Notes from Nashville: Dec. 5, 2024

cousin annie races stock cars • sherlock holmes • sporting news • and more!

Hey, pal!

Been a minute, eh? The big news here is that there is no big news. Our plans are to finish up our next album during the dark winter months and release that fresh recording in the spring, when we’ll also get back to playing shows. (Wanna book us? Drop a line!)

So this is a note to say howdy, share a few bits and bobs, and also to remind you that CDs and album downloads make great gifts! Just sayin.

A Cool Family Story

Over the summer we were lucky enough to squeeze in visits with various members of Kieran’s extended family at some of our shows. In the course of all this reconnecting, KK ended up getting back in touch with his cousin Anne Toews. I’d heard some stories over the years about “cousin Annie”, who got into stock car racing in the 1960s. She quit racing when she became a mom in the mid-70s.

a clipping from Anne’s early racing days

But here’s the thrilling update: she started racing again in 2020! She now travels around the country with her daughter and son-in-law, competing in the “stock car eliminator” category. Here’s some footage of her in the 1969 Camaro she and her late husband had worked on together for years:

(This video was taken by her daughter Jenny, whose cheering you can hear at the end.) I know Anne isn’t trying to be an inspirational figure, but I sure do love knowing she’s out there kicking so much butt at 80.

Escapism, Anyone?

Recent Viewing

We’ve gotten very attached to this truly amazing BBC version of Sherlock Holmes (starring Jeremy Brett), which led us both down the path of finally reading the original stories. Good stuff.

Old movie recommendation: Docks of New York

Recent Listening

Kieran: Gordon Lightfoot, Steve Forbert, The Pretenders, Louis Prima, Fred Neil, Ted Hawkins. Me: Chuck Berry, Eagles of Death Metal, Will Pound & Jenn Butterworth, The Soul Stirrers, Kirk Sutphin, La Bottine Souriante.

Recent Reading

I’ve been into the aforementioned stories of Arthur Conan Doyle, alongside an ongoing wander through a whole lot of Elizabeth Gaskell. KK has been in a slightly different mode, hanging out with the writing of Chester Himes.

Following Up

In our now-ancient-history last newsletter, we were celebrating having picked up some really sweet old school diner cups and saucers. We received multiple comments/emails excitedly informing us that they were made by Buffalo China; we are hereby informing you all that you’ve all missed the mark (get it?). It’s actually Syracuse China (wintergreen pattern).

Sporting News

Since our return to Nashville, we’ve been branching out for our golf adventures. In addition to our usual VinnyLinks rounds, we’ve visited Nashville National Golf Links, Riverside Golf Club, Two Rivers—and also tried out the newly-improved Shelby Park Golf Course. (Shoutout to our buddy Harry Keyworth for suggesting Nashville National — it’s great!)

Not only do our folk golf outings continue to be challenging and endlessly fascinating, the bird and critter watching is always a delight. Recent surprises include a bald eagle over the Vinny, and two good-sized bucks battling (antler-to-antler) on the 6th fairway at Shelby.

enjoying folk golf in new locales

In other sporting news, our hockey fandom is really being put to the test this season. The Nashville Predators are, like, historically bad. At this point we’ve gotta watch just to see how bad it gets. (Kieran says it’s allegorical.) We are such good armchair coaches, tho! The Preds should really think about hiring us. Oh do we have ideas.

Wrapping Up

Here in this holiday/end-of-year season of reflection, we gotta say: we are SO GRATEFUL. And we’re especially grateful to you, reader, for being someone who cares about the music we create, the silliness we enjoy, and the world we all inhabit together. Keep on being curious and appreciative, and we’ll do the same.

We’re sending hugs and good wishes to you and yours. Keep cozy and keep in touch!

Till soon —

xo rg & kk

website • instagram • youtube • facebook • bandsintown