To my great surprise, my dear old pal Jon Parry sent me an amazing Cd containing 15 cuts from our band of 1979 Party Line.

Jon, Joe Paquin, Dan "Mig" McLaughlin played in the Bellingham area in the late 70's and early 80's and remains one of my favorite projects ever.

Joe recently passed from cancer after a brave 5 year battle-I miss him every day.  After Party Line he and I shadowed each other as we moved steadily south-two decades in the Bay Area and ultimately Southern California.  Together Joe and I played hundreds of gigs together in all kinds of settings and combo's-among those we played memorably with included Vassar Clements, CJ Chenier, Tom Rigney, Bobby Unser (yes the NASCAR guy!) and many, many others.

Jon Parry continues to be one of the finest musicians on the planet-his post Party Line career has included stints with Hank Jr., Goose Creek Symphony, Danny Barnes and a host of others.

The tunes are a sample of what we did on the gig-originals mostly by Joe and select covers.  Jon Parry fiddles beautifully everywhere and Mig was swinging on the drums and your truly was playing bass and singing-enthusiastically if not exactly in tune.........

Wild from Woolley was mine-an anthem for the town I then resided in.  Joe and I collaborated on Meet a Mate-I had a tune and a chorus and he quickly knocked out the verses-sort of anticipating Craig's List by 20 years!

Bacon and the Bread is pure Joe P and one of my fav tunes of his-I don't really recall playing a disco solo but we may have been over stimulated that night!!!!!!!!!!

It'll Be Me showcases Mig's swinging drums, Jon's burning fiddle and the masterful way Joe could front a Jerry Lee Lewis classic.

Built for Comfort features the singing and playing of Jon Parry blues fiddle master extraordinaire. Seldom a day in 30 years has the sound of Jon's fiddle not been in my head-a true genius.

At the time this was recorded I frankly was so self critical I couldn't listen to anything without crushing self confidence issues-after 30 years I can listen with a smile on my face and finally enjoy it and my good fortune to have played with such great musicians and even better persons.

I've uploaded all 11 tracks from The Borax Man CD on Live Blues World as well as the Heaven or Hell track from the new Road Kill Kings CD.  Apparently there's no limit over there!  Here's the link to this site-a niche version of myspace for blues fanatics.
http://www.livebluesworld.com/profile/DickDeluxe

And finally today....In addition to teaching guitar lessons I'm also doing web 2.0 consulting and blog services. I've been on the internet since white pine email via my Mac Plus. There's a revolution going on computing-reading this is indicative that you're aware of some of the aspects of it.

I specialize in helping folk build myspace sites and traffic, creating and populating blogs with compelling content, configuring xp and vista smartly, setting up Firefox and igoogle, creating awareness of web services (did you know there are great free and legal versions of Office and Photoshop available now?) security and internet safety tips

My writing services include tech tips, music copywriting, commentary and criticism and local activism. I'm no Hemingway but think bad writing and lack of design aesthetics sink most web initiatives-marketing and otherwise.

I don't really enjoy nor do well much of the following: networks (small home OK big office no), hardware (minus hooking up printing or inserting cards or wireless) or database stuff. If I know how to add value I'll give you a quote-if I don't know what the hell I'm doing I'll give you a reference no charge.

As an observation I'd say most of my friends get about 2% at most out of their computer investment-in an increasingly expensive world computers are the rare deflationary product.

So harness that power and learn how to find stuff, organize stuff and leverage your time and money!

Just a note to announce I'm now teaching guitar lessons in Sunset Beach, Surfside, Seal Beach and anywhere else I can make it via bicycle! In-home (yours) for now and my studio should be open by fall (or sooner!).

I taught for about 20 years and swore never to do it again but I've mellowed with age and have more and better insight and have developed heretofore not happening patience.

I specialize in blues, jazz, swing, folk and fingerpicking. Don't really teach "licks" not note for note stuff off record-I suck a metal and classical and if you play more like Pat Metheney than me you don't need anything I got!

In the musical psychology department I think I can help a lot with confidence and finding how to play the right note at the right time-in tune and on time!

I'll do a separate spiel on my "theory" regarding soloing over damn near anything. I call it the Dick Deluxe Sex-a-Tonic Method! While most methods tach major, minor and symetrical scales and pentatonics I show folks how learning a little 6 note pattern can work 95% of the time!

Plus there's plenty of comedy material to mine in this method!

Speaks pretty much for itself. In the loping Jimmy Reed vein with a bridge...........

I Used to Make a Living

Deluxe 07

When I used to play the blues
They paid me money
Now they pass the tip jar
And it's good luck honey
I used to make a living
Yes I used to make a living
I used to make a living
I don't make no living now

I played a little zydeco
The people danced so free
Now the only thing that loose
Is the change they're paying me
I used to make a living
Yes I used to make a living
I used to make a living
I don't make no living now

(chorus)
Day after day it's a grind
All my bills are way behind
I'd like to hold my head up in this town
But everything is upside down

I used to sell some CD's
Cassettes or an LP
Now with all this downloading
I guess my music's free
I used to make a living
Yes I used to make a living
I used to make a living
I don't make no living now

I used to pack my bags
Head out on the road
With the price of gas these days
You know I'm staying home
I used to make a living
Yes I used to make a living
I used to make a living
I don't make no living now

I take a lot of pride
In my craft and trade
Now I'm selling RV's
And it's 103 in the shade
I used to make a living
Yes I used to make a living
I used to make a living
I don't make no living now

A rocker in the Richard Thompson vein...

Toyota's

07 deluxe

My occupation is hocking RV's
So I tend to go automotive in my analogies
Plenty of dead time patrolling the lot
Old fart and pussy jokes are about all we got
The showrooms I prefer are bars
So I tend to equate women with cars

A Ferrari tends to be a look don't touch
The size and mileage on an SUV is too much
My two ex-Mazzerati's cost me a bundle
Those old used Jeeps can barely trundle
Fords are boring and Chevy's are bland
Jags won't start and Woodies are only good in the sand

(chorus)
I like driving Toyota's
Low mileage, used
Much as I like the new car smell
Those warranties are a ticket to hell
I like driving Toyota's
Especially brown and black
I don't lease or buy them
I just test drive them
Toyota's
Toyota's

My favorite showrooms are open til two
I got a little circuit I like to do
I grab a beer and scour the models
I inspect everything that doesn't waddle
New is just too much goddamn working
Vintage usually only when the demons are lurking
I like 6 cylinders and the leather package
Not too much trunk, I aint got no baggage

Years ago I got on the foreign car tip
More reliable and fewer deals flip
Nothing wrong with white or yellow
But the darker colors resonate with this fella
Mint condition is rare but I don't mind a dent
But nothing overhauled after an accident
A good transmission raises the stakes
It's only a test drive, so fuck the brakes!

I've been called calloused and cold
Some people keep their cars til they're old
Before you lecture me on the units I've played in
Check the statistics on annual trade ins
I got the guts to browse and know how to close
Ain't my fault you're as exciting as a drip from a hose
My test drives are smooth and sweet
A lot of variety is hard to beat

The vibe of Taint Nobodies Business in the manner of the preaching bluesman doomed to repeat his mistakes.............


Situation Normal
07 deluxe

Situation normal
All fucked up
Once again I've pushed my luck
I'll have to cop a plea
And wiggle
I wish my heart wasn't so fickle

I've dug a hole
I'm crawling to it
If it's wrong, I'm bound to do it
I'll never change my ways
Or kiss ass
That's why I always come in last

It's true my life
Is a disaster
We'll all headed to the finish line
I'm just getting there faster
I'm headed straight to hell
Or worse
I can't ditch the family curse

Outlook fuzzy
No plan in place
Tomorrow is a wide open space
I'll float a balloon
And see what clicks
I hope the charges aren't the kind that stick

All hung over
Up chuckin'
Another long night of cocaine, tequila and fucking
I'm going to have to cut through the fog
This debacle is embarrassing the dog

Once again in the Ernest Tubb vein..........most of the musicians on here deal with this bullshit so I wrote the anthem I'll do when I send the goddamn thing around...

Throw a Fucking Tip in the Jar

07 deluxe

I remember the golden days
Back when playing in bars paid
the customers would really drink
Now with barflies fewer
The dough has gone right in the sewer
And it made me think

The tip jar I did once distain
Now's my meal ticket to shame
Tho I loathe it I will plea
It's covered in fake Ben Franklins
I don't see any 20's crinklin'
So I'm going to have to put it bluntly

Throw a fucking tip in the jar
The musicians need gas in their car
Tho it is humiliating
We ain't up here masturbating
Throw a fucking tip in the jar

Bartenders don't work for free
Plumber's always charge a fee
But the band has to buy it's own drinks
There's 50% margins in liquor
The barbacks' Rolex doesn't flicker
Something in this formula stinks

I love barmaids getting slipped a 20
Customers here look like they got money
What about the fellas playing the blues
I'll walk you down to my ATM
If you need proof of the shape I'm in
At 52 I'd hoped I paid my dues

Throw a fucking tip in the jar
You're not in church this is a bar
Fork over to the sexy kitten
On whom I plan hitting
Throw a fucking tip in the jar

I won't play where people don't clap
I would rather take a nap
Than play shitty covers I don't like
I'm up here singing from my heart
I always let my demons shout
But I'm about to go on strike

I've had it with you cheap fucks
Who won't cough up a couple of bucks
No wonder you never get laid
A barroom is a marketplace
I want to be able to show my face
So begging is how I get paid

Throw a fucking tip in the jar
Good looks only get me so far
Don't make me come over and drill ya'
Five bucks ain't gonna kill you
Throw a fucking tip
Cough up a fucking tip
Fork over a fucking tip
Throw a fucking tip in the jar

a little latin dance party number.....more cowbell!


Let's Go To Miami 07@deluxe

It's not like it sucks here in California
But now and then perfect weather will bore ya
My mind starts drifting toward some tropical heat
And those Cuban cuties look so sweet

Let's go to Miami (4x)
Cuban girls say
"Hey Papi you're so tall"
I say "hey chica you can have it all!

Let's go to Miami (4x)
Cuban girls say
"You put that monster on a leash?"
I say
"hey baby let's go have some sex on the beach!"

At the end of a long ass day
I'm bumming on this traffic here in LA
Far as they eye can see bumper to bumper
The girl's getting crabby and won't let me hump her!

The beach here's pretty but the water's too cold
When everything's all shriveled up I can't be bold
Granted you see a lot of rock hard nips
But I prefer water good for midnite dips

There ain't no right and wrong pickin' paradises
Pick your poison when it comes to your vices
Florida's got it's problems just like LA
Sometimes it's just good to get away

Dedicated to my pal Sean Carney who is getting the recognition he deserves-never miss the chance to check him out-the real deal. This is a swinging shuffle with a bridge.


I'm a Rental Egner 07


Got no driver for this road
I can't pack this heavy load
I'm a rental
I'm a rental
Got no money for this charge
My future ain'that large
I'm a rental
I'm a rental
You can have me for a day
But then I'm on my lonely way

Got no time to really talk
These shoes are built to walk
I'm a rental
I'm a rental
Got no address to leave behind
Want no ties that ever bind
I'm a rental
I'm a rental
You can have me for a day
But then I'm on my lonely way

(chorus)
I didn't come to your fair town
With plans to stick around
I'm booked all up and down and east to west
Yes I whispered in your ear
The words you want to hear
But leaving is what I do the best

Got no closet for my clothes
No solace for my woes
I'm a rental
I'm a rental
Got no heart for your embrace
I'm gonna leave without a trace
I'm a rental
I'm a rental
You can have me for a day
But then I'm on my lonely way