Shindig - a good lineup of music

Yesterday, Children's Home Society of WV-Parkersburg held its first ever attempt at an outdoor festival- 8 hours of music (despite early rain distracting us)- with lots of good accolades for the good quality line up of music acts. Andy Tuck opened with a brief solo set- I had asked him just to kick it off, but it was a great opener. Andy probably had to suffer from the rain the worst, but he sang a solid set of good solo acoustic songs from his repretoire- hopefully he got some new fans, despite it being the first act, while the crowd was just gathering. Kathleen Coffee and Evan Olds were next. Kathleen impresses the audience wherever she goes, and has such an enthusiastic and powerful presence on a stage. Next was Mark Spangler and the Minor Prophets (a family band!) They displayed a lot of versatility and captured the audience- they were the "swing" act to move us away from the rain, but it still dampened things a bit during their set. Liecus was up next, and they really rocked the place- they bring a good crew of their own fans, and added some diversity to the days music genres. Nick Barry played next and has a fun relationship with his audience- lots of humor and wry commentary in Nick's songs!
The Greens finished up the night with a powerful and hard driving set- they are going to be on hiatus for a few weeks, so left it all on the stage this night. Lots of requests from the Greens fans present, and lots of boogying down, on into the hot and muggy June night.

Tomorrow's Music Festival

There was a reference to this blog in the Friday Free Time of the Parkersburg News and Sentinel today, so I thought I better post something about the Shindig tomorrow. We have been working hard on the details and hoping we get a good turnout. The weather forecast is shady for us; but we will soldier on with some contingency plans if we get some rain storms. Just by way of recap: this is a benefit for Children's Home Society of West Virginia-Parkersburg. We provide a wide range of services and programs for children and families in the Wood County area. The proceeds of this benefit help us serve hundreds of children annually. The outdoor festival is part of a year long "Americana Music Tribute Series" we hold to not only fund raise, but raise awareness in the community about our agency. The other tribute benefits are local live music shows centered around one legend of Americana music. (Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, John Prine) But this event is West Virginia musicians playing their original music in a nice convenient outdoor festival setting here in Parkersburg. You travel down 19th St. (crossing Murdoch and garfield) toward the river- go down in the "industrial" zone, to the railroad tracks, cross them, turn right, and its just a short way down. The Ohio Valley Rowing Club. You can call my cell phone 304-541-7463 on Saturday if you need directions or to ask questions about the status of things related to the weather!!! More later about the music!

John Prine at Bonnaroo this Saturday

John Prine plays at Bonnaroo this Saturday; same day as our local Shindig. Same day as Phish is playing up near Cleveland at Blossom. Good day for music. Let the good vibes engulf you.

Shindig this Saturday

Years of Tribute shows as fund raising benefits here in the Mid Ohio Valley for Children's Home Society, and some attempts at coffee houses, music documentaries, and such. Now we are bravely going where we have never gone before: a WV music talent music festival! This Saturday we give it a whirl! 6 West Virginia originals are set to play in a fine outdoor setting for the Mid Ohio Valley. Come out and join us! 3 pm kicks it off. Andy Tuck in a quick little solo set to get the ball rolling. 8 more hours of music of all kinds.

poor old Tuck's Music Journal- abandoned stepchild

With the relative "ease" of posting quick little things on Facebook, my poor Tuck's Music Journal has suffered from lack of attention. I know I have never really posted anything with any depth to it, but at least it was my main forum for music news and thoughts. Now, I feverishly try to put snippy little things on Facebook (THe Americana Music Tribute Series fan site, mostly) And of course, my strong commitment to my dear old "songo the day."
Its a classic case of ambitions outweighing follow through. There is plenty to muse about in my world of music. Any feedback or sign o' life will be appreciated.

traveling music yesterday

Robert Earl Keen (Rose Hotel), John Hiatt (Same Old Man) and Todd Snider (The Excitement Plan) took me to Charleston and back yesterday. A solid line up of some of my favorites. I travel more with other people these days, and so don't have the solitude time as much. Good to have some old reliables in the CD player. These are sharp "lyric-fellahs" and keen (Robert Earl) observers of the human condition and foibles. John Hiatt's getting some longitudinal perspective on him; the song about Brownie McGee, John Lee Hooker, etc. shows some credibility about being around through some hard touring times.

Andy's show last night at Woods and Irons

Out on Core Road, above the driving range is a nice spot called Woods and Irons. A small little venue for music, but they obviously want to give it a go, with a monthly lineup announced near the door. Andy has played there once before, that I can recall. He did a solo acoustic show last night there. It was good to see Brenda (working there) and likely listeners, Steve and Susan. Andy worked in some newer solo songs, ones he's likely been working into solo shows up in Morgantown, but were new to me. He says he has recorded another CD's worth of solo stuff, for a follow up to West Virginia Soul; his highly acclaimed but modestly distributed solo CD from a few years back. He worked in "Its Not Enough," Little Warrior, Flippin', Homeless Melodies, Down, Big Ol' Betsy, Man With Dirty Hands.
Andy is back in Parkersburg next weekend for our Shindig Music Festival, before heading out west for a few weeks.

Shindig line up update- Next Saturday's outdoor music festival

Many staff are working hard on the details of the fund raising musical outdoor festival we are calling "The Shindig." Its next Saturday, June 12 starting at 3 pm and running through 6 acts of music until around 11 pm. Donation of $10 gets you a full day of fine West Virginia music. My son Andy will be kicking the music off with a short set, since he will be back later to perform the closing act, with his band, The Greens. Andy has some great song writing skills and is a very personable performer. He has lots of long time fans in the Parkersburg area, that don't get to see him as much lately, as he is centered in Morgantown. Kathleen Coffee comes on next. Kathleen is someone I met a few years back as she came to a show we were sponsoring here in Parkersburg of a mutually admired singer songwriter, Anais Mitchell. She has done two coffee houses for us at our store front, to great audience acclaim. She also participated in a song writer contest in Marietta a few years back, and came away as the winner! She performed at the Mid Ohio Valley Players Theater, as part of that event. She will charm and wow the audience at our Shindig. She has a my space site, and a facebook site that you can check out her songs and bio. Coming up next will be Mark Spangler, and one of his "offshoot" projects, some accompanists called The Minor Prophets. Mark is the director of Davis-Stuart group homes, an Alliance for Children Partner to CHS. Mark is a great performer, stage presence, and talented songwriter and musician. We are honored to have him venture up from the southern part of the state to participate in this first event. Liecus, a local band will perform next. Eric Seevers, who has worked at the Shelter is a mainstay of Liecus, a popular band in the area, with a loyal and enthusiastic following. Nick Barry will perform next. Nick, who has been doing much work for CHS-Parkersburg in the painting, repairs, "handyman" line for a number of years, is a veteran of the local music scene, with a lot of popularity over the years for his songs and performances. And finally, closing the show will be the Greens, a band with Mid OHio Valley roots, who enjoy a strong following across the state of West Virginia, and have performed many holiday shows, and steady gigs across the state, keeping music lovers happy with good dance-able songs, wildly diverse and free-ranging styles, and inspired creative bursts. We hope you'll spread the word, and help us make this debut event a success

Twistable Turnable Man

A Shel Siverstein tribute album is coming out. John Prine, Todd Snider and others perform some Shel songs. Based on the poem with the name, you can imagine it will be some inspired stuff. A Boy Named Sue, On the Cover of the Rolling Stone, among others.