— Begin quote from ____
We need to start a thread creep jar. Every time we do it, we put a dollar in it.
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We’d have to get a second job …
What is bluegrass
I checked out a few versions of Tecumseh Valley on Youtube and they were mostly stripped down versions. If we were to do a full band treatment, looks like we’d have to come up with our own arrangement. Could be a fun challenge.
Now, where do I put my dollar?
I will selflessly volunteer to manage all thread creep funds 
I think T Valley might be a good song to grow… verse 1, stripped down vox and gtr, then gradually add things. For the last verse (partial repeat of the first “Well the name she gave was Caroline, the daughter of a miner. And her ways were free, and seemed to me, that sunshine walked beside her.”) it could go back to stripped down.
Do you have the fingerpicked guitar part worked out already?
Yeah, I used to play it. I didn’t do it note for note, but I did it Travis style… had the little F turnaround in there as well. I suspect it would come back quickly. I can tab it out if you want.
Really like this take on it: Nanci Griffith with Arlo Guthrie
Unfortunately would be hard to improve on this one!
That’s a great version, ozi. I love Townes, but his voice was pretty raw. The Nancy/Arlo version is so pretty by comparison.
I wasn’t expecting you to teach me the guitar part, Mike (I’m kind of overwhelmed just trying to get used to dang fingerpicks), but if you were to lay down a guitar track, I thought I’d mess around with some dobro and/or mando and see how it sounds.
The big question, of course, is who would be the vocalists?
Sure, I’d be glad to put down a gtr track. It might be a little bit, but it would be a fun song to do. I won’t get anything done until late next week at the earliest (and that’s unlikely). Before I start something else, maybe I should check with the fiddle player and if he doesn’t have time to do it, go ahead and do the first half of the break and some noodling for West Virginia my home so we can put that one to bed. I like the Nanci/Arlo version of T Valley. The timing on one of the key changes was a bit different than I remember, but I probably morphed it over the years. I think the dobro will be a great fit for the song. As far as vocals, if no one else steps up I guess we roll with what we have (with us instrumentalists singing) and move on.
No hurry on starting a new project as far as I’m concerned. I just picked up a new audio interface for my computer, so I’m sure I’ll be busy getting used to that for the next week or so.
Larry, which interface did you purchase? I’m still undecided between a workstation like the Tascam portastudio or an interface. Mike says I should give an interface more time. I bought a Presonus & didn’t like it so took it back, but I really didn’t give it much of a chance. I’m sure Mike’s right, I just don’t like going through the computer & using a mouse instead of real slides & knobs. I’ve got alot to learn & need to get into the 2000’s.
Mike offered help in learning. if everyone’s going to these, maybe I should too. Let me know how it works out & how you like it.
I’m on the road alot this time of year, so I’ll probably wait until fall to make a purchase. That’ll give me time to do some investigating & learn more.
Thanks, J.W.
I picked up the Alesis i04. It got here Friday but I haven’t had a chance to unbox it, so I can’t review it yet. I was primarily looking for more inputs so I can record my picking buddies live instead of tracking one instrument at a time.
If it works okay, this unit gives me 4 mono inputs at the ridiculously low price of $98. Added to the two inputs I already have on my E-mu soundcard, I’ll have 6 total inputs (assuming my computer can keep up).
Now I just need to build a couple of isolation booths in my living room and I’ll be set to go.
When I get everything set up I’ll give you some more feedback. To tell the truth I’m a little skeptical that the unit can do everthing I want at such a cheap price, but I’ll soon find out.
As far as making the switch from an external unit to a computer based program, I think it will grow on you. I also have an old Tascam Portastudio and had to make the switch. It requires some effort, but the computer programs are so powerful and versatile by comparison, it’s well worth taking the time to learn. My program has an optional interface that displays the controls just like a traditonal mixing board would. You still have to use a mouse to make adjustments instead of turning knobs, but it might ease the transition for you.
4 inputs for $98 bucks is crazy good. Let us know how it works out. Even if the computer can’r handle both interfaces at once, 4 inputs gives alot more flexibility for recording over 2.
I didn’t know I was so pushy… sorry about that J.W. if you ever get in the neck of the woods where I live (or Larry or someone else who records with a software DAW) I bet you would be sold on it in 10 minutes and comfortable with it within an hour. If you get lucky setup is easy, but if not, it can certainly be intimidating. Once you get things going though, it’s a piece of cake (some might say a Cakewalk).
I’ll be excited if all 6 inputs work, but I have a feeling it will be quite a while before I get good recordings this way. I’ve got to work through a lot of variables that don’t exist with tracking everything sequentially.
You’re not pushy at all Mike. I really appreciate the help & input (that’s what forums are for) & if I ever get to Texas I may just take you up on the invite.
As I said earlier, I’ll most likely wait until fall when my work slows down to buy anything.
Thanks again, J.W.
Audio Interface Update: So far I’m not having much luck getting my new interface to work with Sonar. Seems like it’s one of those problems that can be usually beaten with some patience and perseverance, though. I might even have to break down and give Alesis a call on this one. And as a last resort, I can always use the copy of Cubase that came with the unit to record the tracks then import them into the familiar confines of Sonar for mixing.
Very good post…is there answer,i well i would test the waters by posting it this way…Christian music, i personnally like old time gospel, thats what i call Christian music, but it dates me i guess…must admit there are some entertainers who sing or play pop music and call it Christian music…well not in my ears does it get that label .Maybe it best be said one must go by the date it time…in the 50’s we had country music, in the 60’s it changed and so etc. progress i guess.To directly answer the queestion, maybe take the year and the age of the performrer…someone once said…“music is a series of notes pleasant to the ear” outside of that anything goes i guess.
Thank’s for reining in this thread. billiards. Seems that you are like me in that you are mostly concerned with the tradition of the song.
I guess bluegrass is like pornography, we know it when we see (hear) it. 
A recent conversation with my uncle (who grew up in the area of KY where Bill Monroe was playing when starting out) brought an interesting perspective. Back in the late 50’s, country music typically had a piano. Pianos are tough to move. If a band played at a place that had a piano (and someone to play it) they’d play country. If there was no piano at a place available a bluegrass band was more likely.
Seems like bluegrass was created out of neccessity. The instruments were what could be carried around and the singing was high and lonesome enough to be heard without amplification.