I just returned from a nice stay in New York City. Andy Statman, for those of you don't know, is a fantastic mandolin and clarinet player. Andy asked me to join him and his bandmates to record his next CD. Andy plays and writes Jewish music, old time, jazz and bluegrass type tunes. We recorded for five days and recorded several of the type tunes I just mentioned. Andy is very passionate about his music and loves to experiment with different rhythms. It was certainly a challenge and fun at the same time. Andy's friends, Jim Whitney who plays upright bass, Larry Eagle on percussion and Jon Sholle on guitar. These are top notch musicians who have been playing music for a long time. I think we all had a great time recording and swapping lies or stories I should say. So, look for Andy's new recording in the next year as I know you will be entertained.




photos by Bradley Klein

Howdy Folks!

Well, Spring has sprung again; it's time to plant that garden and get your lawn mower in shape. The Berline Band is getting it's new CD in order and all plans are for it to be ready in the next couple of months. The working title is "MY OKLAHOMA"; we recorded a wide variety of songs that we have found to be very popular with our audiences

We want to thank all of you who attend our shows at the Music Hall. Remember our Western Swing show and dance at the Guthrie Fairgrounds on May 10th. We will again feature Leon Rausch and Smiley Weaver, former Playboys with Bob Wills' band. No-one sings those oldies like Leon or plays the swinging steel guitar like Smiley. You will also hear Billy Joe Foster, Greg Burgess and me on triple fiddles, and of course the rest of the gang. There is plenty of room for listening and dancing, so round up your friends and neighbors for a really fun evening.

I have also come up with another special show for our amazing fanbase. This time we are presenting Oklahoma Roundup on Saturday evening, June 21st. In addition to our B. B. Band, we will also feature the Rockin' Acoustic Circus (Rick Morton's young group from Tulsa), the Hunt Family and Jim Garling. The show will be at the Music Hall, same time-same place, with a $15 charge. It is covered in the series with the discount tickets, and should be lots of fun for everyone.

Lukas Wronski has returned to his home country of Poland, and we all wish him the best of luck wherever his creative talents take him. We are displaying a few of his artistic violins in the Fiddle Shop, and still have several of his fine violins for sale here. We thank him for spending some time with us here in Guthrie, and we all enjoyed getting to know him. His personality and talent were much enjoyed and appreciated.

DISCOUNT TICKETS

We are continuing the offer for bargain discount tickets, 8 shows for $68.00 ($136 per couple). That covers May through August and is $8.00 per show and $10 for the Western Swing and Oklahoma Roundup shows. You also have the privilege of selecting your reserved seat. The tickets will be ready by the time you read this. Remember it is first-come, first-served for the seat selection, and we hold your seat for you only until show time.

LESSONS

Jim Garling continues to teach beginning and intermediate fiddle and guitar students. He can be reached at 405-306-4182. John Hickman works with banjo students and Greg Burgess teaches advanced fiddle students. Call for information: 405-282-6646


I encourage each of you to come by the shop whenever you get a chance. We have a wonderful variety of instruments and music accessories. Becca is working on a new look for the website. We are anxious to get it ready to launch --- we think you will like it.

Upcoming Music Hall Shows:

May 10 (Western Swing)
May 24
June 7
June 21 (Oklahoma Roundup)
July 5
July 26
Aug. 9
Aug 23


OUT of TOWN SHOWS:

May 24-25 Cowboy Hall of Fame
July 10 Gillette, Wyoming
July 11-12 Buffalo, Wyoming
Aug. 1 Amarillo, Tx
Aug. 2 Albuquerque, NM
Aug. 8 Caldwell, Ks.
Aug. 31 ` OKC Community College

OklaTravelNet.Com came to the shop a few months ago to feature the Fiddle Shop on their site. The video is now up on their website, or you can watch it here.

Sat. night the 16th of Feb we had a great evening of fiddling. Greg Burgess and I started things off with some twin fiddle numbers and even let Jim Fish and Richard Sharp sing a song. Next we invited a couple of Greg's students Braxton 9 years old and Stephenie 16 which everyone really enjoyed. All the way from Ft. Worth, Tx. was Cheyenne Craig 14 who was very well received. To finish out the first set was a group from Tulsa called Rockin' Acoustic Circus. Rick Morton has helped put this young group together and is teaching them how to play bluegrass and acoustic music. I enjoyed what they played and the level of musicianship was really good. Emma on Cello, Emalea on rhythm guitar and vocal, Carson on banjo, Eric on fiddle and Vocal, Sterling on mandolin, Zac on upright bass and Rick on guitar. Thanks guys that was mighty fine.

The second set began with the Hunt Family Bluegrass Band . Terry and Leanne I know are proud of their boys Andrew and Jonathan. These guys get better everyday seems like. Andrew on fiddle and mandolin and Jonathan on banjo; these brothers get it done. Everyone loves the Hunt Family.

Next we brought up Rick Morton to play some fiddle and what a treat for everyone. Our band backed Rick up on a couple of numbers and Rick stayed with us for a few more songs until we invited the whole crew back up for a fiddle finale. Faded Love and Old Joe Clark seemed to please everyone that attended. I thing everyone had a good time how can you not when you get a group of good young fiddlers and musicians together. Hope to see you next year around the same time.

You just never know who is going to stop by for our shows here at the Double Stop Music Hall. This last year we have had Mason Williams, Vince Gill and Dec. 29th we had Larry Gatlin and Red Stegall drop in for a song and story. Larry Happened to be in Guthrie for his son's wedding and was gracious enought to come by while we were in the middle of our bi-weekly concert. Red was also attending the wedding as he is good friends with the Gatlins. Everyone in attendance and the band was thrilled to see those two show up unexpectedly. So you just never know who may show up so don't miss any of our shows from now on!! Really come when you can. ..We always have a good time

Merry Christmas and Happy 2008!

Well, this year is about over, and I hope it was a good one for all of you. Lots of things happened this past year; the band had a nice trip to California in March, playing all up and down the state. We also played all around Oklahoma, appearing once again at the OK Mozart Fest in Bartlesville with Mason Williams. The Centennial celebrations were all amazing; I think we can be proud of the way our state remembered our past. I was fortunate to be able to play with the Enid symphony, and to be a part of the Centennial parade in Oklahoma City and the spectacular show at the Ford Center. I hope this coming year will be as fun and exciting.

Thanks to all of our season ticket holders --- we appreciate your enthusiasm and loyalty. The band has recorded some neat new songs, and should have a new C.D. ready sometime in 2008

I hope you all enjoyed the bluegrass festival in October. We are already gearing up for next year. Mark your calendars for Oct. 2 – 4; it won’t fall on the OU-Texas weekend this time! Get your tickets early and save some money.

I am pleased to say that John Jorgenson and his band will be performing here on Friday night, Jan. 25th. John has been a fan favorite at our last two festivals, and tickets probably will be grabbed up quickly. Ticket price is $20; show at 8:00pm in the Music Hall. Don’t forget our annual Fiddlefest on February 16th. This is always a very popular show and tickets go fast. Make your reservations early!

Lukas Wronski is back with us and if you didn’t get to see his Centennial Violin, we will have it on display in the Fiddle Shop. Lukas is a very talented violin maker and artist. I’ve played on some of his instruments and they are top notch. Stop in and try them; I think you’ll be amazed!

We are working on updating our website with new pictures and videos showing our instrument inventory; you’ll be able to hear how they sound


WESTERN SWING

These annual shows have become so popular with us and with you that we decided to repeat the event again. Put May 10th on your calendar now to join Leon Rausch, some of the Texas Playboys, and our triple fiddles in some of your favorite tunes from the Bob Wills era. There is plenty of room for listening and dancing at Logan Co. Fairgrounds, so round up your friends and neighbors for a really fun evening.

DISCOUNT TICKETS

We are continuing the offer for bargain tickets, 8 shows for $66.00 ($132 per couple). That’s $8.00 per show ($10 for the Fiddlefest) January through April and the privilege of selecting your reserved seat. The schedule on the reverse lists these shows with an asterix. The tickets will be ready to buy by the time you read this. Remember it is first-come first-served for the seat selection, and we hold your seat for you only until show time.

LESSONS

Jim Garling continues to teach beginning and intermediate fiddle and guitar students. He can be reached at 405-306-4182. John Hickman works with banjo students and Greg Burgess teaches advanced fiddle students. Call for information: 405-282-6646

INSTRUMENTS

Guitars: I’ve added some nice older guitars: a 1953 00-18 and a 1981 D-18 Martin; a 1965 Epiphone Texan, an Epiphone Les Paul style 12 string, a new Fender Telecaster, an Artist Les Paul Gibson, and several really good sounding flat-tops from Blueridge, Johnson, Revival and Alvarez. I also have a cool looking resophonic round neck with electric pick-up.

Mandolins: Weber is making a really great mandolin these days. I have a fantastic-sounding Yellowstone model, honeycolor, radius fingerboard, cedar top, tortoise binding that is just beautiful! Eduard Kristufek makes an incredible mandolin; in stock I have a Fern varnish and a Fern lacquer with cedar top. They both sound great. Others available: a Collings F model with satin finish and a big sound; an F-5G Gibson; an old A model 1930s Gibson; a nice F style from a good Penn maker; and several affordable mandolins from Eastman, Kentucky, Johnson, Washburn, Rover and Bovier

Violins, Violas, Bows: We have Oklahoma’s best selection of these instruments, and now we are happy to show and sell the violins of Lukas Wronski. You must see and play his violins and meet the man himself. Check the website to see and hear them. I have some wonderful 18th and 19th century violins from all over the world, and several entry-level violins starting at $150. If you are looking for a good deal in a fiddle or bow, cases and all violin accessories, come in and we’ll help you out with something.

Banjos: We still have a good selection of new and used banjos. I just picked up another old Gibson, late ‘20s or early ‘30s, TB-1 with a 5 string neck, really nice. Also have 2 old tenor Gibsons from the ‘20s or ‘30s, plus Ridge, RB-3 Gibson and Kristufek banjos from the Czech Republic which are very, very nice. We can also get you started on some nice entry-level instruments.

Misc: you can find all kinds of accessories at the shop: tuners, straps, picks, rosin, strings, capos, pick-ups, chin rests, shoulder rests, pitch pipes, books on how to play, DVDs and CDs of the band and solo CDs

In the early 60's the University of Oklahoma football team had several interesting characters. In 1962 I attended OU on a football scholarship where I first met these fine gentleman. Bud Wilkinson was our coach and was in his last years of coaching at OU.

Dec. 8th, at the music hall, several of the 60's players and wives got together for a nice reunion and fellowship. Now that we are all in our 60's we certainly feel a bond or fraternity that will last the rest of our lives.

Thanks guys for getting together at the music hall.



Players in attendance: Jerry Hayden, Allen Bumgardner, Jimmy Payne, Jim Riley, Mike Base, Ray Haynes, Robert Vardeman, Ron Harmon, Glen Condren , Bill Hill, Charlie Mayhue, Rick McCurdy, Newt Burton, Mike Ringer, Carl McAdams

Yes, you read right, the John Jorgenson Quintet will be live at the Music Hall, Jan. 25 at 8pm. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased to reserve your seats. Call us at 405-282-6646 for tickets or drop in at the Fiddle Shop to order them now.



Experience gypsy jazz as you’ve never heard it before! John Jorgenson brings all his musical creativity and experience to bear in the John Jorgenson Quintet, and the result is astounding audiences everywhere! John Jorgenson is a former member of the award winning Desert Rose Band, The Hellecasters and Elton John's band, and has recorded and performed with such luminaries as Sting, Bonnie Raitt, and Pavarotti.

A master of gypsy jazz in the style of Django Reinhardt, John has appeared in many prominent guitar magazines. He was asked to recreate Django's music for the feature films Gattica, and Head in the Clouds, in which he portrayed the legendary guitarist with stars Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz. John Jorgenson brings his own flair to the stage with exciting new compositions, amazing fretwork and searing clarinet playing supported by some of the best musicians in the world.

Don Shorock has already posted his photos for OIBF 2006. To view the photos Click Here He also added some videos this year. Thank you Don!

HOWDY FOLKS!
Has everyone been busy keeping up with all the mowing and trimming? While we love seeing our lakes and ponds full to the brim and our August countryside still green, let’s hope the clouds dry up by festival time!

Bette and I made a really fun trip in July to the annual Music Merchants trade show in Austin, Tx. We got to see many old friends, and the newest and latest instruments and gadgets in the music industry. Also played a fun show with Rolf & Beatte Sieker at the Cactus Café. Several merchandisers agreed to donate instruments for the OIBF auction; all the proceeds go to scholarships for young people interested in improving their bluegrass talents. And by the time you read this we will have spent a week near Estes Park, Co. where I am again teaching at a fiddle camp.

The Berline Band has been busy playing here and there and working on a new recording for future release. We’ve had some really fun shows at the Music Hall this summer with Andrew and Jonathon Hunt, Jim Garling, and most recently Mason Williams and Vince Gill. You never know who’s going to show up at our concerts, so you should try to make all of them from now on. However, if you can’t, you can now watch us LIVE on your computer at on our site, doublestop.com. Just sign in; all our shows are streamed live all over the Internet world.

We are still offering instrument lessons: Jim Garling for beginning fiddle and guitar students, John Hickman for banjo lessons, and Greg Burgess teaches more advanced fiddle students.

OIBF

This will be our 11th year and once again we have a great line-up of talent! New groups to hear include Kenny & Amanda Smith, the Country Gazette Reunion, and Sam Bush and his group. Popular acts returning from last year are France’s Blue Railroad Train, John Jorgenson’s gypsy jazz group, and Alisdair Fraser & Natalie Hass. Look for a full list on the website: www.oibf.com. You can also get your tickets online or call the office: 405-282-4446, and if you are interested in volunteering, contact our coordinator Delores Stokes at 405-317-3103.

DISCOUNT TICKETS

We are continuing the offer for bargain tickets, 8 shows for $64 ($128 per couple). That’s $8.00 per show Sept. thru Dec. and the privilege of selecting your reserved seat. The schedule on the next page lists these eight shows with an asterix. The tickets will be ready to buy by the time you read this. Remember it is first-come, first-served for the seat selection, and we hold your seat for you only until show time.

INSTRUMENTS

Guitars: We have some nice ones that we’ve just acquired. There is a new Revival acoustic guitar on the market and they are very good. We have mahogany and rosewood models starting at $299. We also have a Gibson J150 (similar to a J200 but not as fancy), really good at $2000; also a 1967 Hummingbird, very nice and collectible. We have a 1981 D18 Martin for $1100 – at that price it won’t be around long; a must-see 1976 Alvarez Yari; a model 5023 Alvarez for $400; and don’t forget the Blueridge BR 160, 180, and 240s.
For you Electric Guitar pickers, we have a Gibson Les Paul Artist model 1980 –only 500 were made. Also a Gretsch model Country Club 7575, a like-new Gibson ES5, and a 1990 Fender Tele in mint condition. For the 12 string electric pickers we have a very nice Epiphone/Gibson Les Paul style for only $699 w/ case.

Mandolins: We have a very good variety of mandolin in stock, such as the Weber Yellowstone, radius FB with cedar top. It sounds great! Also, my favorite and best deal of all is the Eduard Kristufek oil varnished F5 for only $3500; a super sounding Collings F model. I have just traded for a very good Flatiron Festival mandolin - $2300. Also a Gibson F5G that really sounds great for $3850, and older A models like a 1930s Gibson and a 1950s EM150 electric, really nice. More affordable mandolins are the Washburn Jethro Burns model, the Johnson As and Fs, Kentucky’s new 505 Amodel with a great sound, the Rover F, and an Ovation electric. As you see, we have a great selection and would love for you to come in and try something out!

Violins, Violas, Bows: I always want to mention Lukas Wronski’s very nice violins, some of which he made right here in Guthrie. I think you will be impressed with his work. I have four of his instruments here to chose from. As always, I have several Italians, French, American, Germans, etc. and some really good Chinese violins for a good price. We still have the beginners outfit for $150, all sizes In addition, we have some groovy electric violins by Yamaha, Bridge, Zeta and others. We also carry cellos, basses, violas and all string accessories.

Banjos: We still have a good collection of Gibsons – RB3, and a 1925 TB2 and 1930s TB1 tenor; a very nice Ridge 5 string made in Norman, Ok.; entry and intermediate level Alvarez’s; a Gold Star, a Gold Tone, and a Good Time Deering.