Jim Smoak: Calendar

The depot was packed; standing room only. We had fun playing the music and the audience had fun listening, laughing and participating. Mike Cleveland was ON the fiddle (and mandolin); Brian Allen handled the guitar and some vocals; Rob Whitmer on some super bass solos; Johanna Smoak solos and harmony, and that Patsey Cline song, "Walking After Midnight"; and me? I hung on to the banjo with a few vocals and also got the harmonica in there sideways. And you know, there's already talk about doing it again next year. WOW? Let's go!

I've not ever been to an event where that many people were gathered; where 25,000 people couldn't even get in.  But, in the NAPA Hospitality area where I played, things seemed to be running smooth. I gave them some Kentucky music, Bluegrass, while guests were having a taste of Kentucky with corn on the cob, Kentucky hotbrown, barbecue and more. Some NASCAR drivers came over for an interview, too.

Well, the Kentucky Derby is over for this year and I played solo (well not quite) at the airport while people were lined up going to the gates to catch their respective flights. Some folks from where I played Saturday night stopped by to say one more goodbye. Mike Cleveland joined me on guitar. There's no way to get bored on a job with him. We had fun!

How much fun can you have? Banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass and girl singer! It was great having Mike Cleveland playing fiddle and mandolin with us. Brian Allen played guitar; Rob Whitmer played bass and Johanna Rippey soloed and sang harmony. We just got warmed up in two hours.

Well, Brian and I did it again; just banjo and guitar for about 200 guests. They came from all over to the Bluegrass state so we gave 'em some Bluegrass music.

We played (Brian and I) right in downtown Lexington, KY at the Hilton Inn, where they advertise the Big Blue Martini. There were about 350 guests at dinner, in town for Kentucky Derby festivities. I talked with folks from Manitoba, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Missouri.

Well, wasn't this fun, and if you weren't there, sorry you missed it. Yes, The Cumberlands ride again. We got back together in '04 to make a reunion CD and that's what's leading  to new performances like this one. MOONDANCE (at Beaumont Center) is new in Lexington and what a nice place to play.

It was very enjoyable doing this show. Coming on ahead of us was a brother sister duo, "The Roys". I especially liked their train songs.

It was a beautiful day to play outside and under a tent. It seems like there were more than a thousand people there. We had a special guest, Patrick Hughs sing two songs, "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" and "Rose Of Old Kentucky".

Well now! Who said playing by the swimming pool couldn't be fun? There were tents with tables and chairs and you could smell the barbeque right around the corner. Bluegrass and Barbeque, that was the name of this shindig. Thanks to Rob on bass, Brian on guitar and Johanna on harmony vocals; it was plumb fun.

Don't tell me we can't do a last minute job! This one popped out of nowhere, however, I had played for these folks before at Ft. Knox and at Evansville. I got on the phone and called Danny Jones and he was available. Thanks Danny for jumping in there and doing a fine job.

This is where I get to do my own thing, BANJO SOLO. Kentucky Derby is over people are on the way back home. There must have been a thousand people lined up to go through security. I know I brought a little cheer; several stopped by to tell me so. While I was holding the banjo, it played "Long Way To Tippiary", "Bye Bye Blues", "Rocky Top", "Five Foot Two", "Cripple Creek", and a bunch more.

The Kentucky Derby has been run and we just gave a send-off with Kentucky style music to about 300 race fans. It was good to have Danny Jones on mandolin and doing some fine singing, too. Johanna soloed and sung harmony, Brian played guitar, and Rob was on bass.
Thanks Liz and Teresa.

It,s always fun to to play for for the fans after the running of the Kentucky Oaks. You help some to celebrate, and you try to bring a little cheer to those who didn't do so well. Just two, Brian and I on this event.

It's always hard to leave, having so many friends to talk with.

It's always a joy and a pleasure.

We go here on the fourth Sunday of each month to present Gospel music in a bluegrass style with bible scripture readings relating to each hymn. We encourage sing-a-long participaton.

After the show, I'll go home.

This makes my third time here. The people make it a wonderful place to play music.

We arrived a little early to beat the traffic because of the ball game at Freedom Hall. We were greeted by the show hosts and they helped us get our stuff in side. The LA Honeydrippers included Mike Cleveland on fiddle and mandolin; Brian Allen on guitar; Sonny Stephens on bass, and me, Jim on banjo. Everybody was up for the job and the music was music! Thank you folks from Minnesota for having us at your show.

The only thing missing was Minnie Pearl, and I thought I heard a 'Howwdeeee" somewhere behind the counter. Many friends came and we made new ones. Brian was super on his Martin guitar, and Rob, I don't know the brand of bass fiddle he has, but it includes all the notes and some more. It was a pleasure to be their banjo, harmonica and jug player for the night. Thanks John and Teri for having us over.

Well, it turned out to be a rainy day, but it was dry inside the Depot where there was standing room only. It was good to have Michael Cleveland with us once again. What fun!

The country club party was a success last night and so here we are with a little free time on Saturday morning. Some of the fellows had never been to Charleston, so we all jumped in the van and cruised around that old city and walked out on the battery. We got back to Walterboro in time for a short nap before our 6:00 PM show time. Well, what do you know, when we arrive at about 5:30, who's there but our old friend Don Stallard. We had him play about three numbers with us on the first show, and of course he played the spoons. (In my opinion, he's the world's best spoon player). Thanks Joe for having us down to the Lowcountry, and thanks Johanna, Rob, Brian and Boogie for your able support. On the way home, we encountered rain and snow in the Tennessee hills.

What a time! We arrived Thursday afternoon, got a good nights' rest and were ready to play at the new Veterans Hospital at eleven AM. We had a very good turnout, all sponsered by United Country. We had a wonderful lunch at the country club, including shrimp and grits. We got all the equipment in place and had time to relax before the starting time of 6:00PM. We arrived to play at about 5:30 and the place was nearly full already. Thanks also to our special guests: Peter Raymond, Herman Bryant, Cindy Newman and Holger Oberhaus. And Bramblet Bradham on the bagpipes. Wow! What fun!