Top 10 stories of 2006

[Scott Tichenor]

Curious what some of you think (mandolin related, please) the dominant 2006 stories were, the most important events that impacted the community, etc. might include. Don't plan to do anything with this information, but was lamenting the fact that our Charlie Derrington passed away just four months ago and has already left most conversations. Sometimes it's good to be reminded what's happened. Actually hard to come up with ten myself, but here's my list, in no particular order of importance.

- the death of Charlie Derrington
- the end of Rigel instruments
- Nickel Creek's announcement of a cooling off period
- the death of Dempsey Young
- the first Mike Compton focused recording in his musical career (some of you maybe surprised by this one, but think about it--even if you aren't a bluegrass fan)
- Gibson's unusual marketing plan implemented by its owner
- Andy Statman rising from obscurity to tour and release two CDs
- 30 years of the Dawg's music
- Berklee School of Music opening up a mandolin track. That a major music school recognizes the instrument is a significant event in itself (my opinion)
- YouTube, from vintage clips of Monroe, Homer & Jethro, to every guy and his couch playing a fiddle tune (usually minus head)

I might include the first LoarFest in the above. If you were there to witness this, you might agree.

[Plamen Ivanov]

Hello!

The most important mandolin event held in Europe this year was the Zupfmusik Festival in Bamberg. I think a lot of people shall be agreed on this and if there is a final top 10 ranking this event must be among the first three positions!

Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Best,
Plamen

[fatt-dad]

I think to add the Mix-Master (CF) mandolin is Big News! #While it's beyond my budget (for now), it's cool, seemingly sounds great and innovative.

[jmcgann]

The new president of Berklee College of Music, Roger Brown, has stated his Vision for 2015:

"Berklee will be the world's leading institute of contemporary music. Attracting diverse and talented students passionate about their careers in music, we will offer a relevant and distinctive cirriculum in music and liberal arts. We will engage an unparalleled faculty of inspiring educators and cutting edge industry professionals, provide state of the art facilities for learning and living, and produce tomorrow's leaders of the global music community".

Adding mandolin was a crucial step, doncha think? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[JGWoods]

End of Rigel

and Mid-Mo

The launch of Eastman Mandolins

Gibson Co. launches an iceberg of marketing and public relations snafus with dealer changes and lawsuits, then rams the iceberg with the good ship Gibson.

Collings does most everything right.

The general public still thinks a mandolin is for slicing vegetables.

Mandolin makers and musicians make tens of dollars in burgeoning careers.

Some guy thinks he can get $3500 for a plastic mandolin when I can get a real wood one at Walmart for $50.

Happiness abounds and mandolin players everywhere find love, peace, joy, and satisfaction from their 8 string beauties.

[JimRichter]

IMO, the big mandolin stories were (and they might even be in order, though the first two are definitely tied for first):

Monroe's Loar finally finds a resting place;
the murder of Charlie Derrington;
the NewMAD carbon fiber mandolin;
the death of Rigel;
the death of MidMo;
the rise of YouTube;
the death of Dempsey Young;

There are other things, such as the return of Andy Statman, that are significant, but I kind of rack that up to such things as new album releases. The break up of Nickel Creek might be there, but I actually think the development of Thile's new band is more noteworthy than N.C.'s dissolution.

And as far as Compton, I would argue that it's not the first M.C.-centric recording given that he and David Grier did an excellent album in the early 90's which had Mike's stamp all over it. Plus, considering Mike did almost as much guitar as he did mandolin on Stomp, I'm still waiting for the M.C. solo album (need that studio version of "Rotten Taters").

I personally think the resting place of Monroe's mandolin and the murder of Charlie were the two big ones this year.

Jim

[Scott Tichenor]

Hate to break the news to some of you, but Mid-Mo simply went through a name change in then end, and barely missed a beat. Same product, different name. What was barely news... well, never mind.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Albert Whiting]

I would also add How To Grow a Band forming and the announcement of Tony Rice touring with AKUS!

[Glassweb]

Many thanks and Happy Holidays to Scott, Dan, Darryl and Tom for their support, insight and, most importantly, giving us a space to be mando-centricly connected. Looking forward to 2007 - should be mando-heaven!

[Larry S Sherman]

Some that have not been mentioned yet...

1. Mike Marshall and Hamilton De Holanda's first CD together...New Words

2. The introduction of the Draleon Royale mandolin

3. The Dawg starts playing a Corrado Giacomel mandolin in his live performances...ending an era of black electrical tape?

Larry

[jim simpson]

The Dawg touring with Bluegrass Experience!

[Jim MacDaniel]

Also notable this year, was the release of Aidan Crossey's various artists ITM compilation project An Maindilin (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=5;t=38353), as well as Shooglenifty fitting in several US gigs into their schedule this autumn.

[pickinNgrinnin]

[QUOTE]the murder of Charlie Derrington

I agree Jim. That is my top Mando related story of 2006.

HOW Charlie died should be the real story of 2006. Charlie was killed by an illegal immigrant who was driving drunk and fled the scene of the accident. Charlie's family is now spending their first Christmas without him.

I never met Charlie but I have an A5-L he signed 7 years ago on December 21st. I think of him every time I pull it out of the case.

[Tim]

The launch of Eastman Mandolins
I thought they launched their mandolin line in 2004.

[Daniel Nestlerode]

In no particular order:
Death of Charlie Derrington
Start of New Millenium Acoustic Design
Success of LoarFest West and SuperGrass in Bakersfield CA in the winter
Continued growth (in attendance) and success of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco
Launching of MandoZine Radio (all mandolin music all the time)
Tim O'Brien's induction to the West Virginia Hall of Fame
Mike Compton beginning to break out as a solo artist (Go, Mike! Go!)
The resurgence of Andy Statman
Death of Dempsey Young
Death of Vern Williams

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!
Daniel

[Scott Tichenor]

Interesting responses. One correction: Monroe's mandolin actually found its home at the CMHF in 2005, not 2006. For those of you with, oh, five minutes of time to catch up on 2006, here's the Cafe front page archive (http://www.mandolincafe.com/archives/frontpage.html), every bit of info that appeared there for the year to date with links going back a few years on the left side as well.

And, of course, no one has congratulated ME for being Time's Person of The Year. Thank you, thank you very much. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[John Flynn]

And, of course, no one has congratulated ME for being Time's Person of The Year. Thank you, thank you very much.
Congratulations! I hope your enthusiasm is not dampened by the fact that Time's editor admitted in an interview that the second choice was the president of Iran. I did not make that up.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Scott Tichenor]

I think that may be the lamest choice in the history of the magazine. They quickly found out a few years ago that selecting someone like that usually results in them losing a few thousand subscriptions. That certainly took care of the objective nature of their choice. Then I nominate Charlie D. as Person Of The Year, not that anyone asked.

[Jim Roberts]

The end of MandoFest http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif but thankful that it ever happened, very thankful for all the friends made at the Fest and appreciative of all the hard work of Scott and Jeff and their families that made it all happen!

[Jim MacDaniel]

Following Mid-Mo's sad demise earlier this year, I think #we witnessed the transition from Mid-Mo to Eastman as being the most often recommended mandolin in our many "what should I buy" threads.


BTW, for 2007, I hope we see Mid-Mo making a Big and Muddy comeback. (But hopefully with a better insurance portfolio ;)

[DryBones]

looks like I followed both leads. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[JEStanek]

Scott, If you thought Time's choice was bad, imagine what Dawg thought... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Biggest news to me was Charlie's death, Rigel and the CF Mad Mix design coming out of it. Other news not mentioned was the surgery and recovery of Frank Wakefield (good news).

Jamie

[kyblue]

Let's not forget we lost Larry Rice this year.

I was just playing his 'Come on Down to My World.'

paula

[Big Joe]

For me the most profound event of the year was the loss of my friend, Charlie Derrington. My life has been immeasurably impacted. It is hard to imagine a Christmas without my friend.

On another note to those interested...the Gibson marketing plan so often discussed was actually implemented in the fall of 2004 and put to rest in late 2005. Most of the items discussed about Gibson are far more than one year old and not an event for 2006. Thank you and have a Merry Christmas!

[Ted Eschliman]

Stories can be "events" or "trends," differentiated by duration. A story happens in a few days or weeks, trends can take many years; either being profound and history-altering. As Joe mentioned, the Gibson story has crossed many "Top ten" lists the last few years. Good or bad, nonetheless, significant to all in the Cafe.

I think an ongoing story that continues under the radar is the marvelous proliferation of small cottage builders, those who defy the current arbitrary economics and randomly negative market effects of globalization, and continue to bring us marvelous NEW instruments. I'm especially excited about a few here that created some beauties. Jim Hilburn's #Bennedetto inspired 5-string (http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/uploads/post-22-42712-5_string.jpg) comes to mind. Ben Wilcox and his hybrid Oval Style (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=39417;hl=hybrid), Michael Lewis and his delicious L5-ish Octave Mandolin (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=16;t=30342;hl=michaud), and selfishly, my own Bussmann Solocomp JM 4-string jazz Mandola (http://jazzmando.com/bill_bussman_jm.shtml).

You have the entrance of a whole company dedicated to Gypsy Mandolin, Paris Swing (http://parisswing.com/), and love 'em or hate 'em, give them credit for giving this exciting idiom a more prominent degree of credibility. Along comes Century Strings Draleons (http://www.gypsyjazzguitars.com/mando/draleon/royale.html); when their production hits its stride, we'll see another scenery of mandolin frontier.

Not to disrespect the F5, but I'm excited to see these builders not replace, but add to and open up the mando world to new designs, capable of sustaining (pun completely intentional) and expanding the our expectations of the mandolin sound. Forgive me for leaving other quality builders out, but 2006 really was a good year over all for the mando world!

[Monte37]

Mine was seeing the Mandolin Symposium in Santa Cruz, meeting all the new persons and old friends, and being there on the night of Hamilton Hollanda.

Also the 30 years of Dawg music, the friendship, and friendships, and the stories contained within these 30 years.

Finally, the fact that the mandolin endures, learning about the community of mandoliners and this place called the Mandolin Cafe.

You are doing a fine job Scott, for all of us. Thank You.

[Michael Cameron]

I've been out of the mando-news loop for a couple years;just got a new computer for Christmas!!! Thanks to my loving family.
So much of the top 10 is REALLY news to me. Now I'l be up all night on the 2006 archives. The coffee is on.
Please tell me I didn't read a post here that listed "the murder of Charlie Derrington" !!??
As soon as I got my new e-mail service I posted a question asking about DMMs;I was directed to a good archived response to my query. It was there I read a post(sorry I cannot quote who etc.) that the thread or discussion of Mr. Derrington's death was getting "ghoulish". I didn't get that feeling from the discussion I read;but I admit I did feel a lttle leary about asking more questions on the subject. Thank you for the archival work,Mr. Tichenor. Any questions I have will be readily available there I'm sure.
I JUST found out that Peter Mix is "formerly" with Rigel Mandolins!? Rigel Mandolins is kerplooie!? In the words of Joe Dirt..."Dang!"
I truly feel Like I just fell off the tater wagon.

[mythicfish]

Oh, it's got to be about "mandolins/me" ... never mind.

Curt

[Bob Simmers]

Charlie Derrington's tragic death is the story of '06.

I'm out of the loop. What did Gibson do.....marketing plan, etc.?

[mandopete]

I think you've hit on all of the top news stories for 2006. #You might add the passing of Vern Williams in June to the list as well. #I think Vern Williams and Ray Park were the a big part of the genesis of bluegrass music on the west coast.

From a recording perspective I named David Grisman's "DGBX" as my top pick for 2006. #It's been quite a while since we've had a bluegrass flavored recording from the Dawg, I was reminded of his unique sound and I was also impressed that he included his son Samson on the recording as well.

I agree that the Time magazine person of the year thing was lame. #But with the proliferation of self teaching aids such as download tab, music slowdown software, video on demand, it's getting easier and easier to learn to play an instrument such as the mandolin. #I feel like we're becoming the global village as Mashall McLuhan envisioned. #So I'll just say the most important "thing" for the mandolin in 2006 was computer technology.

On a personal note, I didn't buy any mandolin related items except strings in 2006. #I think I've made great progress in combatting M.A.S.


# http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[GTison]

Charlie Derrington's death was the most important event of the year for the mandolin world. After that I followed the Loarfest articles. I really love to see what's up with the Loar instruments.

[Mark Walker]

I agree with many others - Charlie Derrington's death tops the list. I learned more about Monroe and his instrument, and Loars and so on following related threads than I ever realized was out there.

[Patrick Sylvest]

I must admit, I didn't know who Charlie was until his passing. I'm so new to the mandolin and all things mandolin. I've since done my research and come to appreciate his accomplishments. His family remain in my prayers.

Also on my list for '06 is the Passing of Josh 'Buck' Graves, innovator and master of the Dobro. Him, I knew a great deal about. I'm sorry I never got to meet him. There's a nice youtube video of him with Flatt and Scruggs doing 'Rollin' in my sweet baby's arms'.

Also of note, the formation of a band called 'Folklure (http://www.myspace.com/folkluremusic)' of which I am a member. We've had alot of fun and are enjoying some success here in South Louisiana. I've made alot of new lifelong friends this year through music...what a blessing it's been.

In '06 I became the proud owner of two mandoins and became a mandolinist. I got the job playing with this group because of my Singing, Guitar and Dobro skills. I became the mandolin player because I owned one. Now I have this marvelous Collings MT that has really changed my world musically.

I got to see my son's group, (3 - 14 year olds) the axmen, play live at one of our gigs. That was a blast!