Aaron Phillips here Dec. 23th

Aaron Phillips will be with the greens saturday Dec. 23rd at the wheel house show, since he will be in town for Nathan's wedding that day at a church in Vienna. There is a second reception at the wheel house that evening, and so folks can hear the reunion rare opportunity- Aaron's saxophone, flute and guitar work, and general zaniness and vocals. See Tony's picture of andy, aaron, and tony and someone else on a swing set on the greens myspace posts.

Greens rocked the wheel house last night

There was a festive post-holiday crowd enjoying the Greens show last night at the Wheel House. The Greens put on a typical high energy show to get the audience involved- a good mix of loyal followers from the area, and some natives who have moved away, but were back for the holiday. The Greens played songs from all "eras" including the "original" Greens song. A pretty funky version of Big Ol Bessie; El Dinero in a variety on its theme. Finishing with Shakedown Street due to a $20 tip. Some pretty good dancing there through the middle of the show. The Wheel House staff was exhausted by the end of the night- but I guess that's a good thing for the business. Marty came in from Kentucky to see the show; enjoying rare opportunities to see the band, but he knows the songs from the CD's pretty well.

Front Row show last night

Nathan joined Andy for his 6th Thanksgiving show at the Front Row, for a little "power duo" action. Good song selection; playing a little more acoustic sound than a Greens show. Dug back into the archives a bit, and diversified the covers and fan favorites. Andy kept breaking strings; and finished up with the Taylor for a good part of the last set. Not the biggest crowd we've had at the previous Thanksgiving bashes- maybe word wasn't out enough- hardly any place else was open I figure, so people might not have been in the going out mode. It was good to hear "Natural Voice" in reference to andy getting back to Morgantown to go to work at 8:30 am; before turning around and heading back here for tonight's show at the Wheel House; this is a full fledged Greens show tonight. He did the Tom Waits song early in the first set, while his voice was still there; and finished with a joe cocker-like "get by with a little help from my friends" with some voice-destroying work.
I had to witness a little scuffle among the late night patrons while I was helping with the clean up- a little rolling around on the floor et al.
Good to see Terry and Ian after a bit of an absence; I guess they have been on the Ratt Dog circuit.

Post 300

This is post # 300 for the blog; thanksgiving day eve; Andy plays at the Front Row tomorrow night for the 6th year running. Many different configurations - some Greens combinations, etc. I presume it will be 10 Pm. Friday night I believe its a Greens show at the Wheel HOuse; hope for a good turnout there of post-holiday; post Black Friday music lovers. We'll try to get an accurate idea if Aaron Phillips will be in for any of the shows around Christmas or New Years over the next few days.

now I am included in pictures from July 4th 03

I'm getting ready to sing one with the young fella. It was probably "The Band" for some 4th of july americana music.

Greens nostalgia- 2003 picture

Well, I don't know what the band will think of this July 4th celebration in Marietta, but it will be discussion provoking to say the least.

Mountain stage

Despite a harrowing ride back from Beckley in the sleet-y, slushy rain/ snow conditions, it was a good show. Bearfoot was the surprise nice discovery- Abigal Washburn was good for a second time seeing her- since we've practically worn out her CD since then. Bela Fleck and the two other string musicians making up the quartet were well received. Todd Burge made the folks laugh, and impressed the mostly new-to-mountain stage audience (I think). Jim Lauderdale, had heard of, heard some songs, but this was a good first exposure. Todd says he has a good CD co-written by Robert Hunter (lyricist with the grateful dead). The klezmer music was also good- the woody guthrie lyrics put to music. No more Live shows on mountain stage till 2007- Uncle Earl is supposed to be there in Feb; arlo guthrie? we'll be eager to see the early 2007 line up.

Mountain Stage tonight

Going down to Tamarack to see mountain stage down there tonight. Abigal Washburn (with Bela Fleck et al accompanying) is the main draw. She can play a mean banjo, and has some intriguing songs- she has the China connection to her banjo playing. Jim Lauderdale is on the bill. Todd Burge is on the bill. Making the long extra trip, since I'm missing some other music this month. The Klezmatics; BearFoot and Doug and Shelley Harper, are the others on the lineup. I listened to the show from Athens Georgia on the radio last night. They really did some local flavor things which was a nice touch- I can't recall names etc., but its what you'd like to think they would do being in a certain hot bed of a music scene.

todd snider with local friends

Birthday balloon for JOhn PRine's 60th

How did I get this? From the JPShrine.org website? then it was made into a whole page of balloons and Luke tried to get me to use it for a screen saver. I opted for Todd Snider and Miss Virgie (from the devil's backbone tavern) and then I can't get that one on here.

Todd Snider and fan- after stuart's opera house show

Here is Todd Snider with a die hard fan- Mary Hendershot outside Stuart's Opera House after the show- last year?

Brendan and Arlo- earlier this year in Tiffin Ohio

Experimenting with including pictures in the blog. New territory for this old goat. If this works there will be a few more to come.

greens cancelled last night

Andy called about 5:00 pm last night saying the greens wouldn't be playing at 6 pence pub. Hope that didn't mess anybody up too much- disappointing, but those things will happen. Andy will be at the Front Row Thanksgiving night, and the Greens at the Wheel House Friday night after thanksgiving.
Since that got cancelled, went to the JOhnny Staats show at the Wheel House. A disappointing crowd size- but a great show- lots of good energy and musicianship. Johnny came in in his UPS uniform, and changed backstage.

Greens at 6 pence pub friday night

The Greens will be at 6 pence pub in Parkersburg friday night, november 17th, 10 pm (I imagine)- sorry to miss the Johnny Staats show at the Wheel House to take in the Greens- I hope there is a good crowd at the wheel house for this big event.

It will be a few weeks before I finalize 2007 Americana benefit series stuff

I am pretty swamped (backlogged) at work, so it will probably be a few weeks before I really get into finalizing next year's benefit ideas. They are floating there just below the surface, but need to be run by a few grounded people, etc.

Greens weekend shows

Andy and Jan reported they liked the V-Club in Huntington- nice folks hosting them, good stage. I couldn't remember what they said about the crowd size; just kinda bringing people around in small doses. A band from Chattanoga tennessee was also there. Saturday at the Marietta Brewing Co. was a great show- a big crowd for that size place; some enthusiasm generated for sure. The band was in excellent form- lots of good segues from one song to the next- they included many in the set list that I wanted to hear- a good mix of different eras of their stuff. Andy and Jan had worked on a few new things in our living room earlier in the evening, and at least two were incorporated into the set list; instrumental and "Dear Barbara"- so I think they saw this as a good weekend of performing. Next Friday its 6 pence pub here in Parkersburg.
Appreciation of the band's ability to work together was definitely my main conclusion- getting the crowd into it. Andy's creative ability to come up with new musical stuff was the impressive thing from the afternoon- he wasn't feeling well, but went up to "the lonely writers garret" (the attic) and came down with a couple of neat little riffs. Yes, Tuck's Riff was performed that night, too.

film footage of the neil young tribute show?

We had a video camera rolling Friday night at the final event of the americana music tribute show, so there may be some footage available at some point to add to the blog- if I can get the technical assistance to make it work. There should be a little footage of most of the acts and some general fall-der-rah.
I will probably take a week or so hiatus from brainstorming on next year's series before posting some ideas. I can't help but keep brainstorming, but should probably give it a rest.
I delivered the guitar yesterday to the appreciative winner, a guitar student at a somewhat advanced age; so he will definitely appreciate it, and hopefully talk up the benefits on into the future.

Greens last night at O'Hooleys and looking ahead

Andy reports a disappointing show at Athens- three bands playing- the Greens playing last, a small crowd by then. Just not very inspiring, other than getting some more Athens contacts and exposure.
Next Friday they are playing in Huntington for the first time in a pretty good while. And Saturday at the Marietta Brewing Company.
Nathan's wedding is coming up in December- the 23rd? and there will be some sort of reception/ music combination that night at the Wheel HOuse I believe. more details later!
Two local shows on Thanksgiving and the next night are in the works also.
I think 6 pence pub is squeezed in there, too- the 17th?
Track down the info where you can!

Greens in Athens tonight- Nov4th)

The Greens announced a quick new gig tonight at O'Hooley's in Athens - probably with an opening act- so a pretty late start. School is in session; a week after the big halloween bash. Then a couple weeks of shows steady coming up for the Greens- Huntington, Marietta, Parkersburg- andy doing a solo show at the front row thanksgiving night- some more dates around christmas/ new years.

Neil YOung show -thanks for the good show

There were some great musicians performing last night at the Neil Young show; lots of people pouring themselves into their sets- I hope they felt appreciated by the good audience- and it inspires them to keep playing out live music. I was pleased with the turnout, pleased with the overall arrangements- I am still getting lots of different kinds of feedback which I'll factor in to next years shows- keep it coming- I really do take it into account. We got the guitar raffled off to a lucky winner over in Belpre. I think the wheel house keeps feeling these are okay for them- I'll hope so, anyway! Some new folks for sure came to this one, so we'll see what kind of growing cumulative effect we can keep generating.
Thanks to all the helpers in some many ways.

Neil Young Tribute benefit tonight

Not much to add at this point, hope for a good turnout, "if everyone who said they were coming, actually comes......" kind of thing- it should be a good turnout, but if people start to have reasons not to come out.... The line up is feeling good- and I always know there can be a few unannounced musicians show up. Hope to see you there- look for the follow up report and news of what's to follow- 8 pm Boreman Wheel House, 406 Avery St. Parkersburg $5 donation at the door; guitar raffle tonight; americana music tribute series t-shirts for sale; input on next year's line up........ etc. etc.

more neil young tribute updates

In the ever changing up and down of the musician's list; today is a little more on the up side- several more people mentioned playing, and only one became iffy- a sore throat. Andy has presented somewhat of a set list, which is exciting. Several of the others have mentioned songs no one else is likely to be playing.
Tomorrow is the night!

Musicians set lists; working out details

I met with two of the new sets of performers last night, to introduce and get an idea of set lists; and I've heard from two other sets of performers, so things are getting lined up. I hear pretty good buzz about the turnout, but we'll always just have to wait and see. I'm as much looking ahead to next year's planning, as things seem ready for Friday night. I hope people can keep getting the word out, and solidify commitments to attend. We promise a fun time, and the wrap up event to the year's series will be satisfying I'm sure.