|
*RBI will take a moment to load* |
 |
|
||||||
Current ExhibitsPIONEERS OF BLUEGRASS EXHIBIT The Pioneers of Bluegrass Exhibit highlights over sixty Bluegrass Pioneers. These first generation of bluegrass musicians and promoters helped create and spread the bluegrass music we know today. Artists included in the Exhibit are Gloria Bell; J.D. Crowe; Tony Ellis; Pete Goble; the McCormick Brothers; Jesse McReynolds; Bill Monroe; Dewey and John Murphy and the Original Blue River Boys; Curly Seckler; Larry Sparks; Butch Wallace; Roland White and others.
Included in the Exhibit are instruments; performance clothes; historic photographs; posters; and other memorabilia. Now through September, 2010 BILL MONROE CENTENNIAL ART EXHIBIT This Exhibit is the result of an invitation to visual artists to share their interpretation of a Bill Monroe song. Bill Monroe often painted images with his music and in this Exhibit artists have depicted these same images visually. Thirty-five artists responded to the invitation, with over sixty entries. The entries encompass many styles, from fine art to folk art. This is representative of the wide variety of people whom Bill Monroe's music appeals. Most of the works of art submitted were inspired by the lyrics of a Bill Monroe song, while some were inspired by instrumentals. This is not suprising since Bill Monroe's instrumental numbers can involve visual images as clear as those invoked by his lyrics. Some of the songs used by the artists for inspiration were written by Bill Monroe, while other songs used were written by someone other than Monroe and then recorded by him. Still other songs are traditional folk songs of unkown origin. The Exhibit will be on display at the International Bluegrass Music Museum from June 23, 2010 through September 13, 2012. The pieces of art selected for the Exhibit are listed in this catalog in alphabetical order by the artist, all the art on display in the Exhibit is available for purchase at the prices listed. Sixty percent of the proceeds will go to the artist and forty percent will go to the Museum. Click here to view the Exhibit Catalog
BLUEGRASS TIME
In high school Phil learned to play guitar and banjo from a friend who was taking lessons at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and attended concert performances of Peggy, Pete, and Mike Seeger, Doc Watson, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, The New Lost City Ramblers, and other pivotal performers of the folk revival. During his senior year, a friend loaned him a bluegrass album and he was hooked. In college, he played solo coffeehouse gigs to earn spending money and to work on his instrumental and vocal chops. A visit to a picking session of Rochester bluegrass musicians Ronnie Knatt, Bill Dailey, and Jerry “JS” Schneider reinforced Phil’s growing interest in old-time Appalachian music and bluegrass. Phil graduated from the University of Rochester in 1966 with a degree in history. Unbeknownst to the university registrar (and his parents), he actually majored in bluegrass, with a minor in photography. In 1965, Phil made the pilgrimage to Cantrell’s Horse Farm in Fincastle, Virginia, to attend Carlton Haney’s Roanoke Blue Grass Festival, the first ever multi-day bluegrass festival. He brought his banjo and borrowed a camera, but ended up helping Ralph Rinzler document the sounds of the event while Ralph managed the backstage logistics. Since that time, Phil has been attending bluegrass events with an assortment of musical instruments and cameras, often torn between picking and picturing. As a bluegrass musician, Phil wanted to capture the intensity of live festival performances. Eventually, he was playing with bands on a regular basis, realized he had to make a choice between performing and documenting the performances of others, and chose to play music. Phil lives in Connecticut with his wife, Marcia Goodman, and children Jeremy and Kathrin. He teaches banjo and mandolin privately, in group workshops and camps, and performs regularly with bluegrass, old-time, and Americana groups. Visit his website: www.bluegrasstime.com. What others have to say about Phil Zimmerman’s book and exhibit: Ricky Skaggs These were historic meetings with some of the best musicians the world has ever known. And thank God that Phil Zimmerman was there with his mandolin and his camera…. You’ll love this great collection! David “Dawg” Grisman Phil Zimmerman has captured the spirit of bluegrass music and the exuberance of the musicians playing it… a fantastic job of conveying the fun, nuance and wit of this truly American art form — and for me, some great memories! Tony Rice A true photographic treasure to behold… My God, what precious memories! Dale Ann Bradley This book is a must have for all bluegrass music lovers, old and new! Tony Trischka This is a great collection of photos…. It’s all here! Marty Stuart I admire Phil Zimmerman’s work. He shoots with a knowing eye…. To see his 1970s and early 80s bluegrass experiences is a confirmation of the times, the people, and the music in motion…. There are lots of wonderful memories here. Carl Jackson …instantly placed me in a time capsule and flew me away to some of the best memories of my career. Butch Robins What a wonderful stroll “down memory lane.” Thanks for showing the future some of what we saw as we lived and felt those times. Peter Wernick …pictures that not only take me back in time, but also give a clear vision of the amazing spirit and diverse personalities of the bluegrass scene. Neil Rosenberg …many of the key musicians playing together at the early festivals – brings back some fine musical memories. Dan Hays These images bring forth their own kind of music and capture the joy, devotion, concentration, enjoyment, and fellowship that cannot be conveyed by sound alone.
|
Phil Zimmerman has been a performing musician since high school, and brought a musician’s sensibility to his career as a photographer. Born in Indiana, he grew up in Nebraska and Illinois listening to the WSM Farm Show as a toddler; the WLS Barn Dance in elementary school; and in high school, the late night clear channel beacons of what was then known as hillbilly music, KXEL, WWVA and WCKY. Television cowboys Uncle Tom Chase in Omaha, and singer/songwriter Bob Atcher in Chicago, as well as the “singing cowboy” movies of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers all contributed to his lifelong dedication to picking and singing.