Back when I used to peruse the club listings in the New Yorker magazine, dreaming of the night life in NYC, I would always note the disclaimer they would insert in their directory. It ran something like this: Club owners and musicians live unpredictable lives, so it it always best to check before traveling for a show.
Unpredictable lives… just so.
And so has it been for Donna Hughes, who was all set to unwrap her new Rounder CD, Hellos, Goodbyes & Butterflies, this weekend at the Little John’s Mountain of Music Festival in Snow Camp, NC. But as she was making preparations for the trip yesterday, she got distressing news.
“I received a call this morning from our band members Brian and Maggie Stephens. Their daughter Lilly Kate was rushed to the hospital this morning and we are awaiting word on how this precious child is doing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.”
But, you know what they say about the show, going on-wise. Fortunately for Donna, she was able to enlist AKUS bass man Barry Bales to step in, along with Mountain Heart mandolinist Aaron Ramsey to play guitar, Nick Keen from The Josh Williams Band on mandolin, and Trevor Watson from Lou Reid & Carolina on banjo.
Hellos, Goodbyes & Butterflies isn’t officially released until October 12, so the only way to get it is directly from Donna until then. The album was produced by JD Crowe and features another set of Hughes’ original songs.
We will look forward to hearing this one.
