Kenny Baker, New Fiddle, and Pickin'

So I wanted to tell y'all about all the fun music stuff I've been doing the past few days. First off, I've been looking for a new fiddle forever, and I've finally decided on what I want -- and I got it! I've been playing it for almost a week now on loan, but I actually paid for it today. (Ouch! But it's SO worth it!) I need to post some photos later of my new baby. ;-)

As fun as that was and is, I gotta tell you, it doesn't compare to the Kenny Baker workshop I went to on Sunday. Kenny Baker, if you haven't been reading this site for long, is the Bluegrass fiddler as far as I'm concerned. He played for Bill Monroe for over twenty years, the longest of Bill's many fiddlers. He's inspired my fiddle teacher, Jan Johnannson, and through him, me. Mr. Baker, in short, is one of my all-time heroes come to life. And I got to meet him on Sunday.

We had a four-hour long workshop, where we learned one of Mr. Baker's songs, Festival Waltz (which is much prettier than it's name implies), and we got to listen to several stories and many many many songs by Mr. Baker. It was really amazing. I just can't say how cool it is to sit about four feet away from your hero and have him look over your shoulder. I got to shake his hand and chat with him, take a few pictures, and had him sign my Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe CD, one of my all-time favorite CDs, period. (The Bluegrass fiddle BIBLE!)

Kenny Baker with my fiddle teacher, Jan Johannson. I love this pic.

Jan (with his ubiquitous Mt Dew), Mr. Baker, and me. (Eww, I need a haircut or something.)

And last but not least, James and I finally got together for our not-so-Bluegrass jam over at his new place. (WOW! I loved their new house.) We played some Johnny Cash, Scott Miller, Thad Cockrell, and other stuff. Mostly country and alt-country with a rock bent. Lotsa fun! We'll have to do it again.

Alright, I'm off to bed... it's too damn late for me. It's all that coffee James and his wife made me drink. MADE me!