Party at Ed and Karen's May 2008

We went to a party at Ed and Karen's house. We played music until the food was ready. Then we ate hot dogs and chips. Then we played music some more. That's what pickin' is about.  Food, talking and music.  Other people arrived. We left around 1:30 a.m. I miss these times. I always had a blast even though I could not play the guitar that well. 

Bruce and Tyler switched instruments...  It is always good to be able to play multiple instruments...

Woodfire Grill April 2008

 Vicki n’ Crew were playing at the Woodfire Grill in Plainfield at 6:30 p.m.  Vicki, Tyler, Karen, Ed, Vicki’s mom, Bruce, Grandma Elizabeth, Uncle Gary, Jodi and Gary (from Martha’s Orchard) http://www.marthasorchard.net/ and a few other people were there. 

Bruce Anderson, David Baker, Vicki Griffith, Ed Bielie and Tyler Griffith (in back) http://flamekeeperband.com/band/tyler-griffith-vocals-bass

Woodfire Grill March 2008

Vicki n' Crew played music at the Woodfire Grill in Plainfield.  The show started at 6:30 p.m.  There were a few people there from Martha's Orchard who loved bluegrass and country music. The restaurant was always crowded when they played.  

Pictured above Bruce Anderson https://www.facebook.com/Diamond-Hill-Station-Bluegrass-Band-217831814904320/timeline/, Tyler Griffith  http://bluegrasstoday.com/tyler-griffith-to-flamekeeper/ Vicki Griffith and Ed Biehle

Me singing Blue Kentucky Girl

One of my mom's favorite songs to sing was Blue Kentucky Girl.  I learned how to sing and play this song on the guitar after she passed away.  It is also one of my favorite bluegrass/country songs to sing now.  This was back in 2010.  It has been awhile since I have played the guitar.

Here is the video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=051lflhojWw

Uncle Penn Days September 2007

The show started at 11 a.m. for Uncle Pen Days http://www.billmonroemusicpark.com/?page_id=15.  The first band was Melvin Goins and Windy Mountain http://www.jambase.com/Artists/22489/Melvin-Goins-and-Windy-Mountain/Bio.  The next band was Pine Mountain Railroad http://www.codyshuler.com/.  The third band was Kenny and Amanda Smith (I love them!).  The fourth band was Lonesome River Band http://lonesomeriverband.com/www/ (I also love them!).  The fifth band was Larry Stephenson Band http://www.larrystephensonband.com/.  The sixth band was Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time (They are good too!).  The Seventh band was Paul Williams and Victory Trio http://www.cybergrass.com/node/3315.  While they played, we ate dinner and took the tractor to the Bill Monroe Museum.  Then we took the tractor around the park.  Pine Mountain Railroad was on again at 6 p.m.  Then Kenny and Amanda Smith, Lonesome River Band, Larry Stephenson Band, Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time, and the last band we saw was J.D. Crow and the New South http://www.jdcrowe.net/aboutNS.htm (they are awesome!).

http://www.kenny-amandasmith.com/

http://www.larrycordle.com/bio/lonesome-standard-time/

J.D. Crow and the New South. bluegrasstoday.com/j-d-crowe-to-hang-up-his-banjo/

Bluegrass for Billy

In 2006, friends of the late Billy Reed elected to honor his memory by setting up the event Bluegrass for Billy http://www.tribstar.com/news/local_news/b-sides-bluegrass-fest-to-honor-simple-selfless-guy/article_a83c5e02-80aa-5feb-8b6d-09c404e7429e.html. Money raised through the three days of bluegrass music will go to the Bill Reed Music Scholarship Fund and the American Cancer Society.
William Carl Reed was born in 1949 and raised just south of Clay City in Middlebury, Indiana. After serving in the Vietnam War, he took up residence in Saline City with his family.  For more than 30 years, Billy enjoyed playing bass, guitar and mandolin, but most of all, he was best known for playing the banjo. He enjoyed jamming with pickers of all ages and skill levels. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2005 and died seven months later.  Bill Reed passed away in Aug. 2005 from lung cancer. Friends of the deceased Billy Reed have found a way to honor and cherish his memory.  Admission and parking are free, but donations to the scholarship fund, items for raffle and silent auction are needed (The Brazil Times).
Bluegrass for Billy has been going on every year since 2006.  I knew some of the bands that played. My stepdad Bruce was in few bands including "Dewey, Cheatem & How" and "Vicki N Crew".  My Uncle Donnie played in the band "Birch Creek".  I have not heard if they were going to have it again this year (2014).  It is an event where pickers can get together and jam.  Also you can listen to bands play on stage.  I really enjoy going especially when the weather is nice.  I hope they continue to have it.  It is for a great cause. 
I always wanted to put together some kind of bluegrass benefit concert event for the American Cancer Society.  I wanted to do this because my mother passed away of cancer and my dad has cancer.  Also some of my family members and friends have passed away from cancer.  I would do it in their memory.  This is one of my big goals in my life. 

This is a picture of my mother in 1980. Her first guitar was a hummingbird guitar.  She started singing in front of people when she was about 16.  My aunt told me one of the first songs she sung was "I don't wanna play house" by Tammy Wynette.  She was about ready to sing and nothing came out of her mouth.  Grandpa hit her with the fiddle bow and she started singing. She also sang "Blue Kentucky Girl", "I didn't know God made Honky Tonk Angels", "Your good girl's gonna go bad" and "Strong enough to bend".  Those were some of the first songs she sung.