The Old King's Reel is off to the duplication house. Now I'm trying to put my life back in order. I fear I've ignored everything else for months. I'd stare down the dustbunnies and ignore mail that wasn't urgent. I have piles of mail to sort through and hundreds of emails to go through. I've spent the last few days cleaning my office and trying to triage the mess I'm facing. Now I've got to get ready for the shows that are coming up. I need a day off and don't know when I'll be able to take one.

After the first CD I promised myself I would never feel rushed again in finishing up a CD. Somehow I did it again. Created a deadline for myself and had to make it. Maybe I work better that way. Had some wonderful people join me for the CD. People I've always admired and it was just a thrill to get to work with them. I've always thought Kat Eggleston was remarkable. One of the best songwriters and performers I've ever seen. Well that's Kat singing a duet with yours truly on the album. She's on several cuts. Life doesn't get any better than that. Accordion wizard John Williams (the closest thing to Mozart you'll ever hear in this era) is on several of the songs. The great Canadian guitarist Tony McManus is on a couple. And while you don't know his name, Alain Genty is the best bass player on the planet. I'm not joking. He's astonishing and he's all over the album. I don't know if you know of Jacqueline Schwab, but she's played on the Ken Burns soundtracks and is the pianist for Bare Necessities. For years I've wanted her on one of my songs. Now she's on several. She brought with her the cellist she uses when she's playing Scottish material. That's Reinmar Seidler, and he turned out to be a real find.

And then there's Jerry Thiel. I've always loved his singing. He was on the first CD. After which, he asked me to produce his CD. (That's been a big part of my life the last two years. It will be out soon, and it's going to be big.) So Jerry's in there singing harmonies for me. One of the best parts of this life is getting to meet really neat people. I've been getting to know Mark Dvorak and Don Steirnberg of late and they're just a kick to hang out with. So I dragged them in just because I thought they'd be fun to work with. But they're also great musicians. I think I'd forgotten how good they are. I sort of think of Mark as this genial presense. So there was a little moment of shocked remembering as I was recording Mark's banjo part, "Oh wow, right, he's really very good. Supercool." Ingrid Graudins I'd never heard of. But Don Steirnberg said she was incredible. Among the music people of Chicago, she's sort of the legendary harmony singer. She's got a very nice CD of her own out as well. She's on one cut and a second song that will be on the next CD. I met Carol Francis through English Country Dancing, she plays flute for the dance band Putting on Aires. I heard one of her compositions and was very impressed. So I asked her to play on the CD.

As a song writer it's hard to have perspective on your own songs. Each time I finish a song I think it's some kind of masterpiece. And then a few weeks later it just seems OK. So I remember last fall wondering if this album would be as good as the first. I'd finished recording my parts for most of the songs, and I'd been working on these songs for so long it started to feel lifeless to me. I was worried. And then people started adding their genius to the songs and suddenly all the sparkle was back. I think it's a good album. I'm happy.

Oh, and I won the Annual Talent Show at the Coffee House in Milwaukee last night. I'll be going back May 3, for the winner's concert. Life is good.
February 17, 2008

Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore was so worth the trip up to Munising, Michigan. Below is Nancy & Jeff Dwyer who run the place. Charlotte, bless your heart for the invitation.

September 17, 2007 (My birthday, by the way.)

I may have to stop calling this Notes from the Road. I'm staying in this summer and working feverishly on finishing up Jerry Thiel's CD and my next one. It's not very glamorous. Trying to get the computer to behave, working on songs, recording this piece or that, editing what I've recorded, trying to get the balance right in the mix. A lot of time doing business stuff. That's what singer / songwriters do. They run a business and they're the product being sold. Big yawn.
June 7, 2007

White Crow Conservatory. Zig Zeitler and Susan O’Rourke went and bought a church and have turned it into a music conservatory/recording studio/concert hall. The breadth of the vision and moxie it must have taken to go ahead with the project is stunning. They had a bouzouki for sale at the conservatory that was a thing of amazing beauty. I somehow lost control of my senses and bought it. I've always wanted one of these things. I've promised myself I'll write a song with it so I can play it in concert. After the show we spent several hours around the kitchen table doing music.
May 12, 2007

Live! From The Living Room / AJ's Café. Checking out Econo Lodge. Too much time watching the TV and not enough time song-writing. Got to see Megan, an old friend from Sacred Harp Singing. Both nice venues. Bless the people who keep folk music alive by putting on concert series. Where would we all be without them.
May 6, 2007

Texas Songwriters' Serenade at the Fiddler's Frolic. Hallettsville, Texas, is this small town right out of Friday Night Lights (great show by the way). Population around 2700 if I read the sign right. Except when the Texas State Fiddling Championship comes to town and then there's this are about a mile square full of cars and more RVs than I never new existed. Woodstock Texas style. Watching the other contestants play I remember thinking, How the heck do you pick the winners? I get picked as one of the five "Finalists" but when they announce the Winner, it ain't me. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. The Finalists get some cash and guitar strap with "Fiddler's Frolic" embossed on it. It was a fun experience. Check out Aunt Carol's Bed & Breakfast if you're ever visiting Hallettsville.
April 28, 2007

Northern Wisconsin, Clark Place / Acoustic Cafe. Evidently one of the press releases I sent out did some good and there was a short article about me in the paper. Don't doubt that such efforts on the artist's part are noticed by the venue. Does the artist do what he can to promote the event? The room is huge, but people show up and it's a good show. Sell five t-shirts. Usually I sell one or none. Why five tonight? Sometimes life is a mystery. Boy, Clark Place is the perfect venue defined. The sound was impeccable. The stage is painted as this really great street scene. They've got a green room so you can warm up and get dressed in private. Everybody there was warm, welcoming and helpful. If you're thinking of creating a venue, visit Clark Place and take notes.
Tomorrow night I get to open for Bill Camplin at the Lake County Folk Club. I think he's super, so this should be fun.
April 14, 2007

Chicago. Last night I did an open mic with ten people listening. When I stepped off the stage a number of people thanked me, said nice things and give me their names for the mailing list. Three people bought CDs. Two songs and I sold three CDs! I drove home feeling elated and a little stunned. A year ago that wouldn't have happened. These days I'm more and more selling CDs at open mics. What's changed? The song that generated the biggest reaction was an old one. The only thing I can think of that's changed is the quality of my performance. I'd like to think I'm getting better at this.
April 7, 2007

I've made it up to northern Minnesota. I've got into town a day early so I can do the open mic and promo the show. I'm amazed at the room. It's standing room only. I'm so glad I decided to do this. I look around for the posters I sent them. They're not up. I ask the guy in charge and he says he never saw them. Well, at least I might be able to generate some interest with the open mic. Then this guy who sings traditional Irish songs a capela gets up on stage and starts to sing. He's not great. The room empties. I've never seen anything like it. One minute there's not an empty seat in the hall and now there's four of us in the room. I mean, he wasn't that bad. So I play to a nearly empty room. That isn’t going to save the situation. So now I'm starting to worry. No posters; no boost from the open mic. Will anyone show up the next night? The following night a snowstorm settles over the city. One fellow shows up who saw me at the open mic. I do the show for him. But you know what, he listens and pays attention. He seems to be enjoying the music. I sing these songs every day at home to an empty room. So what the hell. He buys the CD and we chat a little bit. At the end of the evening I realize I had a perfectly nice evening. A larger audience would have been nice, but I'm glad I came.

The next day I do a fascinating radio interview. Boy, John's done his homework and has great questions. Afterwards, I'm sitting in a restaurant eating lunch and thinking about the life choices I've made. How often does a radio interview get you thinking like that? That night at Amazing Grace there's a good crowd. When you’ve got radio support and the venue does its part to promote the event, playing on the road works. John and Lori put me up in Duluth for the week. One of the best parts about playing on the road is the people you meet. John and Lori perform as a duo and I caught their show after I’d done my show the night before. They’re awfully good. Why do people that good not make it big and others do? I guess it’s a crap shoot.
March 18, 2007

Michigan, Upper Peninsula. So I drive for a day through a snowstorm some of it on scary two lane roads with cars in the ditch. You can hardly see the car in front of you and passing is something you resolve not to try again. I still manage to get to the venue on time. When I walk in the door, the fellow behind the counter looks stunned and his jaw literally drops. “We didn’t think there was any way on earth you could possibly make it through. I’m afraid they’ve shut down the town. The city council meeting’s been cancelled. The police are telling people to stay indoors. I don’t think you’re going to get much of a crowd and we’re thinking of shutting down early.” Outside the snow is falling horizontally. I open up the back of the van and within a few seconds the entire interior is covered with snow. I go ahead and set up just in case. No one shows up. I pack up and then go from restaurant to restaurant trying to find one that’s still open so I can get something to eat. Finally I managed a chicken sandwich at Burger King. Oh the glamour.

The next day I’m in Rapid River and in the afternoon before the show I do a workshop for the local kids on songwriting. Since I’ve puzzled over the issue of how to write good songs for so many years, talking about it with other people is a huge amount of fun for me. Later I hear that one of the kids in the workshop got all stoked and wrote several songs in the next few days. Despite the continuation of the snow we get a modest crowd for the show that night. So Rapid River and Cuppa Jo Java save the day. The woman who guides the 4H kids who run the coffeehouse is Deb Nedau. She sort of a surrogate mother for a whole bunch of kids there and is just full of positive energy. We need more Debs in this world.
March 4, 2007

Minnesota. January Trip. I had this great tour set for Minnesota and sent out reminder emails the week before to the venues. Saturday night’s venue emails back and says there must be some mistake. We have someone else booked for that night. One of us messed up somehow. And of course I’m thinking it’s the venue’s fault but they’re probably assuming I screwed up. Who knows. So then I’m scrambling to fill that night. I get an offer from the Oak Center General Store. Steve is willing to let me open for Dave Moore. Hell, I’m thrilled. Opening for someone can mean a bigger audience and more CDs sold than doing your own show. I won’t get paid but Steve can put me up for the night. I’m thrilled to have a replacement for Saturday night. It turns into an amazing experience. On the first floor is a store, but climb these very steep steps and you’re in this huge concert hall. And while the store is in the middle of nowhere, Steve regularly fills the room. I spend the afternoon talking to Steve. He’s this philosopher who’s dedicated is life to alternative energy, living right on the land, doing things with his hands. He’s completely open and honest about his life. That talk we had through a dusky afternoon is still palpable in my memory. That night Dave draws about 70 people. I get a very positive response and sell a bunch of CDs. Dave’s show is a delight. Steve and Dave decide to pay me after all and Steve says he’d like to have me back. Hanging out with Steve and Dave after the show is very mellow. I need to be patient, but this life works for me. After the debacle of the failed booking, this outcome is something of a miracle. Some nights are disappointments and some night turn out better than you could have ever imagined. And you never know how it’s all going to pan out. But you don’t get to luck into the great nights unless you’re out there risking the disappointments.
January 21, 2007

I've discovered I don't mind the motels. But this business does require patience. Even though I've had some success getting the music on the radio, it's still a struggle. While I've kind of risen from out of the unheard masses, there are still 1,000 incredibly-talented, hard-working, well-established artists ahead of me in the line and they (quite rightfully) have first dibs on the great gigs. I am cultivating patience. I've already begun recording the next album. I've got some new songs I'm very pleased with.
There's a fellow who use to be my hero named Jerry Thiel. He was the lead singer for Shanks Pony. And I always thought he was amazing. Well, he liked what I did with my album and asked me to produce his solo album. We've been recording that for the last six months. It's coming along nicely and I think we'll end up with one stunning CD. He's now more like a friend than a hero, but that's a fair tradeoff. While I really enjoy recording and producing and am tempted to do more of it, it takes away from working on my own career. So I question whether I can afford the time.
Oh, I should tell you about the contest. I tried entering a songwriting contest a few years back. Didn't win, decided I'd wasted the entry fee money and resolved not to be so foolish again. Trouble is, this is a very competitive business we're in and everybody's trying to beef up their resume. (Would you believe Performing Songwriter has a paid circulation of 55,000? There's a lot of people out there trying to do this.) So I know people who've spent over a thousand dollars sending songs into the song contests, hoping and praying that lightening might strike. But then a few months back I ran across the Great Lakes Songwriting Competition, which has a proviso that you have to live in a state or province with some sort of border with one of the great lakes before you can enter. It dawned on me that half the songwriters wouldn't be able to enter and instead of thousands of entries, the competition might be manageable. Rather sneaky of me, but I decided this was the contest for me. The entry fee got cheaper after the first song and I had no idea what I should send in, so I sent in five songs. Then a few weeks ago I got a phone call from the contest. The fellow sounded rather excited and explained I had won three honorable mentions. So over the phone I'm trying to sound pleased, but I'm afraid I'm thinking Dang, honorable mention isn't really something I want to put on the resume. Then he announces, "And 'We Were A Family' took third place." And I want to be gracious but that nagging feeling won't go away, If I were looking at a resume and it said Third Place, I wouldn't be all that impressed. Shoot. Then he finishes, "And 'Shine' came in at second place." So I've been keeping track and that accounts for all five songs. So I know there are no more surprises in store. And I'm thinking, So close. So I said, "Look, how about if I trade you second and third place for first place. That way more people can win something." And he said, "I don't think we can do that." And the truth is, I didn't really say that. I made up that last little exchange. But I was thinking it. Ah well, the people at the contest were really nice. I got several hundred dollars worth of a gift cirtificate from Elderly Instruments. (So now I just have to figure out what to spend it on.) They're throwing a winners celebration contest in February that I'm looking forward to playing at. It's not quite as cool as first place, but second and third combined almost qualifies as cool, almost.
September 19, 2006

It was a fun winter, got to play some gigs I wouldn't have had a chance at before the CD came out. Just learned that a bunch of radio stations have started playing cuts from the CD. I've got tours set up in May for Michigan and Iowa. (Does three shows qualify as a tour?) We'll see how I like the cheap motel life. During the year I when I was working on the CD I never felt I could take the time to work on songs, so ideas sort of piled up. Notes all over the house. In the last few months I've finally felt free to buckle down and turn things into finished songs. So that's been a kick. (The most fun you have in this line of work is when a new song starts to come together.) I've decided hauling equipment to gigs is the equivalent of having a health club membership.
April 22, 2006

Did you know that being a performing songwriter involves a great deal of clerical work? That part of things never seems to end and can gobble up all the time you know should be spent writing songs and practicing. This is not a glamorous profession. I've spent the last month updating the web-site, sending CDs out to radio stations, moving my mail list over to a new database so I can process orders off the internet and trying to clear my desk off. On the fun side of things, I'm also producing a CD for a friend of mine, Jerry Thiel. I've been a big fan of his for a very long time and now he's paying me to record him. Is this a great life or what? I've got Two Way Street Coffee House coming up on January 13. I'll have Jeanne T. Arrigo, Diccon Lee and Jerry Thiel helping out with harmonies and backup. So for me it will be a really special night, one that makes all the clerical nonsense worth it. Even got some new stuff to do. Can't wait.
December 26, 2005

Is it really April already? I feel like I've been in a long dream. For the last few months nearly all my waking moments have been devoted to the CD. I've made real progress. Most of my work on the album (my singing and playing) is finished. In the coming weeks I'll be recording the various bands: rock, celtic, classical and even one song where I'd like to use a jazz trio. Then there'll be additional mixing and mastering. And that should do it. Except then I'll have to worry about art work. I don't know; I have to believe it will be done someday or I'll fall apart. But the good news is, there's some really good stuff that I'm thrilled with.
April 14, 2005

The picture above was from the Masthouse on July 5. I ought to thank Russ Ward for taking it (he and Diane were playing that night as well - nice harmonies).

There was an article about me in the September 26 issue of the Evanston Review.

I've had six new songs that I'm pleased with in the last few months. (That's a breakneck speed for me, usually a song takes forever.) I've been putting together a recording studio and the summer was supposed to be spent focused on recording. However, everything took twice as long as I expected. It wasn't until September that everything was in place. But even with the studio functional, it's slow going. I've got a lot to learn about the software I'm using. I've got three of the new songs up, and a few more should be appearing in the next month.
October 23, 2003