Goin' to California
Yessir, the boys are loading up and going to California. We're going to meet up with Cousin Scott and Smelly Kelly and the whole Red Meat gang to do some dates in the San Francisco area, then we'll be heading down to Anaheim for a one-night stand. Who knows, we may end up stuck in Lodi again. Heck, we figure since a good portion of Californians are descended from Okies and Arkies and Show-Me Staters anyway, our music will ring just as true to them as it does anywhere else. We can't wait. There are a lot of stories from our family about going to California, lots of our people lived out there from time to time. Grandpa Hosea told the story of the time he and some of his cousins drove out there to work the Napa Valley vineyards in 1928 (the picture of the fellow playing the fiddle is one of Grandpa's cousins, Glen Bilyeu). They hopped trains to get out there, worked, and put together enough money to buy a car for the trip home. They took the southern route, and of course there was no such thing as I-40 back then, mostly unpaved roads. They were going through a cut in the mountain, in a narrow lane, when they were run off the road by another car. One of the fellows was hurt pretty bad, it was dark and they were out in the middle of nowhere. They heard a dog bark, so they followed the sound. Turns out they were in Navajo country. A family took them in, fed them and nursed them with their traditional medicines until they were well enough to travel again. They didn't understand each other's language, but Grandpa always talked fondly of the good treatment they were given by their Navajo hosts. Then in 1941 Grandpa Hosea drove Grandma Thelma, Bobby Joe and Barbara Jean and three other people to California, all in a '31 Chevy. But Bobby Joe has already told that story. You can read all about it, plus some other pretty neat stories, at the following (very long) web address:
http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/lochist/periodicals/ozarkswatch/ow802toc.htm.
In other news, MayApple Records is busy! We've just released two new CDs. One is a compilation of 14 songwriters from the Springfield area, recorded live on one day. It's called "A Day of 100 Songs." It includes Mark singing "It's a Good Day." It also features two songs our cousin Bill Thomas. It also includes Lou Whitney, members of the Honky Tonk Chateau, and many more. Speaking of Chateau, we are also proud to bring you the first solo CD by that band's guitarist and songwriter, Mike Stevens. It's called "Division Street." It's not hillbilly music by any stretch, but if you're ready for a little homegrown indie rock, this guy's got the goods. Visit the website to give these new releases a listen: www.mayapplerecords.com. We intend on releasing a lot of new music this year, so stay in touch. And if you're wondering what Big Smith is up to, we have begun work on a CD for children (little ones and big ones). So much to talk about, but we better get to the shows. Notice that we're heading to Texas in August!!
Click here to go to the dates page and see the latest scheduled gigs.
Read the previous newsletter by clicking here.
Website: www.bigsmithband.com | Booking: (417) 866-4094 staciebilyeu@msn.com
Email: cousins@bigsmithband.com
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