Whew.. starting with last Thursday before heading to Canada for the first two NGDB shows of the year, it has been non-stop. Preparations for CD release of April 3, interviews and stuff for upcoming dates in PA and NJ, and then... then.. then... one of those days preceded by no sleep. I had a nightmare the night before going to JFK at 6 a.m., one about having trouble getting to the stage.. I left picks in the dressing room, went back, got lost, someone led me to the stage.. and there was a hip hop band playing.. wrong stage. big building... then I realized I didn't have shoes on and had to find the dressing room again. Found it but, had left my banjo at the hip-hop stage.. and had to find it. But., a string broke.. and the picks.. on in 3 minutes and didn't know where the stage was.. and finally woke up. Well, that was about 3 a.m., and alarm was for 5:00.. Got out of that dream and didn't think sleep would come back.. then the alarm went off. So.. heading to JFk with about 3hrs stored up, looking forward to my normal window seat at 8 a.m... then notified the flight was late. It was delayed 7 hours, 20 minutes at a time. The 8 a.m. flight to Toronto was now supposed to go at 2:45, and the 3:15 at the same gate was showing on time with NO problems.. soo0.. I decided with the next posted delay of 20 min I would change over to the 3:15.. and did. see, when a plane is constantly delayed by 20 or more minutes it is usually something they cannot predict, like a mechanical. If it is delayed by 40 min., then 10 .. and then another 10.. it is more likely to go, as they just might be having trouble with ground or plane crew, but it is (for the short delays) often an indication they actually know something. The constant 20-30 min at a time? Not good. I switched. The 3:15 went on time, which now meant I would get to Toronto just in time to rent the car, get my bag, drive to the venue, get out and tune and go on. Well, the bag didn't show, and I scheduled delivery to the hotel, 2 hours away.. leaving the airport now at 6:00 for the 9:00 show to 3800 people. Made that fine, tuned, ironed the shirt I had on, and played in my 'street clothes'.. very strange to me.
That reluctant bag showed at 1:30 a.m... slept for 8 hours then, got up and drove the 4 hours to Windsor. That show had maybe 4,000 people. Great audiences, both. Glad I still haven't missed a show. This was close. Very little time for checking internet! With a few minutes here and there, I did find some good news: the 'likes' have doubled in the past two months! I wonder if any of them would want to do days like this. I confess, it was actually fun, especially when I knew I was going to make it... about an hour from the first venue.
incidentally.. the original delayed flight that I jumped ship on, that was 'supposed' to leave at 3:05 when I got on the 3:15? It didn't leave until 5:30, and I would have missed the show. I would've had my stage clothes and toothbrush, though..
The McEuen Sessions - all the good - Posted 01/15/2012
is finished! mastering tomorrow. Release date April 3 on Mesa Bluemoon Recordings. It is one of the best and most important albums I have made, in my personal top 5.. well, maybe 6. Jonathan and Nathan showed me how much they care about what they do, and did an amazing job. I hope you start hearing about it soon, and spread the word.
Happy Birthday Earl Scruggs! - Posted 01/09/2012
What a night! I was happier about the call inviting me to his dad's birthday party than I would have been to hear I was nominated for a Grammy. Well, I have one of those, but I have never been to one of Earl's parties. Gary said it was going to be his 88th and we reflected on just how long have we known each other anyway! Well, 'we go back' now 42 years, a shocking revelation, and one that reminded me of a phone call from Gary about 8 years ago. He had called to tell me about a time, when he was on the road in the 70's with his dad and Vassar, Josh Graves, and Randy, that they were supposed to go on at 8:00, but the show was running late, and it looked like it would be a little after 10:00 before they went on. Gary went to the promoter and told him "we have to get on pretty soon... it's getting late, and some of the guys in my band are OVER 40 YEARS OLD!". You see, it is strange to me to think that when Earl was recording on the Circle album that, well.. I am now 17 years older than he was then. With that I think I will post this and take a nap.
favorite albums? - Posted 01/08/2012
well.. Uncle Charlie, Circle, Rare Junk, String Wizards, Acoustic Traveller.. and now the trio album. As far as single recordings, one cut alone.. I think my lifetime favorites are: Carolina Traveller, Mr. Bojangles, Acoustic Traveller, Journey Through Dixie, Dismal Swamp (on String Wizards album), Long Hard Road, Dance Little Jean, It's Morning, Tall Timber, Collegiana (on NGDB Rare Junk album), and a few more.. but now. with the coming of The McEuen Sessions album.. well, there are going to be some additions to my list.
leaving Jamaica and off and running - Posted 01/05/2012
now starting the New Year. Looks to be more active than anticipated. The 'trio album' is going to require a lot of promotion (It will be called The McEuen Sessions) and the next 10 days are packed with photo shoot, final mix, mastering, artwork, PR calls.. etc. Looking forward to seeing all of you this year! I think this album will be in my personal top 5, and look forward to hearing what you all think about it. a couple of chestnuts, and new songs.
All the Good it Did
Hills of Sylmar
Long Hard Road
Time to Go Home
Leader of the Band
Love Word
Old Shep
Grand Design
Quicker at the Draw
Only You Know and I Know
Banjormous
back in the states - Posted 12/29/2011
from 11 days in Europe.. Anne Frank's house, Berlin Wall, Dresden, and 4 days in incredible Prague. Getting things done for the release of the trio album, and looking forward to seeing how that will surprise people.
a trip all should take - Posted 12/24/2011
was made this past week - to Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden, and Praha. Not sure I can remember running in to so many nice people as I have so consistently as on this trip. Seeing Rembrandts and Vermeers no more than feet away, walking inside castles, standing at Checkpoint Charlie and touring Holocaust memorials, crossing the Charles Bridge, eating the food of these lands.. it has been all good and thought provoking. Getting ready for the coming year, one which I believe will make many of you happy.. and will reach a lot of new ears with several projects. This trip has inspired me, and made me feel fortunate that will a small amount of talents I am able to pursue what I love to do, and be able to do this along the way. Tomorrow I will hear the Czech Orchestra orchestra play Dvorak's New World Symphony as well as some Mozart.. in a town where they both 'played'. I remember as a teenager learning banjo that Copland's Appalachian Spring and New World were two pieces of music that excited me. I thank all of you who may have or continue to support my music, my pursuits, come see me perform, or come to see Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.. as you have made it possible for me to do this.
This coming year includes : The McEuen Sessions , end of March Jonathan, Nathan, and I put out our first album on Mesa Blue Moon. Martha Redbone - Love Songs of William Blake I produced and wrote the music with her for these 1804 lyrics. Acoustic Traveller on Channel 62, my Sirius/XM show starts its 6th year Sirius/XM radio special to be broadcast sometime in April - John McEuen & sons playing 'the new album' SyndicatedNews.Net official launch of new site I am helping build
Denver and Celine Dion - Posted 12/12/2011
Never know what might happen when you play a banjo.. here is what my Dec. 8 had in store for me.
My time with Celine Dion
Was short, but full. We were both called on to perform at the Denver Art Museum in honor of the Anschutz family of Denver, who are the benefactors for many good things. In this case Mr. Anschutz’s funding the construction of this beautiful new Museum was being honored. He is known by all those who know of him to have ‘a lotta of money’, but what makes him rich is his family and how they all use their position for philanthropic causes. (One of the richest men in America, his holdings are vast). While he has developed many successful businesses, he has never lost sight of the good his position can do to improve the ‘human condition’, for which he and others in his family are quite known.
Years ago Mr. Anschutz told me that one reason he became interested in the music business was because of the excitement he felt going to Nitty Gritty Dirt Band concerts in the mid-‘70’s, while a college student in Kansas. He is a fan. Such a fan that as his successes built to the point where one of his ‘loves’ being art of the American West (he is the largest private holder of artworks of this type) led him to bring the band to perform at the MOMA in New York City in the ‘80’s, where his collection was displayed at the time. Then, in the ‘90’s, he took the whole band to Russia for 10 days with his exhibit, and proudly displayed both his art and one of his favorite groups.
Now it was time for a dinner in his honor, held at the Denver Art Museum the night of December 8. 400 guests of various prestigious backgrounds were in for the surprise of Mr. Anschutz’s life when I came out to ‘warm up’ the crowd for someone who needed no warm-up – Celine Dion. We had both been brought in as a surprise for this event, and I was sworn to secrecy about this show.
I wondered if I would meet this great singer, as even though our dressing rooms were next to each other, I knew she was well protected. I had heard comments about ‘she’s a diva.. not friendly’ or such from some people who apparently did not really know her, and had figured those reports were based on brief encounters some had when she was working, or concerned about her performance.
She arrived while I was playing my banjo, going in to that dressing room on the other side of a paper-thin wall. I kept playing a bit to see if I would hear someone yell, “make them stop that noise!!” and switched to the mandolin for a couple minutes when they didn’t. I had to warm up and be ready to play; I was ‘opening’ for Celine Dion!
Venturing to knock next door to ask if my playing was disturbing her (actually an excuse to say hello), she said “nooo! Sounds wonderful! Please, don’t stop..” Going back to my space, after a few comments and niceties from her about the event and being there. She started warming up with some acrobatic vocal exercises. I felt like a lucky guy, to be hearing her do that, and she was only doing one song after my 15 minutes. Sound check went fine, and she departed until show time.
My wife Marilyn and I came back a few hours later, and getting ready to go on, Celine also returned and they got to meet. After ‘the show’, she graciously stood for photos with those around, and I got one with her holding the Maasai album (Loruvani – Songs of the Maasai Steppe) I gave her, even holding it up for the camera. It was a good night, and the Anschutz family was duly surprised and all smiles throughout. My banjo has taken me to some strange situations.
U.S. 1, commies 0 - Posted 11/10/2011
Well, it is something that would not have been more than a dream 35 years ago when we were the first American band to tour Russia. The 28 sold out shows spawned many things I have been told - country bands, bluegrass groups, interest overall in American music... and a connection to Latvian cult hero, Pete Anderson. Pete's American performance of rockabilly music landed him in jail many times in the '70's, to the point where he had to quit doing what he loved. As things changed over there, he became known as a cultural hero and was recently honored as such with his own postage stamp! Nowdays Pete does about 12-15 concerts a month, doing what he loves that previously got him locked up. And NOW he is headed to Kansas to shoot some final footage nov. 14 for the documentary Rockin' the Kremlin, about how American rock and roll brought down the Iron Curtain. Should be quite a time!
on the road.. again. - Posted 11/03/2011
NGDB first in Colorado Springs should be a fun night. Then Calgary, which is very exciting to me as it is my first solo show there.. I think! Missing all my children as always. Wish I could see them all. Never have had enough time for me with them, and always love it when they visit, though that is rare. At different times I have run Ryan, Andrew, Jonathan, Noel and Nathan around NYC and it was great fun of life.. Aaron's turn soon I hope. The Maasai album, by Lourvani, is out and getting great reception so they might get that community center built. The trio album is almost ready, and due for release March 1. The Martha Redbone 'William Blake album' is almost done, and is beautiful words sung by a great singer. SyndicatedNews.Net is expanding and growing every day. And, it looks like I have an agent for my book. All in all, a year of many good things prepared and almost, and getting ready for the next year. Stay tuned.
Uncle Charlie, fyi - Posted 11/01/2011
Was the uncle of my brother's wife.. Alice's uncle.. he lived in the Tulare, CA., area. Bill recorded him around 1964, a recording that later found its way to the 5th Dirt Band album, Uncle Charlie and his Dog Teddy. He had passed away by then, but his memory lives on!
Thank you, Marie Garaffa - Posted 10/31/2011
I found out today that Marie Garaffa recently passed away at 67 years of age. It is with great fortune that I came to know her. Her treasures in life were not financial, but were given to all in the form of her wonderful kindness and caring for those she was taking care of. She and her husband Rob (45 years married!) were together in life as caring people, for which I am grateful, as they took care of my mother in her final years. My mom was always glad to see them, and Marie always made more than the ‘assigned rounds’ to see those she was caring for at Woodland Park in Salt Lake City. Thank you, Marie, for making life easier for so many. I could always count on you. We all were graced by your caring presence, and will talk of you often with kind words and great respect for how well you carried out your mission in life. She always cared more about others than herself.
Kansas coming up in November.. and a surprise.. - Posted 10/18/2011
When we get to the Emporia show 11/14 there is a great chance that Pete Anderson from Latvia will be joining us for a few songs. This historic jamming will become part of a new documentary, Rockin' The U.S.S.R., about how American Music brought down the Iron Curtain. Pete will be coming in from Latvia, and do as he did in Norway last year, and a hot time was had by all..Check out Pete's story on my site or: http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Music/2010/08/15/Pete-Anderson-seminal-figure-in-rock-behind-the-Iron-Curtain/UPI-11871281867480/
any opinion about this? - Posted 10/14/2011
The Unfound Egg
What about those Easter eggs that don’t get found? Do they wait in the bushes for the next go around? Does their color fade or their spirits degrade, as they wait in the shade, to bring their simple, just because they are there, joy to some girl or boy that might come around? If they lay there for a year, do they regret getting laid, thinking their time came too early, or that they’re not new, but old and past their prime and not in the game. Would not an early egg be different than the early bird? The only worm it will have in its future is the kind we all want to avoid. If that early worm invades the space inside and eats what it finds, will people say ‘he was a good egg.. a little hardboiled.. but now just a shell of his former self..“, not knowing if it were a he or her.
John McEuen
2010
a friend to remember - Posted 10/06/2011
Rich Williams
It was the best of times and, it was …the best of time. The ‘real’ world was far away from this Huck and Tom, and reflecting on that period of my life I am not sure who was Finn and who was Sawyer. We were inseparable most of the time, pals all of the time. From rocket building to destroying small things with firecrackers, burning ants with a magnifying glass to making endless cinnamon toothpicks, kites and racing cars, from endless bike riding to swimming until wrinkled like a raisin in the sun, our time of grades 7 & 8 were, with my best friend ever, constantly memorable to me.
It was Rich where I saw how someone who could have been a big-framed bully took the big friendly funny teddy bear approach instead. My mom always welcomed him, as he was ‘a good kid’, and she never minded if he and I were out after dark as we usually were. At least she didn’t tell me.
Racing to the small plane that crashed in the orchard one day was the biggest news on the planet! To us… It was the same orchard where I’d heard my first (and thankfully last) shotgun blast directed at me! What was to be the last of many times, Rich and I had been eating away at the best cherries in California - pretty high up in one of the orchard’s many trees, with perfectly ripe cherries ready to fall off. From our perches, about 20 minutes worth had fallen in to our hungry beaks, when out of nowhere came the farmer’s shouts of ‘You two get out of that tree!! Quit eatin’ my cherries!! You’re gonna get shot if you don’t git!” Followed by a cannon blast sounding like it was from a destroyer; we knew it was pointed at us.
Though the faster on a bike, Rich showed his true agility by dropping out of that tree like an overripe cherry, taking off as he hit the ground running, me not too far behind. The next blast we were sure was coming would aimed directly at our fleeing backsides. We got away, and laughed the rest of the day. That was one thing that was great about being around Rich, the laughter.
Neither one of us had ‘perfect lives’, but things were perfect when we were together.
Thinking back, I am grateful many things weren’t around then: cable, cell phones, helmets, texting, computer games, video, Tai Kwan Do, Ninja Turtles, drugs, and factory fresh fast food. I am eternally grateful that we had those few years we did together, a time I think of always fondly no matter what has happened to me as my life has gone through its course. Now, he has gone through his. I am better for knowing Rich Williams, and always will cherish that time with this funny, fun, kind, smart, gentle guy. He will continue to inspire me as I go on.
I guess the one thing I never said and wanted to tell him would be: Thanks for being my friend, Rich… you made my life richer.
John McEuen
2011
The Grand Ole Opry - Posted 09/26/2011
A Night at the Opry.. or,The Fandom of the Opry
It was Grand, that Ole Opry, last 9/24 Saturday night! I could be in a dream while awake was my first thought, when the security guy said: “You have dressing room #1, The Acuff Room”. The room I had spent treasured time in over the past 30 years, as Roy Acuff – The King of Country Music – always invited me in. As our 1972 “Circle Album” had set a new level of attention for his style of country music, he was very grateful. He liked that platinum record. All the Opry people knew the whole story behind it (young west coast banjo picker and his group with pop radio hits came to Nashville to record an acoustic album with ‘them’), and from that release I have had a lifetime backstage pass to the Opry.
Then, when one of the performers would say “hey, John, what’s up?” or such, it was a shock, still feeling like that Orange County kid with a banjo who might be in the wrong place, and will get caught soon. But, soon I have that wonderful feeling of being part of ‘them’again, a feeling I cherish greatly.
To see The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band now on the billing with Dolly Parton, Jim Ed Brown, Jeanne Shepard, Jimmy C. Newman, and Little Jimmy Dickens amazes me. The band’s songs went great, and the packed house of 4200 ate it up. My banjo never sounds better than it does in this room. It’s great to look across the stage and think that Jeff (NGDB lead singer) sang with (late bluegrass great) Jimmy Martin on the Circle Albums, and now we’re doing one of his songs here.. and Fadden has his early mentor Charlie McCoy playing harp with him, too!
These moments are too few, and while hanging with Little Jimmy (and I took a cute photo of my wife Marilyn and him together), I “land the job” of playing banjo behind Earl on fiddle and Charlie Collins on guitar (my first Nashville friend, he played with Acuff for 45 years) for the Opry Square Dancers. Doing this is what I consider a real ‘inside’ compliment, to just be ‘one of the pickers in the Opry band’ is like going back to 1948 and Hank Williams would be on soon. (And in fact, his granddaughter Holly Williams did play this night).
Three of my six kids have been here, and I have been able to show them this side of my life, a part that took me away from them too many times. I very much look forward to bringing the other three, and I will someday. Although my mom never saw the The Opry live, one time over 20 years ago, I had ‘Bashful’ Brother Oswald sing her The Old Spinning Wheel from the Acuff dressing room over the phone while I played the banjo.
If you have a chance, don’t miss the Grand Ole Opry!
Jeanne Robertson - Posted 09/22/2011
I will interview Jeanne Robertson Oct. 1, humorist, while on the road with NGDB.. for SyndicatedNews..for now I am playing two foot Fred's Funky Monkey in Seymour, IN
making sense of things - Posted 09/22/2011
is sometimes difficult. How we do in emergencies is a strong point of America. All are helpful, regardless of background. Then there comes the arguments.. which should be called debates in our free society. Tony Bennet did not say what he did during a show, but as a response to an interview question. What he said should be considered, then agree, disagree, or ignore it.. but one should not assail him for his right to say it. It is a tough time.. then and now for many, but we will perservere.
Then reality of missed justice opportunities shows up with executions that might have been reconsidered, should have been reconsidered. There are many. Always a difficult thing, this, but to have a man killed when someone else admits to the deed years prior to the execution? Who are the real killers in this type of case? Should they be held accountable?
To make sense of "it all" in the case of 9/11, I don't know if we ever will .. but this is an interesting look at post 9/11 from John Stewart, whose Emmy winning show is not a fluke.. this shows one of the reasons why it is earned, from 10 years ago: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-september-20-2001/september-11--2001?xrs=playershare_fb
whew... great night in Crested Butte! Bach and bluegrass - Posted 09/17/2011
Alpin Hong and I had a great night.. more notes tonight than any one show ever for me, thanks to his classical chops. What a player.. looks like we will do that again somewhere, just don't know when. How did I get so lucky? For all this I am thankful, and it looks like the Maasai album is getting a lot of attention.. check that out: http://syndicatednews.net/songs-of-the-maasai-steppe-p241-202.htm
Canada... - Posted 09/03/2011
one more show in what has been what would be called a tough trip travel wise, but one could not ask for better audiences.The last show is, well.. go 50 miles north from a city, turn right and go 75 miles to the boondocks, then straight another 50 miles to the sticks, and about 10 miles after that we'll do another outdoor show - when the rain quits.
They said we were staying 'at the nicest place in town, but there is no town. You know those infrared lights you can shine on a bedspread to see things crawling around it it? Here you don't need the light. Any light will do. Old Vaudeville phrases come to mind, like: "they change the sheets every day... from room to room!" or "Did you hear about the war of 1812? I was in 1814 - it kept me up all night". I wish, as this was another night on the bus, on a bumpy road, and one you would wish was longer so you could get more than 4.6 hours of sleep. So, now to go on the food quest instead of zzz.
Asking for an English muffin I had never before heard "we only have them on Sunday" Really! As it was Saturday, and I couldn't wait, I opted for 'the brown bread" instead. Good breakfast at this truckstop/hotel/sports bar/convenience store in wherever we are. Looks like the rain is lifting. A lot of good improvement on syndicatednews.net spread the word! check it out. Working on it every day.
