Just saw the list came out for my category ("Songwriter Achievement") of nomination at the Josie Awards, and I'm on it. There are a LOT of other nominees listed, so we'll see what happens, but it is nice to think about someone saying my name at the Grand Ole Opry House come September….
Tonight's show is now a double feature! Get there early to get a good seat. :)
I've been attending a monthly songwriter open mic at the Octopus in Cedar Falls for a while now, and it's become one of my favorite things about my new home in the Cedar Valley. On April 1st, I will be the featured artist, which makes me beyond happy.
You coming?
North Tama Telegraph--an unflagging supporter of the arts in North Tama County--put out an article this week about my recent award, with a really kind mention of one of my recent songs. You can find the article here.
Late breaking news!
I'll be playing this Friday at 6 pm at Newton's Paradise Cafe in Waterloo.
Who's coming?
I've been doing a terrible job posting all the latest here, but just in case you catch this, here's the next place to catch me. :)
Hope to see you there.
A friend of mine connected me with a new bar in Reinbeck (Surly Steve's, formerly the 405) looking to start an open mic night. Of course, I jumped right in. :)
So, you coming?
That's me! I'm “live entertainment!”
12-3 both days. Bring your mother.
A little somthing I'm putting together with some friends. See you there?
I direct a small-but-mighty choir made up of Iowa Veterans and their spouses who are residents of the Iowa Veterans Home. We practice once a week, and perform at least once a month. Most of our performances happen in the dining hall, and are fairly low-key affairs.
Today, though, we got to sing two hymns as part of the Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day service. Seeing these veterans, now all elders, sing and pray and speak and cry together, remembering what this war and their lives were like, hits a little differently.
I am barely a veteran. I was injured early on, and worked random details while being treated at Martin Army hospital. My primary weapon was a mop. Doing this work, with these people, is how I make up for the service I was unable to give before.
And I am grateful.
Tonight, I’ll be attending the Celebration of Life for a child I cared about. I’ve been a friend of the family for many years, and losing Raxus at the age of six is heartbreaking.
The memorial service will be folded into the first of what the family hopes will be an annual series of benefits for childhood epilepsy. It’s a punk show, because they are deep into the punk scene. I am not, but I love this family, I am coming to support, and I plan to play my music my way to share my honest and unfiltered grief. They plan to let me.
In a way, that’s pretty punk too.
Godspeed, Raxus. Rest in power.
Cedar Falls!
I just arranged to play the CF Farmers Market on Saturday, June 21st. You should all stop by, buy some baked goods, and drop them in my tip basket. :)
I just heard from the organizers, and it looks like I’ll be playing 12-3 both days of this festival. So stop in, say hello, and get your fix of local arts on Mother’s Day weekend.
Part of my return to music and poetry involves getting over myself and going to strange places to play for strange people. It’s easy at home or at work or when there is an actual stage between me and the audience. It’s a lot harder at an intimate bar show.
Last night, Lindsey and I made the trek to Waverly, Iowa to share a little musical space with our friends Uncle Chuck and Perry Miller. I played to a full bar for the first time in years, and it felt like home. We even managed to make a few new musical friends along the way.
Onward and upward. I got this.
This year's Parsonage Series lineup is out! Lindsey and I host an open mic starting at 6:30, then our featured performers make even more magic happen.
You coming?
https://www.northtamatelegraph.com/news/local-news/2025/03/07/the-parsonage-announces-2025-concert-series/
