© 2010 Acoustic Music Society of Southwest Florida

They sounded still better on Sunday, when dry skies allowed soundmeister Rollie Scholl to put PA speakers and monitors in front of the stage.  Our good buddy Jeff Bock ran the board when Rollie was joined by his beautiful wife Mickie and daughter Sharon, and their singing ally Dan Allen to sing some outstanding vocal harmonies of their own.  Mickie remembered how much I like “Pathway of Teardrops” and, when they sang it, so did I!  Joyce Beecroft's Lazy “B” Pickers featured her fine voice and some more than capable picking.  Joyce & Neil are old AMS friends and tireless supporters—I hate to think where we'd be without them.  

Frank Corso delivered a great set of old time blues, accompanied by his eloquently recalling the likes of early masters Bo Carter, Blind Blake and Blind Boy Fuller, among others.  Though inspired by visually impaired geniuses, Frank's own vision has made him a celebrated landscape artist (www.frankcorso.com) as well as a distinguished interpreter of the blues.  Skeeterland Band, powered by Doug Ibbetson's distinctive banjo, closed the day for us.  Their old time sound has won them many friends, and no one who hears Sylvia's high voltage "Mule Skinner Blues" fails to enjoy it.

Many thanks to Robert Brooks, Mike Heare, John Meyer and the cordial staff and volunteers at the Korehsan State Historic Site for making us feel welcome.  The setting of pioneer Florida buildings, spacious lawns and pine woods conveys the experience of early settlers and creates an ideal atmosphere for bluegrass music, and the folks tasked with care of the Site are clearly passionate about their mission.

I wasn't able to follow the crowd to Miromar Outlets for the debut of AMS's Heritage Music Series, featuring the  Naples Dixieland Band, but reports I've heard say it was a success.  Look for more free events at Miromar on the first Saturday of each month from now through May.

Special thanks to our underwriters and business associates for their generous support and belief in us:

College of Life Foundation, Estero                         
Flamingo Island Flea Market, Bonita Springs

Miromar Outlets, Estero                                     
Rembrandt Painting, Naples

Fire Water Restoration Services, Naples                
The Violin Shop, Bonita Springs

Real Guitars, Fort Myers

by Dick Spottswood

    AMS