February 1st is a date that will always be etched in my mind as the day we lost Martin Juredine. This February 1st, some of the sad tears were replaced by tears of joy and happiness.
I was joined on stage by Ray McNiece, Anita Herczog, Miles Stephens, Paul Kovac, Jen Mauer, Gary Naherny, Jay Crook and Tom Croley to raise voices in love and remembrance through music and words for Martin.
I think Martin would have had a great time.
Ray, Me, Jen, Paul and Gary
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to get people into the venues I play. I never had a good answer for the club owners who want me to bring hundreds of my heavy-drinking friends out every time I play their venue. I can only say that maybe a few people will come out, but the people who are there will enjoy the music and you won’t have to apologize to your clientele for the lousy band who did bring in 5o 21-year-olds.
I’m still willing to do what I can to bring people, but I’ll be expecting the club owners to do their work too from now on.
My friend and talented fellow musician Bob Sammon posted this article on Facebook and it makes a lot of sense.
I’ll be performing at the Phoenix Cafe South Euclid this Saturday, January 7th from 8 to 10 pm. Come out, get zippy on espresso and dig some of my new tunes for the new year.
That’s right, The Mount Nepal signed up for my email list.
This Sunday, April 17th from 5 to 7pm I’ll be making my first appearance at Viking Vineyards of Brimfield Township just south of Kent. Although the name conjures images of burly, sweaty, bearded guys with horned helmets sitting around plotting rape and pillage over a nice chablis (to some anyway), It’s actually an award-winning winery set on a lovely plot of bucolic splendor next to a small lake where you can plot rape and pillage over a nice, estate grown, Gold Medal Traminette. They have music on Sundays (check out one of my favorites, Peggy and Brad on May 8th) and this Sunday, it’s my turn. So come have some wine, listen to some tunes and plot some carnage.
Visit the Viking Vineyards web site here
Go here for a map
If you were among the 40 or so people at Troutman Vineyards tonight, thanks. That was a lot of fun.
Thanks to our guests from Michigan, your team bleaus but your good folks anyway. Especially thanks to my new favorite Michigangster who’s name I didn’t get because I suck. Thanks for getting all my sign ups to everyone in the room. Drawings for the CD winner will be tomorrow morning after pancakes.
Also, next time you or someone who owes you a favor is down Wooster way, make them grab a bottle of Troutman’s Red Menagerie. It’s my new favorite.
Phoenix Coffee of South Euclid was overrun by a herd of low-flying monkeys Friday. My twin boys and my great-niece were completely stealing any attention I might have gotten. Jonny sang his song “Garbage Squid” (no, really) and Tommy sang his song “Bad Cat”. Mallory just waddled around being cute. I might as well have brought puppies too.
Tonight at Troutman Vineyards at 6pm the distraction will be the fine wine, but I’m sure there will be kids and bunnies and all manner of things cuter than me as well. If you’re out and about in Wooster, drop in for the circus and have a glass or two.
