Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

Jacob at the Classic Cafe

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Ken and I love it when we get a chance to catch one or both of our sons, Jacob and Cooper, on stage. So last week, I decided to take a break from the on-going desk-clearing-project-that-is-my-life, and slipped up to Roanoke, TX where Jacob (aka Son#1) plays on Thursday nights with his friends Andy LaViolette (guitar) and Patrick Bubert (drums).

Visiting the Classic Cafe was a pleasure. The ambience is great, the food is delicious, and the folks in charge are the bestest in the westest.

The art by Carolyn Riegelman is so vibrant that it makes all of my color glands hum.

See for yourself…

Wherever you may be, it’s worth a drive to Roanoke TX to visit The Classic Cafe.

And please tip the musicians. Their mothers will thank you.

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Laurel Johnston–Unraveling a Sweater

Monday, July 5th, 2010

I’ve met a LOT of book reviewers, but music reviewers? Not so much. So it was my good fortune to be able to sit down with Laurel Johnston of Denton, TX, who reviews bands for www.mydentonmusic.com and to talk shop for a few moments. We met at the Classic Cafe in Roanoke, TX.

Laurel’s reviews and articles have become wildly popular on the Denton music scene.

Some of her photos:

Reggae artist, Mischka

Caleb Ian Campbell

Backside Pick

However, her writing interests aren’t limited to music, so she’s begun a blog so that she can spread her writing wings: Naughty Modesty.

Laurel comes from a writing family. Her mom, Lissa Johnston, is a successful children’s book author. So, Laurel’s skills could be genetic. I’m just saying…

Rumor has it that she’s getting ready to pack up and move to Los Angeles. Look out, you Angelenos! One fine writer is coming your way.

Laurel at Bonnarroo

P.S. What was with those cicadas!?!

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Gotta Read–Peachland Elementary School

Friday, June 18th, 2010

You may remember that just this past May I visited Peachland Elementary School in Newhall, CA. What a wonderful school! And just to emphasize that fact, look at what they’ve done!

Go Peachland Elementary!

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Fiddler on the Porch

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

On Saturday, May 29th, my sister-in-law Sandi, and my brother-in-law Gary, threw a party on the lawn of their beautiful country house outside of Brenham, TX. They invited The Ruby Jane Show, featuring 15-year old Ruby Jane, to perform for their guests. This little gal can set your boots a’scootin’. Playing with her was Steve Carter on rhythm guitar, Will Dupuy on bass, and Trevor LaBonte playing lead guitar.

Ruby Jane with her guitar and boots

Trevor LaBonte, lead guitarist

Will Dupuy, songwriter and bassist

Steve Carter, guitarist

Ruby Jane, singing like a bird!

There was a whole bevy of relatives on-site, including my mother-in-law who was celebrating her ninety-first birthday! That’s NINETY-ONE, people!

Here’s a photo of my hubby Ken with his brother Daren. Daren is the inventor of the Red-Eye Musical Instrument Preamplifier, which apparently every performing musician must have.

Daren and Ken, sound board maestros

The Appelt Brothers: Ken, Daren, Gary

My sister-in-law Sandi and me--in the shade

’twas brillig, y’all!

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Posted in Family and Friends, Music, Travel | 1 Comment »

Mockingbird Books, Julie Larios, and a heavenly horse

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Last night brought a major storm to the Seattle area, but in between gales, I was able to trek up 1st Avenue to the Union Bar and Restaurant for delicious dinner of mackerel and fava beans.  My taste buds were smiling.

Union Restaurant, corner of 1st & Union, Seattle

The restaurant is directly across from the Seattle Museum of Art

Better even than the food, however, was this amazing painting.  I couldn’t take my eyes off of it.

Well, I found out a little about Adde Russell.

It turns out that she’s the artist for the cd covers for Death Cab for Cutie:

Cover art by Adde Russell

Can I just say that Adde Russell has a new fan!

After Wednesday night’s storms, Thursday greeted Seattle with sunshine.  In between school visits my intrepid tour guide took me to Mockingbird Books in Greenlake to sign stock, and who should I find there but one of my all-time favorite people, poet Julie Larios.

And then, to seal the deal, Julie and her handsome husband Fernando, invited me to dinner at their house:

The Larios Household

There you go, life is good!

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Posted in Author interviews, Books, Keeper Tour--Spring 2010, Music, Travel, Visiting Schools | 1 Comment »

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