I have seen that. 
It was actually that video that made me first get a lesson with him. I realized what a great style of teaching he has. He’s one of my top favorites.
Whatcha Working On?
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Thank you @Flatpickin_Libby!
It is nice to pop in here and see old friends. So… No pressure… I’ll go ahead and fill me in!
Seriously, I miss y’all and have to make it a point to check-in more regular.
Let’s start with how you are doing and what is new? Working on anything in particular?
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Biggest thing that’s new with me is our new band album! It’s a project that took most of this past year… choosing and arranging and practicing the songs last winter; recording in February and March; mixing and revising throughout the spring and then working on the cover/design/printing steps in summer… we finally released it on August 5th, and I’m very excited about it!
I also spent the past half year getting ready for the Galax guitar competition, which I did last week. So much fun! And also, I’ve been working on my book this year which I recently finished and published. @Mr_G and I are actively working on making an audiobook. 
That’s been the majority of my main projects recently; how about you?
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That is fantastic @Flatpickin_Libby!
Wow, you’ve been busy!
Tell me about the book! Elaborate on subject/content. Is your album on Spotify?
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Yes the album is on Spotify! “Down Where the Grass Is Blue” by Headin’ Home. The book is a fiction story about a Christian girl who grew up in her non-Christian grandparents’ bakery after her parents died; it’s called “Tried With Fire”!
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Suddenly I feel very unproductive. 
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Of course not! I’m sure you could list just as many projects you’ve been busy with! It just so happens that I’ve finished several long-term ones this year. Most of what fills my time is the daily grind - students, practice, rehearsals, family stuff, etc.
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Who votes for the Michael Mark solo record to come out in 2023?
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I need some backup musicians and singers though. I guess I’d do guitar and banjo like Ron Block… which by the way, I just listened to Walking Song again and it just amazes me at how unique that guy is. I really need some original material.
Or maybe I should just go for Michael Mark Sings Tony Rice Sings Gordon Lightfoot…
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In all seriousness it’s one of my many life goals to produce an album. Another is to write a book. It does make me a tad jealous that you’ve done both of those already
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You could do Michael Mark plays Ahren Buccheister plays Chris Miller plays Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe.
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Oh but I never could have done the album alone. A solo project would be way harder to attain than a band project. What do you want to write a book about?
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Probably non-fiction, about music of course.
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(Still) Still Inside: the Unofficial Extended Tony Rice Story.
Like you know more about Tony Rice that other people don’t? 
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Ok fine.
Still Outside: the Billy Strings Story
It would probably have a lot of possibly-untrue Tony Rice folklore that Marcel would make up.
Haha
So I need to solidify the crew for the Michael Mark solo project. I need a fiddler, a mandolinist, and a bassist, and maybe a dobro player. I wonder how much Andy Leftwich costs…
We’d be playing a) the singer-songwritery originals that I’ll write in the future b) some normal sounding bluegrass c) at least one Tony Rice cover.
I also DON’T need an accordion. Sorry @Dragonslayer
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