Musical Influences

I started taking a banjo class last week. I know, I tried learning a few years back and gave up, only to leave my banjo collecting dust in a closet. But this time is for real! I'm in a class of about 15 folks, some learning old time style like me, and some learning Bluegrass. It's been fun and I can already play Bile 'Em Cabbage Down. For non-Appalachians, that translates to Boil Those Cabbages Down. The song's a real classic. Here's an old photo of my teacher, Wayne Erbsen: I've always wanted to play music and it's great to have something to do around the house besides cook and clean that is just for me. I also get to pull out all of those old banjo recordings I have hidden in my CD collection that have been neglected for a long time. I'm glad that Louise gets to grow up around live music and the music of her southern hillbilly roots.

Michiganders fear not! Mike is making sure that she doesn't get to steeped in old timey Appalachian culture. He has been making sure that she has lots of other influences, like AC/DC! She's been singing Thunderstruck for weeks, even thought she just heard the song for the first time yesterday. So, here's to Louise's latest favorite band, AC/DC!