Hey gang, it’s once again been a while since I’ve given you an update. I blame my day job – it keeps me hopping in August (of course, it also pays the bills, so…). Anyway, I’ve written several new songs in the last couple of months, and thanks to my good friend Ed and his lovely wife Autumn I can now share one of them with you. The video you see above was taken during my performance at the Music Heals The Earth festival at Wolvenwold in July. This one is called “First Kiss”. I hope you enjoy it.

First Kiss

I hear a low whistle whine
Across a dusty old track
There’s a long train coming
And it’s bringing you back
I thought of you so often
In the years in between
Remembering you fondly
Like a sweet summer’s dream

And I still remember that first kiss
Like it was yesterday
Then I held you in my arms
Without a word to say
And I don’t want to be the one
Hanging on the past
But I sure wish that our first kiss
Hadn’t been our last

It was good catching up
Over drinks in the park
Rediscovering your beauty
As we walked in the dark
You’re the brightest of lights
In a world full of stars
And I don’t think you realize
Just how lovely you are

And I still remember that first kiss
Like it was yesterday
Then I stood there in the street
I couldn’t walk away
And I don’t want to be the one
Hanging on the past
But I sure wish that our first kiss
Hadn’t been our last

Almost twenty years, burning down the road
So many things have changed
You’re flying high, freer than the wind
I’m strung out on this chain

It was good to see you again
I’m sure we’ll keep in touch
We just can’t wait this long again
I missed you so much
Now it’s back to our lives
Until the next point in time
You reaching for your dreams
And me rethinking mine

And I still remember that first kiss
Like it was yesterday
Then I stood there in the street
Watched you drive away
And I don’t want to be the one
Hanging on the past
But I sure wish that our first kiss
Hadn’t been our last

I’m super excited to be playing this festival because, as always, Bel and Holly have booked some incredible musicians to come play with them. Co-headlining this festival will be Shibaten and Sharon Knight w/Winter. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing both performers before, and believe me you WANT to see them if you can. Add in a performance by Spellsinger, and this promises to be a great time.

Register here.

So, pack up the car and head on down to Wolvenwold. I can’t wait to see you there.

Catch you down the road,
Brian

That’s 4 gigs in less than a month’s time, and three of them are right here in the Lou’. All the Boo you could possibly want.

The fun starts on the 14th when I play the Benefit for Ed Francis at Red Fish Blue Fish in St. Charles. Ed is an old band mate of mine from the Unnamed Pagan Band days, and he could use our help after some recent medical issues. $2 cover, and we’ll have a 50/50 raffle. Ed has worked tirelessly on behalf of the local Pagan music scene, and he needs our help. Come on out and help support this great cause.

Of course, you all know how much I love Wolvenwold, in the lovely Southern Missouri mountains, and all the great people who make up the Wolvenwold family. Well, from the 19th-22nd, I get to share the Beltane Festival stage with some amazingly talented musicians – Darwin Prophet, Leo Starwind, Shibaten and our lovely hosts – Spellsinger. Doesn’t get much better than that. If you don’t have plans, and you love to spend some time around a campfire with great people, then make your way down to the Beltane Festival at Wolvenwold.

On June 11th, I’ll have the pleasure of playing at the St. Louis Pagan Picnic for the first time in over 10 years. The Picnic is the largest free Pagan gathering in the Midwest, and on top of that is just a damn good time. I’m playing at Noon on Saturday, and I am honored to be a part of it.

And now for some news that those of you who know me will understand that I’m incredibly excited about. On Saturday, June 4th, Bekah Kelso and Ginger Doss will be coming to St. Louis to share their amazing music with us at a local house concert. Collectively known as GBmojo, not only do they both bring amazing talent and distinctive, soulful sounds, but they also happen to be two of my favorite people in the whole wide world. As if I wouldn’t be excited enough about that news, guess who’s opening for them at said house concert? That’s right, yours truly will get to warm you up for the main event with a short set. I’m incredibly honored to be a part of this show, and I’m telling you now, you want to be there. These ladies are amazing, and you’ll be missing out if you don’t grab you some of the goodness that GBmojo can slap on ya’. Seating will be limited, so you want to reserve a spot early. Suggested donation is $10-15, with doors at 6:30pm and music starting at 7:00pm. Email GBmojo@briangreenway.com for information and to reserve your spot.

I hope I get a chance to see all of your smiling faces at one of these gigs this month. I look forward to sharing my music with you.

I’ll see ya’ down the road,
Brian

So that I don’t eat up the whole blog, I’ll put a link up later to the rest of the photos. As I’ve said before, and you’ll keep hearing me say it, Kymberlie Birkenkamp is simply amazing. Check out her blog at Misfit Hue Photography. Also, be sure to check out “blink – a closing reception”, where you can see some of Kymberlie’s work on display at Lotus Arts Studio. It’s April 1st, from 7-10pm at Lotus’ Cherokee location, and it will be a fun event. I’ll be playing two sets – one at 8:00pm and one at 9:00pm. Come out and see us.

I’ve been working on new stuff, trying to finish the songs I want for the album. I’ve got two new songs fully written – “Why Don’t We Dance?” and “This Land” – and I’m very happy with both. I think they both have a very good chance of landing on the album. I’ve also got lyrics and a melody for a song that will likely be called “Chalice”. It may be the first song I write with no guitar…I’m hearing drum/bass/horn, but we’ll see. And finally, I’ve written a song called “Happy Beltane”. It’s pretty much a festival only song, but I think it will be fun, and it will make it’s debut at the Beltane festival @ Wolvenwold – May 19-22. So, be sure you come down and see me (and some other amazing performers – Leo Starwind, the lovely Darwin Prophet, and our hosts, Spellsinger). Not only will you get to see at least one song debut, but if you come down on Thursday you can help a certain bard celebrate his birthday.

So, after a period of writers block, it seems I am emerging from the haze. I’ll try to get some of these down in rough versions for you when I can. In the meantime, I hope you’ll keep joining me here on the Cafe.

I’ll see ya’ down the road,
Brian

Kymberlie Birkenkamp and I first met each other in a Mass Communications class at Meramec Community College sometime in the early 90′s (I can’t remember exactly when, I’m getting senile). A small group of us – Kymberlie, myself, Deidra Dunlap (now Grossi), a few others – started hanging out after class at the old Denny’s on 44 and Lindberg, and we had the most fascinating discussions about every topic under the sun. It was a great time. We were all young and still trying to figure out what we wanted to do with our lives – the world was out ahead of us, just waiting for us to make our mark. Eventually, the class ended, but the core group of three – Kymberlie, Deidra and I – weren’t prepared to let it end there. We stayed in touch, and became a part of each others lives. We hung out at clubs together, played D&D together, Deidra and I even dated for awhile. As the years went by, we shared our lives with each other. Kymberlie looked stunning in her gown when she and Mark married. We all rented a van and drove to Connecticut, with our good friends John and TC and my wife Michelle, for Deidra’s wedding. But, as so often happens, we drifted apart a little bit over the years. Deidra moved to North Carolina, I had gotten married and suddenly had a large family that I had to try to learn how to handle. We all moved on to those lives we had been trying to plan. We still touched base once in awhile, but it got harder and harder to stay connected.

Well, thank goodness for Facebook, where it’s ridiculously easy to reconnect and keep up with lost friends. Kymberlie and Deidra had done a much better job than I had of keeping in touch, so when I found one the other was not far behind. We’ve reconnected over the last couple of years, and it’s been awesome to know what’s going on with them again. When this project came up, I was already familiar, and in love with, Kymberlie’s photography – her new passion. There was no question that I wanted her to do my promo and album cover shots. I’ll admit, I was nervous when I first asked. Kymberlie always has a million projects going on, I just wasn’t sure that she would be able to fit it in. But the awesome thing about true friends is that, even if you haven’t seen each other in a long time, when you do get together it’s just like old times. She knew I needed her, and she said yes.

Kymberlie and I got together and did that photo shoot today. We almost didn’t get to it, because the lunch conversation was just like one of those old time Denny’s late nights, and we lost track of time catching up with each others lives. But we did get to the shoot, and Kymberlie spared no time reminding me why I chose her. She was vibrant, and full of energy. The ideas kept flowing, and for just a little while, she made this worn out old man feel like I was a rock star. That’s just how amazing she is.

It would be a lie to say that I wouldn’t do this project without some of the friends that I am reconnecting with. I need to do this project, and I would figure it out, even on my own. But the chance to work with, and to reconnect with, friends like Kymberlie on this project are what makes this project something that has truly inspired my soul. I am honored to have her on the team, and even more honored to have her as a friend. I can’t wait to show you the fruits of her talent.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope all is well with you and yours. If you can, please take a moment to “Like’ my fan page on Facebook. You can do that easily with the little link to the right. I’d appreciate it.

I’ll see ya’ down the road….
Brian

Okay, so other than the fact that you love me (you do, right?), why does this matter to you? Here’s why. While I was there, I got a chance to ask a dear friend of mine for a favor. Bernadette Holzer, better known to many of you as Beltana Spellsinger of Spellsinger, was gracious enough to say yes when I asked her to write, and sing, some harmonies and backup vocals on my upcoming project. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am by this, as Beltana simply has one of the boldest and most beautiful voices I have ever heard, and her knack for creating enchanting harmonies has always touched my soul. An awesome bonus: she just happens to be one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. So, I’m simply honored that Bel is willing to join me in my efforts, and to help take some of my songs to the next level. If you’re not already familiar with her work, and I know a lot of you are, well then I know you’ll love her work just as much as I do.

I wish I could give you a time frame for how quickly I’ll have something out. I really want to share my work with you, but I’m learning as I go – and I want it to be right. I promise, as soon as I know a time frame, you’ll know.

Thanks for stopping in, until next time…
Brian

First off, I’m very excited to announce that I’ll be shooting some promo photos this upcoming Sunday with my good friend Kym Birkenkamp. Kym and I have known each other for – hell, 15 years+ – and she is simply one of the most amazing people I know. I met her as an incredible writer, but she has turned her artistic focus to photography and the results are absolutely magnificent. If anyone can take this old, used-up windbag and make him look like a rock star, it’s Kym. So excited to have her helping me out. And in more Kym related news…

Kym is having a showing of her work at the Lotus Arts Studio on Cherokee. I would be loving this just based on that info alone, as I’ve already told you how amazing she is, but I have the added bonus that Kym has asked me to play at the Artists Reception on April 1st. I am truly honored that she would ask me to play, and I jumped at the chance. So mark your calendars for Friday, April 1st, 7-10:00pm, at the Lotus Arts Center.

And in more gig related news, I’ve got two more shows confirmed. The first is, well, one of the true joys of my life – I get to go to Wolvenwold and play at the Beltane festival. Those who know me well know that the lovely ladies of Spellsinger, Bel and Holly, are really responsible for me getting back to playing music. I owe them a lot, and any time they ask me to play I’m going to come running. And this show, and festival, would be worth it just based on seeing Spellsinger…but let’s up the ante a little bit. Additional entertainers at the festival – Darwin Prophet and Leo Starwind. Yeah, how cool is that? So, again I ask, please clear your calendars for May 19-22, make your way down to Rocky Top, there in Elk Creek, and get you some of the incredible music happening that weekend.

And finally, after my last appearance there approximately ten years ago, I’ll be returning to the Pagan Picnic in St. Louis. If I’m not mistaken (Ben, Johnny, Ed – help me out here), the last performance of the infamous Unnamed Pagan Band was at the Picnic, circa 2002ish. I’m very excited to be coming back, as the Picnic is always a part of my summertime plans. It will also be the first opportunity for my little girl, Faith, to see her PawPaw play. Her reaction may determine future allowances/chores, once she hits that age (alright, I’m wrapped around her little finger…she’ll get whatever she wants). The Picnic is June 11-12, and I’m not yet sure which date/time I’ll be playing, but I’ll be sure to share that info as soon as I have it.

Well, that’s about all (and at 500+ words, I’m sure you are all like, “Finally?”). I do have some new songs that are either finished, or very close, but nothing I’ve laid down on tape yet. When I’ve got rough cuts I’ll get them to you. I’ll probably be looking to lay down an EP, as the full album is more work than I anticipated, and I want to get some real product out to you soon. Watch for a heads up soon on that front.

Thank you so much for checking in, and I really do promise this time that I’ll do a better job of letting you know what I’m up to. If you haven’t already, please Become A Fan at my ReverbNation page. It would really help me out a lot.

Until next time, thanks for stopping by…
Brian

Anyway, to the update…I’ve added two more songs to the site. They’re both very rough drafts, but I hope you’ll like them. The first is called “The Kid”, and is loosely about Ken Griffey Jr.’s retirement from baseball, and in a broader sense about watching guys your own age become “the aging vet who needs to go”. The second is, at long last, the title track – The Wabash Cafe. I’m excited to get this into everyone’s hands, even in this rough form. I hope you all enjoy it.
(By the way, I’ve had a couple of people tell me that they can’t find the new songs on the player. If you hit the fast forward button it moves you to the next song. You can scroll through to the new stuff that way.)

In other great news, I’ve got two new members of the team that I can announce here now. First off, my friend Mark Hrabovsky (who has played with a ton of great bands around town, including former alterna-faves Suave Octopus and currently with Wackadoo, a great Vintage/Swing music band you can check out here) has agreed to be a part of the project. Mark can play virtually anything, and is incredible at all of it, so he’s going to be a great addition to the album and the team. Thanks for hoping aboard Mark.

And in news that I am a super excited about my longtime friend and European traveling partner Paul Bordeaux (formerly of Roger From The Dark and the Ken Kase Group, currently playing guitar in the awesome Tight Pants Syndrome) has agreed to record and produce the album (I’m going to ask him to play some guitar too, I just haven’t told him yet – keep it on the down low). There are few people who’s opinions about music I respect as much as I do Paul’s, and he has never lead me wrong when it comes to great music. This project will be about a billion times better because he’s a part of it. I can’t thank you enough, Paul, for the interest you have taken in my music.

So, there’s the update. As I mentioned in the last post, long long ago, I’ll be looking to find a new place or two to gig now that Felix’s has killed music. I’ll let you all know as soon as I find something. In the meantime, I hope you’ll check in here once in a while to see what’s happening.

See ya’ down the road,
Brian

In other news, if you happen to come out and see me at Felix’s you’ll probably get to see the live debut of another new tune. This one is called “The Kid”, and it’s about watching the great players of our youth become the grizzled veterans hanging on too long. I’m not promising anything, but it’s finished…and if I can kick this illness I should be able to have it performance ready by the 27th.

Thanks for checking in, and I’ll see ya’ down the road…
Brian

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know what you think on the forums or on Facebook.

Until next time…
Brian