Happy Birthday, Eddie

When I moved to Indiana in 2005, one of the first people I met was the pastor of Sixth Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Middletown, Ind. We met at a men's retreat where he was leading music, and he told me about the jam session he hosted in the basement of the church on Sunday nights, Sixth Street Sunday Night.

I couldn't resist, so first chance I got, I headed east from Anderson over to Middletown. There I discovered that you could put a couple of accordion players in a room with several guitars, a dobro, two mandolins, a banjo and a penny whistle and create one whale of a good evening of music.

But I left out the harmonica. I met Eddie Russell at Sixth Street, where he is a member. Eddie plays harmonica, and has been playing a lot longer than I've been alive. It's guaranteed that some time during the evening, he's going to break into "San Antonio Rose."

Tonight we celebrated Eddie's 91st birthday at Sixth Street. We had cake and ice cream, pretzels and chips, but mainly we had music. We got out the guitars, tin whistles and accordions and gave Eddie a fitting tribute. And, yes, we played "San Antonio Rose."

Happy birthday, Eddie. You're a great example of continuing to live as long as the good Lord gives you breath.

CICSA Songwriters in the Round

Due to job-related conflicts, I had to cancel two gigs this weekend, Friday night at The Lighthouse Cafe and Saturday night at The Bread Ladies. It hurt to do it, because I love playing in both those places.

However, I received an invitation to fill in for a cancellation at the CICSA Songwriters in the Round at Language and Culture International this Saturday night. I have the privilege of joining Greg O'Haver and Cathy Howie for an evening song-sharing that starts at 7:00 and runs until 9:30.

Language and Culture International is located at 158 E. 14th St. in Indianapolis. Come on out to hear music by a couple of outstanding songwriters and me.

This Weekend's Shows Cancelled

I was booked to play two shows this weekend, Friday evening at The Lighthouse Cafe in Alexandria and Saturday afternoon at The Bread Ladies in Greenfield. However, a job-related conflict came up that made it necessary to cancel both these gigs.

It hurt to do it because these are both places that I enjoy playing, but sometimes you have to set priorities and do what needs to be done. That was the case this time around.

If you were planning to come out either to The Lighthouse or to The Bread Ladies, thank you, and I'm sorry.

Meanwhile, I am getting excited about another swing through central Kentucky that I have coming up next month. I'll be heading back to The Hub in Danville on Friday, November 20. The next night I will play a one hour set at Common Grounds in Lexington. The following weekend I go back to Nicholasville to play on Saturday, November 28.

I've been uploading video clips from a few performances and creating a channel on YouTube. We had a great time at Earth House Collective on Sunday night for the wrapup of The Tenderness Tour. I should have some video from that show posted soon.

Tenderness Tour Concert This Sunday

Last weekend was tremendous fun with concerts at two stops on the Tenderness Tour, one at Beasley's Orchard in Danville and one at Avon Christian Church.  It's been an honor to support Richard Propes and the Tenderness Tour this year, including having a song selected for the "Give a Girl a Chance" compilation CD. 

This Sunday, at Earth House Collective in downtown Indy, the Tour will wrapup with a concert featuring six of the 19 artists from Give a Girl a Chance.  Starting at 7:00, Frank Bradford will perform a one-hour set in the cafe at Earth House.  Then upstairs, the music will continue with Luke Austin Daugherty, Ann McWilliams, Soulshine, Patchwork and me. Patchwork and I will contribute a short set beginning at 9:00.

TIckets are $7, and all proceeds benefit The Tenderness Tour.  Visit the Earth House Collective web site for more information about location and parking.

If you're in the Indianapolis area, please come out this Sunday to support a great cause and enjoy some really good music.

The Tenderness Tour

On October 8 Richard Propes embarks on the 20th Anniversary Tenderness Tour with one more wheelchair ride across the state of Indiana from Terre Haute to Richmond. All proceeds from this 20th Anniversary Tenderness Tour benefit three organizations: Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, New Community Project and Young Peacemaker's Film Project.

The Tour includes stops in Terre Haute, Brazil, Greencastle, Danville, Avon, Indy, Greenfield, Knightstown, Cambridge City and Richmond with special events & outreach in each city. It will be my honor to support the Tenderness Tour and welcome Richard when he arrives in Danville on Saturday, October 10, and in Avon on Sunday, October 11.

On Saturday from 5:00 until 6:00, I'll be playing at Beasley's Orchard in Danville. Richard will be there to talk about the Tour and its work toward eliminating violence against children. On Sunday, Patchwork and I will welcome Richard to Avon with a concert at Avon Christian Church starting at 4:00. At both shows, you will have the opportunity to support The Tenderness Tour by making a donation or by buying a copy of Give a Girl a Chance.

You can visit the Tenderness Tour website to learn more. You can also watch an interview with Richard by Carolyn Scanlan, pastor of Avon Christian Church.

It would be great to see you either in Danville or Avon, but if not, please pick up a copy of the CD, spread the word about the concerts, and help support Richard and The Tenderness Tour.