WHAT YOU MAY FIND HERE

RANTS, RAVINGS and RUMINATIONS along with
RAUCOUS RIBALDRY and RAMBLING REFLECTIONS

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Boxing Day Div (annual favorite subsection)

It's St Stephen's Day or Boxing Day depending on where you live. Here's my annual favorite;

Monday, December 25, 2017

Geography Div (You know what day it is, don't you? subsection)

Something is supposed to have happened here long ago.


and in case you want to understand the real meaning of the holiday, there's this:

Monday, December 18, 2017

Geography Div ( Anasazi subsection)

Today back in 1888 Richard Wetherill and his Brother-in-Law discovered the largest of the cliff dwellings in what is now Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.
Wetherill also discovered the ruins in Navajo National Monument  in Arizona as well as the Chaco Canyon site in New Mexico.


Saturday, December 16, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (... are we there yet? subsection)

Are you worn out with the carols yet? The shopping? The "what will we get brother Joe?" The "yes honey, that looks fine there?"
Well, bluegrass songwriter and guitarist Milan Miller has come up with Till the Elf on the Shelf is Dead. Just a little something to cheer you up!
Take heart, only nine days to go!



Milan is assisted on the track by Justin Moses, who provides banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and reso-guitar. The idea for the song came from his co-writer, Beth Husband, who also shows no love for the dreaded elves.

Monday, December 11, 2017

Geography Div (Plymouth Rock subsection)

If April Showers bring Mayflowers, what do Mayflowers bring? Yep, Pilgrims; 103 of 'em stepped ashore today back in 1620 and established Thanksgiving, er the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Talk about illegal immigration ............




Saturday, December 9, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Military Thanks subsection)

From a 2015 concert at the DAR Constitution Hall in the GWTP.



SFC Dean G. Woods, guitar . SFC Marlisa D. Woods, fiddle . MSG Michael J. Ford, harmonica . SFC Kristopher C. Armstrong, string bass . CW5 (ret.) Charles Vollherbst, banjo

Saturday, December 2, 2017

A little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div ( Christmas Remembrance subsection)

Tommorow marks the third anniversary of the death of Ray Davis - the long-time host of WAMU's Bluegrass Country. Ray always did a special Christmas broadcast and among the "Plum, Pitiful numbers was always his reading of Little Orphan Joe. Here is Ray reading it,  backed by the Don Reno and Red Smiley band in December of 1971 - their last stage appearance before red passed away.


Friday, December 1, 2017

The Occasional mid-Week Molly Div (almost weekend subsection)

In light of what the Senate republicans are about to do to the nation, here's Molly Ivins from 2002 --

"It puzzles me that the well-off complain so much about taxes when they pay so little relative to their wealth." -- Baltimore Sun, 5 Sept 2002

 - - - - the more things change, the more they stay the same, eh?

Next up: Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Heritage Div (Scandinavian subsection)

I heard Chris Hayes talk about that tRump person's heritage in reference to his demeaning Senator Elizabeth Warren repeating what she had been told as a child concerning her ancestors. He continues to refer to her by the name of the Powhatan chief's daughter that saved the English from massacre and eating themselves in the Virginia swampland in the 17th century.

Anyhow, tRump's family has referred to themselves as "Swedish."

With respect to my aging Scandinavian Mother  and her brother (both still living), I've often heard stories of immigrants from the "old country." For example: Sven telling his friend Ole Peterson about his new wife: " Say Sven, dat Sonja, she a pretty good cook, eh?"   "Ya Pete, but she drink like a son uffa bitch."

Maybe we can now start telling Donie & Melynia stories:
Donne was talking with his son-in-law Jared, who lived next door, when Jared said, "Ya know Don, you and Melynia should really get some new curtains."
"Vy's dat?" Donne asked.
"Vel last night I saw you and Melynia, vel you know..."
Donie thought for awhile, then said, "Ha-ha Jared, da yokes on you! I vasn't even home last night!"
Just sayin'.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Geography Div (Gobble, Gobble subsection)

I wonder what the map looks like now? After Christmas ?? You're guess is as good as mine. I certainly know that they surround the house every morning here in the Black Hills.



Map was done 14 November 2017.

Sunday, November 26, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

It's almost here. Thought I'd share at least one serious number. One of my favorites, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.



Darin Aldridge, Mandolin & Guitar Brooke Aldridge, Lead Vocals Allen Shadd, Guitar Matt Menefee, Banjo & Dobro Carley Arrowood, Fiddle Billy Gee, Bass

Saturday, November 25, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Girls who speak English subsection)

A brand new, all girl band from England, Midnight Skyracer, doing a cover of the Mountain Heart song I'm Just Here To Ride The Train.



Leanne Thorose: Lead Vocals and Mandolin Tabitha Agnew: Banjo Charlotte Carrivick: Guitar and Vocals Laura Carrivick: Fiddle Eleanor Wilkie: Bass and vocals

Saturday, November 18, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers with the official video of Caroline, from "The Long Awaited Album."



Steve Martin - Banjo and himself.
Steep Canyon Rangers: Woody Platt - Guitar, Graham Sharp - Banjo, Mike Guggino - Mandolin,
Charles R. Humphrey III - Bass, Nicky Sanders - Fiddle and Mike Ashworth - Box Kit

Friday, November 17, 2017

Moral Clarity Div (apologist subsection)

I had a fairly decent night's sleep last night -- tho I haven't really slept well since Lyin' Donald was elected.
This morning's Washington Post  had an enlightening op-ed piece by Michael Gerson.
I have a lot of issues with Mr Gerson; his support of the Iraq was and all the Bush the Second's policies that have led us to where we are today. It's good to see so many of the icons of the right-wing opinion establishment finally coming out of the republican closet and speaking out.
The final paragraph of Gerson's column sums up exactly how I feel about the man who pretends to be our President and those who have enabled and supported him:

"Many of the people who should be supplying the moral values required by self-government have corrupted themselves. The Trump administration will be remembered for many things. The widespread, infectious corruption of institutions and individuals may be its most damning legacy."

Monday, November 13, 2017

Geography Div (It means THAT ?? subsection)

Betcha always wondered what the name of that state or province you live in means, eh ?

H/T -- JS

Saturday, November 11, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Veteran's Day Subsection)

Paul Williaams and the Victory Trio (go figure, they're four more of 'em) with One For the Veterans.



Paul Williams - Mandolin and lead vocal, Susie Keys - Bass ...... The others Dan Moneyhun, Jerry Keys and Adam Winstead   (couldn't find their positions)


Monday, November 6, 2017

Geography Div ( You Deserve a Break Today subsection)

In the past, I've shown a few about Mickey D's in the country and world, but never one like this:


Oh well, if you get the munchies ....


Saturday, November 4, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen doing The Night They Drive Old Dixie Down, at the La Roche Bluegrass Festival in 2015 (with a little tribute to Bill Monroe to start off.



Dirty Kitchen: Frank Solivan - Mandolin, Chris Luquette - Guitar, Mike Monford - Banjo and
Jeremy Middleton - Bass.

Saturday, October 28, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

Been a long trip and it really is good to be back home in the beautiful Black Hills. Here's Wrecked Fretts doing I Wanna Go Back Home Again.



Shane Lail - Guitar, Chevy Watson - Mandolin, George Giddens - Fiddle, Roger Holland - Banjo and Paul Watson - Bass



Saturday, October 21, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (British Subsection)

Back in England to see the kids and the grandchildren (one new, one older). Here's a British group. Monroe's Revenge, doing Airmail Special.



Dick Embery on bass, Joe Hymas on mandolin, Dave Plane guitar and lead vocals, Roger Blackbourn banjo and Richard Partridge on fiddle

Monday, October 16, 2017

Geography Div (Venice subsection)

After spending three nights hear, I know it's going to be awful hearing traffic again.


Saturday, October 14, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Italian Style subsection)

See, they even have it here. Will the Circle Be Unbroken with an Italian accent.



Paolo Ercoli - dobro, Flavio Pasquetto - guitar, Leonardo Di Giacomo - guitar, Luca Bartolini - guitar, Danilo Cartia - 5-string banjo, Nirvano Barbon - 5-string banjo, Marco Pandolfi - 5-string banjo, Riccardo D'Angelo - mandolin, Icaro Gatti - double bass, Martino Coppo - mandolin and Paolo Monesi - mandolin.
Don't ask me who's who !!

Monday, October 9, 2017

Geography Div (Worldview subsection)

Well we've been in Europe for nearly three weeks and we keep getting questioned about you know who.
Certainly wish I could have found my Maple Leaf pins before we left !!


Saturday, October 7, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (more Bob Dylan Subsection)

While away, have sort of gotten into a "modern" groove. Here's the Infamous Stringdusters doing Dylan's Don't Think Twice It's Alright.



The Infamous Stringdusters: Andy Falco - Guitar, Chris Pandolfi - Banjo, Andy Hall - Dobro, Jeremy Garrett - Fiddle, and Travis Book - Bass

Monday, October 2, 2017

Geography Div (More Harvestin' subsection)

But how much of those crops are for humans ?? Ya gotta wonder what they eat in Iowa, eh ?



H/T - Minibear JS (again)

Saturday, September 30, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Bob Dylan subsection)

Well here we are in Spain ......
The Seldom Scene (with the last original member, Ben Eldridge, on banjo) doing Dylan's Boots of Spanish Leather.





Ben Eldridge - Banjo, Dudley Connell - Guitar, Fred Travers - Dobro, Ronnie Simpkins - Bass, Lou Reid - Mandolin.

Monday, September 25, 2017

Geography Div (Harvest time subsection)

Gettin' to be that time of year ............ What makes the most money where you live ??



H/T - Minibear JS





Saturday, September 23, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Beatles subsection)

Last week I posted this ensemble doing Buffalo Springfield's For What It's Worth.
Since the Bear and his Judy just left London for a Med cruise, thought this Beatles tune was timely.
Cover is by the Gibson Brothers and the players are below.



 From left to right: Justin Moses, Jason Carter, Sierra Hull, Rob McCoury, Ronnie McCoury, Del McCoury, Cody Kilby, Ethan Jodziewicz, Alan Bartram, Leigh Gibson, Dre Anders, Eric Gibson

Monday, September 18, 2017

Geography Div (Gettin' outta town subsection)


Here in the beautiful Black Hills, we don't experience the wonderful time folks in the Metropoli of our country get to deal with. RUSH HOUR !! - sometimes it lasts a long time. Trust me, when I was Driving4$$ in the DC area it was always a factor. Here's a great article on how long it might take you to get away.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Buffalo Springfield subsection)

"A few months ago, a bunch of friends got together to play music in Nashville, under the guise of prepping for DelFest. No one knew it would turn into something so special! Members of Del McCoury Band, The Travelin McCourys, Gibson Brothers, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, Ethan Jodziewicz, Cody Kilby, and Dre Anders of Dre and the Collective told stories and sang songs, turning it into a family jam. From left to right: Justin Moses, Jason Carter, Sierra Hull, Rob McCoury, Ronnie McCoury, Del McCoury, Cody Kilby, Ethan Jodziewicz, Alan Bartram, Leigh Gibson, Dre Anders, Eric Gibson None of us were quite sure why we cut the song back in May, but thought we might find a need for it down the road. I guess after this past weekend's events in Charlottesville the need is here. Here's our cover of Buffalo Springfield's iconic protest song, For What It's Worth."
-- Del McCoury August 14, 2017

Monday, September 11, 2017

Geography Div ( Relocation subsection)

Certainly has been a crappy weekend for the folks in Florida. With Friend's homes on Sanibel and in Sarasota, even more  so. Hope the damage is less than expected and all will work out.
Otherwise, consider this ( just leave that crook posing as governor, Rick Scott and all the other right-wing idiots, there ... please):

H/T Minibear JS (from Houston)

Saturday, September 9, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

The Legendary Byron Berline with a nine-piece band doing his original Flying Fingers from his new album of the same name




 Byron Berline - fiddle, Greg Burgess - rhythm guitar, Thomas Trapp - lead guitar, Steve Short - drums, Richard Sharp - bass, Billy Perry - banjo, Barry Patton - bones, with Tim McDonald - keyboard and guest Kelly Moore - pedal steel guitar.

Saturday, September 2, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass div (Workin' subsection)

Well, Monday is Labor Day. Used to be that it celebrated the people who made things. Now it's a work day for the sales.
So here's Daley and Vincent doing Poor Boy Workin' Blues



Jamie Dailey, Guitar
Darrin Vincent, Bass
Jeff Parker, Mandolin
Christian Davis, Guitar
Jesse Stockman, Fiddle

Saturday, August 26, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

The Wilson Banjo Co. doing 40 Years of Trouble



Steve Wilson - Banjo
Joey Newton - Guitar
Brandon Couch - Mandolin
Sarah Logan - Fiddle
Michael Hill - Bass

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Eclipse Div

Well, it really is as breathtaking as you've been told.
From Broken Bow, NE -- 2:27 of totality under a cloudless sky.
Mercury can be seen at the left.


That is all !

Monday, August 21, 2017

Geography Div (Solar Eclipse subsection)

TODAY'S THE DAY !!!
If you're near that dotted line, it's gonna get dark this afternoon.

If you want to travel the entire track under the complete shadow, click here.



Saturday, August 19, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

The first place band at the 2017 RenoFest State Bluegrass Band Championship (South Carolina)
Backline Bluegrass doing Carolina.



Travis Tucker, Dobro
Katelyn M. Ingardia, Guitar
Jason Belue, Bass 
James Shepherd, Banjo
Louis Hughes, Mandolin

Friday, August 18, 2017

Moral Clarity Div (Musical interlude subsection)

John Mellencamp doing his song Walk Tall at the Farm Aid Concert in 2004. The words are wonderful instruction for every one of us and are as true today as they were then. Share this with your friends and family and tell them to pass it on.



Lyrics here.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

You Just Knew He Couldn't Resist It Div

Like I said on Monday, Donnie's denunciation of the haters wouldn't last long. I figured that one of his many surrogates and sycophants would do the "walking back" for him, but no, he saved that for himself (it is, of course, always all about him, eh?).

It hasn't seemed to have played so well with rational folks and many of those who have associated themselves are beginning to notice that the stink might not wash off. 

However, the trump team just can't let go and the republicans seem to be sticking with the idiot. I've got a feeling that many more will soon let go of this anvil and swim to shore pretending that they aren't wet. The whitesupremist house has released their talking points and skittered further through the looking glass in encouraging the republicans to stick with the prez. Egad !

David Rothkopf, writing in today's Washington Post sums it up pretty succinctly: "Trump must go."

Monday, August 14, 2017

SPECIAL to the Geography Div ( We Hate Something/Someone Subsection)

Well, our esteemed preznit took some time away from goofing  er golfing to finally say what rational folks have been saying since Saturday. Of course he read it from a teleprompter cuz if he had to use his own words, we'd all be thinkin' 'bout the next "White Sale" at Wally World (it's such a nice neutral color, eh?). I don't know what cocktail of pharmaceuticals had to be forcefully administered to allow these words to emerge from his (normally) unexpressive mouth. Oh well, kudos to whoever wrote it -
but I'm sure that Beltway Barbie, FAUX&Friends and Gobsmacka will be walking back the words and blaming the victims by tomorrow.***



Anyhow, lots of this hate made its way to Charlottesville from all over the country. There seems to be at least one group that hates someone in every one of these here United(?) States; Florida wins with 63 and North Dakota and Utah tie for last with only one. Want to know what's in your neighborhood??      Click Here and enter your state.

***UPDATE: Well that didn't take long, eh ? Only it's preznit motor mouth himself. Yep, them racists just gotta stick together.

Geography Div (Let's make fun of Canada subsection)

Our neighbor to the north expressed as stereotypes. At least they have universal healthcare.



h/t - Minibear JS







Saturday, August 12, 2017

A little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Tribute subsection)

The late John Hartford once said that Gentle on my Mind "bought his freedom" to travel musical highways that he might never have gone down. Glen Campbell's hit recording was the vehicle that made that happen.
Campbell passed away last Tuesday after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
RIP Glen.

Monday, August 7, 2017

Geography Div (but what does he really think subsection)

A couple of weeks ago, we had that map I called j"Judgmentally Orange." Well, the good folks at the Washington Post Have come up with another one:



Click here for the accompanying story and to get specific quotes for each state. How'd yours do ?

Saturday, August 5, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

A young group from the Boston area, Twelve Mile  (oops) Mile Twelve doing the old standard Jack of Diamonds.



 Mile Twelve: BB Bowness (banjo), Bronwyn Keith-Hynes (fiddle), Evan Murphy (guitar, vocal) and Nate Sabat (bass) not playing - David Benedict (mandolin)

Monday, July 31, 2017

Geography Div ( more judgement subsection)


So, if there isn't enough crazy stuff on FAUX news for ya, there's always more somewhere in the fevered minds of wingnittia, eh ?         


Saturday, July 29, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

Ray Cardwell and Tennessee Moon doing John Hardy.



The Band:
Dave Mansfield - fiddle
Zack Arnold - guitar (guest)
Ray Cardwell - bass
Kelsey Crews - banjo
Danny Roberts - mandolin (guest)

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Monday, July 24, 2017

GEOGRAPHY DIV (judgmentally orange)

Well, we're six months into our National Disgrace. So what's that idiot really think of us ??

Saturday, July 22, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

Last week I featured Ned Luberecki doing some jazz. Here he is with the Becky Buller Band doing some fine melodic banjo on The Temperance Reel.



Becky Buller, Fiddle, Dan Boner, Mandolin & Fiddle, Brandon Bostic, Guitar, Daniel Hardin, Bass
and Ned Luberecki, Banjo

Bad Headlines Div

From this morning's Rapid City Journal .....



... and you thought the Trump ban was severe !!





Friday, July 21, 2017

... and the hits just keep on a happenin' Div *** Updated

Well, the press is running amok with the news of Lyin' Sean Spicer's departure amidst all the intrigue within the Cirque de Trumpie.

The preznit in chief is currently flailing around demeaning his chosen Attorney General, grand wizard Jeff Sessions for adhering to the law and recusing himself from any investigation of the orange wonder's campaign as an agent of the Russian government. Jennifer Rubin of the Washington Post writes that he really doesn't deserve any sympathy I have to concur. If Gentleman Jeff is looking for sympathy, he can find it in the dictionary between "Shit" and "Syphllis" as far as I'm concerned.

Prez donnie sez that if Jeffie was going to recuse himself then he never would have been appointed. Get a grip don Donald, if he hadn't been appointed, he wouldn't of lied about his contacts with the Russians and would never of had to recuse himself. He'd still be in the Senate doing his damage there. Instead, he's in the DOJ wreaking havoc on all the progress we've made in the past eight years in civil rights, criminal justice, voting rights, equal opportunity and you name it. Here we go, back to the eighties -- the eighteen eighties !!

Seems strange that everyone touched by the orange menace develops the stink of corruption.

How long O Lord ...........

*** Update: Seems that Mr Jeff did more than what he told the Senate while working on the campaign to get Mr Stoopid elected by/for Russia.
Could it be that now we have a  sitting Attorney General who is one of the objects of the investigation by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller ??

Monday, July 17, 2017

Saturday, July 15, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Dave Brubeck subsection)

Ned Luberecki has left Chris Jones and the Night Drivers and now plays with the Becky Buller Band.  He's recently released a solo album, appropriately titled Take Five, which features this classic Brubeck number. Here's an older version from 2008 featuring (L-R) Bill Keith, Ned and Gerald Jones.

Saturday, July 8, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

Mark O' Connor's recently formed, Grammy winning,  band doing the old Bill Monroe classic Jerusalem Ridge.




 Mark O'connor - Fiddle, Maggie O'Connor - Fiddle, Forrest O'Connor - mandolin, Kate Lee - Fiddle, Joe Smart - Guitar and Geoff Saunders - Bass.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Special to the Geography Div (Holiday subsection)

Well, they really went ahead and did it, eh ? No, No. Not the stupidity that has gotten us into the mess we're in today, but what started it all long ago. It's a shame how many of our citizens don't realize what today's all about.

Notice any differences ??


Monday, July 3, 2017

Geography Div (now that you're done with pron subsection)

Summer reading. Go to the library -- the most useful building and institution in your community, and check something out !! ... and if you live somewhere special, get one of these.


h/t minibear JS

Saturday, July 1, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

Well, here it is July -- 2017 half over. Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen doing the late John Stewart's  July, You're a Woman.



Dirty Kitchen: Frank Solivan - Mandolin, Lead Vocal, Chris Luquette - Guitar, Mike Munford - Banjo and Danny Booth - Bass.

Monday, June 26, 2017

Geography Div (mor spelin subsection)

I don't think they are concerned about the spelling, eh ?
These Are The Most Misspelled Search Terms On Pornhub By State.



Saturday, June 24, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Breakup subsection)

Ah well, June is rapidly running out ...... and, some marriages alas, do too
 The Cedar Hill Band - from the Atlanta area (ten years ago) doing You Stomped On My Heart -
written and originally performed by the late John Denver.



Can't find any info on band composition at that time. However, current make-up is:
  • Jim Duck Adkins (banjo), Bob MacIsaac (guitar), David Ellis (mandolin, fiddle, Dobro™), Jerry Zee (electric bass.)

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Special to the Geography Div (Hope you're healthy or rich subsection)

A wonderful interactive graphic on the number of folks to be impacted by the proposed republican
health care/tax cut plan. Heaven knows how much worse the Senate will make it.
Check it out.

My letter to the ones who claim to represent me:

As the attempt to repeal the ACA staggers secretly to a vote in the US Senate, I implore you to not let this abomination of a bill passed by the House, (passed without any consideration to its consequences, and unread by many members), come to a vote without adherence to normal Senate procedure -- committee hearings, debate and amendment.
Should this happen, and should you allow this to happen, please sell your home, move to trumpistan (or Kentucky) where your obvious allegiance lies and place your head between your legs or in the sand whichever you find more comfortable.
Please do not return to South Dakota. You will have proven yourself to be not only a disgrace as a US Senator but also as a supposed "representative" of this state.
You will have betrayed us and your solemn duty -- you will no longer be welcome here.

Saturday, June 17, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (matrimonial subsection)

Still June, so what would a wedding be without a little Foggy Mountain Breakdown ??



No idea of who, when, or where,

Saturday, June 10, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Roy Orbison subsection)

Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen doing Roy Orbison' timeless hit Pretty Woman.
It's still June, and you wouldn't want to marry an ugly woman, would you ?


Frank Solivan - Lead Vocal and Mandolin, Mike Munford - Banjo, Chris Luquette - Guitar and
Danny Booth - Bass.

Monday, June 5, 2017

Saturday, June 3, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Matrimonial subsection)

Well, June is traditionally the month for weddings, eh ? Here's something a bit different from the Dutch group Red Herring.

John Lawless from Bluegrass Today gives it this write-up:
We all know the term red herring to mean a diversion or distraction; something to throw us off a scent. It’s an old expression, often used in argument, to describe an attempt to deflect your attention.
But it’s also the name of a fine folk/bluegrass group from the Netherlands, based in the South Holland city of Rotterdam. This Red Herring is a four piece band based on the singing of Loes van Schaijk, who also plays bass with the group. Accompanying her are Arthur Deighton on mandolin and guitar, Joram Peeters on fiddle and mandolin, and Paul van Vlodrop on banjo and mandolin.
As a prelude to their next album, Here To Distract You, they have released a clever animated video set to one of the tracks on the record. The song is Wedding Dress, sung a capella in the bluegrass Gospel quartet style, through it is a secular number.
Agnes Loonstra created the video, and also designed and illustrated the matching album artwork

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Memorial Day -- again Div

Once again, it was yesterday or tomorrow or whatever. To me, Memorial Day will ALWAYS fall on the 30th of May

So, I hope you remembered one who once wore the uniform and has now passed. I know I do, but then again with me, it's a daily occurrence.

Saturday, May 27, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

The Boxcars doing Head Over Heels In Love With You, recorded in 2012.



 John R. Bowman on fiddle, banjo, guitar and vocals 
• Keith Garrett on guitar and vocals  
• Harold Nixon on bass  
• Adam Steffey on mandolin and vocals 
• Ron Stewart on banjo, fiddle and vocals

Monday, May 22, 2017

Geography Div (You Deserve a break today subsection)

Last Monday, in 1940, the first McDonald's opened in San Bernardino California. I'm not sure if we should mourn or celebrate, but it sure has spread out, eh ?





Saturday, May 20, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

The Bluegrass Album Band doing the Bill Monroe standard Cheyenne. 
That's where we'll be tonite; and I'll be listening to ladies barbershop harmony at the Sweet Adelines' Regional Competition. Miz Judy's chorus will be competing and I'm wishing them luck.



Tony Rice - Guitar, J.D. Crowe - Banjo, Doyle Lawson  Mandolin , Jerry Douglas - Dobro, Bobby Hicks - Fiddle, 
and Mark Shatz - Bass 

Monday, May 15, 2017

Geography Div (Health Coverage -- Lizard People subsection)

So, you're happy that "Obamacare" is on it's way out  .......... Happy now ??

Good interactive active maps -- per above link.. (I usually put up the maps themselves, but couldn't figure out how to get this in).

H/T Jenny -- Dakota Free Press - - Apprentice MiniBear status conferred


Saturday, May 13, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

Lexington, KY based NewTown doing Rounder



Kati Penn - Fiddle, Jr Williams - Banjo, Travis Anderson - Bass, Mitchell Cannon - Mandolin
and Hayes Griffin - Guitar.

Monday, May 8, 2017

Geography Div (Have a Real Beer subsection)

Thank whatever that the "Craft brewing" industry is finally gaining a foothold.




H/T - - MiniBear JS




Saturday, May 6, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass div

The Seldom Scene from 1975's Live at the Cellar Door album doing a parody of the Jimmy Martin classic Hit Parade of Love.



The Seldom Scene (the original):

Monday, May 1, 2017

Geography Div (Google subsection - again)


There doesn't seem to be any end to the various categories  that may arise -- oh well (though I don't know anyone that is interested in exploding kittens!).



H/T minibear JS

Saturday, April 29, 2017

A Little Saturday Nie Bluegrass Div (Broadway Show Subsection)

Bobby Osborne doing They Call the Wind Maria, the Lerner and Lowe song from Paint Your Wagon (you just gotta picture Clint Eastwood performing this in the film).


. He’s assisted by Sierra Hull on mandolin, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, Alison Brown on banjo, Trey Hensley on guitar, and Todd Phillips on bass. Jim Lauderdale and David Mayfield sang harmony. 

Thursday, April 27, 2017

The Occasional Mid-Week Molly

Seems that secession is still alive and well down there in the Confederate Republic of Alabama.
Don't like that integration demanded by Brown vs Board of Education ? Fine, secede from the existing district to ensure yours is pure.  Simple, eh ?? No blah people, no problem,

• I believe all Southern liberals come from the same starting point -- race. Once you figure out they are lying to you about race, you start to question everything. 
- -  Molly Ivins

... and this ..........

• If you grew up white before the civil rights movement anywhere in the South, all grown-ups lied. They'd tell you stuff like, "Don't drink out of the colored fountain, dear, it's dirty." In the white part of town, the white fountain was always covered with chewing gum and the marks of grubby kids' paws, and the colored fountain was always clean. Children can be horribly logical.     -- Molly Ivins








Egads, how far we've come.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

I heard this song a few weeks ago and loved the words and sentiment. Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers doing All Dressed Up.



The Radio Ramblers: Joe Mullins - Banjo, Mike Terry - Mandolin, Jason Barie - Fiddle, Duane
Sparks - Guitar and Randy Barnes - Bass

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Special to the Geography Div (Does we know which way to go? subsection)

Seems that when Kim Il Don ordered that "massive armada" (Really big ships and lots of them, really yuge) to go threaten that other Kim in North Korea, the task force left Singapore and immediately sailed south through the Sunda Strait. Go figure.



The Sunda Strait is that narrow gap near Jakarta at the bottom of the map. North Korea is at the top.
Maybe the plan is to circumnavigate the globe via the poles (passage will be easy, global warming and all that, eh ?

Going Peacefully and Hopefully. Div (Obit subsection)

What more can one say ...............

Michael Garland Elliott (1941 - 2017)

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Michael Garland Elliott
July 21, 1941 - April 6, 2017
Michael Garland Elliott passed away peacefully, April 6, 2017, surrounded by people who loved him dearly and cared for him selflessly during the last months of his life. He was born in Charlottesville, Va., in either 1940 or 1941 (he honestly didn't know!), and attended Lane High School, where he shined on the basketball court. After college at University of Virginia, he moved to Long Beach, Calif., where, among other things, he joined a semi-pro basketball team that toured the country playing exhibition games, dressed as women. At such times Mike was called Skaggy Maggie and continued round-ball domination, albeit with a different uniform. 
Mike was a Porsche enthusiast, owning a dozen of them over the years, but nothing touched his heart like "the ancient game," golf. He was a founding member of The Reserve and spent countless weekends doing what he loved most with like-minded friends. He was very passionate about the game. One time (that we know of) he was angered by an errant shot and threw his club into a tree. Eventually every club in his bag was in that tree. Mike's health had declined over the past decade, and when he was no longer able to golf he accepted it with grace and humor, and threw things at the TV instead. Mike was also the sharpest dresser in town, single-handedly keeping Nike's apparel wing in the black.
Though Mike had no family remaining, he stayed close to the people he'd worked with in the plastics industry, especially Danny Velansky and Sean O'Brian, who was by his side at the end. Also present were Larry Smith, Judy Wiley, lovely neighbors Russ, Sandy and Garrett, and his devoted caregivers Alisha Alex, Sara Young and Leslie Kampmann, angels in human form. No patient ever, ever had more loving care.
Mike ran out of family long ago and is survived by his ex-wife and best friend, Teresa Elliott. Though their marriage ran aground, their friendship only grew stronger and hers was the last voice Mike heard. And the last thing she said to him was "Donald Trump has been impeached." Upon hearing that he took his final, gentle breath, his earthly work concluded. Mike will be forever missed but never forgotten. A proper memorial is planned for August.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits
Published in The Oregonian from Apr. 11 to Apr. 16, 2017
Sign Guest Book

Monday, April 17, 2017

Saturday, April 15, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

The Virginia Luthiers doing one of my favorites, Temperance Reel. Drink Up !!



Wayne Henderson, Guitar
Spencer Strickland, Mandolin
Gerald Anderson, Bass
Tyler Andal, Fiddle

Saturday, April 8, 2017

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Tribute subsection)

Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen doing a tribute to banjo pioneer Bill Keith



Dirty Kitchen: Mike Munford-banjo, Frank Solivan-fiddle, Chris Luquette-guitar, Danny Booth-bass - October 24, 2015
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Yeeee Haaaw Div (Cruise Missile subsection)

Kim Il Don is being lauded as "Presidential" by many in the media for his directed strike on a Syrian airfield.  I'll let Dan Rather speak for me on the subject:

The President of the United States is the Commander in Chief. It is an awesome responsibility. Committing the use of force and American men and women in uniform is about as serious as it gets. But the truly great presidents understand that knowing when NOT to act is as important as knowing when to act. 
It is a whole lot easier starting wars than finishing them. And there are many historical examples of where a promise of limited engagement quickly metastasized into something much bigger. 
There is a tendency to rally around the flag, and a President who takes on a war footing can see a boost of support. It is often transitory. There are arguments to be made that President Assad in Syria has crossed a line that demands U.S. military interference. Whether this should have been a unilateral action is something we all must consider. Whether President Trump has a plan for what comes next must be debated. Whether there is a coherence to this missile strike fitting into a larger foreign policy strategy is a question that should give us all pause. 
The role of the press is to ask hard questions. There is ample evidence that this Administration needs to face deep scrutiny. The lies we have heard, the chaos in governance, and the looming questions about ties with Russia - itself a major player in Syria - demand that the press treat this latest action with healthy skepticism. Perhaps it was the right thing to do. Perhaps a strong and wise policy will emerge. But that judgement is still definitely hanging in the balance. 
The number of members of the press who have lauded the actions last night as "presidential" is concerning. War must never be considered a public relations operation. It is not a way for an Administration to gain a narrative. It is a step into a dangerous unknown and its full impact is impossible to predict, especially in the immediate wake of the first strike.