A confession (Please don't hate me!)

It's only been two days. Keep it together, Mark.

Social Media is going through the obligatory mourning of the missing hour from our day. Incidentally, it's not really missing, it's just postponed...moved over...taken from the top to put on the end, or something like that. Long story short, everybody agreed against their will to set their clocks ahead one hour because Spring time or something like that.

I can't go on social media without every person complaining about how grouchy they are with their lack of sleep and how they wish they could hunt down the genius who thought up Daylight Saving Time. But as for myself, well, I tell a different story.

I can't help it if I like to have more light in the afternoons. I can't help it that I prefer to wind my day down with a sunset instead of in complete darkness. It doesn't bother me that the mornings are darker. I must confess, I actually like Daylight Saving Time. You heard me. I like it.

As tough as it may be, refrain from throwing your sleepless rage at me. I know I'm being selfish. Alaskans lose more daylight than I gain in this week, the folks in the other hemisphere are just now starting winter, and yet here I sit, enjoying my sunny afternoons, warm weather, and well lit evenings.

Please don't hate me. If you could find it in your hearts to forgive me, that'd be really great. I like Daylight Saving Time.

When Dreams Come True

Today is a day that bluegrassers everywhere rejoice and cheer on their fellow pickers and singers.

The Rock Stars of Bluegrass themselves, Dailey & Vincent are being inducted into the Grand ole Opry tonight!

Those who know me understand that I have always looked up to Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, even while they were still with Doyle Lawson and Ricky Skaggs respectively. Their two voices always blend perfectly along with their material, be it vintage or brand new.

Having seen them many times in concert, I have witnessed firsthand their knack for connecting with an audience and making strangers feel like old friends. When it comes to entertainers, Dailey and Vincent are the cream of the crop.

The duo gave their first performance on the Grand Ole Opry, being introduced on to the Ryman Auditorium stage by Jeannie Seely in December of 2007. Since then, they've released four albums, a DVD, two Cracker Barrel exclusive albums, performed at Carnegie Hall, hosted their own WSM radio show, hosted their own TV show, and brought their crisp and lively brand of music all over the world.

To me, it's an exciting and inspiring occasion. Ever since I first started performing, I've always held Dailey and Vincent as the model of what musical entertainment looks like. They both have achieved what I, and many other bluegrassers, work so hard to accomplish: Grand Ole Opry membership.

If you're like me, and have followed these two guys since day one, and always hoped and dreamed that someday, you'd make the Opry stage too, watch this video. Don't give up: dreams really do come true.

Congratulations, Mr. Dailey and Mr. Vincent on this wonderful occasion! Wishing you continued success.  Your dedication to country and bluegrass music is not only inspiring, but it has brought joy to so many people all over this planet. Thanks for 10 years of outstanding entertainment!

8 Perfect Bluegrass Valentine's Day Songs

If Californians aren't confused enough by the tremendous amounts of water falling from the sky, they were all but mortified a few weeks ago when little balls of ice took the water drops' place. Since I am now convinced the World is ending, I feel like there's no need for a Valentine's Day themed post...


...but you know me better than that! I have just enough time to squeeze it in while I build an Ark.


All you bluegrass lovers out there are definitely stressing out right now about finding a nice bluegrass song to sing to your significant other that doesn't include cheating behind anyone's back, poisoning a little glass of wine, loving and losing, stabbing anyone through the heart or shooting people to watch them die. A daunting task indeed, but not impossible, you'll find! Allow me to present 8 of the All-Time-Greatest bluegrass Valentines Day songs. Now let me just state that this list will only be good for people who actually have a Valentine. All of us single people can go listen to "Ain't Nobody Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone". We don't need a list.

Oh! I have a fun idea: I'll present my picks in countdown fashion! What fun.

8.  If My Nose Was Running Money - Mike Snider

Seriously, though. Did you think I would make a list like this without including this ol bluegrass classic? It made the list because the lyrics paint a picture of devotion and sacrifice which can only be described as...vivid. While wishing to have all sorts of wealth dripping from your face to give your loved one is definitely "one booger of a problem", it is more importantly a cheerful thought to know that one sneeze could mean buying a John Deere tractor and a new Mercedes. That is if their nose was running money...but it's snot. Definitely not a song for the germophobe.

7. John and Mary - IIIrd Tyme Out

I've said it before, so I'll say it again: I've said this before. Also, Russell Moore could sing an Ikea instruction manual and win a Grammy for it. That's why this song made the list: Russell's flawless and sincere delivery makes the lyrics seem so much more heartfelt and so much more, well, sincere. You gotta admit, this song explains marriage a thousand times better than "that blessed arrangement, that dream within a dream, and love, true love, will follow you forever..." (and if you've never seen that movie, my entire joke went over your head and I'm sorry). Thus, the story of John and Mary made the list hands down. Also, killer mandola intro. Just saying.

6. Pretty Little Miss In the Garden - Stanley Brothers

Need we look any farther for a more adorable love story? Carter and Ralph deliver a timeless tale of a girl who loves her beau so much, that she hopes he's happy even "if he's drownded" (and I've never seen a happily drownded man before). She even goes so far as to say that if he finds someone else, she'll love the girl that marries him. That's almost grounds for a restraining order, to be honest. Of course, by the end of the song (SPOILER ALERT!!!!) she realizes this nosy guy asking all the questions is actually her beloved and then he gives her precisely three kisses. How she didn't realize this before, I don't guess I'll ever know, but as the young kids these days say at the end of their fairy-tales, they lived happily ever after. If the story don't get ya, George Shuffler's cross picking will.

5. Til the End of the World Rolls Round - Flatt and Scruggs

Obviously, a song that sets a time limit on love is usually overlooked for lists such as these, but since the sun will keep coming up and down and the big blue sky ain't coming down to the ground anytime soon, I decided this one could be the exception to the rule.

4. Storms are On The Ocean - The Three Pickers feat. Alison Krauss

This is one of those songs I've been hearing for such a long time. By the Carter Family first, and then by almost everybody else. The Three Pickers are my favorite version. This song goes hand-in-hand with the previous one on my list, because it too lists the world losing its motion as the time when the love will fail. That and if she drops it first. But regardless of that, it still represents an undying devotion that will sure make you feel all sappy and sugary on the inside. The heavens may cease to be if I should omit this song from my list.

3. Walk Through This World with Me - The Seldom Scene

Just the title alone could suffice to have its own spot on this list. But when the inimitable John Duffey sings it with the tight harmony of Seldom Scene, the whole song comes to life. So why did this song make the list? Go listen to it. Seriously. I'll wait.

2. My Heart Is Yours - Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver

It's no wonder that this song was chosen as the title track of his 1990 release. When you got a lineup like Russell Moore, Jim Mills, Ray Deaton, and Mike Hartgrove, how can anything you record go wrong? With words like "and til the end of time, my heart is yours", you couldn't expect anything more perfect to include on this list. If you're gonna choose a Valentines day bluegrass song, it'd better use phrases like "you're all I need" or "I thank the Lord up above that you're loving me, such a lucky break!" If you Google search the word "romantic", this song will automatically open in a new tab. Try it! Also, if you Google search "gullible" your picture will show up....

1. My Only Love - Dailey & Vincent

This one topped my list. A Statler Brothers original, Dailey & Vincent and the boys gave it a bluegrass spin so that it could be included in this list.  How thoughtful of them. At the opening line "You and I were meant for one another", you know this is going to be as lovey-dovey as it gets. The harmony, lyrics, and over all delivery makes this my top pick for the #1 bluegrass Valentines Day song.


There you have it!  Obviously, this list comes with the disclaimer that it is by no means exhaustive. But I think it'll get you through this holiday with flying colors. Which songs did I leave out? Comment below and let me know!