I always feel like I’ve hit the jackpot when I get to play music in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Earlier in September of this year, that’s exactly what I did. I performed at an old haunt – Mica’s Restaurant. Mica’s was my musical and community home during my days living in the Cashiers area. Some of my very best musical gigging memories occured at Mica’s. In the summertime I’d play outside on the deck. It would get so damp with dew, my guitar would be soaking wet. Early on there was a fire pit right on the deck, surrounded by rocking chairs. Families and friends would gather around that fire and roast marshmallows and place them between Chips Ahoy cookies. Its fair to say there were a fair amount of alcoholic beverages consumed around that firepit, too. In the winter time, I’d play inside the small bar area, right in front of the fireplace. The bar was narrow and intimate and again, my memories of singing there every Friday night bring me so much joy. Mica’s was home to everyone in that small community. We even sang Christmas carols together there after the Cashier’s Christmas Parade. It was a special time in my life. Renovations came about extending Mica’s outdoor deck and covering it. It’s a lovely space with a large fireplace at one end. The interior of the restaurant was updated and new owners took over during this past year. There have been lots of changes. Because that’s what happens when 10 years go by.
I was grateful to have George Reeves accompany me for this show. I first met George when I booked his band Hurricane Creek for an event at the country club where I worked. Hurricane Creek was a popular group in Cashiers and Sapphire Valley starting well before my arrival there in 2012. I always admired George’s guitar playing. But in addition to that, George and I performed in a couple of songwriter shows together. He’s extremely talented and the nicest guy you’d ever want to meet. He and his wife Deb live in that Asheville perimeter these days and George is busy playing guitar around town. Good for them.
If you visit the mountains and you don’t get outside and walk around, shame on you. My daughter Emily and I hiked to Rainbow Falls at Gorges State Park. That is one of my favorite ways to spend a day. The weather was beautiful, and we were in a lush forest with tiny hits of color reminding us that fall was on the way. It was a great mountain weekend and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to do it. In fact, I’m already brainstorming a return trip.