March 20-22 was a special weekend in St. Louis. Great students, great pickers and singers, and a fun concert on Saturday evening with Stephen Mougin, Bull Harman & Bullseye, and Harpers. Thanks to Tammy, Bull, and Wyatt for putting it all together and inviting me to teach and perform!

Friday’s show in Columbus was a dream–sold out theater and incredible music played by the inspiring Iris DeMent. We were so honored to be invited to share the stage…THANK YOU Six String Concerts and WCBE/NPR!

Happy Holiday wishes! Here’s our version of “O Holy Night” with John Frazier on mandolin. Thanks for a wonderful year.

Here was our first trip up to Lake Erie and the haunted Kent Stage, where we performed for 400 happy fans of Hot Rize. A special treat was the fiddle trio with Royal, Christian, & John. Royal then turned 23 years old partyin’ on the Hot Rize tour bus. Fantastic evening!!

Hot Rize sounded fantastic at the Ark, one of my favorite haunts as a college girl at the University of Michigan. John Frazier & I were honored to play for their fans as a folky bluegrass duo, complete with a fiddle/banjo sing-along to end the set. I also traveled down memory lane, visiting old houses and campus haunts and feeling ghosts of memories lived.

We were surprised by our introduction to Country Royalty at Friday’s fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Musician & activist Naomi Judd came backstage to say hello and to report that bluegrass is her “favorite music.” RIGHT ON! Ah yes, and she said that we were ” so tight!”

Haven’t had much of a chance to hang with the Steeps since Dallas ’09–when John was touring with SCR & Steve Martin, and they taught our baby son to crawl across a hotel room! I love these guys, and I loved the chance to be a part of the AMA Festival. Thanks to AMA for your tireless work promoting our music!

Soft, great-fitting Next Level brand shirts come in Ladies (more scooped neck) and Men’s (normal cut). Sizes S, M, L, XL! Check ’em out at shows or order by mailing $23 to Hit & Run Bluegrass, PO Box 68201,  Nashville TN 37206. <3

Thanks so much, Bluegrass Unlimited…what an honor!!

Good times all around! We were an Official Showcase Artist at International Bluegrass Music Association‘s annual conference, and then we performed at the Wide Open Festival on Saturday.

Wide Open Street Fair

Loved our showcases at California Bluegrass Association‘s exquisite & enthusiastic suite. Congrats to Noam Pikelny, Banjo Player of the Year! Thanks Crescendo Artists, our booking agency out of Colorado, who hosted us for their showcase at Architect Bar Thursday night. What a cool hang! Next up, running down the sidewalk at midnight (with heavy Calton Cases) for Musicians United showcase following Jim Lauderdale! 

The band & crew may have collapsed in exhaustion after a long day, which included a video shoot, Gig Fair, and a full day of manning our lovely trade show booth, but several of us made it up to infamous Marriott 3rd floor for picking & socializing at the various hospitality suites. Saturday brought the guitar workshop, with Kenny Smith, Allen Shadd, & Rebecca Frazier. The workshop brought a few surprises including a special request for my own “Virginia Coastline.” The workshop was also an awesome reminder of why I used to learn so many Kenny Smith solos when I lived in Colorado. That man’s tone, artistry, and creativity is fully unique. What a blessing to get paired with him again this year. Somehow I also hadn’t realized that Kenny picks a ’35 D-18! Pretty amazing. 🙂

We loved our other showcases- Pour House, Kings, Convention Center, and Boston Bluegrass Union. We also owe a huge thanks to my pal Cassie, who came along and helped with the booth, merchandise, and overall moral support. It was a great week! Thanks to everyone who made it happen!