It's a new decade.

Where to begin. As this year comes to a close I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and warmth. This last year was a gangbuster of a year for me musically. After taking a decade off to focus on a career in television production and to put all my eggs in the fatherhood basket, I’ve spent the past few years dipping my toes back into the world of music. This year my little piggies got soaked. It’s been a blast.

I’ve had the good fortune to record tracks for four very different artists in the past year or so. I love the studio. I love the residual smell of cigarettes from the 90s. I love seeing the posters and stickers of all who have passed through the doors. I love the connection you feel with like-minded people who share a common goal. As much as I enjoy the instant gratification of a live audience, the studio is really my sweet spot. 

In the past year I stumbled into an amazing group playing with the incomparable Mary Prankster. I’ve never played with someone as brave, as daring and as genre-bending. She’s a one-of-a-kind. If you haven’t heard her new album “Thickly Settled”, do yourself a favor and buy it right now. Don’t stream the damn thing. You’ll want to own this, not borrow it.

I also spent some time in the studio with my friends in the Abbey Road Jazz Ensemble. That group has lost its leader - and therefore its mojo - to the call of Cleveland. We had a great run, and our day in the studio produced some beautiful swing and bossa grooves of Beatles classics.

My friend Pete Strobl invited me to play on a track for Lisa Fenstermacher. She’s a wonderful christian rock singer and we put together a track north of Baltimore. Can’t wait to share this one. The band sounded great in the studio, and I haven’t heard the overdubs yet.

To round out the punk, jazz, and christian rock, I was also fortune to record a few tracks on a new hip-hop album. I’ve heard the final mix before it goes to mastering and I’m buzzing with excitement about its release. This group involved horns, strings, and back-up singers. Every player was the real deal. Stay tuned for the release date on this one.

Even with these fun moments in my musical life, there are two things to top it all. This summer I hit the road with an amazing blues band: The Jose Ramirez Blues Band. Jose is on fire on the blues scene. Everyone in the band is a top-notch player, and a stand up guy. Spending a month in a van with these three guys was an experience of a lifetime. I’m looking forward to our next adventure: a week in Memphis competing at the International Blues Challenge.

But the icing on the cake for my year of fun shit was playing a sold out show at the fabulous Birchmere in Arlington, Virginia with the great Mary Prankster. The Birchmere has been a favorite club of mine for many years. Playing this room was a real treat. Mary’s fans are fanatically fun. They know and hang on every word, and Mary gives them a great show. Everyone member of this band is a killer musician. And I even got to play acoustic guitar, electric guitar, melodica, tambourine, and sing a little backup. That show was pure happiness. 

I can’t thank you all enough for all your support this year. My friends and family are the best. And I’ve made so many new friends all over the country this year because of these opportunities. You have no idea the importance of the role of audience. When the audience is on the ride with you, it’s a great ride.

2020 is already shaping up to be a stellar year musically. I have two recordings on deck for January. One is a rock album, the other a genre-bending reggae album. Then we’re off to Memphis for a week. Then I begin work on my first solo album. I’m hoping to begin recording later this summer. I still have millions of ducks to line up for that project. 

Happy New Year everyone. Love you guys!