October Recap
10/30/09 09:40 AM
October raced right by us here in VZ Valley. Seems like only yesterday Al and The Jette were in Nashville, kicking it bluegrass style. Then came our double header of shows in Kent and Pacific, both of which were well attended and a great deal of fun. The Kent Bluegrass Jam had a huge crowd for the first of the season, lots of jamming and lovers of bluegrass music. Immediately after our one hour set, we high-tailed to Trade Route Brewing Co for a four hour show.
Trade Route Brewing is in Pacific in an large indstrial building with high open ceilings. The crowd there was all ages. Some folks watched Husky football, others were there to sample the brews and still others were there for the music. We had a blast and look forward to returning in the near future.
Last night, we played at a benefit for ACAP, an organization that provides child and family services in Auburn. The place was fillled with members of the Auburn community. Silent auctions and raffles went on between songs, all proceeds going to ACAP. It was a pleasure to be a part of helping out this great organization.
The month of November is a month of scattering for the Boys from VZ Valley. Al heads out on yet another Nechville Road Trip. Sparky will be at undisclosed location keeping the world safe for democracy and updating his Christmas card list. The Jette will be working on some other musical projects he has in the works, as will Dancing Phil.
We are in the process of finalizing plans for upcoming shows for December-February. Stay tuned, don't you dare touch that dial...
Trade Route Brewing is in Pacific in an large indstrial building with high open ceilings. The crowd there was all ages. Some folks watched Husky football, others were there to sample the brews and still others were there for the music. We had a blast and look forward to returning in the near future.
Last night, we played at a benefit for ACAP, an organization that provides child and family services in Auburn. The place was fillled with members of the Auburn community. Silent auctions and raffles went on between songs, all proceeds going to ACAP. It was a pleasure to be a part of helping out this great organization.
The month of November is a month of scattering for the Boys from VZ Valley. Al heads out on yet another Nechville Road Trip. Sparky will be at undisclosed location keeping the world safe for democracy and updating his Christmas card list. The Jette will be working on some other musical projects he has in the works, as will Dancing Phil.
We are in the process of finalizing plans for upcoming shows for December-February. Stay tuned, don't you dare touch that dial...
Jam and Brew Mixed with Bluegrass
10/13/09 07:17 AM
Lest you think we've been loafing, let me bring you up to speed on what the VZVBs have been up to in recent weeks...
Dancin' Phil has been playing the fingerstyle blues and ragtime music as a solo act, and with Sparky on the bass from time to time. He's also completed a couple of books he's been working on for several years. Be watching for that announcement. Sparky has been cleaning off the cobwebs of his passport, heading deep into remote areas where danger lies. His startling resemblance to a certain middle eastern oil magnate proved helpful as he traversed through hostile territory. I can say no more.
As if he couldn't find enough opportunities to play around here, The Jette went to Nashville to the IBMA World of Bluegrass Show. There he played with some of the biggest names in bluegrass, stayed up way too late and burned though several sets of mandolin strings. He even played mandolin and banjo in a showcase for a female bluegrass singer from Switzerland. Al also went to Nashville, but was there to sell banjos with Nechville. They both flew to Minneapolis, paid a visit to the Nechville shop, and then drove to Music City in the Nechville Banjo Van. There are pictures on a previous blog entry on our news page.
Last weekend we played a house party for the owner of a local wine shop. It was a good time, but we really didn't know that it was to be an outdoor party. You guessed it, temperatures plummeted that evening. We donned what warmer outerwear we had, and played through the chilly evening. The good news, the host placed an outdoor heater near us. The bad news, he could never get iti going. Despite our frigid digits, we had a great time and it was god to get together again.
This weekend, on the 17th, is a toofer one Saturday for the VZ Valley Boys. We're playing at the Kent Bluegrass Jam from 3-4 PM. Then its off to a brand new venue-- Trade Routes Brewing Company in Pacific. They are located at 1091 Valentine, and have a wonderful assortment of microbrews, as well as some good food. It is open to all ages and we play from 6-10 at what will be their grand opening celebration. Its a nice place, and we look forward to putting on a full tilt, hang-onto-your-hats show. Come on down and join us. It will be warm.
Dancin' Phil has been playing the fingerstyle blues and ragtime music as a solo act, and with Sparky on the bass from time to time. He's also completed a couple of books he's been working on for several years. Be watching for that announcement. Sparky has been cleaning off the cobwebs of his passport, heading deep into remote areas where danger lies. His startling resemblance to a certain middle eastern oil magnate proved helpful as he traversed through hostile territory. I can say no more.
As if he couldn't find enough opportunities to play around here, The Jette went to Nashville to the IBMA World of Bluegrass Show. There he played with some of the biggest names in bluegrass, stayed up way too late and burned though several sets of mandolin strings. He even played mandolin and banjo in a showcase for a female bluegrass singer from Switzerland. Al also went to Nashville, but was there to sell banjos with Nechville. They both flew to Minneapolis, paid a visit to the Nechville shop, and then drove to Music City in the Nechville Banjo Van. There are pictures on a previous blog entry on our news page.
Last weekend we played a house party for the owner of a local wine shop. It was a good time, but we really didn't know that it was to be an outdoor party. You guessed it, temperatures plummeted that evening. We donned what warmer outerwear we had, and played through the chilly evening. The good news, the host placed an outdoor heater near us. The bad news, he could never get iti going. Despite our frigid digits, we had a great time and it was god to get together again.
This weekend, on the 17th, is a toofer one Saturday for the VZ Valley Boys. We're playing at the Kent Bluegrass Jam from 3-4 PM. Then its off to a brand new venue-- Trade Routes Brewing Company in Pacific. They are located at 1091 Valentine, and have a wonderful assortment of microbrews, as well as some good food. It is open to all ages and we play from 6-10 at what will be their grand opening celebration. Its a nice place, and we look forward to putting on a full tilt, hang-onto-your-hats show. Come on down and join us. It will be warm.
Home Sweet Home
10/07/09 06:16 AM
Al and Chris just returned from a nearly two week journey, first to the home of Nechville Banjos in Minneapolis, then to Nashville for the IBMA World of Bluegrass Show in Nashville. Here's a slideshow of their epic adventure: