You Can be a FiddleStar

I post things about fiddling. And how we can all be better at it.

<p>Thinking back to our day at Notre Dame, around this time last year. I am not a religious person but I am a person who values beauty and architecture and history and this fire was certainly devastating to all of those things. Have you heard though, that for decades, on the property of the Palace of Versailles, the French people have been growing oak trees to replaces the wooden structures of Notre Dame, in case they were ever damaged? It’s true. And the beauty and architecture and history and vision of that idea brings me great peace and it is a reminder that we can be doing more in every area of our lives to sustain the things that sustain us.  (at Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris)<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwU3LtSlxg3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wtkj97e2ncdj">https://www.instagram.com/p/BwU3LtSlxg3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wtkj97e2ncdj</a></p>

Thinking back to our day at Notre Dame, around this time last year. I am not a religious person but I am a person who values beauty and architecture and history and this fire was certainly devastating to all of those things. Have you heard though, that for decades, on the property of the Palace of Versailles, the French people have been growing oak trees to replaces the wooden structures of Notre Dame, in case they were ever damaged? It’s true. And the beauty and architecture and history and vision of that idea brings me great peace and it is a reminder that we can be doing more in every area of our lives to sustain the things that sustain us. (at Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwU3LtSlxg3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wtkj97e2ncdj

Posted 258 weeks ago
<p>Scenes from Saturday night/Sunday morning… #nashvilleclawhammercamp #speedyonbiscuits #twinfiddles #bluegrass #oldtime  (at Fiddlestar)<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwUiycWFOcn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19xg755q1zk81">https://www.instagram.com/p/BwUiycWFOcn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19xg755q1zk81</a></p>

Scenes from Saturday night/Sunday morning… #nashvilleclawhammercamp #speedyonbiscuits #twinfiddles #bluegrass #oldtime (at Fiddlestar)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwUiycWFOcn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19xg755q1zk81

Posted 258 weeks ago
<p>Happy 45th anniversary to this inspiring couple. We had a great conversation over delicious #lowcountryboil tonight. We talked about commitment and just making the simple decision to stay together, despite the odds and the many trials and tribulations. I learned that graveyard shift is hard on a marriage and even though they started out in a 12x40 trailer, they always knew they’d have more eventually as long as they worked hard and that being together in a tiny trailer was better than being apart where they came from. They’ve made a beautiful life and they’re so proud of their family. I count myself lucky every day to be in that family. #randyandlela4ever  (at Storming Crab-Madison TN)<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwTKUiZFxyl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nffz7hf2n1a8">https://www.instagram.com/p/BwTKUiZFxyl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nffz7hf2n1a8</a></p>

Happy 45th anniversary to this inspiring couple. We had a great conversation over delicious #lowcountryboil tonight. We talked about commitment and just making the simple decision to stay together, despite the odds and the many trials and tribulations. I learned that graveyard shift is hard on a marriage and even though they started out in a 12x40 trailer, they always knew they’d have more eventually as long as they worked hard and that being together in a tiny trailer was better than being apart where they came from. They’ve made a beautiful life and they’re so proud of their family. I count myself lucky every day to be in that family. #randyandlela4ever (at Storming Crab-Madison TN)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwTKUiZFxyl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nffz7hf2n1a8

Posted 258 weeks ago
<p>Scenes from Saturday… #nashvilleclawhammercamp #friedchicken #banjo #oldtime #hidehead  (at Fiddlestar)<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwQVN6SFDF-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nh7nxcmuh3li">https://www.instagram.com/p/BwQVN6SFDF-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nh7nxcmuh3li</a></p>

Scenes from Saturday… #nashvilleclawhammercamp #friedchicken #banjo #oldtime #hidehead (at Fiddlestar)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwQVN6SFDF-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nh7nxcmuh3li

Posted 258 weeks ago
<p>Scenes from Friday night… #nashvilleclawhammercamp #slomowaltz #speedydoescontra #jenisicecream #banjo #oldtime (at Second Presbyterian Church)<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwLw0SrFYXx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jizbzcyuah0o">https://www.instagram.com/p/BwLw0SrFYXx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jizbzcyuah0o</a></p>

Scenes from Friday night… #nashvilleclawhammercamp #slomowaltz #speedydoescontra #jenisicecream #banjo #oldtime (at Second Presbyterian Church)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwLw0SrFYXx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jizbzcyuah0o

Posted 258 weeks ago
<p>Scenes from Friday… #nashvilleclawhammercamp #banjo #oldtime #ozarkbanjos #gourdbanjo  (at Fiddlestar)<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwKlBZZl6Z3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g3haebgxn3pn">https://www.instagram.com/p/BwKlBZZl6Z3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g3haebgxn3pn</a></p>

Scenes from Friday… #nashvilleclawhammercamp #banjo #oldtime #ozarkbanjos #gourdbanjo (at Fiddlestar)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwKlBZZl6Z3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g3haebgxn3pn

Posted 258 weeks ago
<p>The music world and actually, just the world in general lost a wonderful man this week. This is the moment I first met Preston Thompson, after my husband asked me to make sure to introduce myself to him at IBMA. Adam had already been in regular contact with him regarding all things guitar but had never met him in person and wanted me to be his emissary. He was just as warm and lovely as Adam said he would be and he went on to welcome Adam officially into the @thompsonguitars family (of which I’ve always felt like a member as well!) and we are both so sad at his passing. He was so deliberate about both his instruments and his interactions with everyone he met. I know the rest of the Thompson crew will continue his work in the spirit he intended, as will all our nearest and dearest who play their beautiful Thompson Guitars every day. What a legacy… Rest in peace Preston. (at Raleigh Civic and Convention Center Complex)<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwKOnX1lcfb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cl5y09rkbkim">https://www.instagram.com/p/BwKOnX1lcfb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cl5y09rkbkim</a></p>

The music world and actually, just the world in general lost a wonderful man this week. This is the moment I first met Preston Thompson, after my husband asked me to make sure to introduce myself to him at IBMA. Adam had already been in regular contact with him regarding all things guitar but had never met him in person and wanted me to be his emissary. He was just as warm and lovely as Adam said he would be and he went on to welcome Adam officially into the @thompsonguitars family (of which I’ve always felt like a member as well!) and we are both so sad at his passing. He was so deliberate about both his instruments and his interactions with everyone he met. I know the rest of the Thompson crew will continue his work in the spirit he intended, as will all our nearest and dearest who play their beautiful Thompson Guitars every day. What a legacy… Rest in peace Preston. (at Raleigh Civic and Convention Center Complex)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwKOnX1lcfb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cl5y09rkbkim

Posted 258 weeks ago
<p>And so it begins… #nashvilleclawhammercamp  (at Fiddlestar)<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwJFuBsFh-F/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tvj4ndxgpcr4">https://www.instagram.com/p/BwJFuBsFh-F/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tvj4ndxgpcr4</a></p>

And so it begins… #nashvilleclawhammercamp (at Fiddlestar)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwJFuBsFh-F/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tvj4ndxgpcr4

Posted 259 weeks ago
<p>This afternoon I had the extraordinary honor of interviewing Betty Harford. Betty has lived (and is continuing to live!) a fascinating life and after getting to talk to her for a few hours, it comes as no surprise. She is so bright and insightful and more than a little feisty. After growing up on a cotton farm in Missouri she met and married John Hartford and had two lovely children (one of whom - my friend Katie - is pictured here). But I got to learn all about her own singing career, including a weekly radio show starting when she was just 14. Argh, I can’t even begin to process how enlightening this experience turned out to be. Women have stories. I’m going to spend more time asking them to share those stories. I have so much to learn. Oh! And Betty is performing at this year’s John Hartford Festival this year so make sure to catch her set. #womensstoriesmatter #thegirlcansing  (at Nashville, Tennessee)<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvxiRE_FlrE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15aftoofhe2j3">https://www.instagram.com/p/BvxiRE_FlrE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15aftoofhe2j3</a></p>

This afternoon I had the extraordinary honor of interviewing Betty Harford. Betty has lived (and is continuing to live!) a fascinating life and after getting to talk to her for a few hours, it comes as no surprise. She is so bright and insightful and more than a little feisty. After growing up on a cotton farm in Missouri she met and married John Hartford and had two lovely children (one of whom - my friend Katie - is pictured here). But I got to learn all about her own singing career, including a weekly radio show starting when she was just 14. Argh, I can’t even begin to process how enlightening this experience turned out to be. Women have stories. I’m going to spend more time asking them to share those stories. I have so much to learn. Oh! And Betty is performing at this year’s John Hartford Festival this year so make sure to catch her set. #womensstoriesmatter #thegirlcansing (at Nashville, Tennessee)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvxiRE_FlrE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15aftoofhe2j3

Posted 260 weeks ago
<p>When I moved to Nashville, almost 15 years ago, the very first restaurant I patronized was Sapporo in Madison. Been going there regularly ever since. Some years were pretty dire, I’d guess. The economic downturn hit Nashville hard, like most everywhere. But they kept on and always managed to turn out solid Japanese and Korean food. Recently, they opened a new restaurant all the way up in Gallatin and they actually included table barbecues, just like I used to love back at Brothers on Geary in San Francisco. I’m pretty sure this is the only Korean place with the table ‘cues in all of the Nashville metro so you know @ashbyfrank and Adam and I had to make the trip. Worth it. So worth it. And I’m just so happy for this wonderful family. The place was packed and the food was delicious. And not for nothin’, I’ll take any alternative to yet another elevated southern food restaurant. No, you can’t put hot chicken in everything. #koreanbbq #sapporo #bulgogi  (at Fairvue Sapporo Japanese  and  Korean  restaurant)<br/>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvr5y8WAGrK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1gylo0ezjtewk">https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvr5y8WAGrK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1gylo0ezjtewk</a></p>

When I moved to Nashville, almost 15 years ago, the very first restaurant I patronized was Sapporo in Madison. Been going there regularly ever since. Some years were pretty dire, I’d guess. The economic downturn hit Nashville hard, like most everywhere. But they kept on and always managed to turn out solid Japanese and Korean food. Recently, they opened a new restaurant all the way up in Gallatin and they actually included table barbecues, just like I used to love back at Brothers on Geary in San Francisco. I’m pretty sure this is the only Korean place with the table ‘cues in all of the Nashville metro so you know @ashbyfrank and Adam and I had to make the trip. Worth it. So worth it. And I’m just so happy for this wonderful family. The place was packed and the food was delicious. And not for nothin’, I’ll take any alternative to yet another elevated southern food restaurant. No, you can’t put hot chicken in everything. #koreanbbq #sapporo #bulgogi (at Fairvue Sapporo Japanese and Korean restaurant)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvr5y8WAGrK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1gylo0ezjtewk

Posted 260 weeks ago

 1/25/13
I am excited to embark on a new chapter of my working life - I recently gave my notice to the Pam Tillis organization and will no longer be touring with her or Lorrie Morgan (on their awesome Grits and Glamour Tour). I must admit, I'm sad to be leaving. It's been an incredible four years and I have learned so much. Thanks to Pam, her amazing husband/manager Matt Spicher, and my bandmates, especially the lovely and talented Mary Sue Englund, with whom I spent more time over the last few years than I did with my husband. And I wouldn't trade a minute of it...