Thanksgiving

What a busy month it has been.

The Rattlers played their first dance and it went swimmingly. I think we have really come along since we first started playing together...the one or two hours that Dawn and I are playing a day probably had something to do with that fact. It still sort of stuns me that it came together as well as it has. We picked as a group three nights in a row this week and had a fine time. HERE is a sample, a great tune called "Red Apple Rag"...less our banjo player Dan. I record everything we play together just because I like to watch it and listen as I work. Seems like you can learn a lot about what you need to work on that way. Our tune list is up somewhere around fifty and rapidly growing...which still sort of stuns me.

Thanksgiving was fantastic--great food and very relaxing. My family isn't perfect...but we have perfected the art of having a good time regardless.

I also picked up yet another mandolin...a Redline Traveler. It's a pancake, based off the Gibson Alrites from way back when. An excellent sound to it, although I will admit to being a little put off when I first got it. The previous owner had seriously dropped the action and it seemed thin. Once I got it back to an acceptable level with some new strings it sounds great. Seriously, I am going to stop anytime. Maybe. I need to change the tailpiece and add a clear pickguard.

Also...as it turns out, Dawn can REALLY sing. As soon as I get a video of it I will be back. I have known her for sixteen years and I had no idea. I don't think she did either. Bizarre.