Notes From the Cabin: June 11, 2024
KK’s Country Music Secrets Revealed! Also: Jack Palance! A bald eagle! And our upcoming Pennsylvania shows!
Howdy from Day, New York!
Yep, it’s that time of year again—we’ve made our annual migration from Nashville up to the Adirondacks for the summer. It has only been a couple weeks, but we’ve already squeezed in loads of cabin-y activities. There has been all the usual unpacking, settling, and cleanup (plus repairing the docks after a rough winter); hellos and shopping at the Johnson Family Farm Store; visiting with and buying fresh eggs from Dorothy up at the Edwards Farm; poking around at the Town of Day Recycling Center (aka “The Dump”); enjoying a dinner out at The Placid Pines; and of course reading, kayaking, swimming and golfing.
Next week we’ll load up the tour sedan and head down to Pennsylvania for shows at two new spots for us: Godfrey Daniels (on Friday, June 21) and the Colerain Center (Saturday, June 22 — afternoon show!). Any PA peeps reading this? We hope to see you!
MOVIE CORNER
We got some fun and fascinating feedback after our last old film recommendation, so we’ll share another recent deep dive: Panic in the Streets (released in 1950). This is one that lives on the shelf here, and for good reason. The other night we watched it twice in a row, the second time listening to commentary by James Ursini and Alain Silver. So much to take in! The location (New Orleans), the faces (lots of non-actor locals), the tense story and amazing performances—all treated with ridiculously beautiful direction, lighting, and camera work. It’s one of those films where you can hit pause just about anywhere and find yourself looking at an image that’s so thoughtfully composed you could print it and hang it on the wall.
A caveat: I have an exceedingly low tolerance for stress and cruelty in films. This one is on the edge for me, as far as that goes. There’s both stress and cruelty. But despite some shocking moments (I’m surprised I haven’t had nightmares about Jack Palance), it’s really worth seeing. The casting is perfection.
And a surprising fact gleaned from the commentary: did you know Barbara Bel Geddes got blacklisted?
You can watch this one for free online at the Internet Archive.
WILDLIFE REPORT
The hummingbirds showed up right quick after the feeder went out. We’ve seen a variety of woodpeckers and all the other usual suspects (phoebes, nuthatches, chickadees, crows, etcetera). The eagles have made some fly-bys (we’re convinced there’s a nest in the neighborhood, but haven’t been able to zero in on it), including this dramatic moment I captured while admiring a rainbow over the lake…
LOOKING BACK
The ACM Awards were presented a few weeks ago, the news of which caused KK to squint into the distance and murmur, “Oh yeah, I was nominated for one of those once.” He was a little fuzzy on the details, so I commenced to googling. According to Wikipedia he was nominated for “Top New Male Vocalist of the Year” in 1983. The other nominees were Gary Wolf, Gary Morris, George Strait (!), and (the winner) Michael Martin Murphy. It seems there’s no end to the dark secrets Kieran has yet to reveal.
On that note, here’s a fun “Storytime with KK” video in which he relates the true tale of the time he and Jamie O’Hara kicked Tammy Wynette out of a recording session:
LOOKING AHEAD
As previously mentioned, we are heading to PA next week.
Later in the summer we’ll hit some other spots in NY, VT, and MA.
Here’s the rundown:
June 21: Bethlehem, PA / Godfrey Daniels
June 22: Spruce Creek, PA / Colerain Center
July 13: Paul Smiths, NY / Paul Smith’s VIC
July 27: Cabot, VT / Cabot Music & Arts Festival
Aug 2: Saratoga Springs, NY / Caffe Lena
Aug 23: Putnam Valley, NY / Tompkins Corners Cultural Center
Aug 28: Whately, MA / Watermelon Wednesdays
STAY TUNED
We will be keeping you up to date here on the summer, gigs, and birdwatching. Who knows, we might even share some music… got any requests?
Got friends who might enjoy hearing from us? Please pass this along!
Till soon —
xo rg & kk
PS: If you were hoping for a Folk Golf update, pop over to our site to see the latest installment.
PPS: Look at this turtle I spotted on the golf course!
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Very excited you’re coming to PA! Bummed we can’t go as we will be at a Phillies game that night (best record in Major League Baseball, btw!). We will have to catch you next time (may I suggest the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville…home of the original “Blob” with Steve McQueen). Love the pics, especially the turtle. Since you found that cutie on the golf course, may I suggest “Trevino” the turtle. Love your music! Wishing you both all the best this summer!!
I love the Great Lakes region and the video is an absolutely great shot. The rainbow and the eagle, amazing!