All entries filed under Dave Fry Gigs

Sunday, June 18^th, 2017

Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market on Sunday

The day before, I had my doubts that the weather would cooperate on this one. But, it turned out to be rain-free, though hot and muggy. I set up among the soap, dog biscuit, wine, goat cheese, pastries and indigenous plant folks, took off my shoes, set the kid bait (the ubiquitous shaker bag) and launched into my Sunday morning folk sermon. A three hour tour… a three hour tour…..

Today, I brought out my mandocello, just to air it out and simply get to know it. It remains a powerful instrument that needs to be played. I noodled on mandolin, exercised numerous tunes in various states of flux, took mental notes and “played”. These sessions continue to be instructive. I work on lyrics, new songs, chatter with the other vendors and try to engage those who pass by. I value these opportunities.

I’m always amazed at the kids that cruise right by, always with a parent or grandparent doing the circuit. I also think about my tips into my mandolin case. Folks assume I’m trying to sell my CDs (I am.) and disregard the tip jar. That’s what I’m here for. And a dollar is mighty cheap for what youse get.

I closed up at noon, packed the car with some good help, and then walked the space to thank the vendors and get to introduce myself to them. I got some fine mushrooms from one fellow. One chat with a vendor at several other places I play. She had some valuable comments about having me on the grounds.

She said that they miss me when I’m not there. As vendors, they appreciate that I am able to engage the kids, giving the opportunity for the parents and the vendors for some serious barter time, to chat without interruption, and make sales. Seems obvious to me, but sometimes (including this site) the organizer doesn’t recognize the value of having live music, and paying for it.

As usual, time passed quickly, and I had many rich interactions with friends, children, vendors and my repertoire that made the time fly by.

Saturday, June 17^th, 2017

Neighborhood festival

I played the opening set at noon of a Multi-cultural Festival a block away from home, for the Holy Infancy School and Parish. Lots of fried food, volunteers and a chance of rain. There were few folks and only a couple of kids, but I slogged my way through an hour and a half set of music. Good moments throughout with Father Andy shaking that thang, some very responsive kids on the dance floor and some adults surprised by how enjoyable the music was.

The son of one of the teachers, Luis, had his massive sound system on hand and I had to ask him several times to turn me down. I’m not sure he has had to deal with acoustic professionals like me.

I was billed as Mr. Fry. This was a first, but somewhat understandable coming from the respect I have within the school. Of course, it’s Mr. Fry. Oh, well….

I was glad I could add to the festivities, and make my mark on the community as best I can. It didn’t rain until after 9 pm so the festival lucked out. Tomorrow, thunderstorms for my farmers’ market in Hellertown. Summer’s here.

Thursday, June 15^th, 2017

Sinking Springs Family Fun Night in the park

I headed out to the Reading area for a return gig at small park pavilion next to a stream in rural PA. I appreciate these fairly regular gigs from the network of folks who book community park series. This was the first one for me this season, and the first of six for this particular run of family shows. Several familiar faces in the crowd along with an assortment of young families, kids and adults. It was a comfortable show, with the kids diving into the bag of shakers early, with several kids leading the way for the other shyer kids. One little boy had his eyes on my guitar though, and made a beeline towards it numerous times, with his mom two steps behind. I was able to let him play my guitar at the end, and promptly deposited the pick in sound hole. I also like having the scarves on hand for the more ambitious dancers in the crowd.

I had mentioned my favorite ‘super star’, a grandmother’s fine move. At the end, one family came up and showed me a phone picture of their grandmother doing that move a year ago at a family birthday party one year ago. There she was, doing exactly what I remember. I got a really good laugh out of that. This stuff has some history to it, and sometimes I get wind of it later on. Very cool.

Tuesday, June 6^th, 2017

Long Day in Jersey

RockRoots had two assemblies in Northeastern NJ, close to the City. It was to be a long day, in that we were to do assemblies spread out between a 9:30 am gig and a 1 pm gig on the same stage (!!) with the early set bussed in from near by. Road Trip for the K-3rds!

Traffic was really bad, leaving at 6:45 for a 9:30 show. I got there at 9:20, and thanks to the band and the school we were ready at 9:31 (sez Kevin) and we actually waited for the last group of kids to come in. On stage in 15 minutes after driving (a lot of sitting…) in Jersey traffic for two and a half hours. (‘I think I can, I think I can…”) I had two hiccups – one I knew (slide solo after first verse, sorry Wayne…) and the second was leaving out the World Music section and jumping to the final Rap stuff. The band actually wondered if I did it on purpose, but, in retrospect, it was my ‘wind up the show’ instinct kicking in. Good for the lads and good for the situation (get the kids back on the buses).

We had a large space in between shows. We headed to a Jersey diner and I treated the lads to some food. It was simply good to take some time and check in with the band, especially since I usually drive separately.

I was glad for the coffee from the diner. We got back with a half hour to spare, I changed my guitar strings and the 4 – 6th graders came filing in. This group was cranked and we played particularly well, even though it was our normal nap time. Back in the car at 2:10 and off to PA. A much quicker drive back.

It’s a shame that the demand for the RockRoots assembly is not what it used to be. It invariably is appreciated by kids, teachers and lunchroom ladies across the state. I was able to support my family for many, many years by getting in my car from either PA or CT and driving to NJ, crack o’ dawn. The Crash of ’08 really cut back on school arts funding, and the fertile Young Audiences of NJ connection has not been the same. That is balanced by the fact I’m not up for driving to NJ three times a week anymore.

It’s a really good show and I’m proud of its theatrical and educational strengths.

I am always amazed by the professionality of Nick, Wayne and Kevin. They deal with the traffic and each other, show up on time, go on in time and play the show with intelligence, good humor and the ability to roll with my punches. They (we) always do a good show.

Saturday, June 3^rd, 2017

Saucon Creek Arts Festival on Saturday

It was a wet beginning this morning, with a chance of some sun during my set at 10 am. I was hired to supply sound and do the opening set at a relatively new (3rd year) fine arts festival in Hellertown on Saturday. Again, I do it for some friends on the committee and the chance to play acoustic music in my community. The other performers hail from the Godfreys open mike crowd, and I’m glad I can add to the energy of the group.

When I arrived they showed me to a tent down by the Creek, but there was a mobile food vendor running his generator close by, and I had to tell the festival folks that it was not going to work, thinking of my fellow players who would have to deal with this for the next 7 hours. We moved quickly back to the spot we did last year, next to the historic house near the road. It was the right move. Pretty cloudy to start with.

I set up as quick as I could, with help and opened to no one near me, but to the artisans spread out in tents across the lawn. I’ve learned that the music is as much for the artists as it is for the public. They have to endure a very long day of set up, a hope for sales to offset the entrance fee, and potential patrons passing by. It’s a particularly tough way to make a living. I know. I can relate.

I was warmed up from the Bakery gig the night before, and nailed it from the first chords of Don’t Call Me Early. I was surprised with this strong opening (at 10:15 in the morning) and fed on it for the next hour or so. This is going to be a good session.

I tried a mandolin tune early, but my strings told me, “You better change us soon”. Mando-wrasslin’.

The sun came out briefly and I leaned on Here Come’s the Sun, of course. I started out slightly out of tune, stopped, and evoked George Harrison, swearing to honor him and the song, by tuning up. It remains one of the tunes that I measure myself with – it’s a bitch to play exactly right, and with feeling. I came close today, again.

A little later I had the chance to float a new song for this situation. I have always loved Johnny Nash’s Bright Sunshiny Day, and had downloaded the lyrics. Yesterday, as I went through my woodshed file, I found it, and ran through a rough version of it. It was on deck. It was really fun to play, it started to fit and, with the support of the next folks on stage, we massaged the great chorus into something that clicked with me. I know how to make this a new ‘keeper’ in my set. And the sun stayed out for the rest of the day. I have some work to do on the song, though.

I particularly enjoyed today. I love playing through a sound system, outside in pleasant weather, for artistically engaged people, next to an old PA stone building, playing my repertoire on this old Martin. I had a fine canvas in front of me today and I was able to create. Good stuff.

http://www.sauconvalleyconservancy.org/saucon-creek-arts-festival.html

Saturday, June 3^rd, 2017

St. Peter’s Bakery on Friday night

This is strange and wonderful gig that rolls around every couple of months. It’s a cafe in a bakery in a quaint village along a gorge in south PA and Friday is pizza night, so folks turn out with a bottle of wine, order some artisan food and, hopefully, listen to live music. I enjoy the challenge of making folks listen and it works here. I also get to play my adult acoustic material for a change.

The kicker is that I get paid in tips, a pizza, a loaf of bread and some croissants. But its worth the travel, time and effort. Folks are starting to come back to see me here, and there are familiar folkie faces from Godfreys and elsewhere.

I made the mistake of asking if anyone had requests, and, immediately, someone said Neil Young. Things never change. I told the lady that I would play one at the end of the night (no one thought I was serious..). She did stay til the end and I face-palmed myself, saying, “I forgot!” By then the audience “got it”, that I was going to play my material and play it well.

A good night, and I dined on a fine veggie/anchovy folded pizza on the way home. The ones in the tip case will pay for my laundry for the next couple of weeks. That’s how I measure my success these days.

Wednesday, May 3^rd, 2017

Flint Hill Farm on Sunday

I play twice a year at this educational farm facility, once in the Spring and once in the Fall, as part of Godfreys outreach program. I simply enjoy my relationship with the dedicated folks who keep this farm going, I get to play for families and I get a nice hunk of cheese (this year a basil/apricot cheddar). It was windy and cool today but there were quite a few families out for the day.

I set up outside one of the bank barns, and started up, seeding the ground in front of me with my bag of instruments. Kids and families gathered and we proceeded to jam. My voice was in particularly ill form today, but I persevered. No big deal, but worth it.

Thursday, April 27^th, 2017

Last session at Third Street Alliance

I finished up my regular visits to this childcare center today, filled with love and joy. Having a stretch of many weekly visits has given me some nice perspective on my work, seeing what material sticks as well as the absorbing the learning capabilities of the different age groups.

I was delighted to learn that the kids are now doing Little Sally Walker on their own (in their own way), so I did a check up on the circle dance, and, for the most part, they were singing along and making their way through the dance. The Bear Hunt and their Dorney Park verse is a favorite, and I got one girl to come up and lead it, and, again, it was a great moment to see her in front of her peers. Her excitement was palpable and she had a few unforced errors, but perfection is not the end here.

I brought out Rockin’ ABC’s and it was a big hit, especially with my shades and my backwards hat. We reprised Rosalie, Where are You Going with several kids taking the lead. They all had very little fear of performing in front of their friends.

I brought out some red sunglasses so I could get four kids up to do I Like Peanut Butter. They responded wonderfully and we created some fun theater. I then broke open the bag of instruments for the last time, and, again, the kids had mastered the three ways of playing (silence, beat and sizzle) and we jammed on Splish Splash.

I finished up by asking, “What was your favorite song?” Bear Hunt, Rockin’ ABC’s (the new one), Little Sally Walker, etc. as well as the teacher’s favorite Jelly in the Dish with the scarves. That was my favorite, too. I look forward to being asked back next year as well as returning for their ‘graduation’ in May.

Sunday, April 23^rd, 2017

Holy Infancy Sisters Dinner

It was an honor to be asked to celebrate an evening at my local parochial school for the The Sisters Scholarship Dinner. I had been introduced to this school during the PASELA residency about ten years ago, and have fostered a wonderful relationship with the teachers and kids over the years. I’ve done workshops, Christmas assemblies, playground visits and more over the years, and I had a chance to talk about it tonight.

Since I wasn’t allowed to play, I resurrected (appropriate choice of words) my LVMA speech about “playing” music. It was a good point of reference.

“In play, a vast world opens up our minds and souls to creativity, risk taking, interpersonal connections, and, most amazingly, time disappears. It was my songwriter friend Bob Franke who once wrote “Let your dreams bind your work to your play.” I continue to realize how precious these musical moments are.”

It was particularly nice to let my colleagues at this school know that I think about what I do, and how this school helped me define what I do. I learned “The Tutti Tah” from this school’s preschool, and I eventually used it at the Philly Folk Fest in front of thousands of people. I let them know tonight. Indeed, my Playground CD starts off with the sounds of Holy Infancy’s kids on the playground next door.

Sister Therese asked for my Playground CD at the end of my visit. I was tickled to put it in her hand and I told her, “Crank it up!” She will. A good night in my neighborhood.

Sunday, April 23^rd, 2017

Saturday Tour

I had a couple of back to back gigs in Bethlehem on Saturday, in front of tens of people, and I was glad to make it work. My friend Bill Medei asked me to do a freebie at Illicks Mill for Earth Day at noon and then I got a paying gig at the Chili Fest on the SouthSide at 1 pm, so I was a bit cramped for time. Luckily, thanks to the rain, I moved indoors into the Mill for my set, started at early with an informal acoustic set. My good friend Sam Steffen was to follow me, so I played a couple of songs and asked if he could come up and swap songs with me. Indeed, it’s more fun to play than sit, so he obliged. It made for a really nice set. A fellow musician Paul Thiessen was there with his kids, so we brought out the bag and engaged his son and daughter as well. It was so fine to share some time with Sam. I packed up and headed for the SouthSide.

The “Spring on Fourth” Chili Festival was in gear when I made it to the Godfreys stage along the Greenway for my set with Ed McKendry at 1 pm. Thanks to Mike Duck, I didn’t have to run sound the whole day, and we set up for our set. The Chili contest was happening up and down 4th Street but not much happening on the Greenway, and, with the spotty rain, practically no audience. Nonetheless, it was a treat to play with Ed. We did a nice set of acoustic tunes, including a spontaneous, unrehearsed version of Here Comes the Sun. Thank god for our collective DNA.

Since I was responsible for the PA, I hung out for the duration and the final Chili Pepper Contest. It ended in a tie. Too hot for me!

Holy Infancy Dinner later tonight, a half block away.

Tuesday, April 18^th, 2017

Third Street Alliance in Easton.

Another delightful visit with the preschoolers at Third Street Alliance. They pick up on everything: today they wondered where was my hat. I asked for some favorites and I got Five Little Monkeys as a warm up and it was delicious, with great back and forth conversation, figuring out different ways of putting up four, five fingers on one or two hands. They were right there. I followed with John Brown’s Baby, a simple song that has hand motions, and as the singing part dissolves over the course of the song, the hand motions continue. The tough part is at the end with the “Yuck”. The younger kids really attach themselves to it, while the older kids get the silent part. We tried but it didn’t quite fly – though the older kids took pride in knowing the trick, and the younger kids just having a good time. Not a failure by any means.

I worked on the “I Like School” piece but it’s not gelling. So it goes. I reprised Bear Hunt and Jelly in the Dish (with scarves) and, in both cases, I invited various students to come up lead the class. It was a hoot! The kids really take to being up next to me, and some really take charge. That’s simply marvelous.

I have one more visit next week and then, in May, we’ll do something together for the parents. I’m really having a good time with these kids, gaining ideas and material for future gigs. Welcome to my laboratory!

Thursday, April 13^th, 2017

Third Street Alliance on Tuesday

Another good session with the kids. They had been listening to the Shake It! CD I gave them last week, so they were primed on The Ants Go Marching, etc. I decided to tempt the fates with my Sally songs and introduced them as circle dances. It was a new experience for some of the younger kids, but we figured out how to hold hands and move in a circle. They picked up the singing and dancing for the most part and it went quite well. The director came down while we were dancing and it was a pleasant surprise for her.

I brought up the Bear Hunt after several weeks (they really like this one) and it was good to review their two verses that they wrote (Jungle and Dorney Park) and it was a refresher for me, as well. They really did remember some of the finer points that I had forgotten, so that was pretty cool.

We finished up with Jimalong Joe, with the kids adding some dance moves (wobbly knees and several ninja moves) with some slight excursions into kids movies (Frozen?) but it was good to have them shake that thang at the end of the session. Remarkable progress and retention for these kids.

I love the fact that they are into hugs at the end and we did one big group hug to finish out my visit. I’m a happy man and come away feeling good about what I do.

Thursday, April 13^th, 2017

Seder on Monday

I picked up an interesting gig from a friend who suggested me for a family seder outside of Pottstown. It’s been a family tradition for the Seger’s to have some musical entertainment after the meal, so I was available. I did an hour or so of my ‘adult’ material (whatever that is) in a living room setting for three generations of the family. It was hard work, but I was able to involve the grandparents, their kids and their adult kids. Thanks to some cheap theatrics (thunder tubes and red sunglasses), we did some singalongs like Peanut Butter, My Girl, Giants, etc. and the ten folks had a good time, laughing with each other and simply being a family. I was a little out of my element, but it worked. A Monday gig!

Thursday, April 6^th, 2017

Third Street Alliance

Another session with the preschoolers with a few new songs left in the bag. The kids were ready when I came in so I tried out Sally Go Round the Sun as a simple sing along, especially with the ‘whoop’ at the end. I got them up to get the blood moving. I also do “Ants Go Marching”, worked on more rhyming skills as well as letting them come up with some ideas. I also did Watermelon with the slurp traveling the room, including and concluding with a woman, Lynn, with a note pad in the back. I found out eventually that she was doing an article for the Alliance about my residency in the preschool. She enjoyed the whole session and it was fun to have someone new and adult in the crowd.

We reviewed Peanut Butter and Jelly, just for giggles. I brought along my bag of instruments today and waited for the end of the session to break it out. I was going to do Jelly in the Dish, another new one for these kids and as I opened the bag, I thought that just emptying the stuff out was a little too chaotic, and I hadn’t used the scarves yet, so came up with yet another brilliant idea that I can use further down the line.

I passed out the scarves and the kids immediately started to play with them. I went along with them and we tried over the head, ninja masks and other delights. They led the way. I introduced the first verse and had them hang on to the scarves as we sang, wave them around and at the very end, the last ‘dish…..’ throw them in the air. That way the kids didn’t start tossing them up and around til the end. It worked well. After several verses, the kids were picking up on singing, making the kitchen sounds in the sound and then trading scarves with other kids. It was a rich session, with movement, color, social interaction and it became a performance piece that I can use in some of my gigs this summer.

Sometimes I amaze myself.

Tuesday, March 28^th, 2017

Godfreys Blue Jam – Part III

It has been a good, creative day on the planet, and I looked forward to a more informal acoustic jam at Godfreys tonight. It has always been a low-key event, with a few familiar faces as well as some new folks. Tonight was no different. I started out with a couple of tunes, some new folks filtered in, one guy listening, and away we went. A nice mix of styles, finger picked, raw groove stuff, New Orleans, Chicago, etc. Dobro, several guitars, harp and friendly conversation. One couple on guitar and dobro traveled from over an hour away, and had a great time, saying that there are no acoustic jams around. Probably true.

And though it was a three gig day, the energy of playing music made the day flow by……

Friday, March 24^th, 2017

Another Easton preschool visit on Thursday

Making up for the snow last week, I made it to the Third Street Alliance for another visit with the kids. This time I brought my Eastman mandolin. I also had the opportunity to refresh some of the songs I’ve introduced already, just to see what has sunk in with the kids. The five year olds really have retained quite a bit.

I did Rosalie, Where are You Going with the kids, and several kids coming up front to take the lead. It was great to see the kids take charge and ‘perform’ in front of their fellow students. I also brought up a boy and a girl to lead on Peanut Butter and Jelly, both enjoying taking the lead. All part of passing off my lead to the kids. We also did Jimalong Joe with their dance moves added in.

I also started the process of writing a graduation song by asking them what their favorite moments were in the school day. They came up with playing with friends, stuffed animals, building lego houses, painting the outside wall with water, a visit to a pumpkin patch, singing along. A good start to the process.

Friday, March 24^th, 2017

Dave’s Night Out with Rolly Brown

This was going to be a good one, with Rolly Brown and the Art of Fingerpicking Guitar. We traded tunes though I was severely outgunned, but it worked well. I was able to play Delia, Charlie James and Creation Dream, while we talked about Rev. Gary Davis, Dave Van Ronk, Erik Frandsen, Bruce Cockburn, Steve Mann and other guitar heroes. Rolly was especially good at telling stories, talking about theory and various blues styles and he was able to demonstrate the differences.

There was a good turnout for this one, which felt good, and Rolly was a great guest. One regular fellow said, “I know I sound like a broken record, but this was the best one yet!”

Thursday, March 23^rd, 2017

After the snow…. part 1

I lost a couple of gigs last week due to the foot of snow last week, so I was ready to get back to work this Tuesday with the Easton pre-school in the morning and the Fountain Hill after school program in the afternoon.

The day care kids were ready when I got in, and we proceeded to get to work. I asked them what do they remember from last time (two weeks ago) and there was some remarkable retention, especially with the Bear Hunt and Peanut Butter and Jelly. Today I introduced the banjo to everyone’s delight, and we worked on She’ll be Coming ‘Round the Mountain and it was a hoot. I’ve developed some of the movements in the verses that lots of fun, and not the tame version that I’m sure some music classes use.

We added “Dorney Park Waterslide” and a “Jungle” to Bear Hunt, and that turned out to be a good exploratory session.

Wednesday, March 15^th, 2017

House Concert on Sunday

My friend, Tom Church, invited me back for another house concert along the Delaware, north of Easton. I did this last year with pianist Dan DeChellis and Tom, and this year he invited Paul Thiessen to join us. It was a fund raiser for the UU Church in Bethlehem, so there were a few familiar faces from my time there in the ’90s. A friendly and hip audience, for sure. Tom wrote up two sets of his material, practiced some with Paul, and trusted Dan and myself to figure out the tunes on the fly. I played mandolin for the most part, Paul played banjo and some guitar, Dan is an established jazz pianist, so he had no trouble supporting us all.

The area was a comfortable living room and adjoining sitting room, lots of wood, a fire in the fireplace, and the four of us on stools. Tom had finagled a sound system, but I figured I would be heard in this space acoustically. It felt good to pick on the mandolin, figure out the chords, sit out, if need be, and add to sound. There were quite a few tunes I knew, and I found my spots.

The cool thing was that we all had our antennas up, listened to the song and each other and made it work. That’s probably what the folks in the seats probably enjoyed most, the interaction between the musicians, and not as much for the set list. Tom has a strong history in singer/songwriter during the 70’s, an album on Fretless Records, and some travels to Boston and the West Coast. He hasn’t been playing much recently, so this afternoon was a great opportunity to play his repertoire in from of friends. It was very nice to support him, and enjoy playing backup mandolin for two sets. Works for me!

I had one solo in the second set, so I did Lessons from Pete, and had the lads come in during the jam at the end. It was the only tune I played on guitar the whole afternoon.

Tom gave me some bucks, I sold a few Open Mike CD’s and headed home as the sun went down on 22. Good. Local. Music.

Wednesday, March 8^th, 2017

Back in the schools this week – Rose’s preschool on Wednesday

My friend Lisa invited me to do a morning show with a group of about 30 preschoolers at a comfortable facility in Pen Argyl, PA. It was good to be one the road again, making some money and playing for kids. Things have been slow, especially recuperating from the operation over the last week.

The kids and the four teachers were primed and ready, waiting for me as I arrived. We did The Bear Hunt, I Wanna Be a Dog, Down By the Bay, etc. and we were rolling along, singing, moving, laughing and playing. I had another opportunity to use the 1, 2, 3 method of instrument playing, and, again, it worked perfectly, maintaining some control in what could be a chaotic situation.

I finished with Magic Penny and took some time at the end to reflect on what we did together, an important way of centering ourselves, and giving the kids a way to express to themselves (and, importantly, their parents) what we just experienced over the last hour together. It’s important to not let the experiences slip away. I was able to do this for the last three gigs this week and I’m glad it’s part of the routine, just as writing these reflections has become.

RockRoots tomorrow in NJ. A busy week getting back up in the saddle.

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