A Camping We Will Go!

Having seen his shadow on February second, Punxsutawney Phil returned to his underground digs. The intrepid “one day a year weather gopher” gets to sleep another five or so weeks until spring. Meanwhile, we humans get to brave the elements until the cold of winter...

A Christmas Poem

This will be my last “3rd Sunday” Welcome Column. I hope to fill an occasional gap when a column is needed, but otherwise I am stepping aside. It has been a real privilege, and frankly quite humbling to work along side the other Welcome Columnists, who are such...

A Clean Break

As many of you know, I am a vocalist and I accompany myself on the guitar. For about 50 years I got by with just playing rhythm, chords, and a few walking bass runs, hammer-ons and pull-offs. After getting hooked on Bluegrass a few years ago, I began to have regrets...

A Conspiracy of Situations

I like playing music. I bet a lot of you like doing it to. And, nine times out of ten, it’s a no brainer. You grab your instrument and attend a jam or a gig. Piece of cake, right? Not so fast! Evil forces are at work, conspiring to keep you from the musical enjoyment...

A cycle ends, a new one begins.

My two favorite times of any bluegrass festival or campout are 1) when I pull into the gate; and 2) when I pull out to go home. Great, great times in between of course, but nothing surpasses the anticipation that beats in my chest when I first see the campout grounds...