[ From Butch Ross ] WCU Winter Dulcimer Weekend - CD news, and other interesting stuff

[News, info and tourdates for Butch Ross]

Thursday, Jan 9 through Jan 12

WCU Winter Weekend

Lambuth Inn, Lake Junaluska, NC

Registration is $159 per person

link to website<http://www.wcu.edu/academics/edoutreach/conted/conferences-and-community-classes/dulcimer-u/winter-weekend/>

<http://www.wcu.edu/academics/edoutreach/conted/conferences-and-community-classes/dulcimer-u/winter-weekend/>

Friday, January 17 - Chattanooga, TN

Amber Fults and the Ambivalent Lovers play the music of Queen

One night only.

Rhythm and Brews

221 Market St. Chattanooga, TN $10

Hope everyone had a great and fulfilling holiday season. I got to do most
of the cooking, so my holidays were both FILLING and fulfilling (ok, I’ll
stop now).

Anyway, this is just a brief email to welcome you all into the new year,
and let you know about some things that have been going on.

WCU WINTER DULCIMER WEEKEND

There is still time to sign up for classes at the WCU Winter Weekend this
weekend (altho’ I just got the class numbers this morning and it looks like
a bunch of you are already in route). Believe it or not, after nearly ten
years of playing and teaching at dulcimer festivals, this is my first foray
into Western Carolina, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. It’s gonna be a
great time!

QUEEN

Now, most of you won’t be able to attend this next thing I’m doing, but I
wanted you to know what I’ve been up to. If you follow me on Facebook, then
you know that I have been playing electric guitar behind this great
singer/songwriter named Amber Fults. You may also know that we occasionally
take on odd and ambitious projects (like say playing Dark Side of the Moon
while Projecting “the Wizard of Oz” a la the old urban legend:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Side_of_the_Rainbow). Well, this time
we’ve taken on something huge: playing an entire evening of the music of
Queen.

For those of you who don’t know, Queen may very well be one of the most
diverse and virtuosic bands in Rock-n-Roll. Their music encompasses a
staggering array of genres, from techno-pop to even Music Hall and Opera.
We’ve been working on this show which will feature a full light show, a
string sextet and a 20 voice choir. It is by far the most epic thing I’ve
ever done.

The interesting things is that on New Year’s Eve, I played one of the best
dulcimer shows of my career. It was amazing to see what a few weeks of
working on Rock-n-Roll guitar parts brought to my acoustic dulcimer
playing. The lesson here is that progress is progress, even if you’re not
working on your main instrument. Every step is still a step in the right
direction.

THE NEW ALBUM

Yes, I know the CD release was actually six weeks ago now, and that the CD
is technically available on my website, but I wanted to keep you up to date
on what’s been happening with “People, Places, Things.” For those of you
who backed me via the Kickstarter campaign, the exclusive EP “Gone” is
available for download, and I’ll be sending you all an email regarding that
later via Kickstarter. The physical copies are also finished and I’ll send
those out with the release of the full length.

The new CD is in the mastering house, and Ian Shepherd is doing amazing
things to it. If all goes according to his timeline there should be
physical copies in my hands right around the end of the month. The artwork
is already done, and it looks fantastic.

ONE LAST THING

I was actually supposed to be in Louisville this evening, playing at
Clifton’s Pizza as part of Danny Flanigan’s Tuesday night songwriter’s
evening. Because I’m as sick as everyone else seems to be, as well as some
other things, I’ve had to cancel tonight. BUT My dear friend Brigid Kaelin
has graciously agreed to take my spot. I toured England with Brigid in
2010. She plays guitar, accordion and musical saw, and is just all around
great. The show runs from 8-10 and is free. If you’re in Louisville and up
for braving the cold, this is a great show. Otherwise, you can listen to
the last hour will also be webcast on www.crescenthillradio.com

K, that’s all for now. Hope you have a safe, warm and happy January. And
may all your New Year's resolutions be reasonable. :-)

C-ya out there.

--Br