Yesterday I performed at The Cool Dog Concert series. Friends Paul Donovan (Guitar) and Ossi Beck (Percussion) joined me in opening the show for Celtic group "Cara" from Germany.

It was a joy to share a set of original tunes with an attentive and appreciative audience. It made me realize that this is what I need to be doing more of. The goal this upcoming year will be to seek out more concert opportunities like "Cool Dog".

For those who don't know what a home concert series is....well it's a concert that's put on in someones's home. What's cool is...everyone brings a covered dish and you get a chance to meet your audience up close and in a relaxed setting. The etiquet is for each person who comes to the show to put $15 in the jar to pay the musicians. And then, if you enjoy the concert...buy the groups merchandise.

I'd say we probably had about 40-50 people show up.

After Paul, Ossi and I finished our set there was an intermission...so we all went downstairs and had lots of good food and drink! But the real tasty treat was to be enjoyed later when we headed back upstairs to listen to "Cara".

Culturally, unless one seeks it out...we don't get much chance to listen to Celtic music here in America. Certainly nothing as incredible as "Cara". The vocals...the unique instruments...the beautiful rhythms blew me away! I'm hooked. After "Cara's" first set was over Toni and I bought 2 of their CD's along with a copy of their live DVD.

If you get the chance I would encourage you to visit their website and purchase their music.

www.cara-music.com

Sometimes i wake up at 3:30am. i'm not sure why but i suppose the peacefullness and quiet attract me. Usually my heart and mind are troubled by financial concerns, or my spirit is longing for expression. i worry that i haven't reached the level of success i should have at this point in my life...which always leaves me feeling depressed and embarrassed. 

Through it all there is always music. Ahhhh music. My love, my friend. And when i'm dwelling on "lack" in my life i try to turn to gratitiude to pull myself out of the perceived hole. Thank you Lord for this beautiful life. Thank you for my loving wife and children. Thank you for the gift of music.

Thursday night Toni, me and my good friend Rik Taylor drove up to a place called The Mermaid Inn in Philadelphia,PA to join the Eastern Pennsylvania chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association for a songwriters circle. It was great fun.  The featured performers were the Janci Brothers, Bob Mecklenberger and Joe Romano. After they each performed 4 songs we took a 10 minute break and the rest of us put out chairs in a circle and went around the room 3 times playing our original songs. 

Rick Denzien and his wife Debra Lee performed first. They have a great sound and harmonize so effortlessly. Next in line was my buddy Rik Taylor, who played a new song he's been working on. He did a great job! I played next and sang "The Chocolate Song" which got some good laughs from the group. Chuck Schaeffer was next as he sang "My Baseball Videos". He was followed by Mike McLaughlin who sang "Steel Blue Eyes". Next up was the very talented Brent Ellison. Brent has a sweet voice and plays a great piano. Last, but not least was a new member, Nyla, who shared with us her beautiful voice on a folk original tune. We then went around the room 2 more times and had great fun listening sharing and jamming along with each other's tunes.

A fun night was had by all...and I can't wait until the next time!

Last night, Saturday March 15, 2008...I changed my name (for one night) to Solomon O' Knopf as I performed with my son Andrew at Sheridan's Irish Pub for an early St. Patty's Day party. :-)  We had an absolute blast. It was so good to have Andrew home from college...but it was even more of a treat to have him perform a whole gig with me. Normally if he's in town he'll sit in for a song or two...but last night we did the whole gig together! It was great to hear his harmonies and guitar playing fill things so nicely.

Sheridan's was absolutely packed to the rafters and everyone was on their best behavior. My dear friends Miss Betty and her daughter Rose Marie came down from Middletown to be with us...our friends Dawn and Gary came up from Camden...and a dear classmate and friend of mine, Diane Speed, was up from Tennessee (spending time with her mother) to say hi and spend time with us. 

My sister in law, Gina, sang some with me...as did my brother in law, Brian Hill and a fella from the crowd, Ray, who did an incredible rendition of James Brown's "I Feel Good". All in all it was an incredible night and one we will remember for a long time.

I had a busy week last week. I played JW's wednesday night, Baywood Greeens Thursday night and then The Lobby Bar in the Dover Downs Hotel Fri & Sat night. The Lobby Bar was very busy both nights especially Friday night. Bruce Bruce (the comedian) did a show in the Rollins Center and many of the folks that came out to see him ended up hanging out with me. It was awesome. Also, my dear friends and co-producers of my cd, Daniel Forsee and Dave Simmons came out with their beautiful girlfriends Lisa and Julie. It was great to see them...they always Razz me and I love it. Saturday night I got a chance to see some of my friends from "On the Edge". Edgar (who contributed keyboards to my cd), Roger & Mike came in and hung out with me for a bit. Those guys are awesome. Saturday night was also special because my mother in law took several of us out to dinner before hand. We also met the people who we got our new puppy, Sissy, from. They breed Champion Boston Terriers.

I had a great time playing at "A Piece of Ireland" last weekend. From the moment Toni and I walked into the place we felt a good vibe. Friday night was packed and the crowd was a lot of fun. Saturdays group was very appreciative as well. I'm hoping Joe & Shirley Sheridan book me back there soon!

We had an awesome night Friday at JW's. The gig is always so much more fun when Darin and I work together. He's such a talent. The crowd really enjoys what we do. I especially love the harmonies. We got my brother in law, Brian Hill, up for some songs as well!

Last night I performed at Baywood Greens in Long Neck,DE. It's the most gorgeous country club I have ever seen. The folks there are so appreciative of what I do...it makes for a wonderful night. I love it! I will be performing there every Thursday for the rest of the year. I'm really looking forward to it. I got a chance to see Jane and Ed Hicks. They reminded me that I sang at their daughter, Joanne's, wedding 21 years ago. Wow! That is so hard to believe. I don't feel that old!

Last night I played JW's. Wednesdays are always busy. I'm slowly working into doing more original material and that makes me happy! Our friends Ossi and Lisa came in around 10:30pm and it was great visiting with them and talking music.

I can't believe we're into October already! This past weekend was busy with the big Gala at Modern Maturity Center on Friday evening and The Lobby Bar at Dover Downs on Saturday evening. I opened up for the Fabulous Greaseband on Friday. The Gala at Modern Maturity Center is their largest fundraiser of the year and there were over 400 people present.  Saturday night was very cool at The Lobby Bar (Dover Downs). Johnny Neel was playing in the Rollins Center, I was in the Lobby Bar...my buddies Dale Teat and Charles Joiner were playing in the Garden Cafe with their band "Glass Onion" and my other buds Robbie Henderson, Jim Bob Cochrane, Jimmy Durham and Bobby Baker (Mr. JJ Band) were playing out at The Terrace Bar. It was cool going around during my breaks to catch everyone. During one of my sets Johnny Neel came in to listen to me. That was pretty cool. He's played piano with some of the greats of our time including The Allman Brothers.