Ed Caner Blog

Hearprotek Concert Ear Plugs I wore the "small" in my left ear for a whole season performing deep in the second violin section with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra. It performed beyond expectations. I could hear my fiddle and my immediate surroundings clearly while keeping the percussion and piccolo volume low enough to prevent ringing.   Caveat: Make sure that the little tab is positioned away from the earlobe to make it easier to remove. Amazon sells a package that contains two sets of plugs--one small and one large. Both fit me well. The large seems to block out more sound, but maybe that's just the geometry of my ear. Phonak Serenity Music Choice (Universal Fit) Still my favorite, but they are expensive and can be hard to find outside of audiologists. 

  This violin was constructed in 2003 by William Townsend in his Austin, Texas workshop.  The violin is Mr. Townsend’s interpretation of Guarneri del Gesu’s LeDuc violin.  It features Mr. Townsend’s proprietary varnish and mineral ground, designed to recreate the ground of historical Italian violins based on scientific investigations. The back of this violin is of highly flamed Bosnian maple, and the belly is of a two-piece spruce of medium-wide grain.  The color of the varnish is brown over an amber base.  The violin label bears the name “William Townsend” with a date of 2003 and a reference to “LEDUC” and the number “A485”. This is a top-of-the-line Townsend with a very rich tone and extraordinary projecting power.  I personally enjoy the way it “rings” in the upper registers. The violin comes with Certificate of Authenticity signed in blue ink by William Townsend and a shaped case. Measurements: Body length:  357 mm Upper bout ...

For Immediate Release- January 7, 2013 Hey Mavis kicks up some dirt with their new CD Honey Man On Saturday, February 2, 2012, Akron-based band Hey Mavis will celebrate the much-anticipated release of their second CD, Honey Man , with a concert and reception at Happy Days Lodge in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Happy Days Lodge is located at 500 West Streetsboro Rd., Peninsula 44264. Doors open at 7pm, concert begins at 8pm. Reception and CD signing to follow concert. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased by calling 330-657-2909 ext. 100 . The music of Hey Mavis can only be described as “Appalachian Americana”.  With banjo, fiddle, upright bass, guitar, kick drum and harmonica, the quartet effortlessly moves from a softly orchestrated lullaby to a raw and raucous love song.  “The songs feel soulful, they have dirt and substance,” says Hey Mavis founder Laurie Michelle Caner.  “There is a sense of being grounded and close to the earth, and we try t...

Patrick Metsker sent me this link.  Shot at the Canal Street Tavern in Dayton, OH on March 24, 2002.   The song is called "If I Lose".  Yonder sounds absolutely amazing.  By this time they had about three years of Beatles-in-the-Kaiserkeller-type experience working together.*  It certainly shows. I first met the Yonder guys in January of 1999 at the Pioneer Inn in Nederland.  I was on vacation from Wayne Newton and staying with a friend Mark Dudrow's named Peter Fiori.  I had backpacked my fiddle down the hill about a mile from Pete's house to the PI in a fairly heavy snow, and was ready for beer and music.  The pick did not disappoint.  I was not a bluegrass player, but that didn't seem to bother anyone.  I'll never forget Dave Johnston's smile that night.  Wonderful.  About 2 months later I ended up moving to Ned to join Runaway Truck Ramp and a few months later became housemates with Dave and Adam Aijala. When I met u...