2009 Wrap-up... just moving it to the blog page.

Okay, it was time to update the "news" section of my website, so this 2009 wrap up is long overdue in its move to the blog page.

2009 has been a great year, and I am so grateful...

Since the album came out, it's been a flurry of activity for me this summer and fall. The west coast tour was so wonderful - what an honor to play for so many new listeners. I am convinced I have the very best job in the world. I also had the opportunity to work with top-notch folks - like Gurf, on the record, my band at so many shows, amazing sound technicians, my radio promoter Jenni, publicist Natalie, and new to my team: booking agent Nancy Fly. (And don't forget, I had a dream gig opening for the incredible Joan Baez!)

The Americana Music Association Conference was a great experience, and I loved meeting so many new (to me) artists and biz folks. Of course, it was also a great time to hear lots of old favorites... A special thanks to Pigeon O'Brien for showcasing me at her annual Posse Party at BB King's.

Mountain Stage was also great - What an honor to be among the winners of the Mountain Stage New Song Contest. It was a thrill to perform for such a rapt and generous audience.

Then of course, Europe... Our three-week tour through Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands was amazing in every way. So many new friends, incredible hospitality, gracious listeners, and countless magical musical moments. I'll never forget this first tour in continental Europe - and I hope I get to return sooner than later! One of my favorite aspects? Learning to be a better sideman! I had to get way out of my comfort zone and take leads on the guitar and accordion to compliment Abi Tapia and Charlie Faye during their turns to lead songs - and it was so stretching and exciting as a musician.

I was also incredibly honored to be on this year's KGSR Broadcasts CD set - Volume 17. It has been Jody Denberg's labor of love for so many years - and to be on the last one he produced is incredibly humbling to me. To be on it at all is a thrill - but to be on his parting project is a special thrill. It's only $15 for 2 CDs of exclusive live material - get your copy at Waterloo Records in Austin, TX before they sell out - and they always do. The proceeds benefit the Sims Foundation, which helps Austin musicians receive mental wellness care when they need it.

2010 is shaping up to promise lots of great new adventures, including tons of fun shows in the works, the Folk Alliance conference in Memphis (where I have an official showcase. Yippee!), teaching at the Acoustic Alaska Guitar Camp (no - don't worry, no one's gonna expect me to teach anyone how to shred nasty-cool solos. I'll stick to subjects I know something about - songs and singing. ha ha...), and I'll also return to Sisters Folk Fest in Oregon next fall to teach at the Song Academy as well as to perform during the festival weekend.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled also for some great tour-pairings. I'm making some fun touring plans with some friends...so there ought to be some interesting co-bill shows for you to consider.

* WINNER * Sisters Folk Festival Songwriting Competition, Sisters, OR

* WINNER * Mountain Stage Newsong Songwriting Competition, Charleston, WV

* 2009 Performer *

International Folk Alliance Conference (official showcase)

Old Settler's Music Festival

Wildflower Festival

Kerrville Folk Festival

Big Top Chautauqua (in support of Joan Baez)

And 2009 was a great year to be in the studio! I'm overjoyed that my third full-length studio album emerged this year, produced by Gurf Morlix! Gurf's a first-rate human being, with gifted ears and guitar-picking fingers too. You can hear his work on his own records, Slaid Cleaves' records, Mary Gauthier's, Lucinda Williams' ...lots of others' too. I am so honored to have worked alongside a guy as cool as Gurf.

Thanks to Margaret Moser (Austin Chronicle), Michael Corcoran (Austin American-Statesman), Tom Buckley and Richard Skanse (Texas Music), Tom Geddie, and countless others for your kind reviews... Thanks also to independent radio music directors who have played our music and made us feel famous.