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.

Woah, Mule, Woah !

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.

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

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