returning champions
We’re back. Yep. It’s like we never left. Your returning champions, Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express return to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival this year. Also some other shows coming up on the horizon, but we’re off the road for now. And honestly, I’m feeling a little lost. I pick up my phone to make sure I know what time it is. Don’t want to be late.
But late for what?
What to do with all this free time? Maybe I’ll start walking more. You know, unplug. Get some fresh air. Walk around the ’hood and peek into those street-level apartments with the big HDTVs and try to figure out what they’re watching. Or maybe ring their buzzer and offer to watch with them. “I brought my own snacks. Is this Stranger Things? I’ve heard a lot about this show.”
Fun aside, word to those of you making the trek to San Francisco for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. If you find yourself missing the Great Indoors, we can help. Friday and Saturday night we’re doing early shows at the Make Out Room in the Mission. After sitting on a blanket all day, you know you’d rather be indoors after dark. In a 21-and-over club, with mood lighting, a swirling glass ball hanging from the ceiling, and red décor. Time to give that floppy hat a rest until the sun comes up again.
All this free time? Yeah, right. Things are frantic as ever. The Temple Beautiful Musical is facing all kinds of twists and turns in the road. And I’ve been in the studio working on a new record. Trying to get some new songs to behave.
And I still found time to listen to all 11 shows of Elvis’s Live 1969 11-CD set, which Allison Hussey at Pitchfork incidentally gave a measly 6.1 and said that “listening to all of Live 1969 is a ridiculous thing to do.” I don’t feel ridiculous. Is it just me, but does Pitchfork’s poor Allison need to get a personality or what? Help her, Lord. And people have said to me, “Chuck, it’s 11 CDs. It’s a little overwhelming.” To which I say people justify the stupidest things. Guys, it’s her profession. It’s not like your aunt who got overwhelmed at the Louvre. And it’s not like she had to listen to Pearl Jam or anything. . . . That review is an abortion! (insert shaking fist GIF here).
Oh, and if that’s not enough, check out the newly released Elvis recording The American Sound Studios Sessions 1969. I’m listening to take 20 of “In the Ghetto” right now and I feel like I’m right there. Like I’m watching the forefathers write the Declaration of Independence.
Oh, and another thing. File under: “They gave the dude a beeper.” Yessir, they gave me a radio show on the Gimme Country Network. I’m spinning lots of 50s, 60s country. Nashville cats, Wrecking Crew side streets, yodeling cowgirls, honky-tonkers, Georgia swampers, truckers, rockabilly cats and kittens, and more. You name it. All that stuff, that funk, that sweet, that funky stuff (Say what).
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THEY GAVE THE DUDE A BEEPER
Onwards,
-CP
PS: If you enjoy this newsletter, consider cruising over to our on-line store. Along with CD’s, T shirts and the like, we have a new shipment of Bobby Fuller Died For Your Sins vinyl. Plus ¡LFR! and Night Surfer.
Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/26bfyyj
Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express:
/ The Mission Express:
Stephie Finch: (singing, piano, guitar)
10/4/2019 SAN FRANCISCO CA HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS
10/4/2019 SAN FRANCISCO CA MAKE OUT ROOM
10/5/2019 SAN FRANCISCO CA MAKE OUT ROOM
Chuck Prophet Solo:
11/12/2019 MARTINEZ CA ARMANDO’S
11/13/2019 SANTA YNEZ CA TALES FROM THE TAVERN
11/15/2019 SANTA MONICA CA MCCABE’S
Chuck Prophet Solo - with Dave Alvin:
11/16/2019 WHITTIER CA RUTH B. SHANNON CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
