Rhythm Bones Player A Newsletter of the Rhythm Bones Society Volume 10, No. 3 2008 In this Issue The Chieftains Executive Director’s Column and Rhythm As Bones Fest XII approaches we are again to live and thrive in our modern world. It's a Bones faced with the glorious possibilities of a new chance too, for rhythm bone players in the central National Tradi- Bones Fest in a new location. In the thriving part of our country to experience the camaraderie tional Country metropolis of St. Louis, in the ‗Show Me‘ state of brother and sisterhood we have all come to Music Festival of Missouri, Bones Fest XII promises to be a expect of Bones Fests. Rhythm Bones great celebration of our nation's history, with But it also represents a bit of a gamble. We're Update the bones firmly in the center of attention. We betting that we can step outside the comfort zones have an opportunity like no other, to ride the where we have held bones fests in the past, into a Dennis Riedesel great Mississippi in a River Boat, and play the completely new area and environment, and you Reports on bones under the spectacular arch of St. Louis. the membership will respond with the fervor we NTCMA But this bones Fest represents more than just have come to know from Bones Fests. We're bet- another great party, with lots of bones playing ting that the rhythm bone players who live out in History of Bones opportunity, it's a chance for us bone players to Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Ne- in the US, Part 4 relive a part of our own history, and show the braska will be as excited about our foray into their people of Missouri that rhythm bones continue (Continued on page 2) Russ Myers’ Me- morial Update Norris Frazier Bones and the Chieftains: a Musical Partnership Obituary What must surely be the most recognizable Paddy Maloney. In 1962, Paddy, an uillean piper traditional Irish music group in the world, The from Dublin, along with Martin Fay, fiddle, Seán Notice of Pro- Chieftains, through their travels, have spread Potts, tin whistle, Micheal Tubridy, flute, and a posed Amend- their music and instruments across the globe. friend of Paddy's, bodhrán player, David Fallon ment to By-Laws Traditional Irish instruments such as the harp met to record a one-time album for Garech a Columns: and Billycan Pipes are now recognizable instru- Brún's Claddagh label under the title of The Executive Direc- ments in many countries, and nestled firmly in- Chieftains. The musicians were already familiar tor side the group of instruments associated with the (Continued on page 7, Column 2) Chieftains, are the bones. Editorial Bone playing can be heard on a great number of Chieftain recordings, and even seen on the Letters to the cover of one of their albums. Great bone players Editor like Tim Riley from Mystic CT., and Rob‖the bones‘ Coppard, street performer and musician Website of the living in Bantry, Co. Cork Ireland were inspired Quarter to play the bones from listening to their albums. I list myself as someone inspired to play the Recording of the bones by Chieftain recordings when I impul- Quarter sively purchased Chieftains 5 in 1976, never having heard the music, but seeing the bones on Bones Calendar the cover, I had to hear what they sounded like (see photograph on Page 8). Future Issues It‘s true that the bones are not featured on Highlights of every track, but rather are sprinkled through out Bones Fest XII the recordings like sugar on your morning ce- real, or parmesan cheese on spaghetti. Bone playing can be found on over 30 Chieftain re- Chieftains 3 CD cover. From left in front, Peadar Mercier, cordings, some to a greater extent than others, bodhrán and bones, Martin Fay, fiddle, Paddy Maloney, but all with their signature taste and dynamics. ulleann pipes, Sean Keane, fiddle, and in back, Sean Potts, tin The musical architect responsible for forging whistle and Michael Tubridy, flute. Produced by Shanachie the Chieftains and their musical arrangements is Records Corp. Photograph by Claud Virgin 1 Rhythm Bones Player at Bones Fest XII in October.] Editorial I am so pleased and touched that Rhythm Bones Society you cared enough to include Dad's Volume 10, No. 3 The lead article in this issue is on Third Quarter Quarter 2008 obituary in your next newsletter. ISSN: 1545-1380 the Chieftains and their rhythm bones Also, I already had in mind sending playing. As Steve Brown writes, he you the memorial DVD I put together Editor was seriously influence by their for the funeral service. It's all video Steve Wixson rhythm bones playing. A list of their [email protected] clips of him in action, no photos, just CDs with rhythm bones is included. action footage with lots of "bones" Executive Director Wouldn‘t it be great if we could get clips. I thought you and whoever else Stephen Brown them to release a CD compilation of wants to see it would really enjoy it. If [email protected] their rhythm bones tracts. you could email me your address I'd Web Site Coordinator One of my personal favorites is be glad to send you the DVD. Jonathan Danforth Crowley’s Reel from the album James There's one clip of him doing the [email protected] Galway and the Chieftains which drum part for the song "Wipe Out" on showcases Martin Fay‘s clean and Board of Directors his bones that will show you how Steve Brown, Executive Director crisp playing style. good he really was. Everett Cowett A few words for this article were When he came to the bones festival Jonathan Danforth taken from the Website of the Quarter. in Louisville, he had slowed down Gil Hibben, Assistant Director Another installment of Beth Lenz‘ Mel Mercier quite a bit and I've always felt that Jerry Mescher thesis on the History of Bones in the you all didn't really get to see what he Steve Wixson, Secretary/Treasurer US is included in this issue. could do! He sure enjoyed the festival We‘ve made progress on complet- and I wish I could have been there The Rhythm Bones Player is published ing the Russ Myers‘ memorial project quarterly by the Rhythm Bones Society. along with everybody else. Nonmember subscriptions are $10 for one year; and you can soon view the result on I'd also like to mention that at Dad's RBS members receive the Player as part of their your computer. memorial service we opened it with dues. How many of you remember the our family members performing I'll The Rhythm Bones Player welcomes letters to Frazier clan at Bones Fest VII in Lou- the Editor and articles on any aspect of bones Fly Away. We included three bones playing. All material submitted for consideration isville. Norris Frazier died last year players, the jews harp, fiddle, piano is subject to editing and condensation. and his daughter sent his obituary and and two singers. You should have Rhythm Bones Central web site: rhythmbones.com some personal notes. seen the heads turn! It was great, and There are two reports on this year‘s we were told by some that it was the NTCMA Festival and Contests. The most upbeat funeral they'd ever at- Notice of Vote to Mescher Trio performed and taught tended. It was truly Dad. two Bones Workshops. Dennis Riede- Thanks for thinking of Dad and Change By-Laws sel attended his first National Tradi- God bless.... Sandy Riggers tional Country Music Festival and At the Board meeting at Bones Fest competed in the Bones and Spoons (Executive Director Column - Continued from page 1) XI, a motion was made to amend Arti- Contest. Yes, after two years there part of the country as we are to go cle VI of our By-Laws so that our was again a contest. Thanks to Dennis there. And we're betting that even fiscal and tax year co-insides with the and others for competing and making though the country has a bit of an eco- calendar year. Currently our fiscal it happen. I asked Dennis for a short nomic downturn, it's not going to stop year runs from October to September article, but as you will see, he had so us from doing what we always do, of the following year. For this motion much to say about it that a few words play the rhythm bones. to be adopted, it must be voted on by did not work for him. Spike Bones and Scott Miller are the membership at our General Mem- working tirelessly not only to make a bership meeting at Bones Fest XII and festive event, but to make sure its af- passed by at least a three-fourth vote. Letter from Norris fordable for all our members. The original October start date was And while you hear about the woe's selected because our Fests were in Frazier’s Daughter of the airline industry, I was able to September and it made sense to start book the cheapest flight of any bones the new year right after the Fest. More [Editor‘s note. Norris and his wife fest I have ever attended. recently Fests have been held in the attended Bones Fest VII in Louisville So practice those rhythm bones, summer making the October date not and a dozen or more of his family pack that suit case, and prepare your- relevant and confusing to members.