Trott Josh Graves visiting Local 257, above with Jimmy Capps and Billy Linneman. Kirk Whalum performs Nov. 15, 17 Grammy-nominated saxophonist Kirk Whalum will perform with the Nashville Jazz Orchestra in concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17 in Vanderbilt University’s Martha Rivers Ingram Center for the Performing Arts. Ticket tabs are $15 adults, and $5 for students. This follows a Master Class with Whalum at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, which is free and open to the public. For details, call Jim Williamson, NJO director, at (615) 889-6335, or contact NJO on-line via e-mail: jim@nashvillejazzorchestra.org A publicity shot for The Masters (from left) Eddie Adcock, Kenny Baker, Graves and Jesse McReynolds. Nathan, Lewis Family, newest Hall of Honor inductees Bluegrass group The Grascals, IBMA’s top winner There were few surprises at the 17th annual International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards show, which again saw Rhonda Vincent, Doyle Lawson and Ricky Skaggs adding to their trophy cases. Last year’s newcomer award winner The Grascals accomplished the amazing feat of taking home IBMA’s big one - Entertainer of the Year - during the Sept. 28 show at the Grand Ole Opry House. The event, carried live over XM Satellite Radio, was hosted by Marty Stuart, who also performed on the program with his Fabulous Superlatives. It was being syndicated globally, as well. Rhonda Vincent was voted her seventh straight Best Female Vocalist statuette, while Tim O’Brien repeated his 1993 win as Best Male Vocalist. Tim also scored best song honors for “Look Down That Lonesome Road.” A winning pair, Doyle Lawson and Rhonda Vincent announced the IBMA nominees. . . . Brouhaha broils backstage As a result of a controversy brewing by a performance of the U.S. Navy’s Country Current bluegrass contingent at the 2006 International Bluegrass Music Association’s annnual awards, Sept. 28, IBMA President & Chairman of the Board David S. Crow tendered his resignation. Some in the Nashville-based organization criticized the music selections of the Naval musicians (sharing the stage with vocalist Rhonda Vincent). Their music included military anthems, even after the IBMA board had cautioned them on this, requesting they perform an original bluegrass song instead. When Crow, himself a bluegrass picker and Nashville attorney, heard the selections backstage, he resigned. Crow, also a member of Local 257, pointed out, “It’s a dangerously fine line between patriotism and politics, and the line is so fine that trade organizations probably need to avoid it . . . Resigning was not a political statement, it was a statement about losing control from a leadership perspective.” Meanwhile, Executive Director Dan Hays also told The Tennessean newspaper, “We’re encouraging David as best we know how, to reconsider his resignation” Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver earned their sixth award in the vocal group category, and also picked up another trophy, best gospel recorded performance, thanks to the disc “He Lives In Me.” It was the eighth time Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder carried home the best instrumental group award, and Skaggs’ Family Records proved victorious in winning best album honors with the label’s worthy all-star CD “Celebration of Life: Musicians Against Childhood Cancers,” boasting bluegrass notables Vincent, Lawson, The Cherryholmes, Dan Tyminski, Bela Fleck, Bryan Sutton, Alecia Nugent, Blue Highway, Marty Raybon, Aubrey Haynie and Tony Rice, among many others. It was coproduced by Darryl Adkins, Jack Campbell and Bob Kelly. Instrumentalists honored were: Bryan Sutton, guitar (see separate story on page 18); Michael Cleveland, fiddle; Rob Ickes, dobro; Missy Raines, bass; Adam Steffey, mandolin; and Jim Mills, banjo. Instrumental Album winner: Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper for “Let ’Er Go Boys.” Their album “One Day At a Time” gained The Steep Canyon Rangers this year’s Emerging Artist statuette. Announced earlier were the 2006 Bluegrass Hall of Honor recipients: Syd Nathan, who founded the King Records label in Cincinnati, Ohio, during World War II; and The Lewis Family, gospel-bluegrass pioneers who also performed at the 2006 awards gala. Others entertaining included Lawson & Quicksilver, Vincent & The Rage, Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, The Nashville String Machine, Del McCoury, Vince Gill, The Grascals, Steve Wariner, Cherryholmes, Claire Lynch, Blue Highway, Curly Sechler, Larry Sparks, 3 Fox Drive, U.S. Navy Band Country Current, and The Isaacs with Sheri & Jeff Easter, as well as reigning instrumentalist winners. - Walt Trott Best male vocalist Tim O’Brien with Sam Bush.
October-December 2006 The Nashville Musician 15 A World War II hero Local 257’s John Bellar dies at age 83 John E. Bellar, 83, of Ashland City, Tenn., died Aug. 8. Bellar, who sang and played harmonica, had suffered from diabetes and heart disease. According to his son Johnny Wayne Bellar, also a member of Local 257, his father first underwent heart bypass surgery in 1993. Born in Montgomery County, Tenn., John E. Bellar grew up in Port Royal. Starting at about 9 years old, he began playing harmonica, having admired DeFord Bailey’s harmonica playing on the Grand Ole Opry. He was also fond of the playing by Herman Crook (of the Opry’s Crook Brothers) and later became a fan of Wayne Raney & Lonnie Glosson of “Why Don’t You Haul Off and Love Me” fame. In December 1941, Johnnie was next up as a contestant in a radio talent contest when the network interrupted to announce America was at war with Japan (after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii), and thus the competition was cancelled. Bellar, during World War II, served with the Army’s 475th Infantry Regiment, assisting the legendary Merrill’s Marauders (led by General Frank Merrill) in the China- Burma-India Theater of Operations. While serving over there, Johnnie was wounded in the right leg and hip by enemy fire in 1944. “It took him three weeks to get to a hospital by ox-cart,” explains the younger Bellar. “Then he had to spend six months in the hospital for treatment.” In the immediate postwar era, Johnnie took jobs selling appliances in and around Clarksville, and worked as security on the gates at Fort Campbell, Ky. It was in 1948 that he began selling insurance as a Life of Georgia agent, continuing for over 36 years with the company, until he retired at age 62. “The computer age kind of run him off,” says Bellar. Throughout his life, Johnnie kept up his chops, playing local events and dances, and during the 1960s and ’70s, performed with the Cumberland River Boys in Tennessee and Kentucky. “Dad enjoyed gospel music and hymns, but among his favorite songs were ‘Wabash Cannonball’ and ‘Today, I Started Loving You Again.’ He also made some CDs he was proud of,” says Johnny, adding that his father had enjoyed performing until recently at the former Fan Fair with the pioneer Reunionaires. He also recalls his dad saying he was John E. Bellar pleased by an audition he once did for Roy Acuff, during which Roy praised his playing, but in the interest of economics chose Jimmy Riddle for his Smoky Mountain Boys band, as Jimmy could play other instruments than harmonica. Son Johnny Wayne, who plays dobro, bass, guitar, dulcimer and autoharp, made pop proud by landing his first professional gig at 15, with the Stoneman Family. “But I think he was most proud when I got to perform on the Grand Ole Opry with Wilma Lee Cooper (and the Clinch Mountain Clan) for four years.” On his own part, Johnny Wayne says, “Dad was my music hero, but I got all hung up watching Josh Graves and (Bashful) Brother Oswald (Pete Kirby) and chose the dobro.” John’s daughter Carolyn also played autoharp and was blessed with a beautiful voice, notes her brother. Johnny says their parents were wed on dad’s birthday Aug. 2, 1946: “He kept hanging on, and hanging on, waiting for that anniversary.” Besides his wife of 60 years Martha (Ingram) Bellar, and their son, survivors include daughter Carolyn Baker of Ashland City, Tenn.; brother Felix Bellar of Adams, Tenn.; sisters Betty Smith of Allensville, Ky., and Lucille Barlow of Littleton, N.C.; grandchildren Valerie Broadway of Ashland City, and Amy Ferry of Foley, Ala.; and great-grandchildren Jonathan Broadway, Daniel Broadway and Alan Wade Ferry. Cheatham Country Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Graveside services with full military honors were held Aug. 11 at the Highland Cemetery in Guthrie, Ky., and officiated by Brother Paul Robert Gupton. - Walt Trott Ryman plaque denotes birth of bluegrass During dedication of a marker commemorating the Ryman as the birthplace of bluegrass, Patricia Presley snaps ceremony participants (from left) artists Ricky Skaggs, Earl Scruggs, Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs and Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell. The downtown auditorium was the long-time home to WSM’s Grand Ole Opry. Among the genre’s earliest Opry practitioners were Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys, in which the late Lester Flatt & Scruggs were early band members. THE NASHVILLE MUSICIAN Official Journal of the American Federation of Musicians AFM Nashville Local 257 FREQUENCY: Published quarterly (January, April, July and October). RATES • Basic rate for advertising in The Nashville Musician is $15.00 per column inch. • Discounts for space quantity (i.e. full page, double spread, etc.) are available. • Discounts for consecutive insertions are available. • 15% Educational discount to accredited Music Schools. Full Page _____________ $780.00 Half Page ______________ 390.00 Quarter Page ____________ 195.00 2 col. x 5” ______________ 150.00 2 col. x 3” _______________ 90.00 1 col. x 5” _______________ 75.00 2 col. x 2” _______________ 60.00 1 col. x 3” _______________ 45.00 1 col. x 2” _______________ 30.00 2 col. x 1” _______________ 30.00 1 col. x 1” _______________ 15.00 MECHANICALS One column = 2-1/4” Two columns = 4-3/4” Three columns = 7-1/4” Total page width = 10” Total page length = 14” MAKEUP • pdf files. • Camera-ready artwork accepted. • Copy not fitting space specified will be billed accordingly. • No charge for standard copy and available artwork produced by The Nashville Musician. • Authors’ alterations charged at cost. MAILING INSTRUCTIONS: Address all correspondence and printing materials to: THE NASHVILLE MUSICIAN P. O Box 120399 Nashville, TN 37212-0399 INQUIRIES: Contact Sherri Dickerson at 615/244-9514, extension 240, or sherri@afm257.org DISCOUNTS: Paying for four issues up-front saves you 15%. AFM 257 members save 10% per issue, or 15% for four issues up-front. NOTE: All advertising is subject to the Publisher’s approval. (Deadline for January-March 2007 issue ads: Dec. 22, 2006) Your Insurance Portfolio can Only Get Stronger. > All-Risk Musical Instrument & Equipment Plan > Musician’s Liability > Term Life* > Disability Income** > Catastrophe Major Medical* > > That’s because you have access to Group Insurance Plans designed for members of the American Federation of Musicians. These economical and reliable plans can help bring a secure financial future to you and your loved ones. > Personal Accident* > Short-Term Medical > In-Hospital Program** > Cancer*** > Long-Term Care > Customized Major Medical Request more information (including costs, exclusions, limitations, and terms of coverage) by contacting Marsh Affinity Group Services: 800-503-9230 www.seaburychicago.com Plans may vary and may not be available in all states. *Underwritten by The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, A member company of American International Group, Inc. **Underwritten by Hartford Life Insurance Company. ***Underwritten by Monumental Life Insurance Company, Baltimore, MD.
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