News!

Here's a sample of the news stories in Dirty Linen #80

Congratulations to Ramblin' Jack Elliott, who was one of the 1998 National Medal of Arts Recipients. This award is given to those "who are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States."

In Memoriam Raymond Myles, a popular and beloved New Orleans Gospel performer, choirmaster and music teacher, was shot and killed in October,1998, in an apparent car-jacking incident. His 1997 album, Heaven is the Place, was recorded live at two historic New Orleans churches and captured his inspiration, power and love of God. This landmark recording will be reissued with new packing and two bonus tracks by NYNO Records. Frank Yankovic, the "Polka King" whose career spanned six decades of polka music, died October 14, 1998. He was 83. Yankovic was nominated for four Grammys and won his first in 1986 for his recording 70 Years of Hits. Those hits included such songs as "Just Because," "Blue Skirt Waltz," and the polka classic, "In Heaven There is No Beer."

The female a capella group Sweet Honey in the Rock is celebrating its 25th anniversary with their Rykodisc debut (and first new release in three years), called 25. Also being released is Continuum: The First Song Book of Sweet Honey in the Rock, with a foreword by Harry Belafonte, on Third World Press. Since its inception, 22 women have participated in the ensemble, and the group has released 15 acclaimed albums and toured extensively around the world.

MerleFest '99, the 12th annual festival in celebration of the music of the late Merle Watson and his father Doc, will take place April 29-May 2, 1999, on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Joining Doc Watson and Merle's son Richard at the festival this year are Marty Stuart, Béla Fleck, Ricky Skaggs, Lucinda Williams, Cherish the Ladies, Jerry Douglas, bluegrass legends Hootie and the Blowfish and too many others to list. The Merlefest information line is 1-800-343-7857.