Of car keys and capos

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

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

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...

Oh Death

Death is coming, but not today, probably. So now is the time to say, “I’m sorry,” to you know who. Today is the day. Death is coming, but not today, probably. So now is the time to forgive you know who.Today is the day. Death is coming, but not today, probably. So now...

Oh, how I miss her tonight

This month marks five years since my mother died.  She had a long, healthy life, almost making 98 years old, and only went downhill in the last week.  Even when she started to have problems, I don’t think it really occurred to her that she was going to...

Oh, The Pressures!

On a date now lost to history, in 1967, I took up guitar. I had seen the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and was a big fan of the Monkees show and wanted to emulate the fun I saw they were having, and I figured I wouldn’t mind the adulation of thousands either.Pressure #1:...