We had a pretty decent crowd in the Cottonwood Room on July 2nd, and this guy showed up. Welcome to Gabriel Floud, who was brave enough to entertain us with Bobby Bare’s ‘Mermaid Song’, a rather bawdy account of the romantic difficulties a young sailor encounters with a lovely mermaid. Good fun, thanks Gabriel!
Most of the VERY crispy images this month are thanks to Matt Potter. Look at the lens on that beast! Whatever that rig is, bring it any time you’re willing to tote it. While most of the photos this month are credited to Matt, the above photo (and maybe some others) are thanks to Rich Ryan, our chief cook and bottle washer. With his recent rotator cuff surgery, he was reduced to taking good photos and telling bad jokes. Keep on the mend, Rich.
You all know John Sebastian’s tune ‘Nashville Cats’?
‘There’s thirteen hundred and fifty two guitar pickers in Nashville, and anyone that unpacks his guitar could play twice as better than I will’.
That’s sort of the story behind the above picture of Steve playing with a slide. One day when they were playing together, Roger asked, ‘You ever play with a slide?’ Steve reached around, pulled a slide out (of somewhere) and broke into this Leo Kottke tune. Steve’s main musical talents might be bluegrass, but he can outpick you in just about any genré you can think of. First time I’ve seen him with a slide and it was mightly fine, too.
Happy birthday to Remy, who turns 86 this month on July 30th. It sure is a treat that he is able to join us. Lately he’s been telling us some great stories to go along with his unique skillset of karaoke guitar. Happy Birthday, Buddy!!!
Next month we’ll be holding our annual picnic/meeting in Lion’s Park. We’ve got the shelter just east of the pool, same as the last few years if you’ve been there before. It’ll be August 6th, starting around 6 pm. The sandwiches, drinks, and fightin’ tools will be provided. Bring a side dish if you are willing and able. When everyone’s had a crack at the chow, we’ll break out the instruments and make a ruckus.
Playlist for July 2024
Remy Abeyta, ‘Blue Spanish Eyes’, Al Martino.
Russ Williams, ‘Suite Pour le Luth’, Pachebel.
Steve Gissendanner, ‘You Win Again’, Johnny Cash.
Roger Stearns/Steve Gilmore, ‘El Paso’, Marty Robbins.
Steve Gilmore, ‘Waltzing Matilda’, Banjo Patterson.
Ed Heffern, ‘Buffalo Gals’, traditional.
Gabriel Floud, ‘Mermaid Song’, Bobby Bare.
Matt Potter, ‘The Unicorn’, Shel Silverstein.
Keith Blaney, ‘Empty Saddlebags’, original.
Remy, ‘Limbo Rock’, Chubby Checker.
Russ, ‘Suite Pour le Lute, Sarabande’. Pachebel.
Roger, ‘Fox on the Run’, Tony Hazzard.
Steve, ‘Vaseline Machine Gun’, Leo Kottke.
Ed, ‘Don’t Think Twice’, Bob Dylan.
Matt Potter, ‘Louise’, Paul Seibel.
Nancy McKenzie & Keith, ‘I Got Spurs’, Joseph Lilley, Frank Loesser.
Russ, ‘Miami’, Gerard Montreuil.
Steve Gissendanner, ‘Today I Started Loving You’, Merle Haggard.
Remy, ‘There’s a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere’, Elton Britt.
Steve Gilmore, ‘Licks Off of Records’, Martin Mull.
Matt, ‘Can You Hear The Pioneers?’, Rex Allen, Jr.