Here we are on the road in beautiful Goldendale, Washington. The festival folks were nice enough to furnish a few motel rooms with internet access so I can keep everyone up to date with Prairie Flyer. And I know you want to kept up to date.
We played our set last night as the sun was expiring in the western sky and the temperature was dropping, although not to an uncomfortable level. I hung around for a short while then came back to the room and watched TV. The glamourous life of a bluegrass musician. Of course, I don’t know what anyone else did but I haven’t seen anyone stirring and it’s 10 am. But as it usually goes I was awake at around 5. Just once I would like to sleep in but I guess it’s not in my genetic makeup-must be those Okie genes.

This afternoon we go play at the hardware store that is sponsoring our appearance at this festival-that would Allyn’s Hardware in Goldendale, WA. I ran by this morning and found it accidentally so we’ll pack our stuff down there and play for awhile.

I’m sitting here listening to Pink Floyd, which is what I’m sure all the big-time bluegrass pickers do when they are stuck in a motel room. “The Wall”, which, if you have not seen the movie, is about a rock musician on the road and all the craziness associated with that. It’s an appropriate piece of music to be listening to in my present lonely mood.

That’s all for now.
Jim

Just an update on the new project. We are finished with the recording process and now we are in the throes of mastering and the art work. I guess I might as well post the titles here but they may or may not necessarily appear in this order:

Longin’ In My Heart
Old Uncle Bill
But I Don’t Have You
Train 45
San Pedro Bar
Summon Down the Demons
Sing Me Back Home
Snowin’ On Raton
I’ll See You In Heaven
Sharecropper’s Son
Roll On
Alhambra

The title of the CD will be Roll On from an instrumental written by Andre and most of the songs were written by us with a few covers thrown in for good measure.

Like always, I will try to be more faithful about writing but hey, I’m busy.

Happy Trails,
Jim

Today is a sad day for Prairie Flyer. About 7:30 this morning I got a call from Andre’, which is not that unusual but I could tell by his voice that something was wrong. It was then that he told me that Richard Doble had died from a heart attack somewhere in Texas.

I met Richard about 12-13 years ago at a bluegrass festival in Sandpoint, Idaho. We had an instant connection, singing Little Feat songs and others that only the two of us knew the words to until about 5 o’clock in the morning. I know we pissed a few people off that night but it was magic for us because we kept going, one obscure song after another until it was time for me to drive home. I will never forget that morning.

I didn’t see Richard for awhile and didn’t really know how to get in touch with him until one night I was working patrol on the south side of Spokane and I saw him coming out of a convenience store at about 1 am. I talked with him a bit and we exchanged phone numbers and that began a long singing partnership that lasted until just a few years ago.

In 1997 we performed as a group with Nikki Young(now Clevenger), Don Oberg and Ru Searson. Richard and I had sung publicly before as a duo and we were particularly fond of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings and learned a lot of their songs. We called ourselves The Barley Brothers even before we hooked up with Nikki and Ru but kept the name after we started the band.

Throughout his time with The Barley Brothers/Prairie Flyer, he provided a strong, gruff baritone to my tenor and to me it was such a pleasure to hear the blend of our voices if we were on stage or traveling to and from a gig. We sang all the time in the truck if he wasn’t sleeping, which was much of the time. During those road trips we got to know each other quite well and shared a lot of tall tales as only road trips can do. I can still tell story after story of things we would do. One of my favorite things was whenever we would go to a small town we would look for a bakery or coffee shop and ask if we could go in and sing a few numbers, which was very easy for him but extremely hard for me because I’m pretty shy at heart. We would inevitably be given a loaf of bread or some coffee or something and once in awhile we would sell a CD or two and invite the locals to the show. But we did it mostly just so we could sing.

I talked to Richard last weekend when I was getting ready for a show in Pasco, Washington. He called me from the road and told me that he had “The Dust of Oklahoma” on his wheels and was currently in Texas. We talked about his upcoming birthday on Monday and how I was going to send him a copy of Levon Helm’s Dirt Farmer CD because I thought there was some stuff on there that he could learn and maybe the next time we were together we could work out some harmonies. He was in good spirits and laughed quite a bit. The last thing he said was something about having to pull into the weigh station and then we said goodbye, neither one of us knowing that it would be the last time.

My heart has been pretty heavy today as you might imagine. I considered Richard to be like a brother to me and even though we drifted a little after he left the band, I thought of him as a friend and always will.

To quote Steve Earle:

We’ll meet again on some bright highway
With songs to sing and tales to tell
I am just a Pilgrim on the road boys
Until I see you fare thee well

We’ll miss you Richard.

Greetings, Sports Fans,
I’ve been meaning to write for quite some time but as usual I have a hard time finding the time between work, play and surviving this winter we have been having up here Spokane. The trip home from Leavenworth a few weeks ago was one for the books. Spokane got about a foot of snow in a 24 hour period and I had to drive home on a freeway that resembled the landscape of the moon. 25 mph in places because of the ruts in the snow. I watched a Toyota 4Runner make three complete 360 degree turns in my rear view mirror as the driver was attempting to pass me.
The old snowblower is getting quite a workout this year and the snow is about two feet deep in places in the front yard. But things are getting better with 40 degree temperatures melting quite a bit the past few days.
On to Prairie Flyer news. The summer schedule is just about set and we’re playing all over the northwest but only one show in Canada so far this coming season, which is unusual for us. We’ll be in Pasco, WA on March 8 and we’re busy for most of the month. We’re still working on the recording (that sounds like a broken record) and hope to have it sometime this summer.
Here’s another song that will definitely be on the new CD as we’ve gotten pretty good response to this in our live shows. It’s called “But I Don’t have You”.

I’ve got tears that keep fallin’
From a heart that’s broke in two
I’ve got your picture and a few good memories
But I don’t have you

I’ve got notes that you wrote me
Where you said that you’d be true
I’ve got your picture and a few good memories
But I don’t have you

(Bridge)
I don’t have you
To talk to in the evenin’
I don’t have you
To tell me it’s alright
I don’t have you
To keep me believin’
I don’t have you
To hold me through the night

I’ve got wheels that keep rollin’
To the ocean deep and blue
I’ve got your picture and a few good memories
But I don’t have you
Hey I’ve got your picture and a few good memories
But I don’t have you

Copyright 2007 Hankboy Publishing All Rights Reserved

When I was a kid, I loved Elvis Presley’s music. We had a nearby radio station in Delano, CA that every week day would play 15 minutes of uninterrupted Elvis Presley and I used to get off the school bus and run the 1/4 mile to home so I could listen to it. Of course, as I grew older Elvis and I drifted apart but I always had a soft spot in my heart for some of his classic songs.

A few weeks ago I was traveling to Leavenworth, WA and had a CD in the player with oldies on it and when # 4 popped up it was “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”. It brought back a memory of when my ex-wife and I decided to make a trip to California and about three hours into it the news of Elvis’ death came across. This was back in the days when there weren’t that many radio stations blasting across Eastern Washington and I can almost tell you exactly where we were when I heard the news. We had planned to drive straight through to home, which in those days was about a 24 hour trip.

We were coming down into the valley from Redding and I had a radio station from San Francisco on and the DJ said something about here’s how a lot of us are feeling tonight-it was about 5 am, I was driving and my ex was in the back asleep. “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” came on and I started crying because that’s exactly how I felt that night. So, I didn’t cry on the trip to Leavenworth but I played that song a few more times and thought about that day in August, 1977.

Here’s a song from the upcoming CD-Longing in My Heart

There’s a longing in my heart
For the way things used to be
I remember at the start
When you said that you loved me
I thought that you and I would be forever
But then he came along
I guess I lost my part
There’s a longing, a longing in my heart
There’s a longing, a longing in my heart

There’s an aching in my soul
For the way you used to feel
There’s a dark and empty hole
For the love I thought was real
I thought that you and I would stay together
But then he came along
I guess I lost my role
There’s an aching, an aching in my soul
There’s an aching, an aching in my soul

There’s a longing in my heart
For the way things used to be
I remember at the start
When you said those things to me
You promised me those boots of Spanish leather
But when I pulled them on
They just fell all apart
There’s a longing, a longing in my heart
There’s a longing, a longing in my heart

Just for today, I’m dedicating it to Elvis.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays
Jim

Howdy friends,
I thought I might share some of the new songs on the new CD, whenever it finally comes to fruition. So here’s my thinking-I will post the lyrics to some of the songs as we go along here in November and December, but first I’m going to put up the lyrics to one that will NOT be on the project. There’s a story that goes with it.
Back in July we played a gig down at the Wheeler County Bluegrass Festival in Fossil, Oregon with the fabulous women in The Misty River Band. I bought their latest CD and while driving to Hamilton, Montana for the next gig, the Bitterroot Bluegrass Festival, I listened to the thing over and over. All the way over and back.

A few days after I got back I got out the Martin and started strumming and came up with this great tune. I thought to myself this is going to be a good song so don’t rush the words. Then I wrote the words. Then I got the nagging feeling that I had sort of heard the tune before. Sure enough, I went out to the truck and turned on the Misty River CD and there it was for the most part. There are a few subtle differences but not enough to make it distinct. So here I am with the words, which I really like but until I come up with a totally different tune, you will not hear this song. Here goes:

I saw you standin’ on the boulevard
Silhouetted by the sun
And you don’t look much different
With all the distance you have run
Oh I really didn’t look that hard
The way I’ve always done
And I shouldn’t have to tell you
But you were the only one

(Chorus)

I remember those summer nights
When the breeze was in your hair
And we danced around the kitchen
When no one else was there
I remember those summer nights
Did you think I could forget?
And the only thing you left me
Was a lifetime of regret

They say you live in Ensenada now
I remember Mexico
And how we went there for my birthday
But that was oh so long ago
I hear you’re eatin’ enchiladas now
That’s how the story goes
And you’re starin’ at the water
With the sand beneath your toes

(Chorus)

Yeah, I know the enchilada verse is a little cheesy (pardon the pun) but a friend of mine said “Don’t change it, I know exactly what you’re talking about”. I really like the part about dancin’ in the kitchen. By the way, the Misty River song is actually a Daniel Lanois song, “Blackhawk and Whitewing Dove” or something like that.
See ya next time when I rip off Dylan (just kidding)
Happy Trails,
Jim

We (Dave, my friend Dave and I) headed out to Montana on Saturday morning. It was a crisp 24 degrees F when we left the house and I drove to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to fuel up because it used to be cheaper in Idaho but that is not the case anymore. There was a guy with about three teeth in his mouth directing traffic around the islands and I thought he worked there until his wife/girlfriend started yelling at him. On the other hand maybe he did work there.
Leaving Coeur d’Alene we took the interstate to Kingston and then over Thompson Pass, which was just past its prime with the tamarack trees turning yellow. Dropped down into Thomspon Falls and then over to Plains. On the way we saw a whole bunch of bighorn sheep-more than 100 easily.

After reaching Plains we took a short drive toward Hot Springs and stayed at the Montana Skies Bed and Breakfast, which was a great place. Fresh Halloween cookies baked by Dorothy and daughter Theresa. Then on to the show, for the Sanders County Coaltion of Families, which combats sexual abuse and domestic violence in this part of the world. Had a good time playing and then we were done.

Happy Trails,
Jim

I didn’t realize it had been that long since I posted anything. Well, I’ve been busy traipsing around the country I guess and time got away from me. There isn’t really too much new with Prairie Flyer except that I have been busy working on the schedule for next year and probably in the not-too-distant future I will post some dates on the website. We have some new venues we’ll be playing next year so we will have to opportunity to spread the PF sound out there a little wider so I hope y’all can make it to at least a show or two.

Nothing new on the recording front either but we hope since we have a bit of a layoff here that we can get back in the studio next month and December and get it ready for next spring.

In the mean time, I have been happy to be watching the baseball playoffs and Boston has just won the first game of the World Series. I don’t have a favorite between the Red Sox or the Rockies but I would like better games from here on out. Ouch to the Rockies!

I’m going to Portland next week for work and hope to get some jamming in while I’m down there. I also have plans to see a nephew of mine that I have not seen for about 25 years. That should kind of weird but I look forward to it.

Happy Trails,
Jim

Tonight I sat out on the back porch and played until the mosquitos drove me inside. After a summer of relative peace they seem to have come out with a vengeance for the last throes of good weather. I have several bites on my hands and a few on my face but it was worth it to sit and play because there won’t be many more days left to do that in this part of the country. I figure if I can play outside in October I’m real lucky.
We played at the Pend Oreille Bluegrass Festival this past weekend and had a great time. I think we actually played a few of our better sets this year. Of course, we have had all year to practice and play the songs so we should be getting them down by now.
I was going to stay in the Silverado Motel but you know what? I opted for the Home Hotel and drove there each night. I was going to check into the Silverado on Saturday night but it just seemed to be a little on the cold side for pickin’ so I said to heck with it.
This weekend we’re out to George, WA for the last of the season. Time to slow down a little bit and get ready for next year. We’ve been getting a few interesting offers and I’ll share those as time goes by and we get things firmed up.

Happy Trails,
Jim

Howdy! We played at Moograss over the weekend and it was a lot of fun. Moograss is a festival in Tillamook, Oregon and its primary purpose is to raise funds for the band programs in the area schools so we were more than happy to particpate in the event. It’s the second time we have played it and the atmosphere is very relaxed and the weather was gorgeous, although it did get a little cold in the Silverado Motel. A stocking cap on the old bald head probably would have taken care of that but I survived.
I got to hang out with old friends like Nikki and Clyde Clevenger, Dennis Berck and a host of others, including the Misty Mamas, Jeff Shippy and Matt Grey.
On Sunday morning, at about 5 am I woke up and had a short debate with myself about staying and I decided to hit the road. I drove up the Oregon coast to Astoria and crossed the bridge into Washington. It was nice being on the road at that time of day because the only people on the road were fishermen and I saw several boats heading out into the Pacific Ocean as I drove north through all the bays. The mouth of the Columbia was really crowded. Not being any sort of fisherman I have no idea what they were trying to catch.
Stopped in Seattle to see my younger son and then headed east to Spokane. Saw some interesting drivers along the way but made it home safe and sound about 7:30 pm as the sun was dipping below the horizon. A perfect day in my book being on the road for about 13 hours.
We are winding down the season over the next two weeks, playing in Cusick, WA next weekend and then George, WA the following weekend. See ya down the road!

Happy Trails,
jim