Redding's got FLASH!

USA Today can say what they want about the well-being of folks here in Redding, but these energetic kids are doing their part to ramp-up the happiness quotient right here in River City.

Flash Crew rehearses tirelessly and performs any time they get a chance - you may have seen them at the Mount Shasta Mall, at Market Street Faire,  at the Sundial Bridge....or sleeping on my living room couches.


Flash Crew is Joe Friedman, Brady Olsen, Nolan Meeks, Hunterrose Emmons, Tony Meredith and Tristan Gifford. Talented videographer Brandon Burgess of Sacramento's  IAMMOMENT  Productions has produced a several videos starring starring the Flash Crew. 

The latest is TIMELESS - watch the video and watch for the Flash Crew to make a big splash in the dance world and make Redding proud.

Like them on: Facebook
Follow them on: Twitter

Flash Crew's Timeless:



Flash Crew's Saviors of the Universe:




Behind the scene at Saviors of the Universe:

The Turf o' Tullamore

According to family legend, my great-great grandfather, George Convy, brought a piece of sod from the homeland when he emigrated from Ireland in 1866. Now and then, when he was feeling particularly homesick, he would take it out and have a good cry.

The Irish, who fled their country by the thousands, did not have a word for "emigrate" -- instead, they used the word for "exile," which struck me as sad and poignant. 

In this song, The Turf o' Tullamore, I pay tribute to my Irish ancestors, who came from Tullamore, Ireland, to make a new life in St Louis, MO, -- and who occasionally grieved for their homeland.

In celebration of Saint Patrick's Day, the song is available as a free download on our website - hop on over and help yourself. 

Click here: Still Married website.

The Turf o' Tullamore

words and music © Erin Coombs Friedman


Into the West – land of the free
In freedom will I e’er a stranger be
So up the stairs I climb
Open up the trunk and find
The piece of home I carried ‘cross the sea

chorus:

Weeping o’er The Turf o’ Tullamore
Exiles both – the Irish sod and I
The Turf o’ Tullamore
Will know my bones forevermore
Sweeten my grave when I
Lay down to die


For my sons, I made a pledge
They’ll not beg the Crown for daily bread
There’s days I understand
The promise in this promised land
And days I fill my glass with my regrets

chorus

When I take my final rest
Lay the Turf o’ Tullamore upon my breast
And it’s sweet - the dream I’ll dream
Home to Erin’s fields of green
By the Shannon’s holy waters, I’ll be blessed

chorus

Boomerang Bash

Boomerang - Nick's new CD

I often say: Nick Ciampi is the reason Craig and I are Still Married. 

Nick came into our lives with his guitar and his grin and set us off on a mystical, musical journey. I can' t imagine life ANY other way and we are so grateful for Nick's encouragement, his enthusiasm and his passionate, optimistic spirit.

Nick is a musical legend here in Redding.  For fifty years, he's crafted his passionate, folk-rock tunes, played in bands from Oregon to San Diego, captivated audiences and taught students of all ages.  

This weekend Nick Ciampi and his Band are celebrating the release of Nick's first studio CD, Boomerang, an album chock-full of richly-produced rock tracks that showcase Nick's soulful voice and poignant lyrics.

This project is dear to Nick's heart:  "The CD is a lifelong accomplishment. My first real studio-produced album, done by a world-class producer.  Since 1964, when I started my first band, I dreamed of having a recording of this quality."

The 15-track CD was produced at After Hours Recorders by Redding's Bruce Turgon, who Nick describes as "the absolute best." Rounding out the Nick Ciampi Band, are Marty Tully on lead guitar, George Ertl on drums, and Eddie "Boo Boo" Belnas on bass.  Boomerang features guest performances by Nick's good buddy Gary Zimmerman from San Mateo on horns.   

The Boomerang Release Party is Sunday, March 16th, from 3-7 at the Old Millhouse Restaurant in Redding.  Nick has invited several musician friends to help celebrate, so in addition to hearing Nick and his band perform the entire album, he promises performances by local guest artists. 

Pizza, beer and original tunes. We're looking forward to it!

Facebook page for the CD Release Party.

Still Married is on the Couch

Our video for The Best Damn Man is up on the Couch by Couchwest website.  Tune in all week for an eclectic, entertaining collection of independent music.

Click here for Couch by Couchwest.

Austin, Shmaustin....

I guess there's an ultra-hip, high-priced music/art festival going on in Austin, Texas, next week -- South-by-something-or-other.

What if you're a starving artist, paying mortgage and tuition, and you can't drop everything to head to Austin and spend the week rubbing elbows with movers and shakers, posting party selfies on Instagram and waiting in line for the restroom?

No worries! There's an alternative for the rest of us.

The folks at Couch by Couchwest have organized an online music festival that we all can enjoy from the comfort  of our own living rooms.  The concept is simple: Musicians submit videos and they are showcased online at the CXCW website from March 9th through the 15th. The cost to participate: $ 0.

Add to the fun: Mustache, taco and haiku contests and the chance to discover some undiscovered talent and you'll be delighted that you didn't fork over the big bucks in the Lone Star State.

Last year, Craig and I posted a video for our song "Reminds Me of You."





Another North State Songwriter, Jonathan Foster, played along last year with his video:




Look for brand spanking new videos for CXCW 2014 from Still Married and Jonathan Foster next week.

If you can't quite wait for your Jonathan Foster fix, the talented singer-songwriter has a couple gigs coming up.  Catch him Saturday, March 8th, at the Post Office in Redding's Downtown Mall, starting at 8:30.

Jonathan will also bring his tunes to Kelly's Pub (2155 Hilltop Dr, Redding) on
Friday, March 21st, at 8.  More details at Jonathan's website: JFMusic.net