The Kitchen Muician ~ January 2010

Hello Friends!

A new snowfall here in Boston and a new decade for all. This month I share two songs from a recent show, plus a song to a Downey Woodpecker sung by a special guest. But wait, there’s more! – a great offer to join me when I celebrate my birthday in March. Welcome to my kitchen!

Recent News

Last month I enjoyed performing at the Lizard Lounge Open Mic Competition in Somerville, MA along with about 25 other singer/songwriters. I was impressed with the turnout of great musicians. Two who’s music really clicked for me were Flightless Buttress and John Gerard. I was honored to come away with the prize that evening and an invitation to join other weekly winners in the semi-annual Main Event on an upcoming Saturday night competition. This will be my second appearance at the Main Event. I’ll post the date on my calendar when I know it.

On New Year’s Eve I had a great time sharing the stage “in the round” at the Homegrown Coffeehouse with my friends Chris Pahud, Cheryl Perreault and Steve Rapson. These folks are immensely talented and entertaining. Take in a show some time.

This Month’s Music:

A Prayer for Peace
© 2007 Tom Smith.

A few weeks ago I had the great joy of doing a show at the Emerson Umbrella with my very talented daughter, Mally Smith. I first shared “A Prayer for Peace” with readers of The Kitchen Musician two years ago. I wrote it after stumbling across the following quote from Psalm 11 in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. “For see how the wicked bend the bow and fit their arrows to the string to shoot from ambush at the true of heart”.

A lot of wonderful music has ‘filled my cup’ since then. I am so very thankful for friendship and inspiration from the great extended family of musicians I have here in the Boston area. Some from that extended family were present in the audience and joined us in this wish for peace in the new year. It seems appropriate to pass it along again as we start a new decade – a decade that I enter with hope that we people of Earth can work together to solve our common problems.

I’ll Make it Easy
© 2009 Mally Smith.

What pleasure it was to bask in Mally’s reflection that evening. Here is one of her recent compositions. Mally has been getting a lot of musical exposure recently with her band The And Company. This trio performs an artful indie/acoustic style of original music that can be heard frequently in Cambridge area venues. They are releasing an informal live CD on Sunday January 17 at their show at The Burren in Davis Square, Somerville. Other notable appearances this month include Friday Jan. 22 at Amazing Things Arts Center (opening for Tracy Grammer), Saturday January 23 in a solo set opening for Edie Carey, Feb 2 at P.A.’s Lounge, and more. You can learn more about Mally’s solo schedule here, and her schedule with the band here.

I leave you with a view through our kitchen window taken earlier today and a special song to a Downey Woodpecker (halfway through this three minute video, sung by my two year old granddaughter, Anna). I have hope for the future of mankind when I hear children making music.

The View Through the Kitchen Window
January 2, 2010

~ Peace and Music in 2010,

~ Tom

(I invite you to leave a comment. Just scroll down to the end of this page.)

Upcoming Shows

I will join three other songwriters for a round robin of song sharing at the Rhode Island Songwriters Association at AS220, 115 Empire Street, Providence, RI. Hosted by the talented John Fuzek, I will be joined by my friend and fellow Boston area songwriter Patti DeRosa, and G. W. Mercure. Along with our other original songs, we are each charged with writing a new original song on the theme “Storm”. Come join us.

March 4, Thursday at the Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Rd., Shirley, MA.
Happy Birthday to Me!

Save the date. Help me celebrate my birthday in this split bill with Dylan-style folkie Nate Smith. No presents… just bring ears ready for some great music, and bellies ready to enjoy the great Bull Run menu. Tickets are $10 in advance (from me), $12 at the door, or purchase online (with a service fee). Doors open at 6:00 pm. My 45 minute set starts promptly at 7:00 pm.

Please call the Bull Run if you will be having dinner so that they may advise their kitchen staff. You may dine in The Ballroom (where the show takes place), or arrive early and eat in the dining room, where you will be offered a more extensive menu.

FLASH! The first ten parties to contact me for tickets get their first ticket at the special depression-friendly price of zero dollars. Just e-mail me, and include the secret code word bifurcate in a sentence. (OK, you don’t really need to use bifurcate in a sentence, but I thought it would be fun if some of you did.)

Click to view details and all upcoming shows.

Featured Non-Profit: The Children’s Music Network

The Children’s Music Network celebrates the positive power of music in the lives of children. “We meet and stay in touch to share songs and ideas about children’s music, to inspire each other about the empowering ways adults and young people can communicate through music, and to be a positive catalyst for education and community-building through music.”

I was an early member of CMN in the 1980’s. As life became complicated our paths diverged. Two years ago I revisited a CMN gathering and was thrilled to see the energy is as strong and positive as when I left. You can help by joining me and become a member. There are local chapters throughout the USA.

If you have a non-profit to suggest for an upcoming issue of The Kitchen Musician please send me an e-mail.