by Christine | Mar 12, 2019 | Welcome Column
I?ve been pondering the strength of ?traditional? bluegrass music to hold its devoted audience, and this search has been abetted by my current reading of Daniel Levitin?s book, The World in Six Songs. In a section about what he calls ?Comfort? songs, Levitin writes...
by Christine | Oct 11, 2014 | Welcome Column
“Okay, let’s see what we have here. I suspect there is a mandolin, five string banjo, guitar, fiddle, and acoustic bass that made the whole thing work as it was supposed to. If the parts are all intact I may be able to figure out the cause of death. Just for the...
by Christine | Aug 23, 2011 | Welcome Column
I received an email from President Darby a couple days ago suggesting that I read the latest blog from Stringduster Chris Pandolfi. I did and will now pass that recommendation on to you……. ……………………………………………………. A few weeks ago I pondered the concept of music...
by Christine | Mar 26, 2017 | Welcome Column
“Oh the people would come from miles awayThey’d dance all night ’til the break of day”~ opening lyrics to “Uncle Pen” by Bill MonroeYou hear it at every bluegrass festival and campout: “How late did you stay out jamming last night?” Two o’clock in...
by Christine | Sep 29, 2019 | Welcome Column
“Oh the people would come from miles awayThey’d dance all night ’til the break of day”~ opening lyrics to “Uncle Pen” by Bill MonroeYou hear it at every bluegrass festival and campout: “How late did you stay out jamming last night?” Two o’clock in...
by Christine | Oct 1, 2009 | Welcome Column
“Oh the people would come from miles away They’d dance all night ’til the break of day” ~ opening lyrics to “Uncle Pen” by Bill Monroe You hear it at every bluegrass festival and campout: “How late did you stay out jamming last night?” Two o’clock in...
by Christine | Nov 23, 2012 | Welcome Column
I found myself in a local Best Buy last Wednesday night, tracking down a video that I thought my family might enjoy after Thanksgiving dinner this year. As I got out of the car, I saw tarps running along the side of the building away from the entrance and my first...
by Christine | May 11, 2011 | Welcome Column
In today’s column, I’m going to do something I’ve never done. I’m going to recommend a book I haven’t yet finished. The book is “Clapton’s Guitar”, by Allen St. John. It was a birthday gift from my sister, and from the title, I expected some paean to some custom...
by Christine | Aug 24, 2018 | Welcome Column
Every time we stake our tent for a bluegrass camp or festival, it occurs to us that we usually end up picking with the same group of people that we do at home. “Why do we drive all the way to Bakersfield/Grass Valley/Hollister (etc.) to play with the same group of...
by Christine | Apr 26, 2013 | Welcome Column
Do you know about the Jazzschool in Berkeley? It’s easy to miss the building when you go to look for it, as the entry way is just one narrow door but here’s a big hint as to the Jazzschool’s location: it’s almost directly across from the Freight and Salvage...
