Seattle, WA: Empty Sea Studios

Nice to wind down the mostly-close-to-home-but-still-busy year with an intimate show among friends. Joe Jencks and I, of course, go back many, many years, and it's always fun to see what non-plussing may happen on-stage. And for the past few years Joe and Trina Willard have done a between-the-holidaze(-ish) date, so I'm happy to crash that tradition, too. Sold out the first show several days in advance, so pleased to add a second: double the singing, picking, and frequent grinning--all in a really special concert space.

Covington, WA: Covington Library (Bushwick Book Club - The Time Machine)

So ends the great Bushwick Book Club / Time Machine KCLS Tour, 2011--and nice to go out on top. Kudos to the Covington folk for making this one such an attended and aesthetic success, and to the gentleman calling himself 'Major Fun' who showed with his own Wells-inspired offerings to perform! Next up for KCLS: March, by Geraldine Brooks.

Vashon, WA: Vashon Library (Bushwick Book Club - The Time Machine)

Book Club ferryboat ride...!

Seattle, WA: Can-Can

Opener Scott Katz is probably a better burlesque-bar/cabaret act than we are, but it was worth this shot...

Kirlkland, WA: Merrill Gardens

Though iTunes categorizes at least one of our releases as 'country,' I knew we'd have to expand the repertoire for this retirement-center 'Hoedown.' So enter a little Hank, a little Johnny, some Roger Miller, Buck Owens, Don Gibson...and and Hank Thompson / Kitty Wells duet showdown (which, naturally, led to questions of how long Alicia and I have been 'together'). Everyone loves Dave's playing, of course, but this crowd really dug his hair, too!

Bothell, WA: Bothell Library (Bushwick Book Club - The Time Machine)

Another Bushwick/KCLS Time Machine show (all dudes this time), and another opportunity to marvel at modern library technology.

Seattle, WA: Columbia City Theater (Bushwick Book Club - The Shining)

Happy one-year anniversary, Bushwick Book Club! And Happy Halloween as well. Can't beat celebrating both here--particularly with a World Series Game 6 for-the-ages on backstage...

I enjoyed The Shining--the first Stephen King book I ever read--and found plenty of obscure potential song-threads. "Mrs. Brant's Blues" was the winner, however, leaving me to perform a randy ode to a very peripheral character while dressed as a five-year-old: a first for me, and, I assume, many others in the room.

And if you missed it, I released my Book Club recordings from the past year here!