Chris-a Thon

The first annual Chris-a-thon at the Fox and Goose happened last night. Bob Woods said it was the first which indicates a willingness, at least for him, to continue the tradition in future years. That may be a great idea, if we can figure out how to make them all as good as this one was. Of course, I'm hoping Chris won't need the event as he did this one.

I am continually impressed by the willingness of the Sacramento music scene and it's inhabitants to step up to the plate and come to the aid of those in need of help. I have seen, over the numerous year I have been involved in the human race, many people in times of trial, hurt, and pain, and I have witnessed how those trials are treated by the folks that are affected, and this is the only really continually proactive group of people I know of. I am proud to be a part of the scene here!

Chris Ivey has been playing music here in Sacramento and beyond for a lot of years. He is a great steel guitar player, has played with so many, I'm sure the memries are vague at best, and has been a friend and music mate of mine for a couple years. I always love to play a set with him, even if it's out in front of the Fox and Goose on open mic night. And as we all will sooner or later, he has stumbled into new territory of the reaalizattion and aquisition of our mortality. I can only hope he will weather his malady well and sticks around to play many more sets. A malady, they all are the same; cancer, heart disease, aids, the malaise of fatal addiction, all end at one destiny where all people are the same. And Chris plays on, to the delight of many, I'm sure.



That is what the Chris-a-thon was about this year, and I hope next year it will be about all of us continuing along the paths we have taken, and the notes we play, and I can only hope it is half as successful as this year's version.

As for the show itself, I will try to do it justice here, though bear with me, I am always in tune with the music, and my critique abilities are displaced by my love for the tunes and the players.

I started the show, playing three of my bluegrass monstropieces with my favorite guitar picker Brian Burke, the ever beautiful Holly Holt, Paul Fitzjarrald bass player extraordinaire and soon to be back permanently from LA, and Chris Ivey on Dobro. Roberta Chevrette and John Belizia joined me for three Roberta tunes. I have been blessed with numerous great friends and band mates, and am so pleased that I get to take part in the music we make, and the first thirty minutes of this show opened a evening, that would finally end at around 1AM, that may have been one of the great shows in our town.

Next up was Kalli, a crowd favorite always, and another good friend of mine. I have noticed what others seem to tell me; I sure love all of the women I know, and Kalli is no exception. What could be better than playing music with beautiful women and getting, hugs and kisses from them. What a life!

Holly Holt and Will, (sorry Will your last name escaped me) joined Sal Valentino for a couple of tunes, then Brian Burke and I came up and did a rockin two tunes. What else can be said about Sal Valentino? He is a legend here and there is a reason. My newest woman band mate and friend, Amee Chapman, said he "had it," and she had no idea who he was until I told her.

Star Dust Cowboys were up next. What a band! I don't know these people, except Bob Woods and Paul Fitzjarrald, but the music was fabulous swingin' country. Chris joined them as did Dave Wren on steel guitars. Dueling steels! They blew me away.

Vikki Lee's band, Mr. Ivey's regular gig, did a fabulous country rock set. More good stuff! Bob Woods played with them, did some singing, string bending, and added his train fetishes with his normal flash. Bob was on stage for like sixteen hours, and spent the rest of the show hawkng spare car parts.

Jackie Green couldn't make the show, he was sick, and I was disappointe because Jackie is one of our great ones, but the music was so good, I don't think it was a deal breaker for the audience. get better Jackie!

We ended with Billy Harper and the Band of Country Derelicts, Bob Woods guitar, Chris Ivey steel, James Finch Jr stand-up bass, drum professor Steve Price, and me on mando. What a great band! I am honored to be included in Sacramento's all-star band!


Best of all? The crowd! Yeah! I haven't seen that many people in the Fox and Goose. I've heard it used to be that way years ago, but I know how memries are, and they always seem to grow by bleeps and nouns. Everyone seemed to have a great time, they listened to the music, which is a good thing, and they were the reason we played. As it should be. Without some to hear it, did it happen? Thank-you all!

And thanks are in order for the staff at Fox and Goose. Mike and all of the others worked their collective asses off making the night a success. Fox and Goose has been a godsend to me. It is where i met most of the great musicians I know and play with, and I can always go there to see a friendly smiling face, and they were very instrumental in saving my music career, (another blog) helping me get my mando back from the clutches of Interstate 580.