Bluegrass (Pickers)

Comment

Comment by Ken Bellingham on October 26, 2011 at 6:17pm

Hi Peg,

   Since you expressed interest in our bluegrass association, I thought I would provide you with the link to the website:  http://www.cbaontheweb.org/.  Bluegrass music is really a family-oriented genre, and you can get a good sense of that when participating in some of the association's activities.  Even though California is a pretty large geographical expanse, players from all around the state stay connected as a community through the CBA. 

   The largest annual event has traditionally been the Fathers' Day camp and festival in Grass Valley, CA.  Two years ago the winter camp was begun as an alternative for folks who couldn't get to Grass Valley in June.  That event has its own website at:  http://www.cbamusiccamp.org/index.html.  There are a great many bluegrass gatherings around the country, but not so many in winter, and this one was an immediate success.  It is a great escape from the winter blahs, if you can get away in February.  I roomed with one fellow who came out from New York both years, and I expect to see him again this year.  He likes to go roaming in the surrounding hills with his camera after classes.  I also met and performed with a woman from Virginia.  There is always a good lineup of instructors.  Roland White, brother of Clarence, will be here from Nashville for the third year.  He is regarded around camp as a patriarch of bluegrass.  Peter Rowan will be an instructor for the first time this year.  He is teaching a vocal class, and although registration was just opened on Oct. 20, his class has already filled up.

   The location for the camp also has its own website:  http://www.walkercreekranch.org/.  The facilities are very comfortable, the meals are good, and the staff is attentive and very professional.  Walker Creek Ranch is actually administered by a school district and serves as an off-site natural science school for a succession of visiting school children who come for a week at a time, so the staff members are very experienced, competent and efficient hosts.  Perhaps you or others from this discussion group will join us one of these years.

 

 

 

Comment by Georgianne Boissier on October 26, 2011 at 4:58pm

Peg,

I have not heard of Swannanoa Gathering in Asheville, NC.  Sounds like tons of fun.  My husband and I hope to retire in the next year or so and then we'll have some time to attend all these events and really have some fun with the music thing.  Work pays the bills....but it sure gets in the way sometimes :)

 

Comment by Jud Hair on October 26, 2011 at 3:38pm

Peg ... it was a trade-in and the top had a very wide grain. It had the "burst" finish and the guy may have just assumed it was adirondack.  More likely it was sitka.

Comment by Peg Andrae on October 26, 2011 at 3:00pm

Hi Jud,
Mine has a Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides. Sitka is standard for H&D, unless the one you played was a special order? Huge sound, yes! This one sang to me and I was sold. When I had the chance to play it next to the Martins, Taylors, Gibsons, etc., all being great guitars, the DS was something special to my ear. SOLD!!

Comment by Jud Hair on October 26, 2011 at 2:13pm

Peg ... yes, I'm a big fan of Seagulls and I actually had the opportunity to play a VERY nice Huss & Dalton DS at the shop on Tuesday!  Huge sound!  They told me it had an Adirondack top, but as I looked over the models on the H&D website, I didn't see any models that used adi tops.  What does your DS have?   

Comment by Peg Andrae on October 26, 2011 at 1:51pm

Hi Jud,
Both you and Ken like your Seagulls. I had a little time to play one before giving it to one of our students - cedar top and the sound was very nice.

I have a Huss and Dalton DS and it's my favorite. Very balanced, full sound and will stand up to any Martin. I also like the fact that it was made in my home state!

Comment by Peg Andrae on October 26, 2011 at 1:46pm

Hey Ken,
I'll have to check out your bluegrass association. Winter Camp sounds like a great event! You mentioned Seagull in an earlier post. A kind person donated a cedar top Seagull to my Guitars For Vets chapter in Richmond and it's a gem. One of our students who recently completed the program was presented with the Seagull, and oh how he likes the sound of it. He has a good ear and is making good progress!!

Comment by Peg Andrae on October 26, 2011 at 1:33pm

I have not posted for a looong time. Just been busy, and thought I'd check back and see who's chatting about what.
Georgianne - have you heard of the Swannanoa Gathering in Asheville, NC? Excellent music camps in the summer, with lots of bluegrass and something for everyone. That might be a possibility for you. I attended in July and had a wonderful time!

Comment by Ken Bellingham on October 26, 2011 at 12:50pm

That would be terrific, and bring along the other couple you mentioned.  You can view some of the old song lists and lyrics files at http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/dublinBluegrassjam/files/.

Comment by Georgianne Boissier on October 26, 2011 at 12:16pm

Hmmm..you just might see us at the Dublin jam sometime soon. 

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• …
• 10
• Next ›
• Page