Pegasus

Last night we played the Pegasus Coffee House on Bainbridge Island. Cool place with tables and chairs set up and an outside sitting area which our friends from Poulsbo used. The weather was warm. Norm, the owner, seemed to like Stephanie's voice and my finger-picking blues. It's weird when people sit and read a book while we're performing, but what a thrill when they focus on us rather than the book! It reminded me of making people cry at a wedding with just the right song or performance. Then it's clear the job is well done! So, with two weddings coming up this summer, we'll have to keep that in mind!

People really seem to like Todd's double bass on our newest songs posted on myspace. There's something about the fine instrument he plays, his skill/talent, and the way we recorded him in Port Townsend this spring. He is truly a treasure of the Olympic Peninsula.
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]
[folk/blues]

Wednesday

 Wednesday, known to some as "hump day," arrives as the fourth warm day of the summer, and one wonders how many more sunny days there are coming up this year. The Olympic Peninsula really shines on such days, rare as ant's teeth. Such was Saturday at the Ajax Cafe, and extra warm on the tiny stage--now it's clear why some performers (mostly male) go shirtless, but to the relief of our audience, that's not going to happen in my case. Instead, we're looking into stage fans, the kind that fasten on to mike stands...small ones, this is. If anyone out there knows where such things can be purchased, please let us know before we succumb to the "heat wave" here in Port Angeles.
The crowd at the Ajax was especially generous with their applause and reactions to our music on Saturday. There was hand-clapping on "I'm Looking Through You" and one guy came up to the stage and sang along on "Wagon Wheel." Some even hooted and hollered when Stephanie sang "Stormy Monday," which isn't unusual, just a first at the Ajax. There are more pictures from the Junction jam/open mike that I will publish soon. I promise! Now it's time to get back to work on our cd..oh, and check the new clips on myspace! 
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[acoustic music]

Sing Along

 Before school let out last week Stephanie helped us with the Sing Along at Franklin Elementary School in Port Angeles. What a treat for the kids! In the past, we've had Deadwood Revival, Luck of the Draw, and other local musicians join us for the weekly sing along event. You might be surprised to learn that "Louie Louie" is a favorite every year. One day, at least twenty years ago, I looked up and the kids were doing this hand movement, hand jive kind of thing that I certainly had not taught them. Ever since, it has been handed down from one year to another.

But enough of school, which is out for the summer, and back to music on the Olympic Peninsula! Stephanie and I will perform at the Ajax Cafe in Port Hadlock this Saturday starting at 6:00 PM. The food is exceptional and the hats are a riot (see several posts back). Get a reservation at 360 385-3450. After that we're back at the Junction in Port Angeles for our weekly Jam/Open Mic starting at 7:00 PM. More pictures shot there appear next week as promised. With all this nice weather on the peninsula, maybe number two son, Miles, will take some outdoor pics of us next week, too. That is, if he isn't being interviewed on Northwest Afternoon again for his video work in the Seattle Times contest. Yes, I taped the program, and it was very cool.

Alright then, it's off to get a much needed haircut and work on our recordings. 
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[acoustic music]

School's Out!

DSCN0111,
originally uploaded by barre1953.

Sunday arrives once again, and we're off to the Junction, the Olympic Peninsula's showcase for live blues and the weekly jam hosted by us, Rollin' Waters. With school out for the summer, Stephanie and I travel more to locations like Bainbridge Island and Port Hadlock. Who knows where the summer might find us? Port Angeles has a hold on us, for sure, but locations near and far beckon. We'll see what happens. Without a doubt there will be music and lots of it!
/>
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction]

Sunday Jam at the Junction

Many thanks to Ida and the gang (see photo) and Cindy (see photo)for another fun Sunday at the Junction in Port Angeles. It's certainly one of the must "go to" places for visitors to the Olympic Peninsula. As noted before, Cindy makes great drinks, and I'm particularly fond of her gin and tonics. Lots of pictures were taken last night, and we'll try to get more of them posted later this week. Such a photogenic crowd at the Junction! And they can sing, too. More later!
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction]

Sunday at the Casino in Sequim

Many thanks to all of you who came out to see us Sunday night at the casino. The band had a great time playing for you, and although we had some trouble with the sound setup, especially in the first set, the crowd didn't hold it against us and danced the evening away. It sure is fun to play with the quintet again. Tom really nailed "Shake, Rattle, and Roll," and his new song, "Help Me." Stephanie wowed the audience as usual with her versions of "Stormy Monday" and "Guilty" among others.

We have many more gigs on the Olympic Peninsula coming up this summer. School is almost out! We're looking forward to the farmers' markets in Port Angeles and Sequim and our first time at the Port Townsend Brewery in August. We'll be at the Ajax Cafe on the 24th of this month and my mouth is already watering. And of course we'll be at the Junction again this Sunday hosting the jam/open mike.

You should check out John Nelson's column in Thursday's Peninsula Daily News to find out about live music on the peninsula.
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]

Casino

We're really looking forward to our gig at the Seven Cedars Casino Sunday night. There will be dancing and Bill and Ida have pledged to be there helping us sing "Wagon Wheel." Contrary to what the casino says, we are not funk! Blues and folk would be more like it, thank you very much!
But last Saturday we played the Ajax Cafe in Port Hadlock. For a region with relatively few people and lots of open space, the Olympic Peninsula sure has some fine restaurants, and the Ajax is certainly one of them. Not only is the food great, but there's live music and hats! Yes, even Stephanie and I donned hats that aprticular night, although not altogether voluntarily, as several were thrust upon my head by Maria and her rowdy entourage. What a lively gourp theya re as you can see by the accompanying pics. I had the halibut (for the "halibut") and it sure was tasty. Lots of people were trying the ribs which have not entered my mouth to date. We tried some new songs, including "Jackson" and "Move It On Over" and "Tore Down." Still a bit rough, but the crowd was generous with their applause. It's a fun place and we're there again June24th. Get reservations.

Then there was Thursday night at the Landings in Port Angeles and the open mike with Kim and Jason (Deadwood Revival)and we have more pictures of them, Bill and Stephanie, and Larry on guitar. It was a good that will have to wait for another posting. I'm going to bed!
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction]