JANUARY 2006
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I’ll be performing at the Lake Eustis Museum of Art Festival on January 28^th, 1:00 to 3:00pm. It’s outdoors and beautiful by the lake in Ferran Park.

On January 29^th, 5:00 to 8:00pm, I’ll be in concert in Eustis at A Third Place. This is a triple bill with Clyde Walker and Sam Pacetti. The door is $11.00. The food at A Third Place is great. Phone number is 352 357-9595.

Peace, Bob

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FEBRUARY 2006
Hope all is well. I’ve got a few dates coming up.

On Saturday, February 4^th at 2:00pm, I’ll be performing a one-hour set at the Mount Dora Art Festival. The stage is in Donnelly Park. This festival is a huge happening.

On February 17^th, I’ll be performing at a tribute concert in Lakeland for Joe Prine. Joe was a real strong moving force for the acoustic music scene in the Lakeland area. Check out the web site for more information www.joeprine.org .

Be well!  Peace, Bob

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MARCH 2006
Wow! This month caught me by surprise. This morning it stuck me that I hadn’t done my News and Events March entry, so here I am at the keyboard. I’ve been so busy, It slipped my mind. The month will be over before I have a chance to post this entry. The “busy” stuff is a new CD I’m working on. When I shut myself in The Music Room recording. I tend to become reclusive and forgetful.

Anyway, I started working on this new CD. I think the project will be called Songs of Bob Rafkin.  Here’s the concept. This collection will be songs I enjoy performing. The format will be similar to One man Band, one vocal, one guitar. I’ll include a few new songs, but most of them will be one vocal, one guitar remakes of songs that are on previous CD’s. A few of the songs have evolved from the original recordings. It’s been a good challenge to arrange these band concept songs for a solo performance recording. These recordings will influence the way I will perform these songs live.

Another thing that has been greatly challenging for me recording at this time is playing the guitar with a temporarily injured right hand. A few days ago I had to get a Cortisone shot which should help my hand in about a week. In the mean time, It’s been difficult for my fingers to do what I ask of them. So, to record each song, I’ve had to shut myself in the studio for many hours, playing and playing till my fingers loosen up, recording each song numerous times till I get a good performance. Doing this has sometimes been a spiritual meditative experience. Other times, It’s been the old military torture. I seem to thrive on both extremes. Scary, huh?

I’ve got a very cool gig coming up this month. In 2002 and 2003, I toured England playing guitar for country artist Annie Sims. I’ll be working with her again. Annie’s doing a concert with a 7 piece band on March 24^th in Sanford at THE BARN. The address is 1200 S. French Avenue (Hwy. 17-92). It’s a late performance at 10:00pm. The cover is $7.00. It will be a great show. Check out Annie at www.anniesims.com

Bye till next time, Peace!

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APRIL 2006
Any day now, construction for the new “Music Room” will begin. The room will be built above the garage. Originally the room was going to be built next to the garage, but that didn’t work out. Just as well, sitting above the garage, it won’t take up any of the yard, plus it will be one of the highest points in Florida. Just kidding, but actually I will have a great view of the area. Florida is so flat that with just a slight elevation you’re able to see quite a good bit. Some time in the not too distant future, global warming will put Florida under the ocean. Yes, when friends who have never been to Orlando ask me how far I am from the ocean, I respond, “one foot”.

I’m playing gigs a little more now that my hand is working better. YES! YES! What a joy I describe finger picking as a dance, and it’s difficult and no fun when you try to dance with an injured leg. I'm doing what ever I can now to take care of my hands, Stretching exercises and all that.. I have a few gigs this month.

On April 8^th, I’ll be sitting in with the Ashley Trio at A Third Place in Eustis. For details call (352) 357-9595.

On April 22^nd, I’ll be performing in Sanford at the Spring Fest 2006 at 2:00pm. For more info, go to the web site www.scps.k12.fl.us.  Click on STUDENT MUSEUM.

On April 23^rd, I’ll be performing at the Barberville Spring Music And Dance Frolic. Check the web site for more info www.folkfiddle.com

Peace, Bob

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MAY 2006
Construction for the new Music Room has finally begun. The block for the stair well was completed today. Next week the roof above the garage will be removed. Watching the construction is all very exciting. This process is reminiscent of my furniture building days, going from a concept, a picture in my head to a beautiful solid wood desk, or a music room. Yes, all very exciting. It will take about 5 months to complete the Music Room. So, for now the Music Room lives in my head.

I’m in the mixing mastering stage of the new CD. I hope to send it off to the manufacturer towards the end of May. Things are moving along. I’m very pleased with the way it sounds.

I’ll be performing with my daughter Shelby at the Orlando Science Center on Friday, May 19^th from 6:00 to 8:00pm. For more info, go to www.osc.org  Click on Cocktails & the Cosmos.

On Friday, May 26^th, I’ll be performing in Bartow at Java Jacks Coffee, from 8:00 to 10:00pm. For more info including cover, call 863 534-1300.

Have a good month.

Bob

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JUNE 2006
Construction for the “Music Room” is well under way.  Whenever I can, I get out there with my camera. It’s quite interesting to see how a room is constructed from the ground up. The roof is almost finished. Great! Except for a few days, the weather has   cooperated. Usually this time of year we experience frequent rainstorms. Central Florida is currently experiencing a draught. Not a good thing and that’s another story, though the lack of rain at this time is good for my little world. By this day next week, the outer walls and roof should be covered by “black” paper. It’s sort of like a raincoat. Then, let it rain.

The new CD, Songs Of Bob Rafkin is almost ready to send to the manufacturer. I’m hoping to have the CD available by the end of June, though it’s ok if it takes a little longer. CD production is not affected by the weather, except if we get hit by lightning and the power goes out.

Peace,
Bob

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JULY 2006
I received the new CD a few days ago from the manufacturer. It’s always a thrill to have the finished product in my hand. It’s titled Songs Of Bob Rafkin.  I’m real pleased with it. It will soon be up on the web site and available at www.cdbaby.com.  My web site will have song clips of three of the songs. CD baby will have clips of all 12 songs.  Check it out. Actually, song clips are available for all 7 CDs. My web site also has new photos including the cover photo of the new CD and the same photo as a downloadable poster. All the new photos were taken by my friend Bob Desmond. Great photographer. Not sure what’s next on the agenda, maybe another instrumental CD. Bye for now.

Peace,
Bob

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AUGUST 2006
Hi. I trust everyone is enjoying the summer. Orlando is experiencing what I call a normal summer--- hot, humid and thunder stormy. I heard that central Florida is the lighting capital of the world. Is that true?

If you are reading this posting, which I guess you must be, you are aware of the new look of the web site. The original web site version and the “new” version plus all my CD designs were created by the very talented T. McComas. T. contacted me a short time ago saying it was time to up date the web site. I said great and T did her magic. Check it out including all the goodies on the download page. New on that page are recent photos (gone is the long hair look) and a poster for download in two sizes, 8x10 and 11x17.

Yes, I have a new CD, Songs Of Bob Rafkin. The new CD is for sale at all my shows and at www.cdbaby.com The photos on the new CD were taken by Bob Desmond. Bob earned his living for many years as a professional photographer. Since 1991, Bob has been constructing very fine Classical and Flamenco guitars. These guitars are built with “old world” integrity.  His web site link www.desmondguitars.com is located on my link page.

This month, on Sunday, August 27^th, I’m happy to say I will be doing a concert at Leu Gardens. The concert, which is from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, is one of a series of concerts that has been taking place for over 10 years. The concert which is sponsored by the Central Florida Folk Club is held in the beautiful colonial looking building in the Camellia Room. For details go to www.cffolk.com and then go to the Leu Gardens link. Many people have asked me when I will be doing a concert in Orlando. Well, this is it. Leu Gardens is the premier venue to see and hear great acoustic music. I’ll have all my CD’s available including the new Songs Of Bob Rafkin.

Till next we meet.

Peace,
Bob

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SEPTEMBER 2006 
Hi and happy September.  Summer will be officially over soon.  I’ve noticed it’s been getting dark earlier as we move towards Autumn. So far, Orlando has experienced a typical summer, maybe a little dryer then usual. Though we could use a little more rain, I’d say we are lucky, considering the terribly hot summer some Northern cities have experienced.  Have I spoken too soon???  The news announced a tropical storm heading our way.

This month, I want to say a little about my CDs.  All 7 can be purchased at my performances or through my web site www.bobrafkin.com on the discography page, which links to CDBABY. Digital downloads for Songs Of Bob Rafkin and Six String Christmas can be purchased at BURNLOUNGE through the discography page or the download page of my web site.  Confused yet? Out Of Jericho, Velvet Hand, The Circus Is In Town, Six String Christmas, One Man Band and Songs Of Bob Rafkin can be purchased directly from over 50 digital download sites including; Apple itunes and MP3 Tunes. Wait, there’s still more!  My music can be licensed online for use in films, TV, commercials, etc. at www.loft81.com

Have a good month.

Peace
Bob

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OCTOBER 2006
I just returned from three wonderful weeks performing in England. I feel at such a loss trying to convey how great this trip was. I spent most of the time in London, performing there at the 12 Bar Club, The Borderline, The Troubadour, Hodgsons and The Green Note. I performed a few times in Cambridge, performed in Colchester and Loughborough ( pronounced Lafbra). My trips to England are always  life changing experiences. The energy of London is overwhelming. Having lived in New York in the 60s, I feel so at home in London. Life in Orlando, though it has its character, is such a stark contrast. I guess I’m a big city boy.

A few words about the August 27^th Leu gardens concert. In getting things together for my England trip, I readied my September News & Events early, before I did my Leu Gardens Performance and so mentioned nothing about that performance on the September News & and Events page. So, here it is. I was so moved by the incredible turn out for the concert. From what I understand the attendance was record breaking for the 12 years the series has run. People kept pouring in. They ran out of tickets and then ran out of chairs. Wooden benches were moved in till they ran out of them. It truly overwhelmed me. I credit the success I experienced in England to the support I had at the Leu Gardens concert. Thank you so much.

On October 7^th and 8^th, I’ll be performing at the Lake County Folk Festival. Check out www.lakecountyfolkfest.com.  On October 14^th, I’ll be playing at the Yogamatrix studio for their third anniversary. www.yogamatrixstudio.com.  I’ll be performing at A Third Place in Eustis on October 21^st, 7pm to 10pm. For details call 352 357-9595. October 28^th will find me at the Winter Garden Music Fest. For info www.wghf.org/imgs/Winter_Garden_Music_Fest_2006_Sponsorship.pdf

Lastly, I did a radio interview in London. It can be heard in London on Resonance Fm radio 104.4 FM. It will air on October 3^rd at 7pm and October 10^th at 11am. It will simultaneously air on the Internet at www.resonancefm.com.  In the States it can be heard October 3^rd at 2pm, Eastern Standard Time and October 10^th at 6am, Eastern Standard Time.

Peace,
Bob

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NOVEMBER 2006
Halloween is just a few days away.  My wife has turned our front lawn into ”The Night Of The Living Dead”, skeletons, spider webs and gravestones. Quite frankly, I’m afraid to go outside.

The new CD, Songs Of Bob Rafkin, was reviewed by James Hibbins for his site www.acousticity.co.uk   James runs the AcoustiCity music series in Colchester England. I played that venue in September. (To read the review, click on link to open the site. Click on large logo. Click on “playlist/reviews” at the top of the page.) The review also appeared on another British web site. Check it out. http://www.netrhythms.co.uk/reviews.html#rafkin

Also, while in London, I did a radio interview at Resonance FM Radio. The interview already aired, so I posted it on this site. To hear it, go to the download page on this site to “One Hour Radio Interview, Resonance FM London 2006”. Resonance FM is a very cool station. Check it out. Go to their web site www.resonancefm.com

Upcoming gigs in November:
On Friday, November 3^rd, I’ll be appearing at the Woodview Coffee House in Citrus County. For info, call 352 726- 9814.

November 5^th, I’ll be at the Barberville Jamboree. For info, go to www.folkfiddle.com

I’ll be performing November 8^th in Orlando at The Fresh Market from 7:00pm to 9:00pm for a wine tasting event. There is a door donation for this event. For info, call 407 294-1516.

 I’ll be at the RiverHawk Music Fest on November 10^th. Set time is 11:45. For info go to www.riverhawkmusic.com

On November 18^th, I’ll be performing at Java Jacks in Bartow from 8:00pm to 10:00pm. Go to www.javajackscoffee.com for info.

I’ll be at The Yalaha Bakery on November 25^th from 10:00am to noon. Info is at www.yalahabakery.com

Peace,
Bob

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DECEMBER 2006
My recording studio, THE MUSIC ROOM is finally up and running. It’s a very cool place to record. The studio specializes in acoustic music. For recording, it has Cubase SX3 and 2 Tascam DA38’s. I just purchased a pair of KRK V8 powered monitor speakers and a 26-inch monitor screen. The room, situated on the second floor of the house feels great. In the mornings, I do yoga there. It’s a wonderful room for composing music. If you’re in the area, come check it out.

 I’ve got a number of parties booked this month, but also have a few public gigs.

 On December 17^th I’ll be at Nature’s Haven in Cocoa from 2:00 to 3:30. They host the Songwriters Sunday event. For details, go to www.naturespirit.com 

 On December 23^rd I’ll be performing at A Third Place in Eustis.  For info www.athirdplacepubcafe.com  

On December 28^th, I’ll be in Winter Garden, performing at The Attic Door from 7:00 to 10:00. Check their web site  www.myspace.com/jrsatticdoor

Talk to you next year.
Bob

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