We are now just hours away from heading north, a skip hop and wobble to Tunbridge VT to Jennybrook Bluegrass Festival.
This is the third year the festival has been held at the Tunbridge World Fairgrounds; and this was the best move for the festival ever. Now with some real facilities, out buildings, a nice brook to jump in when it's hot, a general store up the hill and friendly neighbors; Jennybrook is becoming one of the "must go to" festivals of New England.
Ted Lehmann has a nice preview of the festival Ted's Blog
We're looking forward to seeing old friends, making new ones and playing until we can't play anymore.
Last year we signed up for the side stage, and when the festival rolled around, we learned it was a band competition. Hot Mustard won, and then we got a chance to play on the main stage Sunday, our first ever festival performance. Kelly joined in for the Kid's Academy performance too on Sunday main stage. Again, Ted posted a nice write up about us in his blog last year Ted's Blog.
Gazebo Stage
with our judges
main stage sunday
You may be asking yourself, who's that mandolin player, I thought this was a quartet. We were fortunate to have Adam Buchwald play with us for a bunch of months. His new born Hazel's first festival was Jennybrook last year, and his son Charlie had a good time too. Adam is busy building guitars with Froggy Bottom but we're hoping to see him this weekend and play a few.
This year we're booked for Friday night's Sugar House Jam, and two sets on Saturday. A few members of the TN Mafia Jug band are rumored to come join us at the Sugar House and we're hoping that's the case.
TN Mafia Jug Band
It may be raining, but it's certainly not cold. There's cover over the audience area, and we should have a great weekend up in Tunbridge VT. Saturday and Sunday will even be sunny!
I'll leave you with a Hot Mustard video from our youtube channel.
Last spring, at Banjo Camp North I floated the idea of a New England Tour with Tony Trischka band headlining, and our band opening. The gracious person he is, he said sure; set something up.
April and I then embarked on a journey of finding venues on dates that worked. We were initially behind the 8 ball; and decided to scrap the idea of a fall tour. We quickly tried again for spring time (with more notice to the venues). As attendance is down at many live events, most venues are doing fewer shows and therefore you need to be more proactive in your searches.
We hit a few more snags, turns out Michael Daves ended up touring with Chris Thile on our dates. Tony brought in Brandon Rickman to fill the lead singer/guitar player slot. Tony and Brandon had done gigs before and enjoyed working together. Brandon was a lot of fun and a great picker/singer. Also joining the tour, Mike Barnett on fiddle, and Skip Ward on bass. Both superb musicians and great guys.
Final snag, Steve Martin, and the Steep Canyon Rangers were suddenly playing in Portland Maine, the same night we had booked One Longfellow; a Wednesday night. What are the odds???
Luckily for most, Tony and his fearless gang got to open for Steve Martin, and Hot Mustard got awesome free seats to the show. If you have a chance to catch the Steve Martin show, DON'T TURN IT DOWN!
Finally, our tour begins. We all converge in Albany NY at The Linda. WAMC's public broadcast venue. Nice folks, nice sound; really great evening. April's college friend Allison Bradley took the pictures. They came out really good!
We hang out in the hotel after the gig, drink some beer and laugh a lot (sorry guy staying next to us!) and the next day, the long drive to Portland Maine. April's long awaited guitar made by Scott Conley was picked up in Bowdoin Maine.
The Steve Martin show was great, the whole band was his straight man. Steve's tunes are fun, interesting and have great lyrics (none have cabins in them, I think).
We were off to Bellows Falls VT the next night; everyone staying at the Stockwell compound after the show. Check Ted's Blog for a review of this.
For the record, I claimed I would wear my K-Mart shorteralls if we sold X number of tickets; and you people did it... So there's your punishment, for those of you who thought I wasn't brave enough, I showed you.
We stayed up too late playing & singing. Ask Brandon to play banjo next time you see him, he can do it!
Off to Club Passim the next night, sold out crowd, and a lot of fun. We were on Concert Window, so friends and family could watch. Britney Haas was in town, and twinned with Michael Barnett. After the show, Tony and Britney did some hot jamming.
Bruce and I stayed at Tony Watt's place and I was up until 2 am or something still playing bass!
Last night of the tour was East Hartford Community Cultural Center, Roger Moss of Podunk hired us on. He fed us a nice meal, gave us a great venue and sound and we really had a good time on our "sniff" last evening together.
All said and done, we had a great time, and are hoping we can tour again next spring with Tony and company! Valuable experience; and a little taste of the road to a new band.
I finally learned to spell Trischka in one fell swoop (just when you think you're done with consonants, add another one), Tony is very proud when his socks match his shirt and Mike Barnett makes a great surprised face.
Welcome to Hot Mustard's blog. Hoping we can keep posting on a regular basis.
Last weekend was our second festival of the year, Strawberry Park. We played Sunday to a small but welcoming crowd and had a lot of fun. It was pretty chilly at night (mid 40s) which put a damper on some of the field picking.
Heading to Acton MA to the Car Show/Bluegrass Fest tomorrow June 11, and then the Firebox in Hartford CT June 12. Hope to see you down the road.
