Kaufman Kamp 2012 Week 2: Who's Going?

**Phil Vinyard** · Apr-29-2012, 9:46pm

OK, we're at 49 days and counting!

Roll Call: Who's going this year?

This year, I'd like to get all the Cafe members together sometime and jam, swap stories, whatever. Any suggestions about when? Maybe the first night--Sunday after the Welcome & Introduction concert?

Last year I fooled around and didn't get anything organized to play with others, and finally on Friday morning Kristen, Rob, Brad and I got together and played through a bunch of cool classical trios that Kristin brought along. That was WAY too much fun! Gotta do that much sooner in the week, and maybe a couple of times.

And maybe organize a way to get in touch with each other while at Kamp when we find something cool going on & want to let others know? I'd be willing to organize an e-mail & cell phone/text group list. PM me your contact info and I'll work that out. For example, I'd make it a point to be at the Silver Spoon to catch some good mando content at the open mike if I knew any of you were going to be there playing.

If this is your first time going, jump into this thread and ask questions. We veterans would be glad to offer advice about what to bring and how to prepare.

And if you're on the border about whether to go or not, GO! It's money well spent: you'll meet some terrific people, play until you drop, and kick your mandolin playing up a couple of notches. Here's a video that gives you a flavor of the whole experience:

http://youtu.be/zc-9qyC33vI

Looking forward to seeing all my Kamp Cafe friends!

**KristinEliza** · Apr-30-2012, 4:32am

I, of course, will be there...with bells on! I agree, we need to meet up sooner to play some classical stuff. I have some new music this year (plus my mandola) and one of my buddies just got a mandocello.

They take their flatpick-l picture...why can't we get a cafe picture?

**pickloser** · Apr-30-2012, 8:54am

I love Kaufman Kamp, and I'm happy to say that I'll be back again this year. For a change of pace, I'm going to do the singing track, but will be mando-ready

whenever I'm not in class. I look forward to seeing old and new friends there. As Phil V. said, if you're on the fence, get off it and go. You will have a wonderful time.

My goals for this year include more jamming and more sleep. (I acknowledge that accomplishing both may be problematic.)

I also plan to win the beautiful Weber. (A more likely possibility than plentiful sleep.)

**jbrwky** · Apr-30-2012, 12:59pm

Yo. And Gutbucket is a Yo too.

**KristinEliza** · Apr-30-2012, 2:12pm

I 'fiddled' with the idea of doing fiddle this year...but I AM doing mando. Already registered/paid...so it's for sure.

**yoshka** · May-01-2012, 1:44pm

I'm very fortunate to be coming! (I'm also planning on winning the Weber!)

**Kshot** · May-07-2012, 4:43pm

Originally Posted by jbrwky

Yo. And Gutbucket is a Yo too.

Oh man, too many conflicts this year. Have fun folks!

**pickloser** · May-07-2012, 4:50pm

Originally Posted by Kshot

Oh man, too many conflicts this year. Have fun folks!

No, no, say it ain't so. . . .
Imagonnamissyou.

**Phil Vinyard** · May-21-2012, 10:03pm

I've dug up some mandolin orchestra music. Anyone want to get together & try it out? Maybe even Sunday night?

**KristinEliza** · May-22-2012, 5:58am

<--------- raising both her hands. I got some too.

**KristinEliza** · May-22-2012, 7:43am

And, if anyone is interested, I would be willing to distribute some music early for you to look at. But not this week...it's end-of-grade testing this week!

I would really like to maybe get a group to perform at open mic (on the main stage). Bring back the Kamp Orchestra! I really miss that group. I tried to revive it (with Steve's blessing) a few years ago, but only 3 people showed up to the first 'rehearsal' and then no one returned after that.

Was it me?

I know I certainly don't have the same pull as Carlo and Beppe

Anyway...I have a variety of music...variety of levels...variety of styles. Let me know what you guys think.

Let's meet up Sunday!

**wglide** · May-24-2012, 8:10pm

Hey Ya'll,
Me and by bad bluegrass self will be showing up to do some pickin'. Will be taking bass again but sure hope to hook up with some of the bluegrass pickers again to have some bluegrass "sessions'. John J

**dulcillini** · May-31-2012, 8:39pm

Mr. Vinyard:

I will be there. It is my first camp. I am very inexperienced at bluegrass so I am looking foward to learning at this camp. I play Celtic and traditional hymns for the most part, so this new genre will be good for me. I have a mandola and I was wondering if I should bring it along as well. Looking forward to this !. I was a little confused about what level to sign up for. I am not a beginner but at the same time, I have had little experience with bluegrass. I am definitely NOT advanced, so I signed up for intermediate. I hope this is right. I don't want to end up in the wrong level. Any advice is appreciated for a first timer !!

Mike

**Phil Vinyard** · May-31-2012, 10:22pm

Mike: You'll have a terrific time! Bring your mandola, bring everything!

There are usually some Celtic jams and some Gospel jams so you can always join in on those for some easier playing. You'll also find way more than bluegrass--there's plenty of old-time, classical, and swing going on, too. You'll come away with a boat load of new music and ideas.

Level wise, you'll be fine in Intermediate. There's quite a bit of variation within that group.

Search the strings here and you'll find posts about what to bring to Kamp. The dorms are pretty stripped down so you'll need everything for the bathroom and your room.

Don't know if you've found this, but here is a video from Kamp last year that catches a lot of the flavor: http://youtu.be/zc-9qyC33vI

Plus there's a YouTube channel with a bunch of the evening concerts at http://www.youtube.com/user/SteveKaufmanAcoustic.

As you think of other questions, post 'em here. There are several of us veteran Kampers that would be glad to give you advice.

**pickloser** · Jun-07-2012, 7:09am

Ten more days and nights to get thru. Excruciating, long, slow, days. Week One starts Sunday. I'm Jonesin' bad.

(Hope to see Celia and Wayne and Susan.)

**Phil Vinyard** · Jun-07-2012, 7:57pm

I'm with you, Laura!

**Mandobike** · Jun-09-2012, 5:10pm

Pickloser! And Jbrwky! And Gutbucket! And wglide (is that you, John the dentist?) WE ARE COMING! I have been horribly out of touch. Little progress on the mandolin, too (both Wayne and I need *ongoing* instruction so bad!) But it will be good to see all you guys and pick and sing some. I'm bringing the bass, too, of course. Might even get crazy and bring my recorder, in case anyone feels like doing the Brandenburg Concertos. Just kidding. But I might find some use for it.

Kshot, sorry to hear you won't be there. And does anyone know if Phil Goodson is coming? Or Joseph from Kentucky? (I think he's *from* KY, but lives and works in the Research Triangle).

BTW, Wayne and I are going to catch the Gibson Brothers' show at the Blue Ridge Music Center (on the Blue Ridge Parkway, not far from Galax) Friday night, June 15, on our way down to Kaufman camp. It would be great to see some of you Kampers there. Joe Walsh is one of my favorite mandolin players.

See y'all in a little over a week!

Celia and Wayne

**smoore** · Jun-12-2012, 1:37am

I'll be attending for the first time. I'm really looking forward to it but I'll be glad when this week is over; for some reason it's getting really busy with non playing things.

**KristinEliza** · Jun-12-2012, 6:53am

Mike-

Everything Phil told you is great advice. Bring all the instruments you can! Don't worry about your bluegrass level...Bluegrass is not my 'thing' but this will be my seventh year returning. All the instructors play / teach different styles and you will learn something in every class.

As for Celtic...look me up...I hang out with the Celtic guys, we usually have at least one 'official' celtic jam during the week (and several un-official ones).

I'm excited for Sunday, but I am sooo not ready...so much stress at work. But it will be a welcome retreat!

**KristinEliza** · Jun-12-2012, 6:55am

Phil-

I'll send you a message via FB soon with my contact info so we can organize some classical playing earlier in the week!

**pickloser** · Jun-15-2012, 9:23am

Oooh, it's getting really close now. Strings have been changed. Car has been serviced. Here's a link to the long range weather forecast for the Knoxville area: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick...&FcstType=text

See y'all soon!

**Phil Vinyard** · Jun-15-2012, 9:47am

Originally Posted by pickloser

Oooh, it's getting really close now. Strings have been changed. Car has been serviced. Here's a link to the long range weather forecast for the Knoxville area: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick...&FcstType=text

See y'all soon!

Looking forward to discussing some Tiny, Uptent, Downtent, Two Spacer...

**Phil Vinyard** · Jun-15-2012, 9:48am

Send me your cell phone number if you'd like me to text you when there's an informal mando gathering.

Much to get done before I leave tomorrow...

**dulcillini** · Jun-21-2012, 5:37pm

Great week here at Maryville College !! This is my first Kaufman Kamp and I must say, it has surpassed my expectations. Great week so far. The concerts alone make the whole week worth the effort. Some of the performances are absolutely breathtaking. First class event all around !! Good food, great music, fine fellowship, great instructors. Does not get any better !!

**Phil Vinyard** · Jun-22-2012, 7:54am

Attention Kampers: There will be mando content in the open microphone tonight! Kristin, Rob, Thomas and I will be playing a Telemann concerto just to shake things up a little.