Here’s a bit of lighthearted bluegrass history for your post-Christmas climbdown…

The anecdote comes from multi-instrumentalist and singer Orrin Starr. It involves a phone conversation between fiddler Jim Moss and James Monroe. Jim is a prominent west coast fiddler, and he spoke with James (son of Bill Monroe) while Bill was in the office many years ago.

It’s an old story, which Moss swears is true, and some of you may have encountered it before. All the same, it is a lovely glimpse into the Monroe world.

The discussion, as Jim has related it to Orrin, is as follows:

Jim Moss: So, ah.. James… can you ask your father something for me?
James Monroe: What is it?
Jim Moss: Well, it is about the song Foot Prints In The Snow….
James Monroe: The boy on the phone wants to ask you something about Foot Prints In The Snow.
Bill Monroe: What does he want?
Jim Moss: Ask him… (testing the waters) if in the song it is snowing?
James Monroe: The boy wants to know if it is snowing in the song..
Bill Monroe: Yes, it is snowing..
James Monroe: Yeah, it’s snowing
Jim Moss: I thought so.. (that worked all right)
Jim Moss: OK, ask him, does the girl gets lost out in the forest?
James Monroe: The boy from California wants to know if the girl gets lost out in the forest?
Bill Monroe: Tell him yes the girl is lost. (it sounds like Bill is reading or doing something else)
James Monroe: Yes the girl is lost.
Jim Moss: (also, now I am the boy from California!!, I wonder what the meaning of that is?)
Jim Moss: OK, ask him if she dies in the snow.. When he finds her is she dead?
James Monroe: The boy wants to know if she dies in the snow?
Bill Monroe: ( pause.. ) Yes she dies out in the snow.
James Monroe: She dies in the snow.
Jim Moss: Well, now here is one last question, James: Why is it that he blesses that happy day when Nellie lost her way only to die in the snow? Why is he happy that she is dead?
James Monroe: The boy wants to know why is you are happy that she is dead?
Bill Monroe: (…real long pause….)
Bill Monroe: Those old songs… Who knows what they mean!
James Monroe: We have work to do here, is there anything else I can do for you?

Classic… God Bless Bill Monroe!

Orrin Star notes on his web site that 2007 marks his 30th year traveling the road as a professional acoustic musician. During that time, he has performed on both mandolin and guitar, in a variety of duos and groups, and taught in countless workshops and seminars.

His debut as a music pro followed his 1976 first place award at the National Flatpicking Championship, and work as a stand up comedian, so it seems this career path was his destiny.

We offer our congratulations to Orrin for this achievement, and wish him well for the future - though we might refrain from wishing another 30 years on him.

Orrin has recently debuted a channel on YouTube, where he previews a couple of tunes from his forthcoming CD.

Veteran bluegrass performer and instructor Orrin Star will be continuing his Fisrt Saturday Mandolin Workshops in Cheverly, MD, on January 6th and on February 3rd. He will also be bringing his duo (with DC-area guitarist/singer John Seebach) to the Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage on Tuesday January 9 from 6-7pm (a free concert).

Orrin’s First Saturday Mando Workshops:

January 6, 2007:
Deciphering the Fretboard: Double Stops.
In order to play songs in various keys and positions, you need to create your own mental map of the neck. Using two string mini-chords (double-stops) and the tune Silent Night this workshop will jump-start your understanding of the neck and introduce you to the essential technique of tremolo.

February 3, 2007:
More Tremolo and Rhythm: Ashokan Farewell
Ashokan Farewell is sublime waltz whose haunting melody is a perfect tremolo vehicle and whose exotic yet accessible chord structure is very gratifying to play. We’ll focus on both of these.

Workshops are Noon-2:00 p.m., include written hand-outs and cost $40.00.

Orrin Star just wrote in to let us know that he is heading to the west coast this week for a 12-day solo California tour. Once described as “Arlo Guthrie-meets-Doc Watson”, Star was the 1976 National Flatpicking Champion, has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, and boasts a repertoire that ranges from from bluegrass standards to little-known folk gems, Celtic fiddle tunes to fingerstyle blues. Orrin is a great performer and teacher. If you live close to one of these gigs, don’t miss this chance to see him.

Orrin Star - Winter California Tour

Friday 2/24 AGOURA HILLS
Gateway Church, 8pm, 29646 Agoura Rd., email: jackpeters55@yahoo.com
Plus Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar Workshop there 11am-1pm next am.

Saturday Feb 25 SAN DIEGO
Clarke House Concerts, 8:00pm
619-291-4954 or email: stringmusic@gmail.com

Sunday Feb 26th SAN DIEGO
Acoustic Expressions Music Store, 2852 University 619-280-9035
Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar Workshop 11am-1pm

Thursday March 2, TIBURON
Shoenberg Guitars, 8:00pm
106 Main Street ($15 adv/$20 door) 415-789-0846

Friday March 3 SAN JOSE
House Concert, 8:30pm
email: cplanier@sbcglobal.net or 408-667 9986

Saturday March 4 LOS GATOS
The Great Room, Concert@8pm; Rhythm Guitar Workshop 4-6pm
email: Robert@thegr8room.com or 408-353-8347

Visit Orrin’s website for a complete tour schedule and more information.