Tony Lee Thomas: News

The summer has hit us with a heatwave but the heat dosen't keep us from performing. Live at the Lake on August 5th was a great show. Thanks to all the thousands of people that came out to see us. Then there was the Powwow

We just came back from a cookout at Walter Reed Medical Center where we met some really great people. We also just taped a special for PCTV. It's all very exciting!

But there's no rest for the wicked so with that in mind come on out and share an evening with us... we'll be at Rumpy's this weekend, The Crowne Plaza on 8/28, The Dreamaway on 8/29, and we've got the 11th Annual Wormtown Music Festival coming up on 9/18-9/20! Remember to check the calendar as we are always adding new events and chances for you to check us out. Don't miss the opportunity.

Thanks for checking back. August 5th, Jason, Justin, Krishna and I played the Live at the Lake and were joined by Scottie Guberman and Tim Sears. There was boating, dancing, rockin' and even some hula-hooping by the fans. With family and friends all abound it was a fantastic day on Onota Lake.

Tonight we are playing at the 4th Annual Pow Wow. Isn't technology amazing. Thanks to www.ustream.tv even my fans who couldn't make it out to Stephentown were able to watch us live.

After we sang "Midnight Rider", Justin, Krishna, Jason, and I were joined by my little sister, Olive, for our version of "Comeback". We dedicated "Wishing Well" to Sgt. Mark Ecker II and all of our service men and women. We ended with "Sister Song" and left them all wanting more.

If you can come check us out we will be at the Woodstock Walk for Peace this weekend, Card Lake Inn on August 13th, The Sky Box on the 14th, then we're off to Walter Reed Medical Center for our Benefit Cookout. We always have more dates in the works so keep checking the calendar.

After endless rain, it seems that summer has (maybe?) finally arrived here in the Berkshires. The good news is that TLT doesn’t have to deal with all this precipitation, as our favorite band is deep in the midst of their Southern summer tour.

But before we talk about that, let’s take a look back at June …

The month kicked off on Friday, June 5, when the band had a gig at the Underground (formerly Muddy McGee’s, or, for older — way older, like me — Berkshirites, the Branding Iron in the bottom of the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield. The young and upscale crowd gave our rock stars some good love that night! The next night they were off to Becket, and my personal favorite venue, the Dream Away Lodge. Check it out the next time they play there, if you haven’t yet. You have to experience the Dream Away to know what I mean.

The following Friday, June 12, Tony kicked off the Crowne Plaza’s Friday @ 5 series, which features live music, food and drinks on the pool level of the hotel. This was a return performance from last summer. This time, however, our determined musicians were not out in the blazing summer sun!

On June 19, the band was back at Flavours at the Econo Lodge on the Pittsfield-Lenox Road in Lenox. I wonder if there was any chandelier swinging that night? On the 20th, Tony and the guys performed at the annual Relay for Life at Onota Lake and then were off to Rumpy’s in Lenox, our new favorite bar.

But it deserves mention that before Tony headed out on his tour, he also contributed to the Lenox Library’s annual Beatles Day on June 28. Although Tony missed it because of his tour, he organized the bands for the concert held the second half of that day. The Lenox Library is a private organization, so events like this are crucial to its existence. Leave it to our Tony to always stand up for the little guy! And on a side note, did you know “Rocky Raccoon” was the first song he learned to play on guitar? Just a piece of trivia for ya …

June 27 saw his first tour date, at the Beachcomber Pavilion on Cape May in New Jersey. Cape May is just south of Wildwood — perhaps the boys had a chance to walk that endless boardwalk and check out the cool amusements there.

The beginning of July was crazy busy for them, as they hit Virginia Beach on July 1; Cape Hatteras KOA in Rodanthe, N.C., on July 2; Sweetwater Brewing Company in Atlanta, Ga., on July 3; and then rang in Independence Day at the Hilton Head Harbor Resort and Marina in South Carolina. Phew! Makes me exhausted just to think of all that driving. I hope they aren’t leaving too long of a string of broken Southern hearts in their wake …

Ahead for the band is the annual appearance at WoodyFest in Okemah, Oklahoma, on Saturday, July 11, and then it’s back to Virginia Beach on July 18. But they’ll be heading back north shortly after that so that they can celebrate their triumphant return at Rumpy’s in Lenox on Saturday, July 25. Don’t miss that one! And we also have their annual Live on the Lake gig to look forward to on Aug. 5.

It’s been a busy first half of the summer for TLT, but there’s plenty of summer yet ahead. Make sure you mark your calendars with your TLT dates, and check back here often for updates to the calendar. See you soon!

♪ Judi Fairweather ♪

Where did April and May go? I seem to have gotten caught in a spring time warp and lost two months somehow. The last thing I knew, I was posting news to you at the beginning of April, and now here it is the beginning of June. My apologies for letting my headlong rush through the Berkshire spring get the best of me.
I haven’t been the only crazed one. It’s been a busy couple of months for our favorite rock star. The month started off on April 2 with a gig at the Hazard Grille in Enfield, Ct. The very next night, Tony was back in the Berkshires playing my favorite way — solo and acoustic — at Rumpy’s Tavern at the Village Inn in Lenox to help Troy, the best bartender around, celebrate his birthday. Even bass player Jason Maley stopped on down. It was a party to remember (or perhaps try to remember?). On the 16th, Tony was off the McNally’s Grill and Pub in Westminster, Mass., for the singer/songwriter showcase. On April 24, it was another Berkshire County appearance at the new up-and-coming venue The Alley in North Adams.
Disappointment followed … a gig at The A in Pittsfield for May 2 was canceled — seems the venue double booked. I know I for one was looking forward to hearing Tony there! But the month rushed ahead. On May 9, Tony returned to Firefly in Lenox to perform at the Richie duPont benefit for Berkshire Theatre Festival. Richie was a young promising actor when he was killed in a house fire at the tender age of 24 in 2005. His friends decided to create a scholarship in his name to allow deserving elementary school students to attend the BTF Plays! summer camp. In one of those “it’s scary how connected we are” moments, my 10-year-old was just awarded a duPont scholarship on May 28 :-).
Tony again gave back to his community on May 16, when appeared at Flavours for the Here at Home event to benefit veterans on Armed Forces Day. You just gotta love his willingness to do all these benefits.
There was no rest for Tony on Memorial Day weekend. May 22 saw him at the Sky Box in Southwick as well as at Camp Kee-wanee, where he appeared in the seventh annual Wormtown Strange Creek campout. The very next night he returned to our new favorite bar, Rumpy’s. He closed May out on the 30th with a gig at Black Eyed Sally’s in Harford, Ct.
June brings some mystery. He will appear Friday, June 5, at the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield, and then Saturday, June 6, at the coolest venue in Berkshire County, the Dream Away Lodge in Becket. After that, his calendar is mysteriously silent. I have heard some whispers, some rumors, but nothing solid to report to you. If I can find out what he’s got cookin’ — and I think it’s big — you’ll be the first to know.
So get out to see Tony the weekend of June 5. I know he’ll be glad to see you, as always!

♫ Judi Fairweather ♫

Like the first crocuses pushing up bravely from the ground, I too have ventured out of my winter hibernation. And man, it’s been a long one! But just because I retreat in the winter, that doesn’t imply that TLT does the same. For Tony, it’s long days on the mountain giving boarding lessons followed by long nights of rehearsals, songwriting and performing, and this winter was no different.

The last time I checked it with you, it was just the beginning of December. A lot has happened since then! December saw a combo TLT/Naked performance at The Colony in Woodstock, as well as the ever-popular New Year’s Eve blowout at Jiminy Peak, despite the horridly frigid temperatures. To kick off the New Year, Tony performed alongside Tom Ingersoll and other singer/songwriters at Dewey Memorial Hall in Sheffield on Jan. 3.

February brings Valentine’s Day, and Tony showed his fans a little love by spending the night with them at Flavours in Lenox. That was also the debut of Justin Nackoul, formerly of the Longview Gunslingers, with the band. A memorable evening to be sure! February also brought Tony a chance to perform with an acoustic version of Domino Theory at Pittsfield’s latest happenin’ hip spot, Mission Bar + Tapas, on Feb. 19. Then it was down to Theodore’s, the famous blues club in the heart of Springfield, on Feb. 21. On Feb. 28, it was back on the road again for an encore opportunity at The Sky Box in Southwick.

On March 6, Tony had the opportunity to play for his little sister’s alma mater, Miss Hall’s School, in a free, private concert. And then it was off to win the hearts of all those yellow roses in Austin, Texas — Tony served as both a panelist and performer at the South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival on March 18. The end of the month saw spring break as you’ve never seen it — at Killington Ski Resort in Vermont. TLT and spring skiing — it doesn’t get any better than that.

So here we are in April, and there’s a lot going on this month. May dates are filling up quickly, and there’s already something booked for June! This month, look for Tony at the Hazard Grille on April 2, Rumpy’s Tavern at the Village Inn in Lenox on April 3 (where Tony will be helping Troy celebrate his birthday) and the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield on April 4. Do you get the idea that things are picking up quickly? But that’s not it for the month. Yet to come are McNally’s in Westminster for a singer/songwriter showcase on April 16 and The Alley in North Adams on April 24.

But as you know, new dates are added all the time, so don’t go by what is listed above or you risk missing something! Make sure to check Tony’s calendar regularly so that you know the latest dates. Oh, and if you are on Facebook, make sure to add Tony as a friend there, too! (And you can certainly add me as well, if you want to, of course.)

I look forward to catching you up with the news monthly again. Enjoy this spring weather and get psyched for the tour months ahead! Talk to you soon …

♫ Judi Fairweather ♫

Although the calendar still says fall for a few more days, winter has arrived here in the Berkshires. Our ski areas were up and running for Thanksgiving weekend, and snowmaking is in full swing.

But just because winter’s come, that doesn’t mean that there’s no news to share. Perhaps the biggest bit of news involves the departure of drummer Matty Boulais. We certainly wish him happiness and success. Taking his place is Krishna Guthrie (yes, of THE Guthries).

Krishna is an absolute marvel. At 17, he plays with an expertise and poise that will blow you away. If you haven’t seen him yet, get there, and soon. You won’t be disappointed.

In fact, Krishna’s first gig with the band took place at the ultrachic Café Latino at Mass MoCA in North Adams on Nov. 8. He had had only a handful of rehearsals with the band, yet you would have never guessed it from hearing him play. TLT was there to open for the Longview Gunslingers; Justin Nackoul of LGS sat in with the band for a few, much to the delight of the crowd. North County was psyched to have TLT back in its reaches!

The next day, on Sunday, Nov. 9, Tony was off to the Pompanuck Farm Songwriters’ Exchange in Cambridge, N.Y. He was invited by Deena Smith to join a number of other talented songwriters there. The Web site describes the place as “an environmentally sound, self-supporting, creatively actualized community of teachers and families, dedicated to sharing resources and having a place to explore collaboration in our various disciplines as teachers and artists.” The institute offers classes of all types, as well as retreats. Check out the amazing history at pompanuck.org.

The next week, on Nov. 15, it was back to my favorite venue, The Dream Away Lodge in Becket, even though I haven’t been able to get there for a while. I love the Dream Away because I always feel like I am at a family gathering with Tony. If you haven’t checked out that unique venue, watch Tony’s calendar and get there the next time he plays. It will become your favorite spot, too!

The end of November came with a bang, with Tony playing at Flavours at the Econo Lodge on the Pittsfield Lenox Road, followed by a radio appearance, the Crowne Plaza and the Crossroads — all in the space of a week! First it was Flavours on Nov. 22, where Tony found himself host to a whole bunch of birthdays … and birthday requests. He remarked that it was the first time that he had ever gotten so many requests to play his own songs. Ward Woolverton of Domino Theory played as a special guest with TLT for a few numbers, wowing the crowd with his virtuosity.

But there’s no rest for the wicked … the very next day, Tony was off to appear on Ralph Renna’s “Capital Underground” show on the “new edge,” 104.9 FM, WZMR. It didn’t air until 10 p.m., so I’m afraid I missed it …

And then, on Thanksgiving eve, TLT helped downtown Pittsfield kick off the Thanksgiving holiday with a bang, appearing at the Crowne Plaza’s Underground Pub.

Lastly, just to reinforce the fact that Thanksgiving is all about family, Tony was back with his family at the Crossroads on Nov. 29 to close out the holiday weekend and the month.

So that’s the scoop for November. Remember, get out to see and meet Krishna Guthrie as soon as you get a chance. His enthusiasm, energy and passion are palpable, and invigorate Tony in a way that is pure joy to see.

Happy holidays, and I’ll see you next year …

♫ Judi Fairweather ♫

As the days grow shorter and the nights grow colder, things are slowing down a bit on the tour scene. But that’s not to say that Tony has been resting on his laurels — he’s been putting a lot of effort into crafting some big plans for the winter months.

October started with a gig at the Woodstock (NY) Mothership on Oct. 3. And then, on Oct. 4, an unusual event occurred: Tony was supposed to play the West Village Market in Cambridge, N.Y., but had to cancel the day of the event. According to Tony, this was only the second time in all his years of playing that he’s had to cancel a show. Because he felt terrible about canceling on you at the last moment, he offered a deal — if you had made the trek to the WVM only to find he wasn’t there, and you then came to another show in October and could describe your favorite decoration in the window there, he would send you home with “some fun gifts like a free CD and maybe even one of those rare Supernova release T-shirts.” Now, we all know that life happens, even to the best of us. Tony’s offer to make up the cancellation to his all-so-important fans just demonstrates again that he gets it … he knows that without his fans, his music won’t be heard. Did we really need another reason to adore him?

The following Friday saw Tony in Great Barrington at the annual FODFest — FOD standing for “Friends of Danny.” People worldwide know the Danny Pearl story. As a young reporter, Danny worked at The Transcript and The Berkshire Eagle here in Berkshire County. His amazing journalistic gift eventually led him to the position of South Asia Bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal. On Jan. 23, 2002, at the age of 38, Danny was on his way to what he thought was an interview with Sheikh Mubarak Ali Gilani at the Village restaurant in Karachi, but was kidnapped by a militant group calling itself The National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty. Nine days later he was beheaded.

Besides his outstanding journalism skills, Danny was well known for his musical virtuosity. A classically trained violinist, Danny played a variety of instruments and found musicians to jam with wherever he found himself in the world. Each October, as part of Daniel Pearl World Music Days, Danny’s friends organize the FODFest tour, bringing together on stage friends he played with as well as musicians who never met him, but connect with his story and his ideals. The 2008 tour kicked off this year at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington. Tony was slated to play early in the evening, because he had a gig set at Rumpy’s in Lenox for 9 o’clock. However, 9 came and went, and no Tony. When he pulled in, he explained, “They wouldn’t let me leave!” It came as no surprise to us that Tony so wowed the crowd at the Mahaiwe that they kept wanting just one more.

But he had arrived at Rumpy’s, and although by rights should have been tired and frazzled, you would have thought he was stepping up on stage fresh. He and Jason (Maley) played with their signature energy. Maybe part of that energy came from his amusement at the statement my 6-year-old had made earlier that evening when we were in the car: James Taylor came on the radio, so I turned the volume up a bit to sing along. My youngest hollered, “Turn that garbage down! Geez, can we listen to Tony?” Out of the mouths of babes …

The very next night, Tony was in the car and traveling to one of his new favorite places, The Southwick Inn, in the eastern part of the state. Tony discovered the inn over the summer, and has been impressed by the attitude of the people he has met there (see last month’s news for more details about that).

But the biggest event came on Halloween night, when TLT played Hami’s in Lanesboro. I had been sworn to secrecy about the big surprise — they came as Guns N’ Roses, with Tony as Slash and Jason Maley, aka the Professor, as front man Axl Rose. I wish I could have been there to see it. If anyone has any anecdotes from the night that they’d care to share, post them in the comments. I was out tick-or-treating with my ghosty ghoulies.

Well, that’s it for this month. Enjoy the sunshine while we’ve still got it, before the snow sets in. I’ll be back to let you know the scoop for November … on tap is a gig with the Longview Gunslingers at Café Latino at Mass MoCA that promises to be one to remember. Don’t forget to stop by often to check the calendar, as Tony is always adding new dates. See you then!

♫ Judi Fairweather ♫

Whereas August seemed to be all about hellos and goodbyes, September’s most memorable moments were about creating new relationships as well as dropping back to visit the old ones — you know, hanging with the people who are like your most favorite pair of old, torn blue jeans that slide on just perfectly, fitting you like a second skin.

One thing that was very different this month is that I wasn’t able to get to a single show — Gasp! Can you believe it? — so your news this month comes from the best source possible, Tony himself. While traveling to a planning meeting for a big project I am going to take a very, very small part in, I had him trapped in the car, allowing me to get all the good dirt on the less frenetic month of September …

The month started with a return trip to Flavours on Sept. 5 at the Econo Lodge in Lenox. Tony was pleased to see that this crowd was somewhere between three and four times the size of his July show there. But it wasn’t the size of the crowd that was remarkable; instead, it was the event toward the end of the night that led Tony to say this was “one of the craziest nights I’ve had in a long time.”

It seems that at one point, when everyone was really into the music, dancing away, one of the girls jumped out of the audience and grabbed the chandelier, swinging from it. Well, you guessed it. The chandelier pulled out of the ceiling, landing, sparks flying, with a mighty crash! What a way to end a gig!

But it was probably Tony’s least advertised show, held at the Crossroads, a corner bar in Pittsfield, that was “the most fun I’ve had all year, hands down,” he said. Playing the Crossroads was a return to his roots: “There was a time when I was playing there almost every weekend, and doing open mics there every Tuesday — that’s where I met (drummer) Matty (Boulais) — so it’s like a homecoming.”

It was a reunion of sorts, with “half new folks, and a lot of the old faces.” For whatever reason, the place seems to spur Tony to play “a lot of the cheesy covers we used to play,” like “Movin’ on Up,” the theme song from “The Jeffersons.” And why did Tony have so much fun? Well, because it was packed, for one thing, and because whenever he plays the Crossroads, you can always guarantee it will be a big party!

Tony moved from the old blue jeans feel of the Crossroads to a new venue and new experience for him. On Sept. 12, he had the pleasure and the honor to play at The Colony in Woodstock, N.Y., with one of his favorite bands, Naked. Naked of course had played at his CD release party at Bousquet in June, but this was the first time that the two groups had played a double bill together. Tony did get to experience something else new there, something that his bass player, Jason Maley, is well versed in: Jason often plays bass for multiple bands, jumping from group to group, changing styles to fit the sound. He jumped in with the Johnny Boots Band at the CD release party, for example.

Well, now Tony finds himself playing guitar for Naked, as well as for his own band. It has meant learning new songs, written in a new style, but he has loved every minute of it. Always a consummate musician, Tony lives and breathes for the opportunity to change and grow musically, as well as personally and professionally, of course. “It has forced me to learn a different approach to guitar,” Tony said with a grin and a twinkle in his eye.

Another item for the month was not really a new gig, but a new wonderful relationship to celebrate. Tony’s outstanding manager, Dave Mech, had arranged a Battle of the Bands involving GigNation and Best Buy (more about that below) at Louie B’s in Southwick. However, the summer revealed some serious weaknesses with that venue, weaknesses that were great enough to force Dave to make the tough decision to move the Battle of the Bands elsewhere. “Louie B’s was a difficult obstacle for Dave,” Tony said. “I’m really happy to see he could make lemonade out of lemons.”

And how did Dave craft that amazing lemonade? Through someone who pointed Tony to the Southwick Inn, a venue he had passed on each trip to Louie B’s. Tony stopped in there, and was welcomed (are you surprised?) with open, accepting arms. He credits Steve in particular with supporting him so well. Steve, Tony said, is a very nurturing guy with a great attitude, an attitude Tony wishes more people on the music scene would adopt.

Tony knows that Steve had his hands full with this unexpected Battle of the Bands, but “he handled it with grace. He was very accommodating, very supportive. He’s a rare treasure because he’s been at it long enough that he takes responsibility for the relationships he forges with younger musicians. He’s got great ideas and has great resources. He takes a fatherly role in what can be a cutthroat scene, very much like Dave. I wish more people could adopt that kind of attitude,” Tony said. The finals of the Battle of the Bands were held at the inn on Saturday, Sept. 27. Tony will actually play there for the first time on Oct. 11. Make sure you check the calendar for the details!

Now, to backtrack a bit to GigNation and Best Buy, and what’s up with all of that … Manager Dave is the president of a Web site called GigNation, where bands can network with other bands, helping them to find gigs in areas out of their locality, to simplify it greatly. (Go to GigNation.com to learn in detail what it is all about.) At the same time, Best Buy was looking for a new marketing angle, and they found it in local musicians. The idea is that local musicians can “buy” their CD into Best Buy stores; GigNation will find bands that will be featured on video screens at the end of the music racks. Our favorite rock star, along with the young band he mentors — The Wrong Inspiration — are actually the test pilots for this video concept. Go to GigNation.com to watch the video. The footage was shot at several of Tony’s gigs, so you may see yourself in there!

The month closed on a very chill note, with Tony at the Dream Away Lodge in Becket for a rare Sunday night performance on Sept. 28. Appearing with Tony was poet Jay Davis. The two then swapped roles, with Tony appearing for Jay at Jay’s poetry reading at the Zeitgeist Art Gallery on North Street in Pittsfield on Monday night. That was an event I am sorry to have missed. Maybe next time …

Phew! What a lot to say about September. Tony summed up the month best himself when he said, “This month really reminded me why I’m doing what I’m doing … I had a freakin’ blast!”

Now, for a special treat, I will give you one “insider’s tip” I picked up on my long car ride with Tony: Clear your calendar for Friday, Oct. 31. You are, without a doubt, going to want to join TLT for a spooktacular time at Hami’s in Lanesboro, MA. The band has a wicked huge surprise for you. I am sworn to the highest level of confidentiality in regard to this secret. Nothing, positively nothing, you could do could make me tell you … OK, I’ll let a little something slip: If you miss this gig, you will regret it for a long time to come, because it is probably a once-in-a-lifetime event. Enough said. Get to Hami’s. And be sure to tell me how it went — I’ll be taking two ghostly ghoulies trick-or-treating, instead.

Have a hauntingly happy October …

♫ Judi Fairweather ♫
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This August seemed to be all about warm welcomes and sad partings.
The month started off with a very warm welcome from the residents of Bennington, Vt., when Tony played the Summer in the Park series on Saturday, Aug. 2, at Merchants Park at the Four Corners.

The weather threatened, but despite black clouds, the rain held off during the concert. The kids ran and played, glow sticks were worn as earrings and Olive sang with Tony in a great rendition of “Come Back.” Regular drummer Matty Boulais couldn’t make it, so Dave Lincoln stepped in. Kudos to Dave for doing such a fine job, although of course we all missed Matty’s signature smile.

A few of us made the not-really-so-far trip up, including Tony’s mom, who received a shout-out for her almost-birthday, and Kayla, the artist extraordinaire responsible for the sketches you see on this Web site as well as those on the jacket of Tony’s new record, “In Love and War.”

But perhaps most wonderful was seeing the people of Bennington crowding around Tony during the break and after the gig, wanting to say hello and to buy CDs. More than a few hearts were won in Bennington, to be sure! To you new fans: Don’t be afraid to take the trek south to see Tony again – you will be welcomed back with open arms!

Next up on the calendar, on Friday, Aug. 8, was my favorite venue of all time, the Dream Away Lodge, tucked in the woods of Becket, Mass., on County Road. Whenever I am at the Dream Away, I feel like I have stumbled into Tony’s living room after Thanksgiving, where he just happens to pick up a guitar to play a few for his friends and family. If you haven’t made it to the Dream Away, you’ve got to make it a priority. It’s an experience not to be missed. Consider the Dream Away a warm welcome home.

Tony’s Live on the Lake appearance at Onota Lake in Pittsfield, Mass., on Wednesday, Aug. 13, was a mixture of hellos and goodbyes. This was a repeat performance for the band, which rocked the lake last summer as well. We said hello to the incomparable Jason Webster, sitting in on rhythm guitar, who was outstanding.

We also said hello to Tony’s boys, The Wrong Inspiration, the young group of 13- and 15-year-olds Tony has been working with since spring. With skill and confidence well beyond their years, Nate, Will, Keane, Zach and lead guitarist Nick stepped up to perform “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Hysteria.” Tony was grinning like the Cheshire Cat – he couldn’t have been more proud of those young men, and they well deserved all of the hootin’ and hollerin’ they got at the end of their short set. Keep your eyes peeled for them. They are setting the Berkshire County music scene on its ear! Check out their myspace page – myspace.com/thewronginspiration – for a video of the event.

But there was a sad goodbye, as well. Tony requested a moment of silence for Jimmy Grandbois, who passed away just the previous day at the far too young age of 41, and for Angelo Rossi, also lost too young at the age of 29 on March 2. They are among too many young people lost this year in Berkshire County. For those of you who have lost beloved family or friends, please know that the most heartfelt sympathies are extended to you and yours.

Tony received a warm welcome back from Louie B’s in Southwick, Mass., on Friday, Aug. 15, but we all said a sad goodbye to LaCocina on Wahconah Street in Pittsfield, one of our most favorite places, where Tony was supposed to play on Saturday, Aug. 16. Tony got his start and also met Jason Maley, his bass player, there once upon a time. LaCo’s went dark in July … let’s all think good thoughts that it won’t stay dark for long and we will all gather there soon to hear Tony and the guys rip it up.

The downtown after work crowd offered Tony a warm hello at his first gig at the Crowne Plaza’s “Friday at Five” event in Pittsfield on Friday, Aug. 22. The range of people there was heartwarming … from family, to those who have been there from the very beginning, to those who started coming around in the last year and half or so, to a couple I saw for the first time at Flavours at the end of July — they bought both CDs there, and now were at the Crowne Plaza. It’s not surprising the guys won them over so easily! And of course there were the brand-new fans for Tony to charm …

The venue was challenging for the band, although it was a marvelous place to be an audience member. Held on the concrete deck outside of the pool on the second floor, the strong afternoon sunshine made for a terribly hot stage for the band. But for us onlookers, a breeze and umbrellas at the tables (and the possibility of a frozen drink) meant it was nearly paradise. Food was available for a very reasonable cost — from mini-sliders (small hamburgers, just right for two hungry kids) to hot wings (not too hot … they even won my non-spicy-food-eating kids over) to a small rack of ribs with potato salad and pasta salad.

We were more than blessed to have little sister Olive there to sing not one but two numbers with the band. More on Olive later …

Saturday, Aug. 23, saw hellos and a sad goodbye. Tony, along with a host of other bands, was at the benefit at the GEAA in Pittsfield for Angelo Rossi, who died in March (see above). The event was held to celebrate Angelo’s 30th birthday, which would have been Aug. 22, and to help raise money for the family. Although I couldn’t attend, I am sure there were a lot of hellos as people came together there.

And there was another event at the end of the month that combined a sad parting with a welcome, as well. Little sister Olive left to pursue her art education with a post-baccalaureate year before applying to a master of fine arts program. We know that her new city will warmly welcome her — how could it not be so, with that open smile and affectionate personality? — but we sadly said goodbye, knowing that we will selfishly miss the way her voice so gorgeously harmonized with Tony’s. We sent her off from the Crowne Plaza with a crayon drawing from my eldest and an around-the-knees hug from my youngest. We will look forward to the day when Olive and Tony will be together on stage once again.

And the last event of August — man, this was a packed month! — was the band’s appearance on Saturday, Aug. 30, at the 3rd annual Rock, Rattle and Drum Pow Wow, this year held at Eastover in Lenox, Mass. The three-day event saw scores of bands (including some very familiar names like Rev Tor, Robby Baier and Melodrome and Domino Theory), Native American arts and crafts, a children’s peace village, workshops and demonstrations, storytelling, a healing teepee and much more. Jefferson Starship headlined on Monday in celebration of the band’s release of its new album.

What a way to end this crazy month, say goodbye to summer and welcome the first stirrings of fall! Stay tuned for more news — I’ve had the heads up from Tony that some new projects are in the works. If I find out more, I’ll be sure to let you know. Until next time, be well.

♫ Judi Fairweather ♫

I wasn’t sure, as I was posting the news for you at the end of June, that there would be a lot to write about this month. I thought that after all the massive work and energy that went into the release of the new CD, “In Love and War,” on June 28, Tony might take a well-deserved break. I couldn’t have been more wrong …
Tony dove right back into real life by heading out to Okemah, Okla., to participate in WoodyFest July 9-12, where he appeared in the Crystal Theatre on July 11. The next stop in the month was a gig with Tony’s new favorite band from Woodstock, N.Y., Naked, on July 19 at the Firehouse Stage in Rosendale, N.Y.
The highlight (for me) came when he made a very rare solo, acoustic appearance on July 24 at Rumpy’s at the Village Inn in Lenox. He admitted to being very nervous — “There’s no one here to cover my mistakes,” he joked. Mistakes? He had the crowd eating out of his hand in a heartbeat. Would you have expected anything less? He played a very special song — “Master Charge” by Albert Collins — for the glittering Countess, who was responsible for him being there. I have made him promise that he will do a solo acoustic night once each year. If you missed it this time, don’t miss it the next!
The very next night, on July 25, the whole band came together at Flavours at the Econo Lodge on the Pittsfield Lenox Road. Tony’s mom was an honored guest. Tony played “Rocky Raccoon” by the Beatles for her. But the big news from that night was a rumor I heard, from an extremely reliable source — that despite just having released “In Love and War,” the band was already at work on album No. 3! Can you believe it? I have not confirmed this with Tony himself, but as soon as I have, I will pass along that confirmation to you.
Of course, at both gigs, he played some of our old favorites from “Supernova” as well as songs from the new “In Love and War” that are quickly becoming favorites — “Owed to Silver Lake,” “Sister Song,” “One Who Got Away.” Haven’t heard the album yet? You’d better check it out! If you liked “Supernova,” you’re going to love this — it’s a more stripped-down version of Tony: more acoustic, more mature, more heart-on-his-sleeve ballad style. And if you have fallen in love with the new stuff, but haven't had a chance to buy it yet, you can order it right here on his site (click on Products), or pick it up in person the next time you see him.
So that’s it for this month. Tony’s calendar changes quickly, so make sure each time you visit, you pop in to check his latest dates. And stop by the guestbook, too, and let Tony know what you think of this new process of getting you the latest news. Enjoy the waning days of summer. See you next month!

♫ Judi Fairweather ♫

By now, perhaps you have read the feature story on Tony that ran in The Advocate’s June 19 edition previewing his release party for “In Love and War.” After the article, Tony asked if I would be willing to keep his Web site updated so he can make sure you stay current on what’s up while still being able to concentrate on writing and performing for you!
June was a crazy, hectic month, as you must have guessed. The album was done, but there were still all the details to see to — the cover, the pressing of the album, setting up and getting the word out on the release party, dealing with the demands of the press.
In addition to that, Tony was also mentoring a young band out of Lee — Wrong Inspiration. Tony started working with the boys, three 13- and two 15-year-olds, around the beginning of May to help them get ready for a Beatles Day fundraiser for the Lenox Library.
But they were so good, and had come so far, that he asked them to be one of his opening groups at his Bousquet bash on June 28, trumping their debut at Lenox High School on the 29th. Let me tell you, Nate, Nick, Zach, Keane and Will brought the house down!
The band also squeezed in a gig at Lacocina on June 21, where we were all thrilled to have little sister Olive sit in for a couple of songs.
Speaking of Olive, she is showing some of her stunning, powerful paintings in the “Pittsfield Contemporary: New Work by Artists Under Forty” exhibit currently on view at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts on Renne Avenue in Pittsfield. The exhibit will hang until Aug. 16, so make sure you get there to check it out.
Back to Laco’s … They played “Supernova” tracks as well as some material from the new album. They were supposed to end at 12:15, but after the crowd yelled, “Encore! Encore!” Tony was able to play a last couple of tunes, including, appropriately enough, “After Midnight.”
The end of the month was of course the highlight, with the bash at Bousquet on June 28 to celebrate “In Love and War.” The weather tried to interfere – after it started to rain, everything was carried inside and upstairs. But nothing could dim that day … the skies cleared, and out we all came again, in time for Wrong Inspiration’s six numbers.
Many, many people helped to make that day possible. First and foremost were all the bands: Melodrome, Chris Merenda of The Mammals, The Wrong Inspiration, Domino Theory, Johnny Boots Blues Band, The Longview Gunslingers and Naked. The Bousquet people went above and beyond, and of course, none of it could have happened without his friends, and, most importantly, his family.
Tony asked me to be sure to send shout-outs to all of those people to whom he owes so much gratitude:
Thanks have to go out to Donald E. Mayotte, head of security, who dealt with his task in the face of a serious motorcycle accident that caused him to be admitted to the hospital just three days prior to the show. His security team included Pete Neifert, Matt Rogers and Justin Mayotte (Donnie's son).
But we wouldn’t have had the chance to hear the guys at their best without the crew. Don Harris, Chris Carlotta and Bruce Clapper — easily the three best engineers in Berkshire County and the most sought-after sound crew around, according to Tony — provided the sound for the event.
Al Lucas, of the band Domino Theory, is a licensed electrician who rigged the entire stage set-up to accommodate all the power needs for gear, sound and lights. He put in a great deal of work that kept him at the event longer than anyone, and Tony knows he went way above and beyond the call of duty.
And of course the album itself could not have happened without manager Dave Mech of Rudy Records, Annie Guthrie of Rising Son Records, Robby Baier of Soultube Music and Aldam Press.
Tony, Matty, Jason, Abe Guthrie (sitting in for Scott Guberman) and Tim were at their stellar best for their set. “I think this is the first set I’ve ever played that was all my own music. It feels good!” Tony said to the crowd. We danced the night away to the outstanding songs on “In Love and War” as well as to some crowd favorites from “Supernova.”
If you missed it, you missed the party of the summer.
But not to worry, there will be more chances for you to see Tony and pick up that new album soon. Tony heads off to Woodyfest in Oklahoma this month, but has some dates planned for his return.
He will be at Rumpy's Tavern in Lenox on Thursday, July 24, and then at Flavour's at the Econo Lodge on the Pittsfield-Lenox Road the 25th. Tony two nights in a row? What could be better! The Rumpy's gig promises to be extra special -- just Tony, acoustic and alone. Wow.
Head up to Bennington, Vt., on Saturday, Aug. 2, or catch him at the Dreamaway Lodge in Becket (my personal favorite) on Friday, Aug. 8. The band will also be at Live on the Lake at Onota Lake in Pittsfield on Wednesday, Aug. 13. Check the calendar for details of all his upcoming dates.
I’ll be back next month to let you know what’s up, but until then, keep playing that new album!
Judi Fairweather

Well, I hope everyone had as much fun as I did this summer. We travelled and played our hearts out for most of July and August, with shows including Summer of Love, The Bitter End, Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, and Live on the Lake in my hometown of Pittsfield MA. What a blur it was, streaked with the faces of all the great people we met who shared great times, and helped us along our way. I thank you, and I can't wait to see you all again soon. If anyone would like to re-live our wanderings, there are now some brand new cuts of video up on my myspace page from some of our performances. http://www.myspace.com/tonyleethomas
Keep an eye out for lots more pictures and videos as we get to putting them up - if you've been to a show, you just might be in them!

Now that our summer has once again surrendered to the coming winter, we've had a fantastic harvest experience with the month of September. Of all we've done this month, the 29th remains on the forefront of my mind - Rock the Berkshires GREEN! For those of you who missed it, that was the concert event I organized with the Center for Ecological Technologies (CET). We put together one hell of a show for these guys to raise money and awareness for the organization which has been offering environmental solutions in Berkshire County for years. Hosted by Flavours in Lenox, MA, Rock the Berkshires GREEN brought Melodrome, The Longview Gunslingers, Domino Theory, and The Tony Lee Thomas Band together, donating their music and energy to a great cause - ultimately raising over $1000 for this non-profit. A final count of funds raised will be publicized soon. I want to thank everyone that played this event, and all those who worked so hard to make it happen - Laura, Allan, and Susan at CET - you guys are clearly dedicated to your work, and deserve the best return on all of your efforts. Thanks also to Flavours, Brighter Daze, Aldam Press, Robby Baier and all the volunteers who made our little evening shine! Final thanks go out to all of you who came to support the event - we hope you enjoyed it, and please know that it is you who have the power to change things just by showing up! I fully encourage everyone to stop in at
www.cetonline.org
to learn more about why we thought they were worth lending a hand.


Now that all of our shows are wrapped up for this season, we're putting more together, but trying to do so while working hard in the studio on the next album. It is entitled "In Love and War" and will encompass an intimate mix of emotional expression, and political poetry behind a more mature musical back drop. Very acoustic, very honest. It is co-written between Robby Baier and me, and recorded at Substation Studios in Housatonic, MA. I can't wait to finish it, and I'll do my best to get you guys a sample of some tracks soon.

Thanks for stopping in to catch up, and don't be a stranger, there's plenty more simmering and I look forward to sharing!

Well, the results are in. We rocked our hardest down in Hartford CT at Up or on the Rocks for the Emergenza Finals and, drum roll please, we got 2nd place! On top of that, I want to congratulate Jason Maley who took Best Bassist, AND Timothy X. Sears who won Best Lead Guitarist. Way to go fellas, it was an honor to share the stage with you.

Now that our competition series is over, we've got other shows coming up that I'm very excited about to include the Summer of Love Tour coming through Northampton, MA on July 1st. I'm looking forward to being a part of an historic line up of bands (Jefferson Starship, Big Brother and the Holding Co., Quicksilver, Tom Constanten of the Grateful Dead, and many more) not only because of the music, but also because of First Aid. They are the non-profit organization that has been behind the scenes of this show, raising money for veterans and their families in need. Some of you may know that I myself am a veteran, and feel fortunate to be able to lend a hand in what I see as a very worthy cause. Dave Mech, one of the organizers of this event asked me what it means to me given my unique perspective so I sent him this thought . . .

"“Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister’s eyes,
And into your brother’s face,
Your country,
And say simply
Very simply
With hope-
Good morning.”

- Maya Angelou

This is the conclusion of Maya Angelou’s poem “On the Pulse of Morning” copyright 1993, and read that year on the 20th of January, by her, at the inauguration of William Jefferson Clinton. It is among my favorite literary works, and is as true and necessary now as it was when it was first written. I do not speak to her intent, or pretend to fully understand her genius, but I do resonate with her words as I apply them to the way I see the world today, and the way we must all come together to achieve peace.

I was 20 years young when I joined the army; following in the footsteps of my fore-fathers, and wanting to serve my country in the hopes I might earn the luxuries I was enjoying every day, as an American. I found I was surrounded by men and women who joined up for any number of reasons: some who wanted to pay for college, some who wanted to travel, some who had families to support, and some who wanted to be heroes, all who raised their right hands and pledged their loyalty and their lives. All of these men and women – our brothers and sisters, daughters and sons, fathers and mothers joined to make a positive contribution either to their own or to their country. Everyone I ever met had the best intentions in their hearts.

I remember hearing of my parents’ generation living through a time when our fighting men and women were publicly blamed for the blood spilled in a south-east Asian conflict that went down in infamy known as Vietnam. I remember the stories of all the Americans returning home injured, returning home insane, returning home crippled, returning home dead, and spit upon for their tenure in hell. When I compare the Middle Eastern conflict of my generation to what I know about it’s predecessors I am amazed by our public silence. I am appalled by our national apathy. Although I pray for us all to raise our voices and cry out for change, I am first reminded of this philosophical gem-

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
George Santayana, The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905

-to which Maya Angelou alludes:

“History, despite its wrenching pain,
Cannot be unlived, but if faced
With courage, need not be lived again.”

So here we are, in another era where fresh agendas and new protagonists motivate blood shed in our world once more. This is another era where supporting our troops does NOT mean supporting the war. And we the people – young, old, black, white, civilian, military, police, firefighter, doctor, teacher, and politician – are citizens of a nation that was built upon the precept that our government serves us. Only together, on the pulse of yet another morning, can we stand upon our past to build a better future."

I hope you, who ever you may be, and where ever you may be reading this, can also feel the importance of tolerance, unity, and peace, and join us in our efforts to make the world a better place - and see a kick ass show!

Thankfully, most of us have survived another winter and finally summer arrives to remind me how much fun we can have. Some interesting things have been simmering on the stove and I thought I might take a minute to give everybody a whiff. I wish I had the time to write some news more often, but alas, better once in a while than never I suppose . . .

The International Society of Poets has just nominated TLT for Poet of the Year! They published one of my poems a while back called "Language" and I guess it's gotten a little more attention than I anticipated. They are having their annual conference and awards ceremony in Vegas this July, unfortunately, I will not be able to attend because it conflicts with my tour itinerary, but I wish I could be there. Big thanks to everyone at the Society for reading my ramblings however, I'll be there in spirit. If anyone out there wants to read it . . .

Language

Not without flaw,
true,
tainted with lies
are the droplets that fall
and the tears that we cry.
They muddy the shallows
in the stream where they swim
‘til faint floats the sound
of the chorus therein.
So many palace walls
undermined and marred
by the defender moat
that did yesterday guard.
Still,
in the violent current
destructive, wild
remember the crystalline messenger child.
Gliding down
bearing wintry silence and sting
and the promise
that with it’s own death
will come Spring.
Tidal or ripple
to themselves, back delivered,
They all precipitate
and meet up in the river.
Infinite in avenue,
steadfast in direction,
they follow the bed
of their fluid protection;
And though their one destination
they cannot yet perceive,
no amount of their doing
can keep them
from the sea.

- Anthony Lee Thomas

So there it is. If you want to read more, or possibly vote for Poet of the Year, you can find everything you need at www.poetry.com

Emergenza! This has been a fantastic festival competition so far. By far the largest I have ever taken part in, this has brought us new friends, new venues, and great times. We have advanced to the regional finals. This will be the third round, taking place on June 17th in Hartford, CT (more info on the calendar page) - 12 bands enter - 1 band leaves! I am very excited to have made it to the finals, but I am more excited about what we plan on bringing to this next round. I won't spill all the beans, but I will divulge the fact that Jason Maley, our usual bass guitar virtuoso, could not make it to this show, so I had to call in some artillery in the form of Kali Baba McConnell coming out of retirement to play drums, Tim X Sears AND Jason Webster together again on guitars, last but not least, Abe Guthrie playing bass AND keys! We have been working on a dynomite set so plan on heavy demolition! I want to thank all who have been supporting us through this very thick competition, coming to the shows, spreading the word - we couldn't do it without YOU.

Acoustic Hero. Not guitar hero, the ever more popular video game that I have become addicted to, but ACOUSTIC HERO. It's an all acoustic songwriting competition I entered in May. I placed 1st in the semi-finals and will be advancing to the national finals in July! I understand so far that the finals will be on July 3rd in New York City at The Bitter End. There were some great talents at the semi-finals, Randy Niles was excellent, I'm sure there will be some great players at the finals, so come show some love!

Well, that's all for now, but there's plenty more to come - Woodyfest, my new album co-written with Robby Baier and lots more shows this summer, so keep an eye out, and continue to support live music everywhere!

Happy New Year Y'all!!!
I thought it was about time I let everyone in on what's been happening . . . it has been a busy transition into the New Year. We kicked it off right at Jiminy Peak where I debut the TLTrio . . . Jason Maley on Bass, Matty Boulais on Drums, and of course, yours truly. The energy was contagious that night at Christiansen's Tavern (the Round House) as it was packed with folks from all over the world. We jammed all night, and at 11:30 we watched 30 torch bearers snake down the mountain like a fire wyrm, until the stroke of midnight, when the floor began to shake underneath all the stompin' feet. Thanks Dody, for having us, we can't wait to come back in February! And a huge thanks goes out to Donnie and Cozeen, my partners in crime, who have helped me continuously since the CD Release Party. You all might remember Donnie was the menacing gargantuan at the door in December, and Cozy was behind the merch table. If you see these guys around, shake their hands and know that they are the most selfless and kind people I have ever met, and I am pround to call them the foundation of my dysfunctional family.

We've also had some exciting develpoments in the way of contests. Emergenza out at Fat Cat's in Springfield was a tremendous success. The Tony Lee Thomas Band will be advancing to Round 2 of the contest, to take place back at Fat Cat's in May! On top of that, we made some great new friends out there - Evenspeak, 4th Demension, you guys rocked the house. Can't wait to do some shows together, everyone should check these kick ass bands out online, and go see some live shows too. So, keep your eyes peeled for the tickets and details of the next round in the Emergenza Festival - we will definately need your support to continue advancing. Thanks to Vin and Shawn, who did a fantastic job managing and running sound. Thanks also to Chad Lillie who joined our motley bunch out there all day to document our adventure on film. Watch out for video of what was a fantastic ride!

Back in December, I entered 4 songs in the International Songwriting Contest; featuring judges like Tom Waits, Amy Ray, Macy Gray, and many, many more. I submitted Baker's Dozen in the Singer/Songwriter category, Chapters in Folk, For Vanessa in Rock, and Chess Game in Americana (I think). I was pleased to find yesterday, that out of 14,000 song entries, ALL FOUR of my submissions have advanced to the next round! I can't believe it. They will be announcing the semi-finalists on February 1st, so keep your fingers crossed!

Finally, I began writing my next album this month with Robbie Baier from Soultube Music. We had such an undeniable chemistry in the studio for Supernova, we are both excited about our combined efforts on the ground level of composition. The feel of the album will be a departure from jamming electric rock, and will be an expedition into the realm of folk. Acoustic ballads and poetry abound, I am looking forward to learning a great deal from this accomplished and talented musician/writer/engineer/producer - thank you Robbie!!

Lots more on the way, and many more shows this year, so hit the Calendar page in your electronic travels - hope to see you out there!

TLT

Looking back on December, the CD Release Party for my new album "Supernova" was the crown jewel of events for me, and an overwhelming success for all of us music lovers. The Seven Hills Inn, in Lenox was host to a sold out room that night in the Tallulah Lounge. Chris Merenda of The Mammals got the night of to a great beginning with his trio playing his querky and fun originals - check him out at www.chewyrocks.com - we'll be playing together more in the coming year. Up next was a killer Xavier reunion. Tim Xears, Abe Guthrie, Randy Cormier, and Kali Baba lit up the stage like they just came off of a six month road stint - great work fellas! Then, just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I watched the Jason Webster Trio rock the house just like they used to up at Laco's in the good ol' days of Sammy Simon - thanks for the soul guys. The TLTB that night featured six pieces including our cornerstone members Jason Maley, Tim X. Sears, and Kali Baba. Scotty Guberman, and Abe Guthrie joined us and blew it up. Special guests that night included Chris Merenda adding his prowess on the Banjo, and Jenny Schulteis singing her beautiful little dredi heart out. Set 1 was the album, start to finish; followed by set 2 which included the debut of my new red Gibson guitar from the Custom Shop, and a pile of new songs like "Remember" and "Young Love"; sprinkled with tasty covers, and our encore of Derek and the Dominoes' "Keep on Growing".
Thanks to Jaimie from the Tallulah, Jason Webster and Abe Guthrie for their help with sound.
Big gratitude to everyone who came out that night - you all made my dreams come true!

Everyone who came to the Release Party got a copy of Supernova with their entry, but I've had a number of questions about where to find it now. It is for sale right here on my website on the "BUY" page. You can also go directly to CD Baby.com or iTunes online. In the physical world, your best bet is to come to a show, but if you find yourself in Berkshire County, there are copies available at Worlds of Wonder (the Berkshire's hub of local music, located at the Berkshire Mall) or Wood Bros. Music at Allendale Shopping Center. FYI, I also keep a few tunes downloadable for free here at my site, so feel free to take a listen and play for your friends. You can also hear more at myspace.

Well, perhaps you've realized that when there are no recent news postings, it's because I'm hard at work cookin' up the good stuff! This past month has been packed with new developments . . .

Supernova! It's done. Finally. I am so proud of this record, not only because it is the culmination of all my work and study, but even more so because of the formidable cadre of pros that came together to create a powerful piece of work. This album left my hands and my brain to become something more than I ever could have done alone. Kudos to all the artists that graced me with thier musical talents:
Timothy X Sears
Kali Baba McConnell
Jason Maley
Scott Guberman
Jenny Schulteis
Crazy John Nalepa
Olive Thomas
Kyle Love
Excellent work everyone, I am truly blessed to have you all in my life.
Robbie Baier at Soultube Music/Substation Studios did a fantastic job with the daunting task of mixing all the chaotic tracks I brought him . .. Thanks Robbie!
Scotty Guberman down in West Hartford Studios is the road tested champion who saved this project from the doldrums of mediocrity, not to mention a meticulous ear for mastery - well done Scotty!
Let's not forget the photgraphy and design that made for a hot little disc at Studio Two, Lenox MA. Kevin Sprague and Amanda Bettis are an unparalleled team of artists I am proud to have worked with. Thank you both.

SUPERNOVA CD RELEASE!
Dec. 2
Seven Hills Inn, Lenox MA
A raging party at which I want everyone to celebrate with me.
Tickets will go on sale soon, so check back for them. More details on the Calendar page . . .

Supernova will be available for purchase online Dec. 2 also . . . tell your friends!

Remember the Guthrie Center show from September? Well, we've been sifting through the footage and if you haven't seen any of the video, or missed the show, check it out! It's posted on Youtube and Myspace - get the links on my Links page. Enjoy . . . more on the way, thanks to Keith Forman at Berkshire AV for all the good work and encouraging words.

Travels . . .
October brought me all over the east coast, and what a ride.

Thanks to Kristi Martel and all of my new friends I met in Providence at her CD Release Party. What a lovely night - I hope I get to see you all soon!

Then to Nashville. Nina, Leslie, and everyone at Gibson - you guys rock! I hope you all realize that you have the power to make dreams come true - thank you for your kindness and generosity. I named my new guitar "Annie" and she sings like an angel. See you in Dec. at the Memphis show. Oh, and if anyone wants to see the new axe, check out the Photo Gallery!

How could I forget to mention the Atlantis Music Conference, Atlanta GA. Wow. In 5 days I learned more about the industry then I have in 5 years. We were a menagerie of freaks that took over that unsuspecting city for a week . . . to all my brothers and sisters in arms from the conference -CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP!!!

Finally, I have to express a continuing gratitude to a whole family Guthries who's support and tutelage has been invaluable and profoundly appreciated. I can't wait to get on the Train - I love you guys.

Well, fall is here again it seems, and with the change in season comes an exciting time for me, the release of my new album 'Supernova".

The graphics were finished this week at Studio Two in Lenox. Kevin Sprague, the big cheese at Studio Two (and fellow BCD alumni) did tremendous work with the photography, and Amanda fashioned some killer formatting designs. The challenge of which was the incorporation of original artwork by Olive, the Dancing Men. (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's readers may recognize a certain symbolism.) Anyway, I couldn't be happier with seeing the way this project has taken shape, and I thank all of those whose creativity has added to it.

I'm so excited for you all to hear it that I couldn't resist posting a few songs from the album here on the website. None of the music previously available online were from Supernova. There have been other versions of the songs (recorded with different supporting musicians) but these are the creme de la creme. Hope you enjoy, and watch out for a CD release party of epic proportions.

Also, you may remember a concert I played on Sept. 2 at the Guthrie Center. Well, we filmed it and are in the process of editing the footage right now. Keith Forman at Berkshire AV has done a great job so far and we are anxioiusly awaiting the polished documentary style video; complete with interviews, live concert footage, and possibly even some painfully embarassing childhood photos. Good Lord.

Rootsfest has been cancelled! So sorry to say, but instead, we'll be playing the Guthrie Center on that date. Check out the Calendar page for more details.

Hey Y'all!

Some developments. The Blackstone Tap show in Worcester has been pushed back to Sept. 23. Scheduling has had to change to facilitate the completion of the record.
Check the calendar for specific info.

Speaking of the record . . .
It's almost done! We finished mixing it with Robby Baier (Soultube Music) at Substation Studios yesterday. I am truly ellated over the way it is sounding, and I owe a huge thanks to Robby for his formidable prowess as an engineer. A big shout to West Hartford Studios for helping me get everything tracked in time.
Good people doing good work. Awesome. Just awesome. Keep your eyes peeled for a release date. Woo hoo!!!