Summer's End, 2009
What a wonderful life! If you wait around long enough it pays you back in spades. Who would have thought at my age I would have to worry about "baby-proofing" the house again? Rig up gates - worry about covering electrical outlets - put up barriers to all the sets of steps - fix up a box of toys for when she visits again. Chloe, our grand-niece, the little world traveler, is currently in Costa Rica and will be back soon. Then we'll be spending extended time with our grand-daughter Evie out on the Left Coast. I can't wait to see them both, but especially Evie, who always has something funny to tell me and comes up with such profundities while we're reading books together. Such a beautiful, little genius - but hey - that's my grand-daughter! To be a grandfather - to be an older uncle - You wait. You haven't a clue until you've experienced it for yourself.
26 September 2009: Herndon, Virginia
"Please fasten your seatbelts!"
Pulled out all the stops - Roared in like a freight train - Brought down the house - Nonstop Excitement - Your money's worth and more - Blasted into another atmosphere - probably the best act I've seen and experienced in 2009. And we've only just entered into the 2009 Fall season of Bluegrass. Frank Solivan II and Dirty Kitchen appeared last night at Herndon's Holy Cross Lutheran Church Bluegrass series. I almost missed it. After several months of "bluegrassing" we decided we wouldn't go anywhere for the weekend - just stay home and meditate. Besides, the weather had turned colder and it had been raining all day. A sure sign that Autumn is on our doorstep. A last-minute e-mail from Bob (the Holy Cross promoter who keeps the series running,) convinced us to get in the car and drive out to Herndon. We've attended other Bluegrass concerts at this venue and knew the ropes. Metro D.C. Bluegrass Die-hards know this place, right along with the Birchmere and the Old Lucketts Schoolhouse. If a band is playing at Holy Cross, you're probably going to get a worthwhile night of entertainment - especially if you enjoy hardcore Bluegrass. I had never seen or heard this band except that after receiving Bob's "last gasp" message I got on CDbaby and the Band's website and checked out their audio uploads. Sounded very tempting - forget about staying home.
What amazes me is the lack of people who attend this concert series. I counted 34 people in the hall at 7:30 but fortunately more showed up after start-up. It's a beautiful performing space, the acoustics are top-notch, the hall would probably hold 200 to 250 people, and by D.C. suburb traffic standards it's relatively easy to get to. The price is also right for the proffered level of professionalism. Last night I would have gladly paid more for the experience.
The first thing you need to know is Frank Solivan II is another alumnus of the U.S. Navy's Country Current. The group he's put together has only been performing officially since May, according to Bass-player Stefan Custodi. Mike Munford on banjo, is a local legend here in our neck of the woods, and the line-up includes Lincoln Meyers who hails from Durham, New Hampshire. This is a dangerous combination - fair warning to every other bluegrass band out there who thinks it's an easy ride to the top of the music business. Each of these guys approach the bluegrass-style with such a level of professionalism that it's easy to understand why they caused such a stir at last year's annual Bluegrass Conclave in Nashville. Experiencing Frank's group last night I thought of Dan Tyminski, Audie Blaylock, Darren Beachley, the early Seldom Scene, the musicianship of Tony Rice and Kenny Smith, the ethereal banjo-style of Mark Johnson. The song-list was a mind-blower: original works, blues, old bluegrass chestnuts, and even an old Kate Wolf number. Frank and his group were out to convince everyone that they 'could do it all' and they did. It's rare when a group can take over a room and cause this kind of energy. Driving home we were still talking about the event. My final thoughts were, we're going to be hearing a lot more about Frank Solivan II and Dirty Kitchen. (Mike Munford also contributed to Sue Tice's CD. See story below.)
Dirty Kitchen: Frank Solivan II (Mandolin, Fiddle, lead vocals) Stefan Custodi (Bass, vocals) Mike Munford (Banjo) Lincoln Meyers (Guitar).
Butch and Michelle Nielson will be on hand to help celebrate Iceland Day
More news about Bluemont:
The Bluemont Vineyard of Bluemont, Virginia is sponsoring Iceland Day on 18 October, 2009 between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm. The address of the Vineyard is 18755 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, 20135. Music provided by The Nielsons (see article below this entry), Lori Kelley and Twice Shy, and Melonheads Lite. A visit by the Ambassador from Iceland is tentatively scheduled and it should be an ideal time to spend an afternoon in this beautiful area of Northern Virginia. Thanks to Eggart "Butch" Nielson for giving me the 'Heads Up' on this unique event. For further info go to www.icelandtourguy.com and www.bluemontvineyard.com
Attendants at the Bluemont Vineyard tent
19 September 2009: at Bluemont, Virginia
OK, surprise me. That's always been my attitude in life. It's early fall here near the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills and time for numerous Fall Festivals throughout Northern Virginia and the Chesapeake Region. Our region is not just politicians or who's on top of the National Capital pecking order. Besides, that ilk wouldn't know a Dobro if they tried to go to bed with one (as noticed at the wine festival after Dirty River got done with their set. A rather well-dressed local horsey-person female came up to Michael Barton and inquired about the unusual instrument he was playing. I have to hand it to you, Mike, I wouldn't have had the patience!). So the afternoon wore on as the locally produced wine flowed. I don't drink, so the whole experience of sitting in the middle of horsey-people getting crocked on a beautiful afternoon was a total trip for me. I came for the music - what else is there in life? - and as I've mentioned so many times before, we live in the heart of what traditional, hard-core, Bluegrass Music is all about. I'm constantly amazed at the local talent we have, and the local talent Northern Virginia has launched into the Big Time.
I have to admit I went to the annual Bluemont Event once, a long time ago. Back when there were only two-lane country roads up to Bluemont, Purcellville, and all those little villes past Leesburg, heading toward the West Virginia border. Gary Cole, bass-player for Dirty River Band, said to me some weeks ago, "Hey. Come up and catch our act at Bluemont!" God couldn't have picked a more beautiful weekend. The weather and scenery on the way up were spectacular. The old horse farms along the way are still there and so are the low rock walls that separate some of the farms. I'm shocked that local rat-bags haven't stolen the walls, like they do so frequently now up in New England. The old two-lane country roads are still there too, but you have to go beyond Aldie now to experience their beauty.
I got up to Bluemont early and I'm glad I did. The Chamber of Commerce and the local police shut down the whole town for the two-day event. After I parked, floods of vehicles started pouring in. The Fair and Wine Festival covers the whole expanse of the town and there were thousands of people. With traffic shut down on the main drag it was easy to walk the whole event. Someone yelled my name and I was surprised to run into Marc Leepson, author, noted art critic, and one of the national editors for Vietman Veterans of America. We chatted a while as I perused my town map and tried to figure out the location of Plaster's Field. There were different music venues everywhere. I listened to some of it and wasn't much impressed, but I have to admit that the Fair organizers and the good folks in Bluemont really out-do themselves when it comes to throwing a communal gathering.
I finally figured out my destination and headed toward the other end of town where all the wine vendors were located. There was a small grove of trees, hay bales, some old farm equipment, and a few bulls and cows watching the whole scene behind a barbed-wire fence. In the distance were the foothills of the Blue Ridge. The wine-tasters had already started imbibing and so had a husband and wife musical duo. Butch and Michelle Nielson, local Bluemont musicians, were mellowing out the growing audience with old country and western numbers and classic rock and roll. I like it when people stop gabbing and drinking and begin to listen - and it was obvious Butch and Michelle were winning over the crowd. The music, the banter, was perfect for the setting. A grove of trees, a light breeze, dappled sunlight on an early fall afternoon. It got even better when Evan Sands and Gary Cole of the Dirty River Band joined them for some impromptu jamming on some old Johnny Cash and Beatles numbers. Gary's group took over at the appointed time. Main Street (Snickersville Road) became a log-jam of foot traffic and people trying to enter the Fair. It was nice that the Wine Festival portion of the Fair was off the beaten track. Dirty River went through the entirety of their newly released CD plus a few old bluegrass chestnuts. "Banks of the Ohio" never sounded better. These guys excel on the instrumental side, and will get better with time on the vocal side. Of particular note are Evan Sands on Banjo and Michael Barton on Dobro. These guys are top-notch and Barton plays some of the best Dobro I've heard in the area. It should also be noted that these guys were playing in the hardest possible conditions - no sound equipment, no frills, in a grove of trees, and before a crowd that definitely didn't come to hear the music. But Hey - support your local Virginia Vintner - I think I read somewhere that Virginia wine production is Number Two or Three in the U.S.
Dirty River Band will be opening for Audie Blaylock and Redline at the Old Lucketts Schoolhouse on Saturday, December 5th, 2009. Contact them at www.dirtyriverdc.com
Butch and Michelle Nielson, Bluemont musicians
The Dirty River Band at Bluemont
Marc Leepson at Bluemont - one of Virginia's best historical authors and a nationally recognized art critic. And yes, Virginia, he's also a Vietnam Veteran.
Audie Blaylock and Redline! - coming to the Old Lucketts Schoolhouse on December 5th, 2009.
This is going to be a sell-out, SRO performance. Get there early and remember that traffic on Route 7 is always a backed-up, crapped-up disaster! Opening for Audie: The Dirty River Band of Washington, D.C. See below for more information about a recent appearance at Bluemont, Virginia. The newly released "Hard Driving Bluegrass" : just one of the reasons why Audie is gaining so much national attention.
Evan Sands, Billy Park, Gary Cole, Michael Barton, John Relph
19 September 2009: Bluemont, Virginia.
This is God's Country. The perfect afternoon and the perfect place to catch the Dirty River Band in two hours of performance at the Bluemont Fair and Wine Festival. Although they've been on the Washington D.C. gigging scene for a couple of years now, the relatively new line-up is beginning to make some waves with some local air-play and important interviews. More to follow . . . . .
Dirty River Band: Billy Park - Guitar, Evan Sands - Banjo, Michael Barton - Dobro, John Relph - Mandolin, Gary Cole - Bass. New Graveyard Train CD is available on CDBaby. For more information and Calendar go to www.dirtyriverdc.com
16 September 2009
I'm usually not caught dead buying this kind of CD. There's a fear that the first song will end up being "Simple Gifts" and then it's time to toss it out my car window. You know the kind of CD I'm talking about - that always end up at trendy country stores and those reeking-of-potpourri gift shops at rural tourist attractions. This is not that kind of CD. This one holds more than a few surprises and will hold your interest if you're into 'roots' music. I was already acquainted with the work of Sue Tice, so that was my main incentive for picking up this CD. I was faced with a 10-hour drive to Maine last week and ended up listening to this CD for most of the ten hours. The title is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the style of music (and also a quote from C.S. Lewis) - you've heard this stuff before, somewhere, at a lot of times during your life, but maybe you just can't pin-point the time, date, or place. It was there, for all seasons, all the time, before any of us were actually born. This is the sense of timelessness Sue Tice presents us with - a little bit of Celtic, a dash of hornpipe and jig, a few numbers that make you feel like you should get up and do some serious waltzing - maybe an old protestant hymn you heard in a musty wooden church - but none of the pedestrian stuff like "Simple Gifts." Sue is a purist when it comes to fiddle no matter what genre she's delving into. On this, her second CD, she's ably backed up by the rest of her family, husband Bob Tice (banjo) and son Jordan Tice (guitar). Jordan Tice is gaining recognition in his own right for his fine musicianship and it shows on his original piece, "Crossing Jordan." This CD is a winner and I highly recommend it if you love pure fiddling, American Appalachian-style. Nothing boring here. This is Sue Tice at her best to keep you interested and entertained.
(Sue Tice and Bob Tice appear regularly with the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition Band)
Eat real food. Save Local Farming. Support your local Farmers' Market. If you don't have one in your area, then talk to your neighbors and organize one! Hats off to Morgantown, West Virginia for having one of the best around.
