So it's been a very long time since I've updated, (almost a year?) and even longer since I've posted a song.

This changes now. Obviously.

It's been quite a year;

I'll be at the Grassroots festival in Trumansburg, NY; I plan to play in the songwriter's contest on Saturday morning, so look for me there if you're going. The other days I'll be picking up trash in the mornings and listening to some kickass tunes afterward.

Unfortunately, this means that the next song will have to wait until next week or, possibly, the week after depending on a possible paying non-music job. I've been working on some really exciting stuff for FAWM 50/90 (remember them?) and hope to start having it up really soon after I'm back from vacation.

So, Chuck the Fish is today's Thursday-and-a-half bonus song, dedicated to Nathan and Stacy, Stacy because she loves this song and Nathan because he caused it.

The story? One day when I was a baby songwriter, I was playing some tunes for and with my sister and brothers, and I said, "Any requests?"

My brother Nathan said, "Play the one about the fish. Named Chuck."

And Chuck the Fish was born.

Today I have to write two songs.

Earlier this year, I signed up for, and completed, the 2009 February Album Writing Month challenge--14 songs in 28 days. It was fun, sometimes difficult, sometimes very frustrating (like the week I wanted to record and couldn't because of laryngitis) and an all-around good experience. It was also the songwriting equivalent of a sprint: lots of effort, quick payoff.

I went to Willy St. this evening, and it seems that 5-7 is indeed the time to go! LOTS of folks, everybody harried from work but happy to hear me, and lots of good response.

Lots of things are going on at the Molly-House:

Today I waited for over an hour to play for an hour at Willy St. Eventually they're going to have a sign-up list for musicians; right now it's a free-for-all and confusion ensued. Also, I didn't know to talk to the musician playing before me rather than the person in the store. I apologized lots, and got some good advice from a very experienced musician, so all-in-all it was a win.

Other new things I learned today:

I was just updating the site, and I realized it's been a month and a half since I've posted anything here. I also just (with the help of my resident web designer) found the comments-posting section; those of you who've commented, your comments are now visible, and those of you who've not commented now can do so with some hope of being seen.

Welcome to the new blog! I'll be posting here about music, songwriting, travel, and life in general. Keep watching for updates!