Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb

Subject: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: Jed at Work
Date: 12 Jan 01 - 03:27 PM

I have a little time so I am looking at doing a trip through these states and could use some feedback. I'd like to make the acquaintence of some venues along the way. I have a few already, but need to know more - where should I be looking for solo gigs (Celtic and American Folk). I'm especially interested in (or near) the following cities:

Abilene TX
Ruidosa NM
Tuscon AZ
Phoenix AZ
Albuquerque NM
Oklahoma City OK
Amarillo TX

I have found a few venues in these cities, but on the theories that 1)it is better to deal with devil you know, and 2) that Mudcat friends recommendations matter - I'd love to hear what you think the best venues might be in those areas.

I am going to do the trip in early Feb, and will visit as many of these places as possible (and hopefully meet some Mudcatters along the way). My goal is to find clubs I can book for a more serious tour later this year. I'll take whatever paying gigs I can get on this trip, but realize it's much too short a notice to make much more then a token ... any thoughts?

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: Sarah2
Date: 12 Jan 01 - 04:26 PM

Jed,

The Blue Door in Oklahoma City (I've never been there, but I get their e-mail newsletter every week. They have some very interesting folks playing. Soon as I get their next one, I'll post the return address and assorted info here.)

O.H.M.S. Gallery Cafe in Amarillo. I don't know if Mary Fuller (the owner) is still doing the booking, but I'll happily take your CD down for them to listen to, if you like. 806/373-3233. (Lunch is their heavy time during the week, so contact them twixt 10-11 a.m. They only do dinner and night life on weekends.)

I also have a dear friend living in Albuquerque now. We never go out to do much but dine, though, when I visit her, since we can spend the nights wallowing through the old songs and in general jam session at her house. Will e-mail her to see if she knows of a place.

And Carol (our pianist, remember?) has a friend in Riudoso. I'll get her to make contact (although the friend in Riudoso is a Classical snob and might not have a clue).

There, that's a start.

Sarah

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: Jed at Work
Date: 12 Jan 01 - 04:31 PM

Wow - Sarah. All new stuff to me. Thanks very much, and yes, if you can take the CD down it would be most helpful. I haven't set dates yet, but it looks like I'd be going through AMA during the week of 2/11 to 2/16. THANKS!

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: GUEST,Becky
Date: 12 Jan 01 - 06:33 PM

For Tucson (rather than Tuscon), Arizona, check Tucson Friends of Traditional Music: www.tftm.org. There's info there for contacting me. No guarantees, but...

~ Becky

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: Jed at Work
Date: 12 Jan 01 - 06:43 PM

Thanks very much, Becky - for the link and the correction. I'll use both appropriately! And maybe get to visit on my way through.

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 14 Jan 01 - 10:55 AM

Becky - it looks like the Acoustic Jam at Rincon Market on Tues Feb 6 may be a good fit. Do you know anything about it? There is also an Irish Jam on Thurs Feb 8, at the Harp & Shamrock that looks inviting, but I hadn't planned on being there that late in the week. Still, I am not sure about my schedule yet, so either is a possibility at this point.

Also, to Becky or anyone else - I plan to look at some instruments at a music shop in Ruidoso NM called Folk in the Wood. Does anyone know these guys? They have a great website, and apparently have in stock a couple of bouzouki and/or ocatve mandolins I want to try out. I'd appreciate any feedback I could get on these guys. Thanks

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: Sarah2
Date: 14 Jan 01 - 11:05 AM

Jed, I'll add the above to Carol's Riudoso assignment. Spoke to her last night (practice for St. Pat's -- we suck from concentrating on the Scots songs for Hogmanay), and will see her at work tomorrow.

I do know that Riudoso has a strong arts community and the city CofC is interested in developing it further, so it's probably a good pick for your tour.

Sarah

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 14 Jan 01 - 11:16 AM

Thanks Sarah. I will be in AMA on my last stop before home, probably Feb 15/16 time frame. I hope we can visit then - do some playing. I won't insist on any of that Scot stuff!

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Jan 01 - 11:20 AM

I think it is folk1234 that is in OK, he belongs to OCTMA, (Oklahoma City Traditional Music Assoc?) You might PM/e mail him, as he is not here very much. If you are in eastern/central OK, you whip up to Winfield, KS and audition for the Walnut Valley festival. I am sure 01 is booked, but 02 might not be.

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: Sarah2
Date: 14 Jan 01 - 11:21 AM

Jed, good, we'll drag out the eclectic stuff and have a jam. (Will get to O.H.M.S. later this week -- must make a demo from your CD first; I don't trust venues to keep track of my stuff!) If we can't find you a venue, we'll get a house concert going.

Sarah

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 14 Jan 01 - 12:57 PM

Sarah - I'll bring ya a new CD or few, don't worry about losing that one. In fact, resend me addr via PM and I'll mail a couple to you tomorrow.

Sorcha - I would love to swing through central OK and KS, but it looks like I'll have more to do then I can fit into the two weeks I am planning ... I'll try to arrange a trip the OK and KS next time. Maybe in May. That gives me time to plan better and actually make a buck or two!

I will try to contact Folk 1234, though. I had planned to visit there as soon as I could arrange the time.

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: Sarah2
Date: 14 Jan 01 - 01:40 PM

Jed, am making the demo tape right now. I have good equipment; it'll sound fine. Keep your CDs to sell on site.

Sarah

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Jan 01 - 02:38 PM

(folk1234's e mail is on the resource page)

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jan 01 - 04:31 PM

Here's the OCTMA. Click on "links" to see a list of OKC-area venues that might be interested in your act, such as Rocky's in Bricktown.

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jan 01 - 04:35 PM

Oops, Rocky's isn't at that link. Try here.

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: Sarah2
Date: 14 Jan 01 - 04:54 PM

Guest, good work! Please also see the Oklahoma reference in the Mudcat Touring Roadshow thread...

(Sorry, Jed, small hijack.)

Sarah

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 15 Jan 01 - 09:58 AM

The OK links look vedry helpful. I will be heads down, calling and cajoling the next day or so, and will post a schedule here. Thanks all for some very valuable information. I hope we can visit some during Feb!

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: folk1234
Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:01 AM

Hi Jed:
I've only been swooping in and out of mudcat on a very erratic schedule. I also got your email & PM.
The Blue Door is an excellent venue. I'll contact them & send more info. We also get excellent support from a PBS radio KCSC program, "Different Roads". Our club meetings (OCTMA) are on 3 Feb and 3 Mar. Al and Bill had a fine time at OCTMA during their great mudcat adventure. Rocky's is a great venue, however it is getting more difficult to book 'unknowns' (on offense, Jed!). Rocky has almost gone exclusively to private parties and big-draw names like Robin & Linda Williams and Red Dirt Rangers. I don't know what's happening in mid-Feb, but I'll look into it. Also, there is a well-attended open mike on Thurs PM at Galileo's Bar & Grill in the Paseo District of OKC. And there is the Tulsa Folk Music Society. I'll send more info on all of the above and on any thing else I can find.
As always, you have a home-away-from-home with us in Ada.
Happy chords
Phil

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: folk1234
Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:21 AM

Phil Again. Jed, Check out the Bluedoor at BlueDoor. On 16 Feb they have Martin Sexton, but they appear to be free on the 17th. I'll call Greg Johnson and tell him about you.

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:32 AM

Thank very much, Phil. I have seen the Blue Door website, it looks like a great venue. I play Poor David's Pub in Dallas and the Sons of Hermann Hall, and these places book some of the same acts as Blue Door and Rocky's. My website has some of the publicity info these club managers may be interested in seeing - jedmarum.com

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:34 AM

... by the way, I'd work my schedule around to fit eiter place in, but I have a date in Dallas on Sat night (17th) that I cannot break.

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:39 AM

It may be the open mic is my best bet in OKC, and I'll try to work intros to both clubs during the day/s. Any input to the managers you can have ahead of that, would of course be most appreciated. I could also open for booked acts, if they don't have someone booked already. The dates are open within the bounds I've described.

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: GUEST,Becky
Date: 15 Jan 01 - 02:03 PM

Jed,

Sorry for the slow reply. Yes, the jams might work for you. They're primarily trad. stuff, and tunes more than singing (though we singers are making some inroads!).

Also, Bookmans, a big used bookstore, has just started open mic nights on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesdays. This conflicts with the jam, but if you want to sing your own stuff rather than "play tunes" then that might work better. They're at 1930 E. Grant Rd. (at Campbell Ave.) Info from Dennis or Bruce at 325-5767. Play from 7 to 9:30 for 12 minutes each. Sign up from 6:45.

~ Becky in Tucson also, that TFTM e-mail address goes directly to me

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:40 PM

You might try the High Desert Brew Pub or Spirit Winds in Las Cruces, NM. We're sort of on the way to Tucson from Albuquerque. . .

Cheers! PoohBear

PS - If you get a date at one of these places you might also call The Bulletin and ask them to put it in their calendar so we know you're coming!

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 16 Jan 01 - 03:34 PM

Thanks Pooh, I'll look into it.

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 Jan 01 - 05:15 PM

PoohBear - I couldn't find High Desert Brew Pub listed anywhere. I'll be calling Spirit Winds, though. Thanks

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 Jan 01 - 05:36 PM

hmm, I guess I'm admiting defeat here, but I can;t find any list of folk/celtic open mic or jam sessions in NM. I would like to find a session or open mic somewhere on Mon/Tues or Wed of Feb 5,6 - 7. Anyone?

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 23 Jan 01 - 12:52 AM

PoohBear - I am trying hard to find a session or open mic on Tues and/or Wed (Feb 6/7)in Las Cruces or Ruidoso areas. I will not be likely be able to book anything as early as that at a club, though I'll call anyway. If not, at least I'll have three places to try for my next trip in May (they are Inn of the Mountain Gods, and Le Bistro in Ruidoso and the Spirit Winds Coffee Bar). I will send them a CD and publicity stuff and contact them on my way through - so that leaves me open for jammin' or open mics, if I can find one or two in the area. Any ideas? I couldn't find a Folk or Celtic Society listed on the web - which is where those events are normally listed.

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 25 Jan 01 - 06:31 PM

OK - with y'all's help I have managed to find a string of good places to play in OK, NM, AZ and TX panhandle. I have worked out a few places to play during my Feb trip and will post that sched next week. BUT first, I going to post the list of venues I've contacted based upon everyone's feedback. Please let me know if I missed one, if you have good/bad news about one or more you see ... or any other comments you wanna make. Here they are:

Collins Irish Pub-Flagstaff-AZ
Seamus McCaffrey Irish Pub-Phoenix-AZ
Grifins Pub & Grill-Phoenix-AZ
Fiddlers Dream Coffee House-Phoenix-AZ
O Connors Pub-Phoenix-AZ
O Briens irish Pub & Grill-Phoenix-AZ
The Dubliner Irish Pub-Phoenix-AZ
Blarney Stone-Scottsdale-AZ
Rula Bula-Tempe -AZ
Bandersnatch Brew Pub-Tempe -AZ
O Malleys on Fourth-Tucson-AZ
Bookmans Used Books Music-Tucson-AZ
Harp & Shamrock-Tucson-AZ
Montgomerys Irish Pub-Tucson-AZ
O'Flaherty's Irish Channel Pub-New Orleans-LA
Spirit Winds Coffee Bar-Las Cruces-NM
Le Bistro-Ruidoso-NM
O'Neill's Pub-Albuquerque-NM
Inn of the mountain gods-Ruidoso-NM
Rocky's Bricktown Music Hall -Oklahoma City-OK
The Blue Door -Oklahoma City-OK
Paddy's Irish Restaurant & Pub-Tulsa-OK
Uncle Bentley's Pub & Grill-Tulsa-OK
O.H.M.S. Gallery Cafe -Amarillo-TX

Thanks again.

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 25 Jan 01 - 06:35 PM

Ooops! I almost forgot, the most important thing! I will be playing with Eammons Kitchen at Granny's Attic in Tahlequah, OK on Friday Feb 16 - so please come on out and say hello. I understand it's a late night place and crowd, so I believe we start after 10PM.

Subject: RE: Help: TX,NM,AZ,OK music trip in Feb
From: JedMarum
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 11:51 PM

Things have quickly changed ... since I began making these plans I have been offered a position that will make this trip impossible. I have posted an explanation in another thread.

Thanks for y'all's help. I expect to make the trip some other time, in the not too distant future.