August

There's something about changing strings on my guitar that is almost inspirational, smoothing the way to learn new songs, try out new licks and play in front of people again. It's been a while since the last post, but Rollin' Waters carries on with another open mike/jam this Sunday at the Junction in Port Angeles, and it's acoustic so bring acoustic guitars, for crying out loud. Cindy's back and she can still make the best gin and tonics. Many thanks to our loyal jammers, Junction patrons, and new talents who make the jam the best on the Peninsula. Hope to see you there.
Guitar Instruction Tip #9: Change your guitar strings often depending on how much you play. Once a year is not enough for anyone!

Back in Sequim

Rollin' Waters is back in Sequim this evening for the the "Concert in the Park." The music starts at 6:00 PM, and continues until 8:00 PM, and we'll be joined by superb bassist, Todd Fisher from Port Townsend. It's our first time "in the park," so join us for the event, and maybe the weather will cooperate. Cindy's birthday at the Junction provided a good reason for a party celebration, and Phyllis and Melanie did a great job decorating the place - in pink! Lots of jammers have been joining us on Sundays and it's been lots of fun playing well beyond our official ending time of 11:00 PM. Last weekend we had one busy Saturday with performances at the Sequim Open Air Market and then at the Port Townsend Brewing Company for their tenth anniversary party. Many thanks to Tim and the guys in "Lucious Clay" for letting us use their fine PA equipment. I'm envious!

Guitar Instruction Tip #8: Use your wrist when playing chords as well as single notes and you'll get a better tone (except when you want to be unusually loud). Watch Eric Clapton in the "Rolling Stones Circus" and you'll see what I mean.

School's Out

School's out! Now there's time to work on new songs and arrangements--yeah. The Junction in Port Angeles fires up every Sunday starting at 7:00 PM, the weather gets better, and Rollin' Waters gets busy this weekend. On Saturday we're at the Sequim Open Air Market starting at 11:00 AM. Later that same day we play at the Port Townsend Brewing Company starting at 5:00 PM. Weather permitting it should be a fun and lively outdoor show. That's Joe, Johnny and Stephanie playing one of the standards at the Junction jam/open mike.

Guitar Lesson Tip #7: Learn to sight read the basic notes in standard notation on all six strings. It will help you develop discipline for practice and give you an advantage for learning unfamiliar songs. Tab won't always do the job.

Rollin' Waters Plays Port Townsend and the Junction

Another busy weekend saw us in Port Townsend at the Port Townsend Brewing Company Friday night and at the Junction for our weekly open mike/jam on Sunday night. Playing with Tom and Todd on drums and bass is always a thrill for me, and we had a particularly lively jam on "For What It's Worth" complete with drum and bass solos! Those guys are good--no wonder they are in demand and perform so often. Although it was a little windy and cool(this time we played outside), the crowd stuck with us and we're looking forward to the next show at the PT Brewing Co. on June 30th, for their anniversary celebration. We need more of our regular jammers and any new musicians/spectators to join us on Sunday nights at the Junction in Port Angeles. You can perform solo our with us or another group and have a lot of fun. Lately, people have begun dancing again! It must be the approach of summer with its smells of barbecue and new flowers that's making the crowd frisky enough to start dancing again.

"Take Me to the River" is arranged, practiced and ready to perform, and Stephanie sounds great singing it. You'll want hear our version so get out there.

Guitar Lesson Tip #6: Hunch over the guitar when practicing and don't rest your left arm on your leg.

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]