Thanks to all who gave me suggestions on planning some sessions into my
visit in the (hopefully) very near future (this fall or next spring).
No point in being anonymous so I'll introduce myself a little by answering
Nigel's questions:
>Hello USA, are you receiving us? Where on earth did you get a name like
>"ladida"? Posh folk who put on airs are oftimes described as being
>"lah-de-dah", but I'm sure that's not the reason.
The ladida is a take on "lah-de-dah" but I seldom have time to put on airs.
The "la" is from my daughter's name, Lauren; the "di" is from my name,
Dianne; and the "da" is my husband, Dave. We now have a son (future piper)
named Matthew. We originally set things up to all receive e-mail at the
same address but that is a thing of the past and I ought to change the name
and claim my own address.
>Best of luck, ladida. Where did your family fiddlers come from? Any
>stories about them you can share?
>
My fiddlers are my great-grandfather, Clinton Thomas Matlock and his father,
Martin Luther Matlock. They both lived only here in the States but Martin
Luther Matlock married the daughter of my Scottish ancestors (Campbells)
and, as near as we can figure, the fiddling tradition had been passed down
to him by at least the two previous generations. My Campbell ancestors left
Scotland for Canada in 1845 for, I think, economic reasons and then
emmigrated into the U.S. However, the stories are that my
great-great-great-grandfather, Kenneth Campbell (of Lochbloom), used to
poach deer and carried his rifle stock in one sleeve of his coat and his
barrel in the other. I would think that if he'd been caught I would be an
Australian rather than an American but it's entirely possible the family was
politely run out of Scotland. His wife, Chirstian Scott (of Kintillo) was
probably the saving grace of the family. Other relatives
(great-great-uncles and all) were from Galashiels, Keighfield, West Dron,
Mundie, and Fowlis Wester. I have loads of stories about all of them but
will only bore you upon request... let me know when you would like more.
I'm having so much fun learning from all of you. Information with regard to
Scottish fiddling is not plentiful here and I'm just starved for every
little bit of knowledge, music or other (thanks again to Philip Whittaker
for touring/travelling suggestions). I've been fortunate to have Natalie
MacMaster, Buddy MacMaster and Alasdair Fraser come through and give
workshops and will gladly share any tips or helps I picked up from them.
Wish I had more to offer but, in the meantime, I thank you for allowing me
to openly eavesdrop and learn.
Yours gratefully,
Dianne
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