Bell Buckle Concert

I recently had the opportunity to go to Bell Buckle, Tennessee to visit some wonderful and newly-made friends. I was a little early so I did what I always do in situations like that and drove around town. I had been through once with Adam and we both really thought the town seemed neat. Upon second inspection, it IS neat. First off, there is an embroidery shop. I MUST visit again and actually go in. There are junk stores, craft stores, and the "world famous Bell Buckle Cafe". I also found some music. Let me take a minute here, people. I truly believe that when you believe in the music that you are making, you give it life. You say MORE than what is being said. This guy BELIEVED what he was singing and playing. He had a tambourine down by his feet and played that, too! I listend from my car with the windows down and heard the best, most beautiful version of Will the Circle Be Unbroken. This guy sang and played with every ounce of himself and I think he deserves a gig at the Ryman, myself.

I snapped a couple more pics while I listened to the concert.

Then some other folks stopped to listen while waiting for their table at the cafe.

Happy me at my concert...

You never know when you're going to find beauty. Or who is going to show it to you. Always listen for the unexpected music. It is always the best.

One Month of Lessons ...

I'm at the beginning of a hellish two days (hellish because of all of the driving and not hellish because I get to see my Rachel and Sadie through their annual Christmas concert) and thought I would take one of my only minutes to myself that does not involve driving to share a typical "Elena Lesson". First of all, I must say that this is her fourth lesson, I think. Close to that anyway.

The kid loves to play.... she's memorizing songs already... and figuring out the mechanics of moving her bow and her fingers at the same time.

Mind you, her fiddle is too big... I didn't have one that was her size, so she is playing a half size violin in tune and with GREAT technique I might add.

When she plays for me without her music, this is what I see. I guess it takes off some of the pressure? I like it, though. She's a neat kid and I'm so happy to have her as part of my studio.

See you after tomorrow is over... the recitals and concerts of the kids that I teach really take it out of me. I know that they will do well...it is just the doing of it. The seeing things through that is stressful to me - because giving your own recital is a big deal, folks. When I start teaching someone like Elena or any of my younger students, I look forward to the day that they can give their own concerts and then when that day comes, I feel like I am going to throw up!! Then I get over it, act like a big girl, and become a proud teacher.... until the next recital...