Here’s a photo of some crazy fan …

Just six bands (out of scores of good California bands) are chosen to perform as part of a “California Showcase” at Grass Valley. Two of those chosen for this year are PVM artists: Natural Drift, and Mt. Diablo String Band. Quite an honor indeed, considering the amount of talent the state has to offer.

Mt. Diablo was selected on the strength of a quick demo recorded in Squirty Records studios (see entry Nov. 13, below). Here’s a quote from the CBA’s Chairman of the Board: “Carl Pagter is… a heck of a good banjo player… His group’s recorded submissions demonstrated the band is well within the range of quality that our Father’s Day Festival attendees are accustomed to hearing. … Selection of the Mt. Diablo String Band was pretty much a no-brainer.” Listen here for a clip from the Diablos. They’ll even have their own recording ready for sale shortly, and can take orders at the Father’s Day Festival.

Riding the wave of their innaugural release, “She Planted the Evidence On Me”, Natural Drift was also chosen as a California Showcase act. You can hear a clip from that recording here, or watch the band live at one of their warmup performances, or buy their CD here.

What’s more, RoseBud Blue was hand picked for a special performance at the new “Vern’s” stage, introduced last year at the Festival. This performance will also serve as a release party for their innaugural recording. This is a biggie.

So, these three PVM artists will be performing at the coveted festival in Grass Valley, CA which takes place June 12-15 2008. Go to the Pleasant Valley store to pick up their recordings.

This trifecta feat is unequalled to-date for an independent label. Way to go PVM artists! Our bands, and label, are very pleased, to say the least.

RoseBud Blue’s “Depending on the Glass” is now available for advanced purchase in our store. We’re aweful proud of this one. “Get your copy”, as they say …

Ok, so it is “old-time” music, which usually means, as is the case here, that the recording was completed live in the studio (no overdubs). We just set up a couple of microphones and went at it.This means you can’t go in and fix any errors, etc., after the fact (which fixing is the status quo these days). What we played live, all together at once, is exactly what you get to hear when you get your copy of the recording!

Mt. Diablo String Band’s first recording will be submitted to the duplicators shortly and will be available here at PleasantValleyMusic.com and at the band’s personal appearances, including advanced-release purchase at the CBA Father’s Day Festival in Grass Valley, CA this June.

Check in here for updates on when the recording will officially be out.

We spent the last couple of days up in beautiful (and cold!) Oregon recording “Depending” fiddler Mike Eisler. Mike, as well as Ed Neff (see previous blog entry) are important figures in West Coast Bluegrass, Ed having played with California’s ‘heavy hitters’ such as High Country, True Blue, Vern Williams Band, as well as many others, and Mike with the Sawtooth Mountain Boys, Lee Highway, and also the Vern Williams Band.

Below is a little video clip briefly recapping the trip!

RBB is hoping to have “Depending” out for their performance at The California Bluegrass Association’s Father’s Day Festival in Grass Valley, CA this June! Check in here at PVM for the latest …

Pleasant Valley Music’s Matt Dudman will be performing with super-songwriter and singer Richard Brandenburg in an opening slot at the famous Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley, CA on March 22. Above is a clip of the two promoting the show on KPFA last Sunday.

What does he sound like? Click here.

“I’m honored to have been asked to present this important award for my dear friend Jake, and am doing so gladly, and in full respect of Jake’s lifelong friendships and musical partnerships with Carl Pagter, Jack Sadler, John Murphy, Sandy Rothman and others who could and would ably do the same.”

Bluegrass On Broadway will be held at the Peninsula Christian Center Main Hall in Redwood City, CA , with Jake’s award presentation at 4pm on February 16^th. Jake is also nominated for best male vocalist in the awards.

Pleasant Valley Music buddy Dennis Satterlee’s long awaited book on Red Allen is finally out.  And, whaddya know?, he’s given Pleasant Valley Music exclusive distribution in the west!  If you’d like a copy, you can get it here.  Just call, write, or drop by Pleasant Valley Music, (530) 400-3872, Info@PleasantValleyMusic.com, 640 McKenzie Dr., Dixon, CA 95620.