A long-time lurker, I only recently registered with C&F in order to communicate by PM to arrange to buy a whistle ( an Eb Jerry tweaked Shaw, by the way). Never got around to posting a topic or reply . While attending the recent Northeast Whistle Gathering many C&F regulars there scolded me for not coming forward and making myself known. Robin, spittin_in_the_wind, and brewerpaul, maker of the beautiful Busmans, were the most insistent.
I now come forward; I’m the guy in the orange shirt. I am shown on some of the posted pics of the event playing some of Walt Sweet’s whistles and flutes. This was a great gathering, by the way, Mike Reagan (slowair) cannot be thanked enough for creating and carrying out the concept. A perfect day !
Started out as a trumpet player a long time ago, took up the diatonic harmonic as an avid folk enthusiast, then acoustic guitar to back up my harp-on-a-rack. During an idle moment over twenty years ago I picked up my wifes “penny whistle” and tutor which was laying around (I never heard her play it ar alll). Really enjoyed it. What a revelation it was when I played my first jig “Haste to the Wedding” !! I was hooked.
I’ve played over a hundred performances playing my tin whistles and harmonicas together with a partner who does vocals and acoustic guitar. A guitar accompaniast is something every whistle/harmonica player needs, by the way. I’m pretty lucky on that score. He does a lot of folk, cowboy, old-time and mountain music to which I add harmonica, blues harp, and even whistles, whichever works best. We do a lot of jigs, reels, hornpipes, airs, etc. and other Ir trad featuring the tin whistle. They call us The Celtic Cowboys along the Coast of Maine.
Sunday, I’m playing whistle at the historic Kennebunk Inn ( built in 1799, the first president to visit Maine, James Munroe, drove right by its door on Main Street, US Route 1) with a group which includes a harp, hammered dulcimer, guitar, and concertina. We’ll do lots of IrTrad, O’Carolan tunes, etc. Guinness, Bass and Harp are on tap and the musicians drink for free. This is always a wonderfully enjoyable time for me.
For whistles, I play Burkes, Gens, Susatos, Water Weasels.
I hope to add my two-cents worth to the aftermath of the Great NE Whistle Gathering on other posts. Too many whistles to examine, too little time. And what Great Music there was..
Welcome aboard!
Redwolf
Aha!! Good to see you “coming out”, as it were…
It was nice to see you at the gathering and hear a bit of your playing. I hope this encourages other lurkers to speak up too.
Say Hi to George and Barbara… 