The Steam Powered Preservation Society

Hand-Picked Reels: Labor Songs

Sarah Hagerman — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:30:48 +0000

On this edition of Hand-Picked Reels, we look at labor songs and songs about working, as we dive into the history of Labor Day...[more]

New FestivaLink.net Music Collection to Benefit Musicians in Need

Sarah Hagerman — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:17:23 +0000

Our friends over at FestivaLink have put together an amazing collection from Merle Fest 2010, with all proceeds going to help the Bluegrass Trust Fund, the International Bluegrass Music Association's emergency financial aid program for musicians in need. Learn how you can help - and get some great music to boot! [more]

Tape Spotlight: Bean Blossom

Sarah Hagerman — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:26:46 +0000

The SPPS tape spotlight is back, shining a light on our archives. This week we travel to Bean Blossom, Indiana, for highlights from the 1969 and 1979 festivals, including a special Monroe and Scruggs reunion...[more]

The Henhouse Prowlers, 08/23/10, Denver

Sarah Hagerman — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:03:22 +0000

Fresh off their Rockygrass win, the SPPS catches Chicago's The Henhouse Prowlers at Sancho's on a rowdy Monday night. Come along for the ride...[more]

Hand-Picked Reels: Road Songs

Sarah Hagerman — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:47:48 +0000

Welcome to a new regular feature on the SPPS blog! This week, we're looking at a trio of road songs. [more]

Raina Rose: It’s a Hard, Beautiful Living

Sarah Hagerman — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:37:31 +0000

There's a lot of folksingers out there, but Raina Rose is one of a kind. We sit down with her to discuss songcraft, the traveling life, and the inspiration for her latest album, the stunning When May Came. Come along and get to know Raina Rose... [more]

Remembering Mitch Jayne

Sarah Hagerman — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:42:38 +0000

On August 2, Mitch Jayne passed away from cancer. Best known for the wit and warmth he brought to the stage as the bassist for The Dillards, we remember this wily storyteller and the music he brought us...[more]

The SPPS needs you!

Sarah Hagerman — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 03:39:33 +0000

Do you love bluegrass, folk and old time music? Do you have a passion for writing, photography or taping shows? We're looking for blog contributors and tapers. Come be a part of the SPPS...[more]

In memory of Sandy Alexander

Paul Rennix — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:46:03 +0000

Stella Fleming, with the help of String Summit MC Pastor Tim Christiansen, presents Chip Russell with a donation made in the memory of Sandy Alexander. Sandy was a long time supporter of the SPPS, one of the very first donors, and one of the original tape transferrers. Sandy was the tapers’ taper. He knew the band, he [...]

The John Hartford String Band: What Would John Do?

Sarah Hagerman — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:49:38 +0000

The John Hartford String Band have brought us a wonderful album celebrating Hartford's music. We talk to Bob Carlin and Chris Sharp about the back story behind Memories of John, some of their favorite recollections of him, and Hartford's enduring musical legacy...[more]

The Sweet Serendipity of Honey Don’t

Sarah Hagerman — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:06:35 +0000

Their self-titled debut album pulls you in from the get-go, an exciting call to arms to start flying down the pavement with a devil-may-care attitude and a dog-eared road map flapping on your dashboard. Join us as Bill Powers takes us inside the world of Honey Don't...[more]

Why We Jam

theSPPS — Mon, 03 May 2010 15:29:36 +0000

Musician and humorist Tomas Texino gives us some campground jamming pointers and philosophy, just in time for festival season...[more]

ROMP: Dancing on the Shoulders of Giants

Sarah Hagerman — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:04:39 +0000

This June, hundreds of musicians - many representing the first generation of bluegrass - will descend upon Owensboro, Kentucky, as The International Bluegrass Music Museum presents its seventh annual ROMP (River of Music Party). SPPS has an exclusive preview, and this is one party you don't want to miss...[more]

Tape Spotlight: Legends at the Pickin’ Parlor

Sarah Hagerman — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:39:03 +0000

Tut Tape #64, which we believe dates back to 1972, captures a real beaut: three sets by The Country Gentlemen, with tweener sets from the always-enjoyable pairing of Norman Blake and Taylor, and a fantastic duet set by Bill Monroe and Blake...[more]

RiceGrass: Fischer, TX: March 27-28, 2010

Sarah Hagerman — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:39:12 +0000

With the success of The Rice Festival, this year, Cabin 10, Inc. teamed up with The Central Texas Bluegrass Association to launch a spring festival, RiceGrass. It was a heck of a hoedown in the hill country, and SPPS was lucky enough to be on site...[more]

Alan Munde: Playing in the Moment

Sarah Hagerman — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 01:09:51 +0000

When you think of retirement, images of Florida condos, golf courses, and cruise ship shuffleboard come to mind. That's not the case for Alan Munde. Although he may have retired from his teaching post at the commercial music program at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas a couple years ago, he isn't slowing down any time soon. ...[more]

RiceGrass Bound!

Sarah Hagerman — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:51:23 +0000

RiceGrass will be held Sat & Sun, March 27 & 28 on the beautiful grounds of the Fischer Haus Bed & Breakfast in Fischer, Texas (where most folks camp while attending the Rice Festival in the fall) Danny Barnes, Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, Byron Berline & Alan Munde, Two High String Band and more will perform at this spring festival in the Texas Hill Country...[more]

John Hartford String Band: Memories of John

theSPPS — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:22:43 +0000

The John Hartford String Band (Bob Carlin on banjo, Matt Combs on fiddle, Mike Compton on mandolin, Mark Schatz on bass, and guitarist Chris Sharp), return to the studio for Memories of John. Memories of John includes 14 tracks of tunes and songs. [more]

Tape Spotlight: Out at the Exit Inn

Sarah Hagerman — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:06:18 +0000

For this entry in our series, we're shining our spotlight back on the Tut Taylor Archives, with two circa-1973 tapes from the Exit Inn in Nashville... [more]

Looking Back at Folk Alliance 2010

Sarah Hagerman — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:07:47 +0000

We take one more look back at Folk Alliance 2010, with feedback from the performers and organizers, and of course, a stellar collection of recordings from the SPPS showcases... [more]

Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Perform in Oneonta, NY

Paul Rennix — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:09:23 +0000

An amazing night of music Saturday March 13, 2010. Alumni Fieldhouse, Dewar Arena...

SPPS Folk Alliance Showcase: 02.20.10

Sarah Hagerman — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:59:48 +0000

Well the final batch of photos has come in from our Memphis bureau. Check these out, and look forward to more audio from the weekend in the days ahead... [more]

SPPS Folk Alliance Showcase: 02.19.10

Sarah Hagerman — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:47:21 +0000

Audio from our Thursday night showcases is up! Check it out here. And while you're listening to these sweet recordings, have a gander at these photos of last night's showcase revelries, straight from the SPPS Memphis Bureau Desk... [more]

SPPS Folk Alliance Showcase: 02.18.10

Sarah Hagerman — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:18:24 +0000

Reports are trickling in from the SPPS Memphis Bureau Desk at Folk Alliance 2010... [more]

Austin Friends of Traditional Music Midwinter Festival : Texas : 01/23/10

Sarah Hagerman — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:52:47 +0000

My friend overheard an older woman in the bathroom of The Doughtery Arts Center talking about playing bass in her band. She joked about how, “It’s hard to have a reunion show when your band members keep dying off!”... [more]

Tim O’Brien: Salina Schoolhouse 1/22/2010… Sold Out In a Whisper

Paul Rennix — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:02:19 +0000

We ran into our friend Allison, bursting at the seams with something exciting to tell us. "Tim's coming!" What? Who? Who's coming where? "Tim's coming! Tim O'Brien! I finally [more]

SPPS Folk Alliance Showcases Schedule

Sarah Hagerman — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:09:30 +0000

We are pleased to announce the schedule for the SPPS Showcases at the 22nd annual Folk Alliance. Our showcases are being held Thursday, February 18; Friday, February 19th; and Saturday, February 20th...[more]

Tape Spotlight: The Original Bluegrass Festival

Sarah Hagerman — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:00:58 +0000

Over Labor Day Weekend of 1965, at Cantrell's Horse Farm in Fincastle, Virginia, Carlton Haney organized what is widely recognized as the first multi-day bluegrass festival. In 1966, he repeated the event...[more]

Green Mountain Grass & Shotgun Party::Texas::01.09.10

Sarah Hagerman — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:33:27 +0000

Most folks still had their coats on inside The Independent, a new-ish, and rather utilitarian, venue on the hip east side of Austin. It was the a Saturday evening most Austinites would choose to spend hiding in their houses...[more]

Tape Spotlight: Taylor and Blake Deliver Solid Gold

Sarah Hagerman — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:55:48 +0000

Welcome to the first installment of our SPPS Tape Spotlight series, where we illuminate a choice holding in our collection! This week, we’d like to draw your attention to the Tut Taylor Archive, tape #78...[more]

Update ISO: Recording Engineer for the SPPS Folk Alliance Guerilla Showcase

Sarah Hagerman — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:59:01 +0000

We found a taper! Now stay tuned for the complete line-up and schedule to be announced soon...[more]

Mark Rubin: No Tourists Allowed

Sarah Hagerman — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:43:56 +0000

(Part 2 of 2 by Sarah Hagerman) “The past is our definition. We may strive, with good reason, to escape it, or to escape what is bad in it, but we will escape it only by adding something better to it.” – Wendell Berry “In Yiddish we have a phrase...[more]

Mark Rubin: No Tourists Allowed

Sarah Hagerman — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:15:00 +0000

(Part 1 of 2 by Sarah Hagerman) If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home. - James Michener - It’s a chilly, drizzly...[more]

Town Mountain Bluegrass Band 8-22-2009

theSPPS — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:30:48 +0000

August 22, 2009 Lafayette, CO Band Website Tour Schedule Store Audio Stream | mp3s | zip of mp3s unamplified set captured with 2 mxl 2003′s (center) and 2 akg c1000S > Edirol R44 @24/48. 4 track mixed & tracked using all open source tools: Audacity on Ubuntu. questions: prennix@gmail.com 01 ?? 02 Alcatraz 03 Reminders [...]

Tut Taylor: Snapshots, Tapes and Broken Strings

Sarah Hagerman — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:53:39 +0000

At 85 years old, Tut Taylor has traveled through nearly a century’s worth of history, and the unique path he has followed has taken him straight through the heart of bluegrass music.. [more...]

Pete Kartsounes Hikes Throughout Colorado To Fight Cancer

Kathy Foster-Patton — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:18:04 +0000

Two years ago, I camped next to Pete Kartsounes at the RockyGrass Academy. This year he had bigger things on his mind—he was getting ready to hike. It’s what he does during the end of July, all of August, and part of September more...

Sarah Jarosz: Song Up in Her Head

Sarah Hagerman — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:39:16 +0000

With temps in triple digits, it’s been unusually hot this month, even by Austin standards. Outside at Threadgill’s, an understandably mellow crowd languished in the heat, waving homemade paper fans and downing gallons of water and beer to try and wash the sweat away more...

SPPS Seeks Writers and Tapers

theSPPS — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:55:29 +0000

The SPPS is currently looking for writers and tapers. Stories with audio are a big hit with readers! So, we are looking to pair tapers with writers (or find some tapers with a talent for writing!). If you are interested, please email info@thespps.org

Jayme Stone Presents: John Hartford!

Kathy Foster-Patton — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:42:59 +0000

I rode up the canyon to my second Little Schoolhouse in the Pines show on May 22—a tribute to John Hartford, put together by stellar banjoist Jayme Stone. My four friends and I were very excited about the show. We knew that Jayme had gathered a group of high quality musicians to entertain us for the evening...[more]

Mollie O’Brien and Laura Love Make One-Of-A-Kind Musical Shows

Kathy Foster-Patton — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:57:44 +0000

Kathy Foster-Patton Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore and Laura Love and Orville Johnson were playing at the Little Schoolhouse in the Pines, which is up Boulder’s Four Mile Canyon ...[more]

Celebrating Sandy Alexander

theSPPS — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:43:57 +0000

back in November, Sandy sent us an email and a donation - one of many. He was a supporter from the get-go around here. Taper, archivist, and lover of life. We'll miss you Sandman. Our Hero.

Spring Creek 05-09-2009

theSPPS — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:16:39 +0000

By Rich Ostella - The four-piece bluegrass band displayed a magnificent smorgasbord of talent at their Boulder Theater CD release party on May 9, 2009. Power guitarist Taylor Sims, dog house bass thunderbolt Jessica Smith, ace mandolin-slash-fiddler Alex Johnstone and the lightning banjo picker Chris “C-Bob” Elliott—each songwriters, singers, and I’ll dare to say lonesome virtuosos—played hard, fast and it was fun, “Son!” Spring Creek’s ...[more]

Martha Scanlan with Aaron Youngberg 05-09-2009

theSPPS — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:15:44 +0000

at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado source: matrix recording 50/50 source 1: sdbd > r-44 source 2: mxl2003s>v3>r-44 mastered w/all open source tools – Audacity on Ubuntu 9.04 Normed, Mixed, Fades, 24/48>16/44.1, tracked. comments: prennix@gmail.com Spring Creek and the Blue Maddies also performed thier own sets [audio] Audio stream | mp3s | zip 01 [...]

Blue Maddies 05-09-2009

theSPPS — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:12:57 +0000

at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado source: matrix recording 70%sdbd / 30% aud: source 1: sdbd > r-44, source 2: mxl2003s>v3>r-44 mastered: w/all open source tools – Audacity on Ubuntu 9.04 – Normed, Mixed, Fades, 24/48>16/44.1, tracked. prennix@gmail.com Martha Scanlan and Spring Creek also performed thier own sets [audio] Audio stream | mp3 | [...]

Honey Don’t 5-2-2009

theSPPS — Mon, 04 May 2009 02:47:14 +0000

Rail Potluck, Lafayette, CO 01 OL#1 (A) 02 Ellia Jewel 03 Cuckoo (A) 04 Silvertone (D) 05 Son of a Gun (G) 06 Pretty When She’s Sleeping 07 For the Sake of Love (D) 08 Mississippi 09 Route 66 Video – Rich Ostella richardostella at gmail dot com Notes: Honey Don’t is Bill Powers, Shelly [...]

Old Settler’s Music Festival

Sarah Hagerman — Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:10 +0000

by Sarah Hagerman - It’s no secret that in recent years, Old Settlers Music Festival has been branching out from its acoustic and bluegrass roots. This being my first OSMF, I had little to compare it to, save for collected stories from friends and new acquaintances – and observations of threadbare t-shirts boasting past line-ups. On the one hand, nostalgia always casts our hindsight in a rosy glow. There’s a well-known local joke that goes, “How many Austinites...[more]

Expedition Quartet 4/11/2009

theSPPS — Sat, 02 May 2009 14:16:16 +0000

Rail, Lafayette, CO Jake Schepps – Banjo Ryan Drickey – Fiddle Greg Schochet – Guitar and Mandolin Ian Hutchison – Bass Audio stream | mp3 | zip http://www.myspace.com/expeditionquartet Source: 2 center mics: Marshall 2003′s>V3>R44 @2448 2 outer mics: AKG C1000s>R44 @2448 (unamplified set, mics set in front of band) Transfer: SDHC>PC. SF9 4 track at [...]

Darol Anger and Bruce Molsky with Brittany Haas

theSPPS — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:50:06 +0000

April 19, 2009 Susquehanna Folk Music Society Yorktowne Hotel Ballroom York, PA

Jeff and Vida Band 4/11/2009 Rail, Lafayette, CO

Paul Rennix — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:20:27 +0000

Lineup Jeff Burke: Mandolin and Guitar Vida Wakeman: Guitar Jake Schepps: Banjo Greg Schochet: Guitar Justin Hoffenberg: Fiddle Will Downes: Bass Audio stream | mp3 | zip Source: 2 center mics: Marshall 2003′s>V3>R44 @2448 2 outer mics: AKG C1000s>R44 @2448 (unamplified set at the Rail, mics set in front of band) Transfer: SDHC>PC. SF9 4 [...]

Jeff & Vida 2008-06-22 Replay Lounge Lawrence, KS

theSPPS — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:53:14 +0000

Audio stream | mp3s | zip lineup: Jeff Burke: Mandolin and Guitar Vida Wakeman: Guitar Will Downes: Bass Source: Church Audio CA-11 cardioids > CA-9000 > Edirol R-09 @16/44.1 Location: 3′ from right P.A. stack / DIN / mic stand @ 4′ Transfer: SD card > pc > Audacity (compression) > CDWave Taped and Transferred [...]

Jeff & Vida Band 2009-04-16 Auntie Mae’s Parlor Manhattan, KS

theSPPS — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 01:42:34 +0000

Lineup Jeff Burke: Mandolin and Guitar Vida Wakeman: Guitar Jake Schepps: Banjo Justin Hoffenberg: Fiddle Will Downes: Bass Audio stream | mp3 | zip Partner Page Source: Church Audio CA-14 cardioids > CA-9000 > Edirol R-09 @24/48 Location: DFC / 6′ from stage / DIN / mic stand @ 6.5′ Transfer: SD card > pc [...]

anon-C202 – Country Gazette 8/1978 Lewiston, NY

Paul Rennix — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:54:41 +0000

Anonymous Collection Cassette #202 Country Gazette Artpark, Lewiston, NY August 1978 Audio stream | mp3 | zip Side A: 1. Instrumental (?) (x) 2. Down, Down, Down 3. Medley: Love Please Come Home > 4. Nine Pound Hammer> 5. Shackles and Chains> 6. Down the Road> 7. Sitting on Top of the World 8. Never [...]

anon-C203 Peter Rowan & Red Hot Pickers 1978-11-xx JAPAN

theSPPS — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:47:52 +0000

Anonymous Collection Cassette #203 Peter Rowan with The Red Hot Pickers (Richard Greene, Tony Trischka, Andy Statman, & Roger Mason) Tokyo, Japan Early-November 1978 Audio steam | mp3 | zip Side A: 1. Little Rabbit 2. The Hobo Song 3. Wild Horses 4. Used to Be 5. Shenandoah Breakdown 6. The Old, Old House 7. [...]

Pagosa Springs: From Indie Fest to Folk ‘N Bluegrass Festival

Kathy Foster-Patton — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:50:57 +0000

by Kathy Foster-Patton Dan Appenzeller is the event director and the president of Folk West, the non-profit corporation that puts on Folk ‘N Bluegrass and the Four Corners Folks Festival in Pagosa Springs. Appenzeller gets so excited when talking about his upcoming event in June that you can almost picture him jumping up and down. [...]

Review: Bright & Jacques Texacali Blues

Sarah Hagerman — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:11:34 +0000

by Sarah Hagerman. A cold December night in Texas (yes, it does get cold in Texas), where cheap pitchers of Lone Star beer and heating lamps kept us warm under a billowy white tent that encompassed the outside area of The Tiniest Bar in Texas (that is its name, I’m not sure if its diminutive stature compared to other watering holes has been officially evaluated). It’s a small group gathered under the tent....[more...]

Sometymes Why: Uncensored and Undefined

Sarah Hagerman — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 05:10:09 +0000

by Sarah Hagerman. Alluring, absorbing, and a little bit far out with a whole lot of chutzpah – welcome to the uncanny world of Sometymes Why. Kristin Andreassen, Ruth Ungar Merenda and Aoife O’Donovan are three musicians who have done a lot of string band groundbreaking. But they came together as Sometymes Why because of the common turf they shared as songwriters. [more...]

Spring Creek – Rialto Theatre Loveland, CO 03/28/2009

theSPPS — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 02:54:57 +0000

Audio: stream | mp3 | zip(mp3s) website: springcreekbluegrassband.com 01. High Up in the Mountains 02. Waterline Blues 03. Another Lonesome Night 04. Lonesome Way to Go 05. Pretty Women Driving Me Crazy 06. Weary Hearts 07. Tangled in the Pines 08. It’s Alright My Darling 09. Medley 10. Love is Way Up on a Mountain [...]

anon-C515 Red Clay Ramblers – Hot Rize, Red Knuckles 3/6/1981

theSPPS — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:35:55 +0000

Red Clay Ramblers Hot Rize/Red Knuckles & The Trailblazers Philadelphia Bluegrass & Old Time Music Festival Philadelphia, PA March 6, 1981 Audio stream | mp3s | zip(mp3s) Source: Anonymous Collection Cassette #315 Maxell UL 90:Nakamichi ZX7>Nickspicks Silver Hydra’s>Lunatec V3 @ 24/48>M-Audio Firewire 410 Transfer by Keith Kreider 04/11/07 Disc One/Side A Red Clay Ramblers: 1. [...]

anon-C165 James Monroe + Jimmy Martin Buckhorn Mountain Bluegrass Festival, Tazewell, VA, July 8, 1978

theSPPS — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:51:25 +0000

Jimmy Martin & The Sunny Mountain Boys James Monroe & The Midnight Ramblers Buckhorn Mountain Bluegrass Festival Tazewell, VA July 8, 1978 Audio stream | mp3 | zip(mp3s) Source: Anonymous Collection 1 Cassette #165 Concertape C-60:Nakamichi ZX7>Nickspicks Silver Hydra’s>Lunatec V3 @ 24/48>M-Audio Firewire 410 Transfer by Keith Kreider 10/31/2006 Side A: Jimmy Martin & the [...]

anon-C182 Monroe & his Blue Grass Boys, Bluegrass Alliance

theSPPS — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:14:19 +0000

Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys Bluegrass Alliance 10th Annual Georgia State Bluegrass Festival (Shoal Creek Bluegrass Festival) Shoal Creek Country Music Park Lavonia, GA July 29, 1978 Audio steam | mp3 | zip(mp3s) Source: Anonymous Collection 1 Cassette #182 Concertape C-60:Nakamichi ZX7>Nickspicks Silver Hydra’s>Lunatec V3 @ 24/48>M-Audio Firewire 410 Transfer by Keith Kreider [...]

anon-C194 Bill Grant’s Bluegrass Festival Salt Creek Park, Hugo, OK 8-6-1978

theSPPS — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:01:07 +0000

Marshall Family, Country Gentlemen, Lewis Family, Osborne Brothers Bill Grant’s Bluegrass Festival Salt Creek Park, Hugo, OK August 6, 1978 Audio stream | mp3 | zip(mp3s) Source: Anonymous Collection 1 Cassette #194-Concertape C-60:Nakamichi ZX7>Nickspicks Silver Hydra’s>Lunatec V3 @ 24/48>M-Audio Firewire 410 – Transfer by Keith Kreider 10/15/2006 Both sides are labeled “1978.8.6 Hugo, OK 87″ [...]

anon-C206 Flatt & Scruggs, Osborne Brothers, Jim & Jesse

theSPPS — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:41:46 +0000

1) Flatt & Scruggs; US Air Force “Country Music Time” Radio Transcription Circa Late-1950′s to Early-1960′s 2) Flatt & Scruggs; US Marines “Leatherneck Jamboree” Radio Transcription Circa Early-1960′s 3) Earl Scruggs (solo); Circa Late-1960′s to Early-1970′s 4) Osborne Brothers; Live Performance Circa Late-1960′s to Early-1970′s 5) Jim & Jesse; Live Performance Circa Late-1960′s Audio stream [...]

anon-C114 JD Crowe, Dan Crary, Jimmy Gyles Winfield 9/29-30/1973

theSPPS — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:42:01 +0000

J.D. Crowe & The New South Dan Crary & Jimmy Gyles Walnut Valley Festival Winfield, KS September 29-30, 1973 Audio stream | mp3s | zip(mp3s) Source: Anonymous Collection Cassette #114 – Sony Low Noise C-60:Nakamichi ZX7>M-Audio Firewire 410>Wavelab 5.01b Transfer by Keith Kreider 6/22/2006 Notes: Side A is labeled J.D. Side A: J.D. Crowe & [...]

anon-C166 Jimmy Martin & The Sunny Mountain Boys & James Monroe & The Midnight Ramblers 7/8/78

theSPPS — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:33:45 +0000

Buckhorn Mountain Bluegrass Festival Tazewell, VA Audio stream | mp3s | zip(mp3s) Source: Anonymous Collection 1 Cassette #166:Concertape C-60:Nakamichi ZX7>Nickspicks Silver Hydra’s>Lunatec V3 @ 24/48>M-Audio Firewire 410 Transfer by Keith Kreider 10/30/2006 Side A: Jimmy Martin & The Sunny Mountain Boys (end of set): 1. (x) Sunny Side of the Mountain 2. (Talking) 3. Will [...]

anon-C316 Fiddle Fever, Tracy & Eloise Schwarz, Hot Rize/Red Knuckles

theSPPS — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:54:42 +0000

Philadelphia Bluegrass & Old Time Music Festival Philadelphia, PA March 6-7, 1981 Audio stream | mp3s | zip(mp3s) Source: Maxell UL 90:Nakamichi ZX7>Nickspicks Silver Hydra’s>Lunatec V3 @ 24/48>M-Audio Firewire 410, Transfer by Keith Kreider Disc One/Side A Fiddle Fever: 1. The Sidewalks of New York 2. MacPherson’s Fiddle (Compliments to MacPherson)> 3. MacPherson’s Strut 4. [...]

anon-C378 Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys + Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys

theSPPS — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:51:56 +0000

SPPS Anonymous Collection 1 Cassette #378 Bean Blossom Festival Bean Blossom, IN June 19, 1982 Audio stream | mp3s | zip(mp3s) Source: TDK D-90:Nakamichi CR-5A>Hydra cables>Lunatec V3>M-Audio Firewire 410>Wavelab 5.01b, Transfer by Keith Kreider Side A, Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys (end of set): 1. (Talk) 2. Ballad of Thunder Road 3. Ole [...]

anon-C379 Carlton Haney’s Second Bluegrass Festival Cantrell’s Horse Farm, Fincastle, VA September 2, 1966

theSPPS — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:21:51 +0000

Buck White & The Down Home Folks, Don Reno, Red Smiley, & The Shenandoah Cut-Ups, Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys (special guest: Kenny Baker), Jim & Jesse and The Virginia Boys Carlton Haney’s Second Bluegrass Festival Cantrell’s Horse Farm, Fincastle, VA September 2, 1966 Anonymous Collection Cassette #379 Audio stream | mp3s | [...]

anon-C247 Bill Monroe 1963 / Joe Val 1971

theSPPS — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:03:07 +0000

Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys Brown County Jamboree Bean Blossom, IN 10/13/1963 Joe Val & The New England Bluegrass Boys Club Passim Cambridge, MA 6/23/1971 Audio stream | mp3 | zip(mp3s) Source: Maxell LN-120:Nakamichi ZX7>Nickspicks Silver Hydra’s>Lunatec V3 @ 24/48>M-Audio Firewire 410 Transfer by Keith Kreider 04/17/07 – updates, comments, etc. to info@thespps.org [...]

anon-C265 Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver The Birchmere 1979

theSPPS — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:41:11 +0000

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver The Birchmere Alexandria, VA May 19, 1979 Audio stream | mp3s | zip(mp3) Source: Anonymous Collection Cassette#265: Maxell LN C-90:Nakamichi ZX7>Nickspicks Silver Hydra’s>Lunatec V3 @ 24/48>M-Audio Firewire 410 – Transfer by Keith Kreider 04/09/07 Side A – Disc One: 1. (Talking) 2. Rock Hearts 3. Come on Over 4. Just a [...]

Tut-C078 Tut Taylor + Norman Blake “Solid Bluegrass” 1999

theSPPS — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:26:04 +0000

Tut Taylor & Norman Blake (w/ guest vocalist, Laura Walker) Tut Taylor Archive Cassette #078 Pickin in Earl’s Kitchen, Solid Gold Bluegrass Internet Radio Show Somewhere in Eastern Tennessee March 25, 1999 Audio stream | mp3s | zip(mp3s) Source: TDK D90 – Nakamichi CR5A>M-Audio Firewire 410>Wavelab 5.01b @ 24/48 Transferred by kskreider<at> thespps.org 01. (Radio [...]

anon-C327 Bean Blossom 1981

theSPPS — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:16:32 +0000

Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys (with guests), The Goins Brothers, Mac Wiseman, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Bean Blossom Festival Bean Blossom, IN 6/18/1981 Audio Stream | mp3s | zip(mp3s) Source: SPPS Anonymous Collection Cassette #327 – Transfer by Keith Kreider – Maxell XLII90:Nakamichi CR-5A>Hydra cables>Lunatec V3>M-Audio Firewire 410>Wavelab 5.01b. Material taken from 6/18,19,20/1981 [...]

anon-C303 Renfro Valley BG Fest 7-11-1971

theSPPS — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:03:52 +0000

Country Gentlemen, Osborne Brothers, Mac Wiseman, Shenandoah Cut-Ups, Lester Flatt & The Nashville Grass Renfro Valley Bluegrass Festival Renfro Valley, KY 7/11/1971 Audio Stream | mp3s | zip(mp3s) Source: SPPS Anonymous Collection Cassette #303 – Maxell UL 120:Nakamichi ZX7>Nickspicks Silver Hydra’s>Lunatec V3 @ 24/48>M-Audio Firewire 410 – Transfer by Keith Kreider 04/16/07 1. Green Green [...]

previously posted tapes in the forum, and how you can help..

theSPPS — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:06:08 +0000

We are switching the historical info on each tape from our forums, to where each gets its own page. It’s going to be a time consuming process to move the previously posted tapes to the new format. If you are web savvy and are interested in helping, please get in touch! (It’s not that hard [...]

anon-C383 Bean Blossom 6-18-1982

theSPPS — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:23:04 +0000

Anonymous Collection Cassette #383 1) Jim & Jesse McReynolds and The Virginia Boys 2) Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys 3) The Wildwood Pickers Bean Blossom Festival Bean Blossom, IN June 18, 1982 Audio Stream | mp3s| zip(mp3s) Side A: Jim & Jesse and The Virginia Boys: 1. (Talking) 2. Sally Goodin 3. Sweet [...]

anon-C205 Flatt and Scruggs (early 1960′s)

theSPPS — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:15:24 +0000

Anonymous Collection Cassette #205 Flatt & Scruggs – Live Performance (Circa Early-1960′s) and US Air Force “Country Music Time” Radio Transcriptions Nashville, TN Circa Late-1950′s to Early-1960′s Audio Stream | mp3 | zip(mp3s) Side A: Live Performance: 1. (x) Nobody’s Business 2. Foggy Mountain Special 3. (Talking) 4. Polka on the Banjo 5. Little Darling, [...]

anon-C219 Bluegrass Cardinals 1978

theSPPS — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:02:57 +0000

Anonymous Collection Cassette #219 The Bluegrass Cardinals (with John Duffey) Unknown Venue 1978 Audio: Stream | mp3s | zip(mp3s) Side A: 1. Pig in a Pen (x) 2. Sally Gooden 3. Pig in a Pen 4. Nine Pound Hammer 5. Are You Missing Me 6. Baby Rock Your Dolly 7. Blue Ridge Cabin Home 8. [...]

anon-C387 Newgrass Revival 6/25/1982 Telluride, CO

theSPPS — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 02:57:51 +0000

New Grass Revival Telluride Bluegrass Festival Telluride, CO June 25, 1982 Audio: Stream | mp3s | zip(mp3s) 1. When the Storm is Over 2. Reach 3. Good Woman’s Love 4. Dancing With the Angels 5. Pack of Fools>(Band Intros) 6. In the Middle of the Night 7. Indian Hills 8. One of These Trains 9. [...]

TutC075 Tut Taylor – The Bicycle Tape & Solo Mandolin + Dobro

theSPPS — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:20:20 +0000

Tut Taylor – The Bicycle Tape & Solo Mandolin + Dobro Old Town Picken Parlor Nashville, TN SPPS Archive Cassette #75 Circa Mid-1970′s Audio: Stream | mp3s | zip(mp3s) Side A: Tut with Two Guitarists (Steel & Nylon String) 1. Turkey in the Straw 2. Greensleeves (1)(with vocal) 3. Greensleeves (2) 4. Greensleeves (3) 5. [...]

Nancy Thorwardson: In a Swing State of Musical Happiness!

Kathy Foster-Patton — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:46:13 +0000

by Kathy Foster-Patton Music aficionados in the Boulder and Lyons, Colorado area only have to blink and they’ll find Nancy Thorwardson on stage performing in one of her many bands. Nancy is an extraordinary songwriter who has taken a style of music typically found in Texas and Oklahoma and imprinted her own Colorado stamp on it. Thorwardson was eager to share her background with the SPPS on a recent weekend in March. [more...]

Sharing is Caring

Bob Cherry — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:51:31 +0000

by Bob Cherry Most of us have heard the saying “Sharing is Caring.” We speak it to our children. But, in the day of the Internet, it takes on a new and different meaning. The caring needs to include the provider of a service. In this case, The Steam Powered Preservation Society. The SPPS does [...]

Greensky Bluegrass Making Their Way: Eight Years and Counting

Kathy Foster-Patton — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:00:15 +0000

Greensky Bluegrass Band is a perfect example of a new generation of musicians who both carry the traditions forward and expand upon those traditions to push the boundaries and produce new and interesting sounds. [Read On...]

KC Groves Shines a Light

Sarah Hagerman — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:55:26 +0000

When KC Groves was first learning mandolin, she originally had her sights set across the sea, rather than gazing at the belly of Appalachia: “I was in college and started taking mando lessons. I wanted to learn Irish music but [the teacher] didn’t really know Irish music. But he knew bluegrass. He was the only teacher in town so that’s what I learned.”

But sometimes happy accidents lead to passions, and Groves found herself drawn to that high lonesome sound. It was through bluegrass that she further found her route into playing old time music. “You know I was really sort of drawn to that part of bluegrass, the singing and the tunes, kind of drawn more to The Stanley Brothers , to the old school bluegrass [read more]

The Need to Capture More Today for Tomorrow

Bob Cherry — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 07:30:43 +0000

By Bob Cherry Cybergrass The Steam Powered Preservation Society (SPPS) does a wonderful job with their preservation of music project. While they continue to sort out and prepare the Tut Taylor Tapes, they are also building an array of "Partners" that will be essential down the road. The partners are the ones who add color to this amazing project. They are the artists that explore both the traditional and stretch the boundaries of the music. First of all, the SPPS isn't just a collection of tapes made in some garage [...]

Bluegrass Music – An Australian Perspective.

Geoff Morris — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:14:07 +0000

Goodday from Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. This is the first of what I hope will become a regular column, discussing bluegrass music, its history and development, from an Australian perspective. We’ll travel through questions such as: what’s it like to be a bluegrass music devotee living ten thousand miles distant from bluegrass America; how popular is it in Australia; who plays it, who listens to it? I look forward to dialogue and communication about anything written here and to come [...]

WGN Radio interviews SPPS Founding Member Jeff Mankin

Paul Rennix — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:57:48 +0000

Brian Noonan (while in for Steve and Johnnie) chats with Jeff Mankin of the Steam Powered Preservation Society, about their efforts to 'archive, save, research and share historic Americana recordings.' check out part one of the interview here. & part 2 is here

Chicago Tribune features SPPS with article and video

Paul Rennix — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:25:56 +0000

We're honored to have such a nice piece about the SPPS on the Chicago Tribune. Read the article here Check out the video and please, leave a nice comment! you can Digg this article here!

Cool features to try. Get the news, Stream the Tunes

theSPPS — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 01:50:05 +0000

Do you want to see the new SPPS articles as they come out on your Google home page? It's easy. There is news coming up that you'll find on the SPPS, first! Did you know you can stream any tape? Try this on for size (a nice tast of Sweet Sunny South!) Look for the m3u files in the mp3 section. Read On...

Jambase article on the SPPS

Paul Rennix — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:31:42 +0000

Steam Powered Preservation Society: A New Twist on Old Tunes Perennial bluegrass insider and luthier Tut Taylor’s tape recordings, numbering over 500 in total, captured some of the legends of the American acoustic music scene. This collection spawned the creation of The Steam Powered Preservation Society, a nonprofit (501c3) organization whose mission is to archive, [...]

Quality is an Essential Archive Requirement

Bob Cherry — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:10:03 +0000

By Bob Cherry, Cybergrass In the current high-speed get it now and carry it with you mobile and lightweight music realm, MP3s seem to be the file format of choice. Here at the Steam Powered Preservation Society (SPPS), things are not much different. MP3 files are downloaded by our visitors frequently. While the SPPS offers [...]

Happy New SPPS

Paul Rennix — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:22:06 +0000

Over the last few months, the SPPS has gone from considering closing up shop for lack of funds, to finding more support… and NOW! a brand new website & server setup with current news, original articles, a new look, and an overall restructuring which leaves us in better shape for the future. We are still [...]

Two High String Band Tears It Down

Sarah Hagerman — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:08:44 +0000

“The whole thrust behind putting this particular outfit together was like, ‘Let’s play some damn bluegrass. Let’s stop f*ing around and play some bluegrass,’” Billy Bright (mandolin, vocals) says of the latest line-up of Austin, Texas’ Two High String Band. “And it just so happened these great guys were around. So we didn’t have to [...]

The Steam Powered Preservation Society

Hand-Picked Reels: Labor Songs

New FestivaLink.net Music Collection to Benefit Musicians in Need

Tape Spotlight: Bean Blossom

The Henhouse Prowlers, 08/23/10, Denver

Hand-Picked Reels: Road Songs

Raina Rose: It’s a Hard, Beautiful Living

Remembering Mitch Jayne

The SPPS needs you!

In memory of Sandy Alexander

The John Hartford String Band: What Would John Do?

The Sweet Serendipity of Honey Don’t

Why We Jam

ROMP: Dancing on the Shoulders of Giants

Tape Spotlight: Legends at the Pickin’ Parlor

RiceGrass: Fischer, TX: March 27-28, 2010

Alan Munde: Playing in the Moment

RiceGrass Bound!

John Hartford String Band: Memories of John

Tape Spotlight: Out at the Exit Inn

Looking Back at Folk Alliance 2010

Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Perform in Oneonta, NY

SPPS Folk Alliance Showcase: 02.20.10

SPPS Folk Alliance Showcase: 02.19.10

SPPS Folk Alliance Showcase: 02.18.10

Austin Friends of Traditional Music Midwinter Festival : Texas : 01/23/10

Tim O’Brien: Salina Schoolhouse 1/22/2010… Sold Out In a Whisper

SPPS Folk Alliance Showcases Schedule

Tape Spotlight: The Original Bluegrass Festival

Green Mountain Grass & Shotgun Party::Texas::01.09.10

Tape Spotlight: Taylor and Blake Deliver Solid Gold

*Update* ISO: Recording Engineer for the SPPS Folk Alliance Guerilla Showcase

Mark Rubin: No Tourists Allowed

Mark Rubin: No Tourists Allowed

Town Mountain Bluegrass Band 8-22-2009

Tut Taylor: Snapshots, Tapes and Broken Strings

Pete Kartsounes Hikes Throughout Colorado To Fight Cancer

Sarah Jarosz: Song Up in Her Head

SPPS Seeks Writers and Tapers

Jayme Stone Presents: John Hartford!

Mollie O’Brien and Laura Love Make One-Of-A-Kind Musical Shows

Celebrating Sandy Alexander

Spring Creek 05-09-2009

Martha Scanlan with Aaron Youngberg 05-09-2009

Blue Maddies 05-09-2009

Honey Don’t 5-2-2009

Old Settler’s Music Festival

Expedition Quartet 4/11/2009

Darol Anger and Bruce Molsky with Brittany Haas

Jeff and Vida Band 4/11/2009 Rail, Lafayette, CO

Jeff & Vida 2008-06-22 Replay Lounge Lawrence, KS

Jeff & Vida Band 2009-04-16 Auntie Mae’s Parlor Manhattan, KS

anon-C202 – Country Gazette 8/1978 Lewiston, NY

anon-C203 Peter Rowan & Red Hot Pickers 1978-11-xx JAPAN

Pagosa Springs: From Indie Fest to Folk ‘N Bluegrass Festival

Review: Bright & Jacques Texacali Blues

Sometymes Why: Uncensored and Undefined

Spring Creek – Rialto Theatre Loveland, CO 03/28/2009

anon-C515 Red Clay Ramblers – Hot Rize, Red Knuckles 3/6/1981

anon-C165 James Monroe + Jimmy Martin Buckhorn Mountain Bluegrass Festival, Tazewell, VA, July 8, 1978

anon-C182 Monroe & his Blue Grass Boys, Bluegrass Alliance

anon-C194 Bill Grant’s Bluegrass Festival Salt Creek Park, Hugo, OK 8-6-1978

anon-C206 Flatt & Scruggs, Osborne Brothers, Jim & Jesse

anon-C114 JD Crowe, Dan Crary, Jimmy Gyles Winfield 9/29-30/1973

anon-C166 Jimmy Martin & The Sunny Mountain Boys & James Monroe & The Midnight Ramblers 7/8/78

anon-C316 Fiddle Fever, Tracy & Eloise Schwarz, Hot Rize/Red Knuckles

anon-C378 Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys + Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys

anon-C379 Carlton Haney’s Second Bluegrass Festival Cantrell’s Horse Farm, Fincastle, VA September 2, 1966

anon-C247 Bill Monroe 1963 / Joe Val 1971

anon-C265 Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver The Birchmere 1979

Tut-C078 Tut Taylor + Norman Blake “Solid Bluegrass” 1999

anon-C327 Bean Blossom 1981

anon-C303 Renfro Valley BG Fest 7-11-1971

previously posted tapes in the forum, and how you can help..

anon-C383 Bean Blossom 6-18-1982

anon-C205 Flatt and Scruggs (early 1960′s)

anon-C219 Bluegrass Cardinals 1978

anon-C387 Newgrass Revival 6/25/1982 Telluride, CO

TutC075 Tut Taylor – The Bicycle Tape & Solo Mandolin + Dobro

Nancy Thorwardson: In a Swing State of Musical Happiness!

Update ISO: Recording Engineer for the SPPS Folk Alliance Guerilla Showcase