Play It Forward! Highlights
Foundation provides scholarships for young people to learn
more about banjo from Noam Pikelny and others through
the Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program
January 29, 2023
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation was proud to use scholarship funds from the Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program to send three young people to learn more about music and the art of banjo performance from world-renowned musician Noam Pikelny and others at the 2023 Hatfield Music Banjo Workshop held in Nashville, Tennessee in connection with the 2023 Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music Annual convention.
Pikelny, a nine-time GRAMMY Award nominee and 2019 GRAMMY Award winner, is the banjoist with the popular and critically-acclaimed Punch Brothers. He was joined in teaching the afternoon workshop by Ira Gitlin, a Winfield-winning national banjo champion, and well-known banjo teacher and author Jack Hatfield of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
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 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 and our many donors and volunteers, all of whom helped make it possible for us to assist young people in making bluegrass happen.
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation provides the
Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music
with additional Play it Forward! instruments for students
January 28, 2023
Alan Tompkins, President of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, today presented Dean Osborne of the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music with additional introductory-level instruments, including a banjo and guitar, for students to use while learning to play bluegrass music. The Kentucky School became a licensed affiliate of the Foundation’s Play It Forward!® Instrument Lending Program in 2022.
Last year, the eastern Kentucky area around the Kentucky School experienced devastating flooding, and ten mountain dulcimers used in a Kentucky School high school music program were lost. The Foundation, with help from the folks at the Banjo Ben Clark General Store, provided the school with a pair of high-quality mountain dulcimers and plans to provide more when they become available. “We are so thankful that our Foundation donors, friends, and volunteers have made it possible for the Foundation to continue providing assistance to young people who love this music and want to play at a higher level,” noted Tompkins.
KSBTM offers a full range of musical education courses, history and background courses in bluegrass music, as well as individualized instruction in banjo, guitar, bass, fiddle, mandolin, dobro, harmony vocal singing, and songwriting. The school’s faculty includes the legendary Bobby Osborne, Dean Osborne, Scott Napier, and Virgil Bowlin.
Play It Forward!® Instruments Presented to
Fiddle & Pick, the Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee
January 26, 2023
Foundation Vice President Gerald Jones today presented several additional entry-level instruments to the Fiddle & Pick Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee as part of the Foundation’s Play It Forward!® Instrument Lending Program. Fiddle & Pick, located in Pegram, Tennessee, was founded by Gretchen Priest-May and her husband Tim May. Fiddle & Pick has been an affiliate of the Play It Forward!® program for more than ten years and has done remarkable work in making musical education available to the young people of the rural Pegram community. Their efforts have been richly rewarding. “We are proud to continue to help Gretchen, Tim, and the other folks at Fiddle & Pick who have given so much to these young people who want to learn more about traditional music,” commented Jones.
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation appoints the
Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music
as affiliate of the Play it Forward! Instrument Lending Program
January 29, 2022
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation today announced that the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, a part of the Hazard Community & Technical College and the University of Kentucky Community College system, became a licensed affiliate of the Foundation’s Play It Forward!® Instrument Lending Program. The arrangement allows the school to use the trademarked “Play It Forward!” program name in connection with its musical instrument lending activities and to receive donations of instruments from the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation to support young people who want to learn more about bluegrass and traditional music.
The affiliation agreement was signed in Nashville, where both KSBTM Program Director Dean Osborne and Foundation President Alan Tompkins were in attendance at the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music’s annual convention. Tompkins presented Dean Osborne with a number of introductory-level instruments, including a fiddle, banjo, and guitar, that students can use to begin their study of bluegrass music.
The KSBTM Professional Studio Artist program offers a full range of musical education courses, history and background courses in bluegrass music, as well as individualized instruction in banjo, guitar, bass, fiddle, mandolin, dobro, harmony vocal singing, and songwriting. The school’s faculty includes Bobby Osborne of the world-famous Osborne Brothers, Dean Osborne, Scott Napier, and Virgil Bowlin. Alan Tompkins commented that “we’re excited to join forces with Dean Osborne and his faculty at the Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music to help make music education a reality for more young people who want to learn and play.”
Texas Banjo Champion Riley Gilbreath awarded Scholarship
to Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music through
Foundation’s Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program
August 19, 2019
Reigning Texas State Banjo Champion Riley Gilbreath, age 15, was today awarded a first-semester scholarship by the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation. The scholarship was funded in part from donations to the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation’s Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program.
Although still a sophomore in high school (in Texas), Riley enrolled in online classes in audio recording technology and bluegrass music history at the Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music in Hyden, Kentucky, a part of the Hazard Community and Technical College and University of Kentucky system. Dean Osborne directs the bluegrass music program and personally welcomed Riley to the growing ranks of online students at the school.
Riley is an accomplished banjoist, having won the Texas championship in May 2019 after winning the Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival banjo championship in 2018. He is a Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Youth Showcase Artist and plays the Huber Workhorse banjo that was bestowed in connection with that honor. Riley will be competing at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas later this month for the national banjo championship title.
“We’re all thrilled to see how quickly Riley has developed his considerable musical talents, and even more excited that he wants to include the study of bluegrass music in his collegiate career. Riley will be in good company at the Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music, which includes Bobby Osborne, Dean Osborne, Scott Napier, and Virgil Bowlin among its faculty,” noted Foundation president Alan Tompkins.
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 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 and our many donors and volunteers, all of whom helped make it possible for us to assist young people in making bluegrass happen.
Kentucky Just Us Family Band awarded Scholarship to attend
Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music through
Foundation’s Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program
October 20, 2018
Kentucky Just Us, the O’Neal family bluegrass band from Greensburg, Kentucky, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival at the Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West in Farmers Branch, Texas. (The Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival, typically held in the Farmers Branch Historical Park, was held in the Omni for 2018 due to wet conditions in the park.) The scholarship was funded in part from donations to the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation’s Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program. The band played a short set before the scholarship presentation and wowed the crowd at the Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival.
Several members of the Kentucky Just Us family band are enrolled in classes where they are studying bluegrass music at the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music in Hyden, Kentucky, which is a part of the Hazard Community and Technical College. Dean Osborne directs the bluegrass music program, and joined the band on stage for the scholarship presentation.
“We’re so excited to help this terrific young band develop their already-outstanding bluegrass musical skills, and we know they are in the good hands of Dean Osborne, Scott Napier, Virgil Bowlin, and – of course – Mr. Bobby Osborne at the Kentucky School of Bluegrass,” said Foundation president Alan Tompkins.
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 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 and our many donors and volunteers, all of whom make it possible for us to assist young people in making bluegrass happen. The photos of Kentucky Just Us are courtesy of Perry Callahan.
More Play It Forward!® Instruments Presented to
Fiddle & Pick Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee
July 31, 2018
Foundation President Alan Tompkins, board member Julie Tompkins, and able assistant Jessica Tompkins today presented Gretchen Priest-May, the co-founder (along with her husband, Tim May) of the Fiddle & Pick Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee, with several instruments as part of the Foundation’s Play It Forward!® Instrument Lending Program efforts to support its outstanding affiliates. “We have always loved what Gretchen, Tim, and the others at the Center have done to bring traditional music to children around Pegram, Tennessee,” said Tompkins. “The dedication and commitment of everyone involved with the Center is amazing. We hope these instruments can help a few more young people go farther in their musical journeys.”
More young people are playing music thanks to Play It Forward!™
December 27, 2017
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation is proud to announce that it has presented several instruments to young people in the North Texas area over the past few months through the Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program.
Audrey Fields, an 8-year-old from Waxahachie, is teaming up with her sister, 6-year-old Madelyn Fields, to learn to play fiddle on instruments provided by our program. Their mother and father, Lori and Jason Fields, are members of our bluegrass community and are musicians as well, and they are excited that their daughters want to learn to play.
Jacob Jander of Irving, Texas is anxious to develop his flatpicking skills using the vintage Alvarez acoustic guitar provided by our program. He said that he’s already learned most of the chords to his favorite bluegrass gospel tune, This World Is Not My Home, and he’s ready to learn more bluegrass tunes. And John Puetz of Dallas was excited to start learning to play bluegrass banjo on the Gretsch five-string banjo provided by the program in December.
As always, we are thrilled to be able to help deserving young people who want to be a part of our bluegrass music community. We sincerely appreciate all of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation supporters who make a difference and find a way to do good for so many fine young people.
13-year-old Banjo Player Riley Gilbreath becomes a
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Youth Showcase Artist
October 21, 2017
In October 2016, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, through the Play it Forward! Instrument Lending Program®, presented 12-year-old Riley Gilbreath of Fort Worth, Texas, with a five string banjo so that he could start taking bluegrass banjo lessons. Riley made dramatic progress quickly, impressing his teacher Jim Penson and others who helped him along by exhibiting a dedication and drive to play shown by few others.
At the Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival & Chili Cook-Off held in the Farmers Branch, Texas Historical Park on October 21, 2017, Steve Huber of the Huber Banjo Company was on hand to perform with Texas & Tennessee. He also had a number of new Huber banjos on display. Steve enjoyed picking with Riley, and spent a great deal of time giving him pointers on how to play more proficiently.
One thing led to another, and the decision was made by Alan Tompkins of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, Steve Huber, and Jana & Danny Gilbreath (Riley’s parents) to present Riley with a new professional-grade walnut Huber Workhorse banjo for his continued development. Riley is only the second person to be named a Youth Showcase Artist, with the first being Brandy Miller in 2012.
The presentation was made to Riley on stage at the Festival, and Riley was moved nearly to tears. His father reported that Riley asked for days afterwards, “how can something this good be happening to me?” In the weeks since the presentation, Riley has played on stage several times as a guest with Dallas/Fort Worth area bluegrass bands. We expect that he will continue to have opportunities to perform on stage for years to come.
As always, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation is thrilled to be able to help deserving young people play bluegrass music, and we sincerely appreciate all of our supporters for helping to make it happen. We’d especially like to thank the family of Johnny Lee Vincent, including Rhonda Vincent, Carolyn Vincent, and Darrin Vincent, for their support of the Foundation’s Play it Forward!® program and the Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program. Their support helped to make these programs possible.
Here’s a video of the presentation, courtesy of Mark Shaffer. Photos are courtesy of Nathaniel Dalzell.
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.
More youth learn to play bluegrass music because
of the the Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program
July 25, 2017
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation continues presenting instruments to young people in and around Texas through our Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program. The latest is 14-year-old Brian Janvier of Johnson City, Texas (pictured at left). Brian plays percussion in band at school, is a solid guitar player, and is very excited about learning to play bluegrass on the banjo! Gigi Jennings, an 8-year-old from Tyler, Texas, got her first fiddle through the program and is working hard to develop her “bow arm”! We are happy to help these fine young folks who want to learn and play bluegrass music, and we appreciate all who have supported the Foundation with donations and instruments.
Young people are learning to play bluegrass through
the Play It Forward!™ Program
December 5, 2016
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation has been busy in recent months presenting instruments to young people around the North Texas through our Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program. The latest is 12-year-old Nicholas Williams of Howe, Texas (pictured at left), who is the younger brother of another Play It Forward!™ participant, Jacob Williams (at right). We are excited to help more young people learn and play bluegrass music, and we appreciate all who have supported the Foundation with donations and instruments to make this happen.
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.
More young people are playing thanks to the Play It Forward!™ Program
August 11, 2016
Things have been busy around the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation world headquarters recently! The Foundation has had the pleasure to present several instruments to young people in the North Texas area through the Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program. Antonio Santiago, a 15-year-old from Garland, Texas plans to use his award-winning tenor-banjo skills to learn to play 5-string bluegrass banjo. Emmaline Woolverton, a 12-year-old from Melissa, Texas is teaming up with her sister, 7-year-old Lindsay Woolverton, to start learning to play fiddle on instruments provided by our program. (You might recognize the Woolverton name; older brothers Ben and Caleb Woolverton received instruments through Play It Forward!™ last year and are playing weekly in a youth bluegrass band coordinated by Chris and Lisa Plumlee!)
15-year-old Patience Newsom of Plano, Texas is excited to start learning to play bluegrass banjo. Patience joined us at the Wylie Jubilee on July 2, 2016 to pick up a great-sounding vintage Iida banjo. Nate Jennings, a talented 11-year-old ukulele player from Tyler, has received a banjo through our program so that he can learn to play with his guitar-picking big brother, Tom.
Dalton Bartlett, a 16-year-old from Anna, Texas, received a mandolin on stage at Lone Star Fest at the same time that 13-year-old Jacob Williams of Howe, Texas received his banjo. Dalton and Jacob were welcomed on stage by Blue Grass Boy Blake Williams, a former member of Bill Monroe’s band. And we have another Jacob Williams, a wonderful 9-year-old young man from Weatherford, Texas, who recently picked up a banjo from the Foundation, and he too is excitedly learning to play bluegrass banjo!
We’re thrilled that so many deserving young people now have the opportunity to join the bluegrass music community! Our thanks to all who support the Foundation and do good for these young people.
Young people are picking and grinning
because of the Play It Forward!™ Program
November 18, 2015
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation has recently presented several instruments to young people in the North Texas area through the Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program. Caleb Woolverton, a 14-year-old from of Melissa, Texas is learning to play mandolin on a nice Savannah mandolin that was previously used by Brody Genzel of Anna, Texas. And Katie LaDue, a 13-year-old from Dallas (pictured at right), is learning to play banjo on a nice five-string Fender banjo provided by the Foundation.
12-year-old Hannah Briggs of Carrollton, Texas is now happily learning to play along with her 10-year-old brother, Joshua Briggs! (Hannah and Josh are pictured at left). Hannah is learning to play guitar and Joshua is learning banjo. The banjo in use by Joshua is a nice Fender donated by Foundation friend Stacy Jackson, who plays with Pearl & The Polka Dots.
We’re thrilled that more young people have a chance to play and join the bluegrass music community! Our thanks to all who so generously support the Foundation and do good for these young people.
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.
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.
More young people are learning to play through
the Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program
June 9, 2015
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation has recently presented several instruments to young people in and around the North Texas area through the Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program. Ben Woolverton (pictured) of Melissa, Texas is learning to play banjo on a Recording King RK-R20 five-string banjo provided by the Foundation. Eight-year-old Nate Pedersen of Dallas is working on his fiddling skills with a 1/2 size fiddle, and his 10-year-old brother Luke Pedersen is learning to play guitar on a Recording King RD06. We are thrilled that more young people are getting the opportunity to learn and grow by playing bluegrass. We appreciate all who have so generously supported the Foundation so that more young people have the opportunity to learn to play.
Colby Green to attend Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy on
the Inaugural Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship
April 6, 2015
16-year-old Colby Green of Cosby, Tennessee will attend the 10th Annual Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy in Pigeon Forge (May 1-3, 2015) on the first-ever scholarship under the Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program from the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation. Colby takes lessons from former Winfield champion Gary “Biscuit” Davis, and we hope that the SMBA experience will help him advance as a musician. The Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy faculty includes Kristin Scott-Benson of the Grascals, Jason Burleson of Blue Highway, and former Blue Grass Boy Butch Robins.
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 Colby Green.
Play It Forward!™ Presents Instruments to Sarah and Mark Rodriguez
March 22, 2015
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation President Alan Tompkins presented Sarah Rodriguez of Richardson, Texas, with a Savannah F-style mandolin today as part of the Foundation’s Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program. He also presented her brother, Mark Rodriguez, with a vintage fiddle and bow. Sarah has fiddle experience, has jammed with the Garland Square Pickers, and is looking forward to learning to play mandolin. Mark is looking forward to learning to play fiddle, and there is hope that one day he and his sister can start a family band with their siblings. Longtime bluegrass musician Chris Erickson of Garland has been mentoring the Rodriguez family and plans to bring them out to the Garland Square to jam with other bluegrass musicians. Tompkins commented that “we are so happy to help the Rodriguez family along on their bluegrass musical journey.” Sarah is pictured here with her new mandolin and Mark’s fiddle.
Hadley’s Southern Kitchen Becomes Major Sponsor of
the Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program
January 23, 2015
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation is proud to announce that Hadley’s Southern Kitchen of Hermitage, Tennessee has become a major sponsor of the Foundation’s Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program. The program helps foster music literacy and performance skills in deserving young people (ages 8-21) by providing free loans of the primary bluegrass musical instruments, as well as other assistance, to aspiring young musicians. Alan Tompkins, president of the Foundation, said that “we are so thankful that the folks at Hadley’s wanted to support our instrument lending progam. Receiving support from wonderful folks like Hadley’s is a great help to young people and an encouragement to all the volunteers who help make this program a success.”
Hadley’s Southern Kitchen is the brainchild of founder Tom Hammond. Having been born and raised in the south, Tom grew up eating southern comfort foods like cornbread, white beans, pork tenderloin, and fresh-baked pecan pies. Even as an adult traveling throughout the southern United States, Tom was drawn to local restaurants specializing in these southern foods. This heritage of diverse flavors, combined with the warm and friendly atmosphere the South is known for, made such an impression on Tom that he came up with an idea for a fast casual restaurant that would feature the best of both, where food still tastes like home.
Many connected with the Foundation gathered at Hadley’s in February to pick, grin, and say THANK YOU to Mr. Hammond and the folks at Hadley’s for their generosity. Pictured at right are Steve Huber of Huber Banjos (a long-time Foundation supporter), Tori, Jocelyn, and Shelby Gold of the Virginia-based bluegrass band Gold Heart (which regularly plays Foundation events), Tom Hammond, Alan Tompkins, banjoist Brandy Miller (our Play It Forward!™ Youth Showcase Artist), and Lucas White (who was featured in Fanning the Fire).
The next time you visit the Nashville area, please stop in at Hadley’s (at 4700 Lebanon Pike in Hermitage), enjoy a great meal, and let them know you appreciate their support of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation.
Play It Forward!™ Presents Banjo to William Roberts
August 15, 2014
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation President Alan Tompkins presented William Roberts of Watauga, Texas, with a nice Stagg 5-string banjo as part of the Foundation’s Play It Forward!™ bluegrass music Instrument Lending Program. (The banjo was donated to the Foundation by long-time volunteer Mr. Paul Mattoon.) William had been learning to play bluegrass banjo, but had to borrow an instrument in order to take lessons. He is thrilled to have his own banjo so that he can pick, grin, and take lessons at any time the notion strikes! William plans to attend bluegrass music events such as the Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival & Chili Cook-Off so that he can jam with others and learn more about the music. William is pictured here at Acoustic Music Camp. He received a Foundation scholarship to attend the camp in August 2014.
Three Youth Scholarships Awarded for Acoustic Music Camp
August 14, 2014
Part of the mission of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation is to educate and encourage young people in bluegrass music. In addition to operating the Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program, the Foundation teamed up with Acoustic Music Camp to offer scholarships so that some deserving young people could attend Acoustic Music Camp (August 7-9, 2014). The camp is held annually at South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas. Acoustic Music Camp is a three-day instructional program for musicians with intensive expert instruction in how to play mandolin, bluegrass and clawhammer banjo, flatpick guitar, upright bass, fiddle, songwriting/vocals, dobro, and fingerstyle guitar.
Fiddler Maddie Smith of Lewisville, fiddler Chad Bekarian of Dallas, and banjo player Williams Roberts of Watauga, Texas were awarded scholarships that helped them to attend Acoustic Music Camp 2014. All three young students were learning, picking, and grinning at the camp all three days! The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation appreciates the support of those who attend our events and make the donations that enable the Foundation to provide this assistance to fine young people like Maddie, Chad, and William.
Play It Forward!™ Presents Guitar to Natasha Brandon
May 19, 2014
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation President Alan Tompkins presented Natasha Brandon of Dallas, Texas, with a Recording King RD-06 guitar today as part of the Foundation’s Play It Forward!™ bluegrass music Instrument Lending Program. Natasha has some musical training (she plays flute in her school orchestra), has already begun to learn guitar, and is excited about learning to play bluegrass music. Longtime bluegrass music fan and friend of the Foundation Kim Roulias knows Natasha well and has promised to give her weekly guitar lessons and to bring her out to bluegrass music events! Tompkins commented that “as always, we are thrilled to be able to help another young person experience the joy of playing bluegrass music.” Natasha is pictured here with her mother, Jennifer Thompson, and Kim Roulias.
Liam Purcell attends Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy
on Bluegrass Heritage Scholarship
May 6, 2014
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, as part of a continuing effort to encourage young people to learn to play bluegrass music, provided scholarship assistance to 11-year-old Liam Purcell so that he could attend a day of the Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy this past weekend. Liam was thrilled to meet many of his banjo heroes, including Mr. J. D. Crowe, winner of the Foundation’s Bluegrass Star Award® in 2011.
Liam is from Deep Gap, North Carolina, just two miles from where Doc Watson was born and raised. He plays bluegrass and clawhammer banjo, as well as guitar, mandolin, bass, and fiddle. “I would like to thank the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation and every person who helped to make it possible for me to attend the Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy. I am grateful to be given this opportunity. I like to go to festivals and attend workshops and jams wherever I can. I enjoy teaching banjo and guitar to beginners, so by helping me, you help others to learn as well.”
The scholarship to Liam was part of the Foundation’s Play It Forward!™ program. The program helps foster music literacy and performance skills in deserving young people (ages 8-21) by providing free access to the primary bluegrass musical instruments, including mandolins, guitars, banjos, and fiddles. Several dozen instruments are in presently in circulation as a result of the program. See more on this story at BluegrassToday.com.
Mr. and Mrs. Lamar Hunt Jr. renew their support
of the Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program
December 1, 2013
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation today accepted another donation for the support of the Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program from Mr. and Mrs. Lamar Hunt, Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Hunt is the eldest son of the late sports magnate Mr. Lamar Hunt, founder of the American Football League and the Kansas City Chiefs (a National Football League member team). Mr. Hunt’s family presently operates the Kansas City Chiefs as well as FC Dallas and the Columbus Crew, member franchises of Major League Soccer. Mr. Hunt is the founder of Loretto Properties, LLC, a residential real estate firm based in Kansas City, Kansas, and Loretto Foundation, a philanthropic organization. Mr. Hunt is a dedicated father of seven children, is the grandfather of six grandchildren, and has had a lifetime affection for music. He played the flute for nine seasons as a member of the Kansas City Symphony.
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation’s Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program helps foster music literacy and performance skills in deserving young people (ages 8-18) by providing free access to the primary bluegrass musical instruments, including mandolins, guitars, banjos, and fiddles. Alan Tompkins, President of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, commented that “we are thankful and delighted that Mr. and Mrs. Hunt decided to continue supporting the Foundation’s free instrument lending progam. Their support and confidence is a very real encouragement to all the volunteers who help make this program a success.”
More young people are picking and grinning because of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program
April 4, 2013
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation has recently presented full-size fiddles to Miss Katherine Raper of Trophy Club, Texas and Mr. Chad Bekarian of Dallas through the Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program. The Foundation also recently placed an Alvarez 5-string banjo with Miss Katherine Flink of Richardson, Texas. We are thrilled that more young people are getting the opportunity to grow and advance by playing bluegrass music. We appreciate all who have generously supported Foundation so that these young people have the opportunity to learn to play.
14-year-old Banjo Master Brandy Miller becomes first Youth Showcase Artist for the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation’s Play It Forward!™ Program
September 28, 2012
In early September, guitarist Lucas White (who appears in the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation short film, Fanning the Fire, and tours with the Zac Brown Band) approached us about helping North Carolina banjo phenom Brandy Miller to get a professional-grade banjo through our Play It Forward!™ program. Brandy is a wonderful young person who has been competing in banjo contests since age 9 and who won the Galax, Virgina banjo championship this year – at age 14.
We told Lucas that the Foundation did not have money for such a purchase but, after finding out more a bout Brandy, we challenged him to make a donation to make something happen for her. Well, he stepped up, and his donation was matched by another Foundation donor. Those donations and some Play It Forward! program money was enough to reach the goal. We contacted Steve Huber of the Huber Banjo Company and he quickly agreed to provide a professional-grade banjo for Brandy at a reduced price.
We presented the new Huber banjo to Brandy at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass in Nashville on September 28, 2012, and she was thrilled beyond words. She played her new banjo at several showcase events, including the Kids on Bluegrass show. Read all about it in the great story by John Lawless, Jr. in BluegrassToday.com. Photo credit to Dan Loftin and video production credit to David Seay Productions. Your support of the Foundation made it possible for a very talented young musician to have a professional banjo with which she can continue to learn, play, and compete. Congratulations, thanks for your support, and enjoy some banjo music by Brandy Miller!
More young people are picking and grinning because of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program
December 1, 2011
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation today presented a 1/4-size fiddle to young Miss Leise Johnson of Dallas, Texas through the Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program. The Foundation also recently placed a new Recording King 000-size guitar with young Mr. Mark Harz of Amarillo Texas. And Parker and Brody Genzel of Anna, Texas, along with their bandmate Jonathan Smith of Anna, have formed a new youth bluegrass band known as the Bluegrass Brothers – and all three are playing instruments loaned to them under the Foundation’s Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program! We couldn’t be more excited that so many young people are getting to grow and advance by playing bluegrass music. We appreciate all who have generously supported Foundation so that these young people have the opportunity to learn to play.
Pamela and Tony Rice invite memorial donations to Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Play It Forward!™ Instrument Lending Program
September 9, 2011
After losing their son, John Christian Scott, in a mid-August accident, pioneering bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice and his wife, Pamela, have asked for memorial contributions to be made to a very special cause.
“We have designated the Play it Forward!™ instrument lending program, developed by the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, as our choice for anyone wishing to make contributions in Chris’ memory,” said the Rices in a statement on August 28. “We believe it is the best of all possible ways to plant the seeds necessary for bluegrass music to grow and thrive.”
The Rices encourage friends and fans to support the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation by ordering a DVD of Fanning the Fire, a new short film that explores the uniquely American musical form of bluegrass and its broad appeal to beginning players and professionals alike. The DVD is available for a minimum donation of $15 per copy to the Foundation and may be ordered at the Foundation’s website, BluegrassHeritage.org.
“To think about what Tony and Pamela must be going through is more than I can imagine,” said Alan Tompkins, president of the Foundation. “I was deeply moved to think that they would consider what the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation has done to be worthy of a memorial for their son.” (more…)
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program Presents More Instruments to Young People in Texas
August 7, 2011
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation today presented a guitar, banjo, and mandolin to three young men in north Texas through the Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program. Alan Tompkins, President of the Foundation, said “we are happy to help these young men get started on their musical path. No pressure, but we hope that Parker Genzel, Brody Genzel, and Jonathan Smith will practice hard and become the core of a new young bluegrass band in the near future.” Tompkins added that “we are pleased to report that the Foundation has placed a total of 25 new and donated instruments under the Play It Forward! program. We appreciate Pizza Hut and everyone else who has generously donated to the Foundation so that young people can have an opportunity to learn to play.”
Play It Forward!™ Program Presents Banjo to Josie Taylor of Flint, Texas
November 18, 2010
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation President Alan Tompkins and board member Charlie Seraphin presented Josie Taylor of Flint, Texas with a Fender five-string banjo today as part of the Foundation’s Play It Forward!™ bluegrass music Instrument Lending Program. Josie has already started banjo lessons and is excited about learning to play bluegrass music. The Play It Forward!™ Free Instrument Lending Program is generously supported by Pizza Hut, Inc.
Play It Forward! Participants Appear on KDAF-TV Channel 33
Play It Forward! program participants Lizzie and Charlotte Benedict of Dallas, along with Alan Tompkins of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, talk with host Erin Harris of D/FW Closeup on KDAF CW33 (Oct. 10, 2010) about the Play It Forward! Free Instrument Lending Program and the upcoming Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival in Farmers Branch, Texas.
Play It Forward! Program Presents Fiddle to Reagan Hunter of Plano, Texas
September 5, 2010
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation President Alan Tompkins presented Reagan Hunter of Plano, Texas, with a new fiddle as part of the Foundation’s Play It Forward! bluegrass music Instrument Lending Program. Reagan plans to begin fiddle lessons and is excited about learning to play bluegrass. Foundation President Alan Tompkins commented that “we are always happy to share the joy of music with another young person.” The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program is funded in part by Pizza Hut.
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program
Presents More Instruments to Young People in Texas
May 2, 2010
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation President Alan Tompkins and board members Gerald Jones and Charlie Seraphin today presented an assortment of guitars, banjos, and mandolins to young people in north Texas through the Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program. “We are excited that more young people will have the opportunity to play acoustic music,” said Tompkins. “We’re also pleased that we have now placed a total of 20 instruments under the program. We offer thanks to Pizza Hut and those who have donated so that these young people have the opportunity to experience the joy of music.” The Play It Forward! program is funded in part by Pizza Hut, Inc.
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Play It Forward! Program Presents
Additional Instruments to Musical Heritage Center
October 3, 2009
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation President Alan Tompkins and board member Gerald Jones presented the Fiddle & Pick Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee with an assortment of fiddles as part of the Foundation’s Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program. “We love what the Center is doing to help kids learn to play acoustic music,” said Tompkins. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Fiddle & Pick to help these young people learn to play this incredible music.” Both the Foundation and the Musical Heritage Center work to share the joy of traditional acoustic music with the public. The Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program is generously supported by Pizza Hut, Inc.
Play It Forward Program Presents Fiddle and Mandolin
to the Benedict Family of Dallas, Texas
September 26, 2009
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation President Alan Tompkins presented the Benedict family of Dallas, Texas, with a new fiddle and mandolin today under the Foundation’s Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program. The girls are already taking fiddle and mandolin lessons and are very interested in learning to play bluegrass. Their father, Keith Benedict, is a native of east Tennessee, is a longtime fan of bluegrass music, and is excited that his girls want to learn to play bluegrass music. Tompkins commented that “we are thrilled that the girls have shown so much interest in the music.” The Play It Forward Program is a program of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation and is supported in part by a donation from Pizza Hut, Inc.
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program Presents Instruments to Fiddle & Pick Musical Heritage Center
June 19, 2009
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation President Alan Tompkins and former Foundation board member Cliff Fitch today presented Gretchen Priest-May and her husband, renowned guitarist Tim May, the co-founders of the Fiddle & Pick Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee, with several instruments through the Foundation’s Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program. “We were very impressed to learn about the Musical Heritage Center and the broad range of traditional music instructional programs offered there,” said Tompkins. “The talent, dedication, and commitment of the artists and teachers involved with the Center is outstanding, and we are excited to have the chance, through the support of Pizza Hut, to help young people start their musical journey through life.”
The placement is a perfect partnership for both organizations, whose missions are both built on the goal of sharing and promoting traditional music, like bluegrass, to the masses. The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation is interested in receiving inquiries from young people in the Dallas/Fort Worth area who are interested in learning to play the mandolin, banjo, guitar, or other instruments traditionally used to create bluegrass music. The Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program is generously supported by Pizza Hut, Inc.
Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program Presents Banjo to Ryan McKillip
June 4, 2009
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation President Alan Tompkins presented Ryan McKillip, age 14, of Carrollton, Texas, with a new banjo today under the Foundation’s Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program. Ryan started playing guitar shortly before the 2008 Bluegrass Heritage Festival, and became very interested in playing more bluegrass after attending the Festival and its workshops. Ryan expressed his interest in learning to play banjo to his father, Ross McKillip, who approached the Foundation to find out more about the Play It Forward! program. Alan Tompkins commented that “we are pleased and excited to get this banjo into the hands of a young man who is so excited to play and learn more about bluegrass music.” The Play It Forward! Instrument Lending Program is funded in part by Pizza Hut.