john prine birthday tribute first news

The 5th annual John Prine "mid ohio valley" birthday tribute is going to be Oct. 12th (friday) as a benefit for CHS. 8 pm, $5 donation ,etc. etc. I have raffle tickets already to go for two tickets to see john prine in charleston, dec. 7th as part of the lead up- $1 donation. See me for some tickets to buy, or if you could distribute them between now and the oct. 12th show.

Greens upcoming

The Greens are playing in Morgantown friday night as part of a three band line up - visit their website or myspace to get the exact details.
It doesn't look like they are slated for the marietta ohio river sternwheel festival as originally noted; I think there was a snafu in scheduling or getting back to someone, etc. The line up for the sternwheel festival doesn't reference them playing. Both Andy and Nathan have mentioned in e-mails this week they were checking up on that, and will have the final answer. But, nevertheless, the Greens should be at the wheel house friday night, sept. 7th for a local show here.
They are talking about a bigger show on Oct. 27th at the wheel house, kinda a halloween type thing.
They're planning ahead for the second CD release (broken science volume II) sometime around then, too.
Check out andy's little story about big ol' bessie on their myspace blog section when you get a chance.

The Green Stripes

The Greens were "andy and tony" last night at the Marietta Brewing Co.; Nathan couldn't make it, and I guess that meant Jan didn't have to make the trek. Tony improvised a little bit of "one man band" drumming, with a minimal bass drum, cymbals and snare, and sometimes did that while playing second guitar. I got there for the last half of the show, there was a good crowd and good spirit. Andy had another "blowing out his voice" when it was all said and done.

bluegrass benefit show recap

Well, I have to say I was sorely disappointed with the crowd/ turn out at last night's show. I guess I didn't do enough to promote it; there were a number of conflicting events (some even bluegrass events) and there was a big, huge thunderstorm that knocked out some power just before it started, when people would have been considering whether to go out that night..... But the music from James Price and his banjo player and bass player was top notch; very lively and entertaining, and of course, Don Howerton and Jonny Nutter were great, and are real troupers to come and pour themselves into these events, no matter what the tribute. Thanks to all who did come out; and there was some pretty good enthusiasm from the slim crowd.

todd snider in nelsonville; dayton OH

Todd Snider is returning to stuart's operahouse in nelsonville, unfortunately for me, on the same night as we are having anais mitchell here in Parkersburg, at the front row, sept. 20th; todd then moves on to two nights in Dayton at the canal street tavern, friday and saturday. Maybe I'll hope to catch the saturday show there; a great venue for todd. the Greens play friday night at the front row. Mountain stage sunday night, the 23rd in charleston!

of course, john prine is in morgantown, the 21st; but since we're catching him in charleston in december, we'll let that one ride..... I'll be raffling some tickets to the december show in conjunction with the birthday bash in october for our americana music series benefits.

my background hunt for info on a Greg Brown song

Someone gave me a good link to a bit of info on the Greg Brown song that I am intrigued about. I first heard a folksinger singing a song called Rooty toot toot for the moon years ago in Springfield Ohio (early 70's) Then I saw the song credited to Greg Brown in the Rise Up Singing song book with slightly different verses. Then I heard it on Greg's one more goodnight kiss; sounding different. So someone on the listserv for info about greg brown tips me off to the notes Richard Pinney wrote on greg's website about early years, and references this song, and how it was passed around in minnesota, midwest cafe's etc at the time. How Greg played it a bunch of different ways. Micheal Johnson (bluer than blue) has it on a 1973 record; as well as several other recordings by misc. folks in the 70's, etc.

Greens tonight in Marietta

Shoot!!! Have to miss the Greens again tonight (missed all the last weekend shows)- with my benefit fund raiser going on here in Parkersburg, I won't be able to catch the Greens up at the Marietta Brewing Co. unless the benefit winds up early and I can scoot on up to Marietta.

americana music benefit tonight

Despite the oppressive heat, things are forging along with the benefit for tonight at the boreman wheel house- 8 pm $5 donation, a line up of local (and some traveling from kentucky) musicians to perform some bluegrass music as part of the children's home society of west virginia-Parkersburg site year long live music benefits series. Despite Fred Shreve's poo-pooing of bluegrass music, there is a pretty good enthusiasm among the supporters. James Price will be performing first, and he brings a good reputation for entertaining with him. Come on down and enjoy the show!

Anais Mitchell show september 20th

I'm still promoting the Anais Mitchell show at the front row, thursday Sept. 20th at the Front Row here in Parkersburg. I've sent out some press packets to the local entertainment newspapers and such. Saw a "handmade" flyer at the Kroger store already. I'll put up some of the flyers Bill made up and the good promo ones from Righteous Babe records. Hope to create a good buzz by mid-september, after I get past the fund raiser benefit this saturday, and through labor day. Any support or suggestions for promoting are always appreciated.

Americana Music tribute series event this Saturday

I have fallen down on the job of promoting the bluegrass event this saturday; not many flyers have gone up; mostly counting on word of mouth; just the minimum newspaper coverage. A solid line up of musicians committed to perform, with plenty of enthusiasm for bluegrass. We'll see who can do the "high harmonies" and the high lonesome sound. I am hoping it just falls into place and runs smooth; keeps the spirit of the series going, and gives me some sense of future potential for this "theme." Already also looking ahead to the two fall events and their repeat appeal. Never hurts to look ahead to 2008 either; so if anybody has any ideas, let me know. Heard from Jonny Nutter about some of their music shows from the summer, eager to hear more about that.

road music to St. Louis and back

Listened to a ton of CD's driving to St. Louis and back this past weekend. Both 9 hour trips started out around 5-6 pm and concluded at 2-3 am; so I needed that music to keep me going. The demo's of the greens; greg brown, paul simon, lucinda williams, ina may wool, nanci griffith, there must have been plenty more I am spacing out on now. Come to think of it, where are those CD's now?

greens - hard working weekend

I was not able to take in any of the greens 4 shows this past weekend, being in St. Louis MO, but I understand they went well; hopefully i can hear some first hand reports soon. I think the CD release concept went well; and the diversity of settings; two outdoor shows, two indoor shows was probably fun for the variety. They are on to a pretty ambitious fall schedule; so keep checking for updates. Eagerly awaiting an "official" version of the new CD.

Greens big weekend coming up

The greens, fresh off their successful new york city trip; a good mountain jam (pennsboro festival) performance, and andy's contacts in the dc area; will be having their outdoor show at the amphitheater in morgantown, and hopefully, a cd release event at gibbies in morgantown friday night. then at the parkersburg homecoming saturday night, and a cd release type event at the wheel house after that. so go out and support the fellahs, and ask about the trips and the future hopes and dreams. buy cd's and support their hard work.

trying to gear up promotion for the next americana tribute event

Saturday, this month - The 25th is the next show for the americana music tribute series, benefit fund raisers for CHS. 8 pm at the wheel house. $5 donation at the door. We'll have 4-6 acts of live local musicians playing some bluegrass this time around. I'll be giving some updates as the musicians check in with me, now that I am back home. I got some ideas from local entertainment weeklies in Washington DC area; and am basically still feeling like I'm on the right track. we'll promote this one solidly the rest of the month; then get into the two fall shows, and then look at next years ideas. Contact me with any ideas you might have.

traveling music back to ol'WV

Marty was the "dj" on the ride back to WV from DC- he used his MP3 player, and spun some good tunes- I didn't even catch some of the bands names; John Hiatt was in there for a good album worth; marty's got some good music from ear-ecstacy in louisville; from their employee pick section. I'll try to report on these later if he sends me info. We listened to john prine and todd snider, too, and eric clapton.

andy's second open mike in Washington DC

Andy signed up for a second night in a row; open mike at the "politics and prose" bookstore (the modern times coffee shop part of the bookstore). It was a little odd (the mix of musicians who performed) but once again, andy wow-ed the audience, even with only two songs- drag yourself through the day, and bushwhacker. He said he really wanted to sing this one in washington, and the audience really enjoyed it and got excited applauding it. Andy got a lot of folks coming up to talk to him afterwards, and even got an offer to come play a full gig there sometime. The record company owner from the previous night was there again, and spent quite a bit of time talking to andy again, and introduced him around to a few other folks. This made a very successful trip to DC for andy; both just gaining experience; (from not having any idea what to expect in a big city/ cold venturing out to an open mike) and with quick and obvious positive reaction to his songs and performance. This was a great book store; and they have clay eals doing a booksigning next week on the steve goodman book; and tom paxton singing some songs - Aug. 15th.

andy open mike in DC - the zoo bar

andy went to an open mike at the zoo bar on connecticut ave in washington dc last night and played a set. this is a blues bar; so he adapted his focus to that; they had a guy play harmonica with him, and a minimal drum set with brushes. Andy quickly won the crowds attention and won them over, with his enthusiasm and voice and choice of songs. There was quite a buzz afterwards; folks coming up to him and wanting information about his performing, etc. He played a spirited "what a ride" referencing having written it in 1936, to some appreciative chuckles. He played the elmore james song and vacuum blues, and then did an "encore" with another familiar original. so this was a good scoop for him. My brother and brother in law got to see andy perform live somewhere finally, and brandy and i were very happy to see andy play in a totally new and neutral venue, and win the crowd over so quickly and enthusiastically.

hope to have andy at an open mike here in DC tonight

we hope to have any be able to play at an open mike here in DC tonight at the "zoo bar," on connecticut ave.

B-52's show at wolftrap

B-52"s were a great show at wolftrap outside washington dc in the sweltering heat- they got the crowd excited even in the lethargy of humidity etc. a big enthusiastic crowd; first time to wolf trap. Betty opened; a good opening act for the B-52's- similar but solid in their own right.

listening music to DC

Marty and I listened to Tom Petty, John Mellencamp to Morgantown; on to DC it was a good little bit of Andrew Bird, and then the newGreens CD's- andy and I had plenty oftime to appreciate the versions; amazing to hear andy's bass work along with his guitar and vocals.

greens at mountain jam and music-pennsboro

I got to catch the "outside the fence"version of the greens segment of the music festival in pennsboro saturday night- they put on a great show; high energy; got the crowd worked up; sounded good in the twilight/ night air of ritchie county. They sold a good amount of CD and shirts, and hopefully caught some new fans attention. A good set list for an outdoor concert- starting out with little warrior and ending with apocalypso - a couple of good instrumentals in their and some good guitar work- very enjoyable.

we'll see what the boys are listening to these days

Andy and Marty will be riding with me to Washington DC late tonight; so we'll see what traveling music we get into. I'll let them make the selections.

no record sale this month; but I still manage to sell some records

I'm not having a vinyl record sale this month due to traveling; and a slow "intake" month; but I still sold 100 records recently, just on people stopping in, and browsing. Keep spreading the word I'm taking donations; its gonna be a mainstay at this point!

Anais Mitchell at the front row Sept. 20

When I return next week, I'll begin in earnest to publicize this upcoming event. I've got some nice posters Bill Poole made up and some promo posters from Righteous Babe Records, too. We'll get it to as many area media outlets as we can. I hope if we can make this one work pretty well, some similar artists will follow suit. I hope we can draw from a pretty wide circle geographically for this one. She will be on mountain stage just three days later; so if we can hopefully talk that up quite a bit too. Check out her website when you get the chance.

August 25th - next tribute benefit show at the wheel house

Saturday, August 25th is the next show of the 2007 Americana Music Tribute Series as benefits for Children's Home Society of WV-Parkersburg. Donation of $5 at the door. Boreman Wheel House is once again hosting us graciously and supportively. I am going out of town for a week, so it will be after I get back when I will finalize details with those folks. Jonny Nutter is working on some Bill Monroe stuff. Outlaw Deluxe (and Dave Payne) are lined up; I'm sure Don Howerton and Phil are working on some stuff. The fellow that works with Debbie Murphy's husband is being finalized (he played on O, Brother where are thou?). So we'll have a good show for the audience. Then we'll be moving on to the fall events; the tried and true.

Greens have been to NYC

The Greens had their two nights in new york city, and are back in WV. They have been asked back to the second night venue- Fat Annies Truck Stop; so look for news of that. I am waiting to hear how it went; after tonights performance at the pennsboro music festival (8-9 pm) I'll see andy and hear how it went first hand.