The Evening of October 20th

My Course at Anne Arundle Community College was cancelled due to lack of sign-ups so I was free to do some other things that I enjoy instead. I left my house at 4pm and headed to Millers, MD where I played in a church bluegrass band called Paul Neal and the 2nd Generation. We played at a spaghetti supper. This band is led by a 90 year old mandolin player. He likes autoharp so I get to do lead once in a while. This band was well established when I joined so I had to learn a lot of tunes and songs. I fit in by learning to sing harmony where ever I could. We have mandolin, 2 guitars, banjo, bass and an occasional fiddler. The folks there are friendly and loving so it is always a happy time. When this event was over I headed southwest a bit to New Freedom, PA where Bryan Bowers was playing. I got there right before his break. Bryan was at his best. It was a small audience crowded into a small little room so it was a very intimate venue. I had never been there before but plan to go back again and also for their open mic nights. Bryan performed many of his old standards that I have heard many times but they were well received by this audience. There were some songs that were new or not real familar to me as well. He also told some great stories the were also well received. I don't believe there were many autoharpers in the crowd, however. My friend, Linda Morris, who did the write-up on Bryan for the magazine Dirty Linen, was instrumental in getting Bryan to come to this venue. In fact, I wouldn't have know about it if she hadn't e-mailed me. I met her several years ago when she came to one of my autoharp courses. She teaches in Batimore and I have visited her classes several times taking loaners for the kids to play. Sooooo ~ ~ ~it was an exciting evening and all due to the autoharp which has taken me so many wonderful places and allowed me to make so many good friends. Thanks be to God.

Gigs, Teaching Engagements, and Other Musical Activities

I have been unable to get a webpage up so have lost my space on the ring. I decided to use my blog as a way of getting info out on the net. I have noticed others using this method instead of a website so thought I would give it a try.
I currently have 3 regular students and a number that come occasionally. I am scheduled to teach at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, MD on Oct. 20 and Oct. 26. The first Saturday will be a beginning course and the second Saturday will be a follow-up. Each course goes from 9 to 4. I will be providing autoharps to those who do not have one. Eight sign-ups are required for the course to run. I will be giving a beginning course the the East Berlin Community Center in E.B, PA on 6 successive Tuesday evenings from 7 - 9. I will teach if there are at least 4 sign-ups. Pay is very low for less students.
Tuesday Oct. 11 I will be going to Windy Hill Senior Center, Spring Grove, PA with 18 loaner 'harps to give a short concert/demo then teach the folks there a few chords and hopefully sing some songs while playing. I use colored lyrics on posters - a wonderful idea I got from Cathy Britell's children's book.
No other gigs scheduled for the near future. I will be playing at a Christmas light show at a county park near York on Dec. 13 and 20. I missed doing this last year because I was having so much trouble with my back so am looking forward to doing it this year. I have done it for several years previously.
I have been having fun playing with a bluegrass band at a tiny church in Millers, MD. It is led by a wonderful 90 year old gentleman who plays mandolin. We also have 2 guitars, a banjo, and a bass. For the most part we play "older bluegrass," - almost Old Time so I fit in pretty well. Kim, a former student, and also guitar player, played Whispering Hope together on our Orthey 'harps last Sunday.
There are 3 local OT jams within 45 minutes of my home which are now starting up again. There is one every Sunday but the last one. Also George Orthey has Mini-Mt. Laurel workshops through out the winter. The first one will be this weekend with the guest teacher/performer being Adam Miller. I'll be there.
Thanks for reading.