You Can be a FiddleStar

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

<p>Doing a little last minute practice for tonight’s show at the @stationinn1974 for the release of the @johnhartfordfiddle Mammoth Collection. Those of you who have already ordered and received your copy may have noticed that I was the copy editor for the book and I’m so honored to get to play a few tunes from it tonight. You can watch it live at <a href="http://www.stationinn.com/tribute.">www.stationinn.com/tribute.</a> @marysueenglund is even dusting off her fiddle to join me on one and the rest of the musicians are as top notch as you might expect for a John Hartford fiddle tune concert. I’m feeling very grateful to get to play some music tonight. #johnhartford #johnhartfordsmammothcollection #fiddle #fiddletunes #nashville (at Station Inn)</p>

Doing a little last minute practice for tonight’s show at the @stationinn1974 for the release of the @johnhartfordfiddle Mammoth Collection. Those of you who have already ordered and received your copy may have noticed that I was the copy editor for the book and I’m so honored to get to play a few tunes from it tonight. You can watch it live at www.stationinn.com/tribute. @marysueenglund is even dusting off her fiddle to join me on one and the rest of the musicians are as top notch as you might expect for a John Hartford fiddle tune concert. I’m feeling very grateful to get to play some music tonight. #johnhartford #johnhartfordsmammothcollection #fiddle #fiddletunes #nashville (at Station Inn)

Posted 296 weeks ago
<p>My hometown of Redding, CA is in trouble. My stepmom just evacuated because the Carr fire is threatening our family home. Parents of some of my dearest friends as well as families of long-time students are in the immediate path as well. Please keep your loved ones close and get the hell out of the way of danger. It’s only stuff - your lives are much more important. Staging is happening at the Fairgrounds in Anderson. I love you all. #carrfire #redding  (at Redding, California)</p>

My hometown of Redding, CA is in trouble. My stepmom just evacuated because the Carr fire is threatening our family home. Parents of some of my dearest friends as well as families of long-time students are in the immediate path as well. Please keep your loved ones close and get the hell out of the way of danger. It’s only stuff - your lives are much more important. Staging is happening at the Fairgrounds in Anderson. I love you all. #carrfire #redding (at Redding, California)

Posted 296 weeks ago
<p>I’m not even gonna point out the obvious thing about this judging panel. Instead, I’m gonna focus on the fact that these people are taking this job as seriously as any panel of judges with whom I’ve worked. Also, they’re hilarious. It’s the best of all worlds. #twinlakesfiddlechampionship #fiddle #sojudgemental #judgingyou #itsnotawinwinforeveryone (at Leitchfield, Kentucky)</p>

I’m not even gonna point out the obvious thing about this judging panel. Instead, I’m gonna focus on the fact that these people are taking this job as seriously as any panel of judges with whom I’ve worked. Also, they’re hilarious. It’s the best of all worlds. #twinlakesfiddlechampionship #fiddle #sojudgemental #judgingyou #itsnotawinwinforeveryone (at Leitchfield, Kentucky)

Posted 296 weeks ago
<p>These girls. 💜 What an awesome few days making the music and having the laughs with @northcountryblue. Sharon Gilchrist and I knew we’d have fun but we had no idea how much. We also couldn’t have imagined the work ethic and musical instincts possessed by each one of them. We’re both so grateful to have had the opportunity to share our experiences and our perspectives with them. They get it. (And Easton makes a strong cameo in this photo, in case you needed some more pupper time.) #bluegrass #metronomereport #groovefirst #cheeriobutler #havanese  (at Berkeley, California)</p>

These girls. 💜 What an awesome few days making the music and having the laughs with @northcountryblue. Sharon Gilchrist and I knew we’d have fun but we had no idea how much. We also couldn’t have imagined the work ethic and musical instincts possessed by each one of them. We’re both so grateful to have had the opportunity to share our experiences and our perspectives with them. They get it. (And Easton makes a strong cameo in this photo, in case you needed some more pupper time.) #bluegrass #metronomereport #groovefirst #cheeriobutler #havanese (at Berkeley, California)

Posted 297 weeks ago
<p>Here’s Easton. He’s an extremely rare Berkeley Havanese Muppet pupper and his pastimes include sleeping on your bass case and being fluffy. #dogsimeetontour #havanese #bluegrass  (at Berkeley, California)</p>

Here’s Easton. He’s an extremely rare Berkeley Havanese Muppet pupper and his pastimes include sleeping on your bass case and being fluffy. #dogsimeetontour #havanese #bluegrass (at Berkeley, California)

Posted 297 weeks ago
<p>We’ve already done a lot of work. And there’s so much more we get to do. These young women can truly pick and sing. Which is really good news because they absolutely can not tell a joke. #cheeriobutler #northcountryblue #iliedaboutthecolor #bluegrass  (at Berkeley, California)</p>

We’ve already done a lot of work. And there’s so much more we get to do. These young women can truly pick and sing. Which is really good news because they absolutely can not tell a joke. #cheeriobutler #northcountryblue #iliedaboutthecolor #bluegrass (at Berkeley, California)

Posted 297 weeks ago
<p>I’m in California. #pho #thatwalksignalsaysbarklikeadog #oak @northcountryblue #bluegrassisforgirls #poundcakeforever  (at Oakland International Airport)</p>

I’m in California. #pho #thatwalksignalsaysbarklikeadog #oak @northcountryblue #bluegrassisforgirls #poundcakeforever (at Oakland International Airport)

Posted 297 weeks ago
<p>Happy #caturday from the #catland family. Top: Gretsch welcoming Buster for one of his every three days visits. They still get along beautifully and play a lot. Buster is terrified of Gretchen though, and looks over both shoulders constantly while he’s eating. If she comes anywhere near him he takes off back into the woods. Bottom: Gretchen and Leo Hickman are looking more and more alike every day. Little Leo will now hang out in the same area with me, sometimes just a few feet away. I haven’t been able to pet him yet, but I think we’re getting there. #leohickman #orangeandwhitecat #blackandwhitecat  (at Fiddlestar)</p>

Happy #caturday from the #catland family. Top: Gretsch welcoming Buster for one of his every three days visits. They still get along beautifully and play a lot. Buster is terrified of Gretchen though, and looks over both shoulders constantly while he’s eating. If she comes anywhere near him he takes off back into the woods. Bottom: Gretchen and Leo Hickman are looking more and more alike every day. Little Leo will now hang out in the same area with me, sometimes just a few feet away. I haven’t been able to pet him yet, but I think we’re getting there. #leohickman #orangeandwhitecat #blackandwhitecat (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 298 weeks ago
<p>*watches one episode of vintage 90210 and goes looking for pics from junior year       #tbt #boygeorgedarealmvp #boloyolo #circa91 #spiralpermbutbrushedout (at Redding, California)</p>

*watches one episode of vintage 90210 and goes looking for pics from junior year #tbt #boygeorgedarealmvp #boloyolo #circa91 #spiralpermbutbrushedout (at Redding, California)

Posted 299 weeks ago

My addition to #waltzwednesday is one that I recorded on my waltz album back in 2003 (Lovely Weather We’re Having - available on fiddlestar dot com) and then basically never played again because, let’s face it, this thing is crazy hard. Randy Howard sure knew how to write ‘em. But I’m teaching it to @fiddle_magee right now and decided it was time to get over it and play the thing. Only three takes. Not bad. Also, this was written for Kathy Chiavola. Which is extra cool. I’ll put the full video up on YouTube. #fiddle #fiddletunes #fiddlestar #waltz #randyhoward #3and1doublestopsatallcosts (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 299 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...