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.

A nice turnout of players at the Breadbox in Willimantic.  Trainwreck, Ron were featured, as well as some new folks (for me, at least).  I responded to Ron’s suggestion that I not (‘please don’t’) play kids oriented stuff.  Mandolin, Bo Diddley and something else.  Anyway, a good night and I played well.  RockRoots on Friday, crack o’ dawn….

Now, this is the way it should be.  Backyard, beers and pickin’.   Jim King had a wonderful gathering of players, food, and some of my favorite folk (Pat) in his yard in Somewhere, CT.  (Wethersfield…)  Danny, Ron, Jim, Bob and various other folk picking under the tree. 

Needless to say, this is where folk music flexes it’s muscles.  Passing songs, jokes and food around makes for fine, heart-felt music.  and I get to play my off-color tunes, too.   Thanks to Jim King and his family for the chance to play under the trees.

I’ll be on the green for the Farmers’ Market this Friday, Sept. 10th from 3 til 6 pm.  This is a last minute addition to my schedule!

The first open mike for the fall season was a fine one, with a mighty group of players.  Rick Johnson and Patti Wilion were both back from folk camps with some new skills and confidence.  Trainwreck did a Jim King tune, a la swing.  Cece and Ruth, Ron Anthony, Stan Sullivan did nice turns on stage. 

I picked up a family show for the fall at the Buttonwood, so stay tuned for that date.  Return of the good open mikes is a sign of the turning of the seasons.

I’ll be on the Green for my last Madison gig this summer.  The Farmer’s Market from 3 til 6 pm.  Bring the kids and we’ll jam!

Still reeling from my down experience at the Pine Loft on Thursday, I tried to reclaim myself on Friday at LaSalle’s in Collinsville, CT on Friday.  My friend, Eric Paradine, held forth at this very friendly market/coffeehouse in rural CT.  A community event with local folks doing what they do.  The real thing.  A pleasure to be part of the the evening.

I decided to head out to the Pine Loft open mike, home of many a fine evening of community music, on Thursday with Ron Anthony.  Good to connect with Kent Aldrich and a country pickin’ friend of his.  I went on early – I signed up fifth and went on second.  Tough crowd to begin with, and part of the ‘culture’ of this open mike.  The guy in charge is not in control of the sound or the ambiance of the evening, and it turns sour. 

I got to hear my first chip guitar – a guitar with downloaded back up for some country tunes.  OMG!  The band played and and the singers sang, and he blew the lead.  All coming out of a chip in the guitar…..

I’m not going back.

Back in CT for the Open Mike in Windsor.  Danielle is working the Monday OM now, so Ron and I headed up the pike for this Monday OM.  Slow night but good friends.  Eric, Ron, Jim and Denny, Danielle and others played some tunes and a forgettable jam at the end.  Good to be back in CD.  Hard to keep my mandolin in tune….

Tuesday was a return to my local day care center in Madison for my summer visit with the kids, a mixture of toddlers, elementary school kids and some fine teachers who always lead the way in having fun.  I misplaced my picks, so I crafted a temporary one out of available duct tape.  I worked but kind of mushy sound.  There ya go.

We met at Sherman’s house, with glorious sun, flowers and watermelon.  I got to practice what I learned at HOT Schools this July – meditative music.  I have only a few ‘sustain’ instruments, including a nice rain stick, some finger chimes, and I introduced my Boomwackers to the mix.  They have limited sustain but have definite pitches and I used them to make chords.  The kids responded beautifully, and the effect was remarkable.  I came away feeling good.

An early morning drive from Bethlehem to Whippany for another special-needs school on their last day of summer school.  They were waiting and eager.  We eventually got them all up dancing, and it was a great morning for us all.  Thanks for having us back!

It was back to 90 degree heat at Musikfest, with two sets – one at Banana Platz in the afternoon, and one at 9:00 pm in the middle of somewhere Lyric Platz.  the kids show was fun with several kids just relaxing on stage, comfortable with being ‘on stage’ with Dave.  It was tough, though, with the heat.

The evening show was fine, with great sound, and a chance to play my ‘adult’ stuff.  A good evening, as well.  Off to NJ in the morning…

I hit the stage at Banana Platz at 4:30 pm on a hot Monday afternoon.  Only the confirmed fans, and others looking for shade.  A nice homecoming, as I have played  ’em all, but focus on this return.  Kids growing up, parents of young families, grandfolks and their grandkids, several special-needs kids/adults of various ages, in other words, a great mix.

My good friend and musician Bruce Gaston showed up with his hands, and played ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and “The Beer Barrel Polka”.  He’s been stalking my gigs for 30 years, and I always invite him up to steal the show.  He’s a manualist…

As always, a fine time had by all, and the kids got up on stage and we jammed.  All good….

I went to a  Bluefish game on Thursday, and I was sittin’ by my lonesome in the bleachers when, out of the blue, Terri, from Camp Happiness in Milford came up and said, “Come sit with us…”  The Camp Happiness counselors were at the game for ‘Thirsty Thursday’ (cheap beer).  so, sensing a good time, I headed over.

‘The Bear Hunt” came up and we crafted a really good baseball game rejoinder.

“We’re going on a Beer Hunt.  We’re going to get a cold one.  It’s a beautiful night for baseball.  There’s no line!”

Our educational therapists at play…..

We opened up the Atwater Library in style, even though it opens on Monday.  the community room was in fine and clean form, so we did the premier event at our new library in North Branford.  Rockin’ granmoms, shy kids, and one, not very shy boy, parents gather for this new space.  It was a good night, and only seven minutes from my home.  How good is that?

I headed out to Gring’s Mill Park outside of Reading for a family show.  A strong set of thunder and rain curtailed the crowd, so we moved into the barn.  Nice acoustics and small crowd, so I moved up the folks and played unmiked.  It was fun, with an assortment of ‘three-generation’ families (how cool is that?)  I hope to return next year for a bigger audience outside.

It’s still about communicating with those who show.

RockRoots near Atlantic City at another special needs school.  Then home…

I headed out to Gring’s Mill Park outside of Reading for a family show.  A strong set of thunder and rain curtailed the crowd, so we moved into the barn.  Nice acoustics and small crowd, so I moved up the folks and played unmiked.  It was fun, with an assortment of ‘three-generation’ families (how cool is that?)  I hope to return next year for a bigger audience outside.

It’s still about communicating with those who show.

RockRoots near Atlantic City at another special needs school.  Then home…

I headed out to Gring’s Mill Park outside of Reading for a family show.  A strong set of thunder and rain curtailed the crowd, so we moved into the barn.  Nice acoustics and small crowd, so I moved up the folks and played unmiked.  It was fun, with an assortment of ‘three-generation’ families (how cool is that?)  I hope to return next year for a bigger audience outside.

It’s still about communicating with those who show.

RockRoots near Atlantic City at another special needs school.  Then home…

My annual migration to a wonderful ‘grass roots’ festival near Reading.  A former band mate, Bob Flower, invited me last year to this dirt road site, with a full stage and solar sound, hippies in the fields.  It was an adventure last year, and was worth the return this year.  It’s a word-of-mouth gathering, with lots of folks getting on stage and playing.  Community!  amen.

I played an aggressive set of my good adult stuff, found some strength in ‘I’ll be Watchin’ You’ (slow blues), connected with the folks, broke a string on ‘Bo Diddley’ and ended on the worst ending chord in performance history, ….but it worked perfectly. Just right!

Good for the soul, these gigs.  Tomorrow, I’ll earn a paycheck.  Back to Berks Co.!