Home for the Holidays!

Well, it's been quite some time since we last posted. I'd love to say it's because we're so busy we don't even have time to think, but that's not quite right. We're always busy, but I can't blame the lack of blogging on that. We've decided to make it a resolution to start blogging at least once a month in the coming year. Votes on how long that'll last?
We're home and excited to be so through the holidays. I've spent most of the day baking cookies as I dance around the kitchen to Christmas music among other, more danceable tunes. This is a tradition that I look forward to each year. I have a list of folks that I bless (or curse) with my cookies during the holiday season as a way to say thanks for being part of our lives. This year we're having peanut butter blossoms and preacher cookies (I forgot how finicky these little things can be). Pretty traditional recipes, which is not usually my style, but I'm feeling unusually traditional this year.
As we reflect on 2006, it's been a great year for us. We are thrilled we the reviews and radio play that Rope Around My Heart has received. We've met so many wonderful people in our travels. Folks that are as passionate about music as we are, and it's unbelievable to be able to do this for a living. We send out a huge hearfelt thanks to all of you that have come to our shows, requested our songs on the radio, voted for our HEMI, and otherwise been a part of our musical lives. We couldn't and wouldn't want to do this without you!
We're gearing up for a great 2007, will hopefully get back in the studio sometime during the year, and look forward to revisiting some of our favorite venues and making relationships with new places throughout the country, maybe we'll even fit in a European tour if all goes well . . .
There I go, making things busy again! We look forward to seeing you all soon!
Happy Holidays!

T & D

Just Fiddlin' Around!

Whoa! It’s been a while since we’ve posted to our blog. We just got back from a very relaxing and rejuvenating trip to one of our favorite places in the world – GALAX, VA! We went for the 71st (?) annual Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention. As most of you know, we go every year and we always have a GREAT time! This year was no exception. We went a day later than usual, and when we arrived, Annelle was sitting on the front porch of the shed, and Alice and Papa were in the shed playing some sweet, sweet music. Nanny was taking a nap. The dogs and family welcomed us, and the fun began! We shortly got out our own instruments and played along with Papa and Alice, which is always a treat – while Annelle tried to capture the spirit of the moment on film (well, digital). We headed down to the park after a bite to eat, and we were glad to be in the cool mountain air! Thursday night, we jammed with some folks a couple of campers down, and had a good time. We were so glad to have our dear friend Julie, and her sister Sasha, join us at the park. We turned in fairly early, but enjoyed some time around the table (at the farm) and said our “goodnights.” Friday morning, we awake to a cool mountain breeze, and Papa’s short-order breakfasts. I love this place. We play around a little with Sasha and Alice, then I head out for a run, while Doug, Douglas, Julie, and Sasha play a round (or 4) of cross-country Bocci. Patti arrives in the late afternoon, we have some pasta and puntenesca (that’s been cooking since yesterday in the sun), and some folks wimp out on going to the park in the dampness. Doug and I take Sasha and head down to the park with Nanny and Papa, thinking there might be some good deals on basses because of the weather. Unfortunately, the one we saw yesterday is sold. Doug says it wasn’t meant to be mine, and it turns out he’s right. We walk around in the muck a bit, and come across a tent with a 1970’s Englehart bass listed for sale, and the guy under the tent is playing “Magnolia Wind”. Is this a sign or what? We ask to see the bass when he’s done. She’s BEAUTIFUL. We play around a bit, then go get our instruments to jam with our new friend on bass. Not only is she BEAUTIFUL (did I already say that?), but she sounds so warm while we’re jamming. By the way, Lloyd (the bass man) is a great player and a super nice guy. Another young gentleman (Brad Harper) joins the jam on dobro, and we draw quite the rainy night crowd. It’s really fun! I’m pretty sure this is my bass, and we talk with Lloyd about the deal. He’s interested in what we’re doing (musically), and agrees to make us a little trade for a CD and T-shirt for the bass bag, and we talk about getting to the bank in the morning to finalize the transaction. Woo Hoo! I couldn’t be happier. Doug’s the best husband in the world – selling a saxophone for me to get a bass! Saturday morning, we’re up and around, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the rest of the gang. Today we expect Mike Maddox, the Lavery Family, and the Eskew’s. It’s kind of a cloudy day, but we’re really just enjoying a break in the weather. Not only are we anxious about our friends coming, but Doug and I have big business to take care of, so we head into town. We find Lloyd and his friend Butch, and head back to their tent to jam a little more and for me to become the official owner of the bass. Let me make a small note here. In this jam, there are three guitar players and they are all playing WAYNE HENDERSON guitars. We are so darn excited we can hardly contain ourselves. We hang out for a bit, then head back to the farm to check in on who’s arrived. We show off the new bass (sight and sound) and excitedly strike up a jam with Sasha, Steve and Georgeanne Lavery, Alice, and Mike Maddox. Even Big Doug likes the bass, and plays some fine tunes. This might be his instrument. The Eskews arrive, we dive into some barbecue and head down to the park. It is Saturday night, by the way! Matt Crance (our bass playin’ buddy) comes by to jam, and gives my new bass a little work out! It’s so fun to play with Matt. Sasha’s hangin’ in with her own bass, and picking up some good tips from him. We do a couple of “sets”, then my girl singing buddy, Marcie Horne stops by. I really like singing with her – she has a great voice, and she’s cute as a darn button. It’s a great Saturday night, and we really don’t want to stop, but everyone’s ready to head back to the farm, and we have been jamming ALL DAY! Everyone turns in after a night cap, except Mike, Doug, and me. We hang out and have another beer (or 4) and play a few more tunes together. Gambetti is such a fantastic place to be – everyone that’s ever come through really seems to get what it’s all about. We finally give in to our weak eyes around 3:00AM. Sunday morning sucks! Not really – it’s just the time that we all start heading out, one by one. I hate for the fun to end. Annelle fries up a little lunch time okra, and we hang out at the table and recap the great weekend. We thank Nanny and Papa for having such a great place for us to come home to, and tell them we can’t wait until we’re back there! Doug and I head home, and prepare for our upcoming trip in a couple of days.

T

Merlefest is OVER!

Hey Y'all! I just wanted to let everyone know what a WONDERFUL time we had at Merlefest this year. I was brought to tears on multiple occassions, including: Darrell & Wayne Scott set on the Austin stage, John Prine on the Watson stage, and Guy Clark on the Americana stage. I was telling someone that I couldn't miss Guy's set on the Americana stage because the last time I saw him on that very stage, it was a life-changing event. We saw a "ton" of other good music, and we are inspired to press on with our own career.
As usual, we enjoyed our evening jams (evening is a relative term). We're recovering and already looking forward to next year's Merlefest! Who knows, maybe we can talk them into letting Doug & I come to play!

RocketBOOM!!

Check it out! Amanda wore our shirt today on Rocketboom! Here's a link to the episode-

http://www.rocketboom.com/vlog/archives/2006/04/rb_06_apr_03.html

For those of you who don't know what Rocketboom is, you should check it out. It's a daily v-blog/video podcast. They dig up some pretty cool stories. At times it's a bit geeky, but it's that hip and fun kind of geeky.

We had a GREAT weekend. Friday night opening for Darrell Scott was a real blast. The rest of the weekend was spent in Fredericksburg, VA with a ton of great musicians from around there. We played music a lot more than we slept, so I think I'm gonna sign off this post and go take a nap.

Doug

Thank you!

What a great weekend we had. The CD Release party in Martinsville was just great. We had friends in town from all over the place, just to come to the show. Plus all the folks from Martinsville. Thanks to all of you came- Telisha and I were really shocked at the turnout. We had no idea that we'd have that many people. Glad we didn't run out of beer! If anyone has good photos, send them to me and I'll put them on the website.

Big special thanks to Heidi, Karen, and Julie for running the merch table pretty much all night long. You guys took in a lot of cash! Thanks to Linda for carrying the tip jar around- that really generated QUITE a bit of revenue as well. Oh- and of course thanks to the folks who tossed in some money or bought CD's or shirts! My dad did a pretty good job as bartender and MC- so thanks dad. If things don't work out at Hooker, you've always got something to fall back on. Of course, mom, great job with the catering. Food was great and PLENTIFUL!! Jenny- Thanks for keeping us out of jail with the whole ABC thing. That would have really put a damper on the evening. Adele- Sorry you couldn't make it but, wow, thanks for the bubbly and the cups!!! Both were a real hit at the party! Especially with Becki- who wasn't quite so bubbly the next morning. Speaking of Beck, though, Thanks for singing with us! It's always a treat. You sounded great. Oh- and if we thank Beck, we need to thank Andres. He was not only very helpful in tracking down some pain medicine, but also he didn't seem to mind being the butt of a few jokes from stage! What a guy.... Of course, thanks to Maria for the fruit tray! yummy. Thanks to those of you who traveled a long way to come- Bill, Jean, Nick, Steve, George, PATTI, Tony, Heather, Larissa, John, Tom, Sheree... Oh- and George and Beth. Didn't everybody see George and Beth? Well, they were there. Honest! Thanks to Carolyn and Laura at the Artisan Center. What a GREAT PLACE!!! Folks, take advantage of this great resource. As soon as they get their website up and running, I'll put a link on our site. Steve- the lights worked out great. Thanks for the help there! Glad you finally got to put your undergraduate degree to work.

One more thing- Thanks to all of you who brought your kids. No, we're not a 'kids' band, and we have some dirty words and adult themes in our songs, but for some reason kids like us. And all the kids that were at the party seemed to have a really good time and actually listened to the music! They also really added a nice energy to the place. What fun.

Again- Thanks. Don't know what else to say. It's great to feel that love and support all around us. From the thundering applause after a song to a few small words of encouragement after the show, it all really makes a difference and keeps us going. You all mean more to us than you know.

Doug

This is it!

Here it is! Yep, we've been talking about it forever, now here it is. You can get your very own copy from www.cdbaby.com/dtwilliams. By the way, you can review it there as well after you buy it!

We're having a big party in Martinsville, Virginia, to celebrate. It's going to be Saturday, March 25th at 7:00 PM. We found a great place to have it- the Artisans Center. The address is 34 West Church Street- it's right across from the City Municipal Building downtown. It used to be a furniture store, but now the local community college (PHCC) runs it as classroom space. Pottery, stained glass, weaving, all kinds of really cool art. The best part is they're opening the front part up as a gallery/store for local artisans to sell their stuff! Pretty cool, huh? Telisha and I really hope a lot of you can come.

We've had a lot of fun on the road lately. We've meet some good friends in Maryland, Texas, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina... We met a bunch of goofy high school kids in SC. They were pretty funny- we let one of them come up on stage and read a love poem. It had something to do with cocaine and llamas, but other than that I didn't really get it. 31 doesn't seem that old until you try to have a conversation with 17-18 year olds. Good kids, though- and musicians.

Oh- the recipe pages that MANY of you have missed so much will be back VERY SOON!! I've been working on them today, so maybe even by the end of the week we'll have a way to get to them.

That's all for now! Hope to see all of you soon!
Doug
www.DandTW.com