Review of Stone County Connection Band Workshop on 2/10/2007

Bluegrass bands and musicians in the Memphis area were pleased to have a guest band to give a free band workshop on February 10, 2007. The Lord of Life Lutheran Church (Satinwood @ Old Poplar Pike) was the site for the first Memphis Area Bluegrass Association (MABA) educational program of the 2007 season. The award-winning Stone County Connection, based in Jackson, TN, brought some lessons which they have learned along the way about how this whole ‘band thing’ works. Perhaps the only negative factor was the sound level from the hallway, which spilled over into the sanctuary where the workshop was being conducted.

Stone County Connection band members are: Phillip Williams (mandolin, lead, tenor vocals), Curtis Mann (upright bass, baritone, bass, low tenor vocals), Kurt Stephenson (banjo, lead, baritone, tenor vocals), and Kevin Wright (guitar, lead vocals).

The band demonstrated some effective kickoffs, songs, and endings which they use in their shows. Each band member contributed his thoughts about various aspects of working out vocal and instrumental parts to achieve a “one-ness” of sound. Band members continually stressed that a band is a team effort, and that it is each man’s role to support and make the other band members sound their best.

Key points in the band’s agenda were: 1) The particular sound that the band wants, 2) Good timing, 3) Role of each instrument in the overall sound, 4) Less is often best, 5) Instrumentation supports the vocals, 6) Record your own work to hear your band’s sound, 7) Consistency, 8) Just because you CAN doesn’t mean you HAVE to.

Stone County Connection ended their workshop with a period for questions and answers—followed by a barn-burner of a jam in the lobby of the church!

Comments from attendees:

“…outstanding workshop!”

“…effectively communicated why they do what they do….”

“…a lot of interaction and questions from the audience….”

“…points-of-view that I had not thought about before….”

“…this simple music of ours is more in-depth than it seems on the surface….”

Comment from Kevin Wright:

…”This worthwhile workshop allowed us to share secrets and techniques which have taken numerous hours, years, and discussions to uncover, and we were excited to share it with willing participants.”

For more information:

Kevin Wright (731)616-1208 E-mail: kevin.wright@bxs.com

Website: http://stonecountyconnection.com

Pick away!

Betty