Violet and the Newsroom

Hi there- it’s Anabel!

It was a busy weekend for The Newsroom and our eponymous Violet. (I’ve been loving that word lately.) We loaded up from Morehead and set off to Sandy Hook, Maysville, and then back to Lexington!

If you had told me last month that we would be playing at the Little Sandy Lodge on July 19, I’d probably think you had the wrong dates. (No, actually, Elliott County Fiddler’s Convention is the seeecond weekend in July!) But lo and behold, we were kindly invited back for Minnie Adkins Day in Sandy Hook!

Remember the concrete co- I mean, roosters?  We were told to ask the Whipporwhill’s Holler folks, selling some delectable-smelling lavender, about how treacherous those were to transport. Getting thirteen big chicken statues from Indiana to Sandy Hook isn’t an easy feat.

“That’s 3 tons of chicken,” Jeremiah Littleton of Whipporwhill’s Holler said. “They tried to kill me.”

Needless to say, sharing our own form of art with all the folks around was an absolute honor. We had a beautiful view from the second floor of the lodge, and our biggest thanks extend to Anita Skaggs for inviting us out to this amazing event. We had a blast!

Though, with last week’s gimbal fail in mind, I think Elliott County is just a cursed location for getting video.

Then to Maysville! This wasn’t a Violet and the Newsroom show, technically- but Violet and I joined Mark Bell and the great folks over with Champs of the Sun for the Popped Festival downtown! The Champs guys have welcomed us with open arms into their big band. Champs of the Sun is on all the socials, and their grooooovy music is streamable! My personal favorite is Broadway and Fifth. 

Does anyone know what era this receiver(?) is from, by the way? PLEASE let us know, we’re so curious- it was right in the walkway for the charmingly eclectic Airbnb we stayed at.

We met some pet quails, enjoyed the company of new friends, and slept like rocks. Then back to Lexington we went on Sunday, to be greeted by the amazing folks at Twisted Cork. Their Bluegrass Sunday setup is perfect- a slightly elevated stage overlooking the intimate bar, close enough to perfectly see all of our amazing friends who came smiling back at us. 

I’ve had the pleasure now of playing at Twisted Cork three whole times, and it’s the place to be. The place sounds great, looks great, and I hear their drinks aren’t anything to sneeze at. Thank you to Twisted Cork for a hell of a time! And that open mic- wow! Shout out to Lucy, R3dd, Bram, Bri, Aja, Brian, my very own sister Ellie, and any other folks I am DEFINITELY missing who played some killer tunes for us.

Now we rest, digest, and work our day jobs in the newsrooms for a bit. But soon, catch us for a summer hurrah at the Stidham Old-Time Music Gathering! I’ll be emcee’ing- that means if you miss me on the radio, you can listen to me yap between every act. A couple of those acts, too, are us! Violet and the Newsroom plays Saturday, July 26 at 6 PM. Violet and I (Anabel, on the stand-up bass) will also join one of my personal favorite songwriters the day prior: Phill Barnett and the Rockhouse Renegades on Friday, July 25 at 6 PM.

Jim Webb puts all the gumption he has into the Stidham Old Time Music Gathering. He inspires us to do the same, and I am confident this will be the biggest and best year yet. 

“Where in the world is Tomahawk?!”

Good question- it’s a small community in Martin County, KY. If you’re starting from Morehead, take i-64 east to Ashland, and then cruise down the Country Music Highway until you hit the Inez exit. Easy. As for Frankfort and Lexington, it’s a smooth ride down the Bert T Combs Mountain Parkway. No excuses!

These back-to-back weekends of gigs have been a blast. I can’t speak for the others, but I do best when my plate is piled high. It makes me feel alive. This music makes me feel alive! I hope we can give that life to you too.

With love, Anabel (AP)