JBs* Wow Em at the Mechanical Engineering Dept

Those were some lucky folks out there who got to here Java Bros, Joe, Ralph, Casey, and Chris, and Java Sistah Susan Gaskins over at the Skelton Center.
We blasted them hard with some fiddle tunes and some straight bluegrass. Honestly, I think it might have been too much for their uptight, slide rule, button-down minds to take.

I forgot who was going to be there and who wasn't so the setlist I made was way off base, but the JBs don't need no stinkin' setlists. No sir.

Also worthy of note, was that we got to eat for FREE, had some d#mn good pie, and got paid a couple shekels.

Merry Christmas to all, indeed!

Thanks to Susan for setting us up with the sweet gig!

Tunes from Side Door #2, plus a tour of Radford, VA.

I went out for a walk on Saturday morning and took a bunch of pictures.
I figured these images are just as good as any to show while you listen to some of our recordings. Tunes in question are Rider and Midnight Moonlight. We're not hippies, I swear.

So here you go, the Java Brothers from Side Door Session #2 on November 10th.

Radford is a fine ol' town.

Mark Cosgrove

Mark Cosgrove and I are "friends." We've reconnected via facebook, and just before Christmas...[sniff] Anyway, here he is pickin with Steve Kaufman and local boy Steve Kilby.



The tune is Bye Bye Blues. We all know it, we just got to re-remember it!

Go Eagles!

I'm choosing to believe they can win!
That first INT for a TD was painful, but they came back with a nice drive on the leagues best team.

Go Birds!

Acoustic Review at Side Door

Side Door Sessions was a big success, in no small part due to the contributions of these guys. Hope they'll come back for more.

Acoustic Review plays Cold Frosty Morn

Look Down That Lonesome Road

Another hit from Tim O'Brien

(Blind) Alfred Reid

I never heard of this guy, but I have heard some of his songs.
Click here and learn something!

Desert Island Music

I asked before what your desert island bluegrass albums were, but most of us listen to lots of other stuff.
My desert island list off the top of my head (which ought to be the only way):
Steely Dan -Aja
The Who -Who's Next
Jerry Garcia Band - Live
Bob Dylan - Blood On the Tracks
Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
Honorable Mention:
Police - Zenyatta Mondatta
Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage
Thelonious Monk - Essential


Updated: A better link!
Click here for the Senor version I love the best.

Side Door 2 is in the books!

It was a good one, people! Thanks for coming out! Special thanks to Brian Muller and Scott Patrick of Acoustic Review for elevating our show with their fine musicianship.
We had some new folks out last night, and some good old times.
The Java Brothers, Wilson, Dale, Casey, and Jason all lent their pickin' fingers to the show as well, for that we humbly thank younz.

Mark you calendars--January 19th for Side Door #3.

See y'all at the Mill.

--PS...The After-Session Jam was mighty fine, too!

It's just about time!

Got to be da Guvna!

Who says nothin' ever happens around here?
Former Gov Mark Warner and present Gov Tim Kaine showed up at the Floyd Country Store to get Jiggy and remind everyone to vote on Tuesday.

Backed by the NRV's own Jugbusters, it looked like a good old time. (A good old-time time!)

Mainlining the Banjo

Warning--graphic content!

That many banjos in one place is obscene.

Banjo Alert! Banjo Player Bill Evans in Roanoke

Some of our local heroes of the banjo might could be interested in this...

November 14: Roanoke, VA: The Secrets of Great Bluegrass Banjo Back-up Workshop, Fret Mill Music Company, 7 to 10 p.m., 21 Salem Avenue, 24011, on Roanoke's Historic City Market. See workshop description above. $40 in advance / $45 at the door. Advance registration required by contacting the Fret Mill at 540-982-6686. Visit www.fretmill.com for more info.

Side Door Sessions #2 - Sat Nov 10th, 7:00 PM

Travelin' Down the Lonesome Road

How far have you traveled for Bluegrass?

I just got an email about the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown. I'm not sayin' I'm goin', but I do love Colorado, and I do love Bluegrass, so it sounds like a winner trip to me.
I've done some far flung festivals over the years, but they tend to be in Carolina and Virginia, my back yard at this point.
I've been curious about Rockygrass and Telluride, and San Francisco's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival is also really appealing. Anybody ever go on one of those Bluegrass Cruises?
I still like that I've got so many festivals close by--Merlefest, Ralph Stanley's Festival, Graves Mountain, Floyd Fest, and on and on. But I get itchy feet, and musical vacations are my favoritest kind.