schedule and such

back for more...

2011-05-06T23:28:00.002-05:00

here i am again, folks...about 7 months this time...it's been a wild winter to say the least...too much to talk about just yet, but i'm getting back on the wagon...to the left are some shows i've booked this summer...feeling good about feeling the need to play again...so much that life has to offer, i hate to miss out on any of it...hope to see you out there...xoxo

and another 4 months...

2010-10-06T11:00:00.003-05:00

i think it must be the number 4...i used to only date guys for 4 months...now it's blogging...think that is my magic number?

just finished with a whirlwind of gigs this weekend...i called it my fall tour...friday at the orpheum theatre, then a private party, saturday was at the artichoke, and sunday at the brickyard opening up for uche, scott and 2 guitars...their cd release party...it was a blast of a weekend...sharing the stage with dennis hardin and mark foley...premier musicians in wichita...dennis is in 4-5 other bands, and mark is in the symphony and heads up the knob fest...i'm so lucky...

saw a great duo last month, 'storyhill'...totally worth reporting...their harmonies are spectacular...gave me goosebumps almost every song...their records don't do them justice...if you get a chance to see them live, do it...you won't be sorry...

just bought a hybrid...toyota prius...her name is ruby...filled it up with gas the other day, and it only took 6.5 gallons of gas...i went 348 miles on 6.5 gallons of gas...incredible...so now i'm researching solar panels and homemade wind turbines...getting my green on...totally fun...

a dinette and a galley away from finishing lucille (lovely lucille on facebook...go check her out)...gary has all the parts ordered, it's a matter of designing and putting it all together...he does amazing work...just like him...amazing...

k...see you in another 4 months...;-)

jeeeeez...

2010-05-25T16:29:00.004-05:00

it's only been 4 months...i knew that would happen...every monday "blog" comes up in my reminders...i'd like to blame anyone and everyone but it's me that isn't blogging...i'm not apologizing...i believe in phases...i must not blog, so i can blog...anyhoo...i'm back...whatever that means...we'll see how long this lasts...

tonight is the first of 6 teleclasses...studying to be a lifecoach...i do a lot of it at my job, so i figure i should sharpen my skills a bit...it's so intense...i'm uber nervous...but it will be wonderful...

i started a jewelry class...i'm fascinated with precious metal clay...you form it into whatever you want, let it dry, leslie fires it in her kiln, and BOOM! i've got a piece of jewelry! it's downright nuts...tell the truth, it's been a blast to reconnect with my creativity...it's more natural than i thought...

i leave next friday for the bike across kansas....475 miles over northern kansas...you should come...all the cool kids are doing it...it's everything i want in a vacation...a tan, lots of food, and i come away losing weight...what more could a girl ask for?

the bad side of the bike across kansas is that i'm going to miss a very important event...pat-a-palooza...a benefit for a great man, pat audley at the artichoke...i'm trying to put in some legwork ahead of time, organizing and such, so that not being there will sting less...i'll never forget the feeling in my knees when he asked me to play at the artichoke...it was my first gig as a headliner...too cool for words...

well, this was fun...i hope to continue...

2010-01-25T06:47:00.002-06:00

it's monday again...my alarm went off, and when i looked at my phone, it said...'don't forget to blog!'...i have this as a repeat event...every monday...'don't forget to blog"...i don't blog every monday...but at least it's a decision and not me forgetting...

i'm finding in my years, that i have become fairly forgetful...i'm not sure if it is deterioration or the fact that i have so much going on and so much to keep track of that no one in their right mind could keep up...gary always gives me crap for having over 700 friends on facebook...i'm not sorry...because we all know, they are mostly acquaintences, however, i do try to keep up with as many as i can...

i found myself at a crossroads on saturday night...i had the night off (i.e. i wasn't playing anywhere) and on those nights i like to get out and see whomever i can, because i can't when i'm playing...but his saturday i was exhausted...my day job has exploded and i have more work than i can handle...add that to a thursday night gig that went late, and a wonderful day with my mom, celebrating her birthday and i'm spent by saturday night...i used to get sad when people didn't come to my gigs...yet another thing i'm finding in my years, is that we all have to take care of ourselves, and sometimes that means that i can't go to the perk on saturday night to hear my dear friend uche rock the house...it killed me, but i needed to fall asleep at 830p and not wake up til the next morning...i often have people apologize for not coming to my gigs...please don't...i understand...in this rush rush rush land and the more we can do the better, just leaves us tired and feeling like we have to push harder, and frankly, we need more rest!

a few weeks ago, i visited 'rockin' daddy's'...a byob joint at douglas and hillside...it was $5 at the door, you bring your own everything and just sit and enjoy the show...i want to create a venue with couches and recliners where you can come lay down and be comfortable and rest while you listen to live music...bring your own whatever, and just enjoy...

it seems like a good idea?

baby, it's cold outside.

2010-01-04T09:39:00.002-06:00

8 degrees last night...i have steam heat in my apartment...usually VERY warm, shorts and tank tops around the house...but, these days, i've got blankets and sweats on...what the? i'm a big fan of seasons, however, i wish this one would be over already...i have been so very spoiled in my years past of having a very mild winter...and am whining explicitly due to this one...

i have been taking it easy over the holidays for obvious reasons...we all need a break, sometimes...but, january seems to have a promising coupla gigs...the 9th, i will be at the trusted artichoke...the rock of my success...where it all started...i will do the first set with trusted side-kick, dennis hardin, then gary palsmeier and mark foley will join us for the rest of the evening (after their restaurant gig at bella luna east)...jan 21 will be the first installment of the KAAA winter concert series...show is at 7 on a thursday night...i will be joined by jennifer petterson and amanda lind to start the evening, then finish up with gary palsmeier, dennis hardin and beau jarvis...should be a fun time, i'm looking forward to performing again!!

put together an old tune that i had been working on...not quite finished, but hope to have it done by the 21st...

i hope everyone had a happy new year celebration, and an even better christmas!! this was the most relaxing one yet for me! ;-)

happy days,
nikki

cheeseball city

2009-12-14T09:00:00.002-06:00

here comes the challenge...no gigs to write about...no gigs til january to pimp...what on earth will i talk about for...i don't know, at least a few paragraphs? i write in rhymes...in 3 minutes or less...including an instrumental solo!

i have to admit, i'm blocked...i haven't written a song since 'take your time' back in october of LAST YEAR! i make myself too busy...seems there is always something that needs to be done...and rightfully so, there is, however, i didn't have any problem putting that aside all those years ago, to pop out a song...i didn't have to schedule it...they practically fell out of me...i feel i have come to a time where i have to step outside of myself to draw on experiences...i happen to be in love right now...love songs are cheesy...i've been trying to write one for 6 months...everytime i try, i get frustrated "it's too campy" or "oh man, cheeseball city"...and it's hard to rhyme 'cheese'...don't get me wrong, i'm still working it out, but i've also heard one songwriter say "as soon as i wrote her a song, she left me"...don't really want to risk that...maybe i'm making excuses for myself...i hate when i do that...

it's turned cold again...it was downright 'warm' this last week...only one layer required, and no hat...it was great! now...it's not supposed to get above 20 degrees...i'm not a big fan of the cold...if i could stay in all day when it's cold, i'd be just fine...i used to question those that went south for the winter...their 'winter homes' in arizona...i totally get it now...someday...

ok, time to get some stuff done...wittle my list down so i can justify picking up my guitar, and see what happens...

carry on,
nikki

oooops...

2009-12-08T15:40:00.003-06:00

i didn't get my blog written yesterday....so, here i am...today...an icky, icy day that none of my clients and myself didn't want to get out in, so i get a snow day!

this weekend was incredible...it was the guitars for kids event at the artichoke sandwich bar...we sold cds, charged a cover and sold raffle tickets for prizes like my massage, tie dye tees, kaaa cds and shaker/bottleopeners...and we raised over $1500!! that's 15 guitars...so very cool...

i spoke with blenda at college hill coffeehouse today, and scored a gig on feb 5!! it's one of my favorite gigs...no amps...houseconcert style...very very cool...

speaking of gigs...

when :: saturday, jan 9
where :: artichoke sandwich bar
where exactly :; 811 north broadway
who :: me, dennis hardin, mark foley and gp will join us later
how much :: $4 at the door

when :: thursday, jan 21
where :: murdock theatre
where exactly :: 536 n broadway
what :: KAAA winter concert series
who :: the wichita sessions set up :: dennis hardin, beau jarvis, gary palsmeier and myself
how much :: $10

when :: friday, feb 5
where :: collegehill coffeehouse
where exactly :: 403 soward winfield
who :: me
how much :: freebie!!

chilly willy...

2009-11-30T08:32:00.003-06:00

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

whirlwind weekend.

2009-11-23T07:55:00.006-06:00

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. ;-)

39 degrees?

2009-11-16T08:12:00.005-06:00

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

2009-11-11T12:57:00.005-06:00

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.

record...

2009-01-17T10:06:00.003-06:00

many of you have been asking about the record...i'm taking rob in sunday for his session with hand drums...i've got 2-3 more people to finish tracking, then artwork, then release...i'm hoping and wishing and praying for a spring release...not sure where yet (if you have suggestions, give me a holler) but know we're chugging along, and will have something to you very very soon!

gigs gigs and more gigs

2008-12-25T20:43:00.002-06:00

when :: saturday, jan 24
what time :: 8-11p
where :: artichoke sandwich bar
where exactly :: 811 north broadway
who :: me w/ my good buddies dennis and rob with the loverly amanda lind opening the show (faahhhhbulous)
what :: smoke free samich's, beer and tunes...who could ask for more?
how much :: 4 bucks with a money back guarantee (don't forget to give big love to big john at the door!)

when :: friday, jan 30
what time :: 7ish-9ish
where :: savage threads
where exactly :: 615 W Douglas Ave
who :: me w/ my almost as fahhbulous as amanda lind new geetar, stellar estelle (you'll meet her saturday if'n you make it out)
what :: this is a final friday show for my AS fahhbulous as amanda lind good good friend john Q who is an AMAZING artist.
how much :: musak is free...art, not so much...

when :: saturday, jan 31
what time :: 8-10ish?
where :: riverside perk
where exactly :: 1144 bitting
who :: my good buddy mark horton (from ragman's wagon) will be joining me for a singer/songwriter face off, only we won't be taking our faces off....just some good 'ol trading tunes...we take requests, but we only play the ones we know...
what :: smoke free good times.
how much :: this is a free show, but as always, there is an almost as fahhbulous as amanda lind tip jar...

when :: sunday, feb 8
what time :: 6-9p
where :: kirby's beer store
where exactly ::
who :: songwriter night...
what :: the kirby's experience
how much :: remember that tip jar?

love and hugs all around.

nikki moddelmog www.nikkimoddelmog.com

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it will sure be good to see all ya'all.....

love.