it's going to dip into the 20's this week...i've got my uggs out and all shined up...i might need to do some shopping for layers...i've got plenty, but i just might need some more...brrrrr.
this whole last week i was still high from the weekend...saw many people asking how i felt about the evening...i really don't think i would do anything different...if anything, i would have lost 10 more lbs and practiced a bit more...;-)
i had a few last minute gigs this weekend...my incredibly talented artist friend, jo quillin tomson had an art show at watermark...she had mentioned me selling my cd's there, and i offered to play for a bit...everyone there are h20mark (my friend karen gave me that one) is amazing...so very nice and accommodating...they are selling my cds there for a nominal cut...i've been watching the crowson's play there for a number of years, and have loved that venue...it was a real honor to play there...
i got a call on thanksgiving from jeffrey of 'delores and the pickin' fretter' wanting advice on how to handle an almost lost voice (jenny's allergies had taken over)...i recommended what i would have done...lots of warm tea with lemon and honey and zinc lozenges...a few minutes later was a message from jenny too with a coarse almost there voice on the other end...asking if i would be willing to fill in a short set just in case her voice wouldn't return by the next day...if it did, just give her voice a break, so it doesn't have to sing the whole night?!? i said of course, and it fit right in after h20mark...;-) it's always a pleasure singing with those guys...they sound so good together, and the sofa kings (i love that!) are always such a nice addition to the folky duo...
after 2 thanksgiving dinners and 2 gigs, plus my day job, i ended out the weekend (which felt like one extra day - very nice) working on lucille (a 1965 airstream that my friend who happens to be a boy - i.e. my boy toy - and i are fixing up)...we got her totally gutted, and now it's time to paint!
time to go update her facebook page with new pictures...have a great week, and i'll speak to you monday, and give a full report of 'guitars for kids' that is this saturday night at the artichoke...i think i talked mark foley and gary into coming late after the bella gig and playing with me!?
yahoo!!
til then,
nikki
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
whirlwind weekend.
wowsa!! what a weekend!!
it all started friday night, on my way home from work, my friends, nicole and marlys called..."we have a ticket for you to vienna teng, be at our place at 630"...our evening began with a drive to an installment of "prarie window something series" put on by miner seymour (this is the new series that replaced the 'old settler's inn') was held at dyck arboreteum (sp?) in beautiful hesston, kansas, miles from where i grew up!
anyhoo, she was phenomenal! i could hear tori amos, only with less angst...it was exactly what i needed the night before the big show...a perfect distraction....seeing a flawless show go off with hitches and glitches that made it even more perfect...
then the big day arrived...finally!!...i felt as though i was getting married, only without a cake...or a preacher, or rings...just a big party with great parting gifts!!
i spent the morning relaxing, writing my thank you notes to the band, signing their Cd's, cleaning my apartment, getting as much done as i could before i had to be at work at 1...right after work, i went straight to abode, to check in...the guys were 30 minutes out with all the sound equipment, i had to point them in the right direction...
everyone at abode was AWESOME!! they let us come in with all our sound equipment (and man, there was A LOT!) helped us with power outlets, told us where to go...josh Jackson is so accommodating, and easy to get along with, it was a smooth start to a smooth night...
mark, dennis, gary and i started to work on building the maze of cords it took to power a killer band (and me) for the evening...i had a few lessons in how it all worked...and a great workout! those speakers are HUGE!!
sound check started a bit early, as steve story rolled in from texas around 330...he is an old friend of gary's and just happens to be a top notch violin player who wanted to run through a few tunes before actually performing them...who could blame him?!?
foley came a bit early as well, so we had enough of the band to run through a few tunes before i needed to head home to 'get ready'...one time through, it's all it took...gary had been telling me that he was amazing, but to hear it with my own ears...he was fan-tastic! and fun-tastic! i can see how he and gary have been friends all these years...he's a hoot! and knows his shiz-nit.
shalen went with me a bit after 6 to 'get ready'...i think she was secretly worried that i would forget to put on mascara or something...i'm not much of a 'style diva'...i rarely wear make-up and my idea of dressing up are anything but chaco's...so she brought her hair straightener and fixed me up right! i remembered my eyeliner and mascara, and i was h.o.t...other than the rumbling in my tummy, i was ready to be a rock star (for a night anyway)
got back to abode, a few minutes after 7 (doors open at 7 mind you) and there were people there already! i couldn't believe it!! and some i didn't recognize, and who didn't seem to recognize me! what the? the rest of the night was a bit of a blur, i have to admit...i started the night with a crown and coke and ended the night with the same drink (severely watered down and in the same place i put it when we started the first set)...it was awesome...the door count was between 250 and 300...and the setting was perfect...designer furniture and people out the wazoo...it was standing room only! i didn't know what to do with myself!
i thought having the boys open for me with a jazz set would be plenty of time for me to sign everyone's cd's and have a chance to talk with everyone, but no...there was a line when barney came to literally pull me away saying, 'you need to tune your guitar, we're ready to roll!'...
the band so very much carried me through this dream of what was the ball...i truly felt like the belle of the ball...it was absolutely incredible...forgetting my notes hardly phased me, i forgot a few things, but probably would have if i had them there anyway?!?
so, the rest of the night was amazing...didn't get to talk to all the people i wanted to talk to...forgot to tell everyone about the afterparty at the hillcrest that laurie worked so hard to put together...ugh! got back there and practically collapsed...i was exhausted! got to bed about 2 and was up every coupla hours giggling to myself remembering a series of perfect moments of the evening...still in shock of what had just occurred...
sunday came and went! after brunching with steve before sending him back to texas and loading and unloading sound equipment, i was in bed by 4 and asleep by 7...it was a whirlwind weekend, but man, if i had it to do over, i'd do it just like it happened...
thank you to all who were there, who helped put it together, who ran the show, who took the door, who sold cds (128!!), who played their hearts out, who sang their hearts out and everyone who couldn't make it, but wanted to...i'm on cloud 9 and i plan to stay here until...well...i think i'll just stay put. ;-)
it all started friday night, on my way home from work, my friends, nicole and marlys called..."we have a ticket for you to vienna teng, be at our place at 630"...our evening began with a drive to an installment of "prarie window something series" put on by miner seymour (this is the new series that replaced the 'old settler's inn') was held at dyck arboreteum (sp?) in beautiful hesston, kansas, miles from where i grew up!
anyhoo, she was phenomenal! i could hear tori amos, only with less angst...it was exactly what i needed the night before the big show...a perfect distraction....seeing a flawless show go off with hitches and glitches that made it even more perfect...
then the big day arrived...finally!!...i felt as though i was getting married, only without a cake...or a preacher, or rings...just a big party with great parting gifts!!
i spent the morning relaxing, writing my thank you notes to the band, signing their Cd's, cleaning my apartment, getting as much done as i could before i had to be at work at 1...right after work, i went straight to abode, to check in...the guys were 30 minutes out with all the sound equipment, i had to point them in the right direction...
everyone at abode was AWESOME!! they let us come in with all our sound equipment (and man, there was A LOT!) helped us with power outlets, told us where to go...josh Jackson is so accommodating, and easy to get along with, it was a smooth start to a smooth night...
mark, dennis, gary and i started to work on building the maze of cords it took to power a killer band (and me) for the evening...i had a few lessons in how it all worked...and a great workout! those speakers are HUGE!!
sound check started a bit early, as steve story rolled in from texas around 330...he is an old friend of gary's and just happens to be a top notch violin player who wanted to run through a few tunes before actually performing them...who could blame him?!?
foley came a bit early as well, so we had enough of the band to run through a few tunes before i needed to head home to 'get ready'...one time through, it's all it took...gary had been telling me that he was amazing, but to hear it with my own ears...he was fan-tastic! and fun-tastic! i can see how he and gary have been friends all these years...he's a hoot! and knows his shiz-nit.
shalen went with me a bit after 6 to 'get ready'...i think she was secretly worried that i would forget to put on mascara or something...i'm not much of a 'style diva'...i rarely wear make-up and my idea of dressing up are anything but chaco's...so she brought her hair straightener and fixed me up right! i remembered my eyeliner and mascara, and i was h.o.t...other than the rumbling in my tummy, i was ready to be a rock star (for a night anyway)
got back to abode, a few minutes after 7 (doors open at 7 mind you) and there were people there already! i couldn't believe it!! and some i didn't recognize, and who didn't seem to recognize me! what the? the rest of the night was a bit of a blur, i have to admit...i started the night with a crown and coke and ended the night with the same drink (severely watered down and in the same place i put it when we started the first set)...it was awesome...the door count was between 250 and 300...and the setting was perfect...designer furniture and people out the wazoo...it was standing room only! i didn't know what to do with myself!
i thought having the boys open for me with a jazz set would be plenty of time for me to sign everyone's cd's and have a chance to talk with everyone, but no...there was a line when barney came to literally pull me away saying, 'you need to tune your guitar, we're ready to roll!'...
the band so very much carried me through this dream of what was the ball...i truly felt like the belle of the ball...it was absolutely incredible...forgetting my notes hardly phased me, i forgot a few things, but probably would have if i had them there anyway?!?
so, the rest of the night was amazing...didn't get to talk to all the people i wanted to talk to...forgot to tell everyone about the afterparty at the hillcrest that laurie worked so hard to put together...ugh! got back there and practically collapsed...i was exhausted! got to bed about 2 and was up every coupla hours giggling to myself remembering a series of perfect moments of the evening...still in shock of what had just occurred...
sunday came and went! after brunching with steve before sending him back to texas and loading and unloading sound equipment, i was in bed by 4 and asleep by 7...it was a whirlwind weekend, but man, if i had it to do over, i'd do it just like it happened...
thank you to all who were there, who helped put it together, who ran the show, who took the door, who sold cds (128!!), who played their hearts out, who sang their hearts out and everyone who couldn't make it, but wanted to...i'm on cloud 9 and i plan to stay here until...well...i think i'll just stay put. ;-)
Monday, November 16, 2009
39 degrees?
saw on the news last night that it's only going to get to 39 degrees today...not a low of 39...39 is all we're gonna get...my clock/weather station says it's 36 degrees right now...have never been so thankful for my hot pink ugg boots and the fact that i don't have to go outside til noon...(i love my job)
still coming down from rehearsal last night...on my previous post you'll see who all was there, and let me tell you, it was a blast!! not only great music, but great guys (and shalen and tanya)...someone said that being in a band is like a marriage...well, i'd marry any/all of these guys...i can say that because i vowed i would never get married again...but if i would, these guys would be at the top of my list! as long as all we did was play music and drink cocktails (beer for them, of course)...
just got off the phone with ben at oasis (the duplication outfit that is reproducing my record) and the cd's shipped friday and should be here today?!? i didn't get an automated email stating that they were shipped, but ben assures me (according to my account) that they were shipped...i got them about 1 1/2 weeks ago and the booklet inside was not printed right, so i sent them all back so that i can have one more thing to worry about...
also, just got an email from bryan masters (my web genius) who just got up the latest artwork/front page of my website...craig tomson of howerton+white designed, and bryan made it all fit...go check it out!! http://www.nikkimoddelmog.com...i have the bestest and coolest friends ever...
i have been making notes about all the guys...how long they've been playing music, with who, their projects now, how we met etc...(i need something to talk about between songs) and man, i've got a killer band...i'm so honored and excited that they want to be in my band...and that they dig it...too fun...
k, gotta go get my laundry now and deliver peppernuts (my side business for the 'season') if anyone wants peppernuts, lemme know! i'm selling by the gallon ($22), 1/2 gal ($14) or quart ($8)...they are melt in your mouth good!! just sayin'.
til then,
nikki
still coming down from rehearsal last night...on my previous post you'll see who all was there, and let me tell you, it was a blast!! not only great music, but great guys (and shalen and tanya)...someone said that being in a band is like a marriage...well, i'd marry any/all of these guys...i can say that because i vowed i would never get married again...but if i would, these guys would be at the top of my list! as long as all we did was play music and drink cocktails (beer for them, of course)...
just got off the phone with ben at oasis (the duplication outfit that is reproducing my record) and the cd's shipped friday and should be here today?!? i didn't get an automated email stating that they were shipped, but ben assures me (according to my account) that they were shipped...i got them about 1 1/2 weeks ago and the booklet inside was not printed right, so i sent them all back so that i can have one more thing to worry about...
also, just got an email from bryan masters (my web genius) who just got up the latest artwork/front page of my website...craig tomson of howerton+white designed, and bryan made it all fit...go check it out!! http://www.nikkimoddelmog.com...i have the bestest and coolest friends ever...
i have been making notes about all the guys...how long they've been playing music, with who, their projects now, how we met etc...(i need something to talk about between songs) and man, i've got a killer band...i'm so honored and excited that they want to be in my band...and that they dig it...too fun...
k, gotta go get my laundry now and deliver peppernuts (my side business for the 'season') if anyone wants peppernuts, lemme know! i'm selling by the gallon ($22), 1/2 gal ($14) or quart ($8)...they are melt in your mouth good!! just sayin'.
til then,
nikki
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
oh goodness...i've agreed to write a blog in lieu of updating a webpage (of which i don't know how to do, so here i am...)...
right now, i'm in the workings of planning a cd release party!! here is what i have so far...
NOVEMBER 21 :: saturday night :: 8pm :: cash bar :: $5 cover :: $15 cds :: ABODE furniture store
i've got a full band backing me up (99% of those who recorded the record with me)
steve hatfield :: drums
mark foley :: upright bass
gary palsmeier :: mandolin
beau jarvis :: piano
dennis hardin :: guitar
steve story* :: violin
shalen scheltgen :: back vox
* steve didn't record with us, but is filling in for rob loren (who did record with us, but is more popular than the rest of us and has a gig already...)
let's see...i'm picking up my posters today! so i will have one to post anywhere and everywhere...if you would like one to put in your office/break room/bar/living room, just let me know and i can hook you up!!
craig tomson, nicole howerton and diane vallier all of howerton+white designed the artwork for the whole project...my eternal gratitude is bestowed upon them for sharing their genius with me (and you!)
check out the cover of the cd!!
you can listen to samples of tracks at ::
www.cdbaby.com/cd/nikkimoddelmog
you can pre-order, but i haven't gotten copies yet....eeek, i know, but as soon as i get them, i'll be sending to cdbaby for immediate delivery...or you can come to the party and get immediate retail satisfaction...
ok, so i guess that's all i have to share at the moment...this blog thing...i think i'm going to like it.
right now, i'm in the workings of planning a cd release party!! here is what i have so far...
NOVEMBER 21 :: saturday night :: 8pm :: cash bar :: $5 cover :: $15 cds :: ABODE furniture store
i've got a full band backing me up (99% of those who recorded the record with me)
steve hatfield :: drums
mark foley :: upright bass
gary palsmeier :: mandolin
beau jarvis :: piano
dennis hardin :: guitar
steve story* :: violin
shalen scheltgen :: back vox
* steve didn't record with us, but is filling in for rob loren (who did record with us, but is more popular than the rest of us and has a gig already...)
let's see...i'm picking up my posters today! so i will have one to post anywhere and everywhere...if you would like one to put in your office/break room/bar/living room, just let me know and i can hook you up!!
craig tomson, nicole howerton and diane vallier all of howerton+white designed the artwork for the whole project...my eternal gratitude is bestowed upon them for sharing their genius with me (and you!)
check out the cover of the cd!!
you can listen to samples of tracks at ::
www.cdbaby.com/cd/nikkimoddelmog
you can pre-order, but i haven't gotten copies yet....eeek, i know, but as soon as i get them, i'll be sending to cdbaby for immediate delivery...or you can come to the party and get immediate retail satisfaction...
ok, so i guess that's all i have to share at the moment...this blog thing...i think i'm going to like it.
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