For the 4 months prior to the COVID lock-down, I’ve had the extreme pleasure of forming a band with a group of friends: Don’t Think Twice.

A cross-generational group, we bonded over simpatico tastes in music and a love of singing and playing. With three songwriters, four-part harmony and five decades of U.S. and Canadian rock and folk to draw from, we were on a run of great shows before the virus changed things.

Don’t Think Twice is Steve Polyak on guitar, harmonica and vocals, Mehgan Nolte on guitar and vocals, Raya Polyak on vocals and me on guitar, bass(!) and vocals.

In our short run we’ve played The Grotto at The Rendevous, Northwest Cellars and The Couth Buzzard. I hope to hell you get a chance to see us soon.

I’m thrilled to be playing the 2017 Tumbleweed Music Festival, this Labor Day Weekend, in bucolic Howard Amon Park on the shores of the mighty Columbia River in Richland, WA.

I’ve got a set 5:30pm on Sunday, Sept. 3 at the new Arts Gallery Stage, sponsored by
KPND 95.3 radio. You can find the complete festival schedule here.

Tumbleweed is a sweet festival that highlights regional and nationally-known singer-songwriters.

The  Jane Titland Memorial Songwriting Contest is a centerpiece of the festival. This year’s theme is “Harmony” and 10 finalists will perform their songs Saturday at 4:15pm at the West Stage.

My song “Visual Harmony” was named an alternate to the finalists, so if any of the 10 happen to miss the festival, I might get to join in! This is my third time as an alternate, to go with one time as a finalist for my tune “Bridge Don’t Rise.”

Tumbleweed is an ideal way to spend Labor Day weekend, lounging under the shade trees and enjoying the finest in new acoustic music. Hope you can join us!

Oh shit, I grew a beard and never updated all the pics. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss…

Played a great gig last month as a benefit for the family of Joe Misuda, Victory Music President who suffered a tragic, fatal bike accident. My good friend Steve Polyak joined me for a few songs and I debuted my sparkly electric guitar, a Danelecto Hodad!

Steve Wacker shared the bill. We packed Egan’s Ballard Jam House and raised over $600 to help with Joe’s uncovered medical care. Good community vibe!

Ginny Reilly

I’m thrilled to announce that on Friday, April 19th I’ll be hosting a Songwriters in the Round evening at the Couth Buzzard that features some amazingly talented performers!

Ginny Reilly is the “Reilly” half of famed folk duo Reilly and Maloney. With her partner, David Maloney, she has performed on the national circuit of folk music clubs from 1970 to 1990. They own a record company, Freckle Records, and recorded several albums on that label. While perhaps better known for her work with David, Ginny is skillful writer and solo performer who captivates audiences with her warmth and timeless songs. It’s really an honor to share the stage with her!

Jennifer Spector

Jennifer Spector and David Tieman are also well-known as a touring duo, The Hayburners. But, as with Ginny, the also write material better suited to solo performance. For this evening, they will be primarily playing solo, but I think we can convince them to join up for a couple well-loved  Hayburners’ tunes.

I’ll have a new instrument (baritone uke!) and a few new songs, including my submission for the 2013 Tumbleweed songwriting competition.

David Tieman

The Couth is a wonderful listening room. No amplification, just the plain beauty of voices and acoustic instruments. We promise to take you on a journey through stories, emotions and song. Hope you can join us!

What: Songwriters in the Round: Ginny Reilly, Jennifer Spector, David Tieman and Mike Buchman
When: Friday April 19, 2013

Where: the Couth Buzzard, 8310 Greenwood Ave N.
no cover, all ages, all ears!

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