Herding Cats and Other Difficult Endeavors

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...

Here be monsters

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...

HERE COMES FALL CAMPOUT!!!

(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...

HERE COMES FALL CAMPOUT!!!

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,...

Here comes the next generation

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...

Here we go

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...

Heresy

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...

Heritage

Love. No doubt the deepest and most integral part of being human. It’s what drives us, haunts us, and defines us. Having it, losing it, cursing it, hiding it, needing it, wasting it, finding it, spurning it, wanting it, denying it, missing it, celebrating it....

Heritage

Hello Folks, I’m working (and having fun) at Northwest String Summit in Oregon this week. I’ve given my mom Karen precise written directions on how to post this column. She said she’d do it if she didn’t have to put down her cocktail. Let’s see...