first view of the front range after a loooong driveSo much has happened since my last update. It was another 5000+ mile month as I ventured out to Colorado and back in July, my first time trecking that far westward solo-like. I had a great time, and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to many along the way who helped shelter me from the heat and often kept me well fed, both spiritually and physically. I look forward to making it back out west before long, and I hope that all my new friends take care and stay cool as we keep moving through this scorcher of a summer. Special thanks indeed to Jon Whitlock, John Common and Blinding Flashes of Light, Boulder Acoustic Society, The Clawfoot House, Green Room Music, Sarah Mannix of the Wandering Bears, the Monicles, and especially the entire Lund-Bardi clan. Without your help none of this would have been imaginable!

Nebraska sunset as I head back east

I've been lying low in August, making money where I can, saving money as much as possible, and gearing up for a busy September. I've got just a few shows this month, all of them happening in the next few days, and I look forward to seeing friends from various parts of North Carolina as I do a little mini-tour of the home state.

Tonight I'm in Asheville at The Grey Eagle, opening for my great pals Uncle Mountain at their CD release. I'm very excited about their new disc, and my Asheville friends should be too... these guys are something special. Then Sunday I'm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Winston-Salem at the invite of my good friend Haley Dreis. She's not long ago released a fantastic new disc of her own (including doing a great benefit for puppies and kittens), and I'm honored to be coming in to join her in her home town. Finally I'm back in my own home base, Charlotte, on Monday night with the amazing Pearl and the Beard from New York City. These guys are unlike most anything you've heard before (in the best possible way), and I can't wait to hear how they've grown since my last time seeing them.

Summer's drawing to a close and it's been a great one, I hope you're all doing well and I look forward to seeing you real soon! Thanks again to everyone who's come out, and who've helped me in my travels, I could not do this without such wonderful friends!

sardined into a *very tiny car* on a late night quarry swimming jaunt in Knoxvile

A quick update as we move into a busy month for me. I'm off to Colorado for the first time as a musician, headed west to play a week of shows in the Rockies and I'm extraordinarily excited! But I'm playing a lot of shows on my way out there, including a run through my home state of North Carolina, some time in Knoxville, a couple shows in Kentucky, and a new pick-up in Lincoln. Then after my Denver show at the Underground Music Showcase I'll be racing east to be a part of one of my favorite festivals of all time, the Nomadic Roots Music and Arts Fest.

Many of these shows I'm sharing with some great friends, please check out their music below. I gotta tell ya, I'm happy to finally get back on the road. I've spent the better part of the month working, writing, recording, and resting up, and I look forward to seeing you soon. Here's a list of my July dates, and even if you can't make it out I hope you'll spread the word to friends in these areas! Hope you're having a great summer!

* with John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light

# with Sarah Bowman and Stephen Warwick

^ with Boulder Acoustic Society

% with Momentary Prophets

So after about 5 months straight of rolling, I've been stationary for about 5 days now and I gotta tell ya it feels pretty good. Granted, I've had a wonderful time in my adventures... May was fantastic with folks in Burlington, Cambridge, and New York opening their hearts (and often homes) to me, and this was a capper on one of the busiest and exciting years of my life (thus far, that is). So many places, so many new faces, and the chance to share so often... it's really has been great! But I'm happy to have the time to recover and reflect. It is needed, from time to time.

For the month of June I'm "settling down" in North Carolina; visiting with friends and family, getting some long needed recording done, playing a few shows, and having some quality time with the old home state. As much as I love my travels and seeing so much of this great land of ours, there's always something that stirs in my heart as I drive through the countryside down here. While I could stand it to be a bit cooler, the everybodyfields' song "so good to be home" has been my mind a lot lately. It *is* good to be home.

July I'll be headed west for the first time and I'm very excited about it. Lessons learned from the first five months of the year are being applied and I won't be rolling at quite so hectic of a schedule; especially since I'll have some pretty long hauls along the way. A string of days on, with a few days break here and there in between to recover, and so far it's coming together nicely. The idea of crossing the country on four wheels is something I've always wanted to do, and I'm giving myself plenty of time to explore as I go across, most especially when I hit the Rockies and push towards the Pacific. I also feel quite blessed that my music is my driving force... I am thankful every day for the path that has led me to where I am (including the occasional hairpin turns, harrowing as they may have been).

But for the moment, for June that is, I'll be in my beloved Kakilacky. I look forward to seeing lots of old friends, catching up on life in Charlotte and Greensboro (as much as I can) and sharing my songs and experiences with you. I've a few more NC stops in July, but for now I hope many of you will be able to make it out to one (or more) of these upcoming shows:

June 10th - Charlotte, NC - The Neighborhood Theatre (part of the Crown Town Showdown) - FREE!

June 16th - Davidson, NC - Summit Coffee (part Rob McHale's Songwriter Showcase) - FREE!

June 18th - Charlotte, NC - Symphony Park (opening for the Charlotte Symphony's "Pops in the Park") - $10

June 25th - Winston Salem, NC - The Garage (opening for The Corduroy Road) - $7

Looking forward to seeing you soon, and try to stay cool as the summer settles in upon us!

Thanks to my cousins for driving all the way up from Richmond the other weekend to hang with me in New York. You guys are the best, I can't wait to do it again! And my aunts and other cousin last weekend. And everyone else who's been coming out to shows, you all rock! I can't thank you enough and it was great to see and/or meet you!

You know, I figured this would be a lighter month compared to April. Not really so. I've done 11,000 miles since March 21st. I passed that milestone just yesterday. Lemme say that again.

11,000 miles since March 21st!

And I've got another 2000 miles to go or so. Nope. I'm not crazy, just passionate and curious. SO many people, and SO many things to see. Would it help if gas were cheaper? YES! But here I am, right now. What if it does go down? What if it doesn't? I can't tell the future so I've chosen to sieze the day. Time to sleep when you're dead, or you can't go anymore and really really need it (like... cough... the previous week).

Anyways, if you've already come out to a show, THANKS! And if you've spread the word, THANKS! And if you haven't done either, well heck... your help would be greatly appreciated but no worries. I'm not in the business to force my songs on anyone, I'm just happy for everyone that makes it out. You've still got your chance though, and if you haven't seen me in a while you might be surprised at what I'm up to.

Also, LOTS of new show announcements are on the way. I'm excited at all I've got coming up including my first west coast swing. That's right kids, I'm going national! But for the mean time, I've gotta run... music to play. If you're in Burlington (or New York, or Boston), I will see you soon! Yeah!

Don't forget! Every Sunday in May @ 6pm!

The talent at this thing was off the chain, and I felt lucky to get into the final three, much less win the event. I met a number of great folks, and I want to give shoutouts to a few in particular... Ashley Wells and Anthony Savino (who made the final round with me... amazingness squared!), as well as The Crazy Exes from Hell (who had the song of the night IMHO), Captain Easychord, Brendyn Schneider (who told a great story about believing in oneself), and so many others. Big thanks as well to Tom Bianchi himself who was a GREAT host, Danielle Miraglia who helped me get on the night, and the staff at the Lizard Lounge who were warm and welcoming!

Tonight I continue my string of Tuesday residencies at Atwood's Tavern, and probably tomorrow I'll head off to Burlington to work the town a bit and meet more folks in preparation for this weeks show up there. Remember, Parima @ 8:30 every Thursday this month in Burlington! And then back to NYC on Sunday at Rockwood Music hall, 6pm sharp! I'm having a great time and I want to thank everyone who has come out as well as everyone who has spread the word. May in the Northeast has been *beautiful* and I could not have picked a better time to be up in these parts. Happy spring everyone! Despite the floods and crazy weather I hope you all are enjoying the season!

Napping on the Connecticut coastline. Ahhhh...

I'm in the middle of my first week of May residencies, and things are going great! I'm bouncing all over these three towns meeting folks, playing songs, doing radio shows, busking, and it's great to get to know these three wonderful cities better. Tonight I played a couple of tunes at the All Asia open mic here in Cambridge, MA and got booked for another show on the 18th of May, a Wednesday, as part of the weekly Monkeyrock Sessions. As I continue along this month I'll be adding more of these "bonus" shows that get offered to me, but of course the big focus is at the residencies themselves. These are the places that stuck their neck out for me, and they're the places I'll be playing newer material and deeper cuts from my catalog. Here's the schedule, in case you aren't quite sure... I'd love to see you (or friends of yours in the area if you live too far away)!

Sundays - May 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th - Rockwood Music Hall (NYC) @ 6:00 pm

Tuesdays - May 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st - Atwood's Tavern (Cambridge, MA) @ 8:30 pm

Thursdays - May 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th - Parima (Burlington, VT) @ 8:00 pm - $3 cover (or free if you ask for "dinner and a show")

I've also got a couple of shows in Pennsylvania this month for my Harrisburg and State College friends. This Saturday May 7th I'm in Millheim, just outside of State College at the Millheim hotel. And on Memorial Day I'm in Harrisburg at the annual Artsfest, but that's still a ways off so I'll re-remind you as we get closer.

So there we go... you anywhere close? If so, I can't wait to see you. Again. And Again. And again. And Again. And...

(just kidding, once is plenty unless you feel like coming back a few times)

Hope ya'll are doing well! See you soon!

Minneapolis at night... So Madison and Minneapolis have been wonderful! Granted, the weather didn't exactly cooperate like we hoped it might, but I've met so many wonderful people and have had a great time getting to know this part of the heartland, where the prairie meets the coniferous forests of the north and the deciduous forests of the south. Such beautiful land and warm people! My thanks go out to the Fine Line Cafe,  the Aster Cafe, Sarah Pray, Thomas Kivi, Jim Walsh, Dallas Taylor, and countless others. I like this part of the country and look forward to my return in early October. :-)

While here I had the opportunity to catch up with Brad at Essential Studios and we did a neat recording session, old school. Straight analog, directly to tape in mono via a ribbon mic. Folk music the way it used to be done, you know? I recorded 12 songs in less than an hour, and as this one was written a little over a week before in Little Rock, AR I felt it appropriate to be the chosen song for a video. Check it out here....

Now I make a quick trip up near the Canadian border to play in Superior, WI tonight at the Thirsty Pagan before I turn south and east. I have to be just outside Boston by Friday which makes it an approximate 1500 mile trip in about 5 days. Matt had to return home to Maryland to take care of some personal stuff this past Wednesday, so I'm doing this run full solo and am looking forward to it. There's something about being on the road alone that I love, and while it's going to be a bit arduous (Wednesday, in particular, looks to be an 8 hour run at the least), I'm excited. I look forward to having Matt rejoin me, but for now it's time to dive into my head and this heartland. If you're in Superior WI, DeKalb IL, Bowling Green OH, Scranton PA, or Waltham MA I will see you soon!

sitting in the golden glove

Whelp. So much for springtime. It's sleeting as we head towards Madison, WI but that's ok. A little cold can't dim our spirits!

World's largest rocker! Yeah!We've had a great run through the midwest thusfar, following beautiful weather across the Mississippi river from Memphis (yes, we did stop at Graceland) to Little Rock where the temps were pushing 90 degrees. Ahhh spri... er... summertime? Thanks to Katie and Josh for putting up with us (and putting us up) in Little Rock!

Then onwards, up through the Ozarks on our way to Indianapolis where we layed over to camp just outside the Mark Twain National Forest, visited Japan Missouri (where my side project is "based" out of), saw the WORLD'S LARGEST ROCKER (rocking chair) on old Route 66 in Missouri, stood in the shadow of the Jefferson Arch in St. Louis, and landed at Birdy's bar and grill for a great show. My friends Jim and Sally, whom I know from Langerado 2007, took wonderful care of us in Indy... thanks so much for your hospitality guys! Be sure to try that Drunken Chicken Omelette idea, it was *delicious*!Morning in the Ozarks

From there it was up through rural Indiana. Both Matt and myself like to drive byways when we can, it's so much more interesting of a drive, so we took US-35 through rural Indiana up to Michigan City where we stopped at Mt Baldy, a HUGE sand dune on Lake Michigan. It was amazing, we saw sandboarders, and off in the distance was a beautiful cooling tower for a Nuclear plant? Yeah. Not beautiful. Great way to spoil the view, but what can you do? It was still an incredible view and experience!

Two days in Chicago, two shows plus busking in the El stations, and a great time followed. What a debut in such a great town, and I can't wait to be back! To the Friendly Tap, Duke's Bar, John Fancher & family, and Michael and Matthew Ellert, we can't thank you enough. You all took in two strangers plus a dog sight unseen, and your kindness will not be forgotten. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!

Sandboarders on Mt. Baldy! (first one to the cooling tower wins?)Now we're headed up into the lands of milk and... lakes? I had hoped that we'd time our trip with spring weather, but such is fickle nature this time of year. One way or another we're in for a great run of shows. The Frequency in Madison tonight, plus a couple of Minnesota shows next week (including a BIG play at The Fine Line Music Cafe) before we cross back into Wisconsin before beginning our treck eastward. I'm playing with the incredibly talented Sarah Pray and Thomas Kivi (known together as 'Minnesota Nice') on a number of these shows, and I highly encourage you to check them out. They are great, and tour often so likely will be coming to a venue near you soon!

So I hope the weather is warmer where you are, and we're keeping on rolling, headed east as the month progresses towards my residencies in May in the northeast. Stay in touch, spread the word, and I'll see you soon!

Matt on top of Mt. Baldy

Graffiti outside Graceland

Good gracious, what a wonderful world! Spring is in the air and we're on US-78 headed for Memphis and the Mississippi river. It'll be my first time crossing the grand olde fleurve in a car and the first time my music will be heard that far west, and needless to say I'm super excited! busking in Nashville (say hi to my new friend Brian!) - Photo by Matt GuthrieWe've had a heck of a time the last week or so... shows in Louisville, Nashville, Atlanta, Savannah, and Birmingham, success in busking on the streets of a number of these towns, a health scare (what with Matt developing a pretty serious infection... don't worry though, he's ok) and lots of time with family and friends. Shout-outs are needed... specifically to Rachel Van Slyke (our amazing hostess in Nashville), Natalie Ray and her band Can of Snakes in Atlanta, my cousin Bill Guthrie and his family for taking us in in Savannah, Markus Kuhlmann and The Trainwrecks for the gig help in Savannah, and Chris Porter for inviting us to The Nick in Birmhingham.

I've got BIG NEWS! I will be doing three seperate residencies in the month of May; every Sunday in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, every Tuesday in Cambridge, MA at Atwood's Tavern, and every Thursday in Burlington, VT at Parima. A HUGE thank you to these clubs for believing in me, and this means I'll have lots of hang out time with friends in these parts. I'll be playing some shows on Fridays and Saturdays during the month as well, but I'm using some of this time for prep. I hope to show a lot of growth during these days... maybe even build a different band in each city. We'll see, the potentials are endless... ENDLESS I say!

View from the H.A.L. 8999 RIGHT NOW!But for the moment we're a few miles away from the Alabama/Tenessee border now and have a wonderful April awaiting us. Memphis, Little Rock, Fayetteville, Indianapolis, Chicago, Madison, Minneapolis and more await, most with official gigs but some (like Memphis) with open mic/busking stops (which is just fine with me). Any how you square it, I'm just happy to play my songs... it's been 3 months now since I left my home behind, and I'm right where I need to be. Gotta love life!

So here's the schedule for the month and keep checking back as I'm adding more every day... please spread the word!

APRIL SHOW DATES:

- April 4 - Savannah, GA - City Market w/ Markus Kuhlmann

- April 5 - Birmingham, AL - The Nick w/ Chris Porter and Friends

- April 7 - Little Rock, AR - Vino's Brewpub

- April 12 - Indianapolis, IN - Birdy's

- April 13 - Chicago, IL - Friendly Tap

- April 15 - Madison, WI - The Frequency w/ Sarah Pray

- April 19 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Cafe w/ Sarah Pray

- April 21 - Minneapolis, MN - Private Party

- April 22 - St. Cloud, MN - The White Horse w/ Sarah Pray

- April 23 - Superior, WI - Thirsty Pagan w/ Sarah Pray

- April 25 - DeKalb, IL - The House Cafe (Open Mic Feature)

- April 26 - Bowling Green, OH - Howard's Club H

- April 29 - Waltham, MA - Bentley College

- April 30 - New Paltz, NY - Slashroot Cafe

ROCK ON!

My nephews and the Brothers Burn Mountain helping me out at Natasha's Bistro in Lexigton, KY - Photo by Matt Guthrie