I Spent my Life as a Pack Mule

        Someone blogged they were a thoroughbred.  I thought about that, and decided I spent my life as a plow horse, or maybe a pack mule.  I guess I was like a ‘King Wilkie’ (Bill Monroe’s horse) or maybe a wheel hoss.  (that single minded beast who spent a whole lifetime going in circles.)  I like [...]

Golf and Music- The Ties That Bind

        Now I know you might wonder.  What could be the common threads of  golf and music?  Before the Mandolin Case comes out in 2009, I wanted you guys to have a leg up on the rest of the world.  
        One time I had a case of the hooks.  There is a guy on the East Coast [...]

Kindred Spirits/Country Docs

        Hey guys, remember how I told y’all about Dr. Zink’s Country Doctor Compilation?  I heard from a fellow contributor today, and linked him up on my blogroll.  We both have an article in Dr. Zink’s 2009 publication. 
        I only have one request.  Just because he’s younger and better looking don’t ditch me.  Read us both.  If you have interest [...]

Cowboys and Indians and Redemption

        When I was a little boy we all played Cowboys and Indians.  My mom has a picture of me as a kid sitting on the back of horse.  I’ve got on a big ole Indian headdress and the girl next door- we called her Dale Evans- sits right behind me in some kinda fake sequined outfit brandishing a [...]

Indie at Thanksgiving

        I went by to check on Indie before Thanksgiving.  I’d gotten so busy I hadn’t been by in a while.
        “Bibey, old boy.  How ya been?  Me and Barney (his skeleton) were gonna put out an all points bulletin for you.”
        “I’m sorry Indie.  I should been by- eight days a week you know.”
        “Hell, you [...]

The Ultimate Music Fake-out Mandolin Method

        O.K. here it is in one easy lesson.  How to play the mandolin and fake out the world.  I know- I’m an expert!
        Now before we go any further, this will not work for doctoring.  In fact, if your doctor gestalts his way around his right brain like this to prescribe your medical treatment, RUN!
        First of all, [...]

Harvey Billiard and Bowl

        If you guys are gonna read “The Mandolin Case,” I want you to be on the inside of local culture.  Now that y’all are my friends, you need to know where to find people in town you can count on in case you were to get in a jam. 
        So, here’s how to get to Harvey Billiard and Bowl, or [...]

Maria Diosas (Colombian Green Card)

        Back at the time of the Mandolin Case, there was a girl who worked at Harvey Memorial named Maria Diaoas.  She came here when they started the green card visas.   Nowadays the term ‘Green Card’ is one you hear a lot, but back then it was unusual.  And I want you to know I am not [...]

Blog Power

        I am always surprised to see where my blog takes me.  The Internet is so powerful.  I found out the other day I had a Power Rating of 31.  My agent said it put me in the top 205,000 and that was very good for for a fiction blog.
        It set me to thinking.  How in the world did so many [...]

Wayne Benson

        While I’m on a mandolin player kick, let me tell you about Wayne Benson.  I’ll get back to my book next week.
        Most bluegrass folks know of Wayne.  He has been the mandolin mainstay for Russell Moore and iii Tyme Out for years.  Both Wayne and the group have more more awards than I can list.  [...]