Late January 2010

Well folks, the New Year is not even 3 weeks old yet and there’s already been a lot going on!

New Band Photography

We started everything off with a bang and a snap the first week by asking our friend Cam Sanders, a great photographer, to create new band photography for us and the wonderful results can be found on our website’s gallery page: http://www.susieglaze.com/gallery

New Sounds!

Also early in the month, our friend Ken Lopez from USC did us a big favor by helping us to find new sound equipment which we did with the help of Kurtis Ewing at Westlake Professional Sales. Now we’re traveling around with some fine Audiotechnica mics and are really happy with them. The other cool sound addition to the band is my brother Rick’s Martin 0018. The day before we played Kulak’s he brought it down from Northern California for me to borrow and we love the sound in combo with Rob’s big D28. I hope we get to keep it!

January Shows

The month has already seen two shows – we had a great time at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood with Tracy Newman and the Reinforcements on January 9^th, and the following weekend took the Quartet to Tom Lee’s Songtree Music Series in Goleta California where we had a great, great experience. It’s a beautiful new space for concerts and a large and wonderfully warm audience.

Lastly this month it’s the Concert for Haiti benefit concert on Sunday, January 31^st at the Culver Culver-Palms United Methodist Church, 4464 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City 90230. Artists include Laurence Juber, Amilia K. Spicer, Brad Colerick, Robby Longley, Freebo, Bernie Pearl with Mike Barry, Matt Cartsonis, Renaissance, James Lee Stanley, Severin Browne, Michael Richards & Doctor Fun, Tracy Newman, Bonne Musique Zydeco, Sage, Tim Tedrow & Terry Vreeland, Robert Morgan Fisher, Dale LaDuke, Dave Morrison Band, Dafni, Duane Thorin, Lisa Turner, Kara Grainger. Call the Culver-Palms United Methodist Church at 310-390-7717 for more information and plan to come and donate for Haiti earthquake relief. Organizations represented will be Doctors Without Borders, Partners in Health – PIH, CARE, Oxfam, Americares and others. Visit their website for more info and flyers. http://www.hope4la.org/.

NAMM

Steve and I attended the NAMM trade show (National Association of Music Merchants) a couple of weeks ago in Anaheim, where we ran into many of our buddies hanging at the Martin Guitar exhibit. Thanks to our friends at IBMA (thanks Jill!), we attended as members of that organization. At Martin we were incredibly lucky to meet with Dick Boak who handles Artist & Public Relations, and is the editor of “The Sounding Board” (Martin's official newsletter). We shared with him the unique story of how our D28 came to us, and he offered to add a listing about our band and our Martin story to the newsletter, published twice a year. The story in short: Our Martin D-28 (pictured in the banner photo on the top of our website) came to us by way of Steve's good friend, actor John Goodman. John worked with Steven Spielberg in the movie "The Flintstones" and was given the guitar as a gift from the director. John found he didn't play the guitar very often and offered it to Steve who promptly jumped at the chance to own this gorgeous instrument. We've featured it in our concerts and recording sessions ever since.

We should be in Vol. 29 of “The Sounding Board” this summer.

Also while at the NAMM show we were delighted to set up artist relationship agreements with Shubb Capos (http://www.shubb.com/) and Deering Banjos (http://www.deeringbanjos.com/). Steve ordered a Vega Old Tyme model from the Deering booth and we’re excited to have it arrive soon. Watch out for some old fashioned plunking from Steve coming soon…!

Writing

I’ve started my CD review writing for Dirty Linen (http://www.dirtylinen.com/) and my first byline will appear in their March/April issue. On Folkworks (http://www.folkworks.org/) my review of Jeni & Billy’s CD “Jewel Ridge Coal” is currently CD Review of the Week.

February Shows

As I write we’re preparing for our February shows, including our first time in the San Francisco Bluegrass & Old Time Festival (http://www.sfbluegrass.org/). All the details for February are here:

Saturday, February 6, The Juke Joint Gang At The Talking Stick

We join Ernest Troost's monthly songwriter show. 8:00 p.m. FREE! 1411C Lincoln Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291. http://www.thetalkingstick.net/

Friday, February 12, Fireside Concerts

Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino, Newbury Park, corner of Borchard and Reino, Newbury Park - Fireside Room. 8:00 p.m. $7.00. For more information call (805) 499-3511 or write Bob Kroll at folksgr1@aol.com

February 13-14, San Francisco Old Time-Bluegrass Festival

Susie and the Hilonesome Band join the Old Time Bluegrass Festival for our first time this year. Saturday 2/13 McGrath's Pub, Alameda. 8pm - 11pm. Sunday 2/14 Mayflower Inn, San Rafael. 4pm - 7pm. Find the whole schedule, locations, etc. at http://www.sfbluegrass.org/

Jean

As I write, my beloved Jean Ritchie ails in a New York rehabilitation center. She suffered a stroke on December 4^th and is now recuperating with loved ones nearby. I’ve included some random things from Jean and from me, just in conjuring up her spirit for myself these sad days:

Here is a recent letter exchange between a fan and myself:

“Dear Susie,

I am writing with an inquiry about the CD Singin' the Moon Up, The Voice of Jean Ritchie. First let me tell you how much I enjoy the work on that CD. Having enjoyed Jean's music and meeting her has been a highlight of my life. When the CD started playing the first time at my home your voice literally brought tears to my eyes because you ''captured' her spirit and her voice so well. Very, very nice work. I can only imagine how Jean must have felt hearing your lovely voice singing her songs/her life. Blessed, I'll bet. Carroll”

My reply:

“Dear Carroll:

Thank you especially for your reflections on “Singin’ the Moon Up.” It was a labor of love as the saying goes, a joy of my life, made unforgettable by Jean's participation, as well as the presence of her husband George (his photographs) and sons Jon and Peter in the show with us. Jean’s been an inspiration to say the least, both as an artist and as a woman and human being. Jean's brand of Grace is becoming more and more obsolete in this world, sadly. It is in attempting to obtain her level of purity that I've been able to emulate her skill, and I am honored and gratified that it has resonated for others.”

From Jean to me:

“The wonderful thing to me is that when I hear your recording of any song of mine (L&N definitely included), I feel as though it is myself, singing. I don't know if you realize it, but you're the only one who respects my melodies enough not to reinvent them, "make them my own," as most singers describe this process. I don't usually mind, or not within reason, but you're the only one who can manage to "make it your own," and still present the original tune recognizably.” “Susie, I love the way you do the song. You sing it in a wonderful, honest style, and get all the things I feel into your performance of it. It cannot be sung better- differently, but never better. So- you can quote that if you like!” “I just am supremely grateful and happy that you like my efforts at songwriting, and that you have sung and recorded them so beautifully over these few years blessed with the warmth of our friendship.”

Jean Ritchie Mudcat Post from May 7, 2009:

“Here. We're back- son Jon from a two-week hospital stay, still having tests after getting home as they still can't find what the trouble is. George from another series of test, taking 18 different pills a day, soon to be told to start dialysis. Myself growling around the house with a hundred aches and pains. I can see and feel big changes coming, and know that this long Growing-Old part of our lives is coming to an end--- We ARE old! I start reading sympathetically about poor OLD people, and suddenly it hits me: What? I myself am 86. What do we do with our house? Man- all these taxes, who'll pay them next year? Will we go to a nursing home? Have a live-in nurse? I tell you, it's so hard when you finally realize that Life makes you keep on learning- right up to the end. I guess, as long as I can understand Life's messages, I'll be able to go on.

And I tell myself, "Just think of all the people that ever lived in this world. How many problems and worries and tragedies have they endured, along with the fewer joys and goodtimes and successes? And, when you come down to it, one is one and all alone and evermore shall be so. Or another way of putting it, You got to cross that lonesome valley by yourself.

I don't dread it, once I accept it. I have so loved my Mother and Father, all my gaggle of sisters, my three brothers (only one out of all of them is still in the world with me). We hurt with them if they have pain at the end, but we cannot go with them or ease that journey. Someone said, "The dead always look peaceful." I believe they are. I believe that they have walked the valley and found at last the destination we all are are striving to find. What else is Life, but a trip towards something higher and better? People who have almost died, have talked of being in a dark tunnel with a faint but bright light far ahead; then their passage is forbidden and they have to turn from the light and return to Life- to do an unfinished task there? To help or guide someone else for awhile longer?

I wonder- but it doesn't matter, does it? None of us can live forever. We must live Life to the fullest, then give those behind us a loving farewell. That's what I hope I can do.

I'll stop, because I don't know what I'm trying to say, but I thought it ought to be said. I guess I was trying to understand, myself, that not all of us CAN live to be old, or WANT to, and so arrive earlier at that entrance into the next world. In my personal prayers, I always say in my thoughts, "Lord, I'll stay as long as You need me, so show me what to do..."

Big Mick, feel better, and I hope that Fate, or Karma, or whatever, eases up on you. I know you'll be needed in this Life for a long time, so take the reins that have been handed to you, and have a good, long run. You have many who love you and are running along with you, and that lonesome valley is still far away.

Love to you all, Jean

PS: Darn- I bet y'all will think this is a stupid letter, and tomorrow I may think so myself! But it's what I felt like saying.”

______________________________________________

Friends,

I send you Blessings and Love, as Jean would write, herself.

Susie

Happy New Year 2010!

Hi Folks and Happy New Year!

Everyone always says that it's hard to believe that ten years have passed from the Y2K Millenium mark, and you know, it is hard to believe! It was a decade of lots of firsts and I won't go into them here because lots of writers have spent the Christmas holidays writing about them and summing everything up. For me, gosh, it's hard to remember everything that happened, but there were many big things this last decade. And now that I look back over it all I see how much was accomplished and I think a big "wow."

In 2000 I became a recording artist with The Eight Hand String Band on their release "Simple Truth" in January of that year. It was great and life-changing for me and made me want to do more recording. In 2001 Steve and I were married and our dog Megs came into our lives as a gift from good friends the Wright family (for Steve's birthday in April of that year). We did a bit of traveling during the decade, first to the Virgin Islands, to St. John's for our honeymoon, and really fell in love with our cottage "Aerie" built on the side of a hill facing the Coral Bay, up in the trees, designed and built by a local artist. My solo albums were made this decade: "Home On the Hill" was released in 2002 and I was lucky to start my friendship with Jean Ritchie (photo above from the Solstice Festival here in June of 2002). We lost our precious Lily right at the same time the album was released. That same year Steve and I started working with Rob Carlson and we formed the Hilonesome Band to showcase Rob's original songwriting. We spent 2003 woodshedding his songs and playing out, and 2004 working on the new album which would become "Blue Eyed Darlin'" released in early 2005. Also in 2005 the Eight Hand Band recorded and released their soundtrack album in conjunction with our work for the new Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield Illinois, called "Listen to the Mockingbird: Songs from the Civil War Era." "Blue Eyed Darlin'" was released in May of that year, and Steve and I also embarked on our further adventures with Jean Ritchie with our retrospective tribute show on Jean's life and work "Singin' The Moon Up: The Voice of Jean Ritchie" which we debuted at Penn State University in September of 2005. In 2006 I visited London and the Grand Canyon for the first time, in 2007 I started working on the album "Green Kentucky Blues" with Laurie Lewis, and released it in the spring of 2008. I also lost our precious Sassy that year, right before her 15th birthday (photo above). In 2009 we headlined again at the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest, opened for Billy Bragg, traveled to Australia, and had our first band road trip in September, traveling to the Napa Valley and Bay area for shows. Zowie!

And now we're here at the 10 year mark in the new century. My world is full of blessings, especially the friendships Steve and I have, our good health, our home, communities, our love for each other and good luck on many counts. I hope for you that God's blessings come to you and your families, and that good music is always a part of it. I'm privileged and honored to sing for you as the years go by and I hope you will keep listening. I can think of no higher calling.

I end with my recipe for New Year's Luck Greens. May they bring you good health, good luck and especially, good eats!!

For Collards, Curly Kale, Mustard or Turnip Greens:
Fill a large stockpot with water and heat to boiling. Fill a large sink full of cold water and stem the greens by holding each green by the stem over the water and with a sharp knife (I like to use a boning knife), slicing down the stem (machete style) so the leaves fall into the water. Discard the stem (or give to the hogs) and repeat with each stem of your greens. When the sink is full of greens, stir them through the water to wash the leaves. Put the greens into the boiling water pot and cover and boil for 6 minutes. When done, drain the greens, fill the pot back up with cold water and plunge the greens into the cold water to stop the cooking process. When cooled, pull the greens up by the handfuls and squeeze all the water from them and place on a cutting board. Spread them out and coarsely chop. In a sauté pan put 2 tablespoons of olive oil, chopped garlic and red pepper flakes to taste. Heat on medium and when the garlic is sizzling, add the greens. Turn them in the oil and when coated with oil, cover them 3/4 of the way with chicken broth, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes and serve. You can also add raw rice (it will cook in the broth), meat of any kind (ham works well) and beans of any kind (I used black eyed peas for New Years Good Luck!).

With love and blessings and hopes for prosperity and health for the New Year!

Susie