Tag Archive: folk

Top Performance

I just got back from playing at the Hard Knox Roller Girls Carnival. There weren’t a lot of people, but they were good people. I got a tip specifically for playing “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy”, and a child (probably prompted by his parent, who had done her homework) asked me to play “The Last Wolf”. I got $15 in tips for a 45-minute performance, better than I was getting at my last job. I had a good time. It was indoors but in a non-cooled building. This was an almost impromptu performance — someone invited me to the event site on Facebook about a week and a half ago, and I opened my mouth about performing; a few days ago someone on the planning committee asked what kind of music I played, listened to some of my online stuff, and asked me on Thursday to perform. I almost didn’t get up on time — my Echo did not do my alarm. But all is well, and I had a nice time.

Housefilk

We held our third monthly housefilk (Feb, Apr, May – March had us all going to Larry Kirby’s in South Carolina) tonight. It is always such a joy to have Cat Faber and Lauren Cox come over, and this month we added to the number with Cynthia Andresen and Ken Muller. Cyn and Ken stayed until 9, we went on until 10:30. Next month’s housefilk is scheduled for the 20th.

Nothing new today on the job or other means of income.

Hugs,
Me

Back to Hemlock Hollow

I woke up early, made sure I had all my stuff together, moved some of it to the porch. Waiting for Ken and Emmie to come and throw it (and me) in the truck (gently, please). Got my biscuits coming out of the oven.

And sometime this evening, I will have yet another performance at Hemlock Hollow. Hope I can get my energy up for it.

I sold another CD today. Yayyy! Pretty sad when a single sale makes your month, but I am thankful. The purchaser was someone I’ve “known” since pre-Internet days and a pretty well-known Canadian filker. (Thanks, Farrell!)

So the cats are fed, the litter box is changed, my stuff it gathered (some inside, some outside), I’m about to take my first morning sip of fresh coffee, I’m munching buttermilk biscuits for breakfast, and I’m going to play music before nightfall.

Sounds like a pretty good day.

Hugs,
Me

Still moving

I just got my last utility bill from Blaine. I have no idea when or if they will refund my deposit but at least I will be totally paid on my end. I got one deposit back and another has promised to send it the first week of September. So I’m starting on the road to financial recovery… moving is expensive, more so when you have to keep two residences going for a couple months.

I have a job interview on Monday for a position which might be in Newport.

Going over to Emmie’s today to play with musical electronics (PA).

I have another performance scheduled at Hemlock Hollow in two weeks. Have also been booked for Wolfstock in October. Nothing on the convention side of things until GAFilk in January. I hope I can get to at least one more convention next year, with my eye on ConCarolinas and Chambanacon (aka Ironicon).

I haven’t spent nearly enough time on the trails here. Part of it has been the heat — while it hasn’t been ridiculous compared to other places, we have had several times more 90-degree-plus days than is usual. I’m expecting a very cold winter…

Have I mentioned that I’ve been reading the Demon Squad series by Tim Marquitz? This has been an exceptionally good potboiler, in my mind as good as the Garrett P.I. series and the Nightside books. The problem with pageturner books is you get done and there isn’t another book… I’m on Book 8 and he just published Book 9 last week.

Hugs,
Me

Bobby G

Auntie Em has a friend up in Johnson City who is fighting prostate cancer. He appears to be winning. But he misses his drums. He used to be a drummer in various bands, rock and other, and has not had a drum kit for 15 years. Emmy set out to fix that, and contacted all of the people she knows who know Bobby G.

Yesterday, Ken loaded all the drum kit parts they had acquired — a reasonably full drum kit sans cymbals — and picked me up, driving first to Greeneville to pick up a donated bass drum foot pedal (which was indeed primo), and then to Johnson City to present Bobby G with his birthday present (turned 64 on Friday).

You have never seen a happier man. We then got him in the truck and went to a large music store in JC and got a super deal on a high hat (cymbal kit). It, too, was super, and Bobby had a great time putting it together. As of yesterday evening we have promises of donations of the larger cymbals and stands. We also took him to his favorite Cracker Barrel for a birthday lunch.

Emmy’s friend Gary came over with a couple guitars and an amp, and Emmy and I had each brought one, and we provided some music and fun to get Bobby something to drum with. A fine time was had by all.

The power of music.

Hugs,
Me

Moving Update

I’m all moved in at Sojourn, other than the usual unpacking issues. It feels to good to be here.

I need to go back to Blaine to pick Sky up on the 4th and take her to get the moving truck she has rented. Last I heard, her plans are to go to Dayton OH and try to rent an apartment when she gets there.

Now I just have to wait for my deposits to come in so I can catch up on my credit a little. The move has been hard on my finances, as moves usually are. Melanie’s song, “What do I keep, what do I throw away?” forgets the bit about “What do I have to buy to fit my new circumstances.”

I talked to John Noggle last night. He’s in his 3rd week of chemo, something he said previously he was going to avoid. I hope it helps, he has let this go for a long time.

My cousin Maria called last night (actually twice, and both times she was interrupted by a call from her mother). It sounds like she will finally get her way and move to Japan next month, I think she said the 24th. I hope she is safe and happy there.

I have to get my articles in for Peppermint and Sage soon, and learn a new song for Harvest Festival as well as plan a workshop. So I’m busy.

And very happy.

Hugs,
Me

Still Barding Along

I’ve been practicing quite a bit on Rosaleen, and even got the string replaced on Otto (Chromaharp). Spent considerable time at Emmy and Ken’s over the weekend, assembled a couple of kitchen stools and helped move some stuff around. We made a dent on the mess in the basement but have much more to go.

Work is still going along, tonight was pretty good.

Goddess has really been passing the blessings along. I have a new twin bed which is a lot more supportive than my old one, and the neighbors across the hall have been moving out and giving me all the stuff they don’t want to move, including lots of food and spices and a couple furniture items. I have to figure out what to do with my old mattress and box spring, don’t think they accept them at the Conventient Center.

Abundance. What a concept.

Hugs,
Me

A-Barding We Will Go

As the newest member of the Triad College of Barding, I spent much time both Saturday and Sunday with Emrys and Faucon. Had a wonderful time, including a birthday party for Faucon yesterday with about 30 people from various walks of life. Faucon sent me another of his poems, and read me two of his published stories. Emmy sang more songs, I sang more songs. Emmy now has a copy of my CD. And she blessed me with the loan of a harp, a 25-string Irish harp with sharping levers on all 25 strings. I need to get a tuning wrench, the one for my autoharps is too small.

She also requires me to perform more, and the two of them are taking me to Asheville for a performance on the 25th of October at the Disappearing Wheels Project.

I would consider that a FINE weekend. Time to take things more seriously.

Hugs,
Me

Featured

I got an email about an hour ago saying that I was now a “featured artist” at The Rhythmic Lounge . I’ve uploaded 7 or 8 songs, including a Utah Phillips song, one by John Austin Martin, Phil Ochs, Kathy Mar, and three of my own (including two with original tunes). Feel free to check them out and let me know what you think. The more fans I have, the more I can get.

Hugs,
Me