Elegy for industry.

The new Song Fight went live last night. The title was Elegy For Industry, and I submitted an entry for it. Having just listened to all the submissions, there's quite a few good songs in there. Go check 'em out!

In other news, the van is in the shop. It keeps stalling. I hope it's nothing too serious, 'cause when I put the last 2 grand into the thing, they told me it'd run 'a good long time'.

The gift of music.

Every year at Song Fight, a bunch of us get together and record cover songs for each other. It's called the Gift Of Music, it's hosted by Soul Tree Records, and the newest batch just went up. I did a version of Gordon Lightfoot's "The Watchman's Gone". Whoever is supposed to be covering a song for me hasn't come through yet, and if I don't hear from them in a week or so, I might just do it myself, because my list of song choices was pretty sweet this year. Anyway, check out the songs right here.

Recording.

There was a flood at the studio, and I'm moving out of it. I've got a recording setup in the basement, and it's working out all right. I actually wrote and recorded a Song Fight entry over the weekend! The fight is due today, and should be posted shortly thereafter. The song title is 'Elegy For Industry'. With a little more time I could have done a lot more with the song, but it was good enough to submit anyway. And boy is it nice to be recording again.

And not a moment too soon. February is coming up fast, and that's the month I write my drinking songs! Anyone with any good drinking stories should send them to me. And anyone with any interest in generating some good drinking stories should set up a time for us to go out drinking.

Weekend recap.

It was a nice busy week. This week is not quite so hectic, which is nice, except that it kind of isn't. As you know by now, I'd rather be playing every night. Anyway, I played New Year's Eve at Shooter's Tavern, and it was a nice low-key affair as advertised. Then on January 1 I did a very well-received solo show at The Country Cow. On the 2nd I played an apres-ski show at Cranmore, where I got to really experiment with the loop pedal. That was fun. Saturday was a double; I played for the Masons in Holderness (see photo), and then did a show at the William Tell in Thornton.

All I've got on the books this week is a Saturday gig, but I'm very excited about it. No Limitz is playing the Stix Entertainment Center in Meredith. I finally get to perform at a bowling alley. A lifelong dream will be realized this weekend.

The Country Cow.

I'm playing at The Country Cow in Campton tonight. This is a short post because I'm typing it on a Wii and it takes forever.

Shooter's.

I know I mentioned it in my last post, but just a reminder: tonight I'm at Shooter's Tavern in Belmont, and it's gonna be a low-key no-cover way to ring in the new. C'mon out if you're around! And if I don't see you, Happy New Year! I won't be raising a glass at midnight, 'cause I'm working. But my first order of business in '09 will be to drive home, crack open a barley wine, and get caught up.

A new year.

Here comes 2009 whether you like it or not. Personally, I don't mind. '08 was a good constructive year, I suppose. It certainly had it's share of difficulties. I've got a good feeling about this next year though.

And it starts with a little run of shows, which always lightens my disposition. On New Year's Eve I'm playing a solo show at Shooter's Tavern and Pizzaria in Belmont. If you're looking for a nice low-key place to ring in the new year where you don't have to pay a cover or buy a button or stand outside, then you should come out to the bar with me.

New Year's Day is a solo show at The Country Cow in Campton. I was just there last night, actually; they've started a Monday open mic. I like that room. Still my favorite buffalo chicken.

On January 2nd, I'll be doing an afternoon show at the Cranmore ski area over in North Conway. I played for them a few times last season and it was always a blast.

Saturday 1/3 is a double: I'm back at the Masonic lodge in Holderness in the afternoon, and then it's off to the William Tell in Thornton for my early evening show.

I wish every week was like this. It's tough to stay consistently busy here in NH. It's probably the same was in most places, I guess. But the January schedule looks pretty good. I'm still open on Friday the 9th though. Anyone need a musician?