Celebrating Crafts and Christmas with The Vogts Sisters!

I'm very happy to introduce today's guests for "Celebrating Crafts and Christmas" week -  
The Vogts Sisters! 

If you've been following my blog for a while, you're probably aware of my love of bluegrass music. (You can read more about it HERE.) And if you've been following my blog since the beginning, you might recall the day I hosted author Deborah Vogts for the "End of Summer Bash" in 2010. Well, imagine my excitement when I discovered Deborah Vogts' daughters are bluegrass singers/musicians! They recently released their first CD, Old Time Noise.

Keep on reading to learn more about these talented sisters - and about their giveaway!

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Amber: Welcome, Maggie and Abigail! One Dictionary.com definition of the word “craft” is: “an art, trade, or occupation requiring special skill…” How did you get started in the music “craft,” and what special skills do each of you contribute to your band?

• Maggie: I don’t really see myself as a craftsman (craftswoman?) – simply because I haven’t put as much work toward our singing as a true craftsman would. I tend to give more time to school projects, and look upon the music as a de-stresser. Abbey provides most of the instrumentals. Once in a while I dare to bring out the fiddle or guitar or the harmonica (the last of which is a new addition). Mostly I sing harmony, because I’m not a very good player. Not that that means I’m a good singer. I’ve also written a few songs, three of which are on our new album. 

• Abigail: I started taking guitar lessons from one of our pastors in 2009 after receiving a acoustic guitar for a Christmas present from our parents. Pastor John Stubenrouch insisted that I sing as I learned each song . . . and well, gracious, I’ve been singing ever since. Then about a year ago, Maggie and I started singing harmony together for fun. Our folks loved it (but mom and dad love everything we sing.) We decided to try our songs out on the rest of the world when we participated in the Katy Days Got Talent competition in Parsons, Kansas last May. And we made it to the final round—which amazed us. We entered a few more competitions and did well, which brings us to where we are now. We released our first CD, Old Time Noise, this past November. I’m currently learning to play the mandolin and fiddle, which I love. 

Amber: It sounds like you two have been doing very well for yourselves! I love that your passion - as well as your humility - shines. =) 

Please share one of your favorite singers/musicians/bands. In what ways does he/she/it inspire you to keep working on your craft? 

• Maggie: We really like Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, as well as Alison Krauss. Really, our singing together (as willing participants) began with Gillian Welch’s “Down Along the Dixie Line” from The Harrow and the Harvest. When I first heard it, I cried. That was that. Alison Krauss is an artist we’ve known of for a long time, but we rarely touch her songs. Why bother? She has angel pipes. And she makes me cry. That seems to be the key – if someone can make either of us cry (usually me…), we tend to love them. 

• Abigail: Two bands come to mind—the Wailin' Jennys and Alison Krauss (with Union Station)—just because they’re awesome. We aren’t necessarily inspired, but rather humbled when we hear such bands. They just aren’t from Earth . . . they’re aliens. It’s good to be humbled, and thankfully, we are often.

Amber: Definitely good to be humbled! I think it's also good to acknowledge the talent God has given you as you give Him the glory with it. =) And I'm also a fan of Alison Krauss! 

So, what do you hope to share through your craft? 

• Maggie: Just love for good music. We realize there are going to be a lot of people who don’t like this style. But there will be those who appreciate it – the stories and the heartbreak and the loss. Good stuff. 

• Abigail: An appreciation for good music, because it seems that today’s standards of music are shamefully low. It’s very easy to like a song because of its melody, while the words are TERRIBLE. So we are always careful of that in our music. All in all, it’s not about us, it’s about God’s glory, not our own. 

Amber: Good stuff, indeed! Do either of you have any other crafts you enjoy?

• Maggie: Again, I don’t consider myself a craftsman because I haven’t dedicated a lot of time to the activities. However, I have hobbies – writing, riding horses, making documentary-like videos. 

• Abigail: I really enjoy photography and drawing portraits. I also love to read and write, and of course there’s the music… 

Amber: Since the Christmas season is upon us… Will you be doing something special this season that involves your craft?

• Maggie: Apart from the upcoming concert? Nothing that I’m aware of. Oh, we’ll probably sing a lot at home – just for fun. 

• Abigail: We’ll be opening for Jimmy Fortune and T Graham Brown at an upcoming concert this weekend, and after that we’re just going to enjoy the Christmas season and probably go caroling.

Amber: Sounds great! And singing just for fun is nice. =) Do you have a favorite Christmas song?

• Maggie: Impossible! "Silent Night" is somewhere at the top, though. 

• Abigail: I don’t really have a favorite song. But I love hearing and singing the old Lutheran Christmas hymns that I’ve grown up with. Maybe "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come," or "The First Noel," or "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."

Amber: Thank you both so much for taking the time to answer my questions and visit with us today!

***

Listen!

Here are some samples of their lovely music:

"Cotton Waltz" ~ Written by Maggie Vogts

"Rainy Days" ~ Written by Maggie Vogts

Giveaway!

The Vogts Sisters have generously offered to give away a physical copy of their CD, Old Time Noise!

To enter, just leave a comment with your e-mail address. Please note that you must have a U.S. mailing address in order to enter the drawing. A winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Friday, December 7th.

Happy National Train Day 2011!

I was so excited to discover that today is National Train Day! In anticipation of this special event, last weekend I put together a video in honor of my love of trains. Most of the pictures and footage are from Virginia City, Nevada and the surrounding area, where a good part of my first manuscript is set. Enjoy!

Bluegrass Festival: Why I Love Bluegrass

To be honest, it's hard to know where to begin. I'll start by saying that I have listened to many different kinds of music, and you'll find in my iTunes account music ranging from the soundtrack of Phantom of the Opera to the modern electronic music of Owl City.

However, to me, there is nothing like bluegrass.

Bluegrass is a step back in time, while still retaining a sense of timelessness. Listening to a CD of bluegrass or attending a bluegrass performance is like listening to history. It's not fancy like classical music. It's not what teenagers desire at a dance party. It's not even like the popular country music of today. Bluegrass brings to mind what Dustin Taylor of Huckleberry Flint mentioned: "just sitting around a campfire playing songs."

Bluegrass is engaging. It beckons you to get up and dance. It urges you to sing along with all of your heart. The fast rhythms and the amazing cooperation of instruments make bluegrass a delight to listen to. Banjos, guitars, mandolins, fiddles--the music they make together astounds me, and when I listen to bluegrass I want so much to be a part of it, to be a part of the community it creates.

Bluegrass is heartfelt. The lyrics, whether they are more about today or more about the tales of yesterday, are all about what it is like to be a human. There is a universal theme to bluegrass songs. Whether they are about what it's like to lose a loved one, what it's like to be denied love, or what it's like to be full of wanderlust (a desire for adventure)--we can relate. Often, the songs are sorrowful and painful, because this world is full of sin and problems. But there are songs that express hope, and ones that are just plain fun. They are true to life, and I love that.

Bluegrass calls to me like no other music does. It's personal in a way that is hard for me to describe. It's music to travel by, music to listen to on this journey of life, riding the rails and hiking the trails. It's compelling in all seasons of our life. Music is a beautiful gift that God has given us, and I'm so thankful for bluegrass and those who play it with all the talent they have been given by God!

On that note, I'll announce the winners!

Michelle won the iTunes download of her choice of a Cherryholmes CD!

Vince won the iTunes download of his choice of a Huckleberry Flint CD!

(I used the Random.org List Randomizer to choose the winners.)

For those of you who didn't win, I strongly encourage you to check out the music of Cherryholmes, Huckleberry Flint, and other bluegrass artists. Enjoy the music meant to draw people together and touch your heart. If you want any other recommendations for bluegrass artists, feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts on bluegrass or on your favorite type of music!

Bluegrass Festival with Dustin Taylor!

Welcome to the second day of the "Seasons of Humility" Bluegrass Festival! Today we are hosting Dustin Taylor of the bluegrass band Huckleberry Flint!

Huckleberry Flint is a band located in my home county (Humboldt County) in Northern California. The band has recently grown to include seven members total. Dustin is one of the original members, and he plays guitar and sings for the band. He and several other members of the band also play at a local church (Arcata First Baptist) during the Sunday morning worship service. The music is beautiful, and I envy my parents and sister being able to go and listen to them all the time while I'm away at college! ;)

You can find out more about Huckleberry Flint by checking out their Facebook page.

And now it is my great pleasure to introduce ya'll to Dustin Taylor!

Amber: How did Huckleberry Flint get its start? And is there a story behind the name?

Dustin: Huckleberry Flint got their start seven years ago. Kevin Porter, Marybeth Taylor, Adam Dick and I had already been playing worship music together in church and our Bible study, then Adam Dick brought up the idea of playing bluegrass together. Being that Adam was playing around on the mandolin, I played a couple chords on the guitar, and Marybeth took classical violin lessons throughout her school years, bluegrass was a perfect fit. Adam was heavily influenced by Hank Williams and The Wilders at the time, and I began acquiring a collection of Bill Monroe and other bluegrass recordings for my influence. After our first street performance at Eureka's monthly Arts Alive event, we were hooked and soon began shopping for our western suits and cowboy hats. Our first official performance was at the Arcata First Baptist welcome students BBQ.

I wish I had a better story for the name Huckleberry Flint, but we were just having a hard time coming up with a name and so I was just spewing out combinations of names. I knew the name needed to role off the tongue with ease, and when I said Huckleberry Flint we laughed about it and then came to like it.

Amber: Do you have any family members or long-time friends in the group? If so, do you feel that the music draws you closer together?

Dustin: I think the reason Huckleberry Flint has lasted so long is because we are all long-time friends and family. Marybeth is my sister in law and the rest of the band members are very close friends from church. I feel that although performing music together has definitely drawn us closer together, it is our relationship with Jesus Christ that has really impacted our friendships for the better.

Amber: Of the songs your group performs, which one is your favorite and why?

Dustin: I have a few favorites, but I would say my favorite song to perform right now would have to be "Wayfaring Stranger." The song has taken on a whole new life of its own since Brian and Lauren Pilger have joined the band adding organ, electric guitar, and vocals. I love the dynamics, haunting harmonies, and full bodied sound of our version of the traditional song.

Amber: I hope that song is going to be on your next album, then! (Dustin already informed me that they will be recording a new CD this winter!)

What do you enjoy about performing locally in Humboldt County? Have you ever had the opportunity to travel with Huckleberry Flint?

Dustin: Humboldt County is a great place to perform. For such an out of the way location, Humboldt has a very vibrant music scene with a large variety of music venues. Humboldt also has a wonderful folk life society who took us under their wing and gave us many opportunities to grow and learn as an old-time/bluegrass band. One such pivotal folk life society moment for me was when they asked us to open for Old Crow Medicine Show. I fell in love with the high energy performance and raw old-time sound of O.C.M.S that night, and my mind was left spinning with ides for future HF performances. I also enjoy performing in Humboldt because Huck Flint has a great home town crowd who know how to make us feel welcome and loved. It is nice to see familiar faces in the crowd.

Amber: What do you love the most about bluegrass music in general?

Dustin: I love bluegrass music because of its rich heritage and its accessibility for people to play together. The acoustic instruments can be played anywhere and the traditional songs make it easy for strangers to just gather and make music together. I have had so much fun at bluegrass festivals just sitting around a campfire playing songs.

Amber: Tying in with the title of this blog, "Seasons of Humility," do you ever struggle with humility when Huckleberry Flint garners acclaim? If so, do you have any advice you can share with us from your journey to be humble before God?

Dustin: Of course it is difficult not to feel prideful when Huckleberry Flint garners acclaim, but I think it would be much more of a struggle if it was just me getting acclaim as a solo artist. It is so nice to be in a band of dear friends who also fear the Lord. If I ever feel prideful for my musical skills, the band easily puts me back in my place. Most importantly, it is the constant work of the Lord Jesus in my life that keeps me working toward humility. Fellowship with fellow Christians and time in the Bible are essential to walking out a life pleasing to God.

Amber: Thank you so much for sharing with us today, Dustin! Can't wait to go home and listen to Huckleberry Flint's music again in person!


Readers, here's a glimpse of the fantastic, traditional bluegrass music played by Huckleberry Flint:

The music of Huckleberry Flint has a down-home and catchy feel you don't want to miss! And the hymns they play are very powerful. If you would like a chance to win an iTunes download of your choice of one of their two CDs, leave a comment with your e-mail address saying you would like to be entered in the giveaway! A winner will be announced on Sunday, October 24.

Bluegrass Festival with Sandy Cherryholmes!

Welcome to the "Seasons of Humility" Bluegrass Festival! Today we are hosting Sandy Cherryholmes of the bluegrass band Cherryholmes! Here's a little bit of background about Sandy from their website:

"Sandy plays a hard-hitting mandolin style and driving rhythm that keep the band's momentum going. For special numbers, she switches to the clawhammer banjo. From hard hitting bluegrass gospel to old-time mountain and country tunes, she does it all. Her yodeling, and her step dancing are real crowd pleasers. Sandy is also a great harmony singer and proficient song writer, and enjoys writing gospel music."

Sandy, Jere, their two sons (B.J. and Skip), and their two daughters (Cia and Molly) make up the band that is Cherryholmes. Here's a brief description of the band:

"With their roots based in bluegrass, Celtic, and jazz music, Cherryholmes has stormed to the top of the music world since winning the 2005 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Award for Entertainer of the Year."

To find out more about the band, click HERE to visit their website.

And now I am very excited to introduce you all to Sandy Cherryholmes!

Amber: Welcome, Sandy! How did you and your family become interested in bluegrass music?

Sandy: Jere and I stumbled upon a bluegrass radio show in California many years ago. We tuned in every Saturday morning. It was a lot of fun to listen to. After our daughter Shelly passed away (March 12, 1999), we took the family to a local bluegrass festival. We had a great time. Jere thought the music would be fun to play and easy enough for the youngest to catch on to. He said we should start a family bluegrass jam. I began working with them during the day (they were home-schooled) and we would jam at night with Jere. The kids picked it up quickly. We spent many memorable evenings jamming in our living room.

Amber: What is it like being in a band as a family? Do you feel that it draws you closer together?

Sandy: It is very special playing music as a family. There is a certain chemistry that occurs within a family. We play off each others energies. The music has taken us to different parts of the world. We have shared so many experiences together--bad and good (mostly good).

Amber: It is obvious in your music that you are a very close-knit group.

What is your favorite song that you (or one of the members of your family) have written and why is it your favorite?

Sandy: "This is My Son" written by Cia is probably the most special of our songs. We sincerely pray for and support our men and women in uniform who sacrifice for our freedoms. This song was written to acknowledge that the families they leave behind are making their own sacrifices as well.

Amber: That is a beautiful song, and one that has blessed me very much, as well!

What is your favorite place that you have visited while on tour?

Sandy: I love going to the UK, but I have to say that the Bluegrass Cruise is my favorite event. We've been to the Carribean about 6 times. There's something about the combination of bluegrass music, friends, ocean breeze, and turquoise water that makes for a perfect bluegrass experience. We go every February.

Amber: Oh, what I wouldn't give to join you! Sounds delightful.

Being in the music industry, do you prefer performing live or do you prefer the process involved in recording a CD?

Sandy: We make our living on the road. Our mainstay is the live performance. We enjoy making friends. The recording process takes only a few weeks and occurs every 1 to 1-1/2 years. It is another great dimension of the business. The tricky part is that touring and recording have to be juggled to happen at the same time. Sometimes we have returned from a 10 or 12 hour drive, slept a few hours and headed for the studio. We may put in three 12 hour days of recording, and then meet the bus for an 8 or more hours drive to the next show. It isn't all glamorous! Recording is very stressful, but the finished product is very gratifying.

Amber: Tying in with the title of this blog, “Seasons of Humility,” do you ever struggle with humility now that Cherryholmes as a band has become so popular? If so, do you have any advice you can share with us from your journey to be humble before God?

Sandy: That is a very good question. The goal of a musician is to be the best. An artist is constantly being photographed, constantly being praised. An artist who is known to be Christian is often scrutinized. We keep each other accountable. Our band was given to us as a gift. It was God's gift of healing. From the very beginning, we tried to do our best as He would expect us to do. But there have been certain things we wouldn't compromise to get ahead. We have prayed for God to close doors if we couldn't see if something was right or wrong. He has done just that. There are opportunities we have been denied because of our values. We are all content in that. We all have had times when we may have wanted a little more attention or praise than we were getting, but we have to put those feelings in their proper place in order to work together. I'm proud of the kids. They have never expressed bitter feelings because of a another sibling's accomplishments. We truly just feel thankful for everything we've been able to do. In our hearts, we are still that struggling family in L.A. who God gave a special blessing to. Perhaps that is the key--remembering where we came from helps us to see how much more we received than we deserved.

Amber: Thank you for sharing your heart and that wonderful advice! And I love that idea of "remembering where we came from," which is kind of what bluegrass music is, in a way--remembering our roots.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Sandy! Cherryholmes creates phenomenal music, and it has been my pleasure to introduce you to my readers!


Now, readers, I hope you don't mind if I share a video I put together this past summer (one I already shared when I was posting about my trip to Washington D.C.). I think it would be fitting to share it again, since Sandy told us that the song I used in the slide show/movie ("This is My Son") is the band's most special song.



The music of Cherryholmes is touching, haunting, and beautiful. If you would like a chance to win an iTunes download of your choice of one of their CDs, leave a comment with your e-mail address saying you would like to be entered in the giveaway! A winner will be announced on Sunday, October 24.

Sharing the Passion

I love bluegrass music, hence the reason for the "Bluegrass Festival" this upcoming weekend on my blog. And I really want you, my readers, who maybe are not familiar with bluegrass or are a bit unsure about it, to see what it is that makes bluegrass so unique and so beautiful.

So, I've decided to do two giveaways this weekend, because this is something I really believe in and something I'd like to share with you. I will be giving away one CD (iTunes download) by the artist featured on Friday, and one CD (iTunes download) by the artist featured on Saturday. Please be sure to stop by and leave a comment; I think you will be blessed by these musicians' stories and their amazing music.

Also, be sure to stop by on Sunday to learn about the reasons why I love bluegrass!

Fall Friday

Childhood memories of fall . . . trips to the pumpkin patch, wandering through a corn maze, and going on hayrides. There's something delightful about seeing the bright orange and white pumpkins dotting the greenery. There's something heart-warming about sitting on poky hay bales and laughing in the slight fall breeze. There's something beautiful about enjoying the harvest with loved ones. And these are some of the main reasons I love fall!

Last year was difficult for me. For someone who loves fall and spending time with family, it was hard being away at school, missing out on all of our wonderful traditions back at home.

But my parents and my sister came to visit me in the middle of the season last year, and we created a new tradition. We decided to go to the HarvestFest at E.Z. Orchards here in Salem--and we had a lovely time! It wasn't exactly the same as our experiences at home, but it was something new that I thoroughly enjoyed. One of my favorite parts (besides the overall atmosphere) was listening to the bluegrass band while sitting on hay bales. (Bluegrass music is so beautiful to me, and I'm so excited to be celebrating it later this month with a couple of wonderful and talented guests!)

Now, I'm away from home for another fall. But my parents are coming up to visit me this weekend, and we're planning on heading back to E.Z. Orchards and making more fall traditions and memories together. The love of family doesn't change, no matter where you are, and the season of fall can be delightful even while away from home. I'm so thankful for God's blessings of people to love and His creation to enjoy!

This would be a great note to end this post on, but I thought it would also be good to talk once again about autumn in the seasons of humility--because that's what season I'm in right now. This week has been fraught with emotional turmoil for me. I've cried about so many different things, and I've been having such a poor attitude.

And then Wednesday it really hit me--almost all of the things I've been upset about are due to my own lack of humility. I haven't been trusting in God about my future . . . I haven't wanted to hear criticism or obey my parents . . . I've worried more about how grades would make me look than about what I've been learning. I'm at the very beginning of my poem once again, looking at my broken dreams littered on the ground like dead leaves. I keep wanting my own way, rather than God's way.

It hurts. It's not easy to let go and to trust God. But I've seen the fruits of my pride and my selfishness, and I long for a proper perspective again--an eternal perspective. I need to reorder my priorities, putting God first and seeking His will, because He truly does know what is best. He can see what I can't, and while it's hard, following Him is always rewarding in ways that I could never begin to imagine and are far better than any of my own dreams.

So I encourage you to turn to your Friend and realize that He truly loves you and has a purpose for you. We must trust in His timing and in His plan--something I'm learning the hard way right now, but something I'm very glad to be learning, as well.

In that regard, I'll probably be posting less often for the foreseeable future, posting only on the scheduled days (in the "Normal Weekly Schedule" in the sidebar) except for reviews or special events ("Sightseeing by the Seasons" off and on and the "Bluegrass Festival Weekend," for example). I have been rather obsessive about my blog recently, and I need to remember to seek God first and use the time and blessings He has given me wisely (which includes taking full advantage of the great education I am getting). I appreciate your understanding, and I'm so thankful for all of you!

Well, I'm off this three-day weekend (Friday is "Study Day" for our school, so no classes!) to make more fall memories with my parents and to take time to think and re-order my priorities. May the Lord bless you as you walk with Him! I'll leave you with this thought, something that wise Solomon discovered and something I need so desperately to remember:

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
~ Ecclesiastes 12:13