greens in wheeling tonight; morgantown next friday

Greens are in wheeling tonight; next friday (nate's birthday) in morgantown. Just Friday night shows these two weeks, which should be a relief!
Then the barrage of parkersburg shows begins after that. Lots of opp's to see the greens- Tony Castillo announces he will be performing with them (at least) friday night, dec. 21st at jp henry's.

traveling music yesterday

to morgantown and back on Thursday evening:
sarah guthrie and johnny irion- exploration
going driftless- artist tributes to greg brown's songs
the Greens- broken science vol. II
Will Kimbrough- americanitis
Mary Gauthier- between daylight and dark

mountain stage line up for Sunday night

Suzanne Vega, Mary Gauthier, Moya Brennan, Justin Currie, Ingrid Michaelson, and Matt Nathanson. Suzanne Vega was one of the pioneers of the New York singer songwriter movement of the late 80-early 90's. Her latest CD is Beauty and Crime. Mary Gauthier (is the one I'm most excited to see)- is an alt-country singer songwriter; I have been listening to her new CD Between Daylight and Dark for a couple of weeks- great songs- great character studies . She won emerging artist of the year at the americana music awards.
Moya Brennan has been in Clannad a Celtic group with her sister Enya. Justin Currie has been lead singer for del Amitri. Ingrid Michaelson was a winner in 2006 of the Mountain Stage new song contest festival. She has had songs on TV shows. Matt Nathanson has opened for John Mayer, Pink, Guster, OAR, - his shows are equal parts music and standup comedy!!!

mid week

This is a lull of music details, but thought I better post some sort of sign of life. Mountain Stage this coming Sunday, Dec. 2- has Mary Gauthier and Suzanne Vega among others; this will be the first Mountain Stage I've attended in a while; though the WV Music Hall of Fame event felt pretty much like a Mountain Stage event. Cindy told me of the Carolina Chocolate Drops being on Mountain Stage Feb. 3rd also. Then its John Prine in Charleston on Dec. 7th; hoping to see a good contingent of folks there. Todd Snider is opening for JOhn. Two Ohio shows in Feb. announced for John Prine- around the weekend we hope to be having the 3rd annual Cash Bash here in Parkersburg.
The Greens will be gearing up for a holiday barrage of shows here in Parkersburg, with a few shows these next two weeks in either wheeling or morgantown. Look for the greens at: front row, dec. 14th; jp henry's the 21st, the wheel house the 22nd and dec. 31 (NYE). I can't guarantee, but look for aaron phillips to be joining back up with the fellers on the 21st and 22nd , but not the NYE show. I wouldn't be surprised to see Tony Castillo come around for those dates also! He's been doing some creative stuff lately and wouldn't want to miss the reunion stuff.
Haven't had any travels lately to listen to extended lengths of music; just some good ol' WOUB radio lately. (Rah-dio, as andy would pronounce it)

Greens show thanksgiving eve; andy solo show-thanksgiving evening

Following the traditions, Andy and the Greens had shows around the Thanksgiving holiday at the Front Row in Parkersburg. Two evenings of appreciating Bill Poole for providing the opportunity for live music fans to come out on the evenings around the holiday to celebrate with Andy's music, and see friends from out of town, etc. The Wednesday night Greens show was rollicking as ever, running through the mix of old and new that has been the set lists of late- newer interpretations of the "original" songs, and keeping to work in a couple of new songs lately, to go with the core dance-able/ party songs the loyal throng comes to anticipate.
Thursday night it was Andy solo with acoustic guitar throughout the night. I chance to play some quieter, more reflective songs; some songs Ben hasn't learned yet from the Greens playbook; a good amount of covers to satisfy the folks that like that sort of live music show. Good to hear "Cars and HOrses" again after awhile; Moon and Company, too. There were (at least) two very new originals (that I hadn't heard yet); and a nice variation on Henry Chinaski and the Tom Waits song (woke up this morning with the cold water......)
I got to do a few harmony songs mid-show; always appreciate andy calling me up for those, though I don't know if the audience appreciates it as much as we have fun doing it. We don't get to "practice" ever, so it pretty much remains the tried and true songs for the list. It creates a pretty good Americana snapshot if someone is open to that coming out of the blue during andy's otherwise wide ranging originals and covers.
We hope the Greens might have gotten a connection and lead to being able to play at the Empty Glass in Charleston out of the evening; someone who works there stopped in, and seemed to take notice. That would be a fun venue, with some deep roots of appreciation for their live music that I have.
Good to see Chip Poole and get caught up a little with his life some.

Green tonight (Wednesday) at the front row

The Greens will be playing tonight at the front row in Parkersburg. Though usually on Thanksgiving day itself, this tradition has been going on for quite awhile. We hope the guys are in fine energetic mode to both enliven the audience and feed off them, as folks will likely be gathering from out of town, in for the holidays, and this becomes a nice way to not only see the Greens, but catch up with friends one hasn't seen for awhile. Be looking for a couple of the new songs; a version of thunderwear that andy worked up for the rolling stones tribute benefit in Morgantown last week.
Tomorrow, Andy will be doing an acoustic solo night; which we haven't seen for a while, hope that will draw a good crowd too. Get the requests ready to go. I'm sure andy will accommodate!

A tribute to Blind Alfred Reed

Just released, in conjunction with the inaugural event of the wv music hall of fame, is a CD with 19 songs - a tribute to one of the inductees, Blind Alfred Reed. These are all musicians with WV connections. I like Larry Groce's "you must unload"- the carpenter ants "money cravin' fools"- always lift him up and never knock him down (dwight diller and john morris) The "bookends"- the lead song- by little jimmy dickens (woman's been after man ever since) and tim o-brien (how can a poor man stand such times and live) may represent two classic representations- a somewhat "funny" song by a long time grand ol' opry star known for some pretty funny and kooky songs himself; and the song that ry cooder, bruce springsteen, etc. "discovered" Reed through. Songs were recorded across several sites; charleston, nashville, California- some very diverse arrangements and styles. Intriguing matches of musicians and songs; wondering if they picked them out themselves, or if they were matched. I had heard Todd Burge's selection earlier off his website/ myspace site. The Carpenter Ants maintain their exciting quality. I hope people will track this music down and give it a listen; it connects the 1920's and 30's with the present very well.

WV Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony

I hope people will check out the www.wvmusichalloffame.com. By now, hopefully there are some things on there about the inaugural event, and some of the inductees. I think there will many opportunities to support the HOF upcoming, and it will be interesting to see what evolves (such as a location etc.) But it will always be nice to remember this first event. The mix of documentary footage, live presenters, live music made for an informative and entertaining evening. The rich diversity of the inductees was inspiring. The emcee, Ann Magnuson was lively and intriguing. I have since looked up her website and she has a very wide range of entertainment avenues. Michael Lipton had to be satisfied with the result of the dream and vision for the HOF. I hope people can keep finding ways to support the project.

still not able to write a full report on the WV Music HOF

Man, I am staying too busy to write out a recap of the induction ceremony for the wv music hall of fame. Or a review of the blind alfred reed tribute CD- always lift him up. I have listened to it enough times now to be really comfortable with it; ry cooder's liner notes; the interesting selection of songs connected to different WV musicians- the fun they must have had putting it together!
HOpefully tomorrow as well as a pep rally for the Greens show tomorrow night.

traveling music today to clarksburg and back

I listened to John Prine and Mac Wiseman (standard songs for average people) on the way over to Clarksburg this morning. This was segued by listening to the alfred reed tribute CD from the wv music hall of fame event quite a bit over the weekend. and then the stephen foster tribute CD to washington dc and/or back. These are some traditional standards and unique older music that is quite arresting.
I then listened to Lucinda Williams (West) on the way back; with a short Bob Dylan MTV unplugged at the end.

Some Pictures from the Neil Young tribute benefit

Here are some pix from the neil young tribute benefit- three of our much appreciated musicians, and we got one of cory in there- working the sound so diligently like he has all year.

busy weekend

This is just going to be a brief update, with more to come; rushing out the door to Clarksburg. The induction ceremony for the WV Music Hall Of Fame was FANTASTIC- a great ceremony and event; and very inspiring about music in general and WV music specifically. MOre later!!!
The Greens "debut" at JP Henry's was fun- a good atmosphere and the tried and true were dancing up a storm, when I arrived (late) from Charleston- the WV Music HOF)- I hope it is a potential venue for ongoing shows.
Andy played with Coal Canary saturday night in morgantown, and did a 3-4 song set in the rolling stones tribute at the 123 pleasant st. He adapted thunderwear as a tribute song to the stones; so that should be interesting to hear sometime- he put it together that afternoon.
Front Row wednesday night for the greens, and solo show on thanksgiving for andy there at the front row, too- a front row/ andy tradition to play for the out of towners in for the holidays, and to bring folks together..............
more later; gotta run

No sign of life? feedback about the americana music tribute series?

I am taking a short break before getting organized for the 2008 series, but need input and suggestions at any time. I need a little grounding from my own crazy ideas, and ups and downs of trying to put this thing together. I need to figure out a way to not spend so much of my own money, trying to make it fun and intriguing!!!!!!!!!

traveling music 'cross dreary US 50 to Clarksburg

I had a meeting today in Clarksburg. It was rainy, drizzling, gray, misty, subdued along the route. The colors of fall were still trying their best to make a good show despite the gray and haze. I listened to:
Lucinda Williams - World Without Tears
Paul Simon- You're the ONe
Mary Gauthier - between daylight and dark
and a few songs off: Going Driftless: an artists tribute to Greg Brown:

Neil Young Tribute show recap

Thanks to all the folks who came out to the show last night; especially the musicians, who were very enthusiastic and put their all into it. We had four musicians (was all)- so that really puts a lot of pressure on those who do come to put on a good long set or two. They kept the spirit up and kept things going. I hope it was enjoyable and keeps the momentum we have tried to create with the series. Thanks to the wheel house crew; I didn't really feel I thanked them enough, and of course the sound crew.
We had some good prizes I think, and some folks should have gone away happy with that stuff.
We made close to $500 once again, I should do a summary of the whole year's totals for these musical fund raisers including the vinyl record sales, just for a little perspective. Its a fair amount of work throughout the year, but enjoyable, and spread out. I do kind of look forward to a small break here; but its not too early to begin planning for next year.

Neil YOung Tribute/ birthday party/ benefit for CHS tonight

Its down to tonight; the Neil Young tribute show here in Parkersburg WV. At 8 pm at the wheel house on avery st. in Parkersburg. 8 pm is when the show is slated to start. $5 donation to support the work of Children's Home Society in Parkersburg. We work with area children and families in need of some support and help through some rough times. These benefits help us do a lot of the extras we do to help folks; beyond our grant and contract funding. Our reach is wide, and we work hard and with a lot of positive approach.
The show tonight will consist of local musicians each performing a set of songs of their choosing celebrating the great body of work of Neil YOung. There will be a few door prizes throughout the evening, and if the audience will go along, there will be two versions of a contest pitting two contestants testing each others knowledge of Neil Young's music and life.
I'll be giving away the 2007 CHS Americana Music Tribute Series t-shirts to anyone wanting one, and will be seeking input on next years events and series.
We'll be seeing how things work with the new management at the wheel house, jimmy c and amber, and hoping to help them get a little early boost to their efforts to create a good atmosphere in downtown parkersburg. HOpe to see you there, and bring a friend, and spread the word.

Neil YOung's living with war page

In preparing for the tribute show/ benefit tonight I re-visited after a long layoff, Neil's site: living with war. On the songs list, Andy's Bushwacker is listed there at 1502, and you can access it to get a little listen. The Tom Batchelor Band has two songs back to back at #1909 and #1910. Jim Savarino, from Morgantown has a song The Cowboy in at 730. Todd Burge had had a song on there, and it probably still is, but there are a lot to browse through. I saw Todd Snider's You got away with it; and will kimbrough's I LIE on there, and a couple of Holly Near songs, etc. etc. etc.

Tony's version of "she's a busy girl"

The Vitamins (Tony Castillo and friends?) has a version of she's a busy girl on the my space site, either tony's or the vitamins. A nice version with a keyboard part, and nice vocal harmonies delivered in a solid, not over done way (!) - good job Tony!!!!

I've made my little traveling trophies for tomorrow night

I have made two little traveling trophies to be given out tomorrow night for some contests, with the hopes that the winners will bring them back to future events to allow them to go on to the next winners of some other contest. Such as at the 3rd annual mid ohio valley Johnny Cash Bash in February 2008. These little trophies, one of which has particular neil young significance, and the other just musical significance, will be on display throughout the evening tomorrow night before being awarded. There has also been quite a bit of "pre-event" interest in the intriguing picture of neil young with a tiny creature/ beast on his shoulder. We now have two independent confirmations as to what the beast is; so expect the picture contest to be part of tomorrow nights festivities also. I am not giving out any further hints as to the beast's true identity; my lips are sealed. Calls have been coming in, both here at the office and down at the jimmy c's wheel house - so that tends to be a good sign of a good turnout based on prior dynamics. Come early to get a good comfortable seat!!! They have food now (again) at the wheel house..................

Pith in the Wind--Nashville Scene Weblog

Pith in the Wind--Nashville Scene Weblog

americana music tribute series t-shirts

Since this is the last event of the year, I will be "giving away" the 2007 series t-shirts at the event this saturday night; I will hope to get SOME donations of even a few dollars from some generous, supportive people- this will probably be the last of trying to have t-shirts for the series, unless I just go with a small batch next year, as they have not really sold very well- oh well, I gotta keep trying things..... but pick one up if you come out for the show, and give a little donation if you are so inclined. I will keep a few back for nostalgia and the "archives"-

musicians coalescing for Neil Young show

Dave Gerber, Jan Gant and Todd Heslep stopped in for the musicians get together last night at the wheel house. They traded set lists, and brainstormed a few others- they will have a good mix among those three. Don Howerton sent me his list ahead of time, and it fits in well with the others. A few other musicians are still likely so its shaping up to be a fine line up. I ran by these guys my contest idea, and went over door prizes, etc. We all looked at the neil young song books I had, very weathered and worn. We will be talking about the chincilla I am sure saturday night.
Met the two main folks at the new Jimmy C's wheel house; jimmy and amber. They were nice and enthusiastic and we struck up a good rapport I feel. They spoke of their weekly specials and different upcoming hopes and dreams. I shared a little perspective of how these events have gone.

traveling music today

Today was a todd snider in the CD player traveling to flatwoods and back.
New Connection
East Nashville Skyline
Peace, Love, and Anarchy
That Was Me 1994-1998
a homemade mix CD that Fred Shreve gave me

pictures from JOhn Prine tribute show

visit the greens my space site

The Greens are drumming up support for some southern trips next year- may, august? Seeking contacts in NC and down to Florida to set up some gigs. C'mon, help the guys out if you know anybody down those ways. That's what I am trying to do for others through these parts. They are also trying to engage folks in two contests if you look at their little blog area on their my space site.
I can't comment on the one; but I could enter a WWWOOOOO for the other one, which would probably be passable. Probably a little scary, too.
I'm still looking for someone to design me "another dangerous miscreant" for the Greens t-shirt.

traveling music today across wild wonderful WV

I haven't posted my traveling music for a while. THe CD player is broke in the one car, so I haven't been really HAVING some traveling music lately when I go on my excursions around the state. But today I did. It was a (starting out) beautiful fall day of color- I guess its what we get for "peak" this year. And then on the way home (from Flatwoods) it was a gully-washer rain storm, with semi's spraying up a huge chaotic foam of gunk and people going all variables of speed from creeping along cautiously to dare devil flying and hydroplaning and zooming along. So I listened to 5 CD's in this order:
Mary Gauthier (Between Daylight and Dark) - this was a first listening of her new CD. I love listening to a new CD the first time driving alone so I can get the feeling for it; it will take several listenings but I love her stories and her catching of a phrase; and of course, her voice is great, right up there with Lucinda's for southern, and worldly-wise.
2) Anais Mitchell (The Brightness) - after having Anais here in September, and checking her my space site frequently, I have felt I knew her songs somewhat, but really enjoyed this closer, more attentive listen. Her voice is great, the instrumentation is excellent, and yes, her words are poetic and rich, and portray a great observer and experience-r of life.
3) Corinne West (Second Sight)- I have been listening to this in my office, but get the interruptions- I have clearly enjoyed the voice and instruments, and the varying tempos of the songs, and the balance between sounding traditional and freshly new. NOw, with some familiarity to the songs, I could listen more attentively in the care, so enjoyed it all the more. She is in Cleveland tuesday night at the beachland ballroom, and it would definitely be a worthwhile trek.
4) Will Kimbrough (Americanitis): Will, Todd Snider buddy, co-writer/ etc. with Adrienne Young, - this is good stuff; a good mix of social / political conscience/ consciousness and good observations of life in general. Good mix of types of music.
5) Robert Earl Keen (Live at the Ryman): a good compilation played live at the grand ol opry homeland- good mix of songs from different eras/ CD's lots of good hard driving band work- the fun little christmas song in there.

So that was a good little road trip music adventure. More to come on Thursday, when I head back to the same destination for a work meeting.

neil young show run up

I hope (by say, Tuesday) to have a pretty good sense of the musicians participating; so I'll give a report along about then. I will be going down to the wheel house wednesday (hopefully) so any musicians wanting to get together for a brief get-together are welcome to come down; 6 ish. Dave Gerber has signed on to play- I bumped into him the other night. He'll bring along a harmonica. Please pass the word on about the benefit; and send any suggestions my way for e-mail addresses to send reminders out to.

greens show last night

The Greens played a second night in a row last night at the 6 pence pub in Parkersburg. It was a pretty different crowd and different flow of songs. It was in the bigger room in the back, and followed (and carried over from) a 21st birthday party for the owner's daughter. A group of that age young folk partied hard and danced on occasions throughout the evening. It was a pretty sparse Greens crowd; I don't know what conflicts many usual fans might have had to keep them away. Andy introduced two new songs; having done some rehearsing during the afternoon, a rare opportunity for the Greens to be in one place two days in a row!! We'll be looking forward to further listenings of those songs; fondly remembering first listen's to many greens songs over the years, and how they later build into the set lists and CD's down the line. There were some pretty bizarre requests filtered in through the evening....... but Andy did a pretty good rendition of Blue Skies by the allman brothers after sparking the idea with two allman brothers songs early in the evening. Apocalypso ended the evening in fine fashion. Chuck could not get truckstop religion into the selections despite a valiant, if late effort. Next weekend its back to morgantown and wheeling for the greens. Andy described a double evening of open mikes in morgantown thursday, as well as working both days and having several stints of college classes to work around thursday and friday. exhausting.

watermelon slim show pictures from Bill Poole

A nice little collection of pictures from the watermelon slim show last week at the front row- compliments of Bill Poole- he's got more!

greens last night, and tonight

Andy arrived late from Morgantown last night, he had been pulled over by the police. So the show was a little late starting, but quickly got up to speed, and they played two long hard driving sets well into the night. It was in the front part of the Pub, and a little distracting because the layout isn't conducive to everyone getting a good view. They pulled out some songs that haven't been showcased for a while; Ben is getting more and more in the groove all the time with the bass work.
Tonight, the first part of the evening is a private birthday party, from 6 till 10- and then opening to the "public" at 10 am, and it will be in the big back room tonight. The equipment is already there, ready to go!

going into the weekend

Your cub musical reporter goes into the weekend. The Greens are now billed for two "regular" shows at the 6 pence pub friday and saturday night. Originally, it said friday was a private party; well that must have been graciously opened up to be a public event. So go out one night or both and see how diverse and deep the greens play list is, and I'll bet ya you won't be dissatisfied with either or both nights of music. The Greens are fresh back from the NYC trip; so come out and ask 'em about it at the break. The new CD is still fresh out of the gate so if you haven't picked it up yet, ask one of the guys, or Danny for one. There is a great blend of old and new and tempos and such.
Well, the Wheel House has changed names to Jimmy C's. I made a welcoming phone call to Jimmy C today, and everything is smooth with the Neil Young event and Greens shows around the holidays. I'll stop in and make acquaintances as soon as I can. I will likely have a little musicians get together next wednesday before the neil young tribute show there to keep the tradition going.
Still relishing the good Watermelon Slim show tuesday; talking it up enthusiastically and praising the Front Row's willingness to bring these shows in.