Happy New Year! Started out with a quick escape from the lovely Vermont deepfreeze (how many days of 20 below zero??) to Durham NC (just in time for their freak snowstorm that shut down the state for 3 days!!) Had a blast playing music with Bob Vasile, Revisited the place where Touchstone was born, once The Cat's Cradle, then Rhythm Alley, then the Skylight Exchange, now the Nightlight. Bob and I played, and it was so great to see our friends who braved the icy roads to come out that night. We went to Charlottesville VA the following night and played at the Tin Whistle pub. Thanks to Cece Conway for making these events happen. Bob was awesome on bouzouki, guitar, and vocals. Thanks to Bob and Barb for hosting us.
Back in Vermont, having some fun playing Wednesdays at RiRa Pub in Burlington VT with Graham Parker and Silas Hamilton of Gypsy Reel. Thursday night sessions continue every week at The Killarney Pub in Ludlow VT. (If it looks like I'm double booked on these recurring events, there will be someone, probably from Gypsy Reel, filling in for me in VT) Playing some Old Time and Americana music this weekend with The Shrewdberries Live at Mount Hollywood Studio. Looking forward to my first gig in Boston in ages, at the Burren in Somerville, with Silas (and maybe a surprise guest or 2!) Gypsy Reel leaves for Guatemala the next day. Will fill in gig details as I get them. Looking forward to seeing our Lake Atitlan friends soon!
Check my Events schedule. I'll be teaching Sundays at Connecticut Academy of Irish Music in Wethersfield CT (www.ctirishmusic.com)-enrollment now open. And when we get back from Guatemala, it'll be almost time to start celebrating St. Patrick's Day!
Meanwhile, I am finishing up the mixes for a new solo cd, featuring Scottish songs and Shetland Isles tunes, The Tartan Project. Will post ordering info soon! The days are getting longer!