Sequim Open Air Market

So Rollin' Waters was supposed to play the Sequim Open Air Market on Saturday, but it's going to be Luck of the Draw with me, Barry, instead. Yes, we will play some new songs, some familiar RW and LD songs and certainly some jokes by Dave. And, on Sunday, Bill and I hold down the fort at the Junction in Port Angeles with promises by many local musicians of their participation. Sounds promising! Oh yeah, the Juan de Fuca Festival is this weekend but we're not playing there.

Guitar instruction tip #5: Cut the nails short on your fretting hand...Girls and women, this means you!

True spring weather this week on the Olympic Peninsula, and campers, hikers and birdwatchers get ready for Memorial Day Weekend. Port Angeles is a great place for walking when the sun shines and puddles dry up. Outdoor music venues like the Sequim Open Air Market are gearing up for the season, and my old group, Acoustic News, performs there on Saturday. I wouldn't be surprised if they've learned a new song or two. Later on in the summer, Rollin' Waters will perform at the Sequim Concert in the Park, and that will happen on July 3rd. More on that event later. We're getting ready for one of favorite gigs, and that is the Port Townsend Brewing Companing near the marina. We'll have Tom and Todd on drums and acoustic bass for that one. A lively atmosphere awaits all who come there on that Friday starting at 5:00 PM.

That's Bill next to Stephanie in the picture taken at the Junction a few weeks ago. New players show up every week along with our venerable musicians. We're there every Sunday and the gin and tonics (by Cindy) are still the best on the Peninsula!

Musicians Like a Busy Schedule...Oh Yes!

Wow! The sun is shining on the Olympic Peninsula with new leaves and flowers lining the streets of Port Angeles. What a great weekend for Rollin' Waters! We were so busy the time disappeared so that it didn't seem like the weekend even happened. Friday a large crowd greeted us in Port Townsend at the Port Townsend Brewing Company, and after adjusting the sound a few times we were able to sing and play for three sets, standing most of the time. We took pictures of the audience which is something not done before, at least by us, and we'll put some on the blog soon. We're looking forward to our next show there on June 1st.

Then on Saturday, we were at the Ajax Cafe in Port Hadlock where the food is outstanding and the atmosphere is loud and raucous, complete with birthday parties and other celebrations. It has a particularly nice location, too, right on the water with boats, docks and old buildings that compliment the view.

As usual, on Sunday we were back at the Junction where a lively crowd of regulars players and listeners joined us for the jam/open mike. Bill and Rick did a fine job on several Beatles songs including "Nowhere Man." I joined them for "Norwegian Wood," one of my favorites, and there was harmony! Cool. Sure, my fingers are a little sore, but that's not a bad thing by a long shot.

Guitar lesson tip #4: Keep the fingernails on your left hand (or whichever hand you use to fret) short so you can use the tips of your fingers and get the note or chord to shine.

Guitars or Cars

There was a rule, and it was broken: Spend less money on cars and use the savings for more guitars, amps, etc. Sure enough, as soon as the more expensive car is purchased Marty at Strait Music presents a new Martin 00018 style guitar with the most beautiful custom hardshell case imaginable. There must be a solution to this latest dilemma. Too late? Maybe. But when it comes to desirable guitars, there's always hope.

Guitar lesson tip #3: Support your guitar with your right leg (if you're right-handed). You'll look silly using your left leg and your playing will suffer.

Spring Colds and Music on the Olympic Peninsula

I don't like being sick...never have. Such a waste of time and the world stops for no one, not even musicians and school teachers. And then there's the work that has to be done whether you're sick or not--loading equipment, correcting papers, setting up for a show, planning for a sub, and the list goes on.

Another busy week is already under way. Rollin' Waters plays the Port Townsend Brewing Company this Friday, starting at 5:30 PM, and kicking their new season of live music. We haven't been there since last October, and we're excited. I may have mentioned before that the beer is really good and sometimes they have food. This week it's just Stephanie and me performing but subsequent shows will feature our quartet that includes Tom Svornitch on drums and Todd Fisher on bass.

Now that I have XM radio, a whole bunch of new songs are available to me, giving many ideas for new arrangements to add to our repertoire. Fun!

Northwest Radio, Truffles...

With a radio spot on KONP in Port Angeles this Friday, more gigs scheduled at the Ajax in Port Hadlock and at Michael's Divine Dining in Port Angeles, and Sunday nights at the Junction, Rollin' Waters is having a busy month. Saturday at the Ajax was especially rewarding with the packed and generous diners and the food--delicious(I learned that a truffle is not something George Harrison made up for "Savoy Truffle" but rather a kind mushroom that makes a great sauce.)
Some guy at the Junction Sunday appropriately named "JC" kept saying 'Amen' after each comment....very ironic it seemed. Many thanks to Joe and Bill for helping me host during the last few weeks. That's Joe and me in the pic at left making the best of things in Stephanie's absence, but now she's back and the music plays on.

Guitar Instruction Tip #2: When using a flatpick always keep a few fingers loosely touching the pickguard below the soundhole at all times (yes, even when playing chords!). Try it and listen to the improved tone and notice how much easier it is to navigate the strings and notes.

RL note: Schools in Hawaii are planning a WASL-like test but it will be called the "HASL" (pronounced "hassle")

As Common as Boats...Good Thing

Many thanks to Joe and Patrick (pictured left) for helping me out last Sunday at the Junction in Port Angeles. Lots of fun playing with them along with Johnny Mustang, Tom and Dave Secord and Rosalee. We sure have a wealth of talent here on the Olympic Peninsula--that's for sure. That pic was taken by Tina, Stephanie's mom, and the new ones in the panel are by Patrick. Nice job!

The rain continues here in Port Angeles with brief periods of marginal clearing, but you should see the cherry trees! Wow...just exceptional this year, and I didn't see a one in Las Vegas where the temperature was about 87 degrees and gray and dusty and crowded with tourists like me. So nice to be back in the Northwest where it's green and guitars are almost as common as boats. The Junction still has the best gin and tonics, the music free, and if you're a musician (acoustic, of course), you should join us Sunday night.

Use the Tips of Your Fingers to Fret Notes on Guitar

That's Johnny, Cody and Stephanie at the Junction in Port Angeles on a recent Sunday. If you're a player (guitar or other acoustic instrument, that is) get down to the Junction on Sunday night from seven to eleven and play some music with talented folks from the Olympic Peninsula and beyond.

Yes, that's the first of many guitar lesson tips up there in the title. You simply can't be too specific when it comes to helping learn guitar techniques. Too many bad habits to avoid!

New Songs, Frogs, and Spring Warmth

A warming trend has finally found a foothold on the Olympic Peninsula after a long, cold, wet winter. Frogs are chirping, grass grows and cheerful music plays at the Junction, the Ajax Cafe and Michael's Divine Dining in Port Angeles. Armed with new songs and new smiles Rollin' Waters has rehearsed with drummer Tom Svornitch in anticipation of upcoming gigs in Port Townsend. Last week at the Junction open mike/jam inquiries were made regarding our playing for two weddings and private parties. In other words, it looks like a busy spring, and we're talking about recording songs such as "Time After Time." Be assured, it ain't gonna' sound like Cindy Lauper or even Eva Cassidy when we get done with it. Other new (old) songs we're arranging include "Down the Line," "Blender Blues," and "Take Me to the River," to name a few. By the way, that's not me pictured with Stephanie above with a face lift and dye job, but rather Cody, who jammed with us a week ago.

This Saturday starting at 6:00 PM we play at the Ajax Cafe in Port Hadlock, and the following week we're at Michael's Divine Dining in Port Angeles. Like usual, we're at the Junction in Port Angeles on Sundays for the Open Mike/Jam starting at 7:00 PM.

Live Music is Best

Here you go, George--another good pic of Stephanie from the Junction in Port Angeles at our Sunday night open mike/jam. See the sidebar. And, that's Johnny, of the local band the Lonely H, Miles and Mick in order from left to right in the pic below.

You never know where you'll find good live music beyond the Olympic Peninsula, maybe a street corner in New Orleans, the Open Air Market in Sequim, a rooftop in Port Angeles or a Mexican restaurant in the U-District: Agua Verde as on Monday's trip to Seattle returning Miles to school. There was a duo there (no cover) playing Mexican and Venezuelan songs with guitar, fiddle, drum and Irish harp (not all at the same time, of course.) And they could sing well. Later that night, Mick and I stopped at Connor Byrne's for the weekly Bluegrass jam. Much different than Dave's Tuesday jam at the Fairmont in Port Angeles. No mikes, no amps, and every sat in a circle facing eachother rather than the audience who could barely hear them. And yet, there was lots of clapping at the end of each song from the noisy but interested crowd. I've heard about these bluegrass purists that eschew any kind of amplification. Next time I might talk to them and try to bring them along into the 21st century--they'll probably really appreciate that. Haha...

We're scheduled to play Michael's Divine Dining on March 17th after the Ajax on March 10th. The food is great at both places.

Music Resumes at the Junction

Winter continues on the Olympic Peninsula and only a few patches of blue sky appear over Port Angeles these days, but Rollin' Waters pulls lots of dates this week. Starting with an energetic crowd and lots of "pickers" at the Junction Sunday night (have to stop using that word--we're in the Northwest, for crying out loud!) we travel fifty miles to Port Hadlock for Valentine's Day at the Ajax Cafe. Oh yes, we have some romantic songs for that night.

More pictures are coming soon--promise!

And, since travel seems to be the thing to do during the dark days of winter, here's a new restaurant to visit on the next trip to Seattle-Steelhead Diner-located by the Pike Place Market. Hmmm...gumbo or fish and chips....the chef and owner promises never to serve steelhead.

Wednesday, February 14, Rolling Waters at the Ajax Cafe

Guitar & vocals, Sweet & sultry folk

(from the Ajax Entertainment Calendar)

Rollin' Waters Plays Michael's Divine Dining This Weekend

There are three kinds of people in the world...those who are good at Math and those who aren't.

No, that isn't a "Rollin' Waters" march down Lincoln Street in Port Angeles promoting our next cd release. Rather, it's a pic from a march of several weeks ago in support of the local school levy, and I wasn't the only local musician pounding the pavement that Saturday morning.

This Saturday we're at Michael's Divine Dining starting at 7:30 PM, for a few sets and featuring some new songs--at least new for Rollin' Waters. Later this week we could have a chance to rehearse with Tom and Todd for upcoming full band gigs on the Olympic Peninsula. Just might have to restring and electric guitar and fire up a vintage Fender amp for that opportunity.

The little Zoom H4 continues to record with pretty good results. Here is a live medley of two of our popular songs: I Know You Rider/Big Yellow Taxi

You can hear Ari on slide guitar, Paul on hand percussion and Bill on background vocals. Nice job, everybody! Hope they all turn out on Sunday when we return after being preempted by the the Super Bowl party at the Junction.

Deadwood Revival and Rollin' Waters Play the Junction

Cold and rainy weather continue on the Olympic Peninsula, but it was plenty warm inside as local musicians packed the Junction Sunday night. Kim and Jason of Deadwood Revival, Paul Eyestone, Bill Tiderman, Dave Secord with Rosalee, Dottie, Carla, Patrick, Ari (long time, no see), and Rusty(in cool leopard clothes) played a fast and enjoyable night. New tables and chairs gave the old place a new look, and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun. Check out the new pics!

Stormy Mondays, Tuesdays, ....

Wind-battered but recharged and shaken but not stirred by the once again brutal weather here on the Olympic Peninsula, Rollin' Waters plugs away at gig after gig whether it's the familiar, warm and friendly Junction or the bohemian and unpredictable "Alley Upstairs" in the University District in Seattle. Each show, like Tracy from Jazz in Blume says, is a "box of chocolates." You never know what you will face or have to deal with. Nevertheless, it was a good, truly acoustic, set we played there and the people that were there stayed and enjoyed our show. It was kind of a thrill to play a venue small enough so that no amplification was necessary.
This Thursday we're at the Pegasus in Bainbridge Island for another show at an all ages place. We'll have some cds to sell and a few new songs to try out for the islanders and anyone else who braves the wind and rain that night.
Port AngelesOlympic Peninsula[Junction]Port TownsendAjax Cafe
live music
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]

A New Year..a New Song

New Year's Eve, 2006--two shows in Port Angeles, and we were busy from 2 in the afternoon until after midnight. The Olympic Peninsula was full of live music that night. Most of our musician friends were busy from Port Townsend to Sequim to Port Angeles and elsewhere.

Here it is-another live recording from the Junction.This one is The Long Way Home

After a road trip to Seattle on Friday Rollin' Waters is back at the Junction in Port Angeles on Sunday as usual. Maybe some of you can cross the water to see us in Seattle at the Alley Upstairs above Cafe Allegro in the U-District. Looks like a fun place conveniently located across the street from the UW campus(brings back memories!)
Port AngelesOlympic Peninsula[Junction]Port TownsendAjax Cafe
live music
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]

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]

Snow Bored on the Olympic Peninsula

More rain. Snow...freezing temperatures...then more snow. And it's still only November. One major holiday down and another will pass soon. Meanwhile, Rollin' Waters nearly had a busy weekend with shows on Friday at Michael's Divine Dining and on Saturday at the Ajax Cafe in Port Hadlock. But on Sunday we were cancelled out of our weekly gig at the Junction in Port Angeles due to excessive snow. Sally and Cindy decided to shut down when at least of foot of snow covered the parking lot. Several of the regular jammers called to see if we were going ahead with Sunday night, hoping to attend and perform, despite the snow thereby showing the trooper-like nature of our loyal participants.
So, at least the time was put to good use sharpening up some old songs and working on new ones and figuring out the ins and outs of new recording software and hardware. Go ahead...cancel school for the whole week. I'll stay in the studio and never be bored!
Saturday at the Ajax was a good night with rowdy diners and many compliments for both Stephanie and me--now that doesn't happen often. Usually Stephanie gets the lion's share of response. Not complaining--that's as it should be! Much thanks to Abel for helping haul equipment. Crowd pleasers in our sets included: Down on the Corner, Long Journey Home, Rocky Top, Deep River Blues, Wonderful World, Tell Me Why, I'm Looking Through You, Shenandoah, Soul of a Man, Fever, Shenandoah, and Blue Skies. Stephanie donned various hats, but I liked the motorcycle cap best--see the side panel. Most of the hats won't fit my big head--could it be an enlarged ego causing the problem and is there a way to have that surgically removed? But should this cold weather and snow continue I will definitely starting wearing navy watchcaps. They stretch.