Four Headlamps at Camp Connell this weekend

CAMP CONNELL, Calaveras County, Calif., USA - Most of the celebrated jumping frogs of this county have gone into hibernation (if they are smart) as the weather forecast is calling for very cold nights - and maybe even a little snow.

Four Headlamps lead guitarist Sanders Lamont a few days ago wrote on Facebook:

"Weather turning colder. In the 30s at night,

but nice cool days. Fall almost done. We're waiting on snow."

Frogs making snow angels

But despite the cold forecast - and the countdown to Mexico underway for Captain Michael and Admiral Sylvia - The Four Headlamps are planning a jam session this week at Camp Connell
Studios.

Some partying at either the Lube Room or the Camp Connell Store is also planned. Wait, perhaps there will be partying at both.

Adm. Fox flirted with the idea of taking up the ukulele - going so far as to purchase a small Kala travel unit - but on reflection, she decided to wait until she gets to Mexico where an extra uke is waiting.

This is likely to be the last practice session before Michael and Sylvia head south to Mexico, where they will take up residence first in La Mazanilla for a couple of weeks, then Arroyo Seco.

But this weekend, it's guitar, violin, ukulele and hammer dulcimer. All in tune, even.

Maybe.

The Four Headlamps squeeze in a practice session

CAMP CONNELL, California, USA - The Four Headlamps, plus Dan and Lorraine Olsen of the sailing vessel Zephyrus, had a music-filled evening Saturday at Sanders and Pat Lamont's house (Elevation 5,500 feet). The weather was almost perfect, with the exception that the true flat-landers in the group (Admiral Fox and Michael) were not used to the pine pollen and immediately got allergic reactions.

As in incredibly stuffed sinuses...

But after a great dinner, including a bottle of excellent sauvignon blanc, the runny noses cleared up enough to play music for about an hour, with newcomers Dan and Lorraine Olsen providing the backbeat on some metal spoons and wooden clackers.


Admiral Fox tunes up

The group practiced a number of fancy tunes, most more suited to the guitar, violin and hammer dulcimer than the ukelele. But a number of others snuck in that were excellent uke songs, including the cowboy classic, Back in the Saddle, The Mermaid, and also a new favorite, Union Maid.

Four Headlamps reunion this weekend in Camp Connell

CAMP CONNELL, Calif. USA - After much dithering about, The Four Headlamps musical entourage will have a reunion this weekend in the high mountain air (5,500 feet, mas o menos) with newcomers and itinerant sailors Dan and Lorraine Olsen as musical guests and potential members of the group.

Although the original Headlamps got together in Mexico last spring for a reunion, the musical aspects were mostly overshadowed by cerveza and a variety of other tropical diversions: surfing, motorcycle riding, Cuba Libres and just plain beach living.

This time (the allure of the nearby Lube Room bar and restaurant nonwithstanding) we are pledged to play a full set of songs, including Chunder, our old standard, Rodney Carrington's Dancin' With A Man, and perhaps two new songs, Billy Currington's People Are Crazy and Union Maid.


Dan and Lorraine Olsen

We may also press Brian and Ruth Gray of Murphys into service, as well as their children, Delany and Conner. Brian just took up the ukulele (and a fine instrument it is, by God...).

Move over Woodstock, The Four Headlamps are on the comeback trail.

Here are the lyrics to the new songs:

Union Maid

There once was a union maid, she never was afraid
Of goons and ginks and company finks and the deputy sheriffs who made the raid.
She went to the union hall when a meeting it was called,
And when the Legion boys come 'round
She always stood her ground.

Oh, you can't scare me, I'm sticking to the union,
I'm sticking to the union, I'm sticking to the union.
Oh, you can't scare me, I'm sticking to the union,
I'm sticking to the union 'til the day I die.

This union maid was wise to the tricks of company spies,
She couldn't be fooled by a company stool, she'd always organize the guys.
She always got her way when she struck for better pay.
She'd show her card to the National Guard
And this is what she'd say

You gals who want to be free, just take a tip from me;
Get you a man who's a union man and join the ladies' auxiliary.
Married life ain't hard when you got a union card,
A union man has a happy life when he's got a union wife.

People are Crazy

This old man and me
Were at the bar and we
Were havin’ us some beers and
Swappin’ I don’t cares
Talkin’ politics
Blonde and redhead chicks
Old dogs and new tricks and
Habits we ain’t kicked

We talked about Gods grace
And all the hell we raised
Then I heard the old man say,
“God is great, beer is good and People Are Crazy”

He said "I fought two wars,
Been married and divorced"
What brings you to Ohio?
He said "Damn if I know"
We talked an hour or two
About every girl we knew
What all we put ‘em through
Like two old boys will do

We pondered life and death
He light a cigarette
He said "These damn things will kill me yet,
But God is great, beer is good and people are crazy"

Last call its 2:00am
I said goodbye to him
I never talked to him again

Then one sunny day
I saw the old man’s face
Front page Obituary
He was a millionaire he
He left his fortune to
Some guy he barely knew
His kids were mad as hell
Huh but me, I’m doing well
And I drop by today
To just say thanks and pray
And I left a six-pack right there on his grave
And I said God is great, beer is good and people are crazy

God is great, beer is good and people are crazy
God is great, beer is good and people are crazy