Thoughts From The Townedger-November

We had a white Halloween but we didn't have a white Thanksgiving.  Thanks to my mom for making the dinner, you really don't have to do that, you could have ordered up a pizza and we'll be happy with that.  Always love your Mom.  Someday she won't be around.  (and I still hope that will be a while).

I didn't do a lot of jams and gigs this month.  We're back at work and I've been in a financial bind that has prohibited me from doing the week night jams.  I did back Dreams Of Arcadia on Sunday.  I do have a couple paying gigs in December, including one more Waubeek jam.  I still haven't gotten back my regular hot rods, I may as well give up and try to find a 16 dowels pair, the 19 dowels I used on Sunday and they're too fragile to play the whole gig.

If there was a time to have kids, I might have the best chance about 20 years ago.  Olivia's daughter can draw pictures.  Olivia is still on my friends list but I respect her privacy and her life not to bother her rather than say hi and happy birthday.  At this point in life, it's too late and I'm too old. 

I suppose I had the best chance to partake the Riverside Casino Blues Jam on Wednesday Night but I wanted to support Rocky Smith and his band Chain Reaction at the Glass Tap.  The Women of Blues played the Casino and got rave reviews.  Laura Chavez blew the competition away, I would have vouched for Joanna OConnor, but those who went had a great time.  When Tommy Bruner comes away saying it was like a spiritual awakening, you have to believe it was just that.  Kevin Burt was there, so was Phil Bo King, Billy Bourbon and others.  I was half way to Riverside, I went to Coralville for a bargain hunt and found that the stores were closed.  Basically a wasted trip since Monticello is a hour away from Iowa City.

Dreams Of Arcadia played the Hy Vee on Mount Vernon Rd last night.  Julie wasn't feeling well, and it rained most of the night and the food sucked but I think DOA put on a good show when I was there.  There's a love hate between her and Ryan but when they play live, they put their differences away.  I know they'll continue on in 2020.   Julie is too kind hearted to close the book on DOA.

I haven't talked much to Brian Briles about the forthcoming gig on Dec 21 in Norway.  When I don't hear from my bandmates after a couple weeks I do get concerned.  We'll probably get together for the Waubeek Jam and I still have a Tuesday to do a Parlor City Blues Jam.  I have no gigs with DOA for the rest of the year, and Julie has a gig with Everlou on the same Saturday that we have the Whittier Acoustic Showcase.  If time allows I'll see about showing up to support her.

Matt Cameron...great drummer and really has a simple drumset.  Three cymbals and a four piece drumset.  Best Pearl Jam drummer remains Dave Abbruzzese, he really played his ass off on the Vs and Vitology album.  After that Pearl jam lost me.  Matt Cameron still plays mean drums.

The Townedgers will have one more album to do and then after that we can call it a day.  I haven't had much time to devote to The TEs since the Sunday jam sessions and acoustic showcases came around.  I'm sure the guys have been disappointed that I haven't sat down to write new music or go over the songs we have been practicing.

I got to see Pinicon Drift play finally.   David Pedersen has been a very good supporter of my musical adventures.  Thanks for the kind words Dave.  You rock too.

So much for this month, I'll be back to end it all this time next month.