Odds and Ends

by | Sep 17, 2017 | Welcome Column

It’s been an interesting few months and a lot has happened in the world of California Bluegrass. To start, the CBA has been part of two award winning parade float entries: the Pride Parade in San Francisco which won the Best Overall Contingent out of about 270 parade...

Odds and Ends

by | Dec 16, 2009 | Welcome Column

That’s “Board Meeting”, not “Bored Meeting”! The CBA Board meeting this last weekend was a lively one. Some are fairly routine, and some are a little more dramatic. The Robert’s Rules of Order requires a certain amount of patience to work things out, but everyone sure...

Of car keys and capos

by | Dec 10, 2010 | Welcome Column

I was digging in my pocket today for my keys. I pulled out a capo, then a string winder, then a set of Martin Marquis strings, a couple of picks, and then, mercifully, my keys. It’s kind of the story of my life. Musical instruments, and their accessories, and all...

OF HANGMEN AND INCOMPETENCE

by | Jun 2, 2020 | Welcome Column

Maybe it’s the rainy spell and maybe it’s the flu-like reaction to a yellow fever vaccination, but today I find myself reflecting on ballads about the noose and how synchronicity and association can lead to some of the best explorations in music. Consider Lead Belly,...

OF PICKERS AND PEACOCKS

by | May 31, 2020 | Welcome Column

There was a festival in Oregon last month, held at Hornings Hideout, the same place as the Northwest String Summit. Dubbed FairieWorlds, it draws a big, colorful, and eclectic crowd. I work for a food vendor, the Merry Popsters, and it was my first time to run that...