SPBGMA

SPBGMA 2008 is officially over, and it was awesome!

SPBGMA (pronounced "spigma") stands for the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America. Every year, SPBGMA puts on a convention at the Nashville Sheraton, and it has become THE destination for bluegrass pickers across the country.

Here are some of the highlights of my SPBGMA experience:

• Jamming - This is what we all come for...hours and hours of great bluegrass jamming, with old friends and new ones as well. People I jammed with this year: Dave Snyder, Benji Merritt, James Howard, Perry Woodie, Sim Daley, Missy Daley, Josh Hicks, Jim Clark, Jim Wingate, Justin Nunez (21-tr old guitar player from south Mississippi), Morgan Knowland, and other folks whose names I don't recall. Check out this video clip of one of our jams...
  
• Hatch Show Print - On Saturday, we stopped by a nondescript storefront on Music Row in downtown Nashvegas to visit one of the coolest businesses around, Hatch Show Print. Since the late 1800's, they have been printing showbills and posters for the top musical acts in the country. They still use the original printing methods and typesetting like in the olden days... Check out these examples of their cool artwork.
  
• Daley mandolin workshop - On Friday afternoon, we were invited by Sim Daley to visit his workshop where he builds Daley mandolins and guitars. Daley mandolins are the hottest mandolins going right now, and are played by Adam Steffey, Dan Tyminski, and a lot of other big name mando monsters.
  
• Gruhns Guitars - Saturday afternoon, we also stopped by Gruhn's Guitars, one of the biggest dealers of vintage acoustic instruments in the country. This place was incredible. Dozens of old Martin guitars, mandolins of all types, banjos, dobros, fiddles... No cheesy Chinese imports here - if its the good stuff, they have it.
  
• Western wear - We stopped in a western wear store just for kicks. Result: I confirmed that I look hilarious in a big black Stetson!
  
• Gibson Showcase - Like last year, we paid a visit to the Gibson Showcase, which is THE coolest store I've ever been in. The outside of the store looks like a huge F5 mandolin headstock, and the inside contains the entire line of Gibson bluegrass instruments. Just be sure to bring a BIG checkbook along...their top-of-the-line mandolin (distressed Master Model) had a price tag of $25,500!

Despite the huge blister I got from playing bass so loud for so long, it was a great weekend. Thanks, Cathy, for the great birthday present!

Once again, God is good.

News

When I was in third grade, everyone knew the Good News Bad News joke. It went something like this:

Dusty, the Crop Duster was sitting on the bench outside the General Store when a friend came by and sat next to him. "You're looking kind of banged up, Dusty, what happened?" "Well," answered Dusty rather slowly, "I was doing the field east of town when my engine gave out." "That's bad!" "Thankfully I had my parachute on and jumped out." "That's good!" "But my parachute didn't open." "That's bad!" "There was a large haystack right below me." "That's good!" "There was a pitchfork in the middle of the haystack." "That's bad!" "I missed the pitchfork." "That's good!" "No, that's bad - I missed the haystack!"

Here's a brief life update in "good news / bad news" format:

• Good news - Our Crossroads Life Group is starting up again, after the winter break. It will be good to see our "empty nest" friends again, and share life together. Leader Steve Prout does an awesome job...
  
  
• Bad news - Today marks the 11th day of my cold (sinus infection). Yesterday, I went to the doc and got a Z-Pack, which I started on last night. But instead of feeling better, I felt worse today than ever. Must have blown my nose well over 100 times today (TMI?). Anyhow, I want so badly to feel normal again...
  
  
• Good news - This weekend, I'm going to SPBGMA (pronounced "spigma"). SPBGMA is a massive bluegrass event at the Nashville Hilton, and is one of the two biggest yearly events for pickers and grinners. Picture a huge hotel where the lobby, hallways, and rooms are packed with people jamming round the clock. There's also an auditorium where all the "big name" national bands are playing (all day), and a room with all the top-name luthiers and instrument builders. I went last year, and it was a blast. I just hope I am well by then...I'm praying for healing!!!
  
  
• Bad news - Lots of car problems lately. New muffler for Zach's Accord, new front brakes for my truck, new thermostat for Cathy's CRV... But, it beats car payments! (Oh yeah, I still have one...bummer).
  

• Good news - My bluegrass band, Last Road, may have found a replacement banjo player. We've been auditioning guys for the last month or so, and we're ready to get someone on board before we start up with spring gigs. Sounds like an easy task, but it is tough to find someone who is compatible musically, spiritually, and personality-wise...