We returned to a wonderfully reconstructed school in Bala Cynwyd, Pa for a RR show.  A big assembly with kids up and dancing.  I’ll be returning for some songwriting session this fall.

I made it home on Sunday for a community event in Higganum, CT on a beautiful fall afternoon.  A community ‘Run’ with a gazebo, lots of sweaty folks, food, t-shirts, and me.  I was lost in the shuffle, but glad to entertain tens of folks and kids in the process.  It’s all part of the establishing home roots in CT.  … and I get to explore CT.

One of my favorite gigs is the SVCC family event and hayride.  The weather cooperated and it was a fabulous fall day in PA.  I got to play on the haywagon, as we drifted through the scenic golf course, past various haunted golfers and colorful trees, singing and making tomfoolery under the autumn skies.  Yes, I make good money doing this, but the ‘family’ objective remains the same.  Music makes community.  The food staff knocks themselves out in their artistry, and  the families have an exquisite family experience.  It’s good, all around.

Monday night was a tough family night in Skillman, NJ.  Part of the ubiquitous Book Fair, some kids were dressed up in costumes, and had a big and empty lunchroom to run around in.  Parents chatting, boys bouncing off each other, super heroes trying out their capes (and who can blame them?). Chaos.  I lost my place several times, but the lads picked up for me.  All in all, the presenting moms said the kids had a good time and it was a success, but it wasn’t set up to present the show properly.  I’m still learning this live stuff.

I had the express pleasure of presenting ‘Folk Music in the New Century’, my loose presentation for active elders at the ‘Hi Neighbor’ series at the First Pres Church in Bethlehem.  I followed Greg Fungfeld, the director of the Bach Choir, describing a concert he was preparing.  Great talk, with singing and piano work.  A very wise musician.

I followed up with, ‘Greg used up all the allelujahs.’ and took it from there.  A delightful audience.  I tried to tie in my work in schools, new work in arts-education and folk music. Afterwards, I chatted with some folks, and familiar faces.  The best part of the talk was a gentleman talking about his ‘folk’ experience as kid, singing ‘safety songs’ he learned in school.  He said he still gets together with friends and sings them. Quite amazing and an exclamation point on my thoughts about the power and retention of music in out lives.

I had the express pleasure of playing at an event at wildflowers, a block away from Godfrey’s.  It was a ‘Vintage’ evening, encouraging folks to bring out old and wonderful instruments, so I brought some of the zithers off the wall, including the Waldzither.  I got to play some jigs on it, with drums, bass and slide guitar, and I realized that this instrument had probably never played with other instruments, and certainly not electric ones.

I jammed with Joe Ledva on bass, and Dana on lap steel on some nice Little Feat tunes.  It was very cool.  I look forward to returning with Paul Theissen in December.

I had a good set at Flint Hill Farm on Sunday afternoon, a sparkling fall day.  I sat in with the folks from Godfrey’s Irish Seisiun, and enjoyed figuring out the progression on these fine tunes.  I moved out to the front of the barn for my set, and played for families, horses, etc.  I remarked that there was linearity of farm topics, starting with Shoe that Fly, Chicken, Blue Mule, etc.  I played very well, and kept it real.  A good set of music.

It was a soggy day in Bethlehem, but a productive day, as well.  I set up under a tent for the afternoon, and played a fine set of music for two hours.  The cool thing is, the vendors appreciated my playing, and I had a good time, too.  Chris Smither tomorrow at Godfrey’s.

Just in, I’ll be returning to pa earlier than expected, for a return the the SouthSide Bethlehem Farmers’ Market this Thursday, from 12 noon til 2 pm.  I’ll get to reunite with my car, in the process.

I opened a new community coffeehouse in Centreville, MD tonight, with a wonderful mixture of teens, post teens, families and one lovely grandchile.  I did two sets of a mix of what I do, and it was a good time for all.  I’m so glad we gathered and sang, and fooled around, too.  Thanks, folks.

It was an honor to present my family music at the reknown Buttonwood Tree in Middletown, CT on Saturday.  A small crowd, grandmoms with grand children, families, twin boys, and a fabulous little girl who entertained us all with her dancing and laughing.  I’ll be back for another show on Saturday, January 15th, at 1:00 pm this time.  We’re building a nice relationship.

It was a sparkling fall day, a block south of Godfrey’s, for my first Farmer’s Mkt  on the SouthSide of Bethlehem.  Nice day, good sound, Lehigh folks, good veggies, bread and a bunch of kids coming through.  Nice chance to play. 

Then, my car makes a dreadful noise.  So, it looks like some major work on my wheels, a bus and train ride home to CT, and a definite crimp in my style and wallet.  I’ll get by.

We ploayed a fine RR in Eatonstown, NJ. this morning, in spite of tropical rains and NJ traffic.  We put together two shows in one, and played for a full house in Eatontown,  NJ  for a show that had ’em up and dancin’ in the aisles.  A good time.

We ploayed a fine RR in Eatonstown, NJ. this morning, in spite of tropical rains and NJ traffic.  We put together two shows in one, and played for a full house in Eatontown,  NJ  for a show that had ’em up and dancin’ in the aisles.  A good time.

I had another gig in the caverns of Allentown for the Growers’ Market.  Nice day!  Folks sitting and listening, and then, around 1 PM the kids from Grace Montessori School came on over and we proceeded to have a raucous time.  Jaimie went there years ago and it was nice to connect with some of the teachers there.  A fine day, indeed!

Saturday was a long hike to SSVC for an acoustic session for a golf tournament.  Unusually warm, so it was outdoors.  Most of the golfers finished early, ate lunch and split so it was me, a few tables, and too much food laid out.  I ended up playing 2 and half hours, straight through till they packed it in.  I played well, but disappointed some folks, not knowing Jimmy Buffett or Jim Croce.  Some things never change, but I was thankful for the opportunity.  Long drive home.

The Thomaston open mike started up again with Marty and the boys.  Ron and I drove up, met up with Knott Bros., Frank and other familiar faces.  Some surprises, too.  A very respectable evening.

I got back into the good graces of this elder facility with a good mixture of sing-alongs, humor, etc.  I even got a tip from one of the women!  and I got paid on time, too.  I love these gigs….

I had the opportunity to return to this wonderful fiddle gathering in Lyons, PA.  A beautiful day, with lots of folks out to hear country music.  I sat in with Jack and Alan for a brief set of music, but the day belonged to the fiddlers.  5000 plus turned out to sit in the park and catch all kinds of fiddlers, bluegrass bands, etc.  It was red, white and blue, in all its glory. 

We kicked off the fall school season at a 3,4,5,6 grade school in Jamesburg, NJ.  Two shows in the gym, and, as usual, the kids got up and danced and carried on.  The band was tight, and it was good to get back on the road with the show.  the Nighthawks at Godfreys on Saturday.