Cara played with Jim Stricklan at Hill's Cafe on Saturday, Jan. 20th, 2007:
More Performances:
Old Settlers Music Festival Harmonica Workshop:
Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp includes harmonica class in 2007:
SPAH was STELLAR!! Just wait until the next one in Milwaukee and we will do it all again!: The Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH)convention in Denver, Co., was fantastic. The next one will be in Milwaukee. Hope to see you there!
CD from the Manchaca
AllStars!: (click here to hear a music sample)
The Manchaca AllStars,
after 20 years, has finally produced a CD of the good music enjoyed by the
locals at the Manchaca Firehall on Friday nights. This CD was
recorded live, just as if we were enjoying the Firehall's fried catfish
under the pavillions at the Clarence Vogel Community Center. On this CD,
you will find songs and tunes that have become favorites of our audiences
over the years. And, thanks to the contribution of Doug Taylor's bass
skills, you will also find my harmonica doing its thing on many of the
songs. This will be one of the few CD's you will ever find with a version
of "Draggin' the Bow" on harmonica that holds its own against the fiddle.
If you are interested in a Manchaca AllStar CD ($10), write us at
manchacaallstars@email.com.
We will be proud as punch to set you up with one. The Crockett Chronicles: We all know the legendary story of Davy Crockett and the fight at the
Alamo, but K. R. Wood
brings the story to life with narrations from the writings and stories of
the various people there and music (which sets the story in the
heart). Through favorite songs, like the "Ballad of Davy Crockett"
and the "Green Leaves of Summer", a variety of original songs K. R. wrote
especially for this project (based upon his research), and a variety of
period fiddle tunes in honor of Davy Crockett, the fiddler, K. R. weaves
this tale of Texas. From start to finish, the CD
plays like a movie in the mind. And for those who are interested in
learning what "fiddle-style harmonica" can sound like, we paired my
harmonica with the expert fiddling of "Sweet" Mary Hattersley in a rough
jam situation somewhat reminiscent of the music that actually was played
at the Alamo until the Mexicans breached the walls. So, get the CD,
and listen to Crockett and McGregor play their fiddle and "pipes" at
the Alamo and tell you the story that set Texas on its way to
independence. (K. R. 's CD can be sampled and ordered at http://www.texannarecords.com/.) K. R. Wood brings the
history of Texas to life with his CDs, songs, and performances (complete
with a chuckwagon). Visit his website to learn more about him and his music
and to check out his historical "Fathers of Texas Series" of CDs. The
series includes: "The Fathers of Texas", "The Crockett Chronicles", "Los
Texanos", and some cowboy CDs dedicated to the cattle drive years, the "Camp
Cookie" CDs. "Camp Cookie Christmas" with Petey and the Prairie Dogs is a
great choice for a Christmas gift. (I got a chance to help out with this CD, too, and it is a lot of fun. I am not
sure, but I may also be one of the Prairie Dogs. If I am not, I would sure liked
to have been. They turned out unbelieveably cute on the CD.)
Check out K. R. Wood's website
and see what trouble this cowboy is getting into. Jim Strickland CD's: Jim Strickland, a talented
songwriter, has been pleasing audiences for many years. His gospel CD was
stellar and was followed quickly by a compilation CD of some of his
favorite songwriters (himself included). On these CD's, he also
used the talents of some of his favorite local musicians (me
included). I am glad that he got me involved with these projects,
because they turned out wonderfully. If you want to see what
everyone is all up about, sample or order his CD's at http://www.frontroommusic.com/.
Central Texas Bluegrass Association band
sampler CDs: The Central Texas
Bluegrass Association (CTBA) is proud to present their CDs sampling some of
central Texas' finest bluegrass bands. These CDs feature
top-knotch bluegrass music from deep within the heart of Texas. Both
economical and special, these CDs boast over 20 tunes each (both original and
traditional) from a large number of bands and only cost $10 a piece. (Every dollar is money in support of
bluegrass in central Texas and the CTBA.) If you would like to hear central
Texas' finest bluegrass, order your CDs at www.centraltexasbluegrass.org/cdproject.html. If you are interested in some of my bluegrass harmonica, get the second CD. I play and sing on several cuts with both the
Ledbetters (from San Antonio, Tx.) and the Manchaca All Stars (Manchaca/Austin, Tx.). The Ledbetters also put one of American
Heritage's (my songwriting group) songs on the CD, as well. High Stakes Rollers Recording: click here to hear a music sample
SAMPLE FIDDLE TUNES AND TABS: The sample clips from the recordings above will provide you with an idea of what I can sound like with a band.
However, the clips below will provide a sample of what a fiddle tune can sound like on the harmonica.
They are not the best recording quality, but they will get the point across: For those who would like to try their hand at playing fiddle tunes, the following links will provide
some harmonica tab for you. There is a legend at the bottom of the tab to help you read it. The tab has
a pseudo-time set-up so that if you play the notes and spaces correctly, you should have approximately the
correct time on each note. (See the legend at the bottom of the page.) A couple of these tunes are also played for you
in the above music links, but the version on paper may be simpler than what was recorded. For a little Christmas music, try these: Harmonica exercises anyone? HARMONICA ORGANIZATION OF TEXAS!:
Jim Stricklan asked me to help him out at his gig at Hill's Cafe on Jan. 20th, 2007. If you weren't there, you missed a show! Standing room only!
Check out the workshops and festivals listed below and the schedules for the Manchaca Allstars (for whom I sing harmony, play harmonica, and play bass) and the Blazing Bows (who I back with guitar or bass). The Blazing Bows are a group of children who study Suzuki violin method, coupled with Texas/bluegrass fiddling, and perform occasionally for festivals, nursing homes, schools, and such.
HARMONICA
WORKSHOPS!!:
The Old Settlers Music Festival (Salt Lick Pavillion, Austin, Tx.),
is done for 2007. None of us can wait until next year's festival (April 2008)!
For the last 8 years I have given a harmonica workshop at this
festival that has been very well received (often focusing on bluegrass harmonica or working with one of the festival performers). This year Lonnie Joe Howell (a Nashville session musician) joined me for the workshop, sharing his points of view of the harmonica from the world of country blues. If you are interested in learning about playing the harmonica,
then put next year's festival, and this workshop, on your schedule.
The festival line-up every year is exceptional. Plenty of bluegrass. Plenty of other stuff. They have three simultaneous stages to keep you busy all day long and through most of the night for four days.
Included in the
festival schedule is a young musicians contest. Plus our workshops get rave reviews every year. (Imagine learning about an instrument nose to nose, or nearly so, with the very people who caused you to be interested in the instrument or in songwriting in the first place!) 2007's workshops included Darol Anger, Adam Moss, Mike Marshall, Sarah Jarosz, Dave Wilmouth, David Grier, Tony Trischka, Kerry Jones, Trevor Smith, Jim Lauderdale, Peter Rowan, Bill Nershi, Cara Cooke, and Lonnie Joe Howell!
Check out http://www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org/ for more information.
The Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp's (Schreiner University, Kerrville, Tx.) harmonica class was a great success in 2006. (And I cannot be more proud of my students!) Because of this, they are going to try it again!! If you would like to learn more about how to play bluegrass/folk styles on harmonica and have some time to try what you have learned (with the stringed instrument musicians), then sign up! The online and registration forms are located on their website at www.hcamp.org. (In the world of harmonica, these chances don't often happen, so if you are interested: Go to the site and, by golly, sign up!!)
The camp also teaches banjo, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, bass, mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, and voice -- all taught by consumate
pros with many years of experience. The learning atmosphere is relaxed and conducive to learning, practice, and experimentation. The camp itself
is economical: $325 for instruction/$200 for room and board for 5 days. (Alternate room and board arrangements are available.) [I can tell you from experience that their rooms are very comfortable!]
Check www.hcamp.org for more information on the camp, its instructors, and accommodations.
Guess what we are going to have again at the harmonica convention: a bluegrass "teach-in" table and bluegrass jam sessions! Last year, both the bluegrass table and the bluegrass jam were popular, so they want to do it again. We had a variety of notable players visit the jam, including Jason Ricci (who said: "The word is, this is the 'happenin' jam."), Lonnie Joe Howell (who can keep rhythm while playing strong leads in a rack), P. T. Gazell, Robert Bonfiglio, Clay Kirkland, and many more from all genres of music -- including some bass and chord harmonica players who were learning to apply their skills to a music that is primarily dominated by stringed rhythm musicians. We had a blast last year. I expect that we will again this year!
The "Teach-In" is a multi-day opportunity at the convention to study one on one with someone who knows a great deal more than you on a particular aspect of playing or working with equipment. The "Teach-In" teachers are all accomplished and have certain skills and knowledge that they would love to pass on to anyone who is interested.
Jimi Lee's hallway jam sessions are always great, too. Everyone gets their chance to try the tune and the music varies from the 12 bar blues to some old jazz standards, and may include a country/bluegrass tune. Jimi is a wonderfully talented musician who is always interested in helping others learn or challenging them to go further.
The shows and seminars are always great. The jams are great. And everyone is generally interested in helping each other learn some new aspect of the instrument or improve a skill.
Check the SPAH website for more info on this and future harmonica conventions and on the organization itself.
RECORDINGS!!:
The newest CD on Jim Strickland's musical parade is called "Grand Canyon: Songs of the American West".
Listen to it and you will hear wonderful songs about the Grand Canyon (& me) once more.
(Keep asking, Jim, and I will keep playing.)
The High Stakes Rollers, a
skilled and talented bluegrass variety group based in Austin, Tx., have
produced a CD of their live performances. On that CD, I am honored with an
appearance playing harmonica on the swing/bluegrass tune "Little Rock
Getaway". To get your own CD for $10, email Eddie Collins.
Three note scale exercise
Three note plus one scale exercise
Four note scale exercise
Exercise for tunes like Irish Washerwoman
Or you could just run the harmonica scale from 4 blow to 7 blow and back, then start the scale on the next note and run that one up an octave.
If you keep running these scales, you will wander through the modes in which the harmonica can play naturally.
If you are a harmonica player in Texas, then you should check
out the Harmonica Organization of Texas website for the chapter of the club
that may be in your area. HOOT now has chapters in Dallas, Austin, Houston, Amarillo, West Texas (Midland), and
San Antonio. For a state this size, it is pretty hard to get in touch with other people who share your
interests, especially if that interest is the harmonica. So check them out and get in touch!
The San Antonio chapter of HOOT is going good now, but would still
like to have you with them. If you are a harmonica player in the San Antonio area, you should check these go-getters
out. They have plans for the up-coming year and a wide-range of experience to draw on for some of their meeting topics.
For more information on the local club, check HOOT's website or contact Bob "The Captain" Boyd at (210)494-1118 or Betty Welch.
The Austin HOOT club library is popular and growing. It contains recorded and written harmonica related materials for the use of our members which was donated/loaned to the club by club members -- one more perk for the faithful membership.
If you love blues and are in the San Antonio area (Tx.), then the
San Antonio Blues Society is for you!
It is off to a
flying start, but it needs the help of San Antonio blues fans. For more
information, check out their site at http://www.sanantonioblues.com/.
They will be glad to talk to you.
Harmonica Legends
Visit the webpage of harmonica legend, Lonnie Glosson. [Link is temporarily out of action.] Known as the
"talkin' harmonica man", he fascinated audiences with his harmonica from
the stage and over the radio until the age of 92 (a testament to the
healthful benefits of playing the harmonica and of playing music in
general). From the 1920's to the 1950's he traveled the country playing
the harmonica in shows and on the radio, including a bit on WLS Radio
(Chicago) and the Grand Ol' Opry. He even found himself on the television
show "Hee Haw" in the 1970's. With his harmonica playing partner, Wayne
Raney, he wrote the song, "Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me." Lonnie's
composition "Matthew 24" has been recorded by both Kitty Wells and George
Jones.
Recordings of Lonnie's music, and the music of harmonica
legends Deford Bailey and Wayne Raney, can be obtained from Lonnie's
website at http://www.lonnieglosson.com/ for
a very reasonable price. Many of these recordings are rare and are a must
have for any avid bluegrass/country blues harmonica player. Add some to
your collection!
Camp
Bluegrass & Swing Camp -- July 22 - 27, 2007!!
Camp Bluegrass & Swing Camp 2006 are gearing up for 2007. It is held on the South Plains College campus, 1401 College Ave. Levelland, Texas 79336.
This year's Camp Bluegrass' faculty will included Alan Munde, Wayne
Shrubsall, Ned Lubericki, Bill Evans, Adam Granger, Brad Davis, Tim May, Roland White, Steve Smith, Gerald Jones, Joe Carr, Ed Marsh, Dale Morris, Sr., Steve Williams, Kathy Chiavola, Dee Dee Wyland, and Bill Honker. It is always a blast and a wonderful, relaxing learning experience. Swing Camp (with Slim Richey) is also always a blast and you will learn more about swing than you thought it was possible to know. New this year will be a youth track, or "Kid's Camp", with Gerald Jones as the head "kid". (All children under 12 will need to be accompanied by an adult.)
Catch the
Manchaca AllStars at the Manchaca Firehall...
The Manchaca AllStars are at their home venue (the Manchaca Firehall) every 2nd Friday of the month: 7:30 pm.-10:30 pm.
(when the cows go home). We take requests - especially if they are
for a harmonica tune!
[Manchaca, Tx. just south of Austin -- FM 1626, just west of where Manchaca Rd. dead-ends. We are in the
pavillion beside the fire station. The fire station itself houses a
restaurant with down-home cuisine and serves as a community center for
Manchaca. Every Friday night is all-you-can-eat catfish and free bluegrass/country music.]
A list of the bands scheduled for the "Firehall" can be found at http://manchacaallstars.tripod.com/id13.html. The fish fry and music occurs every Friday night with a different band (just to keep things interesting). There is no cover charge for this event, and there is plenty of space for kids to run around, and even a horse shoe/washer course out behind the pavillion.
Also catch the Manchaca AllStars on the CTBA band samplers currently available from the Central Texas Bluegrass Association. And the new Manchaca AllStar Live CD has been released. After 20 years of playing together, we finally decided to take a chance and record ourselves! Order it from us at manchacaallstars@email.com.
Manchaca
AllStars booking info:
The Manchaca AllStars may be able
to play your event or festival. Contact us at manchacaallstars@email.com or
call Buck Buchanan at 512-282-2756. (Be sure to leave a message!)
Jamming...
The Central Texas Bluegrass
Association (CTBA) hosts a jam every Sunday afternoon at Artz Ribhouse
beginning at 2pm. in afternoon and going on until the jammers quit,
weather invades, or the world comes to an end. Indoor jamming is from 2pm.
to 5pm. (The jammers then need to clear out of the way for the evening's
band to get started at 6pm.)