Meadow Street Band and Embracing Richmond

Sunday after church we hauled our system and selves over to the Embrace Richmond event up near Virginia Union University. Its a ministry outreach for city children of Richmond. We had a ball playing these tunes, and some we didn't even rehearse we got the neatest harmonies on. So it was a very spontaneous thing. It took us quite awhile to load and unload. I used my mini van and it was packed. The crowd enjoyed us though. Terry brought food from Subway. She and her mother left early. It was just the boys and then we packed up and stopped at McDonald's and talked about music and instruments and gigs we have played in the past and musicians we have met and such. Then we had to load all the stuff back into church. Its quite a big one and it is scary when you're in the dark. Everyone in the band is from choir, with the exception of Larry the drummer. We have a really nice sound, I believe. The exciting part is, I think I found a band to play with me on my next Album. And I won't have to pay 'em. So I can do it without breaking my piggy bank.

Really a whole life in one day....

Saturday was really super busy for me. And thats an understatement. As we approached that day, I had already rehearsed a few times with the Meadow Street Band and we were fixin' to play for that morning and early afternoon for the Fan Fall Festival. The church was putting on a benefit to help Embrace Richmond and other local charities. I had to get up at the crack of dawn- probably around 7:30 in the A.M. and was over at church not long after to help set up. My dad and sister had to go over about that time to pick up the new greyhound we adopted. There was a lot to do yesterday. The ladies brought over sweet tea and biscuits and us boys in the band had to lug the choir rafters down the back stairs (couldn't fit 'em in the elevator) and across the street to the parking lot to set up the stage. Then I rushed home and changed. We did a pretty good 2 hour set. Split up, of course. They had a nice turn out and the weather was lovely. We had a decent turn out. Gretchen got some of what we did on camera.

Then I had to hurry home and get dressed and drive out to Harrisonburg to the wedding of two good friends of mine Billy and Sarah (Billy plays in a duo called Buck Gooter I mentioned earlier). I was running late and I was praying that they were too because the ceremony was to start at 3 . Luckily, they were, and I wasn't too late after the ceremony. I had a good time there. I had to move my car and it got stuck on a pile or rocks. A crew from the wedding came to help me out. It was embarrasing but the road was pretty narrow and rocks on each side and I was backing up and didnt want to hit the other cars. So someone jacked it up, then a skinny guy crawled underneath and was able to remove the rocks from the carriage. Then I was able to get the car out of the way. I'm surprised the mini van didn't give out from it.

The highlight of my evening though was singing with Billy's Aunts the Blind Slye twins. I had my keyboard set up like the vision I had and they looked and acted just as I had pictured them in my vision (though I hadn't ever met them before). They were sweet ladies. We did "Ten Thousand Angels". Their voices were as strong and clear as they were on that record back in 1967. I had goodsebumps. I added a touch of bottom harmony but let them lead most of the song. Then I also accompanied Terry Turtle on a fine tune he wrote called "Spring Never Dances". Its a really nifty song. The cake was really good. I said my goodbyes and headed home. It was a good 2 hour and 20 minute drive. I was happy to see Mosby (our new dog). He was a little addled in his crate. I talked to him. Then I went to bed. Today I was supposed to go to my Reunion Brunch but I was plumb worn out from yesterday I just couldn't make it. But it certainly was a busy busy weekend. We also got a new Ford Escort (stick shift). I think its a nice color too. Royal Blue.

Here's a clip of myself with the Meadow Street band doin' a tune called "Beyond The Blue Horizon". It certainly is....

The leaves are just starting to change...

Here in Richmond. Most trees are still pretty green. But I notice some of the reds and oranges start to come out. The fall foliage is quite something here in Virginia. But I hear its nothing like it is up North. We don't get quite the array of colors because we don't have as many of the birch and maple trees. I would love to see New England this time of year.

I went over to Bear Creek Coffeeshop off Parham Rd and left my resume there. They are looking for baristas. Dad was mad at me this afternoon because I mentioned the cost of the dog crate we're getting in front of Aunt Virginia. But I didn't really think about it. He doesn't want her to think he has more many than he does. Which is silly really because its a dog crate, not a rolls royce. And she can get an idea that things are pretty tight around here. Anyways, yesterday we met with the greyhound lady and signed the papers. We're getting the dog Saturday morning. I won't be there because I have to be at church early to help set up. It will be such a busy weekend. I am playing at church benefit show from10 AM- 1 PM then I'm going over to Billy and Sarah's wedding in Harrisonburg. My high school reunion is that night but I can't make it, so I'm going to the brunch on Sunday. It will be in Warrenton. Truthfully, I think that will be better. Most people will be drinking on Saturday night , and I don't like being around those who do. Since I'm not a morning person, these earlier gigs are hard for me, but they usulaly go well. Gretchen might be able to tape some of it, and get us on youtube.

Sushi with Gooter

Yay. Well, I met up with Buck Gooter and Sarah at Nara Sushi on W. Main St near the Common Cup. Its a kind of calm place until the VCU alt punk scene kicks in. I was not in the mood for Sushi, but we sat and talked for a few hours, then they did a short but sweet set to a largely Alternative Hipster crowd. And I was probably one of the older ones there- most of the kids were smoking and drinking and they all rode their bikes over. I couldn't stick around for the other bands because the smoke was bothering my nose to a large degree. But it was nice just to see them there and have something to do other than wallow in misery at home. I am probably gonna go to bed soon because I am tired and need to play early tomorrow at the Farmer's Market in Goochland. I feel better . I was pretty dang depressed earlier this week. But I am a generally positive person and don't like to feel down too long. I keep getting new songs. I wish I could make my record sooner, but I don't have the money. But I don't think I'll be ready to anyway until March of next year. That will be good timing though. Everything in God's perfect time.

I won't wine about it.....

I played yesterday at the Carytown Wine Festival. I prefered this area to last year, even if I was outside of the main festivities. I was right in front of Carytown Cleaners. I didn't get much of a crowd at all, but I was happy to play. Last year I got heckled by some old black guy who was drunk and he kept trying to sing and play my keyboard. But the main fun was how great the acoustics were. My voice was bouncing off the buildings across the street. The mic was hot, and I barely had to make any effort at all. Which was good since I was kind of tired. It was on the warm side- about 92 degrees. Which is ironic because I always feel like the Watermelon Festival and the heat is a pain, but the Wine Festival being in October is cooler and not as many people.The odd thing as I was playing one song called "Ten Thousand Angels", this young woman was driving her car and stopped and pulled down her window and spit out on the street. I'm not sure why she did that. Some folks don't dig Gospel , I reckon. After I played, a nice young group called the Socials came up next. I like their fun brand of good time Rock n' Roll. I stuck around to hear them for awhile. They have a pretty girl singer in their group.

Today I rode my bike out towards St. Christoper's School to take some pictures of the tall pines out that way. My bike hit something or other and the back wheel got bent. I have no idea how. I had to walk the bike back to Westhampton and have Gretchen pick me up at Joe's Market. The bike will have to have a near tire put in. I been watching "Leave It To Beaver" all weekend. Its the 50th anniversary of the show.

I guess I must be right brained....

Hmm... does this mean I only use 5% of the left side of my brain? You Are 5% Left Brained, 95% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

State Un-Fair

I was supposed to play today at the State Fair but there was a mixup with the PA system, and I couldn't find it anywhere. I also got the stage location mixed up. Because it was pretty warm today and I had to drag my keyboard around, I just went on home. I was kinda tired too. I kinda don't like the State Fair. Its a nice thing, but not good for the gig, because too many people and you never really get an audience. Most people are just there for the rides or to see farm supplies.

Sometimes I watch "Full House" because I find it comforting. It takes me back to my most carefree days in the late 1980s when my biggest worry was if my dad was going to get me the new Nintendo game I wanted. The show is pretty cheesy, but I used to watch it, along with others on T.G.I.F. on ABC. I would watch Just the Ten Of Us, and I think Perfect Strangers , and Family Matters. The shows are still comforting to watch today. They aren't my "favorite" shows at all. They're just the shows you watch when you want something kind of familiar to you.

My Loudoun County Home

I wrote a song about growing up in Loudoun County. Its a bit sentimental, but it works for me.



My Loudoun County Home

Far outside the Beltway, beyond the DC suburbs I spent my younger days in Loudoun County. Near the banks of the river, Id walk with my dog Ollie and I remember I'd stay there forever. My daddy was an accountant, and he tried to keep us happy, and we'd go to church on Sunday mornin'. My mother was from Richmond, and she died when I was eleven, but she loved my music and Jesus, and I know that she's in heaven

But greedy developers came and tore up the land They drove the farmers westward and the native families ran, but I remember old Leesburg and no matter where I roam, I'll always love my Loudoun County home

In the summer I was thirteen, I got my horse Virginia, and I would ride the through the rolling hills of Loudoun county. I fell in love there, for a girl with blue eyes and blonde hair, but she fell for the rich boy in town

We moved to Egypt Farms and some folks thought we were crazy but how I loved to spend time at the Philomont General Store. And I remember the beauty of the Contoctain mountains 'round me, and I can still hear Colonel Mosby and his rangers once more

But greedy developers came and tore up the land They drove the farmers westward and the native families ran, but I remember old Leesburg and no matter where I roam, I'll always love my Loudoun County home

Yes no matter where I wander, my heart still travels yonder. To the northern Virginia hills where I spent my early childhood

And I remember old Leesburg and no matter where I roam I'll always love my Loudoun County home. Yes, I'll always love my Loudoun county home.