FiddleStar

Well, we think you’re going to be happy with this one. All classes will be taught upside down. But they’ll be taught by Charlie Cushman, Ron Block, and Gina Clowes so you probably wont mind. Registration for Nashville Banjo Camp opens July 1 for the general public and June 25 for previous campers and of course everything you need to know is at www.nashvillebanjocamp.com. #banjo #nashvillebanjocamp #charliecushman #ronblock #ginaclowes #bluegrass #nashville (at Ridgetop, Tennessee)

How about four generations of Chownings watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on Father’s Day? There is some pretty amazing fathering in this picture. I sure did marry into a family of strong and kind men. Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there, of all shapes and sizes, and those missing their fathers, and those hoping to be fathers, and those who act as fathers to those who need them. #fourgenerations #whyaretheyplayingchristmasvacationtoday #fathersday #chowningfishfry (at Greenbrier, Tennessee)

This is not my dog. I need to open with that. But she is a very sweet, very lovely dog and I get to dog sit her for a couple of days while @ashbyfrank is out playing the music for the people. Pastimes include butt wiggles, naps, and standing over me in the middle of the night, but not in a menacing way. #hattiebware #dogsimeetathome #boxer (at Fiddlestar)

I spent some time reading the latest @anthonybourdain cookbook and picking out a couple of recipes to make this week. He was a huge inspiration to me in my travels and in my interaction with people and things I don’t always understand. I will miss his perspective but I’m so grateful to have his enduring body of work. Also, on a related note, I’m proudly wearing my @warriors #pride shirt in celebration of Pride Month and the Dubs’ latest championship. A lot of things that mean a lot of things to me, here in this picture. #RIP #partsunknown #appetites #pridemonth (at Fiddlestar)

Important #catland update! This is NOT, I repeat, THIS IS NOT #leohickman! For those of you who enjoyed yesterday’s post about Little Leo getting stuck in a tree but thought to yourselves, “wow, Leo sure has gotten big and does his face seem oranger than it was?”, well, I appreciate your attention to detail. Because Leo is still rather tiny and mostly white and my only defense is that this guy was in a tree I guess it just never occurred to me that he was not to scale. The upshot is, and I think you know where I’m going with this, I think you might be looking at Leo’s dad. Sigh. (at Fiddlestar)

I met this beautiful boy today and things are looking up. #nashgrier (at Nashville, Tennessee)

Happy #caturday everyone! Little #leohickman got stuck in a tree this morning and as you can see, his mom Gretchen and Old Uncle Gretsch were not terribly concerned. The parenting around here is dubious. Spoiler alert: He got himself out of the tree all on his own. Just like you’d expect from Leo Hickman. #catland (at Fiddlestar)

Happy #nationalbestfriendday to @marysueenglund with whom I have shared all the best and worst adventures imaginable. I’ve chosen to highlight one of the best - all the times we got to play music together on the Grand Ole Opry. Not pictured - being stranded in airports, sleeping in hot vans, crying over things, being hungry, singing while sick, living in Branson, and other horrific things. Which are all the things that make up a beautiful friendship. I love you, Mary Sousaphone. Love, Magen #fiddlechicks #bffs (at Grand Ole Opry)

Happy Wednesday. Here’s a butterfly on a rose. I noticed it while walking back to the house from the cabin. I had to go to the cabin because that’s where we feed #busterkeaton now because of how mean Gretchen is to him. Every time he comes near the main porch she hisses and swipes at him. But at least everyone has some space and we are seeing Buster every day. Those are the updates from #catland. Also, that butterfly on a rose is pretty nice. (at Fiddlestar)

It’s contest season, people! I’m retired from fiddle contests and would rather parachute naked over the Washington Monument than enter one ever again but I still love the music and I have quite a few students who are competing this season, including one (for whom I made this video) who is probably playing Black and White Rag for his tune of choice at Weiser in a few weeks. I like rags. I think the time limits at fiddle contests keep them from having that little bit of swing they so richly deserve. What do you think? #fiddle #blackandwhiterag #fiddletunes #fiddlecontests #itdontmeanathingifitaintgotthatswing (at Fiddlestar)