DeKalb County Fiddlers' Convention Still Going Strong For Over 100 years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Russell Gulley
Tele: 256-845-2224 or 256-845-0203
E-mail: bwac@russellgulley.com

DeKalb County Fiddlers’ Convention
Celebrates 104th Anniversary

Esther and Hannah Ward

Fort Payne:  104 years ago the sound of the fiddle and the bow rang out in the rafters of the DeKalb County Courthouse. With those first notes, the 1908 DeKalb County Fiddlers’ Convention ushered in one of the most treasured traditions of our community. Today, that tradition is still alive in the  in the sound of the super group Alabama, on stage at the annual Boom Days Heritage Celebration, and in the magical tunes of world class old time fiddlers such as James Bryan; all right here in DeKalb County.

 August 4th 2012 at 11 am, contestants will gather at the Fort Payne Middle School to not only “Celebrate the Heritage” but to compete for over $3000 in prize money in 9 categories while supporting Arts In Education programs for Fort Payne Area  Schools, all as part of the DeKalb County Fiddlers’ Convention.

This 104th Anniversary Edition of the Convention is very special to the organizers because the Big Wills Arts Council (BWAC) remains committed to the worthwhile endeavors essential to presenting the event each year. “The convention continues to draw contestants from throughout the tri-state area, as far away as Nashville, up into Eastern Tennessee, into Mississippi, and Georgia,” stated Eric McKinney, the president of the Big Wills Arts Council, and the driving force in the convention’s revival almost 10 years ago. “ To continue the convention is to preserve that tradition for future generations.”

Musicians from all over the Southeastern United States recognize the convention for its historical and cultural significance. In its heyday, from 1908 till World War II, the convention was among the largest in the South with many professionals from all over the Southeast competing. Famous old time bands, such as the Johnson Family from Sand Mountain made the convention one of its regular stops each year.

Contestants begin registration at 11 AM and the contests begin at 12 Noon.
Admission is only $8.00 for spectators and contestants with children under 10 years of age admitted free. Admission includes entry into one individual contest category, while additional categories are $8.00 each per individual contestant. Entry Fees for the Bluegrass Band category will be a minimum of $32.00 (four band members) or $8.00 per band member.

“The fiddlers’ convention is a tradition that I’m proud that the arts council continues to produce”, said Russell Gulley,council director. “It’s difficult to continue presenting the event in light of our current national economic situation, but as many traditions fall by the wayside, it’s even more important to hold on to our heritage. Our convention continues to grow with contestants of all ages in all categories, ranging from pee wee to senior fiddler, to dobro and guitar, on to a full “bluegrass” band competition. It’s also for such a good cause, our Arts in Education Program”.

REMEMBER the date August 6th for the 103rd Anniversary of the DeKalb County Fiddlers’ Convention. Come out and join in the “Jam Sessions”, greet old friends, meet new ones, “Celebrate the Heritage” and support Arts in Education.

For more information, Contact the Big Wills Arts Council at 256-845-2224 or e-mail the director at bwac@russellgulley.com. Join the convention on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/DeKalbCountyFiddlersConvention .

Madison Rising's Star Spangled Banner Makes it Cool to be Patriotic Once Again

The Star Spangled Banner  - our National Anthem - has been a part of our American culture since it was written.  Many musicians have given their own rendition of this song, some great ( Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston) some horrendous (Christina Aguilera , Rosanne Barr) ( ok - Rosanne not a musician - but by far the worst).  But none have revamped and rocked it like Madison Rising.

I first heard of Madison Rising when the curator of  www.the-912-project.com asked me to take a look at the two part series on their website.  Writer Michelle Venturo goes behind the scenes with Madison Rising  in Madison Rising Defends America’s Star Spangled Banner with Their “BadAss” Rendition 
and gets in-depth with lead singer Dave Bray : Part 2: Meet Dave Bray The Lead Singer for Madison Rising  Both articles are a must read.  And the song is a must hear.




This rendition is taking the music world by storm.  No other band since Hendrix has taken this classic and made it " their own" with such style and respect for the original.

About Madison Rising ( courtesy of Scout66.com / Con Brio PR) :


Dave Bray is the front man for Madison Rising. A dedicated patriot, Bray  served in the U.S. Navy for four years as an 8404 FMF corpsman for 2nd battalion 2nd marines, and while at Camp Johnson in North Carolina, won the coveted Top Dog Award. He was the lead singer of the bands 1Echo1 and Soveren prior to becoming the front man for Madison Rising.


Madison Rising takes their name  in honor of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States and a key author of the Constitution, The Bill of Rights and The Federalist Papers. Madison Rising promotes the principles of liberty, independence, and personal responsibility.


As we approach so many landmark dates in American history, please show your support by posting Madison Rising performing The Star Spangled Banner . For more information, please visit http://madisonrising.com.

Press Release: Bubonik Funk Zabooki Tour

For Immediate Release

Contact: Stefan Kallander

Bubonik Funk

www.bubonikfunk.com

Bubonik Funk Brings On New Funk To North Carolina

Charolette, NC - July 2, 2012

Bubonik Funk keeps churning out the tunes with their second CD titled Zabooki, and are kicking it off with a mini tour throughout their home state of North Carolina. This CD tour includes shows in Greenville, Raleigh, High Point, and Asheville. With one show in Richmond VA.


“After four years abroad, we are really excited to be back home. We are really excited about our latest tunes and want to share them with the great fans we have right here in North Carolina first” - Stefan Kallander – guitarist for Bubonik Funk
Their schedule is:
July 5^th – The Blind Tiger – Greensboro – with The Former Champs and the UV Hippo – Show is at 10pm – with an $8 cover
July 6^th – The Pour House – Raleigh – a jam packed night with The Former Champs, The UV Hippo, and The Shack Band joining Bubonik Funk – 10pm showtime with $8 cover
July 7^th – Blue Bourbon Jack's – High Point – also performing -The Vagabound Swing – 10pm and admission is free
July 11^th – The One Stop – Ashville – along with The Shack Band – 10pm with $5 cover
July 14^th – The Camel – Richmond VA – with PBR – 10pm with $5 cover

For more information and interviews contact:

Stefan Kallander

stefan@bubonikfunk.com

http://www.bubonikfunk.com

Press release by Renagadesmusic.com  

Press Release: Jenn Costantino launches Kickstarter Campaign

Press Release: The Sharp's releases new Southern Gospel single - "Have You Wondered?"