Jim Smoak: Calendar

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!