Bluegrass, White Snow

Bluegrass, White Snow, written by Patty Loveless and Emory Gordy, Jr. is just one of many great songs on Patty's CD titled Bluegrass & White Snow, A Mountain Christmas. Included on the CD are some other upbeat Bluegrass tunes such as Christmas Time's A Comin', Santa Train and Christmas Day At My House, along with some traditional tunes including Away In A Manger, Silent Night, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Silver Bells and more. This is definitely a must have Christmas CD - if it's not a part of your Christmas music collection, it should be!

The title cut, Bluegrass, White Snow is the tune I can't get out of my head at this particular moment; it's a real catchy tune. I worked out and practiced the banjo solo for approximately 4 solid hours today! Thanks to Ed Betts for suggesting we try this song last night while having a jam at his home. I've been waiting for the time when I would finally be capable of playing it, or at least be to the point within my banjo playing ability to have a stab at it, and for someone to sing the song as well.

At first, I thought the song was out of the realm of possibility for me, but a little determination and perseverence goes a long way. How about you? Have you been practicing your Bluegrass skills? Have you been practicing any Christmas tunes in preparation for the Bluegrass Friends Christmas party being held on December 17? If not, you'd better crack the whip!

Christmas Time's A Comin'

I know it may seem far off to some, but really, it's just around the corner! I'm talking about the holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ - Christmas.

It was just about this time last year when I was pleading with people to start practicing some Christmas tunes for the Bluegrass Friends Christmas party. Why would I do that? Quite simply, because I know the human nature in all of us will cause us to put it off until it's too late.

Most people acknowledge they should begin learning or brushing up on some Christmas tunes, but they usually wait until a week or two before Christmas when they are just too busy to put any kind of effort into it - then it's too late and they say "oh well, maybe next year." Does this sound familiar at all? Are you listening to me?, 'cause I'm talking to you!

I got some practice time in on Jingle Bells tonight. I was actually pleasantly surprised with how much I remembered from last year, which was the first time I had ever played it. I like Jingle Bells because it's a lively tune that gets your toes a tappin'. At last year's party, I had planned the song as an instrumental, but Kenny Innis surprised us by singing one verse, and it sounded great.

I'll also do Silent Night again this year if I can get some help with a mandolin and a resophonic guitar (Dobro). Silent Night is such a pretty tune, and I like it for its biblical meaning. How could anyone not like Silent Night?

Right now, I'm listening to one of my favourite Christmas CDs - Bluegrass & White Snow - A Mountain Christmas by Patty Loveless. Can that girl sing or what? You know, before I got into playing music, I would have thought the same thing you're probably thinking right now, which is "this guy must be half crazy, listening to Christmas music this far in advance of the Christmas season." Well I want to set the record straight - I'm more than half crazy!

If Bluegrass & White Snow is playing right now, that means Christmas Wishes by the Statler Brothers isn't far off - now that's a good album. It's got the best sung version of Jingle Bells I've ever heard! Helen and I both love this album; we always listen to it while decorating our Christmas tree - it's become a tradition. We love it, our children hate it! Does this also sound familiar?

Now, if the second Bluegrass Friends Christmas party does in fact become a reality, which of course is dependent on the level of interest shown by the Bluegrass Friends musicians, I'll have at least two songs ready to play. Here's hoping!

Good Food, Good Music, Good Fellowship. What Else is There?

Yesterday proved to be a very satisfying day indeed. It started around 3:00 PM with all of the Hungry Hill Bluegrass Band members (Jenny Lester, Bob Hamilton, Mark Thibeault, Nadine Landry and Ross Nickerson), Brad Goguen from Southern Flavour Bluegrass Band, Helen Floyd and me, meeting at Richard and Heather Brown's big old farm house in Bloomfield.

After a short stay at the Brown's home, and with introductions out of the way, the majority of us met at the Norton Catholic Hall to set the sound equipment up for the performance to come later that evening. When the sound check was complete, Hungry Hill had a short practice, then we all met at the Brown's home for a nicely prepared meal. For me, that was a real nice feeling of fellowship time.

At 7:00 PM, Helen, who acted as emceee, introduced Southern Flavour Bluegrass Band (Heather Brown, Richard Brown, Winston Rees, Brad Goguen). Southern Flavour kicked the the show off in fine style, playing a half hour set, paving the way for Hungry Hill.

Hungry Hill dazzled us with their talent. Jenny Lester is a fine fiddle player and sings wonderful lead vocals. When she's not playing fiddle, she plays rhythm guitar. Nadine Landry really knows how to handle an upright bass and has incredible vocal talent. I was really impressed with her singing. Bob Hamilton played mandolin, was lead vocal on a few tunes and provided harmony vocals on several numbers. Mark Thibeault played resophonic guitar and rhythm guitar. We learned Mark is a luthier and built two of the guitars being used by Hungry Hill. The workmanship of his guitars is very good - visit his web site, Rayco Resophonics. Last but not least, Ross Nickerson tore it up more than once on the 5-string banjo. The band put on a great performance. I talked to several people at intermission who said they were impressed, and rightly so.

The show was ended with Hungry Hill and Southern Flavour doing one of Heather Brown's favourite songs - Hard Times (Come Again No More). Earlier today, Heather told me it was the highlight of the day for her.

As good as the performance was, there was more fun to come. We ended up having a jam in the kitchen of the performance hall; a true kitchen party. The jam lasted for two hours and was a lot of fun.

Other than Nadine Landry, originally from Quebec, just a few minutes from the Campbellton, NB border, none of the Hungry Hill band members had ever been in the Maritime provinces and were enjoying their visit. I think we gave them a nice Maritime welcome and they appreciated it.

I want to thank Richard and Heather Brown for their exceptional hospitality and down to earth approach to life in general. Although I was the "organizer" of this event, one thing is certain - without the help of Richard and Heather, this event would not have been possible. Thanks for opening up your home to all of us Farmer(s) Brown.