Molasses Creek turns 20 in 2013!

 Happy New Year Molasses Creek fans! 

All natural fireworks at the Nature Trail on Ocracoke!

Although it has turned cold these past few days, this winter has been pretty mild so far.  Many of our plants think it is spring!  

Travel has been a bit trickier off of Ocracoke Island.  A storm this last weekend filled in the channel in the Ocracoke-Hatteras Inlet, and now the ferries can't get through until it is cleared.  It should take a couple of weeks.  In the meantime, the Swan Quarter and Cedar Island ferries have stepped up their runs to compensate. 

The closed channel didn't slow down a huge great white shark, "Mary Lee" that Ocearch has been tracking in Pamlico Sound and off the coast of NC.  Read all about her here.  To see where "Mary Lee" is now, click on this link to the shark tracking page and select "Mary Lee."  Pretty exciting!  We'll stay out of the water for the moment. . . it was a little cool for swimming right now, anyway.

Molasses Creek Performance this weekend on Saturday, January 26, Outer Banks Forum, Kill Devil Hills, NC ~ This weekend we will be doing a concert with the Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts, at the First Flight High School Auditorium in Kill Devil Hills.  The concert begins at 7:30 PM.  For more information visit www.outerbanksforum.org/.  Hope to see you there!

Molasses Creek rounded out 2012 at our favorite spot, First Night Williamsburg.  We swapped off sets with The Company Store throughout the evening, and then rang in the new year with fireworks on the campus of William and Mary.  

Our friends from The Company Store

 The next day we toured Colonial Williamsburg. 


Here are Amy & Lachlan Howard, and Fiddler Dave having a picture taken in front of the Williamsburg Gaol (Jail).  Lachlan is 10th generation descended from William Howard, the quartermaster on Blackbeard's ship (who also visited the Williamsburg Gaol when he was on trial for piracy in Williamsburg in 1718).   

 When the Williamsburg staff realized our relation to William Howard, they decided they had better put an end to trouble before it started.
 
 After a couple of days rest in Virginia, and a sampling of the local rotten fruits and vegetables, Amy, David & Lachlan made a successful escape back to Ocracoke.

In January, we resumed working on the new Molasses Creek album (#13!) at Gary Mitchell's Soundside Studio on Ocracoke Island.  This recording is going to be a lot of fun.  We are looking forward to its release at the Ocrafolk Festival in June!

On January 12 & 13, Molasses Creek traveled to the middle of the state for two fabulous shows at Americana Stage in Morganton (sold out!), and The Rooster's Wife in Aberdeen, NC.

Marcy & Lou warming up on the ferry.

On the way to Morganton, Gary Mitchell's expert sniffer detected a nearby bakery.  Winding our way off the interstate, we journeyed deep into Old Salem in Winston-Salem. 

The C. Winkler Bakery was just unloading goodies from the traditional wood fired ovens, so we stopped in for  a sampling.  This "professional" bakery was established by the church in 1800 when it was discovered that too many of the Single Sisters were stopping by the Single Brother's bakery to "buy bread."

Gary, Marcy & Lou "buying bread." No really. . . they were!

Loading the bakery over with wood for the next day firing.

This explains those funny pumpernickel rolls that Fiddler Dave found in the street.

We left Old Salem mid-afternoon and arrived in Morganton at the Grind Cafe Coffeehouse, home of the Americana Stage concert series (We swear we weren't just making another stop for coffee!)

 The concert took place upstairs in this historic building, in an intimate hall that seats about 75.  Twas a great evening of songs and celebration.  We even showcased a new version of "Nevertheless" that we have been preparing for the new album.  Thanks so much to Clint and Katie Bernard for hosting us at the concert and in their home and letting us play all their fine instruments!  Thanks also to our friends at the the Grind Cafe for providing a great location for the concerts.  We loved it! 

On Sunday we traveled towards Southern Pines, NC, to Aberdeen where Janet Kenworthy and friends and family produce The Rooster's Wife concert series.  They have worked hard to create this great listening room . . . and let us tell you, it is a real treat!  Beautiful sound, lighting, stage, and wow!  What chair selection (highly personalized)!

Gary & Gerald setup sound while Louie contemplates his performance.

 After the concert we retired to Janet & Jake's beautiful home up the street, where we wined, dined, and got some great chair massages from Denise.  What royal treatment . . . we're moving in next month!

Well. . .back out on the road, things are much different.  Here is the reality of band touring.

"Hey!  If Fiddler Dave is taking pictures then he is obviously NOT scrubbing the back windshield!"

 At least when you live on Ocracoke Island trips have beautiful beginnings and endings.

Returning to the island. . .

That's all for this news report.  February we will be focusing on the new album and taking some personal time off from the band.  Fiddler Dave, Amy & Lachlan will be heading to the Northwest to visit Amy's mom in Washington state for a couple of weeks.  We'll keep you appraised of all the happenings on and off the island.  Coming up in March we have a couple of great performances.

All the best,
Gary, Fiddler Dave, Marcy, Lou, and Gerald
Molasses Creek
 ***
March 2, 2013 ~ Music Across the Sounds, Mattamaskeet High School, Swan Quarter, NC.  Molasses Creek joins other eastern Carolina musicians for this community show sponsored by the Beaufort County Arts Council, NC Arts Council, and the NEA.

March 16, 2013 ~ Molasses Creek will be performing at a fundraising gala event put on by Public Radio East and the Hospice of Jacksonville, NC.  More details TBA.