Interesting video about Willie Nelson's "Trigger"
277 2017-08-10 15:34:23
Re: Backyard Gathering - 2017 - August 5th! (77 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Thanks for posting the video Joe. Excellent rendition of El Paso.
After sampling the contents of that bottle of Blanton's Single Barrel bourbon that MKD was holding, we had to make a run to the liquor store so I could get a bottle to take home.... 
DE
278 2017-08-10 15:20:44
Re: Love is Not Love (4 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Nice lyrics Jim. What really fascinates me about your song is your use of an eight-line chorus with four-line verses. This is the opposite of the structure seen in most songs. Kind of an "out of the box" approach which I find interesting.
DE
279 2017-08-10 15:14:11
Re: Right Leg Or Left Leg When Playing (19 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Zurf wrote:
Yeah. Sometimes my waist comes to rest on my lap when sitting too...
I've seen you indulge in quite a few adult beverages Zurf, but I don't remember ever seeing you "waisted"...... 
DE
280 2017-08-10 11:32:06
Re: Right Leg Or Left Leg When Playing (19 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I probably use my right leg the most, but as I play a lot around riverside camp fires, I'm often sitting on camp chairs, coolers, rocks/boulders, tree stumps, etc when playing so its often a challenge to find a comfortable position. Left leg, right leg, waist on leg, lower bout on leg, with strap, sans strap - what ever works......
281 2017-08-08 08:48:24
Re: Backyard Gathering - 2017 - August 5th! (77 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I put over 1100 miles on my wife's car but it was worth it once again. A weekend of music, laughter, and great food. A little rain didn't dampen our spirits and a great time was had by all.
282 2017-07-31 12:15:43
Re: Some times it is how you play (28 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Putting an expensive guitar in my hands would be like (to quote an old cowboy movie) putting a thirty-dollar saddle on a ten-dollar horse.
I don't have my first guitar, in fact I don't have the first 10 or so I've owned. Being on a tight budget, I usually sold the one I had to buy another one. I learned to play when a co-worker gave me a guitar. (I gave it back when I bought my first one). so in later years when I had more money, aside from the $300-$500 guitars I was playing, I would occasionally find a cheap used acoustic, re-work it, play it for a while and then give it away to someone that wanted to learn to play. I've also given three of my better guitars to my son and a couple to my oldest grandson. Right now I have 5 acoustics, a couple 000 size 12 frets, a 000 14 fret and a couple dread naughts for when I get together with my bluegrass picking buddies. They range from $350 - $1700 (I bought the $1700 used for $1000). Unfortunately none of them have made me play better 
DE
283 2017-07-31 11:27:27
Re: Backyard Gathering - 2017 - August 5th! (77 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Got back from Pensacola late last night. Checked my email and have a request to play some "background" music for the opening of a new art show at a local gallery on Thursday evening. My plans were to show up for the gathering Thursday afternoon but it may be Friday now.
I've got a pretty hectic schedule for the next few weeks. As I said, I just got back from Pensacola Florida and visiting my oldest daughter's family for my oldest granddaughter and grandson's birthdays and watching my youngest granddaughter in a production of "Cats". Later this week I'll be in New York for Amy's gathering. On the 20th I'll head to Orlando Florida for my #2 grandson's birthday and get back just in time to leave for a 10-day canoe/fishing/camping trip in Canada. I'll get back from that trip a day before we celebrate my youngest grandson's first birthday here in Ohio. I think this retirement gig is busier than the schedule I had when I was working.
DE
284 2017-07-26 02:11:31
Re: Backyard Gathering - 2017 - August 5th! (77 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Amy, did you get my pm? Jen and I won't be back from Florida until next Monday. She wants to rest so I'll be coming alone. Oneida Pines campground is full - is there room for my tent in your yard?
DE
285 2017-07-26 02:03:52
Re: Nothing Like The Original But Hey Done Real Good. (22 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Peatle Jville wrote:
TF that choir blew me away fantastic. Here is a very clever cover of a Bob Dylan song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrDDJ0U0Dfk
Chris Thile is an amazing mando picker and performer. His work with Nickel Creek and now with the Punch Brothers is superb.
286 2017-07-24 11:05:35
Re: Nothing Like The Original But Hey Done Real Good. (22 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
The Punch Brothers bluegrass band have covered many genres. I like their covers of the Beatle's Paperback Writer and Baby's in Black but this cover of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto hits it out of the park.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcZDI63yO1c
DE
287 2017-07-23 20:09:35
Re: Injecting Humour Into Live Shows.. (34 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
He's not famous but I always try to mix a Golf brooks song or two into a set I do with some of the funny songs I've written.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yn6sik-fkc
DE
288 2017-07-21 21:50:15
Re: Why Do We Write Poems Or Songs. (16 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
TIGLJK wrote:
Ed
As a teacher of the Civil War in my classes, I often use time period music to reach the studentsI would love to hear or at least see lyrics of some of your songs If you don't want to post them- shoot me an email
Great perspective on songwriting as well
Jim
Jim, I have played songs and talked about the Civil War several times at a middle school at a nearby county and was surprised at how well the students responded. I have been lax in recording the last 20 or so songs I've written (which includes 5 Civil War songs). If you don't mind sending me your mailing address in a pm, I'll record the songs and send you a copy.
DE
289 2017-07-19 11:02:23
Re: Why Do We Write Poems Or Songs. (16 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Excellent thread. I think each of us has our own unique reason "why" we write. Here are some of the reasons why I write songs:
They say a "picture is worth a thousand words" but I also feel that a few well-written words can paint a picture. What makes the written word special is that the "picture" we see in our minds when we hear the words is unique to each one of us. The challenge of painting these pictures is what drives me to write songs. I have always had a fascination with words and language - combine that with growing up in the Appalachian foothills with its tradition of story telling and music and it just feels right (or should that be "just feels write") to make up/compose songs. The addition of music to the written word enhances the story being told. Finding the best tempo, key and melody to support the lyrics (prosody) is a goal that I strive for but only achieve occasionally. Its kind of like trying to solve a puzzle - and I enjoy working puzzles.
I also think each song has its own "why" I chose to write it. I'll sometime read or hear a word or phrase that would make such a good hook that it just begs to have a song written. Other times I write songs to express feelings about various subjects. I've also written songs as part of "projects" such as a group of songs I wrote about the American Civil War or a series of songs I've written about my family - each generation getting its own song.
I also write songs to entertain my friends. I'm a self - proclaimed "campfire picker" and enjoy sitting around a good fire with friends, playing music and swapping stories. Seeing their reactions to my songs is like watching them experience their first class V rapid when I've taken them in my raft on one of favorite whitewater runs or sharing a hot cup of morning coffee with them at a remote campsite and watching the sun come up. Every one has a different reaction (some positive/some negative) but I enjoy sharing the experience with them.
DE
290 2017-07-12 22:58:07
Re: Digital Discomfort (6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Tenement Funster wrote:
Feeling your pain ... that's quite a weekend of work, DE. Sore fingertips are one thing, and I'm personally feeling (and seeing) my arthritic knuckles starting to get a few odd lumps and bumps. They reduce my playing time and playing speed, so I've had to make some technique adjustments to accommodate. Life goes on ...
I have arthritis problems too TF, so I keep an "Icy Hot" stick in my guitar case. It looks like a deodorant stick but dispenses "Icy Hot" arthritis medication instead. I had to get it out several times over the weekend and rub some on the backs of my fingers and hands. Seems to help.
DE
291 2017-07-11 20:04:54
Re: Digital Discomfort (6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Zurf wrote:
That's a lot of playing.
I've barely touched my guitars lately.
You need to find time Big D.
292 2017-07-11 02:28:37
Topic: Digital Discomfort (6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Played for two hours Friday evening at a local restaurant, 4 hours Saturday evening around a campfire with friends and 3 hours Sunday at the monthly "munch & jam" held by the Foothill Folk Society, a group of local musicians. Woke up this morning with sore fingers but also with a smile.
At this rate, my fingers should be toughened up for the New York gathering next month.
DE
293 2017-06-19 00:43:34
Re: Happy Father's Day (2 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Thanks TF
Like you, this is our son's first year as a father. His family and my middle daughter came to visit today. We grilled steaks, tossed back a few beers, played with the new grandson and had a great time.
DE
294 2017-06-10 02:56:46
Topic: Adventure Bound (6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Cooler is packed, canoes, kayak, paddling gear, fishing and camping equipment are all loaded. Early tomorrow morning I'm off with two friends to spend a week floating and fishing streams in Arkansas. We're starting off with a 3-day float on the Buffalo River before meeting up with nationally known wildlife artist Al Agnew and floating a few of his favorite small gems in our pursuit of smallmouth bass.
I've got a guitar packed in a dry bag and will be playing every evening along with my old paddling buddy John K Victor, recently retired and one of the finest harmonica players you've ever heard and well-known throughout southern Ohio as an artist and musician. My old work pal and fishing buddy Doug Davis will be along too.
Some sweet padding, great scenery and the chance to play music every evening around creek-side campfires with close friends.......... this retirement gig is a rough life !!
Don't know if I'll be able to get any sleep tonight - I feel like an 8-year old on Christmas eve.
DE
295 2017-06-04 04:17:15
Re: Our Son Has Died (Jason -46). (31 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Prayers and condolences from the Willis household.
296 2017-06-02 09:07:11
Re: Ray Stevens (8 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Phill Williams wrote:
Excellent! What more can I say? How do spell Passecooga?
I believe that would be Pascagoula.
DE
298 2017-05-31 11:53:21
Re: It's Good News Week~~~ (7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Man, it's been a while since I've heard that song. After listening a few seconds I even remembered most of the words.
Thanks for posting it Bill.
DE
299 2017-05-15 02:14:20
Re: Backyard Gathering - 2017 - August 5th! (77 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Looking forward to joining in again. Early August works for me as I have a Canadian canoe trip planned for late August/early September.
300 2017-04-09 12:49:00
Re: Fishing Season - Four Days to Go! (19 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Way to go TF! I've always said a man that won't fish in cold or rain really doesn't want to fish.
I did a float Wednesday and managed to put 4 smallmouth in the boat. It was 72 degrees, the birds were singing and I just wore a t-shirt and pfd with my waders. The next day it dropped to 36 degrees and was spitting snow - spring weather in Ohio ....... 
The warming trend is coming back this week and I hope to get out in the yak a couple times again.
DE