Molasses Creek "Waterbound" Video Almost Here!

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Hi there Molasses Creek fans,

We are deep in the midst of a toasty summer here on Ocracoke . . . figs have just started to ripen this week, and soon we will be putting away preserves so that we are ready for fig cakes in the winter.

            Gerald Hampton is visiting the island this week and will be joining us at our Deepwater Theater shows, so we will have the full touring band.  What fun! Also, our friend Rodney Kemp is joining us for the Opry this week and will be bringing plenty of Down East stories.

            Many of you experienced stormy weather this last week and so did Ocracoke.  Last weekend, a waterspout crossed Hwy 12 towards the north end and took out several electric poles, leaving the village without power for about 8 hours. Tideland electric worked through the night to restore electricity to the village (thank you!).

            This weekend (July 19), Molasses Creek will be performing at Greenville, NC’s Sunday in the Park. We are so excited that the Green Grass Cloggers will be joining us again this year, and that the concert will be dedicated to long-time event producer and friend, Stuart Aronsen.  The evening begins at 7:00 PM. For more information visit http://www.greenvillenc.gov/government/recreation-parks/programs-and-activities/special-events/sunday-in-the-park.

            We are very excited that we have just received a proof of the “Waterbound” video and will soon be making it available for your viewing pleasure. Stay tuned! We see a Oscar for Gerald Hampton’s portrayal of a waterlogged hobo! “Waterbound" is the title track of our new Molasses Creek album . . . coincidentally named “Waterbound.” To listen to selections from all the tracks, click the image below.

Performances this weekend in Washington & Greenville. Plus Molasses Creek looks for a new touring vehicle . . .

Hi friends!

We have been spending these past couple of stormy days working and reworking our Festival Release at Soundside Studio, preparing it for remixing and a national release.  We have a new track (Choo Choo Chaboogie/Old Yazoo) and have been having a great time orchestrating this fun number with pots and pans, artificial chickens, harmonies, and even a borrowed customer bell from the Ocracoke Post Office.  Molasses Creek shows at our Deepwater Theater continue to be sold out, and we are seeing a lot of new faces.  If you are coming to the island, we look forward to seeing you at the Ocrafolk Opry on Wednesdays or Molasses Creek on Thursdays.  We recommend getting tickets in advance through our website or by calling 252-921-0260.

Two Shows in Eastern Carolina this Weekend (Sunday, August 18)!

You have two chances to catch Molasses Creek for free in eastern Carolina, this Sunday, August 18!  From 1-3 PM we will be in concert at Harmony on the Harbor at Festival Park, in Washington, NC.  In the evening (7:00 PM) we will be rounding out the 40th year of Greenville Sunday in the Park at the Town Commons in Greenville, NC.  The Green Grass Cloggers will be joining us to help celebrate director Stuart Aronson's forty years of service in creating fabulous summertime fun.  Hope to see everyone at both performances.  Wahoo! 

Molasses Creek retires Ole Bessie and looks for the next Touring Vehicle

Molasses Creek looks for the next touring van! Anyone out there with a lead?

After many faithful years of service, the time has come to retire Molasses Creek's faithful band van to the Happy Tour Bus Land in the sky (or perhaps Pamlico Sound).  This steadfast musical companion has carried us north to Canada and out west to New Mexico, through the dusty plains and northeast mud-season.   We are currently looking at used Ford 350 Passenger Vans.  If any fans out there have a lead on such a stalwart companion without too many miles, send us a bleep (info@molassescreek.com).  We would love to hear about it! 

Gary Mitchell's "The Waterman" is reborn on Molasses Creek's latest release

Molasses Creek 2000 ensemble w/Garrison Keillor

One of the first songs that Molasses Creek recorded when they formed in 1993 (Gary and Kitty Mitchell, & Fiddler Dave), is Gary Mitchell's classic, "The Waterman".  For this year's 2013 Molasses Creek album we are including a new arrangement of this audience favorite.  To celebrate, we sent a link to our email list for folks to download the live version from our appearance on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion in 2000.  Joining the original trio for this national performance was friend and banjoist, Stan Brown.  If you would like to be on our email newslist, or to have the mp3 emailed to you, just send Fiddler Dave a note at info@molassescreek.com.

Dragonflies Awarded Ocracoke Island Medals of Honor . . . Giant Slugs Stage Protest

Those of you who have visited our fair island of Ocracoke, North Carolina, may have marveled at the beauty of our 13 miles of unspoiled beaches, our quaint historic village with 900 inhabitants, and the many mosquitoes who call it home.  Despite the rainy summer, this year we have been blessed with a less than normal number of these blood sucking critters, but during these past two weeks they have made a comeback. 

Fortunately the dragonflies have been waiting for the return of their favorite snack.  Last night Fiddler Dave even saw a bat making the rounds at dusk, swooping and feasting.  The Ocracoke Chamber of Commerce is considering awarding medals to these amazing acrobats for their service to the humans on our sandbar.

A dragonfly visiting Fiddler Dave's garden

The soggy weather has also inspired some HUGE slugs, and they have great aspirations for such slow-moving creatures.  There is one that makes a nightly journey up Fiddler Dave's back porch steps, underneath the storm door, and around to the cat food dish for a nocturnal banquet.  Last night, two of them climbed up the storm door and slimed around the glass in some intricate courting dance.  Yum!

Fiddler Dave's wife Amy looks on while giant slugs dance

That's all for this issue.  Keep checking at our Facebook page for photos and updates from this weekend.  Take care!

Molasses Creek
Gary, Fiddler Dave, Marcy, Lou & Gerald