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.

Molasses Creek's Woodsongs Adventure . . .and we announce the winner of the Ocracoke visit!

Bigum TV Stars!

Hello there dear friends,

We know that you are itching to find out if you were the winner of the week's stay on Ocracoke!  (No? . . . Ah well, I guess we will just put it at the end of the newsletter then . . .).  Now back to our news.

 Normally around Thanksgiving time Molasses Creek is having a little bit of a break, but this year we had a very busy November.  The second weekend of the month we traveled to the small town of Belhaven, NC for the opening of a fabulous new gallery and restaurant called the Spoon River Artwork and Market. 

Inside the Spoon River Artwork & Market

 The next day our hosts took us to their family flower farm, the Terra Ceia Farms.  This business was established in 1943 by Leendert Van Staalduinen, an emigrant from Holland.  Today the farm has 250 acres dedicated to cut flowers and a nursery.  Read more about their fascinating history at www.terraceiafarms.com. Thanks so much to Teresa, Mark and Jennifer for the warm hospitality!  If you are traveling through eastern NC, make sure to plan a stop at the Spoon River for an incredible culinary experience!

Bulb selection at the Terra Ceia Farm Shop

 On Saturday night we performed for a private event at the North Carolina Estuarium in Washington, NC.  On our way to the performance we had a few hours to stop by the Goose Creek State Park for a hike. 

 

AH! IT'S BLACKBEARD'S HEAD! . . no wait a minute!  Hey!

Lou and Marcy reliving the Hair Band days

A visit to the Coffee Caboose in Washington, NC

And we thought there were big crabs in Lake Mattamaskeet!

Alternative Energy at work at the NC Estuarium

After the evening's performance we hoofed it to Burlington for an overnight with family.

On Sunday morning we rendezvoused with Gerald and loaded up the van for an eight hour trip to Lexington, KY, home of the Woodsongs Radio Show.  Along the way we stopped at the Tamarack Center in West Virgina.  If you are traveling along I-77, then a stop in at this place is a must.  West Virginia has gathered together the work of 500 juried artisans from across the state . . .potters, glass blowers, blacksmiths, weavers, basket makers, woodworkers, musicians . . . there are even workshops where you can observe the artists in action.

 Sunday night, the band arrived in safe and sound at the home of Brian Wade, a longtime friend of Marcy Brenner.  We tucked into bed and sprung out early to journey to the studio of WKYT CBS to film a vinette to promote the evening's Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour show. 

When are they letting Fiddler Dave out of jail? OH! This is the TV Station!

Setting up.

And now a word from our sponsor, Dapper Dan!

By 4 PM in the afternoon we had arrived at the Kentucky Theater, in Lexington where volunteers were scurrying about setting up for the radio show.  Molasses Creek met the other band Caravan of Thieves (incredible group . . . check em out at www.caravanofthieves.com) and show host, Michael Jonathan who walked us through the evening's gameplan.

 

The biggest surprise was when John Lennon accidentally walked into Gary's dressing room!

 

Our little magic corner of the stage.

NASA . . .we have liftoff!

Although Woodsongs is performed in front of a live audience of 200-300, the main audience are the millions of listeners who have their ears to the radio across the country.  The show aired live on the web and will broadcast in about two months out to 500 radio stations and in about 90 million households through radio and public television.  After the show, we hung out with Michael at a local restaurant, swapping stories and hearing about his childhood growing up next door to this crazy banjo player (Pete Seeger).

On Tuesday and Wednesday we caravaned back to Ocracoke, arriving just in time for Thanksgiving oysters and the Ocrafolk Festival Thanksgiving Fundraising Concert (raised $3197 this year!). 

December is in full swing now, and we have already run through the Ocracoke Community Christmas Concert, Wassailing at the Ocracoke Preservation Society, and Library Cookie Swap.  

"Davu Doris, Davu Doris, Welcome Welcome Christmas Cheer!"

Xmas at the Ocracoke Preservation Society

We have also been hard at work in the studio on our 13th Molasses Creek album.

GET THAT AWAY FROM HIM!! WHO GAVE FIDDLER DAVE THE BIG MIKE??!!!

"Is this the party to whom I'm speaking?" (Marse auditions for the role of the operator)

(I can't believe I'm trying to be a serious musician around these people)

Upcoming Performances

Hope that you folks will come on out to First Night Williamsburg (Monday, December 31).  Molasses Creek will be stationed this year along side our friends in the The Company Store at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, New Fellowship Hall.  The Company Store will play at 6, 8 & 10 PM and Molasses Creek at 7, 9, & 11 PM.  Visitors to First Night buy a button pass that will get them in to any of the 40+ performances held throughout the town. 

In January, we will be at the Americana Stage in Morganton, NC (Saturday, January 12), at the Rooster's Wife in Aberdeen, NC (Sunday, January 13), and in concert with the Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts in Kill Devil Hills (Saturday, January 26).

Holiday order specials these next two weeks!

Order $30 or more from the Molasses Creek store and receive free shipping through the end of next week (Friday, December 18).  All orders will be send out First Class USPS (with Highway 12 compromised in Hatteras that is as fast as it goes!). Visit the Molasses Creek store at www.molassescreek.com/store.cfm.

Drumroll please!

And now, the moment you have been waiting for, sort of.  The winner of our email drawing for 2012 for a week's stay on Ocracoke Island was from Brooklyn, NY.  We have a classified email address and are waiting to hear a response from them.  We'll update this post when we have confirmed the winner is a a real human being!

Love you folks . . . see ya on down the road!
Gary, Fiddler Dave, Marcy, Lou & Gerald