Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day

Subject: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: GUEST,Reggie Miles
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 05:25 PM

Hey kids,

Are there any Mudcat folks in the southwest corner of West Virginny? Labor Day weekend the tiny burg of Hinton is hosting the Festival of the Rivers. Would love to bump into any and all of you in the area while I'm there.

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 05:52 PM

I was there last year and will be there again this year.
Cigar Box Guitar Players, Jug Bands, and One Man Bands are just plain cool!

Here is a link to some sound files where I joined Paul Moore and Jack Cook on Stage last year.

http://www.geocities.com/gutbucketeer/index.html

Here is a link to the Festival of the Rivers official Website:

http://www.hintonwva.com/festrivers.html

Its going to be a great time!

Gutbucketeer
JAB

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: Padre
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 09:50 PM

I'll be in Hinton on Sunday, Sept 3 beginning at 4:30 PM to celebrate mass at St. Michael the Archangel (meeting in Hinton Presby. Church, 3rd & Ballengee streets)- stop by if you get a chance.

Padre

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: reggie miles
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 10:16 PM

Gutbucketeer,

Jack and I will be winging our way out there traveling together and arrive sometime around mid to late afternoon on Wednesday. I hope we'll have a chance to do more of the same music making this year.

On a more pre-fessional note, (Don't feel singled out I do this with every tub player I know and may have already mentioned this to you in a previous thread.) I'd just like to put in my two cents regarding the use of a small rock and roll bass drum body instead of the more traditional "actual" tub for gutbucketeering.

I had a chance to work with Dr. James Rhythm, famed tubbist for Washboard Jackson and His Hot Damn Jug Band. I briefly had an opportunity to perform with this wonderful combo while in New Orleans in the early 80s. The good Dr. James' tub idea created better tonal quality, tons more volume and had an ease of playability unmatched when compared to the use of the traditional galvanized steel tub.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have great respect and admiration for anyone who can make a tub work well. It is a difficult task at best. I also have more than a healthy respect for tradition, but let's face it, one of the founding principles of jug band instrumentation, if there were any at all, has been to not just bend the rules of convention, but to break them, and/or ignore them completely and that's just what Dr. James did.

The result is quite astonishing and one that I've tried to encourage other tub players to explore ever since. I am surprised at how many tub guys and gals that I've mentioned this idea to have staunchly and resolutely refused to recognize it's advantages. They cling to the idea of using the traditional standard galvanized steel washtub sighting that the visual of playing a drum body would not look right nor be as appealing to their listeners. Yes, it is a real treat to hear someone who has mastered the tub and the visual is unforgettable, but given that Dr. James' drum/tub was created and played in exactly the same fashion I don't believe he lost much, if anything, visually while thumpin' along. What he gained, as I mnentioned, is an ease of playability that cannot be found in any other design that I've seen since, a quality of tone and responsiveness that even has upright string bass players jealous, and a volume level like no other regular tub or upright could even dream of matching.

Okay, I'll stop now.

Tub on brother!

Saw ya there

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: Janie
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 10:17 PM

My youngin' and I will be on our way back from Charleston to NC on Labor Day. We may take a detour and check in. Looks like quite a nice music event!

Janie

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: reggie miles
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 10:40 PM

Padre,

The 3rd of September is a Saturday. I'll be on stage at the festival in the mid afternoon on Saturday and my friend Jack Cook, who I'll be travelin with, will be on stage Sunday afternoon. I don't know yet as to what kind of transportation, if any, that we'll have at our disposal to take in the sights, but Jack and I will more than likely be hanging out with a friend of his who now lives in the area.

If you've got your Saturday free and not encumbered by any pre-mass preparations come on down and check out the festival.

Janie,

Hope to saw ya there too.

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 10:47 PM

You can take the Hintons out of WV but you can't take the Mudcat out of the Hintons.

Padre, you RC or E'pal?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 10:01 PM

Can't wait to see Janie, Reggie, Jack and Padre! For reasons beyond my control, the band I'm in "The All New Genetically Altered Jug Band" was originally scheduled but later cancelled. So I'm available if anyone wants a backup bassist on stage (hint hint).

Reggie, I've tried to email Jack a couple of times and the messages keep bouncing. Say Hi to him for me and tell him I look forward to seeing him.   Also, I tried to make a drum bass but it didn't sound good at all: The bass was too small, I was using the wrong type of head, had the wrong tension, or something. I will argue one point with you though. There is little tradition in how to make a "good" tub, or how to play it, once you get past the broomstick and clothesline methods provided in children's how to make a jug band books. I've never seen two tubs alike, or two tub players play the same way (granted, I've only seen 4 other tub players play in my life and 2 of them treated it as a novelty/joke instead of an instrument).

Waitin' for that New River Train

JAB

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: GUEST,reggie miles
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 10:43 PM

JAB,

I've heard of your band! What a great name. So sorry to hear that you guys got cancelled!

Hmmm, had trouble constructing a good drum/tub design eh? I'd be happy to share my thoughts regarding construction tips about this idea when we meet. You should know that Dr. James used only a small rock n roll kick bass drum for his design. It was around 24' in diameter. It had a plastic head. The center, where the hole was, was reinforced with leather washers. They were about 1/4 inch thick, 2 1/2 to 3 inches diameter and were glued on the top and bottom of the head.

I'd have to agree that most tub designs do differ, but many of the ones I've seen differ only slightly in construction. As to differences in playing, well, it's a folk thing. Different folks will, according to their abilities, approach the idea differently to try to make it work as best they can for their own purposes.

That fact may be an opportunity waiting for you! Why not host a tub playing workshop at your next local festival? I've been doing that very thing with another folk instrument, the musical saw, here in the Northwest at the Folklife Festival. I've hosted three so far and I'm going to apply to offer the same workshop again next year.

There is one fellow out this way who has taken on the task of standardizing a tub design of his own and selling them at various festivals in this area. They have a striking look. Do they work any better at reproducing tones than the more traditional broomstick and clothesline? That's a matter of opinion,... but they look good! ;o)

Jack's email has changed. He is no longer readily accepting email at his hotmail address. I'm not so sure that he enjoys all of this online madness anyway. I did all of the keyboard work to find us cheap flights to and from the event.

Great to know that you'll be there. Looking forward to meeting you. I'll tell Jack that you've been trying to reach him.

Saw ya later!

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 10:50 AM

Padre is E'pal....and a long time friend and singing & beer-drinking companion. I'm not sure I forgive him for going so durn far away to do his ministering...*grin*

But he still sings some, and last year he joined some of us for a day and sounded just as good as ever...

(Hi, Tom!)

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 12:49 PM

I love to experiment with making instruments, so we will have fun in Hinton. I'll bring a pop-bottle kazoo that I've come up with for you :-).   

Somehow, I just knew that Jack is a luddite.

When I tried to make the drum tub, I used a Kevlar kick drum reinforcing pad instead of leather. I think the drum was a very large Tom. I'm still always on the lookout for a old bass drum that a drummer is getting rid of. Another idea that has come up on the junkmusic yahoo site is to use a concrete forming tube for a drum. I think they come in diameters of up to 24".

JAB

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: Deckman
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 01:36 PM

All you folks back there are in for an incredible treat! Reggie is something to behold. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: GUEST,reggie miles
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 03:38 PM

Jack, who was invited to play at the event last year, has mentioned some of the more historical places nearby. Does anyone else have any that we should definitely take in if given enough time apart from our festival schedules? What about any "can't miss" places to partake of the local cuisine, any recommendations? Or, how about special musical activities, apart from the festival, that might be happening before or after that same weekend?

Thanks much, Reg

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: Deckman
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 03:52 PM

Hi Reg,

Sounds like you're having a good time back there. Shiloh probably mentioned that I'm "doubling" my request, please. Nothing bigger than a fifty cent piece, if it's convenient for you. Thanks in advance. CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: Janie
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 11:25 PM

JAB--looks like I won't be West Virginia bound over Labor Day after all. I'll be sorry to miss yo and the other 'catter's (whom I've never met.) See you in October?

Reggie--I've been gone from there long enough to not remember very well what else in in that region--but it is a very scenic area. If I recall correctly, the New River gorge begins near Hinton.

Janie

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: Susan A-R
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 11:26 AM

Y'all give Jim Costa a big hug and a kiss for me please. I lived with him back in , oh hell it was 1982 I think, Jimmy, two player pianos, and countless other instruments and oddities in a pretty small cabin. Those were the days.

Susan A-R (who he may recall as Susan Reid.)

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: Padre
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 10:11 PM

Hey, Bill D. Yeah, I've moved a ways away from DC - but the traffic in northern Botetourt county is a lot better (BG)

Susan, sorry to be late in responding, but my ISP has been giving me fits for the last week or more - think it's fixed now. Actually, I am an Anglican Catholic priest, vice PECUSA.

Padre

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 29 Aug 05 - 12:33 AM

Susan, You have depths to your past that are quite surprising!

We will be sure to say hi for ya.

JAB

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: Susan A-R
Date: 29 Aug 05 - 09:24 PM

Hmmm, depths???? Yup! Actually Jim is a high point to anyone who knows him, me included.

Subject: RE: Mudcats in Hinton, WV Labor Day
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 05 Sep 05 - 11:25 PM

I didn't have a chance to meet Jim Costa, or at least he didn't introduce himself to me. So I couldn't give him that hug.

However, Hinton was really wonderful. Reggie and his friend Jack Cook are both really great musicians and encylopedia's of the Blues! Reggie also plays a mean saw, and writes some very funny songs.

Ed Light's band "Loafers Glory" had a 20 year reunion performance. Their harmonies are as tight as ever. Ed played washboard and mandolin. I also found out that he can play a mean fiddle. So look for some changes to the ANGAJB instrumentation on occasion.

I was a musical slut and got to back up 6 performers on the old Gutbucket: The Primal Brothers, Reggie Miles, Paul Moore, Doctor Oakroot, Jack Cook, and Danny P Harvey. I am still floating.

One of the best festivals I've been to, ever. Look for it next year.

JAB