tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61686152129751112612024-03-13T12:33:53.995-04:00rick murnaneWRITES • RECORDS • PERFORMSUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-68638836784747227402023-12-31T12:22:00.020-05:002024-01-01T08:31:46.666-05:0031 December - A Look Back<p>Time to share some pleasant memories from this past year, all mostly local. There were no visits to far-off exotic destinations (unless we count a splendid week spent on the coast of Maine), but there's usually enough going on close by to keep us entertained, and 2023 was no different. Some fun was definitely had, and enough music was made to keep the voice and fingers in shape. Not very many public performances, but I did a lot of studio work, and have projects underway that will take me well into 2024. I'm not able to list everything that went on in these past twelve months (four shows with Mistress Miriam, for example, and me with no photos), but here are a few images. </p><p>The Group DeVille Trio played our yearly concert at Williamsburg's Angel Park.</p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos by Henning Ohlenbush (above) and Steve Smith (below)</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkvhAPvQVzI-TPOM0vP14Y5d5oyNIXc0t2dvSoQowl7JfpZ2e2NQlk4iRKb-0ns1DENlEoY0Y2SdXyyRTgHPweFcLvvGUahcfo6pwkCX1CLpsOx0GiEeVcP82W7XWcf-seWH6dUL07YKMPqoc4dinmO-QRxI9VZ2pAjBaQQme98Bw7bKRvgjK8aPE4nk5/s667/Trio2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkvhAPvQVzI-TPOM0vP14Y5d5oyNIXc0t2dvSoQowl7JfpZ2e2NQlk4iRKb-0ns1DENlEoY0Y2SdXyyRTgHPweFcLvvGUahcfo6pwkCX1CLpsOx0GiEeVcP82W7XWcf-seWH6dUL07YKMPqoc4dinmO-QRxI9VZ2pAjBaQQme98Bw7bKRvgjK8aPE4nk5/s16000/Trio2023.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>My friend <a href="http://lookparkmusic.com/band" target="_blank">Chris</a> and I had a lovely dinner out with our dear friend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/pugwashofficial/" target="_blank">Thomas</a>, (aka the man behind Pugwash), who was over from Ireland for a short tour, promoting his wonderful new album <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nRknhiyo7nKeS9SWCkI0lKi3grQV1S8KY" target="_blank">The Rest is History.</a> It was great to see him again. We had fun pointing at each other, something musicians do a lot. And yes, Thomas and I have a pillow on our heads.</p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos by Linda Stevenson</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqb70wTlH7w9Re6d9vWDt6Wa7sozoHCPqPS8qlyr1wZl0FtPVmnNODKs6szt-ZqkubY5Oy_VF7SI2n6iwFWsxIaoZlIwS_-4W_Hv-NIA-IigEIP4lxZ7uKWCrp0cL6_xw1btzryjWr96w823CmnWHJmYQ_wSBeQJUXU00RDIUBh5OkODuoXjvh2bh3PXjy/s500/Thomas2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqb70wTlH7w9Re6d9vWDt6Wa7sozoHCPqPS8qlyr1wZl0FtPVmnNODKs6szt-ZqkubY5Oy_VF7SI2n6iwFWsxIaoZlIwS_-4W_Hv-NIA-IigEIP4lxZ7uKWCrp0cL6_xw1btzryjWr96w823CmnWHJmYQ_wSBeQJUXU00RDIUBh5OkODuoXjvh2bh3PXjy/s16000/Thomas2023.jpg" /></a></div><p>The annual Performance fundraiser for the arts at the Pines Theater in Northampton's Look Park saw me joining <a href="https://shoproductions.com/artists/bigger-stars/" target="_blank">Bigger Stars</a> as "Brad Whitford" for a killer portrayal of Aerosmith. This is always a fun show, with upwards of 1000 area residents in the audience, and dozens of musician pals hanging backstage. Like a family reunion, only no arguments with that one difficult uncle. Yes. We totally rocked.</p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Band photos courtesy of Bigger Stars</span> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTC9oCTqmRIECmIFYaGDC8UC7EOhxKtx4_fhhSlk8ae-X9TN1auCe5wDq7GHLEgHu5L4URLcUqZzcgWXPWdI7YD0g10Gr2sqwt0PyAMXxR_u_X9qDE4LagQo4ySR_jBT5QzjtICL5-QdYvbcS5Zl3GPtBZgwdT0yH_rv4_-E4ubT0bgAKZrvmVHJ-fKh3s/s500/Aerosmith2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTC9oCTqmRIECmIFYaGDC8UC7EOhxKtx4_fhhSlk8ae-X9TN1auCe5wDq7GHLEgHu5L4URLcUqZzcgWXPWdI7YD0g10Gr2sqwt0PyAMXxR_u_X9qDE4LagQo4ySR_jBT5QzjtICL5-QdYvbcS5Zl3GPtBZgwdT0yH_rv4_-E4ubT0bgAKZrvmVHJ-fKh3s/s16000/Aerosmith2023.jpg" /></a></div><p>It was a sad year too, some of it. But I don't need to elaborate on the dark side. We're past the Winter Solstice. The days are lengthening again, and a new year begins tomorrow. So I'll close this post with a collage of some simple beauty captured on my phone while out and about in 2023.</p><p>My best wishes to all of you for tomorrow and beyond. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ5140zvN-2M3I3AeJSSBuC2XgFmTH340yVnhOotmnRgIaoSbWXY0MJA91R0dFeBUo8Tf3n94icYjESERbEkFKeLLG1ph4_AFxcS5GTwQU1K3Wjh715YsYJkuE0Cm9P4tujRLOjLDw99BHMWl15CD7pWnrcLrl2nW_-lfwr5IdJO-ITpg8UE4MpcMy4-d/s1000/Beauty2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ5140zvN-2M3I3AeJSSBuC2XgFmTH340yVnhOotmnRgIaoSbWXY0MJA91R0dFeBUo8Tf3n94icYjESERbEkFKeLLG1ph4_AFxcS5GTwQU1K3Wjh715YsYJkuE0Cm9P4tujRLOjLDw99BHMWl15CD7pWnrcLrl2nW_-lfwr5IdJO-ITpg8UE4MpcMy4-d/s16000/Beauty2023.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-74938613820419490652023-09-30T15:08:00.004-04:002023-09-30T15:11:14.865-04:0030 September - Today<p>It's the last day in September, and once again I'm posting something on the day of the event. I <i>could</i> tell you that all this online promotional stuff got away from me because we've been practicing like mad, but that would be a fib. Anyway – good cause, honored to play. We're closing the show, hitting the stage around 7pm. Early night. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2PGm1JyMu3NLrcqjRWTB5sbL3wKJTb5ycK0AUEaEdPR7Zm8p41dKOKEpBGHYEH0DrW23wsl3qqH7wMoPO3TW5rescPQpvUyHTPcvyIS1VTaOb2Xpd9-ndjUbWcB8PanEV1NQhCIMKm5bnxdjlWZrYkVMKLQAEIycqBu5iMki3_wClVjycV6x1ANbRPat/s750/Meat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2PGm1JyMu3NLrcqjRWTB5sbL3wKJTb5ycK0AUEaEdPR7Zm8p41dKOKEpBGHYEH0DrW23wsl3qqH7wMoPO3TW5rescPQpvUyHTPcvyIS1VTaOb2Xpd9-ndjUbWcB8PanEV1NQhCIMKm5bnxdjlWZrYkVMKLQAEIycqBu5iMki3_wClVjycV6x1ANbRPat/s16000/Meat.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: courtesy of Meat for Tea</td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-6714298760058644532023-09-23T15:48:00.002-04:002023-09-23T15:59:40.790-04:0023 September - Autumn<p>Hey, look. It's the equinox.</p><p>In other news, we've finally chosen a permanent name for the duo. The Story Hour was okay for our trial run back in July, but after further discussion and refinement, we will henceforth be known as<b> Mistress Miriam's Two Cent Revue</b>.</p><p>I know this post is ridiculously last minute, but if you're in Easthampton tonight, come and see the show.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzIUiTy1gnjllPASR658cOb-hld7qTdGApbzAY1JfwFrPbMgtWvmjcw3FddXrIf9Jw2Y06w48sEuBBn3inXBo0qEgFR57SwqyCuzsz8sOJubh7P5r_831sJBOR4aMKXoRnN7n0PfCpFx7d2n6d37H8EjOT41F6zLyutyDb7mcVFlrv-3UnkxRjdMLCwb6/s500/September23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzIUiTy1gnjllPASR658cOb-hld7qTdGApbzAY1JfwFrPbMgtWvmjcw3FddXrIf9Jw2Y06w48sEuBBn3inXBo0qEgFR57SwqyCuzsz8sOJubh7P5r_831sJBOR4aMKXoRnN7n0PfCpFx7d2n6d37H8EjOT41F6zLyutyDb7mcVFlrv-3UnkxRjdMLCwb6/s16000/September23.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-46913266031616451302023-07-05T11:30:00.008-04:002023-09-23T15:49:22.824-04:005 July - Three Things<p>1: The Story Hour had a wonderful first gig, and we're looking forward to further developing the act. We already have new music and stories to rehearse, and a photo shoot coming up soon so that fresh promotional material can be created. Fun stuff. Our next show will be at Luthiers Co-Op (Easthampton MA) on September 23rd. Mark your calendars!<br /></p><p>2: I'm down to only one Telecaster now, because I traded the two cheap non-Fender ones in and have a new (to me) guitar in the lineup instead. It's a 2022 Epiphone Les Paul Studio model. Alpine White. It plays, as they say, "like buttah."</p><p>3: I deleted all my Twitter apps.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-7850014346444552112023-05-31T13:01:00.003-04:002023-05-31T13:01:16.251-04:0031 May - Gigs<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlZi7yfCn9TFQH0d3pn2_T2cnGUcCifjqYghWjf1MZufLvBdKfjmKn0GKjkz3SZG77YGIFxoCCztYDtMpHbeIbiN3lNRk9WHTmKW3JIpA-4QA__Ia4tPmmTGbC2olTgLOEE_OzEKvqZuLdtOy2YVlhOdij4C10HeQe9xAB9FT04GZUJdWeF-DMYoT0g/s500/ChaosBanner2023web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlZi7yfCn9TFQH0d3pn2_T2cnGUcCifjqYghWjf1MZufLvBdKfjmKn0GKjkz3SZG77YGIFxoCCztYDtMpHbeIbiN3lNRk9WHTmKW3JIpA-4QA__Ia4tPmmTGbC2olTgLOEE_OzEKvqZuLdtOy2YVlhOdij4C10HeQe9xAB9FT04GZUJdWeF-DMYoT0g/s16000/ChaosBanner2023web.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipl4qcv2QvVV_lcV0mIbSQwXH1MQmsw2MTRrGUv66Kqpaqkhuo1cmQV-k6xDRIhFXlOdRqgV_z3wvhwbtL7ksNPFWE3GNjP8Q_R8VmFDLu_fbMT-oeJQ1xEd9pjo0ut0CuKP19buQey8ICzI_OlBMjSQowTuq2PI-nHw8oONLIwt6yJnyYY64k1ROaXA/s647/AngelParkSeries2023web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipl4qcv2QvVV_lcV0mIbSQwXH1MQmsw2MTRrGUv66Kqpaqkhuo1cmQV-k6xDRIhFXlOdRqgV_z3wvhwbtL7ksNPFWE3GNjP8Q_R8VmFDLu_fbMT-oeJQ1xEd9pjo0ut0CuKP19buQey8ICzI_OlBMjSQowTuq2PI-nHw8oONLIwt6yJnyYY64k1ROaXA/s16000/AngelParkSeries2023web.jpg" /></a></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-38112775951977226232023-05-01T15:24:00.010-04:002023-05-01T20:57:39.973-04:001 May - Springing Back to Life<p>On my Bandcamp page today, I've released a collection of original recordings from the four Group DeVille
albums that we put out between 2001 and 2010. A representative sample, if you will, of what I was writing for the band during the years we were most active.</p><p>Some of you know that three of us still get together from time to time and run through the old GDV tunes for fun. Occasionally we play a public gig, and we are invariably asked if our music
is available for purchase. The CDs have been out of print for ages, but I decided that a sampling
of some faves from the GDV catalog would be a good addition to what I have up on Bandcamp as a solo artist.</p><p>So
here you go: <b><a href="https://rickmurnane.bandcamp.com/album/the-group-deville-years" target="_blank">Rick Murnane - The Group DeVille Years.</a></b><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggTqtEC8qzbSgDYLRnvJtgJErAqZ6WEceNJTGodeCseoUBFR8qVbXKmFsSoMotpMhycyeR100EBrBBeukSAq8Q3BuqMSJXuIj0H7GnVmB7-M62hMVxD3mKKDKqz52az7LWHe8pbdGHyt8EoLiIr0Otz7URXfUqDOxMKPPDAg3H_swT0EyKnPi4fijrQ/s500/GroupYearsWEB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggTqtEC8qzbSgDYLRnvJtgJErAqZ6WEceNJTGodeCseoUBFR8qVbXKmFsSoMotpMhycyeR100EBrBBeukSAq8Q3BuqMSJXuIj0H7GnVmB7-M62hMVxD3mKKDKqz52az7LWHe8pbdGHyt8EoLiIr0Otz7URXfUqDOxMKPPDAg3H_swT0EyKnPi4fijrQ/s16000/GroupYearsWEB.jpg" /></a> <br /></p><p></p><p>Longtime fans will recall that Fred and Steve wrote a few GDV songs as well, but of course I do not
have the rights to them. The only songs included in this release are
Rick Murnane compositions. Those guys can start their own Bandcamp
pages!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-73603317631828171442023-01-01T08:49:00.001-05:002023-01-05T12:28:49.355-05:001 January - Rabbit, Rabbit<p>Here we go, kids. It's a new year. Let's hope it's a good one.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-29250852143573179882022-10-31T12:16:00.000-04:002022-10-31T12:16:14.699-04:0031 October - Happy Hallo'anniversary<p>Last year on this date I permanently deleted my Facebook account. Do I miss it? Nope. And I don't expect that I'll bother posting about it every year after this, either. But the first anniversary seems like something to acknowledge.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-72399520293993268292022-10-19T12:37:00.013-04:002022-10-29T11:23:34.381-04:0019 October - All Things Must Pass<p>Yes, it's a George Harrison album. But it is also sometimes a sad fact of life that applies to one's musical pursuits. The Mistress Miriam Show, a project I've been involved with since May of 2021, has run its course.</p><p>Thanks to everyone who cheered us on over the last couple of years, and especially those of you who got up and danced.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-57844164992977471962022-10-11T14:05:00.002-04:002022-10-26T11:54:42.761-04:0011 October - FunFred and Nick and I (GDV3) usually get together once a month, have a cuppa tea and play old favorite songs for fun. It's always a good time. We're doing so tonight, and again next Tuesday as well. Crazy, right? Twice in one month? Yeah, but we're actually rehearsing for an upcoming show. Gonna be fun. That's the point.<div><br /></div><div>We'll be opening the show at Luthier's Co-Op on the 22nd. We're on from 7-8pm. Come on out.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-69201043087498967372022-10-03T10:53:00.005-04:002022-10-26T13:10:39.973-04:003 October - Autumnal Update<p>Yesterday was my 65th birthday. The mind genuinely boggles.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-80858253162534460662022-08-11T19:50:00.006-04:002023-01-05T12:37:08.589-05:0011 August - Announcement<p>You may have already seen this on Twitter, but I thought it might be a good idea to mention the day's big news in here as well. For posterity and all that.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO49drrd261t3MUQYwz_lwv_RIeBlriyQQV43wezxmjzKw7oHfeH_uZLbMjZGzexCvScMN3FIuRGyB0B2fxVDzdM53sKaAdyHibNA0UZrpIa5eWRa-OSgA1ObDubLS5EJ-mkS2T_CemGGY0zltqjjfFic6FD9Vg3s50lt3kiVdItpm2MFH3v7IyccUUQ/s500/tweet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO49drrd261t3MUQYwz_lwv_RIeBlriyQQV43wezxmjzKw7oHfeH_uZLbMjZGzexCvScMN3FIuRGyB0B2fxVDzdM53sKaAdyHibNA0UZrpIa5eWRa-OSgA1ObDubLS5EJ-mkS2T_CemGGY0zltqjjfFic6FD9Vg3s50lt3kiVdItpm2MFH3v7IyccUUQ/s16000/tweet.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-77600270657408424632022-07-25T19:36:00.001-04:002022-07-25T19:36:09.280-04:0025 July - Show Poster<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-o0FX3maWbgwDgTVSNn6fb0ryHT7-IqS16PbLMJVl2muOHrZe_arfwRYvzjWq6huM9quyqSr1ufFUBeRgZeE6MYKtrGLAlrvbGda7gsC4U6xdlsSTzeLczHj4gFZ6p5eFx961SJKZ3Uj3mkC-9r_FnT5hexyIiEb5-1tTcBw6yJmeXDwc_ziTYkP9g/s500/GDV3APweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-o0FX3maWbgwDgTVSNn6fb0ryHT7-IqS16PbLMJVl2muOHrZe_arfwRYvzjWq6huM9quyqSr1ufFUBeRgZeE6MYKtrGLAlrvbGda7gsC4U6xdlsSTzeLczHj4gFZ6p5eFx961SJKZ3Uj3mkC-9r_FnT5hexyIiEb5-1tTcBw6yJmeXDwc_ziTYkP9g/s16000/GDV3APweb.jpg" /></a></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-85344818987747233992022-06-23T15:49:00.002-04:002022-06-23T15:50:46.126-04:0023 June - Hometown Shows<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE_FkYAzhh2BtFVSASUmoDvKmSSl67gNbv2r4kHvuF0Ix8wvMat7K_si2nAatmk37IkGXHIQlUmtjF73wqeLghA5kLpFP1OsdjRml0elFdGlZG3236pS6EMUa9l-GB9kzoRDCKv72E403HLqhpbeM_HFjuaPa6b76eFEja6HZwkWPX1-Kp3NqH7tGEA/s647/GDV3JULY2022WEB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE_FkYAzhh2BtFVSASUmoDvKmSSl67gNbv2r4kHvuF0Ix8wvMat7K_si2nAatmk37IkGXHIQlUmtjF73wqeLghA5kLpFP1OsdjRml0elFdGlZG3236pS6EMUa9l-GB9kzoRDCKv72E403HLqhpbeM_HFjuaPa6b76eFEja6HZwkWPX1-Kp3NqH7tGEA/s16000/GDV3JULY2022WEB.jpg" /></a></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5504yKJbEtgB3EUiQQgwpjBTb4NDIXzfvmFh5u2gBQxJUEyidGAmAhASXy7d9f0PORY9eooXlM1HtT3uQgR2yLaHRSYgPKINc4Nx0Idcwo8aw3wJKgp5HzpgelPRHKdtq-0vZjKMg9sW0R7QopEfnOjl8RAa2qZUmw03QbZ6h7lvhG9f_uZJcy2Arw/s500/GDV3WEB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5504yKJbEtgB3EUiQQgwpjBTb4NDIXzfvmFh5u2gBQxJUEyidGAmAhASXy7d9f0PORY9eooXlM1HtT3uQgR2yLaHRSYgPKINc4Nx0Idcwo8aw3wJKgp5HzpgelPRHKdtq-0vZjKMg9sW0R7QopEfnOjl8RAa2qZUmw03QbZ6h7lvhG9f_uZJcy2Arw/s16000/GDV3WEB.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-28405654703553448072022-06-08T14:04:00.015-04:002023-01-05T12:38:10.307-05:008 June - Good News<p>My usual aim in here is to post about the upbeat side of life, and avoid parroting the bad stuff we all see in our news feeds. I mean come on. This is Earth. Nothing is ever going to be perfect. Even the planet wobbles.</p><p>Besides, there is already too much negativity elsewhere. I can at least try to keep things positive on my own damn blog. For example:</p><div>This past week, I traded some old pedals I wasn't using anymore for a Squier Telecaster they had at a local shop. It was supposedly used, but there was still the original protective clear plastic on the tuners, the neck plate, and the pickguard. Go figure. It's basically a beginner level guitar, but I wish there had been starter guitars this good when I got my first electric. It's a lot of fun, and it makes me smile. And that, my friends, is the point.</div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzF8FKQCZNqr32HfPDsDm97ELe0IMOabze5ZvFNdM38jTDHhCr36wyai9zT73k4pxL6k0odHmttxUPd5Y1hpj39L056WT27IMpO2B_Hez9JzSAO89sKurtZ_2m6cc7OJkr_owoAUtqwUf8A8abcIFAV19Inzdx1-8ThoABZvIk-Xn8srCfpiOaprOwFA/s500/RedWEB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzF8FKQCZNqr32HfPDsDm97ELe0IMOabze5ZvFNdM38jTDHhCr36wyai9zT73k4pxL6k0odHmttxUPd5Y1hpj39L056WT27IMpO2B_Hez9JzSAO89sKurtZ_2m6cc7OJkr_owoAUtqwUf8A8abcIFAV19Inzdx1-8ThoABZvIk-Xn8srCfpiOaprOwFA/s16000/RedWEB.jpg" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-86049158689688057722022-05-02T10:12:00.002-04:002022-05-02T11:01:12.428-04:002 May - Stunt Stars<p>Here's our band after the show last Friday. L-R: Scott Lawson Pomeroy, Amy Wilkinson, J.J. O'Connell, Steve Sanderson, Scott Hall, Dave Hayes, and that Rick Murnane guy. Photo by Steve's daughter, Hazel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyC8BmyryvXmnj0uzX0A9RXoLH56T911pbyCR_uW69UeZhUOTK7nPrMRm-Bc3skt-6J752GSR6rdAMxcNDE_cFEMk3Csntd4bGCdC0OgiKOHpytd-VoV8iHWfES60hYVx0Dv1XIM5og5U93T62iXmGHqFaRwHzGJA4FaZZnRmIxZEn3Er43OIDwRrog/s750/IMG_0813.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyC8BmyryvXmnj0uzX0A9RXoLH56T911pbyCR_uW69UeZhUOTK7nPrMRm-Bc3skt-6J752GSR6rdAMxcNDE_cFEMk3Csntd4bGCdC0OgiKOHpytd-VoV8iHWfES60hYVx0Dv1XIM5og5U93T62iXmGHqFaRwHzGJA4FaZZnRmIxZEn3Er43OIDwRrog/w400-h400/IMG_0813.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-45523247177619082082022-04-29T10:53:00.006-04:002022-04-29T11:16:05.042-04:0029 April - The Bow-Bow BashVery much looking forward to playing this event tonight. <a href="https://northampton.live/events/the-j-scott-brandon-grant-fund-benefit-concert-the-bow-bow-bash" target="_blank">The Bow-Bow Bash</a> is a fundraiser for a scholarship fund that was named in memory of a dear friend we lost several years back. He is sorely missed, but well remembered. (Image courtesy of the Northampton Arts Council)<div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr5r3-YqpzIIIh2q4HRATv67IHDobFO-rsmZnccdQoAeecrr1dWTV186EvBVg4SwX0Ye7y3e58MTXziOWQCr-sdY104mJH44ZyDWZYEClhXoo4vMf8KYDrVtT3SrvnXY-mr2ItQl-kDbz9UlMCCbk2PLvBRzRHrmELCykRATMu5k_l3XeZF99DLtS-Q/s1200/unnamed.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr5r3-YqpzIIIh2q4HRATv67IHDobFO-rsmZnccdQoAeecrr1dWTV186EvBVg4SwX0Ye7y3e58MTXziOWQCr-sdY104mJH44ZyDWZYEClhXoo4vMf8KYDrVtT3SrvnXY-mr2ItQl-kDbz9UlMCCbk2PLvBRzRHrmELCykRATMu5k_l3XeZF99DLtS-Q/w400-h334/unnamed.png" width="400" /></a></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-81522843796885366322022-03-01T09:47:00.001-05:002022-03-01T09:48:18.036-05:001 March - Spring<p>Single digits overnight, but they call today Meteorological Spring.</p><p>I want to speak with the manager.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-10071812484277476842021-12-01T11:26:00.005-05:002021-12-01T16:13:44.379-05:001 December - Meteorology<p>Here it is December. Today is the start of what they call Meteorological Winter, although there are some of us who insist on waiting for the Solstice before considering it official. But seeing how there are plenty of folks out there who always jump the gun on the Yuletide (retailers, for example), it's not surprising that there's a "modern" way of looking at the seasons. March 1st for Spring, June 1st for Summer, September 1st for Autumn, and now this. It's simple, I'll give you that. And I've had to scrape my car's windshield several times already, so I'm not gonna argue.</p><p>Besides, as of yesterday, which marked a full month since I deleted my account, my exit from Facebook has become permanent. I'm in a good mood. You want to start Winter today, go ahead. Means we're that much closer to Spring.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-33190761065054468482021-10-31T16:11:00.005-04:002021-11-02T12:00:57.080-04:0031 October - Permanence<p>This is basically an update to the last entry. As of 11am today, my Facebook account has been deleted for good. Decided in light of recent developments to dispense with the usual temporary break, and to get rid of the thing once and for all.</p><p>According to an email sent to me by the Facebots, my account will not be permanently gone until 30 days have expired, and I can log into my page at any time between now and then and stop the process. Not gonna happen. </p><p>Happy Halloween.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-86613071828296916752021-10-27T13:03:00.002-04:002021-10-27T13:09:33.498-04:0027 October - Hiatus<p>We're getting near the end of the month, and this means Halloween (of course), but also that my annual holiday hiatus from Facebook is approaching as well. I'm starting early this year. In the past I began these breaks around Thanksgiving, but this time it'll be for all of November and December, and I'll reactivate the account on the first of January.</p><p>That's the plan, anyway. But it's on shaky ground. I have had a difficult time finding justification to stick with the platform for the past couple of years, and have been threatening (to myself, anyway) to delete the account entirely. And recent disclosures about the way the company has been run are not helping sway me toward re-upping with Facebook after this coming break. Quite the opposite.</p><p>I'm no longer impressed with the platform as a promotional tool. And although I have many friends around the world with whom it seems to be our primary choice for casual communications, other means of contact are available to us. Every single time I log into the place, I can't help but admit that it is far from the enjoyable bulletin board it once was.</p><p>Anyway, I have a big decision to make. And the fact that whether or not to remain qualifies as a "big decision" is rather telling.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-2488530724000430622021-10-05T12:28:00.002-04:002022-10-26T13:20:17.806-04:0005 October - Birthdays<p>Yesterday was my father's birthday. He would have been 95, but he left this earthly plane for something more astral back in 2009. Last Saturday was my birthday, and it was the one I like to call the Beatles Birthday. That's right, 64. I was born the year that John and Paul met, lucky me. </p><p>October 9th will have been be John Lennon's 81st birthday.</p><p>So there you go. We all shine on, whether or not we're still here to enjoy our birthdays.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-4157396853824965772021-09-23T20:49:00.003-04:002022-10-26T13:03:36.340-04:0023 September - Autumn<p>The Autumnal Equinox happened here yesterday afternoon, so today is the first full day of Fall. I'm looking forward to less humidity, good food, and getting together with friends. Perhaps I'll see you 'round town. We can shuffle through the leaves together.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4GNzsczVAnffsfaVxOsOLBc1fY8vCZaLceEbl1N1ulk24qY7lhylh5sD9CHiGlg_Tiyvr8Dl6EKTrHliXVj6cJyxkvqSDjR03H-KM3cAVAfRht5mJd7Efz5Vo5jjtSV_YFyj8qRuDPjF/s500/Deck500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4GNzsczVAnffsfaVxOsOLBc1fY8vCZaLceEbl1N1ulk24qY7lhylh5sD9CHiGlg_Tiyvr8Dl6EKTrHliXVj6cJyxkvqSDjR03H-KM3cAVAfRht5mJd7Efz5Vo5jjtSV_YFyj8qRuDPjF/s16000/Deck500.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-6747859262704972762021-08-24T21:50:00.007-04:002021-08-24T21:52:56.514-04:0024 August - Sadness<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gLyitW4u8EmJzyHhWHgzh0ru4hEd0bwlpVdKkS7WPdpIKEowYC5HJ7U8IwXhMmrQQvShvJIQ4XoNtyyLOb4cQtPxorzeNCj6rLEFQIW0y6Xgdbi_QPq8s0DP78XdrofYJeRHGiZwh-FE/s608/CharlieWattsWEB.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gLyitW4u8EmJzyHhWHgzh0ru4hEd0bwlpVdKkS7WPdpIKEowYC5HJ7U8IwXhMmrQQvShvJIQ4XoNtyyLOb4cQtPxorzeNCj6rLEFQIW0y6Xgdbi_QPq8s0DP78XdrofYJeRHGiZwh-FE/s16000/CharlieWattsWEB.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie Watts photo courtesy of The Rolling Stones</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168615212975111261.post-41332573638282203332021-07-31T08:04:00.005-04:002021-07-31T08:11:15.716-04:0031 July - Angel Park<p>We had a crowd of close to 70 people at the Angel Park show on Wednesday, but of course our friend Ivan framed this photo to make it seem like we were playing to just my Mom and John (my brother in law). It was fun to get out and perform with Nick and Fred again, something we had not done since October of 2019. Turns out that had been the last time I had played out, period – either with these guys or in any other capacity (solo, The Prestons, etc.). It's a crazy old world.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-L0IzVFPv7NGN3hW6sus_GaQyooAznTvHPHIP9q9iaw7zuneOrYqKEY626b6yHEhO7GWmHhVVyTvIDjgjm8IRMpN3ZRhx6kysnrXNPaACfdf4N5i8yXwSkSDuhyGmT8mT_NvT70-MPse/s500/GDV3AngelPark.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-L0IzVFPv7NGN3hW6sus_GaQyooAznTvHPHIP9q9iaw7zuneOrYqKEY626b6yHEhO7GWmHhVVyTvIDjgjm8IRMpN3ZRhx6kysnrXNPaACfdf4N5i8yXwSkSDuhyGmT8mT_NvT70-MPse/s16000/GDV3AngelPark.jpg" title="Photo by Ivan Oransky" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Ivan Oransky<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com