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Show Morris also holds tlie all too uncommon role of female band leader in a traditionally male- dominated field. Its a good wav to UIogIh & gfr m Jrand ITCa & with d come the differences in gen- der, she said of her Opening! 1 7th SttAS Wedding Gifts ifmmm- Baby Gifts Corporate Gifts Cigar Boxes The Pocket Torch Aluminum Bat Key Chain 4l k''iP4 UffS t A t 9 3' 7 colors to choose from 4 1 524v; 1 ti mnr Steve Garcia - Owner Hillside Plaza (505) 327-388- 3 Monday - Friday 9:30 - 5:00 P.M. Saturday 10:00 - 3:00 P.M. gw mm eatre the d Aner$ue Mesa Rounders join bands Fret thc Front C1fJ Home Collins), and Colorado Knot Rge) (from Ramblers (a Western Slope band). Bands that come L from 'e more immedi' t HCIVe ate area incldc Mancos bands Frayed Knot and The Lindells. They will be joined by the ever popular whiz kids, Pagosa Hot Strings and Frontier Bluegrass, out of Farmington, The Meltdown will also feature several Durango bands: the Celtic group Beltaine; an eclectic string trio, the Walking Sticks; and two bluegrass bands, Blue Moon Ramblers and Subject to Change, ODDS AND ENDS If all that music were not enough, there will be many other events. D Band and singersongwriter showcases, where many young bands get their start, will be held at Chelseas London Pub. D For musicians looking for the ubiquitous campground jams that surface late night at other festivals, Farquahrts will host a bluegrass jam Friday and Saturday nights. A super jam will be held at the Abbey Theater and a Celtic jam at Erdinger Hof, both Saturday night. D Throughout the weekend, the Strater Hotel will host an instrument showcase and sale. Vocal and instrumental workshops will also take place. D A Band Scramble, where individual amateur musicians are thrown together to rehearse and perform all in one day, will be held. While the idea is not unique to Meltdown, it is unique in that booked, professional musicians can also participate. Boyce feels the mixing of professional and amateur musicians will help foster the intimacy of the festival. Boyce said that while the Meltdown is a tribute to bluegrass music in general, it is also a tribute to the acoustic music community and its supporters in the Four Corners. He said part of the reason . rlriP playing music since she was 5 years old. They tried to groom her as a country star she played on albums with Dolly Parton and Randy Travis. But, last year, she the IBMA awards with she also played on and Ricky Skaggs Ralph Stanleys last album. LOCAL AND REGIONAL TALENT In addition to these national acts, the Meltdown features a number of regional co-host- ed ffmn could vralk J J 0101)110 0)10 4- - NOW IN STOCK Bauza, La Gloria Cubana, Punch, H Upmann & Partagas... dlIU & f VPiefe P60DI6 ' 1 - Xj r tOWn teStlVOl and styles. coping I been a havent Though victim of prejudice, it has I been an issue in other WOUlCln bands Ive been in. Despite these minor U Morris setbacks, embraces her role. With her help and that of other female bluegrass pioneers, women are coming to the forefront of bluegrass. This years festival features more women than before, including fel- low female-le- d band, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. This is a hot, traditional bluegrass band, said Boyce. Rhonda has been Free cigar cutters while they last ylcmrn v I head-to-hea- 3pril Contests & Giveaways mm "We WOOted it tO be Q dOYIV organizers are able to keep festival prices so low is community support. The whole thing runs on volunteers, said Boyce. The cooperation from the hotels and restaurants and all the local bands is wonderful. We also get cash donations from local businesses, as well as grants to help fund it. Its rare to get so much for so little. Once again, the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown gives us another reason for living where we do. For more information about bands and a complete schedule ofevents, check out the at Meltdown Website www.desertdolphin.commeltdown.html. Lauryn Shapter is a teacher, musician and bluegrass junkie who lives in Dolores. 6 Cross Currents - April 2, 1 999 |