We Didn't Play Christmas Music

Although we hosted the jam/open mike at the Junction in Port Angeles as usual(but last Sunday was Chrismas Eve), we played nary a one holiday song. However, we did make plans to learn a song both Stephanie and I like: Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. Some of our regular jammers plus a few new ones turned out and sang and played with us until about 11:20 PM, and even though the crowd was a little lighter than usual, all seemed to have a good time.

Tuesday came with a nice Rollin' Waters surprise. My sister, along with niece Molly, made a rare pilgrimage to Port Angeles to visit my Dad and me, and took us (Mick, Miles and me) to lunch at Michael's Divine Dining. About half way through the meal the soft strains of Goodnight My Love and Shenandoah drifted back to our table, and I thought, "Hmmm...they're playing our cd!" To make it even better, I don't think they just played it because I was there as it was the day shift, and we're surprised when I thanked them for playing us. Obscurity is blessing, as Bob Dylan once said.

And, New Year's Eve is almost upon us. Bring your resolutions and appetites to Cest Si Bon and Michael's Divine Dining (both in Port Angeles on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula) this Sunday evening. We start at Cest Si Bon on 5:00 PM and at Michael's at 9:30 PM.
Port AngelesOlympic Peninsula[Junction]Port TownsendAjax Cafe
live music
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]

Brutal Wind But the Music Played On

 Today was spent repairing the blown down fence gate in my backyard after last week's brutal wind storm. School was closed again on Friday allowing more guitar practice and the learning of more new songs for possible use by Rollin' Waters.
Sunday was another good night at the Junction in Port Angeles. There is no shortage of live music on the Olympic Peninsula during these cold, windy, snowy winter months. Stephanie suggested we rearrange our "stage" at the Junction, and it worked so well we plan to keep it that way. Sometimes change is good, yes? We also debuted some new songs that went over well with Cindy, the bartender, and some of the other regular patrons.
The handy little H4 Flash recorder got quite a workout, too. I will post White House Blues as soon as possible--that means when I find a suitable host site. Meanwhile, I'll try to ease an mp3 or two over to Stephanie at the Myspace site. There's a good live version of Fine and Mellow with number one son Mick on the acoustic guitar solo and a sweet sounding Long Way Home that need posting soon. Here is "White House Blues" live from the Junction.
On Saturday we're back at Michael's Divine Dining starting at 7:30 PM. The food is always great so get on down there and hear some of our new songs along with old favorites. We may even have a new joke to tell. Who knows? 

Hot Times at the Junction in Port Angeles

Sunday the Junction was hoppin' with local musicians Noel Price, Jonathon, Rusty, Bill Jagger, and of course Rollin' Waters joined at times for blues and ballads by Ida and Patrick. Bill Tiderman was present but under the weather and didn't want to sing, so he'll be back in good voice next week.

The little Zoom H4 is proving to be a good investment as it records very well in live situations like our jam/open mike on Sundays. Stephanie did a nice job on Old Man and here it is! Old Man

Hats were off and congratulations and thanks given to Tia just back from Iraq. She and her party stayed most of the night and seemed to enjoy all the music. I particularly liked Noel's versions of "All Along the Watchtower" and "The Cuckoo." That guy can really fingerpick.

Do you have plans for New Year's Eve yet? Well, Rollin' Waters plays two venues that night at both Cest Si Bon starting at 5:00 PM and then at Michael's Divine Dining starting at 9:30 PM.
One of my students gave me a baggie of mini-marshmallows with the following poem attached:
Santa looked at his list
even checked it twice,
And he found out you haven't been very nice.
Since coal's so expensive
Here is the scoop-
Santa's filling your stocking
with
SNOWMAN POOP!
Port AngelesOlympic Peninsula[Junction]Port TownsendAjax Cafe
live music
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]

Learn the Song First

"You have to know the song so well, that while your playing, if somebody blows your head off with a double barrel shotgun, your body will keep playin'."
-Stephan Grossman

Could it get any colder on the Olympic Peninsula, both inside and outside? Probably..and most likely it will after the rain forecasted for Thursday and Friday. The snow lingers, but melt it must, sooner or later.

Rollin' Waters performed especially well Saturday night in Olympia at Engineered Software's Christmas party. We didn't play any holiday songs, but they liked us a lot, and we sold a few cds. Free dinner, too! We even had a bite from the Little Creek Casino as a result of a party-goer with a connection there. We'll see what happens. Sunday at the Junction was another story, however. Sometimes I think I must have a lot of misdirected nerve to open my mouth to sing some of these great songs and then mess them up terribly. What was I thinking? Next time will be better...promise! Of course, all is never completely wasted, and we did record a live version of "Freight Train" with some great vocals by Stephanie. Here's the link: Freight Train. The back-ordered Zoom H4 finally arrived and it sounds pretty good to my ear for a first live recording. More to follow with any luck.
Port AngelesOlympic Peninsula[Junction]Port TownsendAjax Cafe
live music
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]