Women in Bluegrass Newsletter Archive, Reader’s Edition

No. 23

Spring/Summer 2000

The Spring/Summer 2000 issue (number 23) of the "Women in Bluegrass" newsletter. It features an in-depth interview with Sharon K. Watts, managing editor of Bluegrass Unlimited with biographical and historical information and a discussion of the changing bluegrass industry. Additional articles include an account of traveling to a bluegrass festival as a single woman, news about Ramona Jones's autobiography, information about international bluegrass advocate Helena Breffeldova and the Czech bluegrass community, and commentary on Mark Newton's tribute album to women in bluegrass.

Read this issue Archival copy on Omeka

In this issue

  1. Greetings!
    by Murphy Hicks Henry Murphy Henry shares personal news about her daughter Casey's graduation and budding music career, noting both opportunities and blatant gender-based discrimination.
    Surrounded by Estrogen by Murphy Hicks Henry A review and celebration of Mark Newton's tribute album Follow Me Back To The Fold, which features numerous prominent female bluegrass vocalists and instrumentalists.
  2. Sharon K. Watts
    "If You Can't Run With The Big Boys, You'd Better Get Off The Porch" by Murphy Hicks Henry and Sharon K. Watts A lengthy, in-depth interview with Sharon K. Watts, the managing editor of Bluegrass Unlimited, who discusses her experience in the industry, the challenges of being a woman in a "good-ole-boy" world, and her theories on bluegrass's commercialization and future.
  3. RALPHED!
    by Casey Henry Casey Henry's story of attending Ralph Stanley's festival alone, reflecting on the music, the enthusiastic crowd, and the deep roots of the Stanley Brothers' sound.
  4. Ramona Jones
    Make Music While You Can by Murphy Hicks Henry An announcement and short review of Ramona Jones's (wife of Grandpa Jones) new autobiography, highlighting her long career as a musician and the conflicts between motherhood and life on the road.
  5. Helena Bretfeldova
    Bluegrass Lady From the Czech Republic by Lily Pavlak A profile of Helena Breffeldova, a Ph.D., publicist, radio host, and key organizer of bluegrass workshops in the Czech Republic, illustrating the global reach of bluegrass.
  6. Alison Brown: Girl's Breakdown
    by Murphy Hicks Henry A short piece praising Alison Brown's new banjo tune, "Girl's Breakdown"

Photos

Photo from issue 23: Casey Henry
Casey Henry Photographer unknown. Page 8

Mentioned in this issue

Bands / Ensembles

Front Porch String BandGrass ReflectionKnoxville GrassLynn Morris BandRalph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain BoysRhonda Vincent and The Rage

Book

Make Music While You Can

Labels / Record Companies

Bear Family RecordsCompass RecordsRebel Records

Media / Broadcast

ABC NightlinePBS

Organizations / Associations

Country Music Foundation

Other Works / Media (Album)

Fair WeatherFollow Me Back To The Fold: A Tribute To Women In BluegrassLiving A Dream

Other Works / Media (Recording)

Caleb MeyerThe Day That Lester DiedEarl’s BreakdownGirl’s BreakdownPretty PollyRoundup Time In Texas

Person

Gloria BelleKristin Scott BensonAlan BibeyDale Ann BradleyLouisa BranscombHelena BretfeldováGena BrittAlison BrownNancy CardwellMother Maybelle CarterKathy ChiavolaDudley ConnellJerry DouglasGary FergusonBarb FoxKim FoxDixie HallTom T. HallCasey HenryMurphy Hicks HenryLisa Kay Howard-HughesRamona JonesSally JonesPete KuykendallLance LeRoyLaurie LewisSally LoveClaire LynchBill MonroeLynn MorrisMark NewtonDolly PartonIrena PřibylováJames PriceMissy RainesDavid RawlingsTony RiceEarl ScruggsGary ScruggsValerie SmithKaren SpenceSteve SpenceRichard K. SpottswoodNathan StanleyRalph StanleyRon StewartFred TraversRhonda VincentSharon K. WattsGillian WelchCheryl WhiteSharon White

Publishers / Periodicals

Bluegrass Unlimited

Stores / Businesses

America's Best Chew (formerly Red Man)Skoal (tobacco)

Venues

BirchmereGrand Ole Opry