Well, it's drizzling today as we get ready to leave Athens OH. I heard it's gonna be rainy and cold this weekend in Pittsburg PA. Maybe snow on Sunday! But we all don't need more darkness in our lives. Lord knows we all have enough challenges and so here are a few things that I can think of on the bright side of this tour leg.
Got to meet my 1 year old neice. My brother and his family moved to Johnson City, TN, just in time for us to come there and play. My nephews are 7 and almost 6 and I haven't seen them in at least two years (they were living in England while my brother had a job over there). I had some fun conversations with my oldest nephew, Clay, and his brother Edgar was surprisingly astute and observant. And Evie just has a permanent grin on her face -- how lovely.
We got to play a song with Julie Lee in Nashville. She's got the voice of an angel and the disposition of a saint. Look her up on the web -- she has a beautiful site as well as spirit.
Saw some great music in Atlanta. Capt. Soular Cat wowed us on the main stage before our set at Dogwood. Those guys rock. Hope to see them again. Then, that night, we all thought we'd found Mark Smeltzer's long-lost uncle or something when we saw Baby Gramps. Oh... my... can't hardly describe him but you should just try to find him in concert or get his DVD if you want to be amazed.
Driving through the Smoky Mountain National Park. Rain couldn't spoil this beauty.
Seeing my friend Aimee (we've been friends since college, 19 years) and her husband, and their new baby Ian. Ian is teething but it's a wonder to meet him and see this lovely family grow.
Woodsongs Show. That was a real experience and I hope we can do it again. It's archived too if you missed it.
That's a start anyway and you know what? the rain has stopped at least for now. Good sign and also time to check out.
Check out some beauty of your own today -- just keep your eyes and mind open and you will most likely be pleasantly surprised.
Betse,
ReplyDeleteHappy Earth Day to you too!!! You know that you and the boys are always in my thoughts. I send whatever energy is leftover (Noah seems to take more than his share). I'm surre the phrase paying your dues is one you don't want to hear again but you all know that you are rockin' the house wherever you are at. When I read about Baby Gramps in previous post, I was certain that this man had to be related to Mark in someway. Everything is growing here--but I do have to say that RGHH is not the same without you! Take care, see you all soon! Kim...ps I'm glad that the chief is gone.
A quick postscript to mention that finding sunshine in the shadows (that's a paraphrase from a Carter Family song) has been a bit more challenging for me this trip. I needed that reminder for myself as much as anything so I decided to take that moment to look for some moments brightness and why not share them with you all...
ReplyDeleteWe have of course had some bright moments with our music, too. I think y'all would expect that but I realized I hadn't mentioned it specifically. The new songs are really coming along in performance and we actually had a practice session the other day and are now performing a new song of Ike's and another new fiddle tune.
We all deserve sunshine in our lives! May you find more today.
Getting back to the bright side briefly, it is the nature of the human mind to wallow in worry and doubt, especially then circumstances are not what we would like. I've certainly wasted my share of time fretting about my situation or situations as the case might have been. Still, as a wise human once noted, most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be regardless of external events. And with that, I choose to be very happy about going to bed.
ReplyDeleteGetting back to the bright side briefly, it is the nature of the human mind to wallow in worry and doubt, especially then circumstances are not what we would like. I've certainly wasted my share of time fretting about my situation or situations as the case might have been. Still, as a wise human once noted, most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be regardless of external events. And with that, I choose to be very happy about going to bed.
ReplyDeleteCheck out the recent article on The Wilders with a good perspective on "country" from Ike:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05112/492175.stm
Joe Roberts sings a song with lyrics something like:
ReplyDeleteAin't no bugs on me
Ain't no bugs on me
May be bugs on some of you mugs, but there ain't no bugs on me.
They obviously do not apply to Peggy.
Ticks on the other hand..
And by the way, I did not stutter, only sent my last post one time. Something is amiss in the machinery.
Got to thinking about a billion ants. Assuming than an ant has a body 1/16 inch in diameter and 1/4 inch long, each and would have a volume of .0007 cubic inches or .0000049 cubic feet. A billion would thus equal 4,908 cubic feet. That would fill a cube 17 feet per side.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that 1 billion ants would have crushed and or suffocated you, so the number must have been a few less.
Actual news item: A zookeeper was killed after giving a large elephant an enema and shall we say, standing in an unfortunate location. That should put all this talk of having a bad day in perspective.
I will shut up now.
Peggy did you get rid of the ants? Betse has a great ant/car experience--great as in many. A huge colony set up house in the doors of her car while it sat patiently waiting for her to return from the first leg of tour. I helped her eradicate them--of course we used different tactics--but eventually... those helpful but annoying when not outside in the ground, insects were gone. Betse, you want to add any fun comments to this adventure? I'd sure like to tell about the sweeping part...Kim Stanton
ReplyDeleteTHE WILDERS TOOK MERLEFEST BY STORM!
ReplyDeleteMan, I've been to 8 Merlefests and never seen a crowd as blown away as when the Wilders played. They played three sets, and by Saturday night when they played the Traditional Stage, the word was out and the tent was packed. Standing ovations after lots of songs, lots of hooting and hollering and clapping along- it was awesome to be a part of such a great experience. The Wilders all looked pleased as punch, and Ike said more than once what a treat it was to play to such an appreciative crowd.
Highlights for me were a ripping Battle of New Orleans, a fiery Black-Eyed Susie, a song with just Betse and Phil, and the last tune they played Saturday night, a gospel tune with all the members of the Crooked Jades (another great band) on stage singing chorus and Dirk Powell playing accordion- Ike was GOING OFF during that song- fire and brimstone for sure.
I'm excited I get to see them out here in Greeley, CO next week. Hoping they'll play a Denver date around the T-Ride Bluegrass fest.
Dirk Powell said it Sat. night, and I agree wholeheartedly, the Wilders are the most exciting band I've heard in a few years. After a few more fests like Merlefest, they won't be playing bars and clubs, so catch them in the small places while you can.
This was my 7th Merlefest and seeing the Wilders has got to be the top 3 of my favorite Merlefest moments. I had no idea what I was getting into when I sat down in the Traditional tent Friday night. Afterwards, I told my wife "you gotta hear this band", and thankfully they were playing again at the Traditional stage Saturday evening. Word had gotten around Merlefest like wildfire and we had never seen the tent packed to the gills like this. This was probably the only time in the history of Merlefest that the Traditional tent sound (music, whooping and hollering) bled over onto the Dance stage!! Definitely fans and will be watching closely to see when they come near East Tennessee so we can see them again. In fact we are thinking of vacationing in New York in July, and I see that the Wilders are playing at Grey Fox...definitely going to plan my vacation so we can see them again.
ReplyDeleteVieta-
ReplyDeleteI'm the "Anonymous" who posted a review of Merlefest. Anonymous is the unfortunate name my parents gave me, so I'll post as John from now on.
I'll make sure to let y'all know about the craziness that goes down next weekend in Greeley, CO, where the Wilders are playing Friday and Saturday at a new bluegrass fest.
Does anyone now if the Wilders have a taping policy? I sure hope they allow taping. If so, I'll try and record their set next weekend and get some copies out to y'all.
John
Thanks for the warm welcome. I get the blues every year Merlefest ends, but the memories of the Wilders sure puts a smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see a new thread started from the band about their Merlefest experience (and other latest news).
Here are some threads from the Merlefest website with great postings. Can't buy better publicity than this:
http://www.merlefestbb.org/forums/view_topic.php?id=663&forum_id=3
http://www.merlefestbb.org/forums/view_topic.php?id=646&forum_id=3
Hopefully with all the great postings we'll have the Wilders back next year, and the year after that, and the year after.....:)
David