What a great night we had at Bobby's on Saturday! The Chris Talley Trio played from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. to a packed parking lot. I saw many friends and many new faces. We had such great crowd response that we only took one 10-minute break during the whole three-hours! We did quite a few requests, too. It's so much fun when everyone talks to us and lets us know what they want to hear.
After the show, we all got free custard! Mmmm! If you haven't been to Bobby's, it is located on Highway 159 in Maryville, Illinois. It is definately worth the trip. There is live music in the summer on the weekends.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Video of Banjo Sign Installation
I finally got around to uploading the video of the banjo installation that took place in May. I thought everyone might enjoy looking at it. It is posted on YouTube, but here is a link to get to it:
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Backlog of Repairs Done!
I spent the afternoon and early evening catching up on all the repair work that has to be done around here. There are still a few things left, but most of it is done.
I put a new tenon cork (neck cork) on a saxophone and also brazed the octave key. The octave key was broken in half and this was one of those "no-name" saxophones made in China. It really needs a new key, but so far the braze is successful and the key is working and seems to be strong enough to hold. Thank goodness it is not in a weight-bearing position. Just a note on Chinese instruments: Some are okay and some are not. Make sure you purchase a brand that replacement parts are available for. If the person you are buying from doesn't know if replacement parts exist, then they probably don't!
I also setup a banjo for Matt. It is his "knock-around" banjo and just needed the head tightened and the string action lowered. And Matt - if you're reading this - it needs a new neck (Matt is left-handed).
Nathan's fiddle had an accident this week. It was sitting on his bed and his younger brother sat on it. He was very lucky that more damage wasn't done. The fiddle wasn't cracked at all on the outside, but the end block cracked on the inside and I had to take off the back of the fiddle to replace the block. While I was in there, I did a little work on bass bar and thinned the top. The back is drying right now (the glue, that is), so I won't be able to complete the repair work until tomorrow. I'll have to drill a hole in the new endblock, and then set it all back up again.
Three fiddles needed a basic setup and very small adjustments, like fine tuners or a bridge. One needed the fingerboard glued back on. All of that is done now.
There are two fiddles, two guitars, and a banjo that still need repair work. I think I'm going to get some dinner now!
I put a new tenon cork (neck cork) on a saxophone and also brazed the octave key. The octave key was broken in half and this was one of those "no-name" saxophones made in China. It really needs a new key, but so far the braze is successful and the key is working and seems to be strong enough to hold. Thank goodness it is not in a weight-bearing position. Just a note on Chinese instruments: Some are okay and some are not. Make sure you purchase a brand that replacement parts are available for. If the person you are buying from doesn't know if replacement parts exist, then they probably don't!
I also setup a banjo for Matt. It is his "knock-around" banjo and just needed the head tightened and the string action lowered. And Matt - if you're reading this - it needs a new neck (Matt is left-handed).
Nathan's fiddle had an accident this week. It was sitting on his bed and his younger brother sat on it. He was very lucky that more damage wasn't done. The fiddle wasn't cracked at all on the outside, but the end block cracked on the inside and I had to take off the back of the fiddle to replace the block. While I was in there, I did a little work on bass bar and thinned the top. The back is drying right now (the glue, that is), so I won't be able to complete the repair work until tomorrow. I'll have to drill a hole in the new endblock, and then set it all back up again.
Three fiddles needed a basic setup and very small adjustments, like fine tuners or a bridge. One needed the fingerboard glued back on. All of that is done now.
There are two fiddles, two guitars, and a banjo that still need repair work. I think I'm going to get some dinner now!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Monday's Beginner's Jam
We had our biggest ever beginner's jam tonight with a total of 16 participants. This jam session is for anyone who wants to learn how to play with other people. Tonight, we talked specifically about the Nashville number system, how to tell when you are supposed to take a break, how to "cue" someone else to take a break, song structure, chord structure, what a tag and a turnaround is, how to handle a "Jam Hog," do's and don'ts for several different jam situations, how to kick-off and end specific songs, and more.
We practiced Worried Man Blues, Gold Watch and Chain, Jambalaya, Rebel Soldier, and Roll in my Sweet Baby's Arms. We talked about how to take a fake break on each of the instruments: fiddle, guitar, banjo and mandolin. There were quite a few really good questions, then everyone stayed for a while to "open jam" while I made practice CDs for everyone with all of the songs.
We practiced Worried Man Blues, Gold Watch and Chain, Jambalaya, Rebel Soldier, and Roll in my Sweet Baby's Arms. We talked about how to take a fake break on each of the instruments: fiddle, guitar, banjo and mandolin. There were quite a few really good questions, then everyone stayed for a while to "open jam" while I made practice CDs for everyone with all of the songs.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Saturdays Happenings
We had another very busy Saturday. More new folks in today, and four more fiddle students signed up for lessons today. We should have a bumper crop of great fiddlers in the years to come!
I finished up a fingerboard replacement for Ashley. Her fiddle also got new pegs, strings, bridge, nut, endpin and soundpost setting. I can't wait for her to play it now!
We purchased from several different folks a guitar, two fiddles, a clarinet and a trumpet today. All need work, but we got the guitar ready to go this afternoon. The fiddles need A LOT of work, but the trumpet and clarinet are almost ready to go.
Don't forget - The Chris Talley Trio will be at Perk's tonight from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Bobby's Frozen Custard in Maryville, IL will be next Saturday from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. You don't want to miss the ice cream or the music!
I finished up a fingerboard replacement for Ashley. Her fiddle also got new pegs, strings, bridge, nut, endpin and soundpost setting. I can't wait for her to play it now!
We purchased from several different folks a guitar, two fiddles, a clarinet and a trumpet today. All need work, but we got the guitar ready to go this afternoon. The fiddles need A LOT of work, but the trumpet and clarinet are almost ready to go.
Don't forget - The Chris Talley Trio will be at Perk's tonight from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Bobby's Frozen Custard in Maryville, IL will be next Saturday from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. You don't want to miss the ice cream or the music!
Bluegrass & Country CDs Coming Soon!
Just wanted to let you know that we'll be getting some new CDs to sell soon. I have not been able to find the exact source that I would like to have to get many different artists, but we will at least have a supply of some nice compilation CDs, Bill Monroe, John Denver, Raymond Fairchild, Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie, gospel, instrumentals and more. Price will be $6.00 - $12.00 each, depending upon the CD. I'll post when we get them in so you can come by and take a look.
Raffle is Expanded!
We have expanded our Rhinestone Fiddle raffle to also include an option of choosing a $75.00 gift certificate to The Bluegrass Shack good for merchandise of any kind (but not lessons). The money raised will go towards the expenses of our Junior Fiddle Contest to be held on Sunday, July 22, 2007.
Tickets are $1.00 donation each, or 6 for $5.00. You do not need to be present to win, though you do need to make arrangements to pick up your prize if you win. Drawing will be held on Sunday, July 22, 2007, during the fiddle contest. Tickets are available here at The Bluegrass Shack. I have posted a picture of the rhinestone fiddle below. It is made by Knilling and has a retail value of $800. Click on the picture if you would like to make it bigger.
Tickets are $1.00 donation each, or 6 for $5.00. You do not need to be present to win, though you do need to make arrangements to pick up your prize if you win. Drawing will be held on Sunday, July 22, 2007, during the fiddle contest. Tickets are available here at The Bluegrass Shack. I have posted a picture of the rhinestone fiddle below. It is made by Knilling and has a retail value of $800. Click on the picture if you would like to make it bigger.
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