Six String Music Memories

Seeing the clouds as the plane flew into the Louis Armstrong airport, I was unprepared for the forthcoming deluge. Looks mostly sunny, right? In spite of how it looks out the airplane window, as the hotel shuttle I was on left for downtown New Orleans, black clouds and lightning were on the way. 

I had traveled to the French Quarter of New Orleans for a fundraising event called Six String Music Invitational. Running this year from August 9-12, it's four days and showcases the performance of mostly original music by the singer/songwriters who have been invited to participate. I was honored to be included this year with much more seasoned performers such as Jim Morris, John Frinzi, James "Sunny Jim" White, John Friday,  Thom Shepherd along with Coley McCabe and many others. (My apologies for not typing them all out. Here is the link so you can see the list for yourself: http://www.sixstringmusicnola.com/2012.html)

It poured for at least an hour. The last passenger on the hotel shuttle, I watched as my fellow travelers each ran for cover with their luggage into their respective hotels. I was finally dispatched at the Hotel Provincial, the final stop, in an amazing downpour. Myself and my luggage plus guitar dripping, I checked in at the front desk, receiving a handful of paper towels from the clerk with which to dry off. Like others, I had to wait for the downpour to subside before walking back the open courtyard/parking area to Building Five where my room waited.

After about 10 minutes, I was surprised by the arrival of John Friday. We hung around the lobby until the rain subsided, checked into our respective rooms, then headed off to Margaritaville for drinks and grub. After a little time, there chatting and watching some of the Olympics, we hit the French Market and did some sightseeing around town.

The evening brought the Meet and Greet at Margaritaville and performances by all the currently in-town musicians. Being new at all this, and possibly a bit (very!) nervous, it meant a lot to have Sunny Jim on stage with me. Not only did he support us musically but he also supplied comforting comments and quite a bit of humor. 

While each performer took a turn on stage, we mingled with the Six String attendees from all over the country. It was a pleasure to finally meet Capt. Leo Singleton, who plays at the NOLA Margaritaville every week, along with all of the other Parrot Heads collected to hear the songs and stories we brought along. Lots of travelers had come from afar including "Mad" Marty Kuklinski from the Big Burrito Radio Show along with wife Kathy, Brian Fields from the Just 4 Fun Band in New Mexico and my dear friend Kent McCoy from my neck of the woods. 


Friday brought better weather and a day full of music. Around lunchtime we collected at the Funky Pirate on Bourbon for a quiet listening session. Also accompanied by Sunny Jim, we each had about a half hour to play some songs and tell our stories. The patrons were all encouraged to "Hush up y'all" while we were playing. I enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to explain the stories behind my songs as well as hearing the other songwriters.


From the Funky Pirate, performances began at the Tropical Isle Original on Bourbon.The stage is a raised platform behind the bar and the perspective can be intimidating as hell. I followed Thom Shepherd and Coley McCabe (pressure!). Luckily Sunny Jim was up there again, keeping me sane. In the early part of my set the bartenders began running around, blowing whistles and screaming for everyone to get out of the water; there was going to be a shark attack! Lights and sirens went off as I played, trying to keep it cool.

The Shark Attack is a drink. The bartender produces a cup of clear liquid filled with crushed ice, then plunges a plastic shark filled with grenadine into the cup so it looks like the shark is feeding. This procedure was repeated several times and somehow became part of the act. By the way, they are very tasty.


John Frinzi was up next. At some point during his set, while Jim Morris and Sunny Jim were also on stage, and possibly deriving courage from the Shark Attack, I crept up onto the platform and began to play the trap set that was there. I have a little drumming knowledge, my dad having played in a country band when I was 12 and showing me how to keep a beat. Apparently it worked out well enough because I got a big smile from Mr. Frinzi. Getting to be on stage with these three guys was one of the highlights of my weekend! Friday evening brought the All-Star Songwriter Circle, where each of us took a turn on stage, then Jim Morris rounded out the evening with a great show.


After my showcase on Friday I could pretty much relax. Saturday morning I got up and ran all over New Orleans. While it was a rainy day, the rain was not as heavy as it had been Friday. One of the cool things about New Orleans is you can get around town without getting too wet by hanging out and walking under bead-strewn balconies (or by hanging out in bars and stores.) I did some shopping, took some photos and had a crawdad omelet for breakfast at the Beignet Cafe. 

Folks everywhere were dressed in red as this day was also the day of the Red Dress Run. The Hash House Harriers run through the French Quarter for charity, then hang out imbibing on Bourbon for the rest of the day.

 This photo was taken from the Top of the Trop where I had gone in the afternoon to catch acts including Captain Josh, Matt Hoggatt and John Friday. John's set included new songs plus "The Boys from Oklahoma" with a "bong" effect provided by Mad Marty. John Reno and Joe Bennett played that evening also. We had one final songwriter showcase at Margaritaville, this time joined by Brent Burns, and Sunny Jim finished out the night, playing his awesome set for an hour and a half.

Sunday morning Brent entertained all with his fun show at the brunch. The weekend had seemed to fly by and I couldn't believe I only had just a little time left in New Orleans. I said goodbye to as many folks as I could, then wandered around town a bit more. Just like the day I arrived, the rain fell heavily, breaking in time for me to catch my hotel shuttle around 4pm.

With good memories tucked away, I hope to get back to the Big Easy soon for Six String or maybe even Jazz Fest. New Orleans is a remarkable town, full of great folks and beautiful architecture, fabulous art, the most amazing food plus good times. I highly recommend a visit for any reason.

Why "Better Late Than Never?"

Hey, I know you're going to yell at me, but I took this photo while I was driving. I was on the way to our Parrot Head board meeting and saw this dramatic cloud formation on the way. The photo doesn't do justice to the magnitude or coloration of this budding cumulonimbus. It was amazing. How could I not take a pic? Sure, I could have pulled over. You can argue that either I'm daring or a complete numbskull, but this is my blog and it seems that honesty is important in this type of writing. That said, I'll get to the point.

In life we're constantly presented with choices like, "Do I pull over and take this picture or do I just keep driving and possibly run into that big ditch?" There are times when the choice is pretty straightforward and other times when you feel like you're flying by the seat of your pants. When it comes down to it, the question is, "What do you really want to get out of this?" Then, you might go with your gut.


OK. I'm being vague. 


When I was in ninth grade, I was in my first play. It was a Samuel French book and the title was, "Father's Been to Mars." The plot surrounded a 1950's sitcom-style plot about a suburban family, the Gibsons. "Father" was a sci-fi TV star named "Captain Galaxy." I played his 12-year old doting daughter, Corky, complete with pig-tails and a high pitchy voice saying things like, "Gaseous Ganymedes!" and so on. I can't recall the complete details of the story but I'm sure the book is still in my attic if you want me to find it.


One night during the short run of the play, I was backstage waiting for a cue and gabbing with the stage manager. Suddenly, and quite loudly, voices were saying things like, "I wonder where Corky is?" "I don't know. She was just here a moment ago." I missed my cue! I ran out quickly, jumped the arm of the couch and skidded in to do my party. Later that year our group held an awards event and I was given the "Better Late Than Never" Award. I think there might have been a rubber chicken on the certificate.


Somehow that became my motto. I've never been particularly trendy. I was always that quiet reader that you wanted to do your homework for you. I was the fine artist, the observer, looking for my moment to shine. The one thing that held me back was feeling comfortable with my peers; I lived in seven different homes and went to eleven different schools by the age of 18 so I was always the new kid. In some ways that has made more cautious, but in other ways, more daring and willing to strike out on my own.


Jumping ahead to now, with a new CD, "TropiGal," and a part-time (feels like full-time?) music career, I figure it just took me this long to truly find my passion. I've been in fine art, graphic design, written poetry, prose and screenplays, worked in fast food, retail and printing, sang in various groups, performed in community theater, and so on. I've loved doing so many things in my life but I've found that music and storytelling is at the heart of everything I've truly enjoyed. I've always felt that music changes and influences many and I'm lucky and honored to be part of that.

So, better late than never. Just because you're in the middle of your life, or even older, doesn't mean you can't change course. Some of us just take a little longer to find our niche. Sometimes those changes are forced on you, sometimes you just see the path you need to take and you take it. Figure out what you want in life and if it's worth the risk. If you don't try it, how will you know you won't succeed?

From Key West, FL: Meet Me in the Keys

 

From Key West, FL :Meet Me in the Keys

By Dani Hoy

Waking up to a rooster crowing nearly every morning, when you’re not used to it, is a sure way for you to know you’re someplace different. You stumble out of bed, plant your feet on the floor and go in search of ibuprofen and strong coffee. How much fun did I have last night? Must have been a lot. (My apologies to anyone if I misremember or gloss over any important details.)

June 14^th, around 11:30am, our 737 landed in the Conch Republic. My good friend J9 and I were here to participate in Meet Me in the Keys, a fundraising event for KOA Care Camps hosted by the Southernmost Coconut Castaways. This Keys-based club is an extension of Howard Livingston’s group of fans and friends from Iowa and was attended by the man himself, along with Cyndy, his lovely wife he affectionately calls “Cinderella,” and many other fine folk.

My “job” was to play the Meet and Greet that night, but our first stop was to hang out with John Friday at the Smokin’ Tuna. We had fun playing to the small group there and hamming it up for the Tuna Cam. After many previous Facebook chats, I finally met Key West Chris Rehm when he dropped by with his two lovely hounds. After a bit of Sam Adams and Ceviche, we scooted over to the DoubleTree for sound check (thanks for the use of your PA, Chris!) and the Meet and Greet from 6-8pm.

Marc and Tammy Hollander and all of the Castaways were a great audience and so much fun! Captain Josh, John Friday, Loren Davidson and a few other performers were there as they were playing over the weekend, too. The really cool thing for me was, after my gig and a few announcements, plus a song by Captain Ron, Howie came up to speak and play a few songs. Who’s guitar did he use? Mine, of course! For travel a lighter travel footprint, I brought a ¾ size Martin LXME. One me, it fits. On the guys, it looks like a toy. However, Howie played his wonderful songs on it, including “Meet Me in the Keys,” and proved that (wait for it), size doesn’t matter!

The following day there was a pool party and a beautiful fashion show featuring comfy, flowing outfits by Keykers. During the pool party, music was performed by Captain Josh, Jim Hoehn, John Friday, Loren Davidson, Paul Roush, C.W. Colt, and Thom Shepherd. After popping in to see the Barry Cuda show at B.O.’s, we caught Thom again, as he was appearing all week at the Tuna. Coley McCabe, a beautiful singer with wonderful music projects of her own, joined him on stage for a couple of songs such as “In Spite of Ourselves.” Thom blew quite a few strings over the weekend and, when one of his B-strings came apart, I lent him my mini guitar while I restrung the B on his. Tom got a lot of laughter when he asked, “Does this guitar make me look fat?” A few other musicians jumped up to do a number and, when Thom asked me to do one, I played “Meet Me on the Boardwalk.”

Saturday was a glorious, steamy day. After a dip in the pool at Casa 325 Guesthouse we did a little shopping, then ended up at Artist Koz’s Green World Gallery. Captain Josh performed, and then I joined Jim Hoehn and Paul Roush for a little “round robin” on guitar in front of a great audience and the web cam. Later, we were back at the Smokin’ Tuna for more Thom Shepherd. He does a wonderful show, playing favorites like “Parrothead” and the hit song he wrote, “Riding with Private Malone.” He also performed “Djibouti,” which he wrote to entertain the soldiers when he visited there. This time, he was joined on stage by the lovely Gina Maseratti, a local celebrity.

After a brief downpour, Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24 hit the stage. In my opinion, you can’t beat a horn band for creating a big sound and they really blew us away. The other thing that blew me away was the appearance of the Johnson outboard motor/margarita maker. After a vigorous auction, a generous bidder spent $4,000 for that first margarita. As I mentioned earlier, this was a charity event and the money went to the pool collected over the weekend. The Castaways raised over $10,000 for the KOA Care Camps.

Sunday dawned, another beautiful day. (Dawn? Did I say, “Dawn?” Never got up that early!) After breakfast at Pepe’s, J9 and I meandered over to Schooner’s Wharf to catch some Michael McCloud. We then headed to Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar for more fun with the Castaways. The crown of the evening was the Sunset Cruise on the Fury catamaran. Thom Shepherd played for the cruisers while we noshed on snacks and sipped champagne and margaritas. I played “TropiGal” during the inevitable string break. Later, Chris Rehm, Loren Davidson, Captain Josh, Jim Hoehn, Paul Roush and Captain Ron also each did a song or two. I’m pretty sure Loren did “Pirate Vacation.” With the champagne and margaritas flowing, I vaguely remember him whipping out a bandana. Arr!

Monday came and it was time to go. After a queasy breakfast of coffee and a fiber bar, we packed and made hasty preparations to mail some booty and swag home. J9 won a wall-plaque created by one of the castaways and commemorates the Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24 experience. I had a huge box of recently purchased cozies and t-shirts to get home. Marc Hollander (with thanks to Tammy for letting us “borrow him”) was kind enough to drive us to the UPS Store and Post Office. After he dropped us off, we made one last stop at Margaritaville, had a real meal and said “see ya later” to Chris Rehm and his dogs. The plane flight home was fairly uneventful and I arrived home to temps in the 70’s and a fine rain. For the first time in five days I was cold.

Meet Me in the Keys was a great experience for me and I highly recommend anyone attend next year.