Once upon a time
Sep 6, 2021 23:27:53 #
When I was a teenager I played a heck of a harmonica.
Played around the house and with friends and even played at church when a bluegrass Family played before Sunday service.
Had a high school home EC project with a guy named Willie Ruggles.
We had to go to the local Kroger’s and prep a meal plan for a week for a family of 4.
We did pretty good
Needed some time to put our report together. He invited me to his place to write the report and told me to bring my harmonica.
Well this dude lived way up a holler.
Anyone from Appalachia knows what a holler is.
Those that don’t, it’s a very rural community in a valley between 2 or 3 mountains .
In the sticks where your nearest neighbor is a mile away.
Anyway . We finished the report and it was time to play.
Guy had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. ( pretty ones) and cousins and uncles who all played bluegrass.
They started picking and I got to join right in.
Even let me play a solo spot.
These folks invited me back to dinner a few times and we all played some pretty impressive music.a lot of them were extremely talented.
Kinda miss that kinda stuff 10 people crowded around a small room with booze and smoke around , kids playing on the yard and porch with moms chasing them and old folks just taking it all in
Every time I’m at a fair or hear good bluegrass on the radio , I listen. Wife don’t get it at all
But it brings back memories
Played around the house and with friends and even played at church when a bluegrass Family played before Sunday service.
Had a high school home EC project with a guy named Willie Ruggles.
We had to go to the local Kroger’s and prep a meal plan for a week for a family of 4.
We did pretty good
Needed some time to put our report together. He invited me to his place to write the report and told me to bring my harmonica.
Well this dude lived way up a holler.
Anyone from Appalachia knows what a holler is.
Those that don’t, it’s a very rural community in a valley between 2 or 3 mountains .
In the sticks where your nearest neighbor is a mile away.
Anyway . We finished the report and it was time to play.
Guy had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. ( pretty ones) and cousins and uncles who all played bluegrass.
They started picking and I got to join right in.
Even let me play a solo spot.
These folks invited me back to dinner a few times and we all played some pretty impressive music.a lot of them were extremely talented.
Kinda miss that kinda stuff 10 people crowded around a small room with booze and smoke around , kids playing on the yard and porch with moms chasing them and old folks just taking it all in
Every time I’m at a fair or hear good bluegrass on the radio , I listen. Wife don’t get it at all
But it brings back memories
Sep 6, 2021 23:35:52 #
Ben Bragg wrote:
When I was a teenager I played a heck of a harmoni... (show quote)
I'm pretty sure I heard a banjo playin.
That's really cool Ben. I too play the harmonica. Like you I use to play a lot but haven't played much in years.
We'll have to bring them to the M&G next year.
Sep 6, 2021 23:53:29 #
Yep love the banjo, went to bluegrass festival all over when I was younger back in then old days 🎻🪕🎼HEE HAW
Sep 7, 2021 02:37:24 #
saw1 wrote:
I'm pretty sure I heard a banjo playin.
That's really cool Ben. I too play the harmonica. Like you I use to play a lot but haven't played much in years.
We'll have to bring them to the M&G next year.
That's really cool Ben. I too play the harmonica. Like you I use to play a lot but haven't played much in years.
We'll have to bring them to the M&G next year.
PLEASE DO. I love good live Bluegrass. Live Music is always the best no matter the type....
Sep 7, 2021 07:47:43 #
Jeremy wrote:
PLEASE DO. I love good live Bluegrass. Live Music is always the best no matter the type....
With ya Jeremy, we have a huge bluegrass festival up in wind gap pa. Some extremely talented songwriters, banjos, guitars and overnight camping. Little campsite gigs going on after the stage shows pretty much into the wee hours of the morning. Fun time.
Sep 7, 2021 08:08:08 #
Fun memory! I hope that you still play...or at least dabble with it...
Sounds like you grew up in a cool environment and had some great classmates and friends!
My folks have enjoyed Bluegrass all their lives (their favorite), and a little bit rubbed off on me but it's not necessarily my top pick. Dad plays the banjo very well, along with acoustic guitar. I know enough harmonica to entertain our grand kids and that's about it! My guitar spends a lot of time locked up and lonely in the case. Every Winter I vow to advance more with it...but alas...that is ice fishing season...so I will have to get more disciplined!
Sounds like you grew up in a cool environment and had some great classmates and friends!
My folks have enjoyed Bluegrass all their lives (their favorite), and a little bit rubbed off on me but it's not necessarily my top pick. Dad plays the banjo very well, along with acoustic guitar. I know enough harmonica to entertain our grand kids and that's about it! My guitar spends a lot of time locked up and lonely in the case. Every Winter I vow to advance more with it...but alas...that is ice fishing season...so I will have to get more disciplined!
Sep 7, 2021 09:19:22 #
Blindman
Loc: Wisconsin
Ben Bragg wrote:
When I was a teenager I played a heck of a harmoni... (show quote)
It's a great story, Ben, a great memory for you.
Mike
Sep 7, 2021 10:47:22 #
kandydisbar
Loc: West Orange, NJ
Ben Bragg wrote:
When I was a teenager I played a heck of a harmoni... (show quote)
Nice to hear, Ben. Know what you're talking about. When I lived in Nashville I got invited to a party in the mountains went on for three days. People kept showing up with instruments and food and drink. They put me at the piano and wouldn't let me leave for hours! That was a heck of a party that I'll never forget either!! Love some bluegrass!!!
Sep 7, 2021 11:05:32 #
saw1 wrote:
I'm pretty sure I heard a banjo playin.
That's really cool Ben. I too play the harmonica. Like you I use to play a lot but haven't played much in years.
We'll have to bring them to the M&G next year.
That's really cool Ben. I too play the harmonica. Like you I use to play a lot but haven't played much in years.
We'll have to bring them to the M&G next year.
I’ll be looking forward to hearing some of that Steve👍 I hope the M&G happens.
Sep 7, 2021 11:52:51 #
Graveytrain50
Loc: DFW Area Texas
Ben Bragg wrote:
I enjoy bluegrass also and great story🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸When I was a teenager I played a heck of a harmoni... (show quote)
Sep 7, 2021 14:42:42 #
Catfish hunter wrote:
I’ll be looking forward to hearing some of that Steve👍 I hope the M&G happens.
Me too Randy. Think Teresa might come with you. Sue isn't goin to come with me. Lol. I'll probly drive back and come back through Texas and see my family on the way back here.
Sep 7, 2021 14:50:30 #
HenryG
Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts
Ben Bragg wrote:
When I was a teenager I played a heck of a harmoni... (show quote)
Do you still play Ben ? I do every day I have a.collection of about 20 harps some should belong in a museum but I still play them some relics from WW1 and WW2
Sep 7, 2021 19:33:34 #
kandydisbar
Loc: West Orange, NJ
HenryG wrote:
Do you still play Ben ? I do every day I have a.collection of about 20 harps some should belong in a museum but I still play them some relics from WW1 and WW2
Sep 7, 2021 20:10:22 #
Sep 7, 2021 21:02:46 #
HenryG wrote:
Do you still play Ben ? I do every day I have a.collection of about 20 harps some should belong in a museum but I still play them some relics from WW1 and WW2
I haven’t played since 1987. Had a roommate . Shares a trailer with the guy 50/50 that was pretty good on guitar and we’d sit up nights working out tunes . Sometimes it fell together others, eh needed work.
Haven’t touched one since.
Seems like the more beer we drank the better it sounded , but forgot what we were doin and start over Wednesday
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