Well, the 26th Jan is Australia Day and a mighty fine time to spend in Tamworth NSW where they hold the annual Country Music Festival that lasts for 10 days+. Although a CM Festival, you can still hear Bluegrass and they also hold the National Bluegrass Chamionships at this time. You can enter the Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar and Fiddle sections and vie for the national crown/s. Being an online student of Tater the Tormentor since late April last year, he's always saying to get yourself uncomfortable and put yourself out there, so I entered the mando section not knowing exactly what I was in for. The aim was to prepare hard and learn from the experience.
Well the experience was great and although I didn't expect to place, which I didn't, I certainly got good feedback from those in attendance. Apart from playing under 'test' conditions on a stage in front of a full house, I got to spend an entire half day out the back yacking and picking with some fabulous Bluegrass devotees. Luckily I already kinda knew some of the guys because MC had previously encouraged me to get involved with some jams and try to sneak in with those better than me (and silly enough to allow me) without being a pest. The monthly Bluegrass nights in Annandale really help with that. So I got to hear some opinions on current bluegrass news, play a few tunes, swap road stories and hear lots of BS. All in all, preparing for the comp assured that I got lots of daily practice and pushed me during my weekly lessons with Mike. We got home yesterday arvo and the new practice schedule started in the evening with new vigour and meaning. I have a new Duff coming soon and this will drive me even harder...can't wait. If anyone is looking to improve their playing, hear a story from a guru, or just laugh your ass off, then you gotta join MC on webcam. Time really is short so the longer you think about it, the more you have to regret not doing it. Let's see what the next 12 months brings! Has anyone else got any comp stories to share? I must say, I wasn't nearly as nervous as I thought I might be but then I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.....funny that :-) Holstein --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Taterbugmando" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/taterbugmando?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
