We are sad to see Larry Beem leave the band this season. Larry has made a move to Minnesota where he is pursuing his love for Bluegrass. He has been doing some studio work there, as well as giving lessons on a regular basis on several different instruments. We will miss him very much but know that he'll do well at his new endeavors.
Joining the Southern Reign Band
this year will be Jimmy Campbell
on Banjo. We are very excited about Jimmy coming on board!
He is well known in the midwest for his musical excellence both on dobro
and banjo. He will also be singing lead and harmony vocals for the
group. We feel he will add quite a lot to the band and we're all
looking forward to the coming season!
Also joining the band this year
will be bass player Karla Damm.
Karla comes to the Southern Reign Band with an impressive musical background.
She is a very talented musician and vocalist and will be singing both lead
and harmony vocals. We're finding that she's not only a great musician,
but is lots of fun and keeps us laughing! She'll be a wonderful asset
to the band. Stop by at the festivals and say "Hi" to both Karla
and Jimmy. We know you'll enjoy them as much as we do!
Southern
Reign is proud to announce that the 2004
SPBGMA Awards brought five nominations to the group! The band was
nominated in the following categories:
* Contemporary Band of the Year
* Female Vocalist of the Year
(contemporary) - Cindie
Weldon
* Mandolin Player of the Year
- John Purk
* Dobro Player of the Year -
Larry Beem
* Entertainer of the Year -
Larry Beem
Thanks to all of you who nominated
and voted! We appreciate each and every one of you very much and
hope to see you all at the festivals this season. Also - congratulations
to all the 2004 winners! It's great to see the people we work beside
and spend our weekends with do well with the music they love! Please
keep supporting Bluegrass and let your favorite musicians know you're out
there!
Southern
Reign will be recording a new project
very soon. We hope to have it completed and on the tape table by
the first part of June. Thanks to all who supported us on our first
two projects.
The casino
has re-opened and John is back to work.... just in time to send daughter
Brittany off to college. She will be graduating in May. Congratulations
to John and Heidi for surviving the teen years!!!