From:

April, 2008

Welcome to Rockbridge Music :)

I experienced my first Cabin Fever adventure at the Holiday Inn in Hampton, Virginia the first weekend in March. I met, listened to, and got to pick with some dynamite musicians while I was there.

I met Kagey Parrish from Charlottesville the last night I was there. He and his fiancee had been selected as one of six singer/songwriters that were flown to Minneapolis/St. Paul to appear on Prairie Home Companion. They performed as the Honey Dewdrops, and won first place! They sounded a little like Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, which I consider a great compliment!

Jack Cowardin invited me and my husband, John, to visit his workshop in Williamsburg.(and how DOES he keep it that neat and tidy?) One of the many interesting items in his shop was a brace he'd removed from an old Martin tenor guitar. It looked fine until he pointed out the whole in one end. Termites had hollowed out the entire brace.

Jack had just made a very nice violin, and was repairing many instruments for other folks. So, if you need a repair in those parts, look him up. He's also a fine picker.

I finished booking all the local bands for the kick off music festival at Lime Kiln on May 17th. It will start at 2:00 and end at 10:00. It will feature bluegrass, folk-americana, singer songwriters, rock and roll, jazz, etc. With a lesson learned from Merlefest, there will be two stages at right angles. The main band will be on the front stage, and the smaller acts will play on the side stage. While the front bands will play 45 minute sets, the side acts will play for 15 minutes while the front bands change. This year I had to build in a short dinner break(15 minutes), because the music was so good no one would leave to eat!!

So, keep May 17th free so you can come down!

I'm playing a few gigs in April and May. We're playing April Fool's Day at Salerno's in Lexington. Its a great pizza and sandwich spot, and they're thinking of adding music as an added attraction. We're the first band to play there, so come out and support that venture! We're also playing at The Patisserie on April 25. Both are 7:00 - 9:00. The other gigs are private parties....class reunions, wedding rehearsal dinners, etc.

I'm still playing and loving my Rockbridge Guitar. If you haven't had an opportunity to come in and play and see these beautiful guitars built by Randall Ray and Brian Calhoun, you are missing out! I always get astounding reviews on them. They look and sound beautiful! I'm very happy to carry these guitars built by two talented, terrific guitar players. They know their stuff and you'll be amazed by their guitars.

May you all go out and support live music wherever you are. Better yet, learn how to play yourself and join the performers.

As always, all of us at Rockbridge Music would like to offer whatever advice and wisdom we've gained from being in business for 25 years! Come in and see us.

Sincerely, Diana Madsen-Schofield