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Home of Michael Perry – Author, Humorist, Singer/Songwriter, Amateur Pig Farmer

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Archive for April, 2011

Had Reason This Week to Be Grateful…

 

…that I was raised in New Auburn, Wisconsin, and given the opportunity to say so in this book. I’m a knucklehead, but the story of that village has led me to places I never anticipated.

Thank you, Nobbern.

The Meaning of Life is a Non-Toxic Modeling Compound

Last night while doing dishes I am listening to an audiobook version of Will Durant’s The Story of Philosophy: the Lives and Opinions of the Greater Philosophers. (I have been stringing barbwire for two days and am in a reflective state.)

“Chapter One,” intones the narrator. “Plato.”

“Play-Doh!” exclaims the four-year-old, running into the kitchen, clapping her hands.

I can’t wait until we get to the chapter on Bacon.

Eye on the Sky

Got a bunch of brush cleared and wooden posts set yesterday, hoping to enclose the old barnyard today. If we get that done, we’ve still got many acres and many rolls of barbwire to go, but we could at least harbor a couple of beef until the rest is finished. Trouble is, we’ve got a full day of work ahead, and if the man on the radio is right, there’ll be snow here by late afternoon…

So off to it.

A Night at the Opera(s)

Lately I’ve been doing a thing I call the Clodhopper Monologues. I just get up there on stage with a microphone and some stories. And a couple of notes taped to the floor. We have two more of these coming up, and I’m looking forward to them because the venues are gonna be great.  The first will be in Stoughton, Wisconsin, on April 28, at the gorgeous (just look at the photo) Stoughton Opera House. (Tickets available online or at the Yahara River Cooperative Grocery, a place that makes me hungry just thinking about it.)

Then on Saturday night, April 30, I’ll do it again in Green Lake (near Ripon, and less than an hour from the Oshkosh/Fond Du Lac area) at the Thrasher Opera House. (Tickets available online or at  – go ahead, browse! – Pastimes Books Etc.)

It’s such a treat to step into these places, look around, and imagine all the words and music that have bounced around the walls over the years. And a special thank you to all of the volunteers and dedicated folks who resurrect and maintain these spaces.

Tent Show Radio Tonight – Jesse Cook and the Blue Canvas Orchestra

 

If you’re within range of one of these stations tonight (Saturday, April 16th) we hope you’ll join Mike as he hosts another edition of Tent Show Radio from Big Top Chautauqua.

The musical guests will be Jesse Cook and the Blue Canvas Orchestra, and in this episode’s monologue – delivered from the backstage dressing room with the one lonely little lightbulb burnin’ – Mike discusses the fact that he tends to
repeat himself repeating himself.

Long Beds (with Special Guest) in Appleton Tonight

Getting ready for the show in Appleton tonight. We’ll play some music and I’ll tell some stories old and new. Please note: This is a fundraiser hosted by the Friends of Appleton Public Library – we’ll have a good time, and help the library to boot.

Also pleased to announce we’ll be featuring special guest Andy Dee, a longtime friend, superb musician (among other things we’ll be featuring him on lap steel guitar) and a member of Big Top Chautauqua’s Blue Canvas Orchestra. Andy was a founding member of Molly & The Heymakers and has played with Soul Asylum, The Proclaimers, Jonny Lang, and many more. But for this one night, he’s a Long Bed.

Two of my favorite Andy Dee numbers are “Lovin’ in the Automat” and “Hot Rod Beauty Queen.” You can listen to them here.