NEWS

KEL Audio is sad to report that resophonic guitar master, National Heritage Fellow and KEL endorsing artist Mike Aldridge passed away on the morning of December 29 after a battle with cancer. He was one day short of his 74th birthday. Mike Aldridge was one of the most influential Dobro players to ever pick up the instrument, virtually writing the book on modern bluegrass resophonic playing. Mike pushed boundaries in his playing and influenced an entire generation of players, always playing with the utmost in good taste; he will be sorely missed. For those visitors who may be new to bluegrass music or are unfamiliar with the Mike Aldridge legacy, a career overview is available at Bluegrass Today http://bluegrasstoday.com/mike-auldridge-career-overview/

The other day celebrated Quebec film composer and musician Martin Leon called to mention that he used a pair of HM-1s to record the string quartet that plays the main theme to the Oscar nominated film Monsieur Lazhar by PHILIPPE FALARDEAU . (If you have not seen this amazing film you really must.)

One of the reasons for the film’s success is Martin’s incredible music. He provided a link to his site where you can listen to the theme and even read the score.

 Scroll to the bottom of the page where you can click on the link to hear the mp3 (the strings come in at 2:24). Thanks Martin!

Here’s the link… 

Don Rigsby performs and records with KEL mics

Don Rigsby came across KEL mics two years ago while performing in an evening showcase at the IBMA World of Bluegrass. The next morning he stopped by our booth and has been a dedicated member of the KEL family, ever since.

Don, who is one of the most respected names in traditional bluegrass, takes KEL HM2Ds and HM-1s on the road with him and uses them in the studio on everything from Vocals, to banjo, guitar, mandolin and more. He recently ordered some HM3Cs and will join the field testing team for the new HM-7U vocal mic.

Recently Don sent us an update on what he’s been up to… “I have been loving my Kel mics and use them all of the time! I recently used them on projects I produced on Nothin’ Fancy, Lonesome meadow, and myself too. I use the HM2D on Viola, acoustic bass and even on vocals. My matched stereo pair I use on guitars and mandolins. I used the HM2D on banjo quite effectively as well in combination with a Beyer ribbon mic. Very pleased with the results!”

And KEL Audio is very pleased to be associated with Don Rigsby. If you’re not familiar with Don’s work, one of our favourite performances can be heard on “I’m Workin’ on a Building” from the America’s Bluegrass Band CD, America’s Favourite Hymns. The America’s Bluegrass Band consists of vocalists Melvin Goins, Don Rigsby and Ernie Thacker plus world class musicians Billie Rose, Matt Thacker, Mike Feagan, John McNeely and Randy Kohrs. This record was recorded before Don had ever heard of KEL mics, but we think this particular performance is a real standout. If it doesn’t give you chills, you’re already frozen stiff!

Resophonic guitar innovator and master musician and teacher Mike Auldrige has selected the Kel HM-3C to capture his guitars in concert.

“I really love [the HM-3C].” Says Auldridge. “The tone is very comparable to my Neumann KM84… the closest thing I’ve heard. I’ve been looking for something like these so that I could stop carrying my 35 year old vintage KM84 on the road.”

Mike Auldridge is known for his expressivess and creativity as a player. Since his first radio appearance in 1954, his career has taken him to the far reaches of bluegrass and beyond. He joined seminal pioneering newgrass band, The Seldom Scene in 1971, and remained with them through the mid-’90s, rejoining them part-time in 2002, he currently plays with acoustic supergroup Darren Beachley and the Legends of the Potomac.

Kel Audio is ecstatic — and humbled — that Mike Aldrige has chosen to play through a KEL.

Justin Moses, is the latest bluegrass and roots music artist to join the KEL family and we are delighted that he is now capturing his tones through a variety of KEL mics.

Justin currently plays banjo for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Before that he was with the

Justin Moses

The Dan Tyminski Band playing fiddle & dobro and singing harmony vocals. He has been playing music since the age of six and is also an accomplished instrumentalist on mandolin, guitar, banjo, and bass.

He began playing with his family’s gospel group in churches soon after learning his first chords on the mandolin. As a teen he entered regional contests, winning several on multiple instruments. Just before graduating high school he joined the band Kentucky Wind that included Tim Tipton and Keith Garrett and in 2000, the three formed Blue Moon Rising.

After three successful years he left BMR and became a founding member of the band Sierra Hull & Highway 111, performing at several festivals and events with Sierra in 2005. He performed with bands Blue Moon Rising and NewFound Road in 2006 & 2007 and gained valuable experience through numerous recording sessions with various artists.

Justin released a solo instrumental CD ‘Dusty Roads’ in 2006 which received many favorable reviews and significant radio airplay. He made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2008, and has become an in-demand session player, appearing on such albums as the Grammy nominated “Wheels” by Dan Tyminski and “Same Old Place” by NewFound Road among many others.

We at KEL Audio are proud to support Justin as he continues to amaze audiences and listeners with his playing.

March 2009

Buddy Woodward and Brandi Hart of the Dixie Bee-liners with their HM-1 mics.

The Roots Music Association 2008 Artist of the Year, The Dixie Bee-Liners, are now touring and recording with KEL microphones. Buddy Woodward says about KEL mics, We LOVE the way KEL microphones are voiced. In a world of sizzly Asian knock-offs, and generic large condensers, you’ve really hit on something strange, wonderful and unique. KEL microphones have become part of our sound, and we never play anywhere without ‘em!

With their ground-breaking album, RIPE, that has achieved four #1′s to date, PINECASTLE recording artists THE DIXIE BEE-LINERS are creating quite a buzz. Known for their high-octane harmonies and stunningly beautiful original songs, the band has appeared live on BBC Radio Scotland, NPR, the Food Network, and radio playlists across the country and world-wide, including regular rotation on Sirius and XM satellite radio. RIPE, topped the Bluegrass Now Fan’s Choice Top 20 chart twice, and also achieved two simultaneous #1′s on Bluegrass Music Profiles’ Top 20 Hot Singles and the Roots Music Report Bluegrass Chart. The Bee-Liners spent nine consecutive weeks atop the RMR Bluegrass chart and two consecutive months in the Top Ten of both Bluegrass Unlimited charts.

Produced by Grammy-winner BIL VORNDICK (Alison Krauss, Ralph Stanley, Bob Dylan, Jim Lauderdale, James Taylor), RIPE was released on PINECASTLE RECORDS in the spring of 2008. The album includes guest appearances from DBL alumnus Andy Falco (Infamous Stringdusters), Mark Fain and Andy Leftwich (Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder), ex-Grascal David Talbot, and dobro player Travis Toy from Rascal Flatts. 
In February they entered the studio with VornDick again to begin work on a new album for 2009.

We at KEL Audio are honored to be able to help support this fine band as they tour through 2009, and beyond!