Welcome to Old News

Here's where you can find out information about Bread and Bones (Richard Ruane, Beth Duquette and Mitch Barron) that isn't quite as current as it could be.  It still is possibly interesting.  It might also make everything suddenly clear.  I did say "might."

The Campanella Mandolin

Though I am now primarily a guitarist, I started out as a mandolin player. I recently replaced my ailing 1918 Gibson A with a mandolin made by the wonderful luthier (and generally nice guy) Joe Cleary, of Campanella Strings (http://www.campanellastrings.com).  Joe makes both violins and mandolins (he's a player too).  His approach to mandolin making is unusual in that he uses violin making techniques and some violin design elements on the mandolins.  The mandolins of his that I've played have all had an incredibly beautiful sound.  I convinced Joe to take pictures of my mandolin during its construction, documenting the process.  I've found his whole approach to mandolin design and construction fascinating, and I've written a bit about it..  For the write up and the photos of the mandolin in progress and finished, click here.

The top and back, with the rib structure (with the wooden form not yet removed) and neck.

Instant Coffeehouse and Songwriters Notebook

Beth and I were recently in the studios of LCATV to tape two shows, "The Instant Coffeehouse" with host Rebecca Padula and Rik Palieri's "Songwriter's Notebook."  These both appear on community access television in a number of different locations here in Vermont.  Rebecca and Rik both do a great job putting these together.  If you live in Vermont and have cable TV, check out your listings for the shows.

Kerrville Video Online

Sea Lion Estates have created videos of the last few Kerrville Folk Festivals (http://www.sealionestates.com/kerrville/).  They have some sampler videos online from the 2005 Kerrville Festival, including Beth and I at the New Folk Competition.  Click on the link http://www.sealionestates.com/kerrville/05_sampler/nff/nff24_32.html and then choose Richard Ruane. It is of the song "My Father Is Gone."  And if you ever get a chance to go to Kerrville, don't wonder if you should go, just go.  There are a large number of photos from the Kerrville Folk Festival right here on my website, including a 360° QuickTime panorama from our campsite. Click HERE to see it, or look under Photos.

For information about my Campanella mandolin, click here.

This page was last updated on May 01, 2008