A Bluegrass Wedding
The bride was beautiful and the the groom was handsome. They sang some of their vows. The Circuit Riders backed them up as the house band. The closing tribute to the bride was an old Charlie Waller number, “Remembrances of You,” a favorite of mine. They did it perfect pitch three part harmony.
The ceremony was reverent and respectful of tradition. The congregation and the bridal party recited the Lord’s Prayer in unison. The music was acoustic, but not all bluegrass. Fiddle toggled back and forth with violin and classical pieces were rendered at just the right moments by the chamber music ensemble.
The wedding party was pretty young bridesmaids, mature gentlemen in tuxes (someone kindly dubbed them as distinguished) and cute flower girls and ring bearers. There were Christmas poinsettias and pictures and many hugs and kisses. It was a bit of a family reunion; bluegrass is but one big family.
The reception rocked the house. The Harris Brothers led off. Reggie might be my favorite guitar man on the planet, both in flat-pick and slide, and Ryan is a soul singer extrodinare and a rock solid bass man. Some old guy in a tux got up and played with ’em. I figure a man ain’t lived till he’s jammed with the Harris Brothers and the electric suitcase, so I had to do a few tunes with them too. Old Doc played mandolin and sang the harmony part to “I got my Mojo Working.” Now that is my idea of a wedding reception! The boys were most kind to let me jam with ’em. (And no I wasn’t drinking)
Soon the Circuit Riders were up. Luck fiddled and Corb picked banjo, Billy Gee played bass, and Darin Aldridge was on mandolin. Jaret Carter and Jerry Douglas are the best dobro guys I know of. The groom flashed both a wide grin and the the best mandolin chops you’ll ever hear.
We had to do several for old time’s sake. The groom’s version of ‘Catfish John’ brought back childhood memories for my daughter. I have never heard anyone in a bridal dress come close to the bride’s version of “He Ain’t Never.”
We ate well, jammed late into the night, told tall tales, and reminisced with old friends. I never go to a wedding without thinking about how lucky I have been. We got married years ago, hit the ground running, and haven’t looked back. I was lucky to find someone so compatible. I think these kids did the same. One thing is certain; if they have a married life anything like the wedding, they are gonna rule. It’s the bluegrass way.
All the best to them for all time.
Dr. B
Explore posts in the same categories: Mandolin Players I Know, Philosophy, WritingTags: music, weddings, Writing
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Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
December 30, 2008 at 9:45 am
Brooke and Darin are a lovely young couple who have everything going for them. When we first met them, we knew they were the real deal, and they just keep getting better and better. We just never seem to cross paths with them when Dr. Bibey is there, too. Do you remember a film called “Ladyhawk”? In it, the two lovers only assume their human form at different times – she at night, he in the daylight…or is it the other way around? That’s the way I feel about trying to meet the elusive Dr. B. I guess I’ll have to live with reading your blog and the very occasional e-mail from an unknown source. – Ted
December 30, 2008 at 11:18 am
Ted,
I have come to know them too and also find them the best. They do go hard though, and the Doc gig keeps me at home, which is proabably why you haven’t run into me on the road.
Sometimes I jump in a phone booth and come out a musician, though.
Dr. B
December 30, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Sounds like a wonderful, rather cozy wedding. It’s incredible, being able to go to “functions” and have a good time like you clearly had, Dr. B. You are fortunate in your friends and in your bluegrass community! I hope the newly-weds have an incredible honeymoon if there is one and that their marriage is indeed as wonderful as the wedding day was!
December 30, 2008 at 4:49 pm
great article
December 30, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Sounds like you had a wonderful time! A wedding is something that brings everyone together as a family, no pun intended, and it seems this one did just that! It’s great you had the opportunity to play with such renowned musicians as well; an experience I’m sure you’ll cherish. I’d love to hear more about the “electric suitcase” though.
Best of luck to the newlyweds.
December 30, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Julius,
It was a big family reunion for sure.
The Harris Brothers carry their gear to gigs in an old beat up suitcase. After they set up, they rig up the thing with a kick drum pedal and mic it. It sounds like a bass drum. Those boys rock.
Dr. B
December 30, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Bands,
Thanks. It was all good.
Dr. B
December 30, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Ms. slightly,
It was one of the best weddings I’ve ever been to. I’ve got a feeling these kids are gonna go at life full tilt. Old Doc is just now starting to slow down a little to write about it all.
Dr. B
December 31, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Regardless of the fact that more than half of the marriages end in divorce (and that I’m seeing a couple of folks I thought would go the distance dissolve their marital ties), I’m still a sucker for a wedding.
December 31, 2008 at 3:53 pm
mrschili,
I am too. I guess weddings are like puppies- they always are cute and loveable in the beginning- but I think this one has staying power. I pray they will have all happiness.
Dr. B
January 3, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Reggie and Ryan and the Doc – and the electric suitcase! Wish I could have been there…
January 3, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Ponder,
Aren’t those guys the coolest cats you ever ran into in your life?
Dr. B