“Hail, Bounteous May,”

“Hail, Bounteous May,”

… that dost inspire
Mirth, and youth, and warm desire!
Woods and groves are of thy dressing;
Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long." (John Milton, Song on a May Morning, 1660) 
 

“I've got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it's cold outside I've got the month of May.” (My Girl by Smoky Robinson & Ronald White, 1966)

The month of April was a burst of new growth for Chappell and Dave Holt. I’m sure this spring season must have brought change, good changes we hope, and growth in your lives also.

Chappell finished the cover art for our CD Stone & Fire! This sample

shown here is without the title graphics added. Special guest, bassist Karl Hartmann, joined us in the studio and gave great performances on our tracks Indian Maiden, Bad Girls Blues, Stone and Fire, and The Cats Are Out. He added both stand-up and electric bass tracks. It’s a rocking good day when you can complete four bass tracks. Karl will also be adding cello parts to the mellower tunes.
 

 
Dave was one of several judges who served at the 2013 Alameda Student Poetry Contest, held at the Alameda Multicultural Center on April 16. In his role, Dave was also invited to perform one of his poems, “It’s About the Joy That is Missing.”

The kids in Alameda are writing some great poetry and the judges of the high school entries in our group had to work hard in making the right selections. Elementary and middle school children also contributed poems and received awards. 

On April 27, we played at the Performing Songwriter Showcase held at The Woodshed at Keith Holland Guitars. This is a unique new teaching and performance space in Los Gatos, California, hosted by Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon whose goal is, “building community through music.” Please visit their site at www.Woodshed.org and get involved if you can.

The internet radio site, Indie Showcase, is a good place to discover new music. Visit the Mom Hen’s Corner show at www.indieshowcase.net on 6pm, Wednesday evenings. Jeanette Lundgren is the DJ and she presents a nice mix of down home folk, pop, and Americana, including us representing the “jazzy side of Americana!” 

Coming up Sunday, May 26, 4 - 6 PM, we will be up in the Sierra foothills to play at the Volcano Union Inn, 21375 Consolation Street, in Volcano, CA 95689, (209) 296-7711. We’ve heard on the grapevine that it’s a great spot for a weekend getaway. Come join us for dinner and music.

 

Please be sure and save the date, June 16, Father's Day, for our show with Gary Stockdale at the

Occidental Center for the Arts, The show Hollywood Meets San Francisco … and Heads Up-Country happens that Sunday afternoon, 4-6:00 PM. It will be a good day to visit the redwoods and enjoy two dads and a mom in an afternoon of Singer/Songwriters Par Excellence. We’d love to see you!