My posts are usually brimming with light-hearted humor, but today, the bluegrass community feels the sting from the passing of Dr. Ralph Edmund Stanley. I had the distinct honor to have been Dr. Stanley's liaison at the 2015 Huck Finn Jubilee. That was by far one of the highlights of my life. My siblings and I love collecting old records, and one of my favorites is the Stanley Brothers' Columbia Sessions. There is no mistaking the unique banjo picking style and high tenor voice of Ralph Stanley along with the impeccable songwriting and vocals of his brother Carter.
Dr. Stanley will be missed, but never forgotten! This is my tribute to him.
After Bill Monroe set the music industry on fire with his unique brand of country music later known as bluegrass, another band took the music scene by storm. This band was led by two brothers from the Clinch Mountains in Virginia: Carter and Ralph Stanley. Their music became as iconic as the genre itself, with songs like "Molly and Tenbrooks", "Man of Constant Sorrow", "Clinch Mountain Backstep", "Angel Band" and so much more. So powerful was their sound, that they became the second bluegrass band ever to become members of the Grand Ole Opry.
Since that time, Dr. Ralph Stanley impacted so many young musicians' lives with his music. He won several Grammys, made it to the top of the country charts with his collaborations with Josh Turner and the "Down From the Mountain" tour/"O Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack, received several honorary doctorates, and discovered such talents as Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, and Larry Sparks.
Bill Monroe became close to the Stanley Brothers and after the untimely death of Carter, Bill Monroe sang an acappella rendition of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" at his funeral. Then, placing his hand on Carter's casket, he said "We will meet again." 30 years later, at Bill Monroe's funeral, Ralph Stanley sang an acappella rendition of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and turned to his casket and said "We will meet again.", just as Monroe did at Carter's funeral.
I looked over Jordan and what did i see?
Coming for to carry me home
There was a band of angels, coming after me
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
I'm sometimes up, and i'm sometimes down
Coming for to carry me home
But but i know my soul is heavenward bound
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
If you get there before I do
Coming for to carry me home
Tell all my friends that I'm coming too
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
RIP Dr. Ralph Edmund Stanley 1927-2016
We will meet again.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Monday, June 20, 2016
The Wheels on the Bus Come On and Off....
I wish I were making this up. The day before we left on a long road trip to play two gigs over the weekend, I was sitting in my living room with a refrigerator door in pieces spread out before me. Basically, I was trying to pull a 0.125" thick piece of plywood out from the plastic frame to no avail.
Our RV is old by RV standards. We've been traveling to gigs in it for years and years. It's seen a lot of wear and tear. Up until this week, we had duct tape keeping the refrigerator door from falling off. Our air conditioning would only blow out warm air (thus defeating the purpose of even having it) and the generator wouldn't start. And those are just the minor problems.
So, the week before we hit the road, I'm running all over the state trying to manipulate what is left of our RV like a reverse game of Jenga.
To make a long story short, our RV was not fixed. It was merely propped up together so that the wheels could roll and take us to our destination.
We've seen a lot of good times with that RV. So many happy memories. So many exciting adventures and excursions.
While we were at said gig, another nationally touring band parked their huge bus near the stage. It was beautiful. It even had their faces on it. Breath taking.
Just when you thought this post was about being content with the things you have, I'm announcing that I'm making plans to hijack their bus on the way back to Nashville if any of you want to help. We'll meet at the rendezvous with the recognition code "Prevost".
Our RV is old by RV standards. We've been traveling to gigs in it for years and years. It's seen a lot of wear and tear. Up until this week, we had duct tape keeping the refrigerator door from falling off. Our air conditioning would only blow out warm air (thus defeating the purpose of even having it) and the generator wouldn't start. And those are just the minor problems.
So, the week before we hit the road, I'm running all over the state trying to manipulate what is left of our RV like a reverse game of Jenga.
To make a long story short, our RV was not fixed. It was merely propped up together so that the wheels could roll and take us to our destination.
We've seen a lot of good times with that RV. So many happy memories. So many exciting adventures and excursions.
While we were at said gig, another nationally touring band parked their huge bus near the stage. It was beautiful. It even had their faces on it. Breath taking.
Just when you thought this post was about being content with the things you have, I'm announcing that I'm making plans to hijack their bus on the way back to Nashville if any of you want to help. We'll meet at the rendezvous with the recognition code "Prevost".
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Must...Play...Faster!
If there's one thing to be said about banjo pickers, it's that they always raise the bar when it comes to tempo. It's easy enough, after all. They only need to move three fingers. With just a little effort, a banjo picker can hone their skill to the point of driving the rhythm guitar insane.
Oh hello! It's me again; your friendly neighborhood rhythm guitarist struggling to keep up.
I don't mean to be "that picker" who complains that the music is too fast, but I am sometimes. When those times come, I have to find ways to step up my game. It's time for:
Step 1: Down stroke with your pick the bass note of a chord. Do it very quickly.
Step 2: Pivoting on the momentum of your down stroke, play the rest of the chord on the upstroke. Quickly.
Step 3: Repeat. Super super quickly.
When you first try it, it may sound somewhat empty. But when the timing of the song gets along in a hurry, you'll be glad you tried it. Watch people like Del McCoury, Jamie Dailey, Dustin Pyrtle and more use this technique on all the fast ones. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for us, eh?
For those of you who completely zoned out through all of that since you aren't a guitar player, just know that I either completely revolutionized the way they play rhythm, or messed them up bad enough to ruin their music career for the rest of eternity.
Next time you see me in concert, pay close attention when we hit a fast song. I'll be in all sorts of pain trying to keep up. Just shout from the audience "Hey, Mark! Don't forget your Half-time strum!" If I hear you, I will be grateful to you for reminding me. Please don't request another fast song from the audience. I will die. Figuratively, not literally.
Oh hello! It's me again; your friendly neighborhood rhythm guitarist struggling to keep up.
I don't mean to be "that picker" who complains that the music is too fast, but I am sometimes. When those times come, I have to find ways to step up my game. It's time for:
Mark's tips of the trade! Episode: Train 45
Besides a stiff macchiato (as only the Italians can serve), there are not many ways to improve your quick picking abilities on the spot. When the banjo picker kicks off Train 45, you guitarists better be on time or die trying. (That is, figuratively die.) Let me introduce you to something I call "The Half-time strum" (I need a better name for it, clearly).Step 1: Down stroke with your pick the bass note of a chord. Do it very quickly.
Step 2: Pivoting on the momentum of your down stroke, play the rest of the chord on the upstroke. Quickly.
Step 3: Repeat. Super super quickly.
When you first try it, it may sound somewhat empty. But when the timing of the song gets along in a hurry, you'll be glad you tried it. Watch people like Del McCoury, Jamie Dailey, Dustin Pyrtle and more use this technique on all the fast ones. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for us, eh?
For those of you who completely zoned out through all of that since you aren't a guitar player, just know that I either completely revolutionized the way they play rhythm, or messed them up bad enough to ruin their music career for the rest of eternity.
Next time you see me in concert, pay close attention when we hit a fast song. I'll be in all sorts of pain trying to keep up. Just shout from the audience "Hey, Mark! Don't forget your Half-time strum!" If I hear you, I will be grateful to you for reminding me. Please don't request another fast song from the audience. I will die. Figuratively, not literally.
Friday, June 10, 2016
1000 views! Very first interactive post!
Such a joyous occasion! A few days ago, this blog reached 1000 page views! What's a dude like me to do? Celebrate of course!
So, to celebrate, I am going to compile a group of videos that YOU will make. I will list a list of prompts. You will choose any prompt and create a humorous video based off of the prompt. When you all turn them in, I will compile them to form a completely fictional account of how I started this blog. If you want to choose more than one prompt, be my guest. Don't tell me you don't make videos. I know you do. Even if you don't, do it. C'mon, it's a celebration!
Here they are:
Prompt 1: Four siblings are eating dinner and each have a very important announcement.
Prompt 2: Something is missing from the internet.
Prompt 3: Heavy Metal: The Bluegrass Musical.
Prompt 4: Really bad blog name ideas.
Prompt 5: Accidental hero returns home.
All of the above should include a character named Mark (hence the fictional account of how I started this blog) and can be however long or short as you want. Keep em funny, fictional, and clean. I can hardly wait to see what you all create.
Also, the famed blogger Kimberly Grace is just a few views shy of 2000. I wonder how she will celebrate?
Thanks a million for visiting with me on this site. Here's to more good times in the future! Y'all come back now, ya hear?
So, to celebrate, I am going to compile a group of videos that YOU will make. I will list a list of prompts. You will choose any prompt and create a humorous video based off of the prompt. When you all turn them in, I will compile them to form a completely fictional account of how I started this blog. If you want to choose more than one prompt, be my guest. Don't tell me you don't make videos. I know you do. Even if you don't, do it. C'mon, it's a celebration!
Here they are:
Prompt 1: Four siblings are eating dinner and each have a very important announcement.
Prompt 2: Something is missing from the internet.
Prompt 3: Heavy Metal: The Bluegrass Musical.
Prompt 4: Really bad blog name ideas.
Prompt 5: Accidental hero returns home.
All of the above should include a character named Mark (hence the fictional account of how I started this blog) and can be however long or short as you want. Keep em funny, fictional, and clean. I can hardly wait to see what you all create.
Also, the famed blogger Kimberly Grace is just a few views shy of 2000. I wonder how she will celebrate?
Thanks a million for visiting with me on this site. Here's to more good times in the future! Y'all come back now, ya hear?
Friday, June 3, 2016
10 Reasons to be Happy!
Let's face it: Life stinks sometimes.
Even the happiest of people get the blues every now and then. It happens. No one ever promised life would be fair. And it's not, believe me.
But even in the midst of life's trials, there indeed are reasons to smile. Here are just ten in order from least to greatest.
10. You're not a brontosaurus
This is definitely a reason to smile. Imagine how tough it would be not being a real dinosaur until someone figured out that you actually were. And think of how sad it would make you to see people eating chicken nuggets in the shape of your friends. It's probably not even real chicken.
9. You are not Force sensitive
Just when you think Force powers would be good to have, imagine what a sneeze must do. The Force would suddenly intensify profusely for a split second, destroying everything within reach. What's that you say? Use the Force to not sneeze? C'mon, do you really have that presence of mind before a sneeze? No. That's not how the Force works, young padawan.
8. You are not the hedges in my backyard
If you were, I would have the unpleasant duty of walking by you every so often and hacking your limbs off. Be glad you are not my hedges. If you are my hedges and you're reading this, I have a huge question...
How did you get the Wi-Fi password?
7. You are not a spider
If you were, no one would like you. And you'd have to eat bugs all the time. But no worries, I know for a fact you are not a spider, because spiders can't type, even if they can surf the web.
6. You are not me
Not just because of the outrageous pun you all rolled your eyes at. But seriously, I would never get along with myself if there were more than one of me. I annoy myself enough as it is.
5. You are not William Jackson Millingtonworth
Because no one has ever heard of him and he actually doesn't exist.
4. You are you
And you do that so well. Keep doing that!
3. You can breathe
So take a moment real quick and do it. See? Felt good! Don't forget to do that periodically.
2. If there is a tomorrow, you have a second chance
So you messed up today? Only one thing you can do: Don't mess up tomorrow. Chances look fairly good that tomorrow will come. If it doesn't, you can say you tried today. Just remember not to let today be the day you wish yesterday was. Did I lose you there?
1. You woke up on the right side of the dirt
If you can read this without having to open your coffin, congratulations! You have the opportunity to do stuff. Seem trivial? Just like I said earlier, if tomorrow never comes, you have today. Make it a good one! Those of you who know me (which is probably all of you) know that I count this as a huge blessing. God took a look at me and all the stupid stuff I've done and still said "Yup, give him another shot at it."
So, if you read this entire post, you have no excuse to not be smiling now. If you're happy and you know it, shout "yahoo". If you just audibly shouted, you are my best friend. If you sang that song out loud, you are my best-est friend. If you're still not smiling, oh well. Better luck tomorrow.
Even the happiest of people get the blues every now and then. It happens. No one ever promised life would be fair. And it's not, believe me.
But even in the midst of life's trials, there indeed are reasons to smile. Here are just ten in order from least to greatest.
10. You're not a brontosaurus
This is definitely a reason to smile. Imagine how tough it would be not being a real dinosaur until someone figured out that you actually were. And think of how sad it would make you to see people eating chicken nuggets in the shape of your friends. It's probably not even real chicken.
9. You are not Force sensitive
Just when you think Force powers would be good to have, imagine what a sneeze must do. The Force would suddenly intensify profusely for a split second, destroying everything within reach. What's that you say? Use the Force to not sneeze? C'mon, do you really have that presence of mind before a sneeze? No. That's not how the Force works, young padawan.
8. You are not the hedges in my backyard
If you were, I would have the unpleasant duty of walking by you every so often and hacking your limbs off. Be glad you are not my hedges. If you are my hedges and you're reading this, I have a huge question...
How did you get the Wi-Fi password?
7. You are not a spider
If you were, no one would like you. And you'd have to eat bugs all the time. But no worries, I know for a fact you are not a spider, because spiders can't type, even if they can surf the web.
6. You are not me
Not just because of the outrageous pun you all rolled your eyes at. But seriously, I would never get along with myself if there were more than one of me. I annoy myself enough as it is.
5. You are not William Jackson Millingtonworth
Because no one has ever heard of him and he actually doesn't exist.
4. You are you
And you do that so well. Keep doing that!
3. You can breathe
So take a moment real quick and do it. See? Felt good! Don't forget to do that periodically.
2. If there is a tomorrow, you have a second chance
So you messed up today? Only one thing you can do: Don't mess up tomorrow. Chances look fairly good that tomorrow will come. If it doesn't, you can say you tried today. Just remember not to let today be the day you wish yesterday was. Did I lose you there?
1. You woke up on the right side of the dirt
If you can read this without having to open your coffin, congratulations! You have the opportunity to do stuff. Seem trivial? Just like I said earlier, if tomorrow never comes, you have today. Make it a good one! Those of you who know me (which is probably all of you) know that I count this as a huge blessing. God took a look at me and all the stupid stuff I've done and still said "Yup, give him another shot at it."
So, if you read this entire post, you have no excuse to not be smiling now. If you're happy and you know it, shout "yahoo". If you just audibly shouted, you are my best friend. If you sang that song out loud, you are my best-est friend. If you're still not smiling, oh well. Better luck tomorrow.
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