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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

California in February

This time of year is always pleasurable when making the trip to Northern California to perform at the Tattoos & Blues Festival in Santa Rosa. I have been performing here since 2002, and each year some new opportunities seem to reveal themselves. It seems that this always marks the rite of passage to the approaching spring seson. The Pro Jam at the Tradewinds Bar in Cotati has really taken off thanks to Donny Mederos and his band, The Blues Defenders. This year, at the festival, my rhythm section will be Dave Channell's Fire & Wheels Band. A nice network of musicians has been formed out here, also thanks to my friend and great guitar player, Steve Gornall. Without his help in making the yearly trek to the west coast would not be possible.

Before heading this way, I made a lot of friends at the yearly Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis. I hope to work those contacts very soon as a way of taking my 40 year career to a new level. It is dark and lonely work, but somebody has to do it. Until next time!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Key West

It's been a great week in Key West while the rest of the country was getting nailed by horrible winter weather. Sloppy Joe's is always a fun gig, as well as picking with my friend, Barry Cuda, at B.O's Fish Wagon for the weekly Friday gig. Opening for Put 'N Bay legend singer/songwriter Pat Dailey is always a treat. Today is Superbowl Sunday, but I'll be playing at Sloppy's from 5:30-9:30 during the game. We'll have a good time regardless.

I just finalized the finishing touches of the new soon to be released Americana /Roots/Folk CD, The Rainbow Up Ahead, This is so much different from anything else I've done, and there is not a cover song on it. I'm very proud of that fact. Some of it is kind of Georgia oriented, but that's OK.
I had a great time writing and recording the songs, and so we're going to run with it. It will be released on February 15, 2011, just in time to attend the Folk Alliance convention in Memphis. Heading back to winter (or so they say) in Atlanta tomorrow. Until next time.