Ogriff’s Session With RagTag Irish Band

Doug and I play music in a group called RagTag Irish Band.  We play every second and fourth Wednesday at Ogriff’s Irish Pub on the square in Quincy, Illinois.  Music is from 6:00pm to 8:00pm so if you’re ever out and about and in the area … stop by and tell us hello!

With it being the day before Thanksgiving we had three band members gone but we had a great session and lots of fun. 

Got to see Dotty who is one of my bestest of friends.  She did the video you’ll see over on the Facebook page.

The players this evening were as follows:

·         Lisa on the fiddle 

·         Dave on guitar and mandolin

·         Rae on drum

·         Robert on mandolin

·         Rob on percussion and harmonica

·         Doug on guitar

·         Ava on tenor banjo

We played a lot of tunes and the time went by too quickly.  My calls for the evening were Soldier’s Joy, Liberty, St. Anne’s Reel, Paddy on the Railroad, Spootiskerry and Johnny’s Wedding.  You see, we all take turns choosing songs around the circle.  So it’s always a surprise to hear what is going to be played next.  Keeps you on your toes! 

There's a video and it can be found on the Facebook page which has the same name as this blog ... Music For You and Fun For Me.  You're invited to like the page if you haven't already.  In it we are playing Swallow Tail Jig and Road to Lisdoonvarna.  Thank you again Dotty for taking the video for me.

As always, thanks for stopping by the blog. 

Happy Music To You and Happy Thanksgiving!

Ava Potterfield

11/23/16

Doug's Fiddle

One of my favorite parts of the day is listening to my husband Doug play the fiddle. 

It’s usually in the evening and it is a fantastic way to end the day.  Right now he’s working on Rubber Dolly and learning the double stops to play in it.  He’s also working on our theme song The Corn Crib Reel which I wrote for our group called The Corn Crib Pickers.  It always makes me smile to hear him play it.

You will notice in this picture that there is a dog on his lap.  Sometimes they all just relax and listen but other times they are jealous and want Doug to hold them instead of practice his music.  This was one of those times.  Dooley is just reminding him that he is supposed to be in his lap.  Dooley is a big dog and he is actually standing there in front of Doug with his head laying in Doug’s lap.  Too cute!!!!

Music blesses our lives every day whether I’m playing, Doug is playing or we’re listening to someone else play.  That is my hope for everyone.  Take the time to relax and let music touch your soul.  You will be a better person for it.

Happy Music To You!

Ava Potterfield

Doug and Ava ... Music Together

One of the biggest joys in life is to share the things you love with the person that you love.

For Doug and me … one of those things that we love to do is play music together.

We met playing music at a Bluegrass Festival in Hannibal, Missouri at the Hannibal Inn.

He was one of many people that I met and played music with that night.

He and his family founded, hosted and played with a group called North Ely Opry.

I was invited that night to join them for some music and that was the beginning of our friendship.

I was playing with a session group in Hannibal founded by Chris Foss

that met weekly at Breadeaux Pizza.

I was also playing with the group that I founded called River’s Edge

that played weekly at LaGondola in Quincy, Illinois.

After being invited to play with North Ely Opry I also began playing regularly with them as well.  

Doug was playing mandolin and fiddle at the time

(he now also plays guitar and tenor banjo)

and I was playing the fiddle, tenor banjo, guitar and singing.

We’ve been playing music together ever since!

After being friends for two years …

We dated for a year …

We were engaged for three years …

And then we got married!

He is the love of my life and the sweetest person that I have ever known.

We are still having fun together and playing lots of music.

We play Celtic and Old Time music with a group called RagTag Irish Band.

We have our own group called The Corn Crib Pickers

where we play country, bluegrass and a mix of fiddle tunes.

We also play country, bluegrass and soft rock with me on guitar and vocals and him on the bass.

We have so much fun together no matter what we are doing …

even when it’s just lounging around being couch potatoes. 

Here’s to many more years of happiness and music with the one I love!

Happy Music To You!

Ava Potterfield