Steve Key: News/Blog

For updates on the showcases I host in the San Luis Obispo CA area, go here:
www.songwritersatplay.com

I'll post info on my solo gigs here, and will post new songs too. I'm planning to write 14 songs in 28 days as part of the February Album Writing Month, www.fawm.org

I continue to host weekly songwriters showcases in three locations, and twice-monthly in Solvang.

Tuesdays 6:30-9:30pm at The Clubhouse in San Luis Obispo, www.clubhousereport.com

Wednesdays 7-10pm, The Pour House in Paso Robles, www.pasopourhouse.com

Thursdays 6:30-9:30pm at The Porch in Santa Margarita, www.porchcafe.com

Sun. 4-7pm Jan. 10, 24; Feb. 7, 21 at Alisal Cellars in Solvang, http://alisalcellars.com

I have some great featured acts booked this month, top local talent as well as touring acts from Nashville, LA, even Denmark!

Jan. 5 Clubhouse features Stuart Mason of Molly's Revenge
Jan. 6 Pour House in Paso features Bob Malone, LA-based piano man
Jan. 7 Porch in Santa Margarita features Mo Hensler, accompanied by Dorian Michael.
Jan. 10 Alisal Cellars in Solvang features Owen Plant of The Sunshine Brothers
Jan. 12 Clubhouse: JimBo Trout from SF, plus multi-instrumentalists Musical Charis.
Jan. 13 Pour House features Sacramento band Musical Charis.
Jan. 14 Porch features longtime local fave Paul Hobbs, plus Owen Plant
Jan. 19 Clubhouse: Bay Area husband-wife team Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon
Jan. 20 Pour House & Jan. 21 Porch: Stephen Simmons, Nashville-based alt.country a la Ryan Adams
Jan. 24 Solvang, and Jan. 26-28 features Amalie Riis and Brett Perkins, on tour from Denmark.

Hope to see you again soon!

http://www.facebook.com/notes/steve-j-key/2009-showcasing-and-booking-over-1000-musicians/394577440006

Our debut Solvang Songwriters Showcase on Dec. 13 was a big hit, so I'll return Dec. 27 with another all-star lineup, details below.

Don't miss the amazing Roy Zimmerman, returning to the Clubhouse in SLO this Sat. Dec. 19. And showcase favorite Christine Rogers is playing the Clubhouse Sun. Dec. 20.

Lots of fresh talent featured at the showcases in the New Year, click the links posted below.

I wish you happy holidays, filled with music and merriment.

Your host--SK

SUNDAY DEC. 27: Tom Corbett is featured on this special songwriters showcase at Alisal Cellars in Solvang. Tom is a mandolinist-guitarist best-known as a member of The Acousticats and John McEuen's String Wizards. He's also an excellent singer-songwriter, two solo CDs, with a third due out in early 2010. http://tomcorbett.net
Guest performers on Dec. 27: Jeff Bisch, Kate Bennett, Mike Lopez, Jody Mulgrew, Robert Postel, Kay Rose and ukulele master Sean Hutchinson. We go from 4-7pm at Alisal Cellars, 448 Alisal Road, Solvang, 805-686-4329, http://alisalcellars.com. Caution: 21 and over only!

ROY ZIMMERMAN RETURNS: In this time of war, natural disaster, social upheaval and political strife, Christmas just got funnier. Roy Zimmerman presents his show "Peacenick" -- hilarious holiday satire for all humanity. From the pan-humanist "Christma-Hanu-Rama-Ka-Dona-Kwanzaa" to the faux-Dylan protest song, "Christmas is Pain," to the devastating "I Won't Be Home for Christmas." Free show! 7pm, Sat. Dec. 19 at the Clubhouse in SLO. http://www.royzimmerman.com

EVERY TUESDAY 6:30-9:30pm, The Clubhouse at This Old House, 740 W. Foothill Blvd., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-8500, all ages OK, full dinner menu served. http://www.clubhousereport.com
Dec. 22: SLO folk-rock trio Signs of New Growth, http://www.myspace.com/signsofnewgrowth. Plus a new duo called LoveSmith (Steve Mazzetta and Monica Dailey), Phil Hill, Kaitlyn Eller, Brent Dannells, and Kevin Coons of the band Candle.
Dec. 29: Ojai's Emy Reynolds Band http://www.myspace.com/emyreynolds. Plus Donny Kidd of The Loveless Estate, Kaitlyn Eller, Kay Rose, and Jayson Jones.
Jan. 5: Stuart Mason of Molly's Revenge, http://stuartmasonmusic.com
Jan. 12: JimBo Trout, http://www.jimbotrout.com
Jan. 19: Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon, http://www.truewindmusic.com

EVERY WEDNESDAY 7-10pm, The Pour House, 1331 Vendels Circle, (behind Firestone Brewery), Paso Robles, 805-239-2868.
http://www.pasopourhouse.com.
Dec. 23: Tim Jackson, http://www.timjackson.net. Plus his bandmate from The Bootleggers, David Miller, Kaitlyn Eller, and blues harpist Debra Windsong.
Dec. 30: LA-based jazz guitarist Goh Kurosawa, http://www.happysad.org/goh/. Plus Dorian Michael, Kaitlyn Eller, Rob Cox, Cory Allen Staats.
Jan. 13: Musical Charis (yes, that's how they spell it), http://www.musicalcharis.com

EVERY THURSDAY 6:30-9:30pm, The Porch, 22322 El Camino Real, Santa Margarita, 805-438-3376. All ages OK, have a pizza!
http://porchcafe.com
No show Dec. 24 or 31, returning Jan. 7, featuring Mo Hensler, http://www.myspace.com/mohensler
Jan. 14: Paul Hobbs, http://www.myspace.com/paulhobbsca
Jan. 21: Nashville's Stephen Simmons, http://www.StephenSimmonsMusic.com

Jan. 26-28 (all three venues): Brett Perkins, http://www.myspace.com/brettperkins, with Amalie Riis, http://www.myspace.com/amalieriis

LIVE MUSIC ALMOST EVERY NIGHT:
http://www.linnaeas.com
http://www.clubhousereport.com

BE MY FRIEND!
http://www.facebook.com/stevekey

Some people say it's too much. Why do I book so many shows? Do I ask too much of the musicians and music fans?

Maybe. But here I go again, telling you about these shows I'm hosting, hoping you'll keep coming back.

I've got a new showcase this Sunday Dec. 13 in Solvang, more details below. Social satirist Roy Zimmerman returns to SLO Dec. 19.

The Tuesday Clubhouse showcases continue to draw packed houses, and the Wednesday Paso Robles and Thursday Santa Margarita showcases are bringing in new faces too.

As Guy Clark sang, "Too much just ain't enough."

Your host--SK

PHIL LEE (Dec. 8 Clubhouse, Dec. 9 Pour House, Dec. 10 Porch) lives in Nashville, but don't let that fool you. His road-worn voice, clever wordplay and skilled harmonica work will bring Dylan to mind, although Phil's style is more like country music with a rock and roll heart. http://www.phillee1.com. It's an added treat that Phil tours with Tom Mason, a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who will play guest sets on all three showcases. http://www.myspace.com/tommasonmusic

THIS SUNDAY DEC. 13: Solvang's own Stephanie Croff will play the featured set on the songwriters showcase at Alisal Cellars. Stephanie recently played Santa Barbara's SoHo with her band, The Yearning Souls, and released a solo CD, "Why Do We Sing". Her piano-vocal balladry has drawn comparisons to Tori Amos and Patty Griffin. http://www.stephaniecroff.com
Our debut Solvang showcase includes a stellar lineup: Gib Foss & Patty Castillo, Bent Myggen, Randall Lamb, Stephen Styles, Craig Louis Dingman, Jeff Bisch, Kate Bennett, plus Kate's bandmate from Sibylene, percussionist Grace Feldman. We go from 4-7pm at Alisal Cellars, 448 Alisal Road, Solvang, 805-686-4329, http://alisalcellars.com. Caution: 21 and over only!

ROY ZIMMERMAN RETURNS: In this time of war, natural disaster, social upheaval and political strife, Christmas just got funnier. Roy Zimmerman presents his show "Peacenick" -- hilarious holiday satire for all humanity. From the pan-humanist "Christma-Hanu-Rama-Ka-Dona-Kwanzaa" to the faux-Dylan protest song, "Christmas is Pain," to the devastating "I Won't Be Home for Christmas." Free show! 7pm, Sat. Dec. 19 at the Clubhouse in SLO. http://www.royzimmerman.com

EVERY TUESDAY 6:30-9:30pm, The Clubhouse at This Old House, 740 W. Foothill Blvd., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-8500, all ages OK, full dinner menu served. http://www.clubhousereport.com
Dec. 8 guest performers: Tim Jackson of The Bootleggers, BlueSouls Ted Waterhouse & Debra Windsong, J.D. Hardy, Dominic Ranelletti, Nathan Carman, Craig Louis Dingman.
Dec. 15 features Curtis Marsh and Jon Clarke, a new duo and recent band mates in Redeye Junction.
Dec. 22: SLO folk-rock trio Signs of New Growth, http://www.myspace.com/signsofnewgrowth
Dec. 29: Ojai's Emy Reynolds Band http://www.myspace.com/emyreynolds

EVERY WEDNESDAY 7-10pm, The Pour House, 1331 Vendels Circle, (behind Firestone Brewery), Paso Robles, 805-239-2868.
http://www.pasopourhouse.com.
Dec. 9 guest performers: Carlos Leyva, Alex Miner, Dominic Ranelletti, Paul Silva, and Monica Dailey & Steve Mazzetta.
Dec. 16: funny songs and stories of Michael Gaither, http://www.michaelgaither.com
Dec. 23: Tim Jackson of The Bootleggers, http://www.timjackson.net

EVERY THURSDAY (except this Thursday, special showcase on Fri. Nov. 27) 6:30-9:30pm, The Porch, 22322 El Camino Real, Santa Margarita, 805-438-3376. All ages OK, have a pizza!
http://porchcafe.com
Dec. 10 guest performers: Carlos Leyva, Sanden Gocka, much more TBA.
Dec. 17 feature: Mark Aaron James from New York, http://www.markaaronjames.com
No show Dec. 24, but special showcase on Sat. Dec. 26 features Paul Hobbs, http://www.myspace.com/paulhobbsca

LIVE MUSIC ALMOST EVERY NIGHT:
http://www.linnaeas.com
http://www.clubhousereport.com

BE MY FRIEND!
http://www.facebook.com/stevekey

San Diego band Rhythm and the Method is the featured act on this week's songwriters showcases at the Clubhouse in SLO Nov. 24 and Pour House in Paso Robles Nov. 25, http://www.myspace.com/rhythmandthemethod.

Guest performers on Nov. 24 include San Diego's jon ji, guitar wizard Dorian Michael, David Miller & Tim Jackson of The Bootleggers, Dan "the bartender" Miller, and Central Coast songwriters Christine Rogers, Launnie Ginn, and Andrew Redel of the band Almost There.

Nov. 25 guests: Ted Waterhouse, Jayson Jones, Dave Miller & Debra Windsong, Anita Coats, SLO trio Signs of New Growth (SONG), James Maddock of the band Wood, and Canadian artist Chris Velan.

I'll host a special Porch Thanksgiving showcase on Fri. Nov. 27, featuring Skip Heller from L.A., http://www.skipheller.com, plus Paul Sprawl, Ryan Dishen, and Sebastian Luna.

Every week I host three showcases of musical talent:

--every Tues., 6:30-9:30pm, The Clubhouse at This Old House, 740 W. Foothill Blvd., San Luis Obispo CA, (805) 548-8500, www.clubhousereport.com

--every Wed., 7-10pm, The Pour House, 1331 Vendels Circle, (behind Firestone's Brewery), Paso Robles CA, 805-239-2868, www.pasopourhouse.com

--every Thurs. 6:30-9:30pm, The Porch, 22322 El Camino Real, Santa Margarita CA, 805-438-3376. www.porchcafe.com

Each showcase has one featured act in the middle of the three-hour show, and up to eight guest performers. I pass the tip bucket during the featured act's set, but otherwise there's no cover charge. The Pour House is currently restricted to ages 21 and over, but the Clubhouse and the Porch are open to all ages.

And if that's not enough music for you, I also book weekend shows at the Clubhouse and Linnaea's. Check their website calendars:
www.linnaeas.com
www.clubhousereport.com

Greg Newlon and Bev Barnett have invited me and George Kincheloe to be their guests on the monthly TrueWind Acoustic Friday concert series. More details on my calendar page, or go to Greg & Bev's site:
http://truewindmusic.com/

Every week I host three showcases of musical talent:

--every Tues., 6:30-9:30pm, The Clubhouse at This Old House, 740 W. Foothill Blvd., San Luis Obispo CA, (805) 548-8500, www.clubhousereport.com

--every Wed., 7-10pm, The Pour House, 1331 Vendels Circle, (behind Firestone's Brewery), Paso Robles CA, 805-239-2868, www.pasopourhouse.com

--every Thurs. 6:30-9:30pm, The Porch, 22322 El Camino Real, Santa Margarita CA, 805-438-3376. www.porchcafe.com

Each showcase has one featured act in the middle of the three-hour show, and up to eight guest performers. I pass the tip bucket during the featured act's set, but otherwise there's no cover charge. The Pour House is currently restricted to ages 21 and over, but the Clubhouse and the Porch are open to all ages.

And if that's not enough music for you, I also book weekend shows at the Clubhouse and Linnaea's. Check their website calendars:
www.linnaeas.com
www.clubhousereport.com

Your host--SK

PS--I post frequent updates here: www.facebook.com/stevekey

Starting Sept. 1, I'm hosting three weekly showcases of musical talent:

--every Tues., 6:30-9:30pm, The Clubhouse at This Old House, 740 W. Foothill Blvd., San Luis Obispo CA 93405, (805) 548-8500, www.clubhousereport.com

The Clubhouse showcase celebrates its second anniversary on Oct. 6, 2009. Featured act Jody Mulgrew of the Johnny Starlings played the first featured set in Oct. '07. http://www.thejohnnystarlings.com

--every Wed., 7-10pm, The Pour House (formerly Monteleone's), 1331 Vendels Circle, (behind Firestone's Brewery), Paso Robles CA
805-239-2868, www.pasopourhouse.com

This is the newest one, kicking off Sept. 2, 2009. The other two are in restaurants, open to all ages, but the Pour House is pouring lots of beer, serving up bar snacks, not much food yet, so it's a 21-and-over situation.

--every Thurs. 6:30-9:30pm, The Porch, The Porch, 22322 El Camino Real, Santa Margarita, 805-438-3376. September is our fourth month at this small town cafe, a great place for pizza, beer or wine, coffee and dessert. Free wi-fi too!

And if that's not enough music for you, I also book weekend shows at the Clubhouse and Linnaea's. Check their website calendars:
www.linnaeas.com
www.clubhousereport.com

Your host--SK

PS--Sometimes I fall behind in updating the calendar on this website, so you might also want to check here: www.myspace.com/stevekey
And I post frequent updates here:
www.facebook.com/stevekey

11 new shows announced! http://feeds.artistdata.com/bitwlWKI

While self-googling, I discovered a podcast called "The Eclectic Review". Hosted by husband-wife team Stuart and Glory Jaffe, the half hour show includes discussions of science, science fiction, and pop culture. Clips of my song "Windchimes" are heard on "Show #146 - Dangling Trophies" between segments on comedian Mike Birbiglia and a review of the Nicholas Cage movie, "Next".
http://eclectic.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=438975

I'm grateful to the performers and the listeners at the two standing-room-only showcases this week. Website links are listed below, for the performers who have them. Vicki Genfan was featured both nights, and the duo of Rhythm & Laura also played both nights, right before Vicki. I couldn't resist adding a few songs in each show. Can we do it again next week? And the week after that...??? Your host--SK

Mia Riddle, www.miariddle.com
JoanMarie, www.myspace.com/joanmarieasher
Tim Jackson, www.timjackson.net
Laura Payne & Rhythm Turner, www.myspace.com/rhythmandthemethod
Vicki Genfan, www.myspace.com/vickigenfan
Brett Perkins, www.myspace.com/brettperkinslisteningroom
Amalie Riis, www.myspace.com/amalieriis
Craig Louis Dingman (a great writer who needs a website!)
Logan Tavelli, www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ErTLTsMi3s
Diane Arkenstone, www.myspace.com/dianearkenstone
Sean Hutchinson, Duke of d'uke
Lisa Danhi (check my friends list on Facebook)
Ben Melosh, www.myspace.com/benmeloshmusic
Jean-Luc Fraikin, www.myspace.com/jeanlucfraikin
Steve Key, www.myspace.com/stevekey

My song, "New Olde Town", charted at #11 on the December 2008 playlist of the internet radio show Acoustic Pie, hosted by Kelley Martin, San Diego-based folk music enthusiast.
www.AcousticPie.com

I wrote the song with Erik Balkey, who recorded it on his Deadpan Alley CD.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/balkey7
It's Erik's version that made the Acoustic Pie Top 20, alongside Damien Rice, Stacey Earle, Darrell Scott, Storyhill, Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.

Acoustic Pie airs 24/7 on live365.com. I'm honored to have my song on such a cool show. Thanks, Kelley!

Last night's show at the Studio Theatre of the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande was great -- pro sound by Barry Hamlin, which included recording studio-quality mics; a concert audience paying attention to every note and lyric; and a lineup of performers who gave them their money's worth. The show was called the Second Annual Central Coast Songwriters Festival. I'm told The Studio Theatre can seat 225, but we had about 75 people there, and it was pretty cozy! I was the MC, also opened with a 3-song set (a recent ballad, "Windchimes", written at my Central Coast residence in Pismo Beach, then two songs from the House Blend CD, "Ree and Bull" and "33, 45, 78 (Record Time)." I sold 3 CDs, so I guess the strategy worked...). Devin Wallace followed me -- I love his "Great American Wall" song, a tongue-in-cheek promotion of the wall on the Mexican border as a tourist attraction "like Berlin in the old days." Nataly Lola closed out the first set, then the second set of Loren Radis, Tim Jackson (with lead guitarist Dave Miller), and Jody Mulgrew closing out. Jody came back for an encore sing-along, "Til My Peace Be Made", giving us that folk festival-style good feeling at the end of the night. I wasn't sure we'd get a crowd on a Sunday, particularly since I booked this show less than 3 weeks in advance, but we got a cover story in the Tribune and support from the family and fans of the performers. I'm still smiling here on Monday morning.

1. It's another perfect day in Pismo Beach, CA
2. I'm headed up to San Francisco today for a two-night stay with…
3. …my girlfriend, Bonnie, whom I love very much
4. This three-year-old laptop still works
5. My '97 Saturn still runs
6. I'm in relatively good health, no major complaints
7. No health insurance, but some free meds thanks to Rusty
8. I have a place to live, thanks to my Mom
9. I get paid to host a weekly songwriters showcase at the Clubhouse
10. I get paid to book music for Linnaea's Café
11. I'm starting a weekly showcase next week in Santa Maria
12. I'm starting weekly concerts next month in Morro Bay
13. I'm still writing songs on occasion, including two last week
14. I can still sing -- I performed three songs last night at the Clubhouse
15. Good strong coffee this morning from SLO Roasters
16. Fresh blueberries from Trader Joe's
17. Oatmeal -- regular, not the instant stuff
18. Enjoyed the Bonnie Raitt concert last Sunday
19. I'm doing additional booking work for the Clubhouse so I get…
20. …a trade account for dinners and drinks I can share with friends.
21. I can walk to the beach
22. Most of the tourists are gone
23. I love the Honeymoon Café -- Tofu tacos, strong coffee, funky vibe
24. I like the old Esquire news stand -- cash only
25. I'm reading a collection of Anthony Burgess short stories
26. I'm listening to an audio book, Ann Patchett's "Run".
27. Bonnie has satellite radio in her car; we often listen to The Village on XM
28. Got a birthday e-mail from Candy, reminding me of good times in Alexandria
29. Enjoyed seeing Ralph Nader last week at Cal Poly, plan to vote for him again.
30. I have dinner reservations tonight at Greens, my favorite veggie restaurant
31. It's been really hot lately, but the AC in my car still works, surprisingly
32. Typing -- one skill I picked up in high school, still use every day
33. I'm still proud of my most successful song, "Record Time (33, 45, 78)"
34. Heard Angela Reed for the first time last night -- what a voice!
35. JoanMarie is refreshing -- a positive presence on the showcase last night.
36. Anthony is there every Tuesday, setting up the PA, running sound all night
37. Rob the bartender is fun to banter with, even more sarcastic than me
38. Clubhouse owner Andy gives me that nod of approval at the end of the night
39. I enjoy talking politics with Dan, the dread-locked bartender
40. Glad I can drink one beer and stop, haven't been drunk in a long time
41. Bonnie and I have almost six months together, fitting together so well…
42. …in ways that I probably shouldn't discuss in public, enough said?
43. I can provide paying work for local and touring musicians
44. I can bring people together, create networks and community
45. I benefit from those networks, continue to find new places to play
46. Musicians play shows with me, on short notice, like Bishop Peak school last week
47. People appreciate my efforts to present live music
48. I get satisfaction from someone discovering a new favorite musician
49. I enjoy finding new favorites -- such as Tom Freund, Jon T. Howard
50. I had a good time last year doing my 50th birthday party, but this year…
51. …I'm content with finding 51 things I'm grateful for, and amazed I could do it.

Today I read about the early passing of a friend from the DC area.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jun/26/jay-votel-times-editor-folk-musician-dies-at-52/
I met Jay when I was hosting Monday open mikes at a club in Vienna, VA (DC suburb). He played often. He was also a writer for the Washington Times, reviewed many of the artists I sent to him. When I started a music non-profit in 2002, Jay was the first person I approached for membership, and he was very supportive. We had one of our early organizing meetings at his house.

Canadian singer-songwriter Wainwright (Mike, not Rufus) documented his visit to the Clubhouse in San Luis Obispo, "Guitar and a Car Tour Day 12", posted here:
http://www. youtube. com/wainwright747

I'm singing "Heinz 57 American", accompanied by JoanMarie on the drum. The duo, Great American Youth, are also featured.

Erik's latest CD includes our co-write "New Old Town". I started the song when I lived in Old Town Alexandria (VA), and I finished it with Erik in Old Town Frederick (MD). I love Tom Prasada-Rao's production, and Beth Wood's harmony. Buy it:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/balkey7

Remember the woman who was shooting all those photos at the Jill Knight showcase? That was Candice Conti, and her feature about Tuesdays at the Clubhouse is in the current issue of SLO City News. http://slocitynews.ca.newsmemory.com/
(it's a little complicated -- there's a toggle on the left that will allow you to pick a page to view: look for "Musical Tuesdays" headline on page A8).

Mark Ludmer of the Indie Music Show, broadcast on Santa Barbara's TV Channel 17, has added two of my performances to YouTube:

"33, 45, 78 (Record Time)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTFikpyhvjY

"If You Can Walk"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BTBq3qMK1Y

Christina Grimm posted two clips of my performance on her Santa Barbara Songwriters TV show. I did "Here for the Runnin" with Christina singing harmony, Bob Liepman on mandocello, and Tim Novoa on snare drum. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/v/HOIcGbodKf4

I also performed Michael Fracasso's "All or Nothing", with Bob, Tim, plus Wendy Liepman on harmony vocal. Bob & Wendy are touring with Michael Fracasso later this month, including a stop in Santa Barbara. I love Michael's songs, thought it would be fun to talk up Michael's tour and do a cover.
http://www.youtube.com/v/qlDOiOnbeLE