mumfis

i'm sitting in the converted attic space of my good friend (and a kick-ass guitarist/mandolin player to boot--see photo) Robert Mache, in Memphis, TN. Today was my first day at the Folk Alliance conference that's running through till Sunday. I played 3 guerrilla private showcases tonight and even though it's the first night of the conference, it's madness.

i'm glad i came, but i'm lonely doing this by myself. i miss #1BB like crazy. it is a heartsick, homesickness that is complete and consuming, if i'm not constantly distracted by other goings on. I'm trying to stay either distracted and busy, or asleep. But even after only 2 days, but it doesn't matter. It started the moment i locked my door on Tuesday morning and set out for Nashville.

There's plenty to report, but i've got to get to bed. Our keynote speaker tomorrow is Janet Reno. i'm really excited to see her speak. I saw her on the mezzanine tonight. She's a bit more frail than during the Clinton years and I was suprised to learn that i'm actually quite a bit taller than she is.

I met country singer Kathy Mattea in the hall tonight and told her i wore my cassette copy of "18 Wheels and A Dozen Roses." She said she would sing it for me tomorrow night at her showcase, cool! It's amazing that people who have had that much commercial success come to these things to expand their careers, start over or maybe just find some new energy. She hasn't aged since she was wearing that fringe button down shirt on the front cover.

I saw this cool instrument in the instrument check. I wonder what it is....