David’s Blog

Where Does The Time Go?

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

It has been some time since I updated this website and blog. I have the same typical, lame excuses as every other person who has a website -- too busy. I know that’s not a very good excuse, especially to those who have bought my CD, gone to my shows and continue to check out this website, but it’s the truth.

There have been lots of changes in my life in the months since I took a break from touring in support of “Lucky Dog.” The life of that release is about over, and it’s time to start thinking of the next CD project. I’ve been writing a fair amount. I think I have about four or five songs ready.

As most of you know, most indie musicians need to work a “day job” to support themselves and their families. I’m no different. In fact, I’ve had a very successful career in magazine publishing for the last 20 years or so. That ended two years ago when new financial partners bought the company I had helped build from nothing into a nice, mid-size publishing house. It’s a long story (it always is), but the end result was a new company president coming in and me going out.

I went back to school and received a Masters Degree in Teaching from the University of Southern California (Go Trojans! Fight On!), and I’m now looking for a job teaching High School or Middle School English. I’ve always wished I could further my education, and leaving my former career gave me the time and opportunity -- a lemons/lemonade kind’ thing.

I’m still playing around New England, so I hope to see some of you out there this winter.

Playing in the Mountains

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 10:13:03 -0500

I love old hotels. When I have a choice, I’d rather stay in a great, old hotel than one of the soulless places that get built these days.

I’ve always wanted to play at the last of the grand hotels in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. By sheer coincidence, this week I will get to play at both of them. Well, almost.

Tonight (Tuesday, March 2), I will be appearing at “The Cave” in the Mount Washington Hotel (photo above left). This room was the hotel’s “speakeasy” during prohibition (they would serve the booze in tea cups), and it still has that cozy, clandestine atmosphere. It’s where the day’s activities always ends at the Mount Washington Hotel, and I am so pleased to get a chance to play there.

This weekend (Saturday, March 6), I will be playing the 2:00 - 5:00 Apris Ski show at the Balsams/Wilderness resort. Technically, I’ll be playing in the base lodge at the ski area, so I’m not really playing in the old hotel. That’s OK. I’m still looking forward to seeing and playing in this beautiful place.

If you happen to be skiing in norther New Hampshire this week, stop in and say “Hi.”

Merry Christmas

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:20:53 -0500

Fall

Thu, 8 Oct 2009 16:54:39 -0400

It’s just about the peak of Fall Foliage season up here in Vermont. It’s a pretty good year, too. The hillsides are all golden and red and day-glo orange. Some years can be kinda’ drab, or some other years we get heavy rain at the wrong time and all of the leaves get knocked off the trees, but this year seems to be turning out to be a chamber of commerce type of Fall.

It sure was a weird Summer. It started off cold and wet for the entire month of June, and July wasn;t exactly scorching, either. I only got to go on a single sailing trip this summer -- injuries kept me on the sidelines after that first trip in July (a broken rib, followed by some trouble with my left knee). I hope I get out more next season.

I’ve been busy traveling around New England and New York, and I have some stuff in my “real” life taking up a lot of time right now, so I’ve not been able to tend to this site as much as I have been. Hopefully, things will calm down soon, and I’ll be able to update a little more often.

The End of Summer

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:38:39 -0400

I get a little melancholy this time of year.

I love the summer so much, and dislike the winter so much (strange, for a guy who was born and raised in New England), late August always makes me feel like I’m about to lose my best friend.

I do love the fall. I’ve always looked upon autumn in New England as God’s way of compensating us for winter in New England (especially northern New England, where I currently live). For a week or two every October, it is like living in a Chamber of Commerce calendar. It can get so beautiful. Some of the colors are unreal. Driving down a country road with the canopy of trees all ablaze overhead is something everyone should experience.

But right now that is six or seven weeks away, and I am sitting here, not wanting to say goodbye to summer.

Pay to Play: The Musical Ponzi Scheme

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:08:27 -0400

It is becoming more and more prevalent that club owners and promoters see and use musicians as nothing more than a convenient income stream, and an easy way to avoid doing what should be their job.

Not too long ago, a club owner would build a business by