THE DAILY GRIST…“Sweet Emma, Sweet Emma, thanks for what you do; Sweet Emma we know your grass is blue.”- Mike & Yvonne Tatar
When Mike & I moved down to the San Diego area in 1996, we looked around for the bluegrass scene to connect with and found the San Diego Bluegrass Society. They had one jam a month at Fuddruckers in La Mesa on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. There was lots of jamming and an open mic there so it was just what we wanted and we enjoyed this monthly get together. Soon after, we learned of an informal get together that happened each Sunday at a couple’s home. Amos & Emma Radcliffe opened their home each Sunday evening for a bluegrass jam. All musicians were welcome and Emma and her daughter Dee Dee always provided a wonderful homemade buffet of food.
Amos & Emma were a blessing to the San Diego bluegrass community in so many ways. On Sundays, they had their weekly jam and Wednesdays was their old time fiddle music jam. These jams provided music but also a weekly place for the bluegrass & fiddle communities to connect and continue friendships. Being at Amos & Emma’s was like spending time with your grandparents. About ten years ago, Amos passed away, and then about six years ago Emma and Dee Dee moved back to Minnesota to be nearer their family. Even today, Sundays aren’t the same for us with Emma’s jam gone. Emma is 94 now, and having some memory problems, but we miss her and wish her only the best. She is a special person who worked hard wherever she lived (back on her Minnesota farm & San Diego home) from as far back as she can remember. Besides homemaking, she accomplished jobs like construction and farming, auto mechanics, etc. All her skills and gumption were called upon and used to keep the homestead going. It was that “We Can Do It” attitude from the Depression and WWII that she was living by. And she was an excellent seamstress. That skill changed her life. While visiting San Diego, she met Amos when she agreed to make him some western shirts. That’s how they met and the rest is history, as the lyrics below will tell.
During their time here, Amos played the fiddle and Emma played the gut bucket. They formed their own band named Emma’s Gut Bucket Band which still performs in her honor for area nursing homes, schools, etc. And the money donated from these concerts is used to purchase instruments for veterans, students, seniors, etc. San Diego Bluegrass Society held a concert to honor Emma before she moved and local bands playing there were asked to write a song to perform in her honor. I’m proud to have co-written this song below with Mike and to have played it for Emma at the concert. She was so touched to hear it. We also recorded it on out “Steppin’ Out” CD. At this time of year when I think of my blessings, I sure want to acknowledge how fortunate this San Diego bluegrass community was to have Amos and Emma in our community for so many years. They were so special – selfless and like everyone’s grandma & grandpa. And I’ll bet you can think of someone you know who has been a blessing in your circle of bluegrass friends. That’s a wonderful characteristic about bluegrass folks – caring and community. Happy Holidays to you all and here below are the lyrics to our song “Sweet Emma.”
Sweet Emma
Verses:
Born in Minnesota a couple of years ago
Worked the farm all year long through the rain, wind and snow
Plowed the fields with a horse’ til a tractor could be had
Life in Minnesota wasn’t really all that bad
Came to San Diego to live 3 months or so
Stayed with sister Alice but little did she know
She met a guy named Amos who won her heart and hand
They got married, shared a life and formed a bluegrass band
Sunday night and Wednesday night the music does abound
Pies, and cakes, and home bread are always to be found
Eat a sandwich, grab a mug or have a sticky bun
Emma’s place is the best and always lots of fun.
Chorus:
Sweet Emma, Sweet Emma, thanks for what you do
Sweet Emma we know your grass is blue
Your smilin’ face, your lovin’ heart, you welcome all to take part
Sweet Emma we know you heart is true.
