10/10/08

Becky

09/09/08

Hey everybody! 

Thanks so much for tuning in today at WSMOnline.com or 650-AM.  We had a great time with Bill Cody and Charlie Mattos this morning.  The album is now out and available at ValerieSmithOnline.com!  We've got sound samples there as well.  If you like what you're hearing, please call your favorite Bluegrass/Americana DJs to request us.

We're off to Flagstaff, AZ, on Friday morning for Pickin' In The Pines.  Hope to see you there.  Thanks for stopping by!

Becky

08/18/08

Howdy again! 

We’re back on the road in Virginia on our way home from Maine.  Bluegrass at Stonehedge has a wonderful location.  I think they said they’re going to start having local groups play in the barn behind the stage on Wednesday nights.  We ended up doing our evening set in the barn Saturday night because of rain.  Everybody had a great time, though.

An extra special great big “THANK YOU!!” to Chuck and Joyce Carter who fed us fresh lobsters, sweet corn and blueberry pie.  Mmm!  Tasty!

Come see us in Arcola, Ill., at Rockhome Gardens this weekend!  We’ll perform Sunday in the early afternoon.

Have a great week!

Becky

08/15/08

Howdy from somewhere in Virginia on good ol’ I-81!

We’re running up the road to perform at Bluegrass at Stonehedge in Gray, Maine, this weekend.

What a week!  We got in at 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday after traveling for over 24 hours to get home from Germany.   We had the rest of Tuesday to sleep, do laundry and pay bills.  I felt the need to watch “Breakfast at Tiffanys”as I unpacked.  I find it a wonderful movie to unwind to.

Wednesday it was off to Nashvegas for a live studio performance on XM Satellite Radio’s “Bluegrass Junction” with Kyle Cantrell, which will be airing the third week of September. 

On Thursday Valerie, J. Gregory and I went to the IBMA award nominees’ announcements at the Country Music Hall of Fame, also in Nashville.  Alas and alack!, we weren’t up for any this year, but thank you to all who did vote for us.  We’re very excited for the folks who made the finals this year.  A complete list of this year’s nominees can be found on the IBMA website.

I haven’t told you anything about our German adventures, have I?  We flew into Frankfurt from London on July 31 and performed at the SudhausBiergarten in Tuebingen on Aug. 1.  The Sudhaus seems to be some sort of artist enclave, with several different performance areas, teaching rooms, art studios, etc.  Again, the show was sold out!

The next day, Aug. 2, we traveled to Friedrichshafen on the Bodensee for the Kulturfer Festival, which is in the downtown area, yet on the shores of the lake.  It’s a big tourist town.  We were able to see the Austrian and Italian Alps swathed in mist across the lake.  Our show was held in a large circus tent at the festival and we were one of two acts that night.  This show was also sold out.

Sunday, Aug. 3, we made our way to Nurnberg for the Bardentreffen Festival, which attracts 200,000 people over the course of the weekend.  J. Gregory figures there were about 8,000 folks watching our performance!  Click here for some great photographs from that day.

Finally, Monday, Aug. 4, we performed at the home of Anne Frank’s great-grandfather in Landau, which has been turned into an arts center, part of the AltesKaufhaus.  The rain that had threatened all day finally left for good and were able to play in the courtyard as planned.  It was completely enclosed, save for a ceiling, with three balcony levels above on all four sides.  (I swannee to goodness I saw Shawn Connery on the second level balcony off to my right.  I wonder if he listens to Bluegrass?)  The entire courtyard was full of people—the entrance level and all the balconies.  It was rather strange to look up behind us and see people hanging over the railings looking back at us.

From Tuesday until Sunday we stayed with our friend Karl-Heinz and Anneli in Sachsenheim.  We got in a little rest and practiced a bit on the new album material.   A few of us went to Stuttgart to see the state museum of Baden-Wurttenburg. 

On Saturday, Bobby and I went to Ludwigsburg to visit Heike, an opera singer friend of Karl-Heinz and Anneli who invited us over to show us the beautiful Baroque castle in the downtown.  It was designed about 300 years ago by an Italian architect and modeled after Versailles.  Part of the extensive gardens included a fairytale land where we were able to ask Rupunzel to let down her hair (and she did!) and disturb a giant (who stood up behind the castle wall and yelled at us) and listen to the singing mushrooms!  (Well, they were more like music box mushrooms, really.)

In the photos, you will notice I am carrying a purse that looks like German leather britches.  This was sent to me by Wally Murphy, who is German but married and moved to my hometown many, many years ago.  She asked that I take photos with the purse and send them back to her so she would feel like she had been home.  I got lots of compliments on that purse, Wally!

I don’t have all of my photos posted yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as they are available.

Have a great day!

Becky

07/30/08

07/22/08

07/06/08

05/22/08

We started out in Jacksonville, Ill., at Illinois College at their annual alumni picnic.  Then it was off to Altamont, Ill., and the Little Ryman Opry.  They hold the show in a renovated Presbyterian church, so the acoustics are killer.  We loved the gathered red curtain, too. 

We stopped in at KDHX in St. Louis to visit with Walter and Willa Volz.  They may have the show archived on their website, if you're interested.  After some picking and singing and a round of Ted Drewe's frozen custard and Gus' Pretzels (Mmmm!!), we headed over to Willa's mom's vintage clothes shop and had a high old time.  Chad got another killer houndstooth plaid suit.  J. Gregory laughed at my acquisition--a lacy, fawn colored '50s prom dress.

Then it was over to Silver Dollar City for three days in the Riverfront Playhouse Theatre.  In between we were able to ride some of the coasters and things.  The new Barn Swing ride wasn't quite my cup of tea, but I love Wildfire, Powder Keg and Thunderation.  There were so many great Bluegrass groups there.  Their Bluegrass & BBQ festival runs for a week or so yet.

And our final stop was the Arcadia Valley Mountain Music Festival in Ironton, Mo., last Saturday, which was a very fun family event on and around the courthouse lawn.

There was a gentleman in Ironton demonstrating an instrument the developed called the "Wheel Harp."  It was inspired by the hurdy gurdy.  To hear what the Wheel Harp sounds like, visit OddMusic.com. 

Today, I'm back in the studio to finish up the mixes for our duet record.  Actually, Tim is working on the last song as I type! 

As Memorial Day approaches, I'd like to thank all of our past and present military personnel.  Thank you for your service to our country and the many sacrifices you make.  I pray that God will bring you home safely.

See you down the road very soon!

Becky

PS  Come on out to see us in North Georgia next weekend.  We'll be at Sawnee Mountain Music in Cumming, Ga., May 30 and at the Scenic Mountain Bluegrass Festival in Milledgeville, Ga., May 31.

04/30/08

04/25/08

04/17/08

P.S. Here are some great pictures of VSLP and Moi from my friend Mike Morbeck up in the great north woods. Hope you enjoy them!

04/09/08

03/27/08

1/30/08

1/14/08

Becky

12/18/07

~ Becky

11/27/07

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday.  I was able to go home to Minnesota for a few days.  It was a whirlwind, as usual, but very fun to see everybody.  I'm so very thankful for my family and friends!  You all are such a blessing to me.

We picked up my new guitar while we were there and, I must say, it's rather rockin' awesome!  It was built by the wonderful Lloyd LaPlant of Grand Rapids, Minn.  I've known Lloyd most of my life.  He backed up me up on guitar at more than one fiddle contest.  My dad plays a couple of Lloyd's fine instruments and I used to I've bought quite a few fiddles and bows from him over the years.  He's one of Minnesota's best kept secrets and one of the finest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.  It's an honor to now be playing one of his fine guitars.  I can't wait for you all to hear it!  Click here for an article about Lloyd.

"Don't Get Above Your Grazin'" fest went well.  Thanks to all who came and everybody who participated in the workshops and such.  We're going to have it again next year, per your request!  Please join us for next year's festival which will be November 5 - 8, 2008.  We've got lots of exciting plans which we will be updating you on as we get all the details ironed out.  So stay tuned!

See you soon!

Becky

11/05/07

Hello from sunny Florida!  We played a couple gigs over the weekend in the Pensacola area.  Brandon's folks have taken such good care of us that I don't think we'll be going home. 

Today, after rigorously practicing for our upcoming Christmas shows in Bell Buckle (Dec. 1) and Wheatfield, Ind., (Dec. 8), we rented bikes in Pensacola Beach and rode out toward Fort Pickens, where Geronimo was held for a while.  We couldn't bike all the way out there as Hurricane Ivan tore the 7 miles of road up. 

Bobby and Josie built sandcastles.

And, at this very moment, I'm enjoying Acoustic Color's new record, "Natural Fusion," as well as some Captain Eli's Blueberry Pop which I picked up when we dropped the bikes off at the market.  Mmm!  You should try it!

See you in Waldo, Fla., this weekend?  Hope so!

Yours,
Becky

10/30/07

Muh-wah-ha-ha-ha!  Happy Howl-o-ween, everybody!  (That was a maniacal laugh at the beginning there, if you hadn't recognized it.)

(Lanny, this blog is especially for you.)

First off, I must mention that we were down in Guyton, Ga., the weekend before last at the Mossy Oak Music Park with the Lonesome Whistle Band for their fall festival.  Carolina Sonshine was there (Thanks, Dennis, for getting up to pick a tune with us.  You'll be able to hear those guys on our cruise in January.) and many others.

Special thanks to Cherie Gresham, who took me out kayaking while we were in Georgia, something we've talked about doing for some time now.  We had a glorious time on the Ogeechee River.  Cherie is the wife of Mark Gresham, the renowned lutheir from South Georgia who built Val's guitar and mandolin. 

Now, on to Arizona!

We were in Tucson, Az., over the weekend at the 8th Annual Tucson Bluegrass Festival.  The big goings-on was hosted by the Desert Bluegrass Association and held at the Desert Diamond Casino.  Other artists included the Copper River Bluegrass Band, the Bluegrass Patriots (who I grew up listening to and loving), Blue Moon Rising and the James King Band.  There was also a fun set of music from the Jam Pak Blues 'n' Grass Neighborhood Band.

Although cacti were in abundance, I somehow came home without getting my picture made with one.  Ah well.  Bobby helped me take a conciliation picture, which is posted on the picture page.

Because this was our closest show to Halloween, we decided to dress up and make the audience guess who we were.  We then each sang a song by our person.  It was a whole lot of fun! 

Val was Kitty Wells, complete with a black, frizzy poodlesque wig.  (Best we could do on short notice, Kitty.)  She sang "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels."  By the by, she had on a killer vintage dress for the occasion. 

I was John Hartford.  Thanks so much to Klyle, who gracious loaned me a pair of suspenders to complete my costume.  (You are a brave soul, sir!)  I sang "Gentle on My Mind."

Brandon was a very convincing young Larry Sparks.  His guitar was even in costume!  (He made a special pick guard for it.)  He sang "Blue Virginia Blues" and nailed the guitar break!

Chad was Billy Ray Cyrus back in the mullet days.  He sang "Achy, Breaky Heart," danced around the stage and the whole bit.  Several people came up to us at the record table and asked, "Billy Ray didn't play Dobro, did he?"  Well, not in the video.  Still, one never knows.  Maybe he's taken it up in recent years.  Does Billy Ray play Dobro now?  Hmmm...  If you find out, let me know.

Bobby.  Oh dear, Bobby.  Of course, everyone was hoping...perhaps wishing...that Bobby would come out all decked out as his alter ego "Bobbilicious," the internationally known swimwear model.  He did not.  He decided to be Val!  Several people yelled out, "Dolly Parton!"  Bobby sang a bit of "Red Clay Halo."

Click here for pictures.

Come on out to Waldo, Fla., Nov. 8-10 for our third annual "Don't Get Above Your Grazin'" Festival.  Lots of great music to be heard plus workshops and jamming.  Hope to see you there!

We have very few cabins left for our 2008 Bell Buckle Music Cruise so if you plan on joining us, but haven't made your reservations, please do so soon.  We're headed to Grand Cayman and Calica, Mexico, this year on Carnival's "Inspiration."  See you there!

And with that shameless self-promotion, I shall close.  Thanks so much for stopping by the website.  Have a wonderful day!

Becky 

09/13/07

Becky

09/01/07

Becky

8/31/06

Becky

8/15/06

This just in:  the Daughters of Bluegrass have been nominated for this year’s IBMA’s “Recorded Event of the Year” award!  Way to go, gals!  The awards will be held at the Grand Ol’ Opry house Sept. 28, 2006.  Will we see you there? 

Ok.  On to the regularly scheduled update:

Well, I’ve finally gone and done it, folks.  I’ve entered the technological age.  After much coercing and pleading from my parents, I got me a laptop.  Now, perhaps, I can keep in better touch with ya’ll!  I’ll do my darndest.

Not only a laptop…no, the slippery slope didn’t stop there.  Got myself one of those Lt. O’Hura headsets for my cell phone, too.  You should’ve seen me tonight at the Hon-dah Casino up here in Pinetop, Arizona.  I parked myself in the corner of the hotel lobby for hours, headset on, laptop all wi-fied…just talking and typing away.

We played at their Bluegrass festival earlier today and, wouldn’t you know, there came a flood during our last few songs.  Thanks to all of you who braved the rain to hear the remainder of our set!

As you all know, we’re releasing our band’s first all-gospel record on Sept. 12^th.  It’s called Wash Away Your Troubles, after the first song on the record, which is entitled “The Rain.”  I think God is having a good chuckle at our expense (woe to us!) on this Western trip…it’s rained during our sets everywhere we’ve been so far!  Ah well…I daresay He needs a good laugh about now, what with all the sadness in the world.

We’ve got lots of stops yet on this Western run.  Please check out the schedule page for the complete details.  Hope to see you while we’re out here!

When it comes to pictures, I’ve still got my feet firmly planted in analogue.  The band makes fun of my love of disposable cameras.  Stubborn old goat that I am, I keep pointing out that:  1.  There’s the anticipation of not knowing what the pictures will turn out like until I get home…none of this instant gratification gobblety-gook.  2.  Rhonda at the Kroger photo lab is really nice and always remembers me when I come in and she remembers that I like glossy prints with the white border.  3.  If I lose the disposable camera, I’m only out about $6 and my pictures.

I told you all of that pitiful sob story to tell you this:  I will eventually get pictures posted for your viewing enjoyment from our Western jaunt.  It may take me a bit, but I’ll get them up there.  Thanks for your patience!

In other news, the Daughters of Bluegrass are having their CD release party at the Station Inn on Aug. 31^st.  Hope you can join us!  Val and I will be there with all the rest of the gals.  Should be a large time.

One more tech note:  My music is now available on I-tunes as well as at Bell Buckle Records.  So many choices!

G’day!

Becky

5/23/06

Guten tag, mes amies!  Como estas? 

We’re back on the western side of the Big Pond, as my friend Sid Bruce from North Yorkshire calls the mighty Atlantic.  We had a blast catting around Germany, Switzerland and Denmark for the last three weeks.   

My brain is a veritable fruit salad of languages at the moment.  I have the utmost respect for anyone who can speak more than one language and keep them all straight.  I took Spanish in high school, French in college.  Both have since retreated to the dark recesses of my subconscious, awaiting the day I relocate to the northern edge of the Iberian Peninsula.  Not sure when that will be, but I’ll let you know. 

We had many adventures on our three weeks abroad.  For instance, while staying with our friends Monika and Eberhard Finke in Ulm, Germany, we climbed all the way to the top of the cathedral, which happens to be the tallest cathedral spire anywhere in the world!  When Val, Jonathan, Eberhard and I started out, our friend Richard Cifersky—Slovakian banjo picker extraordinaire who joined us for the tour—was at the bottom.  He waved us on upward, said he was going to take some pictures and sit with J. Gregory.  We shrugged our shoulders and continued our grueling ascent.  (Oh yes.  It was grueling!)  (Pity me!  Please, pity me!)  Half an hour later, we were climbing the final set of stairs when we heard a Slovakian twanged, “Hallo!”  And there was Richard!  We never saw him pass us on the way up.  How did he do it?  He does look a little like Clark Kent on his work visa…  Hmm…  Maybe he’s not from Pezinok after all!  

When we got back down the bottom, I promptly bought a German flag colored Mohawk wig.  Later that night, we took pictures of everyone wearing the wig.  I’ll have them up on the photo page very soon.  The ones of J. Gregory are my personal favorites.  He looks like a rooster!

We stopped in at the Bühler Bluegrass Festival in Bühl, Germany.  Our friends Walter, Patrick and Marianna Fuches do such a wonderful job putting that on.  Walter has a new book out, by the way, all about the history of Country music.  He even talks about Bell Buckle in there! Pretty cool, eh?

Finally got to see Red Wine from Milan, Italy, after hearing about them for so many years.  Great Bluegrass!  Night Run from Germany was there as well.  Their fiddler, George, and I met at ETSU many, many moons ago when he came for a visit.  Chris Jones and the Night Drivers were there, too.  Ned Luberecki and I were taking photos of the crazy huge garden gnomes behind our hotel.  I’ve never seen garden gnomes like that!  They were at least 3 feet high!!  And holding beer steins!!  I never knew!  Check out Chris’ new show on Sirius Satellite.  Sounds like he’s the Bluegrass dude over there these days.  (I’ll get those garden gnome photos posted soon, for you other enthusiasts out there.)

Was great to see my Cousin Josh.  He’s been in Leipzig for some time now, teaching, studying, translating, dancing…he’s amazing!  He and some friends came out to our show at the Objekt 5, a very cool, very funky night spot in Halle, Germany.  Glad to hear you guys made the train!  Let’s meet again soon…ten years is just too long a time.

We wrapped up the tour with a couple days at this wonderful resort just south of Hamburg.  When I remember the name of that idyllic place, I’ll get a link up here.  Ya’ll really need to check it out! 

And then it was two days north of the border in Denmark at the Fredericia Bluegrass Festival right on the East Sea.  Dan over at the Bruunske Pakhaus put a really fun show together with the Barking Bulldogs from Denmark; the Roll’s Boys from the Czech Republic with Ralph the crazy Dutchman on guitar and vocals and Lee from America on the fiddle; the Rockridge Brothers, intense old-time from Sweden (They’ll be in the states soon.); and my pals the Abrams Brothers.  There’s another band I’m missing; so sorry guys!  I can’t remember your name!  If you happen to see this, please drop me a line and I’ll make an amendment to my ramblings.

Read a couple books by Don Miller while en route: “Through Painted Deserts” and “To Own A Dragon.”  If you’re new to Don’s books, you might start with “Blue Like Jazz.”  He has some really insightful things to say that have helped me tremendously on my faith journey.  Plus he’s completely hilarious.  Good reads all the way around.

And here’s what I’ve been listening to of late:  “Ruby Pearl” from Keep It Simple by the Hackensaw Boys;  Impossible Dream by Patty Griffin; Sailing to Philadelphia by Mark Knopfler (I can’t wait to hear his new record with Emmy Lou!);  Greatest Hits by ELO.

Ok.  I’d better get.  Please check out the news page for my Daughters of the American Bluegrass Revolution info and so on and so forth. 

Many miles to go before I sleep…

Yours as truly as ever,
Becky

Thanks to Remo Ricaldone for his review of Little Bird on The Long Journey website.  Please check it out by clicking here.  (Of course, it's in Italian, but that's a minor detail.  At least check out their really nice site!)

Becky was among the nominees for SPBGMA’s 2006 Songwriter of the Year award.  Other nominees include Carl Jackson, Harley Allen, Larry Cordle, Shawn Camp and the legendary Tom T. and Dixie Hall.  Thanks for voting for her!  The final results will be in February.

Yo-yo, anyone?  “Master’s Garden” has been zinging all over the Bluegrass Now Gospel Truths chart.  January 2006 saw it back up to #2!  Woo-hoo!

“Opal, Ruby and Pearl” weighed in at #17 in the January 2006 BU.  Down a few, but not down and out!  Yea!!  Glad you guys are enjoying it and thanks for requesting it.

“In Those Mines” climbed a few places to rest at #20 on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart with the album staying steady at #13 on the Top 15 albums chart.

Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike stopped by XM Satellite Radio’s new Bluegrass Junction offices in Nashville, Tenn., this week to record an in-studio interview with host Kyle Cantrell as well as a “live” performance.  It will start airing Jan. 22 on Track 14 at 1 p.m. EST/12 p.m. CST.  Hope to meet you at the station!

In other BU chart news, "In Those Mines" off of VSLP's That's What Love Can Do album is now at #23.  Woo-hoo!!

“Master’s Garden” moved down a few notches this month on the Bluegrass Now Magazine Gospel chart to #13.  But, hey!  It’s still there!  Thanks to all the DJs for playing the record and all you wonderful fans for calling in to request the songs!

“Opal, Ruby and Pearl” moved up a few notches to #15 on Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine’s “National Survey” for the month of November.  Halfway!  Thanks to all the DJs for spinning the records and thanks to all the music lovers out there for calling in to request Becky’s songs!

We’re also pleased to note that “In Those Mines” from Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike’s latest album That’s What Love Can Do, weighed in at #28 on the BU chart.  The album is currently at #13.  Congrats to Val!

In other chart action news, “Master’s Garden” moved back up to #10 Bluegrass Now Magazine’s “Gospel Truths” chart.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

These fine artists have recently recorded Becky’s songs.  Please check out their new albums and visit them online:

 “Way To Your Heart”             Fragment
“Take Some Time”                   Justin Carbone
“Always Never Enough”           Kenny and Amanda Smith Band
“Family Favorites:                     The Mueller Family

Holy Toledo in January!  “Opal, Ruby and Pearl” is at #18 on Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine’s National Survey Chart!!!  We’ve cracked the Top 20, guys!!!  (Am I getting a little too heavy on the exclamation points?)  And that’s not all:  the entire “Little Bird” BBR-015 is at #15 on the BU’s Top 15 Albums Chart.  Yea!!!!!

And….AND!!  Our latest Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike album, “That’s What Love Can Do” BBR-017, is at #14 on BU’s Top 15 Albums Chart.

Thanks, guys.  This is overwhelming.  Glad to know you’re enjoying the music.

I’m also excited to report that “The Master’s Garden” is at #19 on Bluegrass Now’s Gospel Truths Chart.  Still hanging in there after four months.

Again, thank you for continuing to enjoy these tunes.  It really does mean the world to me.

We're shocked.  We're in awe!  Thanks for making this possible, you guys...you DJs and listeners alike!!  And thank you for continuing to call in to your local Bluegrass and Bluegrass Gospel DJs to request Becky's songs.  Click here for a list of DJs in your area.

Eighty theaters are currently set up to receive this digital broadcast. Actual venues for the event TBD. Tickets go on sale through TicketMaster, BellWitchTheMovie.com, and Ryman.com at 10am Central Time on July 2, 2005. The cost is $30.

Musical artists included in this event are Becky Buller, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, the Jeanette Williams Band, Jimbo Whaley, the Jeff & Vida Band, and the Wells Family.

For more information, go on-line to BellWitchTheMovie.com .

We'd like to send out a great big THANK YOU to all the DJs who have been and are continuing to play the record on their programs.  And another THANK YOU to all you folks out there who have been calling in to request Becky's music.  For a list of Bluegrass DJs in your area, click here.

This just in!  Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike announce the July 12^th release of That’s What Love Can Do BBR-017, the group’s first album in almost four years!  Click here for more information.

Check out the AFBA’s web site for some great pictures from this year’s Wind Gap Bluegrass Festival.  There are even some videos, including the antics of Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike.  Click here.