The CelticTexas Blog
Rants and raves from the strange world of Campbell & Wilson

If you'd like to submit a blog entry, just email it to rodc13@yahoo.com.

The Innishfree School of Irish Dance hold their fall ceilidh on October 3rd.  Ron must be elsewhere, so Jim & Maggie Fox will be joining me for the evening.  Jim probably knows more Irish dance music than anyone in the western hemisphere, so we'll definitely do our best to give 'em happy feet!  And Maggie -- in addition to being a great entertainer will definitely improve the visual appeal of the group!

One of the most fun events of the year is Halloween at Sean Patrick's Irish Pub in San Marcos.  It's especially good timing this year because Halloween falls on a Saturday.  Considering the nature of the festivities, sleeping late on Sunday morning is a very good option!

NIOSA, as always, was just amazing.  Our good friend Tom McKenna joined us this time, so he's no longer a NIOSA virgin.  Wednesday night was a challenge, because Ron came down with a bout of Anthrax and was unable to perform.  We tried to carry on with style.

The Bharmacy session continues to roll along.  Thanks to The Lavens for hanging out with us last week!  They did some of their own stuff, both original and covers, and then sat in with us for some Celtic tunes -- and a few not so Celtic!  Check them out at The Cove every Friday night.  Great kharma . . .

On St. Paddy's Day itself, we'll be really busy.  Some early morning appearances, then a couple of hours at Main Plaza in downtown San Antonio, then a quick dash to San Marcos, where we'll play at Sean Patrick's from 8-Midnight.  Sure and it's a grand ol' time! 

The acoustic session at the Olmos Bharmacy every Thursday evening continues to grow!  It's fun to see who'll show up to play, and what sort of unique arrangements come out of the mix.  There've been lots of appreciative folks coming out to listen as well.  It's really a pleasure to relax with the music in such a great setting.

We were especially happy to do our part to help out the Gavleston Historical Foundation's recovery from Hurricane Ike.  Dickens on the Strand took place with marvelous weather, which brought out larger crowds than anticipated.  We donated our appearance fee to the foundation to assist in their efforts.  We really enjoyed playing onboard the tall ship Elissa, where we were given a great reception by the crew.  And, just how often do you get a chance to play sea songs onboard a clipper ship?

Of course, it was such a busy time in December, what with the Boerne Dickens on Main Street fest.  Our dash to Galveston came early Saturday morning after playing to the late hours at Boerne, but hey, that's the life we rock stars lead.

We've also been very pleased with the Thursday sessions at the Bharmacy.  To make it easier for us to hear, and to make it a better experience for the crowd, we're now using some sound gear to boost the volume a bit.  And, yes, it's still a session, where it's kept quite informal, and all musicians are welcome to sit in.

There'll be a lot more events to fill in on the 2009 schedule as dates are confirmed, so check back often.  Cheers!

Halloween at Sean Patrick's rocked!  Man, I love to crank up the volume and play really, really loud!

Dickens on Main Street coming up in Boerne at the Bear Moon Bakery, Friday and Saturday Thanksgiving weekend and the following Friday.  Then on Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7, we're back in Galveston for the Dickens on the Strand festival.  This year, we're donating our performance fee to the Galveston Historical Foundation to help with the recovery from Hurricane Ike. 

Here are a few pics:

Join us at the Olmos Bharmacy  for the acoustic sessions on  May 1, 8, and 22.

GO SPURS GO!

But take note of more good things to come:  We'll be hosting Celtic  acoustic sessions at the Olmos Bharmacy, located at 3902 McCullough in San Antonio.  It's the old Olmos Pharmacy reborn as a beer & wine bar, with a substantial selection of beer and wines. 

Three Thursday evening sessions will be held on May 1, 8 and 22, starting at 8 PM.  This could become a regular event, if it's well-received, so come out and support us.  The bar is open from 4 PM - Midnight.  I recommend the Guinness milkshake!

We've taken a little time to rest up and get things ready, because Fiesta! starts next week and we've got the biggest gig of the year -- 5 hours a night for the 4 nights of
A Night In Old San Antonio.  If you've never been, it's high time you did!

This weekend, we'll enjoy a pleasant time down in Corpus Christi.  On Sunday at 3:30 PM, we'll perform at the Corpus Christi International Festival.  It's always fun to head down to the coast.  Maybe have dinner at Aka Sushi (where Ron and I are infamously known as the "Big Sushi Killers!"), and go to Blackbeard's for a grog or six.  Time does fly when you're having rum!

Tonight, we're down at the Arneson River Theater for a couple of sets as part of the Alamo Irish Festival, from 6-7 and 8-9.  It's always fun playing there, and it looks like the weather will be great, for a change. 

Saturday night, we're up at Ft. Hood, in Killeen, playing a special event for the troops. Garryowen!

Sunday is a private party, playing with our buddies Tom McMasters and Tom McMasters and James Gembarowski.  We played  a couple of events with them last year and it was a lot of fun. 

Last year we played on one of the barges during the dying the San Antonio River green festivities.  This year, they're just having the pipes and drums play.  Hmmmm, I thought this was an Irish event?  Why only Scottish music?

On Monday, 3/17, the day itself, we'll start off with an appearance on the television show San Antonio Living, from 10-11 AM on WOAI NEWS4.  We had a TV appearance last year, too.

Then, the big event.  From 8-Midnight, we'll be at one of the greatest pubs anywhere.  Sean Patrick's Irish Pub in San Marcus.  It's always a great time!

Second, back on Labor Day Weekend last year, broke my right arm and that slowed everything down.  As you can see from the picture, though, at least I got a cool cast design.

I'm all set again now, though, and will be making regular updates again.  The schedule is rapidly taking shape, and I've got lots more pictures to add -- everything from the Tall Ships festival in Halifax to the Texas Renaissance Festival.  So, keep watching the web site, and come out and join us at a gig!  2008 is going to be a great ride!

There've been so many things going on for us, that it's hard to realize how quickly this year is going.  NIOSA was great, the Texas Folklife Festival was a rousing success, and most recently, our trip to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island was a fabulous experience.  We first travelled to Nova Scotia in 2003, and we've been looking forward to returning ever since. 

We went to some wonderful events, including the Tall Ships Festival and Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo (Halifax), the Maritime Fiddle Festival (Dartmouth), and even the Lobster Fest in Summerside. 

We made lots of new friends, like singer/songwriter David Stone,  and fiddle-maker Richard LaPage.  The music of the Maritimes is just amazing, as are the musicians. The picture page is here:  Nova Scotia - PEI 2007.  I'll have many more pictures soon, so check back regularly.   We'll give more tales of the trip soon, too!

This event is our marathon gig of the year.  4 nights in a row, 5:30pm - 10:30pm every night.  We play the entire time, with only a 15-minute break each hour.  It's a lot of fun, but definitely physically and logistically challenging.  If you've seen us play this event, you know how much energy we put into our performances.  It's exhausting, but well worth it because of how much the crowd gets into it. 

I mention logistics because of everything it takes to put the show on.  We come down to La Villita on Tuesday afternoon and haul all the gear down to the Irish Flats area.  This includes sound gear and all the other stuff we need to get through the week.  It's a lot easier since we switched to using the Bose L1 sound gear.  Fewer pieces to haul and set up, fewer power connections and cables, no giant speakers on stands, no monitors.  Everyone agrees the sound is much better, too. 

The Tuesday set-up is not too much of a problem.  We usually have plenty of time, and since we can drive to the top of the steps leading down to Irish Flats, the distance is not too great.  Friday night after it's all over is an entirely different story.  The scene in La Villita is chaotic.  All the volunteers are rushing to tear down the booths and carry things out, the ground is strewn with the detritus of the nights festivities, and the last of the revellers are being guided to the exits.  You can't drive into La Villita to load things at this time, so that means all the stuff has to be lugged upstairs to street level, where we must then wait for Alamo street to be opened to vehicular traffic.  All of this after a full week of performing.  We usually manage to get out a bit after midnight.   Should anyone care to hang out with us on Friday night to help carry stuff up to street level, or just help keep an eye on everything while we haul it, we'd be very grateful!

On the whole, NIOSA is one of the most rewarding events we ever play.  The crowds are so much fun and we have lots of time to play lots of different tunes and songs.  We can play the whole 5 hours and still not go through our entire repertoire.  There are a few really popular songs that we'll repeat by popular request, but on the whole, each set is totally different.  When we get the whole audience participating on songs like "The Old Dun Cow" (Macintyre!), "Whiskey in the Jar", or "The Wild Rover" ('scuse me while I whip this out!), it totally energizes us, and makes it worth all the effort.  And we've got new stuff, as always.  I think you'll really like "Drink the Night Away!".

The San Antonio Conservation Society puts on a festival where the entertainers are regarded as professionals and treated as such.  The volunteers do a wonderful job and are great to work with. 

Go to this link for more info and some pictures from previous years.  By all means, come down and join us!  A good time shall be had!

Nikki Pacheco and the San Antonio Irish Dancers were outstanding!!! 

And here's a video, showing a little bit of our rendition of that great family favorite,

Here's a few photos Bobbie took at the Arneson River Theater on Friday.  I love the pic with the tree in the bottle behind us!

More events coming up this weekend.  Saturday Feb 3, Ron and I will be at the Alamo from about 10 - 4  as part of their "First Saturday" living history days.  We'll be strolling the grounds and making acoustic music appropriate to the 1830s.  Lots of other interesting displays and presentations for the history buff.

Saturday night, our friends Gene and Kahnnie of the  Triskelian Pirate Conspiracy will be performing at the Lion & Rose on Blanco here in San Antonio.  It's a great opportunity to hear some good seafaring songs from some of the good guys of Celtic music.

We have another Burns Nicht coming up in Kerrville in a couple of weeks.  Once more into the breach!

Then I had that ONE glass of Champagne. JUST ONE GLASS, at midnight..... The rest is a blur. From now on, No Champagne and maybe one, two, or three less shots of Jameson's.. Apparently I was petting Candace and Bobbie on the head.. Anyhow we made it home... Next year Kahnnie drinks and I drive. Can't wait for the pics..

Gene. (aka FastJack McInTurner First Mate, The Galley Maggie's Revenge)
Triskelian Pirate Conspiracy

Lord Byron, "The Corsair"
   He left a corsairs name to other times,
  linked with one virtue and a thousand crimes.

Also on hand was Alissa Jandt of Seattle group Everyday Jones, getting ready to head for the east coast.  Check out their first CD, "Fly Away".  Beautiful stuff!

Mike & Brian Harper are really doing a wonderful job with the pub.  We'll be back there for the Guiness Toast on February 17, and St. Patrick's Day on (as always) March 17.

Join us to ring in the New Year at Sean Patrick's Pub in San Marcos!  We had a great time at their grand opening on Halloween, and this should be even wilder! 

A **New Year's Eve Bash** with Campbell & Wilson -- what could be better!

Had a great trip to the Texas Renaissance Festival, where I spent my time hanging out with three, count 'em, three, splendiferous ladies (Alice, Candy & Bobbie).  See the pics below and you'll get what I mean!  We were also joined by Captain Hallighan Kennedy O'Malley and Fast Jack MacInTurner of the Triskelion Pirate Conspiracy.

To get a further sense of the event, here's a link to a commissioned tribute to Ron by "Christophe the Insulter".  Since Ron couldn't attend the festival on Sunday, this custom insult was delivered in abstentia via the miracle of modern electronical technology.  CAUTION:  For Mature audiences only!  To Ron (It's a large file, so be patient while it's loading.)

Sean Patrick's Irish Pub & Texas Grub is Mike and Brian Harper's great new place on the square in San Marcos.  We played for their grand opening on Halloween night.  Check out some pictures of the event here. 

If you haven't seen 'em yet, check out the London Pub Crawl pics!

More London pics here!

Sweet fancy Moses!  London still be rockin'.  Checkin' out the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies (Cleopatra, too), a REALLY REAL Stradivarius violin, plus a coupla Pocket Fiddles like those used by the Dancing Masters of old!  "Mind the Gap" thongs for the way buff bloke or bird.  Think I'll get me 1.  Fantastic single cask Bunnahabain scotch from our fave dram shop, Milroy's on Soho Square -- got me 1.  The gay bars of Soho (woo hoo), lookin' for a place called "Lee Ho Fook's" and exotic girlie girls dancing with lace, garters, tats, Ben Wah balls, and knives.  Bespoke tailoring 'long Saville Row, and Alice actually recognizes Beau Brummel.  The Pret and Cafe Nerd, coz they're there.  The Spitfire Verger.   James and Helen are well wed (nearly ten hours of partay) plus a chance for me to sit in with the ceilidh band and plus also the Hokey Cokey (a possible drug reference), and a side trip to the birthplace of Frankenstein (lil' Marlow, home of Mary Shelly, and her hubby, Percy Bysshe).  Bloody Hell (excuse my language).  No Congestion Tax shall apply in London on Holidays -- don't try to go anywhere fast!  The Victoria & Albert Museum this morning (including a private showing of the Musical Instruments Salon for the visiting musicians), shopping at Harrod's this afternoon (including 2 rides on the Egyptian escalator and plus also a mosaic of fresh fish and crabs), Belgian truffles and Boddington's this evening, with lively discussion of hashish, OPIUM, hookahs, tats, piercings and Goth, Beardsley prints and Wilde -- Decadent London.   Turkish Delight comin' back wiffus.  Brilliant pub grub -- chicken pies, chips with malt vinegar, chicken tikka masala, prawn crisps -- yum.  Scott will eat no more gravy.  Tomorrow, antiquing along Portobello Road, then a major pub crawl with Malcolm, our new bud the maniac Scotsman from Portsmouth.   Still hopin' to walk the decks of Cutty Sark before the great return.  Scott has found all the titties in town.  Amazing.  Rod bought his bread and butter with exact change this morning.  More photies to upload soon.   Stay tuned.  Sweet fancy Moses!  Cheers.

We're here in London!  Currently staying in Mayfair, right off Picadilly, walking distance to Buckingham Palace.  The photos are here.

I know, it's been for freakin' EVER since anyone posted to the blog.  What a whirlwind it's been over the last couple of months.  NIOSA, Folklife, Cassidy's and a number of private events have kept us busy.  Then there have been other exciting times, including Buttercup's album release party.  "Hot Love" is a really great album and has been getting a lot of great press.

We're joining the Brobdingnagian Bards at the Cactus Cafe tomorrow evening, so that should be a great time.  The Bards are some of the really good guys of Celtic music in our area.  It'll  be some great karma!

I'm finally working on posting some photos from all of these events.  Here's the link to the Gallery Page.  The NIOSA photos are the first ones ready.

I promise - really - I'll keep up with this more often!

What a fun time at NIOSA this year!  Went there twice, Tuesday and Thursday, so can only speak for those days.  Tuesday night was perfect weather, perfect size crowd and Rod and Ron did a great job, BUT THURSDAY....  Oh, Thursday was a blast, the crowd was into it, the musicians were into it, lots of dancing.  I bet some of them are still shouting "McIntyre!"  Great show guys!  Was lots of fun!

Having recovered sufficiently from St. Patrick's month, we're ready to put on our kilts and leap into action.  For the fifth year in a row, we'll provide the musical mayhem for the most fun section of the world's greatest party.  All night, every night -- 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm, in the Irish Flats area at A Night In Old San Antonio.  Irish Flats has become one of the most popular NIOSA attractions.  Located between the Little Rhine Steakhouse and the Fig Tree Restaurant, Irish Flats is known for really good food, really cold beer (green, if you like!), and a really great time!

An event like this is a musical marathon.  Four nights in a row, five hours a night.  But the energy we get from the crowds carries us through.  We really love doing NIOSA!

We're very happy with the sound since we started using the Bose Personalized Amplification Systems.  We've got a lot more control over the sound now.  We can also hear ourselves as the audience hears us.  No need for monitors.  And  we don't have big speakers on stands just waiting for someone to trip over after their 12th beer!  There are also fewer cords, less power requirements and a lot quicker setup and tear down.

Logistics are definitely a priority.   All the gear is moved in on Tuesday afternoon and then moved out on Friday night.  We have to make sure we have sufficient electrical power -- I think I'll add uninterruptable power supplies this year.  Brown-outs can do weird things.  Security also must be maintained and we have a good system for that.  I'll do some shopping this weekend to make sure we have plenty of bottled water, Gatorade, Red Bull and energy bars!  Then there are the chains for the stage barriers, and banners and placards to print. 

It's a lot of work but it's a LOT of fun!  Come out and see us!

You've by now seen the listing for the Celtic Session at Radius.  So, what's a session?  It's a gathering of like-minded musicians who get together to play tunes in an informal setting.  It's not a performance, with sound gear and set lists.  Typically, folks sit in a circle, and someone will kick off a tune or song, with the rest joining in if they know it, or listening respectfully if they don't.  In our session, the tunes are primarily Celtic, but a bit of folk, jazz or swing will probably turn up also. 

It's good session etiquette that every musician gets to take the lead, if they wish.  If you're just learning, you can sit on the periphery and play as much (or as little) as you like.   It's pretty relaxed.  It's a good opportunity to try out something new you've been working on, or to introduce a different take on something traditional. 

I've been in sessions before where a "session nazi" will forcefully dictate what can and can't be played, who's allowed to play, and how tunes should be played.   I avoid those sessions like the plague.   It's not very fun, nor does it contribute to creativity for someone to interrupt a musician with "You can't play that, it's not Irish!", or "We play everything from our special session book, so you have to learn it our way" (this really dumbs it down).  For me, if the karma ain't good, count me out. 

Nothing wrong with the karma at the Radius session.  The regulars are not only really good musicians, but a very welcoming group.  We look forward to our weekly get-togethers, which are also a good place to find out what else is going on and who's playing where and when.   And so far, no fist fights have broken out!

There was a musician named Ron
That the lassies all doted upon.
When he'd raise his kilt
Not a damsel would wilt.
In fact, they all yelled, "Hooray Ron!"

You see, Ron plays a mean concertina.
His repertoire couldn't be keena
"No butt floss for me,
My schlong must be free
Or else it affects my routina!"

As I experienced the show at the Wiggle Room last week I was inspired to write a poem. I call it "Ode to the Moon" or "Electrical Contractors Gone Wild"

One Celtic Musician named Ron,
For a gig did Utilikilt don,
Many beers sure were spilt,
When on lifting his kilt,
He showed what he didn't have on!

For those who are interested in The Wild Geese:

Old Days! The wild geese are flighting,
Head to the storm as they faced it before!
For where there are Irish there's bound to be fighting,
And when there's no fighting, it's Ireland no more! Ireland no more!             Rudyard Kipling, "The Irish Guards"

The Wild Geese went not just to Spain but also France and the Low Countries. Some of them didn't have such a great time in Spain.

"In all the battles the Irish fought with great bravery and courage. At the battle of Montjuich outside the walls of Barcelona in 1641 the Earl of Tyrone was killed at the head of his army. In 1642 at the battle of Tarragona they were defeated by the French and on the return journey O'Donnell was intercepted and badly mauled by the French navy. O'Donnell and hundreds of his men were killed and many others were captured. Both the regiments of Tyrone and Tyrconnell disappeared into oblivion. The regiment of O'Donnell claimed its place in Spanish history as the most valuable Irish regiment ever to serve the Spanish monarchy. During these 14 years some of the Irish deserted and became fugitives or deserted to the enemy or joined the Spanish Navy. The women and children suffered badly also and became beggars on the streets of Madrid and other large towns. They depended on the charity of the Spanish people and many entered convents. "

"With the deaths of O'Neill and O'Donnell and the return of Fitzgerald and other leaders to Ireland, the Irish became leaderless and reduced very much in numbers. As the army was disbanded the soldiers returned to their families and sought to embrace the Spanish way of life. They adopted Spanish names and became more Spanish than the Spanish themselves. The pull of home tormented many and they returned to the auld sod. The officers and their families achieved some standing in Madrid whilst the nobility and chieftains married into Spanish noble families. These noble people like the O'Neills, the O'Donnells and the O'Sullivan Beares later appeared in the political and military history of Spain. They preserved links with their Irish heritage and to this day their names appear prominently in the register of membership of all the great Orders of Spain."

For those who can't get enough of this stuff:

Wild Geese Heritage Museum and Library  
The Doyle Page

In all, it seems that most of the Irish either adopted Spanish names (as opposed to having them morph from Irish to Spanish as has been suggested) or proudly kept their Irish ones and made great inroads into the heroic histories of several European countries.

Quick rant:  What is it with people referring to "St. Patty's Day"? Paddy is used as a  nickname for Patrick, not "Patty". I can understand St. Pat, but not St. Patty!

Thanks to all for such a great week of St. Patrick's Day!  Starting off with Grackle Mundy (see below), followed by several private events, our very exciting debut at Casbeers, and a couple of evening performances at the Arneson River Theater. 

Casbeers was a lot of fun.  What great venue! Steve and Barbara made us feel right at home and there was a full house.  Thanks to all who came out to join us.  We look forward to a return engagement before too long - probably for the long-anticipated release of "Bonehead".

Bob Wehner and the Harp & Shamrock Society once again put together a good time at the Alamo Irish Festival.  The weather even cooperated just long enough.

We have a little bit of an opportunity to catch our breath and get some recording done before NIOSA.  That should be time for my fingernails to grow back, too!  That much music in such a short time really takes its toll on one who doesn't use a pick!

Re the connection between Irish and Hispanic surnames: I was told by a Hispanic woman in Santa Fe about her many Irish uncles with Spanish surnames who told her (yes....this is rapidly edging towards folklore) that many displaced Irish soldiers ("Flying Geese") after some war (way back when) found refuge in Spain, after which their names became somewhat Hispanicized. Thus O'Hara became Ojeda, O'Leary became Alire, ....... (she didn't mention Maldonado). It's probably not impossible that the Irishmen became known by the Spanish name which was pronounced most closely to theirs. Anyhow, it's an interesting historical question to ponder should one have the time.

http://www.marialarsonmusic.com

What a week so far! Grackle Mundy was fabulous!  The crowd was just great and gave us a fine reception.  Thanks for all the nice comments. 

It was really a pleasure to open for Buttercup.  Erik, Joe, Jamie and Odie are such fine musicians and a great bunch of guys, we wanted to make sure we did a good job for them.  They made us feel very welcome and said some kind words.  We'd be happy to play with them anytime, anywhere!  They're off in Austin for SXSW the rest of the week, so we wish them the best.  I hope they get the appreciation they deserve.

Unfortunately, Tom & Sue were unable to locate the Wiggle Room.  It's not marked real well, so we hope that'll change in the future.  But thanks for braving deepest, darkest South Presa in a valiant effort.

Next stop, Casbeers on Friday!  Then the Alamo Irish Festival on Saturday and Sunday.  Check the schedule for times and directions.

Great times down in Corpus once again!  The South Texas Irish Festival was a hoot!  Got to hang with our buddies from Gravel Walk.  We even got both groups up on stage at the end of the show and wailed on a couple of tunes.

Later went clubbing with Doug, Dean and Rebecca to Cassidy's, the Executive Surf Club and the Lizard Lounge.  Live music everywhere!  And where did all those pitchers of beer come from?  Doug's friend Robert wants us to come to Mexico to play at the Irish pub he's opening soon.  I guess we're going to have to invest in a Campbell & Wilson plane after all.  Or maybe a tour bus.  But as Ron said, it's got to have a gatling gun mounted on top.  No prob there.  As everyone knows, I'm highly in favor of automatic weapons . . .

OMG, did you see the claptrap printed in today's Express-News about the past weekend's San Antonio Irish fest? The reporter (????) wrote that the name Maldonado was the hispanic equivalent of MacDonald.  Sheesh! I was sure it wasn't and so I researched.

Maldonado derives its meaning from mal (bad) being combined with donado (given or favored)) translating to ill-favored and is slang for either ugly or stupid. Probably not what the Maldonados would like to hear but, then again, Campbell translates to twisted mouth which can be interpreted to mean either disfigurement or a lying nature. Now, can you trust chicken noodle soup any more??

Oh yeah, same reporter(?????) mentioned the Irish food being served and led the list with REUBENS for crying out loud!!!!!!!!! Does she also confuse Cohan with Cohen?

I am so proud of Rod and Ron, our very own Campbell and Wilson, for their radio gig on Jim Beal's show. You guys were GREAT! The music sounded great, the banter was fun, you said all the right things, and even sent a huge shout out to me! All I expected (yes...expected) was an ear tug! You made me homesick for San Antonio and all my friends. I think the radio station ought to invite you back a few more times after your performance today :))

Have a great show at the Wiggle Room this Monday with Buttercup. Wish I could be there.

Happy retirement, Jerry! I heard it was a GREAT party, so sorry to have missed it, but glad you don't have to work and slave anymore. Oh wait, sorry.. you are retiring, not divorcing ;)

Still a few weeks before I'm back in San Antonio, BUT.... I have been scouting out sessions up here and have found one right on the water that I think you all would enjoy. So, if you are ever in the Olympia, WA area be sure to check out Tugboat Annie's at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. The music is very good, they all seem like they are having a good time, they've got a fairly good selection of beers and alcohol and the food is very good. Now that Linda and Jerry will have so much free time, they'll need to know "the spots."

Rod and Ron, great going about the radio show Thursday. Looking forward to it! I know you can't say "hi Bobbie" on the radio, but you can do the Carol Burnett ear thing. Okay, so it is radio and not TV, so not quite the same impact... do it anyway :)

Miss everyone!

Jerry and I really enjoyed seeing and visiting with everyone at the retirement party. I  suggested that Jerry get another job so he could retire again, and they could have another party, but Jerry says NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, next party will just be for fun, for no particular reason. 

Boy howdy, can Linda and Jerry throw a party!! Jerry, you'll have to retire a couple more times. The food was fabulous, the folks were great fun and the music was a total treat.

Quote of the party--"Hey Linda, now that I've got the batteries in it, what do you want me to do?"

Quotin' and gloatin',  TEOTU

sspppffflttt. ssspo\rk.  must . . . b*&log.  mu*^st bblofg.  skleetfp.  bleek.  frriippp.

sweet!  cassidy's has expanded.  yeah.  since we were last here, they've blasted out a whole wall and grew the stage area to about half an acre.  tote-lee kikass!  rod beez duckwalkin' wit his badass new TAYLOR 'lectric axe -- not cuz he wants to, but cuz he kan.  . .,  damn, u gottsta come out + c it 4 youseff, and we gottsta get even more gigs at cassidy's (which MIZ cassidy says is cool wit her), coz when we're not giggin' at the CAZ, I too much miss my Martian orgasms & buttery nipples + manwhores.  (for ya wikkid drink virginz, a manwhore comes in a pony glass and plus also is blackbrown with a orange hed of foam. ...  theyr a CAZ xclusive & will put hair on ur ass).

campbell + wilson blasted the doorz off last nite. louder + louder.  rods thinks if we get loud enuf, the mosh pit will b able 2 c dublin when they close their I's.  come out n c us tonite again at the Caz.  we'll be doin' 4 hrs of kikass, xcept 4 rodz 1 pretty song - i know he duz 1.

dudes keep askin' about our utilikilts which r our regular gig duds.  a bud last nite sez they r now a 3 mo. wait if u buy on the web - damn!!!  but they b tote-lee worth it -- we need 2 have a utilikilt nite at the campbell & wilson sho, and have everybody sho up in their uk's.  trust me, a uk'll get ya laid. ;-)

well, me so tired and horny now.  back atcha later.

party hard .. . party nekkid,. .
da ronster

Thanks very much to Jim Beal of the San Antonio Express-News for his kind mention of the Radius Session in his column of 2/22/2006.   It's really nice to see some press for acoustic and traditional music. 

The largest crowd yet came out to Radius last Thursday, both musicians and audience.  Foremost among the musicians was Maria Larson, a session stalwart who never fails to show up and contribute.  Regulars Jim & Maggie Fox (Foxes), Linda Clapp & Tom McKenna (Down @ Flannery's), Tom McMasters (St. James's Gate), and himself, Ron Wilson,  were all on hand.  Others joining the circle included Fred Masinter, John & Sally Wiesen (Sally's Garden) and Dick Toothacre.  A couple of cutthroats from the Triskelion Pirate Conspiracy were hanging in the wings, waiting to steal somebody's rum . . .  A good time was had by all.  

Remember, Thursday nights from 8-10 pm.  I'll talk more about sessions and session ettiquette in future rants, er, blog entries.

2/21/2006

....had flown up to Washington State to spend some time with family for 3 weeks, and 3 weeks has turned into 8 weeks.. oh, it is a great visit.. no, that is not the problem.

okay, so I miss the session every Thursday at Radius while I'm here, and I miss seeing my friends and having a laugh, but I'm a well-suffering kind a gal, I know how to suffer with utmost finesse, so I can handle this also..

but then I get THE news.. just how much am I expected to endure???

Let me start by saying, I love Buttercup.. and that has turned out to be a thing that Alice and Rod and I have done every month for forever since they were kind enough to invite me in the first place. And I am knowing and understanding that I will miss them in February.. and when I extended my trip, I knew and understood that I would miss the March gig.

BUT THEN!!! BUT THEN!!!!

I heard that two of my favorite people are going to be opening for them!!!! Rod and Ron... YES.. Campbell and Wilson.. will be opening for Buttercup in March .. and I can't be there...

How much is one woman to endure?

Send cookies...

Rod

2/19/2006

2/14/2006

Happy Valentine's Day!  A clear, cool morning in San Antonio.  Over 2 feet of snow on the east coast.  Gotta love south Texas.

Another great Grackle Mundy last night.  Hilary York joined Buttercup and really delivered an outstanding performance.  Buttercup, as always, displayed their creative flair which is, frankly, unmatched. I especially liked their opening version of "Hot Love" (title cut of their soon-to-be-released second CD), backed only by Joe on ukelele.   The evening also featured some of the best ensemble glockenspiel work you'll see anywhere around these parts. 

Next month, March 13, Campbell & Wilson play Grackle Mundy.  We'll kick off at 9 pm and play for about 45 minutes.  Then Buttercup will come on at 10.  DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!!!   Come out and join us.  Bring family & friends.  This is without a doubt one of the coolest venues you'll ever get to see us in.  We are extremely honored to be invited to play at a Grackle Mundy.  Check the schedule for more details, as well as other events.

1/23/2006

                       
Speaking of gear, I've also acquired a National Duolian, steel-bodied resonator guitar.  It's the loudest acoustic guitar I've ever heard.  I think I'll start playing slide on this one.  Maybe I'll go on down to the crossroads and see what kind of deal I can make . . .
 

1/23/2006

     New gear!  Y'all know what a devotee of Taylor guitars I am.  I started with my 1990 model 510, added a 512 in '99, and a Baby in 2000.  Last Friday, I added one I'm especially excited about -- a T5!  The T5 is Taylor's latest, a thinline hollow-body with a 5- way pickup system that combines acoustic and electric sounds.  The one I got is the custom model with natural koa top, sapele for the body, and ebony for the finger board.  It's just gorgeous.  Can't wait to crank it up at Cassidy's!

1/23/2006