Tish's Corner
February 2007
Hola Everyone!
I am sitting here in Hamburg, listening to and enjoying very much some of my favorite Austin music, as I write this hello. Right now it's the Derailers, which brings to mind many a great night of cold Shiner beer and boot scooting along with the scores of seasoned two-steppers who never seem to be fazed by wrong-footed newcomers at the Broken Spoke, or at any of Austin's array of colorful honky-tonks.
What I should be and soon will be listening to in deep concentration are a bunch of Spanish language songs for the promised new record, as Marvin Dykhuis and I begin the first phase of trials and sketches on some canciones favoritas - my own and other new Spanish songs I love and want to share, and I am very thrilled to give them my best shot. We will have some eclectic exciting guests. Also, a really interesting tour in 2008 is under construction. I'll fill you in as things develop, but I'm not gonna tell it all, I'll hold a few surprises in, til the record comes out.
December and holiday season 2006 was one of my happiest and most memorable times to date. I hope your holidays were good, too. Our tour of Holland and Belgium was too short, but very fun. Our new German friend, king of the road and harmonica master Uli Rademacher, made a good match for the always happy West Texas guitar and mandolin wizzard Troy Wells and my son Adam, who came along to help us with the shows and as taste-tester and quality control specialist for the Dutch and Belgian beers. He and Troy agreed they all passed the survey and served to supply that special something to late night picking sessions really well.
Listening to John Lennon now .... This reminds me that one of the best parts of road life with a car full of musicians is sharing and introducing favorite music to each other to pass the miles away. The one I made everyone listen to at least once a day was Paul McCartney's "Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard". I am so in love with that genius record. Adam played us his discovery, Mason Jennings, Troy had some great new bluegrass and country, and Uli brought along some skiffle and British and Irish folksingers CDs. It felt like being students in music appreciation 101 riding down the highway.
Well, into the future, as I mentioned, there's going to be more internal than external work this year. However, there are a few highlights coming up I'd love for you to check out (more info here).There are some Texas/Arkansas dates in March. In May a few dates out west. In June, there will be a very special event going on at the "Green Note" in London, England. My friends Immy and Riza opened their life-long dream live music club in Camden, in September 2005, and it has quickly become popular and well-respected by audiences and performers alike. They will be introducing their first of hopefully to turn into an annual week-long "Latin American Festival". I will be there June 8th featuring my "Best of" in Español with some great musicians joining me and sharing the evening with a Columbian salsa singer, who will play an acoustic opening set. Take a look at their website www.greennote.co.uk for the latest schedule of fine local and touring musicians. When you go there, you'll also find a creative vegetarian menu, a friendly atmosphere, and of course lots of fellow live music enthusiasts.
Personally and professionally, I have much to look forward to this year. I thank my loved ones who have encouraged and inspired (and tolerated) me, and I sincerely thank all of you who have continually supported my work. I have to go now. I am finally attending real German language school, per one of my New Year's resolutions. I must attend to my Hausaufgaben (homework!) now.
Til next time, make the best of the winter. Spring's not too far away.
Hasta luego,
Tish
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