by Christine | Oct 17, 2017 | Welcome Column
Yup, that’s where we’re at and that’s where we’ll be till next Sunday. For over 40 Octobers the California Bluegrass Association has convened for several days of jamming, catching up, eating, jamming and more jamming. The Grape Festival...
by Christine | Apr 9, 2018 | Welcome Column
With the continued transition of bluegrass into an adaptable genre, there is room for earworms that previously hadn’t been heard with a fiddle and banjo. One songwriter and performer who has taken advantage of this is fiddle player Becky Buller. Like other bluegrass...
by Christine | Nov 2, 2020 | Welcome Column
The Tuttles. No, not the Turtles (remember that 1960’s Rock Band?). This is the Tuttles, the family band that plays bluegrass music. This is the Tuttles who also play “out of the bluegrass box” music. If you follow California bluegrass and by now you haven’t heard of...
by Christine | Jan 29, 2020 | Welcome Column
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I REALLY LIKE COPS! Proof?1. One of our nephews is the Chief of Police in one of those small Kansas towns where the picture show is hanging on by a thread. “The two biggest problems we have here is drugs and other stupid stuff.”2. The stepson...
by Christine | Jul 6, 2009 | Welcome Column
music. They get a fire in their bellies and brave the frustrations and battle the shyness to become parking lot pickers or even talented performers. I love beginning bass class students. You know they are there to get playing with others ASAP. Unlike some of the other...
by Christine | May 1, 2013 | Welcome Column
Don’t worry, this is not a serious piece about serious matters. The beginnings and endings I’m referring to are for songs (or tunes, since bluegrass people make a stark distinction between the two). I have written before about the importance of crisp beginnings and...
by Christine | May 24, 2019 | Welcome Column
The Daily Grist: “Becoming famous was extremely disappointing to me. When I became famous it was a complete drag and it’s still a complete drag” … Van Morrison.I’m amused by all those people who pore over magazines and tabloids about the latest doings of the rich and...
by Christine | Jun 14, 2020 | Welcome Column
“I like to watch TV”. That’s the famous Peter Sellers line from the late 70’s film for which he got an Academy Award nomination. At this point I am sure many like you are pretty tired of watching TV. We want to be with our friends playing music and socializing. It’s...
by Christine | Apr 28, 2018 | Welcome Column
Being a writer and artist; being a daughter who cares for her 91 year old Mother; being a partner to one of the most wonderful men in the world: well let’s just say life doesn’t get much better. To be my age and have stories to tell; and a spirit to...
by Christine | Dec 23, 2015 | Welcome Column
I am just about to finish another season of the best job in the world: Playing Santa for our town. Martinez has a little red house they put on the square off Main Street for a most of each December, and hundreds of children come through there each winter to see Santa....
