'ENDLESS LINE' NAMED ONE OF BEST ACOUSTIC GUITAR ALBUMS OF LAST 20 YEARS
Acoustic Guitar Magazine named Tim's CD 'Endless Line' one of the 240 best Acoustic Guitar Albums of the last 20 years in its February 2010 issue. The article describes Tim as '...possibly the most influential guitarist in contemporary bluegrass.' Blue Highway's 'Midnight Storm' was also included in the list. Tim also appears on or was involved with other records on the list, including Michelle Shocked's 'Arkansas Traveler' (1991), Alison Krauss's 'Now That I've Found You' (1995), and The Infamous Stringduster's 'Fork in the Road' (2007). http://www.acguitar.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=25452
Tim nominated for Guitar Player of the Year
Tim is nominated once again for Guitar Player of the Year at the 36th Anniversary SPBGMA BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARDS
- & 27th NATIONAL CONVENTION -FEBRUARY 4-5-6-7, 2010
Sheraton Music City Hotel - Nashville, Tennessee
http://www.spbgma.com/level2/natnom2010.html
COMPOSITE ACOUSTICS TECHNOLOGIES (CA) ANNOUNCES THE TIM STAFFORD SIGNATURE MODEL
Lafayette, Louisiana, May 1, 2009
Composite Acoustics (CA) is excited to announce the next addition to its line of great sounding, ultra durable, high-end carbon fiber acoustic guitars.
The new TIM STAFFORD SIGNATURE MODEL guitar brings bluegrass guitarists what they asked for most – (a) loud, cutting, balanced, warm acoustic tone, (b) excellent projection, (c) very natural plugged in tone, and (d) outstanding resistance to the elements.
We worked with renowned bluegrass guitarist Tim Stafford in designing a guitar that features special light blue shell flame soundhole ring, green four leaf clover inlay on the headstock, enlarged 4.5” diameter soundhole, sound port, Gotoh 510 open back gears, our Performance Tuned bracing, and a specially voiced Fishman Aura pick-up system. It comes in the high gloss Carbon Burst paint finish. ($2968 Player Price)
“I believe the signature model is the best new CA I've played. It plays like a dream, and the sound port gives it more punch and volume out front, as well as adding something like 'self-monitoring' to the instrument--you can hear the guitar more clearly as you play it, from your vantage point behind the instrument. This is a bonus for singers; it sounds like a superior new guitar, straight out of the box. I was talking with someone after I had gotten the first prototype of the signature model which I played at Merlefest last year; they gave me a 4-leaf clover as luck for the new model. I put the clover against the black carbon top and it was just brilliant; that's when I began to think this would be a nice cosmetic touch for the model. Mostly though, I hope it brings luck to whoever buys one!” Tim Stafford.
Composite Acoustic Technologies (CA) is a manufacturer of carbon fiber acoustic guitars in Lafayette, Louisiana. Composite Acoustics Technologies (CA) uses proprietary carbon fiber technology and designs to produce guitars with excellent tone, high durability and resistance to elements. From indoors to outdoors, basements to attics, wall hooks to guitar stands, super humid to bone dry, Composite Acoustics Technologies (CA) are ready when you are, wherever you are.
Contact:\">http://www.compositeacoustics.com
Contact: Laurie Abshire
Tel: 337.233.4119
Email: lauriea@compositeacoustics.com
'THROUGH THE WINDOW OF A TRAIN' #1 SONG OF 2008
As WAMU-FM's website notes, 'What would New Year’s be without a countdown of the most popular songs of the year?' WAMU 'Bluegrass Country' Host Lee Michael Demsey closed out the old year and welcomed in the New Year with the Top 40 Bluegrass Songs of 2008. 'Through the Window of a Train,' IBMA's 2008 'Song of the Year,' written by Tim and Steve Gulley, topped the list, with five months as the #1 song making it the most popular bluegrass song of 2008.
TIM NOMINATED FOR GUITAR PERFORMER, SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America) Award nominees have been announced and Tim is nominated again for Guitar Performer of the year, and for the first time as Songwriter of the year, along with Steve Gulley. The 35th SPBGMA Convention and Awards will be held Feb. 12-15 2009 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel Nashville. http://www.spbgma.com/level2/natnom2009.html
'THROUGH THE WINDOW OF A TRAIN' IBMA SONG OF THE YEAR 2008
'Through the Window of a Train' was named the Song of the Year at the 19th Annual IBMA Awards held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on October 2. The song was co-written by Tim and Steve Gulley and recorded by Blue Highway on its Rounder CD of the same title. http://www.ibma.org/ibma.awards/currentpress/list_winners.asp
TIM, BLUE HIGHWAY NOMINATED FOR IBMA AWARDS
Nominations for the 19th Annual International Bluegrass Music Association Awards were announced on Thursday, August 14 in Nashville. Tim was nominated for guitar player of the year, and the song 'Through the Window of a Train' picked up a nod for Song of the Year, while the Blue Highway CD of that name was nominated for Album of the Year. In addition, Blue Highway was listed in both the Instrumental and Vocal Group of the Year categories, and Rob Ickes was nominated yet again for Dobro Player of the Year. The IBMA Awards will be held Thursday, October 2 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. http://www.ibma.org/ibma.awards/currentpress/nomineepress.asp
'TWO SOLDIERS' NUMBER ONE SONG ON SIRIUS BLUEGRASS
For the week of August 11, Tim and Wood Newton's composition 'Two Soldiers' was named the top song in Sirius Bluegrass's 'Count Down Yonder.' Previously, 'Through the Window of a Train' topped the list. The list is based on email and phone votes from listeners. http://www.sirius.com/bluegrass
'THROUGH THE WINDOW OF A TRAIN' NUMBER ONE ON BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED SURVEY
Tim And Steve Gulley's song 'Through the Window of a Train,' the title cut of Blue Highway's latest record, is number one on the August edition of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine's Top 30 Bluegrass songs chart. The album is currently #2 on the CD chart.
'THROUGH THE WINDOW OF A TRAIN' NUMBER ONE ON BMP TOP 30 CHART
Tim And Steve Gulley's song 'Through the Window of a Train,' the title cut of Blue Highway's latest record, is number one on the July edition of Bluegrass Music Profiles magazine's Top 30 Hot Singles chart. The project is also number one on the Top 10 Bluegrass CDs chart. http://www.bluegrassmusicprofiles.com/JULY%202008%20BMP%20Top%2030%20Hot%20Singles.pdf
BLUE HIGHWAY FEATURED IN GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE
Tim and Rob were interviewed for a great new piece on Blue Highway by Matt Blackett for the June 2008 issue of Guitar Player Magazine--http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/blue-highway/jun-08/36155 The piece also features great photos of the band by Kimberly Miller.
25 NEW SONGS CUT IN '08/09
25 of Tim's songs (solely or co-written) are set to be released in '08/09, including those already released by Blue Highway, Tim Hensley, Dan Tyminski, The Dixie Beeliners, The Infamous Stringdusters and the Midnight Ramblers. Upcoming releases include songs cut by Alecia Nugent, Newfound Road, The Circuit Riders, April Verch, Jeanette Williams, Jon Weisberger, Kenny and Amanda Smith, Ron Stewart, Grasstowne and Melonie Cannon, among others.
Willie Nelson, Tim Hensley, Andy Hall records out--January 2008
Willie's 'Moment of Forever' on Lost Highway Records, Tim Hensley's 'Long Monday' (Rural Rhythm) and Andy's “Sound of the Slide Guitar” (Sugar Hill) were released this week. Tim played on all of these records, as well as these recent releases: Jason Davis's 'Steppin' Out' on Pinecastle and Jorma Kaukonen's 'Stars in my Crown' (Red House). Blue Highway's 'Through the Window of a Train' will be released Feb. 12 on Rounder.
TIM NOMINATED FOR GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR AT SPBGMA AWARDS
Tim, who was chosen guitar player of the year at the SPBGMA Awards in 2001, is nominated again in 2008. http://www.spbgma.com/level2/natnom2008.html
STRINGDUSTERS, CROWE SHARE ALBUM OF YEAR AT IBMA
At the IBMA Awards held on Oct. 4, 2007, Tim won as producer of the Infamous Stringdusters' 'Fork in the Road,' which was named the Album of the Year (along with J.D. Crowe and the New South's 'Lefty's Old Guitar' in a historic tie). In addition, Tim played on Tony Trischka's 'Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular,' which won Instrumental Album of the Year and Recorded Event. Also, Rob won Dobro Player of the Year again, his ninth win!
INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTER'S 'FORK IN THE ROAD' RISES TO NUMBER ONE ON BLUEGRASS CHARTS
June 2007--The Infamous Stringduster's debut recording, 'Fork in the Road' (Sugar Hill) has quickly risen to the top spot on Bluegrass Unlimited's National Bluegrass Radio Survey. Tim produced the record and is mighty proud of them boys! Tim's song 'Cold Blue Day' is also at #10 on the chart, as performed by NewFound Road. http://www.bluegrassmusic.com/index.php?issue=132001&page=survey
'ACOUSTIC GUITAR FUNDAMENTALS' NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD!
Tim's popular instructional video, 'Acoustic Guitar Fundamentals,' is now available on DVD. Please see the merchandise page to order.
Songs and sessions
Tim co-wrote five songs on Blue Highway's upcoming Rounder project, including 'Through the Window of a Train,' (with Steve Gulley) 'A Week From Today,' (with Bobby Starnes) 'My Ropin' Days are Done,' (also with Starnes) 'Blues on Blues,' (with Starnes and Jon Weisberger) and 'Two Soldiers' (with Wood Newton). Other recent cuts: 'The Signs' and 'Where I Belong' (both written with Tim Carter) for Carter's new CD; 'Black Lung Blues,' (with Bobby Starnes and Terry Herd) and 'That's Not What Ships are For (with Steve Gulley and Kim Williams) on Grasstowne's debut recording; 'Union Man' on Music of Coal: Songs from the Appalachian Coalfields.
In addition to the new Blue Highway recording, recent sessions include tracks for Jason Davis, Andy Hall, Tim Carter and Willie Nelson.
New sessions, new songs cut
Recent recording sessions: Marshall Grant [of Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two] (with Jerry Hensley); Jorma Kaukonen [of Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane] for Red House Records (with Blue Highway, Byron House, Barry Mitterhoff, and Sally Van Meter) ; Cyndi Wheeler (with Byron House, Chris Brown, Jodie Nardone, Blue Highway); Steve Gulley for Lonesome Day Records (with Adam Steffey, Ron Stewart, Jason Moore, Tim Crouch, Shawn Lane, Randy Kohrs); Tim Hensley (with Adam Steffey, Aubrey Haynie, Kevin 'Swine' Grant, Dave Talbot); upcoming Willie Nelson release for Lost Highway produced by Buddy Cannon
New songs cut: 'Any Bar in Birmingham' (with Kim Williams and Larry Shell) on Don Rigsby and Midnight Call's 'Hillbilly Heartache' on Rebel records; 'Baby Shoes' (with Kim Williams and Larry Shell) on Larry Stephenson, 'Life Stories' on Pinecastle; 'You Couldn't Pay Me to Care' (with Steve Gulley) on Steve Gulley's upcoming Lonesome Day release; 'I'm Just Here to Ride the Train' and 'A Town That Isn't There' (both written with Steve Gulley) on Mountain Heart's latest Skaggs Family recording, 'Wide Open'; 'Follow the Star' (with Larry Cordle and Bobby Starnes) on Larry Sparks's upcoming debut release for McCoury Music; Melonie Cannon, 'He Has Your Name' (with Melonie Cannon and Bobby Starnes); Stephen Mougin, 'Just Trying to Get Home' (with Jon Weisberger); Jeanette Williams, 'Break the Chain,' (with Kim Williams and Larry Shell) and 'I'm Going Home' (with Bobby Starnes).
NEW RECORDINGS AND SESSIONS
Tim appears on the following new releases: Joe Isaacs, Dreaming of Home, Music Mill 70039, Jimmy Sturr, Let’s Polka ‘Round, Rounder Select, CD-6106. Recent sessions include a record by Darin Aldridge of the Country Gentlemen and several cuts for Rob Ickes's new Rounder record. The latter were cut live at Skaggs Studios in Hendersonville, TN.
IN MEMORIUM, RUBY EAST 1910-2005
Tim's grandmother Ruby East passed away Sunday April 10. She was 94. Ruby was an inspiration to countless kids in the Bloomingdale area of East Tennessee. Those who grew up in the late 70s and early 80s in that area remember coming to her house, hanging out, playing rook and listening to records. Here is her obituary from the Kingsport Times-News: Ruby East, 94, Kingsport.Return to top
KINGSPORT - Ruby Horne East, 94, of Kingsport, died at 12:30 p.m. Sunday (April 10, 2005) at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.
She was a native and lifelong resident of Sullivan County. Ruby was a homemaker and a member of the Arcadia Presbyterian Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Garvey East; one son, Paul East; mother, Fannie Horne; one sister, Leona Vaughn; and one brother, S.W. 'Dub' Horne.
Surviving are four daughters, Vashti Smith, Jo Riggs and husband, H.L., Miss Lois East, and Bernice Stafford, all of Kingsport; six grandsons; six granddaughters; 12 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren; a special niece, Barbara Hooven, and several other nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. April 12 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport.
Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. April 12 in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. John M. Irwin and the Rev. Guy Tilley officiating.
Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday April 13 at 11 a.m. at East Lawn Memorial Park.
Tim Stafford, Dwight Riggs, David Riggs, Johnnie East, Ronnie East, Dewey Killen and Bruce Blaylock will serve as pallbearers.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Arcadia Presbyterian Church (PCA), 4616 Bloomingdale Road, Kingsport, Tenn. 37660.
JIM MILLS DVD
Tim plays backup guitar with banjo whiz Jim Mills on his new instructional DVD on Acutab, 'A Winning Banjo Style.' Jim is a four-time recipient of the IBMA Banjo Performer of the Year Award and currently performs with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Jams that dated from Tim's time with Alison Krauss and Union Station led to the core band on Jim's first solo record, 'Bound to Ride,' (Sugar Hill, 1998) including Tim, Adam Steffey and Barry Bales. 'Bound to Ride' was IBMA's Instrumental Recording of the Year in 1999 and also featured Stuart Duncan, Jerry Douglas, Alan O'Bryant, Ricky Skaggs, Don Rigsby and others. See http://www.acutab.com/artists/mills/millsdvd.html
TIM NOMINATED FOR IBMA GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR; 'ENDLESS LINE' NOMINATED FOR INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Tim has been nominated for IBMA Guitar Player of the Year for the first time, while 'Endless Line' is up for Instrumental Recording of the Year at the 16th Annual International Bluegrass Music Association Awards Show to be held Oct. 27, 2005 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. In addition, Tim appears on Larry Sparks's '40,' which is nominated for both Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year. Blue Highway is also up for Vocal Group and Instrumental Group of the Year while Rob Ickes is again nominated for Dobro Player of the Year. For more information, see http://www.ibma.org/ibma.awards/2005/nominees.asp
TIM FEATURED IN ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAGAZINE!
Check out Jon Weisberger's fine article on Tim in the September 2004 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine (with Eric Clapton on the cover). The article features a long interview, photos, and a transcription of rhythm and the lead guitar break to 'Danville Girl' from 'Endless Line.' www.acousticguitar.com
BLUE HIGHWAY REACHES NUMBER ONE
'Marbletown' sits at the number one spot on Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine's December 2005 National Bluegrass Survey. More info at http://www.bluegrassmusic.com/index.php?issue=34455&page=survey. The survey is based on radio airplay. The song 'Marbletown' is #3 on the 'Top 30 Bluegrass Songs' chart while 'Nothing but a Whippoorwill' is #27 and 'Lazarus' enters the chart at #30. Also, Kenny and Amanda Smith's version of Tim and Steve Gulley's 'Always Never Enough' is #7 on the song chart, while the CD is at #5.
'MARBLETOWN' NOMINATED FOR GRAMMY AWARD!
On Dec. 8, 2005, the 25th anniversary of John Lennon's death, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced that Blue Highway's 'Marbletown' is nominated for Best Bluegrass Album. Other nominees in the category include the Del McCoury Band, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Cherryholmes and the Grascals. This marks the first time the band has been up for Best Bluegrass Album; in 2003, 'Wondrous Love' was nominated for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Recording. The 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, on CBS. http://www.grammy.com/awards/grammy/48Awards.aspx
NEW SESSIONS
Recently, Tim played on the following: Melonie Cannon produced by Buddy Cannon and Ronnie Bowman with Randy Kohrs, Adam Steffey, Alan Bartram, John Gardner, Wyatt Rice and Aubrey Haynie; BluegrassCollege.com sessions with Missy Raines and Matt Flinner; Tim Hensley produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney with Adam Steffey, Deanie Richardson and Rob Ickes; Blue Highway for 'Picking on Van Halen' recorded at Hog Hollow Studio, Jonesborough, TN; Jesse McReynolds for OMS records produced by Hugh Moore and Billy Troy with J.D. Crowe, Bobby Hicks, Buddy Spicher, Mike Bub and Charlie Cushman.
CHECK OUT TIM'S MYSPACE.COM SITE
http://www.myspace.com/timstafford
MySpace.com is a new online community that's growing exponentially.
BLUEGRASSCOLLEGE.ORG UP AND RUNNING
Tim is part of the new website
http://www.bluegrasscollege.org:8080/Bluegrass/main.jsp
.A new concept in interactive online instruction for all levels of bluegrass players on any instrument. For an annual fee of $69.95 (£39.95 +vat in the UK) students can download 12 lessons each year. Each lesson, or tune, will contain several instructional video files (Quicktime .mov format), a number of play-along .mp3 files (various speeds) and tab/notation files in PDF. Other instructors at this time include Tim, Rob Ickes, Ron Stewart, Matt Flinner, Andy Hall, Mike Compton, Mike Bub, Missy Raines, Keith Little, Chris Jones, Megan Lynch, Butch Baldassari, and more. Tim teaches beginner, intermediate and advanced versions of tunes like 'Shenandoah Valley Breakdown,' 'Groundspeed,' 'New Camptown Races' and 'Bury Me Beneath the Willow.' He also plays and sings 'Sunny Side of the Mountain.' If you decide to sign up for a year, you can get a 13th tune free by entering the following passcode: ts001.
TIM FEATURED ARTIST ON NEW CA GUITARS WEBSITE
Tim is the featured artist on the new CA Guitars website. Several of his tunes, including some new yet-to-be-named ones are featured throughout, even on the cover page.
http://www.compositeacoustics.com/featureartist/
BLUE HIGHWAY NOMINATED FOR 10 IBMA AWARDS
BLUE HIGHWAY NOMINATED FOR 10 IBMA AWARDS. August 15, 2006: Blue Highway is proving vital in its 12th year as a band, garnering 10 nominations from the International Bluegrass Music Association collectively and as individuals. Among the nods: Album of the Year (Marbletown), Song of the Year (Marbletown), Vocal Group of the Year, Instrumental Group of the Year, Gospel Performance of the Year (Lazarus), Dobro Player of the Year (Rob), Instrumental Album of the Year (Three Ring Circle), Recorded Event of the Year (Three Ring Circle), as well as participating in 'Celebration of Life: Musicians Against Childhood Cancer,' which was also nominated for Album of the Year. For more information, see http://www.ibma.org/ibma.awards/