Hi. My name is Kathy and I live in northern California (Sacramento). I've been playing music since I was about 12, first classical piano, then folk guitar, then I started learning bluegrass banjo. Taught it for a living before getting my real job...I also play dobro, stand-up bass (double-bass to y'all) and rhythm & lead guitar, and have played in multiple bluegrass bands over the years.
Several compatriots at the California Environmental Protection Agency, where I work, play Irish and American tunes every Thursday at lunch (banjo, hammer dulcimer, assorted whistles, and sometimes a fiddler or 2). So many tunes! It was a great chance to learn to do something besides boom-chuck, AND I no longer live in a jig-free zone.
My favorite thing to do is flatpick guitar (though I still play dobro in a bluegrass band, Mountain Laurel--www.mountainlaurel.us). Learning Irish tunes is giving me a real workout--though I'm not hip to the ornamentation yet. The tunes are demanding and really helping me expand my technique--and so beautiful that I'm inspired to keep at it. I am amazed at my age (53) to be learning so many new tunes.
I'm currently in love with the Martin Hayes/Dennis Cahill Live in Seattle CD. (Gee, that sliding fiddle sounds like it could have been an influence in bluegrass fiddle styles. I wonder.) We (me, hubster & his folks) visited Ireland this May (2005). What a fine place. I can't wait to go back.
Well I guess that's more information about me than anyone needs. Thanks Jeremy (whoever you are!) for the fine site.
Tunes in kbar's tunebook: 57
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| Discussions | Re: Nashville session/get together anyone? | November 22nd 2007 |
| Discussions | Re: guitar picking irish and american tunes | December 14th 2006 |
| Discussions | Re: guitar picking irish and american tunes | December 11th 2006 |
| Recordings | John Doyle's Eddie Kelly's | June 10th 2006 |
| Tunes | June 2nd 2006 |