Eric's new Paiste cymbals are just too awesome, aren't they? Photo by Gary Slick taken last month at the Belew Power Trio show in Dayton, Ohio.
Okay, the cat's out of the bag -- the author who scored the deal with her brilliant debut novel is the one and only Susan Henderson. Not only that, it's her birthday on Sunday. As I just told Sue, not only is she a remarkably talented writer, I really do believe karma played a role in her successs - she is one of the most unselfish people I've ever met -- a tireless advocate for other authors -- and if you are a regular visitor to her above linked website, LitPark, you are already aware of that and are as thrilled for Susan as I am.
So congratulations and Happy Birthday, Sue!
In other writing news, thanks to another incredibly gifted writer and die-hard Zappa fan, Theresa Boyar, for linking my blog entry containing the Cosmik Debris You Tube with son Eric on drums, Ike Willis on vocals, and Tim Palmieri of The Breakfast on lead guitar. In reading Theresa's post, she also mentions that it's nomination time again for the Story South Million Writers Award for best fiction published on line during 2006. I took a look at the nominees so far and was thrilled to see that one of my personal favorites, Snake Dreams by Katrina Denza has already been nominated at least twice. Like Theresa, I take these awards very seriously and am currently seeking out my favorite writers to see if they have anything over 1,000 words published last year which would qualify. Right off the top of my head, if Theresa, Myfanwy Collins, Jordan Rosenfeld, or Kathy Fish, who is too modest/humble to have a website even though she's got a book coming out herself chock full of her brilliant flash fiction are eligible, I will be nominating them later today.
I was also slightly amused to see that there were authors who actually nominated themselves. Oy. If you are one of those writers, see my comment about Susan above and learn. But not before you self-flagellate yourself first, you egomaniacs, you. Ha!
Nah, no one that narcissistic visits my blog. You guys are all so cool it's ridiculous.
And now for the exciting music news I know you've all been waiting for. While I obviously have already known about this for weeks, I was waiting for the powers in charge to announce it, and now that I see that Mike Keneally, guitarist extraordinaire, has it on all of his websites as well as his newsletter which I've cut and pasted below, I guess it's okay to blab it to the world:
"KENEALLY TRIO @ PAUL GREEN SCHOOL OF ROCK FESTIVAL
With WEEN, ADRIAN BELEW AND BENEVENTO/RUSSO DUO
The location of the Paul Green School of Rock Festival on June 23 and 24 is Asbury Park, NJ. Still don't know the venue. Again, we're (we being me, Bryan Beller and Eric Slick) playing on the 24th, on a bill being headlined by Ween, and also including Adrian Belew and the Benevento/Russo Duo, as well as the School of Rock All-Stars. A thoroughly fantastic day of music! Can't wait. As usual, more details soon."
Okay, here's what I do know. Yep, Eric will be kicking off the Sunday, June 24, 2007 portion of the festival in the afternoon sitting in on drums with the brilliant Mr. Keneally and the equally brilliant Bryan Beller on bass, followed by a performance by...yay!...the Adrian Belew Power Trio featuring Eric on drums again and Ms. Julie Slick on bass. So basically my son gets to play three hours straight with two of the best guitarists in the world - both Zappa alumni. How freaking cool is that? And yep, their performances will be followed by Benevento/Russo, Ween, and the School of Rock All-Stars with a "special guest"...don't know who that is but you can bet it's going to be someone awesome. I'll be posting his/her identity here as soon as I know. Also, this is just a wild guess, but I'm thinking that the venue is either Asbury Lanes or the adjoining Baronet Theater. However, both locations are one block from the boardwalk/beach, so whether this will be an outdoor event I have no idea...though it would seem to me that with unpredictable weather, it would be more prudent to have the big acts play indoors but again, I will let you know as soon as I have official word.
But can you imagine that? All of those amazing bands playing together in one day? I haven't seen the Saturday line-up -- I can't wait to find out who it is but trust me, it's going to be equally incredible.
Also, I believe this Asbury Park appearance will kick off at least part of the Belew Trio summer tour -- perhaps an east coast swing but I really have no idea -- and the release of Side 4 Live. Stay tuned...
Okay then. Back to work for me. I am concurrently working on several projects, all pretty damn exciting...and again, I'll share the details as soon as I am able.
Later,
xo
