Leaving West Virginia

So, I left West Virginia yesterday, for the second time this summer. And with luck there will be a third departure (preceded by a second return) in late October for the fall old-time week, or at least some of it.

I was so engrossed in playing this year that I didn’t post much (I’ll have some photos on Flickr soon) but here is one of the many high points of the week — playing my song “She Left Me In the Red” with an all-star backup band. That’s Joe Newberry, the coordinator of old-time week and a wonderful talent and spirit, on guitar; Mike Compton, a star Nashville player who just finished touring with Elvis Costello, on mandolin; Ann Downey, who plays all over the place, on bass; and Clay Buckner of the Red Clay Ramblers on fiddle.

But there were many other great moments, mostly involving long nights on the porch singing with great friends. I’ll post some more videos and recordings when I get home in a day or two. Meanwhile all the songs are still in my head and you can expect to start hearing them at jams soon! And maybe at some performances … stand by for more on that.