January 28, 2009

Mandolins, dead skunks and fuzzy details

 Somewhere in my endless pile of CDs at home is a gem called “Hay is for Oysters.” Produced by Trout Lake local Dave Clarke, it’s a great collection of children’s music, with lyrics that adults can appreciate. I haven’t heard it in a while, but I remember that one of the stand-out tracks is a cover of Loudon Wainwright’s “Dead Skunk.” (You know the song, …..there’s a dead skunk, in the middle of the road, and it’s stinkin to high heaven!) I guess I’ve had this CD for a bunch of years, and I met Dave through some sort of music gig at the Trout Lake Inn. We probably sat around and picked some tunes, but the details are fuzzy.

Anyway, the reason I mention Dave Clarke is that he’s a friend with musician Lincoln Crockett. And apparently, the power of music and community and friendship has convinced Lincoln to relocate to the Trout Lake area. Lincoln was in a Portland band called “Cross Eyed Rosie,” which I know I have seen once or twice, at one of the umpteenth bluegrass festivals I’ve traveled to. Again, the details of exactly when are fuzzy.

From checking out his Web site, Lincoln seems to be most happy collaborating with other musicians. One name in particular that caught my eye was Chris Kokesh, of folk band Misty River. I know Chris helped out a few years back with one of the Mosier Fall Festivals, at the Mosier School. I’m not sure if she was with the full Misty River band for that gig, but I remember that I was in charge of running the stage/sound equipment for that event. Again, the details are fuzzy.

So, back to Lincoln Crockett. Interesting name, I might add. He’s a mandolin player, who’s been playing the instrument for about as long as I have. He’s got a few favorite rock bands that he used to listen to – bands that I used to go see when they came to town. He’s got a few friends in the music circles that I’ve met here and there over the years. Oh, and like me, he recently started doing this whole “iPod” thing. And, he’s got a gig at the Solstice Café in Bingen on Jan. 30.

It may be time to head over and clear up a few of those fuzzy details.

Read Jim’s interview with Lincoln here