Kh'Mi's Limited Edition CD

The Medicine Show

Kh’Mi

Acoustic/Roots Music/Americana. The crossroads where jazz and country meet.

The Medicine Show (HMR005) Limited Edition - CD-R Special run for Jazz Central (Syracuse, NY) Concert (out of the studio just days before their big Jazz Central show, Brian Francis packaged Kh'Mi's newest CD for attending fans... now available, for a limited time, to the rest of us)

I Don't Play By The Rules

I Don’t Play By The Rules
Gary Small & The Coyote Bros.

The long awaited new rockin' blues recording from the three bad boys of Sheridan Wyoming is here. As you can see by the cover, it has plenty of attitude!!!

Gary Small & The Coyote Bros. signed a deal with Hondo Mesa Records, an independent music label based in Syracuse, N.Y. The Native American band released their third studio album, I Don’t Play by the Rules, at the WYO Theater in Sheridan, WY, on Nov. 22, 2008.

Originally from Wyoming, Gary Small & The Coyote Bros. received the honor of “Best Rock Recording of the Year” at the 2007 Native American Music Awards (NAMMY’s). Their two previous albums have included Crazy Woman Mountain and Blues from the Coyote, and they have performed with music legends such as Chubby Checker.

Before forming the band, Gary Small had a successful solo career, where he collaborated with other Native American performers such as Rita Coolidge, Indigenous, Chrystal Gale, and Keith Secola. Small also won the “Songwriter of the Year” award at the 2002 NAMMY’s.

Gary Small & The Coyote Bros. is the third artist to sign with Hondo Mesa Records this year.

For more information about Gary Small & The Coyote Bros., please visit their website. To purchase their CD visit the Hondo Mesa Records store.

Hondo Mesa Records Store

Hello independent music lovers,
Good new - Hondo Mesa Records just opened its online store. Three new releases are now available:

HMR005 -- Kh'Mi, The Medicine Show
HMR006 -- Gary Small & The Coyote Bros., I Don't Play By The Rules
HMR007 -- Joanne Shenandoah and Michael Bucher, Bitter Tears Sacred Ground (available Dec. 31, 2008)

My MC Hammer Story

Back in 1990, I was attending grad. school in California. I had just left my job as Vice President of Decision Research Corp., a public opinion and political consulting firm headquartered in Cleveland, OH. To make some money while a student, I did a little political consulting. I spoke at a Campaign Management conference at UC Davis. There I met a captain of the Fremont, CA. Fire Dept who was the campaign mgr. for Fremont Mayor, Ben Ball. He hired me to do some voter targeting for the Mayor's re-election campaign.

So where does Hammer come in? MC Hammer, a resident of Fremont, was one of the Mayor's biggest supporters. The Fire Capt. mentioned to Hammer that I had a pretty good rap on my answering machine. I'm pretty sure Hammer called me and listened to the rap. He didn't say anything, but I would recognize that laugh anywhere. Hahaha. That's my MC Hammer story. As we all know, Hammer is too legit to quit!

Thanks for calling, but the Kinsey's aren't home
Or at least they can't come to the telephone.
If you leave your leave your name and your number too
chances are they'll get back to you.
You can leave a short message, to be complete
But just remember wait for the beep.

MC Hammer U Can't Touch This

My Man, MC Hammer is all over Twitter. He is classic. I'll tell my Hammer story in the next blog. I was living in San Jo, CA at the time. You gotta love Hammer!

Floyd Red Crow Westerman - "Missionary"

The late great Floyd Westerman in this video from Hen House Studios. Hen House Studios is a California-based record label and documentary film company. They started out recording musicians for free in exchange for the right to film them. Cool concept.

Michael Bucher's New Music Video

From Native American Times:

Hot Springs, S.D. – Michael Bucher’s new short documentary music video, “Don’t Forget About Me” was filmed on location in Western South Dakota in association by 2007 & 2008 Native American Music Awards nominees (Best Short Form Music Video) Karla LaRive of PK Productions, LLC (South Dakota) and Christopher Crosby of musicseenPROductions (New York).

This is the third indigenous music video from PK Productions, LLC and features area re-enactors, Paula Tonemah and Krista Knapp. The music video was shot on location at the Black Hill Wild Horse Sanctuary’s petrogylph site, along with other regional locations including Pine Ridge Reservation in July 2008.

“The music video deals with the protection of Native burial grounds, Native grave sites and sacred sites. I try to tell people you wouldn’t want your grandmother’s grave dug up…nor do American Indian people. And, yet, it happens every day in Indian Country” says Michael Bucher.

Michael Bucher is a Cherokee singer-songwriter who was taught from the beginning of his memory the stories, language and legends of his people. His songs are intended to teach, heal and bring awareness to everyone who hears them. He sings about topics that are important to him and others in Indian Country. From the desecration of sacred sites, to Cherokee legends, to the sometimes seemingly Invisible Indian, there’s a passionate quality throughout. With strong vocals and heartfelt lyrics, his music is a blend of acoustic guitar, native and a contemporary drum, flute, shakers, rattles, bass and electric guitars, and cuts a swath through native folk, blues and rock.

More CD single covers from 3rd & Main

Here are a few more Philippe Pascal created CD single covers from 3rd & Main for display in Second Life. People can go to a Hondo Mesa Records store in Second Life, pre-listen to songs, and buy both singles and full albums. Each product provides the customer with a unique code, allowing the customer to not only play the purchased record in Second Life®, but also allowing him to download the song to his computer as an MP3-file.

On Dec. 4, Larry Hoyt performed live in Second Life, the virtual world that we've mentioned frequently in this blog. This was Larry's first SL gig. Larry, or NewFolk Magic, as he is known in second life, was a big hit. The audience included people from Holland, Germany, UK, Canada and the US. Here is a pic of the man that day.

Joanne Shenandoah and National Anthem

Former Assistant Secretary of the Interior Ada Deer (Menominee Nation) Proposes Joanne Shenandoah Sing the US National Anthem at Obama's Inauguration

At a meeting of Native leaders November 3 on Oneida Nation territory in Green Bay, Wisconsin former Assistant Secretary of the Interior Ada Deer (Menominee Nation) proposed that Joanne Shenandoah sing the US National Anthem at the US Capitol prior to President-elect Barack Obama's taking of the oath of office. This idea was seconded by the leaders of the Oneida Nation. To support this growing movement contact the following members of the National Inaugural Committee in Washington, DC:

US Senator Dianne Feinstein: 202-224-3841 or fax: 202-224-3954
US Senator Harry Reid: 202-224-3542 or fax: 202-224-7327
US Rep. Nancy Pelosi: 202-225-4965

Also supporting Joanne is NY Senator Charles Schumer. Contact him at 202-224-6542 or fax: 202-228-3027. NY Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton may also help. Her number is: 202-224-4451 or fax: 202-228-0282.
Ms. Shenandoah will be performing with her band at the official Native American Inaugural Ball on the evening of January 20th.

___________________________________________________________________________
The Ndakinna Education Center
23 Middle Grove Road
Greenfield Center, New York 12833
(518) 583-9958
www.ndcenter.org

3rd & Main "single" covers

Hondo Mesa Records' man in Europe, Phil Pascal (of Phillippe Pascal Media & Marketing) just sent me the 3rd & Main single covers he designed. Second Life residents can purchase the full CD or individual cuts. Phil thought it a good idea to have different covers for each single. Smart man. Here are a couple examples:

Gary Small & Coyote Bros. New CD Release

As Gary says, "A Picture is worth, well in this case 10 words!" Saturday, Wyo Theater, November 22nd, 7:30 PM, Sheridan Wy. Tickets available at the Wyo box office. 307-672-9084. This is it, the big "I Don't Play by the Rules" CD Release concert! Gary tells us at Hondo Mesa Records, "Wyoming Public Radio 91.3 will be featuring some of our new material."

Music and Public Diplomacy

Stand By Me

Radio Hondo Mesa Playlist

Hondo Mesa Radio - Playlists
Have heard a song on our

radio station

, and wondering which one it was? Have a look at the weekly playlists below and you’ll find the song and the artist. Please notice that the songs are played randomly.
Friday, Novermber 14 - Thursday, November 20
Hondo Mesa, Larry Hoyt
Boogie Woogie, Corn-Bred
Rollin’ with the punches, John Engerman
Miss Molly, Kh’Mi
Henry, 3rd & Main
Set us free, Kh’Mi
Angels of Night, John Engerman
Trumbling Cafe, 3rd & Main
Highway Patrol, Bara Jonson
Healing, 3rd & Main
Greenback Dollar, Larry Hoyt
I get a little crazy, John Engerman
Water, Kh’Mi
Leaving for Akwesansne, Corn-Bred
Ghost of Love, Larry Hoyt
Number 9 Train, Corn-Bred
My baby belongs to noone, Dennis Kinsey (Live @ Holy Kai Gardens)

New HMR Page at CDBaby

To see all 5 Hondo Mesa Records (HMR) releases to date, please check out HMR's new catalog page at CDBaby:

http://cdbaby.com/all/hondomesa

Newest addition is a Kh'Mi limited edition:

Kh'Mi's CD available at CDBaby.com

Good news music lovers,
Kh'Mi's first release on Hondo Mesa Records is now available at CDBaby.com. This is the special, limited edition CD created for Kh'Mi's fans at the recent Jazz Central show. It will not be around forever.

Hondo Mesa Land

Many people have asked about the origin of the name of our record label. The label is named after our land in New Mexico. This video will give you a sense of the place:

Radio Hondo Mesa Playlist Oct 17-23, 2008

Friday, October 17 - Thursday, October 23
Smooth, Kh’Mi
Are you ready, Corn-Bred
Healing, 3rd & Main
Pluck it up, Corn-Bred
Dance with me (live), Dennis Kinsey
Lady J, Kh’Mi
The Loncuna, Kh’Mi
Trumblin Cafe, 3rd & Main
Highway Patrol, Bara Jonson
If today was my last day, Larry Hoyt
Angels of night, John Engerman
Do I dare to dream of you, John Engerman
Let’s go for a ride, Larry Hoyt
Henry, 3rd & Main
Can’t wait for tomorrow, John Engerman
Got you on my mind, Corn-Bred
Cut to the chase, John Engerman
Bluegrass Blues, Larry Hoyt

Radio Hondo Mesa Playlist

Radio Hondo Mesa playlist for:
Friday, October 10 - Thursday, October 16
Number 9 Train, Corn-Bred
Earth, Kh’Mi
I’m happy right here, John Engerman
Honest I do, Corn-Bred
Highway Patrol, Bara Jonson
Pieces of Sarah, John Engerman
Smoky Eyes, 3rd & Main
Maura’s Waltz, Larry Hoyt
Tennessee Flattop Box, Larry Hoyt
Pluck it up, Corn-Bred
Butterfly, Kh’Mi
Hondo Mesa, Larry Hoyt
Back in the saddle again, Larry Hoyt
Big White Pearl, John Engerman
The Bing Bang Theory, 3rd & Main

Start at our European site and click the Radio Hondo Mesa link to listen with Itunes, Winamp, or Windows Media Player. Thanks for supporting independent music!

Engerman Free Fan Shirt

Check out the new shirt I made to give away at our HQ in Second Life (SL). We are still in construction, but will be opening soon. John Engerman is wild. That's my avatar (Hondo Mesa) modeling it. Behind me are the CD singles from John's debut CD that we will be selling. Stop in to Hondo Mesa Records HQ (SL) and pick up a shirt.

Corn-Bred getting some Dutch Air Time

Corn-Bred with Joanne Shenandoah at the 10th Annual Native American Music Awards

Hondo Mesa Records recording artist, Corn-Bred, was on air in Europe last week. Two songs, "Boogie Woogie” and “Sittin’ here waiting" were played on WOS-blues. From the information page of WOS's website:

"WOS Blues is the bluesshow of RTV WOS (Westlandse Omroep Stichting) in the Netherlands. The program is broadcasted every wednesdayevening from 21.00 till 22.00 hrs (local time). The program is presented by Frits Krieg and can be received worldwide by internet."

Philippe Pascal tells me that this evening, Corn-Bred will be played again on the program “WOS-Blues.” We can listen to it using internet. Just tune in to http://www.wos.nl/ between 3PM and 4PM EST time, and press the "big button" in the middle of the page. (Saying “Luister online naar WOS Radio – Klik hier). Corn-Bred will be played at the end of the show.

Christiane Pagé and Redbone

Hondo Mesa Records recording artist, Christiane Pagé, was caught hanging with Redbone at the 10th Annual Native American Music Awards (NAMA). Redbone was inducted in the NAMA Hall of Fame that night. Redbone played two of their biggest hits for an appreciative (and dancing) crowd -- "The Witch Queen of New Orleans" and "Come and Get Your Love." The band included Robert Zapata on drums and Karl Carrasco on keyboards.

Radio Hondo Mesa Playlist

Radio Hondo Mesa has been on "air" (web actually) for three weeks now (all Hondo Mesa artists all the time). Phil tells me we already have 300 subscribers. This week's playlist includes:

Friday, October 3 - Thursday, October 9
What you want, Kh’Mi
Angels of night, John Engerman
Velcro Blues, Corn-Bred
Pa Aventyr, Bara Jonson
Dance with me (Live), Dennis Kinsey
Smokey Eyes, 3rd & Main
Smooth, Kh’Mi
Oh lord, let me live my life again, Larry Hoyt
Kundalini Rag, John Engerman
Air, Kh’Mi
Greenback Dollar, Larry Hoyt

All three weeks can be found on our European web site. You can also start listening from the same address.

Engerman's demos on YouTube

Hondo Mesa Records recording artist, John "wild" Engerman, is the first HMR artist featured on our youtube channel. HMR's man in Europe, Philippe Pascal, worked on John's album first. Check out our channel when you get a chance. Corn-Bred, Larry Hoyt, 3rd & Main, Bara Jonson and Kh'Mi coming soon.

Last Weekend for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

Tonight, tomorrow and Saturday is your last chance to catch the Syracuse Stage's production of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. This is the first play of the 2008-2009 season. It's directed by Tim Bond. Where is the Hondo Mesa Records connection? Ah.... the music playing in the lobby is HMR's own 3rd & Main, the Syracuse based cool noir jazz band.

This 3rd & Main CD was reviewed by The Post-Standard music critic, Mark Bialczak in April 2007. Mark said, "3rd & Main puts out a very hip, all-original jazz sound...3rd & Main's cast of Gil Lopez on guitar and vocals, Chris Kneisel on guitar and effects, Mark Eich on bass and Ken Hart on drums weaves a cool effect throughout."

If you can't get tickets to Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, you can still here clips from the 3rd & Main CD at CDBaby.com.

Jeremy Johnston- SubCat Music Studios

Hey Guys,
Bara Jonson spend two jam-packed days in the studio laying down the basic guitar and vocal tracks for his HMR release, "Far and Away." Here is a picture of our engineer extraordinaire, Jeremy Johnston. Jeremy rocks!

Standing Room Only

The Bara Jonson and Kh'Mi Sept. 25 show at Jazz Central was a huge success. Our friend (and Hondo Mesa Records recording artist) Larry Hoyt sent us a shot of the standing room only crowd... Both shows (7:00 and 9:00) attracted an overflow crowd. The bands and audience had a great time.

Bara Jonson Heading to Studio

Hello Friends,
Today is the day Bara Jonson hits the recording studio for his debut CD on Hondo Mesa Records. We start at noon (EST) to record his CD, "Far and Away." The video below shows Bara in Second Life doing the title track live.

Bialczak Reviews Kh'Mi CD

Hello Music Lovers,
Mark Bialczak, music critic for The Post-Standard, says Kh'Mi had to "dig deep to follow up" their SAMMY winning last CD. The review of their new CD, "Medicine Show," was published today. Bialczak acknowledges the unique variety that is Kh'Mi, not fitting "neatly into rock, blues, folk or any other definitively labeled style." On Medicine Show, "they're still grooving, soulful and brimming with good cheer."

Thanks for the review Mark and for posting a clip from the CD on your blog.

Another shot of HondoMesa by Philippe Pascal

Remind you of anyone?

Signed Photo of SL Artist HondoMesa

Philippe Pascal just sent me the results of this morning's photo shoot in Second Life:

Hondo Mesa Records Artist Demos on YouTube

Hello music lovers.
Below is an example of the HMR demos we are putting on the HondoMesaRecords youtube channel:

Free 3rd & Main Fan T-shirt in Second Life

Hello Cool Noir Jazz Fans,
Here is a shot of the new Second Life 3rd & Main shirts. These are available at no charge from Hondo Mesa Records HQ in SL. Construction of HQ is ahead of schedule. Attached is a video preview tour of our developing new facilities.
Regards,
Dennis

Larry Hoyt Shirts free in Second Life

That's me modeling a Larry Hoyt t-shirt in Second Life.

A Tour of Standing Stone Gallery

J. Isaac Spradlin, the journalist who wrote about Syracuse artist going global, produced the following video. Check out the Hondo Mesa Records banner and CDs on the second floor (toward the end of the video).

Syracuse Artists Go Global

Hondo Mesa Records (HMR) was mentioned in the "Art and Culture" supplement to Syracuse, New York's The Post-Standard newspaper on Friday, September 5, 2008. The supplement, called "The Mix" is a publication of the Goldring Arts Journalism Program. HMR was highlighted in the first article, "Syracuse Artists Go Global." Journalist, J. Isaac Spradlin writes about HMRs role in providing live music in a virtual world. Check out the story when you get a chance.

Ulf Oesterle, Ryan Star and Mark Bialczak

My friend and owner of Aux Records, Ulf Oesterle, was all over Mark Bialczak's music column today. Mark was writing about Ryan Star coming to Syracuse for a guest appearance at Ulf's New York State Fair music stage. Star is big time -- an Atlantic Records recording artist. Here is Ryan doing "Losing My Religion" on Rockstar Supernova.

New Music Video from Bara Jonson

Last night I was talking to newly signed Hondo Mesa Records (HMR) recording artist, Bara Jonson. He brought to my attending the following music video of him playing in Munich SL. The SL stands for Second Life. Check out the video. The featured song, "Far and Away" will be the title track of his first release with HMR. And, check out the end of the video... too cool.
Regards.

Public Diplomacy?

Brian McKnight Chicken

Hi Folks,
My cousin Ken Kinsey was recently featured on ABC News (Salt Lake City) in a cooking segment. Ken is a chef and was demonstrating his Chicken with Mushroom Cream Sauce. You the man Ken! Check it out here.

HMR Recording Artist, Larry Hoyt, is Blogging

Hello Hondo Mesa Records fans,
Good news - Larry Hoyt (of the HMR folksinger-songwriter Hoyt release) has started his blog. Excellent. I look forward to Larry's insights and words of wisdom. Here is what Larry said about his blog:



Greetings!

OK -- I know I'm only a few years behind the times with this, but
better late than never...

I very recently started posting a blog on-line. It's at
www.newfolknow.blogspot.com

Actuially, my blog is the one thing that has been missing from the
Internet. Now the Internet is complete.

My avowed goal with this blog is to help spread the word, far and wide,
that the art and music scenes here in Central New York are alive and
well and growing.
Someday in the not-too-distant future, I'd like folks to think of
Syracuse as "The Arts & Entertainment Center of Upstate New York"
(I mean, Syracuse is already pretty close to being the physical center
of Upstate New York, right?)

So far, on my blog, I've written about
-- the radio show Common Threads;
-- the Syracuse Photography Meetup Group;
-- my fascination with portrait photography;
-- the mechanics of blogging;
-- Dennis Kinsey and Hondo Mesa Records;
-- and Why Dana "Short Order" Cooke Is Not (Yet) Famous;

I am writing to you now to let you know about this blog before I write
so many little essays that no one (other than me) will ever make it all
the way back to read the first one or two essays (on Common Threads and
portrait photography). Also, fwiw, I include some photography with
each blog entry, so there's always something to look at.

When you get a chance, please do check out my blog. Thanks! - Larry

HondoMesa Dancing Again to Bara Jonson's Music in Second Life

Hey guys,
While searching around YouTube, I found another video of yours truly (actually my Second Life Avatar -- HondoMesa) dancing to Bara Jonson's performance of his original song, "Supersonic Highway" at Molaskey's Pub. I'm on the left of the screen with a black and white Mohawk! Second Life is wild.

Monte Montgomery: Sara Smile

Sara Smile by Hall and Oats is one of my all-time favorite tunes. Check out Monte Montgomery doing it. Wow!

Music at Taste of Syracuse

Hello music lovers,

Are you going to the Taste of Syracuse this Saturday (June 7, 2008)? If so, please stop by the stage and hear us play. We’re listed as HondoMesa and Midnight Mike. We are scheduled to play a short ½ hour set and we are psyched.

When: Saturday, June 7, 2008

Time: 3:20-3:45

Who: HondoMesa (aka Dennis Kinsey) and Midnight Mike (Mike Petroff), with Ken Hart on drum and Mark Eich on bass (they don’t have nicknames). In addition to the band, a special French-Canadian singer will join us on stage for a few numbers.

Where: Clinton Square -- Emerging Artist Stage*, Erie Blvd

* sponsored by SubCat Studios and Aux Records

Bio: HondoMesa and Midnght Mike

HondoMesa (aka Dennis Kinsey) is head honcho of the Syracuse-based independent acoustic, blues and jazz label, Hondo Mesa Records. He is a songwriter and singer with more that 30 years experience. Midnight Mike (Mike Petroff) is a long-time bluesman who fronted the band, The Dirty Pool for many years. Mike’s most recent project is the screaming hot Midnight Lighttnin’ Blues Band. Every now and then, when the moon is full, HondoMesa and Midnight Mike get together to howl on some original tunes and barely recognizable covers -- HondoMesa on guitar and Midnight Mike on harmonica.

Second Life Concert Video Catches HondoMesa Dancing

I discovered this video on YouTube last night. It is concert footage of Bara Jonson, a Swedish singer songwriter performing in Second Life (SL). As soon as the camera turns to the audience you can see my SL avatar (HondoMesa) dancing. I'm on the left dressed in black and wearing a cowboy hat. Bara mentions me at the end. Too much.

Randy Travis Turns 49

Randy Travis turned 49 yesterday. Happy Birthday Randy. We love your music here at Hondo Mesa Records. And we love running into you just about every time we go to Santa Fe, New Mexico. It has happened so often that we wonder if you are stocking us or if we are stocking you.

We typically fly into Albuquerque, rent a vehicle, then head north towards Taos. On the way up we always stop at Tomasitas in Santa Fe -- one of our favorite New Mexican restaurants.

While waiting for a table, Randy, his wife and a couple others walked by us as they were leaving the restaurant. The next afternoon, we were hitting the art galleries on Canyon Road and Randy and his wife came walking by again. Coincidence? I don’t know. We started to get suspicious. The next year, it happened again. Only this time, we were walking out of Tomasitas and Randy and family were walking in.

We love you Randy. See you at Tomasitas.
Regards,
Dennis

Larry Hoyt Fans in Japan

YouTube fan, user name "mitaka5tulip," posted a video of Larry Hoyt playing "The Last Thing on My Mind" with Japanese Lyrics. Check it out:

SubCat/Aux Records Taste of Syracuse Stage Lineup

Music fans,
Look out. The big news is Aux Records and SubCat Studios are rockin' (and jazzin' and bluesin' and...) Syracuse, New York again this summer. Twenty-five acts in two days means music, music, and more music. Long live independent music! Below is the lineup from the Aux Records blog. I'll see you in downtown Syracuse on June 6 & 7:

Friday, June 6, 2008

12:00 – 12:25 p - Caleb Micah
12:30 – 12:55 pm - Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
1:00 – 1:45 pm - Steve Wolf & Blues Express
2:00 – 2:45 pm - Chris Lizzi
3:00 – 3:45 pm - The Barrigar Brothers
4:00 – 4:45 pm - Kh’ Mi
5:00 – 5:45 pm - Caesar Fadari
6:00 – 6:45 pm - The Action
7:00 – 7:45 pm - Mat Burke
8:00 – 8:45 pm - Huela
9:00 – 9:45 pm - Mike Brindisi & The New York Rock
10:00 – 11:00 pm - Torment The Vein

Saturday, June 7, 2008

12:00 – 12:25 pm - Pirate CNY Contest Winner
12:40 – 1:05 pm - The Andrea Doria
1:20 – 1:45 pm - Vapor Aevum
2:00 – 2:25 pm - Fairway
2:40 – 3:05 pm - Fazeshift
3:20 – 3:45 pm - HondoMesa and Midnight Mike
4:00 – 4:45 pm - 3rd & Main
5:00 – 5:45 pm - Grey Tide
6:00 – 6:45 pm - The Icon And The Axe
7:00 – 7:45 pm - Honor Bright
8:00 – 8:45 pm - Anorexic Beauty Queen
9:00 – 9:45 pm - Rocko Dorsey
10:00 – 11:00 pm - Merit

Find the artists online at:
3rd & Main – www.3rdandmain.com
The Action – www.myspace.com/bandtheaction
The Andrea Doria – www.myspace.com/theandreadoria
Anorexic Beauty Queen – www.myspace.com/anorexicbeautyqueen
The Barrigar Brothers - www.myspace.com/thebarrigarbrothers
Caesar Fadari – www.caesarfadari.com
Caleb Micah – www.myspace.com/calebmicah
Chris Lizzi – www.chrislizzi.com
Fairway – www.myspace.com/fairwaymusic
Fazeshift – www.myspace.com/fazeshift
Grey Tide – www.myspace.com/greytide
HondoMesa and Midnight Mike – www.hondomesarecords.com
Honor Bright – www.honorbright.net
Huela – www.myspace.com/huelamusic
The Icon And The Axe – www.myspace.com/theiconandtheaxe
Jeffrey Pepper Rogers – www.jeffreypepperrodgers.com
Kh'Mi – www.myspace.com/khmi
Mat Burke – www.myspace.com/matburke
Merit – www.gomeritgo.com
Mike Brindisi & The New York Rock – www.thenewyorkrock.com
Rocko Dorsey – www.myspace.com/rockodorsey
Steve Wolf & Blues Express – no website
Torment The Vein – www.tormentthevein.com
Vapor Aevum – www.myspace.com/vaporaevum

Photo of Corn-Bred at NAMA

This photo from Indian Country Today, by Shannon Burns, was taken at last year's Native American Music Awards (NAMA). Corn-Bred's Hondo Mesa Records release won "Best Blues Recording of the Year." The boys are looking good. They didn't have a new release for this year's NAMA, however they are heading back into the studio. Expect to see them at next year's NAMA.

3rd & Main's "K 'n' D" on ReverbNation

Hello cool noir jazz fans,
Hondo Mesa Records just put up 3rd & Main's cool recording of their original, "K 'n' D" on ReverbNation. You can listen to the entire tune. And speaking of tune, stay tuned for some exciting news about a special summer (free) 3rd & Main gig in Syracuse, NY. Syracuse is the boys' home town and they are excited to be playing a free summer concert for all their fans. For now... enjoy a listen to K 'n' D:

Star Spangled Banner -- Larry Hoyt

Larry certainly has a distinctive sound. Here is his version of the Star Spangled Banner:



Nicely done Larry.

This Old Heart of Mine

Hey guys,
Remember this... Rod Steward and Ronald Isley. A favorite of mine:

R.I.P. BUDDY MILES

Another great one is gone. Buddy Miles played with Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, and others. Late in life he got his second wind and was coming up again. God Bless you Buddy. Here is a video of Buddy Miles and his pal Carlos Santana playing "Them Changes" live.

Jazz Trio Live From Japan

I'm sitting in the Hondo Mesa Records studio (East) in Syracuse, NY. It is 10:00am on Sunday morning. I am logged into Second Life and listening to the Ashiya Jun Trio, live from Japan. The time in Japan is 11:00pm. The trio is made-up of all Japanese musicians -- Ashiya Jun on Acoustic Piano, Hatsune Nishi on Electric Bass (she kicks ass), maxmax Miles on Drums. Fantastic. The photo is a shot of their avatars. As they stream the live sound, the avatars are on on stage playing.

Ulf Oesterle featured in Jerk Magazine

My friend and fellow indie record label owner, Ulf Oesterle, is featured in a Jerk Magazine story this month. The story, "For the Record," written by Liam McCabe and photographed by Katie Dalrymple, Maren Guse and Nick Ruggiero describes how Aux Records was formed. A big part of the story is devoted to how Aux Records and the SAMMY award-winning band Merit hooked up. It's a good read.

Oscar Peterson singing?

Hey guys,
I'm in New York City right now. I've been here for about a week and I'm heading back to Syracuse on tomorrow on the 10:45 train. My last post, promised a story about the late great Oscar Peterson's singing at the CCC Jazz Festival.

Until recently, I didn't know Oscar sang. A couple of nights ago, in a jazz club around 92nd and Broadway, my friend Larry told me that Oscar did sing, recorded himself singing, and that he (Larry) had a very rare copy of that recording.

This kind of takes the interest out of my promised story. I didn't think Oscar could sing. When I saw Oscar at the old State Theatre in Cleveland (during the CCC Jazz Festival sometime during tne decade of teh 1980s), he only played piano. He didn't sing. Larry told me that Oscar had a wonderful singing voice, but he sounded too much like Nat King Cole. In fact, he sounded identical to Nat King Cole, so he stopped singing (on records, anyway).

Here is my story of the great CCC Jazz Festival and Oscar Peterson. Oscar comes on stage (after the drummer and bass player had been playing for a little bit). He starts playing. It sounds great. He grabs the mic, that was laying on his grand piano and announces the next song. While he is playing, I hear this "eek eek eek" sound. This sound continues through the entire song. When the song ends, the eek eek eek ends. Oscar introduces another song and starts playing. That "eek, eek eek, is back. I start looking aroud to see who is rocking in their squeeky chair making that sounds. I find no indication of this.

As it turns out, Oscar is kinding half humming, somewhat singing, basically vocalizing with his playing. It is totally off tune and basically sounds like, "eek, eek, eek, eek," and so on. He never turned off his mic after introducing a new song and the mic was picking up on his vocals.

After about three songs, the "eek" faded into the background and I never really heard it again. Oscar put on a wonderful concert. CCC Jazz Fest was a big hit and I miss Cleveland.
Best regards,
Dennis

Oscar Peterson

So long to another great...Oscar Peterson. I saw Peterson in the mid-1980s. He was the headliner for the CCC Jazz Festival in Cleveland, Ohio. Wow. What a show. The concert was held in the old State Theater on Euclid Avenue. I have been telling a story about that night for years. I'll tell it here when I get some time. It has to do with Oscar's singing. Yes, singing. In the mean time, enjoy this clip of Oscar Perterson and Count Basie playing "Slow Blues."