Port Angeles Halloween at the Junction

John Nelson calls it the "Six Days of Halloween." That because most, if not all, of the live music venues in Port Angeles are doing something for the Halloween season. I won't be hosting on Halloween itself (Wednesday) since the Crazy Fish will have some other band that night, but on Sunday scary folks indeed will come out to the Junction. There are many pictures of helpless victims in the clutches of Vampire Stephanie, but this is one of my favorites from last year. Bill is a huge fan of Halloween, and guests can expect his all out performance this Sunday.

Speaking of performances, Rusty was in top form last Sunday, and she sure makes my guitar sound and look good! Jimmy Hoffman also put in fine performances of some of his favorites, including the tribute to our friend Lawrence, but also helped us out on "Aimee" and several other standards. See the sidebar for one pic of him.

Blow up your TV and come on out to the Junction this Sunday! Trick or treat.

Port Angeles--Jam City Two

George sang played especially well this last Sunday at the Junction, and that's Johnny Mustang to his left in the pic. There was music just about everywhere in Port Angeles last weekend with the Crabfest and all the usual venues with live music. For some reason the Crabfest features mostly out-of-town acts. Lots of folk singers and Irish types. But most people came for the crab anyway. Joe and I had hot dogs made deliciously by Cindy at the Junction. Sometimes a hot dog really hits the spot after a night of live music. Paul is trying hard to have his drums ready for next week and this Wednesday at the Crazyfish. It's almost for sure that Ed Donahue will bring his horn and knock your socks off once again.

Mike and I are at the Ajax in Port Hadlock Saturday evening for our debut performance. Yes, we've been practicing! We'll do new material as well as some of the Rollin'Waters favorites.

Guitar Instruction Tip #15: Practice chords, not just melody. You won't get to solo all the time or even half of the time. Develop a good rhythm technique or else!

Fall and Spider Season is Here

Have you noticed how many spiders are around these days and did you know that spider silk or "gossamer" is one of the strongest materials? Well, now you do. There must be some good songs about spiders and if so, we should start playing them at the Juncton or Crazy Fish soon. I am trying to add a pic to this post but there seems to be some problem tonight. So, the pic may have to be loaded later in the edit mode. There's a whole bunch of new songs (actually old songs) to work on this week. I hope to have "Big Boss Man" ready to perform, if not tomorrow, then next week. We've been thinking up some cool ideas for "theme" nights at the Junction. Hmmm...I wonder if there are any Betty Page look-alikes on the Peninsula...

Guitar Instruction Tip #14: Find a song you like and practice singing it while playing. Don't wait twenty years to try this because you think you have no voice for singing. If nothing else, you'll learn more quickly how to accompany another singer(or yourself) which is what you'll be asked to do more often than not when playing in a band.

Jam City on the Peninsula

Bill's birthday....tonight! You bet we'll sing, and the plan was to have a room full of dancing girls to help him celebrate, but most likely that won't happen this year. Still, we'll have a terrific jam like last week as you can see from Patrick's smiling face (I think he was dancing with that girl from Retroville in Port Angeles). I think Vicki is baking Bill's cake as I type this entry. Yummm.

Yes, school has started and I, along with the other ruler-packin' disciplinarians are back at it in full swing. That doesn't mean there's less music jammin' and open mikin' on the Peninsula, expecially in Port Angeles and Sequim. Quite the contrary, in fact. Why, it's truly "jam city" these days on the North Olympic Peninsula, and the talent keeps showing up at the Junction, the Baja and Crazy Fish, to name but a few of the local live music spots. Had a chance to jam with Blackbird and a dobro-playing guy from Texas last night. Sidney and Noel can really belt out the harmonies. At times I thought we were channeling Crosby, Stills and Nash. Very fun evening. Cary plays a mean harmonica, too, and plans to join us for a Junction jam soon.

Guitar Instruction Tip #13: If you are an acoustic player and don't have a capo, buy one now (that means today).

Port Angeles Electric Jam and Open Mike

Not very often, but every now and then we open up the jam/open mike to electrict instruments. And so it shall be this Sunday at the Junction in Port Angeles as Joe (pictured left) helps me host from Seven to Eleven. Of course there will be acoustic instruments including a banjo! Can't wait to try "Wagon Wheel" with a banjo.

Patrick joined me at Strait Music after my guitar lessons today to work up a few more acoustic songs for upcoming jams. Did you know he sings, too? I don't think most people know that!

Still working on the "poster" and it's slow going. With all those pics from the last several years I'm determined to get a finished product soon. In the meantime, rough drafts will have to do. If anyone knows of a good program to make posters please let me know.

Guitar Instruction Tip #12: Use a hard or medium flatpick. You'll get more volume and a better tone.

Almost Over

Rollin' Waters plays the Clallam County Fair this Sunday at 5:00 PM, and then we're at the Junction from 7:00 to 11:00 PM. Weather forecasts are not the best, but balmy weather is the norm at fair time in Port Angeles. The music, food, rides....sounds like summer!

Guitar lesson tip #11: Record yourself and listen critically. There's no excuse because cassette recorders (presuming you won't spring for digital software or hard disk recorders) are very cheap these days.

Summer Vacation at the Junction in Port Angeles

So, we sat around after the jam/open mike and played more songs, drank a little more beer, and told some stories. Once again a good mix of regulars, local musicians and people on vacation filled the Junction in Port Angeles, and everyone seemed to have lots of fun. Rudy, a relative newcomer and transplant from Oakland, California, played terrific bass, and Bill Harper, longtime Port Angeles musician, found his way to the jam for the first time and promised to return. Many thanks to Bill Tiderman for helping host again and to Cindy who appropriately wore her "police" baseball cap.
With all the recent good weather and wealth of music and musicians and audiences, one is reminded why people like to visit our Olympic Peninsula. Well, at least those are some of the reasons!
Guitar Instruction Tip #10: When you're having trouble playing a familiar melody, try singing it first. Sometimes that will help make sense of the phrasing and rhythm.

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.