The Bearded Pigs

Songs for Atlanta

First, the pics from Phoenix are really great.  I can't wait for some audio.  What a brilliant slideshow they both would make!

On the Atlanta show, I'd like to try 1 or 2 of the songs below:

Sweet Home Chicago (in G)
Give Me Love (G. Harrison; capo 3rd fret played in "D" pattern - ok, I suck at music theory)
Crossroads (in A)
Long As I Can See the Light (CCR; in G...I think)
Mustang Sally (in B)
and for SG.......
Rocky Top (in G)

...AND
I have a Mandolin that I'm re-learning to play.   If ya'll really wanna try Copperhead Road, I'll work out the mando part (I think its only two chords, three tops)?

Later Pigs,

Russell

Red Rocks

I should've brought my guitar.

The opening reception for the NASIG meeting in Denver was at Red Rocks.  Back at the hotel, Tom Noel (aka Dr. Colorado) gave a great kick-off speech on the history of the place, several times mentioned the wonderful acoustics, and talked about the many, many people who had performed there.  My guitar was up in my room, and I thought about bringing it along. 

But I didn't want to hassle with it -- getting it on the bus, figuring out where to stash it during the reception, etc., etc...  So I left the thing behind.   And then, when we got there, and wandered around and stood on the stage, looking up, I thought how marvelous it would've been to have played just one song standing there, where so many classic performances have taken place.

So it goes...  We had a fine time anyway.  The visitor's center is well designed and nicely laid out.  There were many food and drink stations, and the food was quite good.  TG and I agreed that it was one of the best conference receptions we've been to (and we've been to a lot!).

This was my 3rd trip to Denver.  My first MLA was there, and I went back for the MCMLA meeting in 2000.  That last time I went to the art museum and was tremendously impressed with how the collections were laid out.  I even wrote a fan-email and got a couple of notes back from some of the curators.  They're in the process of expanding right now, so the collections are all closed, but we went and wandered around the site anyway.  The new building is spectacular.  I hope it doesn't take me another six years to get back and see what they've done with it.

I did get to play guitar at the Tattered Cover bookstore.  Katy had arranged to do an open mike session there and asked me to bring my guitar so that I could fill up the time in case nobody showed.  As it turned out, she got a very good turnout and quite a few people got up to sing a song or read a poem or short story.  I did 3 short sets (and told the Melbourne conference story) and we all had a fine time. 

But if I ever get another chance, I'll bring my guitar to Red Rocks.

City Stages in Birmingham

One of the best things about living in Birmingham is the annual City Stages music festival.  I went to my first one at least a dozen years ago and I think we've only missed one since.  This year's lineup is looking great, with several performers that are right on target for the Pigs.  Due to a "situation" with the hotel (that I won't go into here) we won't be able to stay downtown this year, but we already have rooms booked for '07.  Despite having to deal with the drive back and forth, we are definitely going to have a great time with this lineup!

Playing with Pigs

The recent rehearsal in Savannah was a blast.  Thanks to TScott and Tambourine Grrl, Duke, SG (nice new bass!) and certainly to Julie for helping make it happen.  The show was incredibly fun for me because I don't usually have such an 'out front' role.  At this gig, I was filling the rather large shoes of Bruce the Almighty.  Stretching out and showing off what meager noodling I can muster on lead guitar felt outstanding.  I will however be quite content to have B th A return to the right side of the stage (wasn't the same w/o you Bruce).  Maybe I'll have a chance to steal a little lead time here and there down the road...
So driving the 6 hours home, I had time a'plenty to wax philosophical.
I suppose playing music and being part of that 'brotherhood' or 'community' is like any other hobbie/enthusiast group in some regard. We have our own speciallized equipment, and our own 'language' (e.g. "Man, the rectifier wasn't match biased with the drive valve and my amp sounds like crap"). I think generally the difference with musicians is that most people have hobbies because they want to; we play music because we have to. Playing and performing is grafted to us at a deep level, tied to us emotionally. Why else would anyone drive 6 hours to play 3 hours for free to a group of tired, moderately interested conference attendees; then pack up and drive another 6 hours home? It isn't logical.
When we play it refocuses our lives for a few hours. Ordinary worries and responsibilities deminish and blur, are forgotten. One of my favorite movie scenes (although it has been copied now in many films) is in the Blues Brothers when Jake and Elwood finally get the band together and are playing the big show, and the cops show up. But, they don't storm the stage and cuff the band, they let them keep on playing. That's what playing music does, it redeems us and protects us for a while.
Who doesn't need that?