Hidden stars on the Forum?

[Andrew B. Carlson]

Have there ever been, or are there any big name mandolin players who post on the forums? Maybe 'ol Sam Bush has a funny screen name. Maybe I'm just paranoid that I'll make a comment about one of them and they'll see it or secretly reply to it. :cool:

[MikeEdgerton]

Many of the "Big Name Stars" of the mandolin world read the cafe on a regular basis. Most don't post, and if you're concerned about what they might think if they read something you post then the quick answer would be to not post anything that you think you'd be embarassed about if they read it.

[Givson]

If I was trying to keep it a secret, I wouldn't tell you it was me.

Sam B.

[Bertram Henze]

I am sure the forum crash the other day was Bill Monroe's answer to the TANPON thread... ;)

[Jason Kindall]

Dear Sam,

Hoss is so worn out and beat up. You could do so much better. Tell you what - I'll do you a favor and take over ownership. I won't even charge you a disposal fee. Then you could be free to play something else.

______

Seriously though, I think it is cool to read in interviews that some stars read the Cafe.

[sunburst]

You can be sure that anything said here about anybody in "the mandolin world" will find it's way to them in short order whether they read it themselves or hear it from someone they know. Anything you say about a "star" here should be said as though the "star" is in the room.

As to the presence of "stars' here, why wouldn't they read the message board? There's a lot to learn here, it can be entertaining at times, and it's window to the world of those who love mandolin and like to "chat" on line. I can understand the reluctance to post though, if you are a high profile individual, problems can emerge...

[Tim2723]

I'm not sure I would want the celebrities posting openly. I doubt they would be able to add very much to the knowledge base of the community (after all, if Sam Bush tells you what strings he uses, it doesn't mean they'll be the best for you), but the forum could easily degrade into a fan club. If that were to happen, we'd loose the most powerful resource we have.

[JEStanek]

I've always maintained that anything said about anyone (be they star performer or a hack like me) should be said as if they were right next to your keyboard. Manners are manners after all. I also believe ugly posts about something tell us more about the poster than the issue/person the post is about.

Jamie

[allenhopkins]

Believe the late Butch B used to post? In any case, he e-mailed me with a question about my Howe-Orme mandolinetto.

[Michael Ramsey]

I've always maintained that anything said about anyone (be they star performer or a hack like me) should be said as if they were right next to your keyboard. Manners are manners after all. I also believe ugly posts about something tell us more about the poster than the issue/person the post is about.

Jamie

I'm with you Jamie. In case folks haven't noticed, that MY name listed when I post, both in the signature and at the avatar.

Common decency and respect for others (and their views/opinions) still goes a long way in my book.

[300win]

Well, Sam if you read this, just know that you forever changed the way I thought about picking a mandolin since I first seen and heard you play at Berryville, Virginia in 1970. I've been trying to play your stuff ever since then, have got a few of the things you do, but will never understand the most of it, of course I am not a musicial genius like you are. As far as I am concerned Mr. Bush you are one of, if not the most inovative mandolin players that has ever struck a note.

I agree with the things already said about this place turning into a fan club, and that would be a loss to all of us that want all the info we can glean about mandolins, but I had to say my piece about SB, in my book he always has astounded me.

[JFDilmando]

Paul Glasse posts here openly, and so isn't a "hidden star"... just a star...

[Greg H.]

Don Stiernbergs contributions here aren't so hidden either, but they're a real bonus to find here.

[Andrew B. Carlson]

I wasn't thinking about a star finding a bad comment about them. Just comments in general. Truth be told, I probably couldn't think of any bad comments anyway. I just think it would be quite amusing to be a famous picker, and reading a thread about yourself.

[jim simpson]

Ron Thomason, David McLaughlin both post here. Gordon Titcomb (plays with Arlo) used to regularly post here as well - Mandocrucian is here! The stars seem to be like regular folks with interesting views about the instrument and culture.

When I get famous, I'll change my name to something cryptic with enough clues so you'll know who.

[JEStanek]

Alison Stephens posts from time to time, Thile mentioned the Café in the Fretboard Journal article about acquiring his Loar, Butch did, Donny S. Ron T., Anthony Hannigan of the Hickory Project have posted here. We have the musical director of the Milwakee Mandolin Orchestra Linda Binder, and several top shelf builders (I'll include the late Charlie Derrington in this lot who contributed) who post here with some frequency. There are probably many others whom I've overlooked as they appear to be regular mando fanatics like many of the rest of us.

We should be called astronauts instead of members 'cause most of us are posting with the "stars" frequently anyway. I doubt any other forum has as much active participation by builders and players in it as this one. We also have plenty of real subject matter experts who really help make this place so useful.

Some of us are just infamous.
Jamie

[Santiago]

I enjoy when Don Stiernberg enters the jazz discussions. He always has something interesting to say, and he's very encouraging to folks who are just starting out on their journey.

[mandroid]

It's Common Name , the other guy is the one you want. :grin:

( there were 2, same first and last name, in my High school Class , It sort of worked then)

[Alex Orr]

I think the niche aspect of mando playing makes for a quirky definition of "stars". The overwhelming majority of music listeners wouldn't know most mandolin "stars" from any other person off the street. Of course this also gets at the notion of celebrity. In my world, I would have no interest in meeting or hanging out with Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert or Jay-Z, but would flip out to spend some time hanging out with Frank Wakefield or Tim O'Brien.

[Andrew B. Carlson]

I think the niche aspect of mando playing makes for a quirky definition of "stars". The overwhelming majority of music listeners wouldn't know most mandolin "stars" from any other person off the street. Of course this also gets at the notion of celebrity. In my world, I would have no interest in meeting or hanging out with Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert or Jay-Z, but would flip out to spend some time hanging out with Frank Wakefield or Tim O'Brien.

It's true. Even though mandolinism isn't mainstream, for those of us who are a part of "Mainstream mandolinism" Ricky Skaggs is bigger than Bill Gates!

[sunburst]

I was once engaged in a conversation in a room with about a dozen people in it. I was saying how horrible fame must be if you're a private person who likes to go unnoticed and unseen. Imagine walking by a news stand and seeing your own picture on "the Enquirer"!
Whoever it was I was talking to said "What will you do if you become a famous mandolin builder?". I said aloud to the room; "Anybody here know who Steve Gilchrist is?". You guessed it, no one had even heard of him.
Yes, mandolin player and builder "stars", even the most famous ones, can still walk down the street without disguises and body guards and they can still post on message boards without big problems. It's a small subset of the population that we're in.

[SternART]

I was in the Boise airport going to my gate & a fella comes running up......."Mr Grisman, can I please have your autograph?" Must have been the Pegasus case I was carrying........

[TonyP]

LOL, and if you've ever met Arthur, you know it's not just the case :)

[barry k]

my teeth are like the stars..........................they come out at night :))

[MikeEdgerton]

I've been mistaken for Mr. Ed from the back a few times.

[ColdBeerGoCubs]

<nevermind>

[sunburst]

I was in the Boise airport going to my gate & a fella comes running up......."Mr Grisman, can I please have your autograph?" Must have been the Pegasus case I was carrying........

Hope you spelled it right!

[Lee]

I've sold a Kentucky Dawg Mandola to a very notable person thru our Classifieds. I also had a very nice bite from a "star" for a Gibson EM-200 electric. Very interesting experiences I will cherish.

[theCOOP]

I see a lot of names dropped here, and unfortunately I haven't a clue who any of'em are.

Sam Bush sounds familiar, but it doesn't mean anything to me, sorry Sam, no offense.

On my Pogues message forum, one of the band members (Philip Chevron) posts openly on a daily basis and is treated more or less like any other user. There are two other band members (Spider Stacey and James Fearnley) who post from time to time. It helps you to see them as normal people. Whether that's good or bad I've yet to determine.

The fact I can communicate with Phil on a daily basis doesn't get me back stage at a gig though.

Most of you likely don't know who those guys are any more than I know who Sam Bush is. It's all relative.

Everybody's nobody to somebody. I used to live in the same apartment building as Natalie MacMaster (Cape Breton Fiddler) and she used to shop in the Home Depot I work in. I was likely the only one who knew who she was. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburg Penguins) is from my area, but I wouldn't know him if I fell over him. Same goes for "The Trailer Park Boys".

Cheers,
Coop

[JEStanek]

You would be surprised how many of us know the Pogues. Rum Sodomy and the Lash is a favorite record of mine. You should really educate yourself on who Sam Bush is. You do yourself a disservice. His work is groundbreaking and funky cool and traditional all at once. Knowing about the stars on mandolin across many genres will only enhance your understanding of what this instrument can do. At least, that's how I approach it.

Jamie

[journeybear]

Don't worry, folks. When I hit it big I'll still read and post, though surely less frequently. ;) But when I find some downtime between sold-out stadium shows and recording dates with Alicia Keys and Alison Krause, you bet I'll keep in touch. :cool: After all, who else understands all this better than fellow mandolinists? :mandosmiley:

[Alex Orr]

Back when I fashioned myself a promising flatpicking guitarist (geez, was I ever under the wrong impression about that :redface:) I used to hang out on the Flatpick-Listserve. Good group of folks on there, and among the occasional posters was Steve Kaufman, Bryan Sutton, Jack Lawrence, Tut Taylor and Cody Kilby. Of course this goes back to the idea of "stars"... To most folks those names mean nothing, but to me those guys are stars.

I'm a Pogues fan, and I recognize those names. I've seen them the last two times they've been through DC. I always thought Spider's tune "Tuesday Morning" was a pop masterpiece, even if it did depart somewhat from what might have been considered the Pogues' typical sound.

[bassthumper]

SAM? SAM BUSH? can you here me now?

i have no idea who browses these threads,or what constitutes stardom. but i have a story that indicates that to some people Sam Bush is as big a star as any in the milky way.

after setting up our site at the tent camping area of a large festival one year we were preparing to do some pickin' when a taxicab pulled up. a twentysomething gentleman with a backpack paid the cabbie then proceeded to set up his tent within earshot of us.before long he wandered over, we offered him a campchair and microbrew and it was then that this japanese bluegrass fan spoke the only english words he knew. "SAM BUSH SAM BUSH!!!!" pointing at my buddies mandolin.

in the morning we shared our breakfast with him, and he politely bowed and thanked us saying "sam bush sam bush" before pointing off towards the shuttle busses chirping "SAM BUSH SAM BUSH". several times through the next few days one of us would bump into our campground neighbor and he would smile and repeat his mantra "SAM BUSH SAM BUSH". having never been properly introduced we all began to refer to him as SAM BUSH SAM BUSH...notice the sing song repetition so as to not confuse him with any SAM BUSH who may be logged in.

late in the evening of the third day of the festival as the campfire jam was winding down our little neighbor came shufflingg out of the darkness carrying a mandolin case. we offered him a camp chair and libation and he opened the case. a brandnew Gibson Sam Bush Mandolin, and autographed in permanent sharpie across the top....SAM BUSH.

the next day as the festival wound down, someone showed him how to tune his "holy grail" mandolin and make a couple two finger chords. then the taxi showed up to take him to the airport and as it pulled off he waved and chirped "SAM BUSH SAM BUSH" Sam if you're reading this you have some diehard fans. and SAM BUSH SAM BUSH if you're perusing, it was a pleasure to have met you and i hope you're playin' and enjoyin' that Gibson.

[Santiago]

Only Scott knows for sure!

[Jason Kindall]

SAM? SAM BUSH? can you here me now? [clip]

Man that is the coolest story I've read in awhile. We should all get back in touch with that side of our playing!

[...and Master of None]

It's true. Even though mandolinism isn't mainstream, for those of us who are a part of "Mainstream mandolinism" Ricky Skaggs is bigger than Bill Gates!

Bill who?

[sgarrity]

I think it's a pretty safe bet that most professional mandolin players have been on the cafe at some point. And I know they watch the classifieds! ;)

[jim simpson]

Bill who?

Like Lee, I had a mandolin for sale that a notable player wanted to look at. He told me when he would be in town and said there would be a comp ticket at the box office for me. I showed up early at the agreed time so he could check my mandolin out. I think the lady at the theater's ticket window and inside staff thought I was part of the band by the extra friendly way I was greeted and escorted to back stage. It was fun to experience.
I recall the times when I've played gigs/festivals where you rub elbows with the big names. It can feel like you're an imposter as you get to go home after the gig - the "names" have to go to their next gig.

[Mandoviol]

Everybody's nobody to somebody. I used to live in the same apartment building as Natalie MacMaster (Cape Breton Fiddler) and she used to shop in the Home Depot I work in. I was likely the only one who knew who she was.

And now she's living out in Ontario with Donnell and his big herd of cattle. I got to see her right before Christmas this year--really awesome performer (and loaded with energy). I know that here in the States a lot of folks that I know don't know who she or Leahy or the venerable Stan Rogers and his brother Garnet are. I guess it just depends on taste in music sometimes....

...but, since you don't know Sam, you should give him a listen. He's a lot of fun, and he actually personally updates his Facebook page.

[MikeEdgerton]

Stan Rogers loss was a great loss.... some of us knew who he was.

I went to see how legends were made. (another obscure reference).

[Eric Hanson]

What ever happened to "Ned Armondo". I suspect that Ned is a star just by the way Ned posted in the past.
He posted a pick of "his" Fern and said something like, " No name on this one. I guess its not worth much."
Kinda fun to guess on who these ones might be.:confused:

[Dan Hoover]

star's are all busy tanning themselves,hanging by the pool,sipping drink's,getting toe rub's...thinking about dancing on tv and stuff...:cool:....they have "people" who read this stuff to them..right??..:grin:...

[Gelsenbury]

David Surette is here, no? I'm playing his album right now, so he's a "star" in my book as far as mandolins go.

[journeybear]

...they have "people" who read this stuff to them..right??..:grin:...

Absolutely. And you can bet a few of them have dispatched some of their people to larn you some respect. Watch yer back! :disbelief:

[Michael Gowell]

We are all famous amongst our friends.

[Randi Gormley]

Well, stars ... dagger gordon is here, he talks about the instructional manual he's working on and the workshops he's putting together; i found my teacher on the cafe list and he's got cd's that people pay money for ... With my job, I get a chance to talk with the occasional star in his/her field and find that the most down-to-earth ones are the ones who are famous in obscure fields (as opposed to, say, movie or tv stars). Most of them seem to take their stardom with a grain of salt. You go to workshops and see them just being folks and then hear them play ... I would love to think of some of the mandolin stars enjoying the jokes, haiku, supermodel mandos and other things we average types burble on about.

[journeybear]

We can indeed be very amusing. From time to time there have been posts and even threads that just cracked me up like you wouldn't believe. :)) There are also plenty of very informative posts - and these are usually coming from people with actual experience in whatever topic is being discussed, which is the most useful. :cool: So yes, I wouldn't be at all surprised if stars aka well-known mandolinists checked out the Café from time to time, being such a source of both entertainment and enlightenment. Posting is another matter, though there are those brave enough to go that route (some have already been mentioned). For instance, I think I read once that Mike Compton has rung in from time to time.

[Santiago]

Two quick celbrity stories:
1) My wife's friend's brother is a fairly well-known movie star. He was going to BJ's, so his sister asked my wife if she needed anything. Thus, he bought us some trash bags. My son insisted on saving the now-empty box, having been purchsed by a celebrity.
2) My wife was in the back of a rock'n'roll clothing store (Hot Topic) shopping for my son when they closed the store for private shopping for Mr. and Mrs. Alice Cooper (rock star). My wife met them and they were very nice, but he accidentally sneezed on her, and apologized profusely. My wife came down with a bad cold, but my son brought all his friends over so they too could catch Alice Coopers cold. My son was very popular that week. :-)

[bassthumper]

thanks for starting this thread. and apologies if my little stories are hijacking it, but it's triggered some warm fuzzy memories while the snow melts on my wheelchair ramp.

the first time i saw Natalie MacMasters i was front row a little to the right of her at the Midnight Jam at Merlefest. ( Sam?? are you there? you remember?) Natalie was in a long line of fiddlers all doing a slow waltz tune. (there were about 10 fiddlers in a row,and the guys at Fiddlers Cafe would have drooled at the lineup of all their heroes) Natalie was playing so slow,melodic and controlled, but from where i sat i could see her whole body shaking with energy. and from where i sat i could also(here's the mandolin content guys) see Sam Bush and Marty Stuart in the wings holding their mandolins. When the slow song ended Natalie spun around and took three long steps away from the microphone back next to where,if my memory serves me Mark Shatz was on the bass, and proceded to rip out one of the most energetic,impressive impromptu fiddle riffs i ever witnessed.

I was very much impressed, that she could play so soft and beautiful ,all the while containing that hi-voltage energy that was inside. as to the above suggestion that those who have'nt seen her do so. I concur.

Thanks for letting me share. My muse is fighting through the Multiple Sclerosis to get back behind my bass and jammin' around the campfire, the CAFE encourages me daily.

[Keith Erickson]

I can't tell you how many times people on this board confuse me with Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.


I thought you played the keyboards, what made you take up the mandolin?

Don't get me started on the number of private nasty messages I get over the Palmer/ Powell controversy. They are too numerous to even count.

But yet I continue to educate the public on a daily basis....

[MikeEdgerton]

...But yet I continue to educate the public on a daily basis....

Mr. Emerson, on behalf of all the little people, the public if you will, I'd like to thank you.

[Steve Perry]

I'm right here in plain site and nobody has asked me about the Journey years.;):grin:

[journeybear]

Well, I've been thinking, but it just seemed unseemly, somehow ... but since you brought it up - How come Journey never used mandolin? Do you have any idea how much you could have improved the instrument's popularity and the fortunes of mandolinists as a result? Really!!! :mad:

[Mike Decker]

Mike, We must be related the same thing happened to me

[mandolirius]

Stan Rogers loss was a great loss.... some of us knew who he was.

I went to see how legends were made. (another obscure reference).

Stan was one of our greatest songwriters. There have been very few who could capture the flavour of this country in song like he could. Here's a link to a great documentary about him. HIGHLY recommended.

www.videosift.com/.../One-Warm-Line-The-Legacy-of-Stan-Rogers

If the link doesn't work, just type in your browser: one warm line
That should bring it up.

[rgray]

I'm right here in plain site and nobody has asked me about the Journey years.;):grin:

OMG - What was it like playing with Randy Jackson from American Idol? ;)

[Mike Bunting]

Stan was one of our greatest songwriters. There have been very few who could capture the flavour of this country in song like he could. Here's a link to a great documentary about him. HIGHLY recommended.

www.videosift.com/.../One-Warm-Line-The-Legacy-of-Stan-Rogers

If the link doesn't work, just type in your browser: one warm line
That should bring it up.

I don't know how many times we've had a few and broken into Barrett's Privateers, just hearing the opening to that video will bring a tear to the eye. Thanks for the link.

[Dan Hoover]

2) My wife was in the back of a rock'n'roll clothing store (Hot Topic) shopping for my son when they closed the store for private shopping for Mr. and Mrs. Alice Cooper (rock star). My wife met them and they were very nice, but he accidentally sneezed on her, and apologized profusely.
:)):))...omg...stop your killing me...thats too funny..:)):)) you might be the only guy on the planet that can say "Alice Cooper sneezed on my wife"....i apologize to your wife,but THATS funny...if you could only see the visions playing in my head....if someone sneezed on my wife,i would go through the roof...but my wife would be thrilled if Alice Cooper sneezed on her...great story Santiago...

[mandobuzz]

Mr Emerson, I'm your biggest fan! When can we hear Pictures at an Exhibition for solo mandolin? I think it would be greeeeat!

[Rick Schmidlin]

Lets looks at this way. Mike Marshall, John Reishman and Mike Compton. have all answered questions in a special forum. Mike even posted when started to give on line lesson. Face it they are all here and so are we.


Just another face in the crowd.

[catmandu2]

Alice Cooper...sneezed on her...

ebay

[CES]

I seem to remember Adam Steffey commenting about the quality of the new imports Elderly is touting...that was pretty cool...

[ColdBeerGoCubs]

This was seen briefly last night from the builders and repair section:


http://www.le.ac.uk/ph/faulkes/web/images/stars.jpg

[Les Corley]

Thats good Barry

[Richard Morrison]

I remember Adam Steffey posting recently too...he's a star in my book and one of my favorite players.

[SternART]

Quote Originally Posted by SternART View Post
I was in the Boise airport going to my gate & a fella comes running up......."Mr Grisman, can I please have your autograph?" Must have been the Pegasus case I was carrying........


Hope you spelled it right!

I just signed it DAWG!!!

Geeze I hope he doesn't read the Cafe forum........I'd hate to burst this young fella's bubble, he was very polite, and seemed really happy in our Boise Airport exchange. I made his day! I just couldn't help myself.....he was an easy mark. I once told David the story. :))

[pickinpete]

I remember years ago, when I was on the banjo-l list, Sonny Osborne was on the list and it caused enough problems that he quit posting, EVERY thing the man said was treated with either hero worship or antagonism so he couldnt really contribute.

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Come to think of it Art, I've never seen you and Dawg on the same room. Just sayin'... :grin:

Daniel

[man dough nollij]

I have a strong suspicion, but I'm not talkin'...

[theCOOP]

You should really educate yourself on who Sam Bush is.
Jamie

I'm not sure you know how that sounds, but it's ok.

I did take the time to check out some videos of Sam Bush, and yeah, great stuff. (with Emmylou Harris and on Grand Ole Opry, etc).

Cheers,
Coop

[mandolirius]

I don't know how many times we've had a few and broken into Barrett's Privateers, just hearing the opening to that video will bring a tear to the eye. Thanks for the link.

Mike, there's a few parts in that video that brought a tear to my eye. I'm from a part of Nova Scotia very near to some of the places Stan Rogers wrote about and it really made me homesick. I guess the part that really gets me the most is around the 27:00 mark, while he's singing "The Jeannie C", which may be the greatest song ever about fishing (certainly one of the saddest). The footage of that trawler being rocked by those huge waves, the faces of the fisherman in the wheelhouse...it really shows what that life is like. I miss Stan Rogers. His death was such an enormous loss. I know this is bit off-topic but I really urge you all to take a look at this fantastic video. You won't be sorry and you'll gain an understanding of what Canada is all about. No one could communicate that like Stan Rogers.

[danb]

I did take the time to check out some videos of Sam Bush, and yeah, great stuff. (with Emmylou Harris and on Grand Ole Opry, etc).

It's all good really, I personally got into playing trad on the mandolin through the Pogues. I was young, angry, and into punk.. then Pogues.. then Pogues B-sides started to really intrigue me.. Loved the sound Terry Woods got out of his bouzoukis and mandolins so got myself into those, etc etc.

Their roots, musicality, and diverse musical backgrounds were a very big deal to me, and it got me fascinated in all of the various musical traditions they drew water from.

[Mike Snyder]

Athough he spells it wrong, I have the same name as a fairly well known mandolin picker. It's not me, I assure you. 1) I've never been on Hee-Haw 2) I've still got hair 3) I don't have a wife named "Sweety"

[Keith Erickson]

Mr Emerson, I'm your biggest fan! When can we hear Pictures at an Exhibition for solo mandolin? I think it would be greeeeat!

UPDATE: Word on the street is that Mr. Emerson has been equally perplexed on the amount e-mails flooding his inbox about his mandocello. In fact, just yesterday, someone sent him an e-mail telling him that the Ludewig mandolin he ordered sounds great and that he won't be the least bit disappointed!!!!

YIKERS!!!! I think the world of Keith Emerson but I that's MY Ludewig ;-)

[Steve Perry]

Well, I've been thinking, but it just seemed unseemly, somehow ... but since you brought it up - How come Journey never used mandolin? Do you have any idea how much you could have improved the instrument's popularity and the fortunes of mandolinists as a result? Really!!! :mad:

Why do you think I left!? :))

[MikeEdgerton]

Athough he spells it wrong, I have the same name as a fairly well known mandolin picker. It's not me, I assure you. 1) I've never been on Hee-Haw 2) I've still got hair 3) I don't have a wife named "Sweety"

If I had a nose full of nickles I'd blow them all on you.

Mike Snider (http://www.themikesnider.com/) is one of my heroes.

[theCOOP]

It's all good really, I personally got into playing trad on the mandolin through the Pogues. I was young, angry, and into punk.. then Pogues.. then Pogues B-sides started to really intrigue me.. Loved the sound Terry Woods got out of his bouzoukis and mandolins so got myself into those, etc etc.

Their roots, musicality, and diverse musical backgrounds were a very big deal to me, and it got me fascinated in all of the various musical traditions they drew water from.


It was Christmas Eve...back in about 1989 that I first saw the Fairytale of New York video (though it seemed to sound familiar), and that was that.

I grew up with my mother listening to traditional irish music and Cape Breton and Newfoundland music (Harry Hibbs, etc.).

In the 90s I spent most of my income searching the internet for Pogues vinyl and CDs. Many of the B-sides are my favorite tracks.

I saw them live in Boston in March of 2006, 07 and 08, unfortunately I missed them in '09. Ran into an old friend last night at a Gordie Johnson acoustic gig, turns out he saw the Pogues in NYC in March 2006.

If you like the Pogues, you owe it to yourself to familiarise yourself with The Tossers as well.

Cheers,
Coop

[Mike Bunting]

Mike, there's a few parts in that video that brought a tear to my eye. I'm from a part of Nova Scotia very near to some of the places Stan Rogers wrote about and it really made me homesick. I guess the part that really gets me the most is around the 27:00 mark, while he's singing "The Jeannie C", which may be the greatest song ever about fishing (certainly one of the saddest). The footage of that trawler being rocked by those huge waves, the faces of the fisherman in the wheelhouse...it really shows what that life is like. I miss Stan Rogers. His death was such an enormous loss. I know this is bit off-topic but I really urge you all to take a look at this fantastic video. You won't be sorry and you'll gain an understanding of what Canada is all about. No one could communicate that like Stan Rogers.
And Mike, I was on my way home from a jam last night and Mary Ellen Carter came on! Eerie, my day to listen to Stan. And amen to the rest of your post.

[Sleepy]

Please do not take this the wrong way. I have met some of the "stars" and they have been some of the most humble, helpful, friendliest people i have ever met. One was even set back at the fact that was considered a "star". You can't say that about to many other genres of music.
Have a blessed day.
Greg

[Mandoviol]

And Mike, I was on my way home from a jam last night and Mary Ellen Carter came on! Eerie, my day to listen to Stan. And amen to the rest of your post.

"Rise again, rise again, that her name not be lost to the knowledge of men..."

Funny thing is that that was going through my head today, though I hadn't listened to it at all...

[journeybear]

I have met some of the "stars" and they have been some of the most humble, helpful, friendliest people i have ever met. I haven't met too many bluegrass stars, but this is indeed true of many folk and even rock stars I've met, from Maria Muldaur to Tom Rush, from Lucinda Williams to Jimi Hendrix, from Sarah McLachlan to Frank Zappa. There is often a gulf between public perception of stars' personalities - often ridiculously manipulated by press and publicity - and what they are actually like. I know from the several fairly long conversations I've had with Lucinda this actually bothers her, and I got the impression that as she travelled on tour, she really looked forward to seeing her friends scattered around the country so she could talk about just plain old day-to-day stuff, instead of herself and her music and all those interview-type topics. (Similarly, Maria wanted to talk about her garden more than music.) I can imagine having to be that introspective that often can be a bit wearing.

[allenhopkins]

Slouching back toward the original topic, Orrin's a Star(r) in my book, and Joe Carr made some excellent recordings with Alan Munde in Country Gazette. They're posting at this very moment! (or at least recently).

[Mandoviol]

So it is Joe Carr! I wondered if I was seeing things....(I'll leave it to somebody to make a pun off this involving the title of this thread.)

[greg_tsam]

Anything you say about a "star" here should be said as though the "star" is in the room.

No problem on this one. I never say anything about someone that I wouldn't say face to face.

[Bertram Henze]

What makes a star a star seems to be quite unclear - I get the impression that a star derives his status not from features of his own but from other people's attention and expectations, i.e. a virtual thing he (the star) cannot really control.
It has been my experience that you can live in piece only if nobody knows you (that's why I like to live in cities), and that seems to be confirmed by the fact that the stars with the most pleasant personalities are those who act like nobody knew them.

Therefore I believe in doing a star a favour by treating him like any other person. :cool:

Reading this reverse, this way anybody can be my hero, including myself :redface:

[danb]

It was Christmas Eve...back in about 1989 that I first saw the Fairytale of New York video (though it seemed to sound familiar), and that was that.

I grew up with my mother listening to traditional irish music and Cape Breton and Newfoundland music (Harry Hibbs, etc.).

In the 90s I spent most of my income searching the internet for Pogues vinyl and CDs. Many of the B-sides are my favorite tracks.

I saw them live in Boston in March of 2006, 07 and 08, unfortunately I missed them in '09. Ran into an old friend last night at a Gordie Johnson acoustic gig, turns out he saw the Pogues in NYC in March 2006.

I went down to see them on a double billing with the Violent Femmes in Poplar Creek, Illinois back around the time of "If I Should Fall...". Since then, several times in London (all of the recent Christmas gigs). Great gigs.

I agree, the b-sides and EPs are my favorites too. The very first tune I learned on the mandolin by ear was the jig at the end of "the limerick rake"

[AlanN]

Mike Snider[/URL] is one of my heroes.

Saw Mike with the great Bobby Clark one time, he told this joke:

"It was raining cats and dogs one night, there was a knock at the door. I open it up and it's my mother-in-law, standing there all wet. I said 'Well, don't just stand there in the rain...Go Home!'"

[MikeEdgerton]

I love Mike's line about getting a "Walking ovation".

[AlanN]

or this one...

"Bobby Clark here is from Oklahoma. It's so windy there, when the wind stops, everybody falls down."

[theCOOP]

Someone asked what makes a star a star. Well, I think it's the media that makes a star a star, but what exactly is a star anyway?

Take the Pogues again for example. Though in certain circles they're well known and well loved, I'd be hard pressed to consider them even celebrities, let along stars.

And consider Gordie Johnson (Canada's "Big Sugar"). He's hardly played a venue larger than a bar or a pub and though he used to have a Hugo Boss endorsement and has a Gibson Signature Model guitar named after him (Gibson SGJ http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr161/Picktrade/SGJ1.jpg), I'd still be hard pressed to call him a celebrity, let alone a star.

[TEE]

You might be star if a Beatle recognizes you.

[sunburst]

Alison Krauss recognized me once, how's that?

[250sc]

I was once recognized in a line up.

[fishtownmike]

The reason i use an a fake screen name is i want to read all the dirt you cafe poster write about me. I love it. Mike ????????

[Andrew B. Carlson]

Someone asked what makes a star a star. Well, I think it's the media that makes a star a star, but what exactly is a star anyway?

Take the Pogues again for example. Though in certain circles they're well known and well loved, I'd be hard pressed to consider them even celebrities, let along stars.

And consider Gordie Johnson (Canada's "Big Sugar"). He's hardly played a venue larger than a bar or a pub and though he used to have a Hugo Boss endorsement and has a Gibson Signature Model guitar named after him (Gibson SGJ http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr161/Picktrade/SGJ1.jpg), I'd still be hard pressed to call him a celebrity, let alone a star.


Well, if you have a signature instrument, then you're doing something right.

[man dough nollij]

Oh, you would have to look really deep into Cafe posts to find any dirt on you, Mr Marshall!

[MikeEdgerton]

Well, if you have a signature instrument, then you're doing something right.

You bet.

[man dough nollij]

You bet.

Hey Mike, can I have your autograph?

[Bertram Henze]

You bet.

Now there's a potential solution for me. Where can I get a truss rod cover that says "The Bertram Henze"? :))
Meanwhile, I might just sign my own mando case with a felt pen...

[MikeEdgerton]

No autographs. :cool:

I got mine at First Quality Music a few years back.

[JeffD]

ebay

:)):)):))

[chordbanger]

Tone Monster is the biggest star on here, in my opinion, and he plays mandolin, although he in not known for his mandolin playing, he is known for being a movie producer. He's really cool too.

[Mandoviol]

And let us not forget Happy Traum....

[pjlama]

Interesting thread... I've somehow managed to meet a good amount of "Stars" from musicians to actors, racers, fighters, etc. At some point I figured out that what makes them stars is in how we view them. We all put our pants on one leg at a time. I'd like to see more contribution from notable mandolin players here, it would be nice. I stay far away from forums that pertain to my work so I can understand that concept. What's interesting is how the builders can walk that line as they have some status but still pull off being regular folk.

[Bren]

.[QUOTE]Whoever it was I was talking to said "What will you do if you become a famous mandolin builder?". I said aloud to the room; "Anybody here know who Steve Gilchrist is?". You guessed it, no one had even heard of him.[/QUOTE

Once I asked a bloke wearing a Gilchrist T-shirt in the airport if the mandolin he was carrying was a Gilchrist, turned out he WAS Steve Gilchrist. Even the most brilliant and notable mandolin players aren't really recognisable "stars" and Irish and Scottish ones even less so. You'll find yourself rubbing shoulders with them often at festivals and pubs

[Tbone]

I post here, so....yea.

[JeffD]

If and when a star is posting here I do have a bit of trouble acting normal. If I'm not careful I will probably make a fool of myself. Thats why I love the star interviews we have here.

Its a skill to treat the fameous as regular folks. Knowing they are doesn't seem to help me. Its not a skill I have.

How are you gonna ask Ricky Skaggs if he wants fries with that, or tell Marty Stuart "thank you, please drive through."

[theCOOP]

It's all good really, I personally got into playing trad on the mandolin through the Pogues. I was young, angry, and into punk.. then Pogues.. then Pogues B-sides started to really intrigue me.. Loved the sound Terry Woods got out of his bouzoukis and mandolins so got myself into those, etc etc.

Their roots, musicality, and diverse musical backgrounds were a very big deal to me, and it got me fascinated in all of the various musical traditions they drew water from.


I should really follow these threads more cloesely. It's nearly March again, but here goes anyway.:

Some of us were talking Natalie MacMaster. The last time I saw her perform was about 1992-1994. Twice overall. Once at Your Father's Moustache in Halifax with Buddy, and Ashley MacIsaac, before he went nuts and again at the Exhibition Park in Halifax, again w/ Buddy, Ashley and others.

What made it really fun was that my grade 7 English teacher, Mr. Harvey Beaton was step dancing as well. He claimed to be the one who taught Natalie and Ashley to step dance.


AS for the Pogues. Oh yes, the B-sides...some of their best work, even through Waiting For Herb with Paris St. Germain, First Day of Forever and...the other one. I had been listening to the Pogues for about 4 years by the time the internet was in its infancy and I only had some slim idea that there was something I was missing - in my collection of 4 official albums - by the liner notes from the Essential compilation. I really wasn't aware at the point of the first two because they were imports only.

Long story short (too late), I spent most of the money I earned through the mid 90s collecting Pogues 12" & 7" vinyl and 3" & 5" CD singles, rare pressings and the like.

Not going to make it to Boston this March for the Pogues unfortunately :(

Cheers,
David.

[Mark Hudson]

I was chatting with a guy at a big local festival, about how different the bluegrass atmosphere was from rock. I love rock, but you go to a concert and *big rock star* shows up in a limo, does the show, and leaves in the limo. The guy said that he had been to the festival some years before, and ended up chatting with a long haired, bearded, hippie looking dude in the vendor row. While they were chatting the band performing on the stage finished, them MC did his usual stuff, and said to stick around - Sam Bush was next. At which point the "hippie" looked at him and said, "Sorry, I gotta go... I'm on!" Until then he had no idea who he was talking to :-)

[journeybear]

As a matter of fact, someone from The Grascals piped up a couple of weeks ago in the middle of some chatter about what people wear on stage. Pretty funny stuff, that. Also in recent weeks no less than than Frank Wakefield rang in to clear up the story behind an old anecdote. I had to do some quick 'splainin' about a previous post, as I had strayed a bit from the guideline (a good one) JeffD mentioned above. In keeping with his public persona, perhaps, but not necessarily with the private person. ;) I think he was tipped off of the conversation by a member, as that was his first post. I got to welcome Wake Frankfield to the Café! :grin: Also, Lynn Dudenbostel, a star among luthiers, has been known to speak up now and then.

[Andrew B. Carlson]

Lynn was just commenting the other day on the current thread about a couple new videos of CT's Loar. I always feel honored to have a fine craftsman like Lynn participate in a conversation with the likes of me.

[Willie]

I`ve had three "Stars" answer my post on here, mainly because I say what I mean and don`t hold too much back but also some things are taken out of contex on here....Also I have rubbed shoulders with quite a few stars in my time and some know me and some don`t any more..Or at least don`t admit to knowing me.....

Willie

[journeybear]

People are people, so stuff like that will always happen. Famous people are just people who know a lot fewer people than know them - or think they know them. If I knew you, I would admit it - you've got some character. In fact, if I'm ever up that way I'd like to meet you and hear some of your stories in person. ;)

[journeybear]

Took me long enough, but I remembered whom I forgot to mention - Jeff Bird from Cowboy Junkies joined last week just so he could join in a conversation about his great performance in a recent TV appearance. I always appreciate it when these guys take the time to do that, and wish their schedules permitted more frequent involvement. Then again, it's better for them to be playing and spreading mandolin consciousness among the uninitiated. :mandosmiley: Well, and the initiated, too. ;)