The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 06:39 AM

That's Sunday the 22nd, not next weekend! Hopefully see you there!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 06:38 AM

Hi Guys, just catching up on this thread after a bit of an absence. Those boys did have a style all their own, yes! Amazing what some folks can do with a guitar! Did you watch the older players fingers? Seemed he had no control of the right hand the way it was flailing, but the beat and the music told you he knew exactly what he was doing!

Gern did put a finger on it when he observed that they were potential future customers. Hope they come back and buy something!

I will be absent the next two weekends. I will be traveling with the JROTC group to Palmetto for a big drill meet there and the weekend following I will be at Ft Desoto for a CW reenactment. Come on down and visit on Sunday!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Feb 04 - 02:23 PM

I am sure they felt immensely unwanted based on their music versus ours. But, hillbillies that we are... most of us have teeth, wear shoes and don't smell too bad. Well, not too bad. And I was wearing a civilized shirt. Dang. Bet that if you and I went into any store and started playing louder than the ambient jam of a dozen people going on, you'd get a funny look.

The sign said, "NO STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN!" Tip: Don't bust a jam in a small town unless you want to become "whereabouts unknown." See you soon?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 06 Feb 04 - 09:24 AM

Indeed, I also wondered what their reaction would be. As to the perpetrators (SP?), perhaps they were intimidated by a roomful of hillbillies like ourselves. It wouldn't be the first time someone felt unwelcome at our table. That would be a shame, I think.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 01:23 PM

That was a unique moment, wasn't it? Don't know if they were just brain dead and oblivious to the jam they interrupted and stopped. Or, hoping we'd notice and be impressed? In any case, it was funny but thanks to Fred for herding them into the sound room. The only thing wrong was not having Bob & Pete to see their faces. Woo woo!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 01 Feb 04 - 12:15 PM

Boy you just never know who'll pop in at a bluegrass jam. There I was a-watchin that guy's banjo break when in walks the Gipsy Kings!! Suddenly, Flamenco music lights up the shop. You don't see these things pickin' at Bean Blossom, I'll tell you that. The guy playing lead on that nylon stringed guitar was great, but there wasn't much room for a banjo. An' Ol' Maw woulda hurt something if she'd tried to clog to it.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 11:06 AM

Big Jim Furniss was learning fiddle and his wife and kids said, "Can you go outside." That worked until the neighbors said, "Can you go back inside?"

Hey, congrats! I admire your quest for the fiddle. Laurie has been learning for 4 years now and the cats don't run away anymore. The walk slowly... grumbling... tails down.

Mark's current music is lots of open strings, but incredible touch and knowledge of the fretboard from fret 1 all the way up and beyond 25. We are still amazed. He is playing a beautiful Deering banjo.

Uncle Ben was not one of the Rice Brothers. He was their great uncle, or at least some of the brothers thought so. Some thought he was an average uncle.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 09:44 AM

Yes, I met him and heard him play at IBMA a couple of years back. I recall that he was really dextrous and spent a lot of time up around the 25th fret. Although clawhammer traditionally stays in first position with lots of open strings, his work was interesting and really difficult. Wasn't Uncle Ben one of the Rice Brothers? Been working on some fiddle lately (the neighbors are SO glad) and saw Beausoleil, a blazing hot Cajun group in Tampa this weekend. I'll probably make it Saturday.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 04:56 PM

Yo, Gern... know Mark Johnson's work? We just got home from Chiefland at an invitation only jam/festival. Met up with Mark and were amazed for over 48 hours. Clawhammer AAAA+ in grand style.

Larry Rice, Frank & Leon Poindexter, Mark Johnson and about a dozen more. Awesome! IF you don't know about Mark, you will. Just released his 3rd CD titled "Acoustic Campaign" with Emory Lester and he and gave us a copy. One of his CDs was with the Rice Brothers. I have live Mini Disc recording with him, Frank Poindexter and our own Mike Godwin jamming for about 3 hours Saturday eve in our hotel room after we left the party... long day. I did not hop in because Frank wanted to work on smoothing out the songs they were doing, which are about to be recorded on a new CD of Frank Poindexter's very shortly. No sense in muddying up the sound with another dobro... of much less quality than Frank's. See you Saturday?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 01:38 PM

Glad you enjoyed it! Both CDs are killer. The Reeltime Travelers are nice folks, too. Laurie and I talked to all of them up at Magnoliafest after their performance and they told us about their homes, education and personal careers. Heidi Andrade, the fiddler, has a MA in Music Ed. Laurie asked Heidi, who looked 20 years old, how long she had been playing. She said 25 years. So, she's more like 32 or 35 or something! See, music does keep you young. They have a website: www.reeltimetravelers.com so go check them out.

We did not see Peter Rowan but have seen that act before several times, recently at Magnoliafest. I recorded on my Mini Disk it if you want to hear it. Imagine "Little Maggie" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky" sung to Reggae beat. Woah!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 03:50 PM

Hey Bob, that Reeltime Travelers CD is great! I've only listened to one, but it's exactly the stuff I like the best. They remind me strongly of the Freight Hoppers, a hot group on Rounder Records that seems to have split up lately. Same intricate work, same mix of young voices; check them out. I notice that in addition to a gourmet collection of old tunes, they mixed in "Hard Times in New York Town." That's the oldest known recording by Bob Dylan, and they make it sound like hillbilly stuff. Others like "Walking in the Parlor" and "Rock the Cradle Lucy" come straight from the Skillet Lickers and other like-minded footstompers. John Hermann, who writes brief liner notes on the 2nd CD is one of the outstanding clawhammer scratchers of our time. All in all, a good time. Thanks for turning me on to it. Did you go see Peter Rowan and Reggaebilly last week?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 10 Jan 04 - 09:25 AM

"I tell you, there's trouble, right here in river city. That start's with T and that rhymes with B, and that stands for Bluegrass..."

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 09:04 PM

Well you are back in Bluegrass Country!! Glad to hear you survived your harrowing ordeal! Look forward to you and Laurie at the shop for some R&R therapy! See you Saturday

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 10:17 AM

Didn't even check bags, never mind drag instruments around. The security was really backed up and we were glad to just be able to carry on our luggage. In Boston, there was a line waiting to get in the security line. Aaagh. In Atlanta, the hike from gate to gate changing planes is like 1/2 mile hike through solid people. Using my remaining brain, I decided my solid walnut dobro is like dragging an anchor. We survived the disco, barely. The bluegrass music injection on the way home revived us. Will see you all Saturday!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 07:38 AM

Good to have you back...sorry you had to suffer so at the hands of the Yankees! Disco and dance....you should have taken your dobro and Laurie her fiddle and showed them what REAL music sounds like! See you at he next jam...

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 05 Jan 04 - 04:35 PM

It was snowing when we landed at Logan Airport in Boston. Snowing even harder up in Maine. 30s degree weather all weekend. Wedding party with disco and dance music. But, we got back Sunday... 74 degrees, got in the car and cranked up Lonesome River Band on the CD player... Laurie said, "Ah...bluegrass... we are back!"

See you all Saturday.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 01:24 PM

Make that "will be there January 10th." Wrong calendar, oops.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 29 Dec 03 - 10:32 AM

One of the best sessions ever! I walked in at 12:25 and they were already cranked up. Lee's family are a great bunch, aren't they. The Grand Daughter at age 15 can sing and play mando like Rhonda. Will miss this weekend because we are going to a wedding. Will be there Jan. 4.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 06:47 PM

Didn't they warn you about that 'aural' sex?....that what causes hearing aids!!

Look forward to seeing you there, don't know who else will be there because of the hoildaze....but we will have fun no matter who shows up!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 11:38 AM

As my friend Rod once said, "One of the great gifts for music is good hearing. One of the great curses is really good hearing."

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 09:03 AM

I may make it over there myself. Have had hearing aid troubles, which should soon be resolved by spending a lot of money to hear my mistakes more clearly. Happy Holidays to all.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 23 Dec 03 - 04:45 PM

We will be looking forward to seeing you again! It has been so long we have had to go to the pictures on the wall to try to remember what you looked like!!

Don't know who all else will be there but as usual we will have a good time! See you then!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 23 Dec 03 - 03:35 PM

Well, we missed December 20. However, will be there early on Saturday, Dec. 27 FOR SURE!!! Happy Holidays to all jammers and visitors!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 06:24 PM

Will be looking forward to seeing you if you make it! Saw teh pics you posted. Sounds like a good time!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 02:51 PM

Had a great trip to North Carolina and met, and played, with some great Bluegrass musicians. Got pix and recordings.

Planning on jamming Saturday, but not sure. Depends on errands between now and then.

Merry Christmas to all!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 08:47 PM

Close...:) (I love the Old Tired Confederates part!!) Really the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps is having a drill competition at University Of Tampa and needed help in concession and scoring so I volunteered. Since I am VP of the JROTC Boosters Club at Dixie Hollins High School I felt that my presence would be nice! See you after if we get back in time! The following Saturday I will be at Safety Harbor in full uniform from 12 to 5, helping the Safety Harbor Museum in their Historical tour of homes, (and I am supposed to be at Madiera Beach at 5 for a Christmas get together of reenactors)....'Tis the season, huh? (Hope I survive it :) )

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 03:54 PM

Jurassic Rotten Old Tired Confederates group?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST,Banjer at work
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 03:10 PM

Some folks just aren't happy unless they get in the spotlight. Did any body tell this clown that since he was the 300th poster he now owes all those who posted here US$300??

I may not be at the jam this weeekend, I have some JROTC commitments coming up! We'll see!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 11:28 AM

Well, thanks for posting the 300th. We all appreciate it. You have been so involved, it wouldn't be right any other way.

See you folks Saturday.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Strupag
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 06:11 PM

Just want to be the 300th post to this thread - Good thread though!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 05:56 PM

Yeah, but if you get me banjo lessons there will eventualy nothing to package,and there goes your golden cow!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 03:27 PM

We package up a sound track. I will record it for you. We market it on the internet under "pest control products." Now, the way I figger it... we get rich. Then spend all our money gettin' you banjo lessons. Back to square one. Dang.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 01 Dec 03 - 06:04 PM

I'm sure it helped...my playing can stop anything!! If we could only figure a way to can it and market it!!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 01 Dec 03 - 03:57 PM

I'm thinking Immodium will cut it way back, too.

I am also betting the sparse poopulation was due to Banjer playing, eh? Gotta be part of it.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 01 Dec 03 - 11:50 AM

Certainly glad to hear that "poopulation" was sparse. Must be the Prilosec.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 01 Dec 03 - 06:03 AM

With the Sertoma BG festival in Dade City this past weekend poopulation at the jam was sparse. However there were enough folk to put together a real good session. We didn't stick to pure Blue Grass but included some old time country and even some folk into the mix. A friend of Elsons' stopped by to visit. He and Elson played together on one of the shows here in Florida, back in 1956! An interesting renuinon! I even sat in on some of the songs with the banjo!! Look forward to seeing everyone next week!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 06:16 AM

Hi Bobo....Congrats to oganizers are appreciated, but without all the wonderful people like yourself that attend these things, it would be for naught!

SO!! THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO ATTENDED!! Look forward to seeing you all at the next one, same park, March 21, shelter number 9!

It was really great to see our many winter visitors also attend, since the late year get together was planned with them in mind!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 06:31 PM

What kind of language is that, boy? Like, "He ain't just up to being down right now, or at this time, either, too."

Great picnic. Huge crowd and wide spectrum of music. Congrats to the organizers and Happy Thanksgiving.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 06:11 PM

NO, you misread that Bobo, what I said was that it's up to him when he closes Saturday afternoon to join us at the park! That's why I didn't put a time on the sign for him!

That's why it says: When he closes is open and up to him

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 01:15 PM

You know, thanks for the info, but I already figured out that the openings and closings are Elson's decision. Unless somebody else is chipping in on the rent, that is usually the case.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 17 Nov 03 - 08:48 PM

I know, that's why I liked Sundays also, but quite a few wanted Saturday picnic/jams...so we try one! There is not that much business missed on Saturday afternoons...I took some signs by the shop this PM for Elson to put up and inform folks that he will be closing early on Saturday, and inviting them to the park at the same time! When he closes is open and up to him!

Just between you and me I don't see the Bucs as a conflict anytime!:)

See you there!!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 17 Nov 03 - 01:13 PM

That is the only bad part about doing this on a Saturday: Elson having to close the shop early. In the future, if that has to be the case, I'd vote for Sunday picnics. The Bucs on TV won't be a conflict for a few more years. Just my 2 cents.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 16 Nov 03 - 08:54 AM

Just a reminder to any that use this forum for information...Lauren and MM and others..

Next Saturday, 22 November, the picnic/jam will be at Lake Seminole Park, shelter # 13, 11 AM till whenever! THERE WILL BE NO JAM AT THE SHOP THAT WEEKEND! Elson will be closing the shop early to be able to join us.

Please, as usual, bring what you would like to eat, drinks will be furnished by the BLUEGRASS SHOP and there are grills on site! See you all there!!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 14 Nov 03 - 10:12 PM

Yep, I heard. Had to go downtown and meet Laurie's brother and wife at Tropicana Field. Just barely made it before the nephew's band performed. We heard 4 groups and that was plenty. See you tomorrow.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 08:42 PM

Untuned banjer...tha's what...will there be any celebrities visiting this weekend? The visit from Charley Groth was exciting...He and Buddy and Elson did some good stuff afer you guys left! See you Saturday!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 04:23 PM

You play xylophone, doncha? No? Ukelele? Gourd-thangs? Untuned fiddle? What?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 01:02 AM

I'll give ya one better'n that! Record my banjo on that little recording device of yours and you kin exterminate the whole danged neighborhood!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 01:32 PM

Woah. I just saw your regular picture, too. It's highly irregular. Put one in the shed and we ain't had no rats for a week now.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 01 Nov 03 - 08:34 AM

HA ha...I just looked at one of my regular pictures and from what I see you don't have to alter too much to arrive at what you described!
Very little, matter of fact...on closer observation those changes you mentioned may be an improvement! See you Saturday!!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 31 Oct 03 - 02:31 PM

I don't think he deliberately disrupts for the sake of disruption, because he doesn't seem to be a bad person. Strange, yes. Unfortunately, someone will probably pin his ears back and hurt his feelings. We can try a few hints and maybe prevent that.

Now, as far as you are concerned, that's easy. We take your pictures when you are not there and use markers to black out your teeth, draw funny glasses, big ears and mustaches on them. But, Elson makes sure they are thrown away before you come back. But you didn't hear that from me.