The HALFWAY point

Hello, my friends. Here I am once again blogging at you from Shanghai, China. I have been writing nearly as much as I had intended to. No big surprise there, I suppose. I have a stack of books I brought with me that I was supposed be reading, but I've hardly touched those either. Instead I have been spending my time exploring the city, playing good music, taking lots of pictures and making some new friends.

So far the gig has been awesome and we consistently see large supportive crowds cheering us on and enjoying the music. As a performer this is paramount; there is nothing better than playing for an appreciative audience, particularly when the attendance is high.

Off stage things have been good as well. Shanghai is such a massive city, it's impossible to see everything in just one visit, I think. But I have been doing my best to get out and about and explore. In just a couple of months I will be back in the USA and preparing to hit the ground running. I have several dates lined up already for the band and I am working on booking some more. I also am working on some new tunes and trying to complete my recording project.

It's a lot to deal with, and it's especially challenging being so far away from home. Fortunately for me, I've always liked a good challenge.

Ni Hao! Welcome to Shanghai.

Greetings all! I am writing to you from the dope crib I am sharing with my band mates here in Shanghai, China. We've been here exactly two weeks now, and so far it's been a very cool trip. Shanghai is one of those cities where there is a new adventure, something new to see or do around every corner. And of course, the night life is off the hook! I am playing, as most of you know, for four months here in Shanghai at a place called The House of Blues and Jazz, a very hip and classy establishment here with very cool people hanging out and working there. It is located in a building that is over 100 years old, and every night I have the delight to play on a lovely Yamaha grand piano. It's really outstanding.

It has been a bit of a challenge overcoming the language barrier here, but fortunately most people here are very friendly and patient as I try to figure out how to order my chicken and rice. In many ways being in Shanghai is like being in any other city, and yet there are many things that are different and take some getting used to (there are no hoagies at the local convenience stores, but I can get grilled lamb, mutton or fried rice on just about any street corner.) Needless to say, there is some truly amazing food here. I had the good fortune to experience a real authentic Japanese barbecue place here, courtesy of our boss. I've never seen a place where you grill your food right there at the table, everything was so fresh tasting and delicious! I've also been doing some food shopping at the outdoor market in our neighborhood, a completely new experience for me. I admit I was a little nervous about doing it at first as I wasn't sure if I would really be able to figure out what I was doing. But it's no problem now, I'm an old pro!

As you can probably ascertain from the photos, it is really quite cold here right now. Today we actually got quite a bit of snowfall, something which I understand to be rather unusual here. All I know is I can't wait for the weather to warm up some so I can do more exploring! More photos and info to come y'all. Peace!

DATE REMOVED, DATES ADDED

Some years ago I read a book about the music industry which stated that the most important element needed to be successful in this business is momentum. Once you've established momentum in your career it is important to maintain that level of energy, not to let it wain or to overexert yourself and burn out too quickly. Honestly I think I have been guilty of both crimes in the past, but in more recent years I have been making more of an effort to plan things out and maintain a steady arc in my professional dealings, to not bite off more than I can chew at any one time but to not let myself get to lazy or complacent either. 

 

One of my concerns with doing this trip to China was that I would lose some of the momentum I have worked so hard to build up over the last two years in New York. After duking it out at showcase venues and tip-jar joints, we've finally carved out a nice spot at Wicked Willy's in the village playing the first Saturday of the month and really laying down the FUNK like you're supposed to! 

So as it happens, I had to lose one date we had booked there for February. But not wanting to sit on my laurels and let things get stale, I took the initiative of booking two dates for the summertime at Wicked Willy's: June 2nd and August 4th. I am working on getting some dates in July as well, looking at a venue in Pennsylvania and hoping to get something going on in the Boston area once again as well (it's been way too long!) 

Take a look at the schedule above. It's not much right now, but if I have anything to do with it that schedule will be steadily filling up with dates as time goes by. You can always click on the "Tour Dates" button above to see where and when I'll be performing next. Don't forget to click that big SHARE button too, and let all your friends know you're down with the funk. Hope to be seeing you at a show this summer! 

BACK TO THE FUTURE and READY FOR THE WORLD

So I was back in New England this past weekend. This time I decided to ride in style and rent a vehicle. I'm just not really into breaking down on the side of the highway anymore. You know, it was fun when I was in my 20s and didn't have so much work to do, but it's kind of old now and I just need to get places and do things. I got a Nissan Sentra that proved to be fairly comfortable and far more reliable than my broken down Hyundai. You can see both new and old vehicles in the photo below.

The primary purpose of going back to Boston was to get together with Greg Luttrell and the band to make a video for the Chinese government; apparently they need to see a video of us playing so they will know that we are who we say we are and that we are really musicians and that whole thing... It was really good to see Greg and the guys again and to play with them all again. It's been quite a while, I think the last time this incarnation of the band had played together was when we were in St Barth's back in 2007.

(l to r: me, Jeff Gilman, Tony Hall, Greg Luttrell) 

While back in Massachusetts, the land of my birth, the place where it literally all started for me, I had a chance to meet up and spend time with a lot of good folks, some people who I hadn't seen in many years. I also spent a lot of time just thinking, reflecting. In the six years since leaving the Bay State I have done a lot, seen a lot, had a lot of great (and some not so great) experiences. I feel like I am on the verge of turning a page onto a new chapter in the story of my life right now. I don't know exactly what's going to happen or where I will end up, but I know its going to be great! I'm ready, and I can't hardly wait to see what's in store....   

WEEKEND UPDATE: NYC, BREAKDOWNS, ETC.

What a week I had last week! It started out lovely - visiting my family in Maine for the Thanksgiving holiday. Then while driving down to visit some friends in Massachusetts, my car breaks down. Thank goodness for my friend Jen who drove all the way up to Amesbury from Tewksbury to pick me up - thanks Jen!

So my car gets fixed and after a nice visit in Mass I made my way down to New York for my gig at Wicked Willy's last Saturday. The car was running good all the way down until I got onto the West Side Highway, and then wouldn't you know it I started having car problems again!

I was able to drive all the way down to the village where I found a great parking spot just around the corner from the venue (of course, I did get a parking ticket because I put the meter receipt upside down on my dash!) I loaded in my gear and spent the evening walking around the neighborhood, I got some slices at my favorite pizzeria in the city (Ben's Pizza on 3rd and MacDougal) and stopped into a few area bars.

The gig was hot! We had an excellent turnout and everyone was jammin'. It was truly a good time, I am so grateful to have found my funky home in New York City at Wicked Willy's! If you look above you will see a picture we took outside before the gig. They didn't come out too great, but fortunately one of my favorite hobbies is taking crappy cell phone pictures and making them look weird in Photo Shop.

After the gig I was fortunate to be able to crash at the apartment of my bass player Ben and his girlfriend Mary - thanks Ben and Mary! I had the car towed to a garage the next morning and took a bus back to Allentown. I think that my car has seen it's final days!

Okay, here's the deal: if you live ANYWHERE in the New York City area, even if you have to drive an hour or so, you have GOT TO come to our FINAL SHOW at WICKED WILLY'S before I leave for CHINA!!! No joke, make it happen, come on down!! You will be SO GLAD that you did!

The gig is on SATURDAY JANUARY 7th at 9PM SHARP!! The venue is located at 149 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. I'm telling you - you have got to be at this one!! We'll see you there.

By the way, yes I did get my car back (after paying a pretty hefty bill to a garage in Hell's Kitchen.) I drove it home from NY with no problem, but this morning I went to a meeting with a venue here in the Lehigh Valley (I'm looking to book some shows in this area for the summer - stay tuned for details!) and the clutch started giving out. Damn - anyone know where I can get a decent used car??

UPDATES: WICKED WILLY'S, NYC, CHINA and other NEWS!!!

Hey there, folks. Long time no hear from, I know. I have been preoccupied with numerous life changes and goings on, but all is well and I am back to business as usual....

For all of you in the New York City area, you probably have heard by now that the band and I have been performing regularly over at WICKED WILLY'S in the Village. Every time we play there its a little more fun and exciting than the last, and we are so grateful have to found such a cool venue to call our home in The Big Apple!

If you haven't checked us out there yet, you will have a chance this coming SATURDAY DECEMBER 3rd at 9 PM. Trust me, if you love THE FUNK like I do you are going to have a blast as we mix our originals with classics by Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Earth Wind and Fire. So tell all your friends about us and come on down! Wicked Willy's is located at 149 Bleecker St. New York, NY.

In other news I will be traveling to Shanghai China with my long time friend and collaborator Greg Luttrell for a four month stint. I am really looking forward to playing with Greg and the guys again, and I am so excited to check out the sites in China! I will be leaving the states in late January and will be on the road for four months - I can't wait!!

Before I head out there though, it is my hope to be able to release a new recording for you all. Now I know what you are thinking: "This guy must be crazy, he's been talking about releasing a new album for YEARS!" and you're right. It's been too long and I am way over due for something. Despite the many setbacks I have been made to endure, I am not too far from completing a release and it WILL be done soon!!

I sincerely hope that everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving holiday, and I want to wish you all a very happy holiday season as well! I am going to make an effort to blog more often now (especially now that I have remembered my log in info lol) So I hope that we will be seeing a lot more of each other in the days and months to come. :)

Don't forget to check the dates page, listen to music clips and watch videos anytime here at web site, and please check in often for news and updates.

Peace,
Big Ben

SUMMER'S END 2011

Hello  Friends,

Yes I know, it has once again been ages since I have posted one of these things. Rest assured I have been busy throwing down the FUNK just like I always do! This past weekend was INSANE!! I was at THE LOWELL FOLK FESTIVAL once again this year, just like I had been for the last three years. This time I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with JEN KEARNEY, THE RYAN MONTBLEAU BAND and most amazingly the triumphant return of COTTON MOUTH. At certain points during the evening it kind of felt like a 90s flashback for all those of us who attended U MASS LOWELL back then! Then after taking a crazy detour through New Jersey (I really shouldn't drive when I'm tired! lol) I played a gig down at KUN FU NECKTIE in Philadelphia along with headlining act KAREEM. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the lovely host, Philly's own BARBARA SHAREE who absolutely STUNNED the crowd with her amazing voice! We had a chance to chat after the show, and she actually gave me a lot of great advice about the industry and the Philadelphia scene. Thanks so much Barbara!!

The winds of change are blowing for me on a personal level as I prepare to kick my career into overdrive. Lots of things to consider as I am working on finally completing my full length album, start working on a new one, and also I am constantly writing new material. There may be some more singles coming soon - if I can manage this juggling act! I am not exactly sure what the next chapter of my life will bring, but that's all part of the adventure. Isn't it?

If you are in the NEW YORK CITY area you should come check out the band and I THIS FRIDAY AUGUST 5th at WICKED WILLY'S on Bleeker Street. This might be the last show I have booked for a while, so you should definitely make a point of coming down and saying hello! Hope to see you all there - enjoy the rest of your summer and stay FUNKY people!!

Peace,
Big Ben