Well, it’s rainy here in West Virginia. As I mentioned we are staying at a campground northwest of Elkins, WV on the banks of the Shaver Fork River. Great campsite and we’ve really enjoyed the river. However, it began raining Tuesday night after we arrived (torrential down pour during the night) and persisted on and off throughout the day Wednesday (BTW, the cauling job on the camper worked - no leaks!). It has been interesting watching the river change with the rainfall. While the rain we received ourselves didn’t affect it, we could tell it had been raining hard upstream and up the mountain. The river swelled to twice its depth and instead of babbling clear water current it has turned into a cloudy class I or II roiling rapids. The boys (and Judy) have benefited as they rented tubes and have ridden down the flow several times. Me, I don’t really like a cold butt all that much unless it’s hot and sunny out. With overcast skies and medium temperatures I’ve opted for hanging by the campfire (rain permitting), watching the flow and taking pictures – much more to my liking.
We had planned to get out and about a bit today, but the weather and sleeping in late convinced us to hang at the campground instead. I have The Purple Fiddle tonight and I want to rest up. So it has turned into a lazy, periodically rainy day of river floating and dozing. Meant to do laundry, but forgot – I will hit critical mass on that count shortly!
The Purple Fiddle is an hour up the mountain in Thomas, WV right next to Blackwater Falls and the Canaan Valley resort area. Thomas is a quiet little community with one commercial street where The Fiddle sits next to its adjoining B&B, the Fiddler’s Roost. This is a favorite stop for me though the crowd can be unpredictable. The historic brick building has high, stamped metal ceilings and indescribable charm along its various, meandering shelves, nooks and crannies. “Eclectic” doesn’t do it justice as it is not goofy or strange. Just simple, homey, Spartan and inviting. It has a large raised stage in a front corner with full sound and stage lighting. Bands play the Friday and Saturday dates and Tuesday – Thursday plus Sunday are smaller acts and solos like me. Jonathon Byrd, Red Molly, The Infamous String Dusters, and many, many more are periodic performers here. Tonight, Wednesday, it’s me, tomorrow 3 Penny Acre (those guys are stalking me!) and Friday, Donna Ulisse and her band, with Rebecca Loebe opening.
The crowd here is unpredictable as it is not a local crowd. The venue feeds off of folks vacationing in the resorts, campgrounds, B&B’s, etc. in the general Tucker county area. I’ve had full rooms here (50+) and I’ve played my show for three folks plus the staff. You just never know. Last year was a fine night with solid attendance, responsive audience and good CD sales. I arrived well before show time (8:30 pm) to unload, set myself up and be ready for sound check. Judy and the boys occupied themselves with card games and ice cream as I planned my set lists.
It is not unusual here for there to be literally no one in the room until right at show time. I was momentarily encouraged by a flow of folks in at about 8:15, but it was not to be a big crowd night. A combination of the rain, the economy and the general uncertainty that accompanies gigs at The Fiddle rendered me an audience of about a baker’s dozen. Even at that size I often have very good results in terms of connection with the audience and flow of the material. In fact, some of my most memorable performances have been to small house concert or coffeehouse crowds. But, as they say, some days you eat the bear and some days the bear eats you. While polite attentive and appreciative I just couldn’t reel this crowd in. Try as I might to read their reactions and adjust my delivery (up tempo, down tempo, more patter, less, humor, etc.) I just couldn’t get a rise out of them. No one was getting up and leaving mind you, but despite investing all the energy at my command I just couldn’t engage them like I often do. Critique from the management and staff told me I performed well and delivered quality material, but the reaction was flat. No CD sales (I can’t remember the last time that happened) and only one new addition to the mailing list. Ah well, they say everyone has nights like this.
Undaunted, the boys help me pack and load my gear and we headed back down the twisting mountain road towards Elkins. The evening changes none of my affection for The Purple Fiddle and I’ll return again next year (calendars permitting). Hopefully the audience gods will smile upon me more favorably.
Tomorrow night, El Gran Sabor in Elkins. Stay tuned.
glad the silicone worked...sad the audience was not enthusiastic...their loss! deb watt..btw you have no idea how hard it is to post a comment!
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