by Christine | May 3, 2019 | Welcome Column
My mother grew up during the Depression. She shared a tiny house surrounded by alfalfa fields with her two sisters and four brothers just a few hundred yards away from the Old River in Tracy. They would walk the mile and a half to school, crossing the Old River Bridge...
by Christine | Mar 30, 2013 | Welcome Column
Good morning from Whiskey Creek, where the spectacular arrival of springtime that Lynn and I and the dogs have been enjoying all week will, according to the National Weather Service, take the weekend off. Clouds and showers and maybe even a little thunder and...
by Christine | Jul 14, 2010 | Welcome Column
Picture if you will, this commonplace scenario: You get a phone call, from someone who has a potential gig for your band. Venue’s cool, pay is good. You politely tell the caller you need to check with the other bandmates to verify their availability on that date. You...
by Christine | Aug 5, 2013 | Welcome Column
Dear friends, Writing this missive on a blissful afternoon, the immortal words of Annie Hall come to mind: “La-de-da, la-de-da.” The days at the heart of festival season, baseball season, camping season – whatever season to which my soul cleaves – are floating like a...
by Christine | Aug 27, 2019 | Welcome Column
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Here’s an already posted note from Deb…she’s made some corrections and updates….)Yes, it’s only September but….The Fall Camp Out is October 14 – 20, 2019!!!! Now is the time to put it on your calendar so...
by Christine | Jul 29, 2019 | Welcome Column
HEY THERE FOLKS!!!Yes, it’s only September but….The Fall Camp Out is October 14 – 20, 2019!!!! Now is the time to put it on your calendar so that you don’t miss it!!!Fall Camp Out is the one time we can all just get together to play music,...
by Christine | Jul 10, 2014 | Welcome Column
I have been thinking a lot lately about young people and music. I think it started at Grass Valley when I watched and listened to Annie Staninec, Angelica Grim and Molly Tuttle, young people who not that many years ago were roaming around the festival grounds with...
by Christine | May 7, 2011 | Welcome Column
Well, it seems that Blue Grass season is under way, with the Spring Campout behind us. Another fine, fun gathering. David Brace ran it like an old pro. One thing he hasn’t learned yet is how to duck – seems he’s going to ramrod the Fall get-together as well! Chef Mike...
by Christine | Mar 5, 2017 | Welcome Column
As I was going through the learning process of my new bluegrass instrument, I attended a local jam. Eric and Barbara West had hosted this weekly jam in their home for years to coach new bluegrass jammers. Eric gave me a bundle of music he didn’t want any...
by Christine | Oct 15, 2010 | Welcome Column
For a few days in mid-October we’ve been visiting in one of the birthplace regions of old time, bluegrass, and country music. As a kid in high school, I heard and read about the poverty and coal dust of Appalachia. Pete Seeger sang union songs that I learned and...
