Saw lots of buskers at the beach. Lots of good tunes.
Miss my mandolin. Miss pickin. See y'all soon.
CB
Friday, May 30, 2008
Busking is good practice
Saw lots of buskers at the beach. Lots of good tunes.
Miss my mandolin. Miss pickin. See y'all soon.
CB
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day Memories
Chris, we did it again. We somehow made it through without you. A good band of bluegrassers burned up three hours like it was Match-Light charcoal. Lots of the "regulars" -- Wayne, Joe, Jason, Ralph, Nancy, P.J., Brian, Kendall, et al. with some welcome cameos by Susan Gaskins, Andrea from Floyd and her pal from Norfolk, Tim Mills, Bill Adams and, um, Lewis's sister, who played gospel instrumentals on some kind of electronic synthesier/omnichord device that made people nervous.
Not a huge crowd of listeners, but the place was pretty full at peak hours. We entertained guests from New Jersey, Maryland and New York, in addition to the locals and Jason's mom! (who can't remember her son's name, so she calls him "Alex"; she also wrote in the guestbook that she's real proud of her boy despite the company he keeps).
The set was the most eclectic in a while (and not just because of Lewis's sister). Andrea did a couple of songs nobody had heard (just practicing' for the next Side Door). Brian sang the old Gram Parsons' chestnut "Brass Buttons," which had most in the crowd calling it a new jam classic. All in all, a good time.
Not a huge crowd of listeners, but the place was pretty full at peak hours. We entertained guests from New Jersey, Maryland and New York, in addition to the locals and Jason's mom! (who can't remember her son's name, so she calls him "Alex"; she also wrote in the guestbook that she's real proud of her boy despite the company he keeps).
The set was the most eclectic in a while (and not just because of Lewis's sister). Andrea did a couple of songs nobody had heard (just practicing' for the next Side Door). Brian sang the old Gram Parsons' chestnut "Brass Buttons," which had most in the crowd calling it a new jam classic. All in all, a good time.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
JBs* Entertain the Snowville Crowd
The JBs* gave 'em a pretty good time in Snowville tonight. The private party was well attended and everyone seemed to like our music. Bill, Doug, Joe, Wayne and Brian Muller comprised the JB's tonight. For it being a group that doesn't play/sing together often, we hung in there pretty good.
Let me add the food was great! Hot dogs, burgers and fixings, with salads, beans, mac and cheese, cakes, brownies, and drinks. It was a fine way to start off the Memorial Day weekend.
Hope to see everyone that is in town at the jam on Monday. The Mill is open for business!
See ya then............
Let me add the food was great! Hot dogs, burgers and fixings, with salads, beans, mac and cheese, cakes, brownies, and drinks. It was a fine way to start off the Memorial Day weekend.
Hope to see everyone that is in town at the jam on Monday. The Mill is open for business!
See ya then............
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Front page news!!!!
JB's make it big time :)
Front page of the Radford News Journal at Selu for the Lamplighter's Author Dinner with Robert Morgan - May 17th 2008. Wayne and Ralph are famous (as is my left arm and banjo neck)....
Monday, May 19, 2008
Well, We Made It
We made it through another night at the Mill. Got to say it was tough without fellow jammers, Ralph and Chris. We had a good turnout, with Doug, Joe, Mary, Nancy, Dale, Kendall, PJ, Sloan, Jason and myself. Scott Patrick and Tim Mills made the scene, too. Everybody got a few turns at choosing the tune and at taking a break or two. The crowd wasn't as big and folks didn't stay as long. Don't know if that was a reflection of the quality of the pickin', but the pickers had fun anyway!
The Mill is open next week, so the jam goes on. Ralph, Doug will likely be absent, so if you know PJ's number, we need a bass player!
The JB's play at a private party this weekend. Ralph, Doug, Joe, Bill, Wayne, and guest artist Brian Muller should be in attendance. Supposed to be plenty of food and drink, and alot of pickin'. Should be fun!
Chris, saw your post. Glad you all made it safely and are having a good time! Don't get burned at the pool or beach! Hurry on back to the states, we miss having you around! As for you Ralph, I know NYC won't be the same after you leave. Hopefully they won't get you too cultured while you're there!
See everyone next week! (Except world traveler Chris, I think?!?)
The Mill is open next week, so the jam goes on. Ralph, Doug will likely be absent, so if you know PJ's number, we need a bass player!
The JB's play at a private party this weekend. Ralph, Doug, Joe, Bill, Wayne, and guest artist Brian Muller should be in attendance. Supposed to be plenty of food and drink, and alot of pickin'. Should be fun!
Chris, saw your post. Glad you all made it safely and are having a good time! Don't get burned at the pool or beach! Hurry on back to the states, we miss having you around! As for you Ralph, I know NYC won't be the same after you leave. Hopefully they won't get you too cultured while you're there!
See everyone next week! (Except world traveler Chris, I think?!?)
Bahala na = que sera sera
...no problem, take it easy, etc.
Here's some notes from our trip:
We've been on vacation for about a week. Half of that is kind of stressful making planes, not forgetting stuff, meeting family. The other half has been really relaxing and stimulating. Japan was cool and (for the short time we were there) not difficult to get around. The Phils seem nicer, but that might be cause I'm staying in a nicer part. We're in Makati where the main business seems to be BPO -business process outsourcing. It's been cool enough that I'm considering the possibility of thinking about finding a way to open an office here. That's one of the things we do at my company.
We were feted at Christine's cousins place yesterday. In the Quezon City section (home of the Thrilla in Manila) most of the houses are behind walls, so it would be like going through North Philly, going through a gate, and feeling completely at home. There is enough squalor to let you know that the third world is part of this place, but enough commerce to know that success is possible.
It's kind of wild westy, too. Bank robbery in Laguna bank--9 hostages executed. Mental note: keep eyes open at the ATM.
Malls everywhere. I'm in one now.
Going to the beach tomorrow. Gonna buy some loose shirts before I go totally native. Y'all might dig it here (if you keep an open mind, I guess).
I've popped into an Internet cafe here to drop you a line. No wireless access at our apt (no damn unsecured accounts around us!) and the wireless at the Starbucks downstairs is giving me trouble.
On the upside, my laptop is ok here. Apparently it was built for international use.
Christine's family had a big get together for us yesterday with a big spread of fine food. They're very curious about the Burgoyne side. I'll have to bring one of my kin along on the next trip.
We're heading to the beach in Bohol tomorrow. (Bohol Beach Club--check it online).
We're having fun and getting slightly tanner and slightly thinner. Isabella is making friends everywhere she goes. She loves the pool. I like it too, it's on the 7th floor of our 30 story building. When you sit in the pool and look north, it looks like the water runs right into the tops of skyscrapers.
I hope I'll have web access at the beach but I can't count on it, so till next time, Bahala Na...
Chris, Christine, and Isabella
Here's some notes from our trip:
We've been on vacation for about a week. Half of that is kind of stressful making planes, not forgetting stuff, meeting family. The other half has been really relaxing and stimulating. Japan was cool and (for the short time we were there) not difficult to get around. The Phils seem nicer, but that might be cause I'm staying in a nicer part. We're in Makati where the main business seems to be BPO -business process outsourcing. It's been cool enough that I'm considering the possibility of thinking about finding a way to open an office here. That's one of the things we do at my company.
We were feted at Christine's cousins place yesterday. In the Quezon City section (home of the Thrilla in Manila) most of the houses are behind walls, so it would be like going through North Philly, going through a gate, and feeling completely at home. There is enough squalor to let you know that the third world is part of this place, but enough commerce to know that success is possible.
It's kind of wild westy, too. Bank robbery in Laguna bank--9 hostages executed. Mental note: keep eyes open at the ATM.
Malls everywhere. I'm in one now.
Going to the beach tomorrow. Gonna buy some loose shirts before I go totally native. Y'all might dig it here (if you keep an open mind, I guess).
I've popped into an Internet cafe here to drop you a line. No wireless access at our apt (no damn unsecured accounts around us!) and the wireless at the Starbucks downstairs is giving me trouble.
On the upside, my laptop is ok here. Apparently it was built for international use.
Christine's family had a big get together for us yesterday with a big spread of fine food. They're very curious about the Burgoyne side. I'll have to bring one of my kin along on the next trip.
We're heading to the beach in Bohol tomorrow. (Bohol Beach Club--check it online).
We're having fun and getting slightly tanner and slightly thinner. Isabella is making friends everywhere she goes. She loves the pool. I like it too, it's on the 7th floor of our 30 story building. When you sit in the pool and look north, it looks like the water runs right into the tops of skyscrapers.
I hope I'll have web access at the beach but I can't count on it, so till next time, Bahala Na...
Chris, Christine, and Isabella
Friday, May 16, 2008
Java Brothers Get All Literary and Stuff
This is from Ralph, who couldn't get on the blog last night. (Probably too many people already looking at it!)
The JBs entertained the well-read supporters of the Radford Public Lebrary Wednesday night at Selu. Novelist Robert Morgan, whose latest book is a non-fiction bio of Daniel Boone (who he says never wore a coonskin cap), was the guest speaker. Wayne, Doug, Joe, Casey, Bill, RBjr. played a while on the back porch of the barn, then dined on prime rib, mashed taters and green beans...as Ralph, Wayne and Joe waxed nostalgic about bygone bars and clubs in Radford.
Inspired by Porgessor Morgan's speechifying, the JBs played a medley of "Boone tunes" - Cumberland Gap, Blue Moon of Ky., and other wilderness rd.-style tunes.
The JBs entertained the well-read supporters of the Radford Public Lebrary Wednesday night at Selu. Novelist Robert Morgan, whose latest book is a non-fiction bio of Daniel Boone (who he says never wore a coonskin cap), was the guest speaker. Wayne, Doug, Joe, Casey, Bill, RBjr. played a while on the back porch of the barn, then dined on prime rib, mashed taters and green beans...as Ralph, Wayne and Joe waxed nostalgic about bygone bars and clubs in Radford.
Inspired by Porgessor Morgan's speechifying, the JBs played a medley of "Boone tunes" - Cumberland Gap, Blue Moon of Ky., and other wilderness rd.-style tunes.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Monday Night at the Mill
It was another fine jam at the Mill. We missed the musical stylings of Chris, but alas he is either in the Phillipines, or well on his way. Ralph, George, Doug, young Jason, Nancy, Kendall, Brian, Joe, Dale, PJ, Tim, and a couple of others jammed away. We really had a pretty tight group playing. Got most of the standards in, and a few newer ones that we are slowly picking up on. Several new faces were in the crowd and the ones that I talked with really enjoyed it. Some are local enough that they want to come more often. Some that were out of towners said they would come back whenever they were in the area.
Chris, I talked to a business owner from down the street from the Side Door. Said he might be interested in using his space to have a musical show or two. I don't know exactly what it looks like, but I am going to go by and see him sometime.
The JB's play for the Radford Lamplighters on Thursday night. We'll muddle through without Chris and give 'em the best we got. We'll eat a little extra desert in honor of ya, Chris! Hope you read this from the lands of the East and give us an update on the trip. Safe travels to you, Christine and Isabella!
Chris, I talked to a business owner from down the street from the Side Door. Said he might be interested in using his space to have a musical show or two. I don't know exactly what it looks like, but I am going to go by and see him sometime.
The JB's play for the Radford Lamplighters on Thursday night. We'll muddle through without Chris and give 'em the best we got. We'll eat a little extra desert in honor of ya, Chris! Hope you read this from the lands of the East and give us an update on the trip. Safe travels to you, Christine and Isabella!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Goin' Across the Sea...
I'm up late packin'.
We're stopping in Japan on the way to the Philippines. Maybe I can track down these guys.
We're stopping in Japan on the way to the Philippines. Maybe I can track down these guys.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Summer Pickin' Kickoff!
I guess it was the warm weather, but we had a fine, fine jam tonight. Ralph busted out the Jim and Jesse tune I always wanted to do, "Lonesome Feelin'." I shook my old tune book up and brought out some I'd wanted to play. "Carolina Star," "Greenlight on the Southern," and maybe one or two others. It's fun!
Scott Fore dropped by and picked a few tunes on Dale's guit-box. Slash and Timmy hung around. Susan Gaskins graced the outside jam with some surely fine bass playin--always good to see Susan. Gentleman George played a few. I STILL don't know Mattherhorn.
Very important news: Kendall has signed on for Side Door 6 on June 21st. Mark your Calendars in RED!
Thanks to everybody who wished us bon voyage! Try not to give my jam seat away. We'll be dropping y'all some emails and some pictures. I hear there's a good bit of Bluegrass in Japan. I'll find what I can in the Philippines. What I'll be looking for most aggressively, however, it the perfect buzz in the sun. Wish us luck!
Scott Fore dropped by and picked a few tunes on Dale's guit-box. Slash and Timmy hung around. Susan Gaskins graced the outside jam with some surely fine bass playin--always good to see Susan. Gentleman George played a few. I STILL don't know Mattherhorn.
Very important news: Kendall has signed on for Side Door 6 on June 21st. Mark your Calendars in RED!
Thanks to everybody who wished us bon voyage! Try not to give my jam seat away. We'll be dropping y'all some emails and some pictures. I hear there's a good bit of Bluegrass in Japan. I'll find what I can in the Philippines. What I'll be looking for most aggressively, however, it the perfect buzz in the sun. Wish us luck!
Friday, May 2, 2008
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