Patterson Barrett: News

2012...wow! When I was a young boy my friends and I would do the math and talk about how we'd probably still be alive at the turn of the century, and we'd try to imagine what life might be like in the 2000s! Well, I made it.

Every year's got so much to offer—I've been playing a lot with a bunch of wonderfully talented folks recently (Walt Wilkins, John Inmon, Ramsay Midwood,to name a few) and I look for that to continue. But I've also resolved to release a new cd this year, and so I'm busy making plans to let people see and hear the newest stuff. Hey, it even looks like I'll be in France for some playing in August (thank you Steve Carter and Phillippe Lafont!)

In the nearer future, I'll be heading up to Memphis for the International Folk Alliance Festival and Conference, an amazing affair with SO much music...it's almost too much...but I love it. Hope to see you out a show sometime soon!

Although you wouldn’t know it by looking at a thermometer, fall is here and it’s time for the 5^th Annual Gram Parsons Birthday Hoot, and I'm pretty darned excited about it!

On November 6^th from 7 to 10:30PM at Threadgill’s World Headquarters in Austin, Texas, I'll once again gather an impressive collection of performers and celebrate the music of Gram Parsons, benefitting the Americana Music Association.

I'll lead the house band, as invited guest artists perform their favorite Gram Parson’s songs in this annual musical homage to the man whose influence on the artists and music of today’s Americana movement is still felt today.

This year’s event will benefit the Americana Music Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the genre of music that Parsons helped define.

Performers scheduled to appear include:

Sahara Smith

Dallas Wayne (Heybale)

Barbara K

Will  Sexton

Bill Carter

Bob Livingston

Patterson Barrett

Earl P. Ball

Owen Temple

Micky Braun (Micky & the Motorcars)

Freddie Steady Krc  w/Emily Grace Berry

Ted Roddy

Leeann Atherton

Jed Zimmerman

Karen Abrahams

Phil Hurley (Stonehoney)

Noelle Hampton

Mike Stinson

Matt Brooks (2 Hoots & A Holler)

Julieann Banks

Charlie Faye

Tom Pittman

Halleyanna

Brian Pounds

Shawn Davis (Stonehoney)

Amanda Cevallos

Gerry Burns

Dana McBride

Cam King

Steve Carter

Kim Deschamps

Chojo Jacques

Doc Simons

Daniel Simons

Rob Bollinger

Jon Hahn

Mike Rieman

Join me and the league of Parsons fans to celebrate his legacy of cosmic American music and help support this great organization!

I was at this event that was...well, awesome in this case actually applies. It's the annual Cherokee Creek Festival near Llano, Texas, a benefit concert that included Jackson Browne, Shawn Colvin, Marc Cohn, Keb Mo, Don Henley, and a host of others. Well I was fortunate to be included to play with my friends Stonehoney, and while I was there, Jessie Scott invited me to sing something for the Music Fog cameras. I decided to give a new song a try, and you can check it out at <http://musicfog.com/home/2011/8/13/patterson-barrett-the-where-and-when.html> Thanks so much to the entire Music Fog crew!

In addition to the first Sunday gigs I've been doing at Kick Butt Coffee here in Austin (insert joke here), I've been enjoying playing with a bunch of different folks in the last few months.

Walt Wilkins made the mistake of inviting me to come play at his weekly gig at the Saxon Pub on Wednesdays, and now I won't go away. I followed him to Nashville to play for a Bluebird Café show that was magical, played at Gruene Hall a couple of times (always great), and will continue doing shows with him as often as I can.

I met John Inmon about a thousand years ago (ok, maybe 35) when I first arrived in Texas and we were both playing with Jerry Jeff Walker (him a lot, me a little), and I was thrilled when he called me to play some shows with him as he has started fronting his own group. Lots of great musicians, lots of improvisation, lots of fun.

And look for Julieann Banks and I to continue our duo performances at Gruene Hall, including a couple in August.

See you out and about soon I hope!

After a wonderful road trip to Memphis, North Carolina, D.C. and Nashville, and then the subsequent South By Southwest festival madness right here in Austin, things are...well, pretty much back to normal. I'm hoping to release a new cd on good behavior (it's stayed out of trouble since it's completion) soon. In music biz terms, that's maybe by the end of summer. Something to look forward to. Right now, time to do a little spring cleaning!

for the International Folk Alliance, February 16-20. It's an amazingly fun event, kind of like speed dating for music, all in one hotel. 3 or 4 floors of rooms, music in each room, new acts every 30 minutes or so. I'll be showcasing my own stuff 3 or 4 times, playing with other folks, staying up late and playing pedal steel in the Wine & Nut room with a bunch of Austinites and others. I'm also giving a presentation/workshop, "Demystifying The Pedal Steel Guitar, which should be fun and enlightening. I'll try and keep the calendar up to date, in case you happen to be there. And why wouldn't you be??!!

Last year as a Christmas gift to the world (or at least my little corner of the world) I released a Christmas single. A "single" is actually 2 songs, released together, a term derived from the old days of 45 rpm vinyl records with one song on each side. These original Christmas songs, "Santa Claus Is On The Loose" and "Another Christmas You're Not Here"are still fresh and ABSOLUTELY FREE for visitors to this site. Simply go to the "words and music" page and click on download. And please do let me know what you think of them, or any of my songs, by visiting the "guestbook" page and leaving a comment. Merry Christmas!!

Fall is here and it’s time for the 4^th Annual Gram Parsons Birthday Hoot. On November 7^th at Threadgill’s World Headquarters in Austin, Texas, an impressive collection of performers will gather from 6 to 10PM to celebrate the music of Gram Parsons, beneiftting the Americana Music Association.

Host Patterson Barrett will lead the house band, as invited guest artists perform their favorite Gram Parson’s songs in this annual musical homage to the man whose influence on the artists and music of today’s Americana movement is still felt today. This is not only a night for Parson’s fans to remember, but an opportunity for those not familiar with his music to hear and enjoy it for the first time.

This year’s event will benefit the Americana Music Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the genre of music that Parsons helped define.

Some early confirmed performers for this year include Michael Fracasso, members of the Mothertruckers, Earl P. Ball, members of Stonehoney, Geoff Union (Too High String Band), Steady Freddie Krc, Noel Hampton, Jenny Reynolds, Ben Mallott, Steve Carter, Jake Carter, Idgy Vaughn, Cam King, Julieann Banks, Cho-Jo Jacques, Jon Hahn, Gary Newcomb and Rob Bollinger, with more being added each day.

As anyone who has attended previous shows will attest, this evening promises to be a wonderful time for all, filled with great music and memorable performances.

Join the league of Parsons fans to celebrate his legacy of cosmic American music and help support this great organization.

A pretty nice video was posted of me singing a new song a couple of days ago. It was done by a group of folks known as music fog, and they have a very cool video blog website dedicated to Americana music featuring just about everyone you can think of. Thanks to Jessie Scott and all the musicfoggers.

Here's the link: <http://musicfog.com/home/2010/6/12/patterson-barrett-come-back-to-me.html>

It was shot inside a tour bus during the Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis. That's my good friends Julieann Banks and Doc Simons playing with me. Julieann is also a wonderful songwriter; check her out at <www.myspace.com/julieannbanks> Jonathan "Doc" Simons and I have been knowing each other and playing together for... a long dang time. Thanks to both of them for sharing their talents!

I've really been enjoying Wednesday nights lately. I've been going to Threadgill's Old #1 on North Lamar here in Austin, and playing with Stonehoney. This wonderful band will be heading out to spread their great singing and songs to the rest of the world, and I'm going to help host the Sittin', Singin' and Supper Sessions in their absence, starting June 2nd. We'll have lots of wonderful guests sitting in and singing along. Come on out and join us! The music starts at 7 and usually lasts till 9:30. You can get there early and eat before, or chew to music. You can even wait and sit down with me and eat at the end of the night--the kitchen stays open til 10.

For the 2010 International Folk Alliance Conference & Festival, that is! (February 18-21) Spring is right around the corner and I'm headed to Memphis. Panels and presentations during the day, official showcases in the evening. But later, 3 floors of the hotel (50 rooms?) are each filled with "private" showcases. 50 different acts every 30-60 minutes untill 2AM, all printed in a program. Make your choices and start running, or just walk down the hall (if you can) and see what grabs your attention. Kind of like musical speed dating! I'm dragging my friend Julieann Banks along and we'll be playing a gig in Shreveport on the way up. It'll be a blast!

I think if you click  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efq1SntH9Wg, you'll see me standing alone on a stage singing an original song from my recent Christmas single (you'll want to pause the player in the strip at the top of the page to avoid hearing 2 songs at once.)

Then go to the music and words page and listen to the livelier song from my  recent Christmas single.

Then flip over to the guestbook and tell me what you think.

Merry Christmas!

As a Christmas gift to the world (or at least my little corner of the world) I've released a Christmas single. A "single" is actually 2 songs, released together, a term derived from the old days of 45 rpm vinyl records with one song on each side. These original Christmas songs are ABSOLUTELY FREE for visitors to this site. Simply go to the "words and music" page and click on download. And please do let me know what you think of them, or any of my songs, by visiting the "guestbook" page and leaving a comment.

Merry Christmas!!

Was that really me playing piano on the finalé of the awards show, Dixie Chicken, with Buddy Miller, Delbert McClinton, Sam Bush, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Jim Lauderdale, Nancy Griffith, Mike Farris, John Hiatt...pinch me, I Must Be Dreaming!

I went over to the Ryman Auditorium to visit with my old friend Buddy Miller, and ended up in the house band playing keyboards alongside legendary Wurlitzer whiz and songwriter Spooner Oldham. I've got to find some photos to post.

This has been an amazing week of music, and it's not over yet. Wow.

I'm heading off to South Carolina for "The Grits And Low Country Tour-2009", singing my songs accompanied by my very capable and dear friend Jonathan "Doc" Simons. I'm sure to have a great time (but don't tell my family--they think I'm working!) If you're in the Myrtle Beach-Charleston area come on out and say "Hi" or "Hey" or whatever they say down there.

I've been chipping away at the shapeless block of stone that will soon be recognizable as my next CD, and it's nearly done! I think. I'm mixing now. Mixing, for those of you not actually familiar with the recording process, is where you face all the choices you didn't make earlier when you had the chance, and fix any problems with "studio magic".
With the state of the economy as it is, both globally and locally (as in my bank account) I am on the prowl for parties other than myself (are there record labels anymore?) to put the darn thing out and promote it. But I'm confident that will happen. Is that faith or stupidity? Hey, that's a good title.
Actually, it turns out the record is an examination of the coming of age experience as viewed from the dual perspectives of the 17 year old boy going through it and the 50-ish father remembering, reminiscing and re-living it, entitled "When I Was Your Age..." Unless the record company has a different idea--I'm open to other's ideas and easy to work with, not a diva at all. Call me.

That's right, we're doing it again. The 2nd Annual Gram Parsons Birthday Hoot to benefit the Sims Foundation will be held on Wednesday, November 5th at Threadgill's World Headquarters in Austin, Texas. The festivities start at 7PM.

Featured performers include Rosie Flores, Dustin Welch, Earl Poole Ball, Dallas Wayne, Chris Gates, Lisa Hayes, Randy Weeks, Julieann Banks, Michael Fracasso, Mandy Mercier, members of Greezy Wheels, Tommy Spurlock, Cam King (of the Explosives), Danny Levin, Jon Hahn, Rob Bollinger, Mike Rieman, Albert & Gage, Freddie “Steady” Krc, Betty Soo, and ...oh yeah, me, Patterson Barrett—I'll be hosting the party and leading the house band. It's going to be a great and memorable night of music. Highly reccommended! <http://myspace.com/gpbirthdayhoot>

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.myfoxaustin.com/dpp/about_us/FOX_7_Live_Music_Patterson_Barrett 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!