Hi Everybody

...I know, I know, I haven't blogged in some time, but it's just because I've been in a kind of quiet mood ...As some of you already know...I took over the weekly open mic at the infamous Rose Room in Upton, Massachusetts, the culture capitol of New England...(yeh right). I have met some really awesome musicians in a very short time Joel Cage, Maryanne Paiste, Max Cohen and Richard Berman...and also a whole list more and I've enjoyed the hosting aspect...What I didn't like was the internet aspect of the job...So I did what any self respecting show host would do and I delegated it to someone else...Actually, the truth is... my very dear dear friend, photographer, and Rose Room supporter and fellow host of Studio Sessions Live Bob Crownfield volunteered to take over the weekly newsletter and booking schedule, as I seem to be unable to find enough hours in the day to keep up with my own itinerary...Thank you Bob...as always, you are a Godsend...I did some live radio with fellow musician from the Boston area Chris Wilhelm...The ironic thing is we're both from Massachusetts, but had to go to Saratoga New York to meet...Radio DJ and show host Arthur Gonnick put Chris and I on the air for three hours...It was a blast...Radio is a hell of alot more fun that TV..and I LOVE TV...but there was something about radio that pulled at my "purist" heartstrings...I felt like it was just three guys having a conversation about music  over coffee at the kitchen table, the only exception is there are a whole bunch of people listening in...I had a show at the Saratoga BORDERS on Broadway later on in the evening and the radio plugs for the show certainly didn't hurt things any...my dear friends Peter, Linda and Dale came in for the show as did Ray, Arthur and few other familiar faces that the the names escape me at present...Thank you all for being there...I can't tell how much I appreciate it... Three days later I was back in Saratoga with Chris Wilhelm again and also another lovely and talented folkie  Miss Michelle Lewis...We did a four hour line-up at "Gaffney's Starting Gate"...I didn't stay over after the show and went straight home. I pulled into my driveway at about 4:00AM...I had an awesome time...Music bookings have been steady, but not the volume of the three past years...I'm taking it easy for a couple months because I want to..I've been heavy on the road for three years plus and I just wanna chill for a while...Especially around the holidays...But I'm absolutely sure the bug will bite me again and things will go right back to fast and furious...in all reality, I wouldn't have it any other way...Flexibility is one of the great benefits of my Animal Control work....I work hard, but no one gives me any grief about my booking schedule. Speaking of Animal Control work...My hometown has some very badly behaving coyotes annoying more than one neighborhood...So I have been assigned by the Town Fathers to hunt them down and harass them as much as possible...I always wanted to be a professional hunter...I guess this gets my foot in the door so-to-speak..There is a photo of one of the little mischief-makers in the "my photos"...have a look see...What the photo doesn't show is it's TEETH!...Holy cow...you gotta respect those teeth. Getting back to music I have been in contact with the historical Grafton Inn in Grafton, Mass...This is a venue I have wanted to play for years and years, but couldn't even get an audition...I went in to see them and directed them to my myspace...Lo and behold...an email from them asking particulars...a good sign indeed, but by no means a done deal...but I am certainly hopeful...I love that old place...and the food is excellent...kind of upscale, but not over the top...ya know??...but I certainly wouldn't mind being seen there...So wish me luck..A little prayer wouldn't hurt either...I need all the help I can get...The fam is doing well...My wife and I will celebrate our 23rd anniversary next month...I'm looking forward to that...Deer season opens up soon and I'm ALWAYS gung-ho for that...My wife has really (actually we both have) gotten the "game gourmet" thing down pat...I can make you a honey-glazed, apple stuffed roast goose that would melt you...Shirley's venison barley stew is to die for...as well as her pheasant pot pie...We have all year to buy store-bought crap...I like being "self sustainant"...Don't take more than you need and always put something back...Oh yeh...I forgot to tell you earlier in regards to the Rose Room...If you would like to be a feature performer or just sign up for the open mic...please email Bob Crownfield at Crownfield@verizon.net . Feel free to let him know you know me or we're myspace friends or whatever..He and I converse alot (as well as eat alot) and we'll find some room for ya if at all possible...You'll like the Roase Room...nice, laid back...pretty stress free to say the least...guaranteed fifty bucks for the feature plus whatever the hat brings in...which can be pretty darn good at times...I was on a music competition TV show back in September called "Talent Quest"...It was a fun experience and I had an absolute blast...and to my complete suprise...I won...yeh..no shit, I actually won...and this coming from a guy who couldn't win a raffle if I was the only name in the hat...(*laugh) Any of you other musicians out there if you're willing to travel to the North Shore to be on the show...you should contact them...the best way is to just google "Talent Quest TV"...it'll link you right up...You have to audition...but there's a cash prize and a trophy and a bunch of other stuff too so it's kind of a neat...I never won a trophy in my life...The staff is real accomidating and this is NOT your run-of-the-mill cable station...They have a real crew...not two guys doing the work of ten like at some stations...But...my most favorite cable TV show is of course Bob Crownfield's Studio Sessions Live...I've done it three times in the past and I can't wait to do it again...I love that HCAM studio...And Bob has his stuff together moreso than others I have met...So I guess that's all for now...Thank you all for taking the time to read my ramblings and for your inspiration in my pursuit of this most challenging profession. You folks keep me going..your emails and correspondences of all kinds are all appreciated so much that I could not begin to find the right words. (and I'm a lyricist...go figure) Let's all be good to each other, smile more than usual, spread a little love.. and turn someone on to some new music they've never heard before...You probably won't regret it.

Music heals,

Daniel

"Every chance that I can get I will push it to that place...Where the music won't forget...Where I always see your face." - Daniel Chauvin