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Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of last month’s CCBA awards.

Locally, Ron Moores, long-time host of the Back 40 Show on CKCU-FM 93.1, was awarded DJ of the Year for a fifth straight year. This is particularly special for Ron because it means he's now retired from the competition. Also retired from competition were The Northern Sons as Vocal Group of the Year. Congratulations to Ron and to the Sons—very, very well deserved!

My best friend and band mate, Sherry Philp, was once again honoured as Female Vocalist of the Year. As I'm sure you all know, Sherry is a knock-down, terrific bluegrass singer, and this is her third, consecutive time winning the award.

Thom Gardiner also received accolades again as the Male Vocalist of the Year (this must be the fourth, consecutive year). I've always loved and been impressed by the range, the power, and passion of Thom's singing, and I'm so glad he was honoured once again.

Also of local interest, D'Arcy Campbell, son of Valley Grass member Gary Campbell, won Banjo Player of the Year—way to go, man!





January Concert

Following tradition, the first Valley 'Grass concert for 2010 season is the David Tinkoff Memorial Concert, which is scheduled for Monday, January 25 at the Police Association Hall at 141 Catherine Street, Ottawa, ON. This year's concert features three, outstanding local bands - The Backsliders, the Norm Rennie Band, and Grenville Grass. We're particularly, thrilled to have Norm Rennie in attendance, a fine musician and former band mate of David's. The January concert also features the announcement and presentation David Tinkoff Award. The David Tinkoff Award is presented annually by the Valley 'Grass Association to person(s) who have "special contribution to the life of the bluegrass community in the Ottawa area." Psst award winners include Sue and Rich McCarthy; Garry Greenland; Steve Hanes; and Mike O'Reilly. Please support your club and help us celebrate David's life by planning to attend the David Tinkoff Memorial Concert on Monday, January 25. For more details please click on the D. Tinkoff Award link.

Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards - Local Winners
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of last month’s CCBA awards. Locally, Ron Moores, long-time host of the Back 40 Show on CKCU-FM 93.1, was awarded DJ of the Year for a fifth straight year. This is particularly special for Ron because it means he's now retired from the competition. Also retired from competition were The Northern Sons as Vocal Group of the Year. Congratulations to Ron and to the Sons—very, very well deserved! My best friend and band mate, Sherry Philp, was once again honoured as Female Vocalist of the Year. As I'm sure you all know, Sherry is a knock-down, terrific bluegrass singer, and this is her third, consecutive time winning the award. Thom Gardiner also received accolades again as the Male Vocalist of the Year (this must be the fourth, consecutive year). I've always loved and been impressed by the range, the power, and passion of Thom's singing, and I'm so glad he was honoured once again. Also of local interest, D'Arcy Campbell, son of Valley Grass member Gary Campbell, won Banjo Player of the Year—way to go, man!




Free Bluegrass Video Website

Thanks to Carl Carlson at the South East Bluegrass Association, located in Atlanta, GA, there is a new, exciting, and FREE website of bluegrass videos available to friends and fans of bluegrass music. The wesbite is called Bluegrass on the Tube. The website currently has over 200 videos in the library, representing a wide variety of artists and styles of bluegrass. New videos are added weekly. In addition to direct access to the entire library, Carl has incorporated a Subscription Service, also free, which delivers a new video each day (apparently there is no spam, easy opt-in, easy opt-out). Hopefully this new website will provide a “daily dose” of bluegrass to Valley Grass members. You can check out Bluegrass on the Tube at www.bluegrassonthetube.com.