In april and may 2015, we have crossed Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and back  to Florida.

We have recorded with Gail and Tom Watts in North Carolina, Wayne Henderson, Herb Key and Helen White in Virginia, Panama Red in Tennessee, The Bluegrass Bombers in l'Arkansas, and again in Florida with Lis and Lon Williamson, Charley Groth, Lee Hunter, Arvid Smith, Robin et Matt Soergel.

1 - Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss - With Gail and Tom Watts (traditional)
Troutman (North Carolina) monday 2015 april 27th - take 3
Mary : vocals, fiddle
Gail : banjo
Jean-Luc : vocals, guitar
Tom : guitar

2 - When You And I Were Young Maggie - With Gail and Tom Watts (G. W. Johnson - J. A. Butterfield)
Troutman (North Carolina) monday 2015 april 27th - take 5
Mary : vocal, guitar
Gail : banjo
Jean-Luc : vocal, guitar
Tom : guitar

3 - Banks Of The Ohio - With Wayne Henderson and Herb Key (Traditional)
Rugby (Virginia) tuesday 2015 april 28th - take 4
Jean-Luc : vocal, guitar
Wayne : guitar
Mary : vocal, guitar
Herb : upright bass

4 - The train Carrying Jimmie Rodgers Home - With Wayne Henderson, Herb Key and Helen White (Greg Brown)
Rugby (Virginia) tuesday 2015 april 28th - take 4
Mary : vocal, guitar
Jean-Luc : vocal, guitar
Wayne : guitar
Helen : fiddle
Herb : upright bass

5 - April Bride - With Helen White (Helen White)
Rugby (Virginia) tuesday 2015 april 28th - take 2
Helen : fiddle
Mary : fiddle
Jean-Luc : guitar

6 - Early Morning Rain - With Panama Red (Gordon Lightfoot)
Murfreesboro (Tennessee) monday 2015 may 4th - take 3
Jean-Luc : vocal, guitar, harmonica
Panama : vocal, guitar
Mary : vocal, guitar

7 - Wish For Yesterday - With Panama Red (Panama Red)
Murfreesboro (Tn) monday 2015 may 4th - take 3
Mary : vocal
Panama : guitar
Jean-Luc : guitar

8 - I'll Fly Away - With The Bluegrass Bombers (A. E. Brumley)
Jacksonville (Arkansas) - friday 2015 may 8th - take 2
David Evans : vocal, mandoline
Jean-Luc : vocal, guitar
Steve Evans : guitar
Mary : vocal, fiddle
Dave Durham : upright bass

9 - Peach Picking Time In Georgia - With The Bluegrass Bombers* (Jimmie Rodgers)
Jacksonville (Arkansas) - friday 2015 may 8th - take 2
David Evans : vocal, mandoline
Jean-Luc : vocal, guitar
Steve Evans : vocal, guitar
Mary : vocal and fiddle
Dave Durham : upright bass

10 - Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor - With The Bluegrass Bombers* (traditional)
Jacksonville (Arkansas) - friday 2015 may 8th - take 1
David Evans : vocal, mandoline
Steve Evans : guitar
Dave Durham : upright bass
Mary : vocal, washboard
Jean-Luc : vocal, dobro

*special thoughts to John Lee

11 - Down South - With Lis and Lon Williamson (Lis williamson)
Keystone Heights (Florida) - tuesday 2015 may 12th - take 1
Mary : vocal, fiddle, shaker
Lis : vocal, guitar
Jean-Luc : guitar
Lon : upright bass

12 - Heaven With You - With Lis and Lon Williamson (Barry and Holly Tashian)
Keystone Heights (Florida) - tuesday 2015 may 12th - take 1
Lis : vocal, guitar
Mary : vocal, fiddle
Jean-Luc : accordion, electric guitar
Lon : upright bass

13 - The One Rose - With Charley Groth (Del Lyon, Lani Mc Intire)
Largo (Florida) - thursday may 14th - take 2
Mary : vocal and guitar
Charley  : vocal, guitar, mandoline
Jean-Luc : Dobro

14 - The trail Of The Lonesome Cowboy - With Charley Groth (Charley Groth)
Largo (Florida) - thursday may 14th - take 2
Charley  : vocal, guitar
Jean-Luc : vocal, guitar, harmonica
Mary : vocal

15 - The Water is Wide / La Mer est Immense - With Lee Hunter (traditional - Graeme Allwright)
Jacksonville (Florida) - friday 2015 may 15th - take 2
Lee : vocal
Mary : vocal
Jean-Luc : guitar

16 - Meet Me In New Orleans - With Lee Hunter and Arvid Smith (Lee Hunter)
Jacksonville (Florida) - friday 2015 may 15th - take 2
Lee : vocal, guitar
Mary : vocal
Arvid : vocal, guitar
Jean-Luc : vocal, guitar

17 - Don't Think Twice, It's Alright / N'y Pense Plus, Tout Est Bien - With Arvid Smith (Bob Dylan - Pierre Delanoë)
Jacksonville (Florida) - monday 2015 may 18th - take 1
Arvid : vocal, dobro
Jean-Luc : vocal, guitar, harmonica
Mary : guitar

18 - Mama's Opry - With Robin and Matt Soergel (Iris DeMent)
Atlantic Beach (Florida) - sunday 2015 may 17th - take 4
Mary : vocal
Robin : vocal
Jean-Luc : guitar
Matt : guitar

19 - In Spite Of Ourselves - With Robin and Matt Soergel (John Prine)
Atlantic Beach (Florida) - sunday 2015 may 17th - take 2
Matt : vocal, guitar
Mary : vocal
Jean-Luc : vocal
Robin : vocal

Session du 27 avril 2015

Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss

When You And I Were Young, Maggie

Gail et Tom Watts sont des mélomanes rares, des amoureux de la musique. Dans leur maison dans les bois en Caroline du Nord, ils reçoivent de très nombreux musiciens, et c'est comme ça que nous nous sommes rencontrés, et sommes devenus grands amis.

Musiciens traditionnels eux-mêmes, ce sont de véritables encyclopédies de la musique des Appalaches. Ils se sont investis dans la production radiophonique (notamment pour la station WNCW, basée à Spindale dans les Appalaches), dans l'organisation de concerts au célèbre "Cook Shack" de Union Grove. Ils sont bénévoles depuis de nombreuses années, et ocuppent des postes-clef au "Merlefest", un immense festival "americana" qui a lieu à Wilkesboro au printemps. Et tout le reste du temps, ils n'hésitent pas à voyager et à faire des kilomètres pour se rendre à des concerts et des festivals, aller applaudir les artistes qu'ils aiment, et en découvrir toujours de nouveaux. A ces occasions, ils ont fait des centaines de vidéos live d'artistes de grand talent, que nous vous invitons à découvrir si vous avez un peu de temps sur la chaîne YouTube de Gail :
https://www.youtube.com/user/Wildwoodflower1/videos

Nous mesurons la chance que nous avons de les avoir rencontrés, et ne pouvions pas imaginer enregistrer cet album de duos sans leur participation. Ils nous ont aussi, au fil des ans, présentés nombre de leurs amis qui sont également musiciens pour la plupart, et dont certains figurent sur l'album "Southern Sessions" !

Session of april 28th 2015

Banks Of The Ohio

The Train Carrying Jimmie Rodgers Home

Herb has been playing double bass along with Wayne Henderson for more than 50 years. We have been honored to play and record with him and Wayne.

Herb Key grew up in musical family in Wilkes County. He has played music for most of his life, and he grew up listening to old Carter Family recordings, mesmerized with Mother Maybelle's guitar playing. He also listened to radio programs and has fond memories of listening to the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday nights.

Herb's mother and father both played music, and his Uncle Bob, also a musician, showed Herb how to tune a guitar. When he was sixteen, Herb's parents bought him his own Silvertone guitar, an instrument he still owns. In school he played in a band with other friends in the Future Farmers of America. The group would play gospel music and other traditional music of the area.

In the 1970s, Herb, along with Larry Pennington, Raymond Pennington, and Paul Gentle, formed the High County Ramblers. Larry Pennington was a widely-known and respected banjo player from Ashe County who helped many musicians get involved with the local traditional music. His legacy is celebrated annually with a festival in Ashe County. Johnny Miller, and Wayne "Hot Picker" Henderson joined the band shortly after it was formed. This group won the Galax Fiddlers Convention in the bluegrass band category the year they formed.

Herb mentions Dan Crary and the Country Gentlemen and Doc Watson ("Our buddy down the road.") as being key musical influences. He recorded an album with the High County Ramblers, and later he recorded another album with fellow guitar players Wayne Henderson and Ray Cline to highlight the guitar styles of these pickers. Herb has won several ribbons in folk singing competitions at regional festivals.

More informations about Herb Key : http://www.blueridgeheritage.com/traditional-artist-directory/herb-key

And : http://www.blueridgemusicnc.com/listen-and-learn/artists/herb-key

Session of may 4th 2015

Early Morning Rain

Wish For Yesterday

Danny Finley (born April 15, 1945 in East Lynn, WV) is an American musician and song-writer, best-known under the name Panama Red.

He enlisted in the US Army in 1962, studied at the US Army Information School at Fort Slocum, NY, and was a Korea stringer for Pacific Stars and Stripes in 1963-64. He worked as a feature writer for the United Nations Command Korea Magazine "Friends of Freedom" in 1964-65. He was separated from active duty in 1965 and honorably discharged in 1968. Upon separation he lived for a short time in San Francisco, where he acquired the nickname Panama Red.

He left San Francisco in early 1966 and returned home to St. Petersburg, Florida. There he began to perform as a guitarist in several bands and as a solo folksinger, notably at the Beaux Arts Coffeehouse in Pinellas Park. In 1967 he moved to New York's Lower East Side and for six months managed a coffeehouse called the Cafe Eye on 10th Street across from Tompkins Square Park.

Returning to Florida he became a managing partner in a head shop called Yellow Submarine in Clearwater. Continuing to perform, he was a founding member of Bethlehem Asylum, a fusion band with two recordings on Ampex records, "Commit Yourself" and "Bethlehem Asylum" in 1970 and 1971. Bethlehem Asylum officially disbanded in 1972. The surviving members, Charlie DeChant (Hall and Oates) and Russell Buddy Helm (author of "Drumming the Spirit to Life") remain close friends.

In 1971 he moved to Nashville for a short period of time, where he became Billy Joe Shaver's guitar player^[1] and co-writer with Shaver of "Bottom Dollar." He appears on Shaver's record "Old Five and Dimers", produced by Kris Kristofferson. In 1972 he returned to Florida to take advantage of a scholarship in the Music Merchandising program at the University of Miami. He left after one semester to return to Nashville, and continued to play as Shaver's guitarist.

It was during this time that he made the acquaintance of Richard "Kinky" Friedman,1 and appeared as a guitarist on Kinky's record "Sold American", produced by Chuck Glaser. Shortly after returning from Miami he joined the Texas Jewboys(Kinky Friedman's band) in New York City, appearing with the Jewboys at Max's Kansas City. There, he began a collaboration with Friedman on Kinky's eponymous ABC album, written in fits and starts in NYC, Austin and Mexico. The album was recorded both in Nashville (Willie Nelson, producer) and.in Hollywood (Steve Barri, producer), and released in 1974. Between tours with the Texas Jewboys he worked as a recording musician in Nashville.

He parted from the Jewboys in 1975 and began performing as The Legendary Panama Red. From 1976 to 1979 he toured by bus with his band Montezuma's Revenge. He was the one of the first acts to appear at the Lone Star Cafe in New York City. He performed at Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, Texas, the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto and at the Old Mill in Mill Valley, California as well as numerous other venues in the U.S.

His work with his band brought him to the attention of the producer/bassist Felix Pappalardi (Cream, Mountain), who subsequently became his friend, mentor and sometime employer. After Felix's untimely death in 1982, Panama entered into a period of solitude and, wanting to "use my left brain", he became a carpenter. He studied computer science at Miami Dade College in 1982 and 1983. In 1986 he enrolled as a radiography student at Northern New Mexico College. While a student there he edited portions of a radiologic physics textbook (Radiologic Science for Technologists, Bushong, 4th Edition). He graduated with a GPA of 3.89 and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, He also attended the University of New Mexico, majoring in Journalism.

In 1990 he moved to San Francisco and worked at the VA Medical Center there. He left employment there in 1993 and began to perform again. He performed and lived in Nevada City, California, for a while and then moved to Seattle, where he lived until 1999, when he left the country to live and work in Amsterdam. He returned to the U.S. on Christmas Day 2001.

Since his return to music he has made two albums (HomeGrown and Choice Buds), and has appeared in numerous small venues in America, interspersed with performances, both as a solo artist and as a backing guitarist, in Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands.

He continues to write and perform and currently lives in Rockvale, Tennessee.

He is credited by etymologist Barry Popik with the first use of the rhyming phrase "Lost in Austin" (1976).

Albums as Featured Performer

1970 "Commit Yourself" (w/ Bethlehem Asylum)

1971 "Bethlehem Asylum" (w/ Bethlehem Asylum)

2000: " HomeGrown"

2005: "Choice Buds"

Panama red website : http://www.panamaredmusic.com/

Panama born in 1945, april 15th passed away in 2021, april 30 in his home bus near Tampa. His recording on the Hoboes and friends "Southern Session" is his last appearance on a record.

Session du 4 mai 2015

Early Morning Rain

Wish For Yesterday

Nous avons rencontré Panama la première fois en Hollande en 2001 chez Rob Dokter. Rob (the Doc) avait acheté un restaurant à Wittepaarden et organisait des concerts. Panama était en tournée en Europe. Nous l'avons revu à plusieurs reprises en france et aux USA chez lui près de Nashville, Tennessee. Nous sommes devenus amis et il a participé à plusieurs tournées avec le groupe Mary-Lou. Nous nous sommes également fréquemment produits avec lui aux USA. Il était depuis longtemps tout en haut de la liste des artistes américains avec lesquels nous rêvions d'enregistrer. Son dernier album, Choice Buds est toujours en vente sur son site : http://www.panamaredmusic.com/

Panama a écrit de très nombreuses chansons et il est très apprécié dans le milieu de la country alternative. Sa chanson "Wish For Yesterday" qui figure sur notre album, n'avait jamais été enregistrée auparavant.

Panama né le 15 avril 1945 s'est éteint le 30 avril 2021 à son domicile de Tampa. Sa participation à "Southern Sessions" constitue son dernier enregistrement.

Session du 14 mai

The One rose

The Trail Of The Lonesome Cowboy

Nous avons rencontré Charley Groth lors d'un concert en Floride. C'est un ami de Lee Hunter et Arvid Smith. Nous nous étions promis, alors, de nous revoir. C'était donc naturel de l'inviter à participer à notre album. C'est un songwriter de talent qui a fréquenté et joué avec de nombreuses légendes de la country music. Il est aussi à l'aise à la guitare qu'à la mandoline, au dobro ou au piano. Il n'est jamais avare d'anecdotes sur ses voyages à travers le monde ou son enfance dans une famille de musiciens. Sa musique est un mélange d'Americana, de country traditionnelle, folk, blues, swing, ragtime, et bluegrass !

Site internet : http://www.charleygroth.com/main.htm

Musicien de Floride reconnu, il a tourné aux USA et partout dans le monde. Il a reçu la distinction de Florida Master Artist par le département d'état de Floride et est membre du National Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame. Il a gagné de nombreux prix comme musicien, chanteur et a reçu un award comme auteur compositeur. Il fut producteur du Sunshine State Acoustic Music Camp pendant 25 ans, une session de formation à la musique acoustique de Floride à St. Petersburg. 

Charley a participé à de nombreux programmes radio nationaux et internationaux sur NPR (America's National Public Radio); Il a également été invité sur la radio et télévision nationale de New Zealand ainsi que sur de nombreuses radios et télévisions européennes. Charley a actuellement 4 cd en vente.

Plus d'informations et d'extraits sur le site de Charley : http://www.cgmusicman.com.

Vous pouvez le contacter directement à l'adresse suivante : charleygroth@yahoo.com 

Session of  may 18th

Meet Me In new Orleans

Don't Think Twice, It's Allright / N'y Pense Plus Tout Est Bien

We met Arvid Smith and Lee Hunter at Gail and Tom Watts many years ago. We were on tour, and they were playing at  Merlefest (North Carolina) as Tammerlin.

Tammerlin does not play any longer, but friendship staid. Arvid came twice in France to play with us, and we joined him in Florida for gigs many times.

He's a talented guitarist reputed in Jacksonville, where he lives, in Florida, and abroad. He's considered in The city of Jacksonville as one of the major local musicians. He played in many bands, and lately he has been playing in "Canary in the coalmine". He plays electric and acoustic guitar, dobro, and indian sithar. He spends his time between gigs, recording, teaching and creating.

He grew up with the Beatles, and he kept the taste of exploring sounds and harmonies. In traditional american music, as well as in blues, rock or indian music Arvid is a source of great ideas. And he is a friend.

Session du 18 mai

Meet Me In new Orleans

Don't Think Twice, It's Allright / N'y Pense Plus Tout Est Bien

Nous avons rencontré Arvid Smith en même temps que Lee Hunter chez Gail et Tom Watts il y a des années. Nous étions alors en tournée et nous profitions de notre temps libre pour nous rendre au Merlefest en Caroline du Nord où ils se produisaient sous le nom de Tammerlin.

Tammerlin s'est dissout depuis, mais l'amitié est restée. Arvid est venu à deux reprises se produire en France avec nous, et nous l'avons rejoint en Floride pour des concerts à de nombreuses reprises.

C'est un guitariste talentueux reconnu à Jacksonville, où il réside, en Floride, et au-delà. La ville de Jacksonville le considère d'ailleurs à juste titre comme l'un des musiciens phares de l'état. Il a joué dans d'innombrables groupes et récemment il tourne et enregistre avec "Canary in the coalmine". Il est aussi à l'aise à la guitare électrique qu'acoustique ou au dobro. Il partage son temps entre les concerts, les séances d'enregistrement, l'enseignement et la création. C'est également l'un des spécialiste du sithar indien dans le sud.

Il a grandi avec les Beatles, et il a gardé de cette époque un goût pour l'exploration des harmonies et des sons. Que ce soit dans la musique traditionnelle, dans le blues, dans le rock ou dans la musique indienne, Arvid déborde toujours d'idées géniales. Et c'est un ami.

Session of may 17th 2015

Mama's Opry

In Spite Of ourselves

We met Robin and Matt Soergel while they were playing with the Ruby Beach band. Arvid Smith was also part of the band. We crossed their road several times at gigs or musical parties. They are both folk and traditional country fans. Robin likes to sing Iris DeMent or Patsy Cline songs, while Matt sings and plays great guitar picking. We are honored to have recorded with them.

Robin passed away on 2020 january 30th.

Session du 17 mai 2015

Mama's Opry

In Spite Of ourselves

Nous avons fait la connaissance de Robin et Matt Soergel alors qu'ils se produisaient avec le groupe Ruby Beach. Arvid Smith était également de la bande. Nous avons croisé leur route plusieurs fois, lors de concerts ou de soirées musicales. Ils sont tous deux fans de folk et de country traditionnelle. Robin aime chanter des titres d'Iris DeMent ou de Patsy Cline, alors que Matt chante et l'accompagne (c'est un as du picking). Nous sommes honorés d'avoir pu jouer avec eux.

Robin nous a quittés le 30 janvier 2020.