Banjo Birthday and cigar box banjos

We just came home from White Springs. Last night we hosted the Cracker Coffeehouse and it was a fun evening. They packed in a crowd of 250 folks and as a group they had really good voices. I called my Mom from stage and the audience sang "Happy Birthday" to her (she's 75) over the phone. We had several other birthdays in the audience as well. My birthday is on February 10th so I celebrated by bringing a chocolate with fudge icing, giant birthday cake, and the crowd ate every crumb during the intermission. I even saw folks licking their fingers. :)
We also celebrated Groundhogs Day and Valentine's Day and ended the evening with everyone singing "Dream, Dream" in a sing a long. Wish you could have been there.
Bob gave me some wonderful birthday news! As most of you know, I am on banjo restriction. This means I am not allowed to buy, rescue, ask for, or even dream or look at a new banjo. Since I got a couple very nice banjos last year--it seems fair to me. In fact, I didn't even put a new banjo on my Christmas list or have I asked for one for my birthday. When my husband asks what I'd like--I just say "don't get me anything. "
He couldn't stand it anymore and ordered me a cigar box banjo for my birthday. He said it wouldn't be in for a couple months--but he couldn't keep it a secret any longer.
Here is where he ordered it:
http://www.atgproductions.com/mazelcoffins/banjo.html
I can't wait to see and hear it. I'll put up more about it later after it comes in!

Who would have thought that Bob would end up missing all the squealing and jumping up and down that accompany a new banjo through the door?

Groundhog News Flash/Evening News for Feb. 2

NEWS RELEASE

From the Susquehanna Sherman Ground Hog Club Headquarters, Mount Wolf, PA

At 7:45 AM, February 2nd, 2006, Susquehanna Sherman saw his shadow at sunrise. His prediction is for six more weeks of winter. Note that, due to the partly cloudy conditions, his shadow was not clear and strong. Therefore, Sherman foresees three additional fortnights of mild winter.

Tim Smith
Co-President
Susquehanna Sherman Ground Hog Club
Mount Wolf, PA

Susquehanna Sherman has been predicting the weather from the same location since 2003.

Susquehanna Sherman is a stuffed "melano" groundhog owned by the Susquehanna Sherman Ground Hog Club (SSGHC). The club has now grown to two members. Co-President and Co-Founder of the SSGHC, Tim Smith, was present at this morning's ceremony and took the picture. The other Co-President and Co-Founder, who shall remain nameless, has a job and was unable to attend.

Smith resides in an exclusive trailer park in the Mount Wolf area and currently houses Susquehanna Sherman. For more information, call 717-266-6300.

This news was actually available this morning, but I just got home from work and this was the first time I could blog it.

Other Breaking News For Today---I won an ebay auction for a spanking new red Hawaiin print dog collar for my basset hound, Jezebel. While walking last week, a neighbor pointed out that I should be reported for basset abuse because Jez was still wearing her Christmas collar (it is a red, green and gold plaid and could actually be worn as a Celtic theme collar--it's not like it had little Santas all over it or anything!) Anyway, I live in a major dog neighborhood where the dogs are spoiled brats and the owners love living under the paw. Anyway--Jez will have her new Hawaiin collar soon and will be one of the firsts on the block in her new spring attire.
Yes--the dog accessory and fashion police will be pleased and I will get to keep my doggie another year. :)

Happy Groundhog Day/gourd banjo alternatives

Okay--I have seen a groundhog live--but in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. I'm a native of Florida and there may be groundhogs here, but I have never actually seen one. We have zillions of possum and an abundance of deer, racoon, squirrels, gators, turtles, tortoise, snakes, birds, insects (even more than possum--there are over 70 species of grasshoppers alone in Florida :) And our mosquitoes are spectacular !

We have lots of animals around here. I even saw a wild boar cross the road on old highway 19 between Tallahassee and Crystal River (it was actually near the sign that said "Gulf Hammock"--no joke.) just last year.

But no groundhog. Therefore, I thought it might be a good idea for my banjo that looks the most like a wild thing (my gourd banjo) to take the proxy yoke of groundhogship in North Florida for the day.

It has been raining like crazy all day and it was not necessary to put the gourdie out in the rain to determine that there was no shadow. :) So back to the house to pick by the fireplace a few more weeks before venturing forth into the spring festival season outdoors. :)

And here's a photo of Sherman, a stuffed groundhog (from Pennsylvania) celebrating the day!

Countdown on groundhog's day eve

Here we are, only three hours left of Ground Hog Day's Eve. Here is a sneak preview of a pretty special groundhog. This photo of "Sherman" is used with the permission of "Save the banjos" Tim Smith. Tim is a major player in the wave of "Banjo Rescue" which has become a popular pastime of banjo enthusiasts of the new century.

One Day till Ground Hog Eve!

It's almost here--the best month of the year! February! The month of Ground Hogs, Presidents, Lovers and Banjo Pickers!
February 1st--Ground Hog Eve
February 2nd-Ground Hog Day
February 3rd Ground Hog Boxing Day
February 4th--Mom's Birthday
More days to come!

If you're just waiting around for ground hogs and celebrations like these two--here's the official site to get you in the mood!

http://www.groundhog.org/

February ! All that romance and groundhogs too!

Only two days till Groundhog's Day Eve!
Here's a link to get you excited for the main event on the 2nd.
http://www.groundhog.org/
Guess many banjoist and dulcimerists are getting all warmed up with the ground hog song.
Bob was even plunking out the melody on his guitar last night. :)
What a day--what a month. All that romance and groundhogs too!

Love my new banjo

Really enjoying my new Deering banjo. It came in just in time for us to record four tunes with it on our new CD, Banjo Dreamin' Suwannee Nights, which hopefully will be out soon.

Podcast of gut strung banjo

Kattywompus String Band has put up a Podcast page with several podcasts on it. How to play the guitar, how to record a CD at home, interviews with bands, and a banjo video of me playing "Wish I Was a Mole in the Ground." This is one of the tunes on the new CD which is coming very soon. Photo is Ellen's grandson.
http://kattywompusfolkstudio.libsyn.com/

Banjo CD news and family updates

The new banjo CD is getting close. Sent the corrections on the art proofs back yesterday, and Disc Masters is going to do some final post production before they press them. :)

Arcy (in photo above) just had some of his research photos (under the microscope) published in the New York Times (It is listed as Robert Sidney Cox III from CalTech) He's in Calgary right now doing more research on his doctoral thesis)
Natalie is leaving the Blue Chicks dance team (she's been on the team 3 years) and will be dancing for a competition team in Daytona.
Gordon will be home and visiting Tallahassee for a week on February 5.

New banjo CD getting closer

Hello,
We sent the master off yesterday and are hoping to have it back sometime in February. Today is a tabbing day. It's a three day weekend, so hope to get a least a few done for the new tab book.
Got to go and get busy.
:) Mary Z.

ps. This is a photo of John H. Hopkins Jr. (He wrote We Three Kings in the 19th century). We have recorded a new banjo version on the new CD. :)

New banjo CD coming soon

Won't know exact tunes till the very end--but there will be some good tunes on a gut string banjo and also the new White Shell Laydie will play a couple new versions of old favorites.
It's going to sound like drifting down an old Florida River. :) Very easy to the ear.

Banjo Web page update

Hi!
Just finished updating my banjo website for the new year. We have been working constantly on the new CD. Still more to do--but it is getting close. :)
Postage for priority mail goes up on January 8, 2006--so if you were thinking about ordering a banjo CD or tab book--I'll send out at the old rates until January 7th. :)
Peace, joy and love to you in the new year,
Mary Z.

White Shell Laydie

Lets try this link to the new banjo and see if it works

http://www.maryzcox.com/02 kings.wma

Guitar Bob holds banjo

Here's Bob holding my new banjo. :)

Suwannee Old Time Music Camp

December 2005

Merry Christmas and Holiday Greetings

Florida Holly

Here is Fishheadsaid with his lovely wife, Mary Ellen, playing a gourd banjo, drinking margarita, posting to Banjohangout, and rooting for the wrong team in the FSU vs Fla game. :) 

Day after Thanksgiving banjo

Here it is the day after Thanksgiving. Still honeymooning with my new banjo. :) Don't forget the Old Time Music Camp at White Springs the first weekend of December. There will be fiddle/guitar/singing there as well as banjo. Contact the Stephen Foster State Park in White Springs Florida for more information.

Christmas is coming! If you already have my CDs and books and enjoy them, please think about giving copies to your friends that enjoy banjo and oldtime music. Most Dad's would much rather have them than a new tie. :) www.maryzcox.com

White Shell Laydie banjo at the beach

We camped the weekend at St Andrews State Park in Panama City. Our campsite was right on the lagoon. This is a very pretty park and the weather was perfect.