It was really a treat to open up for the great Christine Lavin last night at First Acoustics in Brooklyn Heights, NY. It was in the tidy sanctuary of a church, and yes, the acoustics were indeed good! I did a 1/2 hour set and I thought it went pretty well though it’s always tough to put up your A game right from the get-go. I had about 6 songs inside of half an hour including faves like Red Light Kiss, Summer’s Voice and a *newer* song for the holidays called The Christmas Tree on Salem Street.
The old adage about “time flies when you have fun” must have been written about Christine Lavin. From the moment she starts you become wrapped in her aura, and then by the time she lets you out, your watch ‘must’ be wrong and your face hurts from laughing. See her when you can, and Thank you CoCo and Bruce for having me too!
Today is Veterans Day in America, and I thank all of you, living or passed who gave a measure of service that cannot be repaid. I once took a motorcycle trip across this great country of ours and noticed veterans rider groups who rode the broken lines and took the wind to their faces for those comrades who could not.
This song is called Bandana Man. It is off my ‘Summer’s Voice’ record.
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Bandana Man © Arlon Bennett
He rolled in off the highway like a dog without a home
Bandanas round his head on wheels of faded chrome
Pumpin’ gas he told me how his life had changed
The war was on in Saigon when they called his name
<chorus>
Bandana man
Wears a red one for the fallen
White for where they’ve gone
Blue for how he feels
Though he don’t know you
He’ll stop long enough to tell you
Nothin’ wipes the tears away like a bandana can
His story goes he was shootin’ from a hole
Far cry from all those times huntin’ deer back home
In a flash from a blast his best friend was gone
He put his bandana over the face of a mother’s only son
<chorus>
He came home with honor came home with pride
came home with a hollow heart and a hitch in his stride
Started up that Harley n’ heard the callin’ of the road
I offered up my best salute and watched him go
<chorus>
Bandana Man
Produced by Arlon Bennett, Bob Harris, and Donnie Skaggs
Arlon and Arlana singin'!
Well, I never did either until I was asked to do a benefit show for a family whose son has a very rare skin condition called ”Epidermolysis Bullosa” or “EB” for short. These very special kids are are also called ‘Butterfly Children’ because their skin is SO sensitive (like the wings of a butterfly), that even the most minor touch can causes blistering and sores. The boys name is Casey and you can find out more about him here: http://mufoundation.net.
It was a special day because it reminds us of the unity in community. Hundreds of folks came out to the Patchogue Fire Department in Patchogue, LI (NY) last Sunday for the motorcycle ride, raffles, Chinese auction and other festivities to raise money for this boy who needs special care. I was happy to help with guitar in hand and songs in heart. My daughter Arlana also sang “Red Light Kiss’ with me on stage, AND gave Casey the gentlest of hugs.
…is what mom always told me! Well, I got a step closer when my song ’7 Days’ (from ‘The Watch Man’ CD) was selected to be in an independent film starring Steve Buschemi and Aidan Quinn. Thank you Suzanne Hilleary, my agent from WACBIZ (see the link on the right) who hooked this up! My wife Catherine and I meandered oven to the Tribeca Film Festival to check out the premiere, and it was pretty cool I must say! We got to hobnob with actors, the director, and producer afterwards too.
They played a good part of the song in the diner scene when Harry comes back to town after spending a week on the road to uncover an old secret. It was a good film, and I really recommend seeing it. Great music underscores the whole film since a musician plays an integral part. It’s the kind of film I can’t say much about because I don’t want to give ANY part of it away. See it and enjoy – you will see what I mean.
Let’s hope some more of my songs find new homes!
Yesterday, July 5th I was fortunate to take part in benefit concert for DJ Angela Page (http://www.wjffradio.org/FolkPlus) out in Narrowsburg, NY. I joined performers Joe Crookston, Mike Agranoff, Ken & Julie, Miche’ Fambro & others to help raise money for her legal fund. Her situation is outlined here. She has had an exhaustive fight with New York State to gain Worker’s Compensation benefits since she can no longer work as a librarian.
The day was beautiful and it was put together and catered by Jill Padua (www.jillskitchen.com) and a nice group of volunteers. She also runs the Riverfolk concert series at http://www.jillskitchen.com/riverfolk. It was another reminder of one of the ‘benefits’ of music.
Angela has been a BIG supporter of indie music as a volunteer for many years at WJFF (A hydro powered station!). Keep on Angela!
It was a nice month with another birthday gone by. Libra that I am, it was a balanced month with a good mix of music family and friends! BTW, OCt 20 was also Mickey Mantle’s and Keith Hernandez’ birthday too… Is that why I swing for the fences?
I send a big THANKS to Barbara Roehrer of the Acoustic Cafe for having me split the bill in October with the fabulous Richard Julian. He was a treat to hear! He was part of the NY Living Room scene with Jesse Harris, Norah Jones and others. The inimitable John Sonntag joined me on his ‘red guild’ adding his wonderful colors as we reeled off a nice one hour set. Also, a big THANKS to Trif at the Barrington Coffeehouse in Barrington, NJ for having us there too! It’s a nice and cozy intimate room where the music envelops you like a warm blanket.
I spent the weekend of February 20-24 in Memphis at the National Folk Alliance Conference. I missed last year since my daughter was being born, but made it this year (with a happy first birthday phone call!). How do I describe the conference? Well, more of a “singference” or giant music party with shows going on all over the place. From private showcases in hotel rooms converted to coffeehouses, to more formal showcases in converted conference rooms with full sound systems; it was a sight (and sound.. ) to behold. I did 6 private showcases and caught many acts with many highlights. One highlight was hanging in a small room with Jon Vezner and Kathy Mattea as they traded songs. Another highlight was giving a CD to former US Attorney General Janet Reno. She was in a panel workshop that produced ”Song of America”; a CD of 50 varied songs that have played a role in the development of America.
Overall it was a really great time and I attended several business panels, and even participated in a 2 1/2 minute presentation to 2 different sets of venues. A little nerve wracking, but you have to take every opportunity to be heard in this business! The great thing about it is that I always come home inspired to a better artist.
Thank you Judy Klass, Mark Free, Spook Handy, and Fran Snyder for hosting me in your showcases. I can’t wait until next year!
This week I head out to the land of Sun Studios, where guys like Elvis and BB King recorded and got their starts. Yes, Memphis Tenessee! I will be showcasing at the National Folk Alliance conference and having a good ole’ time. Afterall, this is a conference of musicians, which means that there are no boring meetings about market share n’ such. Our meetings are concerts and sing-a-longs! Wow.. I’m pinching myself now.
Cool news to report!
Be the Change – Top 10 played song of 2007 – Folk DJ’s
Summer’s Voice - Top 10 album 2007 – Hal Selzer of Aquarian Weekly
Summer’s Voice - Top 5 album of 2007 – WXOU Auburn Hills, Michigan Summer’s Voice - Top 30 album of the year, 2007 – WVPE 88.1FM, South Bend/Elkhart (Indiana).
Summer’s Voice review http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p04187.htm
It was a great year in the Arlon Bennett camp which saw the birth of two babies! The first, was baby girl ‘Arlana’ who was born on February 22 and weighed in at 7 lbs. 12 Oz. The second baby was the CD ‘Summer’s Voice’ which arrived in concert on March 25 at the Club Havana in New Hope, PA. It weighs in at 2.3 ounces, BUT the music has some weight AND some legs! In fact, the song ‘Be the Change’ came in as the 9th most played song ALL YEAR on Folk & Acoustic stations! The album as a whole came in at #16 over the summer. Thanks again to Hudson Harding radio promotion for getting the music out there!
Arlon is heading south to Florida to partake in the South Florida Folk Festival (Jan 18-20), and then there’s Memphis in February. See his Calendar on his website for upcoming concerts. On Saturday, January 12 he’ll be at the Roots Music Coffeehouse with guitar maven John Sonntag.
AND a giant THANK you to everybody who purchased a holiday CD! All proceeds went to the Hudson Valley Food Bank. The holiday CD also features my song ‘The Christmas Tree on Salem Street’, which you can also hear on Arlon’s Myspace page.
A happy, healthy and prosperous new year to all!
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