Return to Fayetteville Tour: A Broken Recollection (Part 2)

11/10/11 Day 4: Women Songwriter Circle @ GoodFolk, Fayetteville, AR

I took part in another of the Women Songwriter Circles, which have become a staple of the Fayetteville music scene. I absolutely love them. I had never even heard of such a thing until I moved to Fayetteville, AR. The first one I attended was at George's Majestic Lounge. It consisted of Bernice Hembree, of 3 Penny Acre, Shannon Wurst, Tiffany Christopher, and the gals from My Tea Kind. This was the most awesome thing I had ever experienced. Amazingly talented women performed their own original songs, while the others played along, mostly improvising. There were two stand up basses, a cello, a few guitars, and a bucket (which is played with snare brushes). The women sang in such beautiful harmony. I'm pretty sure I was so moved that I almost cried. Until then, I hadn't seen many female artists, and definitely not ones as talented as the ones I saw that night. So, when I was asked to take part in one myself, I was overjoyed. I have played quite a few since then, and I always look forward to it. I love being able to see such talent and heart, and to play along, and have them play along. It's really quite moving and spiritual for me.

I was so excited to play this next Women Songwriter Circle. It took place at GoodFolk Productions, a prestigious house concert hall in Fayetteville. There with me on stage were Tiffany Christopher, Shannon Wurst, and Carter Sampson. Tiffany and I became fast friends after working together at Greenhouse Grille. Tiffany has been somewhat of a mentor to me, and it was so great to see her play again. She's a guitar goddess, and she can rock your face off, pull you in and make you listen, or make you sing along. She has an amazing stage presence, a great voice, and a great heart. Carter Sampson hails from Oklahoma. She's got a swanky, deep woods murder ballad thing going on. Her smokey voice and intense lyrics take you to another place and time. I always love hearing her live. Shannon Wurst is an award winning, extremely talented country/folk music writer, with a sweet little voice that she can also belt out. Shannon writes kids songs too. Our last song of the night for the songwriter circle was off of Shannon's new kids album, "Green and Growing: Roots Music for Eco-Kids." The song was entitled "Kitchen Scraps" and it was about composting. We all sang along and had a hearty, wholesome good time. Tiffany also brought her rescue dog, Rodie, along, which is who you see in the pictures.

11/11/11 Day 5: Candy Lee and the Sweets & 1 Oz Jig in Fort Smith, AR

Candy Lee and the Sweets @ Landry's

The Sweets and I performed at R. Landry's in Fort Smith. I have played there before many times, and always enjoy myself. The owners are two amazing ladies that really do a lot to support local music. Landry's is a cool, Louisiana style restaurant that serves the most delicious cajun food. They are always so kind and accommodating, and always make me a special vegetarian dish. They have an excellent selection of beers on draft and by the bottle. My favorites are the chocolate and oatmeal stouts. Their staff of competent, friendly servers wear t-shirts  of local bands who have come to play at the restaurant. This last time the Sweets and I were there, they bought some shirts from us.

Landry's has a small stage at the front of it, just big enough for the Sweets and I to squeeze in. (We often have that problem, as there are five of us). The wall behind the stage has been painted with blackboard paint, and musicians who come to perform are allowed to tag their name on the wall with chalk. It's a colorful array of band names, signatures, and pictures. There are also a few band stickers stuck in random places on the wall. I think the wall tagged by musicians adds a real nice, artistic touch to the place. I think that wall is a great idea. It's a kind of testament to all of the great bands who have played at Landry's. The chalk is impermanent too, so you wonder how many great bands have played in the past, whose names have been written over or erased. Most people try to be respectful and not cover up other's names, but it is inevitable, and kind of beautiful that it is so impermanent. Life is impermanent too, and all we can do is remember the meaningful moments. David made a big chalk drawing of my logo on the wall on the side of the stage months back. It stayed there for a bit, but accidentally got rubbed away when they were moving the stage around. It's cool that my tag was on the wall at some point, but it's the moment that I'll remember- living my dream of being a musician, drinking good beer, and writing my name on the wall.

Candy Lee and the Sweets back up the 1 Oz Jig

So, the Sweets and I rocked it out at Landry's, and walked down the street to Webby D's, a bar and music venue, to see our friends' band, the 1 Oz Jig. The are a high energy, crazy talented funk band led by lead guitarist, and singer/ songwriter, Jeff Kearney. Jeff's songs are well thought out, introspective, catchy, clever and just plain fun. The band that completes him and forms the 1Oz Jig is absolutely amazing. Each of them knows his instrument back and forth. They have a tight rhythm section, a super funky, melt-your-face-off keyboard player, a jazzy saxophonist, and often, a trumpet or trombone player as well. I really like the use of the horns in the band. (Maybe it's the band-kid in me.) Th 1 Oz Jig is an award winning favorite in the NWA area. Emily and I had the honor of singing back up on their most recent self-titled album. 

Candy Lee and the Sweets perform @ Webby D's

Whilst watching the Jig, the lady Sweets and I were called up to the stage to sing back up harmonies on perhaps my favorite song of theirs, "Flowers"- a song about tough times making you stronger, wiser, and grateful for what you have. It was so awesome to feel the energy of the 1 Oz Jig on stage. I've always loved their music and was honored to have the opportunity to sing with them. The Sweets and I also played a few songs during the Jig's set break. It was a very fun night had by all. It was also Jenny's (Warren's wife) birthday. I'm pretty sure she had a great time.