Music. After my Bitter End show in October, I had some interesting music outings. I am going to start trying to post upcoming gigs and even visits to open mics on here, too. But again Facebook is a better way to find my gigs at the moment. I hope to start using an email system to let everyone know. But you will be able to opt out of it. I definitely understand.
These are the more recent gigs I’ve had. At the end are some actual concerts I went to.
Recent Performances:
Sherman JCC Jamboree, October 22
The Jamboree is a monthly concert series run by my friend, Don Lowe in Sherman CT (Western CT). I was one of three acts to perform at the Jewish Community Center on October 22. The audience was wonderful. I performed “The Huntington’s Waltz” as well as my humorous stuff. A 40-minute set was long enough to start funny – get serious in the middle – and finish with lighter songs. It is just what I am trying now. I had a chance to talk with some of the audience about Huntington’s. I also enjoyed the other two bands that performed with me, Too Old to Care and Potter’s Field. The Jamboree concerts are “bring your own” food and beverages. It is a little like performing at a potluck or tailgate party. Lots of interesting foods were on the tables. (But, no one shared. Sigh.)
Infinity Hall, Open Mic Competition, November 3
This playing opportunity came up fast. But it was one of the highlights of the last few months. I had performed once at the Infinity Hall Open Mic Norfolk CT. They hold it in the restaurant ‘Bistro’ downstairs from the big music hall. The organizers, Andy and John and a bunch of other folks are great folks. Twelve open mic performers got selected for the competition in the music hall, upstairs. Infinity Hall has wonderful sound and lighting. Just a big, beautiful place to play. Connecticut Public TV films some of the concerts there for a show called “Live at Infinity Hall.”
One of the young performers was nervous in the green room. He was shaking in his boots. I told him to just sing to his mom and dad in the audience. I told him “You will look and sound like a god up there. Enjoy it.” I think he did fine. The performers were all great. There were singer-songwriters of all ages and a pop singer. A wonderful brother and sister band won first prize. The audience seemed to enjoy singing along to my songs. And they thought I was funny before I even said a word. Can’t ask for more than that. If I find out they have a video of my set I will post it. The regular open mic happens every Thursday evening at Infinity Hall in Norfolk.
The Vanilla Bean Open Mic Feature, November 4
The following night I went to the Vanilla Bean in Pomfret, CT (Eastern CT). I was the open mic feature act.
Looking back at an early gig. I first performed at the Bean in the 1990s. This was before my CD was out. And I got the gig by sending the owner, Barry a cassette tape. Kathy and I had signed up to volunteer at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in Hillsdale NY that weekend. So, we went from camping in a dusty field, volunteering and then driving across New England for a gig. And then back home to our tent to sleep. We were younger then, but not nearly young enough.
That evening, when we were close to Pomfret, we saw a nasty looking car accident. A station wagon was on its side in the middle of the road. I ran over and helped a few teenagers wiggle through the windows. Someone helped the driver out. Luckily no one got hurt.
The kids were all student musicians from a prep school in Woodstock. Then one of the girls yelled, “I forgot my violin.” She crawled back in the way she got out. She retrieved her instrument and handed the other fiddles and violas out to her school mates. Meanwhile, I could smell a mixture of gasoline and antifreeze in the air. I would have gone back in for my guitar.
Once the police arrived Kathy and I continued on to the Vanilla Bean. A waitress gave me some band-aids for the scrapes and scratches on my hands. And the show went on.
Tonight’s gig was much less eventful. I’m sure I will be going back there because it isn’t far away from home. My cousin Joanne came with her partner Gustavo, so we had a chance to catch up a little. They came to Kathy’s memorial and art exhibit in September. The food at the Vanilla Bean is excellent too. I never eat too much before I play. But I had a bowl of their excellent chili. The concert itself went well. I think I the sing-a-long crowd at Infinity Hall spoiled me the night before. This particular evening the audience was kind of shy. I’m learning to read the room. The Vanilla Bean Open Mic held the first Friday of every month.
Luthier’s Co-op Open Mic, November 9
This was one of our semi-regular visits to Luthiers, Easthampton MA. Like I’ve said, Luthier’s Co-op is my home away from home. Since I was way behind on my blogging, I decided not to bother with the camera setup. Sometimes it is nice to just concentrate on the music. And when I have a lot of design work to do video editing gets put on the back-burner.
I performed a new version of What Goes Around and a cover of a Mose Allison song, Ever Since The World Ended. I had no idea Mose would die a few days later at age 89. He was one of the greats we have lost this year.
Luthier’s Open Mic happens every Wednesday.
The Packing House Talent Showcase, November 10
The Packing House is a 30 or 40-minute drive from Hampden in Willington CT. My cousin sent me a Facebook event posting for a monthly talent show Thursday evening. They converted a series of warehouses into performing and art studio space. It’s on Route 32, south of Stafford Springs CT.
Unlike other open mics, The Packing House lets you call to sign up by phone. So you know when you are going to perform and for how long. I had a 20-minute slot. The event and performance space are in their infancy. Like the Sherman JCC and the Parlor Room, it is BYOB&F. They have snacks available. The performers: poets, storytellers, singer-songwriters and two small bands were most of the audience. Hopefully, it will grow in popularity. They had a nice sound system although it would benefit from more bodies dressed in coats. Something to absorb some of the natural warehouse reverb.
This set was long enough for me to do the Huntington’s Waltz. I learn something each time I do it. This is a link to a video of the whole set if you are interested. The next Talent showcase is December 8th.
Yellow Sofa Open Mic, Thirsty Mind, November 17
The Thirsty Mind is a small coffeehouse in the Village Commons in South Hadley MA. It is across the street from Mt. Holyoke College. Charlie Thompson and I go to the open mic (called The Yellow Sofa) often. This week our friend Mike Sullivan joined us on percussion and vocals. It was my turn to drive and when I got to Charlie’s house he showed me his hands. “I might have a problem tonight.” He had cut his finger and thumb with a circular saw on Tuesday. He does handyman work to support his music habit.
He figured out he could play slide guitar. And brought along a Craftsman spark plug socket that fit over his finger. It got a great response from the audience. He did one blues song solo and Mike and I backed him up on an old rock and roll song I Hear You Knocking.
I did “If I Could Travel Back in Time” and “Help Me, Rhonda.” I messed up the guitar on both but because it was a fun night I thought I would link it here. It gives a sense of a typical open mic, at least. The next Yellow Sofa Open Mic is next Thursday and every Thursday unless there is a holiday.
Other concerts and gigs I went to:
The Parlor Room, Claudia Schmidt, October 28th
I finally got to attend a concert at the Parlor Room in Northampton. The Parlor Room is also the home of Signature Sounds Recordings, my old record label. Above all else, they love music at Signature. So, when an artist has an available night or can’t fill the Iron Horse the Parlor Room is a wonderful small venue.
The Parlor Room is a BYO food and beverage place. It is easier than trying to get a liquor license. I am hoping to get an opening slot there, but this evening I went to see Claudia Schmidt, a wonderful songwriter, and vocalist. Kathy and I became fans of hers when we still lived in Plymouth. We heard her singing backup on a Bryan Bowers LP playing in a shopping mall record store. Then when we moved to Colorado we went to a few of her concerts. Because it was Colorado, my mind is a little foggy. Claudia is also a remarkable jazz vocalist but this was a folk show.
I bought two of her CDs. It was the first time I used the Square credit card reader to buy music from an artist. I have one but, so far, my few sales have been cash. I might have to buy one of my own CDs to see if it still works.
I bought two of her CDs. It was the first time I used the Square credit card reader to buy music from an artist. I have one but, so far, my few sales have been cash. I might have to buy one of my own CDs to see if it still works.
Northampton Arts Night Out, November 11
The following night I went out to watch friends perform at a new concert series in Northampton. Bob Demers, one of the hosts from Luthiers has started a free monthly concert at the Unitarian Church. There is a lot of music going on in Northampton on Friday nights.But, the audience is growing. Tonight’s performers were Mike and Chris Orlen; and Pete Nelson.
Mike and Chris Orlen have become friends from my early days playing at the old P.A.C.E. open mic. that was in Easthampton MA years ago. Mike and Chris organized the concert in Amherst to benefit Kathy. That concert and the broadcast on ConcertWindow raised over $1300 for the HD Program at UConn. Kathy was able to watch it online. Mike is a terrific songwriter and finger picker. I get to hear Mike at open mics for a song or two. This was a chance to hear a full set with harmony. And Chris played the kazoo.
Pete Nelson and I go back a long time too. Both of us had early CD releases on Signature Sounds. We did one co-bill gig in Greenfield MA back then. I remember instead of performing separate sets we both sat on stage and traded songs. Pete would listen to one of my story songs and say, “Okay. That same woman meets the guy in this song and this is what happens.” Then it was up to me to take the woman in his song and tie her into one of my songs. Eventually, under Pete’s watchful eye, they no doubt get a divorce or something. I can’t remember the details. Pete makes his living as a book author and an editor.
The next concert will be in January.
Unity House, Allysen Callery and Driftwood Soldier, November 19
Saturday night I decided to go out to Unity House. Josh Farber runs a concert series at the Unitarian church in Springfield. He has a wonderful music blog called Cover Lay Down which looks at songs covered by different artists.
In case you haven’t noticed, many New England coffeehouses are at Unitarian Universalist Churches. I am non-religious but think of myself as being spiritual in some ways. And tolerant of all. (As long as they don’t talk about it.) When I was performing in the old days, I found myself warming up in ‘green rooms’ at Unitarian churches. I would tune up my guitar in front of a statue of Buddha, next to a Menorah. There might be a cross on the wall, or maybe not. I was always curious and supportive of their community work.
Allysen Callery is a performer from Rhode Island. She has a beautiful voice and a wonderful fingerpicking style. It almost sounded like someone was playing upright bass with her. Her influences include British folk singers like Sandy Denny and Jacqui McShee.
Driftwood Soldier is a duo from Philadelphia that calls their stuff, gutter folk. Their main instruments are mandolin and electric bass with various percussion contraptions. A suitcase Cajón, A license plate high-hat and a foot board with bottle caps. Songs were cool too. This video isn’t one of their best songs, but it shows part of their set-up. The coffee-can thing was replaced by license plates. The main singer’s stage banter reminded me of Tom Waits.
The next concert at Unity House is Low Lilly on December 17.
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