Here’s Rob playing with his new friends that he met at the club when we were playing.

We never really make much cash at the Coonhunters, but for some reason, we like playing there and all the people and such, so we go often enough. Seems every other month or so we play there. They’d have us more, but well, it’s a little too much to drive up there, spend the whole night playing and get like 15 or 20 dollars. And we start to feel like we’re just playing the same old things because we won’t have much time between to work on new matieral. I didn’t even record it or anything, because, well, we already have a lot of video of us there.

But the sweet thing was that it was our hostess’s 85th surprise birthday party!!! Virgie is such a sweety and we love her, so it was an honor to be the band playing for her. The place was hopping with a lot of her family and friends. We had a good time. There were two other bands there so we didn’t have to play the whole night through, so that was kinda nice. Got a great meal out of the deal, because Virgie knows that I love her chicken and dumplins, so she always makes it for us when we come. (I hope the boys like it too, because she ain’t never gonna change that I think! She’s so funny.)

The Moonshine Monsters were there and missing a guy or two so they asked if Rob could play a few with them. He was game and got up there to go at it with them. They are more of a rockabilly band, but it was fun to listen to them. Marion Blue was there too, they are a solid old traditional bluegrass band that has been together for a long time in the Detroit area. I know that Jeff asked them to come and open at the Opry soon, not sure when, but soon. That will be a nice treat for everyone.

All in all, a really fun evening. It’s nice to get out and enjoy folks and play music for them. I was getting ready to go and trying to decide if I should wear my cowboy boots or not and just getting fussied up a bit and for some reason it hit me. I can NOT believe that I am actually a paid entertainer. That people PAY money to come and hear me and the boys sing and play. That is a hoot. I mean, I started in my first band only about 5 years ago… I was 41. 41 years young… and all the sudden I’m out at clubs and festivals and halls playing the banjo and earning living money off it. In fact more than once my banjo playing has helped to pay the rent!!! That’s crazy! And I hate to admit this.. but the most expensive thing I own, is my banjo. Nothing else even comes close. Not even my Moby!!! My top things are… banjo, Moby, computer and then it muddles in stuff that is not very valuable. I can’t count my car since I really don’t own it yet and Jessys’ car, well, it’s still less than the banjo and it’s hers. Even when I get my own car, it is less than the old banjo!!! hahaha… I am a real urban hillbilly I guess. My banjo is my most expensive possession!

Well… that was the night and by the time I rolled into bed, I was tired but happy. Got to pick and laugh with my bandmates, visit with all the nice people and just had a nice time out AND made a little cash! How can that be bad?