JUNE 2008
A ROSE IS STILL A ROSE...
What's in a name?
Well, a lot it would seem! When I added Mezera to my professional name after getting married, I had little sense of the forthcoming confusion and difficulty this would cause. "Old Mozzarella" would be easier to remember and pronounce! So, I'm keeping my husband but dropping the Mezera part for the sake of simplicity. Nothing else is changing, but just call me Audrey Auld from now on, OK?!
DREAMS COMING TRUE...
Any fan of traditional country music is familiar with the Carter Family. They lived in Hiltons, Virginia and the Carter Family Fold continues there as a venue, museum and place of worship for pilgrims on The Crooked Road that winds through the musical history of Virginia. I had the great fortune of playing at the Carter Family Fold late last month. It was the most meaningful show I've ever played. This is where June Carter and Johnny Cash came and played for family and friends, as have countless other artists integral to the traditions of acoustic country/folk music.
People of all ages dress in their tap shoes and clog dance to the band! It sounds like a million tambourines and looks like a zen hillbilly dance. Some folks even put little lights on the shoe-top which illuminate when the heel is pressed. It's a high-tech down-home sight to see, and much fun.
My thrills continued the following weekend when Dale Jett, A.P. Carter's grandson came to Fred Eaglesmith's show at the Down Home in Johnson City, Tennessee. I was delighted to give him a copy of "Clinch Mountain Prayer", and in turn received his CD. It's called "Dale Jett with friends at the Fold". It's a sublime experience to drive through the beautiful green country of Virginia and listen to this CD. It's low budget, it's live and it's real. It's music with the dirt left on and bears much repeating. I love this album!
HAPPY FREDHEAD
I've had the best time these past few months touring with Fred Eaglesmith and his band. Being a Fredhead myself, it's great fun playing to his crowds who are always ready to have a good time. It was especially cool to play Nashville's legendary Bluebird Cafe. The walls are lined with larger-than-life shots of legendary songwriters. Nice to play in my new home-town (it's been 1 year now).
I'm returning to Aylmer in August for Fred's Charity picnic. It's a camping experience with jamming going on all night. My dream jam session occurred during my last visit to the picnic.... Sam Baker, Gurf Morlix and I, lakeside, harmonizing old country songs till 3am.
Later, in November, Andrew Hardin and I join Fred's Polar Bear Train which heads north from Winnipeg. During the train ride music is provided by Fred, Gurf Morlix, Andrew and I, and others. We'll also be hosting an open-mic, so brush up on your favorite songs! Eventually we get in buggies and encounter migrating polar bears. Yikes! Andrew is really skinny so it looks like I'll be the meaty road-side fast-food meal as the bears stop to snack.... Did you want Vegemite with that?
An inaugural house concert in Great Falls, Virginia both for the hosts, Bill A and Mary A, and my canine car-alarm, Gypsy. My dog is usually pretty crowd-shy but she was particularly at home in this room of 40 people, and curled up in an especially cute way at my feet for Fred's "He's A Good Dog". You can just spot her in this photo, as a brown lump under the chair on the right. Bill & Mary A are particularly active fans of Australian country music. Bill has written a wonderful blog entry on his myspace page about the evening.
DOWNUNDER TAKEOVER!
Loads of Aussies hit Nashville during the Country Music Festival weekend recently. I have posted a pic of the gorgeous Tracy Killeen, looking fab in an Audrey T-shirt on my Photos page. Tracy is a hoot, a natural entertainer.
Listening to the Tompkins' Aussie showcase reminded me that I hear more traditional country from Australians than Americans. I was proud to hear the excellent country guitar of Bob Howe, shuffling the beejesus out of classic country songs, along with Alan Tompkins and Peter Figures. Sandra Humphries' pure country voice is a knock-out.
South Aussie boy, Jedd Hughes played a great set on Saturday, during troppo heat in downtown Nashville. Backed by bass and drums Jedd rocked the sweaty throngs and dazzled us with his hotter-than-the-Nashville-pavement guitar licks.
MAY 2008
TEXAS!!
I always love to be in Texas and my recent tour was no exception. Kevin Welch has recently moved to Wimberley, TX and it was fun to open for him at the Cactus Cafe, the best listening room in town. I especially love it when Aussies turn up out of the blue, as happened at the Cactus - Tasmanians even!
Sunday saw Andrew Hardin and I play a crazy show at the oldest dance hall in Texas - Gruene Hall. 'Crazy' because we started out without a sound system and it sparked something nutty in Andy and I, and the audience who were ready to party at 1pm in the arvo. There's much hillbilly dust in that wooden building and I'm looking forward to returning there in July.
My good mate Eddie Wilson has renovated the North Lamar Threadgill's restaurant and is featuring live music throughout the week. It's a lovely room, the food is great and Eddie and crew aim to remind everyone why Austin is the live music capital of the world. Eddie created the Armadillo World Headquarters years ago, home to cosmic cowboys and many great artists.
FRED EAGLESMITH TOUR
Yay, more shows with Fred Eaglesmith coming up! His current band is sounding awesome and the 'Tinderbox' songs are great played live. Kori is a kick-ass drummer and the queen of purple.
Fred is one of the few artists I can hear night after night and never get bored with his show - it's always different, his songs are strong, poignant and he's very funny! If you're not familiar try to get out to a live show - he tours constantly. There's a good video of an interview I did at Courville's Restaurant, Beaumont, TX one night during a Fred show.
GOOD NEWS FROM HOME...
One thing I love about living in Nashville is that a lot of Aussies come here to write, play and check out Music City, USA. I'm looking forward to speaking Australian again soon with Tracy Lee Killeen, Bob Howe, Alan Tompkins and others.
Later, in October and November my dear friends Camille Te Nahu and Stuart French are visiting Nashville and Austin. Cam is a great singer. She and I recorded 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry' on the Garage Sale CD, and she used to sing back-up for Kasey Chambers. These days she's married to Stuie French, an original Feral Swing Kat, and Tasmanian born guitar picker extraordinaire. Stuie plays on my first solo album 'The Fallen'. Together they are a gorgeous duo and have a lot of fun in their live show.
MUSIC WITH THE MILO LEFT ON...
I am just LOVING receiving packages of Australian comfort food in exchange for my latest acoustic CD 'Music With The Dirt Left On'. Thanks for the Milo, Tim Tams, Smarties and Sweet Mustard Pickle!!
If you can't match that deal go to PayPal and pay audrey *at* recklessrecords.com (use the @ symbol).
US$20 for the CD + $3.00 postage in USA and $5.50 for postage to anywhere else.
Looking forward to seeing you out and about,
Audrey x
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Auld and Reckless Records will remain confidential
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