The Musicians Database and Web Calendar
Dates and places you should be...
Presented by The Used Kharma Lot
And Dave Laird & Associates
Copyright 2003 Dave Laird
Last Updated August 28, 2003 @ 12:05 PM
NOTICES:
Well, that was short-lived. I truly wanted to kill this calendar, for the number of reasons that were plainly stated. What I didn't count on were the number of people who cannot seem to depend upon the various calendars of various organizations that purportedly support bluegrass and old-time music, since they all seem to favor only the calendars of their “favored” performers. This works great if all you want to listen to are the INBA's in-house bands, although they don't even post the calendar for them anymore.
However, there are a lot of OTHER bands in the Inland Northwest, a lot of other events that haven't been seized by the INBA as if they were treasures to be looted and hauled off to some sacred burial place. Some of the bands aren't even traditional bluegrass, some even less so. That doesn't, however, make them bad musicians.
Another thing that has changed is that the Musician's Database and Schedule will now be written entirely in a different, less-brusque manner more in keeping with how I see things, rather than from a newsy vapid approach to what is clinically-correct. In short, if you don't like my opinions or views, either write me and tell me about it (yes, I'll post them here if there aren't a lot of obscenities) or find another calendar where the moderator doesn't have an informed and educated opinion. Yes, it will also have news about the music scene that you can't even get off the pages of The Local Planet.
'DA SCHEDULE AND 'DA NEWS
Pasture Pickin's spring festival ends after another incredible run. It should be noted that this spring's Pasture Pickin' held in Libby, Montana didn't break any more records for the number of motorhomes and campers, (last spring it did!) although I suppose it did set a record for endurance, as folks endured 100+ degree heat and smoke from all the fires in Montana. What won records for the funniest event took place nearly every morning between 6:00 and 7:00 AM Montana time, when an elk trying to jump the gun on mating season a little bit stood atop the hill and bugled for all he was worth. By the end of the week, he had quite a rasp, and had dropped from a perfect G note to B-Flat. That was worth getting out of bed early to hear. On sick call, Harmonica Bob, who apparently suffered a mild stroke last spring, was back, hale and healthy and Dorothy's sister, Glenda, who is still undergoing chemotherapy managed to make an appearance several nights at the festival. Pasture Pickin is proud to note that Ralph and Val, two long-time Pasture Pickin' members got married Thursday afternoon at the pavilion with over 300 in attendance. It was a moving afternoon, filled with excitement for the new bride and groom, and even tears of joy in the eyes of some attending. You should have seen the wedding cake that Dorothy Berg whipped up for the reception! Holy Mackerel! In other news, Jake (Roger) Jacobsen has a new CD, so at last we can always remember the musical contributions he has made to Pasture Pickin' over the years. It was sad, watching the pasture receding in the rear view mirror, but there is still next spring to look forward to. Thanks to Dale and Dorothy for all they have done for everyone!
The No-Name Jam at St. Marie's, Idaho. Rumor has it that Earl Gleason and his merry band of songstresses are holding another annual jam beneath the trees at the Fairgrounds at St. Maries, Idaho beginning next week. If you didn't get an opportunity to hear the fantastic pickin' that took place at Pasture Pickin' this fall, most of the same players and singers will be wandering down that way, as the jam starts next weekend, approximately September 7-14th, and lasts 7 days. Last year, during St. Maries, it got so cool at nights, Earl had to hang plastic tarps around the hay barn and light up kerosene heaters (rumor had it we were using all the kerosene heaters in town) to keep musician's fingers nimble enough to play, so maybe this year, if you believe in wishful thinking, you should bring a spare set of gloves with the fingers cut out and a parka. It's a fun time, and the setting very quiet and peaceful, excluding the people singing and playing all night long, that is. That's what you're there for, isn't it?
Moses Lake Bluegrass Festival Just about the time you return from St. Maries, you'll have to turn your web browsers to http://www.moseslakebluegrass.com and brace yourselves for what is literally the HOTTEST FESTIVAL of the entire summer. The event takes place September 18-21st in Moses Lake. Come get parbroiled in the raging September sun and listen to the star performers take to the stage along with the Ohop Valley Boys and The Lonesome Ridge Bluegrass Band. The Dutch Oven Society, of course, will be present and doing more of the marvelous things they can do with cast iron cookware. Hey, don't knock it cooking over an open fire if you haven't tried it. Of course, all attendees to this event should read the rules which are plainly posted on the website at http://www.moseslakebluegrass.com/rules.htm as I am certain, beyond a question of a doubt, this product of “the committee” will be a bone of contention for some folks. How many outdoor events have you attended that are entirely 100% non-smoking? Somebody grab Richard Doble of Prairie Flyer and ask his opinion about such things. You can have dogs, but they cannot bark, so bring a muzzle and some pet tranquilizers. No cell phones near the food booths or stage. (Why? Because it's YOUR digestion we're protecting!) You have to have a badge on your motorhomes and wear one on your chest to attend. Anyone else will be subject to search and seizure by Rotarians out to make a fast buck and promote the town.
Go to the host's web site
Quick Links to Bands and Other Non-Profit Organizations and Associations,
some of who are hosted for free by Dave Laird and
The Used Kharma Lot
Yakima Folklife Festival http://yakimavalleymuseum.org
Swing Music's Web Page http://swingmusic.spokane.wa.us
Sidetrack's web site http://sidetrack.spokane.wa.us
Old Time Music Lyrics web page http://oldtimesongs.spokane.wa.us
Longhorn Barbecue Open Mike Night http://longhornopenmike.spokane.wa.us
The INBA Web Site http://www.spokanebluegrass.org
The Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association http://mrba.spokane.wa.us
Spokane Folklore Society http://www.spokanefolklore.org
The Old Time Music Page http://www.oldtimemusic.com
Washington State Bluegrass Association http://www.washingtonbluegrassassociation.org
Prairie Flyer http://www.prairieflyer.com
Prevention and Early Detection (PED) A support program on Aging http://ped.spokane.wa.us
Citizens for a Better Spokane—for political activists http://abetter.spokane.wa.us
Citizens for a Better Spokane (same page, different domain) http://www.abetterspokane.com
Mike and Tari Conroy's page http://conroys.spokane.wa.us
Spokane Florists Design Center http://floraldesign.spokane.wa.us (guess who did the page design and win a prize!)