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

Up here in the Spokane area, there is a day that comes in August when there is a slight breeze and a chill in the air and you know that even though the calendar says it is August and you know it should be hot, Fall has arrived. Oh sure, there will be more hot days and more sunshine but it is an unmistakable feel and at least in our household, a certain sadness that winter can’t be too far behind with all of it’s gray skies and cold temperatures. But it also signals my favorite time of year, that time between now and the first of October where the nights begin to chill down in the forties but the days are filled with warmth. It seems to have come a little later this year but it is here.

Last weekend we were succesful in getting nine tracks down for the new record. I was surprised because I was hoping for three or four but things went well on Saturday and we knocked out a few on Sunday morning. So far we have three of my original tunes, one by Andre and four covers. Starting with the covers, here they are: Snowin’ On Raton (Townes VanZant), Sing Me Back Home (Merle Haggard) and Sharecropper’s Son (Carter Stanley), Train 45 (I’ll have to figure out who wrote this) Old Uncle Bill, Do You Ever Think of Me, Longin’ In My Heart (me) I’ll See You in Heaven (Andre). I left the list at the studio but I know we got nine altogether. Like I said before, these were recorded live with all of us in the studio at the same time recording together. Real organic.

Headin’ down to Tillamook, Oregon this weekend for Moograss. I’m going to see if Dennis Berck will get up and do Calling My Children Home with us. I’ll bet if we ask him real nice he will. We played this festival a few years ago and had a good time so we’re looking forward to it.

It’s getting late so I will close now and get to bed. Sall of you down the road.

Happy Trails,
Jim

Well, tomorrow night we start that process known as recording. I look forward to it. I dread it. We will gather at Chuck Egner’s place by Leavenworth and get to working on it. We would really like to capture some of the essence of Prairie Flyer-the live energy that we get when we’re playing in front of an enthusiastic crowd. I don’t know if that’s quite possible but we’re going to try. That means we will be trying to put it down as “live” as we can make it. There will be mistakes. Do we leave them and go onto the next song or do we do it over until we get it right? Do overs like this cost money and the more you do over the more nervous you get about the next take. It will not be perfect, I can guarantee that much.
We are winding down the festival season but already gearing up for next year. We have committments for shows next year and looking forward to getting some more. If any of you would like to see us near a venue close to you, contact your local promoters and see if they would like us to do a show.
Happy Trails,
Jim

Hello to all of you out there in Prairie Flyer land! It has been hot here on the old homestead near Spokane but not as hot as it was in Hamilton last week. I don’t have air conditioning in the house so when it gets this hot I go to the basement and try to maintain some degree of sanity. Of course when that doesn’t work I often remember the Dylan tune “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” and the opening line-”When you’re down in rain in Juarez and it’s Easter time too” and that makes me feel a little better. Don’t ask me what happens when that doesn’t work.
Got a few new shows line up in October for anyone in the Moscow, Idaho or Ridgefield, WA area. Looking forward to that and to next month when we actually start recording the latest project. It will be filled with some new originals and a few covers as usual. A few of the songs are ones we have already been playing in some of the live shows so they won’t come as a complete surprise. I think I might have mentioned some of those in my last post but seeing as how I’m getting older I can’t remember.
I have to mow the front lawn tonight and I’m really excited about that in the 90 degree heat but hey, it could be worse.
Happy Trails-Jim

It’s 7:30 am, Montana time and I am sitting in the back of my truck having slept in the back of my truck all night, which is where I spend a lot of nights when we’re out on the road. I call it the Silverado Motel. I told someone last week when we were in Fossil, Oregon that I was staying at the Silverado and they asked me where that was, since there was only one motel in town. I told them it was currently parked at 4th and J streets. Only the best for Prairie Flyer!
Up this morning with a touch of crud in my throat. We have one more show to do this morning and then it’s homeward bound. We are at the Bitterroot Bluegrass Festival with Cedar Hill, New South Fork and whole host of other bands.
Did I mention the heat? Yesterday it was 105 around 2 pm. Of course, once it goes over 95 or so it doesn’t really matter. And it’s been like that for 3 days! Oh well, what else could I be doing for tens of dollars? We are having fun and we had a great show last night. It’s always gratifying when someone comes up and says “You guys are the best band here” and my personal favorite “Your selection of songs is so good”. So, if you ever feel like ingratiating yourself to the band (or any band) just mention those phrases. Or “How about if you come over and take a shower at my place?”
The rest of the crew is still sleeping but there are signs of life in the fairgrounds. Perhaps I will go over to the green tent and have the first of 12 bottles of water for the day. We’re playing at 11 am so it should be good and toasty by then.
We’ve been playing some of the new songs in these sets recently and they seem to get a pretty good response. Longing in My Heart, Old Uncle Bill and But I Don’t Have You have been particularly well recieved.
Well, I’m rambling now so I guess it’s time to go. Hope all is well with you and yours.
Jim