cbcarlisle - Posted - 05/05/2015:  11:12:28

I thought it was only scorpions that "kep the sting in the tailpiece." --and bees, --and wasps, --oh, nevermind.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/05/2015:  16:46:43

Dave,

That might  just be a possibility.

Curt,

I always wonder who (if anybody) is reading real klose. Dat sholt hav red," Keep the string"...

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/05/2015:  17:49:26

TUESDAY

Today was spent packing, working around the house and teaching.

My first real big trip of the year starts tomorrow with back to back trips until June 2. I'm going to try and get home a few times, but we will see how that works out. 

Well Eddie's here. I need to stop now so we can pack the car.

I'll try to make a post tomorrow from the

Queen of the Mississippi!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/08/2015:  14:02:38

FRIDAY

CHECIN' IN FROM MEMPHIS

Boy have we been busy! In fact it has been so busy I almost forgot it was Friday!

Eddie and I ventured down the old Highway 61 driving straight and hard till we got to Vicksburg, Mississippi on Wednesday. We arrived around 3 PM unloaded the car (we drove this time in the Prius), got our stuff into our room, gassed and parked the car and got back on board in time to play for "Happy Hour". Ate dinner and played a show to a packed house. It is amazing how that works when there's nowhere else to go!

Thursday we got up and were able to teach the clawhammer lick to another great group of river folks.  The were wonderful and all of them got it!!!

After lunch we did a top deck show, leading everybody through the history of our instrument (the banjo) in song. It's fun to be able to dig into the Minstrel & Classical banjo bag in a deeper sense.

Soon it was 8:15 and time for the evening show. Joined by our cruise director Angus, we kicked the night off with Fresh White Beans. I love workin' with somebody who has such a big smile!

When I started foolin' with the photos I thought tis 'un looked like something from a old B&W movie...

I wish my camera would do better under low light but here is one of my compadre doing his Bawn in the Mash hit "Life Goes On"!

Do you remember my Mandora de' Amore? Well here it is singing like only it can...

More Soon!!!

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/08/2015:  14:21:41

I just can't get over this being paid to go on vacation and play banjo!!  

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/08/2015:  15:45:16

Dave,

It's a rough job, but somebody's got ta do it!

Crusty - Posted - 05/08/2015:  16:15:35

For some reason I was reminded of this

O brother...

 

guitarman8491 - Posted - 05/08/2015:  17:58:37

Great pic's capture the great time you have on the Queen of the Mississippi... sure got one heck of a nice gig!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/09/2015:  14:53:43

Mike,

I suppose it all depends on how you say "Oh Brother!"

Doug,

This certainly is a wonderful gig!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/11/2015:  19:00:22

BACK HOME IN TENNESSEE

(4 a day)

(Talkin' 'bout the last few days)

I'm just settling down from my trip home from Vicksburg, Mississippi and the Queen of the Mississippi.

Eddie and  I will be heading back Vicksburg on Wednesday to make our first trip on the American Eagle. Back to back trips, lots of performing and spending time with great folks.

Sunday morning we made an emergency stop at Lake Providence, Louisiana. A guest had a medical issue. It was back in a very narrow bayou.

It took some very fine piloting of the Queen to get her in, turned around and then back out. Capt. Joe threaded her through this small gap on the way out. 

I am so very thankful for the pilots and the tremendous skill they have. 

Oh ya, first mate Steve too!

Here's my pal Eddie with a shirt his sister gave him....

And of course the wonderful Queen of the Mississippi Banjo 102 class of  5-10. What a wonderful bunch of folks!

And they all got it!

More Soon!

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/11/2015:  21:30:47

Another wonderful trip, with another in front of you.     From the class photo it would seem that the old advertisements about the banjo gets the girls is true.  



Its good to know that you and all aboard are in the hands of a very skilled, capable crew.    

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/12/2015:  05:23:54

Ya know Dave, We do have a fine crew on board the Queen. What's more tomorrow on the American Eagle I'll be with other great folks including many I've worked with in the past, including Captains Max, Robert & Cruise Director Mary!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/12/2015:  19:11:47

TUESDAY

One day home and that's all. It's not near enough!

Still I was able to take care of a few things on the home front.

I went to the shop and did a bit of book work, to the bank, Walmart, Kroger, 641 Plumbing & Electric, Changed some lights at Lee Academy for the Arts, gassed the car, washed clothes, packed my bag and even took the car to the Finish Line Car Wash...

...Came home, talked to the HVAC man, went out to dinner with my wife and grandson Chandan, then we went to the Krider Performing Arts Center for an elementary school strings concert with my granddaughters Ann & Abby Knowles. They are Sam's girls. They did such a great job! Soon Sam'll have a GREAT family band!

Here is Anna (3rd. grade) sawing away...

And Abby (6th. grade) too...

Reporting next from the AMERICAN EAGLE

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/12/2015:  19:26:04

Gosh Dan, what did you do in your spare time?    

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/14/2015:  11:53:11

Dave,

There was no spare time on this 'un! The next 2 home trip will most likely be the same.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/14/2015:  14:01:32

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY

Here we are our first full day on the new ACL riverboat, THE AMERICAN EAGLE. What a beautiful boat she is too! It is wonderful to see folks that we have worked with on the Queen of the Mississippi in earlier trips. It's kind a like being with family.

But more on that later. First we have some Wednesday business to attend to...

Here is something I thought y'all might find interesting, maybe amusing. These two signs at a Mississippi rest stop on Highway 61...

Here is another sign. I've wanted to stop & take a look-see at it for some time. Ever wondered about the "Teddy Bear?"

After we arrived in Vicksburg (and loaded our gear on the Eagle) my buddy Mike Jennings (our river laureate) and I went out for a little ride. As we came by this building ( which used to be a monastery), he said "ya wanna see where they shot O Brother Where Art Thou?" 

What'd ya think I said, "Of course!" So in we went.

The building now houses the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation.  It is now an extremely active Arts center in Vicksburg. Mike is friends with Angie Wilkerson who just happens to manage the place. Her brother was a pilot on the old Delta Queen Steamboat. It's a family this river thang.

This was hanging on the wall of her office. It is one of the original posters used on the side of Homer Stokes campaign truck in the movie...

Angie and Mike pointed the way. "This is where all of them came in" she said...

When the movie work was hear they painted the wall green. Now it is back to the original light color.

I couldn't he;p but do these photo in sepia, it just seamed to fit...

Here is today's American Eagle Banjo 102. Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful!!!

I got Eddie to do a photo too!

We have two of the best cruise directors on this trip.

Here is "Tidbit" Mary shooting a selfie!

Here is Anthony (our other cruise director), this man is one of the smoothest mc's I've ever seen.

Here are Eddie & I, doin' our thing last night...

MORE SOON!!!

guitarman8491 - Posted - 05/14/2015:  17:14:40

Dan, great pictures and a lot of smiling faces. I think those faces go hand in hand with good music and the banjo! Cheers and enjoy your travels!

Bufo Bill - Posted - 05/15/2015:  13:53:24

That mic you built is really iconic I think, and for river boat tourists too I imagine.

All the best from Bill. :D

Edited by - Bufo Bill on 05/15/2015 13:56:37

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/15/2015:  17:51:54

Doug,

Thank you! This has been a great bunch of folks to be with. The smiles were just the beginning.

Bill, 

Thanks. Folks seam to like it everywhere we use it.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/15/2015:  18:10:39

FRIDAY

THE KING IS GONE.

Walking in Memphis 

Today on Beale Street

Lucille sang from every building

Flowers adorn B. B's club.

Something missing

THE KING IS GONE. 

Lucille sang from every building

Flowers were on B. B's club. 

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/15/2015:  18:24:16

We all know that we all die sometime, but I know of no one that likes when a friend dies.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/19/2015:  05:43:01

TUESDAY

I'm back home this morning, preparing to head down to the shop for just a bit. Tomorrow the traveling begins again. Eddie and I will be heading out to the Queen of the Mississippi for a trip with a group of folks from Australia. They are always a lot of fun.

Here though I'd like to introduce you to our latest group of banjo students from the American Eagle. These folks (like all) did great! But they were a first. First you ask? How? During the group photo they started playing and singing Shortnin' Bread! It's never happened before. Amazing!

guitarman8491 - Posted - 05/19/2015:  05:47:17

Dan..have a great day in your shop and enjoy your next adventure on the Queen of the Mississippi!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/19/2015:  06:02:17

Thanks Doug!

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/19/2015:  06:08:32

Dan

In the group photo I can see a couple of left handed players.  Did you have some lefty banjos, or are they playing upside down?

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/19/2015:  06:29:21

Dave,

Since they are just learning the basic frailing lick, our lefty's just flip 'um over. I'm planning on making a couple of left handed mini-banjos to take out with me... And planning is the operative word here!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/19/2015:  06:36:47

A partial tour of

the

AMERICAN EAGLE

I started taking a bunch of photos of the new ACL riverboat the AMERICAN EAGLE... then my camera died. I guess I should tell you the whole story though.

As a matter of fact I dropped the little old thing. Unlike some of my other tools that fall, it just didn't survive.  So this project was quashed with just a few photos taken.

Today I'll be going to the store to find another point and shoot.

Still I thought you might like just a bit of a tour of this oh so pretty boat.

Here she is ported at Mud Island in Memphis, Tennessee...

One of my favorite spots on the boat, the forth deck bow.

Third deck hall. I love these colors. So bright and open!

Third deck, mid-ship lounge...

Forth deck mid-ship lounge...

Forth deck Sky Lounge...

You know how in advertisments the food always looks so pretty and nice? And when you see it in the flesh well... it's... not...so...

This is the real thing. I not only took the photo but I...

      

One of my favorite thing on the Eagle. Kite flying from the Sky Deck!

Relaxing on the Forth Deck stern...

On the third deck stern is the exercise aria. I spend quite a bit of time here... especially after...

Eddie and I perfoming in the Magnolia lounge...

And sunset on the Mississippi. Best sunsets I've ever seen are on the river!

More Soon!!!

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/19/2015:  09:39:43

Dan

Thanks for the photos, I always enjoy seeing them.

Good luck on finding the new point and shoot.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/22/2015:  09:47:57

Dave,

You are welcome!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/23/2015:  13:24:03

SATURDAY

ON THE QUEEN

It must be a time for catch-up. Tuesday evening Eddie Coffey arrived for our trip out on the Queen of the Mississippi. I had ordered Eddie a couple of new Bodhrans (Irish drums. I hope I spelled it correctly!) and the came in that day. As soon as he arrived it was drum time. Besides being a great bass & guitar player Eddie excels on these drums.

Whenever we play minstrel banjo tunes he will use the bodhran instead of the bones, which neither of us play very well. This one of these drums is an Indian rosewood 18" er with a great big sound. The folks n the boat have been loving it almost as much as Eddie does!

This was Thursday n the Mississippi. Grey and overcast with a bit of rain...

I just finished this painting (that I'm painting here) and it went home with a lady from Australia. This one is titled Lake Providence at the Mississipp River...

I've got another moving along at a pretty good pace. Perhaps it will be complete today. I'll post a photo when it's complete...

And our Banjo 102 Class. Another GREAT group! Don't they look like angles here?  Well the sung Shortnin' Bread like those heavenly creatures so maybe they were!

Last nights sunset on the Mississippi river by the Dolly Parton bridge, as captured by  Eddie C. Coffey hisself!

See ya soon!!!

DEmery - Posted - 05/23/2015:  14:37:56

Dan it has been a busy time out on the boat. That neckless guitar is taking on the myth of a headless horseman back in Paris. I was near Paris a week or so back...actually in Jackson; but I knew you were out floating around. Hope to catch you on dry land one day. David E.

The Pope - Posted - 05/23/2015:  14:55:58

Fourth, Dan... 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/23/2015:  20:43:04

David,

I'll be back in Paris Monday evening, relax for most of Tuesday.

Maybe go to the shop for a few just to dream of building.

I'm having building withdrawal.

Then pack up and head out Wednesday morning. My son Sam is going with me for the first half then Tyler Andel will join me for the back half. Then it's back to reasonable traveling. Six days out, eight days in.

Erik,

Yep I gots four fangers up in the photo!

tylerandal - Posted - 05/25/2015:  15:38:54

Can't wait!  

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/25/2015:  19:17:56

Tyler,

Yez sir I'm lookin' forward to seeing you in Memphis on Saturday!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/26/2015:  18:37:16

TUESDAY

Home for a day and finally I got to spend a bit of it in the shop. I've been Jonesin'  for the shop.

Up to now it's been just come home, stick my nose into the shop for a minute (do book work & pick up more CD's) then off to other Day-Off chores.

Today though, I was able to spend a couple of hours there.

None of it was real luthin' . But at least it was making some sawdust! 

This little fixture is for holding a mic over the treble F-hole of an upright bass. Over the years it has become a bit loose and difficult to hold tight to the body of a bass. 

so today I took it apart so I could work on the feet. They were too loose...

First I had to enlarge the holes. Then I glued in a dowel so I could drill a smaller hole...

Back together and much tighter than it's ever been. We'll see how it works tomorrow night when we are on the American Eagle...

I'll be teaching a art/ painting class on the Queen of the Mississippi during our next trip on that boat. It will be called DOTTING WITH DAN.

I'll be showing my pointillism technique using small (4"x 4") canvas panels. The guests who participate will be able to take their painting home. So I needed to prepare the canvas panels. I started with a 12" X 16" and ripped them down on the bandsaw...

Got a whole stack that should be good for several trips!

Here is the back of the Prius with a load of banjos, a guitar & a bass. Tomorrow morning , very early the road will call...

MORE SOON!!!

DEmery - Posted - 05/26/2015:  19:30:18

I am shocked you could get  a full size bass in the back of that car.., much less the rest of that equipment. I hauled an S9 Swingmaster from New York to Birmingham in a van and it was full. David E. 

Nels - Posted - 05/27/2015:  08:52:53

Now that is 'packing' !  ... the art class should be as fun as the banjo class!  It will be nice to see how the painting goes.

cbcarlisle - Posted - 05/27/2015:  19:21:21

I may be in error about the reason for the name but that appears to be only Half of the Dolly Parton Bridge in your picture.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/28/2015:  08:03:01

David & Ellen,

When you have toured in a Miata (as I used to) one learns how to pack. The Prius fills up just fine!

Curt,

You are so right, there is half of the bridge missing. I'll shoot you an explanation tomorrow when I'm in Memphis.

Kaelri - Posted - 05/28/2015:  11:44:02

Dan, you're cracking me up! While I did not comment on the packing job, I did admire it!  I think you are a very busy man! 

My husband and I were wondering, how does a person sign up for one of these riverboat cruises and know for sure that you would be on the entertainment list? We thought it might be fun to meet up with some friends and take one next year. 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/28/2015:  13:37:58

THURSDAY

Today's post will be a bit lengthy... but there is a bunch here...

Yesterday Sam and I drove down to Vicksburg, Mississippi, our little seven hour commute. It was an uneventful trip...

well except for the monsoon rain and ticket I received from a Mississippi State Trooper.

I don't blame him for the ticket. Truth is I deserved it. I probably deserve more than this one if the stories be told. Such a nice feller he was too.

I know you might wonder about that. But he was pleasant to talk with and we gabbed around the world for about fifteen or so minutes. This was a man who I think I'd like to meet again (although I hope the circumstances are different!).

Here is a photo that proves that most of the time I keep to the speed limit. (What do you mean the speed limit here is only 25!)...

We have separate rooms here on the American Eagle, Sam & I. This ones mine...

I caught this photo of clouds over the Yazoo river at Vicksburg and I couldn't help but share!

The confluence of the Mississippi Yazoo rivers at Vicksburg. The darker water on the right is the Mississippi. Seldom is the confluence as marked as this one was...

Under way...

Ellen to answer you question first check out the Queen of the Mississippi & the American Eagle's schedules on the web. This season we are working on most of the New Orleans to Memphis trips. Then when you call the American Cruise Lines office tell them that you wish to be on ONLY (grin) one of those cruises that I'll be playing on and they'll fix you up. What I may do is post my schdule on my home page here on the BHO too.

Here are some of my friends that I am privileged to work with on the Eagle, Ryan (L) & Drew (R)... 

Julie (C)...

And Anthony (L)...

And Patrick...

And we can't forget Mary (L)...

And here from last night's show, Sam and I workin' it out...

Sam with his bass & what a great job he did!!!

And me katerwhallin'

Today another great American Eagle BANJO 102 class!!!

MORE SOON!!!

Kaelri - Posted - 05/28/2015:  18:25:46

Thanks for the scoop Dan! We appreciate it!

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/29/2015:  05:32:27

Just another day in paradise!   

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/29/2015:  07:31:32

Ellen,

You are so welcome!

Dave,

So true!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/29/2015:  14:17:19

FRIDAY

Life is good here on the American Eagle. Right now I'm a hangin' out (we're now in Memphis), relaxin' and havin' a fine ole' time. This is a tough job if you can take it! 

Sam has left his ole man and now I count the minutes until my pal Tyler arrives. He should be here around 10 oclock in the morning.

Let's us see... 16 hours & 9 minutes... if I can remember how to multiply that'ud be 61 times 14, plus 45, minus 25, multiply by .175, then devide that fraction by 87 to the 12th power, then...

Aw forget it. It's just 960 minutes, got 'her all figuret out!

Shucks, instead of all this flop a ma doodle here goes yesterday and a bit of today...

Our great cruise directors Mary and Anthony pulled a great one out of their afternoon entertainment bag...Kite flying and bubble blowing. I was selfish and did both! This is like bein' a little kid again! Almost like eatin' a bucket full of home made icecream!

Here Anthony is helping bring another kite to the skies. All together I think there were 8 or ten up there!

And I caught Mary blowin' bubbles. A whole lot prettier than ole Laurence Welk!

I got this picture of 4 of them (if you look close!)... (not bubbles, sillie!)

One of the kites was kept up there by my son Sam who is quite a good kite flyer!

I saw a photo of ole Willie Nelson's guitar. It was covered with signatures.

Most of 'um famous folk.

I wanted a bunch of signatures (keepin' up with the Jones' ya know) (well maybe the Nelson's).

But I didn't want any famous folks. None at all.

So I had the guests an crew sign the guitar! Recognize any of the signatures? David Emery, would you like me to do your guitar this way? We could ya know...

Drew supplied both Sam and I with some of the prettiest bow ties for last night's show, so of course we needed a photo shoot....

Curt this photo is just for you.

Please nobody else look at it. This is just for him.

Here in Memphis this bridge is called the "BIG M BRIDGE" or the "DOLLY PARTON BRIDGE". Take yer pick, it's fine by me...

Bless her soul...

Well I got this painting done so here is a photo. This one is 4" X 4" X 1".

MORE SOON!!!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 05/29/2015 14:23:02

DEmery - Posted - 05/29/2015:  14:53:01

Well Dan the signatures give your guitar a nice performer look. Very friendly. Let me scratch my head on adding signatures on mine. It may want to do it one day when the new wears off. David E.  

guitarman8491 - Posted - 05/29/2015:  18:01:23

Dan great pics capturing a lot of fun times..heck its gotta be hard work and if so I guess you gotta do it :) I think you may have more signatures than Willie but he has a more distinctive sound hole/ top on his old Martin..cheers and enjoy the journey!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/29/2015:  19:33:57

Doug,

Maybe if I work n mine some more I can get that extra soundhole!