Recovering nicely. Doctors say my prognosis is good.

Started at 7:00 AM Friday playing schools and a pediatric ward at a local hospital. Saturday played a couple of small quick private parties then moved on to the MASSIVE event for us this weekend - playing for the local folk arts society. Our first time invited to play EVER (in 17 years the band has been going) and they did not quite know what to expect from us, and the other way around (I think setting up the drumset in the middle of the stage had them concerned). Had an absolute ball -

We were a LITTLE concerned when the opening tune (set of jigs, nice clip, good swing and lift) got NO reaction while we were playing - then we finished the tune and the place roared - literally. After that, things ran nicely - including the jokes prompted when the banjo player broke a string at the start of his first solo - oops - accordian player picked up the slack and no problems after that.

Sunday was quiet - played at a church service in the morning - met a few friends for lunch after and played a couple of tunes, then went to the local.

Had a guy from Armagh play just before us - and BIG MICK's band just after us. They were running only an HOUR late, so we set up, did a quick level set and played straight thru. Had an absolute ball. Mick's band followed us - had the crowd wrapped around their little finger(s).

Numbers for the weekend -

Number of times we played "The Wild Rover": 3 - for sound checks.

Number of times we played "Whiskey in the Jar": 1 - for a sound check

Number of times we played "The Black Velvet Band: Nil.

Why should we? The bands before us played them all...

Now - off to work.

Regards -

Pete