Bongo Billy's. Summer, 2007

Well here I am back at Bongo Billy's in Salida. I believe this venue is at the top of my list for it has it all with appreciative audiences, great atmosphere, healthy food and of course unrivalled scenery. Thank you Clark, Paul and the staff of Bongo Billy's, Salida, Colorado.

The Red River Fine Art and Wine Festival

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This was the best festival yet. There were a lot of people attending and of course, some great wineries and artistes. Fellow Englishman Paul Jones performed original compositions on flutes he had carved and created himself. After the Festival was over I played on the deck at Mountain Treasures with Jeff Fagan and Michael Smith.
On Monday I left for Albuquerque and recorded a video of two songs (St. James Hotel and Porcupine Quill Blues) and an interview for the Albuquerque Tribune. I said hello to Miss Kate, we caught up on each other's news, then I headed back to Santa Fe for the night and went back to Red River the next afternoon.

St James Hotel

This was a fabulous night. I was joined by Ray, Jeane and Bailey from Dallas plus many old and new friends from Cimarron and Ute Park. Gene Lamb, several members of the Historical Society, Valerie from the Buffalo Nickel and Shirley from the store in old Cimarron attended. There were also many Philmont staffers. Thank you Ray for the great photographs. Also thanks to Lewis, a Cimarron resident and veteran of W.W.2 for insisting on helping to carry my equipment in.

The Trail Ride, Cimarron

I met the truck at 10:00am Sunday and we drove into the back country of the Vermejo Ranch. I think there's about 600,000 acres of it. The riders met us around lunch and after dining on some really great food, I sang songs I had written of New Mexico. This was a very enjoyable day. I then drove back to Red River to appear with Fritz on the deck of the "new" Mountain Treasures.

Mule Days.. Cimarron, New Mexico

Mule Days in Cimarron was a memorable day. The thunderstorm, lightning, very heavy rains, dancers and mule auction, all happening on the dance floor. Cimarron is a great litle town right at the point where the plains meet the mountains. I like it here and I'm already looking forward to next year.

Concert on the Plaza, Taos, New Mexico.

This is a clipping from Tempo, the art and entertainment section of the Taos News. The concert series is a product of the Taos Business Alliance and runs almost every Thurday evening throughout the summer. You can check their website for a schedule.
My next booking is Saturday, 9th at "Mule Days" in Cimarron, New Mexico, followed by "On the deck" at Mountain Treasures in Red River on the 10th, June. Fritz Davis and I will be featured and we look forward to seeing you there.

Taos Plaza, 2007

Taos Plaza, a wonderful place to perform. There is always a very receptive audience here that is a mix of locals and tourists from all corners of the earth. The setting is spectacular with the adobe buildings and the mountains in the background. It was a little windy yet that didn't stop people from coming. Fritz Davis drove down from Red River with me and took the photographs. Besides being a fine musician, Fritz is also the editor of the Red River Miner.
The evening was topped off with Dinner at Michael's Kitchen in Taos complete with pinion coffee. What a great night.....

More about the tour

Next on the tour came the Cimarron Historical Society. This was an amazing venue. I'm hoping some of the members come back to the booking at the St. James Hotel and also for Mule Days.
I then went to the Tin Star in Santa Fe and stayed at Paige and Leslie's house. Thank you both for being so kind.
I am now the proud owner of this beautiful, handmade Pimentel guitar. It is perfect. Thank you everyone at Pimentel for helping me decide on all the minute details. It really is quite an amazing guitar.
Well I'm now back in Red River and away from Albuquerque's heat and wind. It will be cool in the morning and I'm looking forward to it. More soon