Episode 24 - Rodney Miller

Contra Pulse

The intro and interstitial tracks from today’s episode are Cloud Nine/Broken Heart/Cloud Nine from the Airdance album Cloud Nine, Petronella/Green Mountain Petronella from the album New England Chestnuts, Cattle In The Cane from the album Airplang II, Lake George is one of the audio tracks from Gems Vol. 3, part of Rodney's series of recorded tunes that appear in his new tune book and Kickstart/Ticket to Nowhere/Scenic Express from the Stringrays album Ticket to Nowhere.

See the Contra Pulse website for transcripts and more.

And the Country Dance and Song Society for information about Contra and English country dance across the continent.

Check out the video clip from this interview where Rodney talks about his bowing technique.

See and hear Rodney Miller in action:

• So much good stuff to check out on Rodney’s own website including his new tunebook!!
• He’s also been recording tunes and releasing them on Bandcamp during the pandemic.
• The Stringrays are one of Rodney’s current and most active bands
• Here they are playing a contra dance at Glen Echo in 2015
• Here’s a nice clip of Airdance performing at Folkmadness dance camp in Socorro, NM in 2003
• You can buy Rodney’s classic albums such as Airdance, Airplang and New England Chestnuts, and MANY more in his online store.
• Julie interviews Airdance band member Mary Cay Brass in Episode 14 of this podcast
• Here’s Rodney fiddling for Tod Wittemore as he calls a singing (and yodeling!) square at the Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend in 2012

Some other topics mentioned in this interview:

• The Nelson Contra dance - here’s a nifty video about it
• Pinewoods Camp where so many dance and music connections are made
• Rodney mentions going on tour with musician Andy Davis who Julie interviewed in Episode 18 of this podcast