Butch Robins with The World International Blue Grass Band
The World International Blue Grass Band is a collective of stellar acoustic string band of musicians from around the planet who perform in the style of the musical ensemble, “Bill Monroe and The Blue Grass Boys”. Alumni Blue Grass Boy, Butch Robins has assembled this group as a tribute to an ever-evolving living/growing musical art form and as a statement endorsing international peace and cooperation. These accomplished multi-instrumentalists and singers are the children and grandchildren of those who first heard the “folk music in overdrive” that has grown into a wonderful addition to the musical landscape of the planet and a voice for common people everywhere. This unique ensemble brings together 6 men from 6 different national, cultural, ideological, and religious backgrounds brought together in performance of a simple “3 chord” music which came about as a result of the ensemble, Bill Monroe and The Blue Grass Boys. This music form was first carried around the globe by US Occupational Forces after World War II and has grown to become an international voice for the everyday man. The World International Blue Grass Band will be featured at the 2007 World of Bluegrass Conference and FanFest hosted by The International Bluegrass Music Association in Nashville TN, October 1-7, and will be on the PBS series Song of the Mountains in Marion, VA on Oct. 6th. www.unclebutchie.com
No Speed Limit
No Speed Limit came to be when banjo player, Steve Barr started jamming with Jacob Eller on bass and 16 year old vocalist Amber Collins. They received such a great response from playing during the Old Time Fiddler’s Convention in Galax, VA- they decided to make music their career. Later the band picked up the 2001 Merlefest National Guitar Champion, Josh Pickett and mandolin player Ryan Blevins.
No Speed Limit was one of the first bands to appear on the first season tapings of Song of the Mountains in 2005. Their high energy picking and fantastic vocals proved that they are destined to become one of the nation’s top bluegrass bands. The newly elected Virginia Governor, Tim Kaine requested No Speed Limit to play at his Inaugural Concert this past January and even joined the band on stage, harmonica in hand, for a rendition of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”. No Speed Limit has two CD projects to their credit. www.nospeedlimitband.com
Jim Lloyd from Rural Retreat, Virginia has assembled as fine group of “clawhammer” banjo players to showcase the different styles of this purely American form of music. Jim was born in Virginia and his musical roots extend back to at least four generations of fiddlers, guitar players, dancers and singers from the Appalachian Mountains. Night of the Banjo includes at least 7 different clawhammer banjo artists who illustrate the diverse styles of this type of banjo playing. The show is very entertaining and educational. Night of the Banjo brings together the talents of several musicians including Joey Burris, Brian Fain, Trish Kilby Fore, Adam Hurt, Matt Neiburger, Jim Lloyd and others. Their new CD release, “Banjo in the Clawhammer Tradition” will be available for purchase at the October 6 th concert.
Cleghorn
The name Cleghorn comes from the valley community where they all grew up and they all can be found still singing harmony on Sunday mornings in the Baptist Church. The original members of Cleghorn were Randal Eller on guitar singing lead vocal and harmony, Craig Blevins on guitar and mandolin singing lead vocal and baritone or tenor, and Tim Lundy on 5-string banjo singing high tenor, Josh Eller( Randal's oldest son) on guitar and Ryan Blevins on banjo. Josh and Ryan went on to graduate from Berea College in Kentucky and while there both were presented The Red Foley Music Award for their contribution to the music community of the college. Ryan played with the Berea Bluegrass Band in both Ireland and Japan before returning to Chilhowie to join Jacob Eller in the band No Speed Limit. Jacob (Randal’s youngest son) had joined Cleghorn playing bass while Josh and Ryan were in Berea. Cleghorn lost Jacob and Ryan both to the new and more energetic No Speed Limit and they refer to Cleghorn as "the old men band", but they still jam with each other and love to teach the old guys some new tunes and the old men share some of theirs with them. The title track of NSL's new CD "Sweet Virginia" was written by Randal Eller for them to sing for the Governor's inaugural concert early this year in Williamsburg. It's hard to write about Cleghorn without stepping over into NSL because of the family connection. Andy Blevins, youngest son of Craig Blevins, now plays bass most of the time now with Cleghorn.
