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Charlie Shafter & The Gnomes



Last Updated: 12/10/2009

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Status: Single
City: Texas
State: Illinois
Country: US
Signup Date: 6/6/2005

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Tuesday, April 07, 2009 

Current mood:  anxious
We are pleased to announce that we will be recording a live CD/DVD at the Bluelight in Lubbock, TX on May 5th which is a Tuesday. There will be more details when they come. We really hope anyone and everyone will come out and be a part of our project and look good doing it. We will all be immortalized in stereo Hi-Fi forever.

Feel free to contact us for details.

Thanks a lot,

Charlie Shafter & the Gnomes
2:45 AM 
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Tuesday, January 27, 2009 
 


Charlie Shafter and the Gnomes mix Southern rock, 80s pop



Ben Williams/Music Critic


 

Charlie Shafter and the Gnomes tour extensively, but they always manage to clear off a spot on their calendar for the Hub City.

Cranking out an original hodge-podge of Southern rock and 80's pop, Lubbock fans are never disappointed by the band's impressive set.

Diverse lineups are always gold at Bash Riprock's, but the melee Saturday was one of the more memorable gatherings of bands with different sounds.

The aforementioned Charlie Shafter and the Gomes entertained the crowd with help from an energetic set from One Wolf, the mock-punk spectacle I Are Transformer, and the sunny pop of Daniel Folmer.

Folmer, a musician from Denton, kicked off the night with his upbeat blend of acoustic sing-along strummed on an electric guitar and accompanied by simple drum rhythms.

Folmer showcased his heart on his sleeve for the gathering crowd, blending the best of 90's alternative pop artists like Matthew Sweet, Eliott Smith and Ben Folds.

I Are Transformer, a four-piece band featuring local heroes from Thrift Store Cowboys and One Wolf, were next to take the stage.

Sporting giant sunglasses and fake British accents, the satirical pop-punk group hammered out their entire catalogue of five songs. The tunes included titles such as, "You Don't Know My Mom You Don't," a jab at Radiohead's song called "It's Not OK Computer," and a song about being unbearably British with a title not appropriate enough to be printed in a newspaper.

Although the performance was I Are Transformer's third to date, their message was heard loud and clear.

What that message is remains uncertain, but it might be something leader Daniel Fluitt yelled in between songs while spilling beer, shouting the song lyrics in audience members' faces, and purposely dangling his microphone in front of the monitors to produce feedback.

Then Charlie Shafter and the Gnomes took the stage and rocked and swayed the crowd with a mix of old and new hits for the eager fans in front, consisting of mostly women.

Shafter crooned with his signature Southern twang while strumming on a red Gibson guitar, and the Gnomes did what they're known for - crafting modern country sounds into a mix of the Band, Ladyhawk, Dave Matthews and the Cars.

Each guitar solo was met with high-pitched squeals from the crowd who also helped Shafter sing most of the songs.

It was clear who the crowd came to see Saturday, and Charlie Shafter and the Gnomes basked in the glory of it all by producing a lively set just for Lubbock.

With the help of the diverse bands before and after, the musicians at Bash's made sure the crowd left with either sore legs from two-stepping or sore necks from head-banging.



9:09 PM 
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Wednesday, December 24, 2008 
I've heard through the grapevine (our management) that we have indeed been nominated for a Gruene With Envy award to the tune of Best New Artist. Now, the votes are counted via online submission through various categories in which you can vote once every 24 hours. It is a bittersweet and somewhat strange honor to be included in a list of songwriters and musicians that must now become sworn my enemies. We did not ask for this honor but we are happy for it to be thrust upon us. Now begins our savage battle for the title of Best New Artist. It should be a bloody bloody campaign. "No quarter asked, and none given!"
 
 Here is what our investigative staff has learned about our formidable opponents:
 
 Josh Abbott fathered two illegitimate orphans in Jaurez. He has never visited them and due to border jurisdiction sends them no money. Their mother died two years ago in a tragic weather balloon accident involving a Saint Bernard named Jesus "hey zues".
 
 Casey Donahew was detained recently for conspiracy to publicly urinate on a Texas flag in protest of the state legislator passing a law that requires computer-repair technicians to obtain a private investigators license. Seriously...look it up!
 
 Sean McConnell: "The surname McConnell is the most accurate English phonetic spelling of the name for the MacDonald Clan in Gaelic, "MacDhomnhuill."  In Gaelic, after the c in Mac the d becomes silent and the name is pronounced somewhat as though it were spelled MacHonnell, which is close to how we pronounce "McConnell." In early English documents, MacDonald was almost always written "McConnell."  McConnells were the same people as the MacDonalds.  McConnell is one of hundreds of variations of the original Gaelic surname.   Other common variations are MacDonald, McDonald, McDaniel, and McDonnell."
 
 Obviously he is to blame for the dollar menu and indirectly our morbidly obese social welfare recipients.
 
 Modern Day Drifters: drifting has been frowned upon for centuries.
 
 Marren Morris is a pre-reincarnation of Dolly Parton. Ancient mystic law dictates that no soul embodying two people in an overlapping lifespan can be recognized as a mortal being. The Gruene With Envy bi-laws clearly state that no computer or other none mortal being can be recognized for an award. Not to mention that her seemingly pre-reincarnated status hardly qualifies her for the "new artist" category.
 
 Zach Walther and The Cronkites: Following Walter Cronkite's editorial report during the Tet Offensive that the Vietnam War was unwinnable, President Lyndon Johnson is reported to have said, "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost middle America."
 
 Is it too far a stretch to say that this band is partially, if not completely, responsible for the spread of communism? I think not! Walter Cronkite and Zach Walther both lied to you about the moon landing and put our God fearing sudo-socialist country in great danger!!!
 
 Scott Wiggins Band: they seem alright to me...that's who we voted for!

go to www.gruenewithenvy.com

go to the bottom right and find the banner

love,

charlie

We are Charlie Shafter and The Gnomes and We Approve This Message


11:12 PM 
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Saturday, December 06, 2008 

Not My Girl

You can come pick me up, maybe later tonight

We could still catch the late show

You could invite your friends

If that make you feel comfortable?

I know a drive in, just out of town

Where we could go, got a bottle of Crown

We could go and just see what happens?

 

Chorus:

I know you're not my girl

But I'm thinkin maybe that'll change

I know you're not my girl

But I'm walking off in the rain

I know your not my girl….

 

I left a voice mail that might have made you mad

I just called to say sorry, but it's just been sad

It seems like lately, you've been distant?

I heard the other day you were messin around

Is it someone I know?

Does he live in this town?

Give me a call back when you get this.

 

Chorus:

I know you're not my girl

But I'm thinkin maybe that'll change

I know you're not my girl

But I'm walking off in the rain

I know your not my girl….

 

I received a letter on April 3rd

Said I got to stay away

I read every word

Kinda hoping , just a late April Fool's Joke

If it's not, gonna promise you now

We're gonna be together

And I don't care how

Just bought a .45 and I'm bored as I can be

 

Chorus:

I know you're not my girl

But I'm thinkin maybe that'll change

I know you're not my girl

But I'm walking off in the rain

I know your not my girl….

 

Note: This song is NOT about anyone formerly /currently  (a member of) or associated with the band. Just Maybe, It may remind you of someone you know: If it reminds you of yourself  in any way, see your nearest Mental Health Professional ASAP!

12:12 AM 
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Thursday, November 13, 2008 
I thought I would let everyone know what has been going on with us lately.

Well, we have had a silly couple of weeks. Between two flat tires, hitting a deer at 65 mph in the hills outside Austin, and having to administer a roadside mercy killing with a butter knife; it certainly has been tough. At any rate, we are seemingly out of a vehicle indefinitely because that suicidal drifter smashed the entire front end and we are now bleeding internally. I sincerely doubt we can get out of this one with duct tape alone. You'd think that Godless evolution theory would teach these deer to stay away from the road. Don't feel too bad folks! At the rate these deer reproduce I'm about 78% sure he's already been reincarnated and maybe even in a place where no vans threaten his wandering life. Right? Right.

Moving along. I and all the Gnomes would like to thank everyone who has come out and in some cases driven many miles to come to a show. You will not be forgotten and will be reward with tiny nuggets of good karma to add to your karma pool.

We are working on new material and hopefully will start on a record in the not too distance future. Also, I hear rumors coming down from the top of a live record that could possible be recorded. Want to know where? Me too. I want to do it at Red Rocks but people keep telling me that Red Rocks is a little farfetched. That's exactly the kind of attitude that will get you no where is this business. Besides, a lot of the live records you hear have canned crowd noise anyway. Oh, you didn't know that? I'd like to use the crowd noise from Obama's Nov 4th election speech and with the right kind of ears you could hear Jesse Jackson cry and Oprah Winfrey down on the front lines shrieking at her security to get these commoners away from her. It would be a fantastic addition to life CD.  

In fact we could just drive to Colorado, go to a show, take pictures of us around the park, record it in the studio and just say that it was recorded at Red Rocks. Yes, we'd be lying but I already lied to you once when I told you that we administered a roadside mercy killing with a butter knife. Charlie Shafter and the Gnomes Live at Red Rocks!!! It would be legendary.

Peace in love and war,

Charlie
12:06 PM 
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008 

Current mood:  content
Category: Life
Charlie Shafter and The Gnomes to be
at Rockin' S Bar and Grill tomorrow

BY JENNIFER TYNES
NEWS@LAKECOUNTRYSUN.COM



Photobucket


Charlie Shafter and The Gnomes will be at the Rockin'S Bar and Grill Saturday, Sept 13.
  ..  "We are totally excited about coming out there to play," said lead singer Charlie Shafter. Shafter and his band are currently ranked No. 27 on the Texas music chart with their hit single "Big City Baby" from their title CD "17th and Chicago."
    Shafter and original band mate Joel Dreisdale originally hail from Decatur, Ill., and, from the age of about 14, Shafter has been touring the
countryside with his brotherin-law, Matt Martindale, of Cooder Graw.
    "When I was younger we would go on tour with him and ever since then I decided that I wanted to play music," said Shafter. "I decided to come to
Texas, I love it here. Texas is a place where anything can happen – any kind of music. The music scene is great because there is every kind of music here."
    Shafter moved to Texas right after high school and attended South Plains College near Lubbock. He currently lives in Denton when not touring. "I am actually moving to Denton this weekend," said Shafter. "We have been touring
so much and we have been living out of a van."
    The Gnomes include Shafter on vocals and guitar, Dreistadt on drums and percussion, Clayton Freeman on bass and vocals and Adam Cline on guitars and vocals. Shafter and Dreisdale are longtime friends and made the journey to Texas together. "We came here together and had a band for awhile," said
Shafter. "We lost two members, one moved to Alaska and then we formed a new band."
    Cline currently lives in Plano and Freeman lives in Amarillo
when not touring back to back shows all over Texas. After meeting Cline and Freeman, the four played in a band with Martindale including a show at the Larry Joe Taylor Texas Music Festival. Shafter said he has been to Possum Kingdom before. "I have been there once," said Shafter. "I think it was with Tommy Alverson, but I am looking forward to coming again."
    One of the tracks on the new CD is titled "California" and some of the lyrics in the song convey Shafter expressing his wish that when he dies to please scatter him anywhere but California. When asked what the meaning behind those lyrics represented, Shafter responded, "I have never been to California,
but I have seen a lot of it on television and I just don't like
what I have seen. I just don't think it's for me. Maybe northern California, but not southern. And I have no plans to go there unless I have to."
    Shafter said they play allkinds of music from country to rock, but considers the sound more eclectic. The band came to be on the Texas Music Chart by the
number of radio plays they receive in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. The Gnomes took a muchneeded break over Labor Dayweekend and hit the road again with daily shows.
    When asked what he does in his spare time, Shafter said,"We have no spare time, but when we used to, we usually would stay at home and hang out."
Life on the road as a musician can be a hard one. Late, sleepless nights and days at a time away from home. "We work so hard, but I love
this," said Shafter. "This is what I wanted to do. When I get a chance, I go see my family, I have two sisters that live in Amarillo and sometimes
they come see me." He also said that growing up he listened to a lot of his
parents' music and that is what inspired him to become the
musician he is today.
    "I grew up listening to a lot of Bob Dylan," remarked Shafter. "I also listened to Paul Simon, James Taylor and Merle Haggard. The real country music." When listening to their music, one can hear a little bit of each of these artists in
every song. Which is why it is considered an eclectic mix of music.
    "I also loved Kris Kristofferson," added Shafter. Shafter writes all of the band's lyrics and together they compile everything to create their selective sound.
"We all collectively put the song together," said Shafter. "But most of the time I write the lyrics and then we put it together."
    Shafter and The Gnomes have played all over Texas and have hit the road running. "I am looking forward to coming out to Possum Kingdom,"
said Shafter. "I can't wait to do the show." He had one last question that
begged an answer. "Can someone tell me why there is no 'O' in the word Possum Kingdom?" asked Shafter. "Everywhere else in the world
it is pronounced O'Possum –except there."

For information, call (940)779-3499 or visit charlieshafterband.com or myspace.
com/thecharlieshafterband.
Currently listening:
17th & Chicago
By Charlie Shafter Band
Release date: 2008-03-18
3:00 AM 
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Thursday, May 15, 2008 

Category: Music

The Charlie Shafter Band--Charlie Shafter (vocals, guitar); Joel Dreistadt (drums); Clayton Freeman (bass, vocals); and Adam Cline (guitars, vocals). (LIVE! photo/Joe Hyde)
"Growing up, I had two pictures hanging on the wall in my room. One was of James Dean from the movie "Giant." I am a Catholic, so I also had a picture of Jesus that was given to me at school," Charlie Shafter says. The two pictures gave him inspiration for the current single release, "Jesus and James Dean" from The Charlie Shafter Band's "17th & Chicago" record. Smith Publishing, who represents the band, sent the new single to radio stations in April. "They released it to Americana stations," Shafter says, because the song is slower than traditional Texas country.

Trying to find a niche for Shafter's music has been a blessing and an asset. They have played at Texas country mainstay Blaine's Pub and they've also played at the rockin' Steel Penny. Ed Fawcett, partner at the Penny, says he hasn't seen a band that good in a short while. "They can play rock, and they can play covers. And the covers are good, original interpretations," Fawcett says. Shafter, who is one class shy of graduation from South Plains College's commercial music program, has a band of true musicians.

His song "Jesus and James Dean" (listen to a Podcast of the song linked above) was a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition in 2006. Shafter is careful to note that the song is not meant to be sacrilegious. "It's about idol worship. False idols," he says. "We are as a society obsessed with Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. If someone of my generation [Shafter is in his early 20s] sees Britney Spears and Albert Einstein walking down the road, which one do you think they'd go for? Britney Spears," he says.

..TR> ..TR>

The song's lyrics are a well-formed story centering on the singer, Jesus, and James Dean. No-one in a crowd notices Jesus, who is overshadowed by the presence of James Dean. Later, the singer and "a reverend named Paul" go to a church looking for meaning, but find that the church, too, has fallen into the pop culture trap. When they open the door to the church, the congregation is watching James Dean's "A Rebel Without a Cause."

Also on the record is "Big City Baby," a fast-moving song Shafter says is about getting tired of a relationship. It was released to Texas country stations.

The band's genre-bending sound likely stems from its members' variegated roots. Shafter grew up in Decatur, Illinois; the band is based in Lubbock. The band still takes time every quarter to tour their favorite venues up north. "Our touring schedule is progressively getting better and better," Shafter says. "No-one in the band has a day job anymore."

Shafter's favorite song on "17th & Chicago" is a spooky ballad called "Medicine Man." In the song, the singer is waiting for a medicine man to come and give him a shot: "just a little bit, I don't need a lot." "That chorus is all about my music," Shafter admits. "We've been doing this for a long time waiting for a little break. I keep telling myself not to worry. Sometime it's going to happen."

And while he's waiting, he remains confident. That is because along the way in his fledgling music career, Shafter says, he has had people and events pick him up just in time. These are his medicine men.

Shafter's career is gaining traction. His touring schedule is packed. He's playing for larger and larger crowds. Look for him in San Angelo at Blaine's Pub, 10 W Harris St, on May 31 and June 7.

..TABLE>

..TABLE>
3:17 AM 
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Jesus and James Dean
By Charlie Shafter

I was walking down the street with Jesus and James Dean.
A man yelled 'He's back again!' and everybody screamed.
But no one noticed Jesus in his sandals and all.
Everybody went for Jimmy except a reverend named Paul.

Father Paul got on his knees and asked forgiveness for his sins.
Jesus just said I didn't know that was him and with a grin.
He took off running down the street towards the crowded scene.
When he asked for Jimmy's autograph, he said he's loved him since his teens.

Father Paul and I just stood there in the empty street.
There was no one to consol and nowhere to preach.
So we went back to the church to tell the others what we'd seen.
When we opened up the door, it was just a movie screen.

Everybody was eating their popcorn and drinking Mountain Dew.
So we bought a couple tickets and some snacks and found a pew.
When we looked up they were showing 'A Rebel Without a Cause.'
The next thing I remember, it was over, and there was just one big applause.

Chorus

Say it's all in the way that you walk.
If you don't draw attention then nobody's gonna talk.
If you're alone in your room or in a crowded fair,
I'll be there.

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Wednesday, April 16, 2008 

http://www.normantranscript.com/archivesearch/local_story_102113854

Review from the Norman Transcript

Published April 11, 2008

'17th and Chicago' a neat red-dirt surprise
Andrew W. Griffin
The Norman Transcript

 

When Charlie Shafter sings the line "I was walking down the street with Jesus and James Dean," on the song "Jesus and James Dean" from the Charlie Shafter Band's new album "17th and Chicago," one almost gets a mental image of the three of them walking, talking, maybe even arguing.

What young Shafter does best is paint a picture in your mind. His brushes? Snappy drums, picked and strummed acoustic and electric guitars and the occasional Hammond B3 organ. The paint are the descriptive lyrics and the passion in his voice.

This Illinois native, now living in Lubbock, Texas, offers listeners an engaging assortment of folk-rock music that has enough country elements to attract the Texas and Red Dirt music fans.

But then there's that sensitive singer-songwriter type sound that comes through, particularly on songs like "Tall Tale," which has already done well on alternative country radio.

And while that was selected as a single, there are far better songs here, including the sweet, folky song "Lately (When You Still Believed in Unicorns)" with its tasteful accordion and Shafter's low-key vocal delivery. Charming.

Shafter reminds me of Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows when he performs the appealing folk-pop of "California."

All in all, Shafter and his crew came as a complete and total surprise for this Red Dirt fan. But that's great, because we've got a big tent and we love authenticity. The Charlie Shafter Band has that in spades.

Although it's weeks off, the Charlie Shafter Band will be at the Wormy Dog Saloon in Oklahoma City on May 23. For more information, check out the guys online at www.charlieshafterband.com.

Rating: A-

9:24 AM 
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Wednesday, January 16, 2008 

Category: Religion and Philosophy

Did a little road trip to Wichita, Kansas, Riverton & Decatur, which are located in the Peoples Republic Of Illinois. Kirby's Beerstore in Wichita has the most atmosphere and some of the best Electronic Bowlers, you'll ever see. At the motel we stayed at, they asked if we wanted the hospital rate? What the hell, yes, and told them that Aunt Coco was going to be the recipient of the of the world's first artifical rectum (The Jarvik Asshole)

On to Riverton and the non smoking Old 36 Inn. (Well ALL of Illinois is non smoking at least those parts that are indoors and 15 feet from any entrance) During the show Charlie asked the crowd what they thought and was met with some grumbling. He responded, "Don't worry we'll be alright." Had a good crowd that seemed to like our stuff and it's always great to see our friend Jeb Brown.

Saturday in Decatur, we were seeing the sights (Soybean Capital of the World) and our fuel pump went out.

  Went onto the show at the Lock Stock and Barrel. Had a good crowd with some special out of town friends there. 


We had to stay there an extra day for the fuel pump, but the van runs great now and it's good to know that about everything that can break has broken and been replaced. Right now it's midnight were driving from Amarillo to Lubbock looking window we saw a UFO  crash. Told them to check their fuel pump.

5:33 AM 
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Friday, December 22, 2006 

The record is becoming more and more done by the day. Sorry it is taking forever. (I may be under the false impression that people are actaully waiting for it.) At any rate, it was mastered months ago but we are just awaiting all the bullbutter that comes with doing a record. So, don't go and worry about us. We are fine as I imagine you are...It's the Holidays right? right. Good things. The record will be done when the great magnet allows it to be done. Sorry I just watched a Hunter Thompson documentary. Hints the great magnet plug. It's on Stars on Demand if you want to watch it. Great documentary. Buy the TIcket, Take the Ride. Not that I have Stars...let alone on demand. I just happened to be at a house that had it.  

Everything works out for you and me in the end. I'm not worried. Are you?

cs

 

5:43 PM 
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