December 2002

In this issue

1. Greetings!
   by Murphy Hicks Henry Murphy reflects on her past in basketball to draw a parallel to the ongoing need for progress for women in bluegrass.
   I'm Writing a Book by Murphy Hicks Henry Murphy announces her contract to write a book on women in bluegrass and asks for information on unknown early female players.
   IBMA Awards by Murphy Hicks Henry An analysis of the 2002 IBMA awards show that quantifies a significant gender imbalance in performers while acknowledging awards given to projects featuring women.
2. ALISON BROWN - EMBRACE IT ALL
   IBMA Keynote Address by Alison Brown Transcript of Alison Brown's IBMA keynote address, which argues for musical inclusivity in bluegrass to capitalize on its current mainstream popularity.
3. Music Stores: The Middle-aged Woman's Nightmare
   by Claire Levine A first-person account of being patronized by a male employee in a music store because of her gender and age.
4. Sally Ann Forrester: The Story Continues
   by Murphy Hicks Henry A continuation of Murphy's serialized Master's thesis on the career of early bluegrass musician Sally Ann Forrester.
   Billie Gets a New Name by Murphy Hicks Henry An exploration of how and why Wilene "Billie" Forrester came to be known as "Sally Ann" while performing with Bill Monroe.
   Why a Woman? by Murphy Hicks Henry A critical examination of the sexist speculation surrounding why Bill Monroe hired a woman, Sally Ann Forrester, for his band.
   Kept On As a Favor? No Way! by Murphy Hicks Henry A rebuttal to the sexist claim that Sally Ann Forrester was kept in Monroe's band as a favor to her husband, arguing she was a professional asset.
   But What Was She Playing? by Murphy Hicks Henry An investigation using archival letters to determine when Sally Ann Forrester began playing accordion and singing on the Grand Ole Opry with Monroe.
5. Eulaine Blumenthal: Following a Dream
   by Joann Sanders Loehr (printed “Joanna Sanders Loehr” [sic]) and Eulaine Blumenthal (printed “Elaine Blumenthal” [sic]) An interview with musician Eulaine Blumenthal about her life and career in bluegrass music.
6. To That Mansion in the Sky: Rubye Davis 1937-2002
   by Murphy Hicks Henry An obituary for Rubye Davis, focusing on her role in the band Hubert Davis and the Season Travelers.
7. Japanese Translation of Bluegrass: A History
   by Murphy Hicks Henry An announcement of the Japanese translation of Neil V. Rosenberg's Bluegrass: a History, which includes new material on women in bluegrass.

Photos

• Alison Brown, page 3. Photographer unknown.
• Eulaine Blumenthal, Hank Blumenthal, page 10. Photographer unknown.