Holy Water & Whiskey Blog

July 3 . I apologize for letting this poor blog go! However, we are wrapping up the new CD, took more pictures today, and have just a couple more studio nights to go. We had a great time playing in Socorro on Friday and at the Corrales Growers Market Sunday. I just love the beautiful things that people bring to the market and Anita Walsh is some kind of saint to do so much to keep it organized, humming, and beautiful. If anyone knows how we can contact John, whose mother is Gladys, can you let us know? Write to bdwashburn@aol.com if you have his phone number. Thanks.

I hope you all have a great summer. We're going to spend some of this month in Cuba - and are sending everyone some big hugs and a hope that you get some fresh watermelon, cantelope, ice cream, and sweet corn. It's so humid today, it feels like when I was growing up in Iowa! Those were the best parts of summer. I guess if I were paying attention, I woudl have suggested you all get fresh carrots and peas and lots of kale and some pickles. Oh well - have a great month anyway!

By the way, thank you to Anders Yocum who gave our CDs to Wisconsin NPR! They played a couple of our tunes last week and we got some nice emails from old friends up there who heard our music.

Feb 7 . THANK YOU, DEMING!! I hope to get some pictures up - but we had our second incredible concert in Deming - almost a year after our first awesome visit there. Who would have thought that Deming would have such a pull? Well, there are some wonderful people there, a really amazing old concert venue, and a fine Italian restaurant almost across the street. Then, of course, it is apparently a short ride for our good friends Alta and Rob, who managed to complete the show. Every time we get there, we meet some other interesting person. Last year, in addition to Glen and Dick and all the other wonderful people who run the concert series, we met the town celebrity, Max Crook, who not only performed and recorded with Del Shannon, but built the synthesizer and wrote Runaway! This year, we met a neat woman, Dede, who brought her daughter and grandsons. Dede is younger than we are - at least looked it - but she grew up in Texas, where her father was a promoter. John Wayne and Roy Rogers were neighbors - and the Sons of the Pioneers were all friends of her family! She said she didn't realize they were famous. Anyway, her grandsons were about the cutest kids I've seen in a long time. You know how those southern NM boys can be - clearly going to grow up to be long, tall drinks of water and one was wearing a cowboy hat that made him look like a young Will Rogers! Sign me up for their future concerts.

There are lots of RVer's in Deming, so we not only met people who live there and, like Dick, who've helped restore and build the town of Chloride, nearby, but also people from Minnesota and Iowa and elsewhere. Too bad we couldn't make it to their regular Sunday jam - but we're hoping to have a jam after our concert next year. And we should have our new CD by then, too. WAHOOO!

We love a concert setting. Anyway, they liked hearing Deming in our new song "Fancy Red Boots" and "I am a Miner", Scott's new song, was really amazing for all of us. I just love that song because it has so much depth to it (argh, I just realized the pun!) It is based on a man that Scott met who got a job in the Homestake mine in South Dakota when he was 13 (by lying). The first shaft of the mine was 4000 feet and the men went down in an open, two-story cage, 7 on each level. The operator would let them free fall for 3000 feet and then start slowing them down. Hard to know if it was better to be on top or bottom when a new guy was on board. I wonder if everyone ate their breakfast in the mine rather than risk losing it? Anyway, it is a great song.

Bruce was funny, too. He told some of the jokes that our fans know - but we're going to try to keep track of the jokes, so we can bring in some new ones. We're also working on an instrumental that will include some short jokes - but you have to be so careful in choosing those because there is such a limited time for people to "get them" and laugh.

I think only a few people read this blog regularly - so let me just say hi to John. It was great seeing you and your mom and dad last week. Have a good week and don't get snowed in!

Jan 30. Wow - where did January go? Maggie's on sabbatical this semester, but even more busy that ususal. We've all been busy with the farms and just staying warm. Maria and Scott just got back from their place in Mendocino - up in the mountains - where it rained every day! Maggie is dreaming about getting to Mexico before summer - and Bruce is thinking of the next email message. Here's the last one:

We would like to invite you to O’Niell’s Pub on Central at Washington this Sunday, January 31 for another wonderful afternoon at our favorite pub, the pub voted “Most Like Cheers” in Albuquerque. We will be playing from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In another peek into the private lives of members of the HWW band, we will this week be featuring activities to let you get to know Scott a little better. He is, of course, our guitar player and singer extraordinaire. As some of you may already know, Scott is, among many other interesting things, a licensed steam locomotive fireman. Drawing upon that unique skill set on Sunday, Scott will again be attempting to use his steam powered electric generator to power our sound system based on a slight modification of the boiler in the 26,000 pound steam tractor from his back yard. This will be a repeat of his original 1997 attempt to accomplish this feat. As you may recall, that first attempt fell slightly short of the mark when the boiler exploded in what came to be known and “The Blast of ‘97”. Scott was fortunately spared serious injury, but all of the seismographs at UNM and NM Tech had to be recalibrated and local hearing aid sales tripled in the following months. The community ultimately benefited, however, when the crater was later donated to the city to become a 4 level underground parking structure. Scott assures us that the pesky technical problems that foiled that original attempt have been corrected and we look forward to a history-making demonstration. As an added service for the squeamish this Sunday, life insurance policies will be offered for sale at a table near the back of the room.

Dec 24. It's the night before Christmas and, although this year has had its challenges, we have also seen many blessings. We had a surprise family reunion for Bruce for a big birthday. I had a cake made with a picture of him as a kid and on the bottom was "Always Trust Your Cape!". We've had some really amazing experiences in the studio lately - a Christmas carol, "Mary Had a Baby" and "I am a miner" are really surprising to us. John Wall really has a sense for how to put something interesting together. We have a great time in the studio.

I know there are a lot of our fans who can't make it for the Dec 27th party at O'Niell's. We will miss you. We've been playing less lately so Scott can take care of his dad in Colorado. But we still have a great time playing - even at the airport, where we met some new people and saw some old friends! Have a great end of the year. It is hard to believe the first decade is gone from the 21st century. Time seems to go so fast.

Nov 1 I'm afraid my FaceBook postings have taken time away from the blog. We had another great evening at O'Niell's yesterday. I wish we could clone that place. When we were tearing down, a woman came up to me and said she really liked the music but our crowd was incredible! We agree.

We are starting to get back into the recording studio on a part-time basis. Last week we recorded 2 Christmas songs, "Christmas in Prison" and "Mary had a baby". John Wall used a technique on the latter song that made us sound like a huge chorus. It was definately incredible! We'll probably keep going until it's clear that we do or do not have a CD ready to package - but it will be fun. As we learn more about iTunes, we can start to put our originals up there, too.

We are looking for a place for New Year's Eve. It has to have a dance floor. Also - last night we gave our tips to the Roadrunner Food Bank. I think it was something like $175 - so thanks to everyone who contributed. See you soon!

Sept 9 We had such a great time at O'Niell's last week! It was Labor Day, so we thought we might just be alone there. It was dead silent at 3:30 and 20 to 4 a wall of people walked in, sat down, and started having a good time. We, of course, jumped onto our stools and got ready to play, when Bruce asked, "what time is it?" Good thing we have Maria and the rest of you to keep us honest!

Thanks for everyone's ongoing interest in our recovery from the 31 hour road warrior trip to save our son's dog (see emails) - it was fun to see so much of New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming in a day and a hal, but it was like flying at road height.

This has been a beautiful fall. We have apples up in Cuba because we had such nice rain this spring and summer. Everyone else has beans and tomatoes coming out their ears! I can't wait to get some fresh green chili - it is the MOST wonderful smell in the world! We're thinking about a new CD - Scott has a new tune that is a real brain strain to remember. He has a great way to do it - so ask him when you come by next time.

We are reviewed in the New Mexico Magazine in October - so make sure all your friends who are visiting for the Balloon Fiesta go home with a CD. You can write Bruce - and we deliver if you live close to a good restaurant!

Sept 3 Talk about toooooo much going on. Nobody's going to read this blog if I only write every 4 months! I thought I'd share a picture of my new red boots. Roberto Robledo on Richmod SE made them, with some help from Betty and a lot of encouragement from Bruce, Scott, and Maria. The flowers are Margaritas and the boots look like our meadow up in Cuba, with the hummingbirds and blue birds. It's hard to wear them or see them without feeling happy. These days, that's worth a lot. I really hope that all the HWW family remembers that we need to pull the wagons in the same direction. As one of my favorite books, the I Ching says, the only way to fight evil is to make energetic progress towards the good. Hugs to all, Maggie

May 30 Well, school's out, folks, and Maggie is no longer sweating about who is going to graduate! In fact - she wrote a new song called "Fancy Red Boots" that we'll start performing probably on June 5. It is sure to hit the spot of many people who long for days that are not punctuated by a time clock and where a bit of cell phone-free lighthearteness reigns. Maggie has to thank all of the HWW fans, because this song came from watching you all dance and tap your feet and smile your hearts out. Here's one of the verses and the chorus:

We’ll change our names to Buck and Betty, call the kids, say we’re leavin’
Toss the cell phones, we won’t need ‘em anymore
Adios to the email, if you want us to go dancin’ leave a message at the general store

Oh, I’ll fly in them fancy red boots
Singin every song I ever dreamed
We’ll dance all night long by the light of the moon, by the shine of them fancy red boots

We just filled out more of our schedule. We are always happy to play for Sunday services and any other Church functions (HWW is a non-denominational band) - and we don't charge churches - so ask away. bdwashburn@aol.com.

What amazing weather. I (Maggie) have to go take the dogs out or otherwise, I'd sit and chat a bit more. I hope that everyone coming to hear us will think to remind other friends to come. We just love all the people we meet through our music - it is a great blessing in our lives - and we hope in yours, too. There's a reason for all of this - and I'm waiting for Scott to tell me what it is! Hugs to all!!

May 17 Okay, I am riddled with guilt for not writing for so long. Probably no one will read this anymore. However, in my defense, it has been wild at work and we've been busy learning so many new songs - well, it's been a blur. We have so many great reasons to have a party, but I get really stressed by the idea, so I might tap some of you for help. Anyway, we played in Hillsboro, NM yesterday and it was such a spirit-restorer! We've got 3 new mining tunes - one upbeat tune Bruce sings lead on (Hillcrest mine) about the biggest mining disaster in Canada's history (most mining tunes - or maybe all of them - are not happy tunes, so what do we do?) The second is an old favorite, 16 Tons - that Scott plays percussion on with a 120-year old steel. Then, Scott wrote a tune about gold mining that is really something. Yesterday, there was a woman in the front row - I wish I'd videoed her face during the song - and at the very end she clasped her hands and said silently, "perfect"! Really, thank you all who come and hear us for being part of this experience. I know there are some chruches that won't have us - but there are moments we all feel we couldn't be closer to the creator than when we are singing.

We are just starting to think about a new CD. We'd like a couple more new orginals - but we've got Sam Paris and I Am a Miner - then the rest is going to be hard. Blue Wing, I'm A Goin' Fishin, the new mining tunes, Mick Ryan, Mary had a baby, Fugative's Lament, Ghost Riders, Step by Step, and one of our really old favorites, I'll Fly Away. I have a gold mining tune half written and would like to write one about my family coming up from Mexico and how their philosophy relates to the current economic situation in a very positive way. I have to go put some of Bruce's latest emails on the website. This last one - about Maria and I serving time in the Iowa State Pen was a classic. Hugs to everyone and I hope we see you soon. We are still booking over the summer - and hope to make it to every little town in NM before we are done!

By the way, amazingly, "Laugh when the sun don't shine" from the last CD was nominated for outstanding NM Blues Tune this year. Too much!

February 8 We got back from Deming last night. I worte it up in the blog and then lost it somewhere. ARGHH. Anyway, we played in the local theater on mainstreet to a great crowd. I was so happy to get down there and meet people. After the concert we went to a great Italian restaurant across the street - where the owner channels (voice double for) Frank Sinatra - and we had a great time talking with Max Crook, a local celebrity - who was the keyboard player in Del Shannon's band - and WROTE Runaway!! Thanks also to everyone at the First Congregational Church. We also had a great time at O'Niell's even though it was Superbowl Sunday. As Scott said, "the only thing I don't like about Superbowl Sunday is that people have to get up and yell every time there's a home run!"

January 25 We had such are great time in Pagosa Springs, playing at the Elation Center for the Arts. It was great to see people we hadn't seen in a long time, (including the group that had witnessed HW&W completely fall apart at the Corrales Harvest Festival when, while we were singing Wayward Wind, a huge truck-based, vacuum apparatus began to empty the outhouses! You might have had to be there to get the entire imression - but poor Bruce was left to sing his harmony part solo as Scott and I nearly fell off our stools! ) Paul Roberts, who with his wife Carla organizes the monthly concerts, wrote 4 articles in the Pagosa Sun - 1, 2, 3, 4 and in the Elation Center for the Arts webpage. EIation Center for the Arts looks like wonderful organization. Having so much publicity was great, because the people who showed up asked us about the snowshoes in Cuba and Scott's steam engines! They were family already. So thanks so much to everyone, especially Sarah, for putting us up for the night. Riding back, it was neat to see all the tracks in the snow that did not even notice there were fences. God Bless all the elk and deer who continue to live free. Hugs to all and Happy New Year. See you at O'Niell's next week, I hope. We have a great new song to share with you!

December 29 We had a great time at O'Niell's and raised $375 in tips for the Roadrunner Food Bank. Thank you to everyone for your help! It has been a good year for the band - and we are extremely grateful to all of you for your ongoing support and enjoyment of the music. Have a happy, safe, and wonderful New Year. When times get tight, music can help get through things - so don't be a stranger in 2009!

December 13 Well, it's getting close to Christmas. We really missed singing at Rockin' Bill's for the Nob Hill Stroll this year - since they closed last year. We thought maybe if the election took as long as 2008, maybe we could play in the former restaurant taken over by the Obama campaign - but no such luck. We're looking forward to O'Niell's next Sunday. We've got several new songs to debut - including a couple of Christmas tunes! Maggie spent the AM making little 2-CD presents with big red bows (to heck with all this scientist stuff!) We're going to give all tips to the Roadrunner Food Bank, too. We don't have to tear down as fast at O'Niell's this coming Sunday, so we'll have time to chat. Get your shopping done or don't do any and be there or be square!

December 7 We played this Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Santa Fe. We'd never been there, but it was very nice and we especially liked the theme of the service, which was based on a book by a person Maggie went to school with, Forrest Church. We sang Let the Mystery Be, One Voice, and The Cape - some of our favorite songs. I think the songs fit surprisingly well with the service and we had a great time meeting so many new people. Their minister, Steven Furrer, will be leaving in the summer - anyway, we were really delighted we had the chance to meet this group.

We have really enjoyed all the churches who invite us to play - from Unitarian to Methodist and Presbyterian. Holy Water & Whiskey doesn't charge churches for allowing us to share our music, so feel free to suggest other ones where we might play. It is fairly overwhelming for us, sometimes, to see how the songs touch people and lift them up.

We have a new verision of Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer - so get to O'Niell's on the 21st for a big holiday party! Wwe are also working on a new song about an Irish man who came over in 1848 and fought for the union army. Anyway, the 21st we can stay a little longer, put our feet up, maybe hear some of your holiday stories, and you can get specially wrapped CDs! All tips for the night will go directly to the Road Runner Food Bank, which is doing a huge service for our community with needs that are increasing daily. So, come to O'Niell's - if the crowd is big, Seth will open up the other room. It would be great to see everyone. This is a special Christmas and a time to be grateful for friends, music, and good times together.

November 24 We went to the Western Music Association Saturday to see what was going on. It is an interesting group and Syd Masters was doing the sound! We heard some wonderful music and hope to incorporate some of it into HWW soon. Our former bass player from Hot on the Trail - our Wisconsin Band (1980 - 1985) and his wife were there. They make up KG and the Ranger and they are now full-time musicians, doing incredible, 2-part harmonies and other tricks! We had such a great time, we are trying to think of gigs we might do together and hope to find some time to work out 5-part arrangements or trade off songs. I wish you all could have seen them. Hopefully, next time, we'll have a bit more lead time and get them to at least play a gig in town. They played in Deming and had a wonderful time just before the WMA event.

Thanks to Norita and the crew at the Irish-American society (including Diane Coulsen and all the other dancers). We had a great evening of singing and dancing - and, amazingly, a veteran - Danny Wilson - came up at the end and gave us a little wooden box and inside was a very old half pinte Forbes Jack Rye Whiskey bottle he dug up in Cripple Creek, Colorado and a little holy water bottle he dug up at San Jose Church. Wow. We were very touched by this gift and thank Danny for being so thoughtful and the IAF for having us.

We also played at San Ysidro Church in Corrales for the first time. We didn't have a huge crowd, but it is a beautiful place. We play there again next April and I am hoping we can couple it with a potluck or something that will allow us all to hang out and visit.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone before Christmas. Our CDs make great and easy-to-get gifts. We have so much to be thankful for this year - even with all the troubles in our country- I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and holiday season. Holy Water & Whiskey fans tend to think with their hearts - so we are looking forward to some time to visit with people over the coming weeks.

October 22 We had a great time at the Steam Engine Society event last Saturday. We worked up Daddy What's a Train for that - as well as Wabash Cannonball. Scott added a verse and chorus to Daddy What's a Train - because Utah Phillips wrote that back when he thought there wouldn't be any more trains. Well, folks, HW&W are BIG fans of trains -so we weren't going to sing a song that left off on a sad note. it's a sweet ending - but I still have to look somewhere else when we sing it so I won't cry.

We were sorry that Jan and Rob stopped hosting music at the Smoke House. It was a good venue. Jan is looking for another place to host music in Rio Rancho, so if you know of a place that might want to have our kind of music, let Bruce know and he can tell Jan. We've all been so busy, for no really good reason, that having a few extra weekends has been a blessing. Maggie went to Harvard, then to Salt Lake City for a meeting, and then to Pasadena - so that was altogether too much traveling!

Maria and Scott have been busy with their garden and getting all the solar set up. It's pretty exhausting to hear all they are doing - especially since Bruce and I have been talking about painting our living room for several years - while people have built houses and kids have grown up!

Anyway, we miss seeing everyone and are looking forward to seeing you all at O'Neill's on the 2nd of November.

September 18 , 2008 I apologize to everyone for waiting so long for an addition to the Blog. School started and I've been totally swamped with the various programs I run and teaching and working with a new technician. I have missed you all. We had such a wonderful gig at O'Niell's - thanks to Seth who realized our schedules got mixed up so we weren't going to be there until November. We have a bunch of new songs and everyone enjoyed them. We were so busy this summer, we decided to take a few weekends off in September and have been busy cutting wood in Cuba, trying to get UNM to help me set up a bioinformatics center, and, well, Scott - he is ALWAYS busy! With all the mentions of Alaska in the news, I've been thinking more about the time I was up there with my ex- husband, who still lives there. We went out in the bush from Feb to July to snare animals, lynx and beaver, mostly, and, while we were there (much story between the lines), a guy flew by and asked if we'd be interested in building a cabin for him up river. We went there (he'd had the logs cut and peeled the year before) and we built the cabin. However, the permafrost took longer to thaw than we'd expected and we ran out of supplies. I gathered plants and tapped birch trees and hunted during the day while Curt and our friend Bart built the cabin. But when they needed my help, the kitchen fell apart and we all had to go hunting! We got a couple of bears that saved our lives. Honestly, when you are in that situation, you do talk to the animals before you shoot and I have felt that my entire life has been watched over by those bears, to whom I owe much. Well, I have to go - but if you find this of interest, let me know and I'll tell you more about it. I guess I didn't think to write it earlier and it never was a movie, because we lived! We built a raft and rebuilt an old cargo canoe and floated out for 5 days on the Kantishna to the Tanana to Manley Hot Springs. See you in Corrales or at another gig soon. Really, we miss all of you when we don't play!

July 29 , 2008. We had an incredible time in Iowa. Bruce summed it up at the end of the concert when he said he felt like he was in a Norman Rockwell painting. We couldn't have asked for better weather - it was cool and not as muggy as it could have been; a mob of friends and relatives showed up for the concert; and the bats and lightening bugs were just the topping. Here's a picture from the home town (Fort Madison Daily Democrat) paper. We have gotten some good reports on the new CD so far and managed to fix an error at iTunes. We play this weekend at the Wildlife West on Saturday at noon and on the Santa Fe radio KSFR at 8 or 9 - Bruce will send the details in his email. Thanks to all the people in Fort Madison who made our weekend unforgettable.

Holy Water and Whiskey offered up some folksy bluegrass gospel for a crowded Old Settlers Park on Friday evening. Each member of the group started playing folk music during the folk explosion of the 1960s. Pictured (from left) are Bruce Washburne, Maggie Washburne, and Scott Altenbach. - Brennan Umthun/Daily Democrat

July 6 , 2008, Cuba NM. The CD is done and we will have it in our hands by the end of the month. Unfortunately, between going to play in Iowa, festivals, and some vacation time, finding time for a CD release party is going to be a challenge. We'll have the CDs at the gigs, but the earliest we might get them is just before we leave for Iowa. If we come up with some great idea for something easy for everyone, we'll be sure to let you know. Otherwise, we will probably look for a time in the second half of August to have a party.

I hope you had a great 4th of July. We played for a neighborhood association party in Rio Rancho. It was organized by a man who, after he'd come to hear us many times, we found out that not only was he from very near where Maria and I grew up - but my dad, who was an old-fashioned general practicioner, had taken out his tonsels! Anyway, it was a nice gathering - and we met some very interesting people, not the least of whom was a 97 year-old woman who'd been a teacher and administrator in Kansas City, MO. She could carry on a conversation like nobody's business and everyone had a great time laughing.

The gig in Iowa is getting all set up. We are all looking forward to it. I'll put some pictures on the blog. Fortunately, Fort Madison improved all their flood-control after the '93 flood (as did Niota, IL - across the river) - so they didn't get hit too badly. We have everyone praying that we don't have a thunderstorm or tornado and that all the travel happens safely. Maggie is really looking forward to seeing all her old friends, cousins, and other relatives - and just having a good time in Iowa again.

May 17, 2008 We had a very nice gig at the Smokehouse on Friday. It was not wild, but everyone was listening and having a good time. Saturday, we headed south to Hillsboro for their 2nd Annual Hillsboro Heritage Day. There were lots of groups - many local - and it was fabulous. There were so many authenic, local musicians there - ranchers and ranch hands and kids and...well, it was just a treat. A manager of one of Ted Turner's ranches was the sound man for the day and did a great job under challenging circumstances -with bands changing every hour. The Adobe Brothers (some from ABQ) played for the evening dance and it was so great to see kids and older people out on the floor dancing! Pete Fust, who with his wife Catherine, owns and runs the Black Range Lodge, performed admirably as master of ceremonies.

It was great to have Albuquerque fans show up - and then I realized that this music not only makes Bruce, Scott, Maria, and me get out of town and away from all the other work from time to time, but is a great excuse for other people to go see a new place. Anyway, all of you who made that trip - made our day!

This morning, Catherine, who owns the Black Range Lodge helped out a couple from Alberta, Canada (Shelly and Ken) find music for their wedding at the lodge. HWW and the Sabinal Sisters (Beth and Joyce) and John and Bill Ronstadt from Tucson (yes, they are cousins and cousins of Linda's) gave them a wedding chorus on the deck of one of the houses at the Lodge. We started with Tumbling Tumbleweeds and Cool Water, then the Rose. The Sabinal Sisters led "Let it be me" and "Oh, Baby I love your ways". Then it broke down into some rock and roll - ending with a choral singing of "Dream" and a rousing rendition of "Johnny Be Good". Well, if you are thinking of getting married and want to have a memorable occasion, I'd check with Catherine at the Black Range - I think Ken and Shelly got much more than they imagined!

Below is a picture of us (thanks Alta and Rob) in the back getting ready to listen to John and Bill Ronstadt playing with Chris Brishear and Peter McLaughlin. These guys just started singing together and while Chris and Peter are incredible, the depth that John and Bill bring to the entire group is astounding. They are also nice people, which, of course, makes the whole thing hard to take (just kidding!). We'll be doing the Black Range Lodge New Year's party again this year (2nd annual, also) - so it is something to consider because it was quite a party last time.

May 5 , 2008 Well, next week we go hear the CD so far. It is sort of terrifying. And it is tough because we've picked up another tune, Blue Wing, that is clearly going to be one of our favorites for a long time and isn't on the CD. Thanks to Manuel for pointing Blue Wing and Holly and the Berry out to us. I also want to say, after our fun at the Corrales Growers Market and all the great times we have at O'Niell's and the Smoke House, that we are all exceptionally appreciative of all of you who come to hear the music and have such a great time. It was wonderful to see Jan and Rob at the Grower's Market, too! We are really blessed with the music and all the incredible people we have gotten to know through it. For those of you who get Bruce's emails about the band, I am thinking of assembling them on the webpage somewhere. One of our good friends who hardly ever shows up to hear us but is a huge fan of Bruce's band notices has suggested he put them into a book! All I can say is they are about to get much funnier - so if you know someone who isn't on the email list but should be, talk them into writing Bruce and joining up. Life is short and we don't laugh enough. Music and laughter have been shown to extend people's life span! Hugs, Maggie

April 9, 2008 I thought I'd let you see what we are thinking about for a cover. We are still undecided, though - so send suggestions if you want to. It was very hard to think of what to do after the truck picture, which was a classic, especially when the leaves aren't all out on the trees for taking a new shot.

April 6 , 2008 We played a house concert last night and had a wonderful time. When we started to play, because everyone is sitting close, we could hear people talking. One man said, "I don't remember the name of the band. It's Holy Water and something that does't go with Holy Water!" Anyway, we are done recording (we hope) and are waiting to hear the mix. Fingers crossed! Thanks to Jim and Mary Ruth for everything. We're playing again at the Lavendar Festival. I'll update the schedule this week. It is going to be a fun summer. Miss you all!

March 14, 2008 We drive up to Pagosa Springs tomorrow. Should be a fun gig. It was greata seeing everyone at O'Niell's, a place we are starting to call home! We've laid down most of the tracks for the CD now - should finish next week, then a few weeks of mixing. We have to get some pictures and aren't sure when there'll be time - or the place, but have our fingers crossed. I hope Cuba is a little drier than it was, because there is one place we thought of for our picture. We call it Washburne Canyon - we don't actually know if it has a name, but we feel we've planted a little invisible flag there! I hope you get our band emails - Bruce is so funny sometimes. If you don't, just write him (bdwashburn@aol.com) and he'll add you to the list. We've got lots of festivals booked this summer, so it looks like, the Lord willing, that we are going to have some great fun this summer. We are still looking for more things to do, though - so I have my fingers crossed we can get into some city gigs and a few more things in Santa Fe. When we played in the SF Plaza we sold 30 CDs while we were doing our sound check! If it hadn't rained, we probably would have sold out. We'll wish us luck with the CD. It's not mixed yet, so we don't really know how it sounds - it sort of feels like the baby is coming in a couple of weeks and we aren't ready. Stay well.

Feb 18, 2008 We are in the thick of the CD. We are able to do about 1.5 songs per night. This time, we're trying to figure out how to get some talking on the CD - heck, you'd want to hear one of Bruce's jokes every single time you played the CD, right - not! But we'd like to figure out a way to get a bit of the flavor we get when we are performing. Hard to believe, but we are getting lots of calls for festivals, etc. Thanks to Steve and Yvonne for helping us get the jobs in Pagosa Springs. It will be fun to see that part of Colorado.

Our place in Cuba is all iced in and muddy in places, too. We have a flock of wild turkeys who've decided to make our farm home. We love to watch them, but our neighbor is a bit miffed we haven't bagged one for him. He says "in season" means "when they are by your house." We're checking on that one! Back in the studio tomorrow to finish "Talk it all over with Him" and lay down "Wayward wind." I wrote some new words to the blues song - makes it much more our style. I think you'll like it.

Feb 10, 2008 The other blog had so many pictures in it, I decided I'd start a new page - you can find the old information on the "previous blog" link above. We had a great time at O'Niell's last Sunday. We didn't realize it was SuperBowl Sunday until a few days before. We thought we might have 4 or 5 diehard fans, but, bless your hearts, the place was full. It was great to see the little Irish Dancers and their parents, one of our neighbors, and lots of good friends - even some new friends. Someone gave a card to Scott - but I'm not sure what happened to it - so if you see this (Gus?), please send us your email address (bdwashburn@aol.com).

Wish us luck on the CD. We just realized we've got to get at least 1.5 songs down a night to even have a chance of getting this done in the time we've scheduled. So everyone, say whatever prayers you say - we really hope to get this out by June. I wrote some new words to our blues tune and am calling it "Laugh when the sun won't shine". We'll have 3 originals on the album - "Ill Wind" that is about a successful divorce (and my finding Bruce!), "Grandmother's Angel" about my grandmother going back to the orphanage where she grew up and seeing an angel, and, now, "Laugh when the sun don't shine" about the qualities of a good man/woman and the challenges of finding one! It will also include a bunch of Gospel tunes (Marks, Talk it all over with Him, It's Me Again, etc.) and some other favorites (Always Trust your Cape, Goodnight Loving Trail, Whiskey Before Breakfast, Cool Water, etc.) We've bitten off a big chunk of tunes, so keep your fingers crossed that we say healthy and awake!