News
Alan Tompkins nominated for 2017 IBMA Broadcaster of the Year Award
August 10, 2017
Alan W. Tompkins, President and founder of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, has been nominated, for a second year in a row, by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) for the Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year Award based on his work on the Bluegrass Heritage Radio Show. The winner will be announced at a luncheon on Sept. 28 in Raleigh, North Carolina as part of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass.
The Broadcaster of the Year Award recognizes outstanding service to bluegrass music in the field of broadcasting. Recipients are judged by the award committee for their contributions to the field of endeavor, professionalism (including their work in their community), and their demonstrated ability to foster the image of bluegrass music. Starting with IBMA member recommendations, nominees are chosen by committees of respected musicians and industry leaders.
Alan said that he was “honored and humbled to be nominated for the Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year Award. To be on the list with Cindy Baucom, Steve Martin, Kris Truelson, and Michelle Lee is a terrific honor. My sincere thanks again goes out to Josh Jones, Big Gus Samuelson, Chuck Taylor, Brett Dillon, and Allan Peck of KHYI-FM 95.3 The Range in Dallas for their help in putting bluegrass on the FM airwaves in Texas, to Gerald Jones for helping me to produce the show, to Charlie Seraphin for his radio coaching, to Burton Gilliam for being THE VOICE of KHYI and my show, to my wife Julie for listening all these years, and to Jessica Lynn for her great promo spots. And of course the biggest thank-you goes to all those who listen in to FM 95.3.”
Alan received the IBMA Momentum Award for Industry Involvement in 2015. That award honors exemplary efforts to further the careers of a new generation of musicians and industry professionals.
Nate Jennings, Gigi Jennings, and Riley Gilbreath attend 2017
Acoustic Music Camp on Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program
August 8, 2017
12-year-old banjoist Nate Jennings and his little sister, Gigi Jennings, of Tyler, Texas, as well as Riley Gilbreath of Fort Worth, Texas attended the eleventh annual Acoustic Music Camp in Arlington, Texas (July 27-29, 2017) thanks to the Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program. Nate attended the camp last year and did a great job on banjo, and Gigi has been making progress as a young fiddler.
Riley Gilbreath has been advancing rapidly as a musician and banjoist and particularly enjoyed attending the advanced banjo classes taught by Bill Evans and Tony Trischka. (Riley’s first banjo was provided by our Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program, but he already moved on to buy his own Recording King banjo! The Acoustic Music Camp faculty included accomplished banjoists Tony Trischka, Bill Evans, and Gerald Jones. Other renowned faculty included Robert Bowlin, Tim May, Gretchen Priest-May, Paul Glasse, Brad Davis, Dix Bruce, and Roberta Rast.
The 
Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program is named in memory of Mr. Johnny Vincent of Greentop, Missouri, a bluegrass pioneer and the father of the Foundation’s first Bluegrass Star Award® recipient, Rhonda Vincent, and bluegrass star Darrin Vincent. Johnny and his family toured the world as the Sally Mountain Show, performing their special brand of bluegrass music. He was known for his unique banjo style and founded the Sally Mountain Bluegrass Festival in Queen City, Missouri.
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation appreciates the support of Mr. Vincent’s family and friends, our other donors and volunteers, and all who help make it possible for us to assist young people like Nate and Gigi Jennings and Riley Gilbreath.
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation presents
Bluegrass Star Award® to Jerry Douglas
October 15, 2016
Jerry Douglas, a 14-time GRAMMY-winning National Heritage Fellow, was honored with the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation’s Bluegrass Star Award® on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at the Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival and Chili Cook-Off in the Farmers Branch Historical Park in Farmers Branch, Texas.
“In 2010, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation began a tradition of honoring bluegrass artists who do an exemplary job of advancing the music and bringing it to new audiences while preserving its character and heritage,” said Alan Tompkins, president of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation. The previous Bluegrass Star Awards® have been awarded to Rhonda Vincent, J. D. Crowe, Peter Rowan, Sierra Hull, and Del McCoury. “Jerry Douglas has had an incredible career in bluegrass music spanning much of the past five decades. He holds an incredible 14 GRAMMY awards, a National Heritage Fellowship Award from the 
National Endowment for the Arts, three Musician Of The Year awards from the Country Music Association, and has been an Artist In Residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
Jerry Douglas has toured and recorded with Alison Krauss & Union Station for over 20 years and founded the GRAMMY-winning band The Earls of Leicester. Jerry has recorded with artists such as Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, Mumford & Sons, Elvis Costello, and Dolly Parton, bringing the bluegrass sound to audiences everywhere. Jerry has brought bluegrass to many who might never have been interested in it before hearing him, and well deserves our Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Bluegrass Star Award®.” For information about Jerry Douglas, visit the Jerry Douglas page on Wikipedia.com. Video of the award presentation courtesy of David Seay Productions. Photos courtesy of Bob Compere.
Foundation President nominated for IBMA Broadcaster of the Year Award
September 24, 2016
Alan W. Tompkins, President and founder of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, has been nominated by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) for the Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year Award based on his work on the Bluegrass Heritage Radio Show. The winner will be announced at the Special Awards luncheon on Sept. 29 in Raleigh as part of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass.
The Broadcaster of the Year Award recognizes outstanding service to bluegrass music in the field of broadcasting. Recipients are judged by the award committee for their contributions to the field of endeavor, professionalism (including their work in their community), and their demonstrated ability to foster the image of bluegrass music. Starting with IBMA member recommendations, nominees are chosen by committees of respected musicians and industry leaders.
Alan said that he was “thrilled to be nominated for the Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year Award. To be on the list with Kyle Cantrell, Joe Mullins, Ronnie Reno, and Larry Carter is an incredible honor. My sincere thanks goes out to Joshua Jones, Gus Samuelson, Chuck Taylor, Brett Dillon, Allan Peck, and the rest of the crew at KHYI-FM 95.3 The Range in Dallas for their desire to put bluegrass music on FM radio in Texas, to Gerald Jones for teaching me how to create a show, to Charlie Seraphin for his coaching, to Burton Gilliam for being THE VOICE of KHYI and my show, to my wife Julie for listening to my radio talk all these years, and to Jessica Lynn for her great promo spots. And of course the greatest thanks goes to all those who listen to the show on FM 95.3 or at www.BluegrassHeritageRadio.com.”
Alan received the IBMA Momentum Award for Industry Involvement in 2015. That award honors exemplary efforts to further the careers of a new generation of musicians and industry professionals.
Brothers Tom & Nate Jennings attend 2016 Acoustic Music Camp on
Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program
August 15, 2016
11-year-old banjoist Nate Jennings and his 14-year-old guitarist brother, Tom Jennings, of Tyler, Texas, attended the tenth annual Acoustic Music Camp in Arlington, Texas (August 11-13, 2016) under the Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program from the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation. (Younger sister Gigi, an aspiring fiddler, enjoyed hanging out at camp while her brothers attended classes.) Tom has been playing guitar for about 18 months. Younger brother Nate (already a ukulele player) became inspired to play banjo by listening to bluegrass on The Ranch, KKUS-FM, in Tyler, hosted by Julie Tucker, Dave Rousseau, and Corey Coleman. (Nate’s banjo was provided by our Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program.) The Acoustic Music Camp faculty included accomplished banjoists Tony Trischka, Alan O’Bryant, and Gerald Jones. Other renowned faculty included Robert Bowlin, Tim May, Nate Lee, Ivan Rosenberg, Jim Hurst, Dix Bruce, and Dave Hamburger.
The Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program is named in memory of Mr. Johnny Vincent of Greentop, Missouri, a bluegrass pioneer and the father of the Foundation’s first Bluegrass Star Award® recipient, Rhonda Vincent, and bluegrass star Darrin Vincent. Johnny and his family toured the world as the Sally Mountain Show, performing their special brand of bluegrass music. He was known for his unique banjo style and founded the Sally Mountain Bluegrass Festival in Queen City, Missouri.
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation appreciates the support of Mr. Vincent’s family and friends, our other donors and volunteers, and all who help make it possible for us to assist young people like Nate and Tom Jennings.
Wylie Jubilee – Bluegrass on Ballard – July 2 2016
Ballard Avenue, Downtown Wylie, Texas 75098
The Wylie Jubilee – Bluegrass on Ballard was a great success again this year, with the fun all centered around the stage in the center of historic downtown Wylie, Texas. Thousands of folks enjoyed live bluegrass music as well as great food, a spectacular car show, pony rides, arts and crafts, and more – all free of charge. The Wylie Jubilee – Bluegrass on Ballard was capped off by a spectacular pyrotechnics high above the stage, courtesy of the City of Wylie. Check our photo gallery for great event photos.
The musical lineup included Greg Cahill and the Special Consensus, Texas & Tennessee (with John R. Bowman, Steve Huber, Alan Tompkins, and Ron Inscore), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band, the Downtown String Band, Strings of Faith, (with Alan Tompkins, Gerald Jones, Dale Morris, Jr., and Michael Morrison), and Phil Ferguson & Texas True!
A highlight of the day was when Patience Newsom of Plano, Texas received her beginning banjo through the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program! Foundation president Alan Tompkins presented the banjo to Patience and her father at the Foundation table near the stage. Patience plans to take banjo lessons from Gerald Jones, so we should be seeing her on stage sometime soon!
We were thrilled with Mr. Phil Ferguson of Phil Ferguson & Texas True made a surprise presentation of a beautiful Yamaha 6-string acoustic guitar to the Foundation for use in the Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program. Mr. Ferguson complimented the Foundation for its efforts in making bluegrass musical instruments available to young people through the program, and expressed his hope that a future great guitarist might get his or her start on the donated instrument.
This event was made possible by Wylie Downtown Merchants Association, City of Wylie, North Texas Equestrian Center, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, and many other fine sponsors. Photos by Bob Compere, Theresa Laney Clayton-Duffee, and Julie Tompkins.
Front Porch Showdown Bluegrass Band Contest – June 4, 2016
Dallas Heritage Village, Dallas, Texas 75215
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation teamed up with Dallas Heritage Village, a shady, 20-acre tree-lined park with authentic 19th-century pioneer and Victorian homes located near downtown Dallas, for the third annual Front Porch Showdown Bluegrass Band Contest. Bluegrass bands from around Texas each had 15 minutes to take the stage, entertain the crowd, and clear out before the next band stepped in. A total of $1,500 in cash prize money was on the line. Judging was by audience ballot, with a great crowd on hand, and over 160 ballots were cast. The winning bands were:
1st: Bethlehem Bluegrass Band (Hallsville, Texas)
2nd: Salt Creek (Sanger, Texas)
3rd: FM 455 (Prosper, Texas)
4th: Pearl & the Polka Dots (Weatherford, Texas)
5th: Bluestem (Dallas, Texas)
Best Dressed Bluegrass Band: FM 455
Village Favorite: Pearl & the Polka Dots
Families explored the Dallas Heritage Village buildings and exhibits and enjoyed a picnic in the park all afternoon. Bluegrass music rang from the porches and pathways as jammers picked their favorite tunes. It was a day of family-friendly music and fun.
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation presents
Bluegrass Star Award® to Del McCoury
October 17, 2015
Del McCoury, a GRAMMY-winning National Heritage Fellow and member International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame, was honored with the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation’s Bluegrass Star Award® on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival and Chili Cook-Off in the Farmers Branch Historical Park in Farmers Branch, Texas.
“In 2010, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation began a tradition of honoring bluegrass artists who do an exemplary job of advancing the music and bringing it to new audiences while preserving its character and heritage,” said Alan W. Tompkins, president and founder of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation. The previous Bluegrass Star Awards® have been awarded to Rhonda Vincent, J. D. Crowe, Peter Rowan, and Sierra Hull.
“Del McCoury has had an incredible lifetime career in bluegrass music spanning the better part of six decades. He’s won almost every award given to musicians in our industry, including a GRAMMY and a National Heritage Fellowship Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Endowment for the Arts, has played bluegrass music on national television, and was a Bluegrass Boy alongside Bill Monroe. You just can’t get much more ‘true bluegrass’ than that. Del McCoury has played and recorded with artists as diverse as Phish, the String Cheese Incident, and Steve Earle, bringing the bluegrass sound to audiences far and wide. Del has brought bluegrass music to many who might never have heard it or been interested in it before hearing him, and is an ideal recipient for our Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Bluegrass Star Award®.” For more information about Del McCoury, visit the Del McCoury Band website. Watch the award presentation video below, courtesy of David Seay Productions for highlights of Del’s career – in Del’s own words. Photos are courtesy of Julie Tompkins.
Bluegrass Heritage President Alan Tompkins Receives Prestigious IBMA Award
September 30, 2015
Alan W. Tompkins, President and founder of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, was honored with the 2015 Momentum Award for Industry Involvement by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) at a luncheon on September 30 in Raleigh, North Carolina, as part of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass. The Momentum Award for Industry Involvement honors exemplary efforts by the recipient to further the careers of a new generation of musicians and industry professionals.
The Momentum Awards were created to recognize musicians and industry professionals who, while in the early stages of their careers, have contributed to, or had an influence on, bluegrass music. Starting with recommendations from IBMA members, nominees are chosen by committees in a process involving respected musicians and industry leaders.
Alan commented that “it’s such an honor to receive an award like this, to be recognized and appreciated by your colleagues in the bluegrass music world, that I almost don’t know what to say. What I do know is that without the support of our Bluegrass Heritage Foundation family – our volunteers, our sponsors, our donors, staffers, board members, and the folks who attend our events, none of this would have ever been possible. I really owe this award, and such a debt of gratitude, to our Bluegrass Heritage Foundation family.”
Nine-year-old fiddler Lylah Clark to attend Walker Creek Music Camp on
Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program
September 22, 2015
Nine-year-old fiddler Lylah Clark of Diamond Springs, California will attend the Walker Creek Music Camp at the beautiful Walker Creek Ranch in West Marin 
County, California, just north of San Francisco (October 8-11) under the Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program from the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation. Lylah has been playing fiddle since she was seven years old and loves old-time and bluegrass music. She enjoys playing traditional acoustic music with her father (yes, his name is Joe Clark) and younger sisters in the Clark family band. The Walker Creek faculty will include our friends from the Special Consensus – Greg Cahill, Rick Faris, Dustin Benson, and Dan Eubanks – and many other widely-known players.
The Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program is named in memory of Mr. Johnny Vincent of Greentop, Missouri, a bluegrass pioneer and the father of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation’s first Bluegrass Star Award recipient, Rhonda Vincent, and bluegrass star Darrin Vincent. Johnny and his family toured the world as the Sally Mountain Show, performing their special brand of bluegrass music. He was known for his unique banjo style and founded the Sally Mountain Bluegrass Festival in Queen City, Missouri.
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation sincerely appreciates the support of Mr. Vincent’s family and friends, our other donors and volunteers, and all who attend our events and make it possible for us to help deserving young people like Lylah Clark.
Foundation President nominated for two IBMA Momentum Awards
September 8, 2015
Alan W. Tompkins, President and founder of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, has been nominated by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) for two prestigious Momentum Awards. The winners of the 2015 Momentum Awards will be announced at a luncheon on September 30 in Raleigh, North Carolina, as part of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass.
The Momentum Awards were created to recognize both musicians and industry professionals who, while in the early stages of their careers, have contributed to, or had an influence on, bluegrass music. Starting with recommendations from the IBMA membership, nominees are chosen by committees through a multi-stage process involving respected musicians and industry leaders.
Alan has been nominated for both the Mentor Award, given to a bluegrass professional who has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of newcomers to the industry, and the Industry Involvement Award.
Alan commented that “it’s a huge honor to be nominated for these awards, but nothing I’ve done would be possible without the incredible support of our Bluegrass Heritage Foundation family – our sponsors, donors, volunteers, staffers, board members, the folks who attend our events and, of course, all the incredible artists who play for (and with) us. Any recognition that I get is really due to all of them.” We wish Alan the best!
Rebecca Laird and Matt Laird attend Acoustic Music Camp on
Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program
August 8, 2015
18-year-old banjoist Matt Laird and his guitar- and mandolin-playing sister, Rebecca Laird of Katy, Texas, attended the ninth annual Acoustic Music Camp in Arlington, Texas (August 6-8, 2015) under the Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program from the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation. Matt was inspired to play banjo about four years ago by listening to Steve Martin’s banjo performances, and Rebecca has been studying guitar, mandolin, and banjo for a number of years. The Acoustic Music Camp faculty included Winfield-winning banjoist James McKinney along with other renowned musicians including Robert Bowlin, Tim May, Dix Bruce, Dave Hamburger, and Gerald Jones.
The Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program is named in memory of Mr. Johnny Vincent of Greentop, Missouri, a bluegrass pioneer and the father of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation’s first Bluegrass Star Award recipient, Rhonda Vincent, and bluegrass star Darrin Vincent. Johnny and his family toured the world as the Sally Mountain Show, performing their special brand of bluegrass music. He was known for his unique banjo style and founded the Sally Mountain Bluegrass Festival in Queen City, Missouri.
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation sincerely appreciates the support of Mr. Vincent’s family and friends, our other donors and volunteers, and all who attend our events and make it possible for us to help deserving young people like Rebecca and Matt Laird.
Wylie Jubilee – Bluegrass on Ballard – June 27 2015
Ballard Avenue, Downtown Wylie, Texas 75098
The Wylie Jubilee – Bluegrass on Ballard was a huge hit, with all the fun centered around the big stage in the center of historic downtown Wylie, Texas! Thousands enjoyed live bluegrass music as well as great food, a spectacular car show, pony rides for the kids, arts and crafts, and more – all free with no ticket required! Check our photo gallery for lots of great event photos.
The musical lineup included Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Texas & Tennessee (with John R. Bowman, Steve Huber, Alan Tompkins, Gerald Jones, and Reggie Rueffer) Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band, In Achordance, Bobby Giles & Music Mountain, and Phil Ferguson & Texas True!
Highlights of the day were when Lottie and Olivia King of Alvarado, Texas came on stage with their musical hero John R. Bowman (formerly of Alison Krauss & Union Station, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and the Boxcars) to receive a mandolin and fiddle through the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program! Foundation president Alan Tompkins presented the instruments to the King sisters as their family watched the festivities.
Later in the evening, Joe Mullins made a surprise presentation of a new Recording King 5-string resonator banjo for use in the Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program. Mr. Mullins eloquently complimented the Foundation on the good that had been done through the program, and expressed his hope that a future banjo superstar might get his or her start on the donated Recording King banjo. Mr. Mullins noted that Janet Davis Acoustic Music of Bentonville, Arkansas endorses his group and also contributed to the donation.
This event was made possible by Wylie Downtown Merchants Association, City of Wylie, North Texas Equestrian Center, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, and many other fine supporting sponsors. Photos by Bob Compere.
Front Porch Showdown Bluegrass Band Contest – May 30, 2015
Dallas Heritage Village, Dallas, Texas 75215
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation teamed up with Dallas Heritage Village, a shady, 20-acre tree-lined park with authentic 19th-century pioneer and Victorian homes and buildings located near downtown Dallas, for the second annual Front Porch Showdown Bluegrass Band Contest. Nine bluegrass bands from all over Texas each had 15 minutes to take the stage, entertain the crowd, and clear out before the next band stepped in. A total of $1,500 in prize money was on the line. Judging was by audience ballot, with a great crowd on hand, and over 160 ballots were cast. The winning bands were:
1st: Bobby Giles & Music Mountain (Fort Worth, Texas)
2nd: Strings of Faith (Plano, Texas)
3rd: Acoustic Sound Hounds (Scurry, Texas)
4th: Bluestem (Dallas, Texas)
5th: Pearl & The Polka Dots (Weatherford, Texas)
The crowd also enjoyed performances by Blue Valley Tradition, Philip Ferguson & Texas True, Pine Island Station, and Runnin’ Ragged. Families explored the Dallas Heritage Village buildings and exhibits and enjoyed a picnic in the park. Bluegrass music rang from the porches and pathways as jammers picked their favorite tunes all afternoon. It was a great day of family-friendly music and fun.
Jack R. Stanford, bluegrass fan and banjo player, passes
May 17, 2015
Jack R. Stanford, a Dallas-area bluegrass fan and banjo player, passed away Sunday May 17, 2015. We offer our most sincere sympathy to the Stanford family in this time of loss.
Jack was an avid bluegrass fan who loved his banjo and loved playing with others. He enjoyed attending Acoustic Music Camp in Arlington, Texas where he organized jams and inspired others to join in and make music together. Jack encouraged others by showing them that the real fun begins not when you perfect your instrument but when you begin to play with others. He loved the water, sailing, hunting deer, camping, dancing, telling jokes and ghost stories. He was full of love, and had a friendly heart and a great sense of humor. In lieu of flowers, the family has encouraged donations to the Foundation in support of bluegrass music in our community and the Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program for kids. Donations may be made through our donation link or by mail to:
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation
P. O. Box 25032
Dallas Texas 75225
Phone – 214-918-0010
The Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program promotes musical understanding and performance skills in deserving young people (ages 8-21) by providing free loans of bluegrass musical instruments such as mandolins, fiddles, banjos, dobros, and guitars as well as music camp scholarships and other support.
