Updates

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Kickstart!

Dietrich Strause is one of the most talented songwriters I know. He's releasing his third studio album and could use a little help. I'm on this album along with a cast of excellent musicians. Go here to learn more about supporting this original music.

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

Gratitude

Many thanks to The Iguana Music Fund & Club Passim for hosting a wonderful evening of presentations and performances by this year's grant winners. I'm honored to be a recipient and to have been afforded the opportunity to play with so many talented musicians last night. I feel truly blessed and inspired to be a part of this music community.

Friday, April 12th, 2013

The Heat of the Win

Last Sunday, I did one of my favorite things. I played viola on a friend's new song. Danielle Miraglia and I have known each other for about a decade and I'm always honored to have her call for a gig or studio session. This fantastic track, “The Heat of the Win,” deals with Bill Buckner and redemption. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did recording.

Saturday, March 30th, 2013

Welcoming Spring with New Music

Congratulations to my good friend M.R. Poulopoulos who is releasing his second album, Harvest The Heart, today! I'm excited to be playing with he and his band at historic Caffé Lena tonight in Saratoga Springs, NY.

On Monday I'll be headed into the studio for some recording with Samantha Farrell. Always nice to work with her and her talented band. Dietrich Strause's new album is still in the works, BUT, I got to listen to a rough mix recently and you're in for a treat. Stay tuned!

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Can You Say Poulopoulos?

In December 2011, I was playing a gig at historic Caffé Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY with my good friends Danielle Miraglia & Tom Bianchi. Warming up the night was a singer/songwriter named M.R. Poulopoulos. We struck up a good conversation that involved the epic Lonesome Dove and how he would love to play around Boston. I felt a connection to him which I couldn't explain at the time. Well, I offered up a few local shows near me and we've been gigging together when we can ever since. Next weekend I'll be playing a string of 4 shows with him in NH, ME & MA. The following weekend I'll be headed to his neck of the woods (Albany, NY) to lay down some viola on tracks for his forthcoming album Harvest The Heart. I'm really looking forward to those shows and the studio. Also, I'm very excited for his CD release show at Caffé Lena on March 30th with the talented Caitlin Canty. If you can't make it to a show, you can find his music here.

Saturday, January 12th, 2013

You Oughta Be in Pictures

My friend Baxter Smith approached me last year and asked me to play some music for his western epic titled “Strings.” He just finished it up and passed along the trailer. Check it out!

Thursday, December 27th, 2012

I'm an Iguana Music Fund Winner!

I am extremely honored to announce that I've been selected to receive a grant from The Iguana Music Fund, from the legendary Club Passim. I have commissioned local luthier Robert Childs to make me a custom viola and will be using this grant towards my new instrument. This is something I have dreamt about for over a decade and it's becoming a reality! Many thanks to Club Passim, who is a tireless champion of live music and preserving the local music community, and to the Iguana committee for choosing me among the many talented applicants.

Thursday, December 13th, 2012

Strause in the Studio

On Sunday, I hit Dimension Sound in Jamaica Plain, MA with Dietrich Strause to record his third record. Over the next few days we knocked out a whole album with the help of Austin Nevins producing and playing guitar, Billy Beard on drums and percussion, Jim Larkin on electric bass, Zach Hickman on upright bass, and Laura Cortese on violin. What a stellar lineup of talented players and a host of beautiful tunes to play on. Stay tuned for more about this album!

Friday, December 7th, 2012

#72

Sometimes unlikely people connect. In 2007 while touring with Martin Sexton I sent then New England Patriot, Matt Light, a CD of the band I was in because I'm a big Patriots fan. Turns out Matt liked the CD. A lot.

Since that time I've played benefits for his Light Foundation, been his guest for quite a few Patriot home games, and hung with Matt off the field. He and his family are amazing people. Earlier this year, Matt retired after an incredible 10 year career. He was the first Patriot to do so in their Hall of Fame, and I was there.

On Monday night they'll honor him at Gillette Stadium during the Patriots/Texans game. And I'll be there, cheering him on. But first, I'll be opening for Martin Sexton tomorrow night with Brothers McCann. Funny circle, huh?

Sunday, November 25th, 2012

Upcoming Recording Session

Spent this afternoon with the extremely talented Dietrich Strause and his band (Billy Beard on drums, Jim Larkin on bass, Austin Nevins on guitar and yours truly on viola) rehearsing material for our recording session in a few weeks. We're all very excited to capture what we've been working on. This band and these tunes are yet another reason I'm extremely thankful this season. I'll keep you posted on our progress with the album, and feel free to check dietrichstrause.com for more details.

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

Jesse Dee at Brighton Music Hall

I remember the first time I heard Jesse Dee play live in the back room of The Burren in Somerville, MA. To say I was blown away is an understatement. I knew he would be a star. Over the last 8 or so years I've watched and listened to him become a soul powerhouse and it's been amazing to witness. On Saturday November 3rd, Jesse will be performing with his stellar band at Brighton Music Hall in Allston, MA. I'll be opening the evening with my good friends Brothers McCann. I encourage you to come down and enjoy what promises to be a truly special night.

Saturday, September 29th, 2012

Music with Friends

My good friends Brothers McCann are in the midst of a Midwest tour supporting Martin Sexton. It's cool to see these two paths of my musical life cross. The Brothers took a 3 song sampler with them culled from a session we did a few months back. I'm on 2 of the tracks. They'll be recording an album soon which I look forward to being a part of. You can check out what's new with them at brothersmccann.com.

Of the many talented singer/songwriters I share the stage with, Dietrich Strause is at the top of list. Currently he's booking studio time for an album featuring new material and his current band (Billy Beard on drums, Jim Larkin on bass, Austin Nevins on guitar and Laurence Scudder on viola). We're all very excited for this and should be in the studio in November or December. More details to follow here and at dietrichstrause.com.

Friday, September 7th, 2012

A Website is Born

Welcome to the new website. We're still working on a few features, tidying things up and adding content, but there's no time like the present to say "hello world." Please check back regularly as there are some big announcements on the horizon.

Thanks for checking it out, enjoy!