Kentucky - Where its at

There were too many good times to cover, so I slacked in telling the world. Rose Creek Festival, held at my sister Mandy and brother-in-law Jim's small farm in Barren County, KY, stands out as a highlight of my time in the home state. I played, Nate played, Mandy and Jim sang tunes too, as around 40 friends and family milled around, ate homemade chili, soup, pies, casseroles, hot dogs. Its exactly how it should of been, moonshine and all.

I was especially excited for my sister Mandy to play 2 songs that she had written because I had heard them before and they're really good. She's a shy but solid player when she wants to be.

The next day we floated the cumberland river in canoes and fished for monster brown trout. We caught a few mini-monsters. The following day, we rode horses around their neighbor's land, and conversed with some country characters that reminded me of how good of a life rural living can offer. When people complain about the economy, or traffic, or gas prices, none of that shit matters when you're staring at a field of glowing autumn trees from horseback. Thoreau could probably explain the euphoria...

Playing at Al's bar in Lexington was a trip, and the CD Release party at the Dragon in Frankfort found my voice to be just about gone. To say that Al's is eclectic is a broad understatement--white, middle class families, older black folk in Nike gear, midgets, prostitutes, pimps, and beggers...need I go on? Nate's buddy Craig joined in on percussion, adding a new element to our sound and creating a cool groove to fuel the fire. Al's was smack in the middle of the ghetto, with a bluegrass focus and plenty of good vibes. Go there. We decided to go back for Nate's 31st just days later.

There are lots of people to thank for generosity and simple, good natured hospitatility. It fuels the music more than they know, more than I know.

"I ain't got no home, I'm just ramblin' round, I'm just a wonderin' worker, I go from town to town." Thanks Woody.