WyoWoman's trip to Memphis

Subject: WyoWoman's trip to Memphis
From: WyoWoman
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 12:24 AM

Dear Mudcateers,

Now that my eyes have uncrossed from my long drive to the Denver airport, let me tell you about my recent trip to Memphis and the role the Mudcat played in having it be one of my best out-of-town trips ever.

It all began several weeks ago when I posted a thread sayign that I was heading for Memphis and wondered if anyone knew any musicians and/or jams in the area. Soon I heard from Harpgirl and Rick Fielding with names of friends in the area. Because I have come to know and trust both of these 'Cat regulars, I felt confident in contacting the folks listed. I can't remember why and how I didn't connect with Rick's friends, but Harpgirl's friend Bill responded to my e-mail and was most gracious about letting me know about a couple of jams there during my convention.

Then, unrelated, I received a tape from Big Mick with music from the Black Family on it just a couple of days before I had to drive to the Denver airport (five hours from where I live, so there's plenty of time to learn music!). I absolutely LOVE that tape -- everyone should go out and buy copies of their CDs right now. (/plug for musicians)

I had never heard "The Great Storm is Over," but I learned it before I got to the airport. And now "Peat Bog Soldiers" and "The Diggers" and "Weave and Mend" have come into my life, along with a half dozen other beautiful songs I simply have to learn right away.

When I got to Memphis, my first visit was to the Music Hall of Fame, just across the street from my hotel. There I saw, among other things, Robert Johnson's steel-bodied National guitar. I was *this far* from something Robert Johnson actually touched. Lord.

Harpgirl's friend Bill (whose name I'm not mentioning because I read the Netiquette thread and I haven't checked with him to see if it was ok) came by and picked me up on Tuesday evening and took me to this big jam at Yarborough's music store. Dozens of folks standing around in the parking lot and in the store pickin' and a grinnin'. This lovely couple, Wylodean and Tommy, who were there at the jam, gave me a ride back downtown, and gave me an impromptu tour of Memphis. We ended up staying up until 1 a.m. drinking coffee in the Perkins and talking about music and kids and Attention Deficit Disorder and everything under the sun.

On Friday night I went out with a bunch of other folks from the convention I was attending and danced to a zydeco band playing on Beale Street until they closed the bar and ran us out.

Then on Saturday, Bill picked me up and took me to another jam, this time less bluegrass and more of ... well, just about everything else you can imagine. There was only a handful of folks there, but we had such a great time! Bill's wife, Ranie (I think) showed up for a few minutes but had to leave to pick up there daughter. (Oh, and I sang "The Great Storm is Over" during the jam, by the way). Then four of us who were left went to what Bill described as the "smallest bar in Memphis," which turned out to be completely apt. It was simply amazing, this little, tiny closet of a space, and we stayed there singing and talking until, again, the bar owner shooed us out.

And back to Denver, for the Big Sit back to wyoming. Listening, again, to the tape Big Mick gave me. I'm *this close* to learning "Sweet Reconciliation."

What a wonderful time -- and what a reinforcement for the amazing opportunity Mudcat represents for all of us to expand our communities of music. Simply amazing.

Thank you -- Harpgirl and Big Mick in particular, but all of you in general, for creating this community and playing this phenomenal game. I'm honored to be a part of it and to do what I can to keep the game going.

Blessed be,

WyoWoman

Subject: RE: WyoWoman's trip to Memphis
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 09:45 AM

Sorry you didn't connect with Andy and Larkin. They e-mailed me and said they'd love to see you. Maybe next time.

Rick

Subject: RE: WyoWoman's trip to Memphis
From: WyoWoman
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 10:33 AM

Bummer.

I'd love for there to be a next time, though. Memphis is a fun place to be.

ww

Subject: RE: WyoWoman's trip to Memphis
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 10:03 PM

Damn, WyoWoman, I missed your initial thread about Memphis. If I had seen it, I would have directed you to Corky's Barbecue. It is sorta out in the 'burbs (and you know Memphis does not believe in public transportation), but it is the best wet barbeque I have ever tasted.

Big RiB

Subject: RE: WyoWoman's trip to Memphis
From: WyoWoman
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 10:13 PM

Well, RiB, I did go to the Rendezvous. But plainly, I have to make a return trip to Memphis to meet up with Rick F's friends and to try this and other restaurants that I missed. The Bean Festival sounds like a good reason to return to that neck of the woods. Lots of music, lots of food. My kind of gathering.

WW

Subject: RE: WyoWoman's trip to Memphis
From: Duckboots
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 12:00 AM

Or you could come to Toronto, and we'll show you the time of your life. You'll do some singin' as well.

Rick

Subject: RE: WyoWoman's trip to Memphis
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 12:35 AM

Why am I not surprised you know Corky's RiB??? Whadda place!!!

Sounds great WW...So why not come to Columbus and we can go to ...uh.......uhhh.......hmmmmmm...er, uh............OK let's talk Cincy..

Hey...Go back and retrieve your birthday thread...some of us aging doofi forgot you were out of town!

Spaw

Subject: RE: WyoWoman's trip to Memphis
From: WyoWoman
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 12:02 PM

Aging doofi. I'm stealing that.

OK, Rick. Yer on. No offense, but I might wait until spring or summer. Not that I don't absolutely *love* frigid weather. But ... the wind in Wyoming will probably keep me pinned down.

WW