Shasta County Tunes Head to Worldfest

We're packing up our gear and heading to Grass Valley to perform at California Worldfest.

From their website:

www.worldfest.net

                                                           A WORLD OF MUSIC

Under the cool, tall pines of the Sierra Foothills

Featuring 8 stages of music from around the world,
camping with family and friends, workshops, international food,
fine crafts, and the renowned children's program.

We call it "a tremendous opportunity." There's a stellar line-up of musicians and activities for the weekend and it looks like the temperatures at the fairgrounds in Grass Valley are a fair bit cooler than here in Shasta County.

We are thrilled to be taking the stage at 10 AM and noon on Friday, July 11th, along with the two other KZFR Songwriting finalists: Hannah Jane Kyle (winner!) and Dan Casamajor.  

We'll be sharing our love of our Shasta County home with the audience -- singing songs about Redding trains, Mount Shasta and our magnificent Sundial Bridge.  And chickens, of course.

Here's the finale from the KZFR Celebration of the Song Event held at the  Sierra Nevada Big Room last month -- Will the Circle Be Unbroken -- featuring the talents of Joe Craven, Dan Casamajor, Hannah Jane Kyle and a couple of grinning rubes from Cottonwood.

Art in the City: A Redding Tradition

Thursday, May 15th, the City of Redding presents a free concert and art show at Redding City Hall. The Summer Art Reception runs from 5-7 and features art from the Grand View Fine Arts Society, quilts created by the Quilter's Sew-Ciety of Redding and art by Patricia Cook. Click here for more information on the artists.

Several North State Songwriters will perform original music in the lobby. 

Still Married's  country folk tunes celebrate the landscape, the characters and the independent spirit of Far Northern California, with songs like "Under the Sundial Bridge" and "The Redding Song."  Singer- songwriter Will Miller will perform indie folk and country music. Duo Matthew Songmaker and Sam Jo bring a unique blend of bluegrass, Americana, and acoustic country. Justin Contreras will perform original acoustic rock tunes.

The public is invited to meet the artists whose work is on display and enjoy complimentary refreshments at Shasta County's largest art gallery.

Simon's Still Amazing After All These Years

Celebrating the brilliant Paul Simon on his 70th birthday. This is my favorite version of my favorite Paul Simon tune: Kathy's Song, performed by Eva Cassidy.

Enjoy:

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.

Money Talks - Folk Singer Walks

Singer songwriter Dan Sheridan of Aspen, Colorado, got himself fired for singing about what "Big Money" has done to his town.

Read the story - complete with a Capra-esque ending -- here:

Folk Song Strikes a Touchy Chord.

Bay Area Songwriting Workshop

Songwriter Steve Seskin (I Think About You, Don't Laugh at Me and many others) is most generous with his insight and experience. A wonderful storyteller, he shares the nuts and bolts of good songwriting with humor and honesty. He, Don Henry and Craig Carothers are presenting a songwriting workshop at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley on January 9th.

Worth the trip, I assure you.

More info here: Songwriting Workshop

Songwriter Night Downtown

Head to The Downtown Eatery this Wednesday, December 2nd, for their monthly Singer Songwriter Showcase and Open Mic. Music gets underway at 7 PM, hosted by singer-songwriter Phil Paige.

At 9 PM, my dear friend Nick Ciampi will be the featured artist, and he'll play a set of his original tunes. A little Dylan-esque and completely dedicated to sharing his passion for music, Nick is a local treasure. Enjoy!

Lightfoot and Dylan

Love this story about Gordon Lightfoot and Bob Dylan:

by Chris Welch, from the Huntsville Times

Hair: Hall of Fame

The songwriting duo that created HAIR, Gerome Ragni and James Rado, will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June. Read the story here.

HAIR was an album I played to death as a teenager. There were a couple clunkers -- Good Morning, Starshine comes to mind -- but the musical was filled with a number of examples of masterful songwriting and clever lyrics.

One of my favorite songs was "Frank Mills." What amazed me then -- still does, actually -- is that the lyrics don't rhyme. They're poetic, thoughtful, visual and precise and the melody is sweet and soaring. The song just works in its own funky way. Love it when artists dare to step way outside the lines.

Hair was a milestone in musical theater - glad to see the creators honored. Here's the original Broadway version of Frank Mills:

Songwriting advice from a pro

Vince Gill shares his songwriting advice with college students.

I found myself nodding my head when I read this:

"I think you have to be willing to write through some bad songs to get to a good one."

Read the article here.

2009 Cultural Cruise: Songwriter Showcase

Great evening at Redding's City Hall - six North State Songwriters shared original music on Friday night.

And I promise that I will have reading glasses before the next Showcase, so that I can actually SEE the viewfinder on the camera and take pictures that are in focus. Argghh....

Steve Read

David Thompson:

Paul Howell:
Nick Ciampi:


Diana Wallis and husband/bass player, Steve:

Craig and I, Still Married, because -- my goodness -- he's a patient man....

Music, Art and Ice Cream

This Friday, January 30th, from 5-8 --

Redding's 2009 Cultural Cruise: Art, music and refreshments at various venues around town.

The North State Songwriters will perform original music at Redding's City Hall (777 Cypress Ave). City Hall has a magnificent art display - and we're looking forward to sharing our tunes in the lobby.

Here's the schedule:

5- 5:30 Still Married
5:30 - 6 Nick Ciampi
6-6:30 Diana Wallis
6:30- 7 Paul Howell
7-7:30 David Thompson
7:30 -8 Steve Read

Details on all the venues are available at the Shasta Arts Council web page.

Complimentary refreshments (also known as "Free Food") will be available.

As if that weren't enough to thrill you right down to your toes......

The Old Time fiddlers will be hosting their popular jam at Leatherby's in the downtown mall, starting at 7.

Join fiddlers, guitar players, mandolin players and others to play old time jigs, reels, hoedowns, waltzes and tunes of choice. Beginners, intermediate and advanced players of all ages are welcome to come and learn new songs, have fun with old friends and make new ones.

The public is invited to watch, listen, tap their toes and dance, if so inclined

Full-frontal Songwriting

Just stumbled on an interesting blog collective on the New York Times website.

A group of songwriters, including Rosanne Cash and Suzanne Vega, share their creative processes at: Measure for Measure: How to write a song and other mysteries.

It is comforting to know that ALL songwriters struggle with many of the same issues - and it's refreshing to hear seasoned professionals admitting to frustration, fear, angst and all of the other messy ingredients go into the creative stew.

I'll be reading, learning and sharing, too.

Click here for the blog.

The Truth

At a songwriter Open Mic event a couple years back, a darling gal introduced a very sweet love song by explaining: "I wrote this before my divorce - back when I believed in this sort of thing." She shrugged and added: "I guess we all believed it."

It got me thinking about how perspective changes over time and how songwriters evolve.

What happens to the sweet love songs when we can't sing them with conviction?

When a harsh reality clashes with our cherished ideals?

When The Truth refuses to rhyme?



The Truth
words and music © Erin Coombs Friedman

Starry-eyed harmony
Love songs like they were meant to be
Poured forth with honesty
In a voice that speaks The Truth

When The Truth refuses to rhyme
A clear blue sky rains down a bitter wine
Roses die - wither on the vine
And the music stops -- on a dime


Stars collide then explode
Truth arrives in a mislaid note
Strikes like a lightning bolt
When she unfolds The Truth

When The Truth refuses to rhyme
A clear blue sky rains down a bitter wine
Roses die - wither on the vine
And the music stops -- on a dime

Melodies, memories
Altered by reality
Silence echoes endlessly
Now that she can see The Truth

When The Truth refuses to rhyme
A clear blue sky rains down a bitter wine
Roses die - wither on the vine
And the music stops -- on a dime

Nick Ciampi at the Post Office

January 2nd and 3rd - Redding singer-songwriter Nick Ciampi and his band, the Rocs, will help Redding recuperate from New Year's celebrations with a performance at The Post Office in The Downtown Mall.

Enjoy Nick's original folk-rock music and some classic covers at this friendly venue. Nick's a gifted songwriter, an amazing guitar player and he's generous with his talent - both on stage and off. Show starts at 8:30.

Enjoy Magazine profiled Nick a few months back - you can read it here.

Photo credit: Wyatt Olson

Nick's myspace

Selling Stuff/Selling Out?

What do you suppose is the biggest market for original music?

Last I heard, it was video game manufacturers. I found that bit of news depressing and, silly me, I thought things couldn't get worse.

Then along comes this excellent piece by Jon Pareles from the International Herald Tribune: The new route to musical stardom: Shilling for products on the unholy marriage of marketing and songwriting.

Are we cruising to hell in a handbasket? Should we order up cocktails and enjoy the ride? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

The new route to musical stardom: Shilling for products

Gifts for the Songwriters on your Christmas List

Songwriters don't really need anything except inspiration, time and maybe a rhyming dictionary.

But a new book -- and a new idea -- is creating a bit of buzz in the songwriting community.

Makin' Stuff Up

My husband (bless his heart) already bought me a copy of the book for Christmas. He just doesn't know it yet.


Other ideas:

Conference seminar CDs from West Coast Songwriters
One year Taxi membership
Recording studio time
Music or voice lessons
Blank CDs
Time and peace and quiet

Shut Up in the Key of G

Most people go to bars to booze it up, hang with their buds, kick up their heels and survey the social scene.

It's a rare barfly who declares: "Man, I'm REALLY in the mood to listen to a couple hours of lyrically intensive songs that I've never heard before. I sure hope a singer-songwriter shows up!"

Shut Up in the Key of G is dedicated to all musicians who've ever tried to be heard over drunks with dice.

Thanks to my in-laws, BobbyLee and Ron, who were spot-on as the rowdy boozers in the background. I married into the right family. And many thanks to Max Friedman, who directed and produced the video - all he asked for in return was a chocolate cake. Oh, yeah, and credit. In writing. Here 'tis.

Shut Up in The Key of G -- words and music by Erin Friedman, performed by Still Married and friends.



The crowd was loud
Slammin' down dice
The band floundered
Through “Tequila Sunrise”
We hit the last chord and we bowed
When a drunk at the back of the room
Gave a shout
“If you’re takin’ requests from us
I suggest ya Shut Up”

Shut Up, Shut Up
The crowd goes wild when we sing
“Shut Up!” they say it
And we’re happy to play it
Shut Up in the key of G
Shut Up
Brings them all to their feet
Ask and you shall receive
“Shut Up” they say it
And we’re happy to play it
Shut Up in the Key of G

You never know
Where inspiration comes from
As anthems go
It’s not “Born to Run”
But it suits us and we’re indebted
We owe the hecklers
Co-writer credit
A rowdy crowd
But fortunately
They kept their shouts
Obscenity-free

Shut Up, Shut Up
The crowd goes wild when we sing
“Shut Up!” they say it
And we’re happy to play it
Shut Up in the key of G
Shut Up
It brings them all to their feet
Ask and you shall receive
“Shut Up” they say it
And we’re happy to play it
Shut Up in the Key of G

We give ‘em our best
Every time they request
Shut Up in the Key of G

(When we perform live, for an all-adult audience, we use slightly different lyrics.)

One of these days, I'll figure out how to post audio-only files, but I've been unsuccessful in all of my attempts. So till then, you get a cheezy music video to go with the tune.