Monroeville

Barboursville Middle School
1400 Central Avenue
Barboursville, West Virginia 25504
(304) 733-3003

Monroeville is a great fit for students of any age. As the principal of Barboursville Middle School, I try to bring in a variety of entertaining and educational assemblies throughout the year to our student body of nearly 800 in grades 6 – 8.

Monroeville is by far the most outstanding group we have ever had for our students. Not only does their high-energy presentation totally engage the students, they make a connection that goes far beyond simple entertainment.

I have been in the business of educating students since 1973. If I have learned anything over the years, it is that students can spot a fake a mile away. These guys are the real deal, and the students know it. They truly care about the kids, which is evident not only in their performing, but also in talking with the students following the show. They take time to converse with students, and treat each with respect and a caring attitude.

Monroeville performed a concert for each grade level and after each show they stayed around to do an educational session with our strings and guitar students.

In all my years as a principal, this group received a more positive reception than any group we’ve had before or since. Recently, Monroeville performed at the Mountaineer Opry House in Milton, West Virginia and a large screaming contingent of our student body as well as many teachers showed up to show their support.

Each member of the group is a positive role model on and off the stage. It is without reservation that I recommend them for your consideration.

The next time you need a high-energy, positive, entertaining assembly for your students, I strongly recommend that you give Monroeville a call. You won’t be sorry.

Sincerely,
Jerry Lake, Principal - Barboursville Middle School

What makes Monroeville so special? • First and foremost, as phenomenal as they are at presenting their band on the web and on social media - and they are among the top 5 best bluegrass, acoustic, roots bands at doing so, including those with budgets in the hundreds of thousands - there is in fact no hype. It's all real, and they deliver the goods in the studio and on stage.

Beyond that, they say what they mean, and mean what they say. That alone in this age of "hyper-hype-plus-squared-and-doused-with-miracle-grow-and-a-prayer" is eloquent. Their direct connection-relationship with their friends-fans reminds me of the type of connection The Avett Brothers have today and The Grateful Dead had with their friends-fans in their day. That is a "back to the future" relationship the smartest artists understand; In the sense that the direct connection folks used to have with the other real folks, in the room participating in a concert-celebration and meaningful communion of spirit, also now takes place 24/7/365, beyond a set space and time, via the web and social media... and it is as up close and personal, and between real people, as it is in concert.

And we haven't even spoken of the music yet.

In communications you have the message and the meta-message. The meta-message is what is unsaid but just as clearly expressed between the lines for those paying attention. Their message is clear, and their meta-message inspiring: Their primarily bluegrass based acoustic roots music is a blend of heavy-duty rock-n-roll drive, on acoustic, by young people with high-energy levels, and which can only emerge from artists who believe, and are doing their level best, every time out, to turn you into a believer about the future for this music which they honor and love.

They are solidly rooted in tradition without being buried by tradition. They are both relentlessly respectful and fleet-footed innovative, diligent craftsmen and consistently creative. And they seem to have found that fabulous "Lonesome River Band Groove" which is enough all by its high lonesome to carry that tradition to new heights. They pack a kick and I don't mean cans, or do I. Think Junior Johnson's finest shine, on a moonlit night in spring, on a North Carolina backroad, leaning against the fender of your 47 Ford with your new bride in your arms. Yep, "Life is Good".

Watch & Listen to Monroeville and you will see and hear the future of the past, and it's lookin mighty springtime bright. Having read loads of books and articles about Ole Bill, I'll go out on a solid limb here and say that if Bill Monroe was around, my guess is that he'd be sayin "That's part of somethin"

If Bill was the father of Bluegrass, and Sam Bush "The Mother"*, then I'm thinkin these are mighty "cool kids" of Bluegrass.

Henri Deschamps
The Bluegrass Legacy
www.facebook.com/the.bluegrass.legacy

*Sam Bush used to say that if Bill was the father of Blugrass then he must be the mother of Bluegrass because every time Bill saw him coming he would say "Here Comes That Mother" - The Bluegrass Legacy

Matthew Munsey, 25-year-old junior Missions major, was nominated for an award at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards held January 31 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The vocalist and instrumentalist plays mandolin in a five-man bluegrass gospel band called Barry Scott & Second Wind. The group was nominated for a Grammy in Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album category.

The son of James Munsey, late Free Will Baptist missionary to Mexico, Matthew auditioned for the group three years ago and now travels weekends with the group performing in concerts and local churches.

“We were honored but surprised to receive the nomination,” Munsey said, “since this was our first album, and we give God all the praise for the unexpected national recognition.”

Munsey is a second-generation FWBBC student. His father graduated in 1981. Younger sister Rachel is a freshman Education major. Another sister, Laura, graduated in 2005.

Matthew received his first guitar at age seven, his first mandolin at age 11. He also plays the banjo and the bass. He grew up on the Texas/Mexico border playing and singing with the Munsey family, and traveled extensively to promote Mexico missions. He graduated from Tusculum College in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in organizational management, before relocating to Nashville and enrolling at FWBBC to pursue a degree in Missions.

“My wife Juliana and I are excited about preparing to serve the Lord on the mission field,” Munsey said. “We don’t know where we will serve yet, but we will step through whatever door God opens.”

Matthew was elected 2009-2010 student body worship leader at FWBBC. He currently does 90 percent of the booking for Barry Scott & Second Wind, and maintains the group’s website www.barryscottonline.com. - One Magazine

When the list of nominations for the 52nd annual Grammy Awards was released last week, Dolly Parton wasn’t the only Sevier County connection among the nominees.

While Parton garnered the chance for what could be her eighth Grammy with her nomination in the Best Musical Show Album as composer and lyricist for “9 to 5 The Musical,” two bands with local connections earned nominations in the Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album category.

Gospel and bluegrass group Barry Scott & Second Wind earned a nod for their debut album, “In God’s Time,” and The Triumphant Quartet was nominated for its album “Everyday.”

The quartet members were long-time favorites at The Miracle Theater before they took their music on the road in 2008, and all members of the band continue to reside in Sevier County.

“We are amazed and honored,” Triumphant Quartet’s Eric Bennett said in a press release. “We constantly stand in awe of the ways God moves in our ministry. If this nomination will help further our opportunities to tell people about the goodness of God, it is a tremendous gift.”

Their nomination comes on the heels of southern gospel music fans voting the group Quartet Of The Year at the annual Singing News Fan Awards, held in Louisville, Ky.

Kodak’s Zane Petty, 16, plays banjo for Barry Scott & Second Wind and thought his band leader was kidding when Scott told him the group had been nominated.

“I thought they were joking at first,” Zane said. “I just didn’t believe them and I just kind of blew it off.”

When he heard the news from Scott, Zane said he began text messaging his other bandmates.

“And they were saying the same thing,” he said.

Figuring out it wasn’t a conspiracy to play a practical joke, Zane said he finally believed what they were telling him.

“I was really excited about it.”

So was him mom, Suzanne, who also had a tough time at first believing it.

“I mean, I think the guys are great, but I thought that just can’t be true,” she said. “So I Googled Grammy 2009 and up pops Beyonce and Taylor Swift.”

She then clicked on the nominees link and found Category 54: Best Southern, Country Or Bluegrass Gospel Album.

The band’s name was there, along with the title of its album and Rebel Records, their recording company.

Other nominees, along with the Triumphant Quartet, include Jason Crabb for his self-titled album, “Dream On” by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound and “The Rock” by Tracy Lawrence.

“I couldn’t believe that we had been nominated for our debut album,” Scott said on the band’s Web site. “We are very grateful to all those who voted for us and want to say that we owe everything to our Lord Jesus Christ. He has kept his hand on our little group since it started, and every blessing He gives us we want to give right back to him.”

The Grammys will be awarded at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 2010 and aired on CBS from 8-11:30 p.m.

“I guess my Zane is flying out to Los Angeles,” Suzanne Petty said.

Zane is looking forward to the trip.

“Just to be out there and just to be with all the great, stars out there, all the great musicians that I look up to,” he said.

As for Parton, her competition in the Best Musical Show Album includes albums from “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Hair,” “Shrek The Musical” and “West Side Story.”

“9 to 5 The Musical” was also nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score, along with “Billy Elliot, The Musical,” “Next to Normal” and “Shrek The Musical.” The Tony went to “Next to Normal.”

gcrutchfield@themountainpress.com

Read more: The Mountain Press - Three Grammy nominations have Sevier County connections - The Mountain Press

Author: John Lawless
Date: August 4, 2010

Another new young band!

Monroeville has emerged from the dust-up that saw the members of Second Wind leave Barry Scott en masse in July. They have been active only a week, but much is expected from this talented bunch of pickers.

Despite their youth, these fellas boast a combined bluegrass experience of nearly 80 years. Daniel Salyer is on bass, Matt Munsey on mandolin, Travis Houck on resonator guitar, Zane Petty on banjo, Seth Taylor on guitar and Matt Flake on fiddle. Several band members sing, and Salyer is a uniquely gifted songwriter to boot.

The guys put this video together to serve as an introduction. It follows the boys on their initial photo shoot, and then running over a few songs at their first rehearsal.

Monroeville will be managed by Sheri Clark Media with publicity handled by Blu Wav. More information can be found on the band’s web site or Facebook page.

Keep an eye on this group. Talent, drive, youth and a professional management team – add a bit of luck and this bunch is a force to be reckoned with in the bluegrass biz. - The Bluegrass Blog