Last week's tour with Beki Hemingway

Following last Wednesday's big performance at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Beki Hemingway and I had the rare opportunity to play some additional shows in WI and and MN. Big thanks to all y'all who came out to hear us, and special props to those of you who reminded us that you've been attending our individual shows for nearly two decades! To quote Beavis and Butthead, "You're old."

THURSDAY
Copper Rock Coffeehouse, Appleton, WI
This event hearkened back to the late-90s coffeehouse era when Beki and I cruised the highways of America playing small shows for mildly entertained patrons. The place was packed but the attention levels were low (except of course for the few folks that actually came to listen to us!). A bit challenging for us as performers, but about halfway through the evening we got over the indifference and loosened up the set, improvising some pretty awesome covers of "Please Do Not Go" by the Violent Femmes, "Something So Strong" by Crowded House, and "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" by Joe Jackson. Other highlights included audience requests for obscure tunes like "Deadly Life" and "Xian Bookstore."

FRIDAY
Dunn Brothers Coffeehouse, Linden Hills, Minneapolis, MN
Thanks to a much friendlier atmosphere, plus a sizable crowd of personal friends, this gig became one of my favorite coffeehouse shows of all time. I got to back up Beki on some of my favorite songs from her albums including "Sinsick," "To Spare You," "Hanging Up the Phone," "Better Vision," and "Over With." Plus, we yet again pooled our rather vast collective mental well of cover tunes and delivered "I've Forgotten What it was in You..." by Maria McKee, "Rio" by Duran Duran, and "Missionary Man" by Eurythmics.

SUNDAY
Centennial United Methodist Church, Roseville, MN
John Kerns (bass) and Troy Alexander (drums) joined us again for this evening of music. Highlights included some really cool hymns from the Methodist Hymnal ("God who Stretched the Spangled Heavens," "Jesu Jesu"), loud electric versions of "I Love You with All of my Mind" and "Grip," a duo acoustic set featuring "Mary's Song" and "You Never Last Where You Land," new songs "Get Behind the Wheel" and "Lose My Mind," plus a closing all-star jam on "No More Walls" with Lloyd Garrelts and John Simshauser from the band Echelon. Thanks to all at Centennial UMC for the wonderfully warm welcome.

Not only did I get to play that evening concert on Sunday, but I also began the day with a cool gig: playing guitar for the birth-to-three Sunday School kids at church. Here's me rocking the Lambs group...musical highlights included "This Little Light of Mine," "Criss-Cross Applesauce," and a instrumental version of "Wheel in the Sky" by Journey. And look, there's my Godson Erik in the photo...he's probably thinking, "Hey, quit it with the '70s tunes and play something from the Escape album." Kids these days.

This past week of shows with Beki was great fun, and it was nice to play some of those songs we sung so often in the Chicagoland era. Beki flew back home tonight, but not before we had a chance to co-write a tune, and demo another one. Stay tuned for news on future shows with Beki, and visit her newly evolving webpage.

Last night's gig in Appleton w/ Beki Hemingway

Here's the view from the stage at our gig last night at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, WI. It's a rare occasion I get to play at such a giant and beautiful and hi-tech venue, so yesterday was a total pleasure.

I was the guest musician at an ecumenical youth event, attended by 1700 people! The whole band came along: Troy Alexander on drums, John Kerns on bass, me on guitar, and special guest vocalist Beki Hemingway. Our music was woven throughout the event along with other cool things like an awesome drumline and a huge community choir. We played pieces from the Heartland Liturgy, a few rocked-up hymns, and the always-fun "Hey Hey Samuel," with everybody dancing and singing along.

Thanks to the ecumenical community in Appleton for working together so well, and inviting us to be a part of your gathering!

In addition to enjoying the event, Beki and I are staying with some formerly-Minnesotan friends, and we're getting to enjoy the sights and culture of downtown Appleton, WI. I've been to Appleton countless times, stopping along the highway and visiting the shopping mall, but I'd never been downtown (and along the river) before. Man, this town is beautiful! I'm very pleasantly surprised! Tonight Beki and I have a duet acoustic show at the Copper Rock Coffee Company, and we're looking forward to a more informal, loosey-goosey show. We'll post some photos and commentary here soon. Viva Appleton!

Drew Glackin: 1963-2008

Drew Glackin of the band The Silos died this past weekend. Even if his name is not familiar to you, readers of my blog are certain to have enjoyed his wonderful musicianship...Drew's playing was the instrumental foundation of my Public Library album.

a post from THE SILOS, on their email list:

"It is with the greatest sadness that we inform you of the passing of Drew Glackin. He was unaware of an overactive thyroid condition that led to severe heart damage. He was surrounded by family and friends during his final days and hours and we are all still in a state of shock and disbelief.

Drew was adored around the world and his larger than life spirit and contagious jovial energy touched everyone he met, everywhere he went. He was a musician of the highest talent and made his mark in countless bands, record albums, and many thousands of live performances. He will be sorely missed and the memories of his music, his great humor, and his magnanimous generosity of spirit and love will be with us forever.

A fund will be set up to help his family with expenses and we will keep you informed of memorial concerts and events as they develop.

We will all keep Drew in our hearts."

Recording and performing with Drew and The Silos has been one of the highlights of my musical life. On the Public Library album, Drew played all the bass and electric guitar parts, as well as mind-blowing lap steel, Weissenborn slide guitar, and lead guitar solos. To appreciate his brilliance, revisit these moments:

+ the deliciously melodic guitar solo on "Falling Down"
+ the Weissenborn acoustic slide on "Almost Never See" and "Every Town's the Same"
+ the virtuoso bass playing on "Second Language"
+ and (my favorite moment on the record!) the brain-melting double-tracked lap steel on "747s" (check out the above photo of Drew with producer Walter, recording that song)

Drew sat in with my band at the Public Library CD release show, and it was a thrill to hear him perform live what he did so incredibly on the recording. When we tracked the song "Librarian," I loved Drew's hooky guitar solo so much that, for me, it had become an integral part of the song itself...and now whenever my band plays the song, I play Drew's guitar part. I'll always remember what he smilingly said to me after he saw my band perform the song for the first time: "Hey, you did my solo!" I always think of Drew every time I play those songs.

Here are some other albums featuring Drew's tremendous musical offerings:
Jim Roll Lunette: Drew's (and Konrad's and Walter's) involvement in this excellent album was the reason I invited them to work with me on Public Library
Tom Freund Sympatico: I love love love Drew's contribution to the song "Old and in the Way"
John P. Strohm Everyday Life: a new release, featuring the same core players as Public Library, with greatness from Drew as usual
The Silos This Highway is a Circle: of course I'd recommend the last three studio albums from The Silos, which all feature Drew, BUT this recent live album captures his musicianship in a concert setting, PLUS it comes packaged with a DVD so you can visually appreciate Drew working his magic on bass and lap steel.

Visit Drew's MySpace page to hear one of his own original songs.

View the memorial page for Drew at the The Silos webpage.

In addition to all this talk about music, Drew was also one of the kindest, friendliest, funniest, and warmest people you could ever meet. I'll miss our delightful visits on his trips through Minneapolis on tour with a variety of great bands. I can speak for my wife Dawn, as well, who will deeply miss teasing and joking with Drew. Love and prayers go out to Drew's family and friends, and to his bandmates Walter and Konrad. I thank God for the life of Drew Glackin!