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2008

August 2:

Dirty River plays Concerts in the Woods at Hard Bargain Farm.

July 11:

Dirty River, Country Gentlemen BG Festival, Watermelon Park, Berryville, VA.

June 16-21:

2008 National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest & Festival, Weiser, Idaho. All day, all night. Be there.

June 7:

Dirty River play a fundraiser for Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy at the Blue Ridge Center in northwest Loudoun County, Va. Come out to this scenic farm, help the cause and get your bluegrass on. Music starts at 4:30pm.

May 17:

Dirty River are performing at Artomatic 2008! We will be appearing on the Cabaret Stage at 10pm.

May 9:

Dirty River play their first show at Tiffany Tavern since John Relph joined on mandolin. 9pm-1am.

May 3:

Dirty River, Spring Farm Festival, Accokeek, MD, Saturday, 12:30-3:30pm.

April 26:

Yet another incarnation of Rattlesnake Hill played the Braddock Heights Community Association spring picnic. I was on mandolin, Terry Wittenberg on banjo, Carolyn Kellock on bass, and of course Ed Schaeffer on guitar and vocals. A very nice casual gig, not enough microphones but good vocal work from us three in the front line, and let's not forget the absolutely perfect weather. Terry's first public gig since 1987!

April 19:

Chalkfest, private party, Wheaton, Maryland. I'll be playing bass. We're doing XTC's Go 2 album. “Meccanik Dancing, oh we go!”

April 6:

Some incarnation of Rattlesnake Hill will be playing at Cactus Flats Inn in Frederick, Maryland. Apparently I am expected to perform. Ed Schaeffer plays the part of the organ grinder. 5-8pm.

March 15:

Eric Vesper, Danny Stellabotte and John Relph perform at the going away party and benefit for Tulku Nyima Gyaltsen Rinpoche and Sakya Dokho Choling.

February 27:

I played an entire set with Bob Perilla and Big Hillbilly Bluegrass down at Madam's Organ in Adams Morgan. Much fun.

February 22:

The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Bluegrass Band at Tiffany Tavern in Alexandria, Virginia. 9pm.

February 16:

Eric Vesper, Danny Stellabotte of Takoma Zone and John Relph play the first set at Savory Café, Takoma Park, Maryland, 7pm.

February 1:

Last time John Relph played with Rattlesnake Hill it was as if he was being thrown to the wolves. Well, perhaps spontaneity is good, but there is a limit. This time, he has a little experience under his belt (and a lot of holiday food, too). Come on down to Tiffany Tavern in Alexandria, Virginia, and see if it makes any difference. (Regular banjo player Jack Sanbower is in chemotherapy. John and fiddler Heather Twigg will try to fill his shoes at this gig. Big shoes.) 9pm-1am.

January 26:

The new year has arrived, like a lamb, no, like a baby, crawling out of the ashes of the cremated old year. And so, we will stand in front of you and bawl our sad bluegrass songs, make our instruments cry, and hopefully you will gurgle in appreciation. Where will this happen? Tiffany Tavern, in cold old town Alexandria, Virginia. Who would admit to such silliness? Why, the Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Bluegrass Band, with John Relph providing wonky mandolin solos, snare drum rhythm and silly blurbs. Like this one. 9pm.

2007

December 21:

On the eve of the Winter solstice, the Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano join forces with John Relph to ward off the cold and to bring harmony and light to the dark light. Join us as we huddle around the microphones, burn up some tunes and usher in the new year, making a sacrifice of our fingertips and throats as an offering to guarantee your pleasure for the evening. The Tiffany Tavern will host the revelry, providing the liquid refreshments and perhaps a sacrificial cow, staving off hunger and thirst. Then it's off into the night...

November 30:

Another late notice: I will be guesting on mandolin with Rattlesnake Hill tonight at Tiffany Tavern in Alexandria, VA. Expect spontaneity!

November 24:

Late notice: Takoma Zone at Savory Café, Takoma Park, Maryland, 7pm.

October 27:

Another bluegrass evening at Tiffany Tavern with the lovable, cute and cuddly Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band (except for me, of course, I'm not very likable, cuddly nor cute, but I do play the mandolin).

September 22:

I seem to have almost forgotten about this show: The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band featuring John Relph on mandolin appear at Tiffany Tavern in Alexandria, VA. In fact, it appears that Pete has forgotten as well, so we'll have Monty Monteith on guitar and vocals instead. It should be interesting.

September 8:

Late notice: Takoma Zone at Savory Café, Takoma Park, Maryland, 7pm.

July 21:

Played some tunes at the Southern Sun Bluegrass Jam in Boulder, Colorado. Good pickers, good beer.

July 17:

I stopped by the Lyons Bluegrass Jam (Lyons, Colorado, that is). Played tunes.

July 14:

Once more unto the breach: The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band make their triumphant return to the famous Tiffany Tavern stage. The Tiffany, as we like to call it, is located in old town Alexandria, Virginia. Cold beer, good food, hot music.

June 18-23:

2007 National Oldtime Fiddle Championships, Weiser, Idaho.

June 2:

Private outdoor barbecue in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. I'll be playing mandolin and eating. Food, that is. Not while playing, however.

May 19:

The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band will be playing on the big stage at Tiffany Tavern in old town Alexandria, Virginia.

May 12:

Private party in DC with Eric Vesper and Karen Taylor.

April 21:

Last night of three at Murphy's Pub with Tim O'Kane. We start at 9pm. Again.

April 20:

It's Murphy's Pub, again, with Tim O'Kane, again. We start at 9pm.

April 19:

First night of three at Murphy's Pub, 713 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia, with Tim O'Kane. We start at 8:30pm tonight.

March 24:

Takoma Zone at Savory Café, Takoma Park, Maryland, 7pm.

March 17:

St. Paddy's Day event at the River Creek Club, Leesburg, Virginia, with MC Jack Stanton.

March 15:

St. Paddy's festivities at the Country Club of Fairfax, Virginia, Jack Stanton at the helm, crewman Relph on bass and mandolin.

March 3:

The tail end of winter brings The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band to Tiffany Tavern, old town Alexandria, Virginia. I'll be playing my mandolin. You just need to show up.

January 27:

First show of the new year for The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band at Tiffany Tavern, old town Alexandria, Virginia.

2006

December 31:

The International Club of DC 2007 New Year's Eve Gala, “A Celebration of Continents”, at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel in Washington D.C., as part of the Irish band at the “authentic Dublin Irish Pub” with Jack Stanton.

December 23:

Join us for Christmas Eve Eve at Tiffany Tavern. In case you didn't know, The Tiffany has bluegrass every night of the week, and they claim to serve the best burger in town. Come on down to find out for yourself. Oh yeah, “us” is The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band.

November 11:

Veteran's Day bluegrass at Tiffany Tavern in Alexandria, Virginia, starting at 9pm. The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band; John Relph on mando. Lift a glass in honor of our old and not-so-old soldiers.

October 27:

Music Magic night with Cub Scout Pack 1461: John Relph and Eric Vesper will play celtic, oldtime, bluegrass and/or classical for the troops. I mean pack.

October 18:

Takoma Zone at Savory Café, Takoma Park, Maryland, 7pm.

October 14:

Enjoy some autumnal bluegrass with The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band and John Relph on mandolin, at Tiffany Tavern in Alexandria, Virginia. 9pm to 1am. Four sets. Ouch.

August 26:

Center for the Arts SummerSounds Concert, on the lawns of the Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William Street, Old Town Manassas, Virginia, 6:30pm. The concern was moved to the Harris Pavilion, out of fears for lightning, and it was a great show. We think there were between 300 and 500 people there. We were told by the organizers that the crowd loved us. We had fun.

August 6:

Private party, with The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band, Washington, D.C. Good food but very hot in the backyard. I met the authors of Mystical Places and Marvelous Meals: A Travel Cookbook.

July 29:

Post-Iceland bluegrass bash. That's right, I'll have just returned from a week's tour of Iceland, and I'll be playing bluegrass at Tiffany Tavern in Alexandria, Virginia, with The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band.

June 30:

Having returned from Weiser, I'll be playing bluegrass at Tiffany Tavern in Alexandria, Virginia, with The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band.

June 17-24:

2006 National Oldtime Fiddle Championships, Weiser, Idaho. Hi, Patty!

May 13:

Bluegrass at Tiffany Tavern in Alexandria, Virginia: The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band with John Relph on mandolin.

May 6:

The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band play a private party, John Relph on mandolin, Germantown, Maryland, 5-8:00pm

April 8:

The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band, with John Relph on Mandolin, at Tiffany Tavern, 1116 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia.

March 25:

The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band, with John Relph on mandolin, play a Private party, Washington, DC.

March 17:

Dateline: St. Patrick's Day, 7-10pm. Location: Quarry House Tavern, Silver Spring, Maryland. Event: Traditional Irish Music performed by Eric Vesper, John Relph, and friends. Guinness, Harp and Smithwick's on tap. I drank many a pint of Smithwick's during my year in Éire.

February 25:

After our little private party with the child porn prosecutors, The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band (featuring John Relph on mandolin) are back at Tiffany Tavern in Alexandria, Virginia, with more of what you love: tight harmonies, blistering solos, and blustering windbags. I mean Bluegrass! Come on down and keep us rolling in pocket change! Ted Karanikolas wants you!

February 10:

Private party, Elephant & Castle Pub, Washington, D.C., with The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band, also featuring Wayne Lanham on fiddle.

2005

December 23:

Last show before the holidays with The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band at Tiffany Tavern, 1116 King St., old town Alexandria, Virginia. 9pm-1am. Come lift a glass and shake your thang. No dancing in front of the band.

DEC-10:

Takoma Zone, Savory Cafe, Takoma Park, Maryland. Christmas carols and more. Without a net. As usual.

November 19:

Another Saturday night with The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band at Tiffany Tavern, 1116 King St., old town Alexandria, Virginia. 9pm-1am. The best burger in town.

November 12:

Private party, Georgetown, with The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band.

November 5:

Takoma Zone, Savory Cafe, Takoma Park, Maryland. Without a net.

October 21-22:

I attended the 23rd Annual Western Open Fiddle Championships and I entered the Open Mandolin Picking contest and the Accompanist Division. I ended up earning third place in the Mandolin division because I went overtime (what an idiot!). Nonetheless, I had a great time, and backed up four of the top five players in the Open Fiddle Division (including the winner, Tristan Clarridge). Then we went to Margaret's house and jammed Snee tunes.

October 16:

The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band featuring John Relph (me) played at the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum in Sterling, VA. A nice acoustic gig.

October 15:

Takoma Zone, Savory Cafe, Takoma Park, Maryland.

August 6:

I will again wield Mandolin On Fire with The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band at Tiffany Taverne in Ye Olde Towne Alexandree, Virginny. Be there or be somewhere else.

June 19-24:

I attended the 2005 National Oldtime Fiddle Championships in Weiser, Idaho. No surprise, I suppose, as I've been going for nearly 30 years now. In any case, I got to jam with the Clarridge Fiddlers, among many others, and basically had a grand time all week. Were that life was really this much fun...

June 11:

The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band, Tiffany Tavern, Alexandria, Virginia.

May 21:

I will be playing guitar and mandolin with Takoma Zone, a musicians' collective, at the Savory Cafe in Takoma Park, Maryland. One never knows quite what to expect with Takoma Zone. Their style runs the gamut from acoustic folkie to bar raunch country music. We'll probably play some Irish and American fiddle tunes as well.

March 12-13:

I flew out west for the Left-Coast CoMando gathering in Inverness, California. Had a grand time, played a lot of tunes with the Clarridge Fiddlers, played many different mandolins, including an Old Wave Watermelon (the “Juicy”). Well worth a dollar.

2004

November 13:

The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band, Tiffany Tavern, Alexandria, Virginia.

October 21-22

I flew out to California for the 22nd Annual Western Open Fiddle Championships and I entered the Open Mandolin Picking contest and the Accompanist Division. I ended up earning second place in both. I had a great time, especially the evening after the contest when my sister Linda got her fiddle out and we jammed celtic tunes with Tristan Clarridge on 'cello (Tristan had won the Open Division of the contest that night).

August 28:

I will be playing mandolin and guitar with Dixie Cannonballs at Tiffany Tavern in Ye Olde Towne Alexandria. Rob Petrie (mandolin/guitar/lead vocal), John Relph (guitar/mandolin/backup vocals), Mindy McWilliams (fiddle/vocals), Dan Mazer -- the illustrious Banjer Dan -- (banjo/backup vocals), John Nowakowski (bass).

August 20:

The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band, Tiffany Tavern, Alexandria, Virginia.

June 21-26:

I attended the 2004 National Oldtime Fiddle Championships in Weiser, Idaho, where I played rhythm guitar for her and many others. Megan Lynch won the Young Adult Division on Thursday. Congratulations to Megan!

May 8:

The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano Band, Tiffany Tavern, Alexandria, Virginia.

2003

November 8:

I performed with The Shaw Brothers & Pete Milano at the Lucketts Community Center, in Leesburg, Virginia, the night of the lunar eclipse. I had a great time. It was fun. Isn't that what music is all about?

October 11:

The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano, Tiffany Tavern, Alexandria.

September 6:

I will be playing mandolin with The Shaw Brothers and Pete Milano at Tiffany Tavern in old town Alexandria, Virginia.

August 23:

I performed with The Shaw Brothers & Pete Milano at the Lucketts Fair, Leesburg, Virginia. It was a good time, but the highlight was that Paul took second place in the Pedal Tractor Pull, Age 5-6 Division! All that biking served him in good stead.

June 16-21:

I performed as an accompanist to fiddlers at the 2003 National Oldtime Fiddle Championships in Weiser, Idaho, backing up the likes of Megan Lynch, 2003 Young Adult Champion, and John Francis who won 8th Place in the 2003 Grand National Championship. And of course I spent as much time as possible jamming, playing swing, oldtime fiddle tunes, bluegrass, and whatever else happened. And it's a good thing if you missed The Mighty Wind of '03, which destroyed tents and RVs, downed trees, and caused unhappiness for many campers. I got away fairly easily, my alarm clock being the only casualty. You can hear my guitar playing (sort of) on the 2003 National Oldtime Fiddle Contest CD.

May 31:

I had a blast with Cabin Fever at McGrath's Pub, Alameda, CA.

2002

November 1:

Cabin Fever CD release party, McGrath's Pub, Alameda, CA.

October 28:

Cabin Fever, Kate O'Brien's, San Francisco.

October 24-26:

I was one of the judges of the Pickin' divisions at the 2002 Western Open Fiddle Championships in Red Bluff. I also earned the Second Place Accompanist award, appearing 30 times on stage playing backup for fiddlers (not counting the Judges' entertainment or twin fiddle divisions!).

October 21:

Cabin Fever, Kate O'Brien's, San Francisco.

September 26:

Cabin Fever rocks Burning Man Headquarters: The Odeon Bar, San Francisco.

September 22:

Cabin Fever, Rock Soup, San Francisco.

September 18:

The NCBS Fog City Bluegrass Showcase 1st Anniversary Show, West Of Kentucky, The Plough And Stars, San Francisco.

September 16:

Cabin Fever, Kate O'Brien's Pub, San Francisco.

September 14:

Cabin Fever, McGrath's Pub, Alameda.

August 28:

Surprise gig at The Plough And Stars, San Francisco, featuring members of Cabin Fever and Dark Hollow: John Kornhauser on guitar and vocals, Larry Chung on banjo, guitar and vocals, Megan Lynch on fiddle and vocals, John Relph on mandolin, guitar and vocals, and Steve Swan on bass and vocals.

August 26:

Cabin Fever, Kate O'Brien's, San Francisco. Guinness and fish and chips.

August 21:

The NCBS Fog City Bluegrass Showcase, West Of Kentucky with guest Paul Jacobs on guitar and vocals, The Plough And Stars, San Francisco.

August 18:

Cabin Fever, McGrath's Pub, Alameda. Our good friends the Clarridge Family Fiddlers will join us for a couple of tunes. Radio station KALW will be recording this gig for later broadcast on public radio. (This show is the source for the album Live at McGrath's Pub.)

August 17:

West Of Kentucky with guest Dr. Yvonne Walbroehl on guitar and vocals, Rock Soup, San Francisco.

August 12:

Cabin Fever, Kate O'Brien's Pub, San Francisco.

July 20:

Cabin Fever, Rock Soup, San Francisco.

July 17:

NCBS Fog City Bluegrass showcase with West Of Kentucky, The Plough And Stars, San Francisco.

July 15:

Cabin Fever, Kate O'Brien's Pub, San Francisco.

July 10:

Cabin Fever, Rock Soup, San Francisco.

July 8:

Cabin Fever, Kate O'Brien's Pub, San Francisco.

July 7:

Cabin Fever, McGrath's Pub, Alameda, CA.

July 6:

I won the Best Backup award at the Marin County Fair Fiddle Contest.

June 30:

Cabin Fever, Rock Soup Cafe, San Francisco.

June 29:

Cabin Fever, Redwood City Lumberjack Bluegrass Festival, Redwood City, California.

June 24:

The first gig in Cabin Fever's residency at Kate O'Brien's, San Francisco.

June 17-22:

I performed as an accompanist to fiddlers at the 2002 National Oldtime Fiddle Championships in Weiser, Idaho. But the real fun isn't the contest, it's the jam sessions that happen all night and day in the nearby campgrounds. I got to jam with some other excellent players. CDs of the contest are available; I play guitar on the 1999 and 2001 CDs, accompanying Tashina Clarridge and John Francis, respectively.

June 12:

NCBS Fog City Bluegrass showcase with West Of Kentucky, The Plough And Stars, San Francisco.

June 9:

Cabin Fever, Rock Soup, San Francisco.

June 8:

Cabin Fever, McGrath's Irish Pub, Alameda, CA.

May 31:

West of Kentucky with guest Yvonne Walbroehl on guitar and vocals, Rock Soup, San Francisco.

May 15:

West of Kentucky, The Plough And Stars, San Francisco.

May 8:

Cabin Fever, The Plough And Stars, San Francisco.

April 28:

Cabin Fever, Rock Soup, San Francisco.

April 24:

Cabin Fever, The Plough And Stars, San Francisco.

April 17:

The NCBS Fog City Bluegrass showcase featuring West Of Kentucky, The Plough And Stars, San Francisco, CA.

April 14:

Cabin Fever with new bass player Steve Swan, Rock Soup, San Francisco.

March 22-23:

Alright! I won the Open Picking division at the 2002 California State Old Time Fiddle Association State Contest in Oroville, California. I played guitar in the competition this year (because I'd been playing so much mandolin?). So that makes three years in a row, which means that I cannot compete next year. I can relax and just accompany the fiddlers. Oh yeah, which reminds me. I also earned the First Place Accompanist award (41 times on stage). Yo.

March 20:

The NCBS Fog City Bluegrass showcase featuring West Of Kentucky, The Plough And Stars, San Francisco, CA.

March 17:

Cabin Fever, Rock Soup, San Francisco.

March 10:

Cabin Fever: Larry Chung on banjo, Megan Lynch on fiddle, Yvonne Walbroehl on guitar, John Relph on mandolin, and special guest Aaron Germain on bass. Rock Soup, San Francisco.

February 20:

The NCBS Fog City Bluegrass showcase featuring West Of Kentucky at The Plough And Stars, San Francisco, CA.

February 13:

West Of Kentucky plays the San Francisco Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival! The Plough And Stars, San Francisco, CA.

January 26:

I attended the 2002 Cloverdale Fiddle Contest. Backed up a good number of fiddlers, including the top four in the Progressive Division and the winner of the Waltz Division. I was awarded the First Place Accompanist award for beating my hands against my guitar all day. Good fun.

January 16:

The NCBS Fog City Bluegrass showcase featuring West Of Kentucky: Deirdre Donovan on bass and lead vocals, John Relph on mandolin, Ted Silverman on guitar, and Paul Ebersman singing harmony, at The Plough And Stars, San Francisco, CA.

January 6:

I attended a San Francisco Bay Area CoMando Gathering, pictures and tunes are available.

2001

December 19:

The NCBS Fog City Bluegrass showcase featuring West Of Kentucky: Deirdre Donovan on lead vocals, John Relph on mandolin, Ted Silverman on guitar, and Paul Ebersman singing harmony, at The Plough And Stars, San Francisco, CA.

November 14:

The NCBS Bluegrass In The Fog showcase featuring Deirdre Donovan with A Little Help From My Friends at The Plough And Stars, San Francisco, CA.

October 20-21:

I survived the 2001 Western Open Fiddle Enduro in Red Bluff, California. I entered the Mandolin Picking Division and took first place. I backed up a number of fiddlers with my guitar, too, including the top five finalists in the Open Division, and came up with the number four Accompanist award. It was great fun! Now my left arm hurts.

October 10:

The Northern California Bluegrass Society Bluegrass In The Fog showcase featuring Deirdre Donovan with A Little Help From My Friends: John Relph on mandolin, Ted Silverman on guitar, and Paul Ebersman singing harmony, at the Bazaar Cafe, San Francisco, CA.

June 30:

I won the Best Backup award at the Marin County Fair Fiddle Contest. We all had a great time. The fireworks were a little loud for Paul, but he liked them anyway.

June 18-23:

I had a great time at the 2001 National Old Time Fiddle Contest in Weiser, Idaho. I backed up a handful of fiddlers, including John Francis who took Fifth Place in the Grand Champion division. I also jammed a lot, met a lot of nice people and great musicians, and the cops were called on a jam I was in. Can you believe it?

April 21:

I earned First Place in the Picking division at the 2001 California State Oldtime Fiddle Contest in Oroville, California! I also backed up a number of fiddlers, and was awarded Second Place Accompanist (with 25 times on stage). Yippee!

January 27:

I attended the 2001 Cloverdale Fiddle Contest. Took Second Place in the Accompanist Division. Backed up 7 out of the top 10 players in the Progressive and Oldtime Fiddle Divisions. Had a great time. Sorry if I missed you! Next contest: California State in April.

John Relph, John Francis, and Albert Myers (Cloverdale Fiddle Contest, January 27, 2001)

2000

October 21-22:

I attended the 2000 Western Open Fiddle Championships in Red Bluff, California, where I earned first place in the Mandolin Picking Division and third place in the Accompanist Division. Lots of music, lots of hard work.

June 19-24:

I performed as an Accompanist at the 2000 National Old Time Fiddle Contest in Weiser, Idaho. The weather was perfect, the music was great. One high point was the set of Hawaiian songs and impromptu hula (at 4am Sunday). Phil Williams took some photos at the 2000 and 1999 contests, see if you can find me.

March 25:

I earned first place in the Picking division at the 2000 California State Oldtime Fiddle Contest, in Oroville, California, and I won a guitar! I also backed up a number of fiddlers, and was awarded fifth place Accompanist.

January 22:

I earned the First Place Accompanist award at the 2000 Cloverdale Fiddle Contest.

1999

October 22-23:

I was one of the judges of the Pickin' divisions at the 1999 Western Open Fiddle Championships in Red Bluff, California. I also played guitar accompaniment for a number of excellent fiddlers, including the winners of the Open, Senior, Adult, and Twin Fiddle Divisions, and I was awarded Fifth Place Accompanist (with 23 times on stage).

April 15:

I placed fourth in the Accompanist division of the 1999 California State Old Time Fiddle Association Championship at Madera, California.