[Dixielandjazz] Fenale Washboardists

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/11/04 7:02:12 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
barbonestreet at earthlink.net writes:

> 
> Several females play washboard here in the East with Zydeco or Cajun
> Music Bands.  They use a modification washboard, thin, flexible metal
> and worn over the upper body like a catcher's chest protector in
> baseball. Don't know their names, but the youngest is about 13.
> 
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
> 
> 
> 
Most of the traditional Cajun/Zydeco bands today use these type washboard 
because of their easy portability and light weight and ease to wear on stage, 
they cling to your body and give you more flexibility to play other percussion 
instruments and such if you can and wish to.

I carry one with Saint Gabriel's on tour because is will lie well and not add 
any wight int he bottom of a suitcase or travel bag.   And yes gasp! choke! 
cough, I have been know to pull it out and play a few times, my debut 
performance on it was in Italy in front of ten thousand screaming adoring fans, :)))   
Sure glad I had Al Rapone along on cajun accordian to keep them busy while I 
annoyed them with the washboard giving up my Professional Musician Status.   
:))   I quickly went to Cow Bell and maracas to regain it. :))

The cajuns in New Orleans also have a very small washboard available now that 
is the size of a necktie, that  can be played mostly for a novelty number 
since it is not very big and does not emit the normal melodius tone of the larger 
boards, :))

Cheers,

Clickty Clak Wiggins