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Merry Christmas one and all

And a totally cool and joyful 2011, how can that be? Remember when 2000 seemed so far away? Enjoy yourselves, it's later than you think. YO HO HO and a bottle of RUM.

BE OF GOOD CHEER!

Merry Christmas To All

And

To All A Goodnight

This just in from Carol Metcalf

http://kathryn.janeway.wimp.com/videos43ll/3d80188bcc2f73e0159751d4043d07ec_animal.flv.mp4

Steve Noonan

Article from Home Entertainment Magazine http://www.hemagazine.com/node/22083

Steve Noonan

Nice article on Steve.....http://www.hemagazine.com/node/2208
O.K. This is for Bob n Helen:
Steve Noonan: Contemporary Traditionalist
Music Reviews
November 12, 2010 By Mark Elson - Senior Editor




Steve Noonan's songs feel like he's talking to you. His delivery is casual, conversational and contemporary. As a matter of fact, Noonan has been contemporary for decades, ever since he began writing music during the 60's at Orange County's Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, CA. There, he and his writing partner, Greg Copeland served as songwriting models for the likes of Jackson Browne (see our video interview with JB).

Musically, Steve does not sound like a pure, folk traditionalist but when you listen carefully, you'll hear his Scotts/Irish and blues roots powering his "socially conscious Americana". Noonan reminds us that these are the building blocks upon which even current songwriting is based, no matter how 21st century the sound. Take the Noonan-Copeland penned "Buy for Me the Rain", which became a hit by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It sounds like it could have been written in 1850 but it rings as true now as it did when Steve and Greg wrote it. Like many of Noonan's songs, the melody is deceptively pleasant and immediately hooks the listener. As the song develops, you begin to pay attention to what he is saying - the thoughts and feelings run deep. Says, Steve, "There is a lot to talk about, especially through the filter of the last half of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st. Struggles, relationships.... Love is hard and it might leave scars. Mmm, there's an idea for a lyric. What do you think, Mark? I'd better write that down." Steve Noonan clearly has a contemporary bead on the traditional song-writing themes of pain and travel.


Steve's voice has developed character over time. You can envision him entertaining his fellow immigrants onboard a three-masted clipper ship headed to the New World in 1845, yet he sounds right at home at the Troubador in Los Angeles, CA.

Touring Europe has given Steve Noonan an interesting perspective. I asked him to compare North American audiences with those in France, Netherlands and other countries. "European audiences are more relaxed and give themselves up to the performer. Here, we're frantic to get to the performance, hyped up, more jaded, critical and consequently less at ease. It makes U.S. audiences harder to entertain. Europeans seem more forgiving and generally happier to be absorbing the performance. They're willing to listen deeply."

Among his acoustic guitars, Noonan is especially proud of his Ayers Limited edition, handmade six-string, built of rosewood with a solid cedar top. A confirmed tube-a-holic, Steve's studio is crammed with recording gear that is meant to preserve musicality, like the Demeter VTMP 2B tube mic preamplifier, also preferred by Ry Cooder and David Lindley. Steve is also a fan of Presonus Audio, makers of D/A converters, mic preamps and other music production tools. Why? "Audio first - bells and whistles last".



Read more: http://www.hemagazine.com/node/22083#ixzz17wO3BnSP

Punch Brothers & Steve Martin Letterman

If the blog is coming to the end of its useful life.....

.... let's go out with a bang and recognize the grand winner of the Show Me Your Polyester contest and all the amazing runners up.

http://showmethepolyester.com/winner

Who knew there was so much polyestered talent out there?

Happy holidays everyone!

Sarah Jarosz

Orange Blossom Special

This just in for TONIGHT

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS - ON PBS

HAPPY HALOWEEN

While I wait for my instant kharma refund....

... and my peace dividend, here are some Texas Sheiks to while away the blues.

Santa Barbara Old Time Fiddlers Convention

Got to see Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum Sunday at the SB Old Time Fiddlers Convention. Very cool!

It's still going on!

http://www.topangabanjofiddle.org/history.html

Imagine .....

Saturday would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday.  Not sure how much he would have appreciated the use of his name and drawings to sell guitars, but the folks at Gibson here in Montana are surely happy.

Bill Cunningham

We just talked to Bill in Ashville, NC........Maybe, just maybe he'll be coming to our next Reunion.....Yeah!

Iris & Emmlou "Our Town"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HELEN!

And many more!

Happy Birthday Helen

Another Birthday up in flames!

Ok. Here's the deal

My friend, Misisipi Mike Wolf (he's from Biloxi, and can spell it any way
he wants), is putting together a Shel Silverstein tribute for the 24th, at
a local club. The band will be him, me, and my bassist, pedal steel guy, and drummer from
Gayle's band. Essentially, it's Misispi Mike and the Hired Hands, And each of a bunch of our friends from the Bay Area alt
country scene will take a shot covering their favorite recordings of Shel
songs. And the songlist gives an amazing picture of Shel's scope
as a writer. Here's what we've got so far:

Boy Named Sue (Cash, of course) - Stephen Grillos from Hang Jones
The Unicorn (Irish Rovers) - Gayle Lynn
In the Hills of Shiloh (Judy Collins) - Bhi Bhiman
Cover of the Rolling Stone (Hook) - Mike and Cree from Misisipi Rider
Queen of the Silver Dollar (Buck Owens) Maurice Tani from 77 El Deora
Stoned and I Missed it (Hook) - Cree Rider
One's On The Way (Loretta Lynn) - Gayle Lynn
Freakers' Ball (Hook) - Me and Cree
Couple More Years (Willie Nelson) - Mike Wolf
Ballad of Lucy Jordan (Marianne Faithful) - Denise Funari of Yard Sale
Marie Lavaux (Bobby Bare) - don't know the singer yet
True Love - Me doing the version I put together 40 years ago.
Michaelangelo (Hook) - Me
Jennifer Johnson and Me - (Robert Earl Keen) - Paul Oguin

We had a rehearsal of just the band last Tuesday and it was way more fun than it was work.
Next Tuesday we schedule in the singers, a couple at at time, due to space limitations, and firm the thing up, and we unleash the thing on Saturday. I have homework to do. Pray for us.

This just in from Tom:

I think this video has some connection to Hoyt Axton, but I'm not sure. Tom will need to explain all once he's officially in.  For some reason, I can't get the video to load, so in the meantime here's a link:

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=96998f5c5f04f3cdaf63

Welcome Tom!

I will now go sit in a corner and write; " I will not try to fix things that aren't broken" 500 times!

Huh?

The Adey Brothers

City Blues Band

Another Paradox connection:

http://www.60sgaragebands.com/citybluesband.html

Also for Bob and Helen

The Blue Marauders

Out of the mist they come
on wings of Ice blue fire and steel
crested helmets gleaming in the first rays of dawn

Screeching searching seeking
the unsuspecting regiment
still lying in the trenches
in deep morning slumber

The attack comes swift now
nowhere to run

nowhere to hide

And in the end leaving a landscape
littered with the spoils of war

Only shells remain of the
gallant soldiers that once were

And once again an uneasy stillness
creeps over the land
and all is quiet on Little Walden Pond

For now

What happened to our cheerful green site?

For Bob and Helen

New Addition to the family

I've been in music retail for almost 20 years now, and I'm pretty much immune to gear lust. I really do limit buys to what I need professionally, and I quit collecting guitars when I retired from rockstardom... In fact, about 10 years ago, I got real about what I play, and what I'm just keeping around because it's cool, and I sold off most of them. But, about three months ago, Martin shipped us this OM-28V for store stock, and I couldn't believe how good it sounded. And on closer inspection, I could see that it had an Adirondack spruce top, which Martin usually charges you an extra $650 for. So we had this $4000 guitar that we could sell for $3300. And I tried to sell it. I really did. I put it in the lap of every serious player that came in. But, while everybody oohed and aahed over it, nobody bought it.

After a month of that, and after playing the thing so much myself that I'd had to restring it twice, I said what the hell and made plans to sell off almost everything else I had that was worth playing (keeping the Taylor for stagework, of course). And on the day I applied for Social Security, I went back to the store and asked Alan, my friend and boss, if I could buy it, and he gave me the greenlight. That meant that I could buy the finest Martin to come through Bananas in 15 years, and he wouldn't make any money on it. Folks, this is the nicest guitar I've ever owned. Period. I get up in the morning, and I can't wait to play.

Long Labor Day Weekend

What's new with me? 

I asked Bob and Helen if I could spend the Labor Day weekend with them, they said yes, so my daughter and I drove down.  Michael Ray was recording with Dave Hall this week so he was already here.  So Gary, Ralph, and Steve -- bless their hearts -- decided to drive up, too.  Gary cooked amazing meals.  The rest of my family -- Ginny, Linda, Cat, and John -- all came for dinner.  Dave and Tara and Steve Skaff ate with us for at least one night, too.  Nice musical totally spontaneous weekend was had by all.  Even Daisy had a good time, although we tired her out with all our comings and goings.  Wish you and Norma could have been here.

So What's New With You?

Hey! There's got to be more to life than reminiscing about times gone by. I'm kind of assuming we all have lives these days. I heard a rumor that there was some Michaelray recording being done. Whassup with that? Bob had a heart scare, and has a Dobro. Diane writes books and bought a trailer. Steve is managing to get booked in Europe. I would assume that the Girton clan is up to some musical something or other. But little of that shows up here. What's happening?!?!

Norma took Helen's lead and got a Jitterbug phone. She's had a cell phone for the last 5 years and never used it because it did too much stuff, and did a mediocre job of it. And when it was necessary to use it to make a call, she'd have to get out the manual. It was a waste of her money. The new phone is intuitive, sounds great and is as easy to use as our landlines. And not only is the sound quality superb, but there's a booster button to really get the volume up. The biggest surprise is what a cool looking and feeling piece of hardware it is. She got a red one, BTW.

I finally got a cell phone myself. But I sprung for an iPhone because I've been a Mac guy since 1986. And I've used it more as a camera, calendar, note pad, and pocket recorder, than as a phone. I'm just not a phone kind of guy. The pic of Norma is by way of my iPhone, which is a better camera than my camera.

Gayle and Tom are back from Kentucky, and we're booking gigs again. And the BananaJam went down so well that we're gonna do it again. I'm knocking off for two weeks and heading north to Portland and Seattle to visit friends at the end of September, and am presiding over the wedding of two dear friends on 10/10/10. I'll go from saying the words to playing lead in the band. The groom is my bassist.

What's new with you?

Kenny Edwards February 10, 1946 – August 18, 2010

This is from Kenny's web site. He will be missed by all.


Dear Friends,

Kenny passed peacefully at around 5:30pm August 18th surrounded by love. Your words, thoughts, generosity, & kindness eased his transition. He was grateful for the love he was shown.

Please check back for news about services and a memorial. We will be posting information soon.

Meanwhile, a benefit concert has become a memorial concert:

At Zoeys Cafe in Ventura, CA
Sunday August 22nd at 7pm

805-652-1137 * make reservations asap - this is an intimate venue that Kenny loved.

The Grascals

Susan and I won free tickets from KPFK to see the Grascals at OC Fair last night. I thought it was going to be another overly slick Nashville band but that was not the case. Top notch bluegrass players and great bluegrass harmony. Killer mandolin and fiddle players. Third song in the set the bass player knocked down the bridge on his bass. The sound guys thought the PA blew up it was so loud. It was kind of fun watching one of those "How many bluegrass musicians does it take to fix a bass bridge?" jokes play itself out. It took most of them.! They did recover and cranked out a really great set. If you get a chance to see them you won't be sorry.

Kenny Edwards

Kenny is gravely ill in hospital in Colorado. Please send all the thoughts, prayers and positive energy you can gather his way.
You can leave a message or make donations at:
http://www.kennyedwards.com/

JB Honored at Duke

Diane, your pictures of Jackson reminded me of a news item I had intended to share with everyone... which I've delayed sharing in hopes of being able to provide a link to some long-promised video from the event (...still waiting for the video).

I read somewhere that Jackson had been named the 2010 recipient of the Duke LEAF Award... presented by Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment for Lifetime Environmental Achievement in the Fine arts... so I decided to add my applause at the award ceremony back on April 17th. JB is the second recipient of this award, following Robert Redford, the award's inaugural recipient. Pretty good company... which certainly doesn't surprise any of us.

Jackson's long-time and close friend Ariel Dorfman, a Duke professor, enlightened and entertained the audience with his introduction. Among the anecdotes offered, he told a great story about how, during a visit Jackson made to visit Dorfman in Chile, he and Jackson found themselves being quietly tailed by a tinted-windows SUV in a remote region of Chile. Dorfman felt sure this surveillance was related to some lingering government interest in him... having been declared an enemy of the state and basically under a death threat during Pinochet's rule.

After becoming hopelessly lost, Jackson suggested they ask the guys in the SUV for help, figuring they were probably locals and may know how to get un-lost. That inquiry was made, and he learned that these fellows were also lost... but also that their mission really wasn't Dorfman-focused but, rather, was simply to make sure Jackson Browne, who had by then achieved world-wide fame, didn't encounter any difficulties while visiting their country.

And the fitting ending to the story? They finally reached their intended destination, and when it was clear after the evening meal that there were abundant leftovers, Jackson requested that a couple of take-out plates be prepared... which he delivered straight-away to the boys in the SUV, along with his "mil gracias!" Ariel is quite a story teller, and it was great fun to watch JB's many expressions as this story was told.

As always, Jackson was very gracious in his remarks following the presentation of the LEAF award... but he was also very focused in his observations and position regarding the environment, and his message that everyone needs to do their part. During the days that bridged this ceremony, an exhibit of Dianna's art was on display at one of Duke's libraries... serving to drive home his point.

I suspect many would agree the highlight of the whole shebang was Jackson's impromptu mini-concert... a very casual three (or four?) song set that included parts of a surfing- and environment-related work-in-progress song. The Page Auditorium has wonderful acoustics, which helped make the musical portion of the event a real treat for everyone. Now... among the links on the right side of the event's web page, there is a non-link note that says, "Event video will be online soon." No offense to the folks at the Nicholas School, but that's been there for three months, so don't hold your breath on seeing such video. But do check back - they may yet post some video.

Hope you found this now-old JB news item interesting. It's always fun to see people appreciate our old friend for his passion for and commitment to outreach. Best regards to all from hot-and-humid Raleigh! - Tony

A Couple More Photos from Last Night

Message for Helen

Oh Cumberland

Beautiful song from Jeff's wife, Matraca Berg and the boys.

OK, now what?

The look on my face says it all.

Actually, it was a great show. Three old pros showed something to a bunch of rocker kids, and they got it. The response could give lesser men swelled egos. OK, it gave us swelled egos. It was a wonderful night, and we raised some money for Ritter House, which is a Marin County charity that keeps people fed and helps those underwater with their bills. The worthiest of causes. Here's a little something to give you a taste of how good my pickup fiddle player is. This is 77 El Deora, from their Freight and Salvage gig last month.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJKNkDYs9uc&feature=related

Jenn Courtney reminds me of a young Linda Ronstadt with an extra shot of hormones, and her partner, Maurice Tani, is a superb songwriter. What the hell. Here's Maurice doing a solo at the same show. Put this on your good speakers so that you can hear the impossibly tall Mike Anderson's solid bass. Randy Craig on piano. This is not your father's country band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQuV_eM0hd8

The San Francisco alt country scene that I've been working in is loaded with talent that derserves a better outlet.

See what you've done?

I don't really do a single anymore. I play backup for others. But PR1 and PR2 got me back in the saddle. Especially having to make up Plan B onstage. So I let my colleagues at work talk me into doing a set at a show were doing Thursday with the acts being people who work here, or have in the past. Gayle and Tom are out of town this week, so I can't use the people I normally work with, so I've Roped in Steve Kallai, from 77 El Deora, on fiddle, and my old buddy Scott Underwood, from Annie Z and the Best She Could Do, on bass. I'm sure we'll come up with something.

The kicker is that they pulled a photo out of my Facebook stash for the poster. This is my mom and me in 1949, puttering in the garden of our place in North Hollywood.

early morning visitor

We have a heavy plastic storage container on our back porch that we keep dog, cat and bird food in. Early this morning we heard a big noise and that container had been drug across the porch and left open. Daisy has been sounding all morning, that sounds like a scream. Our visitor no doubt was a bear.

Get out the Polyester....

I think this is a long-standing joke about Lindley's great stage-wear, but there's a free trip in it:

http://www.showmethepolyester.com/

Tuli Kupferberg

Tuli Kupferberg, the poet, singer and professional bohemian who went from being a noted Beat to becoming, in his words, “the world’s oldest rock star” when he helped found the Fugs, the bawdy and politically pugnacious folk-rock group, died on Monday in Manhattan. He was 86 and had been a longtime resident of Greenwich Village.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Lives, cont.

Here's a nice one that my daughter took:

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Lives

My daughter and I saw a GREAT show this p.m. at a bar outside of town.  Sorry the photos aren't great but the band was amazing.

Happy, Safe 4th of July Weekend Everyone

Have a safe & sane 4th of July & don't play with matches.

This Just in via the Minneapolis Airport

 Coffee Gallery, Altadena, CATomorrow (Thursday) Early Show. 7:00 P.M. Start. Over at 9:00 P.M.

Happy 56th Anniversary Bob n Helen

Rondo Lap Steel

Latest addition to my collection. Now I just have to learn how to play it.

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Rondo/Rondo.html

Heres a clip of Sleepwalk on the same guitar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj_JQl96Qmk

Resonator Django: Music to Wash Your Steel Guitar By

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQR37wHXHWU&feature=watch_response

This just in from John Besharian: Cleaning your Steel Guitar

Romany Vardos

WARNING: (quasi) ACCORDION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBHeEmKQ_uI

John & Jimmy

Great job guys....

"

My old running buddy, keyboard player, singer, and dancing fool, Billy Francis, has passed away. Billy was an absolute sweetheart. But he could make them women tremble, and his leaping up on Clive Davis's desk during Hook's in-office audition just blew Clive away. He said yes on the spot. Here's a taste of Hook in full mayhem mode, with Billy leading the charge.

Blast from the past

When the Paradox folded, many of us headed north and began spending Monday nights at the Troubadour. I even wound up running the hoots there for much of '68. A couple of weeks ago, I got invited to join a Facebook group for all the Troub regulars from between '64 and '74, and am having a great time remembering. And they've been posting old photos. Nancy Westbrook posted this one which I thought y'all might like.

Live from Holland

Bar Room Logic

This will make you laugh. Or cry. Or both

You have to sit through a short intro. It's worth it. I played it for Norma and she was spitting coffee through her nose.

OK. Ya want heartwarming?

I gotcher heartwarming right here.




http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/14/damian-aspinalls-amazing-_n_576759.html

At the risk of opening the flood gates of political discource .......

Back in Black - Glenn Beck's Nazi Tourette's

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Happy Mother's Day

To all our Mother's past,present and future we salute you!

Off the Beaten Path from Sherry Miller:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB!

And many, many more!