…and I will be this weekend. Playing at two fun shows with two good pals.
Every time I’ve been in Redding it’s either 45 degrees or 107 and smokey. Apparently there’s a two-day window in the spring when it’s perfect. So it’s spring. I’m headed back. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Redding’s a great music town, plus I have friends and family up that way. I haven’t played there in well over a year.
Tomorrow night (Friday) I’ll be drafting along to play with Jay Howlett and Rolfe Wyer at the Post Office Saloon. This semi-lengendary little music spot is located downtown at 1636 Market Street. (It really is the old post office. The men’s room even has a metal “Mail” sign on the door.) We’ll play from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm…or until when everyone’s simply had enough. No cover, and I completely expect a few local friends to drop by and join in, as well. (Hint, hint…Jim Dyar, are you reading this?)
On Saturday, Jay, Rolfe, and I take part in Damboree 2012, located in Clair Engle Park. A whole bunch of stuff takes place at this local festival. There’s a pancake breakfast starting at 6:00 am, a parade at 10:00 am, the festival itself – with free admission – beginning at 11:00 am. Jay and Rolfe kick off the music at 11:00 am. I play at 3:00 pm. More info is in the flier below:
Of course, even the casual visitor to this site knows that Redding always immediately brings to mind the late, great (and man, do we miss him) Chuck McCabe. Chuck was very fond of Redding, and chronicled some of that sentiment in the song “I’d Rather Be In Redding,”, which appeared on his final album, “Creatures of Habit”. Chuck also made the run up north many times with Jay and Rolfe. I’m hoping and expecting to hear some great Chuck stories on the way up and back this weekend.