I have to share a little thing that happened this morning, which I am convinced was some of the magic of Falcon Ridge coming home with me, like the rainwater in my tent or the bits of windblown leaves that I´m still finding in my gear after that storm. (I swear at one point a salmon swam into my tent but swam out again before I could grab him).

I cleared out my refrigerator before leaving my part-time place in Gettysburg two weeks ago, knowing that I wouldn´t be back for a while. So last night after driving straight through all the way to the ´Burg, I had to stop at the grocery store to pick up some odds and ends before heading to my little apartment, just so I could have something for breakfast and lunch today. I got a lot of salad stuff but the tomatoes, which I love, looked awful and were crazy expensive, so I reluctantly had to pass.

Fast forward to this morning. As I´m stepping out of the shower (literally) my doorbell rings. I´m still a little groggy and ornery and haven´t quite caught up yet on sleep after four days of camping in the rain on the side of a muddy hill, so I was feeling a little cantankerous as I threw on a bathrobe and stumbled down the stairs, severely annoyed.

There stood my downstairs neighbor holding a grocery bag full of homegrown tomatoes, fresh off the vine.

Isn´t life delicious?

Hi Y'all, I'm just back from the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in upstate New York and have to give it a great big thumbs-up! Camping in the mud, thunderstorms and hail (see youtube for details) was more than made up for by a multi-day gathering of the tribes featuring round-the-clock music, incredible variety in the acts, late-night song tents ranging from delicate exquisite music to rowdy boisterous drum circles and unmistakeable positive energy from everyone there!

As a first-timer, I had heard great things about "FRFF" but it was one of those things you just have to experience to believe and understand. The only negative was having to choose at times - zydeco in the dance tent or one of my favorite singer-songwriters on the main stage? (Or maybe sample a little of each?) I have a hard time tearing myself away from an act I'm enjoying, yet there's that little nagging thought that some new artist down at the workshop tent might turn into a new favorite. . .

And in the big tent full of CDs and other FRFF goodies, there was so much to choose from I found it overwhelming, and thus left empty-handed. Silly me, I should have picked up a few new CDs! On the positive side, I armed myself with a few copies of my own CD and put it in the hands of some new friends, including some random folks I just wanted to surprise. (Would that count as a 'random act of kindness? I guess only if they like it!)

Wow. Time to catch up now. My little apartment here in Gettysburg PA is wall-to-wall with wet camping gear, musical stuff, dirty camp dishes and clothes. Maybe I'll wade through it later. Or maybe I'll get some sleep first!

d

Hey y'all.

Splitting my time these days between Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Routes 15 and 270, among many other roads.

I'm way excited about playing Scott and Paula Moore's wonderful house concert series in Rockville Maryland - opening for the talented and very funny Mike Rayburn. Come on out. More info elsewhere on this site or best bet is actually www.mooremusic.org under "schedule."

In other news, that's all I've got on the calendar. It's exactly the kind of show I love to do - person to person, no PA, straight out with no filter, no intermediary, nothing between the song and the audience. So if that sounds good to you, pop me an email and maybe we can do the same in your very own kitchen/venue/house/igloo/tent/yurt. Have guitar, will travel (within reason). Seriously, house concerts are a blast.

I hope all is well with you and yours and that we'll see each other soon out in the big beautiful world.

best,

db

Wow, what just happened? I have just returned from a huge folk music conference called NERFA (Northeast Regional Folk Alliance) with several days straight of showcases, concerts, jams, networking, schmoozifying, and one heck of a party.

It was wonderful and great to re-charge, to get fired up about playing, writing, getting out there in front of people.

So stay tuned - I'll keep you posted on any good news that comes out of it.

Thanks

db

Well, hello there, friends and neighbors, sorry we haven't talked lately but I'm sure you're all as busy as I am. Though with this freaky warmish winter weather I'm not sure I'm yet in the holiday spirit. Give me snow any day.

I've just put some gigs on the calendar. 219 King in Old Town Alexandria, VA is a friendly and beautiful spot to catch some live music; and you really ought to come out and catch the show. Yes, you should.

I'm also looking forward to playing over in Annapolis for the first time - at the Ram's Head, the legendary Annapolis music hall. I believe we'll be at the, ahem, cozier venue downstairs. If you're over on that side of the world be sure to and support these good people who support the people who make the music to which you love to listen.

Besides that, not much to report other than I hope you all have a joyous holiday, whichever holiday you choose to celebrate, and a safe and happy New Year - in which I'll see you sometime, I hope.

Oh, by the way, I only have about a zillion CDs left, so click on the link to cdbaby.com and pick up a few copies, will ya?

Talk to you soon - and be sure to say "Hi" if you come out to a show.

db

If you're finding your way here due to my inclusion on the Oasis Acoustic Sampler, welcome! Take a look around, stay a while, though it probably won't take too long to see all there is to see. Pop on over to my myspace if you have a minute, too, at www.myspace.com/dougbrouderandtheincredibleoccasionals - or to cdbaby to hear snippets of some of my other songs.

I'm currently booking the occasional gig - based in the area of Washington, DC and I travel occasionally. Drop me a line; you never know.

This has been a fun journey so far, and we're just now getting going for real. I'll be eager to hear comments, feedback or just a hello from the great electronic void - so stop in to the guest book or fire me an email.

Thanks again for stopping in and do stay in touch!

doug b

Yes, I've been ramblin'. Lotsa travel lately, some fun, some not. Got back to CT for a quick visit and some fine apples, got out to Chicago for some good steak and a very nice evening, got down to Florida, which you can keep. And now I'm back and ready to write some more - stay tuned!

d

Hi all,
Just a quick note to tell you that you can find me (by popular demand - haha) at iTunes! Just follow this link or cut and paste into your browser:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=165026325


You can listen there, or buy a song or two, or even download the whole record. Yes, there, I've said it again. It's a record. Get over it.

A few gigs coming up - check the calendar and stay tuned - I'm always on the lookout for performance opportunities so if you're interested send me an email at doug@dougbrouder.com.

Also, I'm writing again - stay tuned for that too - if I can figure out how this stuff works behind the scenes, maybe I'll put up a new song or two.

In the meantime, buy my cd and hear what all the fuss is about!

A few gigs coming up - check the calendar and stay tuned - I'm always on the lookout for performance opportunities so if you're interested send me an email at doug@dougbrouder.com.

Also, I'm writing again - stay tuned for that too - if I can figure out how this stuff works behind the scenes, maybe I'll put up a new song or two.

In the meantime, buy my cd and hear what all the fuss is about!

Hi everyone, Doug here. I've been out to see some musicians from the area and I'm really fired up to get out and play a lot more. I'll be playing tonight (7.8.06) at a SAW (Songwriters Assn of Washington) event; it's a great organization with a lot of wonderful people.

And lazy me has finally gotten to work on this website thing - I'll be putting up some more pictures etc.

And it has finally stopped raining here in the DC area!

See you soon.

doug

By the way, magnificent kudos to rob hinkal of ilyaimy for his stellar work getting this website up and running! thanks rob

At least, this is what we HOPE to be true...