AGBC National Membership Meeting -- performance

I have been invited last minute to perform at the American-German Business Club's membership meeting this Saturday at 18:00. I've invited Bob Crook to join me. We'll be singing and playing at the beautiful winery Balthasar Ress in the Rheingau region. Sorry, this is for AGBC members only, with prior reservation.



I'm happy to tell you about AGBC. (Read more about AGBC here.) I've known Dennis Phillips, the founder and past president, for several years. Dennis and the current president, Robert Stoffers, asked me to provide some American music to complement the ensemble 15 Strings, led by AGBC member Matthias Lichentaler. AGBC is a great group to know and be involved with. It's a good forum for business and social networking and community involvement. Check them out sometime!

Vocal harmonies

I had a short but very productive rehearsal with two colleagues yesterday. We worked on harmonies on a couple of Beatles songs. Three-part harmony on Beatles tunes! This is gonna be great! Should have a short set ready by the next concert.

Bob Crook and I are still polishing the duets. We have about forty songs now pretty much memorized. We want to add bass and drums but we're still looking for the right people.

I also have a mixed quartet in the works. It's not clear when we'll perform, but it may be just for informal functions. The problem is just getting everybody's schedules to sync up. I'm really looking forward to this sound, but it may take a while to get a little songlist together. We're still contemplating which music we want to do.

As a singer, I find it easier to work with other singers than with intrumentalists. Sometimes I wonder if I should just do a vocal ensemble rather than working with a band. But I expect I'll be doing both. I'll keep you informed.

Piazza Linda

I found a great music venue in Munich. The Piazza Linda is owned by a lovely woman from New York who is an accomplished singer and believes in music. I sang there last night during open stage, and afterward Linda invited me to perform on 23 July 2008. I met a lot of musicians. It was a great evening, and I highly recommend the restaurant for anyone who loves music.

Three steps forward

I'm making progress. That's something. A few weeks ago I said to my colleague, Bob Crook, who sings Everly Brothers-style duets with me... "Bob," I said, "let's learn this music." So we did. We memorized about forty songs. I don't want to look at the song sheets again.

Next item. Johnny Cash. How did he make that sound? Electric guitar, acoustic guitar, standup bass. Luther Perkins on a Fender with a 5-watt tube amp, J.C. banging rhythm on the acoustic, Marshall Grant on upright bass. "Boom-chicka-boom". I've asked my friend Dan Carter to learn the cool Perkins riffs. And he has a Fender.

Vocal pop and jazz. I have three colleagues who are professional singers and are joining me in a vocal quartet. I don't suppose it will be commercial, but we will be singing at informal gatherings. I like the sound.

I sang at the ecumenical Pentecost fest on Monday in Frankfurt. Gospel music. But I don't suppose I'll ever entertain the masses with Gospel. Or even try to. It is too important to treat lightly.

And then there's swing. Not porch swing, not swinger, but swing music. I saw it the other day. I met some musicians. I saw the dancers. I liked it. Sinatra on an energy drink. I'll meet with some swing musicians in Munich soon and put something together.

All for now.