The Sandwich Life

FAMILY: 10-20-30 Celebration with Jason Ringenberg, Fats Kaplin & Kristi Rose, with the Taxi Boys

 It's taken me awhile to sit down and write about Friday's incredible 10-20-30 celebration. With Ernie and I both being a tad under the weather, we were totally wiped out afterwards. We are starting to feel normal again, at least out new normal!! As the memories of the evening percolated around in my head as we recovered, I couldn't escape the word, 'family.' I have talked often about the family of friends we have, but never has a house concert felt like such a family celebration to me. Jason, Fats, and Kristi Rose all feel like family to us now. And we do not take that lightly, we are honored by their friendship and love. Of course, having the Taxi Boys open the show also cemented the feeling of circling connections. It was an extraordinary night, and Ernie and I felt so loved. We thank every single of you that were there, and extra thanks to ALL the people that really stepped up and helped make this happen, particularly to Teri McCarthy, and my dear brother-in-law, Dennis.

Every week I have a phone call check in from the new doctor's office I am working with. Each week is a different topic---this week's was mindset, goals and thankfulness, and I almost got teary as I told her how grateful I am for the support of my friends and family, how this house concert really brought that home to me. Then she asked if I ever journaled, and I had to explain that technically, no, but I've got this blog...heh.

Our Taxi Boys:

photo courtesy Richard McClaughry Hill

Our beloved Fats and Kristi Rose:

photo courtesy Veronical Rusnak

I must admit I wish I had video of Fats doing a stunning piece on his violin. The tone that man gets just blows me away. So beautiful.

And, of course, the one and only Jason Ringenberg, whom I adore.

photo courtesy Veronica Rusnak

Good God, but I love this song. My favorite line is about bankers wearing Ramones t-shirts on the weekend or something like that. Yes.

Possibly my favorite point of the whole evening. Jason, Fats and Kristi Rose together on the Weight. So moving. Side note...I HAD meant to adjust the lights...sorry!

My beloved Sue reached out to all the folks that had played here and gathered greetings and anniversary wishes from them. I was totally blown away and so touched....by all the kind words, but also the fact that Sue took this on to do. Again, we are so fortunate. I won't post them all here....it would be downright embarrassing...but I will post a few.

from Paul Griffith:
OMG, yes! House concerts are saving the singer-songwriter business, and Cynthia and Ernie's is the best. Great vibe, great hospitality, great music. Thank you!

from Annie McCue:
Congrats Cynthia and Ernie for being part of the Underground Railway for singer-songwriters who are flying under the radar of the corporate music business. It was truly a joy to play at your house. We all appreciate your concert series so much! Happy Anniversary! xoxo

from Bill Jackson:
I would be delighted if you added my name to the congratulations for Cynthia & Ernie. They are amazing people and living proof of Community and the power of Music to bring people together. From all the way down here in Melbourne, Australia I continually feel their love and support and look forward to seeing them again.

from Eric Brace:
From my first visit it was clear that this was one special, magical place. In return trips to play in this beloved Champaign home, I have received not one, but TWO moon landing cakes from a Sandwich Life regular, I've squeezed into the packed kitchen to sample as many BYO wines as I could, I've seen LEGO magic, I've skidded on ice out the side door, I've sat on the staircase and listened to other sing beautiful songs, I've made friends for life with Cynthia and Ernie, and I can't imagine a world without them and this incredible space they've created for folks like me. Here's to ten more years of sharing the music they love with the friends they love, and to ten more years of that love coming back at them in joyous karmic waves.

from Peter Cooper:
Congratulations to Cynthia and Ernie. These are great people who support wondrous music and wondering, wandering musicians. Their home is a haven and a magnet and a safe space for those of us with the nerve or foolishness to travel and pontificate in the services of expression and communication and, in the best of times, something that approaches communion. I love these people. I'd fight for them, except I know I'll never have to. Nobody would challenge these folks. Nobody would combat these folks. Nobody would or could do anything but appreciate and celebrate these folks. In summation, kiss my grits. With love and devotion, Peter Cooper

Then Sue asked if people could guess who the last one was from, and half the room yelled, "DAVID OLNEY!" I am inordinately proud that my love for him is so well known.

from David Olney:
Cynthia and Erie are what the Americana scene is all about. Music fans who take control. The experience is one of audience and performer working together. When I'm playing at their house and look out on the audience, it hits me like a Rembrandt painting. Warm and loving. They are the best.

Thank you to all from the bottom of our hearts. You all are our beloved family.

 

Kane Welch Kaplin: Love Those Boys

My beloved Mary Sack reminded me on Facebook of this wonderful video of Fats Kaplin and Kieran Kane. I love those boys. So much. And good God...as soon as Kieran picks up those brushes I'm reminded of what a fucking rhythm machine he is...one of the many things that made Kane Welch Kaplin so great. Well, that and great songs such as this David Olney song.

 

A picture about a year and a half later, at our house....

This all serves as further reminder that you can get Kieran's new CD from CD Baby... and you should DO THIS because it is great. 

There's nobody like Kieran Kane. 

I loved the series of videos that Lucas Kane did while they were touring.

 

 

 

 Yup. I love those guys.

Olney Was Right: Anne McCue is the Real Deal

One night after a David Olney show, as we sat chatting, he told me we should book Anne McCue. He told me that she was the REAL DEAL, and gave one of those wonderful little David Olney chortles for emphasis.  I will do whatever David Olney tells me to do. Now granted, I know this may get me into a lot of trouble at some point, but just the same....I obediently booked her (o.k....Ernie had also seen her last September and raved about her but I would have done it based on Olney's recommendation alone).

Well, Mr. Olney did good by us.

She was utterly amazing. What a hell of a guitarist....AND a songwriter.....AND a vocalist....AND a presence....AND a lovely person. That's not a trifecta; is there such a thing as a quintfecta? Anyway, suffice to say it was a wonderful, wonderful show and we VERY much hope to have her back again.

Heather Munson---best birthday cake in the world, thank you very much with love.

Thanks to all that were there---new folks, old folks, the incomparable Mel and daughter DeDe. Thanks and love to all of you....

Some of Richard's wonderful pictures...thanks as always Richard...

playing Ernie's beloved Tele....

Next up? Jon Langford, Rebecca Rego, and Abstract Man (friends of Jon's from Wales) on Friday, August 21, 2015!

Palm Sunday with David Olney

I should be fixing dinner but I'm tired. We had talked about some of us possibly going out to dinner but I'm glad we didn't. The end of Spring Break looms----PE clothes, showers, laundry, to-do lists. My day though? Absolutely incredible. I send waves of love to Bob Rasmus for bringing David Olney to his church...absolutely amazing day....

I was glad to see a good crowd at the Palm Sunday service....Ann said it included a lot of new faces. Watching Bob in his element is a joy. He welcomed new folks and explained what was happening. He did a reading and then David began Jerusalem Tomorrow. That song can give one chills any time but in this setting? Yes. The service continued with readings and then David performing the songs. I have listened to The Stone, as well as many of the individual songs, so many times...but hearing it within the context of the readings was literally mind blowing. Even though I had known the context when I had listened to it before...this was powerful, powerful stuff.

I snapped one furtive shot while Bob was welcoming people....it didn't feel right to photograph once the service started....

David came and sat with us for the end of the service. I couldn't help but think of all those years that I was such a fan and never managed to go see him live....never could have imagined sitting in church with him and feeling that he was a friend. The paths life leads us on are so unexpected. 

A couple of his songs made me almost cry but they weren't really sad tears, just the power of the song's emotions, but as we got close to communion I did get very teary missing my father. Somehow communion brings back those last few years of his to me. For those of you that didn't know me then, from about 2006, until he died in 2008, I took my father to church, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Urbana, every week. It was when he wasn't able to drive anymore because of his Alzheimer's and I'm grateful beyond words that I did it, but it was sometimes very, very, very hard. Somehow Ernie and I only got one bulletin for the service this morning, and when I held it open for him to see, I automatically started pointing out where we were....because my Dad would get confused and I had to do that for him. When I first started taking my father to church, we would both get up to take communion, but as the months passed, we eventually moved to the front pew where all we had to do was stand...and Dad insisted on standing no matter how hard and slow it was for him to get up. It was the best gift I could give him at that point, just bringing him there and sitting with him....but the memories are hard and I did cry a bit...missing him, and missing the him of earlier years.

Powerful, powerful stuff. All of it.

Driving home Ernie suggested lunch so we picked up the boys and had a quick lunch at Fries and Peanuts. We got home and I realized I had left virtually no time to cook for the potluck so I threw together a salad with my favorite Asian dressing...luckily we had pretty greens from Farmer Greg.

I was thrilled to see a good crowd when we returned for the 3:00 performance...with many familiar AND unfamiliar faces! I gotta say David sounded wonderful.....his voice sounded so beautifully expressive. I realized that this is the first time I'd ever seen him without Sergio. While we of course missed our beloved Sergio, it was interesting to hear the differences....I don't know if it was differences in his performance or just differences in the way I listened...but either way he was great. Truly great. That's my boy.

Owen and Sophie did a great job at the merch table and he sold a fair amount of stuff I think which pleased me as well. After chatting with friends we eventually tumbled home and here I sit. Owen just ate leftover pizza for dinner---I'm such a great Mom....and God knows what Ernie and I are having. I think I'm still full....from lunch and from the experiences of the whole day.

Thanks and love to Ann and Bob Rasmus, David Olney, and everyone that shared this and felt the same way.

I bet David and Bob could talk for hours. My mother always said Bob was a complicated man....and there's no doubt David is too! Ha!

David Freaking Olney in Urbana....for FREE!

Here is a letter I just sent out to the House Concert email list (if you're interested in being on this...just shoot me an email or leave a comment).

 

 

Greetings all!
 

Great, great news! David Olney will be appearing in Urbana on Palm Sunday at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Some of you might be aware that a few years ago he recorded a mini-album entitled The Stone. It is, as only David Olney could create, a retelling of the Easter story. Classic Olney, he never uses the name Jesus and the various characters bringing their point of view to the table include a donkey, a con man, a murderer and a soldier. Man....I love David Olney. Love him, love him, love him!

This obviously, is not a Sandwich Life House Concert, but I am sending you this to encourage you to come out to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church for this very special event. Bob Rasmus, the pastor at St. Matt's is an incredibly dear friend of ours and I am constantly impressed with the social justice and community work that St. Matthew's does under his leadership. The fact that Bob would make this happen is a testament to his creativity and passion.

Some of you may get this notice and immediately think...oh, I'm not going to see David Olney in a church. Please slow down though. I must admit that I am not a church goer and that might have been my response in the past. Becoming good friends with Ann and Bob has made me reassess that kind of reflexive response and I am grateful for that. Although I am not a member of St. Matthew's, I feel welcomed and cared for any time I go there and I respect them greatly...and I cannot WAIT for this!

David will be doing songs from The Stone during their 10:45 Palm Sunday worship service. Then, later in the afternoon at 3:00, he will be doing a more wide ranging performance. It will be a full matinee performance and in true Lutheran fashion there will be a potluck following! This is going to be great...and this is FREE folks! Get that? FREE! They will pass the hat for funds to support Sola Gratia (St. Matthew's CSA that supports Eastern Illinois Foodbank) but this is David freaking Olney...for free.

Please share this with friends...I want a good crowd for both David and Bob and St. Matthew's!!! And if you've ever been curious about seeing David but not felt up to spending the money...this is your chance! There are two facebook events to share, the 3:00 show, or the 10:45 service. Please spread the word!!!

Who knew that Bob would go this far to get us to go to church?
 

Hope to see you!
Cynthia (and Ernie)

Oh, and one house concert note....RB Morris has had to postpone his house concert...we are discussing dates in October that will work better for all involved. I'll let you know.....

 

You Have to Laugh....

Back in the heyday of blogging, friends I knew that blogged were constantly being asked to review things, or be paid for this or for that. Me? Never happened. The only thing I was ever asked to review was absinthe and I was supposed to buy it myself. I did get a free t-shirt from Worn Free (I chose a t-shirt that Ian Hunter was pictured wearing....had Cream's Boy Howdy logo...I don't think they carry it anymore). They offered to give one away to a reader but when I said yes they never got back to me. I've just never been a mass consumption kind of blog. I never worked at it either because I can't change what I do here....I'm just me...for better or worse I write here because it lets me process my life.

These days blogging's not as hot (still keeps me balanced so here I am). Once in a great while I'll get some weird email offering to add content to my blog but that's about it. The other day however I got an email offering content for my blog though....and what was this hot topic? It is for an infographic detailing the social and physical effects of anxiety.

HA!

You have to laugh.

And a shout out to Mary Giles because I was so excited to meet her in person last night!!!!

Oh, and don't forget....David Olney in Urbana at St. Matthew's on Sunday, March 29, 2015. FREE. In URBANA. DAVID. OLNEY.

Huh.

I left work a few minutes early yesterday because I was going to stop at Old Time Meat and Deli to pick up something to cook for dinner (anniversary week sale) and try to get to the pharmacy to pick up more pain pills for Ernie before they closed at 5:30 . By the time I got in the car it was already 5:00 and I didn't want to chance not getting his pain pills so I just headed over there. I desperately wanted to skip going to the store but Ernie had called telling me a few things we needed. I begrudgingly headed over to Schnuck's and got ice, yes another damn endless bag of ice, some boneless skinless chicken breasts because they were on sale so cheap, and a few odds and ends. I got home ready to collapse for a little while. Instead I got told what I had forgotten to get. Sigh. I asked Owen to go with me but he did his classic dilly-dallying and for whatever reason it enraged me. "FINE, I'll go by MYSELF." Yeah. I went BACK to Schnuck's and got the forgotten items. I zoomed home angrily playing David Olney's newest album as loud as I could. 

I sat outside and sputtered about my day a little to Ernie. Then I went inside and sat on the couch so of course Annie was immediately stuck to me like glue. I sat there petting her thinking that I hadn't seen a flea in awhile. Of course then I immediately saw a flea on her face. I tried to grab it only to drop my iPad on her head. Annie was not happy and who knows where the flea went.

I decided I should start dinner or we would eat as late as we always seem to. Boneless skinless chicken breasts are one of my least favorite cuts but whatever. Since Owen had explained about why my cooking didn't work for him I was trying to cook more simply. I was going to give him some god damned plain chicken, with corn on the cob and green beans, and made a little sauce out of dried cherry tomatoes and fresh basil for Ernie and me. I asked Owen to husk the corn, which he did, only to leave cornhusks overflowing out of the trash can. I sighed....deeply....and asked him to get them all into the trash can. Our trash can pulls out under the counter. He obediently started pushing and pushing and pushing the cornhusks down until the whole damn trash can popped off and fell over. There was much yelling and apologizing and me saying, "It's OKAY, it's OKAY." We tried to get the damn thing back on its track to no avail until I began yelling, "Just LEAVE it there...we'll figure it out later." At least we can get in there to clean it this way. It was deeply disturbing to see how horrible it was in there. Hopefully it's not broken. Bob immediately took refuge in the little trash hole. Poor guy.

I served dinner, only to find out my chicken was ridiculously overcooked and I had undercooked the corn. In the midst of summer I can eat corn on the cob raw but this really needed some cooking. Boneless skinless chicken breasts are one of my least favorite cuts but normally I manage to cook them o.k. Last night? Not so much. I chewed my chicken for an hour or two, ate my green beans (the one success on the plate....from Farmer Greg and utterly delicious) and then poured a glass of wine and ate two pieces of shortbread just because I thought I would scream if I didn't. 

Ernie walked Owen up to bed (I think Owen was rightfully trying to avoid me). He came downstairs, we watched two episodes of Transparent (liked it). Ernie was up for more. Not me. I went upstairs, tried to read, but couldn't focus on anything. Ernie finally came up to watch the news and whatever else he could find on tv. I took my glasses off and laid there and listened in the dark.

Today? Hopefully Dick Van Dyke Appliance and the Refrigerator Gods will bestow refrigeration on us. I've got a busy day at work and need to take off early to bring Ernie to Carle for an appointment and then try to remember to run back and get Sola Gratia.

Oh, and as much as I love David Olney...having "Bag of bones, bag of bones, I ain't nothing but a bag of bones" go through your head all night as you toss and turn isn't the most, ummm....comforting. Not the best evening, not the best night of sleep. Onward....onward.....

 

Fridays and Contenders

Lord. I think I just invited some 400 people on Linked In. Geesh. I did not mean to do that. Whoops.

O.k...it's Friday but kinda feels like Monday. 

And yes, I am wearing Birkenstocks to the wedding tomorrow. I received my cheap garish sandels and when I took one out of the shoebox Owen shrieked and said, "What IS that?" I put one on and said "Good God, these look terrible" and looked up at Ernie. He said, "Well....mmm....uhhhhh." Back in the box. Birkenstocks it is.

I MUST tell you there is a FANTASTIC article about my beloved David Olney in the new Nashville Scene. It is an absolutely great article...thank you, thank you, thank you Nashville Scene and Skip Anderson! So go off and read it please!

And NOW that you have obediently read it....you need to watch the Austin City Limits show from 1982 that they mention. If you want to hear his performance of Contender, go to about 4:25 on the Part 2 video. Watch the song all the way through. Maybe we can ask him to do it next time he comes to our place, because good God you know he's coming back....

 

 

And on a last note....I may not survive the new morning routine.

Oh, and Owen didn't wear a bow tie today because it's 'casual Friday." 

The Way I Am

You know, sometimes in life you find yourself doing odd little things you never imagined yourself doing....such as searching YouTube for videos of Zoladex injections.

And then you find yourself wondering why almost all of the videos are in some language other than English.

And then you wonder what the hell you're doing.

And then you remember that your slightly obsessive tendancies are what allowed you to memorize Ruth Webb Lee at the age of 13.

And then you go and watch another Zoladex injection and think that you are just fine the way you are.

 

 

 

David Olney....Frankie Ford's Sea Cruise leading into The Way I Am....

 

Random Notes from the Sandwich Life

1. Wild Ponies is just a week from today!!! It's going to be a great show; I am so looking forward to it!! Potluck at 6:00....I'm calling it SaladFest but I think we'll throw some sausages on the grill as well. Bring anything you'd like and something to drink....or just come with nothing.....  Suggested donation is $20, please PayPal to my email (link is to the right) or bring cash. Invite a friend....it should be a wonderful summer evening.....

Here's a good blurb about them:

Wild Ponies - The dead right, honest songwriting of Doug and Telisha Williams blended with a kick-ass band. Touring in support of their brand new release on Ditch Dog Records, "Things That Used To Shine", Wild Ponies - Doug, Telisha and drummer Jake Winebrenner - bring energy and charisma along as they perform brilliant new songs as well as some of the old Doug & Telisha favorites. Written during a busy year on the road, "Things That Used To Shine" is an album about leaving some things behind ... and meeting others head-on.  Released by the newly formed independent label, DitchDog Records, the album finds Telisha opening up about the skeletons that have haunted her closet for years.  Grammy-winning producer Ray Kennedy (Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams) recorded the 12 songs in three days, running the band's harmonies through the same pre-amps once used by the Beatles. "It's a terrific, raw, robust sound these guys have going on" said Kim Ruelhl in "No Depression".

 photo by Stacie Huckeba

2. I'm thinking we may have to hide Rascal during the house concert....I'm afraid he'll be stepped on.... Never get a black kitten when you have a dark brown couch. You can't see Rascal when he's curled up there and I'm afraid someone will sit on him. In other news, Rascal seems to be gaining total domination of the household. Yesterday he chased Bob into the basement, Hattie into a window and Annie upstairs. He begs Bob to play with him and Bob just looks at him with a puzzled, sad expression and hides in a box as much as possible. I think they're just waiting for him to leave.

3. The other day Ernie was driving me to work and of course a song was bubbling out of him. I asked him what it was and he said it was from the soundtrack to Clockwork Orange. I asked him what it was like in his head and he said it was very crowded with songs. I also pointed out to him that even in the middle of fight, if we have over 20 seconds of silence he'll start humming something softly. He smiled and shrugged and said he couldn't help it.

Geesh.

4. My children are in disgrace. Deep, deep disgrace.

5. The problem with #4 (see above) is that when this happens I realize that I am a terrible, terrible mother.

6. Owen's newest favorite bit of profanity in moments of frustration is "Jesus Tap-Dancing Christ." My efforts at correction in this area are of course weakened by my habit of saying "Jesus H. Christ" at times. Sorry Debbie. I'll work on it...but it DOES make me think of Dad. And I gotta say....I think Dad might kinda like "Jesus Tap-Dancing Christ."

7. We saw our friends Ann and Bob last night....that's always good for our mental health....and look what Bob had on his phone....beautiful pictures of David Olney and Amelia White from when he saw them at the Bluebird recently....