These are some of the best currently active fiddlers I know. Styles vary wildly, from Zydeco, blues, bluegrass, country, and traditional Celtic music to dubstep, pop, rock, and hip hop.
If you have been dying for a swimming pool in your backyard, but you don't want the expense and hassle of a built-in one, maybe you should consider an above-ground swimming pool. This article will break down my reasons for getting one myself.
Baby Boomers grew up in interesting times, but then doesn't every generation? We are still here, and times are still interesting. I hope I can stick around for awhile to see what comes next.
Country artists began to rebel against formulaic convention by the early 1970s, leading to "Outlaw Country" being popularized by artists like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and more!
These are all classic hit songs, but do you know who did the original versions of these songs? Read on to find out more.
I'm of the "classic rock" generation, but music is too important for me to spend the rest of my life listening only to songs from 40 or 50 years ago. There is still plenty of great music being created today.
I guess the rest of the country was getting into disco in the mid-'70s, but that whole musical era just kind of passed me by. I was aware of it, but not one Bee Gees album ever showed up in my considerable record collection. Read on and see if your favorite '70s song made the list.
This list of oldies road trippin' songs was made with baby boomers in mind.
These 11 love songs from the 1970s have something special. The artists laid bare their own emotions about love and shared them with the world through music.
These covers of songs from the sixties and seventies are not all exactly new. They are versions of old "classic rock" favorites that the original audience may not have heard. I am happy to see these great songs being passed to a new generation of listeners.
Before MTV was launched, in the early 1980s, music videos were virtually unknown. The original concept was, all music videos all the time. Here's a look at some of those early videos and how they changed the music scene.
These love songs from the 1960s may have special meaning to those who fell in love during that era, but I think they have something special to offer to people of every generation.
Most baby boomers remember, the sixties and seventies were an expansive time for music. Many of the musicians of that time are still making innovative music today.
This is a hot list of songs about fire or burning. The songs on this list span several genres and generations.
We are experiencing a resurgence of prominent women in blues music. These are some of my favorites.
This is a compilation of 10 powerful, vintage songs having to do with the wind literally, or as a metaphor.
Rivers have the power to move mountains, touch our hearts, and renew our spirits. Many have been inspired to put thoughts and feelings about rivers to music. Here are some fine examples of moving songs about rivers.
If you are living in a leaky old house, closing up the spaces that let in the wind and cold can make a big difference in how warm you are this winter. This article will break down some tips for weatherproofing an old house on a shoestring budget.
If you're a baby boomer and you're looking for some music to get you in the mood for Halloween, look no further. Here is the perfect creepy classic rock Halloween playlist.
The late '60s and early '70s were a time of a rebirth of music in America and Europe. It was a time of freedom and experimentation. Much of the music that was made during that time has disappeared from the airwaves. Let us not forget.
Here is my inspirational list of ten songs about wandering or traveling. They span genres and generations. They are my favorites, in no particular order. I hope you like them too.
This is an eclectic list that doesn't focus on any particular genre or era. They are not necessarily the most popular songs about money. They are just my own personal favorites. Maybe you will like them too.
A closed off fireplace can be a decorating challenge, but just think of it as a blank canvas. In my home, I had several closed fireplaces to deal with. Here are the creative solutions I came up with.
Willie Nelson's career has taken some crazy turns. He's written and sung some insane songs, and he was part of the "outlaw country" movement that changed the face of country music. It changed the trajectory of his career too.
For some of us older folks, new music is hard to get into. One of the ways we can be exposed to new music incidentally is to hear it on TV.
2017 was a great year for the blues. As it draws to a close, here are my picks for the best blues albums that came out. It's wonderful to see artists old and new putting out great music.
Each person would probably have their own unique choices, but this is my top ten list of my all-time favorite break-up songs. If my love left me, this is what I'd be playing.
Do a search for “the blues,” you will get a list of dead guys. This might lead one to believe that the the blues is music of the past. Wrong. The blues is alive, and so are these blues musicians.
Murder Ballads are a longstanding tradition in country and bluegrass music. Certainly every genre has a few of them. Here are a few of my favorite songs about homicide.
Drinking alcohol is a popular pastime, and a popular topic for a song. This is not everybody's Drinking Song list. It is an eclectic group, crossing genres and generations.
Rain in a song can mean many things. It can be gentle, refreshing and welcome, or violent and threatening. It can represent human emotions like love, loss, loneliness or grief. When the sky turns dark, and rain falls from the sky, enough of it is sure to give you the blues.
Music is a big part of the Christmas season, but when you get tired of the usual syrupy Christmas carols, maybe it's time to take a little break with the low down Christmas blues.
Music contributes so much to life; it's only fitting that it should be part of death. These are songs that contemplate the past and celebrate a life well-lived. Songs you might play at a memorial or wake.
When gold was discovered in California in 1848, men from every profession, and every part of the world, responded to its allure. Of those who took part in the California Gold rush, many knew very little about mining and few struck it rich.
For some people in my family, stockings are the best part of Christmas morning. My kids loved them when they were little, and that's still the first thing they look for now that they are grown.
A pre-fab gingerbread kit looks easy, but they can be challenging. Here are a few useful tips, and a little humor, to help you get through the experience. If this article helps one person, my work here is done
There was something really magical happening with music in the '60s and early '70s. Psychedelic rock music gave voice to the dreams of an idealistic (if unrealistic) generation.
In search of nature in the Bay Area? Here are five state and national parks within a two-hour drive of San Francisco to camp or hike at.
There are few things in life more devastating than the death of a parent. This is true even for adults when they lose a parent. For a child, it is a truly life-altering experience.
Vintage radios are beautiful. They're pleasing to the eye as well as the ear. A radio was made like fine furniture—a treasured possession that brought the family together.
Make unique Halloween decorations by upcycling plastic milk jugs into glowing Jack-O-Lanterns. A great way to reuse something that would normally be considered trash.
The 1960s were a time of change politically and socially. It was a new era for television. Even kid's TV was leaving behind the "Leave it to Beaver" innocence and addressing more edgy social concerns.
These brilliant, but very different, contemporary blues artists showcase the great energy and diversity of styles within the modern blues genre.
After traveling on a motorcycle and camping for over 30 years, I've learned a few things about what to take when motorcycle camping. I hope my list is helpful.
I am a lazy gardener. Every plant in this article has been personally stress-tested by me. They are hardy and easy to care for. They require little water and are distasteful to deer. From shasta daisies to purple coneflowers, here are low-maintenance plants for sunny areas.
By doing a White Elephant Gift Exchange, you can save money and make your holiday party less stressful and more fun and memorable.
Making hand-crafted Christmas ornaments is a fun way to spend time with your family and get in to the holiday spirit. These ornaments are simple to make, and kids will love to see them on your tree.
When you are in the middle of a coughing spasm, and you can't seem to catch your breath, it's easy to panic. This method helps calm your breathing and get the coughing under control so you can rest.
Symbrachydactyly is a congenital hand malformation that occurs in 1 in 32,000 births. I was born with this condition, and this is my story.
It can be very frustrating when you have UTI symptoms but lab tests show no bacteria. You may have bladder spasm, or overactive bladder syndrome. There is no easy solution. However, there are ways to cope. This is my personal journey to wellness.
Buying used furniture can be a good way to save money, and you may even end up getting better-quality furniture than you could afford if you bought new.
22 states and the District of Columbia passed legislation allowing patients to use cannabis as medicine. But what about the science? Is marijuana really medicine, or is it just an excuse to get high?
With a little organization and consistency, you can can clean your house a lot faster and with a lot less effort. Here is my seven-step method, along with a few additional tips from a former "pro."
In 1851, at a time when there were only 25 women in a booming mining camp of 5000 men, one of those women was accused of murder. She became the only woman in California ever to be unlawfully hanged.
Highway 101—The Redwood Highway in Northern California offers many cheesy and family-friendly roadside attractions among the giant redwoods.
This is an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to installing your new peel and stick vinyl tile flooring yourself, no matter what your skill level. I did it, and so can you!
Old objects that have been discarded in bygone days can be re-purposed as yard art. This article will look at some unique yard art that proves one man's junk is truly another man's treasure.
By shopping sales and buying in bulk, you can save money and still eat better. Building a stockpile can save you money and help you be prepared for any natural or man-made disaster or economic crisis.
Learn how to make beautiful, non-traditional Easter egg decorations that last long after all the jelly beans are gone. Get instructions for blowing out the eggs, silk dyeing, hand painting, and making decoupage hanging egg ornaments.
This spectacular ruby-colored, early-American pattern glass can add beauty and interest to your decor, and it is fun and affordable to find and collect.
Modern farming methods rely heavily on the European Honey Bee for pollination, but the honey bee population is in peril and the cause of the problem is not well understood. Modern farming methods do not currently support adequate pollination by native species of bees.
Simple and detailed step-by-step instructions, with photos, on how to make a homemade apple pie. Instructions for the pie crust and a crumb topping, from scratch, are included. No experience necessary!
With a little time and patience, you can teach your cat-chasing dog to accept (and even enjoy) having a kitten as a member of the household.
We depend on electricity for more than light and TV. We would be in big trouble if the power grid went down for too long.
Taking too many OTC medicines together can make you feel worse, not better. To avoid that weird feeling, choose the medicine that is most appropriate for your symptoms.
We rode the '47 Knucklehead to the Redwood Run up in Humboldt County California every year from 1984 to 1999. Those were some great times.
This is a description (with pictures) of my experience with my dog Chopper. He is a "pugsund," or "daug"—a dachshund-pug hybrid dog. I describe his physical traits, his character, and personality.
This is my honest, unsolicited opinion of my personal experience with Genie Bra and Pajama Jeans.
This is a simple Christmas craft project for kids. These cute reindeer were made from wooden clothespins. They can be as plain or fancy as you like.