Mike, my natural instrument is piano and singing, but I mostly play acoustic guitar when out and about and also Mandolen as needed. My wife and I do a lot of playing and singing. I taught her to play the Mandolen about 3 years ago, so now she plays that while I play guitar - as we mostly do duets now.
On the average, I guess I now play about two hours a days on one instrument or another. I was like many people who played a lot in younger years, then set most of it aside due to just being busy with life and raising a family. About 20 years ago I picked it all back up (and was then able to afford those instruments that I could have never been able to afford during those younger years). So, there was about a 20 year period that other than singing I didn't play much.
We just got back last night from here which is about an hour away from where I at in North Carolina:
http://www.merlefest.orgjust as an attendee. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was there if you remember them, Michael Martin Murphy (Wildfire song) and lots of other good musicians. Just a lot of fun for sure. And Charlie Daniels who I have spent a little time wtih in the past.
>Thanks for the links.
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>I did not know you are a musician and singer. What do you play?
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>>We were driving home from Florida to our home in North Carolina last night, and listened to the Grand Ole Opry, and the three hour show was dedicated to the memories of George Jones.
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>>In George's later years, he turned his life around through the help of many. The following link is a duet (I think George was always best in duet's) he did with his spiritual mentor Vestal Goodman of the famous Goodman Family. Many will remember Vestal singing God Bless America at the Kennedy Center a few years ago.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG00pby2bq0>>
>>There is also a stunning version of George singing Amazing Grace that is found on the DVD set Bill Gaither Gospel Bluegrass Homecoming which also speaks to the changes that took place in his life. Here is the song - toward the end is the interview.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xupZnTOEfYo>>
>>Just shows you how one can change and be used in a greater way. Amazing Grace might seem like an easy song to sing, but it is a diffucult song to sing emotionally and also the range that it requires of one's voice. As a musician and singer, I struggle with the range of the song.
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>>I host a Gospel and Bluegrass Jam (where about 10 to 20 musicians gather and play and sing) on Saturday nights - and I will be mentioning George Jones. However, I will not attempt to sing any of his songs - as his voice is so unique.
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>>Thanks for the memories George.....:)
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>>>He was the epitome of the hard living country singer, a sharp contrast to the smooth and well packaged C & W stars of today. His escapades, usually drunk, were notorious. What saved it all was the voice. His song "He Stopped Loving Her Today" in particular is generally found at the top of best-ever lists.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/27/arts/music/george-jones-country-singer-dies-at-81.html?hp&_r=0>>>
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R2F9f2Cl6Y
