Author: EKKARN

Yodeling – An Art best forgotten?? Never! Well, maybe?

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We'll Sing in the Sunshine

Last night after I came home from a run, I sat down at the computer and was trying to get back to normal, when my wife asked if I had watched the new parody video from Weird Al “Word Crimes”yet. I said that I hadn’t,  she made me come out and watch the video.

The Innocent Brginning……..

The video is very funny and probably funnier if you know the Robin Thicke song, which I don’t and never will, because I can not stand Robin Thicke.

Shortly after that, my wife said,  she now had the song stuck in her head. That set my mind to wondering about songs that get stuck in my head. The one that popped up was Gale  Garnett’s “We’ll Sing in the Sunshine”. So I went to Youtube to find a video of the song, which I did, from the 1964 Grammy Awards, but I didn’t like the video so I didn’t post it. But if you want you can watch it here. 

The Rabbit Hole Opens – No Stay Away From The Sidebar………

After  I watched enough of the Gale Garnett video, I began  watching some of the videos on the sidebar, which somehow lead me to Suzy Boggess and Jerry Jeff Walker performing “Night Rider’s Lament” a song that they both had recorded and since I love JJW’s version of the song I watched the video….Suzy said that the tough part of the song is the yodeling, which she had to learn to do.

Down The Yodeling Rabbit Hole

I thought she did great, you can watch that video here. My mind was still restless though and was soon thinking about other songs that feature yodeling that I like, the first and maybe only song that came to mind was Slaid Cleaves’ tribute song to Don Walser “God’s  Own Yodeller”. Here’s Slaid performing the song

Down and Down I Go…..

Not one to leave well enough alone, I had to wander on and find an original Don Walser tune, so that I could hear God’s own Yodeller! Here’s Don with “A Rolling Stone from Texas

Landing in the 1950s

Now this morning as my mind continued to think about yodeling, as I prepared finhish this post since i often often dressed like this back in the 1950s……

Hop and Guitar044

Listening to Roy Rogrers………

My thoughts turned to singing cowboys, and probably the best, Roy Rogers. I found this video using The Cowboy Herd Song….

Happy Trials to Me!

So which one do you like best, or asking another way which do you hate least? No,I shouldn’t have stayed with Gale Garnett because then all day I’d hear…..”We’ll sing in the sunshine, we’ll laugh everyday, we’ll sing in the sunshine then I’ll be on my way” Damn now it’s there…….

Links to Explore More

2026 Update:

AActually, the song that used to get stuck in my head more than any other was Dionne Warwick’s “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?”

No! No! Get out of my head!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m suddenly hearing…

“We’ll sing in the sunshine, we’ll laugh every day…”

John Mayall – A Special Life A Special Run Soundtrack!

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A Special Life - John Mayall

Reposted – Feb 17,2024 – ten years later….I was 62 ar the time of the run!

This week has been a topsy-turvy week. Monday it was in the 80s and then was  cloudy all day. Yesterday (Tuesday) it looked like it was going to rain and the temperatures were in the 60s!

Today (Thursday) it was supposed to be back into the 80s. So last night (Wednesday) I decided that I better run then or face another hot day running!

So of course today turned out a  lot like yesterday. However, I’m still glad that I ran last night!!  I decided to run on of my oldest routes, a slightly up and down run going up and down the highest point in Riverside on Pancoast Avenue.

The run was a good one. While I didn’t set any land speed records, I did feel fairly strong throughout the run. Well except when I was going up the steepest parts of Pancoast!! The only good thing is that I do get to go down hill for a good part of the last mile!!

The splits weren’t too bad. First mile 10:20 – Second 10:28, Third 11:04 – the uphill battle, 4 – 10:42.  Total Time was 42:34. When compared to Monday’s 44:54, it even looks better!!

The Soundtrack – A Special Life – John Mayall

On my last run I ran with on of the younger blues musicians, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who by the way is celebrating his birthday today. Happy Birthday Kenny Wayne. So last night I decided to run with someone older than me, by almost two decades!! That would be “the godfather of the British Blues” John Mayall,who turned 80 last November. I ran withnbhis latest release A Special Life.

A Special Life is like Mayall’s gazillionth release since he formed the Bluesbeakers in 1965. I started to listen to Mayall during my freshman year in college with the first album that  I bought being The Turning Point and it has through the years been on of my favorites.This time period in Mayall’s music is my favorite. The Turning Point along with Jazz  Blues Fusion and Movin’ On are three of my favorite albums. I loved Johnny Almond’s sax and flute work and every body on the later two albums, Jazz Blues Fusion introduced me to the trumpet of Blue Mitchell. For most of the world John may be best know for the musicians who have been a part of the Bluesbreakers.

From Wikipedia here are of some ex-members of John’s band…..

  • Guitar: Eric Clapton, Roger Dean, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Harvey Mandel, Freddy Robinson, Jimmy McCulloch, Kal David, Walter Trout, Coco Montoya, Randy Resnick,Sonny Landreth, Buddy Whittington, Eric Steckel, Robben Ford
  • Bass: Jack Bruce, John McVie, Steven Thompson[disambiguation needed], Larry Taylor, Tony Reeves, Hank Van Sickle, Greg Rzab
  • Drums: Hughie Flint, Keef Hartley, Aynsley Dunbar, Soko Richardson, Jon Hiseman, Colin Allen, Mick Fleetwood.
  • Keyboards: Dr. John
  • Vocals/Harmonica: Paul Butterfield

I think that the first time I heard Coco Montoya was on John’s 1987 release Chicago Line. What I didn’t realize until a short while back, was that Walter Trout also played on that album. Looking at the list of guitarist see that both Eric Steckel and Robben Ford have recorded with John, so I will certainly look up the albums they played on. 

The Current Bluesbreakers

The current lineup for the Bluesbreakers includes: Rocky Athas on guitar, Greg Rzab on bass, and drummer Jay Davenport. Rocky Athas and Stevie Ray Vaughan both hail from Oak Cliff, Texas.

By the time Athas was 23, he had already established himself on the Texas Blues scene and was named one of the first TEXAS TORNADOS by Buddy Magazine’s Top Ten Guitarists. The list of Texas Tornados went on over the years to include Eric Johnson, Jimmy and Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, and Johnny Winter.

Both Greg Rzab and Jay Davenport grew up in the Chicago blues scene. Rzab has been a member of  Buddy Guy and jimmy Page’s bands, and Warren Hayes’ Gov’t Mule!

Davenport has likewise played with some top blues musicians including: Junior Wells, Valerie Wellington, Pinetop Perkins,Jimmie Johnson and for the last several years he has been the drummer for west-side guitarist Melvin Taylor,  where the other half of the rhythm section was? – Greg Rzab!!.

Last year, Mayall asked about his current band and he replied, “The band I have now is the best band I have EVER had. I think it would be impossible to do better than that!”

 

What American Blues Scene says about the album…..

Mayall is at the top of his game here, and the band comes together nicely, serving up some of the finest fare we’ve heard in a while. This music draws listeners in, and engages them on so many levels! The more we listened to A Special Life, the more we wanted to hear it. Superbly crafted and performed, it is at once earthy, elegant, and soul stirring. Listeners will wear this album out.

So Check IT out!!

The Video

Here’s “Speak of the Devil” from A Special Life – and I will say this may be my favorite track on the album and that I hope that I’m going as good as John, when I hit 80!!!

Kenny Wayne Shepherd – A Run With Thoughts About No Pain No Gain

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Kenny Wayne Shepherd Goin' Home

The Run – with Thoughts of No Pain… No Gain

You know the old saying No Pan No Gain …. Well, If there’s pain, there’s gain then I gained a lot from today’s run!! It has rained on a off all day today and when I set off on my run, I think the relative humidity was like 150% and the air was completely still and it certainly seemed that it had no way to ge air into my lungs!

Needless to say it was one of those runs when you just try to trick yourself, well if I only make 3 miles I’ll be happy, oh 3 down I can make one more mile, at 3.5 only one half mile to go, a snap!!

\Before you know it you’re done, both the four miles and you!! First mile 10:22, acceptable, second mile 10:35 still ok, third mile 11:32 ouch! Fourth mile 12:25 and no I didn’t walk any of it! Average pace 11:14 which is I guess ok!

You know what they say “At least you did it!” and I’ll live to run another day!!

The Soundtrack – Kenny Wayne Shephherd – Goin’ Hom

Now the soundtrack of the run was the new album from the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band Goin’ Home and it’s a great album

However, t the last three tracks I heard on my run. which started with Buddy Guy’s “Cut You Loose” pointed my head in the wrong direction. .

The first line of the chorus is “I’m gonna throw my hands up and say “What’s the Use”  Now I know n that the song the singer is  not going to throw his hands yup that because he doesn’t want to run anymore, but the thought of taking that action did cross my mind!!

Next came “Born Under a Bad Sign” not really a positive mental attitude song now is it!!

And then as I finished “Still a Fool” and for running today, maybe I am, my wife would say that the name fits anybody who runs!

About the Soundtrack – Goin’ Home – Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Goin’ Home. was recorded in an 11-day whirlwind in Sheppard’s hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana.

The raw, righteous release finds Shepherd revisiting a dozen of the vintage blues classics that originally inspired him to pick up the guitar and pursue a life in music. He approaches the material with an intensity that affirms his deep connection to these time-tested classics.

On Goin Home, Shepherd’s sharp interpretive skills and sublime guitar work shine on his renditions of tunes originally popularized by such blues icons as B.B. King, Albert King, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Magic Sam, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Stevie Ray Vaughan,Buddy Guy and Junior Wells. Shepherd’s memorable readings of such beloved standards as “I Love the Life I Live,”

“The House Is Rockin’,” “Breaking Up Somebody’s Home” and “Born Under a Bad Sign,” along with some lesser-known tunes drawn deep from within the catalogues of his heroes. Shepherd’s new interpretations are faithful to the spirit of the originals, while serving as vibrant expressions of Shepherd’s musical soul.

My Thoughts

Kenny Wayne’s guitar work has never been better and the band composed of singer Noah Hunt, ex-Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble drummer Chris Layton, former Firm bassist Tony Franklin and keyboardist Riley Osbourn, is great, too, particularly Riley Osborn!

Now Kenny Wayne and his band are enough by themselves, but to make the album over the top great some guest were added to the mix! The guests include: Joe Walsh, Warren Haynes, Keb’ Mo’ and Robert Randolph, longtime friend Ringo Starr, Fabulous Thunderbirds frontman Kim Wilson,(that explains the great harp I heard) and the Rebirth Brass Band!!

So it’s a great album that will certainly be at the top of many best of 2014 lists!! So check it out (Press Release) it won’t be hard to find because it’s number 1 on Amazon and iTunes!

The Video

Here’s a great video for the song “You Can’t Judge a Book…” The song captures the spirit of the album!!

David Wilcox – blaze – Is It His Best?

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Blaze - David Wilcox

Update (2026): I rediscovered this post while adding an internal link from another playlist article, and it reminded me just how much I’ve enjoyed David Wilcox’s music over the years. Back in 2014 I thought blaze was one of his finest albums, and I still do. The good news is that David hasn’t stopped writing. Since then he’s released more music, which means it’s probably time for me to spend a few weeks revisiting his catalog—and, of course, listening to his latest album.

Re-Discovering David Wilcox

Daid Wilcox - with Guitar

Over the last few weeks, I’ve made reference to listening to David Wilcox’s new album blaze,  today I  listened to it again and I think it’s time i write something about the album!

Why I Keep Coming Back to David’s Music

For me David Wilcox has the whole package, he is an intelligent and thoughtful songwriter, a great singer and a terrific guitar player. What more could one ask for?

I’ve been listening to David since the late 80s when I heard him on the radio singing and discussing the titled track of his first album “The Nightshift Watchman” Which is a song about those people, who sit in underground bunkers watching the skies for a missile attack knowing full well that if they do their job, their job and the world as we know it may be over!!

You can read the lyrics here. Many of David’s eighteen releases can  be found in my music library and I feel that blaze is  one of his best albums.

Listening to blaze

blaze opens with “Oil Talkin’ to Ya'” which in David’s words is just a different way to look at the future when oil may not be around anymore, and maybe it won’t be as bad as we think. Because those dire predictions may just be the oil talkin’ to us!

Songs That Stay With You

The songs on the album cover a wide range of topics from the part we all play in the destruction of the environment in “Guilty by Degree” to a police officers thoughts on the senseless killing of a young child on the city streets “The Sacrifice”.

I love the imagery created in the songs “Drift” and “It’ll Work You” and how they both deal with change and rediscovery of one self!

Once again,  I feel that blaze is one of David’s finest albums, all of the songs are terrific,  and it is one of the best albums of 2014!!

You can watch a short video here in which David discusses the making of blaze. Meanwhile you can check out more about David and blaze at the usual places!

Learn More About David Wilcox

Website
Wikipedia
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Amazon

The Video

David performing “It’s Just the Oil Talkin’ to Ya!”

Jerry Jeff Covers Chris Wall and Bill Staines Songs! Live!

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Jerry Jeff Walker Live at Gruene Hall

Originally posted March 2014 revised and updated July 2026

2026 :Update:When I first started listening to Jerry Jeff Walker, I thought I had simply found another singer-songwriter I enjoyed. Looking back, I realize he became something much more. Through his albums he introduced me to an entire circle of songwriters—Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Chris Wall, and Bill Staines—artists who have remained part of the soundtrack of my life ever since.

Through the Years – Jerry Jeff Walker and the Songwriters He Shared with Us

Through the years, Jerry Jeff Walker introduced me to a whole new world of great songwriters — folks like Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt who have become legends in their own right. But it doesn’t stop there. On his album Live at Gruene Hall, Jerry Jeff shines a light on two other stellar songwriters whose work may not be as widely known: Chris Wall and Bill Staines.

 

🎶 Jerry Jeff Covers 3 Chris Wall Tunes

Three songs by Chris Wall appear on Live at Gruene Hall:

  • I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight
  • Trashy Women
  • Rodeo Wind

These covers turned me into a lifelong fan of Chris Wall’s storytelling. His songs are rooted in dusty plains and dancehalls, with characters that feel lived-in and true. Jerry Jeff’s renditions add that raw, boots-on-the-barroom-floor charm he always brought to a good tune.

Can’t you just see that cowboy out in the barn saddling his horse, with his woman leaning in the doorway, as he gets ready to ride off into the sunset?

🌾 Jerry Jeff Covers Bill Staines’ “The Quiet Faith of Man”

The other songwriter Jerry Jeff salutes on Gruene Hall is Bill Staines, a beloved folk troubadour. If you’re not familiar with him, here’s a bit from his official biography:

For more than forty years, Bill traveled back and forth across North America, singing his songs and delighting audiences at festivals, coffeehouses, and concerts. A New England native, he got his start in the 1960s Boston folk scene, even emceeing the Sunday Hoot at the legendary Club 47 in Cambridge. A reviewer once called him “simply Boston’s best performer,” and he remained a top name on folk radio listener polls for decades.

The song Jerry Jeff chose — “The Quiet Faith of Man” — is, in my humble opinion, one of Bill’s most powerful and moving pieces.

🐾 Bill Staines Sings Bill Staines – “Old Dogs”

To wrap things up, here’s one more Staines gem — Old Dogs, a song that’s tender, wise, and every bit as timeless as the quiet folks it celebrates.

 

Michael Brant DeMaria – The Maiden of Stonehenge – New Age Healing Music

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The Maiden of Stonehenge - Michael Brant DeMaria

2026 Reflections

Looking back, I never did complete the grand experiment of comparing the psychologist and the shamans. That’s not unusual. Over the years I’ve started plenty of projects that wandered off into the weeds. But what struck me when I reread this post was that twelve years later I finally did embrace yoga as part of my daily routine. These days a work morning often starts with twenty minutes of yoga before heading off to Target at 5 a.m. So perhaps Michael Brant DeMaria had more influence on me than either of us realized

Discovering Michael Brant DeMaria

So the other day I was browsing through the Zone Music Reporter’s New Age Top 100 Radio Air Play chart and I spotted down at #87 an interesting looking album titled The Maiden of Stonehenge by Michael Brant DeMaria. Not knowing anything more about the album, than that it had both an interesting title and a cool cover (there I go again dating myself). I downloaded it on to the iPhone and gave it a listen. As soon as I heard the flute on the first track “Lost Village” I knew that I was going to like the album and I was very, very correct!!

So then I started to research the album and Michael Brant DeMaria and what did I find. Another one of those people who REALLY have it all together!! (Unlike me who has little pieces scattered all over the place!)

From his biography at his website:

Dr. Michael Brant DeMaria is a psychologist with over 25 years of experience in helping guide others on their life journeys. He has published and presented numerous papers on the role creativity and spirituality play in the healing process nationally and internationally.

Michael DeMaria is also an author. His writings include: of Horns and Halos (1992), Ever Flowing On (2001) and the book of poetry,Moments (2008).

His passion for philosophy and psychology started at a young age having graduated with degrees in both as he turned 20. ,He also received the outstanding student award the same year in the department of philosophy, art and religious studies.

Dr. DeMaria then became the youngest recipient of a Ph.D. in the clinical psychology program at Duquesne University, where he studied in the graduate programs in psychology, philosophy and The Institute of Formative Spirituality

Comparing Edward to Michael HaHaHa He Wins!

Sooo.. I graduated with a two degrees too – one in Political Science and one in Education – and then went to work for a civil engineering company??? Right – top that!!

Hey Michael I think I need some help figuring out my journey and you better hurry, cause the remaining part of the journey keeps shrinking faster and faster!! But back to Michael, so he’s a psychologist does that make you a good musician – maybe not but I guess he may be an okay musician – then I read……..

Michael Brant DeMaria has been something of a phenomenon in the healing/new age music realm with four consecutive #1 albums on the Zone Music Reporter charts, three Grammy Nominations for Best New Age Album, and several Album of the Year awards in the Native American, Ambient, Relaxation/Meditation, and World Music categories!

Whoa- yes Mr. DeMaria you can do it all!!

About The Maiden of Stonehenge from Mainly Piano

….The Maiden of Stonehenge, takes his music in yet another direction. The music is the soundtrack to a play by the same name written by DeMaria and Stephen Lott, (who also co-wrote the play Siyotanka several years ago). This time the play takes place in ancient Britain and tells the story of the coming of age of Teagan, a young, disfigured orphan girl abandoned and left to fend for herself. Her journey takes her across the mythic land where she meets wild and wondrous creatures while discovering the healing powers of nature, water, and her own voice.

Thoughts on Exploring New Age Meditation Music.and a Challenge

The music on the album and the overall vibe of the album is great and is meant for healing and yoga meditation, etc.. Now this is the third album that  I have listened to over the last several weeks of this type.

The other two were Get Tribal’s Gods of Drum and an album from Ahilah called Warrior that was recommended to me by  reader, Kevin Thiessen, from AsZension, who was involved in the production of the album.

Now my mission should I choose to accept it…..(this post will self-destruct in ten seconds – damn you ADD!) is to do meditations over the next week or so using tracks from each of the albums and record my observations from each to see who does it better the Shamans or the psychologist!!

Now let’s see if I can do it! The one thing, I know I will do, is listen to more of the albums from Michael Brant DeMaria!!!

The Video

A medley of the music from The Maiden of Stonehenge!

The Birthday Celebration for JJW Continues with “Ramblin’ Scramblin'” and “Morning Song to Sally”

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JJW- Driftin' Way of Life

First Posted March 2014 revised and updated Junw 2026

So return with me now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, the year was 1969, I was a naïve eighteen year-old and sometime during that year. probably on Gen Shay’s show on WDAS-FM this song from Jerry Jeff Walker.

Reflections about Ramblin’ Scrambblin’ from JJW

You know I don’t think I’d ever heard a song that included a drop kick in the crotch or someone getting rolled, let alone in the same song!!

The song came from Jerry Jeff’s second album, Driftin’ Way of Life. ” Through the years, “Ramblin’ Scramblin'” along with “Drifting Way of Life” and “Morning Song to Sally” became my my favorite songs from the album

And About the Diversity o the Music of JJW

. Thinking about JJW and his music, one thing I like about his music is that in one song he can be all “Gonzo” and the next minute he can be singing something as nice and beautiful as “Morning Song to Sally” and a bonus song “I Makes Money” from the album Mr Bojangles

So before we break out the “Sangria Wine” and “Redneck Mother”, let’s go “into the night” with “Morning Song to Sally”

2026 Post Update

Jerry Jeff Walker passed away in 2020, but for those of us who first heard him back in those late-sixties and early-seventies days, the music still sounds just as alive, funny, reckless and heartfelt as it did coming out of the FM radio all those years ago.

If you are just discovering the music of Jerry Jeff or If you’re a fan visit Jerry Jeff’s website to see What’s New

Musical Thoughts about that Parent Child Relationship (Videos)

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Oliver 3

As I was working along last night at Target, my thoughts drifted back to Andrew, Meaghan and little Oliver and the perilous journey that they are embarking on.

We took that trip four times, well maybe we’re still on the journey, and it seems that the results so far, have been very successful! But it’s a tough trip. There are many obstacles along the way. Many wrong words to say, many wrong actions to take. All you can do is try to keep them safe and try to help them develop a strong moral character.

Often as my children were growing I told them, “you know what’s right and what’s wrong so do the right thing! Finally love them unconditionally. That doesn’t mean that they can’t be wrong, or do things that you don’t like. At that point in time, you may not like them very much but you never stop loving them!!

And beyond those things you just hope for the best! And I think we got it right so far!!

Anyway, here are three songs that floated into the jukebox in my head!

The first one “Younger Generation” was a part of my life in the early 70s, at a time when I was in college and maybe a bit rebellious, but it always made me stop and think about what it would be like to look at the relationship from the other side!

The last two first “Father and Son” from Yosuf Islam (Cat Stevens)and then Tom Rush “Child’s Song” talk about those middle stages of the parent child relationship, again these songs came into my life in the 70s when I was in those stages and made me think about what it’s like on both sides of the divide, and maybe how we never should let that divide get too wide!!

So Meg, Andrew and Oliver good luck and I know you two know the right things to do to create a loving and nurturing environment for Oliver! Beyond that Best of Luck!!

John B Sebastian – “Younger Generation”

Yusuf/Cat Stevens – “Father & Son”

Tom Rush – “Child’s Song”

Jerry Jeff Walker “Quiet Faith of Man”

Quiet Faith of Man

A baby child is born along the highway
A tiny little thing upon the land
An okie with his dreams out on the byway
Lifts the tiny baby in his hand
The woman smiles a little smile of knowing
And whispers something softly in his ear
Perhaps a little prayer to help the growing
Perhaps a word of comfort through the fears.

You trust the moon to move the mighty ocean
You trust the sun to shine upon the land
You take the little that you know
And you do the best you can
You see the rest with the quiet faith of man.

Words and Music by Bill Staines

Post Update 2026

Since this post was written in Marh of 2014 four more grandchildren have been added to our family

Zoe – daughter of son Peter and Melissa (Sept 2014)

Logan – son of Peter and Melissa (Jan 2017)

Emma – daugher of daughter ELizabeth and Marcus Rego (Feb 2023)

Lucas – son of daughter Elizabeth and Marcus (May 2025)

I have had the honor to babysit all of them! And watched them grow with the Quiet Faith of this man, So far so good!

Mandolin Picker Jethro Burns born March 10, 1920!

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 Jethro Burns of Homer & Jethro one helluva good mandolin picker!!

 

On this day in March 10th in 1920 “Jethro”Burns was born in north Georgia. When he was young his family moved to,Tennessee

 Since Jethro passed away in 1989, many of you young whippersnappers may not know of him, but Jethro was a fantastic mandolin player and one-half of the country musical comedy team of Homer & Jethro. Homer’s real name was Henry D Haynes and they started performing together in 1936!

Jethro Burns Musical Legacy

From Wikipedia:

Burns was a highly-influential mandolin stylist, preferring clean single-note jazzy melodies and sophisticated chords over the dominant bluegrass stylings of Bill Monroe, and since he performed mostly in a country music setting, introduced many country mandolinists to sophisticated jazz harmonies and improvisational techniques, as well as standards from the songbooks of Duke Ellington, Django Reinhardt and Cole Porter. Read More

In his later years he taught a master’s class in mandolin jazz.

Jethro Burns & Steve Goodman Musical Magic

While I saw Jethro in the 60s an 70s on shows like the Johnny Cash Show an Hee Haw, I am most familiar with his mandolin playing from the years he spent with playing and touring with Steve Goodman. Both Jethro’s sense of humor and great mandolin picking blended perfectly with Steve and his music!

Steve once said this about Jethro:

“I never heard him play or say anything that wasn’t the very thing that everyone else in the room wished they had played or said.” How did he do it? His special skill was to mix equal parts mischief and genius. (While keeping his tongue firmly in cheek at all times!). A large part of his appeal can be summed up in his philosophy of “No matter where you go, there you are!”

Here’s a very good profile of Jethro from Dawgnet.com You can also check out some of their new music while you’re there! Dawgnet.com

So let’s start our week with a great song from Homer & Jethro. And say Happy Birthday to Jethro Burns and hope that he and Homer are making somebody laugh somewhere today!!

Abiyoyo, Pete Seeger, and Books for Grandson Oliver Edward Karn

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Originally Posted 2014 Update June 2026

So sometime this month, my wife and I will become grandparents for the first time, when my son Andrew and his wife Meaghan have their baby, Oliver Edward Karn!

Well, it’s actually Meaghan doing all the work right now and Andrew just gets the congratulations!!

A couple of weeks ago, they had Meaghan’s baby shower.and Oliver’s gifts from Andrew’s brothers and sister and my wife and I were books and not just any books, but ones that were special to us.

The kids picked ones that were read to them and my wife and I picked either ones that were read to us or ones that we read to the kids!

\

After my wife, whose idea it was first announced the idea. Peter immediately said “I’ll get Where the Wild Things Are” – though Bossy Boots may have been a better choice!

Elizabeth’s Pick Abiyoyo??

What surprised my wife and I, was the first book that Elizabeth picked, which was Abiyoyo! The picture book based on the Pete Seeger song….

My Selection of Books for Oliver Edward!

Four out of the five books that I gave Oliver were ones that I read to the kids. The only one that I could think of from my childhood was The Little Engine that Could. I remember that my mother’s mother always read that one to me!!

Here’s my other four….

In the Night Kitchen – Maurice Sendak –  I always loved to read this one to the kids and I think that the controversy over the nudity of Mickey is ridiculous! (Update : Elizabeth’s Emma had no reaction to Mickey’s Nkedness@ LOL)

Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola – I always enjoyed the mayhem created by Strega Nona helper Big Anthony when he does what he is not supposed to do!

The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher – Beatrix Potter –  I had to include a Beatrix Potter book on my list I think we wore out all the copies of the many books that we had!! This one was always a favorite but they are all great!!

Runaway Bunny –  Margaret Wise Brown – Now this pick was a little controversial only in that when my wife told me that it was one of the books I had on my list, I didn’t believe her. I thought that the fifth book on my list was Ezra Jack Keats’ Maggie and the Pirate and it wasn’t until she showed me my list that I believed her. But I’m glad it is on the list because it’s a great book that talks of parental love!!

Oher Books From the Kids….

Other books included Ezra Jack Keats. The Snowy Day from Elizabeth. Gregory the Terrible Eater and The Tomten from Nick and Noisy Nora, Max’s Toys, and The Tale of Miss Moppet another Beatrix Potter favorite!

Final Thoughts

So Oliver we hope you enjoy these books, which are the start of a library that I know will get bigger and bigger, because you know Oliver, you can never have too many books

Now the reason that this all came to mind today is that I was looking at videos of Doc Watson’s music because today is his birthday (video to come soon) and while I was thinking about Doc – the other folksinger that came to mind was the late ( I hate to write that) Pete Seeger.

\ I went and found this video taken from the show Reading Rainbow with Pete telling his tale of Abiyoyo!!1