Let's hit the ground running. I begin recording my single on Monday in the esteemed company of Mark Simonsen and James Wallace. Mark (left) is a member of The Old Ceremony, one of Durham's finest bands; he also plays with me in Baron Von Rumblebuss, Tray Batson's kiddie-rock ensemble. James (right) was the drummer for Max Indian, another phenomenal band from this locale, and he's played with almost every musician worth their salt since the band's breakup. Together, I think the three of us will come up with an eminently listenable slab of vinyl for you (and yes, there'll be a download card included). I look forward to working with these phenomenal cats immensely.

On Friday, I fly to Panama City FL to participate in the 30A Songwriters Festival for the first time. It excites me to no end that I'll be among such amazing, inspiring songwriters as Willis Alan Ramsey, Matraca Berg, Will Kimbrough, Kim Richey and Tommy Womack. Plus I get to hang with the brothers Bush (Kristian and Brandon) a little bit. Years ago I went to the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival which is based around the Flora-Bama Bar, a trip unto itself. It was fun if daunting, to be around such a trove of great writers (and I missed the one show I really wanted to see--Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham). Maybe I'll try to make it there again this fall, but for now, 30A looks to be a wonderful treat on my way back into the fray.

From there, I come back, get the single pressed up and begin charting out weekend shows in the semi-close geographic range. I'll try to get further afield when the album comes out, but for now, I'm looking at East Coast/Southeast in the spring.

Damn, this is fun! NO expectations, NO clawing for attention, just a guy with songs and a small record trying to move forward inch by inch. We'll see how well that works.