Hi Folks, It seems like a long time since I updated my blog. After arriving back in Red River, I set out for DeSoto, Texas. I was saddened to learn that Ruffino Restorante was closing. I shall be looking for a new venue in the Dallas area.

I have been at Sugarmill Creek and Laprades this past week. My friends Randy and Vanessa visited from Santa Fe. We spent all of Friday afternoon on Lake Burton. They really enjoyed Sugarmill Creek and all my friends there, plus we celebrated the birthday of David Sosebee with a big feast. All the food was provided by visitors and locals. We had some great "buck" dancers to delight my visitors.

This week I have another new venue. It is the Old Hiawassee Grill on Lake Chatuge. The north Georgia lakes are really beautiful at this time of year.

The Porcupine Quill Blues

This has been a hectic but satisfying week. I started out at the Community House in Red River. This was for the Historical Society and there were about forty five people in attendance. Thursday I was back at the fabulous Adobe Bar in Taos. I met folks from all over, including Canada, California, Oklahoma and Scotland.

Friday I drove up to Florissant, Colorado to the Thunderbird. This time I set up outside. There is sand in front of the stage and when it got dark it was like performing on the beach. On Saturday I went to the Freshwater Saloon in Guffey. I wasn't sure what time my hours were, so I arrived right at noon. There were several groups there and Suzanne suggested I start right away. I ended up playing from about 12:30PM until 8:00Pm. Quite a marathon, but still very enjoyable.

After loading the Subaru I set out for Salida. My intentions were to spend the night there and meet friends the next day. Unfortunately the places I usually stay had "no Vacancy" signs so I decided to drive back to Red River. Just south of Fort Garland my car was attacked by a porcupine. Look at the photograph. I finally arrived home at 2:00Am.

Sunday Fritz and I played on the deck at Mountain Treasures. There were many friends from Texas, some I haven't seen all summer. Fritz was in Albuquerque this week and he picked up my bass guitar from Pimentel. It is a Cort fretless electric bass and I had bought it for my son John. Both John and I came to the conclusion that we needed frets so I had asked Rick Pimentel if he would fret it for me, which he did. Thanks Rick, for a very fine job.

On Tuesday I will be heading back to Georgia and I'm looking forward to seeing Rita, Melissa and Eddie at Sugarmill creek.

A Busy week!!!!

I have a busy week coming up. Wednesday - Red River Historical Society at the Community House, Thursday - The Adobe Bar in Taos, Friday - The Thunderbird in Florissant, Colorado, Saturday - The Freshwater Saloon in Guffey, Colorado. Finally if I can make it back to Red River, I'll be on the deck with Fritz Davis at Mountain Treasures for our last booking together this summer. Next week I head for Texas and three days at the fabulous Ruffino Restorante on Hampton in DeSoto. Wow !!! this tour has gone by quickly.....

The Beatles and other sixties music.

I once again played on the porch at the Community House. My friend Fritz Davis Challenged me to play all different music on my second night in a row at the Community House and I took him up on the challenge. I played all fifties and sixties music from Buddy Holly and Eddy Cochran, to the Beatles and Eric Clapton. It was well received and I had many voices joining in on the choruses. We had about 110 people from as far away as Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Indiana, Albuquerque and England. This was so much fun, I wish I could stay here all summer. Thank you to Ian from Arizona for stopping by. Maybe I'll see you in Cave Creek before too long. Red River needs a sixties festival complete with tie dye shirts and painted micro buses.

The Community house in Red River, New Mexico

As soon as the parade was over I performed on the deck at Mountain Treasures, then later, on the porch of the Community House to two happy and enthusiastic audiences.
Later Jean, Mike and I went back to the house and enjoyed some Black Beauty wine from Black Mesa Winery. It's chocolate flavoured and incredibly tasty.

Red River, 4th of July

July, 4th is a great time to be in Red River. The parade starts at 10.00AM and usually takes over an hour to pass by. There is so much enthusiasm to be seen amongst the participants and onlookers. Hope you all had a great July, 4th.

My friends Mike and Jean Armstrong stopped by to spend some time with me in Red River. Thank you Mike and Jean for coming all the way from Cornelia, Georgia. I hope you enjoyed your stay... The truth is I have talked so much about Red River that they had to come and see for themselves.

I need to mention my friend Dan Arterburn. He plays multiple instruments up at the cowboy evening on Bobcat Pass and has been there ever since I met him around 1992. That's Dan with his banjo on the front of the covered wagon.

Santa Fe and the Tin Star Saloon.

On June 26th, I was at Paige's house in Santa Fe. That evening we went over to Tom and Colleen's house for dinner. We had a really nice time and made some new friends.

The next night I was at the Tin Star Saloon and there were at least four people present that have been featured in the songs on the Canyon Road CD. The Tin Star was also celebrating their second year in business. A good night was had by all.

Saturday morning I had to drive back to Red River to perform at the Community house. Congratulation to Matt, Eddie and everyone else who is helping to make this summer so exciting for the kids and parents who live in, or are visiting Red River. This summer alone, they have over 300 events planned and participation is free to everyone.

Sunday I appeared on the deck at Mountain Treasures with Fritz Davis. He is so much fun. Fritz has two new CDs out and they will soon be available from CDbaby.

Mountain Treasures in Red River.

This morning I did what I do most mornings in Red River, I went to Mountain Treasures for breakfast. It's a delight to sit outside and watch the world go by. In the space of an hour, it seems like the whole town stops by for coffee, or a trip to the bank next door. At 2:00PM it's a very comfortable 73 deg. today.

Tomorrow I'm going to Santa Fe and it will be noticeably hotter down there.

Freshwater Saloon, Guffey, Colorado

On July, 11th I'll be back at the Thunderbird in Forissant, followed by The Freshwater Saloon in Guffey on the 12th. This is a new venue for me and I'm looking forward to being there.

Bongo Billy's in Salida is always a treat and I renewed friendships there from past visits. Thank you Clark Roberts for providing this venue on the banks of the beautiful Arkansas River. Bongo Billy's is always one of the highlights of my visits to Colorado.

After Breakfast on Sunday I reluctantly left Colorado and set out for Taos, New Mexico. In Taos I went for a radio interview on K-tao. This is a 100,000 watt solar powered radio station. I was interviewed by Rick Destafano, played some songs live and played some tracks from the Canyon Road CD. At the end of the show Rick and I retired to the Old Blinking Light (OBL) for a glass of wine and a chat. Then it was back to Red River to catch up on my sleep.

Salida, Colorado

Thursday, I left for Colorado. I stayed the night at the Woodlands Motel in Salida. It's a really nice, clean place within walking distance of downtown.

The next morning, after a nice breakfast at Bongo Billy's, I was interviewed on K-HEN by Jane Carpenter. We played some CD tracks and I performed some songs live. You can see from the photograph that Salida is a vibrant, attractive town.

Then it was off to perform at the Thunderbird in Florissant via HWY 50 following the Arkansas River. It is such a beautiful drive. As always, the Thunderbird was a lot of fun. Thanks to Doug, Elaine, family, and friends from St. Louis, for dropping by.
I spent the night in Woodland Park (The City above the Clouds) before heading back to Salida.

Panning for gold

I spent the last two afternoons panning for gold with my friends Ray and Ron. I don't know if we really found any or not. That wasn't important. It was just a good excuse to play in the dirt, something I haven't done since I was a kid. One thing for certain, the creeks were cold once we approached 10,000 feet.

The mountains around Red River are so beautiful and quiet. There were no atv's in the middle of the week, just an occasional hiker or mountain biker. We found old miner's cabins, groves of Aspen trees, wild flowers and mountain views. This was a welcome break after the last eleven hectic days.

Tomorrow I'll be heading for Colorado with an interview on K-HEN in Salida on Friday morning, The Thunderbird in Florissant Friday night and Bongo Billy's Salida cafe on Saturday night.

New Mexico Sunset

This was the sunset in Red River on Saturday, 14th of June. Wherever we happen to be, if we see a sky like this, it always carries us back us back to New Mexico. A New Mexico sunset.

Red River, Fathers Day Weekend.

It was a very busy weekend and very satisfying. Friday evening I played Mountain Treasures. Saturday was in Brandenburg Park for the Fine Art & Wine festival followed by Timbers Restaurant that Night.




Sunday was back to the park and finally rushing over to Mountain Treasures to perform with Jeff and Fritz. I'm tired but with a good night's sleep, I'll look forward to going prospecting in the morning.




Thank you Ray for taking the photographs...

Taos, New Mexico

This has been a good week. Tuesday I was at the Adobe Bar, with a good, lively crowd who enjoyed the songs of New Mexico and later sang along to Beatles songs.
Thursday I performed on the Plaza. The official counter, Ronny Lee, told me there were 1000 people in attendance. It was a really good evening. It was also the debut of J.D. Challenger's rock & roll band. They were really good and we had many dancers.
Tonight I'll be at one of my favourite places, Mountain Treasures in Red River. It is a special event for all the participants in the Fine Art and Wine Festival.

St James Hotel, Las Vegas, New Mexico and K.S.F.R. Santa Fe

I just returned to Red River afte a mini tour. I started with the Historical Society in Cimarron where I renewed friendships made last year. From there I went to perform at the haunted St. James Hotel. A GREAT AUDIENCE !!! I stayed there that night in a room over the bullet holes in the ceiling. I didn't see any ghosts, but did have a strange dream. It was a good stay and a great breakfast the next morning.

After breakfast, I left for Las Vegas via I-25. This was my birthday and what a nice way to spend it. I enjoyed my visit to Las Vegas, meeting many very nice and interesting people and admiring the many historic buildings. Thanks to Teresa at the Traveler's Cafe for giving me the opportunity to perform there. I look forward to returning sometime soon. Saturday night after the gig, I left for Santa Fe to stay with friends.
Sunday evening I was invited to be the co host with Randy Forrester on his "Gotta Dance" show. It was broadcast by K.S.F.R. public radio in Santa Fe and could be heard worldwide via the internet. Thank you Randy. I really like your "global warming" shirt.
Monday I drove back to Red River, stopping briefly at the "old Blinking light" in Taos, and talking with Michael Hearne. Tonight I will be back in Taos at the Adobe Bar located in the historic Taos Inn.

Gotta Dance, Santa Fe Public Radio.

I climbed out of bed this morning, peeped out of the window and.... it was snowing, snowing hard. It covered my car and the rooftops. Altough it melted as the day warmed, it has continued to snow on and off all day. You can never tell what the weather will bring to Red River.

This Sunday, Randy Forrester has invited me to be his co host on the Sunday evening 'Gotta Dance" programme. That is exciting and I invite you to listen in via the internet on K.S.F.R,s website. Time is 7:00PM Mountain time.

Cimarron, New Mexico

Monday morning I left DeSoto at 5:15AM and got through Fort Worth before the rush hour.
I stopped in Decatur for breakfast then proceeded to Amarillo. The temperature was in the low 100's with the wind blowing just like it always does in the Texas panhandle.

After reaching New Mexico, crossing I-25 and heading toward Cimarron, I came across this herd of buffalo on the Vermejo Ranch. I didn't count, but there were probably between 50 and 75 in total. I arrived in Red River around 6:00PM eagerly looking forward to my Rocky Mountain tour.

Ruffino, DeSoto, Texas

I left Georgia Thursday morning at 5:00AM and drove through to DeSoto. When I arrived it was 9:00PM and I had driven 888 miles. Friday, Saturday and Sunday lunch I performed at Ruffino Restaurant on Hampton Road in DeSoto with great crowds and many people I know from Red River.

In the morning I'm leaving for "Red", a few days rest and then on to Cimarron and the start of a busy June. On June, 8th I'll will be appearing on Santa fe Public radio show 'Gotta dance". You can hear it LIVE on the internet on the K.S.F.R. website. The time is 7:00PM mountain time and 9:00PM Eastern time.
Come to Red River and enjoy cool night time temperatures. I'll be looking for you at the Fine Art and Wine Festival, June, 14th and 15th in Brandenburg Park, Red River, New Mexico.

Memorial Weekend at Lake Burton, Georgia.

What a great weekend. Friday was Sugarmill Creek with a packed campground and lots of friends. Saturday was at LaPrades and there were a lot of kids who were crazy about Beatles songs. They danced almost all night and a fabulous time was had by everyone. Friends also came from as far away as Seneca, South Carolina. There also appeared to be a fair number of Alabama supporters at LaPrades. Could it be because their coach has recently built house on the lake?

I played my old Gretsch and had forgotten what a superb instrument it is. I'll have to do this more often.

I'll be back at both Sugarmill and LaPrades the last weekend in July and the first few weeks in August. Can't wait.....

Southern Hospitality, Clarkesville, Georgia.

Many thanks to Kathy Nicholson and her staff at Southern Hospitality for putting in such a long day on the videos. I think we accomplished a lot. We should have five videos ready to go in a few weeks. The songs featured from the Canyon Road album include Canyon Road, the Tin Star Saloon, and This Guitar.
Tomorrow I hope to see you all at Sugarmill Creek, Laurel Lodge Road, near lake Burton.