LIFE ON SHADY OAKS LANE  October 7, 2020

It’s Fall again, three quarters of the year gone, with “The Holidays" upon us, if we are allowed to celebrate, and the opening back up is slowly and cautiously occurring.  Unfortunately, many events have been canceled.

CTMO – I was set to perform three songs with the CENTRAL TEXAS MEDICAL ORCHESTRA last May 2^nd.  It was a collaboration I was really looking forward to.  It would be so cool to have orchestral arrangements to a few of my songs!  Michael Hearne was also going to perform with me and record one of his songs as well.  A group of doctors who share a love of classical music, established the orchestra in 2012.  They present orchestral performances that raise funds in support of medical non-profits in Austin.  You may find out more about CTMO and their endeavors by going to    www.CTMOrchestra.org  We were so disappointed that their year of plans was cancelled for them and our opportunity to perform due to the virus. Here is hoping we will be able to do the performance in 2021.  Thank you, Walter Laich, for inviting us and it was an honor to have been asked.

Most of my shows these days are being performed via a streaming from McGonigel’s Mucky Duck.  All my “Ducks in a Row Show” on Tuesday nights @7PM – my home away from home to your home, and on Thursday nights @7PM “Streaming from the Sanctuary” from my sofa to yours.  And occasionally a live one comes in – Thank you!

This Saturday, October 10^th “Steamer Lane – Cedar Park House Concert 7-9 PM.  For all of you who love live music and live in the Cedar Park area of Austin, come out for an evening of safe, spacious, open air lawn entertainment.  The lawn is terraced and convenient for socially distancing.  It should be a beautiful night to get out!  This is my first time at Steamer Lane. Thank you, Ken, for inviting me to perform at your house concert.  I understand this house concert is a result of your dream and desire to bring live music to Cedar Park, and into your own backyard!  I thank you, and in these uncertain times, of carefully and respectfully presenting live music to folks who are ready to get out!  Please go to Steamer Lane’s website on Facebook for more info on tickets.  I hope to see you there!

Next Saturday – October 17  We will be traveling to Dallas to play on the stage of Poor David’s Pub but performing a live stream from his Facebook page.  I believe it may also be on his YouTube page as well!  www.poordavidspub.com for information.  This will be my return after my first successful show last August.  I hope you will tune in.  It is free to watch, but if you are so inclined you, can help Poor David’s Pub with a donation.  Share with friends to keep the live streaming growing and keep this 43-year music venue alive.  Mark your calendars!

TEXAS HEART STRINGS PRESENT:  On October 24^th, 2020 in Galveston, I will be performing at a fundraiser benefiting “Respite Progress for Dementia Patients at St. Vincent’s House”, which I believe is honoring the caregivers!  Music starts at 7:15PM to 9:45PM, doors open at 6:15.  $35 per person.  Bring lawn chairs for social distancing, taco bar included and BYOB!  Ice Cream Truck on site for dessert!  Music on the Gulf!  Please come on out!! www.Texasheartstrings.org.  Contact Bob Newlin for more info on tickets 281-844-9090

 In case you missed my post last week concerning Gary P Nunn, this is a follow up!  We (being Ewing Street Times) moved to Austin, TX, home of the Cosmic Cowboy scene in the early 70's.  It was there and then when I would meet Gary P Nunn.  He was one of the chief cosmic cowboy's playing behind Michael Murphy (still had two names) and Jerry Jeff Walker.  Gary gave me good advice about performing and was supportive of me and my music at the time.  Years later, after the success of "Songs on the Radio", he helped me get a record contract with SouthCoast/MCA, and at the time recorded a couple of my songs.  The recordings were lost but recently found in a hidden room in The Alamo!!!!!!  So, recently Gary P. released a new CD called "The Lost Tapes '79".  This is the album with "Deep in the West" and "You've Got a Lover".   Thanks Gary for singing the songs, and everyone please check it out on ITunes!

This is the latest from Shady Oaks Lane, stay tuned!  Peace, love, and happiness!   

Shake

 

 

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3^RD, 2020

I am up early today thinking about my “Streaming From The Sanctuary” show coming up this evening.  I have been knocking the dust off some tunes I haven’t played in a long while. I am also recalling the past several days of traveling and making music.  Last Saturday night I performed my first successful livestream concert from Poor David’s Pub in Dallas.  I was allowed to invite a few quests for a private streaming and it was nice having a few people in the audience to sing to.  Due to its success, I will return for an encore performance in October.  Hopefully, we can build an online audience in the Dallas area and everywhere else.  Thanks to all of you who tuned in.  Watch David’s calendar for my October date.

The following Sunday evening, I played a private 50^th Wedding Anniversary at the home of Ken and Esther Emory in San Antonio.  They are long time fans, who absolutely love live music concerts and they said they have been to many of my shows.  It is a passion of theirs to hear and support live music.  Like so many, they have been locked in from the pandemic and recent health issues. Their son Joel contacted us and arranged for a surprise concert for his parents.  Since they can’t venture out these days, he wanted to bring the show to them.  I am “Songs on Wheels” and I will bring a tune to you!!!  I played for a couple of ours taking their requests and answering questions about their songs about the songs. It was fun and casual.  Dee and I had a wonderful time meeting and visiting with Ken and Esther and being a part of their celebration.  Happy 50^th Anniversary.

This past Tuesday, I hosted “All My Ducks in a Row Show” at the Duck, my weekly in-residency show, every Tuesday at 7:00 PM.  We had a sellout show of 12 people!  Yea!  You know there is nothing like real live folks to play for!!  We also had hundreds more watching and listening online on Facebook and on the Mucky Duck’s YouTube channel.  Thanks everyone!  Indeed, these Tuesdays are feeling like a Friday night!

Also of note, “Michael Hearne’s Big Barn Dance 2020” will be made available by digital streaming.  There are three nights of concerts September 10, 11 and 12^th.  You may tune in and watch the concerts each night.  I sent three songs for my  portion of the event, recorded at The Duck in Houston and now through the magic of “Wifi-sci-fi”, Michael Hearne will join me on a divided screen and be jamming and singing along with me.  I have got to see this!  It sounds pretty cool!  Find out more on the Barn Dance lineup and how to watch on their website.  I hope you will tune in! That brings up back to tonight, Sept. 3^rd, “STREAMING FROM THE SANCTUARY”.  I hope you will tune in on my Facebook page– downbeat at 7:00 PM.  I will be taking requests. There is never a over and you may come as you are!  However, if you enjoy the show and wish to tip, tips are welcome.  Venmo.com/shake-russell or PayPal.me/shakerussellmusic!

Peace Shake

My Residency @ The Duck

I want to thank all of you who tuned in for my live streaming solo show at The Duck last Saturday night, July 11^th.  We had over 160 people listening in who stayed with us through the concert.  Thanks for your donations to the tip jar.  I thought the Duck did a great job streaming the show, both on Facebook as well as their you-tube channel.  It looked and sounded great.  This was my third streaming show from the Duck stage and it was the very best one yet by far!  They have invested in good camera and equipment to bring you the best quality in streaming possible.  It is a learning experience for everyone dealing with the new norm.  Rusty and Teresa have been bringing music and food in a comfortable setting for 30 years and at the Red Lion before the Duck.  They, like many restaurants and clubs, are barely hanging on with all the challenges going on and finding new ways to stay afloat.  They do have an online kitchen service for curb pickup with all kinds of delicious special’s every day.  Go to www.mcgonigels.com for all info for food service as well as what they are doing to first responders.  They have an extensive wine list as well as cocktails to go!  Check it out for other upcoming shows.  They are experimenting and trying to find new ways to present and bring music to everyone.

Residency @ The Duck

Partially based on how much fun my resent solo show was, and the solo shows I had been doing on occasion before the first shutdown, which I had dubbed “Friday on a Tuesday Night”.  I did that because of the success of folks coming out in numbers on a Tuesday it felt like a weekend! Teresa, Rusty and I came up with the idea of me streaming my “Friday on a Tuesday night” concerts.  So, for a while, until things return normal, this will be “my residency @ the Duck.  Please mark it on your calendars.  Every Tuesday beginning July 21^st I will be I concert live on The Duck Stage, taking requests, telling stories, playing songs.  After all, The Duck is my home away from home.  So, when Tuesday rolls around and thinking something to do, just remember, there is no need to go anywhere, tune in, sit back, relax and enjoy the music.

PS:

“STREAMING FROM THE SANCTUARY”

Speaking of home, my home streaming show will be happening again this Thursday, July 16 at 7:00 PM.  This show will be #6 from home!  It is turning into my own reality show with dogs chiming in occasionally.  You never know what is going to happen or who might be dropping by!  I have been rehearsing and working on songs for the show, some requests I haven’t done in a while.  So, for a while, every Tuesday and Thursday evening I will be performing from The Duck and from home.  These will be my two steady gigs every week.  I will keep you posted, and I will remind you all on Thursday about this weeks show.  Stop by for some dinner and dance music, never a cover charge, and come as you are!

Thanks, Peace

Shake