I'm one of the ones who is trying to get things back onto an even
enough keel to webcam again, and that looks like a pretty rich plate.
Definitely the dvd and please make some space somewhere, sometime for
some Tater branded listening product!

2010/9/24, Robert J. Dragone <[email protected]>:
> It's interesting that you took the time to stop and make a list of all the
> things coming your way.  Are you looking for some cohesion in all that?  I
> didn't recognize a pattern, but then it's not my life I'm looking at.  We
> all recognize the artist that you are but tend to forget that it all boils
> down to bills, kids and groceries.  Maybe a little satisfaction with all
> that toil, but Douglas seems to have hit the core of it.  Sure, it's a
> paycheck but very few of us get to enjoy greatness with our pay no matter
> how meager or rich it may be.  Please stay on the road.
>
> Bob
>
> On Sep 23, 2010, at 8:11 PM, mistertaterbug wrote:
>
>> Okay. Here's what happens when a person stays open-minded and follows
>> wherever the road leads...
>>
>> This year so far, I've had more work than I've had in a long time. The
>> webcam lesson schedule fluctuates depending on the economy, babies
>> being born, new marriages, new divorces, new jobs, lost jobs, families
>> moving, illness, lost interest, etc. Sort of my own private
>> abbreviated view of the 'big picture' we all deal with. But so far the
>> last few months there's been at least a dozen new folks coming on and
>> a number of old friends threatening to come back on board in a month
>> or so.
>>
>> There's been a number of things on my plate this year, some old, some
>> new.
>>
>> Still working with the NBB, though sparsely booked. A great band to
>> work with and a smart bunch of guys. I always enjoy our gigs and being
>> around those guys. The duet stuff with Joe Newberry and David Grier is
>> a lot different from each other, but both fill a gap that I'd miss if
>> I didn't have them. Plus, it's good to have the time to hang out with
>> one's friends and I'm fortunate to count both of them as such. The
>> Elvis Costello tour was a whirlwind and a hoot and an experience that
>> I'll not forget. I had three months to get ready for the initial blast
>> last year and I worked my ass off to memorize 40+ songs and it paid
>> off. I am way better now at writing charts (partially in part to
>> assistance from Matt Combs and Jeff Taylor's help and endurance of my
>> many dumbass questions) and playing chord changes that aren't found in
>> country stringband styles of music. Plus, I had to buy electric gear;
>> amp, pedal board, pickups, a Randy Wood acoustic/electric mando, etc.
>> and start figuring out what that's all about. It's like learning
>> another language to me. But as Jerry Douglas says, "There's money
>> there". Enough said, Flux. Count me in.
>>
>> The year's count on workshops/seminars has been about half a dozen,
>> most of which were week-long endeavors. This year's Monroe Mando Camp
>> went over great. So improvements being made. Looks like next year is
>> starting to shape up some for more camps and a better Monroe camp
>> expected. Planning on it, at least.
>>
>> Now, more TBone work. On my doorstep appears less than one week ago 3
>> CD's  of material to chart and learn. Plus, two files with 'greatest
>> hits' material...you know, stuff we've all heard on the radio since
>> high school. Heavily-orchestrated material. Now, here's the band
>> situation for this hillbilly mandolin player: two drummers, two
>> electric guitar players, one bass player, background singers, a horn
>> section, and a mandolin player. Lord knows what else. Rehearsals for
>> the material start Oct. 5 and last for two weeks. Then, about half a
>> dozen concerts, some TV, etc. The lineup for the show is: Elton John,
>> Leon Russell, Elvis Costello, John Mellencamp, Gregg Allman, Jeff
>> Bridges, The Secret Sisters, Ralph Stanley, Karen Elson, Mark Ribo,
>> Neko Case, Punch Brothers. Knowing what you know about me, figure
>> where Bill Monroe's mandolin style figures into this mix. Or better
>> yet, figure in where a derivative of Bill Monroe's mandolin style
>> figures into this mix. Also take into consideration that I'm treading
>> water fast as I can with just my eyeballs above water.
>>
>> Next year looks promising too. More duet work with Joe Newberry and
>> Grier already on the books, solo work in Australia for about two
>> months thanks to Paul Duff and associates. Will get to play with
>> Bluegrass Parkway there and make a visit to the Gilchrist mansion on
>> Lake Gnotuk. Also will get to play with two more of my oldtime heros
>> down under, Bruce Molsky, Rafe Stefanini. Some NBB work booked for
>> 2011 and some work with Charlie Cushman and Dave Peterson playing some
>> straight-forward bluegrass. Looking at probably getting some Hartford
>> String Band stuff on the books. Also, it looks like there's probably a
>> TBone production coming too. We'll see.
>>
>> Sure, it seems rosey and all that, and I'm glad, grateful to have it
>> all. Still, with all this going on, it's hard to keep the car running,
>> the mortgage paid, the groceries bought and always a chore to keep the
>> middle-aged spread from spreading. But it could be a whole lot more
>> uncomfortable. And maybe one of these days I won't be living from
>> paycheck to paycheck.
>>
>> Keeping my mind open and doing the next thing that comes down the
>> road...
>>
>> Tbug
>>
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-- 
Enviado desde mi dispositivo móvil

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