March,2008

New Southern Edition Bluegrass

New Southern Edition Bluegrass is a traditional bluegrass band with a heart for Gospel and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. The band was founded by Louis Dawson of Clinton in 2001 along with his two daughters. Louis who plays upright bass and his daughters have been playing and singing bluegrass music since the girls were four and five years old. Although one daughter is no longer with the band, Sally Stuart and her husband Mark of Conway, who both play guitar and sing, along with their daughter Whitney who plays fiddle, continue in the family tradition of bluegrass and bluegrass Gospel music. They are joined by banjo player, Justin Maynard of Scotland and mandolin player, Gary West of Canaan, who help make up New Southern Edition. In the past, the band performed a blend of original and traditional bluegrass music but upon mutual agreement and with much prayer and conviction has recently decided to be an all gospel band. Their heart for Jesus Christ and witnessing to others has become their priority. The band has played at festivals and churches all over Arkansas and has recently recorded a new gospel CD featuring some of their latest songs including an original by Sally about the passing of her grandmother. For more information, contact Louis Dawson at 501-745-2025 or Mark Stuart at 501-269-0174. You can also go to newsouthernedition.com.

Dear Folks,

I hope you have enjoyed the New Year as much as we have. Of course when we got down here the first of December, we had Jack and Elaine Sims from Mt. View here to welcome us. Later in the month we welcomed James and Barbara Waddle and Steve and Betty White. Jack and Elaine left us the last of December to go back to Mt. View and take care of all the ice and snow that was coming. We have gone a lot of places, attended a lot of thrift shops, a lot of yard sales and lots of eating joints. We’ve also had a lot home cooked meals. We can’t let James get out of practice.

I lost my best friend of sixty years. Glenda Winningham of Concord lost her battle with cancer on January 24. Glenda was a special person, my classmate and my friend. She will be missed. I have lost three classmates in the past three months.

Matt Mathews has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was found in the early stages and will not require chemo. They will do a new procedure that the doctors think will take care of it. Please let’s remember Matt in our prayers.

Marion Whitmire had surgery recently. He is doing much better and keeps Mary hopping. Let’s also keep them in our prayers.

The bluegrass season will start before too long. We hope to see you somewhere soon.

Until next time
Shirley

Editor’s Notes

Hello Bluegrass Fans,

I am sorry if you are getting your ABA late this time. We had some difficulties getting it together. Sometimes we run into a few snags.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for warm weather and camping at bluegrass festivals. I was really wanting a good snow, but it doesn’t look like Conway will get anything. You may have gotten some in your area, but Conway is in somekind of weather bubble (at least that is what my kids think). So, now I’m ready for it to get warm.

Students in my after school Bluegrass program are working hard and looking forward to performing for you at the park in April. One of my students has ventured out and written a song. I am so proud of them. I don’t know if you saw the article in the Akansas Democrat-Gazzette on my program, but after it printed in November, I had someone donate a guitar. I was so pleased and thankful. I have also had a teacher’s group invite me to come present the program to them at their meeting in the spring.

Please check out the calendar of events and ads for a show near you. If you hear a good band that you don’t think has been featured in the ABA, please let me know. I am at a loss, obviously, for bands to feature. Feel free to call or email. I like hearing from everyone.

Good-bye for now,
Sally

27 Timberlane TR.
Conway, AR
501-329-3645 (home), 501-269-2428 (cell)
sstuart@conwaycorp.net

In Memory of

Mr. Alex C. Henson
(November 12, 1923 - January 1, 2008)

Mr. Alex Curtis Henson was born August 6, 1922 in Corbin, Kentucky. He married Collen Sherrill Henson on December 18, 1993 in Corbin, Kentucky. He was a retired Police Chief for Castle Rock, Colorado. Alex passed this life on January 1, 2008 in Denver, Colorado after having attained the age of 85 years, 4 months and 26 days.Alex loved bluegrass music and was always at Turkey Track. Please remember Collene in your prayers.

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or can be sent to:

Arkansas Bluegrass Association
Shirley Simpson, President
51 Luster Street
Batesville, AR 72501