"Holy Waters" Donna Ulisse: a review by Gary Robertson

To most of the readers of this journal Donna Ulisse is not a a readily recognized name.  My hope is to change that perspective by the end of this review.  I first "met" Donna by email when I was booking groups to play the "Night Owl Concerts" at the IBMA "World of Bluegrass."  My goals were to try to book at least one act that was pretty well known to attract folks into my showcase venue and then to book lesser known talent so they would have a chance to be heard.  Having never heard of Donna Ulisse, I had considered her as one of the lesser known talent.  Lesser known may have been true, but this young woman has a great talent for not only singing great Bluegrass,but also for writing great Bluegrass songs.  Now, I want to tell you all about her new project, an all Gospel effort, with all of the songs written or co-written by Donna herself with the exception of one song.  We'll get to that one later.

The first song on "Holy Waters" is a very Bluegrassy and medium to up tempo song entitled "Caney Creek to Canaan Land."  The message of this song is simply that it's not necessary to leave home to find Jesus because He is wherever you are.  Track 2 is entitled "He Will"  which tells of the promise that Jesus will be with you all the time.  "He Will" is a slower song sung with complete conviction and assurance that Donna believes what she sings.  "Crazy World," the 3rd track, is a driving medium tempo song telling of how sometimes things around us can distract us from our faith.  All of the musicians ; Andy Leftwich on Fiddle, Rob Ickes on Dobro, Scott Vestal on Banjo and Keith Sewell on Guitar, get a chance to stretch out their talents with nice interaction as they weave their instruments together at the end of "Crazy World."  Track 4, "To My Soul I Do" begins with Donna as she prays to her Lord in song accompanied by strong and respectful instrumental back up.  Track 5 is the title song of the CD project, "Holy Waters."  "Holy Waters" is relatively slow in tempo, but full of life as a song speaking of how the singer's life is full of the Holy Spirit, through "Holy Waters."  "You Need to Know," (track 6) is a nice medium tempo song explaining that to get through this life to the next there is but One "You Need to Know."  Remember, all of these songs, but one, are from the pen of Donna Ulisse, as is track 7, "A Promise That He Made."  This is a very pretty, slow to medium tempo song that speaks of her personal relationship with her Savior.  "Cover Me" (track 8) is a strong medium tempo song that asks that God protect her through her trials of life.  I think it's important to say that while Donna has surrounded herself with some of the very best musicians in the Bluegrass world, those musicians realize they are there for one purpose.  That purpose is the support Donna and make her songs the best they can be, which I can assure you they do.  Donna tells her friends that she and they will walk together in Heaven, "High In The Sky." This tune, instrumentally, has the happy feel that the message of the song conveys.  Now we get to the one song on this project that was not written by Donna.  Track 10 is the great Carter Stanley song, "Who Will Sing for Me."  Donna has made this song her very own by her interpretation of it.  Oh, Carter's words are there, as strong as ever, but Donna's heartfelt rendition of them are as powerful as this listener has ever heard.  "New Day in Heaven" is the singer's prayer to her Lord to allow her to die peacefully and to awaken in Heaven with her loved ones.  "Lord I'm Yours" opens with a very Bluegrassy Banjo kick off followed by great instrumental riffs by the band members as Donna sings reminding us all we need to go to get life eternal is to raise our hands up and cry , "I'm Yours."  The last song on "Holy Waters" is a short and very beautiful song/prayer praising and thanking, "My Jesus."

So there you have it, a wonderful CD filled with songs that I believe will become part of the Bluegrass Gospel repertoire of bands all through the Bluegrass world.  If you are looking for an album filled with great Gospel songs sung by a great singer, then this CD is the one you want.  I promise you will be pleased.  Donna will begin a tour schedule on April 9th.  There is only one show that comes close to Central Virginia.  That show will be at the Uptown Coffee Cafe in Victoria, Virginia on July 2nd.  I plan to attend; perhaps you will join me.

From Donna's web site:

Friday, July 2nd, 2010/ 7:00 p.m.

Uptown Coffee Cafe

1812 Main Street, Victoria, VA 23974

434-696-3600

http://www.myspace.com/uptowncoffeecafe

Donna and The Poor Mountain Boys will be doing two 40 minutes shows at this charming family owned cafe starting at 7:00 p.m. Advance tickets will be sold through the cafe during business hours which are: Mon-Thursday 7:30am-3:30pm, Friday 7:30am-9pm, Saturday 8am-3pm, Closed Sunday. Tickets are $10.00 each. Call the cafe for more information at the number listed here. Advance tickets are recommended as seating is limited.

That Cabin Fever sort of Tired!

Yes, I'm very tired, very tired, but it's that good sort of tired.  We've all experienced it.  Like after an extra special weekend at a festival you didn't expect much out of.  Like the picking session that went on into the wee hours of the night and you just have to go to work the next day.  Yeah, I'm tired and I'll just have to blame the "Cabin Fever Pickin' Party" for my weariness.  Being aware of this has caused me to take the Monday after Cabin Fever off just to rest and get my laundry and things done.  The washer is running as I type.  I'm not gonna take the Monday after Cabin Fever off next year, though.  Why?  I've got exciting news (for me anyway!).

On April 23rd, 2010 I will be retiring from my job with the Virginia Department of Transportation with 38 years 11 months service!  A lot of people have asked me what I'm gonna do after retirement.  I'll tell you now that my immediate plans are to sit around long enough to get bored.  That should take about two weeks.  Then I will begin the pursuit of Bluegrass in earnest.  I've always enjoyed traveling and meeting new people, so I will travel to places I've always wanted to go, with Bluegrass being an integral part of each trip.

I also plan to begin working on losing some of this terrible amount of fat I am carrying.  Since I am type II diabetic, my feet simply cannot stand the punishment of walking.  I love to walk, but it is simply out of the question, therefore I will be purchasing an elliptical trainer.  With this machine I can get the exercise I need from walking without the impact of slapping me feet against the pavement with every step. You see, I am wise enough to know that I can't enjoy my traveling to other places without the ability and endurance to walk around the national parks and festival grounds.  I will become smaller, albeit it very slowly.

Let's get back to why I'm so tired.  I've been anticipating Cabin Fever for months and i had my car packed and ready to go days before the day of departure, which for me was Tuesday.  I had planned to leave home at around 11AM so that when I arrived my room would be ready and I would simply breeze through the check-in procedure.  Like a kid on Christmas morning I was wide awake by 6AM and showered and walking the floor by 7AM.  What the heck was I gonna do to keep myself busy for the next 4 hours?  I have tons of DVDs and decided to look at a couple of them to fill the time.  I sort of made a mistake in my choice of videos, because I put Volume 1 of the "Best of Flatt & Scruggs" series.  I was twisting in my chair before it ended and gave up all hope of sticking to my plan.  I left home slightly before 8AM.  I arrived in Hampton at the Holiday Inn less than 2 hours later.  I was way too early to try to check in, so I drove back down Mercury Blvd. to the Cracker Barrel for my favorite breakfast of French Toast.  Still it wasn't yet 11AM when I tried to check in.  Now, I want you to try to visualize this, if you can.  I drove all the way around the Holiday Inn and there could not have been more that 15 or 20 cars in the entire parking lot and some of those had to be employee cars.  So I went inside and get a luggage cart.  I chose the only one that had knobs on the end from which you can hang bags.  I loaded everything on it and rolled it into the building.  As soon as the wheels hit the carpet I knew something wasn't right.  Both of the swivel tires were woefully under-inflated, or as I like to say it "damn near flat!"  It was a struggle just to get the cart up to the check-in desk.  I told the lady my name and, can you believe it, se told me my room wasn't ready.  There are hundreds of rooms in this Holiday Inn and there are 15 cars in the lot and my room wasn't ready.  So, I was forced to wait.  I took this opportunity to get my Banjo off the cart and pick and sing a few songs, making me the first person to arrive at Cabin Fever and the first one to pick and sing.  By 12:30 my room was ready and I then proceeded to drag this miserable cart toward the elevators.  Within a minute I was huffing & puffing and beginning to sweat.  Then this nice lady, a cleaning supervisor, came along and insisted on taking over my chore.  By the time we reached the ramp up to my room level she had had all she could take and called a man to push/pull the cart the remaining  distance.  Once unpacked I went back down to the lobby to wait for more folks to arrive.  Bruce Land was the first I saw.  Then his friend Willie came in.  Gradually by evening about 25 musicians (Including "Sarge" from Georgia whom I demoted to Corporal for the weekend.) had arrived and two distinct jams began.  Cabin Fever was under way!

Jack & Peggy Woodall arrived on Tuesday from Spout Spring, VA (You'll have to look that one up!).  It was great to see these good friends.  Later that evening Bill & Gertie Richardson drove over and the 5 of us went out to Appleby's for dinner and socializing.  We had a very nice evening.

Wednesday brought many more people and Cabin Fever began to shape up in earnest.  From this point on Cabin Fever begins to blur for me.  The days seem to all blend into one.  Oh, there were some exceptional jam sessions.  Sad to say I have allowed my Banjo playing to slip more with each passing year and I simply was not good enough to join in on any of them.  The best jams are the ones in private rooms.  This is true simply because the acoustics in the main part of the hotel are so poor that all of the music tends to blend together into cacophony that then becomes a roar.  I dubbed it the "Cabin Fever Roar."  The greatest difference between this year's "Cabin Fever Roar" and those in the past was the cloud of smoke was not present.  That in itself was a 1000% improvement.

All of these days blur together for me leading up to my late night showcases called "The Night Owl Concerts."  Everything went along without a hitch and for 3 solid hours those who were present were treated to six great performances.  For more about who played, please check out my previous blog entry by clicking here.  I tried to meet with each and every band member after each showcase to thank them for their participation.  Again a special thank you to each band who helped keep the "Night Owl Concerts" one of the most anticipated parts of the weekend we all know and love as simply Cabin Fever. And, to you "night owls," and you know who you are, thanks for sticking around until the last note was played.

The thing that puts the capper on being that Cabin Fever sort of tired is the re-packing of the car (Since a luggage cart is impossible to find, you have to tote everything to the car and those 21 steps down from the 2nd floor will take their toll by that last trip down.) and the drive home and then unpacking and stowing everything.  By then I am done in.  I've had a good night's sleep and yet I'm still tired.  Oh well, I won't have to take Monday off next year!

Please don't forget the final concert of the Appomattox Bluegrass Series will be March 21st at 2PM featuring the "First Lady of Bluegrass" Rhonda Vincent & The Rage.  I will see you there, won't I?  For more info from a previous blog click here.

"NUFF SAID!"

"Night Owl Concerts" Schedule is set

Good Morning!  This will be a brief post to announce that I have finally completed booking and have a set schedule for the Virginia Bluegrass Family's "Night Owl Concerts" to be held in the Holiday Room of the Holiday Inn late on the night of Saturday March 6, 2010 as part of the "Cabin Fever Pickin' Party."

Last year we had eight bands of which they each played a 25 minutes set.  This was the plan this year except a couple of the bands I  had booked were unable to perform.  Therefore, I decided to revert to the old format of 6 bands with each of them performing 30 minute sets.  My schedule is as follows:

11:00PM - Flatland Bluegrass Band

11:30PM - Jollet Lane

12:00AM - Mill Run

12:30AM - Deep Creek

1:00  AM - Eddie Gill & The Grassmasters

1:30  AM - Hard Knox

I hope you are looking forward to Cabin Fever as much as I am.  Today, as I post this blog the date is February 7th, 2010.  Exactly a month from today Cabin Fever will be but another fond memory as we all make our way back toward home.

Don't forget Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver will be at Appomattox High School on March 7th at 2PM.  If I can keep my eyes open I will attempt to stay up all night after the "Night Owl Concerts" and make my way to Appomattox to see Doyle.  Wish me luck!

"NUFF SAID!"

"Cabin Fever Pickin' Party Coming Right Up! - March 4th thru 7th + Appomattox Bluegrass Series continues W/Doyle Lawson on March 7th & Rhonda Vincent on March 21st

You know, March used to be a pretty slow month for Bluegrass, but not anymore.  There's so much happening in March it's almost unbelievable.  First things first!  The 15th annual (Can you believe it!) "Cabin Fever Pickin' Party gets underway beginning Thursday, March 4th on through Sunday, March 7th.  That sounds like a long weekend, but anyone who has experienced Cabin Fever will tell you it is over in a flash.

Each year I try to entice you to attend Cabin Fever with a few of my memories.  Those first few years when we were growing were probably some of my fondest times.  Back then the Southside Virginia Bluegrass Band was enjoying popularity all around Central Virginia.  The band consisted of the late Billy Dooley on Guitar and lead/harmony vocals; Ralph Westfall on Banjo and lead/harmony vocals; Johnny Williams (The same Johnny Williams now playing in Borrowed Time.) on Mandolin and harmony vocals and Sig Williams on Bass and lead/harmony vocals.  Billy Dooley was larger than life and if he was around, well, you knew it.  Southside played mostly covers of great traditional Bluegrass and a few songs written by Billy and a fast and furious instrumental (Deep Creek) written by Ralph Westfall.  I believe I am right in telling you that the Southside Virginia Bluegrass Band was the very first band to officially perform at Cabin Fever. As a friend of all of these folks I enjoyed some great times with them with  Cabin Fever being a highlight of my memories of this friendship.

Now, back to Cabin Fever of today.  Cabin Fever is one of the greatest bargains to be had in Bluegrass music.  The cost for the entire 4 days is a meager $25 if purchased before February 28th, 2010.  Click here for web order form and band schedule. But even if you wait to buy your ticket at the door it's only $30.  How can you go wrong?  Here's how!  The folks who run Cabin Fever do it for the love of the music.  Obviously they don't make much money at $25 per person.  They have always priced Cabin Fever at one simple price, now $25.  This ticket price is the same if you are there all 4 days or simply want to be there 1/2 a day.  The ticket price is simply $25.  Sooooooooo, that being said, why in the world would you want to come for less than the entire 4 wonderful days of pickin' and grinnin' and visitin' with your Bluegrass friends in a nice comfortable indoor setting.  If you've never been to Cabin Fever let me in on a secret.  When you order your tickets in advance [Send a self addressed stamped envelope to: Cabin Fever, Inc., 909 Francis Road, Glen Allen, VA 23059] you are sent a schedule of showcases, but more important, you receive a 2011 hotel reservation form, for next year.  A hotel reservation form box will be on the Holiday Inn check in desk beginning some time Thursday.  It is very important that you get that form in that box as early as possible for your best chance at getting the room you want in 2011.

Most of the best motel rooms are already booked by those of us who were at Cabin Fever last year, but there are rooms available within walking distance of the Holiday Inn, so don't fret (Oops, another pickin' term!) and call the Holiday Inn reservation center @ 1-800-842-9370 and ask for "group reservations."  Be sure to mention Cabin Fever.  I've known many who have called late for rooms and were successful in getting a room.  My best advice to you is to be kind and patient while these folks work to find you accommodations.

I've been quite lazy this year and still haven't solidly set the lineup for the "Night Owl Concerts" in the Holiday Room on Saturday night at Cabin Fever.  I do, However, have the first 6 bands scheduled.  They are: Flatland Bluegrass Band; Jollet Lane; Code Blue; Mill Run; Deep Creek; & Eddie Gill & The Grassmasters. I promise I'll have things booked solid by my next post.

The Appomattox Bluegrass Series wraps up in March with two great concerts.  The first is by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver on Sunday, March 7th followed two weeks later by Rhonda Vincent & The Rage on Sunday, March 21st.  Both shows begin at 2PM with doors opening at approximately 1PM.  There's not much I can add to the many accolades these two bands piled upon them other to remind you that sometimes these shows do sell out.  Be sure to reserve those tickets by calling Kelly smith at 434-248-6105 or by emailing her at kellyandallen@yahoo.com.  Tickets are $15 either in advance or at the door.

As you can see by reading about my "Night Owl Concerts" at Cabin Fever, I'll be up really late Saturday night (Actually, early Sunday morning!) making seeing the Doyle Lawson show difficult.  Now, I can get there, but whether my eyes can stay open to see the show is another matter.  We'll just have to see how it all goes.

Be sure to check out the James River Bluegrass Association.  They have a huge photo album featuring many photos from the recent Larry Stephenson concert held in Madison Heights at the Bingo Hall.  There's lots of photos of the crowd, so if your were there you might be in the photo album.  If you weren't there you'll certainly see pictures of a lot of your friends who did attend.

Whew!

"NUFF SAID!"

Weekend of January 23rd & 24th Big on Bluegrass! Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver @ WEAG on 23rd & Dailey & Vincent @ Appomattox on 24th

That's right we've got a big weekend of Bluegrass on the way.  On Saturday night at the West End Assembly of God, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver perform an evening of all Gospel music.  Doyle is known for his devotion to God and the fine Gospel music he and his band deliver.  They sing wonderful a cappella songs as well as songs accompanied by the full band.  The show begins at 7PM with advance tickets for sale at the WEAG bookstore.  Contact Katie Porter @ 804-754-0723 for "will call" tickets.  There is no savings by buying your tickets in advance, but be forewarned, Doyle is quite popular and his shows often sell out.

Then, after a good nights sleep, it's time to drive out to Appomattox, Virginia for a fine afternoon of music by the Doyle Lawson "School of Bluegrass" graduate Jamie Dailey as Dailey & Vincent take the stage at 2PM in the Appomattox County High School Auditorium.  By now most of you should know all about Dailey & Vincent, but for those who may have been asleep the last three years, here goes.  Jamie Dailey worked as Guitarist and lead & tenor singer of the band Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.  His partner Darrin Vincent worked with Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder as a part singer and the arranger for many of Ricky's biggest hits.  Jamie & Darrin had both been feeling the need to move on from their present bands and in a chance meeting took the opportunity to sing and play a few songs together.  Finding a mutual friendship and a kinship in their musical goals the decided to leave their respective bands and create Dailey & Vincent.  Wow!  They are great.  I was lucky enough to attend their very first public performance at the IBMA World of Bluegrass three years ago.  Again, wow! With Jeff Parker on Mandolin and vocals, both lead and tenor and Joe Dean Jr. on Banjo and remarkable bass vocals, Dailey & Vincent present a show that is musically and visually entertaining.  Tickets are $15 in advance or at the door.  As with the Doyle Lawson concert at WEAG, I suggest buying your tickets in advance by contacting Kelly Smith either by email at kellyandallen@yahoo.com or by phone at 434-248-6105 for "will call" tickets. 

[I have found that there are some who don't understand what I mean when I say "will call" when mentioning getting tickets in advance.  "Will call" simply means that you arrange for tickets to be held in your name at the box office of the event.  Most all venues allow for "will call" advance reservations.  "Will call" is a trust between the promoter and the attendee.  If you arrange for "will call" tickets and you don't show up you will be remembered the next time you try to arrange for this type of advance reservation of tickets, so please honor your obligation.]

The "Cabin Fever Pickin' Party" is coming up the weekend of March 4th through the 7th.  Make sure your reservations are correct.  I'll tell you more about Cabin Fever and our "Night Owl Concerts" next weekend.  Until then.......

"NUFF SAID!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR from your Bluegrass friend, Gary Robertson

Merry Christmas everyone.  I hope this Christmas season brings  joy and comfort to you and your family.  May your New Year, 2010, be the best.  Make sure to have plenty of New Year's resolutions to break, but keep the ones you are sincere in making.

Don't forget the Appomattox Bluegrass Series begins early this year with IIIrd Tyme Out  performing at 2PM at the Appomattox County High School Auditorium.  Tickets are $15 in advance or at the door, but to be sure of getting your seat make reservations.  To see more info, read my previous blog entry about this wonderful Bluegrass Series at Appomattox.

Again, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"NUFF SAID!"

Appomattox Bluegrass Series Begins Jan. 3rd, 2010 with IIIrd Tyme Out. Also, The James River Bluegrass Association Has A New Web Site

Yes, you read that right, 2010 won't be very old when the Appomattox High School Athletic Boosters Club will present IIIrd Tyme Out at the Appomattox High School Auditorium beginning at 2:00PM.  This year the Appomattox Bluegrass Series has been reduced to only 4 concerts, but my oh my these are some of the very best in the business.  On January 24th Dailey & Vincent will make their 3rd appearance.  These fellows have done no less than soar through the top of the Bluegrass realm.  The series takes a break through the month of February and then brings the inimitable Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver in on Sunday, March 7th.  It will be interesting to see Doyle's 2010 "crop."  Then just two short weeks later the queen of Bluegrass, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage will make their annual appearance.  All shows start at 2PM with the doors usually opening by 1PM.  Tickets are $15 per show whether purchased in advance or the day of the show.  I want to warn you that these shows almost always sell out each year, so you best go ahead and order your tickets now.  By the way, they make great Christmas gifts for you fellow Bluegrass friends and family.  For advance tickets call Kelly Smith at 434-248-6105 or email her at kellyandallen@yahoo.com.  You can arrange to have tickets held at the door, so that you are sure to get a seat.  I'll be reminding you again about these great concerts, but wanted to give you this early heads up so you won't miss a single one.  So, don't forget Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out on Sunday January  3rd at 2PM.  I'll see you there!

While we're thinking about Bluegrass in the area surrounding Appomattox, Lynchburg area, I have been advised that the James River Bluegrass Association has a brand new web site.  The web address is: www.jamesriverbluegrassassociation.com.  That's a really long web address so make sure you add it to your favorites so you can check out what is happening with this great Bluegrass club.  By the way, the web site has Crawdaddy Dave as the webmaster, so you know it will be a quality site.  If you have information you would like to share with the club simply drop in on the site and click the "contact" link and email them your information.

I also wanted to tell you I just arrived back home from a wonderful weekend celebrating the 60th birthday of Jack Woodall.  The event was held at Peggy Woodall's, now deceased, parents house.  All of the furniture had been removed from this old two story farm house and it was kept cozy warm by two old "oil circulators."  How many of you remember this type of heat?  At one time there were probably 75 folks crammed into this old house and the Bluegrass music was rattling the walls.  Thanks to Jack & Peggy for a really fine weekend of Bluegrass, eating and simply good old fashioned fun with friends

"NUFF SAID!"