Greetings friends, peeps, and fellow music-lovers! Are the leaves changing where you are? I have been marveling at the beauty of the trees here. There is such diversity of orange, red, plum and gold that these Oregon beauties are offering! I know, it’s the simple things that make me happy. It’s just a nice reminder that change is a natural thing.

Here’s what’s happening my friends…

1. Call to Action
2. Gratitude and the News
3. November BW shows in CA, TX, and OK!
4. The Future
 

Call to Action, Gratitude, News
1. Call to Action…hosting a house concert is a great way hear live music in an intimate setting and to bring your community together. I am always open to ideas, but I’m particularly interested in house concerts in my new northwest region. If you want to know more, lemme know! I’m at bethwoodmusic@hotmail.com.

Also, do any of you have concert video from my shows that you would like to share?? I am working on getting my youtube page set up. I know there are lots of videos of me out there. If you have some, could you email them my way? It would be much appreciated!

2. Gratitude and The News

Gratitude…Wow, October has flown by and been so wonderful! I got to play several really good shows and then have my first real chunk of down-time at home, so woohoo!! Special thanks to all these fine folks for being a part of my musical journey…Jeff, Kate, Carey, Sue, Richard and all the folks at Lafayette Square, the Bucholz family, Jimbo & Susan and the boys, to Kim Richardson, the Issitt family and friends, Peter and the folks at Sam Bonds, Shireen Amini and my good buddies of the Caldera/Eugene songwriters group. Y’all ROCK!

The News…well , I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m working on getting a hang of the social networking thing! Yes I know, I’m right there on the cutting edge. HA!!! But seriously folks, I have set up a music fan page over at facebook. If you’d like to check it out, you can go here….

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Beth-Wood/157422938805

Also it has happened, folks. I’m tweeting. Crazy world! I really do like the concept of saying what you want to in 140 characters. It’s kind of like the concept of a song…get in, get out, and say what you mean! J Here I am on twitter…

http://www.twitter.com/bethwoodmusic

I have started working with a site called Artist Data, which is really helpful in updating facebook, myspace, and twitter all at once. So lemme just say to all you savvy folks out there…I hope you can be patient with me as I get the hang of this! My aim is to keep you updated on shows, news, songs, observations, etc. Of course if you like the old-fashioned newsletter, I will keep on writing ‘em!

In other news, I have begun recording all of my new songs, along with orphaned songs from other projects, into my new hand-held digital recorder. The sound quality is AMAZING! And I love that I can record in MP3 format, which allows me to email and share the songs so easily. This is the first step in my process for a new CD, and it feels really good to be working on it! The new songs keep coming, as change has a way of shaking things loose for me. Woohoo!

Here’s an outreach update… I am excited that Roland Elbert and I will be playing an outreach concert for the fifth graders of Ardmore, OK! I love getting to play for young people, and I can’t wait to talk to them about the life of an independent musician. If any of you have fifth-graders, what songs do they like? Should we try to write a song together or is that too much chaos? Lemme know if you have feedback.

Some of my favorite moments from Oct…

--Getting to sing “Angel From Montgomery” with the great Kim Richardson at Memphis House Concerts. I met Kim last year at the folk alliance conference and was blown away by her intelligent, yet emotionally resonant lyrics, and her soulful voice, her quick wit, and by the way, did I mention she rocks? Plus she makes me giggle.

--Meeting little baby Lucia in Little Rock and getting to hold her while playing Uno with her mom and big brother. She’s a good really good dancer.

--Hearing my friend Mai Bloomfield right here in Eugene at Sam Bonds! Mai plays cello and sings in a fabulous band called Raining Jane, and recently she has been doing her solo stuff and accompanying the great Willy Porter on some of his shows. They ROCKED the house along with Becky on bass and Ryan on guitar. Along with the dark beer I was having, it was very good medicine.

--Jamming out with my friend Shireen Amini at my first Eugene show! Shireen is a phenomenal musician living in Bend, and she plays percussion and writes incredible songs. That woman rocks!

--I had so much fun playing my electric at Sam Bonds. I don’t get to do that too often (not often enough for Marty, that’s for sure!) and it felt really good to remember that aspect of my playing. I am completely self-taught so I have no idea if I’m playing the thing right, but it sure feels right to me. The song “Strangest Angel” was written on electric and I feel it should be played that way, so it was nice to dust that one off.

--and of course, drinking Ninkasi's fall seasonal, called Otis Oatmeal Stout. I have already made Otis oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies. Looking forward to baking pies!

Tour Dates
5. Upcoming Show Details…please see the tour page of my website for complete calendar listings.

Life is so uncertain…please call ahead.

I'm really excited about shows coming up this month. The recurring theme... collaboration! I'm delighted to be sharing the stage with two very fine musicians... Abi Tapia, a wonderful singer-songwriter, and Roland Elbert, a phenomenal pianist. WOOHOO!! I'm also excited to be attending my first Far West folk alliance conference. I'm psyched that I have been invited to play a showcase.. can't wait to make good connections there. 

Thu, Nov 6 - Sun, Nov 9 - Far West Regional Folk Alliance Conference - Irvine, CA.

Thu, Nov 12 - Anderson Fair - Houston, TX - with Ken Gaines & Abi Tapia.

Fri, Nov 13 - Live Music, Fine Arts Concert Series - Longview, TX -with Abi Tapia

Sat, Nov 14 - Open Door Coffeehouse - Arlington, TX - with Abi Tapia

Fri, Nov 20 - The Goddard Center - Ardmore, OK - with Roland Elbert

Click here for full details of the shows...

Beth's Tour Calendar

What's next?
4. The Future...December will bring some OR/WA shows...woohooo! I'm looking forward to spending some quality time in the northwest this winter. Looking a little more forward... I will be making trips to Texas in the spring, and also back to the beautiful southeast in April & May. If you have input on venues, stops I should make, etc, lemme know!

I hope to see y'all out there on the road. May we all remember to be thankful for our gifts, our friends, our blessings. I am thankful for YOU! Your fan,

Beth Wood
Barefoot Acoustic Enthusiast
P.O. Box 864
Eugene, OR 97440
website: www.bethwoodmusic.com
email: bethwoodmusic@hotmail.com
myspace:www.myspace.com/bethwoodmusiccom

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Posted using ArtistData - The easiest way for musicians to update multiple sites at once.

Call to Action, Gratitude, News, Nov shows, the Future...

my cd release for "beachcombers daughter" is 4/12 at bend studio in dallas www.bendstudio.com.  the great milo derring and band mates are sitting in! 

please send out word and let’s sell this out asap.  nothing is better than jamming to a packed room.

thanks!!!!

peeps -  I have an amazing band that played on my new cd "beachcombers daughter."  That band is playing with me at the Dallas CD Release show Saturday April 12 at Bend Studio www.bendstudio.com .  Get your tix as soon as possible because it is a small non-smokeing byob listening room.  Please spread the word for me...cheers

The Afterglow…Well friends, I am happy to tell you that last week was one of the best weeks of my life!  A few days ago, we were preparing for Cayamo, the Caribbean songwriters cruise on which I had been invited to perform (thanks, Rodney!).  Leading up to the event, it was only an idea in my mind of what things might be like… how crystal clear blue the water might be, how wonderful the concerts, how warm the sun.  But I could never have imagined what an incredible week was to come. 

How do I begin??  First, I want to say that the fine folks at Sixthman (the festival promoters) were so friendly and helpful and went out of their way to make sure everyone had a good experience – artists and fans included.  We were treated with such respect and kindness and that set the tone for a fantastic experience. 

It is all such a blur of good memories in my head… I'll see if I can sort out some of my favorite moments. 

We heard SO MUCH great music, beginning with the great Lyle Lovett and his band.  The headliners played in a fantastic venue that felt like you were sitting in a huge theater with many balconies.  The sound was phenomenal, thanks to Atlanta Sound & Lights… John Hiatt played a rockin', mesmerizing solo set, as did Shawn Colvin and Brandi Carlisle, whose voice was a force.  Patty Griffin had a great band with piano, guitar and percussion.  Emmylou sparkled and shone as she always does and Buddy Miller rocked.  Shawn Mullins put on killer shows…one with sideman phenom Clay Cook, and one with a band.  David Ryan Harris had us all clapping and singing.  For the first time I heard Clare Wyndham, Evan McHugh, The Bowmans and they were all great. 

I cried at Lyle's set when he sang "North Dakota", at Shawn Colvin's set when she sang "Diamond in the Rough" and at Patty's set when she sang "Mary".  Also cried when Rose Cousins sang a song called "Good Enough". 

We had dinner five feet from Lyle, but I was too chicken to talk to him.  I tried not to spill food on myself.  Marty gave him a CD.  Our waiter looked like Sammy Sosa. 

We had happy hour on the Lido Deck with free rum punch serenaded by Shawn Mullins, Edwin McCain, and David Ryan Harris in the round.  Does it get any better than that??!?! 

We snorkled in Cozumel and saw the most colorful fish I had ever seen and one barracuda that made me scream under water.  Drank a margarita that had to be 3 feet high.  Marty belly-flopped into the pool (on purpose for the video crew, Owen and Jesse, who were with us, thanks guys!). 

Danced our asses off to the music of Oakhurst (bluegrass from Colorado), Gaelic Storm (Irish band) and The Duhks. 

Got to sing back-up with the talented Chuck Carrier.

Ran on the treadmill next to Ari Hest.  He was going faster than me but his legs are longer.

I had three sets and each one was AWESOME!!  For the first I was in a small room called the Red & Black Lounge…it felt like you were in an intimate club, but with very gaudy decorations (it was a cruise ship, after all).  J  It was like Eddie's Attic at sea… everyone was so respectful and responsive, it was like heaven!!  Then my second set I played in a high-ceilinged atrium.  It was cool that the stage was BEHIND the bar. That was a new one for me.  I had the uncontrollable urge to pour drinks and make up names for them…so hard to focus with so much going on!  Again, lots of people came out to listen and I was blown away by their enthusiasm and openness to my music.  WOOHOO!  Oh yeah, and it was right after my margarita in Mexico so I may have been slightly loopy.  Then my last set was back in the Red & Black Lounge, and I was joined by my drummer friend Kevin Leahy, who played on "New Blood" back in the day.  He happened to be on the boat playing with the great Evan McHugh and volunteered to play with me.  It was so much fun and a VERY energetic set and the very cute Chuck Carrier sang with us some, too.  We did a version of Ben Harper's "Better Way", which strikes me as being a song that conveys a very appropriate sentiment for our times. 

I saw so many people I knew on the boat!  It truly warmed my heart to know that these good folks came there to see me!

and we made many new friends, too!   People were there from all over the country, and we also met folks from Scotland, Canada, Itlay, Ireland.  Everyone was incredibly open to new music, attentive, respectful, friendly, and excited. 

in beautiful Grand Cayman I went walking on the beach with my mom and our friend Cathy.  I needed a relaxing day after all the activity!!  Couldn't keep up with Marty…he went swimming with the stingrays and got some awesome photos. 

 

Had some mad Uno tournaments on the Lido deck with our friends Damon and Jeff...you guys rock. 

Sixthman generously arranged a private party on the beach in Jamaica for the artists and their guests.  The water was breathtakingly beautiful, jade green.  We swam, drank rum punch, got some sun, watched a man exercising his racehorse in the ocean (no, that's not a euphemism), at which time Marty said, "do you think he's gonna put that pony on a boat?" and everyone died laughing.  Everyone found their own little spot on the beach, but it was cool sharing that moment with all the artists.  My personal highlight was when Marty asked Patty Griffin if she was going to do a reggae version of "Baking Pies".  She laughed.  She's really beautiful up close.

Dammit they had the best warm melting chocolate cake on the boat and we couldn't help ourselves, I think we ate it every night.

Our cabin was dark as night so we slept like champs and never knew what time it was.  Heavenly. 

I only spent $24.85 on drinks the entire time, can you believe that??  Nice people kept buying them for me.  I love nice people!

Sold a hundred CDs and 15 t-shirts, woohooooooooooooooo!! 

I was asked to be a "celebrity judge" (hee hee, little ol' me??!!) for an open mike.  It was truly a pleasure to kick back and listen to all of the offerings.  Every single person there was a true music lover and it showed in the sincere and entertaining delivery!   

Got to hang out on a very quiet deck at the front of the ship and just play guitar in the sun.  I was so inspired and reenergized by the other artists.  I can get so down on myself when I am in my little world isolated, but hearing so much great music made me want to work even harder and rededicate myself to my dream.  I had a wonderful conversation with my friend (and fellow singer-songwriter) Kate Graves that made me feel so inspired and connected.  Love you, Kate…

I had such a wonderful time hanging out with old friends from the Atlanta days…We got to spend some time with Jesse and his girlfriend Amber, and with Rodney, Andy, Red, David, Chuck, Ryan & Jen.  It was kind of like the old days, but better. 

I can't think of a single bad thing that happened, except that Marty's eardrum popped under water. 

And it turns out Marble our puppy dog still loves us and has already forgiven us for going away for a week.  Thank you cousin Shannon, Uncle John, and all at Southside Vet Clinic for coming through again!

 The ground is still wobbly.  Is there a patch for land-sickness?

I know I am not the blogstress of MySpace or any other E-space, but I am trying to get the word out that I am wrapping up my new CD!  Keep tuned for the big release announcement.  hint - March-ish.

It is all hush hush and will remain a mystery until it is unwrapped.  I am however sending out postcards to inform the peeps in The Biz so they know I did not give it all up for a real job. 

I have also made a postcard to be used as a "gift card" if anyone so desires to pre-order the cd to give as a gift to someone special.  All that info is on my home page at www.bethwoodmusic.com

 

...Can't wait to share the details!!!!!

I am back at Bend Studio (www.bendstudio.com) this Friday 4/6...can y'all help me pack the house?!  Tell your peeps and your peeps peeps!  I am playing all new songs and bringing the electric and the piano!

Greetings dear friends and fellow music-lovers,
Happy 2007 to you all! The blessings of a new year are upon us…let us take time to listen to our hearts and appreciate this moment with all its promise. A clean slate, a blank sheet of paper, a new roll of film, a new canvas! I reflect on the past year and feel overwhelmed with gratitude.

Wanna see something fun?? Check out this video for "Deliciously" that Justin and Emily made. Thanks, y'all! Here is the link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV2f6WnqShg

Gratitude and The News
Looks like it is time for me to get rolling again!! Special thanks to all of you who were so supportive of my taking a little sabbatical from touring. I got to catch up on rest and renew my mind, body, and spirit. I also got to spend time at home and took great pleasure in doing homey things… cooking dinner, taking walks with our dog Marble (a.k.a. "Meatball"), spending time with Marty and with friends and family. Good stuff…

In December I got to participate in a couple of holiday shows hosted by friends Billy Crockett and Phil Strahan. We did some fun in-the-round singing with the great Bob Bennett and my friend the poet Nathan Brown. A highlight was getting to play at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio in Wimberley, TX (www.bluerocktexas.com). Billy and Dodee Crockett have created an amazing intentional space for making music and celebrating community, and they have house concerts that are phenomenal!! Much gratitude to them and all who helped us celebrate the season.

I've got a very long list of things to start working on…In the next few weeks I hope to have all of my music available for download through CD Baby (www.cdbaby.com). The company I was working with, Disclogic, has been absorbed by another company and so that arrangement is no longer viable. The cool thing about CDBaby is that they also distribute your music to ITunes, Rhapsody, Napster, and other major music sites. I'll keep you posted… Also I have a meeting planned with Tamera Bennett at Farm to Market Music. We are constantly strategizing on how to get placement for my songs in film, tv, etc., as well as looking for opportunities to license my songs to those good folks in Nashville who make country music.


Upcoming Shows.
(Life is so uncertain…please call ahead.)

Fri, Jan. 19 - Walden Coffeehouse - San Antonio, TX.
7150 IH-10 West. Concerts are held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio. For reservations, please email at reservations@waldencoffeehouse.org. The Walden Coffeehouse is a nonprofit group sponsored by the 1st Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio, Texas. WC seeks to act as co-creators with artists, listeners, and local charities to positively "affect the quality of the days" of those in our community through monthly acoustic concerts. Doors at 7 pm. Show at 7:30 pm. $10.

Sun, Jan. 21 - Journey IFC - Austin, TX.
Beth will be providing the special music for this Sunday service.

Fri, Jan 26 - Crossroads Coffeehouse & Music Company - Winnsboro, TX. 216 N. Main Street. (903) 342-1854. Beth will be opening for Wishing Chair, a fabulous folk-roots partnership of multi-instrumentalist Miriam Davidson and songwriter Kiya Heartwood. 7:30 pm. $12.50-$15.

Thu, Feb 1 - KUT 90.1 - Austin, TX. Beth will appear for a live on-air performance on KUT's Music with Jay Trachtenberg.

Fri, Feb. 2 - Austin Acoustic Music Series - Austin, TX. AAS is held at University Presbyterian Church located at 2203 San Antonio Street. Beth returns to celebrate the one-year anniversary of this fabulous new listening-room series in Austin hosted by Sally Cooper. For more info, see www.myspace.com/austinacousticseries. Doors at 7:30. Music at 8. $20.

Sun, Feb. 4 - Wildflower Church - Austin, TX.
In the South Austin Senior Activity Center, 3911 Manchaca. Wildflower Church is a growing Unitarian Universalist congregation serving South Austin. Beth will be providing special music for the 10:30 am service.

Fri, Feb. 9 - Acoustic Sounds Cafe - Little Rock, AR.
The Acoustic Sounds Cafe is a smoke-free, alcohol-free listening room held in the Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive. For more information, please call 501-227-0000 (8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mon-Fri) Opening for Pierce Pettis. 7 pm doors. 7:30 music. $10 for adults. $8 for students,
seniors and military.

Sat, Feb. 10 - Town and Country Coffeehouse - Lake Dallas, TX.
T&C Coffeehouse is a smoke free and alcohol free listening venue for Denton County and the surrounding areas of North Texas. Held at Lake Cities United Methodist Church, 300 East Hundley Drive. 972-849-6068. Co-bill with the great Tom Faulkner (www.texico.com)! 7:30 pm doors. 8:00 pm. show. $10.

Thu, Feb. 15 - MacHenry's - Fort Worth, TX.
Please note NEW LOCATION: 1408 W. Magnolia Ave. 817-377-0202. Songwriters in the Round hosted by Rene West. Also with the great Jenny Reynolds from Austin. 8 pm.

Sat, Feb. 17 - Private Party – Dallas, TX.

Wed, Feb. 21 - Gulf Coast RadioLive at Baytown Wharf - Destin, FL.
RadioLive's newest event experience...Each month, three artists will perform their original works from the Main Stage and then will all perform together to end the program. In a partnership with WUWF in Pensacola, this new concert event will be broadcast live on WUWF 88.1FM from the Events Plaza at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. With Buddy Mondlock. 6 pm.

Thu, Feb 22- Sun, Feb 25 – International Folk Alliance Conference – Memphis, TN.

What's next…
I'm looking forward to many exciting things in 2007. I'll be playing many new places, and for that I am grateful! Also, My friend Erik Balkey has asked me to sing with him on his next studio project, and to do some touring with him when the CD comes out. He is working on some shows for us in the Northeast, and I'm excited about returning to that part of the country and getting to tour with him. More things I hope to do in 2007…

…put together a book of poetry.
…do some more collaborative shows with my buddy Nathan Brown.
…do some more studio singing here at home (thanks to Patrick Mcguire Studio (www.pmrec.com) and to Ted Vahovius and Adrienne Farmer!)
…record some of my new songs without breaking the bank.
…find a business partner to help with administrative work/visionary thinking!
…keep writing songs on piano.

Thank you for your continued support!! As always, your comments/suggestions/feedback are welcome. All the best in 2007,

Beth

Some of you may be wondering why I don't have any tour dates listed
after September.  I
will be taking a little break from touring/playing shows in October,
November, and
December.  I can't believe it, but I have been touring full-time for
ten years now!!  So
I'm ready for a little break to rest, renew, write, refocus,
reenergize, and strategize
on my future.

I must admit that it is really hard to make myself stop.  Working hard
has always been
important to me, and it's difficult to cut myself some slack.  I have
been worried about
interrupting whatever momentum I have been able to build, but my
friends and family have
been so supportive and have convinced me that all will be fine.  I am
so thankful to
everyone – especially Marty, my parents, Ocea, Misti, and all of you
who have offered
encouraging words -- for being so supportive of me on my journey, even
when it includes
taking a break from music.  That feels like unconditional support to me
and I couldn't
ask for more. 

As I grow and change, I find myself wanting different things out of my
'career' in music
(if you can call it that!).  When I started out I didn't mind living in
my car, but now
I'm ready for a life that's a little more balanced.  The piece of the
puzzle that has
been missing for some time is help on the business end.  In my dream
scenario, I could
find someone who shares my values -- someone with creative ideas and
solid business
know-how to steer this ship so that I could do what I am best at doing:
playing and
writing music.  I hope I can find this piece of the puzzle, and I truly
believe that just
by putting it out there in the universe, I'm that much closer to doing
so.  That being
said, once again I will rely on you to send any ideas or feedback my
way.  You never know
how connections are going to be made, and you could be the spark! 

I thank you all for your continued encouragement and support.  I've got
some things lined
up in early 2007, and my plans for the spring will come together soon. 
So please stay
tuned to the website… I will keep writing and looking forward to seeing
you all very
soon!  With deepest gratitude and respect….  Your fan,

my last push to put out a call to you all for the 8/4 show at uncle calvin's in dallas.  since this is a non-smoking and coffee listening room.  it is great for family, teen agers, neighbors, and friends to relax and listen without being hassled by the thumping bass of a techno dj while 200 other people who smoke crowd you.  hope to see you!!!!

my last push to put out a call to you all for the 8/4 show at uncle calvin's in dallas.  since this is a non-smoking and coffee listening room.  it is great for family, teen agers, neighbors, and friends to relax and listen without being hassled by the thumping bass of a techno dj while 200 other people who smoke crowd you.  hope to see you!!!!