Post by fogcitygal on Dec 12, 2006 17:29:41 GMT -5
From Cybergrass news:
----------------------------
Louisa Branscomb Inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame
BMNN wrote: on Dec. 12, 2006:
/Hope River Entertainment/ - "HALL OF FAME TALENT"
Cartersville Daily Tribune - by Marie Nesmith (12.1.06)
For Louisa Branscomb, the creation of a hit song is an evolutionary process that often takes form on scrap pieces of paper. Inspiration can strike her in the midst of chaos, such as filing her taxes, or as a random thought while driving.
Currently a work in progress, her latest bluegrass song emerged from a line in her acceptance speech at the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame ceremony Nov. 25 — “When things get harder fly higher.”
Branscomb, who was honored for writing and playing bluegrass music in Georgia for 25 years, was one of four Bartow County residents inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“All of my songs come from personal experience or from putting myself in someone else’s shoes,” said Branscomb, who started writing songs at age 5. “As a songwriter, I feel like I am more of a channel for energy. It is an inspirational process and a spiritual process.
“Wherever I am, I can get an inspiration. When I get an idea on the road, I write it down on whatever I can find, like receipts or checkbook slips. I use to say it was the best use of my speeding tickets. Coming home from Nashville two weeks ago, I pulled over at a rest stop to write two songs.”
Since 1969, Branscomb’s pioneer spirit and songwriting abilities have helped shape the landscape of bluegrass music. In the early 1970s, when there were few women musicians on the scene, Branscomb co-founded one of the first modern all-female bluegrass bands with Bluegrass Liberation at the age of 21, then became one of the first females to front a band and play banjo with Boot Hill from 1972 to 1980.
“The music was played by men with some notable exceptions as far as young women in the 1970s,” she said. “I have a pioneer personality. I decided to do it, and I did it. I assumed I was an equal, I approached it that way, and I was treated well in the industry. “My goal was to make good music and reach people with my songs. I have been blessed with everything that has come along with that.”
While Branscomb has performed lead vocals and played the guitar, banjo and mandolin throughout her career, it is her gift for songwriting that sets her apart. More than 70 of her songs have been recorded, leading to two Grammy cuts. Penned in 1971, Branscomb’s song “Steel Rails,” appeared on artist Alison Krauss’ Grammy-winning album, “I’ve Got That Old Feeling” in 1991. With Krauss. “Steel Rails” became the longest running No. 1 song on the bluegrass charts, staying at the helm for 18 months.
“People write songs for different reasons: a place you love, a thought or idea,” Branscomb said. “That song was more about images and feelings. The image of the train track chasing sunshine around the bend, leaving the past and going to the future which is laid out before you. It’s about making a shift from a relationship that has ended to the future. When I wrote it I had only written 170 songs. I had no idea it would become what it has.”
Branscomb’s Hall of Fame entry followed her September International Bluegrass Music Association Recorded Event of the Year award for her contribution to the Daughters of Bluegrass‚ album “Back to the Well.” The project featured 18 female artists, including Branscomb.
“It was a phenomenal experience,” Branscomb said about being a part of “Back to the Well.” “It showed that women were no longer a subset of bluegrass. It was really inspirational to be around that creative energy and supportive atmosphere. Everyone had the desire to make each other look good.
“It is incredible how far women have come. It points out that things are equal, but there still aren‚t as many women and there still are some situations where the conditions have room for growth. People say I had a hand in [drawing women to bluegrass]. Alison singing “Steel Rails” turned a whole new generation on to bluegrass.”
While Branscomb — the mother of a 13-year-old daughter and a practicing clinical psychologist in Cartersville — still enjoys writing and performing occasionally, she has long since retired from touring full time.
“I have reached a point in my career where I still love to perform, but my emphasis has shifted to promoting songwriting and giving back to the profession, mentoring others,” she said. “As part of that, my biggest project this past year has been the founding of the Bluegrass Songwriting Association.”
When asked what accolade or experience she treasured the most, Branscomb sidestepped her list of bluegrass accomplishments and said, watching her daughter play the Dobro and knowing her songs have “meant something to somebody.”
Note: Reprinted with permission.
Copyright 1992-2006 by CYBERGRASS® CYBERGRASS® is a Registered Trademark. All use and rights are reserved. No part of this site may be copied or reproduced in whole or in part without express written authorization from CYBERGRASS®.
----------------------------
Louisa Branscomb Inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame
BMNN wrote: on Dec. 12, 2006:
/Hope River Entertainment/ - "HALL OF FAME TALENT"
Cartersville Daily Tribune - by Marie Nesmith (12.1.06)
For Louisa Branscomb, the creation of a hit song is an evolutionary process that often takes form on scrap pieces of paper. Inspiration can strike her in the midst of chaos, such as filing her taxes, or as a random thought while driving.
Currently a work in progress, her latest bluegrass song emerged from a line in her acceptance speech at the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame ceremony Nov. 25 — “When things get harder fly higher.”
Branscomb, who was honored for writing and playing bluegrass music in Georgia for 25 years, was one of four Bartow County residents inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“All of my songs come from personal experience or from putting myself in someone else’s shoes,” said Branscomb, who started writing songs at age 5. “As a songwriter, I feel like I am more of a channel for energy. It is an inspirational process and a spiritual process.
“Wherever I am, I can get an inspiration. When I get an idea on the road, I write it down on whatever I can find, like receipts or checkbook slips. I use to say it was the best use of my speeding tickets. Coming home from Nashville two weeks ago, I pulled over at a rest stop to write two songs.”
Since 1969, Branscomb’s pioneer spirit and songwriting abilities have helped shape the landscape of bluegrass music. In the early 1970s, when there were few women musicians on the scene, Branscomb co-founded one of the first modern all-female bluegrass bands with Bluegrass Liberation at the age of 21, then became one of the first females to front a band and play banjo with Boot Hill from 1972 to 1980.
“The music was played by men with some notable exceptions as far as young women in the 1970s,” she said. “I have a pioneer personality. I decided to do it, and I did it. I assumed I was an equal, I approached it that way, and I was treated well in the industry. “My goal was to make good music and reach people with my songs. I have been blessed with everything that has come along with that.”
While Branscomb has performed lead vocals and played the guitar, banjo and mandolin throughout her career, it is her gift for songwriting that sets her apart. More than 70 of her songs have been recorded, leading to two Grammy cuts. Penned in 1971, Branscomb’s song “Steel Rails,” appeared on artist Alison Krauss’ Grammy-winning album, “I’ve Got That Old Feeling” in 1991. With Krauss. “Steel Rails” became the longest running No. 1 song on the bluegrass charts, staying at the helm for 18 months.
“People write songs for different reasons: a place you love, a thought or idea,” Branscomb said. “That song was more about images and feelings. The image of the train track chasing sunshine around the bend, leaving the past and going to the future which is laid out before you. It’s about making a shift from a relationship that has ended to the future. When I wrote it I had only written 170 songs. I had no idea it would become what it has.”
Branscomb’s Hall of Fame entry followed her September International Bluegrass Music Association Recorded Event of the Year award for her contribution to the Daughters of Bluegrass‚ album “Back to the Well.” The project featured 18 female artists, including Branscomb.
“It was a phenomenal experience,” Branscomb said about being a part of “Back to the Well.” “It showed that women were no longer a subset of bluegrass. It was really inspirational to be around that creative energy and supportive atmosphere. Everyone had the desire to make each other look good.
“It is incredible how far women have come. It points out that things are equal, but there still aren‚t as many women and there still are some situations where the conditions have room for growth. People say I had a hand in [drawing women to bluegrass]. Alison singing “Steel Rails” turned a whole new generation on to bluegrass.”
While Branscomb — the mother of a 13-year-old daughter and a practicing clinical psychologist in Cartersville — still enjoys writing and performing occasionally, she has long since retired from touring full time.
“I have reached a point in my career where I still love to perform, but my emphasis has shifted to promoting songwriting and giving back to the profession, mentoring others,” she said. “As part of that, my biggest project this past year has been the founding of the Bluegrass Songwriting Association.”
When asked what accolade or experience she treasured the most, Branscomb sidestepped her list of bluegrass accomplishments and said, watching her daughter play the Dobro and knowing her songs have “meant something to somebody.”
Note: Reprinted with permission.
Copyright 1992-2006 by CYBERGRASS® CYBERGRASS® is a Registered Trademark. All use and rights are reserved. No part of this site may be copied or reproduced in whole or in part without express written authorization from CYBERGRASS®.
