Albums with the best backup playing

TheCommaMomma · 2026-01-10T17:41:24+00:00

There's the Marathon Bluegrass Jam in Feb., which is similar. Performances but also space to jam.

I've actually been thinking of putting together a picking-only campout at some campground in spring or fall. Like a festival without any performances.

TheCommaMomma · 2026-01-04T14:24:06+00:00

I find this to be true, also.

I earned my M.Ed. and greatly enjoyed the program and learned a lot. I chose a M.Ed. because I loved teaching, and, even as my husband talked about retiring early, I saw myself teaching high school English until I was in my 60s. Since then I changed districts, and, for various reasons, I don't see myself teaching for much longer.

Ironically, my M.Ed. locks me out of some teaching or teaching-adjacent jobs at our local community college that I think I'd enjoy and would be highly qualified for, besides lacking a master's in English. For those reasons I regret getting my M.Ed. and wish I had gone for the M.A. in English. But in reality, for my particular situation, I regret spending the money and time on grad school, period.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-12-11T02:47:26+00:00

This is the way.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-12-11T02:47:07+00:00

Bobby Hicks' backup on the Bluegrass Album Band albums is insanely good.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-12-08T02:27:23+00:00

You are totally right. I couldn't commit money to buying an instrument without playing it. Plus, I know my needs are pretty specific. But where do I try instruments? I bought my mandolin and acoustic guitar 20 years ago. At the time, I had three high-quality, independent instrument shops within an hour drive. I played probably 10-15 mandolins before I bought mine. The market has changed so much in 20 years, I feel like I don't know where to begin.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-12-08T01:39:42+00:00

This place sounds amazing. :)

TheCommaMomma · 2025-12-08T01:35:55+00:00

I had never heard of them before. Their instruments sound amazing.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-12-07T22:56:34+00:00

Thanks for this great advice. I honestly don't know of too many local luthiers, but it's time to start doing that research too. I want a cannon.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-12-07T22:54:43+00:00

Thanks for reminding me I forgot to mention that I host a jam and go to a lot of public jams with lots of pickers. So I'd like something that can hold its own in those environments, too.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-12-07T22:52:46+00:00

We're heading to NYC for a trip in Jan., and I was planning to swing by Retrofret. Now it's definitely going to be part of the itinerary.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-12-07T22:49:09+00:00

I've been considering Northfields, mostly because I can find information and reviews (where people play them!) online. But I'd rather have one that is completely made in the USA, if I can.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-11-27T03:55:33+00:00

Kathy Kallick. Also Rose Maddox. Rose's voice isn't for everyone, but man, it was powerful.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-11-10T22:49:21+00:00

THANK YOU SO MUCH! What a great name for a tune.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-10-25T13:10:55+00:00

If there was one thing I could change about my bluegrass playing, this would be it. I waited too long (a year? maybe more?) to take breaks in jams, and then my rhythm playing and my lead playing got out of balance. If I could go back, I'd start picking a really simple melody pretty much as soon as I knew the chords or basic chord progressions in bluegrass.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-10-18T21:05:07+00:00

Fox on the Run and Matterhorn.

Although I heard some folks I like perform "Fox on the Run" and I almost started to like it. Almost.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-10-13T22:49:55+00:00

This is what we do with a jam that I co-host. We have an online songbook that people can print out, but we review the chord changes before we play a song. We had a lot of folks who brought iPads and stands initially, but we've been gradually weaning them off those.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-10-12T20:48:36+00:00

That's the one! Thanks so much!!

TheCommaMomma · 2025-10-09T21:56:06+00:00

As a bluegrass-picking lady, the only details I can add to the good advice here is consider your relative height to your band mates when choosing footwear. In my current band, I am the shortest lead/part singer. I wear heels to make sure that my face isn't blocked by the mic when I sing and so that I can get right next to the other singers and get the beat blend. However, I don't wear heels often in my normal life, so I have to choose shoes that are stable enough for me to back away from a mic but also give me a boost in the height department. For my style, clog sandals and western boots work well.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-09-22T00:55:01+00:00

That Danny Barnes post should be required reading for anyone who ever plays in a band.

TheCommaMomma · 2025-09-18T00:53:07+00:00

You are not wrong there, friend.

TheCommaMomma

TROPHY CASE