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| Florida's Native Troubadour Update |
May 2009 |
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How is Everyone? May was jam packed for me - I have a new Granddaughter, Kendall Cecilia!! And, I played Gamble Rogers, SteveFest and the Florida Folk Festival, plus several individual shows in between. The new CD is in the mixing and mastering process before it goes to DiscMakers towards the end of the month. or early July Then I swing into preparations for tours and conferences in the Southeast, the Midwest and Texas. I think I need more coffee! All the 411 is below. Enjoy and let me hear from you!
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Welcome Home CD Release set for August
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Though certainly not as difficult as child birth (see side article about Kendall), producing a new CD is a long and labor intensive process - particularly one of the quality and complexity that I've tackled this time around. Starting back in October of last year my friends Jason Thomas, Ron Litschauer and I began looking at material, arrangements and preliminary recordings of material for an album that I wanted to be a collection of my Florida Folk music produced for a national audience. The results are far exceeding my expectations.
Welcome Home is a 12 song (plus some bonus material) portrait of my Florida - the Florida that still exists if you take the time and know where to look. It's the southern cultured State that I was born in, before Disney, the Space Program, Margaritaville and hanging chads. It's the home of beautiful tree draped rivers, vast expanses of saw grass, cattle and truck farms, citrus trees and wild places unsung in the media image smeared across the television and advertisements. It's the Florida of history, customs and characters much loved by Morjorie Kennan Rawlings, Ernest Hemingway, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas and Zora Neele Hurston. Its the Florida that has both inspired me and broken my heart. It's home.
The album brings together some of the most incredible musicians in the State and the Country. Nashville stars, Claire Lynch, Missy Raines, Rob Ickes, Jim Hurst, Mark Schatz and Kenny Malone have lent their considerable talent to the project. Not to be out done, Florida greats Lis and Lon Williamson, Gabe Valla, Jason Thomas, Kurt Johnson, Stan Geberer, Bob Rafkin and Billy Varnes appear in stellar fashion as well, standing shoulder to shoulder with the best in the business.
A very special feature of the album is the title track, Welcome Home. This is my personal tribute song for my good friend, Steve Blackwell, who we lost to cancer in 2007. A true and committed lover of the Florida I sing about, Steve remains a role model for me, both in his own songs and his deeds, as a friend, musician and human being. It is my special privilege to be able to present this song backed by Steve's own, the Still Friends band composed of Carrie Blackwell-Hussey, Dan Leach, Andy Leach, Japhy Blackwell and Tiffany Coffey.
The official release is scheduled for August 1st. However, you can pre-order it now and receive a bonus, "The Official Bootleg Welcome Home Sampler." The sampler has six tracks - Studio Masters of three tracks from the upcoming CD (Yellow Butter Moon, Banks of the Old st. Johns and Welcome Home), plus special tracks we did in Nashville and West Palm Beach that aren't available anywhere else (This Old House, with Claire Lynch and Jason Thomas, Sinner's Song,with Missy Raines and Rob Ickes and There's Always a Middle with Jason Thomas.
Buy the sampler now and receive Welcome Home by mail when it is released, postage included, all for $15. How?, you ask - just send $15 to Doug Spears, 36 Interlaken Road, Orlando, FL 32804 with your complete name, address, phone number and email address. If you'd like to use your credit card just go through PayPal.com and send the $15 to dcsnole@yahoo.com with the above information included. This offer is good through July 31st only - thereafter, no more free samplers. So, get yours NOW!
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Notes from the Road - Gamble Rogers Folk Festival 2009
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From Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3 we gathered at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds in Elkton, FL, west of St. Augustine for three days of music celebrating to life of one of our own, the late, great Gamble Rogers. I hope you are familiar with Gamble’s life and work. If not, here’s a little bit about him.
Florida Times Union columnist, Ron Johnson, wrote in his Friday May 1st edition:
The son and grandson of influential architects, Gamble Rogers was described as both a "modern troubadour" and the "resurrection of Will Rogers and Mark Twain". Rogers was a master performer--enchanting an audience with Travis-style guitar finger picking and relating downright rib-tickling tales about the inhabitants of the fictitious Oklawaha County.
The Atlanta Constitution called Rogers, "an American treasure worthy of inclusion in the Smithsonian". Rogers was just hitting his peak when he died, on October 10, 1991, trying to save a man from drowning. The recreational area in Flagler County, where the accident occurred, was later renamed, "The Gamble Rogers Memorial Park".
Gamble was universally revered and loved by his fellow musicians and fans alike. Gamble never met a stranger and his gracious assistance to young up and coming artists is legendary. Known for many philosophical witticisms like “the Lord gives me grace, but the devil gives me style”, “sorry is as sorry does” and “life’s what happens to you while you’re making other plans” Gamble was the perfect blend of master storyteller and musician. Many songs have been written honoring Gamble, but my personal favorite was written by my friend Steve Gillette who I think fully captured his spirit:
I remember Gamble Rogers,
He was a gentleman with a guitar,
He’s gone on a little further now,
A little deeper in the stars,
He went down into the water,
To help to save a drowning man,
And he left this world,
Holding out his hand.
It’s been my great privilege to participate in this gathering for many years now and have been looking forward to this second edition in the new location at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds.
Come read the full report in my blog at Blogspot.com.
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SteveFest 2009
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As you know from the article above and to the right, my granddaughter, Kendall Cecilia, was born Friday, May 8th. After we got through the "at risk" issues attendant to the birth I left my very capable nurse / wife, Judy, in charge and headed out from Tallahassee at nearly midnight. You see, I had another important date to keep - performing in the Second Annual SteveFest in Port Charlotte / Punta Gorda honoring my friend and one of Florida's greats, Steve Blackwell. I was going to be a long drive and, since I was wide awake after all the birth excitement (and stress), I thought I'd bite a chunk off before bedding down for the night.
I made it about 3 hours (halfway) and grabbed a cheap hotel room somewhere in the Ocala area. Didn't take me long to fall asleep, believe me! And, that wake up call came WAY too early. But, I needed to get to the festival site around noon to have time to run a few tunes with the Roadside Revue gang who were going to come up and play some with me during my hour long set. Plus, Still Friends, who backed me on my upcoming album on Welcome Home had agreed to join me on stage for that as well at the end of my set and we wanted to run through that as well. So, get'cher butt up and get on the road!
I hit the festival area at the Charlotte Harbor Amphitheater on Bayshore at Noon on the button. I didn't take long to find an excellent parking space in view of the gate keepers and to track down Dan Leach. All systems go - everyone was ready for a little quick rehearsal and then time to chill until we did sound checks.
This was a great spot for the festival. It's right on the water with a good breeze blowing. The sun was hot and the shade was scarse, but this Punta Gorda crowd is hardy and undaunted by that kind of thing. The crowd began to gather as the volunteers hustled with last minute odds and ends. The pavillion at the far end of the performance area was set up with a vendor area for food and drink, performer merchandise, etc. The volunteers had also outdone themselves in providing a continuous buffet for the performers, etc. and a bar for adequate hydration (beer has water in it, right?). Perfect.
The stage was outstanding as well. A full performance rig had been brought in by truck complete with high lighting trestles and professional concert sound. Very nice. I was so glad to be included in this event and was really looking forward to getting to play with some of the greatest folks I know.
There's more - read it in my Blogspot blog!
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More Notes from the Road Next Month
This newsletter is already too long, plus I need to save some material for the slow months of June and July. So, reports from the Florida Folk Festival and my Jacksonville gig with Larry Mangum will have to wait. In the mean time, here's one last video from my Sweetwater Farms show in Tampa - Here's On the Other Side. See you soon somewhere!
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Welcome Kendall Cecilia
Yep, she's finally here. May 8th in Tallahassee she arrived at about 9 p.m. Mom (Jessi) is a small girl, 5'2" 110 lbs. and Kendall Cecilia came by natural birth weighing in at an unbelievable 10 lbs, 11 oz.!! Mom and baby were at risk for a while - Jessi lost so much blood she had to have a transfusion and Kendall's blood sugar was dangerously low (8, instead of the minimum 45 - 70 it should have been). All of this because the "managed care" doctors (meaning they can barely manage to care) don't actually practice medicine, but just follow their check lists and instruction manuals much like the guy that works on your lawn mower might. To say that I'm unhappy and have ugly intentions towards these docs and Tallahassee Memorial is a vast understatement. Jessi and Kendall ended up in the hospital for more than a week, but everything seems to be A-OK at this point. and they're home triving Papa Doug is already well on his way to spoiling the little critter rotten.
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June & July are slow performance months
I've kept June and July largely open on my calendar to allow for the finish up work on the new CD. Only three calendar dates in June and none in July. However, it doesn't mean I'm not up for a house concert somewhere - all you have to do is call!
Wednesday, June 17th - 7 pm
Writers' Round - Cafe Natura
607 Florida Avenue
Cocoa, FL 32804
(321) 223-4531
$7 - with Tina Eno, Ryan Winford
Friday, June 19th - 7 pm
Writers Showcase Fundraiser
The Music Shack
1455 Semoran Blvd., Suite 153
Casselberry, FL 32707
407.678.1765
with Jim Rice, Al Scortino, Jenn Weidley, Ben Dehart,
Jim Allen, Dan Gribbin, hosted by Susie Cool
Monday, June 29 - 7 pm
Sarasota Sailing Squadron
a monthly production of the Sarasota Folk Club
1717 Ken Thompson Pkwy.
Sarasota, FL
The monthly Sailing Squadron Concerts are a Sarasota musical tradition. They are held in the idyllic Florida setting of the Squadron's open air pavilion. The setting is scenic (surrounded by sailboats and Sarasota Bay), the atmosphere is relaxed and the folk and acoustic talent is the finest in the state and the nation. A donation of $5.00 or more is requested. For more information contact Jean Hewitt at 941-377-9256, cell 941-320-4774 or jvhewitt@pobox.com.
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Notes from the Road - Shorts from the Tampa Bay Mini-tour
The Eternal Florida Music & Medicine Show @ the Purple Moon, Dunedin, FL
Wednesday, May 13th I was at the Purple Moon in Dunedin for Scotty Rexroat's Eternal Florida Music & Medicine Show. The Purple Moon is "the feel good place" of Dunedin with a great gift shop, a restaurant with wraps, sandwiches, desserts, coffee, tea and great wine and beer. The music takes place outside in a lovely, cozy courtyard along one side and to the rear. Now, I had a great time and I recommend you check out the Purple Moon, but the music didn't go so well. I set up my new Fishman Solo system (which worked GREAT!) and got the sound all set. Leigh Humes and Steve Vaclavik came out to play some tunes to open the show. I got Leigh started at about 7 p.m. At about 7:08 the heavens opened up and we huddled under the canopy where the sound gear was and a couple of other umbrellas hoping for the rain to subside. About 4 beers later (quite a while) it finally let up enough for me to dry off the gear, pack up and get outta there. Oh well, it happens.
Tre Amici - Ybor City
Friday, May 15th I had a full show at Tre Amici, 1907 N 19th St, Tampa, FL. I love Tre Amici. It's a cosy, friendly room with a great staff and a cool vibe. They've been offering live, original acoustic music for a couple of years now and its a favorite wiith the local Tampa musicians.
It was another rainy evening and I was following the two year anniversary party the night before so a crowd was doubtful. However, my loyal fan basemade sure I didn't have to stand there and play to the staff! Had a great intimate show with a few folks I hadn't seen in years and some new friends who took this opportunity for a first time catching me live. I tried out a new headphone style mic from Shure that I really liked - frees me up from the mic stand and makes it more like an acoustic show which is so much more natural and relaxed. Another great night at Tre Amici - Thanks Jessi!
Bad Cat House Concerts - Pinellas Park / Clearwater
Saturday, May 16th, I returned to Rick Kennedy and Denise Adams' home for second visit to their house concert series. They've got such a great space for house concerts (high ceiling and great acoustics). We had a perfect mix of folks returning who'd heard me there back in the fall and new folks who'd gotten the word about my first show. House concerts are my favorite performance style and Rick & Denise's series is a perfest example of why. Everyone comes to hear the music and share a good time with friends, both old and new. The interaction with the crowd is so personal and relaxed. Plus, there was Owen, the canine king of the manse, who loves my music and always joins me on stage throughout the evening to get up close and personal to my songs. It just dowsn't get any better than this- thaks SO MUCH for having me back!
Sweetwater Farms Organic Farm - Tampa, FL
This is a show that is becoming a "must play" gig for any musician who travels around Florida. This cooperative farming operation (6942 West Comanche Avenue, Tampa, FL.) has made a real event out of their Sunday share distributions and open market. Fully family friendly and down home they sport a covered stage with a solid sound system and a guaranteed appreciative crowd. Rebeka Pulley and I were on the bill and I lead off at 1 pm. A really fun 1 hour performance to just the right demographic - folk music lovers! I look forward to going back to the Farm frequently in the years to come. Here's a video of part of the performance - enjoy Withlacoochee Dreamer.
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On stage with Still Friend at SteveFest 2009
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Around the Fires at Gamble Rogers by Paul Garfinkel, River Road Photography
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With Claire Lynch at Rec Room Studios in Nashville
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Papa Doug & Kendall
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Cypress Moss Music • 36 Interlaken Road • Orlando, FL 32804
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