CD Cover

How's our new CD coming along? We still have several tracks to record and master, but I'm calling this progress. Thank you, Picasa 3.

Because Cowboys are Cool

I wrote this song after watching real working cowboys dealing with rodeo stock in the pasture just behind our house. Living in Cottonwood definitely has its inspirational perks.

Celebrating the arrival of Rodeo Season by giving away free downloads of "The Last Cowboy in Shasta County." It's at our website - please help yourself:

Still Married Band website

Songwriting Scene Profile

Delighted to be featured today on Sharon Goldman's Songwriting Scene Blog. Link is here: Songwriting Scene

Kool Banner Pic

Kool Banner Pic
Originally uploaded by erin_friedman2007

Hilltop Drive is Revving up for Friday's Kool April Nights Cruise. Stop by Wrap-N-Pack Friday evening for some Kool Kristmas Shortbread Cookies.

I'd Rather Be in Redding: On Thursday

Chuck McCabe's clever song "I'd Rather be in Redding" has played on KPIG, circulated through email boxes and entertained locals. Chuck will be in town this week, performing at The Post Office in the Downtown Mall this Thursday evening, starting at around 7 ish.

Here's a YOUTUBE video of "I'd Rather be in Redding" -- c'mon down to the Post Office this week and hear it live. 25,000 youtube listeners can't be wrong.

Also playing with him will be Jay Howlett and on bass, Rolfe Wyer. In the Small World Department: Twenty-some years ago, back when I lived in San Mateo, Rolfe was my first songwriting instructor.

Enjoy the tune:

More on Chuck McCabe: HERE.

Song for Easter

It wasn't written as an Easter song - but it surely fits in with the message of resurrection:



You tube link: HERE

Name That Booth Contest

My dream is to someday have a real recording studio - carefully constructed, acoustically balanced and decorated for warmth and inspiration. Until then, we've made-do with a large open music room -- a room with high ceilings, recessed lofts, glass doors and windows and a gas stove with a stovepipe that rattles when we play certain notes - an acoustic disaster.

There's no dream recording studio in my immediate future, but Craig DID build me a sound booth - in an effort to add some warmth and depth to our vocal recordings. As is Craig's custom, he used material we had on hand - packaging foam, bubble wrap and PVC.

We set it up yesterday and singing inside it is a bit like having a gig in the Emerald City. Or an aquarium.....


The Bubble Wrap ceiling looks a little bit like clouds, if you squint:






I'll be spending a lot of time inside this green cave, so it needs a name.

Here's the contest: Leave me a comment with your suggested name for my new recording booth. I'll bake a batch of Coconut Shortbread Cookies (trust me - these are amazing) for the person who comes up with the VERY BEST name. Decision of the judge (that's me) is final.

Give it your best shot, pretty please. I'll preheat the oven.....

Kitchen Composition

Cooking is a lot like songwriting - Start with a few ingredients, a little inspirationand attempt to put them together in a way that's unique and satisfying.

Yesterday I came home itching to cook something wonderful for dinner -- and I found virtually nothing exciting in my pantry or refrigerator. But sometimes you must plow ahead using whatever turns up. What turned up was: a couple onions, a Granny Smith apple and a few slices of bacon. Bingo. I decided to create an Onion Apple Tart. It was inspired.

Onion Apple Tart

Your favorite pizza dough recipe (If you don't have one already, this one from The Pioneer Woman is good: Pizza dough)

3 slices on bacon, chopped
2 onions, sliced

a little olive oil

1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped in 1/2 inch pieces

1/2 cup of heavy cream

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or use your favorite cheese)

kosher salt

fresh cracked black pepper

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Cook the bacon til it's brown and then use a paper towel to sop up most of the grease in the pan. Pour a little olive oil in with the bacon and saute the onions in the same pan. When the onions are soft, put the apples in the pan and saute til the apples soften.

Pour the cream into the pan and cook on low until most of the liquid evaporates. Let the filling cool while you roll out the pizza dough.

Roll the dough out - I use an insulated cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. I rub a bit of olive oil on the paper before I spread the dough out. Pile the topping on the dough. Sprinkle with kosher salt, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes - or until the crust is nicely brown and cheese is melted exactly to your liking.

When it comes out, it will look something like this:

We enjoyed it with a 2005 Ravenswood Syrah from the Grocery Outlet. Wonderful meal - and loads easier than writing a hit song.