Visit to lynn dudenbostal and steve perry

[Big Joe]

My wife and I wanted to drive through the Smokies to see the leaves at peak color (yes, mid November and peak color...never could imagine that!). #I had ordered an Eastman mandola from Steve Perry (Gianna Violins, Mandovoodoo, etc) and it came in in time for us to pick it up while we were out there. #We went to see Steve at his shop. #What a beautiful place for a shop! #Right in the Smokies and on a river. #He can boat to work if he wishes.

We took care of business, he showed me his shop, and some interesting instruments in his facility. #We then went to dinner right on Lake Lenior. #It was a great day and we enjoyed it immensely. #Thank you for being such a delightful host Steve.

Saturday we meandered through the mountains for awhile, then went to see my friend Lynn Dudenbostel and his wife Amy. #We have been wanting to get there for some time. #His wife and my wife are quilt nuts. #They had plenty to do and talk about and we did not even see them for about two hours while Lynn showed his shop and some very cool instrumnents. #I got to play Dude #1, and his first A model he built. #What a cannon! #Then he brought out the first flat top he ever built. #Man, what a treat! #Lynn and Amy were such good hosts and we both left completely overwhelmed with their goodness and the time we spent together. #Lynn showed me a couple of mandos in process, one nearly completed. #He was putting on the last coats of French Polish when we got there.

All in all, this was an incredible weekend and one we will remember for a long time. #I am so thankful to have made so many good friends over the years and the opportunity to visit them in their shops is always a joy. #How much better could life be than to have friends like these guys! #Thank you once again both Steve and Lynn. #What a weekend!

[AlanN]

You should learn to correctly spell your good friend's name.

[Big Joe]

I stand corrected at least in the text. Too early for me to think clearly yet! Thank you. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif .

[Kevin Briggs]

Sounds great, Joe.

How's the mandola? What's your view on the voodoo?

[PsychoMando]

I completely agree with Big Joe. Two weeks ago I was doing a lecture tour through Tennessee and had called ahead to see if I could see some of Lynn Dudenbostel's mandolins at his "store". Ha! There is no store. But this incredibly gracious and gifted man warmly invited me to visit him in his shop at his home. So this stranger shows up on his front door, and you would think I was family. Another gentleman (Danny) was visiting there as well. So Lynn gave both of us a tour of his shop, talked technical stuff, let us play several of his heart-stopping mandolins (including his first A-model). I made my goodbyes and drove on to Asheville, NC. Like Joe said, I found myself reflecting on what a privilege it is to be part of the bluegrass community. Here's this world-class luthier, who opens his home to strangers - taking the time to really get to know you and share his passion for building incredible instruments. Lynn Dudenbostel may be a legendary builder, but first and foremost he is a first-class human being. So, if my lectures keep going well, and I can hypnotise my wife into believing that MAS is a positive thing, maybe, just maybe, I could get on Lynn's waiting list.
Paul

[Big Joe]

Kevin....I will post another thread about the mandola in the near future. It did not get the mandovoodoo treatment, just a set up.

[cooper4205]

you lucky dog! Lynn used to work at the same place my parents do (which is pretty cool, IMO), and I've always wanted go check out his mando's and shoot the breeze. Are you sure you don't mean Lake Loudon in Lenoir City, though? There's no Lake Lenior in East Tenn., just Watts Barlake, Tellico lake and Ft. Loudon lake(which has a nice Calhoun's on the river) around where those guys are -- not trying to nitpick, just grew up a few miles down the road from there (in Wakefield country http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif )

[Big Joe]

I stand corrected again. It was the Calhouns on Ft. Louden Lake. I did not get enough sleep last night it seems http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif .

[cbarry]

It's a sad thing indeed when a great story told to friends gets nitpicked for spelling errors.
Thanks for sharing, Joe.
Chuck

[Nolan]

Thanks for sharing Joe!

[cbarry]

Sorry Cooper, see Alan N.'s post above.
Caught me in a cranky mood this morning. Apologies to you (and Alan).
Chuck

[cooper4205]

I stand corrected again. It was the Calhouns on Ft. Louden Lake. I did not get enough sleep last night it seems http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif .
Calhoun's has some great bar-b-q, tell me you tried it! when I was growing up we'd take the boat from Kingston and ride up there and eat on the weekends. They also (or used too) have live music around the 4th on a floating stage out from the park and marina that's pretty cool.

[Stephen Perry]

It was fun having a famous visitor at our little shop on the lake. Joe is always a delight. We have lots in common, including a love of good food! I suspect we could spend several hours going through toys without any problem.

Joe, we'll have to get together when Gianna isn't at a football game. I'll get her to drag out the watercolor quilt she did. It's quite remarkable.

I'll voodoo the mandola once it's broken in a bit.

Be well!