Back in the saddle again... Thanks to my friend and talented musician Adam Topol -- who has asked me to sit in as his guitarist for the summer -- I'll be singing and strumming in front of people again.
Last month, we drove up PCH one afternoon, taking the long way to Santa Barbara to perform with some amazing singer/songwriters from the 805 area code. I was the LA interloper as none of the other invited singers brought a sideman, but Adam... the rebel drummer. However, as it turned out, they all invited me to sit in and add lead guitar to their songs.
It was a packed house at the Soho nightclub in Santa Barbara with avid music fans, whose full attention was on the music, and were keen to listen to the stories behind the music as each player explained the how's and why's of each of their selections. Fun, loud and raucous crowds can be great, but the fans' silence and attentiveness during the music made it so much more special. Of course, hearing Glen Phillips' unmistakable voice (Toad the Wet Sprocket) was a treat but all the other performers were on point. I was honored to be a part of it.
Adam and I will do our own little show in August in Pasadena, and I've finally got some new ideas coming to fruition. Most of the rest of 2017 will be spent behind the scenes on the road with iconic musicians Herb Alpert and Lani Hall, and getting ready to marry my lovely Leilana in a far away land on January 1st of 2018. Exciting!!
Yes, 2018 will be here before we know it, and should be my chance to get new music out to the world!