What a year this has been! As always there are good and bad that happens in a year. This one has been eventful to say the least. It has also been a busy one. If you have anything else you want to do in 2008, I strongly suggest you do so very soon. It is quickly coming to an end.
The end of the year is often a time for reflection. This is evidenced by the song "Auld Lang Syne" used for so long as the song to end one year and begin the next. It is more often thought of as the time for a new beginning and plans for the future. Think "Resolutions". The year outlasts most resolutions, but it is at least good to recognize the need to make changes for the better.
Last year David and I resolved to record a new CD. This year we are resolving to finish it. There are other resolutions, though I usually don't think of them as such. I like to think of them as plans, that way I don't feel like I have broken something when it comes later than anticipated. Plans can be changed or modified as needed, though they should never be changed just on a whim. Challenges that came up in 2008 caused some important plans to change, or really just be postponed until they can be completed properly.
Now don't start thinking that all plans and resolutions were broken or postponed. Many were realized and completed. Others were increased as we reached the point we had planned for. Now to work on the plans for the coming year.
We have already been booking programs for the coming year. There are more places to call and to book. I'll get back on that after the first of the year. Everyone is so busy with Christmas and New Year's that I think it is best to let them enjoy this season with all they already have to do.
January is set aside to work on finishing our CD. Keep an eye on our schedule though, you never know when a plan will change.
Have a safe and Happy New Year!
NHT
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Thanksgving to Christmas
There is an old joke that I have used often. It says "Sometimes I sit and think and sometimes I just sit." This time of year, when I do get to sit, I tend to sit and think.
Fall has held a special place in my life as long as I can remember. It has always conjured up feelings of warmth, energy, and a little bit of melancholy. I also enjoy winter. I like hiking in the woods when it is cold and especially when there is a little snow on the ground.
It seems that people, for the most part, tend to associate fall and winter with the end of something. I have never really thought of it that way. In my mind it is more of a continuation, another change, or a time of celebration. Some of that is probably from my rural upbringing, as fall was the time of harvest. There was some rest involved, along with the celebration of the year - especially if the harvest was good.
That I was born on Thanksgiving Day in 1953 may also have something to do with how I feel about this time of year- it was the beginning for me. Though I have no personal recollection of that particular day, or many days thereafter, I understand that there had been snow on the ground for about a week. The weather has changed quite a lot since then, most of the change happening since around 1980.
This is a season that I am anxious to play music as well. Well, I seem to always be anxious for that, but even more so in the fall and spring. The air feels so good after a hot summer. It is nice to find some cool mornings and evenings.
Whether you look at fall and winter as an end, a beginning, or something else altogether, I hope you enjoy it as much as you possibly can. It is a wonderful time for us to reflect on the past year and plan for the next. It is a time to think of all this season and it's holidays mean to us and the world. So whatever you think and wherever you are, I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.
Nelson
Fall has held a special place in my life as long as I can remember. It has always conjured up feelings of warmth, energy, and a little bit of melancholy. I also enjoy winter. I like hiking in the woods when it is cold and especially when there is a little snow on the ground.
It seems that people, for the most part, tend to associate fall and winter with the end of something. I have never really thought of it that way. In my mind it is more of a continuation, another change, or a time of celebration. Some of that is probably from my rural upbringing, as fall was the time of harvest. There was some rest involved, along with the celebration of the year - especially if the harvest was good.
That I was born on Thanksgiving Day in 1953 may also have something to do with how I feel about this time of year- it was the beginning for me. Though I have no personal recollection of that particular day, or many days thereafter, I understand that there had been snow on the ground for about a week. The weather has changed quite a lot since then, most of the change happening since around 1980.
This is a season that I am anxious to play music as well. Well, I seem to always be anxious for that, but even more so in the fall and spring. The air feels so good after a hot summer. It is nice to find some cool mornings and evenings.
Whether you look at fall and winter as an end, a beginning, or something else altogether, I hope you enjoy it as much as you possibly can. It is a wonderful time for us to reflect on the past year and plan for the next. It is a time to think of all this season and it's holidays mean to us and the world. So whatever you think and wherever you are, I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.
Nelson
Monday, October 20, 2008
Driving Though the Night
There have been many nights in my life that I have been driving down the road. Sometimes it has been with family. Sometimes with friends. Often it has been alone and the result of work or traveling for work. Many times it has been for music and while that is also a profession, it is more play than work. Although I am exhausted when we finish a program.
I enjoy driving in the night, even as I realize that it can have it's own special dangers. There is usually less traffic during the night however, at least until the truckers begin waking back up and getting on the road (if you happen to be driving the Interstates). I really do pretty well up until around 2:30 or 3:00 am. My natural tendencies are to be awake late and sleep a little later, though that isn't always possible.
When my children were younger, we would drive late in the night and sometimes all night to make distance while they slept. We would trade off on the driving. I will say that my children always were good travelers though, and especially on long trips. Even as they have grown up, we have continued to drive many times at night to make up time on our trips.
Sometimes I like to listen to music as I drive. Other times I just want it quiet and have time to think. I have solved many problems, or what appeared to be problems, as I drove along a road. Late at night it is fun to listen to AM radio stations. It is amazing some of the things you hear on the old AM stations in the middle of the night. Some things are great and mind expanding. Some are funny. Many are just plain strange. Still others will transport you to another time or place.
David and I have had the chance to drive several nights together as we returned from a gig somewhere close enough to drive back from. That has often meant getting back home around 2:00 am or later, but still close enough to be there well before daylight. Those trips have often been productive times for us as we discussed songs (and sometimes worked on them), planned places to contact for gigs, talked about musicians we enjoy (and listen to their music), and enjoyed a bit of the road while knowing we didn't have to be on it all the time.
We have enjoyed meeting a lot of people over the years. People who have become friends and acquaintances - great musicians and music fans. As we have ventured farther from our home turf, it has been great to be greeted by good people everywhere we go. It is exciting to learn about new places as well. Whenever possible we try to get to a place early so we can look around the area before setting up to play.
This summer we went to Boone, NC for a program. I have been to Boone many times, but it had been a few years since I had been there. We went early to see where we would be performing, then toured town and the area. It was interesting to see the changes that had taken place since my last visit, and it was good to see that many things had not changed. We then drove over to Deep Gap, NC to see the hometown of Doc Watson. We didn't get to see Doc, but did take our picture by the Doc and Merle Watson Highway sign.
That evening we were on a double bill with Baldwin and Haney (Lisa Baldwin & Dave Haney), one of our favorite duos. It was a great evening for us as we were able to perform, watch their show, and then go to dinner with them as well. I usually just eat supper, but it was nice to have dinner that evening. Then a drive through the night that got me to Blairsville around 2:30 am.
This past Saturday we played in Johnson City, TN. This was our first trip there and again arrived early enough to look around. We checked out the town and then drove around East Tennessee State University to look it over. ETSU has a big Bluegrass Music Program going, so there is a lot of music in that area. Our program was at the Acoustic Coffeehouse and we had a great time. The patrons are music fans and the food was excellent. I do have to remember that college towns tend to go later in the night, so next time we should try to play the 10:00 pm show instead of the 8:00. The crowds really started getting there around 9:00.
Driving back, or maybe I should say riding back since David drove on this trip, was good. We listened to the CD from our program at Boone - they had recorded it for us. It gave us a chance to listen and see what we liked and what we might want to work on. Then we listened to some other CD's. Somewhere after midnight, I put in the Claire Lynch CD call Crowd Favorites. It was a great choice for that section of our trip. I love to hear Claire sing and what a band. Jim Hurst can't be beat on guitar for technique and taste. Missy Raines is outstanding on upright bass (as is the current bassist with Claire Lynch - Mark Schatz). The other musicians on the CD were top notch as well. It was fun to listen to them spread their wings as they played an almost 9 minute version of Wabash Cannonball. Good music as were ramble through the night.
Be careful as you drive around, especially at night. We may be somewhere on the road and while we would love to see you, we don't want to actually run into you. Have a great day and we'll see you down the road.
Nelson
I enjoy driving in the night, even as I realize that it can have it's own special dangers. There is usually less traffic during the night however, at least until the truckers begin waking back up and getting on the road (if you happen to be driving the Interstates). I really do pretty well up until around 2:30 or 3:00 am. My natural tendencies are to be awake late and sleep a little later, though that isn't always possible.
When my children were younger, we would drive late in the night and sometimes all night to make distance while they slept. We would trade off on the driving. I will say that my children always were good travelers though, and especially on long trips. Even as they have grown up, we have continued to drive many times at night to make up time on our trips.
Sometimes I like to listen to music as I drive. Other times I just want it quiet and have time to think. I have solved many problems, or what appeared to be problems, as I drove along a road. Late at night it is fun to listen to AM radio stations. It is amazing some of the things you hear on the old AM stations in the middle of the night. Some things are great and mind expanding. Some are funny. Many are just plain strange. Still others will transport you to another time or place.
David and I have had the chance to drive several nights together as we returned from a gig somewhere close enough to drive back from. That has often meant getting back home around 2:00 am or later, but still close enough to be there well before daylight. Those trips have often been productive times for us as we discussed songs (and sometimes worked on them), planned places to contact for gigs, talked about musicians we enjoy (and listen to their music), and enjoyed a bit of the road while knowing we didn't have to be on it all the time.
We have enjoyed meeting a lot of people over the years. People who have become friends and acquaintances - great musicians and music fans. As we have ventured farther from our home turf, it has been great to be greeted by good people everywhere we go. It is exciting to learn about new places as well. Whenever possible we try to get to a place early so we can look around the area before setting up to play.
This summer we went to Boone, NC for a program. I have been to Boone many times, but it had been a few years since I had been there. We went early to see where we would be performing, then toured town and the area. It was interesting to see the changes that had taken place since my last visit, and it was good to see that many things had not changed. We then drove over to Deep Gap, NC to see the hometown of Doc Watson. We didn't get to see Doc, but did take our picture by the Doc and Merle Watson Highway sign.
That evening we were on a double bill with Baldwin and Haney (Lisa Baldwin & Dave Haney), one of our favorite duos. It was a great evening for us as we were able to perform, watch their show, and then go to dinner with them as well. I usually just eat supper, but it was nice to have dinner that evening. Then a drive through the night that got me to Blairsville around 2:30 am.
This past Saturday we played in Johnson City, TN. This was our first trip there and again arrived early enough to look around. We checked out the town and then drove around East Tennessee State University to look it over. ETSU has a big Bluegrass Music Program going, so there is a lot of music in that area. Our program was at the Acoustic Coffeehouse and we had a great time. The patrons are music fans and the food was excellent. I do have to remember that college towns tend to go later in the night, so next time we should try to play the 10:00 pm show instead of the 8:00. The crowds really started getting there around 9:00.
Driving back, or maybe I should say riding back since David drove on this trip, was good. We listened to the CD from our program at Boone - they had recorded it for us. It gave us a chance to listen and see what we liked and what we might want to work on. Then we listened to some other CD's. Somewhere after midnight, I put in the Claire Lynch CD call Crowd Favorites. It was a great choice for that section of our trip. I love to hear Claire sing and what a band. Jim Hurst can't be beat on guitar for technique and taste. Missy Raines is outstanding on upright bass (as is the current bassist with Claire Lynch - Mark Schatz). The other musicians on the CD were top notch as well. It was fun to listen to them spread their wings as they played an almost 9 minute version of Wabash Cannonball. Good music as were ramble through the night.
Be careful as you drive around, especially at night. We may be somewhere on the road and while we would love to see you, we don't want to actually run into you. Have a great day and we'll see you down the road.
Nelson
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Buck's Bits
For years , Nelson and I have played a song called "Kickin’ Mule" at many of our performances. For this song, Nelson plays banjo on which he imitates the sound of a mule braying, and I (as Nelson says) imitate the other end… Oh, well !
Nevertheless, this song always reminds me of something that happened long ago when I was a teenager (or young Buck, so to speak).
As was our habit, Nelson and I had been playing music in his basement into the wee hours of the morning. At about 3 a.m., loaded with instruments, I began walking home. Now, it was only about 200 yards to my house. That night I was wearing the cowboy boots that I wore when riding my motorcycle. They made a good clopping sound as I walked on the pavement. It was also a very foggy night, making it hard to see more than a few yards in front of you.
When I got to the end of Nelson’s driveway and stepped onto Mauney Street, I thought I saw something coming toward me. Thinking I was imagining things, I kept going. Then I noticed that when I stopped, it would stop; and when I would go, it also moved toward me. At this point, I didn’t know whether to drop my instruments and run or what! Somehow, I managed enough courage to walk on a few more steps.
When I was about 15 yards from "this thing," I recognized a faint outline of a man and I also began hearing some mumbled words. There he was, weaving back and forth in the road, with arms outstretched sideways as far as they would go, and he was saying in a soft tone; "woah…, woah…, woah…" By this time, I was too scared to run, so I just yelled out; "hey !!!" When I did, the man jumped back all the way to the town square… (well, actually only a few feet). ….As it turned out, Tommy Duncan’s mule had gotten out and Tommy had spent half the night and morning roaming the streets of Blairsville looking for it.
Yes, I had been mistaken for a mule (maybe Nelson’s right after all), but I’m still alive and pickin’… and I’ll take that any day. It does make a good story and a funny memory for me, and probably for Tommy too.
Nevertheless, this song always reminds me of something that happened long ago when I was a teenager (or young Buck, so to speak).
As was our habit, Nelson and I had been playing music in his basement into the wee hours of the morning. At about 3 a.m., loaded with instruments, I began walking home. Now, it was only about 200 yards to my house. That night I was wearing the cowboy boots that I wore when riding my motorcycle. They made a good clopping sound as I walked on the pavement. It was also a very foggy night, making it hard to see more than a few yards in front of you.
When I got to the end of Nelson’s driveway and stepped onto Mauney Street, I thought I saw something coming toward me. Thinking I was imagining things, I kept going. Then I noticed that when I stopped, it would stop; and when I would go, it also moved toward me. At this point, I didn’t know whether to drop my instruments and run or what! Somehow, I managed enough courage to walk on a few more steps.
When I was about 15 yards from "this thing," I recognized a faint outline of a man and I also began hearing some mumbled words. There he was, weaving back and forth in the road, with arms outstretched sideways as far as they would go, and he was saying in a soft tone; "woah…, woah…, woah…" By this time, I was too scared to run, so I just yelled out; "hey !!!" When I did, the man jumped back all the way to the town square… (well, actually only a few feet). ….As it turned out, Tommy Duncan’s mule had gotten out and Tommy had spent half the night and morning roaming the streets of Blairsville looking for it.
Yes, I had been mistaken for a mule (maybe Nelson’s right after all), but I’m still alive and pickin’… and I’ll take that any day. It does make a good story and a funny memory for me, and probably for Tommy too.
Woah, Mule, Woah !
Friday, September 26, 2008
Nelson's Notes
Beginning in May of 1999 and continuing through the Summer of 2005, I prepared and printed 12 newsletters called Nelson's Notes. They were mailed to around 100 had signed up at my concerts. I also had copies to hand out during my concerts. These newsletters began during a short period of time that David was on a sabbatical from performing. He was still doing a lot of picking though and came to many of my solo shows (we would practice afterwards).
Nelson's Notes included my performance schedule (as it was available when I printed them); some articles that I wrote concerning what had happened, or was happening, in my life; quotes that I liked and/or encouraged me to do better; funny stories and jokes; uplifting stories; and a variety of other items I found interesting. I may see about putting these past issues in a pdf form and making available on our web site sometime.
I had another issue in the works in 2006 when my computer crashed and I lost it. I started again on a laptop and had a little less finished when it was also lost. I also lost most of the addresses of those I had been sending this to. Since I was already working quite a bit on our website and other outlets, I put this newsletter to the side. I may resurrect it at some point, but will likely do it in an electronic version when I do. Until then, I will work on this blog, our website, our MySpace account, and other sites we are using.
The one thing that I do regret from that last planned issue of Nelson's Notes was that David had written an article for it. It was about something that had happened to him several years ago. I have kept his story with the plan to still produce the newsletter. At this time though, it does not appear that I will be printing another one anytime soon. So I want to share David's article with you here.
Nelson's Notes included my performance schedule (as it was available when I printed them); some articles that I wrote concerning what had happened, or was happening, in my life; quotes that I liked and/or encouraged me to do better; funny stories and jokes; uplifting stories; and a variety of other items I found interesting. I may see about putting these past issues in a pdf form and making available on our web site sometime.
I had another issue in the works in 2006 when my computer crashed and I lost it. I started again on a laptop and had a little less finished when it was also lost. I also lost most of the addresses of those I had been sending this to. Since I was already working quite a bit on our website and other outlets, I put this newsletter to the side. I may resurrect it at some point, but will likely do it in an electronic version when I do. Until then, I will work on this blog, our website, our MySpace account, and other sites we are using.
The one thing that I do regret from that last planned issue of Nelson's Notes was that David had written an article for it. It was about something that had happened to him several years ago. I have kept his story with the plan to still produce the newsletter. At this time though, it does not appear that I will be printing another one anytime soon. So I want to share David's article with you here.
David had sent this to me with the suggestion of calling the section 'Buck's Box'. After reading through the story, and remembering it, I decided to call it 'Buck's Bits', and maybe that title will make more sense to you after you read the story.
For those who had received Nelson's Notes and had so often encouraged me in that endeavor, I thank you for you support and comments. For those that came in after that time, I look forward to getting to know you better. I hope you will all check back often to keep updated with us.
As you read our blog notes, you are welcome to make comments to us. You can also send a note through the contact section of our website, e-mail us directly, or write us by snail mail. We do thank you for your encouragement and especially for your friendship. Come out and see us every chance you get. And don't forget to stop by and say hello to us when you do.
Thank,
Nelson
For those who had received Nelson's Notes and had so often encouraged me in that endeavor, I thank you for you support and comments. For those that came in after that time, I look forward to getting to know you better. I hope you will all check back often to keep updated with us.
As you read our blog notes, you are welcome to make comments to us. You can also send a note through the contact section of our website, e-mail us directly, or write us by snail mail. We do thank you for your encouragement and especially for your friendship. Come out and see us every chance you get. And don't forget to stop by and say hello to us when you do.
Thank,
Nelson
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Picking in the Mountains
You could say that we have spent a lot of time picking in the mountains, as that is where we started over 30 years ago. It is also where we have spent a large portion of the time since.
This time though I am talking about playing at the 27th annual Mountain Music Festival at Vogel State Park. In 1981 we were there playing at the first 'Old Timer's Day Festival' with Jimmy Waters. Jimmy was the naturalist at Vogel and at the suggestion of regional Naturalist Bill Thoman had planned and started that first festival. Jimmy was also performing with David and I, first as Buchanan, Thomas, and Waters (alphabetical) and then as the Morningstar String Ensemble.
Those first festivals were three day affairs. Friday night featured a dance in the parking lot, Saturday had music from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, and Sunday had half a day of Gospel music. Several years ago the name was changed to the Mountain Music Festival and a craft show and sale was combined with the music. It is now a one day festival.
This year the weather was beautiful, slightly overcast with a nice breeze. We arrived early to warm up and get ready. The first group to perform was the Collins Brothers - Randall on the fiddle and F.C. on guitar - along with their band. The Collins Brothers are members of the Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame. We were the second group of the day.
It was great to get to play for this festival again, and to see so many familiar faces in the crowd. We included some new songs so our regular supporters had something new to listen to. There was a face missing and we want to make sure to send out a hello and get well soon to Bobby Brannon. This is the first festival Bobby has missed, and he only missed this one due to his being in the hospital. He has always been on the front row, along with Jim and Nancy McGuffey. We look forward to seeing him back in his regular seat next year.
The line up the rest of the day was great. Roots and Branches - a local group with a big following and lead by Sam Ensley, then Ed Teague - a north Georgia legend on old time banjo, then the Tanners - direct descendants of Gid Tanner of the Skillet Licker fame, and ending with Baldwin and Haney - one of our favorite duos who now live in the Boone, NC area.
We had a chance to hear some wonderful music, another opportunity to play for a group of people that came to hear some music, and a little time to sit out in the parking lot and pick because we just love picking.
If you made it to the festival, it was good to see you. If you didn't, we hope to see you soon.
Nelson
This time though I am talking about playing at the 27th annual Mountain Music Festival at Vogel State Park. In 1981 we were there playing at the first 'Old Timer's Day Festival' with Jimmy Waters. Jimmy was the naturalist at Vogel and at the suggestion of regional Naturalist Bill Thoman had planned and started that first festival. Jimmy was also performing with David and I, first as Buchanan, Thomas, and Waters (alphabetical) and then as the Morningstar String Ensemble.
Those first festivals were three day affairs. Friday night featured a dance in the parking lot, Saturday had music from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, and Sunday had half a day of Gospel music. Several years ago the name was changed to the Mountain Music Festival and a craft show and sale was combined with the music. It is now a one day festival.
This year the weather was beautiful, slightly overcast with a nice breeze. We arrived early to warm up and get ready. The first group to perform was the Collins Brothers - Randall on the fiddle and F.C. on guitar - along with their band. The Collins Brothers are members of the Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame. We were the second group of the day.
It was great to get to play for this festival again, and to see so many familiar faces in the crowd. We included some new songs so our regular supporters had something new to listen to. There was a face missing and we want to make sure to send out a hello and get well soon to Bobby Brannon. This is the first festival Bobby has missed, and he only missed this one due to his being in the hospital. He has always been on the front row, along with Jim and Nancy McGuffey. We look forward to seeing him back in his regular seat next year.
The line up the rest of the day was great. Roots and Branches - a local group with a big following and lead by Sam Ensley, then Ed Teague - a north Georgia legend on old time banjo, then the Tanners - direct descendants of Gid Tanner of the Skillet Licker fame, and ending with Baldwin and Haney - one of our favorite duos who now live in the Boone, NC area.
We had a chance to hear some wonderful music, another opportunity to play for a group of people that came to hear some music, and a little time to sit out in the parking lot and pick because we just love picking.
If you made it to the festival, it was good to see you. If you didn't, we hope to see you soon.
Nelson
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Welcome
Welcome to our blog. This is a new endeavor and we hope a good one.
This will be another place where we can communicate what is going on with us, as well as an opportunity for you to make comments back to us. Hopefully it can add some insight as to what happens as we travel around to perform our music. Sometimes things happen that are wonderful and amazing, sometimes they are confounding, and sometimes they are just downright funny.
We may decide to spin a yarn or tell a good joke we just heard (clean of course). It will also be a place where we can put down our thoughts and happenings individually. So one time may be from me and the next from David.
I hope you enjoy this. Please leave us comments so we can know you are out there. You can make your comments by signing in or by checking anonymous. If you do so with the anonymous method, please sign your name so we have some idea of who we are hearing from.
Thanks for checking us out. We look forward to hearing from you and to seeing you at our shows.
Nelson
This will be another place where we can communicate what is going on with us, as well as an opportunity for you to make comments back to us. Hopefully it can add some insight as to what happens as we travel around to perform our music. Sometimes things happen that are wonderful and amazing, sometimes they are confounding, and sometimes they are just downright funny.
We may decide to spin a yarn or tell a good joke we just heard (clean of course). It will also be a place where we can put down our thoughts and happenings individually. So one time may be from me and the next from David.
I hope you enjoy this. Please leave us comments so we can know you are out there. You can make your comments by signing in or by checking anonymous. If you do so with the anonymous method, please sign your name so we have some idea of who we are hearing from.
Thanks for checking us out. We look forward to hearing from you and to seeing you at our shows.
Nelson
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