DESPERATELY SEEKING SUZI

On the off chance that people might search for some of our missing members, and have more luck finding them than I have had, I thought it might help to list them here from time to time:

Suzi Thompson

Cass Conway

Dan Winchester

I'm sure there are others we should keep trying to find ... ?

OK, it's our weekend in the Sierras. But first, we go see 77 El Deora's gig at Strings, in Oakland, tonight. Then Friday night we open for the Bootcuts, which is yet another of Misisipi Mike's bands, at the Hotel Utah. Saturday night we play the Douglass Saloon at the state park in Columbia, near Sonora. And Sunday, we're off to the Calaveras County Fair, for the frog jumping contest. I'm up for this.

Penny Nichols and Severin Browne in L.A.

Sunday afternoon, May 29th

 

The Coffee Gallery Backstage

2029 N. Lake

Altadena, CA.  

 

Phone For Reservations:  

(626) 794-2424

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB

Take a right at Tommy the Trojan

I'm just back from Rik's alma mater and the LA Festival of the Books.  I was hoping to look for Maggie's Farm but didn't have the time to go wandering around too much.

While on campus I went looking for the USC bookstore and asked someone for directions.  He said go down that way and take a right at Tommy the Trojan ... Sure enough, there it was!

Yes Virginia there is an Oyster Bunny

HAPPY OYSTER TO ALL

My CMA Award ...

CMA Awards

Not a big fan of award shows or Taylor Swift...but she got my attention this time. You can watch it on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKwWq4mnaiw&feature=player_embedded

This just in from John McEuen

I can't figure out how to post the actual video, but here's a link to a terrific promo video on John and the Dirt Band:
   
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1655057105992 

And the story of Mr. Bojangles:  http://tobtr.com/s/1637567

Latest Dave update

I emailed Dave yesterday. Here's the latest:

Hi Dave.....Just checkin' in to see how things are going. I tried to call but no answer. Hope all is well. Hugs....Us

Response:
just bearley ha Dave

What a day

Reeling from all the heavies today, I tuned in to the classical station. A familiar melody pulled me in, but out of context - it was Renaissance music. Digging into my LPs, found Reflections in a Crystal Wind, Richard & Mimi Farina, A Swallow Song. Bummer, he claimed it as his.

Besides this, I've known 2 musicians (not Paradoxers) who full-on swiped songs and claimed them as their own. I understand a little borrowing and tweaking, but this was total theft.

I'd appreciate a little perspective from the musicians out there.

GET WELL SOON, DAVE!

We need you back at the control panel!

Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALMOST DR. DIANE SMITH

He's Back

Steve Martin has a new album do out 3/15/11

MP3 sample cut @

http://www.stevemartin.com/

This Just in from John Besharian -- The Orange Julius Mafia

 

 

 

 

Okay folks, I need help ID'ing the miscreants in this drawing. Anyone from those days in the crowd? How about from Facebook's "Fullerton Memories", or The Paradox? Mecca? Troubadour? Golden Bear? Sid's Blue Beet? The Mon Ami? Fullerton JC? "Teeny Boppers" from the High School? "Hello?" In fact, I just received this today. It's a drawing by Leonard McCartney of the "Orange Julius Crowd" from "Back in the day". Left to right, it's "Len", Gene Gudath (w/"Ming" his cat) and Jay, his wife, Buddy Joe Bair, Her brother; two guys I can't quite place, myself and Penny Nichols. What a "Blast from the past" this is. 

 

By the way. I've started referring to the O J Crowd as: "The Orange Julius Mafia" because one of the guitarist's from "City Blues Band" (who lived in apartment #2, I lived in #4. Those are my windows in the drawing), Clair (Edward - "Fast Eddie") Solberg, started calling me "Godfather" when we reconnected on Facebook last year. He just recently passed away, as did both my roommate, Dennis McFarland, and one of my best friends (and best man at my wedding), Gene Gudath. (He's the tall one depicted here. By the way, Penny, I remember that dress.) 

 

What a wonderful life it's been. Thank you, one and all.  

  

Sincerely,  

John Besharian 

Steve & Cindy

Ralph, Jan & Randy & I caught up with Steve & Cindy at St. Matt's After Dark in Orange last night.
Great little venue and Steve & Cindy were excellent. Two great sets including a tribute to Gamble Rogers & of course Darcy Farrow. They played of each other seamlessly and with lots of cerebral humor.

If you get a chance to connect with them this tour I promise you wont be sorry.

They have some new stuff up on You Tube as well.
Link to schedule: http://compassrosemusic.com/dates.html

Gayle invades the SF Bluegrass and Old Time Festival

We are so not bluegrass, but still, they invited us. And this year it's just us. We're not even bringing in ringers on banjo and fiddle like we did last year. We don't have a following in Marin County yet, so I'm off to poster Mill Valley, Fairfax, and San Rafael in a few minutes.

And I just had us pass on playing the SF Free Folk Festival this year because it falls on weekend of PRIII. I'd have passed even if it had been a money gig. Priorities, you know.

Vacation at last

Just got back from a fun week with Bob & Helen and the gang. We thrift stored and ate our way from Nevada City to Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz for a fun visit with the Mand Rand Band. Thanks to all It was a fantastic journey. Here's a collage of the trip.

Still life with guitar

Beautiful show of Picasso's work, if you like that sort of thing:

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/02/11/arts/design/20110211-picasso.html

Troubadour Reunion

This was a great event! Thanks Rik for the kind words. And yes, it was great being again on one of the major stages I performed many times in my youth. Lovely evening and great getting a really warm reception for my song content and performance... to be seen and validated by this group! Jackson was wonderful and I was disappointed that Rik didn't get an opportunity to perform. I am so grateful for this life and all the re-connections that are happening now. Big love to all of you and look forward to Summer!