I Came across a picture on my computer today. A few years ago I got to jam with Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum and Chad Manning. They were really kind and generous to let me sit in with them, and also invited me up to play a tune with them when they performed at Cataloochee Ranch. I also have to admit...that I really had no idea how big of a deal Laurie Lewis is at the time. I just new that she was really, really good. And I distinctly remember her upbraiding Chad and I for not playing "Midnight on the Water" the "right way." Then she showed us where to wiggle your fingers like Bennie Thomasson did. Anyways, while we were playing Tom sat there and sketched Chad and I in Cataloochee's guestbook:
I wish that I had a clearer copy of it, but my phone didn't have the best camera in the world. Todd Phillips was also there, I don't recall if he sat and jammed with us or not, seems like I remember him sitting back and enjoying a glass of red wine. (I do know that he took the most tasteful bass break I have ever seen when they were playing the show.) Later that year he packed his small car with a Bass and recording equipment and drove all the way out from Nashville and recorded Andrew Payseur and I for our first little CD. Richard, rest his soul, and Peter Rowan I think had something to do with setting it up. Todd didn't charge us a cent. It was just one example of many instances where I have found people and pickers in the bluegrass world to just be incredibly kind, and in a genuine way. Sure, some folks have had some bad experiences with their idols, but I also want to come out and say that you really shouldn't judge someone from one or two interactions. I would hope people wouldn't do that to me--everyone has bad days.
Yesterday I was reading an old obituary for the great banjo player E.C. Miller on Bluegrass Today, and I was shocked and crushed to see that Steve Sutton had passed away. He certainly was a shining example of a kind and generous spirit--and he could pick the fire, and everything else, out of a five.
Here's a clip of Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum (the sketcher), doing a Si Khan number. And, if you get a chance, I highly recommend Todd's In the Pines recording, which is one of my all-time favorite albums. It has everybody on it. I tried pretty hard to learn Laurie's version of this classic, but I just can't get it!
Yesterday I was reading an old obituary for the great banjo player E.C. Miller on Bluegrass Today, and I was shocked and crushed to see that Steve Sutton had passed away. He certainly was a shining example of a kind and generous spirit--and he could pick the fire, and everything else, out of a five.
Here's a clip of Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum (the sketcher), doing a Si Khan number. And, if you get a chance, I highly recommend Todd's In the Pines recording, which is one of my all-time favorite albums. It has everybody on it. I tried pretty hard to learn Laurie's version of this classic, but I just can't get it!