Sunday, January 07, 2007 03:44:59 PM
Happy Birthday Maya Grace Redington 10-7-97 !
As no coincidence would have it, I labeled the new Mother Earth disc LB10797 on the spine.
My record label name is Laughing Boy Records and Sweet Life was LB7400 which is my son Bens Birthday. Born at home on July 4, 2000...GREAT DAY in history!Well 8 years ago at this time I was beside myself with fear, joy, laughter, and overall AMAZING energy for
this little girl who would soon become my whole world...Now.... The new Mother Earth disc was delivered to me and I have opened and listened to the FIRST unwrapped copy. The date on the spine was in honor of Maya's birthday eight very short years ago. I could NOT have planned these discs to be dropped off at a more perfect time... they arrived today... sometimes the plan just works that way... and for this and so many other things I give thanks!
Hello
Friends,
Last week after finishing up my weekly duties in NYC I woke up with a song in my
head. As I was approaching the George Washington bridge
I began recording the hook to this song on my new lap top computer....WHILE
crossing the bridge..I was lucky to not be taken in for questioning
as the security is pretty heavy these days and a guy with a microphone and
headphones babbling into a lap top MAY be cause for suspicion...
however... I digress. The song is called "Louisiana" . I will be
posting this and trying to put it in the hands of someone who can use it as we
speak.
If ANY of you have any ideas PLEASE send us an email and we'll take it from
there. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of those we lost and those
who will now face the serious adversity ahead.
This week goes like tis:
Tues. Sept. 6th. The Baggot Inn 82 W 3rd St. NYC 10p.m. till you say I'm
done!
Wed. Sept. 7th. Mt Top Inn Chttenden Vt. 7p.m. ...I promise!
Fri. Sept. 9th. The Outback.. Acoustic Duo with Jeff....nice nice.
Sun. Sept. 11th...yikes......Locals Night and a night of healing and
remembrance. 10p.m.
All my best to you and yours.
Peace,
Rick
4/12/05
Oh Yes My Friends,
Winter is OVER!
Yahoooooooo!
Looking forward to a beautiful night in NYC!
Tues. April 12th. The Baggot Inn 82 W 3rd St. NYC 10:30p.m. till closing!
Thurs. April 14th. Bradfords of Downtown Rutland 7:30p.m.
Fri. April 15th. At The Clear River Tavern in Pittsfield Vt. ELECTRIC five piece with The Luv 10p.m.
Sat. April 16th. One of my favorites! Java Baba's in Ludlow Vt. with The Acoustic Luv Machine 7:30p.m. or so....it's casual!
Sun. April 17th. LOCALS NIGHT at The Outback in Killington Vt. Whoop it up! 10:15 p.m. or so....
I am off to hit that open road to NYC and take in this beautiful day!
My best to all of you...
Peace,
Richard Clarence Redington
12/01/03
Good Day Friends!
It really does feel like a good day doesn't it? Hope you all had a splendid
Turkey Day! I certainly did........kids, dogs, jamming with my Nephews, four
wheelin' , horses, friends and............PIES... Dozens & dozens of pies...
my Wife Julie kicked butt with a Banana Creme!!!! Yum yum! This years
Thanksgiving took place at my Sister Paula's big ol' 200 acre farm and we all
just had a great day.....warm & wonderful just like my family. I watched my
70 something year old Mom beaming with that bright lovelight over all her kids
& grandkids & great grandkids and great grandkids to be...and I am taken
back..... I wonder what it must be like to be looking at all of this wonderment
that you have created in a long and fruitful life......You are the best Mom! My
two Sister's have the best kids and always shine the love. So much to be
Thankful for.....
Thanksgiving Eve at The Inn @ Long Trail was just perfect! The Acoustic Luv was
joined on stage by Matt MacLean on the little conga drum that I bought for him
so many years ago. It was a wonderfully spiritual night with my band!
Fri. night I opened for The Samples in Stowe in this cool little club and even
got to sit in with them! They sounded awesome! Jared joined me on Bass for my
set.
We partied like Rockstars until the break of day and then I
was off to Okemo for a Long Trail promo..and then onto Bellows Falls later that
night for another beer promo...for a guy who doesn't drink I do allot of
beer promo's.
Needless to say by lastnight my voice was toast! I am without voice today. The
Locals night was a scream with Matty & Jared joining me for one of the best
damn nights of playing I have had in awhile...those boys just bring it out in
me! So......Now I need to rest up for my ONE gig of the week! That's right just
one......I do need to rest the pipes.
Because my one big gig of the week is with.................
Hot Freakin' Tuna!
@ Higher Ground Tues. Dec. 2nd
Doors open At 8:30p.m.
(I think......) Perhaps go the www.highergroundmusic.com
and see.
Opening for these two heroes of mine the first time was a dream come
true....to have a chance to do it again....almost beyond belief! Jack &
Jorma have been very kind to me in many ways & I look forward to seeing
& hearing them like you can't even imagine! I understand that Mandolin
virtuoso Barry MitterHoff will be joining them on this tour! Did I mention how
much I love the mandolin? This shall be a show to remember! So......please come
see this show! You will not have any regrets.....
That's it for shows this week until Sunday when I put on my Buck Lure and head
on up to Killington for Locals night! There also is talk of an impromptu gig
this weekend in Rutland with Sean from The Samples so...I will keep you posted
on that. Just do me a favor and enjoy each and every breath you take this week
and everyday! Life is too short not to!
P.S......The Samples gave me a copy of their new DVD "Seventeen" this
past weekend. It is really something! I have watched it a couple of times
already...If you like great songs, sweet acoustic guitars, and killer vocals
then you should own this disc....go to www.thesamples.com
and check it out! 
Hope to see ya soon!
Rick
11-25-03
In response to popular demand (pretty much the guy who emailed us about it), we'll be posting more content more often to this very spot. We'll even try to organize it in a cohesive way.
That said, here's today's.
11/25/03
Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll!!!
I have much to be thankful for this year. My family is bringing me much joy!
The kids are just so amazing....I watch them go to school with their little back
packs and act so independent. My Daughter Maya is such a beautiful young lady
who likes to struggle with Mommy over what she is going to wear to school in the
morning and My Son is this handsome young charmer who just LOVES the ladies!
Where doe he get that from? My Wife continues to support me after ten years of
all of this Madness! On top of all of that I have my music which just seems to
move along at it's own pace and all of you who help & inspire me to
continue! Yes! I am very thankful!
Chris, Jeff, & I are trying out new drummers for the band as our little Boo
Boo is out on the road more often than not with The Samples (we are all proud of
him)! We have some very interesting prospects and will keep you informed....I am
also most thankful to have Chris, Jeff, & Jared as my musical and spiritual
support team. These guys are the best and I look forward to many years of
performing with them!
This past week was very reflective for me....Mon. night I played at VT.
Technical College in Randolph....when I graduated from High School I had a
partial Scholarship to go to VTC and become a computer programmer.....I of
coarse blew it off to become a musician......my Mom was a big part of that
decision.....and yes...for this I am thankful as well. She also took classes at
VTC a few years ago.....circles........Fri. I played at Fair Haven Middle School
for grades 5 -8. This was a real trip! I was very frightened!!! I walked into
the gymnasium at the end of lunch and this place was wound tight! The sound was
deafening...it all came back to me! The Fear!!! Yes!!! I was a scared little kid
in school and now I was a scared giant 39 year old man holding a guitar in my
hands! HELP! What was I going to play for these monsters? Is there security
here? So....along comes this older gentleman who I recognize as the music
teacher from MY High School! Holy!!! I was a shy and recluse young man who
wasn't in the band in school or any other real social circles for that matter. I
was never asked to join the band.......boo hoo...poor me! So....along comes the
music teacher who looks like he may have had enough of all the madness as
well......He say's do you have a P.A.? "Nope" I was told one would be
provided! So.....he sort of shakes his head in dis-belief and proceeds to start
lugging the P.A. out by himself ...all the way across the Gym floor........Did I
take pleasure in watching him struggle?.............NO!!! He was actually really
really nice and got me all set up in no time before he put on his head gear
patted me on the back and said " Good Luck Man!!!!" and ran away as
fast as he could down the hall! Now...here I was all alone...waiting.....for the
KIDS to come back! I paced the floor, went to the bathroom three or four times
and then I heard what sounded like a herd of angry Buffalo ripping their way
towards me! Yikes! Well they ALL came in and sat with heads in hand looking
pretty bored while the rather hard hitting Principal gave them the
lowdown...."Don't shoot Mr. Redington.....and stay in your
seats......please no Moshing!!! O.k. so the rules are laid down and he gives me
my intro....the way that say Pat Boone might have been introduced back in his
time. My fear all of the sudden just broke....and I sat back in my chair before
I played a note and I just started talking to them....and...hey.....they talked
back! So...I break into "Look Around" just to test the waters..and...hey...they
are all focused and tapping their feet and getting down! Whoa! Once again I have
USED this damn guitar to hide behind and communicate with and...it worked! The
kids were awesome! I did one Green Day song with all of them singing along...as
the principal became more uneasy....then I played some of my newer stuff and we
talked about changes......and we ended by them requesting "Stairway To
Heaven"...gotta love that...and us all singing along to it! Well eventually
the principal had to pull the plug on our little session as we were running WAY
over time( like 2minutes). At the end of the show I am surrounded under the
basketball hoop for autographs! Hey.....what the? Who did that? Hey that's
my!!!! Put that guitar down! The kids were a real inspiration. I hopped back
into my trusty mini-van luv machine with my faithful dog Elvis and rode away
with a large smile on my face! Sweet life! Later that same evening I played in
Rutland with The Luv and we invited my old pal Johnny Azer down to sit in on
snare & brushes......it was so good to play with the old boy again & he
sounded great! The people went nuts! I hope to do that again soon! Sat. Night I
had a religious experience opening for Ed Gerhard at the UU Church. After my
opening set I snuck up to the balcony in front of this large stained glass
window and sat there with my eyes closed feeling ever note that Ed hit. He is
such an inspiration! Thank you all for coming to that show! Was I right or was I
right? On Sun. I did a video taping at Head Over Heels Gym for Ben & Maya's
school. We all sat around a Christmas tree and sang Jingle Bells & Rudolph
The Red Nosed Reindeer! This will air on the local access station during
the holidays! My family & I singing with Chris's Wife Joan & his Son
Will (my little bright light)and kids of all ages...and their parents! Too much!
Felt just great! This was all followed by a beautiful night of craziness with
Jared "Boo Boo" Johnson & myself on the little stage at The
Outback. I do apologize for the length of this email but.......I feel I can talk
to you people! Yes......like I said...I have MUCH to be thankful for.
This week is more exciting goodness!
Thanksgiving Eve....Wed. Nov. 26th. @ 9p.m. We will be doing an acoustic show at
The Inn @ Long Trail....this is one of our favorite venues and we are psyched to
be sharing this evening with all of our friends!
Fri. Nov. 28th. I will be opening for The Samples in Stowe Vt. @ The Matterhorn
Bar @ 8:30p.m.! Jared Boo Boo Johnson may just join me on that one...as he is a
Sample and all!
Sat. Nov. 29th. I will be doing a Long Trail Promo at Okemo in the Sitting Bull
Lounge from 3-6p.m. and then I will be doing another beer promo down in Bellows
Falls @ PK's Publik House @ around 9p.m....give or take.
Sun. I am back at Killington for Local's Night! I just love it! The busy season
is coming in fast!
So......I give thanks for all that I that I am given and all that I am allowed
to give!
My Best Wishes To You All!
Rick
4-14-02
Last night I had the privilege of opening up for The Samples at Higher Ground in Burlington,
VT. I was backed up by my new
band The Luv Machine. It was the first big opener that these guys had done and they really did a
terrific job. I was very proud of them. Chris & Jared Johnson & Jeff Poremski
are the line-up for The Luv Machine. We play together for many reasons but the most
important is because I really love these guys like brothers. Chris & I
have played together for many years and Jeff & Jared as well. We were putting
this band together while The Huge Members were still playing. These guys were all big fans of the Huge and there was always a good amount of
respect there. In a way they have a tough shadow to live under for now but I
know in time that will disperse. This band is not meant to duplicate The Huge Members at all.....we
have our own little groove to cut...enough said. The boys were all very excited about this gig to say the least. We had
about a 5-minute sound check and by some miracle we pulled that all together.
We
all had a little pow-wow behind the club before the show and I gave them my
best pep talk...."you guys are the best, I love you all very much, lets keep our
wits about us and do a good show!". Now no band ever did it all without the help of a few good men behind the scenes and our main guy is Art
Costello. He is the keeper of the key. He points us in the right direction,
finds us food at 3a.m., books our gigs, baby-sits the band...you get the picture.
Artie was also accompanied by Barry Alan my trusty guitar tech. Barry is a good man who is
always looking out for our best guitar interests. These guys came out to get us and bring us to the stage just minutes before the
show. We had one awkwardly long group hug before the set and it was time to go!!!!
We opened with "Silence The World" and the crowd really seemed to dig it...It
can sometimes be a hard sell as an opener but The samples fans were open & receptive. We followed up with "Look Around" and now folks are moving
around a bit on the dance floor. The band seemed to be getting a better grip as we
launched into "Montana". This one seemed to grab them just a little bit more and we
followed it with "Sweet Life" which is one of the stronger tunes. Now we had there attention and Jeff really opened up on
the guitar & took me to another place. We ended that to rave response and eased into a
little kicking in as planned...bass is pumping, drums are crackling, guitars too loud....yeah baby rock n' roll!!! We
ended the set with " More & More" and by now the folks had moved up to the front of the stage to get into
position for The Samples. "More & More" seemed to let them know that we were all
about the love and good vibes we have to give. They rewarded us with a great
response and so ended our first big opener as a band. I took the boys backstage and let them all know how proud I was.
This really is a
terrific band. These guys give me respect and the support I need to get my tunes
across. We were now ready to take in the Samples show. My association with
The Samples has to do in part with the fact that Sean Kelly and my friend Curt Stannard grew up
in the same area of Manchester VT. It is still just another way that Curt seems to be keeping in touch with me in
his after life. Each day I am still blessed by the memories I have of our times together and
I am so thankful for that. Sean from The Samples has always been very kind to me and has always been very supportive of our music.
He is another bright light in this world. In the past few months since Curt's passing,
Sean & I have seemed to run into each other
a lot. He is always sweet, positive & very helpful when I see him.
We talked about me
opening for a show or two and this one at Higher Ground was the first of what I
hope will be many. You see I was never really familiar with The Samples music or
what they were all about and last night I got a lesson in what I've been missing.
They were exquisite...tasteful, soulful, intense,
enlightening, rockin' & much more. It was a real scene man! They were very kind to
us & this is not always the case between the main act & the opener.
I was so
glad that my band was treated with such respect in this maiden voyage of ours.
Sean's voice is like something straight out of heaven and his playing is much the same.
The Bass was kickin', the drums just roared and the band
as a whole was ethereal in a very powerful way. My band & I just sat
back and took it all in. Sean seemed to be reaching into my brain & my soul
at times...i.e.: Fire & Rain is my Mom's favorite song and I've been playing
it for her since I was a kid. They did a song from the Shrek
movie...Halleluiah, which is one of mine & my kids
favorites of all time! I had to call them on the cell phone while it was going
on. Sean also dedicated a couple of songs to my brother & friend Curt
Stannard...every time he mentioned his name I would just well up with
tears. My heartstrings were indeed being tugged. The Samples have a new disc out
and the tune that I had familiarized myself with is called 'Wild River' and
they played it at the beginning of the night and I was a very happy clam. Their set was amazing and their fans were nothing less than kind to us
at all times. It was another night I will not soon forget and I hope to do it again soon.
Go now to www.thesamples.com and
check them out and give a listen to "Wild River". It will be well worth your time.
Well until
next time...
Peace,
Rick Redington
Hello Friends!
It seems like so much has happened since I last wrote something to you. The tale end of
last year has left me feeling a bit shaken. With terrible loss there has to come incredible
growth and that's kind of where I am right now. Peaks & valleys..... Good things are happening now and I feel that my band of guardian angels has recently
gotten bigger. I feel the presence of Curt & also my brother-in-law Glenn in many ways on
different days. I almost feel closer to them than ever before. Sweet Life!
I was in the middle of a psychotic version of Sweet Merry Jayne the other night and I
started slappin' & tappin' on my guitar like I never had before. I never was much of a slapper
& tapper but you & I both know who was......My brother Curtis just seemed to be sitting
right next to me on that tiny little stage at the Outback egging me on. It really felt great! Of
course, my guitar may not forgive me for awhile but what the hell we all need a little
spanking sometimes. I also feel the presence of Glenn from time to time and it brings me
great joy! I just recently did a gig with Richie Havens in Manchester, Connecticut at a little
place called Cheney Hall. The gig came about as a result of my father-in-law David Newirth
being on the board at the hall. He is a very good man. It seems whenever I am around him I
get that Glenn vibe going. Before the show he & I shared some very special stories about
Glenn and somehow it felt like he was there with me that day. I give thanks to Dave for his
friendship and his strength as a father & as a person. We have grown closer this year. I
guess this all leads up to me telling you about my wonderful experience with Richie
Havens:
I had one of the nicest nights of music in my life on march 23rd with Richie. I had the
opening slot for him at this amazing little 330 seat theater in Ct. The show came up so fast
that I didn't really have time to get too keyed up about it. These things can still be a little
hair-raising. It was just me Artie my stage manager & Barry my guitar tech. A nice little trio
of pals cruising to Ct. to open for one of our heroes. We got to the place far too early and
had plenty of time to load in. Big load-in...two guitars and a couple of bags of gear &
merchandise. Andy from the hall greeted us upon arrival and showed us to my dressing
room. I had done an opener at Cheney before so I knew the drill. There we were now settled
in.....now I had time to start felling a little nervous. What to play, what to say, do I meet
Richie, are my guitars, in tune, Oy! I was actually quite at ease. The boys went out to get a
bite to eat and I stayed behind to do a little meditation. Just a chance to sit before the
show in a dimly lit room with my guitar and give some thanks. I had just finished this little
ritual when my father-in-law Dave quietly walks in. It was perfect timing. He seemed like he
had something on his mind so we sat and talked and he shared a story with me about
Glenn coming to visit him that day! It was a beautiful story! I also shared with him a story
I had about a Glenn visit. It was a really terrific moment. Dave left soon after and my guys
came back with their fast food booty. After they ate Barry went up to the stage for some
last minute tuning and Art stayed to finish his little dairy queen delight. I am still sitting
quietly in the corner waiting for my time to come. We hear the door open and Artie say
"Hello Mr. Havens"! I figure he's just bustin' my chops but sure enough Richie Havens has
just walked into my dressing room. He's there to meet me! Holy @$#@^^!!!!!!! He is one of
the warmest individuals I have ever met! He stayed and talked with us for quite sometime
and just completely put me at ease. Barry came back down and asked if he could take a
picture of us which he did. After a little more time he left for his dressing room. Wow!
O.K. it's show time!
The boys lead me up to the stage and now the adrenaline has started pumping. It's a packed house of 330 plus people and Andy the director is about to introduce me. I am shaking like a leaf! Ladies & Gentlemen, from Vt., Rick Redington! Lights, applause, action! I somehow make my way to the stool and start fumbling with the mic stand. I'm set. I launch into Lazy Summer Day but I'm not all there. I'm feeling a bit shakey...am I gonna fold like a scared bunny??? By the second or third verse I am starting to get a grip but still I'm not really there. Before I know it the song is almost over and I have no real feel for how I'm coming across. The song finishes and the crowd goes wild! Whew!!! I'm alright again!! I'm back !! Hey lets go!!! I can now talk to the audience like we are old friends and of course we are...what was I thinking?? I intro my next song which was "Montana". It's one of my favorites. It is also one that I just recorded with Jack Casady on the bass. Another dream come true! What I don't know is that Richie has come up backstage behind the curtain and is listening to Montana. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain it's only Richie Havens! Apparently he gave my guys backstage the big thumbs up after listening for awhile. I didn't know this till later. My set went well over time. It was supposed to be about 20 minutes and it ended up around 45. I finished with "Sweet Mary Jane" complete with all the bells and whistles and the crowd was most appreciative. I can't really explain to you what a great feeling that is. I am being pushed back for one more! What the hell am I going to play now. I remembered David telling me that he had put my version of "We bid you Goodnight" on a disc along with "Wish You Were Here" and this he listened to in his car and thought about Glenn. I decided to be a little bold and go out and do this one a capella! After a quick dedication to him and the rest of our family I hit the wrong note on my guitar for a reference pitch and launched into the song in a much higher key than I am used to. The audience jumped right in and helped me get right through it. It was beautiful. I'm done!! It's over!! I can breath now! I Immediately scurry down to the dressing room and call my wife Julie. She is my light. I am spewing words at her over the phone when I hear a voice over my shoulder say excuse me...It's Richie!! I tell him I'm talking to my wife and ask him to say hello to her and of course he does. He's holding a conversation with Julie and at first she thinks it's a put on. They have a nice chat and I tell her I will call her back. He has come to tell me that he liked what he heard. This man is too kind. He gives me a big hug and I happily return the embrace. You can always tell what kind of a person someone is by giving them a hug. It's now time for his show and I wish him all my best. I stay in the dressing room for a bit to try and diffuse a little and then I proceed to this private little balcony with Artie & Barry to watch the show. The only time I've seen Richie live was at a concert on the original Woodstock site. It was called "A Day In The Garden" . I was floored! I have heard him many times over the years and of course seen the famous footage from Woodstock and I was a big fan! I am now a much bigger fan! I sat in that balcony the other night and tears ran down my face. The songs reached right into my chest and pulled at my heart strings. These were new songs that I had not heard before and they were reaching all the right places. Richie is accompanied by Walter Parks on guitar and he is playing sweet notes in all the right places. It was one of the most inspirational shows I have ever seen and I will never forget it. Of course he played the Richie standards as well and delivered them with all the fire that his many years have brought him. Just exceptional! At the end of set I made my way back down to the dressing room to show my appreciation. I heard him come down the stairs and go into his room. I will not bother him. After a short period he comes into the main dressing room to change in the bathroom. We meet again. I tell him that he reached my heart and he says something to the effect that "They did it to him, he does it to me, & I must do it to someone else. " A passing of the light so to speak. I am now beside myself with joy and we share another big hug. He then tells me he is going out to sign C.D.'s and take pictures and I should do the same. O.K. what am I going to say? No? I spend another hour or so of my life meeting these wonderful people who had come to that show and signing autographs while sitting next to one of my heroes. After the signing we pretty much walked out of the building together and said our goodbyes. I am now traveling about three feet off the ground. Sweet Life indeed! On the way home Barry & I listened to Richie's new disc while Artie took a well deserved sleep. These guys work hard for me and I couldn't do it without them. I have to tell you in all sincerity that Richie's new album "Wishing Well" is one of the best damn releases I have heard in a long time. It has not left my disc player. The production is terrific the songs are very strong and the performance is second to none. I suggest you all log on to www.richiehavens.com and purchase "Wishing Well" . If you don't love it hell I'LL return your money. It's one of the best albums I've heard. Well that's a whole lot of boasting but I had to share the story. Until next time.
Peace, Rick Redington
October 6th, 2001
On Sept. 25th, I headed out on my first little tour to Ohio. Because we were playing in the Finger Lakes region, we boldly called it "The Finger Tour". This would be three dates that would end up at The Fur Peace Ranch in Meigs County, Ohio. The ranch is run by Jorma Kaukonen and his lovely wife Vanessa. It is one of the coolest places to learn, listen, play, eat & unwind that I have ever been privy to. If you're a guitar or bass player it's a must. My companion for this adventure was my friend Barry Alan. Barry is the man who talked me into going out to the ranch last year and we had a great time. I was just finishing up the Destiny CD and was fortunate enough to get Jorma to record a couple of songs with me. MAJOR THRILL!!! Barry is one of those bright souls that you just can't help but love. He is a guitar player who has recently switched to the bass and was now heading out to the ranch for an intense workshop with Jack Casady (one of the very best). Barry would join me on the bass for this little outing. We also were accompanied for the first leg of the tour by Art Costello my trusty road manager/sidekick. Artie and I have some friends....(no it's true) in Ithaca named Sharon & Bubba. They have been trying to get me out there to play for quite sometime and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so. Sharon was kind enough to book us the Tuesday night at Cornell University for a frat party and the next night would be a private party in her home. Thursday night we played a club in Pomeroy, Ohio with a referral from Vanessa Kaukonen. All in all this was a great experience and I look forward to getting out and doing it again. The stories are as follows:
Tues. Sept. 25th: We arrive in Ithaca without much incident...give or take a couple of extra miles (ARTIE!) and find our way to the home of Sharon & Bubba. They have
this amazing villa style home outside of Ithaca in a town called Newfield that sits up on a beautiful little mountain of it's own with a fabulous view. They also have two very
sweet dogs that we fell in love with instantly. They made us feel right at home and we were able to sit and relax before heading down to Cornell. Upon arriving at the
college Sharon & Bubba led us to the Frat house that we would be playing at. We were introduced to Dave who seemed to be the man in charge. I was not really quite
sure how these guys would react to a large sensitive troubadour and his little bass playing friend but there was only one way to find out. Artie had us set up in no time
and there we were sitting in a frat house by ourselves! Actually the minute we started playing everyone started filtering in from their rooms and by the time
sound check was finished the room was just about full. This was a private party for the brothers of Sigma Alpha Mu and they were very receptive and kind. I unleashed about an hour of
unfamiliar music on these guys and they just sat and took it all in. I think everyone is feeling a little introspective after the shock of Sept. 11th. and these guys just
seemed to absorb what I had to say. Barry did a great job on the bass and the night just flew by. After being treated to a little Cornell hospitality and some conversation
with da boys we started our second set at which time I opened up the request lines and played some of their favorite covers as well as more of my own stuff. These guys
were just kickin' back in their own living room and enjoying the show. I told them that the next time I came I would have to have a couch of my own to perform from and
they agreed. At the end of the show we sold a bunch of discs and signed them as the guys left me with kind words and thanks. It was a great night!
Wed. Sept. 26th: After spending a day unwinding at the home of Sharon & Bubba we were ready to put on a show. These guys had invited a bunch of their friends to
come bring a dish and enjoy a show. We were supposed to play outside however it was just a bit on the cold side so we decided to play in their living room. Sharon &
Bubba have some of the sweetest friends that you could ask for and they all showed up with this amazing food!!! Nice for a food lover like myself. Bubba had prepared a
large bon fire for later in the evening and we had also converted their living room into a nice little theater setting complete with lighting and P.A. I decide to open the show
up solo and then Barry joined me about half way through the first set. Everyone was so attentive and kind. After years of being in the bar scene it is a little intimidating to
have people that focused. The songs really seemed to hit home for everyone. I have been dedicating
"Spirits Rise" to the victims and their families of Sept. 11th. and this was the song from the tour that seemed to really have the most impact. After our first set we were treated to some of the best damn food known to man-kind. Sharon &
Bubba have a roommate named George who made this outrageous Austrian Stew that will not soon be forgotten. He is also a gifted classical
guitarist.....another bonus. When our dining frenzy had subsided we decide to be brave and go out and play around the fire. This was beautiful! We just played un-plugged and had people sing along
while the fire blazed and the good vibes kept flowing. We never did make it back inside. What a wonderful time to celebrate being alive and the freedom that we
sometimes take for granted. This was a sweet night that we will remember for a long time to come. THANK YOU SHARON & BUBBA & FRIENDS!!!
Thurs. Sept 26th: We had to leave the comfort and warmth of Sharon & Bubba's home at around 8:00A.M to reach our destination of Pomeroy Ohio in time to set
up and play that night. About a 10 hour drive give or take. By now Barry and I are pretty pumped up about attending the camp for the weekend and our drive was fueled
mostly with talk of how our weekend would be. Pomeroy is this cool little town that sits on
the Ohio River and right across the river is West Virginia. When we arrive in Pomeroy we have to check into the only motel in town which is called Meigs Motel. Upon our arrival we notice many other Fur Peace Campers unloading guitars and
practicing in their rooms. We get to the Court Street
Grille just in time to set-up and try one of the clubs famous "Bungtown Burgers". Strange
name for a wonderful burger! Jackie Welker is the man behind Court Street and he was a pleasure to work with. During dinner we looked at all the wonderful people that hung on the wall of fame. This
place has seen some serious music in it's time. Jackie told us that things had been slow since the horrendous events of Sept. 11th. Indeed I have seen the same thing in
VT. We had a descent little crowd for our first set and again I was surprised at how attentive these people were to songs they had never heard before. The people were
very kind and quite responsive! Again I played most of the first set by myself and then Barry joined me for the rest of the night. I must say that Barry did a wonderful job
on the bass. It's always good in these situations to have someone to bounce off and he was that someone. I basically gave Barry a bunch of live recordings before we left
and he really did his homework. After the first set I again opened up the request lines and this time people kept requesting original tunes! BONUS! I did play a few of
everyone's favorite covers (including mine) and the night was a great success. We were invited back anytime. In fact all of these venues invited us back. We made some
new friends and fans and also contacts for a future tour. YES VIRGINIA THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS!!!
Now on to the Fur Peace Ranch!!!
More stories coming soon...including another session with Jorma and also one with Jack Casady!!! Yes Mon!