MOVING...

Having my job extended to next June 30 meant I could go get a house of my own, so I did that; I move in this weekend. Get to buy furniture and all that fun household infrastructure I haven’t needed while I’ve been living out of a motel room. It’ll take a few days before Internet is hooked up at the new place, so this is a last-minute post to keep the commitment I made in January to post a new blog weekly.

Last night was my first real performance in this area—about an hour’s worth, at Johnny B.’s in Medford. Part of a three-band set, and there was actually a cover charge, and they actually advertised my name in the paper, and there was actually a crowd. And I think the crowd actually liked it. Only had one CD left (I’ll have to make more), I could have sold a lot more. Lesson: ALWAYS have lots of CDs. If you don’t have them, you can’t sell them.

The bass player for the band that followed me (Johnny B. himself) was awesome—played a percussive-type standup bass, where the bass is substituting for a drum set as well as providing the “bottom” to the music. “Slap bass” is what they used to call it, years ago, but nobody does it any more. Johnny does. He said he learned it from George Maddox (now deceased) of The Maddox Brothers and Rose, who were a big-name country band maybe 50-60 years ago (you can still get their records on CD). I want him—maybe the whole band—on the next album, and told him so.

The rest of the band? The lead guitarist is good; the rhythm guitarist didn’t do much (of course, he didn’t have to), but has a really good singing voice. What we’d be missing for the album is the “whiny lead” (fiddle, harmonica, flute, sax, or such). The lead guitarist could take care of the “non-whiny lead” with no problem. I know a couple of local blues harp players who could probably be roped in. Wonder if Don Maddox would be interested in playing fiddle? He’s the last surviving member of The Maddox Brothers and Rose, lives in the area, and still performs—sometimes with this band.

And the band—“The Cheatin’ Hearts”—are potentially interested in playing with me, and DEFINITELY interested in covering some of my songs. (And of course that’s okay. These guys opened for Big & Rich at a concert in Medford this week.) They’re interested in “Eatin’ Cornflakes from a Hubcap Blues,” and (at my suggestion) “Bluebird on My Windshield,” and I was encouraging ‘em to tackle “Dirty Deeds Done to Sheep.” I’ll have to record that for ‘em so they can hear what it sounds like. And one of the audience folks who didn’t get to buy the CD was interested in “Rotten Candy.” I NEVER thought anybody would be.

Today (Saturday) is the Lions Club variety show in Grants Pass, maybe an hour or less drive from here, and I’m on the agenda for maybe a 15-minute set. And tomorrow night is the open mike at the Wild Goose—and the first night I get to spend in the new house. Tuesday night’s country dance is on my birthday; I think being able to play music on my birthday is a great present. Should be fun.

Joe