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Well, it's been almost two years since I've posted a blog, and I'm pretty sure anyone who was subscribed to the feed has departed (I would have), but I had a few things I'd like to get out there to those who might be interested.

I did took a sax lesson for the first time in 8 years tonight, and it was pretty awesome. It seems like such a mundane thing, but for something that I did pretty much weekly from 1999-2004ish, I had forgotten why its such a good idea (and yes, I do teach lessons. Every week. Email for details.)

I started down this (potentially self-imolating) road when I found myself working on social media networks and realized I didn't have any product/content that was worth promoting. I immediately fired up Garage Band and started putting something together to post to everything and tweet and email about. I then realized that not even I was excited about a half-assed recording of myself and robots, and could think of literally no reason that I should do that. Again.

I blame Downbeat.

On a whim, I subscribed to the digital version of the classic magazine, and started to remember things I forgot. Then I saw an add for Greg Fishman's sax lessons via Skype and thought "yeah, that's probably the next step". So, I payed my dollar and placed my bets.

It was awesome. Although this crap ain't free (seriously, you don't really think about it when its part of your tuition), I know what I need to work on and how I need to work on it. All of the dudes I play with will be glad to hear it, I'm sure. Www.gregfishmanjazzstudio.com for more info.

So, I guess this is a non-album release statement. I'm not going to put anything out until its worth hearing (or at least interesting), its funny how perspective shifts. My new job is great, but teaching both a 7-9 and a 10-12 big band everyday made me realize that shortcuts in approach to improvised music end up taking you the long way around. Hard.

I also got new glasses. That I'm supposed to wear all,the time.

Snow Day!

I know I'll be livid about making this day (update tomorrow too) up in May, but it's nice to have the time off now. It's been snowing for 16 hours in Lexington, and it's got about an 80% chance of continuing until 5 am tommorow, so school isn't looking very likely tomorrow either. Allow me to take this opportunity to catch you up on some things:

Broadtexter is a service you can sign up for that will let you receive text updates from me. This is cool because you can get a discount for entry to shows and late updates about shows that get added at the last minute (happens more than you'd think!). Find out more at www.broadtexter.com/grant

I'm very excited about my former student and fraternity brother Austin Wilson joining Dalton and I for some shows this spring (It's worth noting that he's no relation to Dalton). You can go to the webpage for more info.

Speaking of the webpage, i've added buttons for all your favorite social networks, so check it out! I've also added two awesome new shirts to the store for your viewing pleasure.

I'm very excited about our spring shows and the upcoming return to Montana! I hope you'll tell your friends about the shows that we have coming up! See you soon!

For Mike!

My very good friend and former Jah Roots bandmate Mike Hulsey was in a motorcycle accident Wednesday last week. Details are still vague because the doctors have had to induce a coma to reduce brain activity and decrease swelling. Mike has a wife and very young child. On October 28th we'll be at remington's downtown with Cornerstone Dub, 77 Jefferson, Speakeasy, and the former Jah Roots band to raise funds to support his family through the medical and recovery stages. Please, please please make sure you are there. If you can' t be present, please make a donation at the bottom of the Wanna Help? section of my website i will confirm receipt via paypal and email you a picture of me handing a check to Mikes wife Kristen. Thank you so much, be thankful for what you have.

The Great Bass Hunt

So, Dalton and I have been having a blast with the Grant Maledy Trio gigs, but it's been a little crazy since Shawn couldn't do as many or any non-sgf gigs. Since May 1st we've played with Shawn Munday, Reed Herron, Dustin 'Duk' Reaghan, Brandon Henson and Matt Schmitz. That's five bass players in four months, which is somewhat scarier than the rate the Grateful Dead went through keyboard players. We hope to have a "final solution" (apologies to any holocaust survivors) to the bass chair soon.

I've got a new t-shirt in the store, and you should look at it if you think disrupting the hipster ethos is a fun as I do.

Hopefully we'll have the copy of our performance in Sula, Mt at Lapin's Garden soon, when we do (digital media willing) we may do a live release. More of you will need to buy t-shirts for this to happen...

Despite our lack of bass certainty, we're at the Canoe Club in Lake Lotawanna on November 5th with Duk, we'll see what hapens, but don't get your hopes up to much!

Summertime...

So this summer has been off the hook, and I've been to distracted to blog effectively about it. We had a blast in Chicago at the end of May, it was great seeing some old friends and making a few new ones. A big belated thanks to Reed Herron of Speakeasy for stepping into the bass guitar sized hole in the trio for us. We're going to try to head back in January for the Midwest Clinic, so keep your eyes on the website.

Montana, Montana, Montana! I hadn't been in about 15 years and what I suspected was my memories inflated sense of wonder turned out to be pretty accurate. This is what was going on while we were playing on the 4th (great photo by Mark Mesenko):


If you squint you can see me in the center window. I can't believe anyone was inside watching us. Dustin 'Duk' Rehgan saved us this trip, we've gotta get this bass thing straightened out! Anyway, I have to take a second to recommend the Bitteroot valley to everyone, unreservedly, we had an absolute blast. Every one was so nice there, very polite and supportive as an audience, hilarious to talk to and gracious as hosts. Lapin's Garden (pictured above) is probably the coolest venue I've played in. For real. click through and check out their photos, it's pretty amazing. Tell 'em we sent you!

Tomorrow night we'll be at the High Life Live in sweet home Springfield between the Lemmondrop DJ's. Should be a pretty excellent night with Reed Herron on bass with us. We play 11-12.

Friday night we'll be at the Springfield Brewing Company from 10-1, Brandon Henson from Branson, MO will be with us for this one. This will be the first time Dalton and I have played with Brandon since the last Greene Coast gig, and there's a potential for one Jim E. Starlight to appear with a Thermin, so you don't want to miss this action. If you haven't signed up for the email list, please do! It's lots of fun. We'll see you soon!

g

p.s. check out the store for t-shirts and more!

Working out the kinks

I've almost got a new set up for blogging worked out... with the cessation of my .mac (sorry, mobileme) membership i was looking for a few new things.  Via my favorite networking site ever, Reverb Nation I signed up with a reasonably priced service they offer in conjunction with Band Zoogle.  While I like most of the features, the blog section is very weak.  I've found a 'back door' into the thing which will let me feed from here to there, so after over a year off the blogger site, I'm back.  if you haven't gotten over to the new site yet, please do!  It is, we suspect, the very best website.  ever.  in the history of the internet.  yup.

I'm using a new browser called Flock that has some nice features, it integrates twitter, facebook and myspace, picasa, youtube (As well as a ton of other crap) into your browser (mainly using sidebars). If you keep 4 tabs open all the time like I do, it's pretty nice. They're still working the kinks out, but for free, it's worth downloading and trying.

I've got some new shows coming up, some with the trio, some with old friends, all gonna be awesome. Come see us, and if you haven't yet had the chance to check out the fine merchandise on the site, feast your eyes on this:

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Working out the kinks

I've almost got a new set up for blogging worked out... with the cessation of my .mac (sorry, mobileme) membership i was looking for a few new things.  Via my favorite networking site ever, Reverb Nation I signed up with a reasonably priced service they offer in conjunction with Band Zoogle.  While I like most of the features, the blog section is very weak.  I've found a 'back door' into the thing which will let me feed from here to there, so after over a year off the blogger site, I'm back.  if you haven't gotten over to the new site yet, please do!  It is, we suspect, the very best website.  ever.  in the history of the internet.  yup.

I'm using a new browser called Flock that has some nice features, it integrates twitter, facebook and myspace, picasa, youtube (As well as a ton of other crap) into your browser (mainly using sidebars). If you keep 4 tabs open all the time like I do, it's pretty nice. They're still working the kinks out, but for free, it's worth downloading and trying.

I've got some new shows coming up, some with the trio, some with old friends, all gonna be awesome. Come see us, and if you haven't yet had the chance to check out the fine merchandise on the site, feast your eyes on this:

Blogged with the Flock Browser