Obviously, Our Plan To Take Over The World Through Folk Music Is Working
Posted on December 31, 2010 with 0 comments
2010 in Review: More gigs than any year previously. Check. Double the number of songs streamed on-line. Check. Secure monthly gigs at a variety of venues. Check. Get laid off from day job so more time can be spent on music. (Wait a minute!?! Was THAT on my to-do list?!? Oh well. Check. Buy larger Tip Jar. Check. Name Tip Jar "Phil." Check. Fasten seat belt. Check.
Before I recount the good news of 2010 (and I will), it is important for me to note the departure this year of two of our long-time band members: Bruce Bailey & Henry Robin. Both - at different times - decided that it was time for them to move on to other musical interests. Henry released a CD of self-penned songs and is making the rounds of coffeehouses, etc. as member of a duet. Bruce continues his musical odyssey in partnership with his wife Judy, singing & playing his guitar at churches and nursing homes.
So.. what a great year! Highlights Galore! In January we began our association with Muddy Waters Coffeehouse in Geneseo, NY, performing every 2nd Friday of the month. In May we sang to a sold-out audience (hundreds turned away!) at the historic Star Theater in Dansville, NY to support a screening of a documentary film on the health care movement of the 19th & 20th centuries (for which we had composed a song.) In July we began our association with the Arcade & Attica Railroad - with appearances at 25 runs! We were featured at town festivals in Prattsburgh, Angelica, Rushford, Dansville & Wayland. In November we appeared at the Little Theatre in Rochester, NY - as part of a fund-raising effort for the Theatre. December brought us numerous Christmas shows - perhaps the best were the North Pole Express runs on the Arcade & Attica Railroad.
Cool Moment of the Year occurred in August when T. Sean Herbert, an ESPN producer, recorded me playing banjo - which was then used as background music for a feature on ESPN Radio. Sweet.
A bunch of new songs entered our repertoire in 2010 - my "We Used To Ride The Freight Trains" (another in my series of railroad/hobo songs), "We Were Dancing" (a song with a 1950's vibe to it, which became an audience favorite), "Piece Of Cake" (commemorating my father's favorite expression & some personal musings on patience & perseverance), "Little Green Devils" (my first song written on a mandolin - chronicling my determination to maintain a sense of balance in the midst of concern), and "Winter On The Hill" - my first Christmas song, written & performed on Christmas Eve. Jamie presented "Constant Season" (seeking growth in the midst of day-to-day living), "Nobody Likes The Income Tax" (that pretty much sums it up), and "Hugging & Kissing" (a song of courtship & marriage.) Alan brought us "Your Face Is Love" (a beautiful song of love & grace).
For 2011 we look forward to beginning monthly gigs at Debbie's Cafe in Wayland and Delightful's in Arcade, NY. As of this writing we have over 60 gigs scheduled for 2011 - with many more yet to be scheduled! And maybe we'll record that new CD we keep talking about. Thank you everyone for supporting us over the past 8 years - we hope to see all of you soon!
Peace & Harmony,
Michael Scott Smith
Before I recount the good news of 2010 (and I will), it is important for me to note the departure this year of two of our long-time band members: Bruce Bailey & Henry Robin. Both - at different times - decided that it was time for them to move on to other musical interests. Henry released a CD of self-penned songs and is making the rounds of coffeehouses, etc. as member of a duet. Bruce continues his musical odyssey in partnership with his wife Judy, singing & playing his guitar at churches and nursing homes.
So.. what a great year! Highlights Galore! In January we began our association with Muddy Waters Coffeehouse in Geneseo, NY, performing every 2nd Friday of the month. In May we sang to a sold-out audience (hundreds turned away!) at the historic Star Theater in Dansville, NY to support a screening of a documentary film on the health care movement of the 19th & 20th centuries (for which we had composed a song.) In July we began our association with the Arcade & Attica Railroad - with appearances at 25 runs! We were featured at town festivals in Prattsburgh, Angelica, Rushford, Dansville & Wayland. In November we appeared at the Little Theatre in Rochester, NY - as part of a fund-raising effort for the Theatre. December brought us numerous Christmas shows - perhaps the best were the North Pole Express runs on the Arcade & Attica Railroad.
Cool Moment of the Year occurred in August when T. Sean Herbert, an ESPN producer, recorded me playing banjo - which was then used as background music for a feature on ESPN Radio. Sweet.
A bunch of new songs entered our repertoire in 2010 - my "We Used To Ride The Freight Trains" (another in my series of railroad/hobo songs), "We Were Dancing" (a song with a 1950's vibe to it, which became an audience favorite), "Piece Of Cake" (commemorating my father's favorite expression & some personal musings on patience & perseverance), "Little Green Devils" (my first song written on a mandolin - chronicling my determination to maintain a sense of balance in the midst of concern), and "Winter On The Hill" - my first Christmas song, written & performed on Christmas Eve. Jamie presented "Constant Season" (seeking growth in the midst of day-to-day living), "Nobody Likes The Income Tax" (that pretty much sums it up), and "Hugging & Kissing" (a song of courtship & marriage.) Alan brought us "Your Face Is Love" (a beautiful song of love & grace).
For 2011 we look forward to beginning monthly gigs at Debbie's Cafe in Wayland and Delightful's in Arcade, NY. As of this writing we have over 60 gigs scheduled for 2011 - with many more yet to be scheduled! And maybe we'll record that new CD we keep talking about. Thank you everyone for supporting us over the past 8 years - we hope to see all of you soon!
Peace & Harmony,
Michael Scott Smith