Still Married

Food and Fun and Hank

2013-06-06T07:25:00.001-07:00

We've been rehearsing all week - we're looking forward to bringing our music to the Red Bluff Crawdad Festival this Saturday afternoon.

It'll be a warm one - or, as we like to call it: Good Singing Weather. The Red Bluff Chamber of Commerce has scheduled some cool Cajun and Zydeco band and has added some cool water features - so don't worry about the heat.

We'll be playing original tunes at noon -- but we'll throw a little Jambalaya into the mix because it's the Crawdad Festival, for heaven's sake.

C'mon out and enjoy the food and the festivities. And sing along with Hank:

Crawfish, Crayfish, Crawdad.....

2013-06-03T06:30:00.000-07:00

Whatever you call them, they're delicious and Red Bluff is celebrating the Cajun treat in high-style this weekend.

Craig and I are looking forward to sharing our original tunes on the local stage at noon on Saturday, June 8th, at the Red Bluff Crawdad Festival. C'mon out to the Tehama District Fairgrounds and Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

Porter Wagoner and friends get us in the mood:

Redding City Hall Art Reception and Concert

2013-05-13T06:43:00.000-07:00

May 16, 5-7 PM

Redding City Hall

777 Cypress Ave

Redding, CA

We are celebrating in Redding this week -- It's Rodeo Week --Yeehaw!! This week also marks the opening of the Summer Art Exhibit at Redding City Hall.

The CIty of Redding will host a reception on Thursday evening May 16th, 2013, from 5-7 PM -- meet the artists, enjoy complimentary refreshments and original, local music from two Cottonwood duos.

Still Married 5-6

We're looking forward to singing some new tunes from our upcoming CD and singing "The Redding Song" in the heart of the city that we love.

The Pine Dogz 6-7

Our friends Diana and Steve Wallis are a little bit country a little bit R and B and a lot of heart and soul, with tunes like "There's No Such Thing as a Free Goat" and "The Cowboy Flies Away." Their energetic performances include dynamic vocals, smokin' guitar licks, harmonica and mandolin.

Hope to see you there!

Folk Tunes at Going Local

2013-04-18T13:01:00.000-07:00

Nick Ciampi has gathered a boatload of local folk musicians to share their tunes at Going Local this Saturday night. Still Married will play at 7. Other folkies on the bill include:

Nick Ciampi, Jim Dyar, Bryce Goldstein, Daniel Horton,

Hayden Ball, Josh Lang, Tommy Ghiorso, Daniel Davies, Richard Morris, Mary Rose, Miss Jackie, Jake Standifer

Craig and I will debut The Redding Song at this event and we are excited to be sharing a couple new duets from our upcoming CD, Whiskeytown Roadhouse.

7-10 PM
Saturday, April 20, 2013

Going Local

1410 Beltline Road

Redding, California 96003

The Redding Song

2013-03-13T06:52:00.000-07:00

Over on Redding.com, blogger Marc Beauchamp posed a challenge --

".....a contest to come up with a telling or funny acronym that spells R-E-D-D-I-N-G."

I call it a Dream Assignment for a songwriter who loves Redding:

The Redding Song

music and lyrics by Erin Friedman

R is for the river and the trails that run beside her

E is for the eagles raising hope and flying higher

D is for downtown dining:

Art and music, beer and wine-ing

Another

D is for diversions

Recreational excursions

Golfing, skiing, fishing, hiking

Gardening, boating, swimming, cycling

Fly kites, tie flies,

Sun shines

Most days of the year

Anything you like to do outside

(That’s legal)

You can do it here

I is for infernal heat that keeps the wimps away

N is for night lights on the Bridge at Turtle Bay

G is for the Gem of Northern California

Redding, Shasta County, USA

Angry? Bitter? This Valentine's 4 U

2013-02-13T13:59:00.001-08:00

If you're looking for a sweet, sentimental love song to celebrate this day of romance, keep looking. But if you like your Valentine's Day tunes with a dose heartbreak and twist of revenge, then go ahead and help yourself to "Heart Shaped Stones."

I wrote this song many years ago - and it's still one of my favorites to sing. Our kids think it's kind of creepy and that's part of what I like about it.

So whether you're happily single, looking for love, or celebrating the day with your One and Only, please hop on over to our website for a free download of "Heart Shaped Stones."

Click here: Heart Shaped Stones at StillMarried.Net

Hope you get chocolate and champagne and NOT stones. Unless, of course, they're diamonds.

All Aboard for Redding's Cultural Cruise

2013-01-23T08:17:00.003-08:00

Redding City Hall (777 Cypress Ave) will ring with the sound of original music on January 25th, when the North State Songwriters present a showcase featuring local singer-songwriters as part of the city-wide Cultural Cruise.

The music will range from country to folk, rock to blues and bluegrass. The evening's lineup:

4:00pm Nick Ciampi

4:40pm Jackie Lynn Brodersen

5:00pm Matthew Songmaker and the Mountain Messengers

5:30pm Pine Dogz

6:00pm Still Married

6:30pm Richard Morris

7:00pm Will Miller

7:30pm Paul Howell

Nick Ciampi is a popular Redding music teacher and folk-rock musician. Jackie Lynn Brodersen is inspired by the folk music of the 60s and 70s. Matthew Songmaker and the Mountain Messengers play lively bluegrass and traditional country.

The Pine Dogz present folk-rock, Americana and blues. Still Married country-folk music celebrates the landscape, the characters and the independent spirit of Far Northern California. Richard Morris plays a lively blend of pop and rock. Will Miller performs country folk tunes with an acoustic flair. Paul Howell's original tunes are a little bit country, a little bit folk with an edge of the blues.

For more information on the musicians:

Nick Ciampi: www.nickciampiproductions.com

Matthew Songmaker: http://matthewsongmaker.com/

The Pine Dogz: The Pine Dogz

Still Married: www.stillmarried.net

Will Miller: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Will-Miller/247502455305381?fref=ts

Still Married will be playing a few new tunes from our upcoming CD: Whiskeytown Roadhouse -- c'mon out and enjoy complimentary refreshments and meet the artists whose work is on display at Shasta County's largest art gallery.

Cottonwood Art Wine and Music Festival

2013-01-18T08:07:00.002-08:00

Where The Heart Is: Cottonwood

2013-01-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Fifteen years ago, we sold our house, packed up our kids and left the suburbs of San Jose for a place we'd only passed through a couple of times on vacation. We landed in the cowboy town of Cottonwood, put down roots and never looked back.

This song has been trying to write itself ever since we fell in love with this place -- the landscape, the people and the spirit. We're looking forward to singing this new tune in our hometown at the Cottonwood Art Wine and Music Festival on Saturday, January 19th.

Cottonwood Fun: Art Wine and Music Festival

2013-01-10T08:10:00.001-08:00

C'mon down to Cottonwood - enjoy the art, the wine and the music in this charming Old West Town. Craig and I are looking forward to playing some new tunes at this local event coming up on January 19th.

The details:

The Cottonwood Art Wine and Music Festival at The Community Center on January 19th will showcase three local musical acts.

Still Married is a husband and wife duo from Cottonwood and their original music celebrates the landscape, the characters and the independent spirit of Far Northern California. They'll perform songs from their upcoming CD, "Whiskeytown Roadhouse," including a love song to their hometown: "Cottonwood Calling Me Home."

The Pine Dogz are another Cottonwood husband and wife duo. Diana and Steve Wallis play tunes that are a little bit rock and roll, a little bit country, a little bit R&B and a lot of heart and soul.

Jackie Lynn Brodersen is a singer-songwriter who performs originals and cover tunes. She picks up her guitar every chance she gets and is inspired by the folk music of the 60s and 70s.

3:30 - Jackie Lynn Brodersen

4:00 - Still Married

5:00 - The Pine Dogz

The art show will feature more than a dozen artists and it runs all day, starting at 10 AM. Wine tasting is from 4-6 PM and tickets for the wine tasting are $15. They're available at The Elegant Bean in the Holiday Market Center.

The art show and the musical entertainment are free. The Cottonwood Community Center is at 20595 Gas Point Road Cottonwood, CA 96022

For more information on Still Married: www.stillmarried.net

For more information on The Pine Dogz: http://www.reverbnation.com/pinedogz

For more information on the event, contact Mary O'Keefe (530) 347-1230

###

Free Christmas Tunes

2012-12-22T09:36:00.001-08:00

Still Married wishes you a Joyful Christmas with two free downloads on our website.

Click here.

Free Food. And Music and Culture.

2012-09-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Redding City Hall will be the scene for the Fall Art Reception on Thursday, September 20th, from 5-7.

Enjoy complimentary refreshments and meet the artists who have work on display through January, 2013. We'll be there, sharing original Shasta County Country Folk tunes, along with Nick Ciampi and Paul Howell.

It's always a treat to play for this event and celebrate our local artists.

One of the songs we'll be performing is this new one - Sundays Rest. We introduced it last Saturday to some very sweet folks at the Cottonwood Community Center Barbecue. Just about everyone who lives in Cottonwood is sweet - it's one of the reasons we love calling this place "home."

Fun in Cottonwood - Saturday

2012-09-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

The barbecue and the entertainment are free. The town is quaint, the skies are clearing and fall is in the air. All good reasons to head to Cottonwood this Saturday, September 15th.

I'll be running (ok - slow jogging) in the 5K race at 8 AM at North Cottonwood School. (Want to join me? Contact: Carri Longnecker at imissfriends@hotmail.com.) Then (after a shower) we'll head to the Community Center (20595 Gas Point Road) where volunteers will be cooking up barbecue.

Will Miller

Singer-songwriter Will Miller will be on stage starting at 10 -- he'll be playing a set of country tunes.

Still Married will perform from 11 till noon -- lots of original Shasta County Country Folk. The event is a fundraiser for the John Lipsey Memorial Run and there will be a tree planting and dedication, as well. We'd love to see you there!

Fun Folks

2012-06-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Local trio Manzanita will bring their folk and light rock tunes -- standards and originals -- to the Post Office Saloon this coming Wednesday, June 6th, from 6:30 - 9:30.

Manzanita is Dick Sorensen, Bruce Webb and Dennis Ferrell and these three have a grand time sharing tunes with their audience. You'll laugh, you'll sing along and you'll smile and enjoy a lovely mid-week night out at one of Redding's best spots for music. It's Spaghetti Night at The Post Office, so if you're looking for good eats at a good price -- a price that includes free, fun entertainment -- come on out to the Downtown Mall.

The Post Office Saloon

Downtown Mall

Wednesday, June 6

6:30-9:30

Leaving Redding

2012-04-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

If you want to leave Redding by train - and you're not hopping a freight car -- you are limited to a late-night departure. It's the price we pay for our geography -- we're far away from....well.... just about everywhere. Worth it, if you ask me.

Our son had to catch a train a few weeks ago, and until then, Craig and I had never been in downtown Redding at 2 AM. It was rather dark and desolate and the whole ordeal made for a ridiculously long night. But the outing DID inspire a new tune - a song about a woman quietly leaving this town behind.

I've been writing songs about this area for many years, and this is the first time I've written "Redding" in a lyric - it's a pretty word to sing, actually. The song will be on our upcoming CD: Whiskeytown Roadhouse.

2:20

words and music © Erin Friedman

Waitin' at the downtown depot

With the winter-weary people

I’ll take the blame under heavy darkness

While the rest of Redding sleeps

North of town, the whistle cries

Signals flash, travelers rise

The southbound Coast Starlight and I

Have promises to keep

(chorus)

2:20 is a lonely time for leaving

Plenty of regrets onboard this train

I know to every time there is a season

2:20 is the time to ride away

From burning

Bridges on toward the morning

With pride and my side of the story

Face the west, and fall asleep

To the rhythm of the wheels

Dream a dream of graceful endings

Of forgiving then forgetting

Start over far from Redding

With a courage strong as steel

A dyslexic Irishman walks into a bra.....

2012-03-16T06:58:00.000-07:00

...Yes, I'm a sucker for all things Irish -- including bad jokes.

In celebration of Saint Patrick's Day, we are giving away free downloads of our cover of an old Irish tune: The Parting Glass. It will be the final track on our upcoming CD, Whiskeytown Roadhouse.

The song has roots that go back more than 300 years, and it's been recorded by dozens of artists, including: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, Sinead O'Connor, The High Kings and now, Still Married.

Click on the link to our website for our version and help yourself: Still Married free download page.

Giving Away Heart Shaped Stones for Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

Murder and mayhem.... It's the kind of thing Still Married serves up in a Valentine's Day song. We're giving it away on our website - please help yourself at the link below:

Heart Shaped Stones Free Download.

A Tropical Vacation for Your Tongue

2012-02-03T10:48:00.000-08:00

I have pineapple on my mind. Craig and I spent a luscious week in Hawaii for our 27th wedding anniversary -- and we enjoyed (among other things) pineapple in all sorts of dishes. Our favorite, of course, was a wedge tucked on the top of tropical cocktail.

But back to real life....sigh. I was looking for interesting ways to serve pineapple (minus the rum) at home.

This dish, gorgeous to look at and deliciously complex in flavor, makes a lovely light lunch. For dinner, we've enjoyed it with grilled chicken and quinoa pilaf. And yes, you can use canned beets and canned pineapple - but the flavor is much livelier with fresh ingredients.

Pineapple and Roasted Beet Salad

1/2 of a fresh pineapple, cut in 1-inch pieces
3-4 beets, roasted, sliced *

Dressing:

2 tablespoons dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/3 cup olive oil

Whisk together dressing ingredients. Toss the dressing (you may not need all of it - add a little at a time and taste) with beets and pineapple. Enjoy.

* I wash the beets, wrap them in foil and roast at 350 degrees for 1- 1 1/2 hours - depending on the size of the beet. They should be tender - easily cut with a butter knife. Once they've cooled, peel and slice. Alternately, the Holiday Market deli (Redding and Cottonwood) sells roasted organic beets.

Printable recipe: CLick here.

Cultural Cruise 2012: Wrap Up

2012-01-31T11:00:00.000-08:00

Redding City Hall was buzzing with art fans last Friday evening. They were enjoying a fun stop on the 2012 Cultural Cruise, where artwork is displayed on all three floors. There was much oohing and aahing over a variety of works - paintings, photographs and sculptures. It took me awhile snap a picture of this amazing piece by artist James Freeman, because so many people were swarming around it.

Several North State Songwriters provided musical entertainment.

Folk-rocker, Nick Ciampi:

Paul Howell:

Cottonwood duo, The Pine Dogz:

And Craig and I - Still Married -- had fun with local tunes:

Grab a cup of coffee and spend some time exploring the exhibits on all three floors of Redding City Hall - they'll be there through May. You will be delighted, I promise.

Redding Cultural Cruise 2012

2012-01-18T21:14:00.000-08:00

A city-wide event celebrating art and culture -- it's a Redding tradition and we love being part of it.

Craig and I will be joined by several other North State songwriters at Redding City Hall on Friday, January 27th.

On the bill are: 5:00 Nick Ciampi
5:45 Paul Howell
6:30 The Pine Dogz
7:15 Still Married

Come check out the new artwork on display, enjoy refreshments and meet the artists. There are several venues on the Cruise - maps are available here: Cultural Cruise Map

2012 Word: Discipline

2012-01-10T22:40:00.000-08:00

Last year, I took Christine Kane's advice regarding New Year's Resolutions. Kane is a singer-songwriter and "Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World." She explains her philosophy on her blog: "Choose a word for the year and let it guide you to take action." You can read the whole piece on her website: Christine Kane: Resolution Revolution.

I procrastinated about what I was going to commit to for 2012, but I decided there was no way around it. My word for 2012 is discipline. That's not an easy word for me, because I tend to be relaxed and laid back. "Let It Be" has worked well for me. But at this age, at this moment, with my goals and aspirations, discipline is a requirement.

I've just begun fiddle lessons, and it's challenging my middle-aged brain to the limit. Practice doesn't make perfect - at least not so far - but the discipline is slowly easing me out of the "screeching cat" phase.
I'm working on a 10-song CD project that's only half written. Discipline (and coffee) will get me into my studio for the necessary early morning writing sessions.
Last summer, I started running and preparing healthy meals and I managed to lose 20 pounds. That weight is not going to stay gone without a little -- or most likely, a lot -- of discipline.

So, with this handy-dandy word tucked into my pocket, I'm ready for whatever the New Year has in store.

Do you have a word for 2012? Share, please?

New Year's Eve in Hawaii -- No discipline here, just aloha....

Merry Christmas Shortbread Cookies

2011-12-10T16:27:00.001-08:00

It's that time, again....a post from last year -- and the year before -- but cookie recipes are ageless. AIn't life grand?

I make about 70 pounds of this shortbread dough in December -- we give away most of the cookies - to customers, friends, roving bands of neighborhood teens. It's my favorite holiday recipe because it's SO simple and still so amazingly good.

You can roll the dough out, cut out fancy shapes. You can decorate them or drizzle them with melted chocolate. But I prefer them plain, naked -- pure, simple perfection.

I started with a recipe from Jeremiah Tower -- but I added vanilla to it and played with the baking time, so I consider it mine, now.

Feel free to consider it yours:

Christmas Shortbread Cookies

1 pound butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups flour

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Mix in flour. Form dough into logs and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least one hour. (Logs can be frozen.) Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Slice dough and place slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for thirty minutes.

The cookies should be pale, not browned - take them out just as soon as the tops are dry. They will be delicate and oh-so-wonderful.

Enjoy!

NOT a Christmas Letter

2011-12-06T09:01:00.001-08:00

I completely flaked out in 2010 (and still feel guilty about it) but this year I managed to put together a Friedman Family video Christmas Card for 2011.

It comes with wishes of joy for your Holiday Season and all throughout the New Year.

or click here to go to youtube

51 Days

2011-11-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's true. Christmas is just 51 ~~frantic~~ fun-filled days away. If you're thinking lists, gifts and oh-my-where-did-the-year-go? Don't worry, because local artists are here to help get you through this Christmas season.

This Saturday, you'll find 40 local artists and crafters at ARTsMART at The Mt. Shasta Mall from 10 - 9. Come out and enjoy art displays, demonstrations, musical entertainment and craft booths. The kids can work on fun projects, and you can peruse the art displays and find unique local gifts for everyone on your list.

Still Married will play original tunes in the Food Court from 11 until noon, and we'll have some CDs to give away. We'd love to see you there.

Simon's Still Amazing After All These Years

2011-10-13T04:48:00.000-07:00

Celebrating the brilliant Paul Simon on his 70th birthday. This is my favorite version of my favorite Paul Simon tune: Kathy's Song, performed by Eva Cassidy.

Enjoy: