October News: Upcoming Shows, Hybrid Halloween Costumes

Greetings everyone,

Festival season is now behind us and I’ve been at home enjoying autumnal New England -- apple orchards, cider donuts, spooky old graveyards in the drizzle, a haunted farm stand – the works! Below I’ve got some Halloween costume suggestions and a fun game for you, but first some music news.

Right now I’m back in NYC for my monthly residency at Rockwood Music Hall. Tonight it’s a Breakfast Special reunion show, featuring OGs Andy Statman, Kenny Kosek, and Tony Trischka (who co-founded the band in 1973) plus me and Jared Engel rounding out the band. These shows are a blast - come on down if you’re in the area. Online sales have ended but tickets are available at the door. Here’s a rehearsal video from two years ago, one of the first times we got the current incarnation of the band together. It’s the Kosek/Jim Tolles original tune US 40:

Andy Statman (mandolin), Kenny Kosek (fiddle), and Tony Trischka banjo) co-founded the madcap progessive bluegrass Breakfast Special in 1973. It so happens that my first guitar teacher Jim Tolles was their original guitarist/lead singer/songwriter, so getting to play this music with these guys brings things full circle for me, and is a total blast!

I’m thrilled to announce next month’s residency show. On November 8 I’ll be joined by fiddle legend Bruce Molsky for a duo set. We are keeping our fingers crossed for a likely special guest or two who will undoubtedly knock your socks off. Tickets are on sale now - don’t miss it!

Looking ahead to next summer, I’m thrilled to say I’ll be returning to teach at Bryan Sutton’s Blue Ridge Guitar Camp May 29-June 2, in Brevard, NC. This is a fantastic event for players of all levels who are interested in bluegrass guitar style and flatpicking. It’s a great list of instructors - Chris Eldridge, Courtney Hartman, Jake Workman, and Charlotte Carrivick plus Bryan. The application period starts Nov. 1. Don’t worry – it’s not a scary application, just a way for Bryan to groups of students together who are at similar levels, which makes for a better learning experience for all. There will be a big public concert on June 1 featuring the instructors plus other artists. Details TBA, and it’ll be worth traveling for.

In ArtistWorks land, I’m continuing my monthly video series on Doc Watson songs featuring different special guests. Chris Eldridge and Pete Wernick joined me for the first two. The current month features mandolinist/vocalist/songwriter extraordinaire Andrew Marlin of Watchouse and Mighty Poplar. We dig into the songs Stone Walls Around Your Heart and Used To Be (for which Doc wrote a second verse), talk shop about harmony singing, vocal health, and more. Check out the site for that plus more new interview content coming up with Celia Woodsmith and Vicky Vaughan of Della Mae, and with the eccentric mandolin legend Frank Wakefield.

One of my favorite games to play is thinking of hybrid halloween costumes. The idea came from some old friends of my wife who hosted parties where people had to dress up as mashup of two characters - and the names have to fit together perfectly. Like Stevie Wonder Woman, Boy George Bush, or Adele McCoury. One halloween long ago, Chris Thile and I did a pop-up show at the 11th Street Bar in NYC. I was Baby Huey Lewis. Chris’ was more of a stretch. He loves both baseball and fancy clothing so went as Stephen Bergorf Goodman. It was ridiculous and we had a blast. I’ve probably thought of hundreds of these costume ideas over the years. Here are some new ones, off the top of my head. Feel free to send me your ideas!
Rudy Guliani DiFranco; Missy Elliot Smith; Dr. Ozzy Osborne; Lana Del Ray Charles; Bruce Levon Helm; Sheila Elon Musk; Raggedy Andy Warhol; Thich Naht Handre 3000

Thanks for all you do to support live music, especially independent venues and the bands/artists you love. We couldn’t do what we do without you! Have a great Fall and stay in touch.

-Michael

Michael Daves

159 23rd St.

Brooklyn, NY 11232

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