My Virginia

Today, January 19th, would mark the 207th birthday for Robert E. Lee. A terrific military leader, patriot, and scholar.  He was born at Stratford Hall in Westermoreland County, Virginia, on January 19th, 1807. Continuing in the military tradition of his father, Lee entered West Point in 1825 and graduated second in his class in 1829. He was an outstanding student and one of the top ranks of his class. When it came for the arguments for Southern Independence, Lee was not in favor of succession immediately, but he decided he could not take arms against his people and his homeland of Virginia. On April 18, 1861 Lee was offered field command of the United States Army. On the following day, he received word that Virginia had seceded from the Union; he submitted his letter of resignation from the United States Army on April 20. Three days later, Lee accepted the position of commander of Virginia forces. His decision to defend Virginia was legendary, and since then, Lee  has become

Written October , 2010 I headed up yet again to the bright lights of Purcellville, Virginia to play a show at Market Street Coffee. I'm absolutely in love. If you've never been, you should. Because its one of my favorite venues to play. Over the past few years, I've played there many times. Market Street Coffeeshop is one of Northern Virginia's premiere music venues. It reminds me of the Mudhouse in Charlottesville, only cozier. The acoustics are really swell. Its tucked away in the GIANT shopping center, so be sure you don't pass it up for Blockbuster Video, or the photomat. Anyways, I had the typical "in and out" crowd, but there's always a few college kids who stick around with their lap tops. And the baristas are really friendly and polite. Unlike some other coffee shops I have been to- they shared some of their tips with me for the night. I was mighty tired because I had to drive the 130 miles up there and back, and as much as I love my old

This Friday will be officially Lee-Jackson day here in Virginia. Honoring two great men who's birthdays fall in around the same time. Although Stonewall Jackson was not born in present day Virginia (he was born in what is now "West Virginia), he does have family ties and connections to the Commonwealth, and lived for a long period of time in Lexington. Robert E. Lee, of course, has deep Virginia family connections, and was born at Stratford Hall Plantation in 1807- near Fredericksburg. On Lee-Jackson day, we commemorate two men of honour, who fought nobly for their beloved home land. Simple ceremonies will be held in Richmond, along with Confederate reenactors, and wreaths placed around Monument Ave and Hollywood Cemetery.