I guess Scarbrough should update his website.

It's been a very busy fall. I was between jobs and doing quite a bit of playing for a while. Much travel and special projects have cut down on the performances, but have a goal to ramp up once again. I was with the Grassmen at Pop's again in November and we'll but looking to put forth quite a bit of new material this spring. For now, it's work and lots of Holiday activity.

Pick on!

The Upper Grassmen with yours truly return to Pop's Place Restaurant in Denison this Friday night October 29th. Down beat starts at somewhere around 5:30 p.m. Pop's is a great "comfort food" venue. Seating is always limited to what seems to be around 60 people or so. With such an intimate setting we use no sound reinforcement, just raw acoustics. If you can make it, come join us this Friday and grab a chicken fry or something that you probably shouldn't eat but really want. It's great!

Just came off the stage at the Melody Ranch Festival. Although our particular time and day of performance was lower in attendance, overall the crowds were up. More campers made the Ranch their home this week than ever before with a total of 35 at the hookups. The sound system was off balance. The much needed ability to hear a good mix was not there. So our performance (although really tight in the latest acoustic gigs and in rehearsal) was not as good as I had hoped. Next time I definitely need less guitar and more vocals.

It's good to see the show growing in popularity. A lot has been put in to the effort. I hope it's finally paying off.

October 1st Poor David's Pub on the south side brings us the Greencards. With their unique sound, they are always a memorable performance. Other bands and pickers to note are Sara Hickman on September 18th also a Davids. Tickets are available at FrontGate Tickets. Peter Rowan and Tony Rice team on on stage at the Granada Theater on November 14th. THAT my friends should be one heck of a show! You can order tickets for that show by visiting the Granada Theater on-line.

There is lots and lots of great music coming to Dallas and Fort Worth over the coming fall months (hurry up please), so check it all out. Pick on!

Willis Alan Ramsey plays Poor Davids Pub on August 25th. Writer and performer, Willis penned a number of great songs including Northeast Texas Women, Muskrat Love, Watermelon Man and a whole record of others. I personally covered many of his tunes during the years with Chuck Justice and Modern Acoustics. Tickets are $20 at the door and seating begins at 7 p.m.

Joel is sitting in with the Upper Grassmen this Friday night July 30th at Pop's Place in Denison, TX. Music lasts from 5 to 8 p.m. Last time we played there it was a packed house. Great place to eat and if you like Bluegrass Music we can fill that order as well.

First off let me say "Happy Birthday" to me. Ok, that's done. Now for festival information:

This 23rd through the 25th is the Old Mobeetie Festival in Old Mobeetie, Texas located in the Texas panhandle about 2 and a half hours west of Oklahoma City. So if are looking for a little road trip and don't care about the heat here is the most recognized line-up for me: Star Canyon from San Antonio, Salt Grass from the Houston, TX area and Gary Wilson's Cedar Ridge group from Oklahoma City. The festival features more in the lineup so it will surely be a full 3 days of great traditional bluegrass music. Camping is available as well.

Closer to this blogger, Melody Ranch in Tom Bean, TX  fires up another round of activity this weekend with the Gospel Grass festival on Friday and Saturday. A great selection of bands and a break from the heat make this one a comfortable venue for listeners. Click on the links for more detailed information and to go to the respective websites.

Never being a place were you could find a decent music store with great people to help, musicians north of Plano, TX now have a good outlet for music supplies in Sherman, TX. Called DB Music, this place is has a great location off Hwy. 75, a nice store and a good selection of strings, sound equipment, amplifiers and mid level guitars, banjos, ukes and banjos. The proprietors are friendly and very knowledgeable.

Tuesday nights starting at 5 p.m. a bluegrass/acoustic jam happens inside the store. It's a new venue for this type of song sharing so support it if you can. Last time I was a visitor to the event there were 10 musicians in the circle. From Gordon Lightfoot to Tony Rice to Ralph Stanley the music was plentiful.

Support David at DB, located at 328 W. Lamar in Sherman.

"Take It Easy" with FastLane.

I'll be performing as a guest with the FastLane Band this Thursday in Rockwall, TX. Fastlane is Dallas premier Eagles Tribute band. We'll be at the Concert Series on the Lake. Music begins at 7 p.m. I'm contributing very little, but Fastlane is a good band and always fun. It's free so come on out! Thanks Todd and Gary!