Yesterday Remembered At The Red Fox Inn with The Seldom Scene

 

 

by Guest Writer:     Katy Daley

Thomas Wolfe's famously titled novel "You Can't Go Home Again" was proven wrong last night when the Seldom Scene played a sold-out show at the Red Fox in Bethesda, Maryland. 

Current members of the band (Ben Eldridge, Dudley Connell, Lou Reid, Fred Travers and Ronnie Simpkins) were joined by former band members (Tom Grey and John Starling and special guests Emmylou Harris and Jay Starling and Akira Otsuka) as part of a fundraiser event for the DC Bluegrass Union. 

The Seldom Scene starting playing a weekly gig at "the Fox" in the early 70's. Their night was determined by John Starling's surgery schedule but usually they appeared on Thursday evenings.  John Starling revealed at the dinner table that the band was paid $90 for their first night's work.

And you never knew who would walk through the doors for a guest shot.  One famous visitor was Linda Ronstadt who is remembered not only for her music but for sitting on the jukebox to watch the Scene.  Emmylou Harris' regular night was Tuesday.  She was a surprise guest last night and said of the place, "I'm so glad it's still here.  I'm so glad we're all still here!"

Missing, of course, were founding members Mike Auldridge and John Duffey.  They were mentioned often in stories and represented by their instruments.  Akira Otsuka played "The World Is Waiting for a Sunrise" on Duffey's mandolin and Jay Starling played one of Mike's guitars on "Lorena."  That song was tearfully introduced by Ben Eldridge, who recalled Mike's bringing it to the band.

Other songs included in the playlist were:  Boots of Spanish Leather, Small Exception of Me, California Cottonfields, 110 in the Shade, Mary Lou, Satan's Jeweled Crown, Body and Soul, Hickory Wind, Heart and Soul, Big Train From Memphis, Hobo on a Freight Train to Heaven and Wait a Minute.

There were no stars on the stage, only friends making music, sharing stories and memories.  It was classic Seldom Scene presented unabashedly with a lot of warmth and great vibes.

This was a first of many DC Bluegrass Union fundraising events for their upcoming 2015 festival.  For more information, visit www.dcbu.org

     

     

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Guest writer, Katy Daley is an on-air personality with Washington D.C.’s Public Radio WAMU Bluegrass Country.   Listen to Katy Daley, Mornings   on 105.5 FM in Washington, D.C., on 93.5 FM in Frederick and Hagerstown, MD or anywhere in the world Online at: bluegrasscountry.org  _________________________________________________________