The featured artist at the Poor David’s Pub open mic, hosted by Mr. Troll, on Monday, October 24 was a band from Utah called Foreign Figures. Separately the band is Eric Michels – Vocals, Steve Michels – Drums, Seth Dunshee- Bass, and Johnny Tanner – Guitar. Collectively, they are one kickass ball of sound. For a band that has only been together for two years, the four young men seem naturally tight.
The energy of the members of Foreign Figures seems to be boundless. One of the unique things about the band is that they all play percussion at different times. They have a tom-tom, a floor tom, and a snare drum outside of Steve’s trap set. There were times when Seth Dunshee and Johnny Tanner would play their respective drums. Eric as well.
On one particular song, Steve left his drum set, set the beat on the tom-tom, then Dunshee took over the beat. Steve moved the snare drum, set the beat, then his brother, Eric, took over. Next was the floor tom before Tanner took over the beat, then back to the trap set. What followed was a percussive explosion with a back beat. They took us just short of overwhelming and brought it back around to an explosive conclusion. I’ve always loved a good drum solo and this was a drum solo on steroids.
But it wasn’t all about percussion. Tanner played the guitar like the old familiar friend I’m sure it has been. Dunshee placed the bass notes 
between percussion, guitar, and piano seamlessly, emphasizing notes when necessary. Eric Michels sang and danced or moved around with seemingly reckless abandon that was actually very good timing and planning.
It was the band’s first gig in Texas. We showed them they were welcome. If you get the chance to see Foreign Figures, don’t pass it up. As I said earlier, for a band only together for two years, these young men are tight. And as Troll said when he posted a picture of himself and Samantha Saunders (Bar Manager) with the band – “these guys rocked it.”
Peace be with you.
On the weekend of the 15th, I was volunteering at the Dallas Songwriters Association booth at the Arlington Guitar Show. It was slower this year than it was last year – the booth and the guitar show. Bobby Montgomery and I were there for most of both days. Marcus Belmore helped out on Saturday with Harry Hewlett and Steve Sullivan helping out on Sunday.
There was plenty of time for each of us to wander around and see all the booths. As I tell people, if I bought another guitar I’d have to get divorce papers on the way home. So, while I look at the guitars while I’m walking around, I mainly concentrate on picks, capos, and accessories. I have impressive pick and capo collections.
Regardless of the collections, fortunately people are always coming up with something new. Despite the lower attendance, 
there were more booths. At the same time, some of the regular booths weren’t there this year – V-Picks being one. So there wasn’t a whole lot of new booths. Then Gus Gustafson dropped by the DSA booth. He told me about the picks that he and Jim Cobb had created and told me to stop by his booth.
I stopped by the Ultimate Fingerpick booth at the first opportunity. I believe it was Gus’ brother, Bob, I talked to. He explained to me about dipping my fingers in water to get them to feel snug. The idea for them came from the making of prosthetics. With a couple of close friends with prosthetics, I was fascinated. And the picks – or “fingers,” as the case may be, felt comfortable.
I bought the show special which included two packages of two fingers (Ultimate Fingerpicks) and two one thumb packages (Pick Pocket Ultimate Thumb Pick). I liked the way the samples felt, and I was anxious to see how they worked. When my son, Cameron, and I got home, I tuned my guitar and put the picks on. The way the picks are on my fingers in the picture is not how I use them.
I wanted to illustrate the two ways you wear the fingerpicks. You can either wear them as extensions of your own fingernails or upside down – which is how I wear them. You can also file the nails down to the shape you want. Gus said he takes his to the manicurist. If you’re picky (sorry), that would be the way to go. Particularly if you’re using them as extensions of your own fingernails – to keep the underside smooth. I use Cyndy’s bigass emery board. But it’s not easy or quick.
When you’re playing with them, they actually feel like your fingers – as opposed to regular picks. With no chance of them falling, particularly the thumb pick. I used to finger pick with just my thumb and first finger because the fingerpick felt weird on my second finger and it just didn’t happen. When I was using these picks on Saturday night, it felt entirely natural and, of course, added to the sound. You can also use any regular shaped pick in the thumb pick. Just wet it a bit and slide it in. Wet your thumb before you put it on and it will slide on easier.
On Sunday at the Arlington Guitar Show, I went back by the booth. Bob was talking to a customer so I looked at the picks while they talked. I interjected that I had used them the night before and they worked great. Which I hope helped make the sale to the customer.
I tried them out in a live setting at the Poor David’s Pub open mic that next Monday, hosted by Mr. Troll. Overall, they
worked just fine, as expected. When I used the thumb pick as a regular pick – without the other two – it caught on the strings at times. But it was a blues tune, so it was more a matter of my not being used to them. As well as the fact that it was not designed for that. However, on one of my songs when I used the thumb pick alone on parts, it worked really well.
If you’re a guitar player and/or singer-songwriter, do your self a favor and try out these picks. The price is reasonable and it’s always fun to try new things. Who knows, it may even spark some creative juices to flowing and inspire a new song or style.
Peace be with you.
Cast – courtesy of Water Tower Theater
I won tickets to see Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash at the Water Tower Theater in Addison. I entered the drawing in the KERA Art & Seek newsletter. Cyndy and I arrived at the theater not knowing what to expect, other than Johnny Cash music. We’re not really current on Broadway Musicals. We were pleasantly surprised with both the theater and the musical.
The staff was very helpful and friendly. At the box office we were told that they had seats for us, but wanted to wait to see if they could have better seats. We returned to the box office just as the doors opened. There were other people waiting that were on standby. A staff member with the list came out and called out a name, but the person wasn’t there.
The next name she called out was mine. She handed us generic tickets without seat numbers, pointed to the usher, and said we could sit in any empty seats except K103. The usher looked at the tickets and said to wait because there were still people coming in. When he realized they were standby, he said he guessed we could sit in the seats I asked about. We sat on the front row.
Ring of Fire is four people playing Johnny Cash music: in the order of the picture -Sonny Franks as David, Katrina Kratzer as Trenna, Spencer Baker, as Eddie, Ian Ferguson as Mark, and Brian Mathis as Jason. Sonny Franks was also the musical director. He played accompaniment and comic relief. The choreography between songs was sparse but very effective without flaw.
Mathis/Jason entered the stage through the audience dressed in black. For all intents and purposes Jason played the mature Johnny Cash. He also did the lion’s share of narration. Kratzer/Trenna represented June Carter Cash by default and by design. Although I do not think June could come close to playing the fiddle/violin like Kratzer does. As we musicians say “she flat tore it up.” And while I think she would also fit in an orchestral setting, she seemed more at home playing fiddle.
Eddie and Mark alternated between representing the younger Cash and being accompanist, depending on the song. By representing, I mean loosely. No one was actually being Johnny or June. Which made it all the more fun.
In Act 1, the cast performed some of the couple’s more popular tunes such as Five Feet High and Rising, Daddy Sang Bass, Get Rhythm, Ring of Fire, and Jackson. As well as lesser known comical songs, Egg Suckin’ Dog, and Flushed From the Bathroom Of Your Heart. During Egg Suckin’ Dog, played by the male members of the cast, David went into the audience for a “fourth member of the quartet.” The young man stood wearing a silly hat and sheepish grin – being the egg suckin’ dog. Thus ended the mystery of why we couldn’t sit in K103.
In Act 2, they performed the heavy hitters – the most popular of the couple’s songs. I’ve Been Everywhere, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Delia’s Gone, and Folsom Prison Blues, to name a few. As well as Man In Black, I Walk the Line, Hey Porter, and A Boy Named Sue (the final song). One of the most emotional parts of the evening was when Trenna and Jason did a duet on Waiting on the Far Side of Jordan. If you don’t know the song or the story, it’s about a woman who says that if she is the first to go, she will wait on the “far side of Jordan” with her hand outstretched for her husband to join her. June did, in fact, pass away first, with Johnny following not long after. There was not a dry eye in the house when the song ended.
Ring of Fire runs through Sunday at the Water Tower Theater. Do yourself a favor and go see the musical. Even if you have to get on the standby list – which could work in your favor. It is a delightful musical journey through the life of Johnny Cash and his lifelong love with June Carter Cash.
Peace be with you.
Emily Chambers and Brendon Krieg
On Monday, October 10th, at the Poor David’s Pub open mic hosted by Mr. Troll, we were treated to a dose of Canadian soul. Emily Chambers is a sultry voiced singer from Vancouver. Brendon Krieg, who is playing guitar for Emily on the tour, is also from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Ordinarily, he plays drums in the full band.
Her website says she “combines an old school Motown vibe with hints of hip hop and a little bit of Southern grit.” That hits it pretty close. She is also charming, amiable, and a bubbling personality on stage. With a voice that will lull you into a musical trance, then slap you in the face with sudden vocal intensity, before grooving through the end of the song.
Which is just another example of what you’re missing by not going to an open mic. But check out Emily’s website, listen to some songs, and buy the EP, Magnolia. Then watch for her tour news and let’s hope she comes back through Dallas next year.
I played my set just after Emily . As she was coming off the stage, I said, “sounded good!”
“Cheers,” she said.
Which is something we don’t hear a lot of in Texas. But it’s refreshing in a way. It’s always nice to share the stage with someone from another country and share music across borders.
Cheers. Peace be with you.
Catch up continues…This year’s edition of SWRFA in Austin began on Wednesday, September 28 with an open mic at Threadgill’s at night. Since I had the recording time at the Harman truck for the JBL contest at 4:30 p.m. (see previous post), I would not be able to get to Austin in time to sign up, so I couldn’t justify the extra night in the hotel. I arrived at the hotel on Thursday about 3:00 p.m. in time to check in, register, get my song prompt, and get ready for the dinner and open mic by the pool.
Berkalin Records provided the dinner and drinks – as they do each year. Butch Morgan hosted the open mic(s) – as he does each year. After the open mic was the official showcase alternates concert. Which were the performers who were finalists, but did not get chosen for the official showcases on Friday and Saturday night.
Friday began with the First Timers Advice – per usual, followed by various other breakout sessions. Lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday, and the brunch on Sunday morning are covered in the quite reasonable registration price. One of the things always mentioned for first timers that everyone pretty much takes to heart is to sit at the meals with people you don’t know. So you meet new people and make new friends and contacts. It can be a little tough when you know a lot of the people there. So if we sit at a table and there happens to be someone we know, we simply put some people between us.
The first timer showcase(s) were from 1:30 to 3. Sponsored showcases were from 3:30 – 5:30 and
Baylis Laramore
again from 10:30 p.m. until early in the morning. The DJ reception, welcoming party, and dinner, all preceded the official showcase concert from 7:30 to 10. Throughout the hotel there were spontaneous bursts of animated conversation and song circles until the wee hours.
Saturday was similar to Friday with the general exhibit area and various breakout sessions. The second pool party and open mic was held from 3:30 – 5:30, with Butch Morgan hosting. Followed by dinner and the second official showcase concert. Then more sponsored showcases, spontaneous outbursts, and song circles.
Sunday brought the brunch followed by the song assignment performances. If you will recall I said that I got my song prompt when I registered. The challenge is to write a song using the prompt during the weekend and play the resulting song on Sunday. As advertised, it’s one of the highlights of the weekend. This year 61 people sang the song they had written. Many were funny – you should have heard some of the prompts! Others were heart-reaching and thought-provoking. Especially with a group of sleep deprived individuals in the audience.
Bill Hook and Lynn McCracken
Good-byes were said throughout the morning as people from farther away had to leave. If it sounds like it was a whirlwind it was. A thoroughly enjoyable, powerful, musical whirlwind. Reuniting with friends, making new ones, learning about our craft and business, and hearing songs that inspire a songwriter to write other ones or just bring out emotions that need touching.
Dalis Allen and the volunteer staff did a marvelous job as always. Not to mention the hotel staff at the Holiday Inn Austin Midtown. Add to that a couple of hundred singer-songwriters and over fifty venue representatives, and for four days we were all one big happy, sleep deprived family. Join us next year. You will be welcome.
Peace be with you.
I’m on the home stretch – catching up-wise. On September 28, I had the good fortune to play one of my songs for a video in the EON ONE Take – One Song One Take contest from JBL Professional and Harman. I had been picked from a large number of people to receive a slot. I arrived at the Harman truck in the Guitar Center parking lot in Farmers Branch before my required time. I signed the required form and waited my turn.
J.T. – I’m pretty sure that was his name – had me tune and set up, then do a sound check. When the red line came on, I played my newest song at the time – Peace Be With You, which I wrote about the strange year we’re having and the shooting during the protest in downtown Dallas. [A live version will be available soon.] J.T. seemed to like the song. I’m sure he has to be careful lest someone misunderstand. He explained how the contest would go from there.
The tour around the country concludes about the end of October. Voting will take place the first couple of weeks in November and the top ten finalists will be picked and notified. I’m not sure how the grand prize winner will be picked from the finalists, but the grand prize is a trip to LA to record the song at a noted studio. 
As I thanked J.T. and left, he handed me an AKG D5 microphone for recording the video and entering the contest. I used the microphone when I hosted the Monday open mic at Angela’s at the Crosswalk a week ago Monday and the mic performed beautifully. A very clear sounding mic without any of the annoying whine or scream on the high end. At $99, it’s a great deal.
Hopefully, I’ll be asking for your help to do whatever I have to do should I be chosen as a finalist. But I’m not holding my breath.
Peace be with you.
Joe Cat
And on we go… The September 19th and 26th editions of the Poor David’s Pub Open Mic demonstrated what you are missing. That is, if you enjoy hearing good music. And it’s just one open mic of over 165 each month. That includes the Dallas Songwriters Association events – just saying. In fact, I didn’t do my DSA spiel on the 19th because most of the several present were members.
The regulars alone are enough to bring you back to hear some more good music the next week. And as I usually make clear, this applies to a good number of open mics, if not most, or all, of them. Then there are the irregulars and the touring songwriters who happen to be traveling through the area. Not to mention the welcoming hosts, such as Mr. Troll at PDP.
In particular, the PDP open mic has a weekly featured artist. Joe Cat was the featured artist on Monday the 19th. Joe’s songs are songs of the land. Telling the stories of people and places he has seen on his travels around the country while touring. Songs such as Roads Never Traveled, Dark Texas Oil, and Heart Made of Clay. My particular favorite is Silver Thread City. On his cd, How Are You? Where Are You?, the song has piano without guitar. While it’s a very good version, I like the acoustic version with Joe on guitar better. You can decide for yourself. He posted the acoustic version on his Facebook page.
Allen Hurt was the featured artist the next week on the 26th. The title of his cd, Always
Allen Hurt
Country pretty much sums up his music. As do the songs Rambling Rita, She’s A Country Girl and Two Nights and A Heartache Later. With all the types of songs that are called country these days, it’s refreshing to hear “good ole” country music . Allen’s humor fills the time between songs on stage.
So if you’re wondering what to do tonight – on any night of the week, find an open mic and go play. Even better, if you’re a music lover, go listen. Speaking for the open mic community, we’d love to have you. Having someone to enjoy our music is at least half the fun. And you’ll always be welcome.
See you at an open mic.
Peace be with you.
Catching up continues… On Saturday, September 16th, at Duncanville First Baptist Church, members of the Dallas Songwriters Association (DSA) presented a showcase in Fellowship Hall. Church members each gave a $10 donation and each couple brought a covered dish. Potluck dinners are always an adventure into home cooking and that dinner was no exception. There were the standard sides (albeit made differently) as well as some unique creations – all of it delicious.
During dinner, Dickey Johnson and Barbe McMillen played some standards in a couple
Dickie Johnson and Barbe McMillen
of genres. After dinner, following the announcements by Bobby Montgomery, the two played a few of Barbe’s original songs. Bobby is a DSA board member and member of Duncanville FBC.
Montgomery followed the duo and played his songs that other members consider “country standards.” Bobby’s songs take the listener back to simpler days, slamming screen doors, and family nights around the kitchen. There is a sense of smoothness and serenity in Montgomery’s songs.
Harry Hewlett
Harry Hewlett took the stage next. Harry takes the smoothness and serenity in Bobby’s songs, dries them for days in the west Texas sun, drags them through the dirt, and tops them off with dry humor. Hewlett’s songs make listeners laugh at themselves while blushing because they did so.
DSA President Michael Brandenberger then played some jazzy originals. I followed Michael. I played my song for those on the autism spectrum, Hello Out There, followed by What the Lord Intends, about the Sack Summer Hunger program. I ended with Peace Be With You, about the police shootings during the protest among other events of this strange year, and Will the Circle (Be Unbroken). 
Ian Dickson and Paul Martin Zander concluded the show. They played for about thirty minutes and switched between songs by Ian and songs by Paul. Their set included my favorite song of Ian’s, his song about a pickup line that includes Jimmy Hoffa, the Loch Ness monster, Bigfoot, and Amelia Earhart.
Those in attendance enjoyed the show immensely and told us so. This is the second year for the DSA fundraiser, and it continues to be successful. Check out the calendar on the DSA website and follow the association on Facebook – where you will find more pictures from this event. Visit us at any DSA events.
Peace be with you.
Brittnee Belt
Okay, still trying to catch up….I had the privilege of being included in the Taste of Texas Songwriter Showcase at Stan’s Lakeview Draft House in the Colony on Friday, September 9th. Brittnee Belt, of Pink Couch Studios, was the host. She is also the booking agent for Stan’s. Some of the performers at her showcases came through her music school.
Ashton Edminster opened the show with an
Ashton Edminster
hour set. I believe Ashton is 15 years old. She kept on rolling, even after having feedback issues. I followed Ashton and played a half hour set. I began with Hello Out There, my song for those on the autism spectrum. Then, looking out at the crowd, I realized that 8:30 on Friday night was not the time for a soulful, introspective songs. So I switched the next two songs with humorous songs and finished the set as planned.
Seventeen year old Harper Grace spends time in Nashville writing and co-writing songs. She has a natural grace and is improving in live performance. One could tell she was intentional in what she did and how she moved and performed.
Jade Nickol followed Grace. It was difficult to keep their ages straight, because all the girls were teenagers. I think she was sixteen. Jade has an easy going style, not taking herself too seriously.
Layne Elizabeth
Next was 14 year old Layne Elizabeth. Brian Lambert, who came next and has been part of the Denton scene for years, and I were watching the girls perform. We were commenting to each other – noticing things they said or did that will change or cease as they improve or simply in time. Watching Layne I turned to Brian and said, “I like her.” She made no bones about not knowing anything much about love. Her songwriting belies her young age.
Brian Lambert is broadening his reach to Dallas and beyond. He plays at Adair’s Saloon in Deep Ellum on most Mondays. One of the four songs he played was his Ballad of Tony Romo. He plays with the band My Kickdrum Heart when not playing solo.
Jacob (Cob) Vaughn played an interesting set on electric guitar. He had some good songs. Despite his opening line: “You’ve heard a lot of good songs tonight. That ends now.” He will be playing in an Afton Show at Poor David’s Pub on November 17.
Look for more pictures on my Facebook pages. You can also like my music page and send a friend request on my personal page while you’re there. Just saying.
Peace be with you.
Chasing After Wind 