Friday, December 21, 2007

Fun times in Floyd

Chris, Wayne, Susan, Joe, and Dale had a good ol' time in Floyd tonight. We picked a bunch a tunes! Christine, Isabella, and Chris' brother Lou hung out for most of the set, though Isabella conked out at about 9:30. Scott Patrick dropped in for a few tunes at the end. Boy, that kid can pick!

Everybody wants to know who's playing the Side Door on 1/19/2008. Other than Asenath, the lineup is pretty wide open. If you have any ideas for music, let me know.

Today is the first day of winter, the shortest day and the longest night of the year...so look forward to Spring!

I think we should mark our calendars.
Bluegrass master Del McCoury offered up a holiday gift to music fans today with the announcement that he’ll be hosting a world-class music festival over Memorial Day weekend in 2008. Produced in association with High Sierra Music, Delfest will build on McCoury's record in presenting a popular New Year’s Eve concert, Del McCouiry and Friends Celebrate New Years at the Ryman at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, his success with his own McCoury Music label—and, of course, his reputation as a legendary artist whose appeal crosses generations and genres—to offer a festival experience stamped with the unique McCoury touch.

Personally chosen by Del, Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD is a perfect location, nestled along the Potomac River in the scenic Appalachian Mountains yet convenient to four major airports and easily reached by rail or road, with ample tent and RV camping on site as well as plentiful lodging nearby. Those who venture into the surrounding area will find a range of recreational options, including swimming, fishing, hiking, and biking. Finally, VIP packages will be available for those who want to take their Delfest experience to the ultimate level.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

JBs* at the Blackwater Loft Cafe in Floyd

If any of y'all get cabin fever or become overwhelmed with family and festivities, the JBs* will be playing music out in Floyd on Friday night. We'll be at the Blackwater Loft Cafe coffee shop. The Loft is upstairs across from the Country Store in Floyd. This engagement will feature selected available Java Brothers, Wayne Frye, Chris Burgoyne, Joe Abercrombie, and Dale Cash, and our bass-playin' Java Sistah Susan Gaskins. Wayne's gonna play a whole lotta mando, so watch out.

Should be a blast kickin' out the jams on the longest night of the year.

Come on out, y'all!

If you CAN'T make it to Floyd, and I understand, but you are in the Radford area, check out the pathway in Wildwood Park, they're going to have the path lit with luminaria (sp?) and I think there'll be a fire and a pot luck at the outdoor classroom. If I wasn't committed to being somewhere else, that's where I'd be!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Public Record of Christmas Cheer

Check it out, yo...

The Coffee Mill Carolers got some ink (and pixels online) on their Monday Christmas-song-related outreach work.


Coincidentally, every one of these establishments was robbed on the same evening! And at Christmastime no less! Doesn't anybody know the meaning of Christmas??!!?

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Fa la la la la ( la la la la....)

Merry Christmas!
That's the holiday that does the most for me. I guess I still have to buy a tree!
Anyhoo, Ralph, Susan, Frankie, and I trudged out into the cold cold cold yesterday to spread (or generate) some holiday cheer. We went to the ladies clothing store. We played Jingle Bells. We went to the health food store and sang Christmas Time's A-Comin'. We hit most of the stores along the street. The knick knack shop, the Mexican restaurant--Feliz Navidad! We hit the jewelry store where they put a parrot on Frankie! We went to the barber shop. We went to the bar! We went to the music store! We went to the tattoo parlor, which honestly, was my favorite. There was a kid in there with a Santa cap with Naughty written on it in green glitter. He did some serious flat-footing for us.
We played Silent Night. We played a tune with Kendall when he caught up with us. We played What Child is This? (aka Greensleeves)
We attracted a few extra carolers. It was groovy. Merry Christmas!
I was surprised that the Vintage Cellar was closed--it's a week before Christmas!!! Prime $$$ time!

We had a camera crew with us, so maybe the video will turn up somewhere.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Bluegrass Caroling on Dec. 17

Be tuned-up and ready to leave The Coffee Mill at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, as we embark upon the incredible yuletide crusade. We'll stop in a few stores and regale them with a couple of tunes (which is all we know).
We did this last year at the behest of Frank Fitzgerald and had fun. Radford's downtown isn't the most hopping place on Monday nights, but the shopkeepers enjoyed us!
The last jam of the year follows at 7.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Coffee Mill Christmas Jam

Ho ho ho, y'all! Big props to Jam master Ralph and the team over at the Coffee Mill for putting on a fat spread for this year's Christmas party. There was a great turnout.
GeorgeRalphChrisWilsonWayneDougDaleJasonBillNewDobroGuyNancyBrianVernonSloaneMikeBonnie...Everybody!

Some good ol' Christmas carols. Turkey! Pork! Mac n Cheese! Potatoes! Tons of coffee! Cake! Cookies!

People, we're livin' right!

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Heap Big Jam Last Night

I had to sit out last night on baby sitting duty, but the crew down at the Mill didn't miss me a bit. Wayne was driving Vernon on the mandolin, two fiddles, a bunch of banjos, and a positive HERD of guitars made quite a racket. And don't take this the wrong way, but for so many folks jammin' away, it sounded surprisingly good.

Kudos to you-o's!


Mark you calendars:
December 21st -- JBs* at the Blackwater Loft Cafe in Floyd, VA
January 19th -- Side Door #3 in Radford, VA.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Go Hokies!

JBs* at the Blackwater Loft Cafe in Floyd Dec 21.

A bunch of JBs folks are playing a pre-Christmas show in Floyd. Our bass player doug can't make it, and Ralph maybe out, too. That's why we're calling it the JBs*, with an asterisk. If youz wanna have a good time, come out and watch us whip up a mostly new show!