Hello!
It’s a blustery fall day here in East Nashville. Leaves are whirling all around the windows here in my office/studio, and I’m sipping green tea and trying to wrangle my brain into writing something coherent to you. (We’ll see how it goes.)
First things first…
My next online fiddle workshop is happening this Sunday! But it isn’t necessary to attend in real time — ticket holders have access to the archived stream for 2 weeks following the live broadcast.
This time I’ll be teaching another Marcus Martin tune, “Walking the Water.” (Here’s a clip of me playing it.) A funny thing happened on the way to teach this one — I mis-heard the tuning it’s in! Somehow I’d gotten it into my head it was in DDAD, and I thought it was about time I taught something in that tuning. When I posted about it on Facebook (with the video of me playing it), several old-time musician friends commented something along the lines of “how interesting to put it in DDAD” and I was like, “Wait… why is that interesting?” Turns out it’s actually in standard tuning! But I’m sticking with my “wrong” version for the workshop — I figure it’s a good opportunity for me to talk about The Folk Process.
Other Quick Music Updates
My third (!!) duo album with Kieran Kane will be released in early 2022. More specific/official news on all of that very soon…
I love doing one-on-one fiddle coaching, and I still have availability and a flexible schedule if you’re interested. Get the scoop on that here.
There are actual live performances in the works for 2022. Astonishing but true! Got a venue or gig idea? Drop me a line!
A Loss
Since I last wrote, the traditional music community suffered the loss of a beloved comrade. Courtney Granger died on September 18 at age 39. He was a profound musician, a one-of-a-kind conduit of cajun and country tunes and songs — as well as a warm, wry, delightful person. I was lucky enough to know him since he was just a pup, and to experience the goosebump-inducing electricity of his music at close range many many times over the years. A fund in Courtney’s name has been established at the Acadiana Center for the Arts, if you’d like to donate in his honor. If you aren’t familiar with his music, I hope you’ll start googling and relish the journey. (I find this video particularly moving.)
Miscellaneous Tidbits
KK recently showed me this wonderful clip of Allen Reynolds talking about music production, and it made me so happy I thought I should share it with you. (The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum has a YouTube channel full of cool interviews, by the way.)
These days I’m enjoying cooking more than I ever have. As a late bloomer in kitchen adventuring, the recipes I get the most pumped about are the ones that seem too simple to be so good. (I’ve already mentioned the bread.) The latest addition to my sleight-of-spoon file is this cabbage/potato/leek soup from NYTimes Cooking. (A worthwhile subscription, indeed!)
As the holidaze approach, I’ll remind you that both CDs and digital albums make great gifts!
Non-music-related PSA: they’ve lowered the age for preventive colonoscopies! I had my first one last week, which means I spent some time reading up on why colonoscopies are important. THEY ARE IMPORTANT. If you’re due for one and putting it off, please make that appointment. Right now. (No, seriously. Pick up the phone. Do it.)
Onward & Upward
Thank you so so much for reading this and paying attention!
I hope you’re doing well, making stuff, staying active, talking with friends, and finding ways to feed your curiosity.
Take care & keep in touch —
xo rayna
PS: If you do social media, you can find me on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and occasionally Facebook. (But I’m also constantly questioning my use of all of those platforms.)