September 12, 2025
I am already a few weeks into the Fall semester at Le Moyne. As much as I enjoy working with young, up-and-coming student musicians, it does take time. Time well spent, but time away from the studio and my “real” job. The band has been rehearsing for the September 19th show at Sharkey’s. We’re excited to have Irv Lyons Jr join us for a song or two. He appeared on The Artist & the Astronaut soundtrack album with us and will be joining the team once again for our next film, An Arrow Shot Through Time. This iteration of the band is a lot of fun. Brett and I have always enjoyed playing with Steve Orlando. You’ll remember him for his vocal and percussion work with us over the last quarter-century. And with the addition of Letizia as a full-time member of the band, you are not going to believe the vocal power of our little quartet.
The band is small. It’s a songwriter kind of thing. I play an acoustic guitar and sing my songs. It’s all about the songs. How was I to know that we could also rock your socks off or dive into some crazy covers and dance music? Great players can do anything. But next Friday night, it’s the band flexing its muscle, ripping through a generous set of our songs from The Early Years, the later years, and some songs from our soon-to-be-released Artist and the Astronaut soundtrack album. The actual worldwide release date (just in time for Christmas) is December 12th! The CD is already available in our Merch Store.
Speaking of Release Dates. The Artist and the Astronaut will begin Streaming Worldwide in three days!! The DVD is available in Merch and online at Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and other fine online stores.
Most of my time in the studio and on location these days is focused on my film work. I am delighted to be working with Bill Muench on his next big documentary, An Arrow Shot Through Time*. Most of the crew left yesterday to begin our shoot in Ireland. I have a concert to play and a trip to North Carolina to take care of first.
I just got off the phone with my good friend, Bob Christianson. He is diligently working his way through the orchestra parts for his Rock Opera Grail. Bruce Coville and I helped Bob put the finishing touches on the script. Now it is fully in his hands to get us ready for the Abbey Road recording session in London. The road to Broadway is a long hard slog.
As time permits, I will be giving you updates and the inside scoop on our adventures. So far, they have been legendary.
Be well, my dear friends.
* Here is a little info on the film and a shameless ask. We are doing very well so far. In October, the hard work in the studio begins. That’s when we start the post-production journey, writing and recording the music and soundtrack for the film, which will all be done back here in CNY.