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VZVBs Post-Wintergrass Pickathon
It was another memorable year at Wintergrass.
Chris, Al and Sparky not only got blisters on their fingers, but
blisters on the blisters on their fingers! As it
should be at one of the world's great bluegrass events.
Al's voice starting channeling Miles Davis for awhile for no
apparent reason, an unusual thing for a bluegrass festival.
Chris and some of his buddies got to playing so fast and hard that
they set off the smoke alarm in the hotel lobby.
Fortunately, Sparky was close by and disabled it using a shoelace
and a jalapeno pepper.
While Phil did not get to Wintergrass, he had a
memorable hot air balloon ride, using his piloting skills to save a
flying squirrel who flew too close to the sun.
Yonder Comes Wintergrass- Feb 21-24We're looking forward to Wintergrass again this
year, like everybody else. If you haven't been, its something else. Wall to
wall bluegrass for four days (and nights)! Its held at the Convention Center
in Tacoma, at the Hotel Murano (formerly the Sheraton). Details on the weekend
can be found at www.acousticsound.org.
Tom Nechville and I will have manning the Nechville
Banjo booth, with Tom doing some light setup work for those who are
interested. There will be a nice selection of banjos for sale, so come by and
try them out.
We will be in a new location this year-- upstairs in the Convention Center. Look for the banner. There are a number of workshops available for those
who buy a ticket. Of particular note is Tom Tower's workshop on overcoming
stage fright. It is applicable to anyone who plays with or for others.
Wintergrass has a special place in my heart, from year one. It was there I met Tom Nechville, there I was asked to join the company, and there I've met friends I'll have for the rest of my life. There I had the opportunity to sit and chat with Bill Monroe, on his final trip to the Pacific Northwest. It was Wintergrass that nudged me back into bluegrass itself. Chris will be jamming his brains out, as will Sparky. Phil
may show up, though he is considering a hot air balloon trip around the world
this weekend.
If you should make it down, stop by the Nechville booth and
say hello! Mandolin Cafe 2/16The VZ Valley Boys play the Mandolin Café this Saturday
night, 8-10 PM. Admission is free, and there is food and drink for all ages.
You'll want to come out and see if Sparky can tell anything about his latest
mission. See you there! VZVB @ ARIB 1/31We had a great time on the 26th at Hot Wire North. A nice place, a responsive crowd and a cozy corner stage made for a great night. Our next show will be January 31, 7-9 PM, at A Rhapsody in Bloom in Tacoma, 3709 6th Avenue. Sparky will be back from his covert mission just in time to make the show. Oops, I wasn't supposed to say anything about that. Visit our Calendar
Page to see where we'll be next!
VZVB UpdateA lot has happened since our last show at C&P in Seattle. Al has been at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, a ten day road trip that included stops at some pretty awesome music stores. Most became awesome-er when they added additional Nechville Banjos to their collection. While at NAMM, one of the highlights was meeting former Monkee Peter Tork, who jammed with us on "Last Train to Clarksville." Phil has been playing the fingerstyle blues in Seattle and Tacoma. Its time for Phil to set aside his thumbpick and pull out that heavy bluegrass flatpick. Chris has been out seeking new musical horizons and challenges, and by now has thirty or forty brand new licks. As is usually the case, we're not sure what Sparky's been up to. And its best not to ask. There is no truth to the rumor that Sparky works as a secret operative for the CIA, in search of bluegrass subversives. At least that's what he tells us. Beginning with a show at Shoreline's Hot Wire North on January 26, we have a number of new shows coming up.
Happy New Year!We'd like to wish all our friends a very Happy New
Year. We look forward to a busy year of playing
music. Our next show will be January 12 at C&P Coffee House in West Seattle, from 6-8 PM. Come join us for a couple of hours of fun and bluegrass music! The VZVBs Saturday Night at the Mandolin CafeThis Saturday night, November 10, we'll be at the Mandolin Cafe from 8-10 PM. We're planning for a "Saturday night kind of crowd" and hope some of our good friends will join us there. New Songs
We'll be recording this one for a possible live CD. So bring your rowdy friends, and let's howl at the moon this Saturday night! Back at it!After a three week break due to
our day jobs and family obligations, we are back at it with a vengeance.
It only took one song to to dust off the cobwebs at Forza last
weekend. This coming Monday its a night of all originals-- and
yes, there will be new songs introduced. At A Rhapsody In Bloom
(indoors this time), 7:00-9:00. New Photo GalleryCapping off a busy weekend was our appearance at the Community Carnival held at Enumclaw's Calvary Presbyterian Church. We had a great time with an enthusiastic crowd and waving at drivers passing by on the nearby street. The Month AheadAugust looks to be a busy month for the
Boys from VZ Valley. Private affairs in Auburn and Cle Elum open the
month, with shows in Seattle, Tacoma, and Duvall throughout the
month. Last month ended with Phil and Chris playing on separate
outside projects, while Terry and Al jammed at Adventure Bluegrass in
Stevenson. New Show AddedBreaking News!
We've just added a show at the P&G Speakeasy Cafe in Duvall.
This venue, formerly known as the Pumps and Grinds, has a rich history of acoustic Music. We'll be there Saturday July 14, beginning at 7 PM. Y'all come, there's good food and drink to be had. Address and web link on our Calendar page. Hear the VZVBsWe've just added
come audio clips from our June 2 show at Pony Express.
Visit our Media page to hear them. Setting the record straightThat's right, the rumors are true. Last night at the
Pony Express there was good food, bluegrass music... and FREE DOOR PRIZES!
Will there be prizes at the next show on June 23rd? Stay
tuned! Visitors who came to hear the band came from as far away as
Arizona, Florida and Maple Valley. (Oh the people would come from
far away and dance all night till the break of day..) Thanks to
the Pony Express for a great place to play and an excellent dinner; to Sean (age 1 1/2) for great dancing, and to an enthusiastic crowd for an evening of
fun and music. No truth to the rumor that either Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton was spotted in the crowd. Back to the Pony Express this weekend!Back to the Pony Express this
weekend! We'll be playing from 5-8 PM. Come enjoy a great barbecue
dinner and hear some VZ bluegrass music. Details can be found on our Calendar page. Had a Wild Weekend!Three shows in two days makes for a crazy weekend. Good times were had at the Mandolin Cafe on Saturday night. The next day, it was off to Seattle to the C&P Coffee House, where we saw some old friends and met some new ones. There are many photos that have been added to the Photo Galleries, so be sure and check them out. Updates, etc.The new web site (www.vzvalley.com) is taking shape. Brief bios of each band member are now available, as well as an updated calendar of appearances. On Saturday, April 28, the VZVBs play Enumclaw's Pony Express. The BBQ dinners are exceptional, and last time the place was packed. So come early-- the VZVBs play from 5-8 PM. Coming UpThe VZ Valley Boys return to the Pony Express in Enumclaw this Saturday, April 28, from 5-8 PM. Come for a delicious barbecue dinner and the music of the VZVBs. More information on the Calendar page at www.vzvalley.com. Visit www.vzvalley.com today!Our new web site is up and running! We will continue to maintain this site as well as an addendum to our main site. To check out the new site, go to www.vzvalley.com. The VZVBs Coming soon--- A new Web SiteWell, I just couldn't stand the limitations of this web site. A new site will be up and running in a few days, so watch for an announcement. The site will be located at www.vzvalley.com. Thanks, Al April 21 Show addedThe VZ Valley Boys have added a show on April 21 at the Kent Bluegrass Jam, Kent Senior Center, 600 E Smith Street. For a map, go to http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/senioractivitycenter/location.asp. The time is tentatively set for 4:00-5:00 PM. There are refreshments available and a lot of good jamming for the pickers. Other bands and artists will appear there as well, from 2-8 PM. |
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