Old-Time Banjo in the House

We were treated to a visit from another Montana musician this week.  Phil Schladweiler of Broken String Band fame stopped in for a visit on his way to and from Minnesota.  It is not often that a visit from a banjo player is an anticipated event, but this is one fine Old-Timey banjo player.

He does not sport that handlebar mustache for nothing folks, he is the real deal.  We do not get a chance to play music together that often any more so we had a good time sifting through the musty files of tunes we knew.  Come again any time Phil and we'll "Nail that Catfish" again.

Montana Eagle Ranch

Thank you to Bud Schleicher for working it out so that I could play with the "Old Gang" while I was in Montana.  They had a gig at the Montana eagle Ranch and graciously allowed me to come along for a mini reunion.  Charlie Alkiere, Doc Allison, Lenore Haws, Bud Schleicher, and myself played an afternoon concert for an enthusiastic group of guests at the ranch.  Plus we were treated to a wonderful supper and views that will take your breath away.

The big treat for me was playing music with the friends who got me started playing good old-time music.  They kept after me and patiently, very patiently taught me lots of great tunes and showed me how to fit in with a group of musicians.  Thanks again.  Every time I get to play with them it is a real treat. 

Montana Fiddlers Picnic 2013

Oh what a good time was had by all in Livingston this year.

A Big THANK YOU to Doc Allison who provided us with his camper so that we could stay right at the Mercier Ranch and play music, music and more music.

This year the number of spectators seemed to be down a little, but the musicians showed up in force and a good time was certainly had by all.  If you want to check out the site for the picnic here is is a link to the Montana Fiddlers Picnic.

Our good friends Terry and Elsie from Sheridan Wyoming camped on one side of us and Lisa Barrett was on the other.  There was no shortage of good music.

Here is a picture of Kurt and Harold taking a break in the leanto on the east side of the barn.

I'll dig out some more pictures and get them up here as soon as I make some time.

With The Pretty Good Stringband at 63 Ranch - 2013

Back again with good friends and "Pretty Good Stringband" music in a beautiful setting.

Man I love this gig

Meet Jeff & Deanna at the 63 Ranch Website

Catch 'em on facebook

Good Job Sailor

Just a break in the action to attend Stan's graduation from Navy Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL. 

We could not be prouder of our young man.

GOOD JOB SAILOR !!

Isabelle, Stan, Penny, Ken

Thank you to all who serve.

Bluegrass in Havana

Finally got a minute to get back to the computer and post a quick note about the latest exploits of the Buffalo Ridge Bluegrass Band.

Destination - Havana, North Dakota that is.

Population - 71

Occasion - all-class school reunion.

The gig started at 11:00 am which made it interesting for me since it is 90 minutes from my door to the band shell in the park  and I don't get done with church until 10:15. Most of you will recognize that it is extremely bad form for the preacher to announce that he needs to leave the service early to go play music - unless he is having an off day in the pulpit.  Then he would probably leave to a standing ovation.

Anyhow, they kicked it off without me and when I arrived promptly at 11:45, I immediately saw there was a small problem - I was overdressed for the occasion.  Short sleeves, and in Lannie's case shorts and short sleeves were what the gang was wearing.  I on the other hand had not had time to change from church where I had opted for long sleeves and a vest for the morning service.  AND IT WAS HOT !!  Thankfully the band was in the shade, a breeze was blowing and my shirt was very lightweight so I just jumped in and played for 15 minutes.  Then we took a break to eat a wonderful meal the folks had put together.

After dinner**  we played for another two hours and then called it quits for the afternoon.  Quite a good middle of the day. Most of the songs went fine - even the ones we didn't know.

** Up here dinner is the noon meal.  Lunch is in the middle of the morning or middle of the afternoon or what you eat between supper and bedtime.  On a good day you could have breakfast, lunch, dinner, lunch, supper and lunch.  On an extremely good day you could even have fresh cinnamon rolls as a snack before breakfast and throw in a midnight snack before bed.  No wonder I can't lose weight.

Arnold & the Crucidoolers

July 7th got busy after church was out.  The bluegrass gang from Roslyn, SD was playing in Havana, ND - but that will be another post.  After that gig was finished, I drove home ( hour and a half trip ), swapped out the car for the van, picked up my lovely wife Penny, added my Guitar to the mix of instruments I was carrying and we were off to the next musical engagement.  A quick stop in Watertown for some chips and other provisions and we were soon headed south on I 29.

But we need some other passengers to complete the group so we stopped at Arnold and Helen Johnson's place to add them to the mix.  He's only 91 and she is 85, but both are fine musicians and more importantly - good people.  If Arnold is in the car, you will never lack for conversation.

We soon arrived at Jerry and Nancy Anderson's place and got everyone and everything unloaded safely.  Helen, Arnold and I started playing some music ASAP.  Jerry was grilling while Nancy and Penny were getting everything ready so we could eat and then go back to playing some more music.

It was the first time we had all gotten together since winter ended so we had a little rust to shake off.  Arnold was playing some beautiful old tunes that I had never heard.  Thankfully Helen was helping me with the keys and chords, so I survived the first session.

Jerry finished the grilling and we had a wonderful meal.

Then we played some more music - round 2.  Helen on guitar, Penny on piano, me on mandolin and Jerry and Arnold on fiddle.  Sounded pretty good except Arnold was just not satisfied with his playing.  He kept muttering something about "crucidoolers".  "Can't get those crucidoolers right"  Penny finally had to ask him what in the world a crucidooler was.  "O", Arnold said, "that's just a word I made up for the fancy ornamentation in these fiddle tunes." 

I love the sound of that word - crucidooler especially with Arnold's Norwegian accent.

We didn't get Arnold and Helen home until 10:45.  When I mentioned that they shouldn't be keeping me out so late, Helen's voice piped up quietly from the back seat, "You called us I believe."   What a great time.

Now, if you will excuse me I need to go learn "Mother's Waltz"