A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance
This event took place from February 29-March 2, 2008

THE DANCE PARLOUR

The Dance Parlour is always a busy place with square dances, Cajun dances, honky tonk, the ever popular waltz hour, clogging and more on Friday from 7PM to 11PM and on Saturday from 11AM to 11PM. It is the largest of the three stage venues at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend, and much of it is dance floor. Many of the dances are taught and called by professional callers, and there are dance instruction workshops too. The featured group this year will be New Bad Habits from Missouri. They will be in concert on Saturday afternoon, providing the music for a dance on Saturday night, and also offering various workshops and other activities.

New Bad Habits Brings Hot Old-Time Music
by Lee Guthrie

Get your dancing shoes on! New Bad Habits is coming to the Winter Bluegrass Weekend. The band is a collection of dedicated musicians who celebrate the history and evolution of American old-time music. This like-minded group of music aficionados offers up hot old-time music in the tradition of some of America's greatest string bands of the 1920s and 1930s, as well as original music honoring the same tradition. Hailing from the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri, the members of New Bad Habits come together in a confluence of musical styles that is pure heartland America. Midwesterners one and all, these musicians bring a passion and genuineness to the music that can only be found by living the life and playing the tunes for decades. Collectively, the members of New Bad Habits have appeared on about thirty albums.

Traditional music in America is like the country itself, a complex melting pot of cultures and traditions. For more than two centuries, immigrants from Scotland, Ireland, England, Norway, and other countries have been bringing their music with them to America. These elements are evident in a category of music loosely known as "old-time." Much of this music was (and is) dance music intended to accompany ethnic as well as uniquely American dances. Although it was never intended for the concert stage, it was played at kitchen tables, house parties, church events, saloons, and dances in the halls and gathering places of rural America.

Accomplished instructors in American old-time music for fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, and dance, New Bad Habits promises to deliver what Midwestern Old-Time music, dance, and culture are all about. On Saturday, New Bad Habits will lead tune sessions and deliver a full concert performance. They will also provide the music for the Saturday night dance. Calling the dances will be the lovely and talented Dot Kent.

New Bad Habits is:

Chirps Smith -- fiddle, mandolin, banjo, vocals
Chirps is one of the foremost and most formidable fiddlers on the old-time scene today. As a long-time mainstay fiddler for square dances, festivals, and concerts, Chirps brings a hard-driving fiddle to New Bad Habits shows. Chirps has been a mandolin and fiddle player for several of American's best old-time bands, and is recognized nationally as one of old time music's premier players. Chirps has recorded three solo albums, three albums with the Indian Creek Delta Boys, and four projects with the Volo Bogtrotters. He appears on various other projects as well. He also currently plays with The Combine. Chirps always bring his wit, wisdom, and incredible knowledge of Midwest fiddle tunes to New Band Habits, and is, as the kids say, "da Man."

Tim Foss -- fiddle, guitar, banjo
Tim Foss is well known as one of the Midwest's elite players. Tim is a spirited, expressive fiddler who has studied many styles and a popular choice for festivals, dances, and sessions. Tim recently released his first solo CD, "The Cat Came Back," filled with driving dance tunes, rags, polkas, and original compositions.

Dave Landreth -- banjo, guitar, vocals
Dave Landreth is widely recognized as one of the masters of clawhammer banjo. While his playing adds rhythmical dimension and depth to the music, Dave is a stickler for playing the melody along with the fiddlers as he weaves texture throughout. While Dave has appeared on many recordings as a contributing artist, he too has recently released his first solo project, entitled "Chairs," and has received nothing but rave reviews. A veteran player with twenty-five years' experience, he's performed in some of the hottest old-time bands on the scene today. He's also a terrific finger-style guitarist.

Andrew Gribble -- guitar, clawhammer banjo, bass Andrew Gribble plays a variety of instruments, but when it comes to dances and sessions, he's all guitar. His driving style and creative bass lines provide the perfect foundation for old-time music. In 2003, Andy won first place in banjo at the Kansas Fiddling and Picking State Championships -- and he isn't even the band's banjo player! In their little world, he is one of the elite players that everyone wants in the band. Some believe that Andy's 1923 Gibson L Jr. has the quintessential sound for old-time music, but he can make any guitar drive.

Dot Kent -- tune illustrator (clogger) and dance caller A celebrated clogger and dance caller, Dot Kent offers a glimpse into traditional dance as she performs to tunes in concert. A highly popular dance caller, she specializes in instructing even the most inexperienced beginners in the arts of clogging and square dancing. Dot brings a sparkle to the band with her infectious personality and talented set of feet. She completes the experience by adding a stunning visual layer to the show -- but she also watches out for the boys, and they all agree they need it.