The "Incredibow"

Well now, I had to get myself a new bow for my three fiddles, so what better bow to get than the "Incredibow?" I'll let you know how it works out...

Michael Kelly Firefly

Me and my new Michael Kelly Firefly. I sort of did things backward, tackling fiddle first, then moving over to the similarly-tuned mandolin. I could barely put this thing down during my July mid-tour break from Iraq.

Jam Session at the Poors

Lots of music down around Chehalis, WA. I had to avail myself of David's new Tenor Banjo (dubbed "Earnest T.")  I knew maybe one out of every five tunes, which is much better than one out of about 25 when I first moved out here in 2000.

Foggy Mountain Pileup

(5-String Banjo) Apologies this time to Flatt and Scruggs. Just a chance to let the fingers gallop for awhile on my Ibanez.

Banjo Joke: What's the difference between a Banjo picker and a locksmith? It only takes a locksmith a few minutes to change keys. nyuck nyuck nyuck

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Banjo Crank Start

(5-string Banjo) This is my "warm up" exercise on my Ibanez blond maple banjo, picked up at a pawn shop in Fort Bragg, NC. I've hauled this thing all over the country, and enjoy it every time I pick it up.

Ya gots ta have Macromedia Flash 7!

Swinging on a 12-string Gate

(12 String Guitar) I did this on the backpack mando, but I dig it equally on 12 string. You just can't pack these things overseas like you can a mandolin.

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Kim's Promotion

Pinning Sergeant First Class stripes on my little sister Kim. This little ceremony on Fort Lewis was worth the 24 hours of trains/planes/automobiles to get there!

The Gravel Walk

(12 String Guitar) This is one of those Carpal Tunnel tunes that cause your left hand to fall off after one rendition.

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GT's Back from Iraq Blues

(Guitar) It just don't get much bluesier than this.

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The Star Spangled Banner

(Fiddle) Play Ball! Saddam would have a fit if he knew I was playing this in one of his palaces. Tough luck, buddy. :P

The next tune will be posted with Ebenezer back in the Great Northwest!

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Arkansas Traveler

(Fiddle) About as traditional as it gets.

In case you don't have it already--Macromedia Flash 7

Last of the Mohicans

(Fiddle) a.k.a. The Mohican Jig. (Sounds better than "Magua's Jig" or "Chingangooch's Jig") Alasdair Frasier did the that memorable fiddle part called "The Kiss." A rough cut, played on the G and D strings. I can't quite get that Scottish rasp into my bowing, but I'm working on it. :)

You'll need Macromedia Flash 7.

Mando Picker and Saddam

Posing with my Martin backpacker mandolin in front of a mural of a cuddly, father-figure Saddam. This cat was seriously into himself. Now he's all back of the bus, about to be sentenced by the Iraqis. >applaud<

Red Haired Boy

(Fiddle) a.k.a. the Little Beggarman. Second tune I learned on the fiddle. The first was Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, which doesn't lend itself well to hoedowns and ceilis.

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Greensleeves

(Fiddle) or, What Child is This, or, Brownsleeves, as I'm surrounded by desert uniforms all day. I jig it up the second time through. There are tons of these E Minorish tunes laying around, just waiting to be brought to life. (Igor standing by at the switch--"IT'S ALIVE!")

Load up Macromedia Flash 7 before I whack you with my E minor nunchucks..