Catching Up…
October 29, 2008 at 5:30 am (Michigan Music, Playing Live) (Carrick House Concerts, Lamb's Retreat, Sam Corbin, Seven Bridges, Solid Grounds, Sonic Bids, White Crow Conservatory)
A few random thoughts…
Looks like I’m going to head out to Clarkston soon to check out the Carrick House Concerts. Craig and his wife were cool enough to find me in the Myspace maze and drop me a line. They sound like solid folks who have a pretty good thing going out that way and I’m looking forward to catching a show sometime soon.
Last night was another great open mic show at Solid Grounds. Steve (founder of the event) is taking a little break from hosting, but has been coming up to check on us. Darwin has been doing a great job of filling in. Lots of great new blood coming out. My old band, Seven Bridges, has been out a few times recently and we’ve had fun playing a few tunes together. Getting up with them to sing Seven Bridges Road last night was a real treat (even if I was sick and didn’t remember all the words).
Although I “made my mind up” to do this, I’ve been putting off registering for the Lamb’s Songwriter’s Retreat. It looks like such a blast, but money/time don’t grow on trees and all that. There’s no way to know what this songwriting/performing adventure will end up being someday, but this is my small way of investing a little bit into that. And I don’t mean just monetarily. I’ve lived in the “now” for the last couple of years when it comes to music. This may be a chance to build for the future. More to come on that I hope.
Got my first lead for a gig through Sonic Bids. I’ll be playing at The White Crow Conservatory in Saginaw on February 7, 2009. This is a pretty cool deal, if you ask me. They host a Songwriter’s Showcase every first Saturday of the month. I’ll be performing with a guy named Sam Corbin (who I’ve heard of but have not met). My guess is that I’m gonna be totally out of my league with this thing, but hopefully I’ll learn a lot and have a great time.
11/02/08 – EDIT: Ok, so I MAY have met Sam Corbin. After checking out his myspace and listening to his tunes, I realized that he was one of the performers at The Ark Open Stage back in March when Arlington Station got to play! Ok, I just needed to clarify that. And Kalamazoo is one of a bunch of great tunes this guy does. Go check him out! J
Solid Grounds With Friends
October 24, 2008 at 5:20 am (Playing Live) (Arlington Station, Darwin Mamassian, James Humphries, Solid Grounds)
What a great evening of friends and music at Solid Grounds in Northville tonight. Darwin and I split an evening there and had a blast. While I was on stage tonight, I realized that this show was a “first” of sorts. As much as I’ve been playing out the last few years, this was the first show I’ve booked as a solo act. All the others over the years have been open mics or performances with my band Arlington Station. The last Arlington Station show was (I think) August 15. Tonight marked my first show as a solo act. Pretty cool. Glad to share it with friends.
Dar did his usual great set! A friend of mine from work, Jim Humphries was there to play some harp with me but he found a place on stage during a few of Dar’s tunes as well! Sounded great! Dar had me come up and help with a new original of his. Felt great to play together!
Jim came up and played along with me on a few tunes during my set! What a great sound! All those afternoons on the sidewalk of Ethan Allen paid off! Dar came up near the end and led us in Neil Young’s Helpless. I followed Dar on guitar and sang harmony. Will the Circle Be Unbroken was last. Dar, Jim and I all played to finish off a great night of music.
Thanks to all our friends and family members who came out to support local music. We really appreciate it. And, finally, a huge thanks to Teresa and Rita at Solid Grounds for letting us take over the place once in awhile.
Night!
J
This Is Why I Don’t Drink Coffee
October 14, 2008 at 5:31 am (Playing Live) (Darwin Mamassian, Dave & Lisa Chambers, Greg Stryker, Satin Steel, Seven Bridges, Solid Grounds, Tuesday Night Music Club)
Stopped by Solid Grounds for the Tuesday open mic. Started sort of slow. Dave & Lisa showed up and said Keith was coming. He and Vick showed up a little later. I did a few covers my first time up. 7B did a few songs as well. Darwin was there and did his usual awesome job. There was a “new guy” there, though, that blew me away. Turns out dude was Greg Stryker! I used to listen to his band years ago! We may have even shared a stage with them back in the Satin Steel days. Greg is a wonderful singer and songwriter.
Anyhoo… a few times during the night we all sort of got up and jammed. We did Peaceful Easy Feelin’ with Dave, Lisa, Keith, me, Greg and some others. When I got up for my last song I got everyone back up for Will the Circle Be Unbroken. Then Keith and I did Folsom Prison Blues. And lastly, Greg and Lisa did a fun version of Bon Jovi’s Who Says You Can’t Go Home.
This was a great example of why I play. And even though I had no coffee tonight, I am gonna be wired as can be for the next few hours trying to come down off the high of tonight. Wooooo….
See you all Friday, October 24th!
John
