Headin out to Boulder, CO tomorrow....I used to live there! It will be a nice trip reconnecting with friends and perforing a birthday party on Saturday. I had a very nice life in Boulder, I'm sure it's not hard to imagine. I had a nice apt. on Pearl street and Folsom with a view of the Flatirons. I worked two blocks away for Alternative Radio, and dj-ed at KGNU, which at the time was also about two bocks away. My gym was about 1/2 mile away, my PO Box about 5 blocks away, and I would ride my bike or walk around these places. The best was that I took tap dancing classes once a week up Pearl street (the studio is no longer there) and go see shows at the Fox Theater on the weekend. Often, in the winter, I'd do a 1/2 day skiing up at Eldora, and come back down to work in the afternoon. Like I said, very nice living.
Then one day, I realized I was missing someting. It was like I had accomplished all that I needed to in my time in Boulder, and that I needed to go find my muse, but it would be somewhere else. And suddenly, I was in U-haul truck driving accross the country on acid with two friends to help to New Orleans. That was it! I moved in July 1st, the hottest day down there, and we were sweating so bad (the apt. was on the 2nd floor) that I felt like an extra in a Rocky movie. For days, I would wake up and think I was still in Boulder, or not even know where the hell I was...it was a traumatic change, but one that was perhaps the best I had ever done.
It is hard to let go of what is comfortable and warm. It is so difficult to leave all that you have built up to start over somewhere else. It is a challenege of unbelieveble means. My change was by choice becasue I felt like I needed to go and continue my journey. However, when I think of all the people who were forced to leave because of the hurricanes, my heart breaks at the thought of their struggle to overcome the difficulties and hardships that the demanding challenge was brought upon them.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Monday, November 21, 2005
Fritz Richmond Passing 1939-2005
I am saddened by the news of the death of the innovative and ever delightful Fritz Ricmond. This is a bio written by longtime friend of Fritz's,Geoff Muldaur:
FRITZ RICHMOND
Fritz Richmond was the undisputed all-time king and
world champion of
the jug and the washtub bass; nowhere better
demonstrated than by the
Smithsonian Institution’s inclusion of Fritz’s
instruments in its
collection.
Fritz was born John B. Richmond, Jr. in Newton,
Massachusetts on July
10th, 1939. He attended local schools in Newton and
graduated from
Newton High School as a member of the class of ’58.
Fritz’s interest in homemade instruments started in
late-1958 or
early-1959 when, with friends John “Buz” Marten and
John Nagy he went
to Sears Roebuck to purchase his first washtub. Using
a broom handle
and a piece of rope, Fritz was almost immediately able
to play… and
play well. The boys formed a folk group called The
Hoppers (named
because there were three Johns!), and performed in the
local
Boston-area coffee houses.
Fritz continued to play the washtub through his term
of duty in the US
Army (1959-61), during which he served as a helicopter
mechanic in
Germany and Korea. Of note, and certain interest to
afficionados, is
the likelihood that, to this very day, Fritz is the
only member of the
US Army to have ever “played” a Quonset hut.
During his early days as part of the Boston and
Cambridge,
Massachusetts folk music scene, Fritz provided his
solid bass lines for
Eric Von Schmidt, Geoff Muldaur, Tom Rush, The Charles
River Valley
Boys and many others. Fritz was a founding member of
The Jim Kweskin
Jug Band (1963) and it was with that band that Fritz
began playing the
jug. His unique talent was given nationwide attention
on US tours and
national television with the Kweskin Band (Steve Allen
Show, Johnny
Carson, Mike Douglas, Roger Miller, Pat Boone et al.).
After the Kweskin Jug Band disbanded in 1968, Fritz
moved to Los
Angeles. He continued his life as a musician in LA,
but he primarily
worked as a recording engineer with producer Paul
Rothchild at Elektra
Studios. He engineered sessions for The Doors,
Jackson Browne, Bonnie
Raitt, Lonnie Mack, The Everly Brothers et al. As a
musician during
that period, he recorded with Ry Cooder, Brown, The
Doors and many
more.
Since the late 1970s, Fritz lived in Portland, Oregon
with his wife,
Cynda Herbold. He worked as a legal assistant at the
law firm
Markowitz, Herbold, Glade and Mehlhaf and performed
locally with his
jug band, The Barbecue Orchestra. He played during
this time with
Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, John
Sebastian, Geoff
Muldaur and others, with recent tours of Europe and
Japan. He also
performed several times on Garrison Keillor’s A
Prairie Home Companion,
where he once astounded the audience with his jug
performances, with
The Turtle Isle String Quartet, of The Flight of the
Bumblebee and Eine
Kleine Nachtmusik.
Fritz Richmond lost a year-long battle with lung
cancer on November
20th, 2005.
FRITZ RICHMOND
Fritz Richmond was the undisputed all-time king and
world champion of
the jug and the washtub bass; nowhere better
demonstrated than by the
Smithsonian Institution’s inclusion of Fritz’s
instruments in its
collection.
Fritz was born John B. Richmond, Jr. in Newton,
Massachusetts on July
10th, 1939. He attended local schools in Newton and
graduated from
Newton High School as a member of the class of ’58.
Fritz’s interest in homemade instruments started in
late-1958 or
early-1959 when, with friends John “Buz” Marten and
John Nagy he went
to Sears Roebuck to purchase his first washtub. Using
a broom handle
and a piece of rope, Fritz was almost immediately able
to play… and
play well. The boys formed a folk group called The
Hoppers (named
because there were three Johns!), and performed in the
local
Boston-area coffee houses.
Fritz continued to play the washtub through his term
of duty in the US
Army (1959-61), during which he served as a helicopter
mechanic in
Germany and Korea. Of note, and certain interest to
afficionados, is
the likelihood that, to this very day, Fritz is the
only member of the
US Army to have ever “played” a Quonset hut.
During his early days as part of the Boston and
Cambridge,
Massachusetts folk music scene, Fritz provided his
solid bass lines for
Eric Von Schmidt, Geoff Muldaur, Tom Rush, The Charles
River Valley
Boys and many others. Fritz was a founding member of
The Jim Kweskin
Jug Band (1963) and it was with that band that Fritz
began playing the
jug. His unique talent was given nationwide attention
on US tours and
national television with the Kweskin Band (Steve Allen
Show, Johnny
Carson, Mike Douglas, Roger Miller, Pat Boone et al.).
After the Kweskin Jug Band disbanded in 1968, Fritz
moved to Los
Angeles. He continued his life as a musician in LA,
but he primarily
worked as a recording engineer with producer Paul
Rothchild at Elektra
Studios. He engineered sessions for The Doors,
Jackson Browne, Bonnie
Raitt, Lonnie Mack, The Everly Brothers et al. As a
musician during
that period, he recorded with Ry Cooder, Brown, The
Doors and many
more.
Since the late 1970s, Fritz lived in Portland, Oregon
with his wife,
Cynda Herbold. He worked as a legal assistant at the
law firm
Markowitz, Herbold, Glade and Mehlhaf and performed
locally with his
jug band, The Barbecue Orchestra. He played during
this time with
Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, John
Sebastian, Geoff
Muldaur and others, with recent tours of Europe and
Japan. He also
performed several times on Garrison Keillor’s A
Prairie Home Companion,
where he once astounded the audience with his jug
performances, with
The Turtle Isle String Quartet, of The Flight of the
Bumblebee and Eine
Kleine Nachtmusik.
Fritz Richmond lost a year-long battle with lung
cancer on November
20th, 2005.
Friday, November 18, 2005
When the Levee Breaks: Part II
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mississippi, Memphis Musicians Come Together to Benefit Hurricane Katrina Victims
Dec. 9 concert at Two Stick in Oxford reprises successful Memphis event
Oxford, Miss. (Nov. 17, 2005) – When the Levee Breaks, a wild and wildly successful concert in Memphis that benefited Hurricane Katrina victims, heads south to Oxford Friday, Dec. 9 at the Two Stick.
The Mississippi version of the benefit features familiar and up-and-coming names in ruckus roots music, including musicians who performed in the recent movies Walk the Line, Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan, and have been profiled in many leading magazines, including Rolling Stone and GQ.
Jimbo Mathus’s Knockdown South headlines the event, along with Olga the Blues Babe, The Bluff City Backsliders, Amy & The Tramps, Duff Dorrough, New Orleans singer Lynn Drury, Ken Hart and several very special mystery guests.
This time, the party is sponsored by FNC Inc., an Oxford-based software company specializing in the mortgage industry.
“We are ecstatic to have these great musicians donate their talent to helping others,” said Michael Graber, director of marketing at FNC and – in the interests of full disclosure -- a member of The Bluff City Backsliders “We look forward to having a great time doing good for others.”
Admission is $10, and all proceeds go to FNC’s ongoing Rebuild the Coast fund for Mississippi Gulf Coast hurricane relief. The money raised at the concert will be added to FNC’s employee donations and company matching program for the long-term rebuilding fund.
When the Levee Breaks, Part II is being billed as a Benefit Boogie Romp. Most of the acts have also performed on Oxford’s Thacker Mountain Radio Show, and are proven local favorites. Thacker Mountain’s Jim Dees will emcee the concert in his inimitable graceful-with-grits style. Live from Memphis will film the event and 219 records will record it for a forthcoming DVD and CD Release.
The Two Stick is located just off the Oxford Square on Harrison Avenue.
Never before has doing good felt so good.
###
For information, contact:
Michael Graber
FNC Inc.
Phone 662/236.2020, ext. 253
mgraber@fncinc.com
Mississippi, Memphis Musicians Come Together to Benefit Hurricane Katrina Victims
Dec. 9 concert at Two Stick in Oxford reprises successful Memphis event
Oxford, Miss. (Nov. 17, 2005) – When the Levee Breaks, a wild and wildly successful concert in Memphis that benefited Hurricane Katrina victims, heads south to Oxford Friday, Dec. 9 at the Two Stick.
The Mississippi version of the benefit features familiar and up-and-coming names in ruckus roots music, including musicians who performed in the recent movies Walk the Line, Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan, and have been profiled in many leading magazines, including Rolling Stone and GQ.
Jimbo Mathus’s Knockdown South headlines the event, along with Olga the Blues Babe, The Bluff City Backsliders, Amy & The Tramps, Duff Dorrough, New Orleans singer Lynn Drury, Ken Hart and several very special mystery guests.
This time, the party is sponsored by FNC Inc., an Oxford-based software company specializing in the mortgage industry.
“We are ecstatic to have these great musicians donate their talent to helping others,” said Michael Graber, director of marketing at FNC and – in the interests of full disclosure -- a member of The Bluff City Backsliders “We look forward to having a great time doing good for others.”
Admission is $10, and all proceeds go to FNC’s ongoing Rebuild the Coast fund for Mississippi Gulf Coast hurricane relief. The money raised at the concert will be added to FNC’s employee donations and company matching program for the long-term rebuilding fund.
When the Levee Breaks, Part II is being billed as a Benefit Boogie Romp. Most of the acts have also performed on Oxford’s Thacker Mountain Radio Show, and are proven local favorites. Thacker Mountain’s Jim Dees will emcee the concert in his inimitable graceful-with-grits style. Live from Memphis will film the event and 219 records will record it for a forthcoming DVD and CD Release.
The Two Stick is located just off the Oxford Square on Harrison Avenue.
Never before has doing good felt so good.
###
For information, contact:
Michael Graber
FNC Inc.
Phone 662/236.2020, ext. 253
mgraber@fncinc.com
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Bust Out Yer Heating Blankets
Yep, no denying it now. Time to bust out the heating blankets and hybernate. It would be nice if we could really do that...just sleep all winter like the bears do (along with many other critters, including my cat...no, she does that all the time, what am I saying?). I could do that and watch Judge Judy. That would be nice. Maybe a crossword puzzle or two, read some and sleeeeeeeeeeeeep. Hmm, how nice.
I don't have a heating blanket. I have a heating pad and Jimbo, who is a radiator and heating blanket rolled into one. I have to kick the blankets off sometimes, or hang a leg or an arm out. It does come in handy though, cause I always have cold feet!
I don't have a heating blanket. I have a heating pad and Jimbo, who is a radiator and heating blanket rolled into one. I have to kick the blankets off sometimes, or hang a leg or an arm out. It does come in handy though, cause I always have cold feet!
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Digital Downloads/ the EYE
Hey All
Still recovering from the wack on my head. Went to get my hair cut yesterday and it was rather painful...painful to wash and all the pulling from the brush and blow dryer wore my ass out. I left with a big headache and the desire to snuggle with my cat (who is supervising my bed rest) and take a nap. Things are looknig up today, I don't look AS scary, but you know, people are still in awe of the EYE.
Tomorrow, I'll be in Taylor, which will be the first time I've played in a while...I hope I don't SUCK.
A little side note to y'all that I just thought about, in order to get to the digital download page for my music, the only link at this time is from the "merch" page. I will be rectifying this soon, as obviously, it should also be from the "music" page...obviously.
So, on another thought (I am having thoughts for the first time in days), I wonder if I would have some extra power with working on spells, given that I have a pretty darn awful looking EYE. I mean, who would really like to get the EYE from me at this point. Children and animals recoil in horror (except for my cat, who does not leave the bed under any circumstances, EYE, dog, or not).
hmmm....
Still recovering from the wack on my head. Went to get my hair cut yesterday and it was rather painful...painful to wash and all the pulling from the brush and blow dryer wore my ass out. I left with a big headache and the desire to snuggle with my cat (who is supervising my bed rest) and take a nap. Things are looknig up today, I don't look AS scary, but you know, people are still in awe of the EYE.
Tomorrow, I'll be in Taylor, which will be the first time I've played in a while...I hope I don't SUCK.
A little side note to y'all that I just thought about, in order to get to the digital download page for my music, the only link at this time is from the "merch" page. I will be rectifying this soon, as obviously, it should also be from the "music" page...obviously.
So, on another thought (I am having thoughts for the first time in days), I wonder if I would have some extra power with working on spells, given that I have a pretty darn awful looking EYE. I mean, who would really like to get the EYE from me at this point. Children and animals recoil in horror (except for my cat, who does not leave the bed under any circumstances, EYE, dog, or not).
hmmm....
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Hazard County
This week has been a physically hazardous week for me. It started on monday, when as I was washing dishes, I cut my thumb on a steak knife, pretty damn good (bad). So blood was squishing everywhere and it's right on the side if my right thumb, down to the nail, so playing guitar has been not an option this week. In fact I never realized how important a right thumb is. I mean, pinkys, ring fingers, et. al aren't nearly as important!
Then Tuesday night rolls around, and I am at a friend's house. The driveway is on an incline, and I had my car parked on it. Lo and behold, as I am walking to the car, my shoes (platform flip-flops which have caused problems before, and why I still wore them, I do not know) cause me to misstep and I fall forward with gravity hitting my head/brow on the bumper, right on the angle of my front license plate which says "Give Your Heart to Jeasus". I saw as flash and then fell backward gushing blood. Yup, that was a good (bad) fall. Right up there with the time I slipped and hit my head on the toilet last winter.
Anyhow, my friend runs to get me a towel, and porceeds to examine and clean the wound. The cut is right on my eyebrow, so I am lucky for that. It was bad, but not bad enough for a visit to the emergency room. As a result, I suffered also a really big black eye. So as today unfolds and I actualy dared to leave the confines of my room to run errands, get food, etc., I am sporting the sunglass look and star wars bandaids, and am proceeding with utmost caution.
Oh, and I threw out the shoes.
Then Tuesday night rolls around, and I am at a friend's house. The driveway is on an incline, and I had my car parked on it. Lo and behold, as I am walking to the car, my shoes (platform flip-flops which have caused problems before, and why I still wore them, I do not know) cause me to misstep and I fall forward with gravity hitting my head/brow on the bumper, right on the angle of my front license plate which says "Give Your Heart to Jeasus". I saw as flash and then fell backward gushing blood. Yup, that was a good (bad) fall. Right up there with the time I slipped and hit my head on the toilet last winter.
Anyhow, my friend runs to get me a towel, and porceeds to examine and clean the wound. The cut is right on my eyebrow, so I am lucky for that. It was bad, but not bad enough for a visit to the emergency room. As a result, I suffered also a really big black eye. So as today unfolds and I actualy dared to leave the confines of my room to run errands, get food, etc., I am sporting the sunglass look and star wars bandaids, and am proceeding with utmost caution.
Oh, and I threw out the shoes.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
technical conundrum
okay, here's the wierd thing...
My cell phone is broken, but I can't exchange it until I know the password on the account (which my mom set supposedly). But she swears she never set a password and has no idea what it is. So, in order to access the account, she has to go into a T Mobile retail shop and reset it, but she is travelling abroad and won't be back until the end of the month. Meanwhile, my internet went down at home, and I could use my cell phone to log on, except that it is broken. SO, I thought I'd just buy another one. But I can't buy a new phone, because they don't sell the same model anymore (even though it is barely 6 months old!). The customer support said they can lead me though some steps to see if we can fix it. Well, we didn't get too far, because what is broken are the number 3,6, and 9, so I can't type in any numbers to reset the phone, dial, text, save messages, etc.. I said to the lady on the phone, "see what I mean?"
So, if you call me and leave a message and I don't call you back, it's becasue I can't dial. Just call me back again and please don't take it personally!
My cell phone is broken, but I can't exchange it until I know the password on the account (which my mom set supposedly). But she swears she never set a password and has no idea what it is. So, in order to access the account, she has to go into a T Mobile retail shop and reset it, but she is travelling abroad and won't be back until the end of the month. Meanwhile, my internet went down at home, and I could use my cell phone to log on, except that it is broken. SO, I thought I'd just buy another one. But I can't buy a new phone, because they don't sell the same model anymore (even though it is barely 6 months old!). The customer support said they can lead me though some steps to see if we can fix it. Well, we didn't get too far, because what is broken are the number 3,6, and 9, so I can't type in any numbers to reset the phone, dial, text, save messages, etc.. I said to the lady on the phone, "see what I mean?"
So, if you call me and leave a message and I don't call you back, it's becasue I can't dial. Just call me back again and please don't take it personally!
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Italy, Austria, Halloween
Hi Y'all
Hope you had a happy halloween! We missed it this year, as we were overseas (namely Italy and Austria) and halloween isn't so big there. We actually spent it with my dad eating wurstl (hot dogs) and bar hopping...not too much going on, but I did bring and wear a mask!
Jimbo and I played two gigs in Italy, one in Pavia and one in Milan. Both were quite successful and we made good money that we could blow in Como (that's Como, Italy not Mississippi). Como is absolutely beautiful. It is on a lake, Lago d'Como, and surrounded by alpine foothills. The air is fresh and the old town has great shopping. Coming from Milan, it was like going to heaven. Milan has some realy cool aspects to it, but one thing that bothered me, was that there was grafitti on everything, I mean EVERYTHING. It was everywhere you looked and it wasn't the artistic kind on the most part. I find the lack of respect for other ppl's property and old historic buildings quite disheartening.
But, there was plenty of wine (my GOD there was) and plenty to eat. I can't say I didn't enjoy that aspect of the trip! We had wine and beer everyday! I guess those of you who know my history in NOLA would say, "we'll gee, isn't she used to that?" Well, yes in a way I am, but this upped the ante for sure!
We did check out a couple of really old medival castles built in the 1300's. Quite impressive, drawbridge, moat and everything! Can't say I have ever seen that before. We have a lot of castles in Austria, but not of that design. Some are built around that time, like the one that my family reunion was held in (actually owned by the Von Trapps) was built in the 1400's, but an entirely different style and design. The "moats" in Austria, are actually the mountains. They built the castles on top of hills, so that you can't get to it very easily.
Austria was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky the whole time we were there. We went hiking and then took the tram all the way to the top of Hafeleka, which Jimbo referred to as the "mountain of death" becasue it is incredibly steep and the sign says, "do not attempt to ski down this unless you really know what the hell you're doing". I have to admit, I have never skiied down it a
Hope you had a happy halloween! We missed it this year, as we were overseas (namely Italy and Austria) and halloween isn't so big there. We actually spent it with my dad eating wurstl (hot dogs) and bar hopping...not too much going on, but I did bring and wear a mask!
Jimbo and I played two gigs in Italy, one in Pavia and one in Milan. Both were quite successful and we made good money that we could blow in Como (that's Como, Italy not Mississippi). Como is absolutely beautiful. It is on a lake, Lago d'Como, and surrounded by alpine foothills. The air is fresh and the old town has great shopping. Coming from Milan, it was like going to heaven. Milan has some realy cool aspects to it, but one thing that bothered me, was that there was grafitti on everything, I mean EVERYTHING. It was everywhere you looked and it wasn't the artistic kind on the most part. I find the lack of respect for other ppl's property and old historic buildings quite disheartening.
But, there was plenty of wine (my GOD there was) and plenty to eat. I can't say I didn't enjoy that aspect of the trip! We had wine and beer everyday! I guess those of you who know my history in NOLA would say, "we'll gee, isn't she used to that?" Well, yes in a way I am, but this upped the ante for sure!
We did check out a couple of really old medival castles built in the 1300's. Quite impressive, drawbridge, moat and everything! Can't say I have ever seen that before. We have a lot of castles in Austria, but not of that design. Some are built around that time, like the one that my family reunion was held in (actually owned by the Von Trapps) was built in the 1400's, but an entirely different style and design. The "moats" in Austria, are actually the mountains. They built the castles on top of hills, so that you can't get to it very easily.
Austria was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky the whole time we were there. We went hiking and then took the tram all the way to the top of Hafeleka, which Jimbo referred to as the "mountain of death" becasue it is incredibly steep and the sign says, "do not attempt to ski down this unless you really know what the hell you're doing". I have to admit, I have never skiied down it a
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