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Cell Perches & HVO

Conservation and Bluegrass- a natural partnership

June 25, 2013

The wondrous and deeply philosopical nature book “Where Pelicans Fly” is a love letter to the environment and an almost prayerful plea to the reader to protect and preserve its beauties (see photo cover below).  Author Paul Sinrud Johnson , a US Forest Service retiree, presents his thesis in a breathtaking photo essay depicting the flora, fauna, and vistas in and around the Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area in central Missouri.

In this recently published treatise, the author`s photographic eye misses no small detail in the rich biologic tapestry of our precious Earthly home. Only at the very end of this coffee table-designed publication do we see a picture of human faces- the only specie that can safeguard the treasures of our biosphere. In a candid snapshot of the BRC founder`s band, Gainor & Friends are seen picking in a jam session at a country pub overlooking Eagle Bluffs.

We musicians are humbled and honored to be the final footnote at the conclusion of this magnificently illustrated and compelling book.

P.S. Scratch a Bluegrass musician and you will probably find an environmentalist underneath. Listen to us:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqfcMhkM-2c

From the BRC:  Safeguard our world.

G&F Band

Bluegrass music is safe for kids

June 10, 2013

A long and soggy rainy season brought recent flooding to the Heartland almost reminescent of  the famous regional painting ” Spring on the Missouri” by native son Thomas Hart Benton.  The over-saturated  Earth generously gave up some of its waters to the basement BRC workshop that required a few days of clean-up.

The first real day of summer finally arrived on the second Saturday of June just in time for the Safe Kids Discovery Day fest (see placard) at the Children`s Hospital. This fun  carnival is part of a nationwide educational program  for children and families to learn injury prevention behaviors.

The BRC founder`s band opened the stage show and then held an interactive jam session for kids and parents to learn more about  stringed instruments and traditional Bluegrass music.

It was a glorious summer day followed promptly by rain showers the next morning.

 

 

P.S. Watch for a BRC “Peace Dove” banjo on e-bay June 17-24 (sold).  Upon receipt, the new owner  emailed, “The banjo is beautiful and sounds great.”

 


BRC Activities

Uptown and backwoods picking

April 28, 2013

The BRC founder was delighted to be graciously invited as guest musician at the recent Spring Concert of the Columbia Choral Society (see photo). The theme of the concert was songs from movie soundtracks, and an obligato banjo part was scored into the chorale`s performance of ” Man of Constant Sorrow” from the Coen brother`s masterpiece film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”

To hone his chops to accompany the 30 voice chorale, the BRC founder journeyed with his spouse to the 51st Annual Arkansas Folk Music Festival in Mountain View. Stopping en route for coffee at a roadside cultural center near the southern Missouri state line was a wise idea (note BRC mandolinst in photo)  to prepare for the weaving roller coaster Ozark highway that carried the weekenders to the Festival.  The countless jam sessions populating the town square each year  are the heart and soul of the Festival by which Mountain View earns its name as “The Folk Music Capital of the  World.”

BRC Events

BRC Board of Directors gifted therapeutic banjo

April 22, 2013

Our youthful Board of Directors convened its semi-annual business meeting a few weeks ago to tackle budgetary cut-backs and funding sequesters targeted for our workshop. During a break in the all-day marathon negotiations, one of the board members dreamily sketched a banjo (see drawing) to distract himself from the tough fiscal imperatives on the agenda.

 

At day`s end, the weary Board voted to postpone exciting but costly plans to develop a Bluegrass Rapid Response Team for hoedown and  jam session emergencies in the Heartland. The BRC founder reacted to this difficult but courageous decision by restoring an antique banjo as inspired by the doodled sketch. This turn-of-the century instrument had been rescued from a trash bin by a fellow musician about 40 years ago and hung on his music room wall as decoration.  The  revitalized banjo was presented to the Board as a stress management tool for use by members at future meetings.

 

The “BRC” on the upper fretboard stands for “Board`s Restorative Cure”.

Prior to being put into service, the banjo was field-tested by a young aspiring musician.

 

 

G&F Band

BRC band- busy bee$

April 7, 2013

The BRC founder`s band performed again at the yearly Roast-a-Doc gala, an evening to benefit the Children`s Hospital, when staff and friends gently poke fun at the physicians. We were stung when one of our fiddlers was 40 minutes late for the one hour gig because of unexpected delays installing a beehive in her backyard. Quipped one of our musicians to the frazzled and tardy violinst, “Two bee or not too bee, that is the question.”

 

At the reception, one of the band`s young and devoted fans and father stopped-by to listen to an old timey clawhammer passage on the banjo.

 

Afterwards, the musicians shared an (almost) annual dinner together at a local restaurant where it was announced that the band has donated $12K in gig tips to the Children`s Miracle Network over the last nine years.  With worldwide bee counts down and the flower pollination season at hand, the pickers also celebrated the two new bee colonies.