May6

Jon Carroll to Produce Debut Album “Can’t Fool”- & Other Good News

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Jon Carroll to Produce Debut Album “Can’t Fool”- & Other Good News

Hello Friends!

It has been a while since I have reached out and let you know what is goin’ on! Well, there has been and IS a lot in the works! And, I am very excited, pleased, honored…and busy.

Jon Carroll Produces Debut Album Can’t Fool
Jon Carroll has agreed to produce my debut album Can’t Fool. We have begun the process of crafting this original album and will be going to BIAS Studio in June to record. Jon Carroll is a dynamic and phenomenal GRAMMY and WAMMIE award winning musician, who happens to come from Fredericksburg. :D Jon and I have sat down and worked through some tunes. I am excited and lookin’ forward to the final product! I am deeply thankful for the opportunity and time Jon Carroll has spent.
(Don’t miss his full band show, Saturday, June 2 at The Olde Silk Mill in Fredericksburg, VA). Get Tickets! —Ted Garber opens!

SHORT Tour with Asheville’s (Culpeper’s) Same Ol’ Sound
Through Memorial Day weekend, I will be performing with Same Ol’ Sound (Now called Barefoot Summer) for a ONE TIME short tour. The Dates are: Wednesday, May 23 at The Camel in Richmond, with Canary Oh Canary, Signs of Iris, and Crushed Purple (My second cousin, Danny Cholewa is in this band, and I didn’t even know it! The BIGGER the world gets, the smaller it is!) Friday, May 25 at Fellini’s #9 in Charlottesville, Featuring Gina Sobel, Saturday, May 26 at The Otter House Featuring Bruce Middle, and Sunday, May 27 at The Cat’s Eye Pub at Fell’s Point in Baltimore, MD (Thank you, RJ Maxwell with Shockwave Magazine). Come jam your blues out this Memorial Day Weekend!

Same Ol Sound --NOW Called 'Barefoot Summer'

Same Ol’ Sound –NOW Called ‘Barefoot Summer’

Rhythm & Muse – Fxbg’s Arts & Music Show
Internationally renowned artist Bill Harris has asked me to take over his show, Artscape (where he did a wonderful job of covering local artists.) I will be working with Steve at Comcast to produce a new show covering art and music – it is called Rhythm & Muse. Thank you Fredericksburg Live and Stephen Graham for your video and artistic contributions. Stay tuned for more and everything that will be happening with this program!

KIRA SMALL ROCKS!
I had the extraordinary pleasure of taking a voice lesson from Ms. Kira Small, singer/songwriter extraordinaire! I learned a lot and LOVE her tunes! Check her albums out and LOVE her online. (I also interviewed her for my new e-book, which I am pleased to announce is half way done and will be release in the fall. More on THAT, later.)

ANOTHER Fredericksburg Musician & Friend Doing AMAZING Things!
Fredericksburg native bass player, Christopher Alexander (Spanky) is also doing really well for himself. I saw him last night performing with is home town band, White Oak Boys at Yak-a-doo’s. After moving to Austin, Texas, Christopher built a strong reputation for being the best funky man on bass. Hehas toured with Mike Zito (now a member of the The Royal Southern Brotherhood with Cyril Neville and Devon Allman) since 2010, and is now scheduled to tour with Samantha Fish (AMAZING blues lady). It was great reconnecting with him and meeting his lovely lady, Michael Catherine. Keep it up, Spanky!

RAPIDAN RECORDS – 93.3 WFLS Country Idol & 99.3 The Vibe – ‘Burg Idol
I have begun working with a grass-roots record label called Rapidan Records. It is no secret that Fredericksburg has talent – a LOT of it. This company is a small business dedicated to connecting and working with Fredericksburg musicians. This company is not designed to compete with major labels or major independent labels. It is a non-exclusive, Fredericksburg based company run by and for musicians and artists. We had the opportunity to sponsor a demo for 93.3 WFLS’
Country Idol and 99.3 The Vibe’s ‘Burg Idol 2012 Winners. We look forward to working with Ryan French (Country Idol Winner) and Tommy (‘Burg Idol Winner). Congratulations to all of the contestants and winners!

Thank you Sharon DeSouza and Star Media Group for a great opportunity. We enjoyed hearing the performers! While judging is always difficult, it is a blessing to share in music.

Rapidan Records has a few other projects up its sleeve, and we are looking forward to them. I recently attended the ReTHINK Music Conference in Boston, and learned a lot. More on THAT coming up as well!

Fredericksburg Dog Fair is coming up – Oct. 6, 2012 on the Riverfront Downtown!
Mark your calendars. This will be a GREAT event for a great cause.

FORTE Music Studios will be hosting a SUMMER ROCK CAMP the week of July 23-July 28 from 9a.m. to 3p.m. This will be a packed few days for ages 10-16. Students can choose a focus of guitar, bass, drums, or voice. Classes include songwriting, music theory, sound system and musical gear overview, and LOTS of band practice and jamming! Instructors include Brittany Frompovich, Shelby Browne, Lane Drum, Pete Mealy, myself and OTHER guest instructors! Call Forte Music Studios to register today! (540.899.6787)

Gig Review
The 9 Songwriter’s Series hosted by Justin Trawick
This was a pleasure to be a part of and I look forward to more! Check out this awesome video!

Thank you, Steve Jarrell and David Beck for allowing myself and The Bruce Middle Trio to be a part of the Brian Strobel Benefit Concert. It was a blessing and our best wishes go out to his wife and children.

THANKS
A most sincere thank you to Bruce Middle, Moe Jones, and Joe Kane for teaching me so much in music. I look forward to more gigs, more songs, and more fun.

Thank you to Forte Music Studios (Fredericksburg) and BANG! Music (Stafford)– I LOVE teaching and LOVE my students!

Mar1

“Artists in Bloom” Showcase at Raven Hi-Fi for First Fridays

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“Artists in Bloom” Showcase at Raven Hi-Fi for First Fridays

It is spring time, well, it is March anyway – and the weather sure is making it feel like spring! Today, I say YAY, but this summer when it is steamy hot, I might not be saying YAY! :)

Anyway, tomorrow night, I will be performing at my first art opening!

Raven HiFi hosts Dave Honaker & Mary Woolls for “Artists in Bloom” , Friday, March 2, 2012 from 6-9PM.

You may have walked down the street and seen this lovely flyer peeking through the windows!

"Artists in Bloom" featuring the work of Dave Honaker & Mary Woolls

"Artists in Bloom" featuring the work of Dave Honaker & Mary Woolls

I am particularly excited about this. I love art. I love music. I love being apart of a community that loves art and loves music. (And, I will be performing mostly my original music.) I also LOVE Raven Hi-Fi. (REDISCOVER MUSIC.) Thank you,  Dave Minckler & Brooke Farquhar (owners of Raven HiFi), and Dave Honaker and Mary Woolls for inviting me.

You can learn more about Raven Hi-Fi and their local art support efforts on Facebook (surprise).
They will host Megan Jean & The Klay Family Band house concert style, Saturday, March 24 from 6:30PM-9:30PM.

See you there, friends and lovers of art and sounds.

Feb22

2012 WFLS Country Idol ReCap

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2012 WFLS Country Idol ReCap

Last spring (2011), I had the pleasure of judging the 99.3 The Vibe’s ‘Burg Idol. I shared the judging table with Patrick Ahearn, the Director of Riverside Dinner Theater, and Aaron Rayford, the 2010 ‘Burg Idol winner and musician. It was an enriching experience. It was my first time judging a competition. And I will say, it wasn’t about the judging! It was really about encouraging all of the talent and voices we heard. There was something special about each performer. I learned a lot watching, listening, and even performing as a guest at the Semi-Finals at Buffalo Wild Wings in Central Park.

This winter, I joined several great musicians and writers on the judge panel for the 2012 WFLS Country Idol. Among them were Jonas Beals, music columnist, blogger and editor for The Freelance Star’s Weekender, singer/song writer Dorian Cleveland (She Bites Dogs & Olive Eyes), singer/songwriter Fritz Beer (Crown Vic), Wil Gravatt (Gravatt Entertainment Company), Grammy Winner Jon Carroll, and Fighting Gravity’s (& Celebrate Virginia Live’s) Dave Peterson. NBC Idol Winner Anthony Campbell covered the Finale event at Brock’s Riverside Grill downtown for FredericksburgLive.com.

Sitting with the Panel at the 2012 WFLS Country Idol Finale - Courtesy WFLS.com

Sitting with the Panel at the 2012 WFLS Country Idol Finale -Wil Gravatt, Dave Peterson, (ME), Fritz Beer- (LtoR) Courtesy WFLS.com

I was humbled sitting on a panel with such talent, experience, and expertise. I listened intently to each judge’s input. I was further humbled by the courage and ever improving contestant performances. I have to admit, it isn’t easy on the other side of the “Judge” table. What I can say is this – EVERY person had something special to offer, from Audition 1 at Spotsylvania Mall through to the final performances. I believe YOU can do anything YOU put your mind to… I believe whole heartedly that music heals. It is the bridge in communication when we can’t communicate effectively through words with one another (and don’t we all know the obstacles blocking effective communication).  Every inexplicable emotion tangled in suspended circumstances can be expressed through a single tone. I believe and encourage everyone to pursue music – pursue it as a hobby, a listener, a casual performer, songwriter, or as a professional. No, not everyone will win 6 Grammy Awards. But, the experiences sharing, loving, and participating in a community of people who want to share music with and around you will bring a richness to your life. Not only that – it’s just plain FUN!

Congratulations to each and everyone of you (winners, finalists, semifinalists, and auditioners) for your courage and passion. Congratulations to Ryan French for winning the People’s Choice Award and becoming the 2012 Country Idol winner. Gras Productions is looking forward to working with Ryan on his three song demo. Congratulations to second place winner, Paula Jenkins, and third place winner, Britney Worley. (More Here.)

Again, many thanks to every contestant for sharing their talents, voices, and hearts on stage. Many more thanks to The Star Media Group: the fabulous announcers (Steve, Jessica, Paul), and specifically Ms. Sharon DeSouza and Paul,  for inviting me to be a part of this event. It was more than an event, it was way more than a contest. After all was said and done, a community of budding musicians and opening warm hearts had connected. Such a pleasure.

There are some great photos of the event here (Go to the page, and select which gallery you would like to see from the drop down menu). And there is video event footage at FredericksburgLive.com.

Here is an article I wrote on Crown Vic. I also wrote an article on Fritz Beer for Front Porch last year. I will be archiving that soon.

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