http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/rsc/gaither_podcast_rss.xml http://www.michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/multiblogs.php en The Songs and Stories of Michael Gaither The Not-For-Musicians-Only Music Podcast Michael Gaither - Songs and Stories is a podcast about my trek through music, but without all the naval gazing that usually accompanies that sort of thing. I'll discuss what led me to write certain songs, interview other musicians, and occasionally take you on an audio tour behind the scenes of a gig. Visit www.michaelgaither.com for show notes and links to go with this podcast. michael@michaelgaither.com Michael Gaither Michael Gaither no http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=title_8&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I'm particularly excited about this one: KC Cafe Radio, an Internet station based in Kansas City, will start running current and past episodes of the "Songs and Stories" podcast beginning this Saturday, March 6th. Shows will air Saturdays at 9:00 am and repeat on Sundays at 6:00 pm (eastern time)... Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST blog=title_8&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=cookie&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 In "Songs and Stories" #82, we talked to Houston Jones about their latest release and why they love working with bay area producer Cookie Marenco. In these next two episodes, we talk with Cookie herself. She's worked with events as varied as The Monterey Jazz Festival and The Telluride Bluegrass Festival, spent many years with Windham Hill Records (where she perfected her knack for recording acoustic instruments), and has worked on five Grammy-nominated records. Cookie was an early adopter of many digital recording advancements including hard disk recording (back in the early '80s) and posting music on the Internet for download (back in the days of dialup). These days, she works exclusively on two-inch analog tape... Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST blog=cookie http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_82_houston_jones_on_je&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I chatted with Travis Jones and Chris Kee, who make up two fifths of our bay area's own Houston Jones, way back in episodes #31 and #32 of this podcast. With a new record out, we figured this was a good excuse to both get together again AND drag the whole band along for this follow-up episode... Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_82_houston_jones_on_je http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=title_saved_for_a_rainy&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I'm sitting here happily listening to Day Two of a projected weeklong-plus deluge of rain here on the west coast. And might I add I couldn't be happier. (Not a big year for rain so far, and we really need it.) With that in mind, here's a replay of a couple of recent things from my end: An interview from Nevada City, CA with KVMR's Wesley Robertson on his Saturday show "Rockin' and Stompin' ", which includes live performances of... Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST blog=saved_for_a_rainy http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_80_dorian_michael_i_on&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Dorian Michael is one of those "guitar player's players" types of musicians who's equally at ease alternating a Travis-style finger picking tune with Celtic, bluegrass, or blues numbers all in the same set. In this phone interview, Dorian talks about his folk and blues influences, how he uses familiar songs styles to pull an audience in, and why he only sings when he plays the blues... Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_80_dorian_michael_i_on http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=free_holiday_mp3s_1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Looking for a few not-so-overplayed Christmas tunes? Head over to the Music page. I've posted live cuts of "Entertaining an Angel", "The Grinch", and "I Shall Be Released"... Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=free_holiday_mp3s_1 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_79_late_night_at_far_w&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 An audio tour through some of the late night "gorilla" (I still can't spell "guerilla") showcases at the 2009 FAR-West Folk Conference held in Irvine, CA... Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_79_late_night_at_far_w http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=grassware_t_shirts_and_bluegrass_bling&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Many musicians have day jobs and side work that allow us to pay the bills (and allow us to keep being musicians). And it's pretty much the norm for bands to have their own t-shirts available as merchandise along with their CDs and such. Mark Miracle of Sawmill Road - west coast folk might have caught them last Spring at the Strawberry Music Festival - took it one step farther and developed Grassware.com, a site that sells bluegrass-related apparel. He also proves that the words "bluegrass" and "bling" are not mutually exclusive... Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=grassware_t_shirts_and_bluegrass_bling http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=re_rockin_and_re_stompin&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 A random Google search this afternoon popped up a link to a visit with one of my very favorite people on one of my very favorite stations when I was on KVMR's "Rockin' and Stompin' with Wesley Robertson" up in Nevada City, CA from a few weeks back... Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=re_rockin_and_re_stompin http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=ongs_and_stories_78_playing_locally&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 In this age of DIY (do-it-yourself) home recording, CD production, and music-career management, many performers are still left scratching their heads as they ask, "Okay, but where do I play?" Besides the obvious route (venues, coffee shops) it's easy to take that same DIY attitude and create your own gigs - often at places who might not normally host music events such as wineries, nurseries, or just any business that might be a suitable fit for your music. Creating your own gig at a non-venue also helps you promote that local business, who then in turn promotes you by getting you to play in front of folks who might not know your music... Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=ongs_and_stories_78_playing_locally http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_77_going_viral_with_li&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I've hit on this topic over and over again, but I think one of the greatest things about doing music is the folks you cross paths with along the way. I met Lila Nelson a few years back through mutual friends in Humbolt County (and KHUM radio). These days, she's based in Oakland and has been touring in support of her latest release, "Letter Home, which was produced by Kenny Edwards... Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_77_going_viral_with_l http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_76_eilen_jewell_real_c&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I was a music fan long before I was writing songs (or even playing guitar), so I still love the thrill of "discovering" a new artist who simply floors me musically. Boston-based songwriter Eilen Jewell and her band played the Strawberry Music Festival last Spring and have since made TWO cross-country trips out to the west coast. In this interview recorded in Santa Cruz, CA, Eilen talks about her childhood reluctance to performing (getting past "piano recital" day was a big relief), her music influences (Buddy Holly, The Zombies, Loretta Lynn and the Stand By Me soundtrack), to finally writing and recording with her band... Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_76_eilen_jewell_real_c http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_75_will_the_real_johns_1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 You don't see the words "bard" or "genius" used to describe just anybody, but those are only a few of the glowing compliments that Musicologist PJ Curtis uses in his overview of songwriter Johnsmith (capital "j", small "s") Johnsmith is based in Wisconsin and usually makes only one trek a year out here to the west coast. It's that time again. Johnsmith will be here soon for a number of shows, including stops at some of my favorite house concerts... Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_75_will_the_real_johns_1 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_73_and_74_a_pirate_goe&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 One of my little goals this year was to do stories not only on independent musicians but also on folks who *support* independent musicians. September isn't an optimal time to check off a New Year's Resolution, but..well...better late than never. Jeff Scammon started his radio career as a folk DJ at KKUP in Cupertino, CA. After leaving there, he discovered "pirate radio". (As you'll learn in this interviews, though, he was a very considerable pirate.) These days he's in Roseville, CA running Wild West Radio, a completely legitimate online radio station that mixes comedy, old country, new Americana, and folk... Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_73_and_74_a_pirate_goe http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_71_and_72_john_batdorf&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 In this "Songs and Stories" two-parter, we meet John Batdorf, a southern California songwriter who started with a recording contract in the '70s as half of the duo Batdorf and Rodney. John spent the '80s as a staff writer for other artists (including America and Kim Carnes), and in the '90s began composing for commercials and television ("Promised Land", "Touched By An Angel".) Everything comes full circle, though. After an XM DJ copied John's records onto MP3 and started playing them on the air, the "Batdorf and Rodney" fans took notice. And they wanted to hear more... Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_71_and_72_john_batdorf http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=web_site_updates_free_mp3_offer&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Life is good. Life is busy. Play music. Practice. Interview other songwriters for the "Songs and Stories" podcast. Maintain a big web site. And occasionally, carve out time to write new songs. No legitimate complaints. The past week or so, it's been the web site thing. There's a new Video page available, the Press page has had a slight makeover... Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:47:06 PST blog=web_site_updates_free_mp3_offer http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_69_and_70_the_return_o&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Nineteen years might seem like a long time between recording projects, but it isn't like Brad Colerick hasn't been doing anything. After recording back home (in Nebraska) back in the 80s and slowly finding his way to southern California, Brad started assignment writing, recording for corporate and advertising clients, and eventually founding DeepMix, a music supervision company in Hollywood. While still busy with DeepMix, Brad is very much back in singer-songwriter mode these days. He released "Cottonwood" in 2006 and quickly followed that with "Lines In the Dirt" in 2007. Next month sees the release of "When I'm Gone" his third record in as many years. Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_69_and_70_the_return_o http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=lifetime_warranty_is_not_an_oxymoron_if&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 In these days of unending telephone trees and outsourced customer service, it gives me hope when I can call and get a real person who gives real help. I've been using an Intellitouch tuner for years on my acoustic guitars, mandolin, and ukelele. I was even using it on my electric guitar before I had a floor-based pedal tuner.A few years back, one of the "flat" arrows disappeared completely from the display. I called, just to see if there was anything I could, and was told, "Just send it back. Lifetime warranty". When does THAT ever happen? Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=lifetime_warranty_is_not_an_oxymoron_if http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_68_the_john_cowan_inte&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Singer/bassist John Cowan is best known to long-time fans as the bass player and co-lead vocalist (along with Sam Bush) in the progressive bluegrass band Newgrass Revival (1974 - 1981). Since NGR's final show opening for the Grateful Dead on New Year's Eve in 1989, Cowan has played with various NGR alumni in various incarnations and has done a lot of session work in Nashville. He's probably best known, however, for his own John Cowan Band, which you'll get to listen to here in episode #68 of "Songs and Stories". Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_68_the_john_cowan_inte http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_67_chuck_mccabe_on_the&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 In this followup to "Songs and Stories" episodes #37 and #38, Chuck McCabe talks about his work with the Young at Heart Project, an organization that brings live music into (primarily) senior convalescent and residential care facilities throughout the Central Coast and South Bay. Chuck is just one of many local artists who play for Young at Heart. In this interview, you'll how Chuck got involved with YAH and will also get a sample of the music he brings to these grateful audiences... Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_67_chuck_mccabe_on_the http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=one_hot_weekend&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I was born, raised, am still fortunate enough to live here on the California coast. Over the past few days, however, I came to quickly appreciate a modern convenience known as "air conditioning". The wife and I spent the weekend up in the Roseville, Nevada City, Newscastle area, with me playing music, spending a bit of time with friends, and checking in with the area's wonderful community of folks who are VERY appreciative of acoustic, singer/songwriter types like me... Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=one_hot_weekend http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_66_fingerstyle_guitari&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I'd file this under "accidentally crossing paths with interesting people", but then nothing really happens by accident, does it? Earlier this year, I was capping off part two of an interview with Antsy McClain of the Trailer Park Troubadours outside of KPIG in Freedom, CA. Antsy and Edgar Cruz were doing a short California run they called their "You Say Flamingo - I Saw Flamenco" tour. I finished chatting with Antsy, and since Edgar was waiting in the van, we figured I might was well get a two-fer out it and record a chat with Edgar, too. So I did... Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_66_fingerstyle_guitar http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_64_and_65&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I met Dana Hubbard (first heard here in Songs and Stories #47) last Fall when he played the American River Music Festival in Coloma, CA. Dana spent the '80s and '90s making a full-time living playing the bay area "clubs and corporate" scene. As that began to fade, Dana rediscovered his love for fingerpicking and solo playing. These days he travels (and primarily lives in) a Sprinter RV, hitting festivals and venues along the way... Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_64_and_65 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_63_roads_rosie_roselle&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I've been a guest on Rosemary Charmers' "Good Morning Monterey Bay" several times. (The show airs in Santa Cruz every weekday from 6-9 AM on KSCO 1080 AM.). It's always a great visit, and the conversations seem to always settle on mainly two topics: "How are you dogs doing?" and "Would you please play the 'Highway 17' song again?" This last Tuesday's visit was no different, and I couldn't think of a funner way to start my week... Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_63_roads_rosie_roselle http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_sentinel_interview&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Sometimes a meeting is just a good excuse to chat with an old pal. I spent quite a few years as a stringer for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. I wrote for their old "Spotlight" Friday entertainment supplement, first as a TV critic, and then with a video round-up column called "Rewind After Viewing". "Rewind". Think about that for a moment. Doesn't it seem like decades since you had to physically press Rewind before running a tape back to your favorite local rental store to avoid a late fee? Where does the time go? My work with the Sentinel trailed off right around the time I started writing my own songs. Last week, Sentinel Arts and Entertainment Editor Wallace Baine and I chatted about that, along what led to my new CD, "Dogspeed"... Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=the_sentinel_interview http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=music_wine_music_wine&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 This past weekend made it my fifth year playing the Vintner's Festival up at Roudon-Smith Winery in Scotts Valley. Hard to believe that it was just a few years back that it was me and my "band" at the time (Greg Scott on bass) doing the few original songs I had under my belt. It's since evolved into a little two-day music festival, where I not only get to play but also organize the thing and host it... Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=music_wine_music_wine http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=kacey_jones&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 With song titles like "I Wanna Be Up Front Like Dolly Parton" and "Every Man I Ever Loved Is Either Gay, Married, Or Dead"", you can be pretty sure that Kacey Jones has a knack for getting your attention and putting a smile on your face with her music. In this phone interview from her home in Nashville, Kacey, talks about her new release, "Donald Trump's Hair", balancing art and business, and her upcoming trip back to her roots here in Santa Cruz. Sun, 31 May 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=skacey_jones http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=title_7&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Bay area audiences know award-winning songwriter Jay Howlett both as part of the songwriting collective BlahBlahWoofWoof and a solo performer in his own right. In this kitchen-table talk, Jay and I talk about his upcoming release "Carnival Lights", how BlahBlahWoofWoof formed, other songwriters such as Chuck Brodsky and Chuck McCabe, his association with Breedlove Guitars, and the alternate-tuning sounds he gets by using multiple capos... Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_60_and_61 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_58_and_59_annie_moscow&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 In these two episodes, we chat with singer/songwriter Annie Moscow. Annie's made a musical journey from being a classically-trained pianist who eventually found herself in L.A. writing for such varied clients as Sister Sledge and Disney. These days, she's based in Arizona and tours frequently... Sat, 02 May 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_58_and_59_annie_mosco http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=an_earth_day_nod_to_dogspeed&am;more=1&c=1&tb=1amp;&pb=1 Folks who've put out a CD or two know one of the ironies of production: It still costs more to put out a record in a simple cardboard wrapper instead of an eco-unfriendly plastic jewel case. Still, with "Dogspeed", I liked the simple look of the cardboard packaging and thought it would just be a good thing to do. Yesterday, Grateful Dread Public Radio tagged me as their Artist of the Day, with particular emphasis on the eco-friendly cardboard wallet that "Dogspeed" is packed in... Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=an_earth_day_nod_to_dogspeed http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=fri_on_kvmr_the_weekend_in_redding_and_a&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Lots of fun coming up this weekend: If you're within earshot of Nevada City (or the Internet) on Friday morning (4/17), tune into Laurie DesJardin's "The New Brick Road" on KVMR from 10-noon. At around 10:20, Laurie and I will be chatting about "Roselle" and "I Miss My Town" off the new "Dogspeed record. fter visiting with Laurie, it's north for Redding... Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=fri_on_kvmr_the_weekend_in_redding_and_a http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_56_and_57_stryngs_atta&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 At the American River Music Festival last Fall, I found myself camped next to Martin Giles and "Strings", part of the British folk band Stryngs. Martin and Strings were touring the western U.S. and playing house concerts along the way. They joined our late-nite song circle (which you can hear in "Songs and Stories #47") and a month later dropped by the house to spend a few days with the wife and I. We shared a memorable election night, played lots of music, and then finally settled down to business, doing the "kitchen-table" talk for these two episodes... Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=stryngs_atta http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=gallery_page_updates&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 A webmaster's work is never done...particularly when you're a musician who's just *pretending* he's a webmaster. (Yeah, I wear a lot of hats, and I don't even like hats.) But I digress. I took a look at the Gallery page recently and realized it needed a little updating. So I updated it. Now you can see pics from the "Dogspeed" CD-release party at Jansen Music in January and some of the entries from the "Dogspeed" photo contest... Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=gallery_page_updates http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=arthur_godfrey&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 This April makes five years that I've been running the open mic night at the Wooden Nickel Bar and Grill here in town, so I thought it fitting to talk to award-winning songwriter Arthur Godfrey (no relation to the original). In this two-part interview, Arthur reminisces about the Wooden Nickel, discusses "Broken Wings" (his new record) and gives some songwriting tips... Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=arthur_godfrey http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=my_top_15_or_so_records&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Over in the land of Facebook, the latest trend is to post your very own "25 Random Things About Me" list. If I can ever *think* of 25 interesting things about me, I might actually get around to it. In the meantime, I'm seeing a new type of list spring up: "My Top 15 Records". Listing records is easy. Limiting them to 15? Not so much... Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_51_and_52_antsy_mcclai http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=whole_foods_in_santa_cruz_with_the_whole_15&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 We're pretty jazzed to be included in this one: To kick off the opening of their new Santa Cruz store, Whole Foods invited a local band (that's us) to play this Sunday, March 15th. We'll start at 11:30 and do a few sets through the morning and afternoon... Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=whole_foods_in_santa_cruz_with_the_whole http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_51_and_52_antsy_mcclai&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I had the good fortune to open for Chuck Brodsky last month at the Mission City Coffee Roasting Co. in Santa Clara, CA. After the show, we talked about his approach to songwriting and discussed his new release, "Two Sets". In this interview, Chuck explains the freedom that a narrative story gives him when writing lyrics. He also tells some of the stories behind some of the songs on the new record, including "Letters In the Dirt", an ode to baseball great Richie Allen... Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_51_and_52_ http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=east_village&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Every venue has its own ticks, charms, and characteristics. The East Village Coffee Lounge in Monterey, CA is no exception. I attended a bunch of shows there back in the building's previous incarnation, sitting right in the front row of that little coffee shop to hear folks like Richard Shindell, Slaid Cleaves, Lucy Kaplansky and Nina Gerber. Was certainly not a bad way to spend an evening. Last night we took the whole band, even managing to squeeze in a drum kit... Sun, 22 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=east_village http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=evie_goes_home&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Since most of my friends (real-world, virtual, or otherwise) know about our recent foster pup, "Evie" (click for pics), I thought it only right to put up a short post and let everyone know the good news: Evie has a home. Here's the rest of the story... Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=evie_goes_home http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=ansty_interview&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 This very cool "Songs and Stories" two-parter features two chats with Antsy McClain, lead singer, songwriter (and fellow podcaster) of the Americana band the Trailer Park Troubadours. I'm finding myself overusing the phrase "gold standard" lately, but Antsy fits the bill. He's just darned good at it. Antsy's also a heck of a lot of fun to hang out and talk shop with, as you'll soon discover... Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=ongs_and_stories_51_and_52_antsy_mcclai http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=title_6&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 You can always book your band in a club, but sometimes I prefer the challenge of making up an event - at a spot where events don't normally occur - and just seeing what happens. You promote and hope for the best, but you don't REALLY know what the turnout might be until that day. Last Saturday's "Dogspeed" release party was a good case in point... Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=title_6 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=dogspeed_cd_release_party_this_sat_1_31&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 What better way to kick off our first band show of '09 than with a little concert to celebrate the new "Dogspeed" CD? And what better place to have it at than Jansen Music in Watsonville... Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=dogspeed_cd_release_party_this_sat_1_31 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_coolest_queen_cover_ever&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I've always been a huge fan of Queen. Way back in the stone age of 1980 before stadiums had corporate sponsorship, I saw Queen at The Oakland Colliseum. (No "McAfee". No "Oracle". It was just called "The Oakland Arena".) It's still the greatest rock concert I've ever seen. And probably ever will. Along the same lines, I love a good Queen cover. My rule on cover tunes: Don't play it like the original, or what's the point, really? Make it your own. For example, listen to L.A. songwriter Grey Delisle's take on "Bohemian Rhapsody". It's stark. Just her and an autoharp. And it's quite brilliant... Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=the_coolest_queen_cover_ever http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_50_terri_hendrix_in_tu&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 With nine self-released CDs to her credit - her latest is 2007's "The Spiritual Kind" - Texas singer-songwriter Terri Hendrix is the gold standard when it comes to the independent artist. That also makes her the perfect interview for this mini-milestone, episode #50 of "Songs and Stories". In this chat recorded backstage at Don Quixote's Music Hall, Terri talks about what she's still learning after her ninth CD, her annual "Life's A Song" workshops, touring with producer Lloyd Maines, and gives some great tips to artists who might not have that first CD quite done yet... Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_50_terri_hendrix_in_tu http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=welcome_to_any_dalecast_listeners_and_a&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Okay, do you "play" a song on a podcast? Not sure. "Stream" it? No, that's not right. "Make it downloadable"? Okay, that's way too clunky. Once we figure out the nomenclature for this newish media, it'll change, so I'm not going to try to figure out. Regardless of all that word juggling, Dalecast, out of County Durham, UK, is the first podcast of 2009 to play one of my songs... Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=welcome_to_any_dalecast_listeners_and_a http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=missing_the_smell_of_a_record_store&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 No, this isn't a blog entry from 1978. According to the Financial Press, sales of vinyl records - which are making a tiny comeback - doubled in the first week of 2009. (Note: If you're under 30, records are round and black, like a giant CD. Only they sound much better.) I don't see records replacing CDs or MP3 downloads anytime soon, but it does give hope to we nostalgic folks who are slowly approaching "crusty old fart-hood", reminding us that vinyl is alive and well. Or at least not going away completely without a decent struggle... Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=missing_the_smell_of_a_record_store http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_49_chojo_jaques_and_bi&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Multi-instrumentalists Chojo Jacques (The Waybacks, Houston Jones) and Billy Bright (Two High String Band) have just released "Texacali Blues", a duo CD featuring instrumentals on mandolin, fiddle, mando-stratocaster and electric guitar, as well as a few original tunes with vocals by Chojo and Billy. In this interview recorded backstage at Don Quixote's Music Hall, Chojo discusses his family's musical heritage, Billy talks about how he and Chojo's collaboration evolved, and they both chat about how music festivals - The Strawberry Music Festival in particular - lend themselves to a musical melting pot and lots of late-night jamming... Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_49_chojo_jaques_and_bi http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=review_a_very_slambovian_christmas&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 They only get played one month out of the year, so Christmas CDs seem like a new boxful of presents when I unpack the holiday paraphernalia every end-of-November. There obvious favorites like Bruce Cockburn's "Christmas" and and the Vince Giraldi trio's "A Charlie Brown Christmas", neither of which leave our player until mid-January. But this year "A Very Slambovian Christmas" has been added to the frequent-play mix... Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=review_a_very_slambovian_christmas http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_web_site_as_a_cereal_box&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Clutter isn't always a bad thing. A little self confession from the web design side of things... Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=the_web_site_as_a_cereal_box http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=don_q_s_and_kpig_live_cuts_and_our_new_l&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 We've had a great run the past several days: The Barn's holiday show on Saturday, KPIG's "Please Stand By" Sunday morning, and a big night last night at Don Quixote's Music Hall in Felton (with the addition of Darren Walker, our new drummer). It was a great turnout with a great bunch of old and new friends turning up to see us. As always, we really appreciate the support. I thought we were taking a break, but we're suddenly not done for the year. That's a good thing... Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=on_q_s_and_kpig_live_cuts_and_our_new_l http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_47_claudia_nygaard_and&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Although based in Nashville, Claudia Nygaard is not what you'd expect from a typical Nashville artist. (Claudia prefers story songs - and in her own words sounds more like "Guy Clark or John Prine on massive doses of estrogen" - rather than anything you'd hear on commercial country radio.) In this "Songs and Stories" episode, Claudia and I talk about what house concerts have brought to independent music, the good old days of vinyl records, and that ongoing argument about the "death of the CD" in the wake of dropcards and iPods. We also discuss her current release, "Somewhere Else to Go", and her new CD that's in the works. Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_47_claudia_nygaard_and http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=dogspeed_the_photo_contest&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 The new "Dogspeed" record will be available next month. As on the last CD, this is another Americana story collection, with two songs centering around an animal motif. Last time it was mules. This time it's dogs. Being a dog person myself, I know that dog owners love showing off pictures of their dogs even more than parents love pulling out photos of their kids. So I thought a little contest was in order... Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=dogspeed_the_photo_contest http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=puppy_tv&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 The Internet is a wonderful thing. It connects us to virtually anyone across the world. It lets you watch instant replays at a baseball game on your phone. And it's brought discounted Vicodin to anyone with a keyboard. But honestly, is there anything more valuable than using the Internet to watch...a basket of puppies? Seriously, a basket of puppies. Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=puppy_tv http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_47_the_song_circle&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I've said this more times than I can honestly count, but I'm convinced that the real dividend in this music path is all the folks I keep meeting along the way. Case in point: This podcast is a song circle, a gathering of other players (some old friends, some new) recorded at the American River Music Festival back in September of this year. Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_47_the_song_circle http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=robert_johnson_s_soul_for_sale_on_ebay&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 My friend Bev Barnett twittered about this, and I responded in kind. But this one is just too darned easy NOT to elaborate on. As either a sign of the economic times, or due to the fact it's Halloween, you can now purchase Robert Johnson's soul directly from the devil himself on Ebay... Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=robert_johnson_s_soul_for_sale_on_ebay http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=november_fest_one_more_event_before_fall&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I spent last weekend playing and hosting the music at the 4th Annual Harvest's End party at Roudon-Smith Winery. Since "Fall Back" - and the sun setting at 4:45 pm - is looming just a week away, we might as well fit in just ONE MORE festival: This Sunday, November 2nd, is the Second Annual "November-fest" at Pacific Crest Apiaries, a local honey farm up the road from us in Watsonville. We play from 11:00 - 1:00, so get there early. Admission is free. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=november_fest_one_more_event_before_fall http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_46_joziah_long_and_the&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I first talked with Joziah Longo way back in Songs and Stories #8. In that interview, we discussed the origin of his band, Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams. In this followup chat recorded at last month's American River Music Festival, Joziah and I talk about their new release, The Great Unravel, with an emphasis on the song "Tink" (which discusses the conflict between your "inner Tinkerbell" and "inner Wendy"). We also discuss Joziah's "index card" method of songwriting (which I've also been using), and how a songwriter's influences eventually help him or her shape their own work. Sun, 19 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_46_joziah_long_and_the http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=twittering_away_on_facebook&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 When it comes to meeting folks (whether fans, friends, or a mix of both), I always prefer it to be in person, "shakin' and howdy'n", and trying my best to remember someone's first name (usually takes two or three attempts). Still, the abundance of social networking sites (or at least the few I frequent) allows a lowly folksinger like me to have listeners as close as Sacramento and as far away as New Zealand and South Africa. It really is a blessing. Here are a few other places you can find me... Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=twittering_away_on_facebook http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_44_and_45_americana_so&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Ever wonder what it would be like to take to the road and never look back? Corinne West did just that, leaving home in her teens to travel with a group of artists who became her surrogate family. She soon began playing music and writing her own songs, and after a few stints in bands, became a solo artist... Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_44_and_45_americana_so http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_43_fall_preview&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 The new TV season always has a "Fall Preview", so why not do the same for the band and this podcast? This episode is a rundown of where we're playing in October (KSCO 1080 AM, Roudon-Smith Winery, Don Quixote's), as well as a quick look at the next few episodes I have lined up for the podcast (interviews with Corrine West and Joziah Longo)... Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_43_fall_preview http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=herding_the_hydra&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 The best analogy I can equate my little music path to is a very benevolent, multi-headed hydra. One head is the songs. Another is taking the tunes out to play them for other people. Still another is this opportunity I now have to interview other artists. This past weekend, I herded the hydra up to Coloma, California to attend the second annual American River Music Festival, a two-day event which marries two-days of music, with camping in nearby campgrounds, music at each campground's lodge every evening, a VERY efficient shuttle service between venues, and a chance to see great music in a very intimate setting, all the while making new friends in the process. Not a bad way to spend two days... Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=herding_the_hydra http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_42_the_sherry_austin_i&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Sherry Austin spent time in Hawaii doing covers in the "steak and winehouse" scene, but it wasn't until she moved back to her native California, settled in Santa Cruz, and discovered "the mighty KPIG" (and folks like Fred Eaglesmith and Robert Earl Keen) that she became the singer/songwriter folks around here are so fond of. In this episode of "Songs and Stories", Sherry talks about how writing her first few songs eventually grew into her two CDs, "Drive-By Romance" and "Drive On Back"... Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_42_the_sherry_austin_i http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=dogspeed_a_preview_of_the_new_record&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 We've done pretty well with my completely artificial, self-imposed deadline of having the new record done by December. The songs are (intentionally) all over the map. Some are quiet, some not so much. I uploaded a sample on the music player over on my Music page at http://www.michaelgaither.com/music. This montage includes pieces of "Tupelo Honey" (driven by a ukelele), "Hang It Up", "I Miss My Town", "Dogspeed", and "Gettin' To My Glory Days"... Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=dogspeed_a_preview_of_the_new_record http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_40_and_41_mary_mccasli&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 In another "Songs and Stories" look at local songwriters, Santa Cruz's Mary McCaslin talks about her folk and western influences, her fondness for alternate tunings (many of which are documented on her web site), how she ended up as a columnist for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, and why she plays "Pinball Wizard" on a banjo... Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_40_and_41_mary_mccasli http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=just_another_day_in_the_canyon&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 There are probably worse things to do than spend a day playing music outdoors, surrounded by friends, dogs, llamas, and horses. Heck if I can think of what it might be, though. Last Saturday we did our second appearance at the Canyon Acoustic Society house concert in Royal Oaks, CA... Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=just_another_day_in_the_canyon http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_crooked_shades_shining_darkness_cd_r&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 My pal Marky (of the Canyon Acoustic Society) recently commented that I selflessly dedicate a huge portion of my web site to podcast interviews with other artists. "Selflessly" is only half the story... Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=the_crooked_shades_shining_darkness_cd_r http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_39_vienna_teng_or_when&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 A question many artists often ask themselves is "When do I leave my day job?" (Not that I have *ever* thought that. No, never. Ever. Well...maybe that's a topic for a future podcast.) Vienna and I worked at the same company several years ago, and I still remember the day she left, record deal in hand, to give up the corporate life and go after music full time. I caught up with Vienna earlier this year... Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_39_vienna_teng_or_when http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=i_can_conform_but_just_a_little_okay&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 There's a song called "Good God Man How Big a Car Do You Need?" on my "Spotted Mule and Other Tales" CD that raves about big cars and how the people who drive them can't park. Soon after recording the song, I bought a big truck and camper. Anyone who knows me knows that the notion of purchasing a vehicle with a V-8 engine was a major life decision. I fretted and obsessed over it, gave in, felt like a hypocrite, but then finally settled into my own rationale that... Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=i_can_conform_but_just_a_little_okay http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=porter_written_by_jon_lou_lewis&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 My Redding pal Lou lost a good friend last week and wrote up the following. He gave me the okay to re-post it here on the web site. Seemed like an appropriate place, what with the emphasis on animal content lately... Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=porter_written_by_jon_lou_lewis http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_37_and_38_chuck_mccabe&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Bay area staple Chuck McCabe is one of those "songwriter's songwriter" type of folks. He's well known for writing funny songs that seem to come off easy ("I Miss My Mustache"), while his serious side packs an equal punch. (His song "Mimimum Wager" won the 2002 Woody Guthrie Songwriting Competition.) Chuck also has a great dog song - "Fred")- and you probably know that anyone who sings about dogs automatically gets high marks in my book... Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_35_and_36_alisa_finema http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=animal_friends_rescue_project_unconditio&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I'm still not sure how I started writing songs about mules (there are three mule tunes to date), but the animal-totem thing seems to be progressing. I have a few dog songs - two are going on my next CD, "Dogspeed" - and I have this uneasy feeling that I'll be writing songs about cats if I'm not careful... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=animal_friends_rescue_project_unconditio http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_35_alisa_fineman_and_k&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 "There's a million ways to live a life" is how award-winning singer/songwriter Alisa Fineman describes that path she's taken. These days she collaborates with Kimball Hurd, who many know from his work with the Santa Cruz folk trio City Folk... Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_35_alisa_fineman_and_k http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=hang_it_up_beginning_juloy_1st_in_califo&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 The hands-free cell phone law goes into effect in California on July 1st. (Yay!) Not completely uncoincidentally, my song "Hang It Up" talks about drivers "with a phone to their head" in the first verse... Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=hang_it_up_beginning_juloy_1st_in_califo http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_34_jeff_kazor_of_the_c&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 "Dark, Appalachian dance music". That's how I've always described The Crooked Jades, a bay area-based collective of musicians dedicated to keeping old-tyme string-band music alive and quite well. Want to win a "Grateful Dread Public Radio" t-shirt?. Listen to this interview for details... Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_34_jeff_kazor_of_the_c http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=guardian_angels_and_the_trabing_fire&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I've always appreciated what firefighters do. This past weekend I learned to appreciate it a whole lot more... Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=guardian_angels_and_the_trabing_fire http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=foster_kittens_careful_what_you_ask_for_2&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 A few years back we raised Guide Dogs. Last year we fostered dogs for Animal Friends Rescue Project (AFRP). This year, we've found ourselves fostering kittens, which is even way more fun than it sounds... Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=foster_kittens_careful_what_you_ask_for_2 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_33_spring_strawberry_2&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 A few musical highlights from Michael Gaither, Jim Dyar, and a few faithful friends from Camp All Ya'll at the Spring 2008 Strawberry Music Festival. Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=ongs_and_stories_33_spring_strawberry http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=another_night_at_the_barn&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Last Saturday we played again at The Barn, a house concert series run out of an ex-winery in Gilroy, CA. . My pal David Anderson and I split the bill... Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=another_night_at_the_barn http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=title_5&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Shortly before fingerstyle guitarist Stevie Coyle left The Waybacks last year, he and I sat down for this chat in the green room at Don Quioxte's Music Hall in Ben Lomond. tevie performs locally at the Canyon Acoustic House Concert series in Aromas, CA on Friday, June 6th. Go to the show notes on www.michaelgaither.com for reservation info. Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=title_5 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=over_inspiration&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1s Is it possible to get TOO much inspiration? Last weekend was a double shot of bay area favorites: On Friday, we caught Blah Blah Woof Woof (Chuck McCabe, Jay Howlett, and Steve Kritzer) at The Barn in Gilroy. Then on Saturday, we headed over to my pal Marky's Canyon Acoustic Society house concert series to see Houston Jones play in her living room. Back to back nights of incredible singing, writing, and playing... Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=over_inspiration http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_31_houston_jone_s_chri&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Another kitchen-table talk, this time a two-part interview with Chris Kee and Travis Jones of the bay area Americana band Houston Jones. Want to win a copy of Houston Jones' latest release, "Calico Heart?" Listen to this interview for details. I'll randomly pull a name at the end of the month and notify the lucky winner. Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_31_houston_jone_s_chri http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=recommended_reading_surf_com&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 As a lifelong Santa Cruz native who's paid the bills with a high-tech day job for more years than I care to acknowledge, I couldn't help but LOVE "Surf.com", the latest novel from local author Fred Reiss. The story is set way back in 1999, when the dot com boom hit Silicon Valley and spilled over onto "our side of the hill", leaving "instant locals", SUVs, and million dollar plus homes in its wake... Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=recommended_reading_surf_com http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=title_4&more=1&c=1&tb=1&b=1 Since this is my 30th "Songs and Stories" podcast, I thought I'd flip things around and have *me* interviewed for a change. This episode is a replay of a recent appearance on KVMR radio in Nevada City, CA. I was a guest on Wesley Robert's "Rockin' and Stompin'" show and played solo versions of "Broke", "Spotted Mule", "Jack of All Trades" from my "Spotted Mule and Other Tales" CD. Listen to "Songs and Stories" for info on this month's contest... Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=title_4 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_return_of_mudcrutch&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Tom Petty went back to his roots last night. So did I. I've been attending shows at the Civic since 1978, but somehow always missed Petty and the Heartbreakers. On Monday evening, Petty and his pre-Heartbreakers band, Mudcrutch, played the second stop of a short, two-week tour. I think we both had a good night... Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=the_return_of_mudcrutch http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_29_gypsy_soul&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I don't want to paint with just one color". That's how Cillette Swann describes the Americana genre's ability to let artists mix Celtic, folk, and even country influences on the same album. Cilette, along with husband Roman Morykit, are better known as "Gypsy Soul", a duo who call southern Oregon their home. Listen to "Songs and Stories" for info on this month's contest... Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_29_gypsy_soul http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=ukes_dylan_newcastle_and_house_concerts&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I had a great run up to northern CA a few weeks ago, playing a couple of times in Nevada City (including an hour on KVMR as a guest on Wesley Robertson's "Rockin' and Stompin'") and as the opener for Rick DiDia and Aireene Espiritu at The Acoustic Barn house concert series in Newcastle. Really nice people up that way... Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=ukes_dylan_newcastle_and_house_concerts http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_27_and_28_keith_greeni&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Another back to back set of interviews, this time with local favorite Keith Greeninger. From the award-winning trio City Folk, to his solo work, Keith continues to grow his appreciative audience and spread his enthusiasm to "get music into your life"... Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_27_and_28_keith_greeni http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_25_and_26_dayan_kai_an_1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I've found that doing these "interviews" around our kitchen table changes what might be a standard interview into a looser, more chatty...well, visit around a kitchen table. Awhile back I talked to multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter Dayan Kai (along with bass player Steve Uccello). Want to win an DVD and autographed copy of Keith Greeninger's latest CD, "Glorious Peasant?" Listen to this show for details... Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_25_and_26_dayan_kai_an_1 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=and_the_most_inspiring_moment_goes_to&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 For some odd reason, my satellite provider doesn't consider our closest ABC affiliate a "local channel", so we couldn't watch the Oscars last night. I won't specifically trash the provider, but between you and me, it rhymes with "wish"...as in, "I wish we could watch the Oscars, but we have the DISH network"... Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=and_the_most_inspiring_moment_goes_to http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_24_rick_di_di_and_aire&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 On Saturday 2/23, I'll be at The Acoustic Barn in Newcastle, CA opening for Rick Di Dia and Aireene Espiritu. Rick and Aireene play a mix of original folk, blues, bluegrass, and "swampy jams", backed up Rick on lap-steel guitar and Airene on ukelele. Not the least bit coincidentally, Rick and Aireene are the guests on this episode of "Songs and Stories". Want to win an DVD and autographed CD from Rick and Aireene? Listen to this show or go to www.michaelgaither.com for details... Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_24_rick_di_di_and_aire http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_wooden_nickel_open_mic_first_thursda&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 After a short break - we skipped January - we're back on schedule for the monthly open mic this Thursday at the Wooden Nickel Bar and Grille from 7-10 pm in Watsonville... Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=the_wooden_nickel_open_mic_first_thursda http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_22_two_visits_with_lac&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Lacy J. Dalton was a huge part of the Santa Cruz music scene in through the '60s and '70s. She moved to Nashville in the late '70s, and after a string of charting hits - including "Takin' It Easy", "Crazy Blue Eyes", and "Sixteenth Avenue" - she gave into being "homesick for the west" and headed back this way... Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_22_two_visits_with_lac http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=2008_goals_not_resolutions&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I hope the new year's treating you well so far. We're eleven days into 2008, and I haven't broken any resolutions yet. Then again, I haven't made any. Resolutions tend to break pretty quickly. I have better luck just calling 'em "goals". The big goal this year is to start and finish the new CD. Working title is "Dogspeed"... Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=2008_goals_not_resolutions http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_21_wailin_jennies_3_0&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 As their signature song "One Voice" says, "This is the sound of voices three / Singing together in harmony". Harmony is a big part of the Wailin' Jennies, but it doesn't stop there. The (mostly) Canadian folk trio is made up of three equally talented songwriters and multi-instrumentalists: Ruth Moody (guitar, banjo, accordion, bodhran) and Nicky Mehta (guitar, harmonica, ukulele, percussion) are the founding members of the group. The newest "Jennie", U.S.-born Heather Masse, joined them last year for the tour of "Firecracker", their latest release... Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_21_wailin_jennies_3_0 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=jeffrey_sezekorn_1958_2007&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Whether you're playing music or watching music, the real beauty of the thing is the paths you cross and the friends you make along the way. (I suppose any common interest amongst people has that same effect. With me, it tends to be music.) Jeff Setzekorn, along with his wife Jenn, was a member of "Camp All Ya'll", a group of folks we camp with up at the Strawberry Music Festival every year... Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST blog=jeffrey_sezekorn_1958_2007 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_20_the_benfits_of_bene&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Last Fall, we got to play a few benefits for some notable local charities and events. It was great being able to bring music to a cause, and it also gave us the opportunity to play for new people. This show features a radio interview with both me and Peter Goodman (of the band Cooper Street), Paul Machlis talking about Felton Library Friends, and live versions of my songs "Highway 17" and "Good God Man How Big a Car Do You Need? Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_20_the_benfits_of_bene http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_19_texas_songwriters_p&more=1amp;&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 This third in a series of talks with Texas singer-songwriters is a visit with second-generation artist Colin Gilmore. Besides obvious influences (his dad Jimmy Dale Gilmore and folks like Joe Ely), Colin talks about how choir, classical guitar, The Clash, and even Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album also shaped his musical tastes... Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_19_texas_songwriters_p http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_17_texas_songwriters_p_1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 She quit the University of Texas (while attending on a scholarship), formed the band Little Sister (which evolved into Sister Seven), and has been writing, playing, and touring ever since. This second of three "Songs and Stories" episodes with Texas songwriters features a conversation with Dallas native Patrice Pike... Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_17_texas_songwriters_p_1 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_honey_farm_gig&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Sometimes you stumble upon a place that really isn't a performance venue, but just has the feel of a nice place to play. Say, for example, you're at a honey farm down the road from where you live in Watsonville. And you're wife says, "hey, you should play here." And she asks the owner if they ever do events. And the owner says, "I'd like to, but I don't know where to get anyone to play music... Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST blog=she_honey_farm_gig http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_17_texas_songwriters_p&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 The next two episodes of "Songs and Stories" will be interviews with two very different Texas songwriters. In a couple of weeks, we'll be talking with Patrice Pike. In this edition, we chat with Darden Smith... Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_17_texas_songwriters http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=roudon_smith_wineri&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 This Saturday and Sunday, October 27th and 28th, is the 4th annual Harvest's End Festival at Roudon-Smith Winery in Scotts Valley. This little party hosted by David and Annette Hunt has grown into a great event: It's one of the last sunny weekends before Fall kicks in, there's a great chance to kick start your holiday shopping with local artisans, and I get to round up a few of my favorite local songwriters to join us... Sat, 20 Oct 2007 16:12:57 PST blog=roudon_smith_wineri http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_16_meanwhile_back_at_t&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I run a songwriter's open mic night on the first Thursday of every month at the Wooden Nickel Bar and Grille in Watsonville CA. I haven't done a show about it since way back in "Songs and Stories #4", so I thought I'd put together a few recent highlights... Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_16_meanwhile_back_at_t http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=for_the_benefit_of&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I always thought the year slowed down around the Fall. This year I'm wrong, but that's a good thing. Our little band is busier than ever. We have a *lot* of shows this month, and new dates are popping up through the end of the year. What's particularly cool is that several of our upcoming shows are benefits for local charities... Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 PST or_the_benefit_of http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_15_canadian_songwriter&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Canadian songwriter Tia McGraff is originally from Port Dover, Ontario. She spent a number of years in Nashville, but these days, when she's not on the road, she's back home in Canada with husband (and fellow songwriter) Tommy Parham. I caught up with both of them during a busy weekend at the end of a busy summer... Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_15_canadian_songwriter http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_14_stevie_coyle_of_the&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Fingerstyle guitarist and songwriter Stevie Coyle has a background that puts my own song "Jack of All Trades" to shame. He's toured with The Royal Lichtenstein Circus and has hosted killer whale shows. He's been a member of The Frontmen and The Foremen. Steve is also a proud survivor of the Great Standup Comedy Scare of the 1980s. These days, he's part of The Waybacks... Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 PST blog=songs_and_stories_14_stevie_coyle_of_the http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=title_3&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 In this installment, I pick apart "Still Walkin'", the opening track on "Spotted Mule and Other Tales". I'll explain how this came about and describe how structurally, it's a bit different than my usual verse, chorus, verse, repeat chorus, etc...songs. Also, I hiked to Half Dome in Yosemite awhile back. You'll get an audio tour with highlights from that walk... Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:00:00 PST blog=2&title=title_3&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_12_a_talk_with_paul_th&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Singer/songwriter Paul Thorn was raised the son of a Pentecostal preacher, spent years working in a chair factory, and was even a professional boxer - at one point he was ranked the 29th best middleweight in the world. Let's just say he has a lot of backstory to draw from as a writer... Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:00:00 PST ongs_and_stories_12_a_talk_with_paul_th http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_11_the_mark_o_connor_i&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 This week, I had the rare opportunity of talking with violinst-composer Mark O'Connor. A classically-trained musician, he's been at the front of contemporary acoustic music for many years... Sat, 04 Aug 2007 00:00:00 PST songs_and_stories_11_the_mark_o_connor http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=title_2&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Well, we were *supposed* to play here tonight. Unfortunately, the E3 Playhouse closed its doors on Wednesday after losing a 6-1 vote at Tuesday night's city council meeting... Sat, 28 Jul 2007 09:42:49 PST title=title_2 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_10_strawberry_strollin&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Here the last of of my podcasts from material collected at last May's Strawberry Music Festival. This one's an experiment, a little audio tour of the late-night playing that goes on in several camps close to ours... Sat, 21 Jul 2007 00:00:00 PST songs_and_stories_10_strawberry_strollin http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_podcast_9_the_strawber&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Here's the second of three podcasts on last May's Strawberry Music Festival. This time, we do a big "thank you" to the Breakfast Club crew: Larry Carlin, Margie Kaye, Sher Ennis, and Richard Beveridge... Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 PST songs_and_stories_podcast_9_the_strawber http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=shopping_locally&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Sure, you can always go online and pick up "Spotted Mule and Other Tales" from Amazon.com or CD Baby (and if you do, I really appreciate that), but you can now also pick up a copy from one of these local merchants... Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 PST hopping_locally http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=8&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 In this podcast, I talk with Joziah Longo, lead singer and songwriter for Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams. He explains the intention behind the band's name (there is no Gandalf Murphy), how starting on the folk circuit gave them freedom with their lyrics, and their multiple-genre approach that allows them to play any style of music they wish. Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:00:00 PST songs_and_stories_podcast_8_notes_interv http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=free_spotted_mule_pin_with_strings_attac&more=1&c=1amp;&tb=1&pb=1 Well, not with strings LITERALLY attached. But while supplies last - and supplies look pretty good through July - I'll send you a free spotted mule pin if... Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 PST free_spotted_mule_pin_with_strings_attac http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_podcast_6_notes_interv&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 We just finished a very fun (and full) weekend of music at Roudon-Smith Winery in Scotts Valley. (If you blinked and missed it, don't worry. We'll be there again in October.) After Saturday's show, and after we tore down all the soundgear, I sat down and chatted with Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon... Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:00:00 PST songs_and_stories_podcast_6_notes_interv http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=schedule_for_this_weekend_s_annual_vintn&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 It's here again: Our annual weekend of music for the Vintner's Festival at Roudon-Smith Winery. This is my fourth year playing there and my third with a bunch of other songwriters in tow... Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:00:00 PST schedule_for_this_weekend_s_annual_vintn http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=good_god_man_how_big_an_rv_do_you_need&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I'm still coming off the (natural, more or less) high of last weekend's Strawberry Music Festival. This year my pal Rob went for the first time and took his obnoxiously huge RV along for the ride... Thu, 31 May 2007 00:00:00 PST good_god_man_how_big_an_rv_do_you_need http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=title_1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 What comes first? The music or the lyrics? That's probably the most-asked question about songwriting, and the answer is simply, "yes". (As in, "Yes, the music or the lyrics definitely come first".) Every song is different, and every one has a different starting point... Tue, 08 May 2007 00:00:00 PST songs_and_stories_podcast_6_notes_high http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php It's amazing what one little bluegrass song about a mule can do for you. "Spotted Mule" pretty much wrote itself, became the title track to my CD, a video on YouTube, and people are still discovering it. Well folks, Icing, the spotted mule herself, is now up for sale... Podcasts Sun, 20 May 2007 00:00:00 PDT http://michaelgaither.com/podcasts/songs_and_stories6.mp4 Michael Gaither no Welcome to Songs and Stories. Please visit this podcast at http://www.michaelgaither.com/ It's amazing what one little bluegrass song about a mule can do for you. "Spotted Mule" pretty much wrote itself, became the title track to my CD, a video on YouTube, and people are still discovering it. Well folks, Icing, the spotted mule herself, is now up for sale. Read the show notes and listen to more podcasts like this one at http://www.michaelgaither.com. 00:26:16 michael, gaither, high, mule, horse, trainer, interview, bluegrass, podcasting, podcaster, folk, music, guitar http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_podcast_4_notes_high_a&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 What comes first? The music or the lyrics? That's probably the most-asked question about songwriting, and the answer is simply, "yes". (As in, "Yes, the music or the lyrics definitely come first".) Every song is different, and every one has a different starting point... Tue, 08 May 2007 00:00:00 PST ongs_and_stories_podcast_4_notes_high http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=news_links_tunes_shows&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I wanted to post this quick update and share a little info about what's happening lately with both me and the band. Check out the embedded links below. Lots of fun stuff going on these days... Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 PST news_links_tunes_shows http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=missed_spellings_or_no_i_don_t_need_to_b&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I've always loved the Louden Wainwright tune T.S.M.N.W.A. [They Spelled My Name Wrong Again] in which he laments over misspellings of his name on marquee after marquee ("Wainwright has two Ws"). Now I can kinda relate... Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:00:00 PST missed_spellings_or_no_i_don_t_need_to_b http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=wild_west_royalties&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ... Tue, 03 Apr 2007 00:00:00 PST wild_west_royalties http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_podcast_4_notes_the_wo&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Being that April marks my 3rd year of running The Wooden Nickel Open Mic, AND since this is my first podcast with a cold and a sore throat, I thought I'd keep the talking a bit brief this time out. In this show, I chat a little about how I ended up running an open mic... Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 PST songs_and_stories_podcast_4_notes http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php I run a monthly open mic night at the Wooden Nickel Bar and Grill in Freedom, California. In this podcast, I'll talk about how I ended up doing that and play a recording of something very very cool that happened there a few months ago. (You'll have to listen to the podcast to hear the story.) You can hear more podcasts like this one at http://www.michaelgaither.com. Podcasts Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 PDT http://michaelgaither.com/podcasts/songs_and_stories3.mp4 Michael Gaither no Welcome to Songs and Stories. Please visit this podcast at http://www.michaelgaither.com/ I run a monthly open mic night at the Wooden Nickel Bar and Grill in Freedom, California. In this podcast, I'll talk about how I ended up doing that and play a recording of something very very cool that happened there a few months ago. (You'll have to listen to the podcast to hear the story.) Read the show notes and listen to more podcasts like this one at http://www.michaelgaither.com. 00:11:14 michael, gaither, open, mic, wooden, nickel, marriage, proosal, podcasting, podcaster, folk, music, guitar http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=title&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 This podcast looks at my song "Jack of All Trades" and walks through how a tune can change between the original draft and the demo - which is included in the podcast... Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:00:00 PST songs_and_stories_podcast_3_notes http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php This episode looks at my song "Jack of All Trades" and walks through how a tune can change between the original draft and the demo - which is included in the podcast - and even in the final recording session. I also explain the story behind the lyric, "I even wrote for Jay Leno one time". You can hear more podcasts like this one at http://www.michaelgaither.com. Podcasts Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:00 PDT http://michaelgaither.com/podcasts/songs_and_stories3.mp3 Michael Gaither no Welcome to Songs and Stories. Please visit this podcast at http://www.michaelgaither.com/ This episode looks at my song "Jack of All Trades" and walks through how a tune can change between the original draft and the demo - which is included in the podcast - and even in the final recording session. I also explain the story behind the lyric, "I even wrote for Jay Leno one time". You can hear more podcasts like this one at http://www.michaelgaither.com. 00:17:33 michael, gaither, jay, leno, comedy, standup, recording, demo, tonight, show, jokes, podcasting, podcaster, folk, music, guitar http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php ...In Songs and Stories episode #2, I talk about our band and how we sort of formed by accident (a happy accident). You'll also hear what folk musicians sound like at 10:00 am on a Sunday morning as I play highlights from our recent appearance on "Please Stand By", a live weekly show on KPIG radio out of Freedom, California. Please visit this podcast at http://www.michaelgaither.com/... Podcasts Mon, 05 Mar 2007 00:00:00 PDT http://michaelgaither.com/podcasts/songs_and_stories2.mp3 Michael Gaither no Welcome to Songs and Stories. Please visit this podcast at http://www.michaelgaither.com/ In Songs and Stories episode #2, I talk about our band and how we sort of formed by accident (a happy accident). You'll also hear what folk musicians sound like at 10:00 am on a Sunday morning as I play highlights from our recent appearance on "Please Stand By", a live weekly show on KPIG radio out of Freedom, California. Please visit this podcast at http://www.michaelgaither.com/ 00:15:48 michael, gaither, kpig, kfat, radio, podcasting, podcaster, folk, music, guitar http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php ...This is my first podcast, a look at my song "Highway 17"... Podcasts Sat, 17 Feb 2007 00:10:00 PDT http://michaelgaither.com/podcasts/songs_and_stories1.mp3 Michael Gaither no Welcome to my Podcast. Please visit this podcast at http://www.michaelgaither.com/ In this premiere episode, I pick apart my song Highway 17, give you a little history of the windy mountain highway that connects Santa Cruz and San Jose, California, and take you on an audio tour of the morning commute. Please visit this podcast at http://www.michaelgaither.com/ 00:19:30 michael, gaither, highway, 17, podcast, podcasting, podcaster, folk, music, guitar http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=songs_and_stories_podcast_2_notes_the_ba&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...We had a blast playing on "Please Stand By", KPIG radio's Sunday morning live show, a couple of weeks back... Mon, 05 Feb 2007 00:00:00 PST songs_and_stories_podcast_2_notes_the_ba http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=podcast_1_notes_the_highway_17_song&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...It's up! Songs and Stories Podcast #1! In this first outing, I pick apart my song "Highway 17" and take you on a little audio tour of the highway itself... Fri, 16 Feb 2007 08:06:02 PST podcast_1_notes_the_highway_17_song http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=kpig_please_stand_by_update_for_2_18&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...Quick update: Due to countless requests (well, seven, to be honest), I wanted to let you know our time slot... Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:00:00 PST the_miller_tells_her_tale_show_188 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_miller_tells_her_tale_airplay_on_sho_188&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...I first heard about these things called podcasts a year or so back when I was looking for places to find new music (and researching spots for possible airplay when I finished my own CD). I subscribed and became a regular listener to The Miller Tells Her Tale... Tue, 06 Feb 2007 00:00:00 PST the_miller_tells_her_tale_airplay http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=happy_rat_day&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...Feb 2nd, and my day starts out at with the rat in my garage seeing his own shadow. That must mean six more weeks of setting the rat trap in the garage. I know. I know. This is really Groundhog Day. But starting my day with a rodent encounter seemed awfully appropriate... Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:00:00 PST happy_rat_day http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=past_lives_part_ii_the_santa_cruz_sentin&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...My song Jack of All Trades lists a bunch of stuff I've done to pay the bills over the years. The one gig I didn't mention was my spot as a "stringer" (freelance writer) for the Santa Cruz Sentinel... Fri, 26 Jan 2007 00:00:00 PST past_lives_part_ii_the_santa_cruz_sentin http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_blog_diaries_2006&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...I started this web site (and this blog) a little over a year ago. At the time, "Spotted Mule and Other Tales" was about one third of the way towards being a CD. Looking back, this site evolved into a blog-filled diary centered around the notion of "How do you make a CD and then what do you do with it?" Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:00:00 PST the_blog_diaries_2006 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=unabashed_praise_for_intellitouch_tuners&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...I've all but given up on the concept of "customer service" lately. Then my guitar tuner went out, and the folks at Onboard Research (makers of the Intellitouch Tuner) restored a little of my faith in humanity... Tue, 26 Dec 2006 00:00:00 PST unabashed_praise_for_intellitouch_tuners http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=spotted_mule_the_video&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...The world's just crying out for a bluegrass music video about a mule. They just don't realize it... Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:00:00 PST spotted_mule_the_video http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=live_on_kusp_fm&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...Me and the band (sans Russ, our harmonica player) were guests on KUSP FM's "Open Road" last Friday... Tue, 28 Nov 2006 00:00:00 PST live_on_kusp http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=this_saturday_michael_gaither_band_at_th&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...... Mon, 20 Nov 2006 00:00:00 PST this_saturday_michael_gaither_band http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_zebra_and_the_beast&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...A zebra had lived her entire life in a zoo, so the zoo keeper that she should spend her final years living easy on a farm... Wed, 15 Nov 2006 00:00:00 PST the_zebra_and_the_beast http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_wooden_nickel_proposal_she_says_yes&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...You never know what to expect at The Wooden Nickel Open Mic each month, and that surprise of that is half the fun. But on Nov 2nd, "surprise" hit a high point... Thu, 2 Nov 2006 00:00:00 PST the_wooden_nickel_proposal_she_says_yes http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=ray_randall_reviews_spotted_mule_and_oth&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...If you're new to my music or just interested in a nifty to place to literally hear about new Americana releases, check out the Ray Randall Reviews weekly podcast... Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:00:00 PST ray_randall_reviews_spotted_mule_and_oth http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=schedule_for_roudon_smith_post_harvest_p&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...Who worries about rain in Oct? Well, I usually do, but this year the weatherman promises warm days for the 2nd annual Post-Harvest Party at Roudon-Smith Winery... Tue, 24 Oct 2006 00:00:00 PST schedule_for_roudon_smith_post_harvest http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=hey_podcasters_need_music&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...If you're running a podcast and need music, let me recommend three songs from my CD>... Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:00:00 PST hey_podcasters_need_music http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_garberville_breakdown_and_20_20_hind&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...And so the truck with the bouncing van headed down 101... Mon, 16 Oct 2006 00:00:00 PST the_garberville_breakdown_and_20_20_hind http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=20_20_hindsight&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...Some towns just look better in your rear view mirror. My pal Tommy says never break down in Rapid City, South Dakota. My next door neighbor Ide has similar feelings about Kingman, Arizona. In our case, it's a stretch of Highway 101 near Garberville, just east of Nowhere, California... Tue, 10 Oct 2006 00:00:00 PST 20_20_hindsight http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=fall_forward_october_news_and_shows&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...We've had a little early California Fall rain, and the skies are clear again. Odd as it might sound, it's my favorite time of year: The holiday madness has yet to begin, the skies are gorgeous, and I get to finally break out my favorite wool coat... Tue, 3 Oct 2006 00:00:00 PST fall_forward_october_news_and_shows http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=voting_time_imuzik&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...I know. I know. Your snail mailbox is bombarded with hardcopy election filler. Your phone machine is jammed with prerecorded pleas from (depending on your party affiliation) Arnold or Jerry, and your television viewing is interrupted by local politicians slamming each other. So here's a voting request that only requires a little good taste... Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 PST voting_time_imuzik http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_strawberry_breakfast_club&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ...I've been going to the Strawberry Music Festival for well over ten years, and it's still impossible to pick a favorite moment over this festival that runs over the Memorial Day and Labor Day each year... Wed, 20 Sep 2006 00:00:00 PST the_strawberry_breakfast_club http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=sherry_austin_drive_on_back&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Sherry Austin has been a big influence on me since I started playing in front of people and writing about five years ago. (I still remember her reminding me to keep smiling as I played through a wrong chord here an there. Those kinda tips really stick.) Her latest CD... Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:00:00 PST sherry_austin_drive_on_back http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=ray_randall_reviews&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I discovered AmericanaRoots.com, Ray Randall, and the Randall's Random Review podcast a few months ago. Each week, Ray picks two new CDs and posts half-hour reviews of well-known and not-so-well-known Americana songwriters... Tue, 12 Sep 2006 00:00:00 PST ray_randall_reviews http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=36_songs_in_two_hours&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Thirty-six songs in two hours". That's how my pal Christian Raphael has been billing our bi-weekly gigs at the Bayview Hotel all summer. Technically, it's an "in the round"... Tue, 5 Sep 2006 00:00:00 PST 36_songs_in_two_hours http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=strawberry_bound&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 It's almost that time. We're just a few days away from the Fall edition of the Strawberry Music Festival at Camp Mather in Yosemite. For the unitiated, "Strawberry" is four days of no television, no pagers, and not a cell tower for miles... Mon, 28 Aug 2006 00:00:00 PST strawberry_bound http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=a_picture_s_worth&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I clicked around on my site recently and stumbled upon my (horribly out of date) Gallery page. I figured one photo of a mule and me skipping over horse droppings in a field simply was not an adequate representation of my recent musical antics... Thu, 24 Aug 2006 00:00:00 PST a_picture_s_worth http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=love_janis_loved_cathy&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 If you're anywhere near San Francisco, you must take it upon yourself to see "Love, Janis" at the Marines Memorial Theater. This is not a simple musical. It's a Janis Joplin concert... Wed, 16 Aug 2006 00:00:00 PST love_janis_loved_cathy http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=eli_s_coming&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I've been running the Wooden Nickel Open Mike nearly two and a half years. I continue to recieve this huge bounty of friends and musical contacts just 'cause I lug my gear into a local tavern... Sun, 06 Aug 2006 00:00:00 PST eli_s_coming http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=six_degrees_of_will_strickland&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 You just never know where an evening's gonna end up or how friends will connect you with other friends... Thu, 03 Aug 2006 00:00:00 PST six_degrees_of_will_strickland http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=michael_gaither_the_john_smith_of_the_in&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Have you ever Googled your name? Try it. You might get strange results. (Actually, using a word like "Google" as a verb is also strange, but I digress... Fri, 28 Jul 2006 00:00:00 PST michael_gaither_the_john_smith_of_the_in http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=radio_radio_yeah_airplay&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Don Darue hosts The Risky Biscuit Hayseed Hoot every Saturday morning KTHX (100.1 FM) in Reno, Nevada. The show is also carried on KPND (95.3 FM) in Sandpoint, Idaho... Wed, 19 Jul 2006 00:00:00 PST radio_radio_yeah_airplay http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=where_have_all_the_good_times_gone&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Common courtesy. Wherefore art thou? Just where exactly did you go? For the past several years, I've been spoiled on folk shows and smaller venues... Thu, 13 Jul 2006 00:00:00 PST where_have_all_the_good_times_gone http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=mule_joke_2&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 If you're going to be preoccupied with songs about beasts of burden, you might as well have the stage banter to go with it... Fri, 07 Jul 2006 00:00:00 PST mule_joke_2 http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=mama_was_a_road&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Although I might never achieve the gratification of having my songs misinterpreted so badly that they're documented at KissThisGuy.com, I have had the pleasure on numerous occasions of correcting people as to what I'm actually saying... Fri, 30 Jun 2006 00:00:00 PST mama_was_a_road http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=renn_faire_enough&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Some gigs are a lot of work. Others are a breeze. Sometimes you have a huge crowd, leaning on your every word. And sometimes, you play to a group of very-attentive hay bales. Mon, 19 Jun 2006 00:00:00 PST renn_faire_enough http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=some_party&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 wanted to put in a word of record in here to once again thank everyone who came out to my CD-release party at Roudon Smith Winery last weekend. Tue, 13 Jun 2006 00:00:00 PST some party http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=one_thousand_cds&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 It's hard to describe the feeling when you finish your first CD. It's exciting. It's a satisfying rush of closure to a big project. It's also a little overwhelming staring at a stack of 1000 discs, all with your picture on them, piled up in the spare room. Mon, 05 Jun 2006 00:00:00 PST one_thousand_cds http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=some_bright_morning&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 The last track for the CD is done. And appropriately enough, it's a gospel song that came out of a dream. Mon, 17 Apr 2006 12:29:34 -0700 some_bright_morning http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=nice_ass&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 As my friend John says, "There's a subculture for everything". Mon, 22 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 nice_ass http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=myspace_for_musicians&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 So easy even a child can assemble it. But what if you're not a child? What if you're over the age of, say 12, a musician, and want a presence up on Myspace? <more...> Thu, 04 May 2006 13:08:29 -0700 myspace_for_musicians http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=okay_so_i_drove_a_hummer&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 've come to the conclusion that there are things I'm just meant never to understand. Big cars, for example. No, not "big cars" like a '69 Super Sport Camaro. That's a big car with style. I'm referring to big SUVs. I still remember ten years ago when the most obnoxious vehicle on the road was a Road Ranger. <more...> Tue, 02 May 2006 17:06:09 -0700 okay_so_i_drove_a_hummer http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=roma_the_product_tester&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Rain or shine, it's always a good day to work at home. Standard attire consists of pajama bottoms, a tshirt, sneakers, and a KHUM hat to hide "morning hair". It's really quite a sight. Makes it particularly amusing when I come in from getting the mail and my wife sighs, "You went outside looking like THAT?!" and just shakes her head. The best thing about working at home is a dog at your side...<more> Tue, 25 Apr 2006 13:32:56 -0700 roma-the-product-tester http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=past_lives_the_radio_commercial&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 It's amazing what you can dig up out of an old desk drawer. (And there's probably a song idea buried in that thought somewhere.) When I was searching for evidence of the jokes that I sold to Jay Leno (see my last post), I found this raggedy-old cassette tape with a bunch of other old random audio on it. Along with the Leno material, I found a few song parodies that I sold to a comedy service. (Those haven't aged as well. I'll post them when I get bored one day). Then I heard found a bunch of my old KPIG ads...<more> Mon, 20 Feb 2006 08:12:15 -0800 past_lives_the_radio_commercial http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=i_even_wrote_for_jay_leno_one_time&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Starting to write a song is sometimes as easy as taking a cliche and twisting a word or two. (Of course, starting a song is easy. Finishing it is another matter, but that's best left to a future entry.) While driving to work a year or two back, a song containing the phrase, "Jack of all trades, master of none" came on the radio. Seemed a little trite to me, and then I thought, "Jack of all trades...geez...I wish I could just MASTER one"...<more> Sun, 19 Feb 2006 19:47:21 -0800 i_even_wrote_for_jay_leno_one_time http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=runnin_down_a_copyright&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 The recording effort on the CD is about 2/3 done. The working title is "Spotted Mule". (Why a mule, you ask? More on that in the "Mule Shots" entry farther down on this page.) I decided on one cover tune for the CD. After months of looking for the perfect song (went through a long list...ask any of my nearby friends...it's been torture, I'm sure) I decided on Tom Petty's "Running Down a Dream"...<more> Thu, 12 Jan 2006 09:27:43 -0800 runnin_down_a_copyright http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=baby_emma&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 A few years ago my cousin's daughter had a gorgeous little baby girl. Named her "Emily". (That makes her my third cousin, if you're doing the math at home.) Meanwhile, I had a song in the works about a baby, but the tune was just a pile of notes with an occasional rhyme in the mix. Most songs - at least mine - start that way. Then you have to force yourself to be patient until inspiration hits...<more> Sat, 07 Jan 2006 14:40:14 -0800 baby_emma http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_original_storyteller&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Today is Thanksgiving, and I received a Christmas present a whole month early: This morning I tuned into KPIG, and what do I hear? Thanksgiving Day, a BRAND NEW RAY DAVIES SONG. Well, it's a big deal for me...<more> Tue, 22 Nov 2005 14:46:01 -0800 the_original_storyteller http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=hay_it_s_not_just_for_horses_anymore&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Okay, so what's with all the mule photos? It started with this bluegrass song Spotted Mule. A month or so back, I dropped by the ranch where the mule lives and gave a copy of the song to Krista, the mule's trainer/owner...<more> Sat, 03 Dec 2005 11:44:00 -0800 hay_it_s_not_just_for_horses_anymore http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=googling_myself_1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I came across an article awhile back that described recent technology evolution in this order: First there was the personal computer. Then came the Internet. Then came Google. Think back to the stone ages - like five years ago - before "google" was a verb...<more> Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:59:35 -0800 googling_myself http://michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=me_dot_com&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I've been resisting the whole me.com thing for years. Always seemed a little pretentious, the thought of a web address with my name in it containing photos of me, my dog, and links to sites everyone already knows about ("Hey, have you seen this new thing called Google?") This songwriting thing is moving along pretty well, though. I figured it was only a matter of time...<more> Thu, 10 Nov 2005 15:01:42 -0800 me_dot_com