Raining on the Olympic Peninsula

Well, it's still raining in Port Angeles (and maybe all over the world), and my optimism has passed. All you have to do is lie down for awhile and it's gone. Maybe the key to hanging on to a "good" attitude is to keep moving forward, but then it's probably impossible not to keep moving with all the work one needs to do to make a living in this world. That's enough philosophy--get to the music and show business already, for god's sake.
The Junction served potato soup last Sunday, and our regular jammers said it was good and tasty. I will take their word on that one. Jeff and Jacob, of Idaho and Florida respectively, played a lot of Southern rock for our mid-sized crowd that night who, I must admit,liked it better than I did. Don't get me wrong, they can play and sing very well, but "Sweet Home Alabama" has been played way too often, and the whole "southern rock" thing is more than a little dreary. Just my opinion! Like I said, the crowd liked it a lot. Tom, who plays songs by the reverend and Jorma is much more to my liking--the guy can really finger-pick! So it's off to more practice or maybe a leisurely jaunt down to the Crazy Fish for the jazz jam tonight or to see Baby Gramps on Friday. Who knows what the next few days will bring? Perhaps a blizzard after all the storming so far this week.

What a Birthday!

Birthday cake(Red Velvet), balloons with helium, decorations and presents--not to mention all the fellow musicians Stephanie dragged away from homely comforts to attend our Sunday jam at the Junction in Port Angeles. Do I feel honored? Yes! Do I feel older? Not hardly! I feel lucky, as the song goes, and grateful for all the good things that have come our way recently. Had a great conversation with Kim, who also has a November birthday, of Deadwood Revival about just such things that night. I remember an interview with John Lennon where he talked about all the work involved with being a musician that never seemed like work when he was doing it. Paul McCartney disagreed, but I prefer Lennon's attitude. Maybe I should lie down and let this optimism pass, but not just yet. Another good thing about the weekend was that both sons came home from Seattle where they go to school. How can they be young adults already? When did that happen? There's something about nineteen or twenty that is the same as it was in 1973, but that's another post altogether. More on that later....
This Friday we're at Michael's Divine Dining in Port Angeles. The food is mouth-watering and not to be missed. The music is not half-bad either--new songs too!
Port AngelesOlympic Peninsula[Junction]Port TownsendAjax Cafe
live music
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]

Raining on Olympic Peninsula

Not much of a surprise for this time of year in Port Angeles (or any time most years). Sure was warm, dry and inviting at the Port Townsend Brewing Company last weekend. This week were back at the Junction where Highway 101 meets Highway 112 just west of our fair city. And the following weekend we're at Michael's Divine Dining in Port Angeles. We hoped to get some more pictures this week with all the cool fall foliage, but it's just too wet outside. So indoor pics! That's John Nelson in his Halloween attire taking a writing break from the Peninsula Daily News where his column details the whereabouts of Rollin' Waters and other local musicians each Thursday.

Save Money on Entertainment

What a great night at Port Townsend Brewing Company last Friday night!It was so much fun playing with Tom on drums again and newcomer Dave on stand-up bass. And the crowd really seemed to enjoy the evening..and the beer which is excellent. When you think about going out on a Friday night..well I have to say, our show was a very good deal. No food, but for the price of a few beers, a lot of fun was had by the patrons of the brewing company. We made some new contacts, including other club owners in the area, and we hope to play more in Port Townsend, which isn't all that far from Port Angeles and other Olympic Peninsula locations. Rumor has it that PTBC will continue to have live music in the "off season." Wouldn't that be nice?
Meanwhile, I'm going through new strings like excrement through a Thanksgiving goose. All this guitar-playing, you know...
And yes, we dressed up on Sunday for the Junction in Port Angeles. Just when it looked like we would be the only revelers, in walked, or should I say creeped, Bill in his outrageous monster costume complete with carved pumpkin and cool blue lights. Jason, from Deadwood Revival, treated us again to his fine singing and guitar-playing and even performed his signature song, "Daisy," with Stephanie on harmonica. When is Barry going to get that podcast thing going?
Then, it was happening again at Dave's Tuesday night jam at the Fairmont in Port Angeles. He really packs 'em in and along with Bill, Stephanie and I did "Long Journey Home" and "Angel from Montgomery." Next time I'm having the pizza, which is the best in town. It's a great time and place to be a guitar player and and a very good deal for audiences around these parts.
Port AngelesOlympic Peninsula[Junction]Port TownsendAjax Cafe
live music
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]

Some Guitarists Like the Dead Sound

Not talking about the Grateful Dead but rather guitar strings. When a guitar is played a lot new strings will go "dead" in a few days and certainly within a week. Some like the "thud" of dead strings, but I prefer the ring of new or semi-new strings. It's all personal preference, I know. And did you know--the harmonica was invented in Europe but popularized in America? I didn't know that. Apparently, here in America, people learned how to bend notes and find overtones that give it such an inviting sound. Stephanie plays it well, adding a lot to our songs. So tonight, back here on the Olympic Peninsula, we're at the Port Townsend Brewing Company starting at 5:00 PM. We'll be with Tom on drums and Dave on bass (Todd is out for a week or two). It's a cool place and this time we are inside the new room with the great beer. Sunday we hope to see lots of you at the Junction in Port Angeles in your Halloween costumes!
Port AngelesOlympic Peninsula[Junction]Port TownsendAjax Cafe
live music
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]

Loyal Musicians

That's loyal, true and terrific guitarist Patrick of Port Angeles and Junction fame next door in the photo with Stephanie. Week after week our stalwart Junction "regulars" join us for open mike and jamming at the local Sunday night hang. We can't thank the Bills, Patrick, Joe, Johnny, Bob, Ida, Ember, and Max nearly enough for their support and contributions to live music on the Olympic Peninsula. Next weekend,Saturday, October 21, Rollin' Waters plays the Ajax Cafe in Port Hadlock out near Port Townsend. Always a lively venue and a great photo op, we look forward to the food and the hats! You won't see more variety in headgear this side of Forks, Washington.
Port AngelesOlympic Peninsula[Junction]Port TownsendAjax Cafe
live music
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]

Costumes and Baked Things

Now it's October, and the weather has finally cooled some on the Olympic Peninsula. Costumes for Halloween have been delivered, and Rollin' Waters will dress up for the occasion, at least at the Junction in Port Angeles. Last year's costume contest was loads of fun and we're looking forward to another celebration. So many pictures were taken of us at the Farm Tour I had to use another one for this blog entry. This Saturday we're at the Bread and Roses in Port Townsend starting at 5:00 PM. I hear the baked goods are exceptional. Can't wait!Even outside of school culture, Fall seems like the liveliest season. Why is that?
Port AngelesOlympic Peninsula[Junction]Port TownsendAjax Cafe
live music

Do You Remember Northern Exposure?

I do not look like Holling, the bartender, from the old Northern Exposure television show! Despite what the adoring fans at last Saturday's Farm Tour (Clallam County Heritage Festival) said. Stephanie confirms my belief that he was much older than me, even back in 1991, or whenever that show ran.
Nevertheless, rural farm life in Clallam County certainly has plenty of charm. There were chickens, pigs, tomatoes, homemade soup, dogs that fetched, and plenty of bamboo. And there was nearly five hours of music by us, Rollin' Waters. That is a long time to play music, and my fingers and Stephanie's voice showed some wear and tear, but the day went by fast, and I, for one, would do it again...maybe in two or three weeks. But next week we're almost as busy with the Sequim Open Air Market on Saturday and then the party for Kevin Van DeWege's campaign workers (teachers) at the John Wayne Marina in Sequim. Then, on Sunday, we're playing at 1:00 PM for John Nelson's Food Bank benefit at the Port Angeles Eagles. Whew! Oh yeah, don't forget the Junction in Port Angeles on Sunday night, as usual, starting at 7:00 PM. The week after that is even busier! Stay tuned for more pictures.
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]

Summer Should Be Over By Now

Except for subtle indications and the Olympic Peninsula Farm Tour coming up this Saturday, one would never know it's officially Fall. Speaking only for myself (Stephanie likes hot, dry weather, particularly in the Southwest)it's time for summer's end. At least it's cooler at the Junction in Port Angeles where we continue the open mike/jam each Sunday evening. This Saturday for the Clallam County Harvest Festival (aka Farm Tour) we're at the Johnston Family Farm at 1046 Heuhstein Road. The Live Bread Shop will be hosting demonstrations and selling bread and Live Cookies. Besides our music there are bamboo gardens,a petting zoo and hay rides.
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]

1966 Was Forty Years Ago

1966 was a good year for music, too. It was October just after a neighbor gave me a very old (even in 1966) tube radio that I placed on the top shelf of my bedroom closet, and walking into the room after school was playing "Good Vibrations." Now this was really different and it sounded so good. Earlier that summer the Beatles had the spooky "Eleanor Rigby" on the radio again and again. Anyway that's what I remember from forty years ago.

So, back to the present year of 2006, and the music of Rollin' Waters on the Olympic Peninsula. Of course we'll be at the Junction on Sunday as usual. We've had a great turnout of local musicians over the last few weeks and it's been lots of fun. As you know or can imagine, lots of people come to Port Angeles and environs over the summer for vacations, and some of them are players and singers. How perfect for us and the Sunday night jam at the Junction. Last week, Jack from southern Oregon brought his powerful voice and impressed us all. What a treat. We'll see who turns up this Sunday. Next week we're at the Johnson Farm for the annual Farm Tour on Saturday and there's a benefit on Sunday. John Nelson's column in the Daily News will tell us where and when next Thursday. After next week, things get really busy!

When Tragedy Strikes Musicians Turn Out

Last night at the Junction in Port Angeles musicians,friends and family of Dave Schaumberg gathered to raise money and play music. Dave's home burned down and then was looted the next day, wiping out possessions and threatening his family's future, but thanks to John Nelson and the folks at the Junction an event was planned, auctions held, and funds were raised to help out. It's inspiring when the music community, education community or any group of people unite to right some of the wrongs in our Olympic Peninsula world. There were more participating musicians at our jam/open mike that evening than ever in our experience as hosts of the Sunday Jam. I think we played until nearly midnight, and at times the dance floor was full!

Tomorrow Stephanie and I play "Fuel" in Seattle, a new venue for us. More to report later.
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]

Music Abounds on the Olympic Peninsula

Sometimes we need some extra help getting ready for a gig, especially if it's in Port Townsend at a place where we haven't yet performed, like the Port Townsend Brewery. Tomorrrow is our debut and we start at 5:00 PM. Looking forward to it! The beer is good, too!
We recorded a rough copy of "Love Me Like a Man," and plan to finish it up later this week if all goes according to plan, which rarely happens. But it's usually best to plan optimistically. Then, on Sunday as always, we're back at the Junction for the open mike/jam starting at 7:00 PM. Speaking of the Junction, one of the most delightful night spots on the Olympic Peninsula and in Port Angeles, here is a recent photo of some of our jammers.
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]

You Want Johnny Cash at Your Wedding?

In the old days, everybody wanted the "Wedding Song." Thanks be to god those days are over! Apologies to Paul Stookey, but I'm still sick of that song. Fortunately, we've been asked to learn some different songs for this summer's weddings, including "You Belong to Me" made famous by Patsy Cline. It turned out well enough that we use it in some of our non-wedding shows. But I never would have guessed someone would want a Johnny Cash song during the wedding ceremony itself. Maybe the reception when people want to dance or hoot and holler, but in front of Grandma and Uncle Fred? Very surprising but not altogether unpleasant either. In fact, it turns out that some of those Cash songs are actually a challenge to learn, much to my surprise. Thus, Luther Perkins gets even more respect from this guitar player. Looking forward to this next wedding. We get to play both the ceremony and reception at the Wildfire restaurant.

And now the weather has cooled on the Olympic Peninsula, and you have to watch out for foggy conditions coming back from Seattle as you climb Walker Mountain after the Hood Canal brigde. Everybody complains about the extra summer traffic on the Peninsula, but compare that to I-5 during rush hour(?)in Seattle or Tacoma or anywhere on the west side of Puget Sound. It so much better to take Metro after walking off the ferry in downtown Seattle. A few weeks ago I had some extra time on a routine visit to see my dad who lives down south in Burien. Figuring it would take at least an hour to bus to his place I planned accordingly for a leisurely bus trip. But after call Metro and being directed to a really fast express bus it only took fifteen minutes to get from second and Marion to his place in Burien. Astonishing! Pray for subways and light rail! More about public transportation in later posts.

So tomorrow we take the new teachers to lunch at Cafe Garden. Maybe some of them sing or play the guitar (it's a fairly safely bet) and I can convince them to come down the Junction in Port Angeles for the open mike/jam Sunday nights starting at 7:00 PM. Stephanie and I continue to work on new songs and plans for a podcast right here on this site. Stay tuned!
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]

How to Have Fun on the Olympic Peninsula in August

The first thing to consider is the Rollin' Waters jam/open mike at the Junction in Port Angeles. Next, if you haven't already made plans to do so, get down to the Clallam County Fair on Sunday, August 20th at noon to see our show on the new Wilder Stage. Stephanie have worked out some new songs we're eager to play this weekend. Should more weekend stimulation be needed, get down to the Port Angeles Farmer's Market on Saturday starting at 10:00 AM where we'll once again perform. We had a very busy weekend last at the Sequim Open Aire Market and at the Studio Tour on Bainbridge Island (see pic above). Then on Sunday we played at the Forks Family Festival and that was fun, too. Lately the Junction has been hopping! Lots of jammers as well as appreciative audiences. Jason, of Deadwood Revival, dropped by and helped us out with Neil Young's "Old Man" on guitar. Joe, Johnny, Bill Tiderman, Ember and others joined in for some more good music. What a treat for us to be joined by so many of our fellow musicians on the Olympic Peninsula.

And so it goes, you don't have to look too far to have fun around our neck of the woods.

We're also fixin' to record some of our live shows and jams at the Junction. If any of you have ideas for the best ways, or easiest ways to record live audio, please respond in the comment section. Your help will be appreciated!
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]

How Old is that Gibson in Guitar Years?

This is a shot from Port Angeles photographer, Dave Logan, at Melissa's and Devin's wedding reception last Saturday. Todd and Tom really helped us out with getting people on the dance floor and generally rocking out all afternoon. Tom even doubled as MC for the various reception activities such as the cutting of the cake and the tossing of various wearables. It was a memorable event for us and, hopefully, for the bride, groom and families. Oh yeah, they said they liked our music!

Not sure what's wrong with the weather out here on the Olympic Peninsula, but it's already foggy in the morning, kind of like Fall in August. Oh well, the summer winds down fast now anyway, and the forecast is for great weather over the weekend.

It could be a somber event at the Forks Family Festival with all the bad news about a fallen soldier from out there and the extensive local news coverage about effect on the family and local community. But maybe we can offer some healing tunes and entertain people to some good effect. Hope so.

Meanwhile, guitar strings have been changed, a new thumbpick has been found, and the guitar has been cleaned up, at least a bit. It's amazing how lasting guitars, good ones, that is, really are. Our audience often gets reminded that my guitar is older than Stephanie. How long do guitars last anyway? People talk about "dog years." Can there be something like "guitar years?"
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]

Lessons in Proper English

So I received some lessons in “proper English” from my friends Alby and Richard in Australia and England, respectively. Apparently, one should refer to BS as “rubbish” and never as “trash,” for instance. I can’t wait for the next lesson. (They don’t know that in real life I’m a school teacher..hehe). Richard was surprised I wasn’t wearing a baseball cap…quintessential Port Angeles head gear.

After a wonderful weekend playing the reception at the Red Lion in Port Angeles for Melissa and Devin’s wedding, there was an opportunity to see our drummer, Tom, play with a jazz quartet, and what a treat! Having never been to the old town section of Silverdale, we now have a bead on more music venues for future gigs. After hearing Lee Pence use it to great effect, I will have to get a tremolo unit or finally change the worn out tubes in my ’66 Bandmaster and plug in at the next opportunity.

This weekend will be even busier with the Open Aire Market in Sequim on Saturday, Bill’s party on Friday night, the Forks Family festival on Sunday at 2:00 PM and the Junction later that evening.

Hood Canal oysters are still closed. Apparently the eighty people now reportedly sick from ingesting the creatures did not drink wine with the meal as advised by Ronald over at Cornichon.
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]
[folk/blues]
[Hood Canal]

How to Save Money on Weddings

First of all, don't tell anyone you want to save money on your daughter's wedding! For crying out loud--you don't want the cousins to think you're cheap. However, unless you want to wimp out and hire a dj, you can still get live music, which everyone know is better, and still have enough left over for the cake and flowers. Start by looking for a local band, say "Rollin' Waters," if you live on the Olympic Peninsula. They are really reasonable and you can negotiate with them. Furthermore, they are experienced! This summer alone they booked four weddings within two summer weeks. If you don't live on the peninsula you are not completely out of luck. Rollin' Waters will travel unless you live in Spokane or Denver, or some other silly place. In that case, check a local music store and ask they guy that doesn't any piercings or noticeable tattoos if he can recommend a local band for the wedding. It really is that simple. All about knowing who to ask. Rollin' Waters has so many wedding gigs this summer that I've had to give jobs away to other guitar players and bands, and there is some real satisfaction in knowing that we're sharing some work with our musical colleagues.
Don't forget to read John Nelson's column in Thursday's Peninsula Daily News to find out about all the musical happenings on the peninsula. Even if you don't like music, it's a good read because John's a fine writer, and sometimes in these long summer months one struggles to find enough good reading material. On the other hand, avoid the teacher bashing letters to the editor on the opinion page. Some of those are murder and enough to make one want to write a protest song!
One more thing, if you're hesitating to eat the oysters from Hood Canal, read the article over at Cornichon. It might help you enjoy some of our local restaurants.
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]
[folk/blues]
[Hood Canal]

Thursday

Smoldering! As you can see, the good weather has returned to the Olympic Peninsula, and last Saturday, at Arts in Action in Port Angeles, the heat was downright oppressive. But the music played on, and Stephanie agrees it was one of our better shows. The crowd was very generous with applause, the sound was good, and Miles took some pictures, although he wasn't satisfied with the the intense sunlight. Many thanks to Mike and Dwayne for the good work on sound and staqe and for organizing such a fun event. We're looking forward to playing outside again at the Clallam County Fair in August.
This last Saturday we played at Kat's wedding out at the Lake Crescent Lodge in the equally warm weather. Photographer Dave, my neighbor, couldn't resist taking extra pictures of Stephanie, so some of them may show up on this blog later this summer. We have another wedding coming up on the 5th for yet another teacher tying the knot this summer. Melissa's event will happen on August 5th, and we are scheduled for the reception at the Red Lion here in town. And, it looks like yet another wedding will employ Rollin' Waters later that same month. So nice to be musically busy!

Our deepest sympathy goes out to fellow musician Rick Thanem for the tragic loss of his son earlier this week.
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]
[folk/blues]

Arts in Action

Eighty three year old Doc Watson played at the Zoo Tunes show in Seattle last night, and Mick and I were there. What a treat to hear "Shady Grove" and some of "our" other songs played so well by the legend. Most of the licks are still there and his voice is the same--sure gives one hope for a long life of playing music.
On Saturday at noon we play at the Port Angeles Arts in Action event down on Hollywood Beach in what is normally the parking lot. It's probably the sand sculptures that bring most of the people to the Olympic Peninsula this weekend, but the music promises a lot starting tomorrow with our colleagues, Deadwood Revival and Stephanie's dad's new group, Second Nature. Now if that doesn't sound "all in the family" enough, consider that their guitar player, Mike, and singer, Kelly, have performed with us in previous bands over recent years. Sometimes the isolation of the peninsula makes one wonder if we don't have a lot in common with Appalachia, the Australian outback, and the Gallapagos.
So, a busy musical weekend looms-after the Arts in Action gig, we play a wedding at Lake Crescent Lodge on Sunday before the Junction open mike and jam. The weather is perfect, and that doesn't happen too often around here so, as they say on television, "let's get out there!"
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]
[folk/blues]
[Doc Watson]
[Arts in Action]

Dog and Jury Days

It's never been clear just what "dog days" really means, although I know it has something to do with midsummer. The weather has improved on the Olympic Peninsula, just in time for jury duty! Luckily my number was high and there was no seat for me. It's quite possible the defense would have rejected me anyway. Living in Port Angeles for 26 years causes me to know lots of people in and out of law enforcement, not to mention those involved in music.
The Junction crowd was minimal to start with but grew along with the evening, and it turned into a good summer evening. Joe and Johnny played some unheard songs and we jammed along while Bill debuted a new Moody Blues medley. The pictures tell the story.  
[Port Angeles][Olympic Peninsula][Junction][Port Townsend][Ajax Cafe]
[live music]
[folk/blues]