Mack just sent this pic to me (I’m still laughing…), asking me to post it here because he’s having some FTP problems. Don’t groan at me for the text below the pic, that’s his also:
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'The Rocky Mountain Boys playing "Wind in the Rockies" a sort of jig style AIR. Brian Lee on the Hoover uilleanns, Mack on the low D Hoover upright, and Tom on the Sears contra bass. We're working on a CD on the Eureka label.'
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Mack
I can safely tell every one of you…these new whistles SUCK!!! 
This was one of the very best experiences with whistles/music/people in general, that I’ve had in many long years!
If any of you EVER have the opportunity to visit Mack, you should try to make a point to do so! It was certainly worth eight hours of driving!
As a side note…there’s going to be a big Celtic festival in Grand Junction this coming September (the weekend of the 22nd Mack??) that I plan on driving back down for. Perhaps I’ll see more of you there.
Tom…you gonna make it too? I’m hoping to have drones for my uilleann vaccum by then! 
Slán!
Brian~
That is one of the funniest pictures I have ever seen! Thank you to all who had anything to do with it!
Jessie
Sounds like you guys had a really great time, I wish I could have been there. Did anyone record any of the sessions?
The weekend wasn’t a total bust for me, I finally got out of work about 10:30 yesterday and went to a folk festival sponsored by Swallow Hill. They had a whistle workshop I attended and I am happy to say I found a really good whistle teacher. She plays beautifully and I will be taking her classes starting next month.
Well, now that I’m home and somewhat caught up on my sleep (free advice: avoid staying at the “Sagebrush Motel” in Wamsutter, Wyoming, at all costs short of death)…
I’ll echo what Brian said about Mack! He told us not to praise him to the heavens because he really didn’t have time for a six month back log. Suffice it to say he is a master craftsman, and his whistles are absolutely beautiful to hear. “Almost Endorsed By Joanie Madden.” He is also as kind and gentle a teacher and friend as you’re ever likely to meet.
Both Brian and I were able to produce our own whistles under his instruction, and we both came away with a couple other “artifacts” from his shop as well. And I ain’t talkin’ about vacuum cleaners, either!
Then there’s Brian–a great hand on the whistles and bodhran, and his enthusiasm is a force of nature! I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of each other!
I learned lots of new (to me) tunes, and thanks to Brian I now have a burning need to acquire a bodhran…
Thanks, guys, for all the tunes, laughs, the lawn to pitch my tent on, and the whistles. Except for the “gravel matress” that first night, I can truly say I enjoyed every minute! Next year in Lander?
God bless all!
Tom
Jeeeeeez, you guys!
What do you do about “condensation” problems or do I really want to know??
Very, very funny…made my day, thanks!!
Sue
I just had a thought. Isn’t this the dreaded “advertising” that we should not be having on this board? Are you guys “sucking” up to us…you know that we can’t resist new whistles…what is the waiting period for aquiring one of the instruments in this new line (or should that be hose…)
Great picture! wHOOeVER came up with that idea deserves a medal.
I guess you guy’s will ‘Clean Up’ with this line of instruments!
Gerry
No worries about condensation on the contra bass, Sue–it’s a wet-dry shop vac. If the fipple clogs, just turn in on for a couple seconds (the motor doubles as a drone, too).
T
Looks like you guys had a great time. Wish I could have been there. I spent Saturday morning being an Emery Highschool Marching Band mom. It was fun. The kids did two parades on Saturday and will do another one tomorrow, which is Pioneer Day in Utah. I told my daughter, since I was missing all the fun in Grand Junction, I might bring my whistle and play along with the band. She didn’t think that was very funny.
So far I’m planning to be at that Celtic Festival in September, maybe I’ll get to meet some of you there.
Marcee
I too am hoping to make it back out for the Celtic Festival in Sept. Perhaps I’ll bring my friend Joe. An absolute whiz on the whistle/flute and bodhrán!
Mack’s promised me a whistle I can plug into the lighter jack in my car too, so I’ll have my own portable car Hoover!
And yes, I know this has been said ad nauseum..but Mack is SUCH a wonderful person!!! I would highly encourage ANYONE with even the slightest interest in whistles and their crafting to visit him.
My absolute best to you Mack, and every other wonderful person on the board! May God hold you in the hollow of his hand!
Brian~
I am speechless…that picture just sucked the wind right out of me! One never knows what you’re gonna run across on this board…that’s what so delightful about it.
And I…just came back from Evart Music Fest in MI…one of the greatest experiences of my life. And watch out for the Bodhrans!!!
I gave a workshop 3 days in a row and there’s at least 60 Bodhran players running around out there some place… Gm
BTW, For anyone who asked over the weekend and I may have forgotten, the address for Fred Halpin, the maker of that amazing bodhrán, is:
http://www3.sympatico.ca//halpin/home.htm
Betty, you never said you were a drummin’ girl! I’m sure you could teach me a thing ot two!
Bri~
Mack, Brian, and Tom, a pleasure to meet you guys last weekend. Hope to see you again before too long, maybe September in Grand Junction. Brian, in case you’re interested, there is a band called the Lab Dogs at the offices of the State Archaeologist (Rio Grande building). They play bluegrass and some Celtic and appreciate a good whistle and bodhran player. Ask for Ron or Kevin; I mentioned you to Ron.
Rand
On 2001-07-25 21:09, Digger wrote:
Mack, Brian, and Tom, a pleasure to meet you guys last weekend. Hope to see you again before too long, maybe September in Grand Junction. Brian, in case you’re interested, there is a band called the Lab Dogs at the offices of the State Archaeologist (Rio Grande building). They play bluegrass and some Celtic and appreciate a good whistle and bodhran player. Ask for Ron or Kevin; I mentioned you to Ron.Rand
Hey Rand!
So this group is in Salt Lake? Do they have a contact ph# or email? I’d love to get a hold of them. And it was indeed good to play in CO! I’ll be looking for you all in Sept!
Bri~
Hey Rand,
Be a stranger no more, here on the C&F or at my place.
We’re going to need some bodhran lessons! You play a really fine whistle,too. And Jim sounds great on the octave mando.
Mack
Brian,
The Lab Dogs are indeed in SLC, they all work at the historic Rio Grande building downtown; three of them are archaeologists. They enjoyed having me play whistle with them last fall at the Great Basin conference, or at least they said they did! Anyway, they do some Celtic tunes and I’m sure could be persuaded to do even more if they had a good Irish whistler on hand. I will send you an e-mail address.
Rand
Mack,
Thanks for the compliment! From what I heard Sunday you make an excellent whistle. Hope you will have some available at the Festival in September.
Rand
To Ron, who asked if we recorded any of the sessions:
I was able to capture some to wav, and Tom got some on a mono tape recorder. I can’t speak for Tom’s tape, but there is a sample on Clips and Snips of Brian, Tom, and Rand doing what Tom calls Mack’s Jig. I think it may be a traditional tune, so we may have to apologize for the arbitrary name if someone reveals the real one.
I’ll try to put the others on my web page soon.
Mack
Thanks Mack,
I was really bummed about not being able to make it (May the gods reserve a particulary nasty spot in hell for employers who don’t understand the need to make music with like minded people) but at least now I’ll be able to hear a bit of what I missed