Diary

Thursday, May 15, 2003

Last Saturday I had the honor to play music with Pete Seeger and Dr. Mary Nell Morgan Brown right here in Greenwich! Pete came to The United Church to sing for a capacity crowd of 290 people as part of a presentation that included speaker Joe Quandt from "Voices In The Wilderness.

It was a joy for me to sing again with Mary Nell, and a breathtaking experience, to say the least, to be onstage with Pete. To say that he has been a lifelong influence and hero to many people is an understatement! He is one of the most humble and gracious human beings I've met. Thanks to my wife Bonnie, Dr. Mary Nell Morgan Brown and Reverend Barbara Thomas for bringing everyone together for an unforgettable afternoon! (see photo on photo page)

Tuesday, March 18, 2003

Thank you to reviewers Ellen Geisel (Dirty Linen Magazine) and Robert Lindquist (Singer Magazine) for their well written, and enthusiastic reviews of Clear Connection!

Every creative artist hopes to see such positive feedback...it surely helps you through those dreary winter days when no one returns your phone calls or emails, and you begin to wonder if anyone is listening.

Thursday, December 05, 2002

My friend Joan Crane has come out with a new album titled, "Back Home"!

In Dirty Linen Magazine, reviewer Ellen Geisel had some kind words to say about Joan's new CD, and my song, "Me And My Guitar" which Joan covered for the album. The following excerpt is from that review...

"One mic, four in-tune-with-each-other musicians, (fingerstyle genius Joan Crane and her friends Skip Smithson, mandolin; Junior Barber,Dobro; and Mike Barber, acoustic bass) and an appreciative audience make for an intimate live recording at the Peru, New York, Community Church Coffeehouse. Joan's specialty is acoustic blues. She moves easily between the sly vocal stylings of Minnie McCoy's "Me And My Chauffeur", and fleet-fingered finesse on Billy Joe Shaver's "I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal". Other highlights are Bob Warren's ultra-lovely "Me And My Guitar", the traditional "Know You Rider", and the sweet set-closer, "Summer Rain". So, kick back, give this a listen, and get back to the genuine heart and soul of music"

Be sure to pick up a copy of "Back Home", and go out and hear Joan when she next plays in your area. When you do, tell her I said "hello, and thanks for singing my song!"

Tuesday, November 19, 2002

Had a great time at The Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference held at Kutsher's in Monticello, NY this past weekend! A lot of great music on stage, in the hallways,rooms...everywhere you went. Made some new friends, and saw friends who I don't see nearly enough. Saturday night just before midnight, an ice storm caused the power to go out. After a few hours the emergency back-up lights faded, and all was darkness except for pockets of light surrounding candles and music. It seemed a cross between a costume party (you couldn't tell sometimes who you were talking to),and the kind of mood that was probably shared by the bar patrons of The Titanic as it listed slowly into the sea! It got chilly, but we got through to Sunday morning and coffee, and I can't wait until next year!

This coming Sunday, November 24th at 3pm Cara Satalino has her CD release party at The Caffe' Lena. I think very highly of her music, and had the honor of producing the album for her. Looking forward to the show!

Monday, November 11, 2002

I have never had so much fun playing music as I did at Caffe' Lena the other night, thanks to everyone who played and sang, and to two great audiences! The singing was heavenly! Amazing! Those who came to the second show were treated to a visual surprise, as "The Minors" horn section got into the wardrobe closet backstage, and came out "dressed to the nines" complete with fedoras and double-breasted suit jackets. Thankyou, thankyou,thankyou to everyone who came!

Friday, November 08, 2002

My brother Mitch got in tonight from New Hampshire. I'm a little too excited about tomorrow night to sleep at the moment. It's going to be so much fun playing music with friends and family! Cara Satalino will be doing the opener for the 6pm show, and Rosanne Raneri the opener for the 9pm show. Sounds like we'll have a packed house! Great energy at Lena's when that happens. Torey Adler is doing the sound. Scott Petito, Beth Reineke, Danny Whelchel, Tony Markellis, Michael Jerling, brothers Mitch, Lee, Don, my son Kevin and Greenwich High School Jazz Band mates Keith Pendergrass, Carl Anderson and Sam Roods will be on board as well. Wow!