Picking Parties, Workshops and Newsletters

As mentioned earlier, education was an integral part of the mission as stated in the BBU’s original incorporation papers.  This was fully embraced during these early years with informal picking sessions before and after the concerts at the First Church Congregational.  These gathering allowed new-to-the-music musicians of any skill level to mix with more seasoned musicians.  In this way, the tradition and musical vocabulary was passed on. 

Expanding the interest in other artists and bands was enhanced by Record Specials held at each show.  The BBU would obtain records and later CDs from the bluegrass labels primarily from Rounder Records, as well as County, Sugar Hill, and selling these at cost from the merchandise table at each show.  New and upcoming bands as well as back catalog and historical recordings were sold to expand the interest in the music. 

Outside of the monthly concerts, stand alone, regular picking parties were held at the Brookline Arts Center, the Cambridge Common and other locations. These were a part of the initial year of the BBU’s formation and continue to this day.  Other venues through the years included Tufts University, the Stagecoach Inn in Groton, and many others.  These days there generally are multiple session held each week listed on the BBU’s website.

Workshops involving artists performing at the concerts were also held on a frequent basis.  For example, during the initial years, Buck White’s visits with his daughters Sharon and Cheryl always included a mandolin and buck dancing workshop after the show.  Butch Robbins and Alan O’Briant held a banjo workshop after their show in 1980.  And Tony Trischka frequently presented banjo workshops on his annual concert appearances.

The BBU monthly newsletters, generally single-page concert previews, always included listings of other area concerts, festivals, radio listings, and related bluegrass information.  This was very important in the pre-internet days.  Over the years, these newsletters grew to multipage format and served as a bluegrass guide to New England events and activities. Thanks to the many individuals that edited and produced these newsletters, including Judy Alland, Keith Rollag, Gerry Katz, and Denise Jarvinen.  To this day, the BBU continues to be the source for all things bluegrass in New England.