If you’re a long time listener of The LocalGrass Radio Show you’ve probably noticed a slight change. Since the beginning of 2013 the show has taken on more of a “syndicated” sound. There is a good reason for that, we’re on a couple of different stations now with more stations showing interest in carrying the show. We also have a couple of possible sponsorship deals on the table. With growth comes change. Gone are the live recordings (we have another show for those) and we no longer do long extensive interviews. We may still feature bits and pieces of an interview from time to time, but they’re more concise. We’re playing more and more music from the local bands from around the country who have taken the time to send us their music. Since the beginning we’ve described the show as featuring “unsigned, unknown” bands. That’s changed slightly as well. In the small world of Bluegrass music it’s possible for three or four lesser known acts to record for an even lesser known (or obscure) recording label. We’re seeing a lot more of that. We’re not going to toss out a project we’ve received in the mail because it’s on a label like “Fat Dog” records. What we do continue to shy away from, however, is recordings from the well-known Bluegrass labels. Rebel, Rounder, Rural Rhythm, etc. The labels that are more difficult for a band to sign with. Those labels have great distribution. Their artists are going to get plenty of airplay across the country. “Fat Dog” recording artists do not enjoy that luxury. That doesn’t necessarily mean the bands signed with them are not good, it just means their distribution is small, if distribution exists at all.
Because of the change in our show and it’s potential growth, it leaves very little “blog fodder”, if you will. When your show consists of music from the mailbox, there’s not a whole lot of new things to talk about each week. The original thinking behind this blog was to introduce it’s readers to bands that we were featuring or to talk about a band that we had recorded, and were going to feature, at one of our local venues. Since our shows production values have changed, we’ve decided the best route for the blog is to feature some of our own writings. That might be an article about a band, a reprint of one of our former LocalGrass columns, or it could possibly be something totally off the wall. Yep, we’ve been known to go ‘off the wall’ every once in a while. We probably won’t publish something new every week, but rest assured that when we do it’ll be entertaining! Or, at least we hope it will be! We’re planning on having fun with it and we hope you’ll hang in there for the ride! If you go to the main page of this blog (by clicking the banner at the top of this page) you can sign up to follow our blog by email. You’ll be sent an email each time it’s updated.
Do y’all follow us on Twitter? Have you ever visited us on Facebook? We sure hope so! If not, please do so! You can stay up to date on all the happenings here at The LocalGrass World Headquarters! To find links to those and our brand new broadcast schedule, visit our website! While you’re there, take a look at the “Submit Music” link. There you’ll find all the ways to send us your music!
One last thing before we hit the publish button this week. Our dear friend, Larry Gorley is scheduled to undergo surgery in a few days. Larry is THE MAN when it comes to everything Bluegrass in Bristol, Tennessee. Larry currently hosts three bluegrass shows, is on the board at Bristol’s Rhythm & Roots Reunion and has done more to promote Bluegrass music in the tri-cities than anyone. We’re proud to be able to work with Larry on one of his great shows and above all else, we’re proud to call him a good friend. Please remember Larry and his family in your thoughts and prayers. He’s one of the best.
LocalGrass Radio PO Box 1312 Bristol, Tennessee 37621
info@localgrass.com
Taking local Bluegrass off the porch & sending it around the world!
