My new band, Long Time Courting, debuts this coming Monday, October 13 at Club Passim in Cambridge, MA. I've decided after four years with Gaelic Storm that it was time for a little female energy and I got some! Fantastic, seasoned musician Shannon Heaton on flute/whistle/accordion and vocals, guitarist Liz Simmons on vocals, and cellist Ariel Friedman providing the bass and rhythm. Long Time Courting has strong three-part vocal harmonies and stellar Irish instrumentals, both original and traditional. I am really excited for this new band. We'll be playing locally for a while to polish up our sound, but once we do, we hope to be out and about at summer festivals and concert halls around the country.

So, if you've been thinking about learning the fiddle or know someone else who is, check out my new book! "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Fiddle" is due to be released in early October 2008...but it is available for preorder on Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or, support a local business person and pre-order it from your local independently owned bookstore!

The book starts from the beginning. It covers the history of the fiddle-- and fiddle music. It takes you through purchasing a fiddle, caring for a fiddle, and properly holding the fiddle and the bow. You can start the instrument completely from scratch, while learning some simple and familiar melodies. Then explore the tunes of Irish, Scottish, Old Time and Bluegrass fiddle. The last section of the book takes you through some more advanced techniques such as shifting up the neck, using vibrato and tuning the fiddle in alternate tunings. You'll also learn the best ways to get out and hear music--and play with other people.

My first child and son, Lincoln, arrived late Friday night, July 6th, without a hitch. We'll be enjoying the next month at home with his dad as he eats, sleeps and hears his first fiddle music (and jazz and blues from dad's record collection!)

Thanks again to all the well wishers! I'm very excited to be starting this next phase of my life.

Ellery

Well, many of you know by now that I'm expecting my first child - a little boy - at the end of June. With Gaelic Storm's rigorous tour schedule of 200 days a year, it's impossible to both be a mother and continue as Gaelic Storm's fiddler. So, at the end of April I hung up my bow with the band and came home to relax for a few months before the biggest change of my life!

But don't think this spells the end of my music. I look forward to returning to a more part-time performance and teaching schedule in the fall, and making a new cd at some point. I don't have any preconceived ideas, but there are plenty of great musicians around Boston for me to collaborate with. In the meantime, I will be posting a mailing list form on my website, www.elleryklein.com, so that you can be the first to know when my new cd or performances are on the way.

Thanks to all the Gaelic Storm fans who have brought such energy to the shows over the past four years! You were great fun to play for... and especially thanks to those fans that gave my little boy-to-be a few gifts.

Check out the website... www.elleryklein.com - thanks to my brother-in-law it is finally up to date with more recent photos, discography and a new links page with some fun stuff...! Thanks Stephen - aka "Red!"