You Can be a FiddleStar

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

An excerpt from my latest custom lesson on the haunting old waltz “Germaine” (which I first recorded on my 2003 album “Lovely Weather We’re Having”). In this custom video lesson I talk about half steps and strange intervals and gratuitous sliding into 3rd position. Also, heads up, once you learn it, it should go way faster. Cross marketing alert: I’m happily wearing my new turquoise ring from @sweetfarmjewelry and you should go check out her latest collection. #fiddle #fiddlelessons #germaine #waltz #fiddlestar (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 318 weeks ago

They’re gonna have to learn to keep up if they’re gonna keep coming on walks. #mosey #gretsch #buster #blackandwhitecat #orangeandwhitecat (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 318 weeks ago
<p>This is one of my new favorite pictures of myself. I didn’t mean to take it. I thought I was clicking start on a lesson video. #sunriseonaguineafarm #fiddle #rearfacingcameraproblems (at Fiddlestar)</p>

This is one of my new favorite pictures of myself. I didn’t mean to take it. I thought I was clicking start on a lesson video. #sunriseonaguineafarm #fiddle #rearfacingcameraproblems (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 319 weeks ago
<p>I finally got a spare few moments to read this beautiful graphic novel by @tilliewalden that was hand delivered to me by @manwray at camp last weekend and it’s so pretty and also difficult and he said he picked this one out special for me and I can’t imagine that any other of her books could be so perfect for me but maybe they are. I just know that this one definitely is. Thanks Charlie and thanks Tillie. #fiddle #banjo #graphicnovel #acityinside #tilliewalden  (at Fiddlestar)</p>

I finally got a spare few moments to read this beautiful graphic novel by @tilliewalden that was hand delivered to me by @manwray at camp last weekend and it’s so pretty and also difficult and he said he picked this one out special for me and I can’t imagine that any other of her books could be so perfect for me but maybe they are. I just know that this one definitely is. Thanks Charlie and thanks Tillie. #fiddle #banjo #graphicnovel #acityinside #tilliewalden (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 319 weeks ago
<p>Oh hiiiii.  #sirwinstoncup #groucho #bullysticks #bostonterrier #bostonterriercult #flatnosedogsociety (at Fiddlestar)</p>

Oh hiiiii. #sirwinstoncup #groucho #bullysticks #bostonterrier #bostonterriercult #flatnosedogsociety (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 319 weeks ago
<p>It’s all downhill from here… #papawsboy #guitar #futureguitarplayer  (at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)</p>

It’s all downhill from here… #papawsboy #guitar #futureguitarplayer (at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)

Posted 319 weeks ago
<p>This is what it’s all about, right here. Gina and Jayson, a mother and son from California, came to #nashvillefiddlebanjocamp on the recommendation of Jayson’s super cool girlfriend who has been coming to our camps with her super cool family for years. They played tunes with me and Adam Hurt and Tyler and Tristan and met all kinds of new people and were just generally lovely and kind and enthusiastic and they sounded awesome when they got here and I think maybe even a little more awesome when they left. It’s people like Gina and Jayson who make us so glad we decided to make these camps the focus of our lives. Thank you to all the incredible people who come here. We are so grateful for the energy you bring into our home. #nashvilleacousticcamps #fiddle #banjo #oldtime  (at Fiddlestar)</p>

This is what it’s all about, right here. Gina and Jayson, a mother and son from California, came to #nashvillefiddlebanjocamp on the recommendation of Jayson’s super cool girlfriend who has been coming to our camps with her super cool family for years. They played tunes with me and Adam Hurt and Tyler and Tristan and met all kinds of new people and were just generally lovely and kind and enthusiastic and they sounded awesome when they got here and I think maybe even a little more awesome when they left. It’s people like Gina and Jayson who make us so glad we decided to make these camps the focus of our lives. Thank you to all the incredible people who come here. We are so grateful for the energy you bring into our home. #nashvilleacousticcamps #fiddle #banjo #oldtime (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 320 weeks ago
<p>Yep. It’s a kitchen clogging jam. #nashvillefiddlebanjocamp #nashvilleacousticcamps #flatfooters #toes #heels  (at Fiddlestar)</p>

Yep. It’s a kitchen clogging jam. #nashvillefiddlebanjocamp #nashvilleacousticcamps #flatfooters #toes #heels (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 320 weeks ago

Roanoke. With my friend @mandolin2842 at the #nashvillefiddlebanjocamp staff concert because Beagle Steve said he needed a “fast fix”. Two important points. 1) Tristan regularly plays this tune much faster than this. 2) Apparently we were all playing things too slow for Beagle Steve and we can’t have that. #fiddle #mandolin #bluegrass (at The Violin Shop)

Posted 320 weeks ago
<p>And then they danced. #nashvillefiddlebanjocamp #nashvilleacousticcamps #contradance #nashvillecountrydancers (at Second Presbyterian Church)</p>

And then they danced. #nashvillefiddlebanjocamp #nashvilleacousticcamps #contradance #nashvillecountrydancers (at Second Presbyterian Church)

Posted 320 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...