Wintergrass mandophilia 2006

[oldwave maker]

Some pics of mandos and the guys who made them, a funny guy who supplies raw materials for them, and a couple of mando buffet tables. First, Bruce Harvies new bolo tie:

[oldwave maker]

Bruce's woodpile was depleted by saturday. Fortunately I was able to chase down the Farwood Ambulance early thursday and extract the best stuff

[oldwave maker]

Darren Craig and his work

[oldwave maker]

Fletcher Brock is on the federal luthier protection program so I couldnt show his face:

[oldwave maker]

Chris Standridge, having fun now....

[oldwave maker]

Zeke Griffin, having even more fun, if thats possible

[oldwave maker]

Andrew Mowry, who got some good wood from Bruce

[piknleft]

Where's them scotch bottles? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[oldwave maker]

Bob Schneider and a beaut:

[oldwave maker]

It was good to finally meet Gordon and Steve Perry at the Eastman mandobuffet

[oldwave maker]

Greg Boyd uncorked some fine vintage treats also

[oldwave maker]

My favorite of the weekend, a lyon and healyesqe octave mando held by the maker Neil Dean

[oldwave maker]

Mike- the bottles are in the dumpster out back by now http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[kyblue]

Wow! Wish I could hear all of those.

Where are the Old Waves?

Neil, that is one cool octave.

Paula

[mandomick]

Thanks Bill, great tour! That Dean octave is smokin' with those slender F-holes, really add a touch of class. Looks like lotsa fine mandos all around.

[piknleft]

Thanks for the tour Bill. I'm with Paula on this one. Any pics of the Old Waves?

[Gail Hester]

The trick to getting good tonewood at Wintergrass is to keep Bruce busy while you drag away the goods. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Gail Hester]

Here's Chad in Greg Boyd's area, a very fun and busy place as usual.

[mandopete]

Chad looks as if he's in shock!

[Michael Gowell]

I'm a little concerned about Chad's dog collar...

[mandopete]

Well, I only got to Wintergrass for one day this year. I limited my mando visiting time to a brief stay at Fletcher Brock's table - that's always dangerous!

I didn't take many pictures, but I got this one of a pretty fair picker playing with Shawn Camp down in the ballroom on Saturday night. What an amazing show!

[Spruce]

Here's a pic of our intrepid reporter Mr. Bussman hangin' at Fletcher's booth...

Sorry to report that I converted the Virzi bolo tie to the first-ever Vocal-Virzi...

You insert the thing into your mouth, and it is absolutely amazing how it transforms your voice...

Kinda a cross between Vern Williams and Del...

Thanks Bill!

[amowry]

Here's another of Bill, along with Jaroslav Prucha, both discussing serious things, with Greg Boyd apparently dismantling a banjo-- he's finally realized that that wood has more appropriate uses http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[G. Fisher]

Chad Fadely and Mike Compton pickin at Greg Boyds' booth. I even got in a couple tunes after I put the camera down.

[G. Fisher]

Rich Jones test driving my new Brock.

...just want to thanks to all the folks that take their time to snap pics for folks like me that can't get there.

Thank-A-Million
~x

[amowry]

Just a quick addendum to my rushed previous post-- this was the first year I've been able to make it to Wintergrass, and it was a pleasure to meet so many great folks that I've only known here on the Cafe or over the phone. So many of the builders that I've admired, too! And the music! Thanks to everyone.

[Brain]

Back to reality. Why isn't everyone in the office
carrying an instrument? Where am I?

We just couldn't wait to break 'em out on Thursday ...

[Brain]

Couple of mando pickers ...

[Brain]

Swing fiddle! That's Paul Anastasio on the left ...

[Brain]

Mountain Heart ...

[Brain]

Couple a Grascals. Danny Roberts and Jim Mattingly.
Really nice guys ...

[Brain]

It was a great year. I got into a few very nice
jams with some of the performers, picked up
some gems from Darol Anger at his fiddle workshop,
enjoyed the side-by-side of Roberts and Compton
in the church, was totally impressed with the
effort behind the tribute to Vassar (thanks Mike
and Patrice!), picked up a nice tortoise shell pick,
slept way too little, picked a varnish Collings that
was scary good, became a new fan of Guy Clark ...

As one of the G'Earls said: a bluegrass UFO landed
in Tacoma and we were on it. Not much else like it.
Tim O'Brien and Doyle will be there next year.
Can't wait.

Brian

[Spruce]

One thing to keep in mind is that one teeny weenie fender-bender and the airbag will turn your mandolin into little tiny splinters.... #

It has happened, by the way...

[Brain]

You're right about the airbag, Bruce. It'd probably
outperform a fire poker. That's my good buddy Dan
there, pickin his Schneider. Next year we'll have
to rent a van.

[Lane Pryce]

Guys thanks for the great pics!!! Lp

[Pete Martin]

The middle swing fiddler is Kevin Healy and guitarist Rich Levine. Dont recognize the other fiddler.

[Brain]

Pete

I got to fiddle with a young student of yours
by the name of Steve. I think he said he was
ten years old. It's so much fun to see these
young kids doing so well.

[mandopete]

I love seeing all of these pictures - keep 'em comming!

Here's one of what I thought was one of the finest traditional bluegrass performances of the weekend. British Columbia's own Four Chords of Wood with Seattle's Paul Elliott on fiddle.