Hello Everyone…

Well, it is with great excitement that I announce that I will be fulfilling one of my musical dreams, opening up for one of my heroes, and a true legend, Neil Diamond! As many in the Boston area know, Neil is performing this Saturday evening at Fenway Park. Now, it's a little bit of a strange situation, though, because our Ayoub band's opening set will actually be held THE NIGHT BEFORE the Diamond show, and at A VENUE ACROSS THE STREET from Fenway Park. Yeah, it's a new thing these big acts are doing nowadays, having the opening act perform the night before at a club across the street….ahem…but it'll go on my music resume as "Opened for Neil Diamond!" Hey, us creative types gotta be VERY CREATIVE sometimes!!!)

So we're playing a set at the world famous Cask 'n Flagon (Oliver's nightclub located inside the Cask), right across the street from Fenway Park, this FRIDAY NIGHT (there's no Sox game, so there'll be no traffic or parking problems). It's the first regular Ayoub band show we've had in what seems like forever, so it promises to be a loose, fun gig! And it's the only show booked at the moment, so, um "get it while it's hot" as they say!

Yup, Ayoub and Diamond in the same weekend…best Boston weekend EVER!!!

UPCOMING SHOW:

FRI. 8/22 CASK 'N FLAGON (Oliver's), Boston, MA 9pm
***full band show w/a great band from CT, Remember September

Venue link:
http://www.casknflagon.com/olivers.html

Other band links:
http://www.myspace.com/rememberseptember
http://www.myspace.com/onefinemorningmusic

The night will start up at 9 with One Fine Morning, then our set around 9:45 or so, and Remember September, a band that I've been wanting to play with for over a year now, will headline the show. The great thing about playing these short sets is that if you come to the show, you get to hang out with yours truly and the band before and after the set! Lucky you!!!

As always, check the website for any updates, additions, cancellations, changes, phone numbers, addresses, and details on how I've been on the Michael Phelps 12,000 calorie diet for about 10 years now, minus the rigorous workouts.

http://www.philayoub.com/

RIVERSIDE TRAIN SHOW WRAP UP:

Thanks to the GREAT turnout we had for the Riverside Train show last month, celebrating our good friend Albie's birthday! It was awesome to see a lot of old faces, still looking young, and to have Jim on drums, Craig on guitar, and special thanks to "New Guy" for making the trip down from Vermont to play bass. And the staff at The Times, as always, are the best hosts!

Check out some pictures at:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23617&l=428c1&id=514647019

Thanks Everyone!

-Phil

http://www.philayoub.com/

http://www.myspace.com/philayoub

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Phil-Ayoub/7493821603

Hello Everyone…

So you may have heard about the new movie coming out called "The Rocker" featuring that guy from the TV show The Office.  It's about a failed rock star from the '80's who tries to recapture some of the glory 20 years later when he fills in with his nephew's band at the high school prom.

Well, it is in that general spirit that I remind you all of the RIVERSIDE TRAIN REUNION SHOW this Saturday night at The Times!  Sure, we've gotten a little older and lost a little hair, but come on down and party like its 2002!  Turn back the clock to when 3 Doors Down, Fuel, and Foo Fighters ruled the radio airways…

It'll be a celebration for Albie's birthday (if you know Albie, you know why he deserves a bash, and if you don't know him, it doesn't matter, the show is open to everyone) and it'll be an old school Riverside Train (my old band, for those of you who don't know) show with 3 sets of covers and RST originals, starting at 9pm. 

Hell, The Police reunited for a tour, why can't we?!

UPCOMING SHOWS:

SAT. 7/19 THE TIMES, 112 Broad St., Boston, MA  9pm

***RIVERSIDE TRAIN reunion show

FRI. 8/22 CASK 'N FLAGON (Oliver's), Boston, MA

***regular AYOUB BAND show w/a great band from CT Remember September

As always, check the website for any updates, additions, cancellations, changes, phone numbers, addresses, and ah hell, I'm not fooling anybody here.  I haven't lost any hair.  My hair is as thick and full and luscious as ever.  Best head of hair since Sam "Mayday" Malone.  And now that it's been kissed by the Tennessee sun for the last few months, the natural blondish-red highlights shine through making it look hotter than ever!

http://www.philayoub.com/

FACEBOOK:

If any of you out there are on Facebook, so am I.  I think this is my page so come find me and friend me!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Phil-Ayoub/7493821603

Thanks everyone!

-Phil

http://www.philayoub.com/

http://www.myspace.com/philayoub

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Phil-Ayoub/7493821603

...I DO NOT condone this type of action!  You know, just slap ’em around a bit...

Woman stabs partner to death after fight over Bruce Springsteen

(CNN) -- An Australian woman pleaded guilty Thursday to fatally stabbing her boyfriend because he objected to her listening to Bruce Springsteen’s music.

.. -->-->.. -->===========IMAGE============-->.. -->===========/IMAGE===========--> ..

The national news agency, Australian Associated Press, reported that the Supreme Court in the city of Brisbane sentenced Karen Lee Cooper to eight years in prison.

Cooper told arresting officers she "just got tired" of her boyfriend, Kevin Watson, bossing her around during their two-year relationship.

"I couldn’t even play Bruce Springsteen on my stereo. Can you believe that? Can you believe that?" Cooper told police, according to the Courier Mail newspaper.

Later, in a formal police interview, she repeated her claims: "I mean, who doesn’t like Bruce Springsteen? I am 49 years old and I want to play my own music."

Springsteen is an award-winning American singer-songwriter, best known for his lyrics about the struggles of the common man.

The couple had been drinking at their rental home the night of the stabbing two years ago when they began arguing over Cooper’s choice of music, the Australian Associated Press said.

Cooper’s lawyer told the court she experienced a "brain snap." She ran to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and stabbed Watson, 49, after he said he didn’t want her to listen to a Springsteen CD, the newspaper said.

Cooper took a handful of pills before calling police. She told officers she hoped the pills would kill her before they arrived.

According to the press reports, Cooper regretted the stabbing and did not think her boyfriend deserved to die... -->startclickprintexclude-->

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/13/australia.springsteen/index.html

Whatever name you prefer to call him by, I had the pleasure of meeting him before the recent Springsteen show in Montreal (A big thanks to MIX 96 and their very lovely promotions coordinator, who I believe also has to be the mayor of Montreal...). Now, I've been to a few "meet and greet" type things and sometimes the artist can be very friendly, and other times you can tell they're just going through the motions and dying to get out of there. I have to say, Steve (that's what I call him..."Steve") was extremely gracious and friendly and relaxed. He seemed in a great mood, spoke for a few minutes with everyone there, and definitely did not act as if the ten-thousand and somethingth "meet and greet" he's done in his life was a chore for him.

Now, I know he's become quite the lauded thespian these last few years so maybe he was just acting...but still, I felt like he was genuinely happy to meet me! (I mean, who wouldn't be though, right?)

So there were about 30 or so people waiting to meet him. One of the women in our group told us how excited she was. Then Steve walked in with a few people. After a minute or so, the woman asked us "Who's the guy in the bandana?" "Ha ha," we responded. But no...she was serious.

So I'd driven 6 hours up from Massachusetts to meet him (I mean, um, I'd driven 6 hours to see my friend! Little Steven was the icing on the cake), and a woman, who was about to meet him and was supposedly so excited, didn't even know who he was. The guy in the bandana.

Oh yeah, and of course you know what she said next..."Wait, wasn't he in The Sopranos???"

Hello Everyone...

Well my friends I'll be making the 9 hour trek down to New Jersey once again (I drive slow.  I obey all traffic laws) for a special night in Hoboken.  I'll be playing a short set (4 or 5 songs) at Maxwell's, a club famous for many things including being the site where the "Glory Days" video was filmed.  How cool is Maxwell's???  Let's just say that when I was told where I could park, "Frank Sinatra Drive" was mentioned!

This is a special show, as it will be part of the New Jersey Songwriters in the Round series that will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, complete with raffles and giveaways!  It will be FREE to get in, and an ALL AGES SHOW!  Click on the link below which should give you more info on the charity:

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=45255561&blogID=333036339

UPCOMING SHOW DETAILS:

WED.  12/19, MAXWELL'S, HOBOKEN, NJ, 8:30 pm

***ALL AGES SHOW!  FREE!  Acoustic set playing about 4 or 5 songs as part of the New Jersey Songwriters in the Round series benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  A few other artists will be performing, including my good friend Joe Colledge (http://www.joecolledge.com/), who recently put out a great CD called "Table for One." 

I would have billed this show as a "Jersey Joe Extravaganza" since my great friend and fan club prez Jersey Joe is the link between Joe Colledge and me, but we'll postpone that event for now.  Also, Jersey Joe has been feeling a bit under the weather lately, but he has been recovering nicely.  We wish him a continued speedy recovery! 

As usual, please check out the website for any changes, additions, updates, cancellations, and details of the day I was trapped in a sushi restaurant in Hoboken because of a bomb scare (true story). 

http://www.philayoub.com/

THE DUNKIN REPORT:

As many of you have heard by now, I have recently been named in a report documenting the use of dangerous drug.  Surprisingly, I am not talking about the Mitchell Report that came out yesterday detailing the use of anabolic steroids, as many of you who have seen my shirtless body up close have suspected (the rippling abs, the bulbous buttocks, the python biceps, the great hair).  No, I have achieved this body "au natural" as the Spanish say, with pure old-fashioned hard work.  Yep, hard work and the Thighmaster (and Abmaster, Buttmaster, Lovehandlemaster…if there's a body part, I've mastered it).

No, not The Mitchell Report.  I am, in fact, talking about "The Dunkin Report."  Which, of course, details the use and abuse of another powerful and should-be-illegal substance, Dunkin Donuts Coffee.  "D&D" as us junkies call it, has had a hold on me for years and it finally caught up to me.  The report has detailed information, including a transcript of an interaction with one unnamed source who ratted me out.  Here's an excerpt:

PA: "I'm afraid of needles.  YOU'RE gonna have to inject me."

Unnamed Source: "Um, sir, I'm a drive-thru worker.  I can give you the cup of coffee, but we don't use needles."  

PA:  "Come on, inject my buttocks with that D&D coffee now!" 

Unnamed Source:  "I'm not touching your butt, sir."

PA:  "Hurry up, there's a car behind me." 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS:

So if this is the last time I email you all this year, have the happiest of holiday seasons, and a wonderful new year!  I thank you all very much for being on this mailing list.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate the support, as its getting more and more difficult for independent artists to prosper in the music industry today.  So thank you very, very much! 

Looking forward to seeing some of you at Maxwell's next Wednesday.  Afterwards we'll all go out and inject some Dunkin Donuts coffee into our butts.  I hear it's legal in Jersey…

(I don't care how many artist/band mailing lists you're on right now, none of them have ever mentioned the word "buttocks" as many times as this one.  Sure, you might poo poo its over-usage when you talk about this mailer with your friends at work, but secretly you love me for it.)

Thanks everyone!

-Phil

http://www.philayoub.com/

http://www.myspace.com/philayoub

Hello Everyone…

Well, the show Saturday night is indeed confirmed!  I'll be performing a solo acoustic set at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, opening for Steve Wynn (ex-leader of the band Dream Syndicate), and Phil Aiken (legendary local Boston musician who gigs steadily with Buffalo Tom and Bill Janovitz & Crown Victoria, and has also performed with Eddie Vedder, Little Feat, Ben Kweller, Graham Parker, James Taylor, Tanya Donelly, Peter Gammons, and a bunch of Red Sox players).

The Lizard Lounge is one of the most popular music venues in the Boston area.  It is an intimate setting (much like my living room), cool and warm at the same time (also like my living room!).  Except there'll be real people there watching, not just me imagining I'm performing in front of a crowd of 10,000.  And there's a functioning bar.  Sadly, NOT like my living room.  This will be an intimate solo acoustic show, with maybe some VH-1 style storytelling, and possibly the last local gig for a while!  

BUY ADVANCE TICKETS NOW AT:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/23776

(It makes me feel so grown up when advance tickets are put on sale!)

UPCOMING SOLO ACOUSTIC SHOW:

Sat. 11/7 LIZARD LOUNGE, Cambridge MA, 9pm

*** Lizard Lounge and Satellite Radio Station KEXP present "Signal 2 Noise" featuring Steve Wynn & The Miracle Three (ex-leader of Dream Syndicate), with special guests Phil Aiken (Buffalo Tom, et al) and Phil Ayoub. 

Venue Link: http://www.lizardloungeclub.com/main.html

As usual, please check out the website for any changes, additions, updates, cancellations, and details on recommended (legit) massage therapists on the east coast.

http://www.philayoub.com/

RADIO NOWHERE?:

No, radio mistake.   Actually, Ayoub mistake.  In the last mailer I told everyone about some upcoming radio airplay on 92.5 WXRV "The River."  I mentioned that it would be airing last Thursday at "7pm."  I guess I meant "10pm."  I apologize for the mistake.  I usually check, check again, and re-check all the facts that are included in these mailers…my bad.

Thanks to Rita Carey and WXRV for adding "4^th District Court of Bristol County."  Which song is that, you ask?  Well that would be the name of the hidden track on Schoolbus Window Paper Heart for those of you who didn't know.  A song that my friend's dad listens to every evening as he sips his nightly glass of Frangelico before retiring to bed.

MORE CONFUSION:

I need to apologize for something else as well.  In promoting a recent show I had in my home state of Rhode Island, I'd mentioned on this mailing list something about a retrospective multimedia presentation called "Phil Ayoub: The Formative Years."  It turns out that there was a bit of confusion on the matter….yes, it was indeed meant to be a joke.  I know, I know I don't joke too often in these emails…but I do occasionally make (admittedly weak) attempts at "humor."  I apologize for any confusion it may have caused anyone.  And for any disappointment as well.

I have, however, been touched by the massive and unexpected outpouring of interest in such a film!  It has opened my eyes to considering this as a possible project for a future show (hold on to those slide projectors after all)!  But for those of you that can't wait to see when and if it will come to fruition, I'll try to bring some Polaroids to the show Saturday.  I have some good ones!  One of me as a little kid walking with an unwashed Snoopy.  One of me at my first Red Sox game.  One of me on the toilet.  One of me on the toilet with an unwashed Snoopy.  One from the blizzard of '78….

Although there will be no film on Saturday at the Lizard Lounge, there will, however, be a show that will kick your butt!!!  Well, it'll kick your butt in that "sensitive-yet-rockin' solo acoustic singer-songwriter way."  Kind of like if John Mayer, Springsteen, Neil Young, Bono, Tom Petty, and George Clooney all donated sperm, a little Ayoub would pop out…..Hope to see you all there!!!

(Notice how I snuck Clooney in there???  Nice!!!)

Thanks everyone!

-Phil

http://www.philayoub.com/

http://www.myspace.com/philayoub

Hello Everyone…

Well, it's been a little while since little Phil over here has stuck his little head out of his little hole in the ground and made contact with the big outside world!  The month of October has been too busy with baseball and songwriting to come up for air.  

But coaxing me out today is the information that there'll be some Ayoub radio airplay tonight on an awesome station in the Boston (and New Hampshire) area, 92.5 The River, WXRV.  They have a "Homegrown" show that airs at 7pm, so tune in if you can, either by terrestrial radio (is that the right term???) at 92.5 on your dial, or online at:

http://www.wxrv.com/

92.5 is a very cool station that I always kind of hoped would come around to spinning a song or two of mine, so I'm thrilled to hear that they are!  Will they play "River to Ocean" on The River?  Or is that just too obvious???

UPCOMING SHOW???:

Details have not yet been finalized, but there looks like there MIGHT be an upcoming acoustic show on:

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10 at THE LIZARD LOUNGE in Cambridge, MA

http://www.lizardloungeclub.com/main.html

Of course I'll pass along all final details when/if it gets confirmed, but just wanted to give you all a heads up.  It might be the last local show for a while…

As usual, please check out the website for any changes, additions, updates, cancellations, and details on how Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon completely ripped off his dance moves from me!  Come on, anyone who was in the basement of The Kells in Boston from 1995-1999 knows that I invented that very routine to the tune "Cotton-Eyed Joe."  Often times someone would even pay the DJ 10 bucks to play the song a second time, just so I could dance again!!!  (Ok, so that was me that paid the DJ, but that's beside the point!)

http://www.philayoub.com/

Speaking of Papelbon and the Red Sox, I just wanted to give a special sympathetic shout out to my New York Yankee fan friends on this mailing list.  Don't worry guys, 86 years only FEELS like an eternity…

Thanks everyone!  More details on that possible show at The Lizard Lounge will be forthcoming when/if it gets confirmed.

-Phil

http://www.philayoub.com/

http://www.myspace.com/philayoub

So I wanted to come up with some kind of definitive "Best Lines" list...the best lines ever written in any song.  Well, I don't think I can come up with a DEFINITIVE list at the moment, but here's what I came up with yesterday as I was driving down to New Haven.   And no, "Blood on the streets in the town of New Haven" is not one of the lines.  Although I couldn't get that out of my head all day.  I also couldn't get that Sean Kingston "You're so beautiful girl….that's why it'll never work" song out of my head either.  "You have me su-i-ci-dal, su-i-ci-dal, su-i-ci-dal..."

So here it is, the list of top ten lines ever written in any song, just from what I thought of on my ride to New Haven, CT on August 7, 2007:

10) "I'm like 'so what, I'm drunk.'"- R.Kelly, "Ignition (Remix)

9) "Right now he's probably dabbing on three dollars worth of that bathroom Polo."  -Carrie Underwood, "Before He Cheats"

8) "He used to do surgery for girls in the 80's, but gravity always wins." –Radiohead, "Fake Plastic Trees"

7) "All the other girls here are stars, you are the Northern Lights." –Josh Ritter, "Kathleen"

6) "Big Poppa been smooth since days of Underoos."  -Notorious B.I.G. "Hypnotize"

5) "She used to work in a diner, never saw a woman look finer, I used to order just to watch her float across the floor."  -Neil Young, "Unknown Legend"

4) "Pack up the babies and grab the old ladies." –Neil Diamond, "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show"

3) "Some say quit or I'll go blind, but it's just a myth."  -Green Day, "Longview"

2) "A lady doesn't wander all over the room and blow on some other guy's dice!"  -Frank Sinatra (Loesser), "Luck Be A Lady"

1) "Never trust a big butt and a smile." –Bell Biv DeVoe "Poison"

I was just described as "looking masculine and able to get it done."  I think that is my FAVORITE thing that has ever been said about me!!!