State of Old-time for the winter season of 2011-12 in Punta Gorda, Fl

Hey, Ho and away we go!  Back to the sunny climes around Charlotte Harbor and Punta Gorda.  In other notes, I complained a lot about the dearth of Old-time music and appreciation of same in South West Florida.  Well, let me tell you - you just have to pull back the covers and crawl into bed.  It just aint so!  

Now, to hard core Old-time fiddlers I just have to say that they may find the regional style of fiddling and music a little, read that as 'a lot', different from what they are used to but for gosh sake isn't that what its about?  

So, onward with what I have found.  First of all, we go to a Monday night jam at which ten to fifteen fiddlers regularly show up.  So what if many of them bring their music and only tunes on the tune list can be played, still the tune list is very large and offers a lot of variety.  We play Swedish tunes, Irish tunes, Scottish tunes, heart songs and stuff  but mostly it's Old-time tunes.  The folks are friendly and cheerful and the music is played up to tempo.  All in all it is just a lot of good music fun.  The deserts afterward are delicious.

If you enjoy playing out there are all kinds of fun freebies available.  We play at the Fish House in Matlacha which is the little group of old building and boat ramps right on the water where they serve fresh out of the water mullet and other local seafood.  The folks love the Old-time there.  There is a great Flea Market that has an open stage where folks are treated to Bluegrass, Country, Swing and our Old-time music.  Everyone is welcoming and the groining board of food the flea market offers the musicians is something to see.  On Thursday night Punta Gorda offers a great venue at the local park which overlooks Charlotte Harbor.  The sun sets are spectacular!!  Again it is a great mix of Bluegrass, country, singer/song writers, popular music some of which is amplified (bummer), and Old-time.  We have gotten asked to play for money even at local festivals and even on a nature tour boat (I don't know about this one).  

So enough already, if you've read this far you get the idea.

wvfiddler

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