Gee, thanks guys! I'm so glad you like the album, Shira is an amazing talent and a dream to work with. Fans of early music will know her as one of the world's premier violin and vielle players of that genre. She is also a terrific singer, a great friend and a kick in the pants to hang out with.
We had a great time making Wild Wood and have been very lucky to have it so well supported in early sales. Marketing and distribution is where the real work begins, as so many of you know.
I'm currently lining up venues around the country to promote the album and give us a chance to broaden our audience. Shira teaches and tours internationally with early music groups including Boston Camerata, Fortune's Wheel and Ensemble Alcatraz, so we're booking small to mid-size venues in cities where she will already be performing for the early music crowd. Since our concerts are Celtic oriented, our gigs don't compete and we can appear in or near the same area they're already flying her to! Cuts our travel expenses in half since we only have to pay for me.
The trick is finding venues in those cities who are interested in booking us during the time she's there. I'd love to have your recommendations for contacts in the places we're looking at for 2003-- house concerts, pub stage venues, folk clubs, festivals, etc.
Here are the areas and times we're looking at as possibilities so far...
Portland, OR (end of April) Washington/SE Alaska (first of May) Scotland/Ireland (mid June) Mass/Conn/New England (late June) N. California/Oregon (mid-late August) Spain/France (mid-September thru early October) Nova Scotia/SE Canada/New England (mid October)
If you know of a place we should check into during those times, please let us know and I'll get a promo package in the mail right away. We could be coming to a town near you!