Ed of H gigs; 2023

[edwardofhuncote]

I seem to have ended up back where I started, at least musically... a couple weeks ago, I played a reunion with some guys I was in a band with back in the very early 90's. We had not played together as the band 'Solid State' in 18 years until this one. I doubt if we're going to do a lot, but everybody had a good time playing for this little community Fall Festival, so maybe a few more opportunities will come along.

And the neo-oldtyme band 'New River Bound'... we played together at the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, Virginia this past Summer. That was our first time onstage together since July of 2021. Just this week, an email circulated around wondering if we could reunite and play again for a Christmas Market next month... everybody's in. Again, I don't think it'll lead to anything more than just a good time for a night, but the chemistry has always been magical when this group plays.

[pauldo]

😎

[edwardofhuncote]

I received a text message from the Harwell-Grice Band manager/bandleader yesterday, inviting me to play at their 20th Anniversary Celebration next week. That's a pretty cool milestone for those guys... Josh and Gabe have been playing music together as the core of that outfit for 20 years now, and I am honored to have been part of it for 5 of those years. They want me to split the bass duties that evening with my replacement, who I actually replaced in the band back at the end of 2016. Andrew and me know each other well, so it won't be weird or anything.

I always had a great time playing with the HGB guys, and miss them a lot, so it'll be fun to get up there and jam again. From what I hear, a bunch of past members, regular subs, and special guests are coming.

[edwardofhuncote]

I went to the HGB guys' 20th Anniversary party last night, but didn't play.

It turned out, all four bass players were there, Isaiah (original bassist), P.J. (next) Andrew (next/current) and me (I replaced Andrew, and was replaced by Andrew) which was kinda' cool because it's never happened before. Anyway... they had plenty of lowend support and I turn into a pumpkin at about 9:00 anymore, so I visited a while and headed back home. Also in attendance, the original mandolin player and original banjo player, Matt and Spencer. They had been in the Harwell-Grice outfit back in 2003-2007 college days. I had met Matt before, but not Spencer. A few of the band's regular subs were on-hand for the action too. It was good to see everyone. And to be seen too, I guess... rumours of my demise were exaggerated, I assured them.

So the next thing for me is next week. I'm filling-in on upright for a Holiday thing with the Whistlepigs. After that, a Christmas Market with New River Bound. That'll wrap-up 2023.

[KR]

Four bassists in one room is rare. I seldom get to visit with other bassists.

[edwardofhuncote]

It isn't all that commonplace here either Keith, but what made it extraordinary was that all four of us kinda' knew each other anyway. I didn't know Isaiah before joining the band, but met socially several times since. I've known both PJ and Andrew for years. Andrew had actually apprenticed with the same luthier as I did for a while. And at one time or another, I have done repairs and/or setup for PJ. Small World...

New River Bound is set for 3 hours of a musical revue this afternoon, at a Christmas Market in rural Botetourt Co. Virginia. We haven't played at all since this past Summer, at the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax... and before that, hadn't played in a couple years. We haven't rehearsed a thing. We did pass around a couple old setlists, and discuss what tunes were 'easy', 'do-able', 'risky', or 'plum-nuts'. Didn't rule out anything, but decided any member could exercise veto power on a called tune they didn't feel too good about. We've always had this sense of each other's timing and the result is magical. Chemically attracted to a groove. Can't make a mistake sometimes.

I put the Schaller straplocks back on my Custom fretless. (it's had those cool oversized gold 70's style Klusons on there for the past year or so) It's been a long time since that bass has been out on a gig. The fretless Hyak may also make an appearance. Just thinking - 3 hours is a long time... I should probably take something light. Or bring my chair? Load-in is at 12, soundcheck at 1, and downbeat is at 2. The weather here is mercifully mild today, for the threshold of Winter. Maybe pics or video tomorrow.

[rv_bass]

The Birdseye maple on your custom is amazing. Have a great time!

[edwardofhuncote]

The weather forecasters blew it yesterday... when we got to the Woodsdale Farm, it was rainy and cold. Then Santa came, set up shop in their hayshed, and things started shaping up. The rain stopped, and the sun started to peek through. The kettle corn people got cranked up and things started to smell festive too. All the arts and crafts folks rolled in and began to set up. They put us on the front porch of the old house, cornerstone laid in 1812.

As it always has been with the four of us, the connection is instant, and magical. Three hours flew by, and we took no breaks... it was just too much fun playing again to stop. Afterward, Mrs. Santa (looked suspiciously like our fiddler's m-i-law...) brought us some hot homemade vegetable soup, (I guess a few rogue Elves scarfed up all the sugar cookies?!) and we talked about trying to get something together more often than once a year. That'd be great. I always hoped we'd have a rematch someday. Brian and Jess have been busy raising daughters, Caleb's been acclimating to married life, and with my recurring health problems and work schedule, the past few years have made a music schedule impossible for us all. It's good to know the core is still there for a future reboot.

*Maybe the biggest win for me personally; I played that Alembic for 3 solid hours yesterday without any issue. C14588 isn't a lightweight... not a boat-anchor either. I never have weighed it but I'll guess 10-1/2 lbs. I was ready to not play anymore when we were done, but that I am strong enough to manage that task at all is a very good sign. Now, to maintain that level of fitness...

2023 gave a few welcome surprise gigs...

[pauldo]

Glad to hear the music just flowed out.   Funny how that happens with some folk.