In November 2005, we sold a large number of our CD's to one very generous man, to be sent out with his Christmas cards. He requested a letter to accompany the disks with more information on the Fiddlesticks, and how they came to be. The following is from that letter. | |||||||||
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Fiddlesticks is composed of four young ladies, 13 to 18 years old, and one aged but endearing English teacher. The group actually sprung from a Jr. High poetry class I was teaching in 2001. I had an all-girls class that year, and we'd been discussing the music available to teens on the radio and MTV, particularly rap music and "heavy metal." I'd been trying to make the point that when you repeatedly expose yourself to something so angry and discordant over a long period of time, it's not unreasonable to expect it to negatively influence your moods and general outlook on life. I placed a large (fishless) goldfish bowl filled with water on the corner of my desk and would add a single drop of black ink to the water each morning when I opened my classroom. The idea being, of course, that at some point the water turned dull and gray, and no one could say just when the change occurred. It was, I thought, a brilliant demonstration, because the drops themselves were so tiny. Alas, the very point; how slowly the water changed, was the near downfall of the experiment. It was about to become one of those lessons that are better related than experienced. We needed something alive and present to keep the discussion going while we stared expectantly into the fishbowl. I was saved when one of the girls asked what I listened to when I was their age. The following day I brought in a guitar and played a few Kingston Trio, Dylan, Weavers, and other "folk" tunes. I was prepared for some of the eye-rolling and awkward sideways glances that earmark 9 to 12 year old girls when trapped with an adult waxing nostalgic. To my delight they became very enthusiastic about the songs, calling them happy and fun. Two of the girls asked if I'd teach them the songs and how to play them. I borrowed two guitars, bought a few penny whistles, a tambourine, and a broken banjo (another class project), and over time we learned to make music with them. We would play during lunch or breaks, or whenever any of my other classes were making their eyes glaze over. Someone would plead, "music break," and we'd each grab an instruments off the wall. I eventually found a stand-up bass, a piano, an old mandolin, and three fixer-upper fiddles. A good friend, Rick Toles, came in every week and started four of the girls fiddling, (that's violin playing with attitude, bad posture and foot tapping etc.) and as they say, the rest is history. Three of those girls, Bailey, Anna and Lauren are in the Fiddlesticks today and still taking lessons from Rick. Last year we added 12 year-old Leiya, a very talented young singer. Give a listen to Ragtime Cowgirl Floe, and Stephen Foster's Nelly Bly (number 2 and 6 on the CD), both were recorded when Leiya was still 12. You will be surprised, I promise. Almost three years ago I built a music room above my garage, and we have pizza and play music for two hours every Thursday night. Fiddlesticks draw from a wide range of music. Beatles, Dylan, Eagles, traditional American tunes, Celtic and bluegrass. We thought it would be a nice to have a surprise CD as a Christmas present for our friends and families, what you hold in your hands is the result. The girls decided to donate all the profits from our first run of CDs to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief. This is a good example of their character, but listening to their music tells a great deal as well. Music is truly a global language, it can uplift the heart, and inspire noble thinking. In ancient times, a Chinese Emperor once stated that you could judge a culture's values by listening to its music. He sent scouts throughout his lands to report back to him what his people were singing. The songs on "Just For Fun" are a good cross section of what we play both in the music room, and in public performances. We have played several times at the county fair, community events, and even an animal shelter, but the most rewarding "gig" was playing for the residents at an Alzheimer's center in Nevada City. No matter how withdrawn and disengaged a patient might be, the music would reach through and bring joy into the room. Stravinsky said: "I know that 12 notes in each octave and the varieties of rhythm offer me the opportunities that all of human genius will never exhaust." It's a wonderful thought. For me it's been a real honor to be along for the musical ride. Thanks so much for your support, and your most generous order. I'm confident your friends will enjoy the CD, and one thing for sure, it won't be something they already have. Brian
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Our Roots, how it all began.
