I enjoy traveling and seeing other parts of the country and the world. I have tried to do that every chance I get. Sometimes I get a lot of chances, sometimes not many at all. There are times when I combine some travels with performances, and that can be a lot of fun as well.
Saturday we traveled up into Tennessee for a program. Not a long distance, but a few hours from home. There is often some benefits to traveling some distance to a gig. We have the opportunity to discuss things concerning our music and plans we may have. There is also time to brainstorm, listen to CD's of other artists, work on singing new and old songs, and at times to listen to one of our own shows to see what we like and what we want to work on.
On the trip Saturday, we talked quite a bit about several aspects of our music. All the time there were CD's playing. Sometimes we let the music be background, then a song would come up that we wanted to concentrate on. One somewhat humorous thing that happened along with that was as we crossed into Tennessee. Just before reaching the state line, we were listening to a Norman Blake CD and he changed songs just as we were getting to the line. The song he started was "Columbus Stockade Blues" and as we crossed the line, he sang 'wish I was back in Tennessee'. He was wishing and we were there.
The traveling is enjoyable, or at least can be. Of course, the best part is getting to perform music for an audience that wants to listen. As Doc Watson says, 'it is like a warm handshake multiplied by all the people applauding'. I like to think it is a mutually beneficial activity. I know I benefit from it and feel better for days after a good program.
See you down the road.
Nelson
Monday, April 20, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
April Snows
The snow came during the evening and last night, and still it snows a little this morning. There is something about snow that is alluring to me. It makes me happy, it makes me melancholy, it makes me feel alive, and it makes me think. Spring snows are a quickly vanishing act as well. The ground is so warm that they melt quickly here.
Saturday night we played for a group outside. We were in our shirtsleeves and quite warm at 8:30 pm. Then last night (Monday) we played for a group inside with the snow falling outside. The weather has been just a little volatile in the last couple of days.
I enjoy winter and summer. I love fall, and love spring almost as much as fall. This is a time to get the picking juices going for a season full of picking and performing. I hope you have a great season and we get to see you somewhere down the road.
Nelson
Saturday night we played for a group outside. We were in our shirtsleeves and quite warm at 8:30 pm. Then last night (Monday) we played for a group inside with the snow falling outside. The weather has been just a little volatile in the last couple of days.
I enjoy winter and summer. I love fall, and love spring almost as much as fall. This is a time to get the picking juices going for a season full of picking and performing. I hope you have a great season and we get to see you somewhere down the road.
Nelson
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
In Like a Lion
March has been described as either "in like a lion, out like a lamb", or "in like a lamb, out like a lion". This year it came in like a lion. Sunday was rainy, windy, winter mix, and some snow.
Living in the highest mountains of north Georgia, our weather has always been more like southern Virginia than Georgia. Over the last several years, it has steadily gotten much warmer overall than the type of weather I grew up with.
Up until around 1980 the weather patterns in this part of the world were pretty much the same. In the summer we would get some pretty warm (hot) days in July and August - sometimes in the upper 90 degrees. However, every night it would cool down considerably. Most nights it would be down to around 60 degrees are below. Very few nights that you did not want a blanket or quilt before morning if you left the windows open. In the winter, we would get at least 3 or 4 snows that were 3 inches deep and a couple more that would be 6 inches deep or more. Then we would have a few more dustings of up to an inch or so. There would be some warm days in the winter, but there would also be spells of freezing temperatures that would allow several lakes to freeze over enough to walk on.
Spring and fall were definite and separate seasons. In fact, each season was roughly the same length of time it seemed. Those spring and fall times were marked with cool to warm days and nights that might show a little frost, or almost to frost temps. Certainly, there is always a little bit of romanticizing when you look back at the times of your youth and childhood - at least for most of us. However, I do have some hard information on these weather patterns.
My dad ran a real estate business for many years - he was the first in the area, and the largest. A part of his advertising was on the climate of the cool mountains. In order to back that up, we had information from the weather service showing the type climate we were enjoying.
This Sunday, the first of March, was a different day though. Here in the mountains, at a base elevation of almost 2,000', we were not getting hardly any snow. Oh there was some on the mountain tops, but not in the valleys and not in town. A winter weather advisory for almost half of the state of Georgia and we in the area with a climate more like southern Virginia were getting shut out. It did snow for about an hour with big, pretty flakes. But the ground was so wet and warm that it melted as fast as it came down.
In the Atlanta area and especially farther east in Athens, GA there was snow in plenty. My daughter, who is now living in Athens, was getting the snow. They got almost 6" before it was over with. While the snow was beautiful, it was wet and heavy. This caused some big limbs and more than a few trees to come down. Luckily she had no damage at her house. Just some limbs to clean up, and a couple of hours without electricity.
I couldn't let all the snow just pass me by though. So I took a ride up to Neel's Gap in the afternoon to see the snow on the mountain. I did take a few pictures and will add them if they come out decent. I enjoy the winter too much not to go see the snow when I had the chance.
I hope you are having a good winter and looking forward the spring. It will be here soon. In the meantime, pray for snow. See you down the road.
Nelson
Living in the highest mountains of north Georgia, our weather has always been more like southern Virginia than Georgia. Over the last several years, it has steadily gotten much warmer overall than the type of weather I grew up with.
Up until around 1980 the weather patterns in this part of the world were pretty much the same. In the summer we would get some pretty warm (hot) days in July and August - sometimes in the upper 90 degrees. However, every night it would cool down considerably. Most nights it would be down to around 60 degrees are below. Very few nights that you did not want a blanket or quilt before morning if you left the windows open. In the winter, we would get at least 3 or 4 snows that were 3 inches deep and a couple more that would be 6 inches deep or more. Then we would have a few more dustings of up to an inch or so. There would be some warm days in the winter, but there would also be spells of freezing temperatures that would allow several lakes to freeze over enough to walk on.
Spring and fall were definite and separate seasons. In fact, each season was roughly the same length of time it seemed. Those spring and fall times were marked with cool to warm days and nights that might show a little frost, or almost to frost temps. Certainly, there is always a little bit of romanticizing when you look back at the times of your youth and childhood - at least for most of us. However, I do have some hard information on these weather patterns.
My dad ran a real estate business for many years - he was the first in the area, and the largest. A part of his advertising was on the climate of the cool mountains. In order to back that up, we had information from the weather service showing the type climate we were enjoying.
This Sunday, the first of March, was a different day though. Here in the mountains, at a base elevation of almost 2,000', we were not getting hardly any snow. Oh there was some on the mountain tops, but not in the valleys and not in town. A winter weather advisory for almost half of the state of Georgia and we in the area with a climate more like southern Virginia were getting shut out. It did snow for about an hour with big, pretty flakes. But the ground was so wet and warm that it melted as fast as it came down.
In the Atlanta area and especially farther east in Athens, GA there was snow in plenty. My daughter, who is now living in Athens, was getting the snow. They got almost 6" before it was over with. While the snow was beautiful, it was wet and heavy. This caused some big limbs and more than a few trees to come down. Luckily she had no damage at her house. Just some limbs to clean up, and a couple of hours without electricity.
I couldn't let all the snow just pass me by though. So I took a ride up to Neel's Gap in the afternoon to see the snow on the mountain. I did take a few pictures and will add them if they come out decent. I enjoy the winter too much not to go see the snow when I had the chance.
I hope you are having a good winter and looking forward the spring. It will be here soon. In the meantime, pray for snow. See you down the road.
Nelson
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Meeting other Musicians
This past Sunday, January 25th, we had the opportunity to attend a house concert by Wil Maring and Robert Bowlin in Gainesville, GA. They did an outstanding job and I recommend you go see them if you get the chance. Until you can see them in person, check them out on YouTube and MySpace. Wil and Robert are outstanding examples of being not only world class musicians, but also great people.
I love performing every chance we get. It is a lot of fun to interact with an audience while doing something you love. The only disadvantage of performing regularly, at least to my thinking, is that you do not often get the chance to hear many other musicians in person. When you are playing a festival or event with musicians other than yourself you may have that opportunity. Many times though, you are warming up, cooling down, or talking with others while they are playing. Still you try to hear as many as you can, and there are some who you will make an extra effort to go and see.
We have had the chance to meet and hear many musicians over the years. Some are famous, some are a little infamous, and some are neither of the above. It is always nice to get to hear good musicians, and a privilege when you to get to talk with them as well. While you often hear of musicians that are demanding and hard to get along with, that has not been my experience overall. I have found the majority to be very friendly and open. They are people who enjoy what they do and are happy to share that experience with others.
My intent here is not to just drop names and make it sound like I am friends with a lot of well known folks, because I really am not. However, I do want to express how many outstanding and even famous musicians are also good, approachable people. While I will list some names, it is by no means complete, and I will likely need to add others over time. If any of this sounds like bragging, it is about them and not about me or us.
I love performing every chance we get. It is a lot of fun to interact with an audience while doing something you love. The only disadvantage of performing regularly, at least to my thinking, is that you do not often get the chance to hear many other musicians in person. When you are playing a festival or event with musicians other than yourself you may have that opportunity. Many times though, you are warming up, cooling down, or talking with others while they are playing. Still you try to hear as many as you can, and there are some who you will make an extra effort to go and see.
We have had the chance to meet and hear many musicians over the years. Some are famous, some are a little infamous, and some are neither of the above. It is always nice to get to hear good musicians, and a privilege when you to get to talk with them as well. While you often hear of musicians that are demanding and hard to get along with, that has not been my experience overall. I have found the majority to be very friendly and open. They are people who enjoy what they do and are happy to share that experience with others.
My intent here is not to just drop names and make it sound like I am friends with a lot of well known folks, because I really am not. However, I do want to express how many outstanding and even famous musicians are also good, approachable people. While I will list some names, it is by no means complete, and I will likely need to add others over time. If any of this sounds like bragging, it is about them and not about me or us.
A couple of years ago we had the privilege of meeting Jim Hurst at a festival and spending an afternoon visiting with him and listening to him perform. I do not believe you will find a better guitarist than he is. There are many excellent pickers, but I don't think you can find one any better all around. Yet he listened to us and treated us as peers, giving his thoughts and asking about ours. I have had the chance talk to him a couple of times since and am always impressed with what a decent and real person he is. Then I listen to him pick and am just blown away.
Another festival gave us the chance to meet and spend some time with Mike Cross. He is as friendly and fun offstage as he is on. And what a performer, songwriter, and picker he is. Be sure to see him as well. We even managed to get a picture made with him and put on our website.
We have also had a few chances to talk with Norman Blake after his shows and have been impressed with his willingness to visit with fans. This is another legendary guitarist and decent human being. This past summer I had the chance to talk some with Mark Schatz. We have followed him and his music for years, having heard him shortly before he joined the Tony Rice Unit. His bass playing has always been phenomenal and now I know more of his banjo picking and dancing. If you don't know him, or have only heard about him, look him up and have a musical treat for yourself.
Maybe it is that the type music we listen to and enjoy so much is populated with people who are very approachable and personable. Outstanding musicians and people as well. Whatever it is, I recommend you make to effort to say hello to these folks that you have enjoyed listening to. You may be surprised at how welcome you will be made to feel.
Nelson
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Practice
Practice is a small word that conjures up certain feelings within almost everyone. The feelings or thoughts associated with it have a lot to do with each persons past experience(s).
One of the first things many people associate with practice is about some type of sport. Every sport has regular practices scheduled before a game or competition. This is necessary for the athletes to learn their sport sufficiently to compete. It is really the same for any endeavor you become involved in, though you may not think of it as practice. Maybe it is your job and you are just thinking of it as working on your job and slowly becoming more proficient and efficient. When in school you think of your work in math, science, and other subjects as homework. Much of it is practice to help you learn and retain the lessons you need to master in order to move on to more complicated levels.
So why am I thinking of practice today? Mainly because we had another good practice session last night. Also because it is a necessary part of playing and performing music. How much you perform often determines how much you need to practice. As you are first learning to play, you have to spend a lot of time practicing, or woodshedding. When you start performing regularly, there is less time to spend in formal practice, though a certain amount is still needed to upgrade your music and add new songs.
Just about everyone has heard the old saying that practice makes perfect. An update to that is that perfect practice makes perfect. Relating this to music I find one of my favorite quotes from Doc Watson, who said, "If you want to play like an angel, you need to practice like the devil".
If I could have heard how I play today when I first began playing an instrument, I would have thought how happy I would be to play that well. Today though, I find that I have a long way to go to be where I really want to be. That is okay though because I am still playing, I am still learning, and I am still enjoying it. And I am still practicing.
A few times over the years I have taught some basic lessons on the guitar and banjo. Part of my advice to everyone is to enjoy the journey. If all you want to do is be on stage playing great music, you are not likely to make it. You need to enjoy all the time you have with an instrument. I once heard that you can tell a real musician because they are happy playing whether they have an audience or not. I think that is true to a point. I have had many great times playing alone or with a few other people. However, there is a special warmth and satisfaction achieved when performing for an appreciative audience. There is a real give and take that benefits both sides of the stage. So, at least for me, I need to have both the private times to play as well as the times to perform.
David and I have been practicing and performing together for most of the past 36 years. He started a little before me, but we got more serious about it around the same time. The first couple of years were spent learning basics in my parents basement. We listened to a lot of good music and were especially motivated by John Denver, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Flatt & Scruggs, and Doc Watson, as well as many singer/songwriters, bluegrass, and traditional bands.
We lived about 200 yards apart (when home from college) when we were first beginning. Later I bought a cabin near Vogel and David lived at Tugaloo State Park and then Unicoi State Park. We got together regularly with others in a band we had formed to practice and perform. Many nights were spent awake and playing in that old cabin. Many wonderful memories were established.
For the past several years, we have lived a little over 60 miles apart and usually alternate going to each others house to practice. We take some times off for family and other things we need to take care of, but then get back to our practice and perform schedule. Most times we want to get together at least once a week for a practice or a performance. Life would be a little (lot) less enjoyable for me without the music involved. There have been times that I thought I should stop playing because it takes up so much time. But that is just not a realistic idea, as it turns out.
Our last two practice sessions have felt extra productive. It may because we are in one of those
breakthrough times, or it may be due to the fact that we did not practice at all over the Christmas holiday season. Whatever the reason, I like it.
Our practice finished last night just a little before midnight (about the time I had told my wife I would be home). As we were packing up, we discussed the idea that we better love playing music. Otherwise it would just be too much work. The truth is that we were both on a little bit of a high from having had a really good practice. It was one of those times that you feel elated on what you have accomplished and what you see as possible for the near future. There are times you feel frustrated, but this was not one of them.
Of course we love playing music. If not, there is no way we could still be doing so after all these years. And certainly not with the enthusiastic outlook for doing even more. I have often said that there are many, many people who can play better than I do. However, I know that there is no one that enjoys it any more.
I hope you love your music, whether you are playing or listening. And I hope you are enjoying your practice - no matter what you are practicing. Have a good one and we will see you soon.
Nelson
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy 2009
I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year. Mine was somewhat subdued, but very enjoyable.
My youngest son, wife, and I went to some friends house to share a dinner and fellowship. There were about 5 families represented. It was a nice time to sit quietly and talk with one another. We did have on a football game that became a rout and required little attention. This was a very nice way to close out the year and I am thankful to have been among these friends.
We were back at our house before midnight. Vincent called Caroline and had her on speaker phone. They, along with their mother, did some Wii bowling as the year ended. I went to bed as I had to get up at 6:00 to be at work by 7:00. I managed to hear the New Year arrive as Vincent yelled Happy New Year to me! I think I mumbled it back to him and then went promptly to sleep. I had wished them a Happy New Year before going to bed as well.
I have great hopes for 2009 and I hope you do as well. It is nice to be able to celebrate the beginning of another year, though it is still hard for me to believe that we have already arrived at this point in time. It was just a couple of years ago that I was in college, but that has been more than 30 years ago now. Lots of good memories to recall since then. I am glad that we tend to remember the best things and not dwell on the others.
May you make great memories in 2009. I'll see you there.
Nelson
My youngest son, wife, and I went to some friends house to share a dinner and fellowship. There were about 5 families represented. It was a nice time to sit quietly and talk with one another. We did have on a football game that became a rout and required little attention. This was a very nice way to close out the year and I am thankful to have been among these friends.
We were back at our house before midnight. Vincent called Caroline and had her on speaker phone. They, along with their mother, did some Wii bowling as the year ended. I went to bed as I had to get up at 6:00 to be at work by 7:00. I managed to hear the New Year arrive as Vincent yelled Happy New Year to me! I think I mumbled it back to him and then went promptly to sleep. I had wished them a Happy New Year before going to bed as well.
I have great hopes for 2009 and I hope you do as well. It is nice to be able to celebrate the beginning of another year, though it is still hard for me to believe that we have already arrived at this point in time. It was just a couple of years ago that I was in college, but that has been more than 30 years ago now. Lots of good memories to recall since then. I am glad that we tend to remember the best things and not dwell on the others.
May you make great memories in 2009. I'll see you there.
Nelson
Monday, December 29, 2008
End of the Year - 2008
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
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
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