Gearing up for the next record

Well, I'm going into the studio to do a little recording in November. That can only mean one thing- time to write a bunch of songs. So, here we go again. But what about the big concept for the record?

So far the tunes are an odd mix of redneck alt-country and country blues. With apologies to Eric the Social Worker, lots of these songs are in open tunings. My goal is to jam the CD up with lots of short songs- about the length of 'Richer than a Sheik' from the previous record. Short and to the point, thats the ticket.

Oh, I've got a few songs already done, too. We'l need to see how well they fit with the new stuff.

Here's the catch- getting the instruments to the studio. It's not really safe for them to fly, and I think I've proven that lately. So, how to get them there? I'm working on that..

But, we're committed. The studio is booked, and so are the players. Point of no return, my favorite place!

Blues for My Brother Update

For those of you that don't know, Blues for My Brother is an annual benefit for a homeless shelter in Anchorage that I coordinate. As you might imagine, Alaska is a tough place to be homeless, and every year musicians from around the world get together to raise money for the shelter, and raise awareness of homeless issues in our communities.

We're really lucky that Brittish blues piano legend Bob Hall has agreed to play the benefit this year. I've had the good fortune to play with Bob at a couple of festivals, including a long session together at the Dundee Blues Bonanza. He's an amazing player and a real genleman. It's going to be a great show.

I'll try and get to town the weekend before the show to coordinate the last minute details (like getting my amp repaired, save me some time KB, ok?) and get some hang-time with y'all. I'll be dragging Bob down to Portage and Homer for some sightseeing.

Lots to work on, but we'll be recording the show this year AND making copies of last years recording available.

What do we need? We always need Silent Auction items- copies of CD's, T-shirts and other stuff like that are always welcome. If you're in a band, own a club or simply want to help by donating something, thanks! Just send me an email at info@sonhenry.com and I'll get you all the details.

Got my guitars back....

Took over a week, but I got what's left of my guitars back. My lap steel got pretty beatup, and my resonator guitar was crushed- a solid brass guitar and it's smashed. Normally I'd carry these on to the plane, but the last trip everything went into the baggage hold, covered in fragile stickers.

I'm all for fighting terrorists, but if you read the news you'll see what effect this is having on musicians all over the globe, from the Russian symphony to little guys like me. Photographers, and other artists that need to travel by air to practice their craft.

If the end result of all this is that artists can no longer travel because they can't get the tools of their trade safely to their destination then I think the terrorists have won.

(Before you send me telling me to get a grip, let me remind you that 9/11 impacted people I knew, people I know and people I care about)

Live, from Estonia

Some pictures taken by my friend Andres Roots and his wife Siret. I think they tell most of the story. What you can't see is what a great time it was, and how waem and friendly everyone was.

The travel was a disaster. I've got a guitar still in Helsinki, and another one somewhere in Heathrow. They may or may not be on their way home in a truck or on a plane- no one seems to know.

At the same time, well, I had a chance to hang with some great people. If you have the chance, google the band Bullfrog Brown, and see what you think- authentic acoustic blues from the wilds of Estonia.

Ok, the pictures.....

Estonia or bust

Hey gang- on my way to Tallinn for Augustibluus. Sitting in Heathrow right now waiting for my flight in the wake of yesterday's massive terrorist scare and arrests.

So far everything is running on time and seems quite. The airport is pretty deserted, about 25% of the people I'd expect- normally I never get a seat here to wait for the plane, but today I could sleep comfortably on a couple of different benches. So, I think everything will be ok, and if I make it tonight along with my guitars then everything will be really good.

And if I miss my flight I'm going to hop the high-speed ferry from Helsinki!

So, with a little luck this time tomorrow we'll be tuning up for a set of country blues, and dragging Andres Roots (among other) up to play.

See y'all tomorrow.

Goodbye Susan, and thanks..

Four-time Iditarod Champion Susan Butcher passed away from cancer this week. It's a sad day.

As a kid, she was one of my hero's- turning her back on an easy life-style and taking on the hardest race in the world, winning four times. But she was also a great role model for people everywhere, like my daughter, because she was in incredible woman that never quit. There just don't seem to be role models like her around anymore, and so the loss of a person like her is a huge loss for all of us.

Thanks Susan, sorry to see you go...

Where did the videos go?

I took the videos down, seems like they didn't fit inside the blogger shell,but you can still access them through youtube here:

She's my home
Voodoo Chile

If you're just now reading this and wondering what I'm talking about, we recorded some video at the Stirling Tollbooth in July and published two songs on www.youtube.com. Check it out and lt me know what you think!