Off to speak with some students in Oshkosh tomorrow. Then a zip back across the state to tell some stories and sing songs with the Long Beds in Richland Center. Next day we’ll take those same songs and stories to Oconomowoc. And then we’ll wrap it all up in Sheboygan.
See y’out there…
Poet C. Dale Young has a new collection out. Torn contains this poem, which I first heard when it was delivered by Young at an evening reading in Vermont. I have never forgotten the emotion C. Dale invested in the giving of it.
Is this book ridiculously simple enough even for me? Not sure, but I know Ol’ Spike is a well-named, straight-shooting and humorous guy, and I like his other book, A Splintered History of Wood.
Friend, mentor, and I-wouldn’t-be-doing-what-I’m-doing-today-if-not-for-him guy Bruce Taylor (featured in Truck) had his poem featured on The Writer’s Almanac Sunday. Poem’s called “His Good Felt Hat” and it’s right here.
Here is Bruce reading the brief, lovely, “In Class Exercise”:
And here is “Our Body.”
In advance of our trip to that side of the state, WUWM has re-aired an interview I did with Mitch Teich on Lake Effect awhile back. You can listen here.
Although I’m mainly a Farm & Fleet sort of fellow when it comes to music, I’ve recently had the opportunity to work on a song with jazz musician Geoffrey Keezer. It’s been an internet-based collaboration, with all communication via email (Geoffrey and I have never met, nor have we ever spoken, even on the phone).
After Geoffrey sent me an instrumental track, I put it on repeat and listened to it for a long time, trying to decide what I felt. I decided it made me feel like it was autumn and I was lonely. So I wrote this first verse:
Milkweed and heartbreak in the letterbox
Is the summer gone?
Will the snow fall to the sound of beating wings?
I thought I saw you at the corner shop
Ink and paper days
But you were floating far beyond the autumn haze.
Like a red leaf…on a blue wind
Far beyond me…forever turning
Like a red leaf…on a blue wind…your blue wind
Rest of the story and song (with audio) after the page break. (more…)
If you’re within range of one of these stations tonight (Saturday, March 26th) we hope you’ll join Mike as he hosts another edition of Tent Show Radio from Big Top Chautauqua.
The musical guests will be Gaelic Storm and Blue Cavans Orchestra, and in this episode’s monologue – delivered from the backstage dressing room with the one lonely little lightbulb burnin’ – Mike discusses the concept of privacy, peacefulness, and bullet-riddled signage.
I’ll be hitting the road with my band the Long Beds next week for a mix of storytelling and music in Richland Center, Oconomowoc, and Sheboygan. We have a great time at these events and sure hope you can make it.
As many of you know, over the past couple of years the band has consisted of the bald guy up front plus Billy, Chuck and Chris, and – whenever her schedule allows (she has her own band and business) – longtime friend and fiddler Molly Otis.
Molly had previous commitments for these upcoming dates, so I asked for a favor from another friend, and we’re honored to say that renowned jazz violinist (he can also – as my boss in Wyoming would say – flat fiddle!) Randy Sabien will be joining us for all three shows. Randy’s reputation is worldwide, and it’ll be a thrill for us to make room for him in between the mic stands.
Tickets, times, and venue info at links above or go to general calendar here.
Yesterday I did a quick Twitter tweet (are there slow tweets?) about harmoni-cat Howard Levy. Howard will be on an upcoming edition of Tent Show Radio, but someone from Big Top Chautauqua just emailed to remind me he’ll also be appearing at the tent this summer August 4 with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Howard was in the original lineup of the Flecktones and recently rejoined.
Long before I ever had the privilege of performing in the big blue tent, my wife and I enjoyed shows up there, including a Greg Brown concert that kinda helped us decide to go ahead and get hitched. Really not a bad seat in the joint. I’ve seen shows from the front row and I’ve seen’em from the back, and the smile quotient never changed. It’s a cozy place, plus at intermission you can buy brats and beer. Or a sody-pop. This year the tent show celebrates its 25th year, and as with any shoestring (tent rope) organization, they’re always grateful for your support (and are sweetening the pot with a special chance to win a season pass).
The season will kick off June 19 with two-time Grammy winner and Australian (dude has to paddle some to get to Bayfield) Tommy Emmanuel, and as usual, the rest of the summer’s lineup includes flavors ranging from singer/songwriter to Cajun to 80′s pop to humor to live radio shows and everything in between (full schedule right here).
I’ll be driving up Bayfield way myself some this summer, to be a part of the following shows (info/tickets available at the links):
June 18 – Host of Chautauqua! A Blue Canvas Salute to 25 Years (info to come)
June 30 – Take it to the Lake
July 1 – Take it to the Lake
July 14 – Keeper of the Light
July 15 – Keeper of the Light
July 16 – Keeper of the Light
September 1 – Bally Hoo Haw (link includes bonus topless photo)
September 2 – Bally Hoo Haw
September 3 – Host, show yet to be announced.
September 4 – Host of Chautauqua! A Blue Canvas Salute to 25 Years (info to come)
September 10 – Old Last Night Variety Show (info to come)
See you in the tent…
If you’re anywhere near the Eau Claire, Wisconsin, area on Saturday, April 2, you’ll be able to get yourself some spaghetti while seated in close proximity to fire trucks and helping a couple of fellow volunteers currently facing serious medical issues.
I’ll be on the road, but the silent auction and/or raffle will include some signed books and CDs.
I’m grateful to say that I am an auxiliary member of the department, serving in a first responder capacity.
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