Better Late . . .

. . . than never. . .

Tonight, at the Monday Night Songwriters' Showcase (now in its ninth year!) at Brewer's Alley, 124 N. Market St., in beautiful downtown Frederick, MD

All the way from Ashville, NC – NIKKI TALLEY, accompanied by her husband, JASON SHARP! This touring couple has been compared to another husband and wife duo – Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, but Nikki has more power in her voice, and a little more Appalachian in her songs. She plays guitar and clawhammer banjo and has an extra helping of that mysterious quality called charisma; she will hold your attention! Come and give them a listen! http://www.nikkitalley.com/

The piano prelude this Monday is from Brewer’s Alley veteran keyboard maestro ROCKIN’ RAY JOZWIAK (five years and counting) who will be performing his monthly piano workout for our entertainment. You will hear many notes in Ray’s set and some may spill over into someone else's set too! Come early to be sure of good seats (don't forget we start at 7:15 pm now).

Three-song cameos this week are from REID SCHOENFELDER, (doing a rescheduled set from last week), RICK GALLOWAY, and Hagerstown’s gain, Frederick’s loss, DOUG ALAN WILCOX. We'll also be hearing from poet JOHN HOLLY, some songs from TODD C. WALKER, and Roderick Deacey will be singing a bit and reading a poem or two.

MISTER RON GOAD should be back to bang things this week, rested and ready to rock’n’roll, so any performer who would like a little rhythmic reinforcement, please don't hesitate to ask! Do be prepared for the energetic drum break, though, which can extend your songs by several minutes – think Gene Krupa

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html 

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD)

My latest solo release, '2014', can be digitally downloaded at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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Local Gem . . .

Over the course of his career, Maryland native Doug Alan Wilcox has traveled a road from solo acoustic artist through numerous electric bands of various stripes and back again, performing along the way at some of the country's more notable venues as well as countless small cafes and concert spaces.

The sound is a singer/songwriter stew of acoustic folk, blues, soul, and jazz — sophisticated yet as comfortable as a well-worn shirt. The message is uplifting - speaking straight to the human condition. Intimate, thought-provoking and on occasion, wryly humorous, Wilcox delivers music that will stick in your head — as well as your heart…

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html 

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD). 

My latest solo release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak3)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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The Groove . . .

. . . as it were. . .

Singer/Songwriter, folk, world, improvisation all coming together beautifully.   
 

"Rishi's Garden", performed by Tom Prasada-Rao (www.tomprasadarao.com) with Patty Prasada-Rao, Doug Alan Wilcox & Todd Marcus in concert at the Institute of Musical Traditions (www.imtfolk.org),Takoma Park, MD, USA on May 18, 2011.

Tom Prasada-Rao is a singer-songwriter of breathtaking vision. His voice belies his musicianship and his extraordinary songs. From Rishi's Garden with it's homage to Ravi Shankar to the groove of Sleeping Beauty , Tom's music is melodic, ambitious, and reverent.

When not on tour, Tom is at home, producing records, raising two stepdaughters, and walking one rather large Golden Doodle named Thurman. In addition to producing, he's a teacher, currently at White Rock Montessori in Dallas, formerly of The University of Virginia's Young Writer's Workshops - where he created the songwriting curriculum and taught for eight years.

Sound: Art Isaacs, Dave Eisner, Dave Richardson
Lighting: Robyn Ratcliffe
Camera: Laura Christoplos, Ralph Lillie
Editing: Ralph Lillie
© 2011, Institute of Musical Traditions

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak3)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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At The Risk. . .

. . . of repeating myself. . .

Countless books, websites, magazines, classes, seminars, clubs, associations, and organizations exist (Google provides about 15,100,000 results to a search for the word 'Songwriting' alone) to "assist" the struggling songwriter.

Should be easy to become instantly successful.  Right???

As one intimately involved in such creative endeavors as both a participant and a spectator, I have decided that I, too, will join the ranks of the faux academics and offer my services based upon the credentials earned in my vast  'professional' and my amateur experience.

What makes my assistance particularly valuable is the price.  It is being offered to you, RIGHT NOW, possibly for a limited time (that is, unless I decide to repeat myself yet AGAIN in the future) only. . . and that price is . . .

. . . NOTHING!  It is FREE!!!

OK.  Here goes.  When performing your original material, irrespective of audience size, disposition or demographics, venue, sound systems, backing band or lack thereof, compensation or lack thereof . . . irrespective of all of that. . .  Do NOT (I repeat) do not (no matter how funny, witty, clever or intelligent you are [or THINK you are], do not, (did I say DO NOT??). . .

Do Not talk too much!!! 

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak3)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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Don't Cry. . .

. . . Forget THIS guy and Enjoy the Music at . . .


Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery
Monday
September 23, 2013
@ 7:30PM
Opening Piano Prelude by Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano
   Monday Night Songwriters' Showcase (now in its eighth year!) is held on Monday evenings in beautiful downtown Frederick, MD, except during December (when we are closed after the first Monday). The program starts at 7:30 pm with a piano prelude, followed by three or four songwriters doing three songs each (lots of variety) and the featured songwriter does a 45 -60 minute set.   Come and support LIVE MUSIC!

(take the elevator on the right to the 2nd floor)
124 North Market Street Frederick, MD 21701
Telephone: 301-631-0089 Fax: 301-631-1874
  http://www.brewers-alley.com/

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak3)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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Tails?. . .

(from the desk of Rod Deacey, Frederick (MD) area impresario, bluesman, singer/songwriter, poet, gentleman and scholar)


". . . The featured singer-songwriter at Brewer’s Alley Songwriters’ Showcase on Monday, August 26, is Maryland resident, frequent Nashville visitor and studio musician JACK BOND, who regularly returns to Music City to record, co-write and to perform at the famous Bluebird Café and other venues. Jack’s songwriting credits include the title cut on Roy Buchanan’s album, “That’s What I'm Here For.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGLL_yzNkZ0

In his Maryland performances, Jack is known for his rich baritone voice and exceptional guitar work, both on his own compositions and his covers of classic rock and country songs. We have seen him many times accompanying other performers here, such as our friend DULCIE TAYLOR (now in California; hi Dulcie!), but it is always a treat to hear Jack on his own! Ron put a video link of Jack playing a Telecaster up on Facebook, but he will be playing an acoustic for us…

The gonzo piano prelude will be played by our favorite piano workout instructor ROCKIN’ RAY JOZWIAK, http://www.rayjozwiak.com/  who keeps the embryonic grand in shape with his rigorous monthly routines – a dose of Oscar Peterson, an infusion of Thelonious Monk and a liberal application of Keith Jarrett and the keys are ready to play themselves out of any corner… Come and hear Ray put them through their paces, including finding them some especially difficult corners from which to escape… Don't be scared off by the jazz references, Ray is also a highly respected classical composer; he has even been known to wear tails to play, and he doesn't smoke funny tobacco…  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPqB_8BDXUk. . . "

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak3)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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Tomorrow. . .

 From the pen (or computer) of Mr. Rod Deacey, Frederick area music impresario. . .

 ". . . Brewer’s Alley Songwriters’ Showcase on Monday, August 5, features one of our long-time favorites, all the way from Nashville! – DONNA FROST, who visits the DC area every summer and always comes to Frederick to give her powerful pipes a work-out on some of her country-tinged originals, with the occasional Skeeter Davis or Janis Joplin song thrown in for good measure!  This time Donna brings us the added bonus of rockabilly legend BILLY HANCOCK to share the evening and play along; Billy made his name playing bass and singing vocals with the late, great Danny Gatton in Danny and the Fat Boys and is in five Halls of Fame! It’s going to be a don't-miss show!

       The piano prelude this week during the Dog Days of summer will be from our favorite seasonal responder – JIMBOW – who will give us some summer music with his usual mix of familiar phrases from other songs embedded in entirely new pieces; just as you are going, “Wasn't that…”, the music has moved on and is somewhere else entirely! Only Jimbow knows where he is going, and even he doesn't know more than a few seconds in advance… But that’s what makes it great entertainment, folks – get your tickets here – but then we don't have tickets, do we?  Come early to get good seats for the evening and to catch the whole prelude! You can come upstairs at 7:15 pm (maybe 5 minutes or so earlier than that if we're ready; performers can come up when they arrive).

    For cameo appearances this Monday, we are delighted to welcome CRUMPLED HAT (Rick CRUMP and Les HATley, who have been playing together for more than 20 years; not all the time, of course), the fabulous McTELL BROTHERS, who have been wowing us since they were knee-high to a grasshopper (they are larger now, and still scarily talented!), plus JASON SCHAARSCHMIDT, who has a hard name to spell – hope I have it right! We are also looking forward to the return of TOMY WRIGHT! Poet John Holly will read a couple of poems, and also pass the hat for our featured performers. I may squeeze in a poem or two if time permits…
    
      This week, RON GOAD will hopefully be joined by WALT WAGNER with his cajón (not a needlework storage case!) for their weekly meeting of the beats – and maybe we'll see TOMY WRIGHT back behind the djembes and hi-hat – we live in hope! Last week, the rhythm section was completed by the addition of HOWARD RABACH on bass, who even made me sound good, so he passed the audition – you can come back any time, Howard! Songwriters are welcome to call on our mighty rhythmic resources any time to make their songs sound better, but be careful! When you unleash the beast it is sometimes difficult to get it back in the box…

      Mister Goad’s horoscope this week says, “You will be a bit distracted in a good way…” Well, Ron is always a bit distracted, mostly in a good way, so that shouldn't even be in the stars… The words of wisdom this week go on to say, “Your high level of interest in a subject fuels productivity.” Maybe we should get Ron to take a high level of interest in Congress, especially since the majority of us have given up; a 10 percent approval rating tells us that…

      Marjorie Thompson’s Guitar Class/Workshop was very much appreciated by attendees last Monday; we are working on getting Marjorie back early next year, as she is rethinking her two-year schedule… If you missed her class this time, you may have another opportunity to catch it relatively soon… Watch this space!

      Make a trip to Brewer’s Alley this Monday evening to hear DONNA FROST and BILLY HANCOCK, plus our line-up of talented cameo performers!  And remember, songwriters have a limited income, no health insurance and an uncertain future – and by ‘future’ I mean the rest of the week… Please come and watch them and listen to them and sympathize – it’s the only validation they need! Don't get too chummy, though, or they may follow you home, especially if they think you may have food and/or alcoholic beverages, so don't let your guard down for a second… If necessary, you can distract them by buying one of their CDs – they all have them, I'm afraid, often with photos or drawings of trees on them… Nobody knows why; don't bother asking! . . ."

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak3)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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Don't Smoke. . .

. . . in Bed. . .

Peggy Lee was a successful songwriter, with songs from the Disney movie Lady and the Tramp, for which she also supplied the singing and speaking voices of four characters. Her collaborators included Laurindo Almeida, Harold Arlen, Sonny Burke, Cy Coleman, Duke Ellington, Dave Grusin, Quincy Jones, Francis Lai, Jack Marshall, Johnny Mandel, Marian McPartland, Willard Robison, Lalo Schifrin and Victor Young.

She wrote the lyrics for:
    "I Don't Know Enough About You"
    "It's A Good Day", composed by Dave Barbour
    "I'm Gonna Go Fishin'", composed with Duke Ellington
    "The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter"
    "Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me)"
    "Bless You (For The Good That's In You)", composed with Mel Tormé
    "What More Can a Woman Do?"
    "Don't Be Mean to Baby"
    "New York City Ghost", composed with Victor Young
    "You Was Right, Baby"
    "Just an Old Love of Mine"
    "Everything's Movin' Too Fast"
    "The Shining Sea"
     "He's A Tramp"
    "The Siamese Cat Song"
    "There Will Be Another Spring"
    "Johnny Guitar", composed with Victor Young
    "Sans Souci", composed with Sonny Burke
    "So What's New?"
    "Don't Smoke in Bed"
    "I Love Being Here With You"
    "Happy With the Blues" with Harold Arlen
    "Where Can I Go Without You?", composed with Victor Young
    "Things Are Swingin'"
    "Then Was Then" with Cy Coleman

Her first published song was in 1941, "Little Fool". "What More Can a Woman Do?" was recorded by Sarah Vaughan with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. "Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me)" was no.1 for 9 weeks on the Billboard singles chart in 1948, from the week of March 13 to May 8.

Lee was a mainstay of Capitol Records when rock and roll came onto the American music scene. She was among the first of the "old guard" to recognize this new genre, as seen by her recording music from The Beatles, Randy Newman, Carole King, James Taylor and other up-and-coming songwriters. From 1957 until her final disc for the company in 1972, she produced a steady stream of two or three albums per year which usually included standards (often arranged quite different from the original), her own compositions, and material from young artists.

What do you think?
Tell me at  
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak3)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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