On the Radio.

I am listening to myself on the radio right now. What a feeling. Many thanks to the good and wonderful Mr. Tom McCarter for playing two of my songs this morning on KUSP.org. What a thrill to be sandwiched between two Willie Nelson tunes. And I got it all on tape.

Idol Top 5.

There were some great moments in Idol history last night, for sure! My Top Five favorite picks are:

1. The Soldier (whose name I can't recall...wonder why). That was totally fun when he picked Paula up and walked away with her. Give me a break! I was shrieking out loud, "Oh my God!" You go, mister. That's my definition of an Idol. Ouch.

2. Kelly Picket. She has the voice and what a bio - her daddy's in jail and her momma ain't around. Betcha momma comes around now.

3. The Whitney Clone. She has a powerful voice and from her bio is a hardworking young woman. I like her.

4. Girl With A Famous Grandmother. She has perfect pitch and control, and the confidence of a warrior. She will go far. No nepotism there.

5. The Handsome Cowboy. He's got It, and I hope he wins too.

That's all I can remember this early in the morning.

Meet The Bobs.

You have to get The Bobs' album Rhapsody in Bob just to hear the Cream classic "White Room," at least once before you go headfirst into the great beyond. The Bobs are truly phenomenal. Check out some of their MP3s to get a sense. We have tickets at Montalvo on Sunday, April 9 to see them in concert at the Carriage House. I cannot wait.

Jitterbug Blues.

I guess you could say I got a case of the jitters yesterday. I did all right, but admit to a case of the jitters which sort of steered things a bit. Folks seemed to appreciate that which I did. Felt good. Had a nice supper at Pasta Moon and a long drive back home. After a long, fulfilling day, got a great night's sleep. First in a long time. Pancakes for breakfast, farmers market at noon, football later on. Very satisfying weekend. First in a long time. I'm glad I was able to get over the stage fright enough to play for a while. It was a blast. Love that San Gregorio General Store. Thanks, George. Nice to be there with you all.

FLASH: News Update San Gregorio January 21!

Your attention please - I'll be singing at San Gregorio General Store on January 21 (not the 22nd) instead, 11 am to approximately 1 p.m.. The fantastic, semi-panicked Backyard Party Boys had a mix-up and emailed asking to swap gig dates with me, from Sunday to Saturday, I said no problem and as pure luck would have it, that's the same day as Claddagh - the fun incredible band I love so much! We'll sneak in a couple songs together in between sets. I hope I can hold my own with those guys! I am so happy. I never get to play with anyone any more and now my wish has come true. Unfortunately I missed hearing and taping myself on the radio between 2 and 4 a.m. this morning, although I did get up in the wee hours and give it the old college try! Maybe Tom McCarter has a tape I can have, I'll have to ask when I see him. Hey Tom??

Radio Announcement!

DJ Friend Tom McCarter called to say he'll be playing my cd, Roses and Bone, on his radio program this Saturday, January 14, somewhere between 2 and 5 a.m. (that's after midnight this coming Friday the 13th for you super-geniuses). I am very excited! Log onto www.kusp.org for Radio KUSP, Watsonville/Central California.* My dreams are becoming realized more and more every day. Catch me singing and feeling happy this coming January 22, 2006, at the San Gregorio General Store, (click "Live Music" for the entire schedule), from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. I have some new material, and I will be promoting the cd.

*KUSP can be heard 24 hours a day on frequencies 88.9 & 89.3 FM in the Santa Cruz area, 91.7 FM in Monterey and San Louis Obispo Counties, 105.9 FM in Big Sur Valley, 90.3 FM in Los Gatos/ Saratoga, 89.1 FM in Hollister and 91.3 FM Palo Colorado Canyon; and on 88.7 FM on Comcast Cable system.

Best New Year's Party Ever.

We had a 4-hour blast at Yoshi's this year. Everything and everyone was so incredible! We saw Arturo Sandoval! YES. Yoshi was there, wearing high cool geisha chic - a sleek red silk kimono - and looking totally fabulous. I wanted to say hello and ask her for a photo, but she was speaking quietly to someone and I dared not interrupt. The concert starring the fabulous Arturo Sandovol at Yoshi's in Jack London Square was a totally spectacular way to ring in the New Year! Arturo and his unbelievably magnificent eight-piece band were totally astonishing -- the best show we could EVER have chosen. What a blast! Times Four! Calendar for same next year, no doubt about it. They had chocolate coins and beaded necklaces for us, and passed out the hats and champagne just before midnight. The staff did a really fantastic job, too. Whenever the next time Arturo comes back west again, I want to be there to see him again. He was totally wonderful.

Wisdom Mug.

I have a little green ceramic tea mug with the following script, which I have chosen to adopt as my 2006 New Year's Resolutions:

Ten Ways to Good Health:

Less alcohol, more tea.
Less meat, more vegetables.
Less salt, more vinegar.
Less sugar, more fruit.
Less eating, more chewing.
Less words, more action.
Less greed, more giving.
Less worry, more sleep.
Less driving, more walking.
Less anger, more laughter.

I like that. Add one more to the list. A really hard one: No restaurant food. That's going to be really tough. I'm going to have to throw my entire will into lasting 30 days. From now until February 4. Everything must be prepared at home. Zucchini mushroom burritos tonight, woohoo.

But seriously, if we're going to Napa Valley (hoping it's still there!) on February 4, I'm saving all my money and holding onto every last shred of my will power, waiting for Carneros, in Sonoma. It had better live up to this!