(this space for rent)

I get off work at 2pm today, and I hope to be on the road by 3. (Yeah, like that’s gonna happen.)

I may be able to post during the trip, but that will depend on time and Mary Lou’s willingness to share her laptop.

For anyone who is interested, we plan on attending the Tennessee Renaissance Festival outside of Nashville on Saturday, weather permitting. This will be our first time at this faire, and I am looking forward to seeing Empty Hats, Porter & Stout, and Axel the Sot (who I have known for several years, but have not seen since his season at Bristol – unless that was 2004, in which case it was since my last season at KCRF). Of course, I will see Craig of Farrington as well, but none of the others will be at Bristol this year.

After that, off to Gatlinburg.

I don’t know how much I will be able to write on this over the next two weeks. We will be leaving on vacation after work Thursday, May 8, and will not be getting back ‘til Monday, May 19. We will be heading to Gatlinburg TN, taking the trip we were planning 18 months ago when Mom turned sick. We are hoping to do some exploring/sightseeing in the Smokey Mountains, and I am hoping to find some local traditional music/musicians. If anyone has any suggestions for places to go or things to do that we have not considered or heard about, they would be much appreciated.

Two quick points, FWIW:

I will probably talk to Scott about those guitar lessons, either this Sunday, or after we get back. We may find that, for one reason or another, it would not work out, but even discussing it is one more step outside my comfort zone.

For those offering words of encouragement and support, they are appreciated. However, my problem is that I have heard the words before, and they have not change my self-image, and THAT is the fundamental issue I have to address. I am not totally sure why I am addressing this in a public forum, (actually, I do know part of the reason for the public forum: this is me facing my fear that I have nothing to offer other than my voice.)but taking things out of the dark and exposing them in the light is almost always a good thing. Besides, now I have witnesses to what I say I am going to do, so I am less inclined to back off. And if what I say and do can help someone else face the mirror, so much the better.

You never know what will make the difference - the thing that will open your eyes to see something in a new light. The thing that makes you rethink your life, your vocation, your dreams. It may be a little thing, but it's like turning a corner. It's the one thing that makes the addict seek help, or that makes the student finally understand a lesson they have been struggling with for weeks. And at times the "thing" has little to do with the resulting change - it is a key that opens a door to a new place.
 
For me, it happened when someone asked me if I could give him guitar lessons.

As a result I have found myself giving a lot of thought to my career as a musician, and coming to terms with my issues of self-doubt and low self-esteem. Among other things, I have come to realize that these are the issues that are holding me back from writing more -- fear that no one will be interested in what I have to say, or that someone will think less of me as a result of what I say.
 
So to overcome that, I take baby steps. This is no pity party -- this is my declaration that I will work to overcome those things that have held me back.
 
I have a lot to say, so it is just as well I am taking baby steps, and trying to write just a little bit every day. Something I might have put in one long post will now probably get serialized over a number of posts. 'Cause I have a lot I want to talk about -- how I am trying to pull my life together, what I hope to do with my music in the coming days/weeks/months, my vacation plans, what my friends mean to me, church, our flower garden, my favorite TV shows, what music I am listening to these days. It may be boring, but I'm not going to worry about that (as much) any more.
 
And believe it or not, that is a good thing.

My dad will turn 73 in a few weeks. I have never been one of those my-dad-is-my-hero types, but he continues to surprise and impress me. As most of you know, my mom passed away about 16 months ago. Dad kept living, and living his life to the fullest. 

I read somewhere that widows/widowers who have experienced happy marriages tend to remarry sooner. I guess for them, the experience of being married gave them enough good memories that they wanted more. So I for one was not surprised when he met a lovely woman -- only a few years younger than him -- and they were married six months later.

But the one thing that really impresses me is that, through all of this, he has been building a house. On his own. From scratch.

Now granted, he has been working on this house for probably five years now. He stated by clearing the site, then building a shed, then starting on the house while he and Mom lived out of the shed and an old RV. He based the design of the house on a plan meant for a pole barn. He works on it a little at a time, as money and stamina allows. But in his 70's he's raising studs, laying flooring, putting up drywall. He's still got a way to go, but he has put together a really nice three-bedroom house.

I was thinking about all of this the other day as I found I had a flat tire on my car. I found that the jack on my new car was missing the crank to raise it. Fortunately, our local Wal-Mart is only a mile away. Unfortunately, I have been having problems with my left heel (probably something to do with my Achilles tendon), and a couple of weeks before I had slipped on some ice and twisted my right knee. Neither infirmity was major, but I watched my shadow as I walked, thinking I looked like an old man. And of course, after I got back to my car, I still had to change the tire. So add a sore back to the mix.

Now understand, this is not me feeling sorry for myself. It was a bit of a wake-up call. I'm out of shape after a tough winter, I'm much heavier than I wish to be, and I have to stop and think of my age from time to time.

But considering what my dad can do at his age, I should be able to get myself back into the body of a fifty-year old man.

I hate talking about events that are not yet confirmed, but I want to assure you that I am trying to get the word out. Besides, I do have one event that I can confirm, even tho I don’t yet have my contract.

I am returning to the Bristol Renaissance Faire for 2008.

There are some details to work out, so I may have another announcement down the road.

As for this spring, I am looking at getting into a few regional Ren faires. I have contacted a couple of faires in Michigan that have not gotten back to me, so I will make one more attempt. There are other faires in the region for the spring, but most of them have already booked there entertainment by now. Still, I have heard there are shows still looking for entertainers, so I might reach out to one of them.

One show I definitely will not be doing is the Wisconsin Renaissance Faire. I had approached them for the 2007 season, but they wanted a full-run commitment, and they overlap Bristol by two weeks. This year I told them I would be willing to do the full run, but they said their budget had been cut back for their third season. I am disappointed, but they do have Ramblin’ Sailors (formerly Starboard Watch) back this year, so they are not hurting for quality music.

I have also touched base with a couple of local venues about doing some non-Irish acoustic music. No response yet, but it’s only been a week, so there’s one more thing to add to my follow-up list.

Mostly I am trying to shake the winter blahs, and find the energy to learn more songs, contact more venues, and write more. So far, it’s one day at a time. But I got this written, so that makes it a good day.

. . . with the snow.

I know I haven't written about the St. Pat's Day weekend - it was mostly fun. I also know I have not been writing about a lot of things. I want this journal to be a place where people go to find out what I am doing, but also where they can find out a little bit more about me. That's been the tricky part, for a lot of reasons. Mostly I want people to keep coming back, so what I write has to do that. So far, not so much.

So I have been thinking about it. I don't need to write something profound (although it could happen). I don't always have to write about my music (although there is a lot of stuff that I have yet to address, and some of you may find it of interest). I could even write about my daily life (although I continue to assume no one would be interested in that).

The one thing I need to do is write, and post frequently. If I write something for you guys once or twice or three times a week, then maybe you (this is mostly for those not on my Friends list) will come over here once or twice or three times a week in case I did write something.

It needs to be entertaining, or at least worth reading. But it has to be there to be read.

In the meantime, if anyone has an idea, something they would like me to write about, drop me a line. You can post a reply on LJ without being signed up, and you can even be anonymous if you choose. You can also reply to my Yahoo Email address, which is also jesselinderbard.

We'll talk again. Soon.

Strap on your running shoes, because Jesse Linder will be all over the Chicagoland area for the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Performing with both Cappamore and CrossRogues, as well as on his own, you can see Jesse perform at five shows at four different locations between March 14 and 17.

Beginning Friday, March 14, come see CrossRogues (minus Barb) playing at Real Time Sports in Elk Grove Village from 8:00 to Midnight. This will be the first time in a while that we have played a non-Irish bar, but since everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, we should fit right in.

After a day off (and church on Sunday morning), you can see Cappamore – Brian Leo and Jesse Linder – entertaining the crowd at Blarney Island, a/k/a Port of Blarney, on the Chain o’ Lakes in Antioch. Imagine an Irish pub in Key West, and you will get an idea of the vibe of this fun venue, actually located on an island. This will be Jesse’s first visit to Blarney Island, and Cappamore’s first St. Pat’s show, so come and show your support.

Then on Monday, St. Patrick’s Day, CrossRogues will be appearing at two of our favorite venues.

If you have the afternoon off, join us at Duke O'Brien’s in Crystal Lake from 11:30 to 2:00. Come hear Rob, Lucas, Barb, and Jesse entertain the lunch crowd.

In the mood for a little "dinner music" instead? The quartet makes its way to the incomparable Durty Nellie’s in downtown Palatine. There will be a full day of music in Nellie’s concert room, and CrossRogues gets to entertain the dinner crowd from 6:15 to 9:00.

Finally, to end the day (and the weekend), Jesse Linder will perform a solo set at Durty Nellie’s Pub Stage from 10:00 to midnight.

* * *
So here's the schedule with all the pertinent details:

CrossRogues – 3/14, 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
REAL TIME SPORTS
1120-22 West Devon Ave.
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Phone: (847) 534-5000
www.realtimesportsbar.com

Cappamore – 3/16, 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
BLARNEY ISLAND / PORT OF BLARNEY
27843 W. Grass Lake Road
Antioch, Illinois 60002
(847) 395-4122
www.blarneyisland.com

CrossRogues – 3/17, 11:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
DUKE O’BRIEN’S
110 N. MAIN ST.
Crystal Lake, IL
(815) 356-9980
www.dukeobriens.com

CrossRogues – 3/17, 6:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Band Stage
Jesse Linder – 3/17, 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. – Pub Stage
DURTY NELLIE'S
180 N. SMITH ST.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 358-9150
www.durtynellies.com

You can go to the Web sites listed for the complete schedule, cover charges, and other details.

We hope to see you there.

CrossRogues: Barb, Jesse, Lucas, Rob
Cappamore: Brian & Jesse
Jesse Linder

Our home faire was well represented in the 3rd Annual Renaissance Festival Performer Awards. Congratulations to all who were recognized, and thank you all for your support.

Best Music Group of 2007

#3 Bounding Main

Best New CD of 2007

#4 Cobblestone by Seelie Court

Best Non-Musical Solo Act of 2007

#4 Zilch, the Tory Steller
#5 Moonie the Magnificent

Best Stage Combat Group of 2007

#5 Bristol Fight Cast

Best Renaissance Festival of 2007

#3 Bristol Renaissance Festival

Best Street Cast of 2007

#3 Bristol Renaissance Faire

Best Music Soloist of 2007

#5 Jesse Linder

Come aboard the S.S. Scholastica for your Passport to Entertainment!
Benefiting St. Scholastica Parish & School

On Friday, February 15 and Saturday, February 16, St. Scholastica Parish & School will become the most popular destination in Woodridge for those who are looking to add some unique excitement to a cold winter evening. Your Passport to Entertainment comes complete with a glittering casino room, festive food, drink, and spirited entertainment. The evening will offer something for everyone to enjoy.

The Casino will host all levels of game play - Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, Money Wheel, Dice and a Texas Hold’em tournament will entice the even the novice player. Enjoy the spirited music of The Whiskey Brothers Irish Band in our pub, as well as the fabulous harmonies of KMC & Co. singing Broadway tunes from Rogers and Hammerstein and a Comedy club to keep you entertained throughout the night.

Included in the ticket price is a mouth-watering Buffet Dinner, provided by Giovan’s Restaurant. Along with a cash bar, martini bar and coffee room, the S.S. Scholastica becomes the best entertainment value for an evening out. Friends, family and neighbors are sure to enjoy this event and must be 21 to attend. Tickets are $25.00 per person on Friday night, $30 per person on Saturday, and Casino only for $10 in advance. Tickets will be $5 more at the door. Come join in the fun! For more information about tickets and the event please call the Passport Hotline at (630) 985-2351 x 404.

Bristol music fans may want to check this out, since the Whiskey Brothers is Dan Marcotte's band, and sitting in both evenings in the pub will be other Bristol musicians, such as fiddler extraoridnaire TJ Hull. . . and me.

I haven't written much since the first of the year. I haven't had much to say, then I was going to post about the wedding I played at last Saturday, then things got kinda crazy, but in a good way.

I need to clear my plate of a couple of things, then I will bring you all up to speed. In the meantime, remember that I will be at Reenactor Fest for the Super Bowl weekend. I may have something coming up later that month, and I am talking to people now about St. Patrick's Day.

Stay warm, everyone.

(And I know I'm not off to a good start on my New Year's resolution. I'm working on it.)

I sent out a message to my E-mail list, but it bears repeating here. You only have 'til the end of the year to vote for the Annual Renaissance Festival Awards. Of course, I would be grateful if you vote for me as Best Solo Music Act, but you can also vote for your Best Music Group, Best Renaissance Festival, Best Ren Faire Web Community, and many more.

Just go to www.renaissancefestivalmusic.com/awards/ and tell everyone you know to do the same.

I know that some of my Friends have also sent reminders. You may have a tough choice, but vote for SOMEBODY.  The polls close December 31, so you don't have much time.

Darcy The Dragon

Christmas was coming, and Darcy the dragon
    Was thinking what he should do.
Go through the forest and into the village to pick up a gift or two.
For through the forest dear Darcy had friends that he loved very much
He thought it'd be fine, at Christmas-time, to give each a present or such.

But Darcy'd forgotten the very thing that makes a dragon unique.
Unlike a horse, a dragon, of course, breathes fire whenever he speaks.
Off to town dear Darcy went, but woe is me, oh lament,
Before a dragon penny was spent, he'd started a tiny fire.

He said he was sorry, our Darcy did, he helped put the fire out.
The folks forgave him, for he’d been kind, and off he went looking about.
Into the toy shop did Darcy go with thoughts of his forest friends.
“I’ll buy each a game,” he said with a flame,
    And the second fire, it was then.

This time, when the fire was out, the villagers charged along,
Pursuing Darcy with angry shouts, "Be off! Away! Be gone!”
Poor Darcy sparked, “No harm I meant!” but from the village he was sent.
And woe is me and oh lament, No presents for his friends!

Darcy was sad as he sat at the edge of the forest bye and bye;
No gift would he have to offer his friends – a tear rolled from his eye.
A storm did gather and soon did hit; was a mighty wind that blew.
And Christmas snow did whirl and blow, and he wondered what to do.

As Darcy let out with a dragon cry, he opened his mouth so wide
That the wind & snow blew right down his throat & put out the fire inside!
When Darcy realized the fire was out, first a whisper, then a SHOUT!
And a laugh to know he could speak without starting another fire!

But now it was late on a Christmas Eve. he was up, and off with a roar!
He raced to the village and he cried out, “My fire! He am no more!”
From shop to shop he then did go. In each he made his choice.
Darcy was treated so kindly now, no need to fear his voice!

The villagers came to the edge of town, and Darcy waved good-bye.
“Come back again, if ever you can!” they said, and he said that he'd try.
“Merry Christmas,” all did say, as to the woods he made his way.
“Tomorrow will be Christmas Day, and a Merry Christmas to thee.”

[written by Greg Adams & Eric Robertson]

(I pulled this from online, and I suspected it might be missing some lines -- I know I had to add the last four lines myself.  Every lyric site I checked out had the lyrics the same way,  with the last lines missing and some weird editorial comments between verses. Finally, I just sat down and listened to my CD -- turns out the online lyrics were missing two half verses in addition to the ending. Here is the entire song for your enjoyment, AND A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THEE!)

One thing you probably don’t know about me is how much I love Christmas music.

I mean, I REALLY love Christmas music.

Over the years, I have assembled an eclectic collection of Christmas LPs, cassettes, and CDs, currently numbering over 150. I have vocal recordings and instrumentals. I have compilations and single-artist albums. I have traditional recordings and not-so-traditional. I have secular and religious. For a number of years I was drawn to albums of original songs (rather than traditional Christmas songs and carols), but either my tastes changed or the later songs sounded less . . . Christmas-y. Lately, some of the best Christmas music is coming from country artists.

I don’t know if any of these are to your taste, but here are my top five favorite Christmas CDs:

·         The Roger Whittaker Christmas Album – There are a number of CDs by this mellow singer, but most are traditional collections. This is the one you want. Whittaker has such a mellow voice, perfect for the season, and the arrangements are light without sounding dated. But what make this CD stand out are the songs. Most the songs are originals, either written/cowritten by Whittaker or written for him. A great collection of songs, all sounding like they have been Christmas staples for years. My favorite is “Darcy the Dragon,” telling the delightful story of a dragon who goes to town to buy Christmas presents.

·         We Three Kings / the Roches – These three sisters have amazing harmonies, but I have not always enjoyed their choice of songs. With this CD, they take a number of very familiar songs and put their unique stamp on them. Ya gotta give credit to anyone who will open their CD with a song from Handel’s “Messiah.” Also recommended is the upbeat, Caribbean-flavored title track, as well as “Frosty the Snowman,” sung with a Brooklyn accent with a group of kids.

·         A Christmas Together / John Denver & the Muppets – What can I say about this one? It is so much fun, and still so heart-warming. I love hearing Animal on “Little Saint Nick,” and Paul Williams’ “When the River Meets the Sea” is a touching non-Christmas song that is a perfect fit.

·         Light of the Stable / Emmylou Harris – Emmylou has the voice of an angel, especially when she is singing harmony. This was recorded at time she was exploring bluegrass music, but don’t let that put you off. The instruments are light and tasteful, and the vocals will melt your heart. The title track is one of my all time favorite Christmas songs.

·         The Bells of Dublin / the Chieftains * Cowboy Christmas / Michael Martin Murphey * Christmas Time Down South / Charlie Daniels – I tried to pick a number five to complete the Top 5, but I couldn’t settle on just one. The Chieftains are joined by a number of guest artists in recreating the spirit of an Irish Christmas. The other two CDs are original collections, and the title of each says it all.

I would love to hear if any of you have heard any of these CDs, what you think of them, and what are your favorite Christmas albums.

I'm writing from my sister's home in Mt. Vernon IL. We had a lovely dinner with my youngest brother and sister (and their spouses) and my dad (and his new wife).

I don't want to take a lot of time away from the family (especially since we have to get back on the road this afternoon so I can be back at work Friday), but I did want to post a few words.

Even if we did not have Thanksgiving as a formal holiday, I think it is good to have a time set aside to reflect on the good things in our lives, and to acknowledge our gratitude for said good things. It is human nature to dwell on the negatives, the problems, the issues. (For a lot of people, LJ was created as an outlet for their complaints.) It's easy to focus on the negatives, and sometimes we need to be reminded to take time to be thankful.

For me, I forget how fortunate I am in so many ways. I could go thru a list, and it would be a long one, but I want to focus on just one thing for which I am extremely thankful.

You.

Whether you buy my music or come to my shows or just support me with your friendship, you make it possible for me to do the one thing that brings me more joy than anything else I could do (at least in public). If not for you, I would still be in my bedroom, singing songs to myself. Thru music, I have made so many good friends, and my life has been enriched in more ways than I would have thought possible. You inspire me to do more, to do better. You bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. You people mean the world to me. Thank you.

And now, dessert.