Manchaca All Stars play Cedar Landing Sept. 20th (Huffman, Tx.):
More Performances:
Old Settlers Music Festival Harmonica Workshop:
Check out the Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp in 2009:
Bluegrass harmonica and much more at SPAH in St. Louis!: The Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH)convention in St. Louis, Mo., was a blast. The bluegrass "teach-in" table and bluegrass jam sessions went well, as did everything else. Everywhere you went someone was showing or helping others learn about the possibilies on harmonica!
CD from Laurence Baer!:
Laurence Baer has written and produced a wonderful debut CD of his original material and has engaged many stellar musicians, including me, to help out on the tracks. Visit CD Baby and check his stuff out. "Storm Ahead" has my harmonica paired together and pitted against a fiddler. If you were wondering how something like that can come out, check out "Storm Ahead". 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
The Cedar Landing has booked the Manchaca All Stars for a Sept. 20th, 2008, show. The show is free and the food is worth more than the price. If you are in the area, please come and have fun! Take a rest from the mess left by Hurricane Ike.
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 2008. None of us can wait until next year's festival (April 2009)!
For the last 9 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), Jimi Lee, and Dale Spalding joined me for the workshop, sharing their points of view of the harmonica from the world of country blues, blues, and a touch of jazz. Later on, when a hole developed in the workshop stage schedule, Lonnie Joe and I put on a second workshop for those who had missed the first workshop because of the workshop stage schedule snafu. Both workshops were worth seeing and were well enjoyed. If you are interested in learning about playing the harmonica,
then put next year's festival, and this workshop, on your schedule.
The Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp's (Schreiner University, Kerrville, Tx.) teaches banjo, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, bass, mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, and voice (and occasionally other requested instruments, such as harmonica) -- 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: around $525 for instruction, 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.
If you missed the event, here are a couple of things you missed:
The "Teach-In": 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. Thank you Joe Filisko for making such a thing possible.
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 the next harmonica convention in Sacremento, Ca., and on the organization itself. Hope to see you there!!
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.
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:
Old Joe Clark St. Annes Reel Swallowtail JigFor 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.
Arkansas Traveler Irish Washerwoman Old Joe Clark Swallowtail JigFor a little Christmas music, try these:
O Little Town of Bethlehem We Three KingsHarmonica exercises anyone?
Two note scale exercise Two note plus one scale exerciseHARMONICA ORGANIZATION OF TEXAS!:
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!
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 Austin area (Tx.), then the
Austin Blues Society is for you! The Society is off to a
flying start, but it needs the help of Austin blues fans. (Watch for joint events between the Austin Blues Society and the Austin chapter of HOOT.) For more
information, check out their site at http://www.austinbluessociety.org/.
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 will be gearing up for 2009 soon!!
Camp Bluegrass & Swing Camp will be gearing up for 2009 soon. It is held on the South Plains College campus, 1401 College Ave. Levelland, Texas 79336. Check www.campbluegrass.com for more information.
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.)