Bluegrass Shack Closed This Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009

We want you to join us in Dubois, IL this weekend! We will close the shop on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, due to the bluegrass festival in Dubois. Come and join us at this wonderful event!

Great Bluegrass & Family Fun This Weekend!

Just a reminder that the Dubois Bluegrass & Craft Fall Festival will be this Saturday and Sunday, October 3 & 4, 2009. It will be a wonderful two days packed with events for the whole family: hay rides, horse rides, bluegrass music, gospel music, gospel sing & play along, craft booths, kids area, pontoon boat rides, hay rides, quilt raffle, clowns, camping and more!

For the schedule of events and a flyer, click here.

October Fiddle & Banjo Contest

It's that time of year again! We are hosting our annual October Fiddle & Banjo Contest on Saturday, October 31, 2009. It starts at Noon and will be held at the same location as last year. Please note that the venue, L&B's East End, has changed ownership and will now be called Yellow Jacket's. Same place, new name!

Our popular Adult Beginner Division will be available for both the fiddle & banjo contest. This is for folks 21 years & older who have played for 4 years or less. Now you don't have to be afraid to enter! This is your chance to inspire others and gain experience in the process.

Here is the flyer. Click on it to make it larger for printing and reading.

Jerseyville Videos & Pictures

It's been a couple of weeks, but we sure had a good time in Jerseyville this year! Every year, Brenda and Fred Nolan put on a fine event, and this year was no different. There was some rain, but we still carried on the tradition and played all weekend.

On Saturday, the Pickin' Chicks joined us in Jerseyville to play a couple of numbers.





Even Earl joined The Chris Talley Trio for a number!

Thank you, Al!

You know who you are! Tyler says thank you!

Fort Kaskaskia

Just a reminder to everyone that the annual Fort Kaskaskia (Illinois) music festival is this weekend in Ellis Grove, IL. The Bluegrass Shack is a sponsor for this event, so we will be there at our table. We hope you'll come by and say hello!

Another First Place Win for the Pickin' Chicks!

I am so pleased to announce that the Pickin' Chicks won first place at the "Southern Illinois Kids Got Talent" contest held last night in Marion, IL! They had to enter in the 13-14 year age category because the oldest member of the group is 13 years old. (It's all Mallory's fault...)

The contest was held at the Marion Civic Center and was a benefit to the Child Advocacy Center. All the emcees for the program and many of the organizers are children themselves. (You'll hear the emcees at the beginning of the video.) Of their own accord, the Pickin' Chicks donated their $100 cash prize to the Child Advocacy Center.

At the time of this performance, newcomer Paige had only played with the group for three weeks, at which time she learned the bass. From left to right in the performance: Millie on fiddle (9 years old); Nikki on banjo (11 years old); Mallory on guitar (13 years old); and Paige on bass (12 years old). Congratulations to them all!

Cards for Bill

I've had several people ask about sending cards to Bill. We ask that you send them in care of The Bluegrass Shack and we'll make sure to get them to Bill. Thanks!

Bill Barttelbort
c/o The Bluegrass Shack
904 Old Baldwin Road
New Athens, IL 62264

Bill's Update

The surgery went well today. Preliminary biopsy shows the brain tumor is benign. Please continue to pray for Bill and his family. Thank you!

Your Prayers Appreciated

Just wanted to let you all know that Bill Barttelbort, the lead guitar player for The Chris Talley Trio, was diagnosed with a brain tumor this week. Although Bill played well this weekend in Jerseyville, we all knew something was not quite right. His wife took him to the ER Monday evening and that's when they found the tumor. It is a small, fast growing tumor on the right frontal lobe. He will have surgery tomorrow (Friday) around noon. We are asking that everyone pray for him and his family. Thank you so much!

Dan Tyminski Band at Sheldon this Friday!

Just in case you haven't heard yet, the Dan Tyminski Band is playing at the Sheldon Theatre this Friday, September 11, 2009. You probably already know Dan's playing from Union Station (Alison Krauss). Dan will be joined by Barry Bales (bass), Adam Steffey (mandolin), Ron Stewart (banjo & fiddle), and Justin Moses (fiddle, dobro & banjo). This is a concert you don't want to miss!

You can get your tickets at all Metro Tix locations (314-534-1111), or right at the door. Advance tickets are $25, and on Friday they will be $30.

If you haven't been in our shop yet to sign up for a chance at two free tickets or to pick up a free poster, time is running out!

Jerseyville This Weekend!

Just wanted to remind everyone about the Jerseyville (Illinois) Victorian Festival this weekend. Saturday, Sunday & Monday will be full of fun & music! This is a Civil War Re-enactment, complete with live demonstrations, stage coach robbery, canons, horses, bluegrass & folk music, a Civil War-era style show & the Gettysburg Address. It is awesome! You can even tour the Fulkerson Mansion at the Hazel Dell Farm (where the festival is located). There are seamstresses, blacksmiths, re-enactors including their tents & campsites, gunsmiths, instrument makers, and various food makers & food vendors. You can buy period apparel, children's toys, leather goods, and way more stuff than I can remember to mention. Click here to view their website.

Come see The Chris Talley Trio playing live on the back porch of the Fulkerson Mansion all three days from 1:30 - 5:00 p.m.! The Pickin' Chicks are going to play a little bit on Saturday afternoon around 2:00 p.m. You don't want to miss this!