Unfortunately, I need to take the week off since my work schedule has been changed around and I decided to join Sandy and some friends and do some non-music related stuff. We had fun this weekend and it was great to get out of the house and get together.

I’ll be back next week and until then, if you order Irish Pub Songs For The 5-String Banjo Vol 1 or Folk Songs For The 5-String Banjo Vol 1 from Lulu.com you can get 20% off using the code SHADOWHOG at check out.

I’ll see you all later.

I had every intention of filming some videos today, but like a complete fool I thought that I could do Diamond Dallas Page’s YRG’s workout!

I’m so sore that I can’t lift my poor ol’ banjo. I hope that I can do one later this week.

Happy New Year everyone!  I have Monday off so I should have a video uploaded in the next 12 hours!

It’s been a great couple of weeks at home. Sandy had the holidays off and Amber hasn’t had school. We’ve had a great time together and right now Amber and I will probably be up watching bad movies until almost dawn.

I’ll get a couple of hours sleep and then be back with the Irish Pub Song Of The Day.

I would like to wish everyone a very, very merry Christmas! It’s been a great year and I am very touched by all the messages and the great time I’ve had with all of the people who check out my small efforts to help people play folk banjo.

Since it’s Christmas, I thought that I would give everyone a little gift of banjo Christmas music.

Here is a video of Luke Abbott playing some Christmas tunes on the banjo. You should really check out his family’s website at Toneway.com. They have a great system to help people learn how to play a variety of instruments.

I am really sorry that I’ve been silent since last week. I was dared or perhaps the word is challenged to start a couple of new projects and I figured that these two weeks would be the best time to get started.

For once, these are banjo related and I’m having fun with them. As soon as they are near completion, I’ll let everyone in on the fun.

Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Kelly

Saturday night, the gang was supposed to go to the Jug Band Competition in Chicago to just sit around and enjoy the music. We decided to all go together and meet up at Eric Bushman’s place. The problem was that we met too early, started drinking Eric’s Trader Joe Vintage Ale, pulled out our instruments and a few from his stash of a 100 instruments.

Needless to say we all got a bit drunk and I decided that since I was planning on recording the Jug Bands, I might as well record us since we were in no shape to go anywhere.

We had a lot of fun, but the hangover on Sunday is the ONLY reason I didn’t get any videos done this week. I have to say that it wasl one of the best nights of fun we have had in a while. If the video wasn’t edited, you would see one song, a lot of drinking and story telling and then another song.

Next time I have to remember to play first, then start drinking!

I’m sorry for the silence this week. I had a bad chest cold on Sunday and it’s almost completely gone which is a record-breaking time for me. Usually when I get one it lingers for a week or more. I wasn’t able to sing and I didn’t want to do anything halfheartedly.

The other problem that I have is not really a problem at all. My number one helper, Amber got her first job at Home Run Inn Pizza and I have lost her great help in making the videos and moving things around so that I can get them done.

My little girl is growing up and it’s bittersweet. I’ll be back next week and there may be a change or two in what I am doing from now on!

Keep picking!

Kelly

I started out the weekend thinking that I would get some prep-work for the workshops done and get a jump on a bunch of projects that I am supposed to be finishing up, but that didn’t happen….

My wife asked if I would like to go to Brookfield Zoo where she, Amber, Lisa and Dmitry were going to run in the 5K Zoo Run Run and then get brunch at a pancake house. I rarely eat breakfast or brunch, but the thought of pancakes was too much temptation. I had a great time at the zoo while they were running and had an even better brunch. Amber had a better time as she ended up on the webpage for the run!

When we got home, Sandy asked if I wanted to go to see Blue Man Group. I knew then that I wasn’t going to get anything done over the weekend. The good part was that Amber got to meet one of the Blue Men after the show and I snapped a picture.

I might be able to move around some lessons and get a workshop out this week, but we’ll see.

Until then, take care!

Kelly

Last week we launched BanjoBandits.com and I have have to say that Tim and Mandy have it going great. The great part is seeing so many people contribute. That is what the site is all about.

I was going to put up some videos this week, but decided that I was going to take an actual week off and enjoy myself. Head on over to BanjoBandits.com and have fun, and I’m going to relax for a while.

Since I’m taking the week off, let’s have a sale on Irish Pub Songs and Folks Songs For The 5-String Banjo, Volumes 1.

Just head over to my Lulu.com store and you can get 20% off of your purchase. Just type in the coupon code SEPTEMBER305 when you check out.

Have fun and keep on playing!

BanjoBandits.com is up and running and it looks like it’s off to a good start. It’s nice to see people interacting and having fun with music. I am hoping that Mandy and Tim take this to new heights in showcasing home grown talent and making friends!

Since I’m taking the week off, let’s have a sale on Irish Pub Songs and Folks Songs F
or The 5-String Banjo, Volumes 1.

Just head over to my Lulu.com store and you can get 20% off of your purchase. Just type in the coupon code SEPTEMBER305 when you check out.

Have fun and keep on playing!

Kelly