Back in the library’s Cottonwood Room, a baker’s dozen fools rushed in to share some tunes. A warm welcome to Colton and his designated driver/mom, Sarah. Colton is just learning to play the guitar and came to check us out. Nancy also invited them to the bluegrass jam that upcoming Saturday, where everybody plays on every tune. Let’s hope that works for Colton and gets him motivated to learn that six stringed orchestra.
Very nice to see Justin and Kristy! Although Kristy didn’t sing for us (sad emoji goes here) I think we twisted her arm sufficiently that she’ll make amends next time they come. Always welcome! You too, Justin…
Rich had us running anti-clockwise tonight, which put poor Ken at the back of the pack, which seems to be his lot in life most meetings. Rich also made us quite nervous, as his first song after our NASCAR start was Country Joe McDonald’s ‘I’m Fixin’ To Die Rag’. Thankfully, Rich modified the opening ‘What’s that spell?’ to Swahili, so no one was offended.
Robin brought a cool little gizmo that we got to pass around. It’s a little transmitter, about the size of a thumb drive, that feeds directly into her hearing aid gizmos. Some of us clipped it directly to our lapels, while others paid a modest rental fee to Matt and clipped it to his music stand (check is in the mail, buddy). So Robin was able to hear ALL of us clearly, instead of just the folks sitting next to her. This (apparently) brought her great joy. ‘Tis a most excellent, unobtrusive little gizmo.,
At the top of the post, there’s Steve’s new (to us) Gretsch from the ’30’s that he got in the ’80’s that’s been in his family since the ’50’s. Then there’s Roger’s new guitar, probably made last year that showed up last week. A Collings mahogany, no less. I have to sneak in acquisitions like that, (What? this old thing?), but Linda seems ok with that.
As this is our April Fool’s edition, I’ll take this opportunity to explain myself to folks that are new to the group. In the BODY of the newsletter, I inject as much misinformation as possible; I am prone to lieing, obfuscation, misdirection, Stretch Armstronging, and any other skulduggery I can cook up. However, in the PLAYLIST, I try to be as accurate as your penmanship allows. That is, after all, what actually happened.
Photos for tonight’s soiree were provided by Nancy and Rich. Linda, Kristy, Sarah, Colton, and one other fella were our guests (sorry din’t catch your name)
Playlist for April 2026
Matt Potter, ‘Gentle On My Mind’, John Hartford.
Ken Frederick,’Dad Gun It’, original.
Rich Ryan, ‘I’m Fixin’ To Die Rag’, Country Joe McDonald.
Robin LeBlanc, ‘Straight Shooter’, original.
Gary Krause & Bill Kappele, ‘Sunset Lullaby’, a Gary Krause original.
Steve Gilmore, ‘Oh Mona’, Bob Wills.
Nancy McKenzie & Keith Blaney, ‘Carolina In The Pines’, Michael Martin Murphy
Justin Johnson, ‘Operator’, Jim Croce.
Roger Stearns, ‘Devil Woman’, Marty Robbins.
Matt, ‘I Can’t Even Walk’, Colbert & Joyce Crofts.
Ken, ‘Is There Anybody Out There?/ Because ‘, Pink Floyd / Beetles.
Rich, ‘Joy To The World’, Hoyt Axton.
Robin, ‘Grit Like This’, original.
Gary, ‘Beautiful Eyes’, original.
Bill, ‘Don Quixote’, Gordon Lightfoot.
Steve, ‘Carry Me Across The Mountain’, John Pennell.
Keith, ‘America’, Paul Simon.
Justin, ‘Butterfly’, Jon Batiste.
Roger/group help, ‘Runaway’, Del Shannon.
Matt, ‘Hanging Me Tonight’, Marty Robbins.
Ken, ‘420’, original.
Robin, ‘Learn Lonely’, original.
Gary, ‘Friends of the Sea’, original.
Bill, ‘Geodes’, Carrie Newcomer.