Kentucky KM-25

[doublestop]

Hey, has anyone has the chance to play one of these varnish finish KM-25s yet? Does anyone know who (what luthier) is actually making them? I own a great Japanese made KM-1000 and am wondering if Sumi has a hand in any of these new varnish finish ones.

[singingshrink]

Doublestop,

I own a 25th anniversary model and it is my understanding that Sumi made about 6-8 of them last year. The story goes that he had the leftover Dawg model materials sitting around the shop and used them for the 25th model. I absolutely love the instrument and everyone that hears/plays it at festivals agrees.

Rick

[doublestop]

Rick,
Isn't it odd that you would be the one that would finally answer my question. We met you last year at the OATS Fest in Benton. We were the musical vendors there. Are you still playing with Dave? I didn't see you guys on the schedule for this year. We will be there again this year. If you come bring your Km-25 so I can give it a whirl. I recently acquired a Japanese made KM-1000 that I will bring. It's great! PS We thought of you guys last week. We watched "Resevoir Dogs" for the first time and the song that played when they ran the credits was "You Put the Lime in the Coconut". Remember us?

[jim simpson]

Hey, I'll be at OATS. Wouldn't it be cool to have a Mandolin Cafe cafe or meet & greet zone. I haven't met many folks yet that haunt this site. I will make it a point to say howdy!
Jim

[doublestop]

Jim,
Were you at OATS last year? If so, maybe we have already met. I'll be working in the musical vendor's tent with Lanning Music. What will you be playing? Do you still have your Yellowstone or did you sell it at Wind Gap? I just got a new Custom Yellowstone and am eager to show it off. It sounds and looks great! Please stop by our tent and say "hi". Hey, I also know a guy from New Jersey (just met him last year) who has a Monteleone. Hell, you may even know him. His name is Larry. He let me play his Monteleone last year and I was thrilled. If you're lucky you may get a peak of it. It is a real gem!!!! I know he's coming back this year. PS My name is Annette.

[jim simpson]

Hi Annette,
This will be my first OATS experience! I'll be sure to stop by and introduce myself. I have been playing my Gibson F5-G. I did take my Yellowstone to Wind Gap and got a few bites on it. I did play it a lot and it sounded great, makes me wonder why I am willing to part with it. A friend who owns several nice mandos said he was resisting MAS to buy it from me. Could you be thinking of Louie with the Monteleone? If so that's the one he bought from Adam Steffey. He took (or still takes?) lessons from Barry Mitterhoff. I live outside of Phila. so it will be nice to see your stuff. I think your shop is a little far from where I live. I am playing with The Walls of Time and we're scheduled to play Fri. & Sunday.
I have been with them for less than a year. The band used to be Chester Johnson & The Walls of Time but is now a 4-piece configuration. (wwwgeocities.com/wallsoftime)
See you soon,
Jim

[doublestop]

I checked out your website and I recognize a couple of your bandmates. Does Dave Lucas also play dobro (with a flatpick)? I believe he is coming to a festival up here this weekend. He plays with some of our friends and met them last year at OATS. Steve also used to play in a band with a friend of mine. Not the same Monteleone guy. This guy bought the instrument for next to nothing before Monteleone had made a name for himself.

[jim simpson]

Yes, Dave plays the dobro with a flat pick. I first met Dave some time back at a festival and he was playing the dobro. It took me a while to figure out that he was not using fingerpicks. It's hard to tell and he doesn't sound like Tut Taylor. I play guitar on some numbers and Dave switches to dobro for those songs. Dave plays a dobro and a guitar (w/Brazilian Rosewood) that our bass player, Ray built. Now if I could only get Ray to part with the last F-5 that he made. My bandmates ooze with talent and I haven't figured out why they let me play with them yet!
Jim

[doublestop]

I'm looking forward to meeting you. See you soon!!!

[singingshrink]

doublestop,

It hadn't connected before who you were but now I remember (it is a small world). I am still playing in Dave's band but we are not booked at OATS this year. Are you going to be at any other festivals this summer?

Rick

[doublestop]

Bummer, I really wanted to get a look at that KM-25. Maybe next year. We're doing a total of three festivals this year, but they are all within an hour of here.