Greens - next couple of days

Greens in Wheeling tonight at "tony and cleo's" - good luck up there fellas- and now a new show- I believe saturday night at 6 pence pub in Parkersburg; though one message I got said "saturday june 1st"- saturday is the 2nd.
There are some new dates on the my space site; including three in the fall at the front row; sept. nov. and dec. dates.

folk alley is a good site to visit

Folk Alley is a good site to visit; based out of Kent Ohio; busily establishing some nice little services to connect folks to folk music stuff. I got there today from Greg Brown's listserv; probably just skimmed the tip of the iceberg of things I would enjoy about the site.

traveling music to Indiana and back

Oh my; I won't be able to conjure up all the CD's we listened to on the way to INdiana and back. The Who (sell out); CAKE; Todd Snider, Tom Waits, Wilco (the new one), I should be able to remember more. Steve Goodman. There were probably four more..........
I don't know what conclusions or observations to be drawn.
Then Beth had a fresh recording of "whiskey from papaw's boot" - with their sweet harmonies.

Greens booked some studio time in June

The Greens will be in the recording studio in June in Morgantown; at Mark Poole's. They have a several day stretch; can't remember the exact dates. Good luck; hope these are fruitful sessions, and generate some good tracks; and a new CD.

no live music this weekend for me

I am going to Beth's graduation this weekend, so no local live music for me. There will be some travelin' CD music, and maybe some trading music news and gossip on the holiday weekend. Cream is re-uniting (Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton). Paste magazine has the "top 40" music venues from around the country- leading to some musing and reflecting on "MY" top 40 music venues............... and seeking others thoughts on the matter.
I am working hard on an arrangement to see the Greens at the PUrple Fiddle thursday June 7th. I don't know about this Tony and Cleo's / Wheeling gig-
I will have to miss the Marietta Brewing Co. June 22 with my americana music tribute series show the same night- the Greens do well at the Brewing Co.
Have a good memorial day weekend.

Rising Appalachia

I went to see Rising Appalachia last night at the Marietta Brewing Company. These are two sisters who play a unique music. It has Appalachian roots and hip hop influence. They sing some great "blood harmonies" and play a variety of instruments. Switching off on banjo, and fiddle, and then several percussion instruments. They hail from Atlanta Georgia; and blended an interest in mountain music/ traditional southern songs, with a modern influence of hip hop in the Atlanta area. They recently toured Europe. They seemed pretty young, and full of energy and adventure. They did some spoken word pieces. They were very relaxed with the audience and seemed to have the fire of touring, meeting new people, playing in any kind of venue.
Kudos to the Marietta Brewing Company and 3rd St. Music for getting them to humble little mid ohio valley. A decent weeknight crowd; pretty enthusiastic and appreciative. The Mud ducks opened and closed; vinnie, dave martin and moon mullen. Andy Hall sat in on hand drums.

Good response to performers for the Hank Williams tribute show

I am deeply heartened by some good response for musicians for the Whole Lotta Hank tribute/ benefit June 22nd. I am satisfied I will have a good stable of musicians, that will provide stellar entertainment and enthusiasm for the on-going americana music tribute series. Thanks for the early encouragement, now to get the promotion going for the event!!!

Clay Eals book on Steve Goodman

I received my copy of Clay Eals book about Steve Goodman- WOW it is fantastic and unbelievably detailed. Of course, having received it just yesterday and being a pathetic workaholic, I have not been able to read too much; just skimmy and getting started, but it is incredibly detailed in its scope. It will be a great resource for connections; details, etc. Already I see great value beyond Steve's life and career; some of the tours and how they were set up, and who played with who on what recordings, etc. Spread the word for a good book- I'll loan mine out after a thorough reading and re-reading. There is a CD in the back which I haven't broke out yet, probably wait for a road trip to immerse myself in, since it will be new material to me.

Hank Junior; adjusting his sunglasses and smiling

Hank Junior is adjusting his sunglasses and smiling at the camera.

Hank III

Hank the Third in front of the monitors; singing intensely.

That cadillac coupe de ville- oak hill wv

Hank Senior looking serious.

Greens upcoming

I see the Greens have a show in wheeling coming up next week- tony and cleo's? I don't know anything about that venue. Danny and Nathan keep firing off inquiries about bookings in the North East; that's pretty exciting energy.
There are probably some gaps in my understanding of upcoming shows; I know about the Purple Fiddle one; and I think Andy is in a song writing event in Marietta around June 9th. There's bound to be a wheel house show in here somewhere, and Marietta Brewing Company. We'll have to check and see if Coal Canary ends up with a myspace site or something.

Whole Lotta Hank coming up- one month away

The Whole Lotta Hank (third event in the 2007 Americana Music Tribute Series) of benefits for Children's HOme Society of WV, is Friday, June 22 at 8pm at the Boreman Wheel House in downtown parkersburg, $5 donation at the door. Still looking to get secure commitments from some performers; room for more. Anything in the realm of Hank Williams, Hank Jr; or Hank III- or even variations of the theme. I've had a rough couple weeks of busy-ness at work; with at least one more to go, so any help promoting this would be appreciated. I have been pulling up a few pictures to try to get a flyer together soon; again, somebody out there probably could put together a better flyer for me; and I'd appreciate it, but I'll come up with something.

2nd day of Hockhocking folk festival

Guy Clark had a well-appreciated headliner set into the evening of the second day of the hockhocking folk festival last night. Verlon Thompson (spelling?) accompanied him; plays some mighty impressive guitar, and adds an excellent harmony to the songs; he played his little "mini'set" of three songs toward the end too. Guy didn't work off a set list; took a lot of requests along the way; relaxed approach to working his way through the set; was gracious with the audience. He played the three "main" songs I learned about him from Jerry Jeff Walker; LA freeway; desparadoes waiting for a train; coat from the cold- told lead-in stories that helping flesh out his "story." Fred Shreve was hollering out for a song from his new CD; and he quickly played it; and similar "call outs" were quickly incorporated into the set. Nice guitar work; harmony vocals; a good headliner for the nice festival.
Devon Sproule was the other main draw of the day for me; she played in a smaller tent venue; but would be on the main stage today. She did a lot of the same songs from her Blennerhassett show; nice to begin to become familiar with them; I will keep track of her upcoming shows in the reachable area. She enjoys herself up on the stage; and has that very unique voice that catches your attention.
The Caroline Chocolate Drops were the best "out of the blue" surprise of the day for me- a very high energy trio with a very strong ability to convey some intriguing cultural background to some songs; good diverse musical talent on varied instruments; a good sense of humor with themselves and the audience, and a rollicking sing along for their closer. A little "fife and drum" song with the one guy standing up playing the snare with brushes in a flat position on his front- jumping up and down..... cool. And then playing his guitar (resonator type) behind his head, spinning it around, very entertaining. And several songs with one or the other of the guys playing the moonshine jug for the bass and rhythm.
All the other acts we took in were fine- solid musicianship and good diversity of Americana/folk/roots music etc.

Packed in a lot for one night of music

So, after returning from Nelsonville, I was able to take in Andy's show at the Front Row; and got a very pleasant surprise, with the parkersburg "debut" of coal canary- the band that andy is playing bass in. A female lead singer, a solid electric guitar player, a solid drummer, and an occasional saxophone player. Pretty much solid originals; geared towards her great, strong vocals, and tight hard working instrumentation from the guitar and andy's bass. They are excited to be getting underway; this being their second gig I think they said. They seemed appreciative of the Parkersburg crowd; a little awkwardness for the folks coming in thinking it was a greens show; probably disappointed, but it separated the open minded live music lovers (who could just shift into enjoying a new sound) and those disappointed. I could see both their points- but preferred to get excited by the new sound; and appreciate Andy's solid bass work; and throwing himself enthusiastically into a side project.
Danny caught me up on his enthusiasm at working hard with Nathan on some promoting stuff- sending out packets to venues; working on a t-shirt, and some festival pursuits, etc. Getting things cleared up to sell cd's through the sound exchange, etc. He's so enthusiastic its hard not to be contagious. He was brainstorming a "genre"- neo-classic rock; for the distinct and unique Greens sound.
I was glad I burned the candle at both ends- but tagging this on the end of the hockhocking folk festival- two great music events in one evening.
Andy let the old guy get up and sing a few harmonies during the set break for the Coal Canary; and we picked up where we have left off with the old familiar tunes for harmonizing.

todd snider- great show at the hockhocking folk fest

Todd Snider put on a great show at the opening night of the Hockhocking Folk Festival last evening. The two lead up acts were talented and solid. Todd came out, ready for the chilling weather, but ready to capivate the audience; it seemed a pretty familiar crowd; with two previous shows in Nelsonville in the past two years or so. He wove in some old songs, no long stories but some good short ones, that were hilarious as usual, and give a glimpse into his songwriting genius. Many slower, of the more poignant type songs, too- great for the appreciative audience in the beautiful spring night air. Played a decent length set for a festival- and suffered through the usual crazily wide range of shout-out requests from the audience- and played a few of the requests in the course of the evening- long year, play a train song, db cooper. Finished up with a sing along of "enjoy yourself..." A haunting memory that will stick with me from this show, was during "play a train song" this fairly big fellow was doing an interpretative dance right up by the corner of the stage, making the chugging motions of a train throughout the song. Spooky. But its a charming example of the impact a great musician/ songwriter can have on his fans over time; with a incredibly rich body of work. I had never heard the explanation about 45 miles before; and it was eerie how "my generation" had gotten lost in my memory until he told the story about sitting in the Daily Planet and the summer of 69 reminiscing in the summer of 89; where have all the hippies gone? PUtting the two "rock trivia" songs back to back was a nice touch- the ballad of the kingsman and thin wild mercury...........
Unbelievably cold evening for May- but Todd gave a glow of warmth to the audience- fun to think of him going on to Madison Indiana tonight- moving on down the ohio river- hope Beth can take in that show.

a jumble of thoughts

The last posting shows that the Greens are scheduled to participate in the pennsboro music festival on August 4 (there is music both nights- the 3rd and 4th) - waiting for more details.
The Greens have been working on a northeast spin- and they have a lead on a new york city venue for August 1st. Ask for more details!
Nick Barry played his uekele (I can't get that spelling right) and a little kazoo tonight for a nice little lively set at the art center; during the revived MaryMary's back to the beat. Mary's son (Eric) played a nice set, too; and Amanda Sams. Not a good turnout, but trying to get the momentum built back up. Come out next month on the second Sunday.
Eager to go to the Hock Hocking Folk Festival next weekend.

www.myspace.com/145797430

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=145797430

I don't have much to say

Its Friday; I don't have much to say. I don't think this is going to be a big music weekend for me. I will go to sleep early tonight; a long week. Sunday evening I will go see nick barry at MaryMary's back to the beat, at the art center, 6-9 pm. I will probably just listen to music on CD or the radio over the weekend; no other live music friday or saturday.
Talk up the "whole lotta hank" show now closing in on only a month away. I need the musicians committed to performing; so please have them contact me.

sunday miscellaneous

There is a new song on the greens my space website; a live version of shakedown street recorded at the wheel house in 2004- its a jazzed up (fast tempo) version, with Aaron on saxophone. Nice to have a little live something-something on there, just for a glimpse of the live show. I guess it was just put on - just a few listenin's so far. Andy says that the May 18th show at the Front Row will be with another incarnation of a band- I think he said Coal Canary? Since Nathan has another commitment. Unfortunately, have to miss that one; someone will have to fill me in. Hock Hocking folk festival at the same time; Todd Snider on the bill.

Greens show last night

A very impressive Greens show; despite a slightly smaller crowd than I would have thought- andy had his new guitar in full force; a bass player subbing in for Jan did a great job of filling in, and contributing to a high energy two sets; a nice interlude of nathan and andy in the middle with some of the "softer" songs- nice to hear again, since most of the local shows lately have been high expectations for a solid block of "dance-able" songs. Good mix of folks; most of the loyal local following was there at some point.
Word of a 6 pence pub show on june 2nd was bantered about. A possible gig at homecoming in august.

Vinyl Record Sale report

I had a pleasant vinyl record sale- lots of "regulars" stopped by to browse the new stuff in, and a few new folks stopped by- sold at a brisk pace in the morning, and then tapered off- the weather cooperated with a gray overcast but no rain.

the greens at the purple fiddle- yeah!

Intriguing, the greens are booked at the purple fiddle on thursday June 7th.... nice
Adrienne Young will be there Sunday, Sept. 2nd-

weekend; may not get another chance to post

The Greens tonight at the Wheel House; the vinyl record sale tomorrow morning in front of the sound exchange; cinco de mayo tomorrow; good weather it looks like; college is out for a lot of folks; Nick barry will be re-surfacing for a performance on May 13th at the Art Center in Parkersburg as part of the revived MaryMary back to the beat evenings 6-9 pm on that Sunday. Come out and give him encouragement!!! We'll be setting the date for the Americana music event in August (the bluegrass/ string band celebration) soon, so stayed tuned- help me out with the Whole Lotta Hank event, June 22nd. I'm trying to figure out what to do to keep a film series going (poor turnouts so far)- but I've still got some good music doc's to show.

Greens "original" web site

Its good to see some work updated on the greens original website: www.thegreensmusic.com - you can see a more thorough upcoming shows description there; and the nimbit opportunity to download songs. The myspace is the common ground, but I enjoy the original one too.

guy clark quote on townes van zandt

Guy Clark described Van Zandt's songwriting as a continual question: How close can you cut it to your own bone? Did you break your own heart? Did you scare the shit out of yourself? That's what matters. Townes went for the passion, not a bunch of clever bullshit."
Townes is gone, but Guy Clark is playing May 19 in Nelsonville, at the Hock Hocking Folk Festival.

20,000 days

Well, I been on this earth about 20,000 days now, that's.......... 54 years. Somebody should write a song like that. I never been to Australia (I hear its pretty big) (besides being the Tuck ancestral home). I never've driven in a limosine; never flown first class.

vinyl record sale update

As is the pattern, I've been getting some calls, and folks dropping by some eclectic assortment of records for the sale this Saturday. So come check them out. 10 am saturday in front of the sound exchange- till 2 pm or so; when ever it starts to slow down too much.