The Kitchen Musician ~ January 2015

Hello Friends,

I have been spending a lot of time recently looking through old files and photos at my mother’s house. It has me thinking about where I came from. I’ll share a little of that with you this month, in “The Kitchen Musician.”


Index
  News:
  This Month’s Music: Lovesick Blues and No Letter Today
  Upcoming Shows
  Featured Non-Profit: Ukes for Schools


Photo: circa 1975


News

As the winter settles in to New England, I am taking a little break from active touring for six weeks. My next big show is on February 21st. Scroll down the page for details.


This Month’s Music
Lovesick Blues


As sung by Hank Williams.
Find the lyrics in the comments section below.

I suppose it is normal to look back over the previous year as we replace the 2014 calendar with 2015. In my case, I have been looking even farther back as I clean up my childhood home to prepare it for sale. In my mother’s cellar was an old television set, like the one pictured on the left. This was the set on which I watched Gabby Haze, The Lone Ranger, The Cisco Kid, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Gene Autry and many other cowboy-themed shows. I loved everything that had to do with cowboys, especially the music. My favorite singer was Hank Williams, who died on New Years Day in 1953. I would secretly stay up long after my bed time to listen to “hillbilly music” on The Jamboree show on WWVA radio from Wheeling, West Virginia.

Here is an example of the kind of old television broadcast that I remember watching with my family on weekend nights. (We’ll have to forgive June Carter for her stereotypically bad female hillbilly introduction.)


Anita Carter and Hank Williams singing
I Can’t Help it if I’m Still in Love With You

While rummaging through my old homestead, I stumbled upon a rare family treasure – a reel-to-reel tape from 1970 (or thereabouts) – a recording of an informal family singing session at my grandmother’s house is Scranton, PA.

I vividly remember the day we recorded. As a college student far from home, I missed the family singing sessions of my youth. I decided to record one to take back to school to help me fend off my homesickness. The video below combines one song from that recording session with a few photos to show you what some of the singers looked like.


Aunt Carrie, Gramma and me performing No Letter Today. Recorded circa 1970.
As sung by Hank Snow.

Memories are a precious gift.

– Tom

(If so inclined, I invite you to leave a comment by scrolling to the end of this page.)


Upcoming Shows

Saturday, February 21, 2015, Needham, MA
SAVE THE DATE. I am thrilled to co-headline with Chris Pahud at the Homegrown Coffeehouse, proudly celebrating their 30th anniversary of bringing the very best of local and touring folk artists. The carrot cake alone is worth the price of admission! Special guests: Seth Connelly and Bob Metzger.

Friday, March 13, 2015, Bridgewater, MA
I am proud to launch the 2015 series for Cherry Bridge House Concerts. Looking forward to doing two full sets, hosted by Andy and Judy Daigle.

Saturday & Sunday, April 25-26, 2015, Mansfield, MA
I return to the New England Folk Festival with two shows.

Click to view details for all upcoming shows.


Featured Non-profit: Ukes for Schools

Ukes for Schools“We are an arm of River City Ukulele Orchestra , dedicated to bringing the joy of music to elementary and junior age school children at NO COST to the kids involved.

Thru a special partnership with The Strum Shop and Kala Brand Musical Instruments, we are able to provide very nice quality, beginner grade ukuleles to kids in various schools around the Sacramento Valley. As of this writing, Nov 2014, we have almost 700 ukuleles distributed throughout the Greater Sacramento Area and beyond! And we’ve only just begun… We are a non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation, so any and all donations are tax deductible.

We […] believe that music can and does help a child grow up to be a much happier and more productive person in life.”

Please join me in supporting the work of Ukes for Schools.

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9 Comments
  • Tom
    January 3, 2015

    Lovesick Blues
    By Irving Mills and Cliff Friend

    I got a feelin’ called the blues, oh, Lawd
    Since my baby said goodbye
    And I don’t know what I’ll do
    All I do is sit and sigh-igh, oh, Lawd
    That last long day she said goodbye
    Well Lawd I thought I would cry
    She’ll do me, she’ll do you, she’s
    got that kind of lovin’
    Lawd, I love to hear her when she calls me
    Sweet daddy, such a beautiful dream
    I have to think it all over
    I’ve lost my heart it seems
    I’ve grown so used to you some how
    Well, I’m nobody’s sugar daddy now
    And I’m lonesome
    I got the Lovesick Blu-ues.

    Well, I’m in love, I’m in love, with a beautiful gal
    That’s what’s the matter with me
    Well, I’m in love, I’m in love, with a beautiful gal
    But she don’t care about me
    I tried and I tried, to keep her satisfied
    But she just wouldn’t stay
    So now that she is leavin’
    This is all I can say.

    [Repeat first verse]

    ============

    No Letter Today
    By Frankie Brown

    No letter today I have waited since dawn
    I’ve waited each day since you have been gone
    No letter today all the days are so long
    Why don’t you write I know I was wrong.

    Just give me one chance please won’t you forgive
    I’ve loved you my dear for as long as I lived
    I know it’s no use but I hope and I pray
    The postman goes by no letter today.

  • Deb Goss
    January 3, 2015

    You all have the music in you for sure! In our family it was more often ‘Sing Along with Mitch’ as we weren’t too country music oriented, but Lord, I wanted to be Dale Evans or Annie Oakley SO bad. “Happy Trails To You” is still one of my favorite songs to sing harmony on.
    I’m still living part time in our VT house because things aren’t selling well up here. I too found a few reel-to-reels and had them digitized, nothing earth-shattering but lots of talent and love.
    Continued good adventures in memory and best of luck in the real estate market. – Deb

  • Pat
    January 4, 2015

    How absolutely wonderful! What treasures you found. And aren’t we so fortunate to have been given the gift of a love of music. Thanks for sharing Tom.

  • Maggie
    January 4, 2015

    Oh, Tom, precious gifts, indeed. I love seeing the old photos and videos of you and your family, glimpses and snatches of the beginnings of your love for music. Treasures! Thank you.

  • Trisha
    January 4, 2015

    Treasured memories, indeed! You sure do come from a musical family! What lovely voices have lit your path. Thanks for carrying on with your own respectful and talent filled renditions – our treasures to keep! xo

  • Suzen
    January 4, 2015

    Very special to have these recordings to go with old photos. I may even have a few of us kids talking and singing, nothing of Dad or Mom though. We didn’t play music together as a family like you did. Precious. You inspire me to gather some fun to share! Thanks!

  • Ruthann Baler
    January 4, 2015

    This was so enjoyable, Tom — a nostalgic tribute to the past at the dawn of a new year. And nice performance by the Kitchen Musician!

  • Joe
    January 5, 2015

    Thanks for sharing these beautiful glimpses into your musical family and your roots Tom! Except for your hair being white and thinner, I swear you haven’t changed at all! Cheers!

  • Elaine
    January 9, 2015

    Tom,
    OMG! (I don’t say that very often.)
    I noticed this via facebook. Loved hearing you all singing and seeing the photos.
    Thank you for sharing your special memories.
    I have been having lots of memories myself…
    Elaine