Live Music Fans,
 
We have three nights of entertainment lined up for you this week.  It starts on Thursday Night with a fundraiser for local moms which features five local moms singing and playing music.  It continues on Friday Night, when I will be hosting a very, rare, unplanned, "Open Mic Night", which could be very interesting.  Or, your chance to make a rare visit to the stage, right?  And, on Sunday Night we have a very special, touring duo making their first visit to our room.  Another week with some wonderful live music, some new things and some surprises.  Come out and enjoy it with us.  Why not?  
 
THURSDAY NIGHT - SEPTEMBER 2ND - 7PM - MOMS FOR MOMS COMMUNITIES - MOM SINGER/SONGWRITERS: LEE MARTIN, EMILY JURICK, SUSIE FRANTZICH, SOOZIE LINDBLOOM AND YENNA - LIVE MUSIC STARTS AT 8PM - DONATIONS WELCOME
www.momsformomscommunities.com
 
We are always glad to help out with good causes, especially when they include good live music.  Recently, I met Janine Cuthbertson who told me about the local organization "Moms for Moms Communities" and its goal starting a Fund to help support local causes that are important to mothers.  The organization wants to "provide a forum for local moms to "connect, inform, support and inspire one another."  We hope to raise some money through the donations that will establish this Fund.  Then, local moms will select causes important to them and give them grants.  Your donations would help fund these local causes in the valley for mothers, children and families. There are local Moms for Moms Communities groups in Glenwood Springs, Basalt, Aspen and Carbondale.  They expect other groups of moms forming in Steamboat Springs, Crested Butte, Durango, Vail and Telluride. 
 
I thought it would be very appropriate to have local moms provide the musical entertainment for the evening and we have, at least, five moms on the stage.  The night features Lee Martin, who was just a finalist in the Mtn. Fair songwriter "competition".  Lee has been singing for years in the valley and she has a gorgeous voice, plays guitar and writes beautiful songs.  Emily Jurick is a rockin mom, for sure.  You may have seen her belting it out in the shop with the local band B@1 or at the Music & Lobster Fest or at the weekly jam sessions at her house.  She will perform with another local musician Stephen Ferry, on guitar.  Susie Frantzich also has a gorgeous voice and she will come in to sing a few of her songs with her husband, Paul.  Rounding out the "all-moms" program (which is a first for us) will be the multi-talented, Soozie "Creamcheese" Lindbloom and Yenna.  
 
The event is a "Moms Night" in the shop where we can be entertained by moms, socialize with moms and help raise money to support good local causes for moms. It's something new for us so come and check it out. 
 
FRIDAY NIGHT - SEPTEMBER 3RD - OPEN MIC SURPRISE NIGHT - 8:30PM - DONATIONS
 
Speaking of doing new things in the shop, here comes another unique night. I have booked hundreds of acts over the last 12 years in our room but this Friday Night, I want to be surprised.  If you want to play a few songs, just show up after 8pm and we'll get you on the stage before the night is out.  It will be like a true "open mic" night where I don't have a clue who will show up and perform.  After booking so many nights with musicians where I knew who was coming, this sounds like fun to me.  I mean, I never really know what will happen with a show until it happens,even when it's "booked" but this time I really have no idea.  This could be fun.  And, a very rare event so come out and perform or check it out.  Be surprised like me.  
   
SUNDAY NIGHT - SEPTEMBER 5TH - MCCABE AND MRS. MILLER - 8:30PM - $15 www.mccabeandmrsmillerband.com
 
We have been hosting some very talented couples lately and here comes another great one.  This duo is a collaboration between Victor Krummenacher who plays with Camper Van Beethoven and Alison Levy of the Sippy Cups.  They have realized their dream of writing and performing as a duo and have been touring with bands like Cracker, Built to Spill and The Knitters.  Their music falls under the "Folk/Blues/Rock" genres and their songs "sweep out the dark corners of longing, regret and desire with the intimate wit and wisdom of old friends."  
 
Between their busy touring schedules of their high-profile bands they have been writing songs, performing and touring around.  I'm glad they decided to stop by our neighborhood.  Take advantage of this rare opportunity to share an evening with these talented, high-quality musicians.  This promises to be a special show so come on out and enjoy it with us.
 
Musically Yours,
 
Steve, Mary Margaret and Shannon
 
PS  We had three fun shows this past weekend.  Matt Johnson put on a great show with his impressive original songs and beautiful guitar work.  A true local talent with some stunning lyrics and vocal delivery.
 
Saturday Night was another comic victory for Barry Smith in his "down-valley" comedy workshop.  His latest Power Point, multi-media piece "Every Job I've Ever Had" was a bit hit for his enthusiastic fans.  He's ready for the Vancouver Fringe Fest and we wish him well.  And, we hope his road van avoids all tow trucks on this tour.
 
MilkDrive put on a stunning display of progressive acoustic string music.  These young lads from Austin can really play their instruments; fiddle, mandolin, guitar and standup bass.  The guitar player is a musical force, a true phenom who just rips it up on bluegrass and jazz.  These boys soared all over the place.  Great band.
I really liked their vocal tunes, as well.  Good voices and cool original songs.