Danny G (and Linette's) Harmonica Party - July 8 - 10, 2016

[Ingo]

Here's a shot of Doc at one of the Jersey Festivals

Great memories of  'Doc'.. at Garden State in 2010. I asked Dottie Pispecky who was running that gig if she could find me a bass player. :"Sure, " she said" Doug Havis can help you out. Great, I thought. Marv Monroe had already said he would back me up on the chord, so I was all set. Of course I soo n found out that it was Doc, not Doug!, and Marv informed me that I would be playing with a 'pair'o'docs' since Marv also is a 'Doc'...in those days I played everything fast so it took Doc Havis a few bars to adjust, with that little smile of his he said" Boy, that's fast!", but he soldier on very well.
Doc  was always willing to play harmony to anything you could come up with and did it very well.  I would mention "Meet Mr. Callaghan" and he would whip out his harmonica and play. Loved that man, may he rest in peace. :'(

[Scotty]

Here's a shot of Doc at one of the Jersey Festivals

Great memories of  'Doc'.. at Garden State in 2010. I asked Dottie Pispecky who was running that gig if she could find me a bass player. :"Sure, " she said" Doug Havis can help you out. Great, I thought. Marv Monroe had already said he would back me up on the chord, so I was all set. Of course I soo n found out that it was Doc, not Doug!, and Marv informed me that I would be playing with a 'pair'o'docs' since Marv also is a 'Doc'...in those days I played everything fast so it took Doc Havis a few bars to adjust, with that little smile of his he said" Boy, that's fast!", but he soldier on very well.
Doc  was always willing to play harmony to anything you could come up with and did it very well.  I would mention "Meet Mr. Callaghan" and he would whip out his harmonica and play. Loved that man, may he rest in peace. :'(

yes..thank you for the photo, Danny. I recognized him right away. Of course I knew him--especially from the Garden State Festivals! I mostly know people by their first names, so surnames don't always imprint. I'm really sorry about his loss. A good guy and very sweet.

I also adore Marv Monroe--since he's been a fixture for me for so many Conventions--and always with a smile, a sweet word and a play-along for others, despite his bad back. There are some really special people who keep showing up.

Elizabeth (scotty)

[Atsuko]

Thank you, Danny and Linnett and your friendly family, for warm welcome and great hospitality on my arrival on Friday.

I had a great time chatting with my old friends, A.J. , Barbara and with many interesting people I met there for the first time including the saxophone player and a handsome SlideMeister from Virginia sorry I forgot his name

Saturday morning, I visited the nearby Canton Art museum, to see a special sculpture exhibition- wounded warrior dogs with my buddy from Indiana.  The museum offered so much more to see and the town was very nice. 

In the afternoon, he and I privately practiced classic music together and when we realized and rushed back to the party, the show was over and missed all the excitement of the performances of SlideMeisters discussed in this thread above.... Sorry..... But we enjoyed good food, campfire and fire dance till late at night.

My another unexpected Highlight for this trip was staying at eco- friendly hilltop cottage all for myself for 2 nights.  The view was excellent, stars were bright, the air was sweet and the host was exceptionally friendly.  The cottage can easily accommodate two or maybe 3 people so if someone is interested in experiencing this type of accommodation, you may enjoy trying during next Danny's party .  Half the price of regular hotels that is also attractive, isn't it? 

Sorry for this late thank you note due to sudden health issue of my sibling.....

Will get in touch..

Atsuko, from Beautiful Pennsylvania

P.s.  Thanks Scotty for your usual nice comment of me....  Hope to see you again ...

[Scotty]

Thank you, Danny and Linnett and your friendly family, for warm welcome and great hospitality on my arrival on Friday.

I had a great time chatting with my old friends, A.J. , Barbara and with many interesting people I met there for the first time including the saxophone player and a handsome SlideMeister from Virginia sorry I forgot his name

Saturday morning, I visited the nearby Canton Art museum, to see a special sculpture exhibition- wounded warrior dogs with my buddy from Indiana.  The museum offered so much more to see and the town was very nice. 

In the afternoon, he and I privately practiced classic music together and when we realized and rushed back to the party, the show was over and missed all the excitement of the performances of SlideMeisters discussed in this thread above.... Sorry..... But we enjoyed good food, campfire and fire dance till late at night.

My another unexpected Highlight for this trip was staying at eco- friendly hilltop cottage all for myself for 2 nights.  The view was excellent, stars were bright, the air was sweet and the host was exceptionally friendly.  The cottage can easily accommodate two or maybe 3 people so if someone is interested in experiencing this type of accommodation, you may enjoy trying during next Danny's party .  Half the price of regular hotels that is also attractive, isn't it? 

Sorry for this late thank you note due to sudden health issue of my sibling.....

Will get in touch..

Atsuko, from Beautiful Pennsylvania

P.s.  Thanks Scotty for your usual nice comment of me....  Hope to see you again ...

I love your reviews, Atsuko...they're always written so sweetly and poetically. I'm so sorry about your sibling--hope all is well now, or at least as good as can be expected. I lost my own older brother last March (2015) --complications of surgery after an amputation of his second leg due to Diabetes. It was a long, hard illness and everyone here was so wonderful during his ordeal.

Go take care of whatever you must for family--that's a given. We're here and we always seem to pick right up where we left off afterwards.  I'm also glad to hear you're getting to play your beloved classical music with other like-minded players. Wish I could join you and the others at Danny and Linette's one of these years but it's been a bit difficult so far. I so enjoyed seeing it through your eyes, though...with your special outlook on life.

Also wish you could be at Spah in San Antonio--I'll be on my own there for most of the week and would thoroughly enjoy hanging out with you again. It'll be my first time in Texas and the Riverwalk sounds interesting and delightful. Besides, I miss you!

Take care,

Elizabeth (scotty)

[Lockjaw Larry]

You, Atsuko, are a fine lady who brightens everyone's day when you make your appearance.  You are a fine judge of character, evidenced by your remarks and attitude toward new friends.  It was a pleasure to meet and visit with you.  I'm sorry my wife, Mrs. Lockjaw Sandy, didn't get to meet you. I'm sure you would have impressed her, and she you. But I emplore you to be prepared to favor us with your favorite genre next year.  I detected you require perfection in your playing.  Rest assured, we friends of Danny and Linette's, are not judgmental and look forward to enjoying your participation next year. 

Your new friend from Virginia,
Handsome ( really? ) Lockjaw Larry

[Atsuko]

Just quick responses:

To Scotty:  I'm sorry about the loss of your brother and thank you for your kind blessings for my sister.  Sadly we are that age having more and more loved ones around us becoming ill. 

For me, this is the first time I am living close-by to my family member who became ill and realizing how hard it is ....even for just giving some suggestions and mental supports to my niece, the only child, who needs to make wide ranges of quick decisions of her own... We are still hoping she recovers somehow...

Sounds tempting to join San Antonio convention...but I need to be around for my sister and her family at the moment. Thanks for inviting though, I'll consider attending one of harmonica festival in the future and to enjoy you company again.   

To my new friend, Larry:  what a nice commen     I feel strongly that I get along with you and your wife, Sandy very well next time we meet again

Fondly,
Atsuko

[BigDaddyT]

Do you have specific events, or do people just show up and have fun at whatever time they choose on those days?

[SlideMeister]

Always glad to see folks show up and sad to see them leave cuz you probably won't see them again for a year. (over the years I've observed that only the coolest ever show up there )

Danny always has some cool events planed, (lotsa music and lotsa food ) but for the most part we play the whole thing by ear, and whatever happens, happens. When we get tired of playing, we eat, hobnob/spit & whittle, eat, tech-talk, jump in the pool, eat, sit in the sun or inside eating while listening to whosoever's up there playing, or sometimes we just eat. Did I mention the food part? It's always a hoot and it still gets better every year.

@ge

[Scotty]

Always glad to see folks show up and sad to see them leave cuz you probably won't see them again for a year. (over the years I've observed that only the coolest ever show up there )

Danny always has some cool events planed, (lotsa music and lotsa food ) but for the most part we play the whole thing by ear, and whatever happens, happens. When we get tired of playing, we eat, hobnob/spit & whittle, eat, tech-talk, jump in the pool, eat, sit in the sun or inside eating while listening to whosoever's up there playing, or sometimes we just eat. Did I mention the food part? It's always a hoot and it still gets better every year.

@ge

Oh my --I just HAVE to try to talk Fred into driving me there one of these years. It always looks like so much fun --but we'd be the ones staying
in town in a Motel. Neither of us is big on tents or sleeping bags nowadays, I'm afraid. Not that I'd knock the great company (since I'd know most
of those in attendance - including Danny and Linnette), but the 'eating' part was the clincher, Age. 
hahahahaha
Actually --the 'relaxed' attitude towards the music is probably the most appealing. I get far too tense when preparing to play in front of an audience,
and am far more comfortable just ad-libbing/jamming with other like-minded souls acoustically, so this seems perfect for me!

Elizabeth (scotty)

[SlideMeister]

Great!! We'll look forward to seeing you in July then!

[Scotty]

Great!! We'll look forward to seeing you in July then!

We'll see! (I better start fast-talking from today!) 

On a similar note --we were supposed to go to Texas for [Christmas] and it still looks as though my 17yr old Kira's condition is going
to call a halt to that too (as well as this past Spah). Sigh. She's still bright eyed and eating well--sees the Vet twice a week, but
has problems where Mommy needs to be there for her 24/7. Such is (my) life.

Elizabeth (scotty)

[BigDaddyT]

Maybe by July I'll play well enough that others would enjoy hearing me play a song.

[Edward Brock]

I just finished reading this whole thing and I am now depressed
that I can't travel and couldn't attend this year. But reading the post
put me there in my minds eye. And it was a Wonderful time. Thanks.