JANUARY 2005
HAPPY NEW YEAR !  I wish you all the best. May your greatest dreams be realized. - Bob

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FEBRUARY  2005
Something caught my eye as I looked down at the Sunday newspaper on the kitchen floor. The small announcement just popped right out at me. I stooped down and ripped it from the paper. What a find! I was momentarily filled with gratitude for the paper being on the floor in the first place. I’ve never been much of a newspaper reader, and newspapers scattered all over the kitchen floor is not my idea of a good time. It’s only since we got our two pug puppies that I’ve indulged in newspaper reading at all, let alone, reading it off the kitchen floor. Our puppies are “paper trained”, and so newspaper is an important commodity in our home as I’m sure it is in every home where puppy dogs live.

So on this particular morning, I glanced down at the paper and saw an announcement for a Richie Havens concert.  Very cool.  I hadn’t seen Richie Havens in many years. I know Richie from the “Village”, way back in the 60’s. I ripped the small 4x4 patch from the paper before the puppies used it for their business. The next day I called the ticket office. Well, to cut to the chase, the concert was fantastic. Richie is such a fine performer and a skilled communicator. He was accompanied by a very good lead guitarist. The two of them produced two hours of great music. As the last song ended in a loud crescendo, Richie stood up from his stool and performed a masterfully exacted karate kick, throwing his leg high above his head. He spun his guitar around as he landed on the ground in a kneeling position. It was quite amazing. After the show I talked to Richie for a few minutes and left the theater energized by the evenings magic. As I walked to my car, recollections of Greenwich Village in the 60’s filled my thoughts. - Bob

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MARCH 2005
I walk our dogs each morning at about 7:00am. We take a stroll along the lake in the direction of a swampy wooded area. Before the hurricanes, this prehistoric looking forest was lush, so lush that one could see into it no more than 5 or 6 feet. Beyond that, it became obscured by darkness. It was sort of like “You can’t see the forest for the trees.”  In this case, the trees and high tangled bushes blocked out most of the sunlight, making this forest downright spooky. It was a definite candidate for the “Fear Factor.”

The hurricanes changed all that. So many trees, bushes and vines were lost. What’s left is all visible, underneath the intrusive sunlight. As I gaze at the forest now, I wonder how I ever let my imagination get the best of me, as I recall looking over my shoulder, overcome with this creepy feeling that the “Swamp Thing” was going to get me. Still though, I preferred the forest the way it was. So much of it was damaged by the storms. It will take many years to return to its magnificent darkness.

Oh! Did I mention that I got an Augustino Flamenco guitar? It’s a beautiful blond instrument made from the wood of cedar and cypress.  The tone is loud and percussive. Flamenco music is wrapped in the mystique of its Spanish, Arabic and Hebrew roots. I approach the music as an imitator eager to know it intimately.

I’ve also been playing my Guitar Factory electric. Made here in Orlando, it’s a great instrument and fun to play. The two EMG electric pickups and an under the saddle Fishman give the guitar a wide variety of sounds. It’s made from Koa and mahogany.

This month on March 4^th and 5^th, I’ll be playing in Mt. Dora at the Frosty Mug from 9:00pm to 12:00. The address is 413 Donnelly, 352 383-1696. Stop by and say hello.

- Bob

APRIL 2005
I’m going to begin this News & Events installment with a correction. Last month I wrote that my new Augustino Flamenco guitar was constructed from cypress and cedar. I don’t know where my mind was when I wrote that. It was obviously not in my head, sitting in front of my computer, concentrating on what I was doing. I can guess that it was somewhere on the other side of the world, maybe back in England or Europe. It might have been in the Australian outback or on an African safari. Anyway, my Flamenco guitar is constructed from cypress and SPRUCE. Are you not thrilled that you have the correct information?

My recording studio has gotten quite busy, and has happily occupied much of my time. I get to engineer recording sessions for these projects and also play bass and guitar. This “recording” thing which started out as something just for myself has snowballed into something quite enjoyably unexpected.

I’ll be performing this month on April 23^rd at The Barberville Spring Music and Dance Frolic. This is the first year for this festival. The annual Barberville Festival, which happens each November, is one of my favorites. I’m sure this new festival will become popular. Check it out. Their web site is http://folkfiddle.com/barber.htm.  On that same day, April 23^rd, I’ll be performing at the Frosty Mug in Mt. Dora from 9:00pm to midnight.

Catch you later,
Bob

MAY 2005
Greetings to all. April was quite a busy month and May is shaping up to be filled with all sorts of happenings. Some of you may be wondering how this is so, as my public gig calendar doesn’t reflect that. Well, the activity that is currently occupying most of my time is my recording studio, THE MUSIC ROOM. I recently finished projects for Zizi Roberts, Paul Gerardi and Mary Beth Campbell.

I still gig, though most of the performing is for private parties. I no longer actively seek out gigs. I decided to let things happen as they will, responding to phone calls and emails when I receive them. For now, the recording studio is “hot”. Understandingly, that trend can change in a moment. Tonight I got a call to play “swamp” music at a “private party” with a five-piece group. So tomorrow night, off I go. I’ve considered discontinuing the News & Events page, as the primary reason for including it in my web site was to post my gigs. For the time, I’ll keep doing my monthly installments. My intention from the start has been to present this page in a personal and candid way. I think that the News & Events page breathes life into the web site. It’s a way of letting visitors to the site know that it is active and current. I hope you keep reading it.

Till next month,
Bob

JUNE 2005 - Finally, I have a moment to sit at the computer. We’ll be closing on a new house in a few weeks and have been working non-stop, packing to move and readying our house of twelve years to put on the market. My good friend David said, “ I would rather get beat up than move”. I agree with him. Somehow we’ve collected enough junk to more than fill up a two car garage. Now this doesn’t include the pile of junk that’s been already growing in our garage all these years. The ”new” junk pile, which has been crammed in closets, in the attic, under beds, in bookshelves in cabinets and anywhere else we can stuff it has now turned on us as a catastrophic tsunami, threatening our very existences. What a nightmare!

And yes, we’ll be leaving our beautiful lake and it’s abundance wild life. We moved to Lake Ridge fourteen years ago, rented a house for two years and then bought the house next to the rented house. It is this house where we have lived for twelve years. Our ticket to Orlando was an offer my wife got working film production for Nickelodeon Studios. She worked here for nine weeks, living in a small apartment. During that time, she found our rented house. After that, our Orlando experience has been here on Larissa Street. Our daughter Shelby has lived in this house her entire life.

That said, we are all truly excited about the move. The house is beautiful. Shelby has many friends in our new neighborhood, and her school is in walking distance. The house was owned by the parents of one of Shelby’s friends. She has spent many days playing there and so already feels very much at home. The house is on an oversized lot and has enough land to build a music room. Beyond the “move”, I can see myself typing my July News & Events installment in the new house. When I close my eyes, I’m there.

With all the moving stuff going on, I composed music for a short film written and produced by Linnda Durre’. I’ll talk more about the film in another installment. For now, I’m going back to packing.

Catch you next time. Thanks Elizabeth.

Bob

JULY 2005 - Happy 4^th of July. This month I’ll be performing at the Frosty Mug in Mount Dora from 9pm to 12 on Saturday July 9^th. Stop by and say hello. The rest of the month I’ll be packing and moving boxes for our move to the new house. You can stop by and say hello if you’d like, but be warned, I’ll put you to work.

- Bob

AUGUST 2005 - Hi gang. Over the last few months I’ve mentioned our impending move to another part of town. Well, I’m happy to say that the “great move” has occurred. We now live in the Doctor Phillips area of Orlando Florida. I thought the move would be good for my health. Actually we’ve given up our beautiful lakefront home for a house situated in my daughters school zone. She is quite happy in our new home. My wife and I have mixed feelings about the move. We both miss the lake. The new house though is bigger with enough land to build a new recording studio. The studio known as THE MUSIC ROOM specializes in singer songwriters and acoustic music. If you are thinking of doing some recording, come and check us out.

This month on August 6^th, I’ll be performing in Lakeland at Mitchell’s Coffee House at 235 North Kentucky Ave.  (863) 680-2944.

Bob

SEPTEMBER 2005 - Hello to you all, I hope you are well and safe. I, like so many people have been watching events unfold following the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. The Hurricanes we had here in Orlando last year are nothing compared to what is going on along the Gulf Coast. So many lives lost, so many people who will never recover. I watch the events on TV in the comfort of my home, but let me tell you, I sure as hell have deep appreciation for the roof over my family’s head. The security that ANY of us have is so fragile.

As you may be aware, I sell my CDs on line through CD Baby. Many of the artists on CD Baby, including myself have decided to do the following. When you buy any of my CDs online, 100% of my profit will go to a relief fund for the victims of the hurricane. Please tell your friends. The site is www.cdbaby.com

Bob

OCTOBER 2005 – Greetings!  Tonight is a perfect time for writing the News & Events page. My wife is working late and my daughter is at a friend’s house. Except for the sleeping dogs, I have the quiet house to myself. I just returned from getting something to eat, and so here I am at the computer.

I recently composed a piece of music titled SUMMER IN ROME for a short film. The film titled THE VIEWING was written and directed by Linnda Durre’ I’m quite pleased with the recorded composition, and thought I’d like people to hear it, I don’t plan on releasing any more CDs. The next best thing is to post it on my web site for your listening pleasure. To hear it click here.  Hope you enjoy it.

In my August News & Events, I mentioned my recording studio, THE MUSIC ROOM. I’ve decided to give it a page on my web site to help get the word out that my studio is available for recording sessions. Look for the new page soon.

I’ve got a few gigs this October. On Friday, October 7^th, I’ll be performing in Eustis at an event called FIRST FRIDAY STREET FEST. For details go to www.eustismainstreet.org On Saturday, October 8^th and Sunday, October 9^th, I’ll be back in Eustis performing at the LAKE COUNTY FOLK FESTIVAL. For details on the festival, go to www.lakecountyfolkfest.com  

Have a good month!  Peace.

Bob

NOVEMBER 2005 - Hi All, I had a wonderful time in London. I was there for a few weeks in October playing and singing. The gigs went well, good venues. The audiences were enthusiastic. I met and talked to so many people. The entire trip was very special. Even the weather had a friendly face. The last day of my trip the temp hit 70. London was my home, though I traveled to three cities; Cambridge, St Albans and Canterbury. I visited the huge, old cathedrals in Canterbury and St. Albans. Very cool. English history fascinates me.

I’ll be at the Yalaha Bakery on Saturday, November 26^th from 10am to 12.

Peace

Bob

DECEMBER 2005 - I seem to be at a loss for words. Well, it’s not so much a word shortage thing. What I keep doing is typing and backspacing, typing and backspacing. Can’t seem to settle on a direction here. As this is the last posting of the year, it seems appropriate that I should sort of wrap things up, “the year in brief”, that kind of thing. So, I sat down to type this entry. I began by mentioning all the events this year that to ME were significant, profound special and all that sort of stuff. DELETE! DELETE! What immediately came to mind, were all the pictures I’d taken the last few years on my travels. All those photos so carefully framed and snapped. All the memories captured to share with the folks back home. Well, it didn’t take me long to realize that no one really cares about those frozen moments but me. And so, I’m sure that no one is very interested in hearing about the 2005 in my little world. Yeah, I seem to be at a loss for words. Didn’t I just say that?

All right, enough joking around. One thing comes to mind that I do want to share about this year. 2005 has been a year of friendship. I am so fortunate to have forged deep bonds with some wonderful people this year, with both new friends and with people I’ve known for some time. Actually, I can look back through the years and count many people as friends. People are the real ”treasure”. Thank you all so much.

Peace,
Bob