Hello B & Bers (or, at least those of you few beyond help cases who've nothing better to do than read these blog entries),
Well, as any past or present co-host can tell you, riding herd on a Bluegrass & Beyond jam can be like trying to control a pack of wild kittens. We throw the yarn ball out and some of you go fetch, others stare blankly at our empty hands, and most of you just wander off in myriad directions, paying us no attention whatsoever.
Welcome to co-hosting, "Banjo" Mike!
He actually had to work pretty hard on his first night (it may be his last, I haven't heard a report from him yet...). AJ was derailed by the MTA, I was recovering from a stomach ailment on antibiotics (my jokes sounded like I felt) and unofficial host Sarah was working late - but "Banjo" Mike took it all in stride.
Tony wasted no time in making Mike feel right at home. The big guy was seen crawling around the floor on hands and knees at "Banjo" Mike's feet - apparently prostrating himself to the new co-leader. We couldn't quite hear what he was mumbling down there, but it was either, "Hail to the His Royal Banjoness, King Mike!", or "I dropped my finger-picks, I hope Dave doesn't step on them again...".
Ex co-host, newly retired Co-Founder Emeritus, Bill wasted no time in claiming a new prime seat on the stage next to Mike, and complaining that he was working harder filling in for AJ and Mike than he ever did before.
His complaining didn't last long however, because Bob handed him his 12-string and requested "Walk Right In" - surely one of Bill's all-time favorites. Judy and Gail helped out with that one.
Bob, who has the loudest Martin this side of Nazareth, Pa., apparently decided that we needed even more volume at B & B (next time he's bringing a bull horn with strings).
He did give us a collection of 12-string hits, including Creedence's "Lodi" - although I was a little disappointed that he refused my suggestion of a sing-a-long to "Kum-Ba-Ya".
I have to say that Scotty and Tony were red hot last night. We're lucky to have them both - it's like having our own "dog and pony" show - a "Scott and Tony" show!
Mr. T and The Bluegrass Buddha. It sounds like one of those guy's night out buddy movie things - complete with wisecracks and all. They certainly do appreciate each other's humor - especially concerning certain co-hosts. I'm just lucky that Bob left earlier...
Sometime after midnight, after packing up my instruments, I was listening to Tony's "Walls Of Time" - and some incredibly intense picking going on, holding only a drink. Tony, of course, calls me for a break, and him and sidekick Scotty decide that that's the funniest thing that's ever happened at Bluegrass & Beyond.
I will grant them that it was the first break I've ever (not) taken where I didn't make any mistakes!
Tony also did an incredibly swing-y version of "Nine Pound Hammer", when he wasn't amusing himself at my expense; and Scott, led a great Halloween inspired "Love Potion #9" and Fleetwood Mac's "Sweet Dreams" (no doubt wishing that I'd already packed up for the evening).
Jon, coming early to support his band-mate's ascension to the center of the NYC jam world was also particularly "on". Leading off with the Dead's "Scarlet Begonias"? Whoa... big guy. He followed it up through the evening with "Way Downtown", On & On", I'm On My Way To The Old Home" - and a couple more.
His Emeritus, Bill, used his time off constructively, coming in with a new gospel number from early Flatt & Scruggs - "A Million Years Of Glory".
Judy besides giving us a blues rhumba, and a blues shuffle - got everyone going with Linda Ronstadt's "You're No Good".
Kim, when he wasn't helping Judy with the rhumba, covered the Louvin Brothers' "Long Time Gone", and Gail, responding to the B & B Halloween e-mail, brought in the Delmore Brothers' "Gotta Have Some Loving" (she didn't wear her mask though - maybe she couldn't decide which one to come as).
I almost forgot "Professor" Pete - he was still there when I left after midnight. He apparently was doing songs all night from ex-Bill Monroe sidemen, who became better known for their own work. The only one I recognized was "Satisfied Mind" - but I wouldn't have it any other way - that's why he's the "Professor".
New co-host "Banjo" Mike obviously impacted the instrumental side of things at Bluegrass & Beyond. He started off with Rob Block's version of "Cluck Old Hen" - it sounded to me like the hen swallowed a "Cripple Creek" CD, and that's why she was clucking!
He also encouraged Dave's "St. Anne's Reel" and "Red Haired Boy", Scotty's "Gold Rush", "Big Mon" and led a ripping "Fireball Mail". If you didn't know who Earl Scruggs or Tom Adams were before Mike's ascension to co-leader, you will soon. The Johnson Mountain Boys' "Newton Grove" threatens to become the new B & B theme song...
Craig, proving that losing a guitar is no problem to a real musician, played mando all night - leading "Body And Soul", among others.
Warren after threatening to do "Werewolves of London", settled for "Ashes Of Love".
As for yours truly. In my weakened state, sans alcohol, and facing ceaseless verbal abuse - I still managed to bring in "Sweet Sunny South" and "Little Sadie".
I don't know if "Banjo" Mike can top his opening jam performance next week, but it'll be fun to try.
Dave Comins
www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com
Facebook / Bluegrass & Beyond NYC
Well, as any past or present co-host can tell you, riding herd on a Bluegrass & Beyond jam can be like trying to control a pack of wild kittens. We throw the yarn ball out and some of you go fetch, others stare blankly at our empty hands, and most of you just wander off in myriad directions, paying us no attention whatsoever.
Welcome to co-hosting, "Banjo" Mike!
He actually had to work pretty hard on his first night (it may be his last, I haven't heard a report from him yet...). AJ was derailed by the MTA, I was recovering from a stomach ailment on antibiotics (my jokes sounded like I felt) and unofficial host Sarah was working late - but "Banjo" Mike took it all in stride.
Tony wasted no time in making Mike feel right at home. The big guy was seen crawling around the floor on hands and knees at "Banjo" Mike's feet - apparently prostrating himself to the new co-leader. We couldn't quite hear what he was mumbling down there, but it was either, "Hail to the His Royal Banjoness, King Mike!", or "I dropped my finger-picks, I hope Dave doesn't step on them again...".
Ex co-host, newly retired Co-Founder Emeritus, Bill wasted no time in claiming a new prime seat on the stage next to Mike, and complaining that he was working harder filling in for AJ and Mike than he ever did before.
His complaining didn't last long however, because Bob handed him his 12-string and requested "Walk Right In" - surely one of Bill's all-time favorites. Judy and Gail helped out with that one.
Bob, who has the loudest Martin this side of Nazareth, Pa., apparently decided that we needed even more volume at B & B (next time he's bringing a bull horn with strings).
He did give us a collection of 12-string hits, including Creedence's "Lodi" - although I was a little disappointed that he refused my suggestion of a sing-a-long to "Kum-Ba-Ya".
I have to say that Scotty and Tony were red hot last night. We're lucky to have them both - it's like having our own "dog and pony" show - a "Scott and Tony" show!
Mr. T and The Bluegrass Buddha. It sounds like one of those guy's night out buddy movie things - complete with wisecracks and all. They certainly do appreciate each other's humor - especially concerning certain co-hosts. I'm just lucky that Bob left earlier...
Sometime after midnight, after packing up my instruments, I was listening to Tony's "Walls Of Time" - and some incredibly intense picking going on, holding only a drink. Tony, of course, calls me for a break, and him and sidekick Scotty decide that that's the funniest thing that's ever happened at Bluegrass & Beyond.
I will grant them that it was the first break I've ever (not) taken where I didn't make any mistakes!
Tony also did an incredibly swing-y version of "Nine Pound Hammer", when he wasn't amusing himself at my expense; and Scott, led a great Halloween inspired "Love Potion #9" and Fleetwood Mac's "Sweet Dreams" (no doubt wishing that I'd already packed up for the evening).
Jon, coming early to support his band-mate's ascension to the center of the NYC jam world was also particularly "on". Leading off with the Dead's "Scarlet Begonias"? Whoa... big guy. He followed it up through the evening with "Way Downtown", On & On", I'm On My Way To The Old Home" - and a couple more.
His Emeritus, Bill, used his time off constructively, coming in with a new gospel number from early Flatt & Scruggs - "A Million Years Of Glory".
Judy besides giving us a blues rhumba, and a blues shuffle - got everyone going with Linda Ronstadt's "You're No Good".
Kim, when he wasn't helping Judy with the rhumba, covered the Louvin Brothers' "Long Time Gone", and Gail, responding to the B & B Halloween e-mail, brought in the Delmore Brothers' "Gotta Have Some Loving" (she didn't wear her mask though - maybe she couldn't decide which one to come as).
I almost forgot "Professor" Pete - he was still there when I left after midnight. He apparently was doing songs all night from ex-Bill Monroe sidemen, who became better known for their own work. The only one I recognized was "Satisfied Mind" - but I wouldn't have it any other way - that's why he's the "Professor".
New co-host "Banjo" Mike obviously impacted the instrumental side of things at Bluegrass & Beyond. He started off with Rob Block's version of "Cluck Old Hen" - it sounded to me like the hen swallowed a "Cripple Creek" CD, and that's why she was clucking!
He also encouraged Dave's "St. Anne's Reel" and "Red Haired Boy", Scotty's "Gold Rush", "Big Mon" and led a ripping "Fireball Mail". If you didn't know who Earl Scruggs or Tom Adams were before Mike's ascension to co-leader, you will soon. The Johnson Mountain Boys' "Newton Grove" threatens to become the new B & B theme song...
Craig, proving that losing a guitar is no problem to a real musician, played mando all night - leading "Body And Soul", among others.
Warren after threatening to do "Werewolves of London", settled for "Ashes Of Love".
As for yours truly. In my weakened state, sans alcohol, and facing ceaseless verbal abuse - I still managed to bring in "Sweet Sunny South" and "Little Sadie".
I don't know if "Banjo" Mike can top his opening jam performance next week, but it'll be fun to try.
Dave Comins
www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com
Facebook / Bluegrass & Beyond NYC
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