This weekend's CD release concerts were so much FUN. Thank you to everyone who came out and made them successful!
Before the show at Tsunami Books in Eugene on Friday, I stopped by the studios of KLCC in downtown Eugene for a chat with Tom Krumm. You can listen to our interview about the CD, my musical influences, and how songwriting has changed for me this year.
Also, this weekend was the launch of my new band Brokentop. Everyone was so pro, I almost forgot we'd never actually played a show as a band before. Last week we finished up some demos, and you can listen to them on Brokentop's Facebook Page. You can also sign up to be our friend. : )
Stay tuned, my friends. You never know when I might launch another project!
NEW CD, "OCTOBER VALENTINE"
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
I am just now finishing a full-length CD with 11 songs (7 are mine, 4 are borrowed) and some of the best pickers in the NW and beyond (Jonathan Byrd, Dale Adkins, Jeff Smith, and Lincoln Crockett to name a few).
The CD October Valentine will be available for purchase from me at shows and through my website starting at the end of November. (I will DEFINITELY let you know.) The Portland “pre-release” concert is on November 29, 2009 at Mississippi Studios. The band members will be Dale Adkins (guitar, banjo), Suzanne Pearce (bass), Richey Bellinger (octave mandolin, dobro), Skip vonKuske (cello) and Lincoln Crockett (guitar, mandolin).
The official release will be January 1, 2010. That is the date on which the CD will be available in stores and on iTunes, CDBaby, etc., and we’ll do more CD release concerts around the NW in early 2010.
One reason for the “pre-release” concert is to be able to play the Portland release concert with Lincoln Crockett who has been a huge part of my musical life this year. He is about to take a break from performing and embark on other adventures, and had the idea for a double-bill with him and his band, the Enemies. It’s a “farewell-for-now” show for Lincoln and a CD release for me.
The other reason is to give YOU, my amazing supporters and fans, the opportunity to get your very own copy of "October Valentine" (and copies for all your friends and loved ones) before 2010. I will let you know the minute they are available!
It’s going to be a great show marking the beginnings of new chapters for both Lincoln and myself. Hope to see you there.
“River City Folk is an engaging mix of live performance, interview, and recordings. Hosted by veteran singer-songwriter Tom May, each program features a folk artist or group from across North America who performs live in the studio. Through Tom's interview with the artist, and recordings that have influenced them, the listener is entertained by a unique perspective on the living tradition that is folk music.”
In the studio Lincoln and I traded tunes, and backed each other up, and had a ton of fun in the process. Tom interviews us both, so hopefully you’ll learn something about each of us.
They don’t broadcast this show in my town, but you have several chances this week to stream it on the internet. It is not a podcast, though, so you have to catch it at the right time. Here’s the schedule (on Pacific Time):
If you are not on Pacific Time, go to River City Folk, click on the “Internet Broadcasts” link, and publicradiofan.com will help you find a broadcast in your time zone.
LUCKY FINN ON YOU TUBE!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
If you were thinking of staying home next Sunday and NOT catching Lucky Finn for FREE at the cutest little coffeehouse in Sellwood where you can also drink a yummy porter or glass of wine, you are NUTS! To prove it, I've posted this video of us at Trout Lake, WA. Come join us! We love you!
"SONGWRITING IS NOT A COMPETITIVE SPORT."
Thursday, February 19, 2009
So says Guy Clark. And we know it’s true. But contests are a lot more than just competitions. We performers have to raise our game a little, craft that perfect line, control the nerves that are certainly set on edge by performing for our peers.
Tonight the Portland Songwriter’s Association held the finals of their annual competition to name the Performing Songwriter of the Year. I am very proud to announce that I somehow nabbed the title of “Runner-Up.” Congratulations to the winner Lisa Forkish and to all the fantastic songwriters showcased throughout the competition. May we continue to write with our hearts and inspire each other!
IT'S VALENTINE'S DAY. PASS THE CHOCOLATE.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
So what if today is Valentine’s Day? I did my celebrating last night at Airplay Café, joined in a night of miserable, heart-wrenching, sad love songs by Kate Mann and Paula Sinclair. Thanks to all of you who came out hankies-in-hand to shed a tear and have a laugh at the romantic mishaps we shared.
Tomorrow I head over to Sisters, Oregon to record some fiddle and harmony vocals on the forthcoming recording of my friend Kathy Marshall. We shared a tee-pee at the Americana Song Academy in 2006, and now with the help of Brent Alan, Kathy is recording some of her beautiful songs.
Other “song camp” alums I have recorded with this year are Steve Meckfessel, Don Bellairs and of course, Carol Harley with her bluegrass group the Misty Mamas. (I’m digging doing all this recording, so feel free to contact me if you or someone you know is looking for some fiddle and/or harmony vocals.)
LUCKY FINN AT THE TROUT LAKE GRANGE
Monday, January 26, 2009
Many of you already know about my collaboration with Lincoln Crockett, my yin-yang twang twin. (It’s a little weird how many people have told us we seem like siblings.)
What you may not know is that we found a third. Nicolas Miranda, guitar-superhero has joined us in our endeavor to bring prog-folk to the masses.
We are calling our trio Lucky Finn. This weekend we had a blast playing the Grange in Lincoln’s new hometown of Trout Lake, Washington. Saturday was our third show together, but our first real Concert. I mean, the guys wore suits. It was the real deal.
We played hoppin’ bluegrass tunes and songs written by Lincoln and myself. Lincoln’s harmonies add so much to my songs that now I hear them even when he is not there! And Nicolas’s guitar work is so creative and tasty, and it adds that steady rhythm over which Lincoln and I can go any direction.
We are on the brink of announcing a regular Sunday happy-hour show in SE Portland, so stay tuned for more about this dynamic trio!
