FiddleStar

And so it begins… #nashvillemandolincamp #songwriter #workshop #cowrite #mandolin (at Fiddlestar)

Happy #thankfulthursday everyone! And what about these two? They’re gorgeous, they’re generous, and they have an attitude of gratitude just about a mile wide. Amour Spreads and the two people behind it are a big part of my life. I send Amour Spreads to my friends when they move which makes me look smart because their jams are the most delicious. As a company, they support small business, human rights, and all things local. As people, they support music, laughter, and friendship. John, the taller of the two, taught me my first “big kid” fiddle tune when I was eight years old (Clarinet Polka, for the record) and Casee, the one with the cute bob, mothers a former student of mine and generally spreads joy wherever she goes. Years ago, they even housed me when I would travel to Salt Lake City to teach. I’m grateful that they loudly and beautifully speak truth and sweetness through their jams and music. They remind me to stand up for what I believe in and that it’s possible to be kind and strong, all at the same time. Bravo to them, and in the words of their own motto - SPREAD LOVE! #jam #slc #amourspreads #shoplocal #organic (at Amour Café SLC)

“I have bronchitis, I’m wearing a sweater, and it’s snowing.” This is a trifecta of Boston Terrier indignities, as evidenced by his facial expression. #undertheweather #sirwinstoncup #bostonterrier #bostonterriersofinstagram (at Fiddlestar)

You bet we went to the Chinese New Year celebration in Nashville. Well, such as it was. #itsastart #yearoftherooster #onefoodvendor #verysmallparade #nashville (at Hillsboro Village)

Well hello #thankfulthursday Great to be here! Today I shall tell you a little about my friend Mike Armistead. He’s an unlikely artist, the way I see it. But a perfect example of why we should remember to see beyond a day job, or a pair of overalls, or anything on the surface that might make you think someone is just a single facet. Mike has an artist’s heart and a comedian’s timing. He’s also one of the most timely and professional small business owners with which I’ve ever had the pleasure of working. He designs our camp posters (and it was his idea to start adding the individual campers names, by the way) and has also designed beautiful tour posters for me. We are so proud to give each camper their own poster as a memory of their camp weekend and they always ask me who designed them. I tell them about Mike but it’s never quite enough. He is a big part of the way we present ourselves as a business and even more importantly, as a community builder. Huzzah Mike, we are grateful for you! #graphicdesign #poster #fiddle #banjo #flatpick #smallbusiness #mikearmistead #mandolin #retroposter #nashville (at Fiddlestar)

Tunes for Chris Gray. May he rest in peace. #mississippisawyer #tuneforafriend #fiddle #oldtime #banjo (at The Violin Shop)

This photo: Proving that possibly the only thing that would make me take up the banjo would be playing one that could simultaneously pick a solid Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss and also be hung in the finest of galleries. Seeing Dan Knowles’ inlay and carving work can cause confusion and overall banjo psychosis. Here I am in the throes of it… 📷: @tylerandal #banjo #abalonemadness #oldtime #clawhammerbanjo #danknowles (at Fiddlestar)

We couldn’t be with everyone marching but we were with you all in spirit - proudly wearing the pussy hats made for us by one of our campers. Teaching fiddle and banjo camp, making music with people we love, turned out to be a great way to spend a weekend in which unity, generosity, and respect were sorely needed. #nashvillefiddlebanjocamp #womensmarch #nashvillelovesyou #fiddle #banjo #oldtime #pussyhatsbyellen @clawhammerist (at Fiddlestar)

These beautiful and hilarious women just finished their camp recording and as you can see, they’re all still alive. Several of them were not entirely sure that would be the case. #nashvillefiddlebanjocamp #fiddle #banjo #inthestudio (at Fiddlestar)

Last night’s camp field trip to The Violin Shop reminded me that I didn’t get a chance to do a #thankfulthursday this week so I’m implementing my backup plan, #satisfiedsaturday Having a place to send my instruments where I trust and know that each person there wants me to be able to make music (which is my job AND my passion) with my tools in the best shape possible is a comfort beyond measure. They never make me feel silly for not knowing how things work. They never make me feel difficult if I’m not quite happy with something the first time around. And they always make me feel welcome. Thank you, gentlemen and ladies, for making every fiddle sound great and every fiddle player feel like a million bucks. #fiddle #luthier #theviolinshop @cleliahart @brianosonfun @tylerandal @theviolinshop @aprilcarpie (at The Violin Shop)