Appalachian Grass Was Again at MUH

Downtown Hamilton was livened up to the rafters Monday night, with yet another packed house of bluegrass fans! You could feel the energy of the crowd as the band played and the red clothing from the band helped to kick that up a notch. They all looked smashing!

If you have not seen Appalachian Grass perform, you are truly missing out on one mighty fine group. Not only are they gifted  musicians, but they have such fun on stage, sound so fabulous, that you  could almost forget how hard they are working to entertain us all. They say great musicians make it look easy.

It was only my second time hearing them (Where have you been, Soph?) but I think many regular fans were there at the event, as it almost felt like a big family reunion....of a family you haven’t yet met.

Vernon has a great sense of humor which adds to the fun and watching Kitty dancing around from the mic in the middle of the stage to add harmony, then back to the end of the group is a fun scene. She is one very talented fiddler.  She should get a pedometer to wear as I bet she walks a good distance during the performances.  I got a few photos but really, you need to just need to go hear these guys. They're individually rich in their musicianship and all together, are a powerhouse.
*Click on photos to enlarge them. The pictures are a little dark and grainy from film speed but mileage may vary depending on your monitor's brightness settings*

Vernon McIntyre on guitar, the band's leader.

Mike Elliott was on mandolin and dobro.

Tammy Powers in the middle on the bass  fiddle. 

Robert Campbell

Bluegrass Festival Season is kicking up and they will be busy! Make a point to see them as I promise you, a great dose of Happy Music Therapy.

During the break a photo of the bass, finally.

Here is their website. They also give lessons and do instrument repair and you can find band contacts there.  Get on Kitty's email list to keep  updated with their schedule. fotmc.com

~~Thanks for reading and feel FREE to leave a comment on the band. I do moderate comments before they appear, though...to keep out the riff raff. ~~ Sophia

P.S. A 30 second clip of the ending of "Rawhide"

Critters and Music from the Yard

Butler Co. Bayou, Turtles, Tulips, Misc

 Along side the Hamilton-Fairfield Airport is Gilmore Ponds Metro Park. Lots of birds could be 'heard' but were hiding amongst the swamp trees and surrounding thicket.  Our first time there but nice trail. Better hurry.  From May to October it's easy to see why this swamp is a known major mosquito haven!

 *Click on any photo to enlarge them*

 Friend took the old Wiedemann trailer, abandoned in a lot, and the two turtle pics, and the fern.

Tulips and pansies from the home yard.

Sylvain Acher and Frenchaxe in Hamilton, Ohio

Sometimes, you read about a local band for a long time, but you don't get to see them perform.   For me, it's health/gravity issues that keep me home too much, so when I do venture out, I hope it's worth it.

Folks, I'm here to tell you that  French Axe was indeed, worth it as I was enchanted with their style.

   We first sat towards the back, but when people sat in front of us, we could not see and it was a really great turn out.   It wasn't until my friend and I stood up that we spotted the drummer!  We  knew we heard him but it was a mystery.  

Sylvain Acher and  French Axe were  fantastic! Sylvain was endearing with his accent and we enjoyed his brief stories, with hand gesturing, between songs, as well as his astute musicianship on the guitar and singing.  We wished we understood French--  as he sings in his home language, but good music always transcends the language.

Fellow accordionist and keyboard player Rob Allgeyer added to this quartet, as did stand up bass player Eric Sayer, and drummer/percussionist Mark Milliron.

**Click on any photo to enlarge it**

I took way too  many photos, as usual,  and it was easiest to see Sylvain. I got up and moved around the best I could without being annoying or distracting (I hope!) but I could’ve photographed these guys all night. I enjoyed watching the drummer (a fan of drum brushes)  the accordionist/keyboard player was fun to watch and an upright bass player? Well, that is always a treat.

 The music was at times, Parisian, Caribbean,  Brazilian....then other world flavors were mixed into this special musical recipe that is Frenchaxe

 

Visit their website for some biographies on the band, band contacts, CD and video information. Frenchaxe

Here is an interview online with Sylvain from last year at WVXU
 http://wvxu.org/post/sylvain-archer-shop-owner-and-musician

Here is a lovely video medley of some their songs. I LOVE This! Go to youtube if this doesn't work on your tablet!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFgzmhOn-Vs&noredirect=1




 If you do facebook here is  the link to Frenchaxe so go like their page. Right now!

Enjoy the pictures and feel free to leave a comment. *waves hello* ~~Sophia
P.S. I Moderate comments before they appear to control the riff raff.