//  Radio/TV appearances, "Dress of Laces," notes from Down Under, other 
//  artists, and more appreciation for NNers.  - MF

From: nmrs@freeway.net
Subject: Nanci's interview with Noah Adams on NPR

Last Sunday my husband and I were driving along expecting Car Talk to
come on NPR but heard an announcement that a show from our local NPR
station was back on the air, a show called Homespun which features lots
of kinds of music including folk and bluegrass.  Imagine our surprise
when it was announced that they were going to include the whole 20
minute interview that had been aired on Labor Day.  I had read about it
here but of course had missed it.  As we drove along listening to Nanci
and her music my husband looked at me and said he almost had tears in
his eyes.  I could have listened for hours to Nanci talking about her
music and to her music as well.  I guess we will have to buy her book...

Also, we enjoy Maura O'Connell alot along with some of the other Irish
singers like Mary Black.  It seems nearly all of them sing Nanci's songs
(try A Woman's Heart II)
and a lot of other really good stuff.

We live in Northern Michigan and not a whole lot of people make it up
here but this spring Cheryl Wheeler performed nearby.  She writes just
about all her own stuff and puts on a really entertaining show plus has
a gorgeous voice.

We are new to NanciNet and I must say it is great to read what everyone
has to say and I appreciate the tips on other artists.  We listen to all
kinds of music but Nanci always seems to make her way back into my CD
player!

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From: Andrew Layden (andrew.layden@strath.ac.uk>
Subject: TV appearance

Hello,

I'm not on the regular list at the moment, so somebody may have mentioned this
already.  Hasn't been mentioned in the digest yet.

It's not much use to American NanciNetters.  It might not even be of use to
UK residents outside Scotland, but I just found this on the Radiotimes
website:

        Transatlantic Sessions 2
 
       BBC2 Scotland
       Friday 16 October 
       21:00 to 21:30

       The top country and traditional music performers
        from Ireland, Scotland and North America.
        Featuring performances from Nanci Griffith, Ricky
        Skaggs, Paul Brady and James Grant.


If it's even half as good as the previous series, it's required viewing.  I
hope it's not just confined to Scotland, but I get a feeling it might be.
Anybody out there know for sure?


Andrew Layden

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From: "Paul Greer" (PGREER@taexgw.tamu.edu>
Subject: william muuse-suggestions

william,

     you asked for suggestions about other nanci music on par with your first ex
perience.  so I would highly recommend checking into one fair summer evening.  i
t is a live album, recorded at anderson fair in houston texas which is a small v
enue that might hold 100 people, so it retains that close up personal feeling of
ten lost on live albums, one of my favorites.  and also check out poet in my win
dow, another of nanci's earlier albums.

     those are two of my personal favorites, but basically, you wont go wrong wi
th any of her music.  hope that helps.

later
paul "spin on a red brick floor" greer

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From: LDay67@aol.com
Subject: Dress of Laces

I puzzled why "Dress of Laces" was included on the Oxford American Issue of
Southern Music sampler CD this year.  I'd like to hear others' opinions about
it, especially in light of our latest discussions.  It seems like Nanci has
always chosen songs that champion the causes of socially victimized women, and
"Dress of Laces" twists the knife, so to speak.  The woman in this song is no
frail flower who offs herself.  I'm not justifying the character's actions,
but it's certainly a dark comment about how far women can be pushed by
societal restrictions.  As far as the song's connection to southern music,
maybe Nanci is making a statement about the strength of Southern femininity.
The stereotype is a soft-spoken belle, but  when push comes to shove, we know
how to push and shove, too.  Nanci's personal illustration is perhaps that
infamous letter to the Texas critics.  "Steel magnolia" is an accurate
description, and sometimes the steel is unfortunately in the barrel of a gun,
and sometimes it's in the tip of a ballpoint pen.  

Wielding a pen,
Lisa

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From: susan bond (su.b@sk.sympatico.ca>
Subject: Re: The "Nanci" Thing

I have a little story to tell. Once I was up in northern Saskatchewan,
recording an album for a weekend in a (very) small town. After a long day
in the studio, the musicians didn't have much to do but go down to the bar
of the only hotel in town, which we were also staying at. There was a young
fellow there who had heard there were musicians in town, and [although much
later in the evening things went kind of sour for him, too much drink] he
had come and sat at our table and started talking about music. Nanci's name
came up, and, being as remote as he was, he was thrilled to meet people who
knew her music. I pulled out my guitar and sang "The Wing and the Wheel",
and he told me about how he had written a letter to her, and she had
responded back herself. He'd asked her if she ever came to Canada because
he wanted to see her perform; she wrote back to say she had a concert date
in Halifax, Nova Scotia - which I might add is thousands of miles from
Saskatchewan!  But, he bought a plane ticket and a concert ticket, and he
flew out to see her show. Wow. Now there's a dedicated fan. I have yet to
see Nanci live in concert, other than on Austin City Limits....  :-)

susan

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From: Susan Krauss (skrauss@hooked.net>
Subject: Re: Dress of Laces

In her book Nanci says (after the phrase "Another tragic song, Nanci.":

"It is isn't it.  The girl has been abused so much all her life that she
ends up shooting the wrong bman.  Pure tragedy, like an Irish traditional
ballad."   But clearly Nanci sees the woman in the song as "socially
victimized."

She then talks about the writers of the song and her history of singing it
with Eric and Lyle in the early days.

susan

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From: "Kevin Slator" (ktslator@hotmail.com>
Subject: Saskatchewan

Susan Bond wrote:

>...Once I was up in northern Saskatchewan, recording an album for a 
>weekend in a (very) small town....

Hello.  I am new to this list and new to the music of Nanci Griffith. 
(So far, I've only heard the "Other Voices, Other Rooms" collection.)

I don't want to go WAY off topic, but the reference to Saskatchewan 
reminded me of the singer Stan Rogers.  He recorded a song (whose name 
escapes me now) about farming in Saskatchewan.  It was a terrific song.  
Is he still around, performing, writing or recording?

Thanks,
Kevin Slator

_________________________________________________________________

From: "Vicki & Marc Martel" (martel@ican.net>
Subject: Re: Saskatchewan

Alas, Stan Rogers was killed in a plane crash in 1983. There is another list
that is set up to discuss Stan and his music (though it's mostly Cdn concert
postings these days). His website is at www.summerfolk.org/srmain.html and
the other list info is on there. There are several Stan fans on this list
(Hi Joe!) The site has all the info on his CDs, tribute concerts, etc.

Btw, the song is "The field behind the plough" and it's a beauty. Who else
could talk about blowing the dust cakes from your nose with such
nonchalance?

Vicki & Marc Martel
Vital Spark Folk Club vitlsprk@icomm.ca
http://www.icomm.ca/vitlsprk

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From: "Grissom, Mark" (mgrissom@bechtel.com>
Subject: The Band's "Jubilation"

To all you fans of Americana...let me highly recommend The Band's current
CD, "Jubilation". This has been uniformly well received, probably their best
effort since Robbie Robertson left. There is a lovely ensemble feel to this
record, the looping woozy harmonies are there and it really does feel like
back porch music-making at its finest. These guys know each other so well
and have something together that money doesn't buy...lived-in experience, I
guess. As was true from the very first record, this is music made by Men,
not by kids...

With this release and Bob Dylan's upcoming "Royal Albert Hall" concert
coming out, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko will have been involved in two
recordings out at the same time, seperated by, oh...over 30 years!
Amazing...

For any fans of The Band, I couldn't recommend a record for your Fall any
more strongly

SpinyMark in Berkeley

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From: Halesbop@aol.com
Subject: Re: A Late thanks/Cd Now

        As good as the cdnow deal might seem, I've recently learned of another o
nline
music store that has Nanci's entire catalog (as well as a very good selection
of most any other folk, etc. artists) available for less, and they charge NO
shipping and handling. I have no affiliation with them, just passing on some
information for all you shoppers out there. It's called
Total E and you can check it out at http://www.totale.com.
    -Steve

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From: Sonya (sbeneke@mail.ix.net.au>
Subject: Re: Thinking of you

     Hi Everyone,
                    Like a lot of you I don`t know anyone who likes or even has 
heard of Nanci, though I have been trying to get friends to listen , with no res
ponse for over 10 years now. 
  Until I found this list almost 3 years ago now, and discovered that there are 
others like me, who adore Nanci, I felt almost alone , not any more :)     I hav
e a stall once a month at a local Fleamarket, and I made a couple of  compilatio
n tapes to  listen to while there.  I was asked  who that female singer was , my
 very top favourite !! Nanci Griffith I said   :)  I was so happy :))  I wrote t
he name down for them , they really liked her, and 2 weeks ago at the next Fleam
arket I had another 2 ask about Nanci, and one about Iris Dement :)  This is won
derful :) 
 Also 2 stall holders came and thanked me for the music :)

 Hugs
Sonya, in Bathurst, Australia
my daughter Melissa got me Other Voices2 for my Birthday,  she lives in Canberra
, she went to get the copy she saw at Impact Records but it was gone, so they ha
d to reorder.
 I haven`t received it yet, but am checking the post every day , can`t wait :)

_________________________________________________________________

From: Sonya (sbeneke@mail.ix.net.au>
Subject: Nanci on radio here in Bathurst, Australia

   I listen every Sunday night here in Bathurst, to a wonderful radio programme 
 Country Club,  its on Sunday night with Richard Porteous, he plays a lot of stu
ff that you never hear anywhere else where I live . Nanci Griffith, Lucinda Will
iams, Iris Dement,  Emmylou and others that have become favourites  for me  .Its
 a 2 hour programme. He really knows a lot about music, and its always a surpris
e to listen ,  never know when I am going to hear something new and different. 
 The Planet is another Radio National programme, on weekdays, and they have play
ed Nanci, 
 and featured Lucinda`s and Emmylou`s new CDs recently, amongst others .

 Hugs
Sonya

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From: RonHennesy@aol.com
Subject: First encounter with Nanci's music

I remember the first time I encountered Nanci's music.

Back in the '80's, in Waco TX, there used to be an all-night TV show on NBC
called "Country Television."  At the time it was the ONLY all-night show in
our area, so when insomnia struck, I used to watch it.  The show consisted
entirely of country music videos without commentary, and with delightfully few
commercials!  (Maybe the lack of commercials is related to its eventual
demise).

I remember wonderful videos of "The Highwayman," sung by the same, Waylon
Jennings' "America," Merle Haggard's "I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver,"
Sylvia's "The Snapshot," Emmy Lou Harris's cover of "Mister Sandman" (first
recorded by the Chordettes in the '50's), and Nanci Griffith's "Daddy Said."

I had been familiar with all these singers except for the last one.  I liked
the music enough to jot down her name, to see if I could find an album of hers
in the store.  

The video showed Nanci in an outfit unusual for a country artist: no cowboy
paraphernalia, but rather an interesting hippie folk singer flavor of dress.
I remember her little smile when she sang "Sometimes your feet get cold, when
you're living alone."

When I went to the record store, I couldn't remember the name of the song, but
found a section with her albums.  I liked the cover of "Storms," with Nanci in
profile looking beautiful and melancholy through a rain-spattered screen door,
so I bought it.  I was immediately enthralled by both the songs and the
performances, and was also impressed by seeing her name in most of the
songwriting credits.

The next day I bought "Last of the True Believers," which I liked just as
well.  (Have other people noticed that the songs aren't listed in correct
order on this album?)

It took me a while to find "Daddy Said" on the "Once in a Very Blue Moon"
album.

Anyway that's how I discovered Nanci.  I own 13 of her albums today.

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Danise Busic (busicd@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu>
Subject: Re: Maura O'Connell

Just to second Mike's concert review... I've seen her once, and am hoping
to catch her again in the next month or so here...

About 3 years ago, I saw the add that she would be at The Barns of
Wolftrap, and really didn't have any friends willing to take a gamble to
go see somebody they didn't know on a "school night". You know how most
people will go anywhere on the *weekend* if they don't already have
plans!!!! As the date drew nearer, I started getting more and more
interested in going to see her --- but STILL had no friends I could get to
stay out late during the week. THEN --- the Sunday before the concert, I
found out that Mac McAnally was opening for her. The day of the concert, I
decided I was gonna drive myself crazy all night if I didn't go --- so I
called the ticket window, and by getting a single seat, I was on the 9th
row....

I can't imagine a better concert from start to finish. Mac has a few CD's
of his own... hope some of you have heard them. He is hilarious and SO
witty in person. Maura O'Connell was fantastic. The combo is probably the
best one I've ever seen...

She's at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA sometime during the next month or
two, for those of you in the area. Go see her if you have a chance!!!

Danise

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From: Mike Chesman (chesman@preferred.com>
Subject: Re: Nanci's signature in her book (NOT)

At 10:03 PM 10/7/98 -0400, you wrote:
>The OV2 CD had an order form included that offered the Nanci book with a
>hand-signed autograph.  I'm sure quantities were limited.  I did manage to
>get one, and the signature is genuine (as far as I'm concerned...so don't
>tell me different!! (gr>)
>
>Check out Mike Chesman's web page to see a sample of what Nanci penned! 
>Heck, check out Mike's page anyway -- he's got some severely cool stuff out
>there. I think the url is something like this.
>http://pages.preferred.com/~chesman
>
>Blake

Hey Blake,

    Thanks for the free advertising ;-)  I hope to have that digital still
camera in another month to get the posters online soon.

The actual url for the nanci section is
http://pages.preferred.com/~chesman/ngmain.html

Mike

_________________________________________________________________

From: Michael Ross (mhross@us.ibm.com>
Subject: An Open Letter to Mark Ferguson and the NanciNet

True Believers,

I am certain that there have been numerous emails to this effect, but I just
wanted to submit a public one, particularly so that those who were not around
for the inception of the NanciNet can understand and appreciate the
considerable effotr that certain people have put forth in the creation and
maintenance of this list and the supporting material.

This entire list owes you a sincere debt.  Without the initiative and
continuous work of several dedicated people, the NanciNet may still be just an
idea kicked around from time to time on r.m.f.  Indeed, I recall back in the
summer of 1994 when the idea of a Nanci Griffith newsgroup was proposed on
r.m.f.  I also recall several critics following the thread, commenting that
there was "no way" that Nanci Griffith had a large enough following to warrant
either a Usenet newsgroup or a full-time mailing list.  Well, thanks in no
small part to your efforts, this list is at 1000+ (if memory serves), up from
about 100 just four short years ago.

Any letter of thanks regarding this list must begin with Mark Ferguson.  Almost
single-handedly, he took what was merely an idea and made it a reality.  He
took on the responsibility of creating and maintaining this list, stepping in
to stop irrelevant discussions when necessary, and exercising the wisdom to
ignore others and let them run their natural course.  We all owe Mark a very
sincere thank you.  Without him, the NanciNet as we know it would probably not
exist.

There are so many others who have played a key role in the evolution of the
NanciNet, to whom we also owe a round of thanks.  Rob Schrull, who keeps the
GCH page and whose personal relationship with Nanci has provided us with unique
insights into the thoughts and acts of our beloved Nanci.  Shelly Brisbin,
Bruce Armstrong, Brad Worthen, and others who maintain Web pages that are chock
full of (different) information.  David Grant, Shawn Kimbro, and Lisa Day, who
always seem to provide quality insights and comments on the topics being
discussed.  Mary Wood Littleton, for an excellent interview of several years
ago (sorry if I missed a recent one!) and the originator of the Nanci Griffith
Taste Test.  Ken "the quote and survey guy" Lippert.  Maggie Heenie to whom we
give not only thanks, but prayers.  James Hooker (newbie quiz:  what's his real
name?) for the occasional reports from the road.  And Deb Thornton, winner of
the One Year Lyrics Quiz and (more importantly) quite possibly the most
insightful person on this list; would that she post more often!

Lastly, thanks is obviously given to the one for whom we are all here:  Nanci
Caroline Griffith.  One of the best storytellers of our age, I can say with
conviction that my quality of life has improved since "discovering" the music
of Nanci Griffith on ACL several years ago.  May her illnesses be cured and may
she continue to provide a consistent source of quality art that can speak to
anyone.  God bless, Nanci.  We love you.

A True Believer,
Michael H. Ross

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Questions about NanciNet?  Send e-mail to ferg@world.std.com