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Checking in

Well, I'm sorry for not posting more often on this blog. I suppose it hasn't been a valuable resource to the bluegrass community in and around Charleston, for that reason. Anyhow, I'm here today and thinking I should pass along a couple of updates I'm aware of regarding the local scene.

Home Team BBQ expanded it's operation to include a Sullivan's Island location. I know they have a bluegrassy sort of thing going on out there nearly every week. Check their site for details.

There's a fairly new place on James Island called the Smokey Oak Taproom. They've had some local bluegrass acts in there regularly as well. The grub is good too, so check it out sometime.

The Pour House on James Island has some bluegrassy stuff on the deck Thursday nights, 6-9, as well as other days and nights of the week. Keep an eye on their website.

Dunleavy's is always fun on Tuesday nights with Bob Sachs and his musical entourage. They usually start around 7:30 pm.

The Folly Beach Bluegrass Society is still meeting on Thursdays at 7. I believe they're now at the Crab Shack.

I've head a lot of good things about Awendaw Green over on the north side of Mount Pleasant. Sounds like a really supportive community thing going on over there. Check it out.

Alrighty, I'll catch you on the flip side.

River Boy: acoustic, bluegrassy music - for the people!

Is a year & a half too long to get a record produced? Well, maybe. But it's been a learning experience (for me anyway). And, I think everyone involved is pleased with the results. So, check it out! www.RiverBoyMusic.com

a note from Walter Biffle about music around town

Well, it appears spring has finally sprung in Charleston, and i'm glad about it. It certainly took it's time getting here, and this being Alison's and my winter of discontent, i can't say how glad i am to finally do a little normal yard work and to see tiny sprigs of new green growth showing their tiny little heads. And with this spring has come the gigs: here is what is going on, and i encourage, nay, implore you, to come out and celebrate some good music:

Tonight, Tues March 16th: The ever-loving gig with Bob Sachs and the Maniax at Dunleavey's on Sullivan's Island. 7:30-10:30 or maybe later. good food, great company, fantastic musicians. We'll be playing and singing the best tunes of the last....oh, fifties years. I love it cause i get to sing whatever i want (and people still seem to enjoy it!) My thanks goes out to Carol Brown for throwing this gig at me from time to time. Come on out!

Wednesday March 17th: I'll be playing the St. Paddy's day celebration out at Somerby. Assisted Living from 3-4, the dining room from 5-7. Sorry, but residents only, although i'd appreciate you keeping me in your thoughts as playing the memory ward always kinda breaks my heart.

Thursday, March 18th: Home Team Barbecue playing bass with Blue Plantation. Starts at 9:30 and we play 'til they make us go home. Home Team has some killer collards and, in my opinion, treats their musicians better than any place i've ever played. If they treat the help that good, i can't imagine how good it must be to be a customer. Blue Plantation plays some of the best rock and roll bluegrass i've ever gotten a chance to play, btw. From super trad. Stanley Brothers to Eric Clapton to the Grateful Dead to Coltrane and back to the mountains of North Carolina again. Good stuff--and i get to sing alot again.

Friday, March 19th: Friday finds me again with Blue Plantation down at Edisto Beach's Thirsty Fish. If you haven't seen people having some fun in along time, then you might want to get a look at how tired those folks at Edisto are of winter. Hair will be let down, to say the least.

Saturday, March 20th: A favorite. The Deck at the Pourhouse. Not to be outdone by Hometeam BBQ, Alex treats his musicians well, too. Me and one of favorite musicans in the world, Roger Bellow, will be playing the deck before Larry Keel plays a great bluegrass show inside. (Larry's an old North Carolina soul in a young body and puts on a great show). Roger and i will be playing...well, Roger will be playing anything with strings, running amok among the audience of attractive bluegrass-loving hippie chicks, and singing in numerous languages. i'll be the one trying to hang on as best i can! We'll be playing outside on the deck from around 3-5. Larry Keel and the Marion Brothers take it from there...at that point, i'll be the one hanging around learning a few things by watching some real bluegrass players.

Sunday, March 21st: Back at Tommy's Irish Pub. Thankfully, because of my gig at the old folks home on St. Paddy's day, i will have missed all the crowds and accompanying...uhhh...various technicolor messes...made at Tommy's on St. Paddy's. The excellent staff will have cleaned up beautifully by then and Teddy and I will resumed our fairly low-key and enjoyable duet tenure there known as Fried Rainbow Trout. If you find yourself in need of a Tom-and-Dick-Smothers act (except more music and slightly less funy) then come one down. 8-midnight or so.

Alright. There you go folks. I hope to see some of you out!

Walter

updates from RSF

Well, it's been an awfully long time since I posted here. I suspect there weren't many people keeping an eye on the blog, thus my lack of urgency in keeping it updated. I ran into Ken Strange last fall, and to my surprise, he said "why haven't you updated that blog?!" I was honored to know that someone actually read it, and cared. Ken is a fine banjo player.

Which brings me to another subject, . . . Ken's fine banjo can be heard, as played by Walter Biffle, on a recording we just finished. The recording is called Big Timber Project. It's been mixed and mastered. We are now going through this phase of listening and critiquing and learning and wrestling, & on & on. We're thinking of all the things we'd go back and tweak if we had more time and money. But I'm pretty sure we have neither. Anyway, expect to see & hear more about this Big Timber Project real soon.

Revival

Believe it or not, a few weeks went by (recently) where I almost felt burned out on Bluegrass music. I know, I know - it sounds crazy, but I spend piles of time listening to and playing bluegrass. Too much of a good thing (almost any good thing) is bad. And I was there, almost.

I am revived, in part naturally, and in part because of some really fun gigs. On Wednesday of this week, Jeff Meierer and I played a duo gig for a small family party at Isle of Palms. 20 people sat attentively and listened and clapped and danced and sang along with us for almost thee hours. (minus a little break to eat their delicious meal!) I found myself playing and singing "with feeling," as David Brown always says. It was very good, despite the torrential rains that came down as we wrapped up. Thanks to David Herzenberg and his family for hiring and hosting us.

Last night at The Porch at Folly Beach was equally great. There was a full, lively, supportive (& good-looking) crowd! It made that "singing with feeling" come naturally. We'll be out there at Folly again next week, filling in for Flatt City. Thanks Bruner, for inviting us (YeeHaw Junction) to play with you there. Join us next week, 7 to 10!

Jeff Meierer at IOP

Music in Charleston this week!

Steep Canyon Rangers will be at The Pour House on Friday, March 13. If you enjoy bluegrass, you need to go see this band! They are solid. I guarantee you will enjoy it.

Walter Biffle plays at The Pour House occasionally, as is the case this Thursday, March 12, from 6 to 9 pm. Since Walter and I and Bob and Pete need to practice together for the Big Timber Project, we thought, why not have our practice at The Pour House, from 6 to 9 pm? So there you have it - we'll be there, on the back deck. Should be fun. I hope you will join us!

Of course, Bob Sachs will be at Dunleavy's on Tuesday at 7pm. Not pure bluegrass, but definitely pure great music.

Here's a picture at Boone Hall Plantation this week, one of my favorite places to play bluegrass!