Patterson Barrett: News

I recently received a link for a very nice review written for the Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange by Frank Gutch Jr.—

“…All good. All really good…He can write—exceptionally well. He can sing—pretty well. He can play-—man, he can play. Add the guests, the sound, the production, a big plus for the lyrics…Damn fine stuff, this. Well worth checking out.”

I’m not sure about that singing pretty well part—I mean, singing pretty well is not bad, I guess. Check out the whole review at <http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p04408.htm>

I recently spent a morning visiting Jeffrey Tveraas at his Chesire Moon Studios. Jeff has put together a great series of podcasts called The Austin Connection, and I was happy to be the subject of his most recent show. You can hear some of my morning singing and me & Jeff yakking it up by visiting http://www.austinconnection.net/MP3/67_AC_PBarrett.mp3. There are also many other fine singer/songwriters featured, so check it out! http://www.austinconnection.net

I'm home in Austin again after a short tour of the Washington DC/Baltimore area which included Independence Day weekend--"The Beltway Freedom Tour". If you've read my bio, you may recall that I was born in DC, and any time I go back, it feels like home. Needless to say I had a great time (don't tell my wife, she thinks I'm working hard!) Some shows were full, some were empty--it's all good. My long-time friend Jonathan "Doc" Simons accompanied me on mandolin, guitar and harmonica, and my son Emerson joined me on bass for some shows. We got to see Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble in Woodstock one night. He's an inspiration for all of us, and his performance was fantastic. I also had a blast visiting on air with Fred Boenig at WXLV--thanks Fred!
I had so much fun, I'm thinking about going back--The Halloween Terror Tour!? We'll see.

...than to be in South Carolina the first of May. I'll be opening some shows for Mike Farris in addition to a couple of other dates, which to me adds up to "PATTERSON TO TOUR THE SOUTHEAST!" I'm sure it will be a blast, I'll be playing, staying, and hanging with my friend of nearly 40 years (that's right, I knew him before I was born) Jonathan "Doc" Simons. He'll be joining me onstage as will his son Daniel (and maybe even his daughter Joan). Ask me how it went!

Well, it's that time of year again—SXSW I mean. Lots of music, and lots of it free and available to the public, including 3 opportunities to catch me singing my songs. If you're in Austin this week, check out the "Calendar" page of this here website to see what I'll be up to!

A few very nice writers have mentioned me in their fine publications recently--
The currently available February issue (how does that work?) of Vintage Guitar Magazine has a nice article (with a photo!--there should be a credit for Valerie Cline--sorry). I'm not sure if the "vintage" applies to my guitars or me. Either way, I'm just glad to be mentioned.
The November issue of Performing Songwriter claims "I Must Be Dreaming" as one of their Top 12 DIY picks.
And if you're in Austin, there's a little blurb in the November issue of Austin Monthly about the CD. Check out the "Press" page on this site for the texts.

Thanks to KTBC-TV in Austin, you can see me and a few friends performing on their morning show. The link is http://www.rootv.com/?channel=Fox+News+Local+-+Austin&clipid=2101_110507band11&format=FLASH&bitrate=300 Enjoy!

The 1st Annual Gram Parsons Birthday Hoot, that is. Man, what an incredible night! Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen. There are lots of photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kingsnake/sets/72157603003409211/ and http://www.austin360.com/alist/mediahub/media/slideshow/index.jsp?tId=43918.
I could go on and on, but a look at the list of guest performers kind of says it all. Everybody did a great job, and I can't wait to do it again next year!

A pioneer in the marriage of country and rock music, Gram Parsons (www.gramparsons.com) has been an undeniable influence on the artists and music of today's Americana movement. 34 years after his death, on the anniversary of his birth, an impressive list of performers will gather to sing his music. This is not only a night for those familiar with his music to remember, but an opportunity for those not familiar with his music to hear and enjoy it for the first time.

A house band will accompany a parade of invited participants to perform their favorite Gram Parsons songs (either written, recorded by, or associated with Gram Parsons). The concert will take place on November 5th, Gram Parson's birthday, from 7 to 10PM at Threadgill's World Headquarters in Austin TX, hosted by me, Patterson Barrett.

Proceeds will benefit The Sims Foundation, an organization that provides low-cost counseling and other mental health services to Austin-area musicians and their families.

A growing list of performers includes:

*Cody and Willy Braun from the band Reckless Kelly
*Gurf Morlix, if you're a musician, you probably know Gurf,
*Earl P. Ball, whose work appears with Gram's on the Byrd's Sweetheart Of The Rodeo album,
*Christine Albert, solo artist and half of the duo Albert and Gage,
*Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist from The Band Of Heathens
*Patterson Barrett
*Freddie "Steady" Krc
*Randy Weeks
*Lisa Hayes
*Dustin Welch
*Mandy Mercier
*Cam King (of the Explosives) who will also be employing his second-string-bender in the house band.
*Jamie Oldaker, drummer to the stars
*David Cotton, drummer turned talent buyer

Peter Blackstock, co-editor of No Depression magazine, had some interesting stuff to say about my long ago band, Partners In Crime. Click this link
http://www.nodepression.net/blogs/peter/2007/08/_partners_in_crime.html
to check it out.

I returned from an amazing week of vacationing in Costa Rica with my family, recharged and ready to start ramping up to promotion and performance frenzy in anticipation of the national release of "I Must Be Dreaming"(on October 9th). I got back in the groove with a wonderful Happy Hour show at Jovita's, here in Austin. It's a great family-friendly venue with food and a nice stage, good sound (thanks, Bobby!) and a dance floor. Members of my family even made an appearance, including my daughter Dana, providing me the opportunity to embarrass her by identifying "I've Been Loving You For So Long (Dana's Song)" as being inspired by, and about, her. Lots of upcoming gigs in the works, so stay tuned!

Who knew?
My friend, singer/songwriter and music scene shaker Paula Held did. She was scheduled to play a "break set" last night at Artz Rib House, during Sarah Elizabeth Campbell's break. That's right, there is actually a guy who books a person to get up during a break between someone's set on a Monday night at a BBQ restaurant. Well anyway, my friend Paula wasn't sure she felt well enough after minor surgery earlier in the day to get up and do her stuff, and graciously asked me if I would like to help out. I of course said yes, and I ended up accompanying her on a couple of her songs and then finishing out with 5 of my own. It was a lot of fun, and there were a bunch of scene-makers in attendance, including longtime musical friend Bob Livingston. And now I've been invited back to do my very own Break Set--August 20th. Hope to see you there!

Wow! Thanks to everyone who came out to the shows last week. I hope (but seriously doubt) that everyone had as good a time as I did. In case you missed it, the band sounded great. First and foremost (sorry other valuable and very much appreciated band members) was Robert McEntee's performance. His guitar playing anchored the songs, allowing me to goof off on other instruments or concentrate on singing. Of course, the rhythm section, Keith Carper on bass and Kenny Felton on drums, also did a spectacular job with the songs, including a few from my back catalouge that Keith and Kenny hadn't played in years. I was also lucky to have Lorrie Singer singing harmony on some of the songs, and doing a great job! (she had to learn words!) I know from my own experience accompying other artists, that when learning a bunch of someone else's songs, you really open up your psyche to be inhabited by the material, and it represents a certain sacrifice, when the songs surface during any and all your everyday activities (including dreaming!) Thanks to all of you.

The CD is now available locally at Waterloo Records, and online through CD Baby (a link is provided on the "Buy" page), with a national release set for October 2nd. Keep your eyes peeled for more performances, and come up and say Hi! next time you see me.

Thanks to Lorrie Singer and Bradley Kopp, I had the opportunity to visit the beautiful town of Boulder Colorado this week. I played a noon set outdoors at the downtown mall—vey picturesque, kids splashing in a nearby water feature, ice cream vendors, and lots of Lorrie and Brad's friends, all of whom welcomed me with warm and open arms. One of them, Liz (I could tell you her last name, but then I'd have to kill ya) got up and sang harmony along with Lorrie as I sang Concrete & Steel from the new CD. (Thanks!) I also got to spend an afternoon hiking way up in the Rocky Mountains with my longtime friend and ex Partners In Crime bandmate Tessalin Green (credited as Lin Parafin on the album), and have pictures to prove it (see photo section). I hope to return soon to perform and to reconnect with all the new friends I made.

Although the new CD is not "officially" released, it is for sale (see BUY on this site) and a few copies have been sprinkled about. As a result, you may have heard it played on KGSR (thanks Roger!) or KUT (Laurie, you rock!) here in Austin. The rest of the world will have to wait till the global promotional team is in position. Or buy a copy here and play it (notice, I didn't say burn it) for your friends.

I'm in the process of gathering a few of my talented friends to work up the songs from my upcoming CD release. Robert McEntee, a gifted singer/songwriter in his own right and sought-after guitarist will be joining me for upcoming gigs to celebrate the new CD. Appearing on bass will be Keith Carper whose main gig these days is playing with Hal Ketchum. Also on tap is drummer Kenny Felton, who played in one of my previous ventures "Dr. Patterson Barrett & Associates". I'm pretty excited!