The J.A.M.S. (hopefully) weekly newsletter
Joshua Tree Association of Musicians and Songwriters
A division of New Moon Records
PO Box 203
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
www.new-moon-records.com
 
Gig reports and editorial comments for the week Nov 22, 2006
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Hey, Hey, Hey-

 
Freedom and Thanksgiving,
 
Our forefathers gathered for the first Thanksgiving to celebrate their new-found religious freedom in their new home. The dark part of the equation was that their new home already had owners before they came, and their religious freedom included the freedom to abuse those who practiced a different religious freedom.
 
I’ve been thinking about freedom and how it relates to the world today. Dylan said in a song, ”to live outside the law, you must be honest”. That is the crux of the clash of civilizations we are experiencing. Religious folks look at the result of secular governments’ policies of openness (some, that is) and say, “look at what happens when people have freedom, you get a world that is completely immoral and has no justice”.
 
The real problem may be that the time has come for mankind to shift to internal control and away from external laws and control. This is in complete disregard of religious teachings that say the only way to ‘heaven’ is to follow  a set of specific laws. This is not to say that some religious laws don’t have a practical and useful basis, just that many are no longer useful in terms of the evolution of the race. Some are simply stupid, some dangerous and xenophobic.
 
I believe that humans are on the verge of being able to live by true inner guidance, not ‘(my particular deity/book/preacher/mullah/whatever) told me to live like this’. I see, especially in certain younger folks, real attachment to the inner self and its requisite guidance. Many individuals in the world at this time are waking up to this. You will not find these people engaging in proselytizing or harming those who disagree with them. 
 
We are on the brink of a major transition for humankind, since the loss of external control will result, for a time, in chaos (look around). In time, of course, the folks who cannot live without external control of their behavior will self-destruct. This might be what the various prophecies are trying to say about the age we are going through. I believe that there is a certain percentage of this new type of human in the world right now that has no need for external laws and controls. The planet will inevitably go to them. ‘The meek shall inherit the earth’. The problem is that there are a lot of folks who are not equipped to survive without rigorous external constraint. Lift the law of man and chaos reigns. As humans evolve and the constraining laws are lifted, some go wild with excess; others go the other way and impose more severe restrictions on as many as they can. Both these sides of the pendulum will have to play out the war in the next few generations, hopefully leaving enough of the new-type humans standing to continue the race.
 
I don’t think there is any going back. I see a lot of ‘if we could only go back to the good old days when folks/things were better’. This is the basic problem that is playing out in the war between fundamentalist beliefs. You can witness how religious governments have, and currently are, killing off the intellectuals and any dissenters to their external controls. We in the US have a great head start in the freedom game. We have even recently given a rebuke to the anti-intellectual, fundamentalist regime that has control of our government. That illustrates the wisdom of our founding fathers, who, I feel, understood precisely what would eventually happen, and did their best to design a system in which the intellect, and not fear, would ultimately prevail. We shouldn’t be intimidated by the awesome conflict generated by the old-type humans. They are fighting over which outmoded set of laws and egos will control the planet. Actually, this is like witnessing the end of the age of dinosaurs. It is as inevitable as the passage of time; it is fascinating and dangerous as they roll and tumble in their death dance. We just need to take to the hills and let the war of opposites play out; try to raise children who are free; and wait in the bushes for our time to come. It will.
 
Let’s give thanks that we live in a part of the world where, even with its problems, we can reason and speak freely. Have a great Thanksgiving.
 
Dat’s all for now.
 

Work like you don’t need the money.
Love like you’ve never been hurt.
Dance like nobody’s watching.
Sing like nobody’s listening.
Stay in tune.

 
Da prez
 
Check out…JAMS Announcements by Al Murdy..everything that’s happnin’…everything !
 
Sonoma State University has released their annual selection of the year’s Top 25 Censored Stories, featuring hidden and grossly underreported stories that merit public awareness and attention.  They’re definitely worth a read. … “Democrats have asked the president to be bipartisan, but this is a clear slap in the face at our request,”… As a last little gift to America, Senator George Allen, who was narrowly defeated by James Webb this month, has introduced what may be his final piece of legislation: a bill that would allow the carrying of concealed weapons in national parks.  …see JAMS Political Supplement
 

“Do you really care about having access to the latest Britney Spears track 40 years from now?”…see JAMS Attachment
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***gig reports***
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Water Canyon Coffee Company –Yucca Valley’s music café
Music now Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat…
Yucca Valley at 55844 29 Palms Highway.  760 365 7771
 

This week on the Water Canyon Stage

 
Tuesday evening 6-9PM
Kenny’s Brown Bag Session

 

Thursday Night Songwriting, Poetry , and Rhythm Club 7-9PM

Happy Thanksgiving- see you next week
 

Friday Night 7-9PM

Clive Wright and Danny California

 
 

Saturday Brunch set 11AM-1PM

Arjuna- world music

 

Saturday Evening set 8-10PM

Arjuna and friends

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Harriet’s

 
Greetings!!!  all of us at Pappy and Harriet’s are very grateful to all our wonderful and loyal customers that keep us in business..!  Thank you for all your love and support over the last 3 crazy years!  Happy Thanksgiving!xoxoxo
 
Thursday, Nov 23 CLOSED !!! - HAPPY THANKSGIVING
 
Friday, Nov 24 Tony Gilkyson
7 pm Born in Hollywood and raised in an environment of songwriters and musicians, guitarist/songwriter Tony Gilkyson originally started recording as a boy with his father, Terry Gilkyson, a composer for Walt Disney and a prominent folksinger/songwriter in his own right. Tony played guitar with the Los Angeles band X for 10 years, starting with the acclaimed album “See How We Are” and continuing through the all-acoustic live recording, “X Unclogged”. Tony’s new album, “Goodbye Guitar” is out now on Rolling Sea Records.
 
Saturday, Nov 25 Music all Day!!!  1pm-? A Tribute To Johnny ‘Buzz’ Gamble featuring The Rojer Arnold Band with Juke Logan and many special guests…
 
Sunday, Nov 26 The Thrift Store All Stars & The Handsome Family
6 pm $15 ‘Last Days of Wonder,’ the new CD by The Handsome Family (release date: 6/06), is a collection of love songs sung in airports, garbage dumps, drive-thru windows and shark-infested waters.
 
Monday, Nov 27 Monday Night Bingo with Bingo!
6 pm The The Bingo Dream Band Transcendental Americana from Joshua Tree yep, it’s really true..Bingo will be playing Bingo with all of you lucky people, while playing his amazing songs! just $1 a card! great prizes and giveaways
 
12/01:  Gram Rabbit & Lovemakers and..
12/2 & 12/3 : an evening with Rickie Lee Jones! $30 tickets for sat are flying out the door.. saturday’s show will have Dead Rock West and sunday will have The Thrift Store All Stars get your tickets now at Pappy’s, 760.365.5956 or Rock-it-Man in Yucca Valley, 760.228.3304
 
Please Visit www.pappyandharriets.com
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BUZZFEST ‘06 STARTING AT ONE PM ROJER ARNOLD & PAUL ELLIOTT FLEET SMALLWOOD RANDY GODFREY JB HIPPIE AL AND MORE! HELP A CAUSE THAT WAS NEAR AND DEAR TO THE LATE BUZZ GAMBLE -THE DILLIGAF CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS FUND -DONATE IF YOU CAN -THEN AT 7:30 ROJER ARNOLD BAND WITH VERY SPECIAL GUESTS CLIVE WRIGHT  GLENN PATRIK and rumor has it JOHN “JUKE” LOGAN PLUS OTHERS TBA IN A NIGHT OF TRIBUTE TO- THE LATE GREAT BUZZ GAMBLE PAPPY and HARRIET’S
 RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED!
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Shadow Mountain Band

Sunday, Nov 26^th,6:30PM, Phineas Phestival, Banning
Free festival runs 4-8PM for details/directions:
http://www.banningculturalalliance.org/event%20calendar.htm
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Michael Mucklow

 
Saturday, December 2nd
7:00 - 10:00 pm Water Canyon Coffee Co.
55844 29 Palms Hwy. Yucca Valley This evening will also feature acoustic bluesman Shaun Cromwell from the Los Angeles area. He’s excellent at his craft. The performance starts early - at 7:00 PM. Come on out for some great music and be sure to invite friends and family. I will have holiday priced and FREE CD’s available.
 
Saturday, December 9th
11:00 am - 1:00 pm Water Canyon Coffee Co.
55844 29 Palms Hwy. Yucca Valley
 
“I would recommend this music to everyone that wants to take a break and enjoy your life from a different soundtrack.” - New Artist Radio “A sonic oasis for getting away from it all.” - Midwest Record Recap “Delightful cross section of superbly performed, insightful acoustic instrumental music.”
- 20th Century Guitar
 
http://www.michaelmucklow.com Instrumental Guitar Stylings
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Radio 60 upcoming schedule…Saturday, November 25th, Private Party in La Quinta…Wednesday, November 29th, Old Town La Quinta, 78-015 Main Street, La Quinta, Ca., 92253, 760-771-2567 ext. #4, 6pm-8pm…Friday, December 1, Canyon Lake Country, 32-001 Railroad Canyon Road, Canyon Lake, 92587, 951-246-1773, 7pm-10pm…Call Greg Veach for info and bookings at 760-831-9805..
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Janet Robin* *
got a couple of west coast shows coming your way at the end of the month, if you’re out and about in the area:
 
janet robin Wed. Nov. 29, 9pm Sweetwater Saloon
153 Throckmorton Ave Mill Valley, CA
415.388.2820 songwriter series w/Heather Combs, Adrianne, Amber Rubarth
 
Friday, Dec. 1, 8:30pm Henfling’s Tavern
9450 Hwy 9 Ben Lomond , Ca 95005
831.336.9318
 
 Sat. Dec, 2, 8:00pm Raising Malawi C.A.P Theater
818.506.5111 A special benefit show to raise money for orphan children in Africa featuring Art, Music, Film, Theater, and Dance, with performances by Selen, Jariya (eve buigues and andrea bensmiller)
 
 in the meantime….
 
an online interview with http://www.modernguitars.com is up and running. Go check it out. It’s apparently one of the longest pieces they’ve ever run. That’s probably cuz I talk so damn much! It’s on the front page.
 
 CHECK OUT www.myspace.com/janetrobinmusic there’s a couple of live performance/interview video shorts I shot with director, Lorene Machado (Margaret Cho) posted up there, so I hope you enjoy…
 
still working on the new cd with producers Steve Baughman and David Bianco. We’ve got it almost done, though I may not release it until we get the 2nd half finished…. so stay tuned!
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RENEGADE GEEKS – Beatnik, saturday, december 2nd.
 
http://www.madhappy.com | http://www.myspace.com/madhappy RENEGADE GEEKS - Out Now! …produced by former Talking Heads Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth. …electro with hip-hop firmly tucked next to their pop notions. Each track is energetic and bouncy with fun lyrics… and they certainly have the funk down…. Beastie Boys fans who like electronica would love this…I can’t have enough of this eclectic release.
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Tom Freund
hey can you feel it??!!    hope i see y’all out and Happy Thanksgiving  and  THANK YOU!!!
 
Friday, November 17th @ 8:00 PM - ZOEY’Swith ZACK HEXUM
451 E. Main St Ventura, California 93001 Cost: $10 We will be playing on the balcony for everyone!! Make reservations to guarantee a seat. For more info/reservations call: 805-652-0091 or log on to www.zoeyscafe.com
 
Saturday, November 18th @ 8:00 - PEARL Chicago College Benefit Benefit honoring VIRGINIA MADSEN
665 N Robertson Blvd West Hollywood, California 90069
(310) 358-9191   $150  please call if interested ,  i know ,  sorry . . .  but gourmet food, wine and an array of events are included . . .
 
Sunday, November 26th @ 8:30 TWIGGS with JASON MRAZ
4590 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 92116 Tel: 619-296-0616 * URL: http://www.twiggs.org/
 
http://www.tomfreund.com http://www.myspace.com/tomfreundmusic
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From: beekeeper@richardthompson-music.com
Richard Thompson is touring the Eastern U.S., California, and Hawaii this Autumn, in a solo acoustic format:
 
 Mon Nov 27 2006 Tue Nov 28 2006 Wed Nov 29 2006 Saratoga CA The Carriage House Theater
 
Fri Dec 01 2006 Arcata CA John Van Duzer Theatre
 
Opening Acts include Amy Correia, Kris Delmhorst and Makana. Details available at www.richardthompson-music.com
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Randy Weeks
A long list of international and out of town gigs
See http://randyweeks.com
 
12.02.06 CINEMA BAR, CULVER CITY, CA
10:00
 
12.09.06 THE CONTINENTAL, HOUSTON, TX
9:00
 
12.10.06 FLIPNOTICS, AUSTIN, TX
9:30
 
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Marsh Mellow Stone Band will be performing at DiPiazza’s on PCH in Long Beach on Friday November 24th from 6 - 9:30 PM. The $5 cover charge will be waived with a significant non-perishable food donation. As always…great pizza & groovy music !!!
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Lewi Longmire

(too much to post, please see):
info@lewilongmire.com http://www.lewilongmire.com http://www.myspace.com/lewilongmire
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25
9:30 PM Dance to the Original WEST AFRICAN HIGHLIFE BAND plus Free African Dance Lesson at 9 PM Live in Berkeley at ASHKENAZ
1317 San Pablo Avenue at Gilman www.Ashkenaz.com
510-525-5054 www.AfricanHighlife.com
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Beatnik - Visit www.jtbeat.com

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Kokopelli’s Go to www.myspace.com/kokopelliskantina 369-6660
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A DIFFERENT KIND OF MUSIC - EXTREMELY WORTHWHILE EVENTS
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Create:Fixate, 89.9 KCRW and The Onion Present “Alive in Los Angeles” - five-year anniversary celebration featuring, among others, (our own) Linda Carmella Sibio
 
1530 Ivar Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028
 
Besides the plethora of visual art from over 30 participants, each artist will create a unique piece expressing the evening’s theme.  The one-night only art exhibit, complete with a diverse one-of-a-kind musical soundtrack, will take place at its new Hollywood location.
 
4:00pm - 7:00pm - early preview $5.00
7:00pm - 2:00am - $15.00 All ages
 
310-590-7199 www.createfixate.com
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JAMS Announcements-

NOW POSTED AS AN ATTACHMENT FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE

(And mine)
*note, since our attachments editor, Al, doesn’t stay up as late as I do, we will have to cut off announcements for the week at noon on Tuesday.
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comments
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So there is no doubt a lot to be thankful for this year. I just wanted to send a shout out to all my peeps, friends and family alike to let you know that I am thankful for having you all in my life. It has been an up and down year for me to say the least, but I couldn’t of made it through without all of your tremendous love and support. Thank you.
 
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and get to spend it partyin down with someone you love.
 
FYI! There’s an updated blog on the neck at my website, www.trevorras.com and a new show scheduled for you Cali folks in December. It’ll be a fun, mellow one- and my first since the accident.
 
Trevor Ras.
 
(Trevor is a Water Canyon artist when he comes through the area. He is recuperating from a broken neck)
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Yup, blurp is a mouth fart…just put out into the universe!  Alexander J. Blurp made the first one when he sold his Chevy truck in 1927.

ISRA
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(from Sam)
“If a baseball player slides into home plate and, right before the umpire rules if he is safe or out, the player says to the umpire - ‘Here is $1,000.’ What would we call that? We would call that a bribe. If a lawyer was arguing a case before a judge and said, ‘Your honor before you decide on the guilt or innocence of my client, here is $1,000.’ What would we call that? We would call that a bribe.

“But if an industry lobbyist walks into the office of a key legislator and hands her or him a check for $1,000, we call that a campaign contribution. We should call it a bribe.” — Janice Fine; Dollars and Sense magazine
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Hi Steve and Darlene,

Thank you for the space to play at Water Canyon.  I had a good time - 
it was great to finally play in the desert!
Thank you for your recent write up as well…Janet Robin forwarded it 
along to me earlier this afternoon.

Hope to see you again sometime soon!

Sincerely,
Kelly H.
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Hi Steve,
 
Hope all is well.  I plan to be back down in April.  I’ll be attending the ASCAP Expo in LA: http://www.ascap.com/index.html
and I’ll probably drive down.  So I’ll be stopping our to JT that’s for sure.
 
It’ll be great to see you and everybody.
 
As soon as I can get my notes from the Music Tech ‘06 summit entered I’ll send them by.  Maybe later this week.
 
Take care and see you soon!
Barbara
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Hi,
Just wanted to let everyone know that the song “(It Feels) Timeless”, from my “Clearly” CD was selected as Single Of The Day for Friday, November 10.
Please click on the link below and see what Jody Whitesides had to say:
http://www.singleoftheday.com/2006/11/10/sometimes-you-can-really-feel-it/
And thank you for being a fan & friend of my music.
Best Regards,
Michael
–
Instrumental Guitar Stylings
http://www.michaelmucklow.com
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Hello all,

By now, you’ve received the announcement from Howard and know that he
is relocating to Santa Fe, NM to continue his career as an Executive
Director with the Forest Guild.  We all shall miss him, and will
celebrate his contributions to the Morongo Basin and the Mojave Desert
at a special farewell party.

Save the early evening hours of Friday, December 15, 2006 and join us
in downtown Joshua Tree for a fond send-off, which will be held in
conjunction with the annual Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce Block Party!
 Good food, a cash bar, entertainment, and holiday fun are on the
agenda–we’ll look forward to seeing many friends and supporters!

A more detailed invitation will follow soon…

Best regards,

Deborah DeMeo
California Desert Field Representative

National Parks Conservation Association
Protecting Our National Parks for Future Generations
61325 29 Palms Highway, Suite B
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
760-366-7785
ddemeo@npca.org
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Hi Steve

got the letter ok

i trust the light thing in YV is to include the car dearlerships going in etc
if they, like every other dealership leave acres of lights on at night will surely fuck the skyline

too bad about the mic stands
guess little cleptos are everywhere
sad when someone steals tools others use to make a living

will try to come by tonite

nice weather

walt
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Steve,
 
Thanks for the great info and I always especially enjoy your political commentary.  I’ve been full of this stuff for a while and talking my family’s collective ear off.  I figure I’ll give them a break now by putting it all down on a blog.  It’s called Watching Things Grow, the web address is below.  Check it out and post a comment.  I’d love to have more of your ideas on the way things are going. 
 
Jenise Fryatt
The Desert Actors’ Network
www.desertactorsnetwork.com
http://watchingthingsgrow.blogspot.com/
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If you know anyone whom you think would like to receive this newsletter, please have them send me an email to info@new-moon-records.com . Also, lately, some of the big inet providers are filtering out newsletters of this type (blind copied) assuming it is spam. If anyone you know received this publication before and doesn’t receive it now, it is probably for that reason. If you have that problem, you need to set the filtering to allow emails from www.new-moon-records.com through. If you don’t use filtering, just be sure that the address info@new-moon-records.com is in your address book. Finally, if you would prefer to not receive this newsletter, or have received it by mistake, send an email back saying ‘cancel newsletter’ in the heading. Your excuse may be written, if you like, no less than 100 words, in the body of the email.
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A pianist and singer are rehearsing “Autumn Leaves” for a concert and the pianist says:
 
“OK. We will start in G minor and then on the third bar, modulate to B major and go into 5/4 tempo. When you get to the bridge, modulate back down to F# minor and alternate a 4/4 bar with a 7/4 bar. On the last A section go into double time and slowly modulate back to G minor.”
 
The singer says: “Wow, I don’t think I can remember all of that.”
 
The pianist says: “Well, that’s what you did last time.”