My Nephew, The Artist

He's 6 years old and his name is Noah, maybe I'm biased but I think he's pretty darn good. His creations are over his right shoulder, that's on your left if you're reading this blog. When I went up to Flower Mound last weekend, he gave me the beautifully colored (blue, purple, yellowish) butterfly and the insect box which is blue and directly over his head, the box is really cool, all of it is really cool. I plan on taking some close up photos of the insect box so you can see just how cool it really is. The little guy has an eye for color, layout and all things artistic. I'm gonna say he takes after me, but I'm pretty sure he takes after his father too because his father can paint and draw too he just chooses to fly planes instead. I love you Noah keep up the great work, and thanks for the artwork. I'm making some art for you too.

I'm constantly amazed at Noah's eye for detail. I've been very blessed to live close to my sister and her family. One of the reasons I moved to Austin in 2000 was for this very reason, to be close to my family in Texas. It's proven to have been one of the best decisions I ever made. It's been wonderful to see both Charlie and Noah grow up and now it's time for little Owen, too. I'm an uncle three times over and it's a beautiful feeling to live close and to be close to my family. Sometimes, even though they live only 4 hours away, it seems a lot further, but other times it seems like they are just right around the corner and I can drive up anytime. I love you guys...

The Great Internal Debate

For a long time, I've struggled with the idea of selling (liquidating) my record collection. In the past, I've had to sell records to pay rent especially when I was on tour with Jennyanykind. I'd come home from the road broke, scrounging to pick up shifts at Pyewacket to make some quick money. When that didn't work, I would take stock of my record collection to make some even faster money. It's no fun getting rid of records you treasure, records that were such surprising finds that there's still excitement when you see it, or pull it out for a spin on the turntable. One time when I lived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, I was flipping through the dusty record bins of the Carrboro PTA when in comes this woman in an emotional flurry slamming down two boxes of records right next to me. I knew there would be some good finds in those boxes because as the clerk noticed her rapidly departing the store he asked if she needed a receipt for the donation to which her reply was a brisk yell of "No thanks! They were my ex husband's.." And I was right, I scooped up some mono, mint condition 1950's and early 60's ESP Jazz records all limited pressings with handmade covers, as well as some mono, mint condition James Brown LP's, that I bought for 50 cents each which sold for almost 200 dollars each.

When I lived in Chapel Hill, my friend and old-band mate, Troy Hicks (aka Zelium Quang) and I used to shop together at the PTA. It turned into a friendly competition to see who would find the best record, tie, shirt, book or what have you. It could even get ugly sometimes. Troy now lives in New York and sells awesome shirts with his creations on them via his Myspace page, his Etsy site and lastly via his website, Microfantastic. The name of his clothing line is Trouble Tease Apparel. Also, Please check out his music under the name, Zelium Quang. Troy used to handle all the Frydaddys and Ovosnave's artwork when we were recording together. It's great to see how much he's grown as an artist since those days. He has gracefully matured as an artist. Please go buy some of his creations and while you're at it please check out our friend from Tuscaloosa days, Cathy Dailey's KittyButt creations at her Etsy site. Cathy lives in Athens, GA with her husband absorbing all things kitty related. She's even painted one of my old cat, D.J. who Cathy rescued and took in to her home one day. D.J and I had just moved in with Troy and his wonderful dog, Willie into this tiny little a-frame attic apartment. D.J. didn't have enough room and she certainly didn't like Willie so she bolted back to our old house a couple blocks away the first chance she got. For some reason, Cathy was the only one able to save DJ stranded on the roof of my old house. I'd been over there two weeks straight calling her name at all times of the day, bringing food, but she wanted Cathy and without a doubt she had a wonderful life from them on..

The Carousel

tess took this shot of me playing at the carousel last week with her new cell phone..it's a bit grainy yet it still has charm.. the show was fun. as you can see there was a pink elephant standing behind me. that's about all for right now.

Sarbanes-Oxley

Today the Sarbanes-Oxley group from WFM ate lunch at Freddie's on S. 1st Street. We ordered so many onion rings that Jeffe was able to build this creation with the left overs, crazy huh? I ordered fish and chips. I wouldn't recommend this dish to anyone, or eating at Freddie's really. It's a nice place to have a beer, sit and talk, but skip the food. We had a nice outing none-the-less.

The Addiction

Today I found a lot of great records while thrift shopping with my love. It's hard to describe the addiction of buying records, digging through dusty racks and shelves of vinyl, but I can tell you it's certainly an addiction. There's the initial smell of first setting foot into the thrift store, the heart beating with anticipation of locating the record section, wondering if there might be something you've never seen before hidden in the stacks of records. The frustration of flipping through titles the same to every thrift store: Ray Conniff, Sergio Mendes, The First Family. There are times when you feel you might have found something really cool, rare, unique and to top it off, in mint condition. Not too sure of it's value, you tuck it under your arm trying to decide if you should really buy it or not. I've just recently started buying records for their possible worth with the intention of turning around and selling them online. But more times than not I look for records by artists I like, music I'd listen too.

As my love pointed out: "What did we do without the internet?" in which i replied (remembering a time when there was no internet) "We talked to people."

Anyway here are some records I found yesterday for 99 cents. I won't tell you what some of their actual worth is, but let's just say....I scored big time on some of them!

Minutemen: 3-Way Tie (For Last)













Firehose: If'n













Firehose: Fromohio













Ethnic Folkways: The Baoule of The Ivory Coast













Let's Active: Afoot EP











Various Artists: Rock at the Edge













ThemAgain

Tonight at the Carousel

I am playing an early set from 7 to 8 pm. Ryan Young plays after me. If you live in Austin, please click here for directions to The Carousel. This is my first show since performing at SXSW. It's been a little over a month since I've played out so I'm a bit nervous, plus I've got a lot going on today, but I'll be ready to play and I hope to see you there.

The Louvin Brothers

remind me of home. It's one of those ingrained in the genes feelings of instant comfort and ease. I felt home, the first time I heard them sing. I was more than drawn in to their songs of sorrow, faith, famly, love and home. Right now, I'm listening to, " The Weapon of Prayer." On the back of the record sleeve in the liner notes it's written, "These are songs that face the grim realities of living and dying, songs that echo the remembrance of home and family, songs that give voice to mankind's prayers for the future."

I can't remember the first song I heard by The Louvin Brothers. They have so many good ones, but the one that really gets me, is "Sinner You Better Get Ready." If I had an mp3 of it. I'd post it. I don't because I'm listening to The Louvin Brothers on record. I have tons of them. I've been carrying them around for years and years. I bought a new turn table at waterloo for 99 bucks because my old one died. It had seen many miles and rotations. I love listening to music on record. Records are warm. Hank Williams reminds me of home too. It makes sense because both The Louvin Brothers and Hank Williams are from Alabama. That's it for now...