Mike - Glad your calendar is fillin' up - those sound like some really cool opportunities. As they say on the farm, make hay while the sun is shinin'...
John Gay Memphis -----Original Message----- From: mistertaterbug <[email protected]> To: Taterbugmando <[email protected]> Sent: Thu, Sep 23, 2010 7:11 pm Subject: Whoa Nellie Okay. Here's what happens when a person stays open-minded and follows herever the road leads... This year so far, I've had more work than I've had in a long time. The ebcam lesson schedule fluctuates depending on the economy, babies eing born, new marriages, new divorces, new jobs, lost jobs, families oving, illness, lost interest, etc. Sort of my own private bbreviated view of the 'big picture' we all deal with. But so far the ast few months there's been at least a dozen new folks coming on and number of old friends threatening to come back on board in a month r so. There's been a number of things on my plate this year, some old, some ew. Still working with the NBB, though sparsely booked. A great band to ork with and a smart bunch of guys. I always enjoy our gigs and being round those guys. The duet stuff with Joe Newberry and David Grier is lot different from each other, but both fill a gap that I'd miss if didn't have them. Plus, it's good to have the time to hang out with ne's friends and I'm fortunate to count both of them as such. The lvis Costello tour was a whirlwind and a hoot and an experience that 'll not forget. I had three months to get ready for the initial blast ast year and I worked my ass off to memorize 40+ songs and it paid ff. I am way better now at writing charts (partially in part to ssistance from Matt Combs and Jeff Taylor's help and endurance of my any dumbass questions) and playing chord changes that aren't found in ountry stringband styles of music. Plus, I had to buy electric gear; mp, pedal board, pickups, a Randy Wood acoustic/electric mando, etc. nd start figuring out what that's all about. It's like learning nother language to me. But as Jerry Douglas says, "There's money here". Enough said, Flux. Count me in. The year's count on workshops/seminars has been about half a dozen, ost of which were week-long endeavors. This year's Monroe Mando Camp ent over great. So improvements being made. Looks like next year is tarting to shape up some for more camps and a better Monroe camp xpected. Planning on it, at least. Now, more TBone work. On my doorstep appears less than one week ago 3 D's of material to chart and learn. Plus, two files with 'greatest its' material...you know, stuff we've all heard on the radio since igh school. Heavily-orchestrated material. Now, here's the band ituation for this hillbilly mandolin player: two drummers, two lectric guitar players, one bass player, background singers, a horn ection, and a mandolin player. Lord knows what else. Rehearsals for he material start Oct. 5 and last for two weeks. Then, about half a ozen concerts, some TV, etc. The lineup for the show is: Elton John, eon Russell, Elvis Costello, John Mellencamp, Gregg Allman, Jeff ridges, The Secret Sisters, Ralph Stanley, Karen Elson, Mark Ribo, eko Case, Punch Brothers. Knowing what you know about me, figure here Bill Monroe's mandolin style figures into this mix. Or better et, figure in where a derivative of Bill Monroe's mandolin style igures into this mix. Also take into consideration that I'm treading ater fast as I can with just my eyeballs above water. Next year looks promising too. More duet work with Joe Newberry and rier already on the books, solo work in Australia for about two onths thanks to Paul Duff and associates. Will get to play with luegrass Parkway there and make a visit to the Gilchrist mansion on ake Gnotuk. Also will get to play with two more of my oldtime heros own under, Bruce Molsky, Rafe Stefanini. Some NBB work booked for 011 and some work with Charlie Cushman and Dave Peterson playing some traight-forward bluegrass. Looking at probably getting some Hartford tring Band stuff on the books. Also, it looks like there's probably a Bone production coming too. We'll see. Sure, it seems rosey and all that, and I'm glad, grateful to have it ll. Still, with all this going on, it's hard to keep the car running, he mortgage paid, the groceries bought and always a chore to keep the iddle-aged spread from spreading. But it could be a whole lot more ncomfortable. And maybe one of these days I won't be living from aycheck to paycheck. Keeping my mind open and doing the next thing that comes down the oad... 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