Wonderchickenscratch

Jan 2010: Japan with Shelley King! Launch for the brand new www.carolynwonderland.com Texas dates, Texas Guitar Women date and a return to Bismeaux Studios!

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:49:20 -0600

Shelley King and I had the great honor of touring Japan together again. This year’s tour was dubbed “the Truth” and we had more than our share of fun and loved hanging out with our friends. Here’s a brief rundown of the trip: 1st night, fly into Narita (Tokyo), stay in Yokohama. Visit Gibson Ginza (Tokyo) and pick up the guitars they have graciously provided us for the tour. Shelley played a beautiful Hummingbird and I really dug my Les Paul Custom. While we were at the showroom we got to play on the new line of robot guitars. I love the Dusk Tiger. It self-tunes for 5-7 presets and you can program your own tunings, too. It also has a bank of sounds that make for a pretty versatile guitar. There are photos of our visit on Gibson Japan’s site. (searchable soon) Yasuhito had also rented me a very nice Mastertone Lap Steel. It was awesome! Our first show was at Thumb’s Up in Yokohama Fri, Jan 15. Great sound and good to start the tour off with friends in the audience. On Sat the 15th we found the lovely Cafe Tukihoshi in Ayabe had snow on the ground, an array of awesome guitars upstairs, great food from Noriko, sweet potato Shochu and a lovely crowd. I was shocked, overwhelmed and delighted to be gifted Kosuke’s ukelele and made a habit of playing at least one song a night on it. I worked a up a fun version of Shelley’s “I Can’t Make It Easy” and Billy Joe Shaver’s “Honey Bee” during the trip and have worked up Nick Lowe’s “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding” and wrote a short tribute to Roy Smeck. I truly love the ukelele and promise to post some video with it soon! We also were treated to a trip to Kazamatsu Park where we looked at the world upside down and pitched clay discs at the circle. It was a great trip up the mountain. Cafe Kiyu in Nose on Sunday the 17th was great! We walked up to the venue and were greeted by this beautiful sign (posted above at the blog) and great art on fans by the all original Miwako Moroto. We played and enjoyed the company and wonderful dinner. Oi Shi! Monday the 18th, I visited the Hiroshima Peace Park with Shelley, Hiroko and our friend Shuichi. After a few boxes of tissue, all I can say is it matters not who starts war, rather it is important we all take responsibility for creating peace. We took a boat to Matsuyama. Played to great dancers and the rowdiest, most fun crowd again at Konaya in Saijo, on the 19th hung out with Spanky and his family for a great dinner.and met up with our friends Joachim, Himo and Gunter from Austria! They flew in to surprise us! We played at BarTaxi that night, the 20th, with Eiji sitting in on keyboards for a few songs. He is so cool! Great stage at the Takutaku in Kyoto on the 21st! It seems like everyone we love has played that stage. Hanging out in Kyoto n the 22nd, we visited my favorite Shinto shrine with our favorite tour guide, and our first visit to the 1200 year old Kiyomizu Buddist Temple (for Bodhisattva ~ no nails in the wood, built on a mountainside) followed by a trip to the bamboo forest, many drinks with two of the sweetest Geishas, traditional Japanese dinner, more drinks... We visited this art gallery and met with the talented Ms Erika Fujiwara. She will have an opening in Zurich Feb 1-26. www.galleryten.net I encourage all of my friends to go check her art out! Shelley and I stopped by Big Pink to have a bite and check out the music and pictures of Scrappy, Bruce, Rosie, The Resentments, Matt and the Spankers. We played with a guest rhythm section for a few songs, Woo and Heath (who rocked, all the way!) at DNA Rock Cafe in Kanazawa on Sat, 23rd. Robert runs a fun fun fun club. We had a great time followed by a great dinner with our friends from Big Pink and we ended the tour at the soulful Cafe Goatee in Kamakura on Sunday the 24th. It was great to again see our friends (like Jin, Maggie, Mari) along the way. It is great to make new friends, too. Keiji had met us at the airport with Yasuhito and now we were wrapping up our tour in his cafe. I was so proud to sign my first CD to someone in hiragana. We all cried at dinner knowing it was time to go home and hearing Stephen Bruton singing on the stereo. We woke the next morning, stopped by Gibson to thank them for the use of the Les Paul custom and the Hummingbird. The Iwanadesans had just returned from the States the previous day (where they were at the NAMM show) and we were lucky to have a chance to thank them in person. We had one more great lunch at the first restaurant and last restaurant of the tour in Tokyo before starting the long drive to the airport. I know none of this would be possible without the help of my friends. Thank you BIG time to Yasuhito, Toshihiro, Hiroko, Eiji, Keiji, Kousuke, Noriko, all our friends at Kiyu! Thank you, Shelley for taking this trip together with me. I cannot wait to see everyone again when I bring Cole and Lefty to Japan with me this September. We landed safely after the luxury of ANA business class flight from Tokyo. (thanks again, Yasuhito!) to this great news: Shelley’s new CD with members of the Subdudes, “Welcome Home” was climbing the Americana Charts up to #28 from last week’s #36, and #3 in Europe! Welcome Home, indeed!
Along with all the great things and blessings in this life, there is the twinge of pain from events like the devastation in Haiti, the cold chill that stays in your conscience from visiting a place devastated by mankind on mankind, like the remains at Hiroshima, and the sad news that my father had fallen ill and was briefly hospitalized while we were on tour. I feel it our calling to bring joy wherever we have the opportunity, and sometimes that joy is hard to muster up from that well of existence we find ourselves mired in. It is at these times I am truly glad for the support of my friends. I am honored by the love and your prayers for my father’s health. My prayers join them every day, along with the prayer of thanks and that I become an instrument of Peace. I am happy to report we are playing a benefit at Antone’s to send more aid to Haiti on Sunday the 31st.

Joachim did an amazing job on our brand new www.carolynwonderland.com ! Check out the pages in Austrian and Japanese. We are so glad to have it up and running. Dates are always updated on the tourdates page first, so do check in from time to time and feel free to sign up on the mailing list. I am actually going to send one out monthly. Don’t be surprised when the merch page changes in the coming weeks, and thanks to Joachim for listing links to our available CDs, “Miss Understood,” “Bloodless Revolution,” “Alcohol & Salvation.” We are looking to reissue older CDs, ”Bursting With Flavor,” “Play With Matches,” “TruckStop Favorites, Vol.2” and “Groove Milk” in the near future. I will certainly drop an email when those titles become available. I am also happy to report one can order the CD from Jerry Lightfoot’s Band of Wonder (featuring Vince Welnick and Carolyn Wonderland): “Texisitentialism”; follow the links on our “shop” tab as well. Finally, for everyone wanting to get a copy of Gregory Truett Smith’s poster art that is our “Miss Understood World Tour” Poster, you can find it in both poster and T-Shirt designs in the shop in addition to older T-Shirts from Bloodless Revolution and other sundries... A fabulous new design from Gregory is on the way as well as more new stuff on the horizon.
 Dig the FaceBook? Click here to our www.facebook.com/wonderchicken site.  If you swing the MySpace way, find us at www.myspace.com/carolynwonderland and Twitterers hop over to www.twitter.com/carolynwonderla and of course, there’s the blog right here at web.mac.com/wonderchicken The mailing list can be joined here or at www.reverbnation.com/carolynwonderland There are over 472 videos on YouTube [really !?!?!] ... And try Google!

We’ll be in Texas for a spell! Come se us!  
Fri 29 - Austin, TX - KGSR’s “Lone Star State of Mind” - Live Broadcast from Saxon Pub. Doors at 8pm, on-air 10pm with our special guest, Shelley King and sets by Betty Soo and Paula Nelson. www.thesaxonpub.com

Sat 30 - Houston, TX - the Meridian with special guest, Scotty Dee playing with us and opening sets by Richard Cagle and the Voodoo Choir, Idol Hand, and Mojofromopolis. http://www.meridianhouston.com/ConcertsEvents/tabid/57/Default.aspx

Sun 31 - Austin, TX - Hope for Haiti - all ages musical benefit featuring: Del Castillo, Carolyn Wonderland, Johnny Goudie with Suzanna Choffel, Nina Sighn, Kathy Valentine, Savanna Welch, Love at War, and Paul Renna. Doors at 6, show at 7pm. www.antones.net

February finds me with the Texas Guitar Women (Cindy Cashdollar, Sue Foley, Sarah Brown, Lisa Pankratz and me) at the Don Gibson Theatre in Shelby, NC Friday, Feb 5th, back in Texas with Cole and Lefty to play Camp Street Cafe in Crockett, Texas on Friday the 12th, and at Antone’s that Saturday for an early all ages show. We have another show in Houston at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar on Saturday the 27th and will be spending as much time as possible working on the new record with Sam Lightnin’ Seifert and Ray Benson at Bismeaux Studios.

Thanks so much for your support. This year will find us on the road a great deal. March will see us spending more time working on the record and playing around Texas, hitting SXSW, an appearance on VideoRanch3d in the virtual world, Dosey Doe in the Woodlands, Antone’s and our return to the Last Concert Cafe at the end of the month. April has more shows at home wrapping up with our tour of Belgium and the Netherlands, during late April into May, before flying to New York to tour the East (Woodstock, NYC, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Toronto, Cleveland, Ann Arbor) with Guy Forsyth (!!!!!!) and then we fly to Swizerland, coming back to Austin on the first of June. We’ll hit a few dates in Texas before heading up Omaha way, and back to a few more Texas shows before the July 4th weekend brings us to the High Sierra Festival, then heading to Canada and going to Austria for the last few weeks of July. August has us headed to Colorado and the Midwest, September looks like a California trip with a tour of Japan for the end of the month. whew! I am going to miss home... but I look forward to seeing our families on the road, too.

2009: A Year in the Life of Carolyn Wonderland

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:11:19 -0600

2009: A Year in the Life of Carolyn Wonderland

Well, I finally got my blog updated & it made me think. Perhaps a year end retelling of wild adventures is in order. So, here it is, the freshly updated blog for 2009 in chronological order! Get yourself comfy, it’s a long winded tale broken into chapters...(You can see all of these entries with pictures and occasional video in the previous blog posts at http://web.mac.com/wonderchicken)

+++Jan. / Feb. We Heart Eldridge Benefit, that California Trip, Texas Guitar Women, Free Laurie Freelove.

The new year started off with a benefit for one of our dearest friends, Eldridge Goins. He had to undergo some heavy surgery to remove a big nasty tumor from his chest. He has really gross pictures of it (not for the squeamish) on his facebook page. HAAM (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians) helped immeasurably. He might not have been able to find out what was going on without their help. As great as that help is, hospital bills for the uninsured really stack up. Guy Forsyth and I took to the airwaves and hit both KGSR and KLBJFM to promote the concert. (you can hear “Judgment Day Blues” from the Dudley and Bob Show on Angela’s blog here: www.westwhim.com search for Carolyn Wonderland and Guy Forsyth) The benefit at Antone’s saw a stellar line up of bands Eldridge has been in over the years take to the stage. Drew Smith, Suzanna Choffel, Guy Forsyth & we played. Eldridge got up and played kit and sat in with folks. Mr. Goins has contributed so much to the music in Austin not only as the kick ass drummer, but also as a kind ear & studio wunderkind on many albums, including our “Alcohol & Salvation”, Loose Affiliation of Saints and Sinners’ “Sessions from the Hotel San Jose, Rm. 50” (featuring Eldridge on drums & behind the board, me, Papa Mali, Guy Forsyth, Sarah Brown, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Neil Pedersen, Rob Jewett, Gurf Morlix & Chris McCarty,- this release was ranked in the top ten records of 2002 by New York Times Syndicate’s John Shelton Van Ivany) There’s a whole lot more to find out about Eldridge, you can look to his www.mixoramarecords.com and find him on myspace and facebook. If you would like to contribute to Eldridge’s hospital bills, you can make your contribution here: http://frances.chipin.com/eldridges-hospital-bills
THAT CALIFORNIA TRIP...We flew out of Austin on the 14th and up to Northern California to play a bunch of fun shows bang-pow-boom right in a row. the 15th had us in Santa Rosa. We spent the afternoon playing on air with the groovier than get out Bill Bowker at KRSH, we played later that night at the Last Day Saloon. I hadn’t been there since the club moved from San Francisco. I am happy to report the room is stellar and the whole crew is as hoppin’. I flew in with my trusty Pignose amp to do radio, little did I know that amp would be my rig on the big stage. It truly was comical. We’re headlining this nice big room, I go to take a solo & everyone is looking around the stage trying to figure out what the hell I am playing through. (For those that don’t know, the Pignose is an amplifier I carry IN MY PURSE. It is tiny.) Lo and behold, this little piggie that could, did! It worked out fine, but it had it’s Spinal Tap qualities, too. The whole time we’re playing, my amp is in danger of being knocked over by a microphone! I had the pleasure of meeting Charlie Musselwhite that evening and he seemed to dig such a tiny amp for traveling. The 16th had us driving to Crystal Bay, NV where our good friend, Blake Beeman sat in for a few songs. He is such a sweetheart & nice tone, too! (picture from Blake’s facebook collection)
The next morning we were up early and headed to San Francisco to play on air at KPIG for Ham Jam with Tim Lynch. (the way above photos are from KPIG) and that night we rested! the 18th would find us in Felton playing at Don Quixote’s (that was a ball!) , and the 19th, we wound up our run at the incredibly beautiful and great sounding Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. This is way more than a stage set up in a brewery. The theater they created is astounding. Not a bad seat in the joint. I was a little sick, but the boys made a joyful noise and I was joining them before I knew it.
We flew back the next morning and it was time to get down with the Texas Guitar Women. (Cindy Cashdollar, Sue Foley, Lisa Pankratz, Sarah Brown and me) We played a great set at Antone’s with great sit ins all around. Erin Jaimes and Rosie Flores were ass kicking and a good time was had by all. The next night, Cole, Lefty & I went to Humble, TX to play Rock, Wine & Blues with Miss Sandy Hickey featured in the opening act!
Sunday had us back at Antone’s for another benefit. This one was for Miss Laurie Freelove. She is quite something. When I was a teen in Houston, I would hear Two Nice Girls’ on KPFT and had “I spent my last ten dollars on birth control and beer” running through my tiny mind quite a bit. The clips above are of Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Greezy Wheels performing at the benefit. The music that night was top notch and we were all treated to great music for a beautiful soul by Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Austin Lounge Lizards, Sara Hickman, Greezy Wheels, Gretchen Phillips, Kathy McCarty, Mady Kaye, Paul Pearcy and East Side Flash and bluesqueezebox to top it all off! I would like to include Cleve Hattersley’s press release regarding the benefit:ANTONES TO HOST ‘FREE LAURIE FREELOVE’ FUNDRAISER JANUARY 25TH Stars Coming Out For Laurie And AAMP (Austin Art And Music Partnership) Some of Austin’s top musicians are gathering at Antones on Sunday, January 25th to help uber talented musician and visual artist, Laurie Freelove, who, due to the devastating effects of Lyme Disease and resultant severe ADD, needs her community’s attention. The line-up is impressive, as it should be for such a worthy affair. Event host, KUT’s Larry Monroe, and the Austin Lounge Lizards will be joined by Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Carolyn Wonderland, Sara Hickman, Greezy Wheels, Gretchen Phillips, Kathy McCarty (in a very rare performance), Mady Kaye, Paul Pearcy (with East Side Flash) and ‘bluesqueezebox.’ Special guests will abound! Laurie, a founding member (along with Gretchen) of ‘Two Nice Girls’ and considered among the very best songwriters of her generation, has been in intense pain for years and struggling just to survive. Laurie is just now getting back to her work, after years of being unable to concentrate on it. Much of this has been due to Larry Monroe’s help. Larry teamed up with the brand new 501©(3), AAMP, the Austin Art And Music Partnership, to support Laurie’s move back to a creative powerhouse. AAMP, which has a “mission to protect and nurture the creative process by being the Austin Music Community Center, bringing Austin artists, musicians and their families together in partnership to heal, work, create and be,” is firmly placed at the nexus at which SIMS and HAAM meet. While both SIMS and HAAM are vital to Austin musicians, AAMP is designed to cover other crucial areas of need in the music community. Primarily, AAMP will be a project incubator for a wide range of offerings to include music and visual arts instruction for families, scholarship housing, ‘RockLoan,’ and life crisis management services.’ But the night belongs to Laurie Freelove – her music, her art, her survival without pain. It’s a most special evening for a most special person. January 25th, 2009 – is the day, the day we ‘Free Laurie Freelove!’ Tickets can be purchased at all regular Antones outlets.
wow. I’ll start and end this blog with benefits held at Antone’s to help friends dealing with health issues. Thanks to Susan Antone and everyone who gives so freely of their time and of themselves.
We will be playing with the effin’ awesome Patrice Pike Jan. 30 at Momo’s (Austin, TX)
We will be playing with our Big Band of Unusual Suspects Jan 31 at Last Concert Cafe (Houston)
I will tour Japan with Shelley King this February! (after moving in to the new office / house!)

+++Shelley King & Carolyn Wonderland tour Japan

I don’t know where to start to explain how much fun Shelley King and I had touring Japan together. First off, I should advise you to check out her photos from the trip. (She is such a badass, Shelley took over 900 pictures - I took maybe one or two) You can see her collection on myspace here. Most of the photos in this blog are from Shelley’s collection as well.
Shelley and I both have been studying Japanese language and trying to immerse ourselves in the rituals and general constructs of dining, tea ceremonies, and the like. Nothing could have prepared us for the immense beauty we experienced at every turn, nor the super forgiving nature of our hosts and darn near everyone we encountered. Ume blooms were in season and we were in the very capable, patient and kind hands of Yasuhito, Hiroko and Toshi. We saw more of Japan than could have been dreamed.
We arrived in Osaka and were immediately whisked away for our first real Japanese dinner, followed by a night in an amazing hotel. It was great. Shelley and I resolved to not eat “American”. I am relieved to report that despite not recognizing most of what was on my plate at any given moment, I was happy to find I liked it!
We played shows at some of the coolest places! Cafe Goatee was this groovy little place outside of Tokyo where we met this groovy gentleman who made tour T-Shirts for us. (he also painted the ever so cool doors at the Umemotosan’s, where we stayed several nights to our delight.) We then played Saijyo Konaya (see video above) where the wild crowd sang along (really well, I might add) all night long. We then traveled to Matsuyama to play Cafe Spanky Bar Taxi, then off to Kanazawa to play Motsukiriya, and Cafe Kiyu in Osaka. We had come full circle. We played in cities, in the rural mountainside, sat in with the country music ambassador of Japan to Nashville, and played the club Tom Waites first played in Japan. (think “Big in Japan”). I fell in love with Kyoto. Shelley and I hung out with Geishas, walked the old city, visited numerous temples, including the Temple of 1,000 Buddhas, Shinto Shrines, Zen Gardens, the Golden Palace. I swear I felt a presence in the the Harikiri room of the Ninja Temple. The value of the traditions mixed with the younger influences dance all around the edges of town. One thing struck me as we played the third venue to have posters signed by our friends in Austin, Scrappy Jud Newcomb is everywhere! When the girls discovered that Shelley and I play with Scrappy in the IGCHarmonizers, they gushed on and on about him. I was so proud of my friend, not only were they talking about his musical virtuosity and taste, they were taken by him as a man of great character. I am so proud to know Scrappy. I am also extremely honored to have the chance to experience Japan with my friend and sister, Shelley King. I look forward to our return next January!

+++Austin Music Awards - Carolyn Wonderland - Best Blues Band and Best Female Vocalist, America at the Paramont, Oh, Canada in Februrrrrary (or 40 below is the same Fahrenheit as it is Celsius), SXSW, Million Musician March, lots of video

You can peruse video from this year’s Austin Music Awards at youtube. Cole, Lefty and I had the pleasure of joining Ruthie Foster, Suzanna Choffel, Laura Scarborough, Nakia & the Fresh Up Girls, Eldridge Goins, Johnny Voselgang and Brad Hauser in the opening set of the show with Ruthie’s “Stone Love”, Blind Willie Johnson’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” and Ray Charles’ “Yes, Indeed!”
Carolyn Wonderland (that would be me) took home Best Female Vocalist and Carolyn Wonderland (that would be the band: me, Cole El-Saleh and Michael “Lefty” Lefkowitz) shared the win as Best Blues Band. Thanks, Austin!
Upon my return from touring Japan with Shelley King, Cole, Lefty and I got to play Feb 20 at the Paramont Theater opening for America. What a great venue! What a tight band. The next night Shelley and I played a benefit for ArtZ’ Ribhouse at Scholtz’ Garden. Here’s a youtube video of us playing Shelley’s “Running Out of Blue” at Scholtz’

On the 23rd, I was asked to be a panelist for the Austin Music Foundation’s Industry Boot Camp held at all ages Antone’s. This is an interesting round robin approach to getting multiple angles and opinions on the future of live music in our fair city. You can find all eight segments via youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=ATXLive411#g/u

OH CANADA!We flew to Regina, SK on our way to play the Saskatoon Blues Festival. Lefty, Cole and I had never experienced 40 below weather. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. The people are so very nice. They are also hearty and with a greater sense of humor. (ie: “the mountain removal project” and the story that was told of a dog who ran away so fast, his owners could only see him for a week. Did I mention it is flat in Saskatchewan?) I went and borrowed a guitar from Mason Rack (the phenomenal guitar slinger) and played on Miss Marilyn’s radio show before playing the Mid Winter Blues Festival together at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. The next day we were driven to a half way point in the snow where one group of volunteers exchanged us to another group of drivers. The volunteers were great! We then went to play the Off Broadway Acoustic Blues Room with the fantastic duo of Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley opening the show. It was packed and the folks were so warm we forgot how cold it was outside. Until I had to smoke. brrrrrrrrrr! I love Canada!

We were in Texas for the first few weeks of March. Cole, Lefty and I played lots of fun shows at Stafford on Main in Bryan, Dan Electro’s in Houston, The Fairmont in Ft.Worth, Antone’s with Gary Clark, Jr. Auslander in Fredericksburg, ... then ... SXSW! When SXSW comes to Austin every March, one should either jump in head first and never stop smiling, or stay far far away. I chose to jump in when I can. We played at the aforementioned Austin Music Awards, did a great showcase at Antone’s that night, played a ton of private showcases. It is not SXSW without the next two things: 1) Imperial Golden Crown Harmonizers’ SXSW Gospel Brunch extravaganza at Maria’s Taco X-Press and 2) the Million Musician March for Peace. As much as I love the music and communion, every year I hope it will be the last time the march is needed. There is footage of the March with Grand Marshall Wavy Gravy introducing Guy Forsyth, Shelley King, and me at the post march rally here.

+++ Cary Winscott Memorial Tribute at Discovery Green, Houston, TX April 5, 2009

I miss Cary a great deal. We were friends for many years. He & I were cast members and dance partners many years ago in Jason Nodler’s “In the Under Thunderloo”, the first Infernal Bridegroom production. We played in Pork Belly Picnic and in the now infamous Bloodfart together. He was always an adventurous soul. He sang like he was going for something bigger, all the while never losing the delicate nature of his voice. He taught me to appreciate all things Jerry. He taught me more songs than I could repay. He was an outstanding actor. He was an even better man. He made time to come visit me at City Hall while he was in town doing “Speeding Motorcycle” I only wish I could have been in the audience for that run. All of my friends raved to me about this amazing guy named Cary Winscott. I just smiled. I knew he had won over some more folks. I know he knocked it out of the park. I love you, CW!
~the other CW
Music and Video Tribute at Discovery Green Houston, Texas Sunday, April 5, 2009 · 5pm-10pm Event Features Public Premiere of Tim Thomson's Film of Speeding Motorcycle
Catastrophic Theatre company member Cary Winscott passed away September 16, 2008 after a battle with skin cancer. He was 38 years old. Cary was well known to Houston theatre and music audiences. He performed in dozens of shows with Catastrophic and Infernal Bridegroom Productions and was a favorite on the local music scene as well. He is deeply missed by his friends, his family and his fans.
On Sunday, April 5,The Catastrophic Theatre will host a special music and video tribute, honoring Cary's life and memory, at Discovery Green Park. The Catastrophic Theatre orchestra will be joined by a host of Houston and Austin musicians in playing Cary's original compositions, favorite songs from such plays as Speeding Motorcycle and (The Kinks present) A Soap Opera and songs that Cary loved.
At sundown there will be a special video tribute to Cary's performing career, including the public premiere of Tim Thomson's film of Speeding Motorcycle. Expenses for this event have been partly underwritten by Discovery Green and admission is free!
Featured Performers:
The Unprofitable Servants (Austin cast and band from Speeding Motorcycle) featuring: Kathy McCarty, Bill Anderson, Terri Lord, Sheri Lane, Adam Kahan, Leila Rogers and many more.
The Catastrophic Theatre Orchestra featuring: John Duboise, Kevin Blessington, Cathy Power, Chris Bakos, Kirk Suddreath, Wayne Barnhill, Mike Switzer, Jeff Miller, Joe Folladori, Kyle Sturdivant and many more.
The Ol' Buds Band featuring: Eddie Hawkins, Johnny "Wolfe" Falstaff, Alan "Dogman" Miller, Eric Dane, Toby Blunt, Aaron Loesch, Ken Jones, Matt Kelly, Michael Danburg, Ben Collis, Randy Woodard, Geoffrey Muller, Scott Daniels, Giancarlo Caffareena, Jo Bird, Marianthe Perce, Lindsey Hardin, Christi Gutowski, Hillary Reagin, Kevin Reagin, Carolyn Wonderland (via satellite from Austin), Anthony Barilla (via satellite from Kosovo) and Cary Winscott (via satellite from Heaven).
The Catastrophic Theatre | 1540 Sul Ross | Houston | TX | 77006 713-522-2723 www.catastrophictheatre.com

+++RIP Stephen Bruton
So many have said it better than I can. I will just say that it was always a pleasure to hear Stephen play. I loved hearing him in the Resentments, unafraid to pull out a song he wrote hours before the Saxon show. I loved how he could walk inside his songs and make them comfortable, even when the subject matter may not have been. I was incredibly honored to play with Stephen the few times it happened. The first time he asked me to play was for the May 2006 World Congress of Information Technology where he put together this incredible band and a smoking show. I think the show went long and nobody wanted it to end, so the next year Stephen put together the “Road to Austin” concert. It was a free concert for the 7,000+ people who came to watch. Stephen had a way of bringing people together and it really worked at this show. Stephen was on fire! Every time he neared the stage it seemed like the cancer would certainly yield and fall to the massive waves of energy that man created. I was happy to play with him again as he kicked off “Planet Make-Over” last year and to get to hear him at Willie Nelson’s 75th at KGSR. Again, Stephen was surrounded by great music he created and tons of people who adore him. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Mary Keating Bruton, and his many friends and people he touched musically the world over.
I would like to include links to a few moving tributes here:
LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-stephen-bruton11-2009may11,0,2975727.story
T-Bone Burnett Remembers Stephen on NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104194666

+++Spring 2009: Recordings, April Fools Midwest Tour, Sis DeVille, KNBT, LCC, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Texas, California, MusicRise Festival at VideoRanch3D!
Right after SXSW one’s thoughts turn to mush. That, and they turn to dreams of relaxation. To no avail. Time to hit the road again, and hit it we must! After sitting in with Derek O’Brien, Barry “Frosty” Smith and the gang at Antone’s for a grooving Blue Tuesday, playing the Mucky Duck in Houston and the Nutty Brown Cafe outside of Austin, and putting our Sprinter van in the capable hands of our master mechanic, Miss Shelley Cox, it was time to head midwest. We start our trek at the Blue Door in OKC. The Blue Door is a nice little joint with an audience that comes to soak up the music and everything you say. It is fun to be in a room that your voice can fill naturally. We had two great sounding sets. You think you want to sleep after driving eight hours and playing that show, right? Nope, it’s time to make that very worthwhile drive to Lincoln, NE, take a teeny little nap and play at the famous Zoo Bar. (where Matt “Guitar” Murphy once bought me funny blue drinks all night while we talked about Albert Collins) I love the Zoo Bar. Denver George & Vicky and all of our friends came out to both the Zoo and the next night in Omaha at Murphy’s Lounge. I dig the Blues Society in Omaha. I really dig Terry O. I first started playing for him when he booked the Fremont Street Reggae and Blues in Las Vegas. I remember fondly playing until 4:20am the nights the Dead were in town. Ah, memories ... Fuzzy, groovy memories ... The next night found us at Knuckleheads in KC, MO. I dig KC a great deal. It is always good to play places that “get” you. The guys at Knuckleheads “get” bands. They also do a lot to make things work for the audience. It’s always good to see Robert Meade (“American Music: Off the Record”) and Roger Naber in the house! The next night (notice a theme here?) we make it to another place run by fabulous people who truly love and support live music, Nathan P. Murphy’s in Springfield, MO. What a stage! What sweet folks! What time is it? Sh*t, back in the van, boys! I, unfortunately, got a bit sick and we had to drive straight home after that show. Did I mention Cole and Lefty kicked ass? Well, they always do, it just sometimes needs saying.
I was bounced back into shape by the Sis DeVille show that Thursday at Momo’s. Sis DeVille is the all girl Southern Rock band featuring Shelley King, Floramay Holiday, Lisa Pankratz, Sarah Brown, and me. Earlier that afternoon, Shelley, Floramay and I played at the ABIA Airport as Sis D Lite. (Austin is so cool, there’s even bands at the airport!) I love getting to play with such a talented and fun loving group!
While home I got to record some stuff for Houston Marchman’s new CD and I understand David Grissom’s new release (with Warren Hood & me on “Good Day for the Blues”) is forthcoming. Look and listen for them! I also got to do some songwriting with Sara Hickman and Shelley King. Lefty, Cole and I played shows at the Nutty Brown (with Meagan Tubb opening!), at KNBT’s concert series at the Whitewater Ampitheater (with the Fireants opening!), swung by the Last Concert Cafe and Antone’s (with Vallejo!) before flying to Europe to continue our adventures. While on tour in Europe, we got the saddest news. Poodie Locke had died. I will talk more about that when I can wrap my tiny mind around it.
Norway is always fun. Last time I tried my luck with my Norwegian skills and proved my lack thereof by ordering a nice glass of damnit. (van or fan?) This time we were greeted in Bergen by the sight of students in color coordinated pants dragging dead fish behind them, filling the fountain with soap, running underwear up flagpoles, you know, the usual. As it turns out, it is an annual thing. I think it’s pretty cool. Bergenfest was a ball! You can hear some clips at nrk here. Our host, Eli, was witty and wise beyond her years. (and she knew which Dethklok member was from Norway - it ain’t Swissgar) We heard lots of great bands and stayed up way too late, as the sun never seemed to go down. The next day we flew to Trondheim and played that night and the next at the Nidaros Blues Festival. It was great fun! Little Feat was great! Kjell is such a hard working dude, keeping all those bands on task. His band is pretty smoking, too! Again, stayed up way too late jamming with the cats from Trampled Underfoot and having a good time in daylight that appeared to be evening, but was in fact dawn. We flew out the next morning (a few scant hours later) to Amsterdam. We had a nice day or two to sleep, sample coffee and play the Maloe Melo (our home away from home) and then off to Belgium! We started our Belgian experience with our friend, Conrad, (who has booked many of our friends like Guy Forsyth and Wendy Colonna) and Phillipe Stoneman at a private party at the Oerbier Brewery. Hands down the BEST beer I have ever tasted! Wow! We then went to play Stoneman’s place in Torhout, played a couple of sets at the Kwadendamme Blues Festival small stage. We had so many folks come by, they are going to have us back next year on the big stage! On our night off, we swung by the Cultuurkapel de Schaduw to hear good music and pet the pig. We played one last show in Belgium at this amazing musical institution, the Banana Peel. I love this spot. First thing I saw when I came in were the plaques of the bands who had played before us. Stephen Bruton’s shone to me like a beacon. I saw it and heard it. Everyone listens. The staff is on top of things and they are all volunteers for the music. There are videos from the show at Conrad’s youtube page and below. We will come back to the Banana Peel as soon as we can! We then trained it back to Amsterdam to put away our gear, smoke one more and get on the plane back to Texas.
We landed in Texas and hopped in the Sprinter up to Dallas to play the House of Blues, later that weekend we hit the Deutschen Pfest in Pflugerville. Thursday we played KGSR’s Unplugged at the Grove. It is such a great thing to have all ages free music for everyone. Thanks, KGSR! No time to think about how much fun that was, it’s time to fly to California! (I promise, we do actually eat and sleep. It just happens in bursts of flight when no kids are screaming) We flew out the next morning and played all that night at the way cool Moe’s Alley. (that soundman is such a kick ass individual!) The next morning we played the opening slot at the Santa Cruz Blues Festival! Ruthie Foster played after us, so we got treated to one righteous set with Samantha, Tonya and brand new guitarist in the band, my old pal Hadden Sayers! Nice surprise. We couldn’t stick around too long, we had another show that afternoon in the Virtual Realm.

Funny thing about the Virtual World, you still gotta drive to get there. Fortunately, we made it with a little time to spare. We were so thrilled to be invited to play during the MusicRise Festival at VideoRanch3D! Vic and Nez really do some amazing work. We arrived early enough to hear Rebeca Mauleon’s Latin Jazz Quartet. They smoked! KPIG simulcast the set and the incredibly sweet Warren “T” emceed the event. It was far out going on green screen and being able to interact with the virtual audience. It was super cool to see all of our friends there! If you have not tried it, then words are just gonna have to fail me here. You enter the concert from wherever in the world your computer is located, at the agreed upon time you find you don’t just watch a concert, you are in the concert. You can communicate with those around you, including the band! You can fly over the band to see what that looks like. You can become a flamingo! Seriously, all you need is a Windows based computer [- they’re working feverishly on a mac base too, I’m assured -] and to know when to log on. Visit www.videoranch3d.com for future events.

+++June 2009: Northeast Tour, Joe’s Pub NYC, Rochester International Jazz Fest, Nightfall in Chattanooga, Texas heat
We were back in Texas for a week or two to catch up late May - early June. I did a photo shoot with my mom’s puppy, Brandy, and my great striped cat, Charlie Ray, for Blue Dog Rescue’s 2010 Calendar. I think it would be fitting if Charlie Ray made it in the calendar as a cat ambassador for the dog rescue group. Calendars will likely be available this fall. Do check in at www.bluedogrescue.com I thankfully spent my days off working on the van with Shelley Cox and doing interviews with newspapers and radio stations. I am happily surprised to have so many requests for interviews. We played at Discovery Green Park in Houston. It’s a free concert series outdoors and all ages. I love getting to see all the kids growing up and dancing with dogs is a plus in my book any day. We played at Poodie’s Hilltop with George Kinney opening. A great psychedelic evening was had by all. We followed that with a soul filled show in Austin with Leeann Atherton opening at Threadgill’s WHQ. (another great all ages restaurant with nice outdoor stage) I played with the Imperial Golden Crown Harmonizers at Maria’s Taco X-Press for 1st Sunday Gospel Brunch. I sure love getting to play with those cats! We snuck in one more fun all ages show at the San Marcos River Pub before leaving Texas in our rearview mirror for a spell.
Cole, Lefty and I were joined by Amy Lefkowitz on this tour. She is so effin’ cool. It was great to have her with us helping out in so many ways (merch, driving, mad libs). Our first show was in Clinton, NJ for Matt Angus. I dig Matt! He puts on the Black Potatoe (yes, with an “e”) Festival at the Red Mill, which we loved playing. This show was to be at the Mill as well, but Mother Nature had other plans. Not to worry, fast thinking Matt found a nice bar room in a hotel & the show went on! It was great hearing Matt play and taking in some good local talent. I really dug the younger gents’ version of “Redemption Song.” The next night we were in NYC at Joe’s Pub in the Public Theater. This place was amazing. There is not a bad seat in the house and the sound is ever present but never loud. I am so happy we filled the seats & really have my fingers crossed we get to come back soon! We ate pizza with some of Cole’s kinfolk and drove overnight to play Sunday afternoon in Patchogue at Bobbique’s. Nice folks! We headed straight to Rochester after the show in order to make it there in time to visit one of our favorite people (not to mention a fine specimen of a DJ) Brother Wease! www.wease.com We made it. Wease is the reason we got to play in Rochester in the first place. It was great to hang out with him and have him emcee our show that night at the phreaking phenomenal Eastman Theater where we co-headlined the Rochester International Jazz Festival www.rochesterjazz.com with the unique master of the ukelele, Jake Shimakuburo. Wow! The amazing Patrick Brink flew up to blow some horn with us and he and Jake both sat in at the end of our set. A festive time was had by all! The sound in the theater was great due in no small part to the meticulous sound check by two masters, Jules and Chris. Afterwards I went and sat in at the jam and had a few beers and a couple of whiskeys. The next morning Patrick and I had the privilege of meeting and shaking hands with Dave Brubeck. I don’t know that I’ve ever been that star-struck before. He is thankfully quite disarming. I had to call my dad from whom’s collection of Brubeck I had borrowed so much. Patrick was on his was to the airport, we were on our drive to Chattanooga.
In Chattanooga we played the free, all ages Nightfall Concert series at Miller Plaza. It had been far too long since we last played in Chattanooga. I was so happy to see a packed plaza! The Sterchi Brothers put on a grooving set as the sun started it’s way down. Our friends, Randy and Ali Powers, who run the Carolyn Wonderland facebook fan site for Athens/ Atlanta (facebook search for Carolyn Wonderland Rocks the Athens/ Atlanta based Georgia fan club) made it down and took an bunch of pics you can peruse on their site. We hung out with them the next day at the Roadhouse Concert series in Greensboro,too. The next two gigs are bizarre and I wouldn’t bother to mention them except to satisfy the queries I have received via email. For our friends in Shreveport: Sorry the show was cancelled by the casino. For our friends in Frisco, TX: Thank you for your concern. Heatstroke was horrible, but I finally quit shaking and broke my fever the next afternoon and was pretty much back to normal in ten days. I played the next several shows a little weaker than I would have liked to. I really appreciate my band holding me up the way they do. I wouldn’t have made it at all without Cole and Lefty. I wouldn’t have missed Poodie’s Memorial Picnic for ANYTHING. More on that the next post...

+++Poodie Locke Memorial at Tim’s Porch, Austin, Texas June 28, 2009

It is hard to believe Poodie is gone. The man who always had a kind word and a beer to share. The man who’s years of hard work never got in the way of his smile. Many knew his legend from his long held position as Willie Nelson’s stage manager and right hand man. Others met him at his honky tonk restaurant / beer joint, Poodie’s Hilltop. No matter where or how you met him, he is a man who stands out in your memories, not for his power nor position, but for the kindness he exuded. Even under circumstances that would leave most of us at least grouchy, Poodie had a way of rolling with the punches and truly living his motto, “No Bad Days”. I thank you, Poodie, for all the opportunities you afforded to me and countless other musicians you allowed on your stages. I suspect I will always be looking for you behind the bar and listening for that great big laugh of yours. Here are some links to what others have said about Poodie:
http://willienelsonpri.com/willie-nelson/3113/poodie-locke-remembered.html
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Music/Blogs/?oid=oid:779751
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Music/Blogs/?oid=oid:779197
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/music/entries/2009/05/06/poodie_locke_rip.html
We are honored to be included in what is being billed as “Poodie’s Picnic”, a celebration of Poodie’s life at Tim’s Porch, June 28, 2009.
http://poodiespicnic.com

+++July 2009: Fastball at Antone’s, Amazing Austrian Tour, Bob Schneider at Antone’s (or the big Austrian sandwich tour on sweet Antone’s bread), Houston (in one day - Cactus Records In-Store, Wynonna, and Watermelon Fest), KGSR’s Blues on the Green with guests Shelley King and Guy Forsyth
Before flying to Austria we had the pleasure of splitting July 4th with Fastball at Antone’s. Those guys are so cool. They have such a good time on stage it makes the whole room smile at once. I dig the new songs, too! We hung out for the show, wrote a new song backstage (“Ours is No Exception”) while fireworks flew outside, visited with friends and packed our suitcases for Europe...
Let me just start by saying Joachim & Uli ROCK! JaG productions ran our Austrian tour and designed our Austrian website. (which our “dot-com” will soon be emulating!) You can find great pictures of the band on stage and sightseeing (along with lots of other groovy features) at www.carolynwonderland.at
Our first show in Austria was broadcast live over the internet from Tunnel-Vienna. We stayed above the venue and walked our happy feet off! It was amazing to see so much in such a short time. We loved hanging out with Uli, Joachim and his groovy sister, Susi. I think we ate the best meal of our lives in Wels, played some beautiful clubs and theaters, and had the privilege of playing at SummerTime Blues Festival in Gamlitz. This was a particularly touching event. The music continued well into the morning as this year the Summer Time Blues Festival honored Mike Malloy , http://www.summertimeblues.at/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=61&Itemid=86 While I never met Mr. Malloy, after meeting his family and playing with his band, I wish I had. Mike Malloy played basketball and the blues and apparently made a lot of friends along the way. There are articles here http://stinging-nettle.blogspot.com/2009/02/mike-maloy-1949-2009.html and an interview from 1999 here http://16point8.blogspot.com/2009/01/second-maloy-interview.html and a nice facebook page here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Maloy/59724064934?v=wall The next afternoon Cole, Lefty, Joachim and I went back to say thanks. Lefty and I got to listen to soundcheck and get a hug and picture with Maceo Parker, who was headlining that night. I think Lefty might have squealed like a kid on the inside, but he’s cool as a cucumber in the pics. We played the next evening in an amazing artist workshop where artists stay in residence to create and teach art in soooooo many forms. It was enlightening to break bread before the show with the artists from around the world who were wrapping up their time at the WerkStatt. We saw some mind altering sculptures, paintings, and the wish tree made me feel full in my heart. You can see some pictures from that day here: http://www.werkstattmurberg.at/galerie/Carolyn-Wonderland-Konzert-2009
The next day had Cole and me eating the best meal of our lives before playing at the way groovy SoundTheatre in Wels. Found some very kind folks in that town and cannot wait to come back!
We then played at Zum Sigi in Kasten and visited Himo’s beautiful restored castle and sampled the local pumpkin oil over ice cream (YUM). I sometimes cannot believe how lucky we are. Himo played a traditional song on an Austrian accordion. Cole and I flubbed around on the instrument, much to the children’s laughter afterwards. We had a scrumptuous lunch, walked around a bit, got our feet wet and drank this lovely half lemon half beer concoction which just made the summer sun seem that much sweeter. We LOVE Austria! I found another one of those concoctions at the airport and we waited while the usual plane delays took hold. One thing was different: They got us on an Austrian Air flight. These guys actually fed us vegan meals despite us being put on last minute. (After my last several flights of fasting after ordering meals in advance and being told “chicken or nothing” on another airline, this came as a pleasant surprise.) We made it home, showered and played at Antone’s before Bob Schneider. I spent the next week doing more interviews and getting ready for our marathon gig day in Houston on the 25th.
The marathon day began with a really fun in-store performance at Houston’s Cactus Records. Scott Daniels joined us on guitar and we played for our friends all afternoon. We had to stop eventually to get a bite and load in to the Arena Theater where we opened for Wynona. It was fun being on that stage. It can be a little disconcerting playing on a rotating stage. I sing with my eyes closed most of the time and it caught me off guard to see a new batch of faces every time I looked up! I was not ready to call it a night, so I went and sat in with the Hightailers at Last Concert Cafe for the close of the Watermelon Festival. I love love love the Hightailers. It was good to be home again.
We had one more show in Texas before hopping back to the West Coast. We got to play KGSR’s Blues on the Green again this year. It is one of the most fun concerts to get to play. KGSR does a great job with it. Usually the festival takes place at Zilker Park, but due to lawn issues, the concert series was moved to Waterloo Park this season. I love Waterloo Park! It is where I first played an outdoor festival in Austin many years ago and the shade is perfect. Cindy Cashdollar was going to play with us, but was sick that day having just come off a long tour with Dave Alvin. Cole, Lefty and I did the first set and were joined for the second set by Shelley King, Guy Forsyth and Patrick Brink. We played Shelley’s new single “Summer Wine” and played Guy’s “Guantanamo Bay” into Los Lobos’ “Cumbia Raza.” It really IS good to be home for a minute.

+++August 2009: Sonoma County Blues Festival, KPIG with Warren T, WAMM for Medicinal Marijuana, Moe’s Alley, Cincinnati Blues Festival, Cowpie Blues Festival, Midwest, Texas, Durango, CO with Devon Allman, Santa Fe Brewing

We began August in a place I find myself with great regularity, the airport. le sigh. Remember when flying was fun? I now drive every chance I get. Sometimes there are circus dances beyond my control and flying is in the cards. Let’s not dwell on the funky travel, but on the grand adventure ... the music!
All that boo is worth it when one has the chance to play for great people and music lovers like KRSH’s Bill Bowker. We played for the Sonoma County Blues Festival last summer and had a great time. We were thrilled and surprised to be chosen as the headliner this year. It was a great weekend! We flew in and played live on KPIG with Warren T. (see hamcam photos at KPIG's site!) and played a return gig at one of our favorite stomps, Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz (again, that soundman is waaaay groovy). It is always good to catch up with friends, especially when they lay new music on you every time you see them. Thanks again, Glenn Howard! You can check out his American Musical Heritage Foundation here: http://www.amusher.org/about.html The next day we took a little side adventure to the best Medical Marijuana Farm I have ever seen. Valerie and the family at WAMM (www.wamm.org) are doing great things every day. I am honored to have seen such beauty and to have broken bread with such brave and kind people. I highly recommend visiting the site and soberly recommend getting involved. Hanging out in Northern California during Jerry Garcia's Birthday made me recall and want to share a memory or two...
Vegas. '94. We played after the Grateful Dead show and late into the light at Fremont Street Rhythm and Blues (then run by one of my still-favorite people, Terry O’Halloran). A few years later, while I was in Jerry Lightfoot's Band of Wonder, Vince (Welnick) and I were talking after rehearsal. He thought I was giving him funny looks during this Bo Diddley cover we were learning. I guess I was... I had to tell him it was weird for me to imagine him on that stage in Vegas one day (where from my vantage point I could fit his entire setup in the palm of my hand) to have him on another day reading my awful charts... I was worried I hadn't cut the mustard! He just laughed and we were great friends after that. Vince even gave me my first Reiki attunement. We stopped at our favorite restaurant, the Redwood Cafe in Cotati, during our visit on this weekend. It is across the street from the former Inn of the Beginning. Vince played with us our first time through there many moons ago. I sure do miss him... and Jerry Lightfoot... and Jerry Garcia. (Estimated Prophet plays in the foreground)
After lunch we drove to the aforementioned Sonoma County Blues Festival. I was shocked to find there was any stage left after Kenny Neal scorched the place with his set. I mean to say, it was great to hear and scary to follow. We had a ball! I love playing where kids can dig music. It was lovely to see the Musselwhites again. The next day we did a guest opener at Angela Strehli’s groovier-than-get-out Rancho Nicasio for Paul Thorn. Alas, we had to go to sleep and head back to the airport.
The next two days found us at home doing laundry, being domestic and loading the van for a nice Midwest run. Shelley Cox, our trusty mechanic / driver / merch Goddess / one-who-puts-up-with-us, came along for the tour. She is such a badass. We drove to Cincinnati to play after headliner Janiva Magness at the Cincy Blues Fest and got to catch Reba Russell put on a helluva show, too. My friend Rob Ellig came by with fixins, so I made us some backstage Mexican Martinis * (recipe at bottom of page). The next day we drove to Alaska, near Caledonia, to play the Cowpie Blues Festival. Despite bad weather, the crew put on a heck of a show. When there were technical difficulties, the crowd was on their side and patiently waited for the music. We played a nice long time and were happy to see so many folks in the autograph tent. (Thanks for the veggie sandwiches and beer, y’all!) The next night we were outside of Chicago in Evanston at this really great listening room known as SPACE (Society for the Preservation of Art & Culture in Evanston); I hope we get to come back soon. It sounded great! That night we slept and prepared for the drive to Omaha to play at one of Terry O’Halloran’s current music venues, the Bar Fly. It is so good to see all the Omaha Blues Society Folks! I really love getting to see long time family like G &V, Crystal, the K-Man & Dnaleri, and getting to visit with Cole’s Aunt Eileen. Wished we could stay, but the next night‘s another adventure in Kansas City at our stomping grounds, Knuckleheads, followed by a drive straight home to play Nutty Brown Cafe on Saturday. Knuckleheads is always a good time and it is always great to see Lefty’s sister Val. She brought what I can only call a “trucker nut” keychain to the stage in the middle of the whistle solo of “I’m the Man”. I almost lost it. (Note to self: Don’t look at funny shit when trying to whistle a solo. One cannot laugh and whistle at the same time.) Val and April also made it to the Nutty Brown show where we were inspired to write Val a song for her birthday.
It is always good to be in Austin, even if only for a scant few days at a time. After being home for most of a week assuring my cats that I do indeed exist, playing regionally at a private party in Beaumont, having great gigs at Dan Electro’s in Houston and Antone’s in Austin, it is time to hit the road again. Cole, Lefty, Shelley & I packed up and headed out to the beautiful and lush sounding Abbey Theater in Durango, CO where we were treated to a great split bill with Devon Allman. His band SMOKED! It was great to be on bill with two trios that make the noise of a much larger configuration. I hope we play together in the future. The next night finds us in Santa Fe, NM where we were supposed to headline at the Santa Fe Brewing Pub & Grill. Due to an unexpected venue change for Yonder Mountain String Band (their original venue was forced to close) and a quick thinking Don Strausburg, everybody got to play. We played indoors between sets to an adventurous hippie filled crowd. Yay! We left with just enough time to steal away, gamble and drink before heading back to Texas. Good times.

_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+

* Mexican Martini (the way I like em) as follows:
2 fresh squeezed limes (gotta be fresh... or you should just shoot the tequila and forget the recipe)
3 shots of GOOD tequila (clear agave)
2 shots of Triple Sec (or similar)
2 shots fresh orange juice
1 1/2 shots of Sprite (or similar)
1/2 shot of olive juice
(serves 1-3 people)
pull it through some ice, salt your glass' rim, garnish with olive(s) ...Give your car keys to someone else!

+++September 2009: Putting Todd Back Together - a Benefit for Todd V. Wolfson!, Maple Leaf (New Orleans), Shed Head Blues Festival, Shelley King & Carolyn Wonderland hit Omaha and the Iowa Women’s Festival, Carolyn rejoins the band to hit Telluride Blues Festival, Dan Electro’s, Bosque River Stage (Waco) with Larry Carlton
We made a stop in to Houston on our way out and played an intimate couple of sets at the Mucky Duck before driving to New Orleans’ Maple Leaf Bar. I have always dug the Maple Leaf. I knew we had a connection when the head bartender and I were wearing the same Paladins T-Shirt upon one of our first appearances there better than ten years ago. It is still hard to see how far the recovery has to go from the aftermath of Katrina. I will play there as often as I can. The people are what makes that place so damn good. Thanks to all our friends at WWOZ for getting the word out and for dancing! That night we drove to Ocean Springs, MS to play the Shed Head Blues Festival the next afternoon. So many great bands and the folks who run that joint are too sweet. If you like your blues with a side of barbecue sauce, this is your Utopia. It is the South, and what would the South be without big ol’ bugs? I squished one while playing a guitar solo between my finger and the fretboard. I suspect that particular insect ate some of the BBQ as he was quite the mess to scrape off the strings. Eeeew!
We drove back to Texas to play Todd Wolfson’s benefit at Antone’s 09.09.09. There was power in those numbers and in the overwhelming wave of Love that enveloped the room. The music was outstanding, soulful and diverse, casting a net on a sea of local musicians that Todd has helped not only with his photos, but with his very being. Amazing sets from Jon Dee Graham & Jesse Sublett, Skyrocket, the Trishas, Paula Nelson, Ian McLagan & the Bump Band (oooh, yes!) and Charlie & Will Sexton with Ruby James! I especially loved Alejandro Escovedo’s set. He proves one can cry and dance at the same time. Todd had recently been in a bicycle accident and broke bones that require lots of metal and time away from the work he loves as one of Austin’s finest photographers. You can still make donations to Todd via http://toddwolfson.chipin.com/todd-wolfson-medical-benefit-fund
Lefty and Cole had a week off while Shelley King and I hopped on a plane to play the Midwest as a duo. We played at Murphy’s in Omaha after the stunning guitar work of Chris Cain set the room afire to a great group of friends. There are some youtube videos out there, I promise! We drove our rental car to Iowa City to play a set at the Iowa Women’s Festival. It was full of acoustic guitars and families swaying back and forth under the shade trees. We played a rocking set after an audience member loaned me a Fender Deluxe (the rental amp was not cooperating). I am glad he left the amp up there for the rest of the afternoon, because when Michelle Shocked took the stage, she invited me up to play guitar on almost half the set. I was in Heaven! In one afternoon I got to play with two of my favorite folks! Shelley and I were stoked and ready to check out what the night may bring, so we headed into town to hear the nightclub portion of the festival. We were rolling on the floor, giggling like kids at the stage antics that are Leslie and the Lys. Many folks know her as the “sweater” girl or the “gold lame pants” girl from her hilarious youtube videos. She was something else! Shelley and I went on some late night walks around the campus and prepared for the next day’s travel. Sometimes one feels a twinge, that little voice that says, “do this.” I should have listened to that voice. It was telling me to drive to Texas, write songs and take home your antiques you found along the way. Shelley agreed and we called to see if we could arrange that with the car rental place. Alas, it was a no go. We drove to Omaha & watched the usual flight horrors go into full swing. Delays, delays, delays, mechanical problems, weather problems... It would have been a shorter trip if we had driven. I swore after it took Shelley King and me longer to fly home from Omaha than it took us from Osaka (- add to that, the angels we call Cole El-Saleh and Jodi Adair had to drive to Dallas to pick us up unexpectedly so we wouldn’t have to stay the night-) that I will do my BEST to DRIVE when in the continental United States. Oh well, you can’t have everything you want... where would you put it?
One and a half days later, I’m back in the van with Cole, Lefty, and Shelley Cox headed to Colorado. We opened the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival this year with the legendary Jon O’Leary running sound for our set on the main stage and the next night at our Juke Joint show at Las Montañas. It was a great festival despite the altitude and occasional rain. I drank so much chlorophyl, my tongue was green! We rode the gondolas into town for our shows. I don’t know if everyone does this on their first trip down, but I screamed! Then the gondola stopped and we rocked back and forth for five minutes while what appeared to be elk ran underneath us. It was beautiful and a little scary. I love spending time in Telluride, but I have a two word suggestion for the state of Colorado regarding highway safety in and around Telluride. It is as follows: guard rails.
We drove home to play a few private parties, tape a pilot for a television music show, more interviews and then played a groovy fundraiser for NARAL at Threadgill’s WHQ with Terri Hendrix. In case you couldn’t tell from my covering some of her songs, I am a BIG fan. Terri and Lloyd Maines tore it up as a duo. A really cool thing about the show was we both did versions of Terri’s “I Found the Lions” for each other. She moves me! The next day we drove to Houston to play Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar with Osiris opening. They are a rock rock rock band. It pays to show up early to gigs, because you never know what opening band might rock your world on any given night. The next evening we opened for the freakishly amazing Larry Carlton Trio on the Bosque River Stage in Waco. Whoa, Nelly! That man can hold an entire conversation with one string. After that intense guitar lesson, it was time to go home and dream of chord inversions.

+++Rusty Wier Memorial Saxon Pub Oct 15, 2009
http://www.rustywier.com/auschron.html
http://www.rustywier.com/updates.html

I first met Rusty when I was lucky enough to stumble upon a weekly residency at South Austin’s revered Saxon Pub. Rusty had held this show for years and it was a great opportunity to play for musically adventurous people who knew they were in for a show every Thursday. Usually it would be Rusty, us, and George Devore. This is also where I met Cole El-Saleh. He was playing regularly in Rusty’s band for many years. Cole ended up playing all night on Thursdays while he shared his time with both bands. I believe playing on a bill with Rusty put a rather large fire under one’s buttocks. I mean, this man could write and sing country, soul, blues, it all sounded like Rusty. That was a great thing to hear and a difficult thing to follow. It always made for a receptive audience and made you step up the show. I feel like George and I grew at his feet those years, taking in Rusty’s showmanship. There were no sick days for Rusty. He showed up and gave every bit of himself on stage. He was there to entertain, to make you want to dance, want to smile, no matter what may his personal burdens might have been on any given day. So, stop by and have a shot of Cuervo Gold for Rusty at the Saxon Pub next time you get the chance. Moral of the story is: I am happy for the times I heard Rusty and am glad to have known him. That, and don’t date girls with pointy boots.

+++October 2009: Shelley King’s last weekly ArtZ show, In the Studio with Sam Lightnin’ and Ray Benson working on new CD, In the Studio with Mike Nesmith recording for his “American Gene”, That NEW AMP smell, Antone’s with Lou Ann Barton, Pinetop Perkins and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Bugle Boy (La Grange), Saxon Pub, Mucky Duck, Leslie Benefit at One2One Bar, Blue Dog Rescue Calendar - out now!
October began with a bang as we played Sam’s Boat in San Antonio with the lovely and talented guitar slinger, Ms Meagan Tubb and the Shady People. I am so glad folks in San Antonio know to come early for a night of music! The next week at home had me doing a few more interviews and getting ready for Shelley King’s last regular Wednesday night at ArtZ’ Rib House. Shelley has been playing Wednesdays at ArtZ for the past 6 years. She started a song swap with Floramay Holliday in 2003 (she previously held the regular Wednesday spot until she moved to Dallas), then Susan Gibson joined Shelley in 2003-2004, followed by me from 2004-2008, back to Susan and various guests like Elizabeth Wills, Theressa Andersen, Chip Dolan who would play with Shelley when she wasn’t on the road. With her new CD, “Welcome Home” ready to drop and the first single “Summer Wine” climbing the charts, it was time for Shelley to say goodbye to her sweet weekly gig and begin touring more regularly. The night was amazing! The initial line up of Shelley, Floramay, Susan and myself turned the song swap into a round robin as everybody sang and played on everyone else’s songs. We were soon joined by Richard Bowden on fiddle and Elizabeth Wills played a few with us, too. I love ArtZ and will miss knowing I could sit in any Wednesday I have off. I will still make it a point to go there for the great staff and to pick up some of that “ArtZ on Fire” sauce. It is my favorite!

Cole, Lefty and I spent some time with the golden ears and magic hands of Sam Lightnin’ Seifert behind the board at Bismeaux Studios recording our first round of tracks for our new CD. We recorded roughs for our new songs, “Usurper” and “Ours is No Exception”, an older song of mine, “Shine On”, and a song penned by Ruthie Foster and myself, “Come Together” along with Bo Diddley’s “I Can Tell”, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan’s “Heartland”, and Doug Sahm’s “At the Crossroads”. Ray Benson and I planted some seeds for some new songs, too. I loved recording “Miss Understood” at Bismeaux with so many guests and I am looking forward to doing more sessions for the new CD with my band! We stayed busy in Bismeaux as the next week found us recording a track for Mike Nesmith. We met Nez and the joyous Vic when we played a Virtual concert at their Video Ranch www.videoranch.com earlier this year. Mr. Nesmith has written this great book called “The America Gene” which is set in Texas, warns against the pitfalls of your PLV (Personal Las Vegas), and is steeped in music. He is releasing it as an audio book in the near future and we had the honor of recording Elmore James’ “Dust My Broom” for the project. Nez is a really fun producer! He and Sam are great to work with. As soon as “The America Gene” becomes available, I’ll be sure to post where you can find it!

I am in love. ValveTech sent me a custom amplifier and it is sooooooooooo groooooooovy! They let me pick out some features and built me the most killer amp! This red sparkle tolex covered 2x10 with switchable ohms and switchable preamp tubes is perfect for any size room. Seriously, you will see and hear a lot of this amp at all gigs I can drive to. (Yet another reason not to fly!) She arrived just in time for the Nesmith session and she was creamy! I need to get some good pictures of her to send back and say THANKS, so if you get a good pic with me and my amp in it, please let me know!

While we were home we played at Antone’s with the always captivating reigning Blues Queen Lou Ann Barton www.louannbarton.com doing the first set, followed by an amazing set that featured Pinetop Perkins www.pinetopperkins.com AND Willie “Big Eyes” Smith www.williebigeyessmith.com! Pinetop is a legendary Blues pianist who was born in 1913 and still rocks harder than most folks I know. Willie is an equally legendary Blues drummer and harmonica player. (That’s him playing harp on Bo Diddley’s “Diddy Wah Diddy”!) Pinetop and Willie played together in Muddy Waters’ band in the early 60’s. I feel so lucky to have heard them together on stage at Antone’s that night! (Did I mention Derek O’Brien rocks my world on guitar? He did again that night!) We followed those incinerating sets with special guest, Patrick Brink sitting in on trumpet for a few numbers with us. The next week had more interviews and a sweet show at the Bugle Boy in La Grange. Bugle Boy is a serious listening room. Lane makes sure all cell phones are off and conversations between patrons are over or moved to the back room. Heck, she even serves drinks in the back room and if you order chips, they are opened for you and placed in a basket. It is so different from playing “over” the crowd noise in a traditional bar setting. It sheds new light on old songs to be played stripped down to a listening audience. I dig it! We played next at Saxon Pub, returning to our former weekly slot on a Thursday with George Devore. George sounded great and it was good to be back at Saxon hanging with the family. We drove to Houston the next day to play two shows at the Mucky Duck. As I have mentioned before and will surely mention again, I dig the Duck. We came home to play a benefit for Leslie, Austin’s own homeless icon and mayoral candidate. Leslie had suffered an aneurism and needs help with medical and other living expenses. We were all so glad to see Leslie up and moving at the One2One Bar! We got there in time to hear sweet Jane Bond and hang out with lovely muses Dana Davis and Lynda Millard. If you want to help out and/ or keep up with Leslie, there is a facebook group, just search for facebook LOVE for LESLIE!

The Blue Dog Rescue Calendar is out now! Blue Dog Rescue is a 501(c)3 charity in Central Texas that rescues and places dogs. The sale of these calendars helps to care for dogs who might otherwise face a much bleaker future, if one at all.The 2010 Calendar features Ray Benson, Shawn Nelson, Davis McLarty, Charles Attal, Indigo Girls, Tom Lewis, Ozomatli, Nathan Quiring, Arc Angels, and me with our four legged friends (my favorite month is Redd Volkaert with Dick!) http://www.bluedogrescue.com/store/texashowlers.htm ...and YES, Charlie Ray Wondercat is in the calendar picture with me and Brandy Blaze Wonderpuppy. A fine feline ambassador he is!

+++RIP Bill Narum
My friends in Houston and Austin might have known Bill from his time as art director of Houston’s underground paper, Space City! in the late 60’s and early 70’s, his underground comix, or known his work with KPFT , his co-founding the then free-form rock radio KLOL in the late 60’s and his art and stage design for ZZ Top. Art lovers and poster collectors know him through his poster and album art that was ever evolving and covered a whole lot of ground. I met Mr. Narum at the South Austin Museum of Popular Culture. His perspective and ideas had him in a class by himself. His willingness to embrace new media and mediums had him reaching to a future we may have yet to grasp, but it was fundamentally inviting and natural. You can see his works at Threadgill’s, the South Austin Museum of Popular Culture, anywhere truly fine art is appreciated. I am always a fan. I am grateful to have had the chance to tell him so. He was a kind man, generous with his time and committed to his friends and his causes. My heart goes out to Gloria and to his children and friends in Houston, Austin, and everyone who loves him the world over.

www.billnarum.com
http://theragblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/rip-bill-narum-legendary-artist-of.html
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Blogs/index.html/objID920103/blogID/
www.samopc.org

+++ November 2009: Amsterdam Birthday Ritual, Netherlands, Belgium, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Music Masters Concert Honoring Janis Joplin (Cleveland, OH), Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble with Guy Forsyth (Woodstock, NY), Glenda Facemire’s new book: “Music in the Kitchen” out now! Texas Guitar Women in Cincinnati, Thanksgiving at Antone’s (Austin, TX) and Dan Electro’s (Houston, TX)

We arrived in Amsterdam a day early to run around a bit and I had the pleasure of sitting in with the Texas Sweet Hot Trio (Bettye Soo, Abi Tapia and Charlie Faye). It was great to hear them play together and felt good, although I was a little jet-lag stupid, to sit in with such a great line up. There is some footage here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdlokdalQwc We made it over to honor Doug Sahm on his birthday ten years after his passing in one of his favorite cities. We played all night long at the Maloe Melo in Amsterdam, covering songs like “At the Crossroads”, “Oh No, Not Another One”, “Mendicino”, “You Never Get too Big and You Sure Don’t Get too Heavy You Don’t Have to Stop and Pay Some Dues Sometimes” and of course, “She’s About a Mover” with Jan the Lazyman singing with us. We raised a few euro towards the Doug Sahm Hill in Austin. You can donate and learn more here: www.dougsahmhill.com. There were numerous friends from the States, the UK, Austria, Belgium, France and even Yasuhito and Hiroko flew in from Japan! This was the “Conrad and Stoneman Saved our Asses” European tour. Among many friends from all over the world, Conrad and Stoneman were there and took us to the next night’s show at the Bruin Cafe de Amer in Amen. The show was great, as was the food, the sound, the staff, and Jan! There are photos up here: http://henkeggens.jalbum.net/3.%20Music/index.html Poor Cole was sick as a dawg, running a fever for most of the week. We gave him the private room at the B&B and made our way to Antwerp after an early breakfast to play at the Crossroads Cafe the next afternoon. It was great! They have live Blues every Sunday afternoon. I recommend a visit! Jan and his family are the real deal. You can find photos from that afternoon here: http://www.pbase.com/sjel/081109 Conrad headed back home, we would catch him again in a few days. Stoneman drove us back to Amsterdam and at midnight on my birthday we arrived. The hotel had double booked our rooms & upon noticing the error put us in a “nicer” hotel on their tab. Okay, but nicer means no coffee shops in sight and the bar is closing...boo! Stoneman convinced the bar to stay open for one birthday drink. We got some sleep and headed back to our hotel nearer to the amenities I’d like to frequent. My birthday was spent taking nice walks, smoking at the Rokerij, and playing at our home away from home, the Maloe Melo. The party was phenomenal. Even more friends flew in for this night. I thought we might play 2 hour long sets, but next thing I knew it was 4am! There were lots of kind birthday presents, books, music, a painting, but my favorite came from the Cosmos in the form of a brand new song. I think I’ll call it the “Re-Birthday Song”. Here is some video of the song as it came out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7KtVRgrCRw here it is a few days later (watch for the spit!) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwZdyTzlfxY You can find video from both the Doug Sahm night and my birthday at Maloe Melo here: www.youtube.com/maloemelotheconcerts We spent the next day recuperating furiously. I just love walking through the canals of Amsterdam. We finished the lovely champagne Jur got me for my birthday, ate at Bird Thais on Zeedijk and continued our journey with Carol Ann joining us in Stoneman’s psychedelic sunset ’71 VW bus south to Belgium. We arrived at Conrad’s house in Ardooie and prepared for that evening’s show at the beautiful and packed CultuurKapel De Schaduw. Jonas and everyone at De Schaduw are so wonderful. It seems to be a sacred space. Conrad had given up his tickets for the Warren Haynes show to take care of us this tour. We decided to try and make it up to him by learning “Soulshine” and playing it that night. It was Armistice Day, so our show was full of songs and prayers of Peace. We got to pet the pig and visit with our friends. JC hates when I tell this story, but when my lapsteel wouldn’t quit buzzing that night we fixed the problem with a frayed RCA cable... one end wrapped around the jack on the lapsteel and the other touching my belly. I know, I know, it DID work though... Cole went to stay the night with Stoneman and Hilde, the rest of us stayed at Conrad’s. We stayed up all night at the whiskey table. (It’s also the breakfast table, but really this is a more apt to call it the whiskey table) Conrad has a bottle for each of his touring friends. Guy Forsyth has one, Wendy Colonna has one, and ours is a 14 year old Oban. mmmmm We were good, there is still some left! The next day we played in Ypres (or Iepers, near Flanders Fields) to a small room full of enthusiastic folks. The place was beautiful and we were treated to a great meal in the history filled home above. You can find lots of videos of us on this tour at Conrad’s youtube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/conraddm
I had a few hours to pack up, say my goodbyes, send Cole and Lefty to bed (the next day would find them in Amsterdam). I miss my band when we’re apart. Stoneman travelled with me via train to Brussels to make sure I got on the early flight after staying up to catch it. The next several days would be a whirlwind of tons of travel and music, coupled with little to no sleep nor food... it was sooooo worth it! I had cut our European tour short as soon as I was asked to participate in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s American Music Masters Series honoring Janis Joplin. It is such an honor and my friends overseas understood completely. I still wish I could be in two places at once. After the expected flight BS involving trying to separate me and my guitar on 3 flights, (short answer: NO way) I made it to Cleveland with enough time to brush my teeth before rehearsal. That was good, because I still had last night’s bar in the 16 hour old sweat of a good gig on me. The least I could do was banish the dragon from my mouth. I felt like I had snuck in to something all weekend. They put us up at the Ritz-Carlton and we rehearsed upstairs. I was too late to practice with Bettye Lavette and would have just one run through “Piece of My Heart” with her tomorrow and Ray had a earlier rehearsal spot too, as Asleep at the Wheel had a show at Wilbert’s that night. I watched Susan Tedeschi rehearse with the band and then I ran through “Down on Me” with them. The band was tight in all the right places and loose enough to be really comfy. I had been up for much better than 24 hours, but I still wanted to go hear the Wheel at Wilbert’s. Powell and Toby St. John joined me in the band shuttle. They are both so kind, I truly love them. I went in, paid my cover after fishing through my euros for a few US dollars and boogied. The Wheel was on fire! The whole place was moving. I was thrilled to sit in on Elizabeth’s guitar and make up a song with the band. After the show we were on the tourbus when there was a knock at the door. The club owners were apologizing profusely for charging me a cover and said they have been trying to book my band in that room ever since they saw us on Austin City Limits. I was floored. I hope to bring the band with me next time! Susan and I went past the hotel bar on our way up to our rooms and spotted Lucinda Williams holding court inside. (Did you hear the one about the two guitar players that walked past the bar? I didn’t think so.) We decided to join her for a nightcap. It was quite festive! Have you ever met someone and felt like you could easily be related? Susan and I have so much in common, it’s nutty! Not only do we appreciate the same music, history and love of guitar in general, we even share a birthday! Seriously. She asked what I was doing in Amsterdam, to which I replied, “Celebrating my birthday, it was last Monday” She said, “Mine was last week, too. What day was the 9th?” We both got big eyed on that one. She is so freaking cool. I think we should start a band!
The next day I hung out at the Wolstein Auditorium watching, listening and practicing. It was like getting two shows in one! I am glad I had the chance to hear Bettye Lavette sing “A Woman Left Lonely” in rehearsal and got my crying out of the way because there’s no use for a blubbering backup singer on the next song, and I’m that backup singer! The show was off the hook. It opened with film footage and then, curtains up! First act of the night is the ever amazing Ray Benson. I played guitar and sang backup with Ray on “Silver Threads and Golden Needles”. Ray is such a cut up! He had us all giggling before curtains and then, boom! Out pours this beautiful baritone. The rest of the show was like a highlight reel of some of my favorite players. Powell St.John was beautiful, just him and that harp. Guy Clark sang like he was gently cutting through your very existence. (Backstage he allowed me to play his fine-as-frog-hair guitar on which he was the luthier) Roky Erickson slayed me as per usual despite a broken guitar strap, he has such an etheral power. Nick Gravenites lived up to my expectations and then some. He’s incredibly soulful. Country Joe had everyone smiling with the horn section taking a few songs down New Orleans’ way. Bob Neuwirth brought Janis’ brother Michael and sister Laura up to sing “Mercedes Benz”. Gregg Rolie and Michael Carabello ROCKED as I suspected they might! Nona Hendryx has got to be the sexiest human being I have ever seen. She can sing her ass off, and did. I did my song and it felt good. Bettye Lavette tore it up. I was so thrilled to sing with her. Susan Tedeschi was aflame from the minute she stepped up to the microphone. She wailed on the guitar and sang like a gritty angel. Lucinda Williams tenderly closed the show on acoustic guitar with a song she was writing the night before for Janis tentatively called “Difficult Child” It was touching as Hell. After the final curtain call, Bettye, Susan and I hung out a bit before heading to the after party at the Hard Rock. It took me more than an hour to make my way through the room (kissing hands and shaking babies). I met some nice young gentlemen, one of whom is also a fan of Telecasters with Joe Barden pickups, and we enjoyed a smoke outside with a row of tourbuses protecting us from the elements. Turns out they were Miley Cyrus’ busses. Sorry about all that smoke in Cleveland, Ms. Cyrus.
After catching a few hours of much needed sleep, it was back to the airport for the day’s adventure in Woodstock. Originally, this event (Levon Helm’s Lifetime Achievement Award with Kris Kristofferson as the extremely special guest) was to take place as part of the Queens International Film Festival, or QIFF. (Just like it sounds, I guess... ) Someone dropped a rather large ball on this one. I will publicly speculate no further as it does no good in matters that likely require some legal recourse. What I will say is this: WOW! Levon and his team decided the show must go on... at Levon’s barn in Woodstock... at a Midnight Ramble! I flew into Newark after a slight delay (you know, planes), met up with Cole (who was arriving from Amsterdam) and with our trusty phones we routed our driver to Woodstock an hour before doors. whew! We were joining Guy Forsyth, Rob Hooper (happy as a clam on Levon’s kit!), and Will Landin to make a collaborative band. Again, I felt like I snuck into a show. I have dared to dream of attending a Ramble, but had never imagined getting to play one, much less with my friends! The music began with the talented and earnest Jarrett Schaub Band, we played our Guy Forsyth & Carolyn Wonderland set which included the first time I played Janis’ “What Good Can Drinkin’ Do” in public. (fun and scary! I’m glad the band is psychic.) Guy is always amazing and this was no exception. Rob, Cole and Will gelled perfectly. It was so fun to hop into this gig, no rehearsal, just jump into the Ether. There was the delicate and wild Waylon Payne, the legendary Hubert Sumlin was there playing his tail off on his birthday with Steve Conte, and of course, the amazing Kris Kristofferson who got up with just his guitar and spun great tales between heartbreaking lyrical turns. “Sunday Morning” hasn’t had me that teary in a while. We were all followed by Levon’s BAD ASS BAND. Dude, how many guitar lessons can one girl hold in her head? Larry Campbell’s take on the guitar will always stand out in my mind. He could be flashy, he instead plays just the right note at just the right time. It was also a mind blower hearing Amy Helm & Teresa Williams harmonizing like they were born singing together. I could go on and on, everyone in that band is rock solid. What a horn section! What charts! I was seated above and behind the band, right where I could read the horn charts when I wasn’t holding my jaw off the ground. The sound was superb all night. The ride back was fun, too! None of this would have been possible without the kindness, investment, and hard effin’ work of one man: Kerry Wallum. Thanks, man.
Cole and I flew back to Austin with the gang from Woodstock the next morning. Lefty had just arrived back from Amsterdam safely the day prior. I went home to make fresh salsa. It was good to reunite the next night at the Gibson Showroom where Shelley King and Glenda Facemire were hosting a shared release party. It was a great idea! Shelley’s new CD, “Welcome Home” is one of my favorite CDs! I am so proud to know her, and this captures her. She recorded it with the “Three Twins” from the subdudes. Glenda is releasing a book, “Music in the Kitchen” It is a groovy cookbook! Glenda is the talented and sweet makeup artist at Austin City Limits. The recipes are from some of the bands who have played on ACL. (my road salsa recipe is page 23!) At the party we listened to Shelley’s new CD while sampling recipes from folks like Cindy Cashdollar, Willie Nelson, Marcia Ball. I brought two versions of my salsa, in case others don’t love the habanero like I do. It was a great event with a full house and just enough food!
This two day visit home had my cats a touch miffed at my infrequent attention. Fancier cans of cat food all around! Back at the airport the next morning I went to meet up with Cindy Cashdollar, Sarah Brown and Lisa Pankratz. We were flying to Cincinnati to join forces with Sue Foley and become the Texas Guitar Women! It was so fun to travel and play with those gals, it makes all the flight delays, cancellations and changes just roll off my back. Rob Ellig and Pete Ellerhorst run the Greater Cincinnati Performing Arts Society and they invited us back for this season’s program. We had a nice long rehearsal and I got to hang out with some Phish heads in the lobby. We played acoustic on WKNU. We sampled local fare. The show was grooving. There was a point where we knocked out the power to the PA. I sang “Re-Birthday Song” a capella followed by some rocking instrumentals. When the PA came back, the crowd whooped and hollered! It was great fun. We played 2 big sets with songs like Sue’s “Mediterranean Breakfast”, Sarah’s “Money Isn’t King” (one of my new favorite songs), Cindy led us through a groovy instrumental “War Baby” and Lisa got the crowd on our side with her rendition of “Cincinnati, Ohio”. Rob and Pete know how to treat traveling musicians. I look forward to our return next season as the Texas Guitar Women and am looking forward to playing with TGW February 5, 2010 in Shelby, NC.
I was so happy to come home for Thanksgiving to play at Antone’s with Dirtyberd. They are quite something. Real Rock n Roll to me! The next night had us in Houston with the hard grooving Little Brother Project. After bearing witness two nights in a row, I am happy to report the rumors of Rock’s demise are greatly exagerrated.

+++RIP Robin Shivers
While we were touring Europe this November, we got the sad news. On November 5th one of Austin’s dearest people and grande philanthropists, Robin Shivers, had died in her sleep. Robin did so much for musicians in Austin. She co-founded HAAM, the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, bringing health care to more than 1,400 uninsured musicians in Austin. For 28 years she volunteered with Seton Health Care. She helped many bands with their careers. She not only had great ideas, she worked them with her own sweat and tears! If there was a benefit, Robin was volunteering at it. I, along with most of the Austin music community, am still a bit in shock over losing someone so special. Robin is survived by her husband, Allan “Bud” Shivers and most everyone she touched in this lifetime.
The holiday season is upon us. I would kindly request this year, in lieu of gifts, please consider making a contribution to HAAM in Robin Shiver’s name.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?n=robin-shivers&pid=135107617

+++December 2009: Home with Guy Forsyth - Carolyn Wonderland Holiday Shows, Shelley King shows, benefits for John Jordan and Will Sexton, NYE, Thanks, See you in 2010!

This year we are home for the holidays. It is a change of pace to be at home long enough to do laundry and not throw the resulting clean clothes in a suitcase. I dig it! We are taking advantage of this time at home by putting together some holiday shows with our friends.

Guy Forsyth and I have known each other for fifteen years or so. I still remember vividly the gig at which we met in Oklahoma. I have been an avowed fan ever since. Over the years we have written and recorded together, subbed in each other’s bands, crashed each other’s gigs, played at Levon’s... but this would be our first “official” collaborative show. We (gasp!) rehearsed a bunch of songs, mostly of the holiday variety and took to deconstructing traditional chestnuts into Texas pecans. We had a ball! Guy and I play on our usual assortment of instruments (acoustic and electric guitars, resonator guitar, trumpet, ukelele, saw, mandolin) and split the singing duties harmonizing on most of the arrangements, Will Landin plays electric bass and sousaphone, Cole El-Saleh plays keys and Rob Hooper plays drums. We had great shows at the Mucky Duck in Houston and the One World Theater in Austin, with one more big show on Dec 19 at Sam’s in San Antonio. You can sneak a peek thanks to our friends at KLBJ and KUT. Here is a video clip from KLBJ’s Dudley and Bob show with Guy Forsyth and me playing Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run” as an early morning duo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RpggoQOgd8 You can hear the WHOLE band live on KUT at Jay Trachtenberg’s Dec 8 Blog by pushing the little “play” button in the blog. (hit “refresh” if you don’t see the “play” arrow) There are great conversations with Jay and these songs: Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run”, a slightly twisted version of Frank Loesser’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” into Guy’s “Mary Mae” and we end with John Lennon’s “Happy X-Mas (WAR IS OVER)” on the 29th anniversary of his murder. http://kut.org/items/show/19132

We’ll be taking part in the John Jordan Holiday show at Saxon Pub on the afternoon / evening of Dec 20th. It is a fundraiser / rent party for John. He is a kick ass bass player and extremely generous soul. Damn near every benefit we have played in Austin this year has had John volunteering at it. Please come give back to our friend in his time of need. www.thesaxonpub.com

I would also like to encourage you to donate to Will Sexton’s relief fund. Will recently suffered a minor stroke and will need to take time off of his busy playing schedule to heal. Full recovery is expected and he is currently at home. You can donate here: http://willsexton.chipin.com/will-sexton-benefit

Shelley King has just released what has become one of my favorite CDs, “Welcome Home”. She recorded it in Colorado with the Three Twins from the subdudes. It has been climbing the charts with it’s first single, “Summer Wine”. If you don’t have a copy, these next two shows are your chance. Shelley and I are getting together to play Christmas night at Antone’s with our bands (expected sit ins are surely in the cards, hint hint). The next night [Boxing Day!] we take the show to Houston where we open for our bands as a duo (a peek at our Japanese tour!) at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar.

You can find Shelley, Guy, Ray Benson, me and a cast of groovy musicians all together with Asleep at the Wheel and Friends singing at the tree at Zilker Park’s Trail of Lights (free, all ages) on Dec 21st. http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/tol/

The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is in full swing. On Dec. 23, the line up is: Shelley King (noon), Guy Forsyth, (3:30pm), Carolyn Wonderland (8pm). Come by to dig the family vibe and support your local artists and artisans. There are booths full of one of a kind finds for that gift that was made with care for someone you care for. www.armadillobazaar.com

We’ll make a few more shows in Texas before Shelley King and I tour Japan this January.
Dec 30 - Austin, TX - SAXON PUB - that’s right, NYE’s EVE at the Saxon! www.thesaxonpub.com

Dec 31 - Spicewood, TX - POODIE’S HILLTOP - NYE with special guests, Blues Mafia opening the show! www.poodies.info

Jan 2 - Ft. Worth, TX - J&J BLUES - www.jjbluesbar.com

Jan 9 - Pasadena, TX - Shelley King & Carolyn Wonderland pre-Japan kick off duo show at Almost Austin House Concerts. http://www.myspace.com/kpsid

Of course, one can always find our tourdates and sign up on our mailing list at www.reverbnation.com/carolynwonderland

2010 promises new adventures, new tours, new CDs and I am so glad you are here with me to take the plunge into the musical cosmos. I am truly grateful for my family and friends who have been there with moral support and for my band who has lifted me up in times of pain and sorrow. Thank you all for such a great year of music, camaraderie and memories. Let’s keep on truckin’ and chooglin’, shall we?

~carolyn wonderland

www.carolynwonderland.com
www.reverbnation.com/carolynwonderland
www.carolynwonderland.at
www.facebook.com/wonderchicken

December 2009: Home with Guy Forsyth - Carolyn Wonderland Holiday Shows, Shelley King shows, benefits for John Jordan and Will Sexton, NYE, Thanks, See you in 2010!

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:47:12 -0600

This year we are home for the holidays. It is a change of pace to be at home long enough to do laundry and not throw the resulting clean clothes in a suitcase. I dig it! We are taking advantage of this time at home by putting together some holiday shows with our friends.

Guy Forsyth and I have known each other for fifteen years or so. I still remember vividly the gig at which we met in Oklahoma. I have been an avowed fan ever since. Over the years we have written and recorded together, subbed in each other’s bands, crashed each other’s gigs, played at Levon’s... but this would be our first “official” collaborative show. We (gasp!) rehearsed a bunch of songs, mostly of the holiday variety and took to deconstructing traditional chestnuts into Texas pecans. We had a ball! Guy and I play on our usual assortment of instruments (acoustic and electric guitars, resonator guitar, trumpet, ukelele, saw, mandolin) and split the singing duties harmonizing on most of the arrangements, Will Landin plays electric bass and sousaphone, Cole El-Saleh plays keys and Rob Hooper plays drums. We had great shows at the Mucky Duck in Houston and the One World Theater in Austin, with one more big show on Dec 19 at Sam’s in San Antonio. You can sneak a peek thanks to our friends at KLBJ and KUT. Here is a video clip from KLBJ’s Dudley and Bob show with Guy Forsyth and me playing Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run” as an early morning duo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RpggoQOgd8 You can hear the WHOLE band live on KUT at Jay Trachtenberg’s Dec 8 Blog by pushing the little “play” button in the blog. (hit “refresh” if you don’t see the “play” arrow) There are great conversations with Jay and these songs: Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run”, a slightly twisted version of Frank Loesser’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” into Guy’s “Mary Mae” and we end with John Lennon’s “Happy X-Mas (WAR IS OVER)” on the 29th anniversary of his murder. http://kut.org/items/show/19132

We’ll be taking part in the John Jordan Holiday show at Saxon Pub on the afternoon / evening of Dec 20th. It is a fundraiser / rent party for John. He is a kick ass bass player and extremely generous soul. Damn near every benefit we have played in Austin this year has had John volunteering at it. Please come give back to our friend in his time of need. www.thesaxonpub.com

I would also like to encourage you to donate to Will Sexton’s relief fund. Will recently suffered a minor stroke and will need to take time off of his busy playing schedule to heal. Full recovery is expected and he is currently at home. You can donate here: http://willsexton.chipin.com/will-sexton-benefit

Shelley King has just released what has become one of my favorite CDs, “Welcome Home”. She recorded it in Colorado with the Three Twins from the subdudes. It has been climbing the charts with it’s first single, “Summer Wine”. If you don’t have a copy, these next two shows are your chance. Shelley and I are getting together to play Christmas night at Antone’s with our bands (expected sit ins are surely in the cards, hint hint). The next night [Boxing Day!] we take the show to Houston where we open for our bands as a duo (a peek at our Japanese tour!) at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar.

You can find Shelley, Guy, Ray Benson, me and a cast of groovy musicians all together with Asleep at the Wheel and Friends singing at the tree at Zilker Park’s Trail of Lights (free, all ages) on Dec 21st. http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/tol/

The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is in full swing. On Dec. 23, the line up is: Shelley King (noon), Guy Forsyth, (3:30pm), Carolyn Wonderland (8pm). Come by to dig the family vibe and support your local artists and artisans. There are booths full of one of a kind finds for that gift that was made with care for someone you care for. www.armadillobazaar.com

We’ll make a few more shows in Texas before Shelley King and I tour Japan this January.
Dec 30 - Austin, TX - SAXON PUB - that’s right, NYE’s EVE at the Saxon! www.thesaxonpub.com

Dec 31 - Spicewood, TX - POODIE’S HILLTOP - NYE with special guests, Blues Mafia opening the show! www.poodies.info

Jan 2 - Ft. Worth, TX - J&J BLUES - www.jjbluesbar.com

Jan 9 - Pasadena, TX - Shelley King & Carolyn Wonderland pre-Japan kick off duo show at Almost Austin House Concerts. http://www.myspace.com/kpsid

Of course, one can always find our tourdates and sign up on our mailing list at www.reverbnation.com/carolynwonderland

2010 promises new adventures, new tours, new CDs and I am so glad you are here with me to take the plunge into the musical cosmos. I am truly grateful for my family and friends who have been there with moral support and for my band who has lifted me up in times of pain and sorrow. Thank you all for such a great year of music, camaraderie and memories. Let’s keep on truckin’ and chooglin’, shall we?

RIP Robin Shivers

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:20:25 -0600

While we were touring Europe this November, we got the sad news. On November 5th one of Austin’s dearest people and grande philanthropists, Robin Shivers, had died in her sleep. Robin did so much for musicians in Austin. She co-founded HAAM, the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, bringing health care to more than 1,400 uninsured musicians in Austin. For 28 years she volunteered with Seton Health Care. She helped many bands with their careers. She not only had great ideas, she worked them with her own sweat and tears! If there was a benefit, Robin was volunteering at it. I, along with most of the Austin music community, am still a bit in shock over losing someone so special. Robin is survived by her husband, Allan “Bud” Shivers and most everyone she touched in this lifetime.

The holiday season is upon us. I would kindly request this year, in lieu of gifts, please consider making a contribution to HAAM in Robin Shiver’s name.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?n=robin-shivers&pid=135107617

November 2009: Amsterdam Birthday Ritual, Netherlands, Belgium, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Music Masters Concert Honoring Janis Joplin (Cleveland, OH), Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble with Guy Forsyth (Woodstock, NY), Glenda Facemire’s new book: “Music in the Kitchen” out now! Texas Guitar Women in Cincinnati, Thanksgiving at Antone’s (Austin, TX) and Dan Electro’s (Houston, TX)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

We arrived in Amsterdam a day early to run around a bit and I had the pleasure of sitting in with the Texas Sweet Hot Trio (Bettye Soo, Abi Tapia and Charlie Faye). It was great to hear them play together and felt good, although I was a little jet-lag stupid, to sit in with such a great line up. There is some footage here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdlokdalQwc We made it over to honor Doug Sahm on his birthday ten years after his passing in one of his favorite cities. We played all night long at the Maloe Melo in Amsterdam, covering songs like “At the Crossroads”, “Oh No, Not Another One”, “Mendicino”, “You Never Get too Big and You Sure Don’t Get too Heavy You Don’t Have to Stop and Pay Some Dues Sometimes” and of course, “She’s About a Mover” with Jan the Lazyman singing with us. We raised a few euro towards the Doug Sahm Hill in Austin. You can donate and learn more here: www.dougsahmhill.com. There were numerous friends from the States, the UK, Austria, Belgium, France and even Yasuhito and Hiroko flew in from Japan! This was the “Conrad and Stoneman Saved our Asses” European tour. Among many friends from all over the world, Conrad and Stoneman were there and took us to the next night’s show at the Bruin Cafe de Amer in Amen. The show was great, as was the food, the sound, the staff, and Jan! There are photos up here: http://henkeggens.jalbum.net/3.%20Music/index.html Poor Cole was sick as a dawg, running a fever for most of the week. We gave him the private room at the B&B and made our way to Antwerp after an early breakfast to play at the Crossroads Cafe the next afternoon. It was great! They have live Blues every Sunday afternoon. I recommend a visit! Jan and his family are the real deal. You can find photos from that afternoon here: http://www.pbase.com/sjel/081109 Conrad headed back home, we would catch him again in a few days. Stoneman drove us back to Amsterdam and at midnight on my birthday we arrived. The hotel had double booked our rooms & upon noticing the error put us in a “nicer” hotel on their tab. Okay, but nicer means no coffee shops in sight and the bar is closing...boo! Stoneman convinced the bar to stay open for one birthday drink. We got some sleep and headed back to our hotel nearer to the amenities I’d like to frequent. My birthday was spent taking nice walks, smoking at the Rokerij, and playing at our home away from home, the Maloe Melo. The party was phenomenal. Even more friends flew in for this night. I thought we might play 2 hour long sets, but next thing I knew it was 4am! There were lots of kind birthday presents, books, music, a painting, but my favorite came from the Cosmos in the form of a brand new song. I think I’ll call it the “Re-Birthday Song”. Here is some video of the song as it came out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7KtVRgrCRw here it is a few days later (watch for the spit!) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwZdyTzlfxY You can find video from both the Doug Sahm night and my birthday at Maloe Melo here: www.youtube.com/maloemelotheconcerts We spent the next day recuperating furiously. I just love walking through the canals of Amsterdam. We finished the lovely champagne Jur got me for my birthday, ate at Bird Thais on Zeedijk and continued our journey with Carol Ann joining us in Stoneman’s psychedelic sunset ’71 VW bus south to Belgium. We arrived at Conrad’s house in Ardooie and prepared for that evening’s show at the beautiful and packed CultuurKapel De Schaduw. Jonas and everyone at De Schaduw are so wonderful. It seems to be a sacred space. Conrad had given up his tickets for the Warren Haynes show to take care of us this tour. We decided to try and make it up to him by learning “Soulshine” and playing it that night. It was Armistice Day, so our show was full of songs and prayers of Peace. We got to pet the pig and visit with our friends. JC hates when I tell this story, but when my lapsteel wouldn’t quit buzzing that night we fixed the problem with a frayed RCA cable... one end wrapped around the jack on the lapsteel and the other touching my belly. I know, I know, it DID work though... Cole went to stay the night with Stoneman and Hilde, the rest of us stayed at Conrad’s. We stayed up all night at the whiskey table. (It’s also the breakfast table, but really this is a more apt to call it the whiskey table) Conrad has a bottle for each of his touring friends. Guy Forsyth has one, Wendy Colonna has one, and ours is a 14 year old Oban. mmmmm We were good, there is still some left! The next day we played in Ypres (or Iepers, near Flanders Fields) to a small room full of enthusiastic folks. The place was beautiful and we were treated to a great meal in the history filled home above. You can find lots of videos of us on this tour at Conrad’s youtube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/conraddm
I had a few hours to pack up, say my goodbyes, send Cole and Lefty to bed (the next day would find them in Amsterdam). I miss my band when we’re apart. Stoneman travelled with me via train to Brussels to make sure I got on the early flight after staying up to catch it. The next several days would be a whirlwind of tons of travel and music, coupled with little to no sleep nor food... it was sooooo worth it! I had cut our European tour short as soon as I was asked to participate in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s American Music Masters Series honoring Janis Joplin. It is such an honor and my friends overseas understood completely. I still wish I could be in two places at once. After the expected flight BS involving trying to separate me and my guitar on 3 flights, (short answer: NO way) I made it to Cleveland with enough time to brush my teeth before rehearsal. That was good, because I still had last night’s bar in the 16 hour old sweat of a good gig on me. The least I could do was banish the dragon from my mouth. I felt like I had snuck in to something all weekend. They put us up at the Ritz-Carlton and we rehearsed upstairs. I was too late to practice with Bettye Lavette and would have just one run through “Piece of My Heart” with her tomorrow and Ray had a earlier rehearsal spot too, as Asleep at the Wheel had a show at Wilbert’s that night. I watched Susan Tedeschi rehearse with the band and then I ran through “Down on Me” with them. The band was tight in all the right places and loose enough to be really comfy. I had been up for much better than 24 hours, but I still wanted to go hear the Wheel at Wilbert’s. Powell and Toby St. John joined me in the band shuttle. They are both so kind, I truly love them. I went in, paid my cover after fishing through my euros for a few US dollars and boogied. The Wheel was on fire! The whole place was moving. I was thrilled to sit in on Elizabeth’s guitar and make up a song with the band. After the show we were on the tourbus when there was a knock at the door. The club owners were apologizing profusely for charging me a cover and said they have been trying to book my band in that room ever since they saw us on Austin City Limits. I was floored. I hope to bring the band with me next time! Susan and I went past the hotel bar on our way up to our rooms and spotted Lucinda Williams holding court inside. (Did you hear the one about the two guitar players that walked past the bar? I didn’t think so.) We decided to join her for a nightcap. It was quite festive! Have you ever met someone and felt like you could easily be related? Susan and I have so much in common, it’s nutty! Not only do we appreciate the same music, history and love of guitar in general, we even share a birthday! Seriously. She asked what I was doing in Amsterdam, to which I replied, “Celebrating my birthday, it was last Monday” She said, “Mine was last week, too. What day was the 9th?” We both got big eyed on that one. She is so freaking cool. I think we should start a band!
The next day I hung out at the Wolstein Auditorium watching, listening and practicing. It was like getting two shows in one! I am glad I had the chance to hear Bettye Lavette sing “A Woman Left Lonely” in rehearsal and got my crying out of the way because there’s no use for a blubbering backup singer on the next song, and I’m that backup singer! The show was off the hook. It opened with film footage and then, curtains up! First act of the night is the ever amazing Ray Benson. I played guitar and sang backup with Ray on “Silver Threads and Golden Needles”. Ray is such a cut up! He had us all giggling before curtains and then, boom! Out pours this beautiful baritone. The rest of the show was like a highlight reel of some of my favorite players. Powell St.John was beautiful, just him and that harp. Guy Clark sang like he was gently cutting through your very existence. (Backstage he allowed me to play his fine-as-frog-hair guitar on which he was the luthier) Roky Erickson slayed me as per usual despite a broken guitar strap, he has such an etheral power. Nick Gravenites lived up to my expectations and then some. He’s incredibly soulful. Country Joe had everyone smiling with the horn section taking a few songs down New Orleans’ way. Bob Neuwirth brought Janis’ brother Michael and sister Laura up to sing “Mercedes Benz”. Gregg Rolie and Michael Carabello ROCKED as I suspected they might! Nona Hendryx has got to be the sexiest human being I have ever seen. She can sing her ass off, and did. I did my song and it felt good. Bettye Lavette tore it up. I was so thrilled to sing with her. Susan Tedeschi was aflame from the minute she stepped up to the microphone. She wailed on the guitar and sang like a gritty angel. Lucinda Williams tenderly closed the show on acoustic guitar with a song she was writing the night before for Janis tentatively called “Difficult Child” It was touching as Hell. After the final curtain call, Bettye, Susan and I hung out a bit before heading to the after party at the Hard Rock. It took me more than an hour to make my way through the room (kissing hands and shaking babies). I met some nice young gentlemen, one of whom is also a fan of Telecasters with Joe Barden pickups, and we enjoyed a smoke outside with a row of tourbuses protecting us from the elements. Turns out they were Miley Cyrus’ busses. Sorry about all that smoke in Cleveland, Ms. Cyrus.
After catching a few hours of much needed sleep, it was back to the airport for the day’s adventure in Woodstock. Originally, this event (Levon Helm’s Lifetime Achievement Award with Kris Kristofferson as the extremely special guest) was to take place as part of the Queens International Film Festival, or QIFF. (Just like it sounds, I guess... ) Someone dropped a rather large ball on this one. I will publicly speculate no further as it does no good in matters that likely require some legal recourse. What I will say is this: WOW! Levon and his team decided the show must go on... at Levon’s barn in Woodstock... at a Midnight Ramble! I flew into Newark after a slight delay (you know, planes), met up with Cole (who was arriving from Amsterdam) and with our trusty phones we routed our driver to Woodstock an hour before doors. whew! We were joining Guy Forsyth, Rob Hooper (happy as a clam on Levon’s kit!), and Will Landin to make a collaborative band. Again, I felt like I snuck into a show. I have dared to dream of attending a Ramble, but had never imagined getting to play one, much less with my friends! The music began with the talented and earnest Jarrett Schaub Band, we played our Guy Forsyth & Carolyn Wonderland set which included the first time I played Janis’ “What Good Can Drinkin’ Do” in public. (fun and scary! I’m glad the band is psychic.) Guy is always amazing and this was no exception. Rob, Cole and Will gelled perfectly. It was so fun to hop into this gig, no rehearsal, just jump into the Ether. There was the delicate and wild Waylon Payne, the legendary Hubert Sumlin was there playing his tail off on his birthday with Steve Conte, and of course, the amazing Kris Kristofferson who got up with just his guitar and spun great tales between heartbreaking lyrical turns. “Sunday Morning” hasn’t had me that teary in a while. We were all followed by Levon’s BAD ASS BAND. Dude, how many guitar lessons can one girl hold in her head? Larry Campbell’s take on the guitar will always stand out in my mind. He could be flashy, he instead plays just the right note at just the right time. It was also a mind blower hearing Amy Helm & Teresa Williams harmonizing like they were born singing together. I could go on and on, everyone in that band is rock solid. What a horn section! What charts! I was seated above and behind the band, right where I could read the horn charts when I wasn’t holding my jaw off the ground. The sound was superb all night. The ride back was fun, too! None of this would have been possible without the kindness, investment, and hard effin’ work of one man: Kerry Wallum. Thanks, man.
Cole and I flew back to Austin with the gang from Woodstock the next morning. Lefty had just arrived back from Amsterdam safely the day prior. I went home to make fresh salsa. It was good to reunite the next night at the Gibson Showroom where Shelley King and Glenda Facemire were hosting a shared release party. It was a great idea! Shelley’s new CD, “Welcome Home” is one of my favorite CDs! I am so proud to know her, and this captures her. She recorded it with the “Three Twins” from the subdudes. Glenda is releasing a book, “Music in the Kitchen” It is a groovy cookbook! Glenda is the talented and sweet makeup artist at Austin City Limits. The recipes are from some of the bands who have played on ACL. (my road salsa recipe is page 23!) At the party we listened to Shelley’s new CD while sampling recipes from folks like Cindy Cashdollar, Willie Nelson, Marcia Ball. I brought two versions of my salsa, in case others don’t love the habanero like I do. It was a great event with a full house and just enough food!
This two day visit home had my cats a touch miffed at my infrequent attention. Fancier cans of cat food all around! Back at the airport the next morning I went to meet up with Cindy Cashdollar, Sarah Brown and Lisa Pankratz. We were flying to Cincinnati to join forces with Sue Foley and become the Texas Guitar Women! It was so fun to travel and play with those gals, it makes all the flight delays, cancellations and changes just roll off my back. Rob Ellig and Pete Ellerhorst run the Greater Cincinnati Performing Arts Society and they invited us back for this season’s program. We had a nice long rehearsal and I got to hang out with some Phish heads in the lobby. We played acoustic on WKNU. We sampled local fare. The show was grooving. There was a point where we knocked out the power to the PA. I sang “Re-Birthday Song” a capella followed by some rocking instrumentals. When the PA came back, the crowd whooped and hollered! It was great fun. We played 2 big sets with songs like Sue’s “Mediterranean Breakfast”, Sarah’s “Money Isn’t King” (one of my new favorite songs), Cindy led us through a groovy instrumental “War Baby” and Lisa got the crowd on our side with her rendition of “Cincinnati, Ohio”. Rob and Pete know how to treat traveling musicians. I look forward to our return next season as the Texas Guitar Women and am looking forward to playing with TGW February 5, 2010 in Shelby, NC.
I was so happy to come home for Thanksgiving to play at Antone’s with Dirtyberd. They are quite something. Real Rock n Roll to me! The next night had us in Houston with the hard grooving Little Brother Project. After bearing witness two nights in a row, I am happy to report the rumors of Rock’s demise are greatly exagerrated.

RIP Bill Narum

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:09:06 -0600

My friends in Houston and Austin might have known Bill from his time as art director of Houston’s underground paper, Space City! in the late 60’s and early 70’s, his underground comix, or known his work with KPFT , his co-founding the then free-form rock radio KLOL in the late 60’s and his art and stage design for ZZ Top. Art lovers and poster collectors know him through his poster and album art that was ever evolving and covered a whole lot of ground. I met Mr. Narum at the South Austin Museum of Popular Culture. His perspective and ideas had him in a class by himself. His willingness to embrace new media and mediums had him reaching to a future we may have yet to grasp, but it was fundamentally inviting and natural. You can see his works at Threadgill’s, the South Austin Museum of Popular Culture, anywhere truly fine art is appreciated. I am always a fan. I am grateful to have had the chance to tell him so. He was a kind man, generous with his time and committed to his friends and his causes. My heart goes out to Gloria and to his children and friends in Houston, Austin, and everyone who loves him the world over.

www.billnarum.com
http://theragblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/rip-bill-narum-legendary-artist-of.html
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Blogs/index.html/objID920103/blogID/
www.samopc.org

This Just In! Nov 14, 2009: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame American Music Masters Concert Celebrating Janis Joplin, Nov 15, 2009: Levon Helm Lifetime Achievement Award Tribute Concert at the Queens Film Festival

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:22:14 -0500

I am thrilled to report the following two news items! On November 14th I will be in Cleveland performing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 14th Annual American Music Masters series. This year’s American Music Master is Janis Joplin. I’m incredibly honored to have been asked to play with the band! I’m not sure what everyone will sing, but I know it’s going to be quite a musical night! Tickets are available!

from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and Case Western Reserve University will celebrate Janis Joplin, one of rock and roll’s most passionate and influential artists during the 14th annual American Music Masters® series. Tickets for the November 14 tribute concert are on-sale now at the PlayhouseSquare box office, by phone at (216) 241-6000 or via the PlayhouseSquare website. This event is sponsored by Jim Beam. A limited number of Rock Hall VIP event packages starting at $250 are available by calling (216) 515-1207. Artists performing at the tribute concert will be announced in the coming weeks. Artists include Ray Benson, Guy Clark, Nona Hendryx, Bettye Lavette, Country Joe McDonald, Susan Tedeschi, Lucinda Williams and Carolyn Wonderland. Additional surprise guests will be announced in the coming weeks.

The next morning I fly to New York City, meet Lefty and Cole at the airport (they’ll be flying in from Amsterdam - remember? We just toured the Netherlands and Belgium a few days ago!) We will make our way to the Tony Bennet Concert Hall at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts where Guy Forsyth asked us to join him on stage at the Tribute to Levon Helm Concert celebrating his Lifetime Achievement Award!

From the Queens Film Festival:
Come join us Sunday, November 15th at 8pm, the Tony Bennett Concert Hall at The Frank Sinatra School of Arts in Astoria, Queens, NY for the Tribute to the legendary Levon Helm. Featured artists are Waylon Payne, Jarrett Schaub, Guy Forsyth, Carolyn Wonderland and Blues great Hubert Sumlin with special guest appearance by Grammy Award winner Kris Kristofferson.
tickets and more info at: www.queensfilmfestival.com

October 2009: Shelley King’s last weekly ArtZ show, In the Studio with Sam Lightnin’ and Ray Benson working on new CD, In the Studio with Mike Nesmith recording for his “American Gene”, That NEW AMP smell, Antone’s with Lou Ann Barton, Pinetop Perkins and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Bugle Boy (La Grange), Saxon Pub, Mucky Duck, Leslie Benefit at One2One Bar, Blue Dog Rescue Calendar - out now!

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:10:22 -0500

October began with a bang as we played Sam’s Boat in San Antonio with the lovely and talented guitar slinger, Ms Meagan Tubb and the Shady People. I am so glad folks in San Antonio know to come early for a night of music! The next week at home had me doing a few more interviews and getting ready for Shelley King’s last regular Wednesday night at ArtZ’ Rib House. Shelley has been playing Wednesdays at ArtZ for the past 6 years. She started a song swap with Floramay Holliday in 2003 (she previously held the regular Wednesday spot until she moved to Dallas), then Susan Gibson joined Shelley in 2003-2004, followed by me from 2004-2008, back to Susan and various guests like Elizabeth Wills, Theressa Andersen, Chip Dolan who would play with Shelley when she wasn’t on the road. With her new CD, “Welcome Home” ready to drop and the first single “Summer Wine” climbing the charts, it was time for Shelley to say goodbye to her sweet weekly gig and begin touring more regularly. The night was amazing! The initial line up of Shelley, Floramay, Susan and myself turned the song swap into a round robin as everybody sang and played on everyone else’s songs. We were soon joined by Richard Bowden on fiddle and Elizabeth Wills played a few with us, too. I love ArtZ and will miss knowing I could sit in any Wednesday I have off. I will still make it a point to go there for the great staff and to pick up some of that “ArtZ on Fire” sauce. It is my favorite!

Cole, Lefty and I spent some time with the golden ears and magic hands of Sam Lightnin’ Seifert behind the board at Bismeaux Studios recording our first round of tracks for our new CD. We recorded roughs for our new songs, “Usurper” and “Ours is No Exception”, an older song of mine, “Shine On”, and a song penned by Ruthie Foster and myself, “Come Together” along with Bo Diddley’s “I Can Tell”, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan’s “Heartland”, and Doug Sahm’s “At the Crossroads”. Ray Benson and I planted some seeds for some new songs, too. I loved recording “Miss Understood” at Bismeaux with so many guests and I am looking forward to doing more sessions for the new CD with my band! We stayed busy in Bismeaux as the next week found us recording a track for Mike Nesmith. We met Nez and the joyous Vic when we played a Virtual concert at their Video Ranch www.videoranch.com earlier this year. Mr. Nesmith has written this great book called “The America Gene” which is set in Texas, warns against the pitfalls of your PLV (Personal Las Vegas), and is steeped in music. He is releasing it as an audio book in the near future and we had the honor of recording Elmore James’ “Dust My Broom” for the project. Nez is a really fun producer! He and Sam are great to work with. As soon as “The America Gene” becomes available, I’ll be sure to post where you can find it!

I am in love. ValveTech sent me a custom amplifier and it is sooooooooooo groooooooovy! They let me pick out some features and built me the most killer amp! This red sparkle tolex covered 2x10 with switchable ohms and switchable preamp tubes is perfect for any size room. Seriously, you will see and hear a lot of this amp at all gigs I can drive to. (Yet another reason not to fly!) She arrived just in time for the Nesmith session and she was creamy! I need to get some good pictures of her to send back and say THANKS, so if you get a good pic with me and my amp in it, please let me know!

While we were home we played at Antone’s with the always captivating reigning Blues Queen Lou Ann Barton www.louannbarton.com doing the first set, followed by an amazing set that featured Pinetop Perkins www.pinetopperkins.com AND Willie “Big Eyes” Smith www.williebigeyessmith.com! Pinetop is a legendary Blues pianist who was born in 1913 and still rocks harder than most folks I know. Willie is an equally legendary Blues drummer and harmonica player. (That’s him playing harp on Bo Diddley’s “Diddy Wah Diddy”!) Pinetop and Willie played together in Muddy Waters’ band in the early 60’s. I feel so lucky to have heard them together on stage at Antone’s that night! (Did I mention Derek O’Brien rocks my world on guitar? He did again that night!) We followed those incinerating sets with special guest, Patrick Brink sitting in on trumpet for a few numbers with us. The next week had more interviews and a sweet show at the Bugle Boy in La Grange. Bugle Boy is a serious listening room. Lane makes sure all cell phones are off and conversations between patrons are over or moved to the back room. Heck, she even serves drinks in the back room and if you order chips, they are opened for you and placed in a basket. It is so different from playing “over” the crowd noise in a traditional bar setting. It sheds new light on old songs to be played stripped down to a listening audience. I dig it! We played next at Saxon Pub, returning to our former weekly slot on a Thursday with George Devore. George sounded great and it was good to be back at Saxon hanging with the family. We drove to Houston the next day to play two shows at the Mucky Duck. As I have mentioned before and will surely mention again, I dig the Duck. We came home to play a benefit for Leslie, Austin’s own homeless icon and mayoral candidate. Leslie had suffered an aneurism and needs help with medical and other living expenses. We were all so glad to see Leslie up and moving at the One2One Bar! We got there in time to hear sweet Jane Bond and hang out with lovely muses Dana Davis and Lynda Millard. If you want to help out and/ or keep up with Leslie, there is a facebook group, just search for facebook LOVE for LESLIE!

The Blue Dog Rescue Calendar is out now! Blue Dog Rescue is a 501(c)3 charity in Central Texas that rescues and places dogs. The sale of these calendars helps to care for dogs who might otherwise face a much bleaker future, if one at all.The 2010 Calendar features Ray Benson, Shawn Nelson, Davis McLarty, Charles Attal, Indigo Girls, Tom Lewis, Ozomatli, Nathan Quiring, Arc Angels, and me with our four legged friends (my favorite month is Redd Volkaert with Dick!) http://www.bluedogrescue.com/store/texashowlers.htm ...and YES, Charlie Ray Wondercat is in the calendar picture with me and Brandy Blaze Wonderpuppy. A fine feline ambassador he is!

Rusty Wier Memorial Saxon Pub Oct 15, 2009

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

http://www.rustywier.com/auschron.html
http://www.rustywier.com/updates.html

I first met Rusty when I was lucky enough to stumble upon a weekly residency at South Austin’s revered Saxon Pub. Rusty had held this show for years and it was a great opportunity to play for musically adventurous people who knew they were in for a show every Thursday. Usually it would be Rusty, us, and George Devore. This is also where I met Cole El-Saleh. He was playing regularly in Rusty’s band for many years. Cole ended up playing all night on Thursdays while he shared his time with both bands. I believe playing on a bill with Rusty put a rather large fire under one’s buttocks. I mean, this man could write and sing country, soul, blues, it all sounded like Rusty. That was a great thing to hear and a difficult thing to follow. It always made for a receptive audience and made you step up the show. I feel like George and I grew at his feet those years, taking in Rusty’s showmanship. There were no sick days for Rusty. He showed up and gave every bit of himself on stage. He was there to entertain, to make you want to dance, want to smile, no matter what may his personal burdens might have been on any given day. So, stop by and have a shot of Cuervo Gold for Rusty at the Saxon Pub next time you get the chance. Moral of the story is: I am happy for the times I heard Rusty and am glad to have known him. That, and don’t date girls with pointy boots.

September 2009: Putting Todd Back Together - a Benefit for Todd V. Wolfson!, Maple Leaf (New Orleans), Shed Head Blues Festival, Shelley King & Carolyn Wonderland hit Omaha and the Iowa Women’s Festival, Carolyn rejoins the band to hit Telluride Blues Festival, Dan Electro’s, Bosque River Stage (Waco) with Larry Carlton

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:20:04 -0500

We made a stop in to Houston on our way out and played an intimate couple of sets at the Mucky Duck before driving to New Orleans’ Maple Leaf Bar. I have always dug the Maple Leaf. I knew we had a connection when the head bartender and I were wearing the same Paladins T-Shirt upon one of our first appearances there better than ten years ago. It is still hard to see how far the recovery has to go from the aftermath of Katrina. I will play there as often as I can. The people are what makes that place so damn good. Thanks to all our friends at WWOZ for getting the word out and for dancing! That night we drove to Ocean Springs, MS to play the Shed Head Blues Festival the next afternoon. So many great bands and the folks who run that joint are too sweet. If you like your blues with a side of barbecue sauce, this is your Utopia. It is the South, and what would the South be without big ol’ bugs? I squished one while playing a guitar solo between my finger and the fretboard. I suspect that particular insect ate some of the BBQ as he was quite the mess to scrape off the strings. Eeeew!
We drove back to Texas to play Todd Wolfson’s benefit at Antone’s 09.09.09. There was power in those numbers and in the overwhelming wave of Love that enveloped the room. The music was outstanding, soulful and diverse, casting a net on a sea of local musicians that Todd has helped not only with his photos, but with his very being. Amazing sets from Jon Dee Graham & Jesse Sublett, Skyrocket, the Trishas, Paula Nelson, Ian McLagan & the Bump Band (oooh, yes!) and Charlie & Will Sexton with Ruby James! I especially loved Alejandro Escovedo’s set. He proves one can cry and dance at the same time. Todd had recently been in a bicycle accident and broke bones that require lots of metal and time away from the work he loves as one of Austin’s finest photographers. You can still make donations to Todd via http://toddwolfson.chipin.com/todd-wolfson-medical-benefit-fund
Lefty and Cole had a week off while Shelley King and I hopped on a plane to play the Midwest as a duo. We played at Murphy’s in Omaha after the stunning guitar work of Chris Cain set the room afire to a great group of friends. There are some youtube videos out there, I promise! We drove our rental car to Iowa City to play a set at the Iowa Women’s Festival. It was full of acoustic guitars and families swaying back and forth under the shade trees. We played a rocking set after an audience member loaned me a Fender Deluxe (the rental amp was not cooperating). I am glad he left the amp up there for the rest of the afternoon, because when Michelle Shocked took the stage, she invited me up to play guitar on almost half the set. I was in Heaven! In one afternoon I got to play with two of my favorite folks! Shelley and I were stoked and ready to check out what the night may bring, so we headed into town to hear the nightclub portion of the festival. We were rolling on the floor, giggling like kids at the stage antics that are Leslie and the Lys. Many folks know her as the “sweater” girl or the “gold lame pants” girl from her hilarious youtube videos. She was something else! Shelley and I went on some late night walks around the campus and prepared for the next day’s travel. Sometimes one feels a twinge, that little voice that says, “do this.” I should have listened to that voice. It was telling me to drive to Texas, write songs and take home your antiques you found along the way. Shelley agreed and we called to see if we could arrange that with the car rental place. Alas, it was a no go. We drove to Omaha & watched the usual flight horrors go into full swing. Delays, delays, delays, mechanical problems, weather problems... It would have been a shorter trip if we had driven. I swore after it took Shelley King and me longer to fly home from Omaha than it took us from Osaka (- add to that, the angels we call Cole El-Saleh and Jodi Adair had to drive to Dallas to pick us up unexpectedly so we wouldn’t have to stay the night-) that I will do my BEST to DRIVE when in the continental United States. Oh well, you can’t have everything you want... where would you put it?
One and a half days later, I’m back in the van with Cole, Lefty, and Shelley Cox headed to Colorado. We opened the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival this year with the legendary Jon O’Leary running sound for our set on the main stage and the next night at our Juke Joint show at Las Montañas. It was a great festival despite the altitude and occasional rain. I drank so much chlorophyl, my tongue was green! We rode the gondolas into town for our shows. I don’t know if everyone does this on their first trip down, but I screamed! Then the gondola stopped and we rocked back and forth for five minutes while what appeared to be elk ran underneath us. It was beautiful and a little scary. I love spending time in Telluride, but I have a two word suggestion for the state of Colorado regarding highway safety in and around Telluride. It is as follows: guard rails.
We drove home to play a few private parties, tape a pilot for a television music show, more interviews and then played a groovy fundraiser for NARAL at Threadgill’s WHQ with Terri Hendrix. In case you couldn’t tell from my covering some of her songs, I am a BIG fan. Terri and Lloyd Maines tore it up as a duo. A really cool thing about the show was we both did versions of Terri’s “I Found the Lions” for each other. She moves me! The next day we drove to Houston to play Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar with Osiris opening. They are a rock rock rock band. It pays to show up early to gigs, because you never know what opening band might rock your world on any given night. The next evening we opened for the freakishly amazing Larry Carlton Trio on the Bosque River Stage in Waco. Whoa, Nelly! That man can hold an entire conversation with one string. After that intense guitar lesson, it was time to go home and dream of chord inversions.