You Can be a FiddleStar

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

<p>Oh, Mary Oliver. You make it sound so easy. #threethings #nationalpoetryday should still be every day.  (at Fiddlestar)</p>

Oh, Mary Oliver. You make it sound so easy. #threethings #nationalpoetryday should still be every day. (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 359 weeks ago
<p>#thankfulthursday and thankful every day for a gorgeous and talented #bestfriend who laughs easily and who tells me every day that she loves me and that I can do it all. She’s not always right about that last part but hey, nobody’s perfect… #nashville #vintage #rainydayshoppingday  (at Hillsboro Village)</p>

#thankfulthursday and thankful every day for a gorgeous and talented #bestfriend who laughs easily and who tells me every day that she loves me and that I can do it all. She’s not always right about that last part but hey, nobody’s perfect… #nashville #vintage #rainydayshoppingday (at Hillsboro Village)

Posted 359 weeks ago
<p>#tbt to walks with Bubbles, our friend from across the street. Sadly, Bubbles died last week and I’ve been reminiscing about all the great times we had with her over the years. She loved a party and always ambled over to see if she could score some pulled pork at one of our IBMA pig roasts. Sometimes she just flopped on your feet while you played a tune on the porch which made it fairly difficult to get up because she was huge. The neighborhood is a little more lonely without her. Rest in peace… #wecalledheremmylouforfiveyears #stbernard  (at Ridgetop, Tennessee)</p>

#tbt to walks with Bubbles, our friend from across the street. Sadly, Bubbles died last week and I’ve been reminiscing about all the great times we had with her over the years. She loved a party and always ambled over to see if she could score some pulled pork at one of our IBMA pig roasts. Sometimes she just flopped on your feet while you played a tune on the porch which made it fairly difficult to get up because she was huge. The neighborhood is a little more lonely without her. Rest in peace… #wecalledheremmylouforfiveyears #stbernard (at Ridgetop, Tennessee)

Posted 360 weeks ago
<p>#sirwinstoncup was not aware there were TWO Gill daughters who could sing so beautifully. He was impressed and is fired up for the game tonight. #letsgopreds #nationalanthemfamilyband #onlyinnashville #hockeynightinnashville  (at Fiddlestar)</p>

#sirwinstoncup was not aware there were TWO Gill daughters who could sing so beautifully. He was impressed and is fired up for the game tonight. #letsgopreds #nationalanthemfamilyband #onlyinnashville #hockeynightinnashville (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 360 weeks ago
<p>Making bunks. Getting excited for #fiddlestar camp next week. Best helper ever. #sirwinstoncup #bostonterrier #fiddlecamp #hesveryencouraging  (at Fiddlestar)</p>

Making bunks. Getting excited for #fiddlestar camp next week. Best helper ever. #sirwinstoncup #bostonterrier #fiddlecamp #hesveryencouraging (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 360 weeks ago
<p>I am so excited! The mail lady was kind today. I just received my handmade satchel from @alittlesatchel complete with my #fiddlestar logo embossed on the front and beautiful brass rivets on the back. Jo Brooks is an artist and this beautiful bag makes me so happy. She also sent a little something for #sirwinstoncup so keep an eye out for photo evidence of that. #handmade #satchel #alittlesatchel #leatherwork  (at Fiddlestar)</p>

I am so excited! The mail lady was kind today. I just received my handmade satchel from @alittlesatchel complete with my #fiddlestar logo embossed on the front and beautiful brass rivets on the back. Jo Brooks is an artist and this beautiful bag makes me so happy. She also sent a little something for #sirwinstoncup so keep an eye out for photo evidence of that. #handmade #satchel #alittlesatchel #leatherwork (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 360 weeks ago
<p>Good morning. Today I planted a succulent in honor of my friend @mandolin2842 who likes the southwest and the cacti that come with it in a beautiful fiddle planter chosen by @kraftykat57 and delivered by @theonecalledbill and I hung it up just above my Bird by Bird (yes, in honor of the life-changing book by @annelamott) wire sculpture given to me by @klantes. This is now the view from my desk and I can’t express how delightful it is to have so much love and friendship all wrapped up in one small space. Happy Friday. #friendsinsmallplaces #succulents #birdbybird #fiddle  (at Fiddlestar)</p>

Good morning. Today I planted a succulent in honor of my friend @mandolin2842 who likes the southwest and the cacti that come with it in a beautiful fiddle planter chosen by @kraftykat57 and delivered by @theonecalledbill and I hung it up just above my Bird by Bird (yes, in honor of the life-changing book by @annelamott) wire sculpture given to me by @klantes. This is now the view from my desk and I can’t express how delightful it is to have so much love and friendship all wrapped up in one small space. Happy Friday. #friendsinsmallplaces #succulents #birdbybird #fiddle (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 360 weeks ago
<p>#tbt to #Weiser 1993 Grand Champion Division Top Five awards announcement. I had a big long thing planned for this caption but, and I think you’ll agree with me, this picture says a lot all on its own. Feel free to share your interpretation. Unless it’s about my bangs. You can keep that to yourself. #fiddle #fiddlecontest #early90sindierockbobwithbangs #hats  (at National Old Time Fiddlers)</p>

#tbt to #Weiser 1993 Grand Champion Division Top Five awards announcement. I had a big long thing planned for this caption but, and I think you’ll agree with me, this picture says a lot all on its own. Feel free to share your interpretation. Unless it’s about my bangs. You can keep that to yourself. #fiddle #fiddlecontest #early90sindierockbobwithbangs #hats (at National Old Time Fiddlers)

Posted 360 weeks ago

I’m sick and on the couch for the day so I thought I’d rant about country music for a bit. This is a clip of @50shadesofhayband at @thenashvillepalace along with some pretty solid two-steppers. I went to see them because I thought it would be fun to take my friend @marysueenglund to see our friends perform in a place that’s off the beaten path a bit. And it was. But even more than that, it reminded us about great country music and singers who really sing and pickers who really pick. I’m not mad about much of the music coming out of Music Row. I mean, it sucks. But I’m not mad about it. If that’s the music people want to make, have at it. Instead, I choose to focus on encouraging country music that I think has value and which should be seen more widely. If you have a moment, go see some live music and share information about the musicians you love and respect. Not for nothin’, @wendynewcomer has one of the best country music voices in the business and also, back in the day, I also had too much vodka in my cranberry juice. #countrymusic #nashville #offoffbroadway @eamonfiddle @skybolt1000 (at The Nashville Palace)

Posted 361 weeks ago

One of the very best things about hosting these camps is when someone surprises you, in the very best way. Every time I hear John Balch play I am moved to tears. And it always takes me back to the first time I heard him and I am stunned all over again. Sure, he makes beautiful hide heads for the banjo and he sells furniture and he’s a super nice guy. But just listen. He has something else. And it’s a beautiful surprise. #johnbalch #surprise #banjo #oldtime #nashvilleclawhammercamp (at Fiddlestar)

Posted 361 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...