Tim Brickley on Blogger

A Vote For Us Is A Vote For Rock!

2012-01-27T11:35:00.001-05:00

OK, we're in this big contest with (almost) every other band around here to be the one Indiana band chosen to open the big pre-Super Bowl "Rolling Stone Rock and Roll Tailgate Party" featuring The Roots and Jane's Addiction. We can't win, but it's been fun. But vote anyway - every day 'til Sunday January 29th - we are putting up some respectable numbers!!! Thank you all......

http://do317.com/rollingstonecontest/tim-brickley-and-the-bleeding-hearts

The Birth of "Dough-Re-Gami"....

2011-11-29T11:32:00.000-05:00

Had a lovely evening playing w/ the Quintet at the Chatterbox this past Saturday night. When the fabled Chatterbox tip bucket came back at the end of the first set, I looked down......and there these were looking up at me: two cute, perfect little pointy-toed boots folded out of dollar bills. (Given the season - and the color - elf boots perhaps?). Anyway, they were - and are - rather astonishingly crafted, standing fully upright on their own, very sturdy - and the oddest thing to ever show up in the fabled Chatterbox tip bucket, which is truly saying something. The lovely woman who made them explained at one point in her life she had been a waitress in a truck stop and one of her customers showed her the boot/dollar trick. I wish I would have gotten her name, because I think she's on to something here. Not only do I want to order a few pairs as gifts, but I think there's a coffee table book in the offing. How many other things can you fold out of a dollar bill? There must be hundreds out there! (PS: "Dough-Re-Gami" is copyright 2011, yours truly...)

New video of "The Man With The Golden Tune".

2011-11-08T10:49:00.001-05:00

A few years back, I helped talented songwriter Peter Weisz by performing and producing some of his vast song catalog, including a moving tribute to lengendary Chicago folk music legend Steve Goodman. Titled "The Man With The Golden Tune", the recording was featured on a companion CD that accompanied Clay Eals recent biography of Steve, "Steve Goodman: Facing The Music", and now Peter has put together a video of the song featuring some great archival footage and pics of Steve. Enjoy!

http://web.mac.com/pweisz/iWeb/PetersPortfolio/SteveGoodman.html

Final performances of "Spring Awakening": tonight and Sunday, October 30th!

2011-10-29T10:09:00.000-04:00

Two more chances to see the extended run of "Spring Awakening": tonight at 6PM, and tomorrow at 5PM. It's been a great run, we are all sad to see it go - and a heartfelt thanks to the Phoenix for assembling such an inspiring team and producing such an important show. A joy to go to work for sure, these last couple of months.....

"Spring Awakening" is open at the Phoenix thru Oct. 23rd.

2011-09-24T16:26:00.001-04:00

It's opening weekend, so this will be brief: our production of the musical "Spring Awakening" is now open at the Phoenix Theatre, where it will run thru October 23rd. Directed by Bryan Fonseca, with musical direction by myself and Kevin D. Smith, it's a fabulous show (2007 Tony for best musical) and is a modern rock adaptation (by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik) of a controversial 1890's German play about teen sexual/social angst (by Frank Wedekind.) Got all that? All you really need to know is it rocks: the mostly young twenty-something cast is really good, as is the set (Bernie Killian) and the lighting (Laura Glover). And I need seven guitars to pull off all the guitar parts - a "guitarsenal" (copyright 2010 Scott Sanders) to be sure....The reviewers who saw it opening night seem to agree: "Electric" wrote Jay Harvey in the Indianapolis Star, and Alison Carter's headline on Indymojo cracked me up: "Raw, dirty and wonderful." Hope you can make it to the show. Thursdays at 7PM, fri/Sat at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM....

Also: "Prine: A Tribute Concert" is running NOW at the Carmel Community Playhouse in Clay Terrace!

2011-08-26T12:27:00.001-04:00

"Prine: A Tribute Concert" (the theatrical concert experience formerly known as "Pure Prine") returns to the Indianapolis area this week and next, as a fundraising event for the Carmel Community Players (a vibrant, volunteer-run company that's been producing quality theater since 1993.)

The original all-singing and playing cast is here: Tim Grimm, Jan Lucas-Grimm, Bobbi Lancaster, Michael Shelton, Jenni Gregory and your's truly. Six people sitting around playing and singing 32 Prine classics, in a unique, storytelling manner, conceived and directed by Phoenix Theatre Artistic Director Bryan Fonseca.

The show, first produced as "Pure Prine" in May 2010 at the Phoenix, is in it's 5th production, including stints in Madison, IN and this January in Chicago, IL. Mary Houlihan, in the Chicago Sun-Times, wrote:

"Fonseca lets the songs unfold organically in a simple, barroom setting. There is no storyline, no real dialog. Yet, hints of a story about relationships come through thanks to Prine's story songs, and the subtle interactions of the performers, all of whom are actors as well as fine musicians and singers..."

Lou Harry, in the Indianapolis Business Journal, called the show: "...a remarkable achievement....Prine's songs are seamlessly adapted for the stage..."

And Hope Baugh, in Indy Theater Habit, said: "I loved it - it was unlike any show I've ever seen."

Me a midst the groovy Grimm's....

Performances are at the CCP's Carmel Community Playhouse (14299 Clay Terrace Blvd., Carmel, IN.), their spacious, modern facility located in the Clay Terrace shopping area (a block south of the fabulous Kona Grill.) This weekend, Friday 8,26, and Saturday 8.27 at 8PM and Sunday 8.28 at 2:30PM, next week Thursday 9.1 and Saturday 9.3 (no Friday show) at 8PM and finishing up Sunday 9.4 at 2:30PM. Tickets are available at the CCP website by clicking here!

Late night acoustic set this Saturday night at the new "1001" in Broad Ripple!

2011-08-25T15:55:00.000-04:00

Hello, people! Just back from what turned out to be an epic road trip West. Good to be back in beautiful Sobro - but the best news of the return is I'm going to do a late night acoustic set - 11PM to 2AM - at the new 1001 restaurant/bar in Broad Ripple. Right across from the liquor store - out on the groovy patio. (I will, of course, be playing whatever you call out from my epic 200-song The List)....1001 was just featured today in the Indy Star weekend section (click here for story) and it looks like it's going to be an awesome new place for a sophisticated night out....More later and see you soon......(Here's a North Dakota lonesome highway snapshot:....)

"Indianapolis Star" feature heralds last "Zoomerville" weekend.....

2011-05-26T13:52:00.005-04:00

("Zoomerville" cast Michael Shelton, Trevor Fanning, Phebe Taylor, Scot Greenwell, Mikayla Reed and Jolene Moffat. Photo by Frank Espich/The Indianapolis Star)

Woke up to a lovely interview/photo feature by Amanda Kingsbury and Frank Espich in the Star this morning regarding our last weekend of "The Zippers Of Zoomerville" (Shows tonight at 7PM, Friday 5.27 and Sat 5.28 at 8PM. Call the Phoenix Theatre at 317.635.PLAY or click for tix!) It's been a good run, something like this is always an adventure with an always different itinerary and I'd be remiss if I didn't thank: 1) The Phoenix for rolling the dice and giving the show another shot, 2) Jack O'Hara for a brilliant show that I - and many others - do indeed love and 3) the very talented cast and crew who have once again turned an evolving work-in-progress into something real that gets a boatload of laughs.

So it's onward and upward. My "Year of Theatah" continues this month, helping Bob Harbin with musical direction for his Bobdirex production of the Disney teen musical "Camp Rock", which opens July1st for nine performances at the Athenaeum Theatre. Attended my first rehearsal a few days ago, and he has assembled an fabulous cast culled from the choral cream of various area high schools. (Not surprising, in that he was a Fox Television casting executive for many years.) More on this - and a summer return to actually going out and playing some music (!?!?) - later.

"Get Your Motors Running!": The "Zippers Of Zoomerville" returns to the Phoenix Theatre April 28 - May 28, 2011!

2011-04-28T14:44:00.003-04:00

Get Your Motors Running! The wacky "Gilbert and Sullivan Meets The Indy 500" musical I helped the uber-talented Jack O'Hara finish and debut in 2009, "The Zippers Of Zoomerville", is back for a retooled May run at the Phoenix Theatre here in Indianapolis! I urge you all to attend, as many times as possible, with as many friends and relatives as possible, as the show really is a blast. I'm a bit of a junior creative partner on this one, so allow me to triumphantly sing the show's praises:

+ Jack's script (he wrote the book and lyrics, he and I collaborated on the music) is incredibly funny, sly, dense, flippant, witty, chock full of allusion and illusion, a wry send-up of light opera, pop culture, open wheel racing and all things ridiculously "May in Indianapolis". But, umm, it's set in the mythical town of Zoomerville and centers on the wacky goings-on surrounding the fictional (yet oddly annual) "Zoomvee 499" auto race, and all the oft-silly pomp and pageantry surrounding said race.

+ The 6-person cast is an amazingly talented group of actors and singers. Four cast members return from the original production: Scot Greenwell as rookie driver/bumpkin saviour John Hoosier Lordy Boy, Jr......Phebe Taylor as reluctant "499 Queen" Happenstance Throttlehotter.........Michael Shelton (my fellow "Prine" cast member) as surly veteran champion driver Rusty Nubbins........and Mikayla Reed as scheming, everpresent Queen runner-up Veneera Glossover. The two new cast members - godsends both - are Jolene Moffatt as track matriarch Speedlove Throttlehotter and Trevor Fanning as the greedy real estate developer who wants to turn the Zoomvee track into condos, Buck Upshotz. It's a really fast-paced production, tons of costume changes, running around - and they are all really funny and wonderful performers.

+ Once again, Bryan Fonseca's the producer, Jack once again directs, and I return once again as musical director and accompanist.

I do hope you can make it - and please tell every person that you've ever known about it! The shows are Thursdays at 7PM, Fridays/Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM, April 28 - May 28. Click here to get to the Phoenix website for tickets!

Different Beat Radio, Episode #8:Our Second Year, Nearing 2000 Downloads, A Growing International Audience and..... "Welcome To The Family/Riding With The King"!

2011-04-04T11:43:00.003-04:00

Different Beat Radio, (new music from the wilds of Indiana, hosted by singer/songwriter/producer Tim Brickley) is back with Episode #8: “Welcome To The Family/Riding With The King”. Singer/songwriter/brother Pat Brickley is onboard for a wide-ranging interview and to spin various selected tracks he’s written and recorded through the years,

Patrick "King" Brickley and King, Jr.

including the power pop coed anthem “Tri Delt Girls”, the lovely yet ill-fated movie song miss “Henry Poole Is Here", Elvis and Nat “King” Cole tributes and more. What kind of “more”, you ask? Well, a rare live cut (“Sweet Mary Kay”, an early David Rheins/TB song) from Tim’s mid-80’s band Today’s Icons - warming up Culture Club, no less!?!, and

Today's Icons, in front of a giant Culture Club banner (1984)

“World” written by and featuring Tim’s other (and first, we might add) singer/songwriter brother Chuck,

Chuck Brickley, laying it down in mock turtleneck. (1966)

and some archival audio advertising arcana from Tom Gulley, Rene Longoria and TB. (Approx 36 mins., 2011)

Solo acoustic tonight at the Monkey's Tale, 10PM....

2011-03-05T14:38:00.001-05:00

Turns out I'm working tonight, a solo gig at the Monkey's Tale (10PM, 925 E, Westfield Blvd. 46220) getting warmed up, I suppose, for the hell of a summer the band is going to have out on the deck this year. Tonight will be interesting - on many levels, I'm sure - but mostly for the fact it's going to be the first time I'm really going to get to experiment onstage with an incredible new piece of equipment I've just gotten hold of. It's the most amazingly musical pieces of visionary audio technology I've experienced in a long, long time. If you are familiar with my recording arrangement and production style, you know that harmony/group vocal arrangements - often overdubbed by myself - are a big part of it. And as such, really hard to pull off live. No more, with this little box of black magic. That's all I'm going to say for now. You have to hear it to believe it. And I hope you will......

No show tonight in Anderson - but an interesting musical weekend ahead!

2011-02-24T15:34:00.003-05:00

   Hey, folks: due to the incoming winter weather, Tim at Greek's Pizzeria in Anderson has asked we postpone tonight's show. I told him to send me 4 large Greek's Specials via courier and we'd be cool. (Hardy-har-har.) With the glorious coming of upcoming glorious spring, we are going to get on a bit more regular schedule (music-wise) up there, so stay tuned.
   In other weekend music news, I'm solo acoustic at the fabulous Fishers location of fabulous Chateau Thomas Winery this Friday night, 2,25, performing whatever you call off my 200-song (and growing) The List.
   The next night, Saturday 2.26, I'm going to be performing with the incredibly fun and talented Karen Irwin up at George's (in the Avalon Crossing shopping plaza, approx 71st and Binford) at 8PM. I had worked with Karen in the past at the Phoenix in a few shows she was acting in, but a few weeks ago got my first chance to play some music with her, and it was a blast. She's a great, cool, soulful singer who sings a wide mix of songs - from standards to Janis to Rickie Lee to Corinne Rae Bailey. And she's a wacky, up-front performer who has no problem going over and sitting next to drunk semi-hecklers at the bar in her prom dress with her wireless mic, winning them over. Should be blast - and hope to see you soon......TB

Larry DeMyer: Fearless Guitar Warrior, Part Two.

2011-02-14T16:51:00.000-05:00

The Chicago Sun-Times and The Chicagoist love "Prine: A Tribute Concert", which is heading (sliding) into it's final Chicago weekend....

2011-02-03T12:37:00.005-05:00

It's Thursday, and I'm still in Indianapolis, my second day of beating through our currently never-ending landscape of solid ice, trying (unsuccessfully, repeatedly) not to fall down. Our brothers and sisters in Chicago are digging out from their 3rd worst snowstorm in history - and it takes a whopper of historic proportions to slow them down. But the show must - I'm assuming, at this point - go on.

So, here we go, about to launch into our fourth and final weekend of "Prine: A Tribute Concert" at the Viaduct Theater in Chicago (this Friday 2.4 at 7:30PM, Saturday 2.5 at 5PM and 7PM, and Sunday 2.6 at 3PM.) It's been an amazing experience for me: reconnecting with Chicago and with Chicago friends, making new friends, and participating in the continuing evolution of this show.

Two new, can't-believe-they-like it-as-much-as-we-do reviews to share. The first is a full review by Mary Houlihan in the Chicago Sun-Times:

"CORRECT MUSICAL FORMULA FOUND FOR PRINE NUMBERS
by Mary Houlihan (mhoulihan@suntimes.com) / Jan. 21, 2011, 4:21PM

Failed jukebox musicals are many. “Ring of Fire” (Johnny Cash), “Lennon” (John Lennon) and “The Times They Are A-Changin’” (Bob Dylan) all debuted on Broadway with much fanfare and quickly disappeared. But Indianapolis-based Phoenix Theatre has come up with a winning formula in the music-drenched show “Prine: A Tribute Concert,” running at the Viaduct Theater through Feb. 6.

Here, director Bryan Fonseca gets it right by keeping it simple.

It doesn’t hurt that he has great music to work with and six talented performers to present it. Each obviously loves a song made complex by stunning wordplay and simple chords, all of which Prine does throughout his vast songbook.

The two-hour show, which debuted earlier last year at Phoenix where Fonseca is producing director, is presented locally by Here Today Enterprises, in association with Phoenix and Prop Thtr. The performers are Tim Brickley, Tim Grimm, Bobbie Lancaster, Jan Lucas-Grimm, Megon McDonough and Michael Shelton.

Of course, the show should easily find an audience here since Chicago fans call the Nashville-based Prine their own. He grew up in Maywood and was a central figure in the Chicago folk movement, performing at clubs like the Earl of Old Town and the Quiet Knight along with pals such as Steve Goodman, Bonnie Koloc, Fred Holstein and Jim Post. But those days were decades ago and much of the music has fallen by the wayside.

What “Prine: A Tribute Concert” does is prove just how lasting the songs are, allowing the audience to really absorb Prine’s lyrics and the messages behind them.

The songs — more than 30 are performed — have a country-folk charm. They can be silly and whimsical (“It’s a Big Old Goofy World”) or realistically heartbreaking (“Speed of the Sound of Loneliness”).

Fonseca lets the songs unfold organically in a simple barroom setting. There is no dialogue, no real storyline. Yet hints of a story about relationships come through thanks to Prine’s story songs and the subtle interactions of the performers, all of whom are actors as well as fine musicians and singers.

Lancaster’s sassy twang is perfect on “They Oughta Name a Drink After You” and heartbreaking on “Bruised Orange.” McDonough smoothly beautiful vocals shown on “Sam Stone” and “Angel from Montgomery.” Scattered among the solo performances were nicely calibrated duets, including the Grimms’ crowd-pleasing take on Prine’s silly rant “In Spite of Ourselves.”

What gives the show cred is the fact that the singers never try to imitate Prine but rather to interpret the songs in their own individual way, drawing out the humor, pain, truth and beauty of each. In the end, Prine’s lyrically rich songbook is the true star of this performance piece."

The second is in the outstanding arts and entertainment website "The Chicagoist", by Michele Lenni. (If you have time, follow the well-researched links in her article, very nicely done!)

"PRINE: A TRIBUTE CONCERT
by Michele Lenni / January 28, 2011, 2PM

One of the most forgotten musical treasures of the grand history of music in Chicago has to be John Prine. Born and raised here in the city limits, he is probably one of the most prolific and discerning lyricists of his or any generation. Prine began his musical journey at 14 when he learned the guitar from his brother David Prine and ended up being lauded by the likes of Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Kris Kristofferson to name a few. After serving a term in Vietnam in the mid '60s he returned to Maywood Illinois to take a job as a postman. In his spare time he attended open mic nights at Fifth Peg on Armitage Avenue, where eventually he brought his compositions to the stage. He was then reviewed by Roger Ebert and eventually rose to fame as a central figure in Chicago Folk Revival, which also included such singer-songwriters as Steve Goodman, Bonnie Koloc, Jim Post and Fred Holstein.

Years later, after much critical success, he has recieved a Grammy, a Lifetime Achievement Award for songwriting by the UK's BBC Radio 2 and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. It is no surprise to us that his hometown is choosing to honor his ability and achievement this weekend with a Tribute concert at Roscoe Village's Viaduct Theater.

Prine: A Tribute Concert, directed by Bryan Fonseca, is a stellar line-up of 30-plus Prine compositions, and a prestigious cast including Chicago-based singer-songwriter Megon McDonough. The Sun Times recently heralded the virtues of this production:

"...Fonseca lets the songs unfold organically in a simple barroom setting. There is no dialogue, no real storyline. Yet hints of a story about relationships come through thanks to Prine’s story songs and the subtle interactions of the performers, all of whom are actors as well as fine musicians and singers."

In the dark and velvety theater musical director Tim Brickley is setting Prine's pennings center-stage with no narration what-so-ever. Minimal lighting, staging and an ever-so-subtle multi-generational ensemble characterazation. The shining star of these performances is truly Prine's poetic and complex songs, which really, we wouldn't have it any other way.

Prine: A Tribute Concert, Viaduct Theater, 3111 N Western Ave, Through 2/6: Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m., $20-$25, All Ages"

Also this week: I just wrote some music and created sound design for the next Phoenix show, "Goldie, Max and Milk" which opens tonight. Bryan Fonseca directs. It's a new play, an edgy, darkly-comic piece concerning a brand-new mother, who has just broken up with her girlfriend (whose pot-dealing brother is the bio dad) and who is now working with a devoutly Jewish lactation consultant. Got it? In short, the sort of play the Phoenix was founded upon, lo those many years ago! It's set in current-day Brooklyn, the cast and crew have really risen to the new play challenge and I'm happy with how the music turned out, which I'll post soon somewhere so you can hear it. Better yet - go see the play if you're not coming to Chicago! (It runs through 2.27.)

And then it's back to work here for the rest of February, upcoming shows at The Fountain Square Theatre Swing Night (2.11) and The Chatterbox (2.20) with the Quintet, solo acoustic shows at Greek's in Anderson (2.24) and Chateau Thomas in Fishers (2.25), plus an upcoming triumphant return of the rock band to the always-festive YATS Fat Tuesday fling in March.....

Hang in there, kids. Predicted temps above freezing this weekend......

"Prine: A Tribute Concert" opens to raves in the Chicago Reader, the Chicago Sun-Times, Metromix Chicago and on WGN Radio!

2011-01-20T14:06:00.001-05:00

Here's the latest on our current roadshow adventure:

"Prine: A Tribute Concert" opened this past weekend

at the Viaduct Theater in Chicago, the first reviews

are in, and the Good People With Broad Shoulders

seem to be digging it!

Dan Jakes writes in The Chicago Reader:

"Soulful and gimmick-free, this spirited show breathes
new life into 32 songs by folk legend John Prine. Set
against a simple red curtain, with some beer bottles
and tables onstage for atmosphere, this is a
no-narration concert. Director Bryan Fonseca allows
Prine's songs to speak for themselves by backing them
with only minimal staging and subtle ensemble
characterization. His efforts highlight the music's
inherent theatricality and heighten the full-bodied
arrangements by music director Tim Brickley. The
cast is vocally and generationally diverse, shedding
new light on classics like the cheeky reefer anthem
"Illegal Smile" and the heartbreaking Vietnam vet
ballad "Sam Stone." Whether you know the words
or not, an hour in, you may feel like singing along.."

Read the full "Reader" review here.

In the Chicago Sun-Times theater listings, staff writer

Mary Houlihan gives us a coveted "highly recommended"

after the production's listing/summation. A portend

of a review to come? Hmmm.....

Read "Highly Recommended" from the "Sun-Times".

In the Chicago Metromix, reader/reviewer/

audience member"TL5Emeritus" writes on January

16, 2011 at 10:50 PM:

"My sweetie and I attended the Sunday matinee

performance of this tribute to John Prine. We were
touched by the great music and we found new
appreciation for his song-writing artistry.
The performers were excellent musicians and
brought John's music to life with subtle vignettes
worked into their performances. It was our first
visit to the Viaduct and we both love the cozy/casual

ambience of the place. We both heartily endorse

the show and the venue."

Read the full Metromix comment/review here.

And our intrepid co-producer, the inspiring Scott

Vehill of Chicago's Prop Thtr (yes, that's how they

spell it!?!?) has appeared the last two Sundays on

"The Sunday Paper's With Rich Kogan" on

WGN Radio AM-720. The first appearance, on

Jan 9, is a great introduction to Scott, The Prop,

and "Prine: A Tribute Concert". Kogan's a fabulous

radio personality and I could listen to Scott talk all day......

Download/listen to 1.9.10 "Sunday Papers w/ Rich Kogan"

This past Sunday's segment was primarily on the "Fringe

Fest"-like RHINOFEST theatre festival currently running

at both stages at the Prop - but it has a great beginning

bit about the "Prine" opening weekend:

Download/listen to 1.16.10 "Sunday Papers w/ Rich Kogan"

We'll keep you posted on further developments. In the meantime

- click here to get tickets to the show! Showtimes are 7PM on

Fridays, 5PM and 7:30PM on Saturdays (note: no shows on

Sat. Jan. 29, though) and Sundays at 3PM....

We're taking "Prine: A Tribute Concert" to Chicago!

2010-12-29T09:19:00.003-05:00

For those of you who gloriously followed our "Pure Prine" project, we have great news to share: the new touring-friendly. concert-only production "Prine: A Tribute Concert". Same tremendous line-up of 30-plus John Prine compositions, and same tremendous cast - with one notable exception: the very talented (and very pregnant) Jenni Gregory has been replaced by delightful Chicago-based singer-songwriter Megon McDonough. Lou Harry, in the Indianapolis Business Journal, just listed "Pure Prine" in his "Ten Best Of The Year" column, and here's what he says:

"The Phoenix Theatre not only staged, but created. “Pure Prine” transcended the usual jukebox musical to such an extent that it was brought back for a revisit just months later. It’s also likely to have an afterlife, with a concert version opening this month in Chicago. See what happens when great raw material, a first-rate cast, and an ideal set are managed by a talented director with a passion for the material? This one made it look easy, but anyone who knows theater knows it wasn’t. Kudos to all involved. Some of the “Pure Prine” crew were also involved in the infectious, surprisingly joyful “Hoosier Dylan” at the Athenaeum..."

The shows run Friday, Saturday (two shows) and Sunday, starting January 14th. (No show on Jan. 29). Hope you can make it! Who doesn't love Chicago in the winter, you babies!

Different Beat Radio #7: "That Time Of The Year: 2010 Holidaze Edition"

2010-12-24T09:33:00.000-05:00

Peace on Earth and Goodwill Toward Men, everybody! Different Beat Radio returns just in time to close out the year with the long-awaited "Episode #7: That Time Of The Year: 2010 Holidaze Edition." A cornucopia of seasonally aural delights of all creeds and denomination, including:

+ "That Time Of The Year", the original recording of Tim's holiday chestnut that appeared on the 1995 WTTS-FM "Overeasy Xmas" CD that also featured holiday fare from Matthew Sweet, Lisa Germano and Henry Lee Summer...

+ Two tracks produced by Tim for the Phoenix Theatre "A Very Phoenix Xmas" franchise: "How Do You Spell Channukkahh" (written by Adam Gardner of Guster fame) and "Toys", from a sketch written by Tim and Bryan Fonseca for this year's "Regifted" production...

+ A wonderful "found" gospel medley courtesy of Emmett Cooper and Lloyd, Avanell, Bertha and Floyd, recorded in southern Indiana sometime in the early to mid-1940's...

+ The quirky "I Saw Santa Driving A Hearse" from Louisville's quirky "Rock and Roll Grandpa" Lynn Charles (Chuck) Foster...

and....

+ The soon-to-be-holiday-classic "May Your Light Shine Brightly" from Detroit's Rosetta Pebble, from their upcoming album which may or may not be titled "Three"...

Plus, a holiday gift for you from Ben Wah Salami,

and information on the upcoming January, 2011 Chicago production of the new "Prine: A Tribute Concert".

(2010, approx 30 mins.)

Pre-empted at Scotty's Lakehouse

2010-11-11T09:59:00.004-05:00

Just a quick note: I have been pre-empted for awhile at Scotty's Lakehouse. So no gig tonight or on 11.18. The return of "Thursday Night Football" means I can work instead on all the music that is due soon for the upcoming "A Very Phoenix Xmas #5: Re-gifted", which opens the day after Thanksgiving at - of course - the Phoenix Theatre. More on all of this later - hopefully back at Scotty's after football season! And don't forget to thank all the folks in your life who've served in the Armed Forces today .....

"Pure Prine" November 19 and 20 in Madison, IN!

2010-11-01T16:55:00.003-04:00

   Our little musical, "Pure Prine: The Music Of John Prine" will hit the road for the first time later this month in a stripped-down, "theatrical concert" version debuting November 19th and 20th at the Riverrun Theatre in Madison, IN. Presented by the Cultural Continuum of Madison, and co-produced by both the Phoenix and Riverrun Theatres, the show will differ somewhat from the original Phoenix production of earlier this year - mostly in the lack of the elaborate bar set (we'll suggest the bar on a mostly-bare stage with some tables, a jukebox, etc.) Also, lovely and talented Jenni Gregory (waitress "Angel" in the show) must be pretty darn well showing her marvelous pregnancy by now, which is going to add in interesting dynamic to the various overlapping love triangles onstage.
   As you may know, "Pure Prine" was conceived by Phoenix Artistic Director Bryan Fonseca, a near life-long Prine fanatic, and it tells the interwoven stories of six characters in a bar, playing and singing approximately 30 Prine classics, with no dialog - the songs tell the story. Besides myself and Jenni, the rest of the cast is: the marvelous talented couple of Tim Grimm and Jan Lucas-Grimm. Bloomington singer-songwriter Bobbie Lancaster, and Phoenix stalwart Michael Shelton.
   Showtime is 7:30PM each night, and the Rivverun Theatre is at 125/127 E. Main in beautiful, downtown Madison. Click here or the title of this entry - to get your tickets now. In related news, a deal is in the works to bring "Pure Prine" for a run in Chicago early next year (it's coming right up, you know...) Stay tuned for details.

Todd Rundgren/Daryl Hall : Can We Still Be Friends?"

2010-10-12T12:14:00.001-04:00

When I saw Todd Rundgren last year at Depauw U., he mentioned recently being on Daryl Hall's internet TV show, "Live from Daryl's Place". I finally looked it up. Wow. Great band, great arrangement of this great song from Todd's great 1978 "Hermit Of Mink Hollow" LP. Both of these guys still possess amazing voices, eh?

The List.

2010-10-02T17:35:00.006-04:00

It varies. It's a life work in-progress. It's whatever little musical bender I'm on at the time. It's a hell of a lot of fun. We've gotten to a place in the band where some shows we throw THE LIST of tunes we can do out there and let the audience call the show. (Inspired, I mean ripped-off, from my brother Chuck's favorite bar band from Vancouver BC, The Bobcats.) Tried it for the first time in a Broad Ripple bar last week at the Monkey's Tale, and it was a bloody blast, moments of the true cosmic throb, cel phones were ignored. Rock and Roll is like democracy, it's a participatory sport. (We're back at the Tale, 10:30PM, on October 9th - which would have been John Lennon's 70th - and the 22nd.)

1 A Long December COUNTING CROWS

2 A Song For You LEON RUSSELL

3 Across The Universe BEATLES

4 Ain’t Too Proud To Beg TEMPTATIONS

5 Alison ELVIS COSTELLO

6 All Along The Watchtower DYLAN/HENDRIX/DMB

7 All I Want Is You U2

8 All Over Now ROLLING STONES

9 Ain’t No New Girls Around TB AND THE BH

America

SIMON AND GARFUNKEL

11 Androgynous REPLACEMENTS

12 Amoreena ELTON JOHN

13 Ash and Blame (One Day, Jack) TB AND THE BH

14 Baby, It’s You BEATLES/BURT BACHARACH

15 Babylon DAVID GRAY

16 Back In The USSR BEATLES

17 Bang A Gong (Get It On) T. REX

18 Behind Blue Eyes THE WHO

19 Bennie and the Jets ELTON JOHN

20 Brandy LOOKING GLASS

21 Carolina In My Mind JAMES TAYLOR

22 Casey Jones GRATEFUL DEAD

23 Cinnamon Girl NEIL YOUNG

24 City Of New Orleans STEVE GOODMAN

25 Close To You CARPENTERS/BACHARACH

26 Country Road JAMES TAYLOR

27 Crazy Mary PEARL JAM

28 Dancing With Myself BILLY IDOL

29 Daydream LOVIN’ SPOONFUL

30 Dead Flowers ROLLING STONES

31 Doctor My Eyes JACKSON BROWNE

32 Don’t Think Twice DYLAN

33 Domino VAN MORRISON

34 Downtown Train TOM WAITS

35 Drift Away DOBIE GRAY

36 Duncan PAUL SIMON

37 Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere NEIL YOUNG

38 Fire BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN/POINTER SISTERS

39 For What It's Worth BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD

40 Friend Of The Devil GRATEFUL DEAD

41 Good Morning, Hackensack TB AND THE BH

42 Gone Daddy Gone V. FEMMES/GNARLS BARKLEY

43 Got To Get Back Home TB AND THE BH

44 Hallelujah LEONARD COHEN

45 Have A Little Faith In Me JOHN HIATT

46 Have I Told You Lately? VAN MORRISON

47 Here Comes A Regular REPLACEMENTS

48 I Ain’t Ever Satisfied STEVE EARLE

49 I Am A Patriot JACKSON BROWNE/LITTLE STEVEN

50 I Can't Tell You Why EAGLES

51 I Saw Her Standing There BEATLES

52 I See You In Everything TB AND THE BH

53 (I Want To Give To) Charity TB AND THE BH

54 I Wish I Was Your Mother MOTT THE HOOPLE

55 I Won’t Back Down TOM PETTY

56 I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight DYLAN

57 I’m A Believer MONKEES/NEIL DIAMOND

58 I’m On Fire BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

59 I’m So Tired BEATLES

60 If Not For You BOB DYLAN/GEORGE HARRISON

61 Into The Great Wide Open TOM PETTY

62 Is She Really Going Out With Him? JOE JACKSON

63 It’s Only Rock and Roll ROLLING STONES

64 It’s Over (The Fat Gal Is Singing) TB AND THE BH

65 Jumpin’ Jack Flash ROLLING STONES

66 Just Breathe PEARL JAM

67 Lay Down Sally ERIC CLAPTON

68 Lay Lady Lay DYLAN

69 Let It Bleed ROLLING STONES

70 Levon ELTON JOHN

71 Like A Rolling Stone DYLAN

72 Lodi CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL

73 Lola KINKS

74 Long Distance Love TB AND THE BH

75 Long May You Run NEIL YOUNG

76 Lost Highway HANK WILLIAMS

77 Man On The Moon REM

78 Man Out Of Time ELVIS COSTELLO

79 Mary Jane’s Last Dance TOM PETTY

80 Melissa ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND

81 Message In A Bottle POLICE

82 Mighty Quinn, The DYLAN

83 Mr. Bojangles DIRT BAND

84 Never Been To Spain THREE DOG NIGHT

85 North Dakota LYLE LOVETT

86 Oliver’s Army EVIS COSTELLO

87 Only The Good Die Young BILLY JOEL

88 Ophelia THE BAND

89 Out Of Control DAVE ALVIN

90 Paradise JOHN PRINE

91 Photograph RINGO

92 Prove It All Night BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

93 Radio, Radio ELVIS COSTELLO

94 Rain BEATLES

95 Raspberry Beret PRINCE

96 Reckless With Love TB AND THE BH

97 Revolution BEATLES

98 River, The BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

99 Rock and Roll LOU REED/VELVET UNDERGROUND

100 Rocket Man ELTON JOHN

101 Scientist, The COLDPLAY

102 She Can Take Me For A Ride TB AND THE BH

103 Should I Stay (Or Should I Go?) CLASH

104 Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay OTIS REDDING

105 Sitting, Waiting, Wishing JACK JOHNSON

106 Sixteen Days WHISKEYTOWN/RYAN ADAMS

107 Slow Turning JOHN HIATT

108 Something In You TB AND THE BH

109 Step In Peace (Tic Tac Toe) TB AND THE BH

110 Sunny Afternoon KINKS

111 Sunshine Superman DONOVAN

112 Sweet Jane LOU REED/VELVET UNDERGROUND

113 Sweetheart Like You BOB DYLAN

114 Tangled Up In Blue DYLAN

115 Tequila Sunrise EAGLES

116 Under The Milky Way THE CHURCH

117 Up On Cripple Creek THE BAND

118 Wagon Wheel OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW

119 Waiting On A Friend ROLLING STONES

120 We Were High TB AND THE BH

121 Weight, The THE BAND

122 When You Were Mine PRINCE

123 While My Guitar Gently Weeps BEATLES

124 Who Says? JOHN MAYER

125 Wild Horses ROLLING STONES

126 Willin’ LITTLE FEAT

127 With A Little Help From My Friends BEATLES

128 Workin’ At The Car Wash Blues JIM CROCE

129 Yellow COLDPLAY

130 Yes, It Is BEATLES

131 You Always Were The First TB AND THE BH

132 You Can’t Always Get What You Want STONES

133 You Wreck Me TOM PETTY

134 You’ve Got A Friend CAROLE KING/J.T

All Hail WITT-FM!

2010-09-08T10:10:00.003-04:00

I have been incredibly remiss in not congratulating Jim Walsh and all the folks at our (relatively) new community radio station, WITT-FM, for recently celebrating their first year on the air. An incredible achievement of pure dedication by longtime hip broadcaster Mr. Walsh, and an excellent implementation by all involved! A-Squared Radio, Matt Masters' Rock N Rhythm Revue, and Stuck In The Psychedelic Era are my current fave shows. I hope to track the hosts down and interview them soon. Thanks, folks - for brightening our lives!

Different Beat Radio #6: "Pure Prine" returns, The Elect, Punkin Holler Boys, Simon Brawl, Lon Ohnder

2010-09-07T11:54:00.000-04:00

Different Beat Radio returns with the long-awaited Episode #6! Tim gives you the rundown on the remounting of "Pure Prine: The Music Of John Prine", which is playing now thru September 12, 2010 at the Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis. The show features Tim playing and singing with amazing cohorts Michael Shelton, Jenni Gregory, Bobbie Lancaster, Tim Grimm and Jan Lucas. Tickets are available at www.phoenixtheatre.org.

The cast of "Pure Prine: The Music Of John Prine"

Plus, fabulous music from three acts from The Wilds Of Indiana:

The Elect is an incredibly tight 6-piece rock band from Indianapolis. Listen to the groovin' cut "Use Me Up", from their latest LP, "In Your Heart There's A Light".

The Elect

The Punkin Holler Boys are a long-running singer/songwriter collective who have just released a career-spanning retrospective, "Tin Ears (Ten Years)". Listen to to fabulous Ralph Jeffers-penned "You Changed Your Mind."

The Punkin Holler Boys

Simon Brawl is a loud and wild rock trio, featuring Kentucky-born guitarist/vocalist Garson Combs. Now living in Indy, check out Garson's sprawling epic inspired by his grandfather, "Head To The Mountains".

Garson Combs of Simon Brawl

Plus, (in honor of the release of the Major Motion Picture "Howl" - featuring James Franco as Allen Ginsberg) spoken word from poet/painter/singer/songwriter Lon Ohnder. Dig his poem, "Life".

Lon Ohnder

Different Beat Radio, Episode #5:"Pure Prine: The Music Of John Prine", danny flanigan, Paul Matthew Lauck and Richard Torres, 4.30.10!

2010-04-30T18:12:00.002-04:00

The latest episode of my new "Different Beat Radio" show/podcast is up and out. You can read all about it here, listen by right-clicking on the title to this entry, or go to www.differentbeatradio.com and subscribe. Or subscribe via iTunes. It's all so damn confusing, I hope you can figure it out and give it a listen!?!? (I still think the easiest way is to subscribe at the DBR site, and it will just show up in your e-mail!) Happy Spring, all.......

Different Beat Radio, Episode #5:"Pure Prine: The Music Of John Prine", danny flanigan, Paul Matthew Lauck and Richard Torres, 4.30.10!

Brought to you by Greek's Pizza!

Ah, Episode #5, an eclectic offering rather quickly compiled by the currently rather time-crunched Mr. B. Featuring a quick preview of the upcoming "Pure Prine: The Music of John Prine", a theatrical concert experience at the Phoenix Theatre conceived and directed by Bryan Fonseca, starring Tim Grimm, Jan Lucas, Michael Shelton, Jenni Gregory, Bobby Lancaster, and the currently rather time-crunched Mr. B. We don't want to give away to many details, but it is going to be an enlightening and entertaining overview of the work of Mr. Prine, one of the wittiest and warmly wryest American singer/songwriters of the past 40 years. We believe it's going to be a pretty wild acoustic rock and roll theatre ride, Jim! There are 7 performances - May 7-9, and then May 13-16. Click and go to the Phoenix Theatre website for tickets!

In honor of Mr. Prine, we then feature music from two area singer/songwriters continuing the classic American singer/songwriter tradition. danny flanigan (he prefers lower-case, like e.e. cummings) is a Louisville, KY resident, and Paul Matthew Lauck is from Greenfield, IN. As you'll hear, they both know how to write a pretty damn good song. Then, a good bit of a little post-bop tenor from Tim's long-time saxophonist colleague Richard Torres, with "L.A. Stomp" of off his "From Kenton To Now" release with sometimes Steely Dan drummer Peter Erskine!

And news of our new sponsor, Greek's Pizza, who besides sponsoring Different Beat Radio, is now featuring Tim performing outside on their groovy, vibe-laden Broad Ripple outside deck Wednesdays and Sundays at 6PM (and Paul Matthew Lauck on Thursdays). We aim to reclaim Pottersville. people! Approx. 25 minutes, 2010)

Different Beat Radio, Episode #4: Low Flying Helicopters, Tom Gulley. Plus: Our 212th Download!

2010-04-07T10:37:00.002-04:00

Episode #4 of our new Different Beat Radio show/podcast is live and on-the-air for you to listen to or download at www.differentbeatradio.com! (Or click on this entry title.) Go subscribe at the DBR website, will ya? This episode features a fabulous new rock band, Low Flying Helicopters (featuring the songs, voice and guitar of Ray Lincks) and comedy segments from noted Mad Man/broadcaster Tom Gulley.
Plus, we just passed a milestone - our 212th download. To celebrate, we shall drink some delicious Bell's Beer.

The Passing Of Claude Sifferlen.

2010-03-21T14:03:00.003-04:00

With deep regret, I share the sad news of the passing of Indianapolis jazz piano great Claude Sifferlen, at the age of 69. Claude was a musical hero of mine, who I first saw perform in 1986 at the Chatterbox. His playing - the pure beauty of his other-worldly harmonic architecture, the intellectual power and spiritual grace of his improvisation, and his simultaneous fathomless complexity and quiet simplicity - was one of my favorite things in the world. Claude was an inspiration that truly altered my life's trajectory, and that of so many others. I will never forget the moments of brief grandeur he found - and shared - with us.

I did not know him well as I would have liked to, but I heard him perform probably hundreds of times through the years and had the sublime opportunity to record him on a session at Hit City a few years ago. The fact that he even knew my name was a great pleasure to me. Claude was a true gentleman and one of those rare virtuosos whose ego did not overshadow his amazing gifts. I would like to offer my condolences to his family, collaborators and friends, and let you know that there are two musical celebrations scheduled (to both honor his infinite spirit and pay some earthly medical expenses): March 31 at the Jazz Kitchen, and at the Chatterbox on April 8.

Different Beat Radio, Episode #3: "Writers + Restaurants = Rock", 3-2-10. Plus, our 112th Download!!!

2010-03-10T09:47:00.001-05:00

Last week saw the successful launch of Episode #3 of my new Different Beat Radio show/podcast, featuring music by and interviews with Richard Sullivan and J.J. Pearson. You can click on the title of this entry to listen, or better yet, go to DifferentBeatRadio.com to subscribe to future episodes via iTunes, RSS or e-mail....

And in related news, this morning we passed our 112th download! I know it's rather ridiculous to be excited about that when iTunes just passed it 12 Billionth Download, or something like that, but hey, somewhere out there, you are listening - and for that we are incredibly grateful......

"Different Beat Radio" on iTunes, new website....

2010-02-25T09:29:00.001-05:00

The second episode of my new Different Beat Radio podcast/radio show is out, and after a two-week, rather steep learning curve (for this old-school sort) - it's now an actual, honest-to-Gawd podcast. You can- and I urge you to! - subscribe in a variety of ways:

If you are like me, iTunes is the easiest way to subscribe, download and listen to podcasts. You need to have iTunes on your computer, then go to:

http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/different-beat-radio/id357423670

hit "subscribe", and you'll get all the upcoming episodes.

You can also go to:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/DifferentBeatRadio

which is where the podcast "feed" lives. You can read up on each episode, listen or download, and subscribe via a variety of "podcatchers" (such as iTunes) or - in a handy feature - subscribe via your good, old-fashioned e-mail - each new episode will be delivered to your mailbox. Sweet!

And, finally, while I will continue to post the episodes here, there is a new site specifically for the radio show, and that is:

http://www.differentbeatradio.blogspot.com

Go check it out - interesting stuff there about Episode #2, "The Birth Of The Geez"......

Different Beat Radio, Episode #2: The Birth Of The Geez, 2-15-10

2010-02-15T18:56:00.006-05:00

OK, getting closer on this becoming an actual podcast. But not there yet. For the time being, download here:

Listen/download Different Beat Radio, Episode #2: The Birth Of The Geez, 2-15-10

This episode was a blast to do. Mostly, because as I neared the end of it I realized I was actually going to do at least two of these things.

But really mostly because of the music. This episode features Indianapolis singer-songwriter Scott Sanders, and Louisville-by-way-of-Portland, Oregon Chuck Foster. Plus a track-in-progress from your's truly.

My New Podcast/Radio Show: Say 'hello' to Different Beat Radio!

2010-01-28T11:03:00.006-05:00

Folks, attempting to get my Podcasting chops going here. For now, it's going to be called "Different Beat Radio". (Different Beat was the name of a Indianapolis music magazine I helped publish for two runs, in the late-80's, and mid-90's.) It's going to be a radio show about all the music I'm involved with at the studio: recordings-in-progress, interviews, live performances, material from the vast Hit City archives. First episode features Ann Arbor's Monument Valley (see below blog entry) and Rosetta Pebble from Detroit. The approx. 20 minute show was a blast to do, and I hope it will become a great way to share all the good stuff we're doing here with all of you. Like I say, still trying to research/understand/get the hang of this whole Podcasting thing.....in the meantime, you can click here to listen! http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/2317685

The Greatest Band Of The Decade

2010-01-19T14:18:00.007-05:00

This is Monument Valley (L to R: Zack, Dustin, Colin, Jesse). They are from Ann Arbor, MI and they are the Greatest Band Of The Decade. I had the distinct pleasure of recording their debut album last week and, let me tell you people, it is some phenomenal rock and roll, roaring along in the footprints of ancestral Ann Arbor rockers like Iggy and The Stooges, The MC5, and The Alice Cooper Group. It's always hard to categorize a "sound", but imagine Jeff Buckley fronting King Crimson....no.....Rufus Wainright fronting Gang of Four.....no....Robert Smith fronting The Doors with angular guitar and weird synth instead of all of that bloody organ. Aww, you're just gonna have to hear it for yourself, so here's a rough mix, the opening salvo of The Rock and Roll of the 10's, "Wino On The Wagon". Click here to listen:

http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/2277940

Guitarist-vocalist Zack Jones' songs are intricate poetic and musical constructs, not self-consciously trying to be different, but organically-created original compositions that have an arcane structure all their own. And his voice - despite the above comparisons - is also his own, a careening emotional roller coaster ride of a voice that soars perfectly above the twisting musical tracks. Like early Michael Stipe, you may not be able to make out all the words (partly by design, partly by overly-complex syntax) but phrases pop out: "to defray", "sycophants", "praises God in golden cuff-links", "moral continuity". And then there's the killer chorus, "I'm not here in the world, speaking only in slurs", and the extended, elegaic coda which somehow mixes Three's Company with the Great Wall Of China. Through my long days/nights of work with them - and the repeated listens that go with that territory - I was able to glean a bit of a story here though, a redemption song of sorts, that leaves the protaganist alive, but truly living?

Well, Monument Vallet is totally living, for crissakes. The band (also including Zach's brother Dustin on deceptively simple beautiful synth lines, Colin McCormick on solid, funky-by-way-of-Manchester bass and Jesse I-don't-know-his-last-name-but-he's-cynically-awesome on drums) is obsessively well-rehearsed and so good, so artistically supportive of Zach's superlative material that Monument Valley has restored my faith in the undying transcendental power of true rock and roll. Stay tuned for an Indy show (in the newly-constructed Happy Channel TV studio at Hit City) and news about the album release later this spring.......

Holiday Music, part two....

2009-12-20T22:17:00.002-05:00

Holiday Music, part one....

2009-12-19T15:35:00.001-05:00

OK, here's a little holiday cheer that's been cracking me up all month. Here's a track I just produced for the Phoenix Theatre "A Very Phoenix Xmas 4", which wraps up it's very successful run this weekend.

My pal and colleague Bryan Fonseca at the Phoenix has an unnatural, overpowering love of holiday music. (Betcha didn't know that, did ya?) Anyway, he found this fabulous song, "How Do You Spell Channukkahh?", by Adam Gardner from the Boston rock group Guster. It was released a few years ago on an album of Hanukkah (sp?) songs by a sidegroup of Gardner's called The Lee Vee's. Anyway, Bryan came up with a faux-"American Idol" holiday skit for the Xmas show, and asked me to produce a handful of tracks.

Anyway, the Lee Vee's version has a very edgy, almost "Armed Forces"-era Elvis C. vibe, but Bryan wanted the song to be sung live by some of the cast as a 60's-esque folk group - "Jesus, Joe and Mary" - so it was off to Folk-Rock Land for me. It's a really, really funny and witty song, and I haven't been able to get the cast in to sing on it yet, so I decided to sing it myself.

Happy Holidays to all!

http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/2150462

Great Neighborhood Street Fair tonight...

2009-08-21T09:26:00.005-04:00

I guess you'd call it a street fair, it's a a big outdoor fundraiser for St. Thomas Aquinas, their annual "SausageFest" throwdown all weekend. We're doing a full band set tonight, it's on the parish grounds at 46th and Illinois, we go on at 10PM. I don't want summer to go.....

Wild Weekend.....

2009-07-31T10:23:00.005-04:00

....which actually started last night, our inaugural gig at Z's Oysterbar, in Castleton. A fantastic, upscale seafood/steakhouse with a lakeside patio (and, now, live music on Thursday and Friday nights.) From Louisville, where there are two locations, this a gorgeous, still under-the-Indy-radar independently-owned gem ala Oceanaire or Dunaway's. We're going to be back most Thursdays in August....Tonight, we're back west at the Chateau Thomas Winery in Plainfield, from 7PM to 10PM. Looks like it's going to be a lovely night of rocking under the stars in their new, expanded outdoor wine garden......Tomorrow night, I'm doing pre-show music for HART's production of "Much Ado", outside at the White River State Park downtown. (The rock-hewn ampitheatre, just north of the bridge that leads to the Zoo. ) My actor/musician friend Michael Shelton ('Rusty Nubbins' in "Zoomerville") is one of the guiding lights of HART (Heartland Actor's Repertory Company) and is playing Benedick to Diane Timmerman's Beatrice. The cast also includes Chuck Goad ('Buck") and Scot Greenwell ("John') from "Zoomerville". It will be a fabulous, fun, accessible night of Shakespearean frolic. Expect a big crowd, and - as Nuvo so wisely noted - bring sunglasses, because you'll be facing west. And - as Nuvo erroneously reported - I will not be playing standards, but rather performing solo, mine and David's songs plus some selected covers by Paul Simon, John Prine, Elvis Costello, Dylan, etc. (Or,as I call it, "Shakespeare Rock".) Cara Jean Wahlers is performing pre-show for tonight's performance. Music both nights starts at 6:30PM, with the play at 8PM....And if that wasn't enough, this weekend is the "48 Hour Film Project", the international, 'make a movie in 2 days from conception to final cut' competition, which I am once again helping producer/director David Yosha with. Our entry from last year, "Foil", actually won the Indianapolis competition, so the pressure's on. At 6PM tonight, David will draw a card that will give him a genre, and a few other specifics that must be in the film (a certain prop, or a line of script), and we're off. After the Chateau performance, I'll race back to try and get in on some of the writing tonight, David has a full crew ready to go, and will shoot all day tomorrow, edit Sunday morning, I'll score it in a few hours Sunday afternoon, and the final cut gets delivered on DVD by Sunday, 6PM. Man, I already need a nap......

Damn this rain - no 4th of July show at Zing tonight...

2009-07-04T14:10:00.002-04:00

Hello, my people. Just trying to get the word out - no big outdoor Bleeding Hearts rock and roll bash before the fireworks at Zing tonight, due to the rain. Just looks too iffy to go thru the hassle - and no place for cover down in the parking lot where we were planning on setting up. But I hope it's a lovely holiday for everyone anyway - and don't forget to cheer for Andy Roddick when he goes up against Roger Federer tomorrow morning in the Wimbledon final. (I totally love Federer, so I'll be happy if he wins - and breaks Sampras' 14 Grand Slam record - but Roddick has spent the last year and half retooling both himself and his game, and so deserves to be in this final...)

We're filling in at the Phoenix "Brew-Ha-Ha" tomorrow...

2009-06-26T18:34:00.002-04:00

Due to some kind of scheduling snafu, there's an opening at tomorrow's big Brew-Ha-Ha fundraiser for my beloved Phoenix Theatre, so the Bleeding Hearts (the Big Hearts, really) and I will be there doing one long rockin' set at 5:30PM. (And then, of course, it's on to my solo show at Zing at 9PM.) The event is outside the Theatre, they block off Park, set the bands up on a big porch, and fill the street with various micro-brew and food vendors, including a Bell's booth manned by beer geek superhero Veronica Sanders. Check out www.phoenixtheatre.org for more info. (And get well wishes go out to Phoenix staffer Tom Robertson, who has been a bit under the weather this week - here's to a speedy recovery, brother...)

"Zing" went the strings of my....guitar!?!

2009-06-24T14:55:00.005-04:00

For those who don't know yet, there is a great new restaurant/bar in town called Zing, and I am proud to be helping them book live acoustic music on Saturday nights. (I'll be there myself this Saturday night, 6.27, from 9PM to Midnight.) It's a truly fabulous, stylish place (much the same vibe as dearly-in-hiatus D'Vine), downtown in the heart of "Indiana Avenue", across from the Madame Walker Theatre at the corner of West and Indiana. In the past month or so, some of my favorite local singers and songwriters have been gracious enough to make the scene, including Cara Wahlers (with fab cellist cohort Grover Parido), Paul Lauck and Gary Wasson. And it looks like the Bleeding Hearts and I will playing next Saturday, July 4, (yes, it's here already!) out in the Zing parking lot for all you fireworks aficionados, from 6PM to 9PM.

5th annual "Teen Art and Music Festival" is this Saturday at Broad Ripple Park!

2009-06-11T19:36:00.007-04:00

Here's the NUVO preview, which will giva ya all the pertinent info:
http://nuvo.net/music/article/teen-arts-and-music-festival-preview

The background: This is the 3rd year I've been involved with this awesomely cool event organized by the awesomely vision-fueled Matt Stokes and Janet Gilray. An independent, grass-rootsly organized big ol' rock and art show featuring teen bands and visual artists. And this year, it's at Broad Ripple Park (site for many a teen rock and roll scene or two for my pals Lon and Jon Ohnder) this Saturday, June 13th, from 11AM to 7PM. The bands and art are always fabulous, and it's sure feels good to help provide a forum for some kids to rock out. Plus, there's going to be a whompin' PA this year, courtesy some appreciated volunteers from always-great sounding Klipsch, coordinated by, with thanks again to, Michael Colter. The BH's play a short set, as the token "Elder" rockers. (I think that's the new genre name for our band, by the way. As in ascribing the values of the golden Rock Elders. And - at least in our case - being old as hell.)

Jay Harvey review of "Zippers" in the Indy Star.

2009-05-15T10:06:00.003-04:00

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009905150364 .

It's nice to be appreciated, isn't it? I still remember years ago, Mr. Harvey reviewed a Big Band performance of ours at the Indy Jazz Fest, and he praised the "spirited, quirky resuscitation's" of some famous Nelson Riddle/Sinatra arrangements. I thought the same thing then, as I did this morning - someone gets it! (Especially in his praise of the "hard-working" cast. Watching them work their craft - and seeing the characters grow with each each performance - has been one of the real treats of this experience.)

"We're Open. Therefore, We're Ready."

2009-05-13T09:46:00.006-04:00

Bryan Fonseca tells me I coined this phrase in the fateful crunch-time of one of our early musical productions, probably "Three Penny Opera" in 1986, and it's stuck with him ever since. And I suppose it works, it's basic logic is inescapable: "Zippers Of Zoomerville" opened last Thursday night, and therefore, we were ready.

In that same pre-show, get-your-head-together chat w/ Bryan, he told me another saying, which I'm going to mangle here, that he attributed to the wonderful Gayle Steigerwald. Concerning the long, exhausting, eventful, elating yet often-contentious rehearsal process (check my memoirs out in a few years for all the salacious, tendentious details) she once told Bryan something along the lines of: That was the play we all thought we were in. Once it opens, it becomes the play we're all really in.

And so, we're really in it now - every Wednesday thru Saturday night until June 6. (Weds./Thrs. @ 7PM, Fri./Sat. @ 8PM - call 317.635.PLAY or go to http://www.phoenixtheatre.org/ for tix.)

The early reviews have been incredibly heartening. I'm tempted to pull quotes, but will demur and let you read them in their unexpurgated glory:

"Zippy Zoomerville Launched", Lou Harry, Indianapolis Business Journal, his "A+E" column: http://ae.ibj.com/blogshell.asp?p=466

"Theatre Review: 'The Zippers Of Zoomerville' at the Phoenix", Hope Baugh, Indy Theatre Habit: http://www.indytheatrehabit.com/2009/05/11/theatre-review-the-zippers-of-zoomerville-at-the-phoenix/#more-986 , and

"Photo Flash: The Zippers Of Zoomerville at Phoenix Theatre", BroadwayWorld.com: http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Flash_THE_ZIPPERS_OF_ZOOMERVILLE_At_Phoenix_Theatre_20090507
The shows have been a blast so far. The incredible skill, talent, heart and soul of the cast has been a wonder to behold. It's truly a really fun night of entertainment - and I'm not just saying that to put asses in the seats. (Although I probably would, if it were a dog. But it's not. It's a good time. Come put your ass in a seat. Really.)

Art imitating life...

2009-04-25T15:26:00.000-04:00

The last number we were working on before today's "Zoomerville" rehearsal lunch break, was the funny, pretty little ballad titled "Teen Pristine Princesses". I then had to use the break to go set up at the Westin, because we're playing some cocktail jazz for the 500 Festival Princess gala unveiling this evening....

Radio Alert! 4PM today, WFYI-FM 90.1 "Art Of The Matter" interview...

2009-04-25T10:40:00.000-04:00

I was under the impression this was running next week, so sorry for the short notice. At 4PM today, an interview I recorded last week re: "The Zippers Of Zoomerville" musical, will be airing on WFYI-FM 90.1's "Art Of The Matter". Conducted by co-host Travis DiNicola, it was a pleasant little chat - and my first chance to get a short peak at the station's new headquarters. For our world-wide friends - and those who prefer - you can stream the broadcast at 4PM EST at www.wfyi.org. (And, I bet, you can proabably download a podcast of it if so inclined...)

Me and my hero.

2009-04-23T20:27:00.001-04:00

It's not every day you get to wrap your arm around one of your life's true inspirations. Well, this is a lousy cel phone photo of a pretty great moment for me. It's me and Todd Rundgren, taken last Wednesday at DePauw University, at his Ubben Lecture Series appearance, which was wonderfully moderated by true Todd-o-phile (and DePauw Director of Media Relations) Ken Owen. (If you are not familiar with the work and career of Rundgren, one of the greatest singer/songwriter/producers in rock history, see Ken's fabulous wrap-up of their talk, which you can find here: http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=23334 .)

Anyway, briefly, I got Todd's landmark Something/Anything? album when I was 14 or 15, and it truly altered my life's course. By then, I was in love with the Beatles and Elton John, but this, my god, Todd produced the album, wrote all the songs, played all the instruments and sang all the multi-layered vocal parts (on three of the album's four sides), did all the arrangements, and even coordinated the artwork. One person can do all that?, I thought.

I had been playing around with various instruments at the time (guitar, the piano my mom and dad so graciously/amazingly bought for me and put in their bedroom because that was the only place it would fit, my brother Pat's drums) but this sealed the deal. I wanted to do this - especially after getting a look at the iconic photo that took up the inside of the gatefold sleeve: Todd, standing on a chair, his back to the camera in what I always thought was a Hollywood motel room. His arms are raised in a twin "V for Victory" sign, and what looks like golden dawn daylight is breaking in thru the shut blinds and under the door. The room is filled with the music /recording stuff - a baby grand, a then-exotic synthesiser, an 8-track reel to reel tape recorder, guitars, empty takeout containers, scraps of lyrics and sheet music everywhere. (Check out the photo at Todd's site: http://www.tr-i.com/)

Hey, that's what I want to do!, I thought. And, improbably, in my own way, I did. And I got to tell Todd that, which was pretty cool. Meet the Todd Rundgren of his zipcode, dude. (I also did get to ask him - during the talk - about his early manager, the infamous folk/rock godfather Albert Grossman, and whether he's consider letting me produce his next album - which got a laugh from the crowd becauses he's never, in 30 years, let anyone else produce him. I drift off to sleep now telling myself "Well, he didn't exactly say 'no'....")

"Zippers Of Zoomerville" update...

2009-04-23T19:24:00.000-04:00

We're in rehearsals now. And by that, I mean right now - it's Thursday night and Jack is blocking the first act with the cast, and I have a little time to catch my breath. I actually finished writing the music, recording a complete vocal version of it (w/ yours truly doing all the voices ala Freddie Mercury) and printed out the complete vocal score for the cast on Saturday, April 11. A happy day, indeed. I distributed materials, and after a few days of everyone getting a bit familiar with it, we had our first informal vocal rehearsal at the studio on that next Monday night, the 13th.

After all the time, toiling away on my own, it was a joy to hear it sung by others. And the best part was - I had gone out and made sure I had some good beer (current obsession: Red Seal Ale, from North Coast Brewing of Fort Bragg, CA. My brother Chuck, high-end beer procurer for the stars in Mill Valley, turned me on to it) and wine. When I offered them all a drink, they all looked so surprised, it cracked me up.

"Oh, yeah - you're all all professionals." I said. "Me - I've crafted a career where not only is drinking on the job is tolerated, it's often exhorted. Please feel free..." So we had a few drinks and a marvelous time for the next few hours.

That was then. No Red Seal flowing now here at rehearsals at the theatre. All business, folks. There's alot to get to in just a little over two and a half weeks. These multi-talented actor/singers are amazing. SO much to learn. The script - and the songs - are very syntax-dense, and the whole show is very fast-paced, with lots of character and costume changes - along with all the songs, of course. More later - back to the ol' piano.....

Where have I been?

2009-04-03T16:11:00.000-04:00

Where have I been? It's a short answer - and a long story.

On February 25th of this year, my longtime friend and collaborator Bryan Fonseca asked me to attend a read-through of a new play he was producing at the Phoenix Theatre here in Indianapolis. I said sure, always interested in a chance to work w/ Bryan. Through all the dozens of projects we've worked on through the years, he has always inspired some of my best work.

Well, that's where I've been. I've been co-writing a musical, "The Zippers Of Zoomerville", which opens May 7th at the Phoenix.

"Zippers" is the brainchild of the awesomely-talented Jack O'Hara, who many will know from one or more of his many lives: writer, actor, director, (m)ad-man, leader of legendary '70's comedy troupe The Nebulous Players, late night movie host (whose replacement was a funny young weatherman named Letterman.) With it's genesis in various Nebulous skits poking gentle - but serious - fun at a particularly Hoosier May auto-obsession, "Zippers" is a fast-paced and very witty Gilbert & Sullivan-esque 'mockeretta'. Jack's written the book, the lyrics, has a really good basic musical idea for each number, so I'm co-composing the music with him.

Man, it's bloody hard work.

It's a six person cast, with (at latest count) around 25 musical numbers, which includes a couple of reprises, and the whole final "The Race" suite, which may be split into numerous segments. It's going to be a fun show, and the cast is fabulous: the top-shelf Chuck Goad (the ever-present "Scrooge" at IRT, ), Phebe Taylor (I worked with her last year on "End Days", she is splendid), Angela Plank (ditto for "Love/Person" this January), Mikayla Reed, (who I don't know but sings like an angel), Scot Greenwell (who had the "bumpkin rookie driver wunderkind" character John Hoosier Lordyboy, Jr. nailed from the first read-thru), and multi-talented Michael Shelton, who I was very pleased to have interpret mine and David Rheins' song "That Time Of The Year" in the just-passed holiday show "On Thin Ice: A Very Phoenix Xmas 3."

I have finally reached a place with a little breathing room - all the pieces are now written, and I'm going back and detailing them, getting ready to print them all out, and record a full-length demo CD of the complete show so everyone can drive around and practice in their cars, or while cleaning house, etc. I'll keep you posted on what is going to be - I'm sure - a wild and wacky finish to the open...

Poem newly published by Free Pamphlet.

2009-03-03T17:43:00.000-05:00

The good folks at Free Pamphlet Publishing (um, it's run by my songwriting partner David Rheins) have just published a new poem of mine. It's at:
http://freepamphlet.wordpress.com/

Hope all is well. I found my beloved, stolen Takamine PT-007S guitar for sale on E-Bay Sunday night. It's been a whirlwind of activity, charges and counter-charges, heated e-mails, glimmers of hope, the fleeting despair of seeing numerous photos of it being displayed like a hostage in some stranger's crappy apartment. Let's hope Detective V. @ IMPD can sort this all out. I knew I'd see that guitar again. Even if I don't get it back, I knew I'd see it again.......

But there is such a thing as a "Free Music" lunch...

2009-02-24T16:15:00.000-05:00

Did you get that title? (It's so hard writing a clever headline.) So, I've got this cool new lunchtime gig, which is an incredibly odd and wonderful thing. My dear friend, noted restrateur and punk rock legend J.J. Pearson has a groovy little cafe in the Klipsch Audio headquarters (3502 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, IN 46268, tucked in behind the Pyramids near SR 421 and I-465 in northeastern Indianapolis.)

Klipsch, who make some of the best speakers and high-end home theatre sound equipment around, is, understandably, a company full of music lovers. And J.J. asked me to come play a lunch a few eeks ago, and it went so well it's going to be a steady Wednesday lunch gig. Although "JJ's Cafe" is in the lobby of the Klipsch building, and it's mostly for Klipsch employees, it's open to the public as well. (It's a little tough to find, best be Mapquest-ing it.) Great food at a great price - and one holy-be-jesus giant Klipsch sound system in the corner! Music starts at noon, and continues until the last table leaves.....

Dr. T. Goes Hollywood!

2009-02-13T16:47:00.000-05:00

Dr. Charles Thomas, the exceedingly pleasant owner of the Chateau Thomas Winery (where, not co-incidently, I will be performing tomorrow night for their lovely Valentine's dinner) has truly been discovered by Hollywood. Here's the press release - fabulous vindication for all of his years of hard work out here in the oneolgical hinterlands...

"PLAINFIELD, IN., FEBRUARY 11, 2009….Chateau Thomas Slender, the only sugar-free wine in the world, will be one of the items included in the celebrity Oscar Gift Baskets at the 81st Annual Academy Awards ceremonies this year.

A sugar free wine for the celebrities was sought out and Slender
( www.chateauthomas.com/slender ) was found online. After contacting and speaking with winemaker, Dr. Charles Thomas, owner of Chateau Thomas Winery in Plainfield, IN, he was invited to Los Angeles to participate in the two-day gift giving event held in a sound stage on the back lot at Universal Studios. Dr. Thomas will serve Slender White, Slender Blush and Slender Red at the events on Friday, February 20th and Saturday, February 21st and then provide a bottle of Slender of choice to each celebrity as they visit the booth.

In the past, “official” Oscar gift baskets have included prestigious and pricy gifts ranging from a $32,000 package at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas to a gift certificate from Morton’s steakhouse. Last year’s estimate of gifts totaled $100,000. Dr. Thomas acknowledges he feels honored to be invited to the 81st Annual Academy Awards, the biggest movie event of the year.
Slender is made from California vinifera grapes and has the flavor and normal
alcohol content of the other fine wines he produces. These wines have been pleasantly sweetened and contain the new natural sweetener, Erythritol, which has zero calories, a zero glycemic index, zero carbs, and has demonstrable antioxidant activity.

Chateau Thomas Winery celebrated its 25th Anniversary in January. Dr. Charles Thomas established the winery in 1984 and in 2007 released the only sugar-free wine.
Complimentary tastings of Slender and other Chateau Thomas award-winning wines are held daily at Chateau Thomas Winery in Plainfield and at the Chateau Thomas Wine Bar in Nashville. For more information about Slender and Chateau Thomas Winery, log onto
www.ChateauThomas.com."

Larry DeMyer, Fearless Guitar Warrior

2009-02-11T10:49:00.000-05:00

Day-Trader/Real Estate kingpin Mark Capes took this photo last Friday night, during our performance at the incredibly fun Gary Wasson surprise birthday party at Locals Only. I think it really captures the sonic/spiritual flight that is the soaring six-string experience of Larry DeMyer. I call him a "fearless guitar warrior", because that's exactly what he is. He approaches each song with an incredible energy, a sense of open experimentation, a total love and in-the-moment abandon that makes each gig - and solo - an adventure. You don't always know where you're going to end up, except that - no matter what - it's going to be a hell of an exciting ride.

"Cities be doin' it for themselves..."

2009-02-05T14:58:00.000-05:00

Kokomo, IN opens city-run recycled cooking oil bio-diesel plant!

I have been an alternative energy nut since I was a teenager. From an early age, I was convinced that wise and lovely Mother Earth could provide us with all the clean, renewable energy we would need - when we finally got smart enough to figure it out. It was a sad day for me when one of Ronald Reagan's first official acts as President was to tear down the experimental solar panels Jimmy Carter had installed on the roof of the White House.

So here's the fabulous local news item of the day: our metropolitan neighbor to the north, Kokomo, IN, has just opened the state's first city owned and operated biodiesel plant. Spearheaded by their new, progressive mayor Greg Goodnight, this isn't just any ol' biodeisel plant. Like Willie Nelson's "BioWillie" venture, this is cleaner-burning biodeisel that's made by chemically recyling used frying/cooking oil - at this point is donated by 12-area restaurants - into diesel fuel.

So instead of clogging up the city's sewers, old doughnut and french fry oil is being converted into a cleaner-burning fuel that will COMPLETLY RUN THE CITY'S DIESEL TRANSPORTATION FLEET! (You knew you could do that, right? You can damn near pour Crisco into a diesel engine and it will run. Albeit a bit less-than-perfectly, you have to refine it and add some anti-freeze component to get it to be really usable, which apparently is what this plant does.)

According to today's article by Scott Smith in the Kokomo Tribune (link to full story below), the city put up $60,000 to get the venture up and running and it's part of a larger city plan to greenly reinvigorate the local economy. Called "K-Fuel", the resulting product burns cleaner than regular diesel, is less stressful on engines, and can be produced for - get this - 80 cents a gallon, which will save them approx. $25K this year in transporation costs.

Rock on, Greg Goodnight and Kokomo! This is how we are going to create the new, green economy, people - by actually digging in and making it happen. Small-scale, local, brilliant. At some point, I want to go tour the facility, and I'll keep you posted. Wouldn't you much rather want to smell doughnuts coming out of a bus exhaust? (I know my brother's housemate Jay sure would...)

Read the full story on the Kokomo Tribune site here: http://www.ktonline.com/local/local_story_035233125.html

And get more info on Kokomo's Green Energy plan here:
http://www.fuelingkokomo.org/

Listen to - and join - the band!

2009-02-02T17:22:00.001-05:00

In the studio with.....

2009-02-02T14:19:00.000-05:00

Hey folks - welcome to Blogger! I thought as a little intro, I'd fill you in on what's been going on the last couple of months at Hit City.... Finished up projects for the three finalist bands from the 2008 "Teen Arts And Music Fest" event, three fabulous young rock and roll bands that the world will be hearing from: Elastic Waste Band, Razorback Llama and Knightfall......Rick Garrett (of the folk duo Patchwork) blew me away with his hammered dulcimer chops as we worked on an almost-done album of traditional tunes on that hauntingly gorgeous instrument.....John Barney - neighborhood pal, horseman, blacksmith, and all-around-gentleman - started work on an album w/ his band, the Passengers. (His Dylan-inspired body of songs, is, of course, right up my alley).... What else? I composed original music and created sound design for the Phoenix Theatre: December's "On Thin Ice: A Very Phoenix Xmas 3" featured mine and David's existential holiday torch song, "That Time Of The Year" as the big cast finale, and January's production of Aditi Brennan Kopi's Pulitzer-nominated "Love/Person"....Richard Sullivan continued rehearsing his new, kick-ass band, and did some demo work that's going to lead to a really great album later this year......Paul Lauck continues making progress on his sophomore effort, a lovely collection of new songs, and Scott Sanders has written a fabulous batch of new songs, and has started tracking w/ band The Reacharounds.....And on the horizon, Cara Jean Wahlers is coming in soon to record some of her lovely material (with Grover on cello and Martha on violin), and Stella and Jane (Bobby Clark and Suzette Weakley w/ guitar mastermind Jeff Foster) came into to work on the Bill Wilson tribute project I'm producing w/ house concert impressario Cyndi Wagner - who got her dear friend, Struggler frontman Jack Clark, to play some mean harp on "Pay Day Giveaway". More on this groovy project later.....