Where The Bluegrass Grows

9/14/2007 Stephen L. Betts The Grascals have taken over the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums chart with their CD, Long List of Heartaches.   The album, released in August 2006 on Rounder Records debuted at No. 2 on the chart a year ago, and earned the group a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album.    One of the album’s tracks, “Did You Forget God Today,” which features harmony vocals by the Jordanaires, earned a GMA Dove Award nomination for Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year. The song is nominated for Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards show, to be held on Oct. 4 in Nashville. The Grascals will perform on the show, where they are also nominated for Entertainer of the Year, an award they first took home last year.      In other news, some of bluegrass music’s most awarded acts, including the Grascals, will take the stage as the Grand Ole Opry presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store presents the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Celebration Tues., Oct. 2, during IBMA World of Bluegrass week.   This year’s Celebration will be held at the historic Ryman Auditorium and along with the Grascals, will feature 2007 IBMA Entertainer of the Year nominees The Del McCoury Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. Steep Canyon Rangers and Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Jesse McReynolds will also appear. The Bill Monroe Bluegrass Celebration is the latest in the Opry’s Signature Show Series. The Opry’s long-standing fall bluegrass show was renamed the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Celebration after Mr. Monroe’s death in 1996. Bill Monroe influenced generations of bluegrass artists and is known worldwide as the “Father of Bluegrass.” He is a member of the Bluegrass Hall of Honor (now known as the Bluegrass Hall of Fame) and is also a member of the Country Music and Rock ‘n’ Roll Halls of Fame. For more information on this special celebration, visit www.opry.com.