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.

More Rain and Music on the Olympic Peninsula

There's plenty of rain here in Port Angeles so the trip to Forks in a logging truck is on hold. Besides, the cds or radio in the truck would most likely play contemporary country music, and that would just be too much to take.

The dark days and biblical rains haven't stopped the music, however. That's Stephanie, mother Tina and Joe in the picture at last Sunday's jam. Jeff and Jacob again drew big responses with their songs and I especially liked "Going to California." Bill, Johnny and Patrick(the slide master) were great as usual, and here is Shady Grove recorded on a pocket camera. With any luck more and better video from the Junction and elsewhere with songs featuring Stephanie will follow in the next weeks.

This Friday Rollin' Waters is at Michael's Divine Dining in Port Angeles and Saturday we play the Ajax Cafe in Port Hadlock next door to Port Townsend. The food is exceptional at both restaurants, and you get to wear hats and act silly at the Ajax. Besides, who would feel like cooking after Thursday? Sunday, as usual, we host the open mike/jam at the Junction in Port Angeles.
Port AngelesOlympic Peninsula[Junction]Port TownsendAjax Cafe
live music
[folk/blues]
[guitar]
[northwest]
[Puget Sound]

Dark and Dismal on Olympic Peninsula

I hate the Fall. Everything looks like death and destruction with the leaves almost gone from trees, power outages, howling winds and record rainfall in Port Angeles. There's nothing to do but work, as John Lennon said, yet working for peace seems all but futile. A war protester on a Lincoln Street corner today swayed back and forth in some new age type dance that would have been more appropriate had she been at a Grateful Dead concert twenty years ago. How can the war inspire dancing? Geez! I need to get out of this town. Maybe I'll go to Seattle and live with my boys for a few days. Wouldn't they love that! Sure hope they don't read this! Then again, maybe I'll hitch a ride in a logging truck to Forks like Jack Nicholson in "Five Easy Pieces."
But then it has already been a musical weekend, and Rollin Waters will play at the Junction on Sunday as usual. Tonight my niece and nephew recorded a very rough video version of "Railroad Bill" with just me and a guitar in my living room complete with inane commentary and coughing.

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]