It only took picker/songwriter (and Times-Dispatch senior photographer) Bob Brown five years to acquire a his six-stringed holy grail…that’s three years fewer than it took Eric Clapton. But here he was last week, beaming in Wayne Henderson’s workshop up in Rugby, VA taking delivery of his Henderson #487. In Bob’s words, “A well-balanced killer that’s a whole lot lighter than my D28. The top is some kind of spruce they used on the old Martins back before the war and the fingerboard and bridge are Brazilian. Back and sides are super mahogany.” Not sure what it took to grease the skids on this deal but I hear weapons were involved. Looks like both parties are satisfied. Congratulations Mr. Brown…can’t wait to hear her sing.
Ready or not…here we come. I know it’s gonna be much hotter up at milepost 170.5 on the Parkway than it’s supposed to be but what are shade and cool water for? Not to mention the hundred or so musical entities from near and far who’ll have no problem keeping our minds off such fleeting and selfish considerations as personal comfort. The ninth edition of Kris & Erika’s dream begins this Thursday afternoon and even if you’re not able to make the full four-day run, at least do a day, choose it carefully and experience one of the most engaging festivals anywhere. Truly something for everyone. Here’s a short advance piece in today’s Roanoke Times. Floydfest rivals MerleFest in the number of artists presented and the number of venues, but it’s a much more compact and intimate experience. And it’s up on the Blue Ridge to boot…worlds away. Wear something breezy and come on up. Break some ground. (Some shots from last year are to the right.)
Lots of tasty consolation prizes for those staying around home, like Ashland Coffee & Tea’s first ever songwriters’ 
workshop this Wednesday with Grammy-winner Richard Leigh (remember “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”?) He’ll talk about tunesmithing and take your questions starting at 6pm and then do a full performance the next night. Saturday, it’s musical pals BJ Kocen, Jackie Frost, Brad Tucker, Jim Wark and George Garrett, collectively the Gobstoppers. Other surprise guests are expected. These Gobs just can’t be stopped! On Friday, July 30th one of my years-ago MerleFest discoveries Jimmy LaFave hits the star-strewn trackside stage with one of the most elegant and moving voices you’ll ever hear. He’s positively hypnotic. Many many more in store this summer.
Also this Friday, VCU’s Guitars & Other Strings series 
continues with the young and gifted 12-year-old mandolin prodigy Harper Speagle-Price with some fine supporting players including dad Terry along with Adam Larrabee, Barry Lawson and Jack Cowardin. Harper just got back from Tristan & Tashina Clarridge’s Mt. Shasta music camp out in California, where she reportedly rode in the back of Tim O’Brien’s pickup truck with Sarah Jarosz. If that’s not motivational…I mean really. Harper should be seriously pumped. Concert starts at 7 in the Singleton Center at 922 Park. Call 828-1166 for info. If you’ve got money to burn and a need for more maturity, there’s always Merle Haggard at the National…same night. Still bringing the goods at age 73. And on August 7th you have another shot at that tunefully dynamic duo Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein at C’ville Coffee on Harris Street downtown. A new venue to check out for sure.
Last but emphatically not least, we’ll be back from our FloydFest odyssey just in time to make the 6th annual Music For Massey benefit this Sunday, moving to Innsbrook this year from the Science Museum to allow for the bigger numbers expected for headliner/heartthrob Chris Isaak along with Marc 
Broussard and our West Coasters who’ve made every one, the Waybacks. Should be a memorable mix….gates at 3p, show starts at 4. After posting, the 10th one of you to email me at tim@timtimberlake.com will have two free tickets waiting at will call. Deal? Deal. See you somewhere…please! Best way to beat the heat.
TT
(Richard Leigh and Chris Isaak photos from their Websites)
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