12.15.09 - New CD Release!
My new CD "Loosely Celtic" will be available in time to stuff Christmas stockings. A collection of my favorite Irish songs, it features plaintive ballads and rowdy shanties and toe-tapping fiddle tunes. Some great musicians helped out, including Leah Larson on duet vocals, Audra Poor on uileann pipes and flute, Julia Bennett on bodhran, and Michelle Cameron on cello. The "regular cast" was there as well: Orville Johnson on banjo, David Lange on keyboards, Matt Rotchford on bass, Davey Hakala on fiddle, and Mark Iler and Brian Maskew on vocals. On the opening song, "Farewell To Carlingford" we feature banjo, bagpipes, accordion, and bodhran on the same song. That's a felony in some places, but i sure like the way it sounded. Click the "Discography" tab to see the song listings. There will be three CD release concerts throughout Washington. the first is in the Merc Playhouse at Twisp on January 16; the second is at the Unitarian Church in Pasco on January 29; and a two-night run at the Galway Bay Pub in Ocean Shores on March 12-13.
12.15.09 - "Backroads and Byways Tour"
Come the first of the year, I'll start a concert series in east-of-the-mountains towns in Washington and Oregon. Called the "Backroads and Byways Tour", the plan is to bring some music and fun to rural towns during the bleakest part of winter. We figured that in summer, folks from small towns can drive to Spokane and Seattle for entertainment. But in winter, when the days are short and the roads are bad -- I'll bring the music to you. Click on the "Performances" tab to see the schedule. We've lined up some great venues, ranging from the quaint old Ruby Theatre in Chelan to the state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center in Omak. And this being farm country, there will be some grange-hall gigs, as well. Keep an eye on that schedule, I look forward to seeing you when we reach your town!