I jammed with Taxi Haskell (on drums) for the big return of their "Piano Bar Thursday Nights" in San Marcos, TX. I had a good time, and I had lots of great and unusual requests. Taxi is super-easy to perform with, and the people were definitely out to have a good time. A couple of birthday girls came up and followed instructions on "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes", and the crowd ate it up. I'll be back next Thursday night to party again!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Private Party 3/19/11
Rob Roy Parnell invited me to perform with him, as well as with Ralph "Coffee Boy" Johnson, Chris Wallis, and J.P. Whitefield tonight at a private birthday party in Dripping Springs, TX. We ran through a couple of hours of Rob's tunes, and a I even sang a couple. These guys are really a talented bunch of musicians, and I'm looking forward to working with them a bunch!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Coffee Pot Bistro 3/18/11
Only one small technical glitch with the pick-up attached to the piano made me stop about an hour into my three hour set. After I fixed it, I continued playing for the crowd drinking coffee and Taylor, the barista. I played a whole slew of originals, as well as some Beatles and Professor Longhair favorites. This is spring break in a college town, plus SXSW in Austin, so the crowd was a bit thin, but very appreciative, as was I for them. I'll be back soon at the Coffee Pot!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Gruene Hall 3/13/11
Rob Roy Parnell celebrated his 50th birthday in New Braunfels with a huge party at "Texas' Oldest Dance Hall", the famous Gruene Hall. He invited a bunch of great musicians out to perform, including his brother, Lee Roy Parnell. There was cake and a huge crowd and never less than nine musicians on the stage at any given moment. I brought two keyboard rigs (one for each side of the stage), and I rotated with four other great keyboard players all night. Lots of special guest singer/songwriters came up to perform with the band. As we were setting up, the sound crew was nervous because of the sheer number of amps and people who were performing together, but it sounded great. Sax, trumpet, two piano players, at least three guitar players, bass, drums and Rob Roy on harmonica made a thunderous wall of sound. This was a great introduction for me into the world of Texas dance halls!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Zilker Park Clubhouse 3/11/11
My first official band gig in Texas was a bunch of fun. It was in Austin at the clubhouse in Zilker Park for a private party. Pat Whitefield on bass, Chris Wallis on drums, and I were joined for a few tunes by Kira Withrow, who sang beautifully. We ran through about 75 minutes worth of stuff on a cool March evening. I'm looking forward to playing a bunch with the new Texas version of Dan Holmes Group!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Zydeco's 3/8/11
Oh, Mardi Gras, how I love you so! Random costumes and King Cake and shrimp and gumbo and jambalya and music and much, much more. I was really happy to perform with Bill Ritter, Steve Brunner and Jake Hahn one more time before leaving for home in Texas. A woman named Sharon tore the roof off on one song, "Summertime", with us. She sings every year, and is always amazing. Also, 15 years ago, the owners of Zydeco's, Deb and Carter, met at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, so in honor of the occasion, Deb bought Carter a smart car!!! He was thrilled, and everyone took turns walking out to take pictures of the happy couple. Eventful Mardi Gras!!!!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
SUMC Childcare 3/8/11
Happy Mardi Gras from all the kids at the daycare! We played for the children so they could parade around the loop of their school, while the teachers threw beads and doubloons to them. They danced and sang to classic New Orleans tunes like "Big Chief" and "I'm Walkin'". They ate King (cup)Cakes, and even crowned a king and queen of the Mardi Gras parade. The kids are always a good audience when we get a chance to perform for them!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Zydeco's 3/6/11
Brunch in Mooresville, IN was fun this morning! The one and only Bill Ritter (not the ex-basketball coach or the ex-governor of Colorado) joined Jake Hahn, Steve Brunner and myself to play some New Orleans classics to gear everyone up for Mardi Gras. Chris Wolf (dressed as Joey Ramone) showed up and performed during our break. I really enjoyed performing with the guys today (and last night). It makes me sad I couldn't take them all with me to Texas, but I'm glad I still get to play with them from time to time! Quote of the gig: "You started off as Joey Ramone and ended as Gallagher."
7th & 8th UCC 3/6/11
I was able to perform one more time before heading back to Texas for the congregation in Indianapolis. I sang "What A Wonderful World" during the offertory before I had to quickly leave to make it to Zydeco's in Mooresville, IN to perform for their brunch. I'll see everyone at 7th & 8th next time I'm in Indianapolis!
Zydeco's 3/5/11
What a party in Moorseville, IN it was tonight! Jack Joseph wore his whitest cousin Eddie shoes, while Jake Hahn went opposite with his black & white ensemble. Steve Brunner and I did not coordinate with them, so we just looked normal. The crowd was crazy, and I had so much fun watching everyone dance to the most random set list we've ever played. I was pulling out Mardi Gras classics and rock tunes, blues shuffles, and ballads for about six hours of music! The costumes were great, and my only view of a down side is I stayed late, and tomorrow I play a church service, then I'm back here for brunch! Time for bed...
Monday, February 28, 2011
SUMC Childcare 2/28/11
The kids were hoppin' in Speedway, IN, as I played a bunch of old time rock n roll for them. Each year, they do a fundraiser for their daycare by taking pledges for each hop they can do. One year, a kid hopped over 4,000 times! Ms. JoAnn and Mr. Steve had Happy Birthday sang to them by the kids, and of course, they screamed for me to play Spongebob Squarepants, which I did. It's always fun to play for the kids!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
7th & 8th UCC 2/27/11
Seventh and Eighth Church is the church in Indianapolis where I went with my parents every Sunday through jr. high and high school, and when I can, I go back to do a special song or prelude or whatever they need that week. Today, I was asked to sing a song, so I performed "Tears In Heaven" as their special song. It's nice to go see everyone in the congregation, and catch up with them from time to time!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Lakeview Manor 2/25/11
Today Bill Ritter and I performed for the residents at Lakeview Manor in Indidnapolis. My grandmother always asks when I'll come to play some "pretty music" for her and her friends there, so today was the day we tried to make her happy. She smiled and danced in her seat, while the rest of the residents sang and clapped along. When we were done, she asked us when we were going to start playing "pretty music" that everyone would enjoy. Oh, well. I tried.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Wake The Dead 2/17/11
Once more, I drove to the edge of my neighborhood to perform at the very hip coffee house known as "Wake The Dead". Slowly but surely, people wandered in and hung out as I played a four-hour, solo piano show. New friends and fans shouted for some songs they wanted to hear. My favorite was the request by a little 2-year-old girl for "Twinkle, Twinkle" so she could sing. I played it, she sang it, and then she tipped me with a sucker she had (still in its wrapper). It was literally taking candy from a baby...
Friday, February 11, 2011
Coffee Pot 2/10/11
Tonight at the Coffee Pot in San Marcos, TX, I performed a couple of hours of my favorite tunes to an appreciative crowd of mostly college students and folks who wanted to unwind from work. I was challenged by the baristas for a bunch o' Beatles tunes, so of course, I worked them in with my songs for most of the second set. I'll be back soon, and I may even bring a few guest musicians with me.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Wake The Dead 1/20/11
My first official show in San Marcos, TX was a fun night at a cool coffeehouse. I performed 5 hours of material to a great crowd of folks. The people are so supportive here of music and art in general. I sold more CDs tonight than I have at any other show! Many people requested songs of mine I had played earlier, and were very complementary of my writing. Thank you to the staff of Wake The Dead. I hope to return soon!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Antone's 1/11/11
The first place I headed when I arrived in Texas (after seeing my wife and unpacking, of course) was to the world famous Antone's. I'd like to start performing in the area ASAP, so I headed to the open stage to meet some people. I was in good company because I took the stage just after the legendary Pinetop Perkins finished his multi-song set. Pinetop is in his 90's, and has been an influence of mine for years. It was a true honor to play after him!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Zydeco's 1/2/11
Thank you, Deb, for making my last show (before I move) so much fun. I really enjoyed playing with Bill Ritter and Steve Brunner, and then getting a chance to jam with Jack Joseph, Mike Brown and Steve Brown was an unexpected treat. And, of course, listening to the great Chris Wolf playing his tunes with Jack Joseph was fun. I will miss performing at Zydeco's on a regular basis, but I promise to perform on special occasions. Until the next time, I will be sending Deb postcards from the road.
Club Tavern 1/1/11
I spent 1/1/11 in 10% of our country. That's right, five states today. Woke up in Nebraska at 6:00am (after four hours of sleep), drove through Iowa and Missouri to land in Quincy, Illinois to play my final gig with Dr. Duke Tumatoe, then drove the rest of the way through Illinois and Indiana to land at home at about 2:30am. Wow.
The gig was packed, and it was a good show to have as my last with the Doctor. It has been an honor to share the stage with him, and I'm grateful for all of the opportunities he has provided me. Tonight, he even let me hold his guitar, Al, another honor. Also, I will greatly miss working with the enormously talented Joe Maddox, and of course, my brother-from-another-mother-whose-sister-is-married-to-my-brother, Bill Ritter. Bill and Joe have made performing so easy by being a very tight rhythm section. Thank you Duke, Joe and Bill. I'll miss you, but not as much as you'll miss me! :-)
The gig was packed, and it was a good show to have as my last with the Doctor. It has been an honor to share the stage with him, and I'm grateful for all of the opportunities he has provided me. Tonight, he even let me hold his guitar, Al, another honor. Also, I will greatly miss working with the enormously talented Joe Maddox, and of course, my brother-from-another-mother-whose-sister-is-married-to-my-brother, Bill Ritter. Bill and Joe have made performing so easy by being a very tight rhythm section. Thank you Duke, Joe and Bill. I'll miss you, but not as much as you'll miss me! :-)
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Holiday Inn Midtown 12/31/10
The big New Years Party in Grand Island, Nebraska was a success! People drove in from as far as Kansas to see our show. We played two different shows, actually. A matinee show and a late show, both with an opening act, a stand-up comic by the name of Richard Reese. This was my first visit to Nebraska, and except for the drive, it was enjoyable! Midway through our first show, Duke informed the crowd this was my second to last show because I was moving to Texas to sleep with a strange woman...
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