Bryan's Blog Archive:
2008 | 2007

More on BHB
BHB is:

Bryan Harrison
Guitar, Vocals and Harmonica

Jim McLaren
Guitar, Harmonica and Vocals

Elisa M Welch
Octave Mandolin, Pennywhistle, Keys and Vocals

Dave Coan
Djembe/Percussion

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June 22, 2008 - Happy Solstice!
Out of Mercury retro and into the Summer we go. We've been busy with BHB Organic Tunes Tour shows, as well as Elisa's giggage here and there, and even some Barbary Coast Allstars happenings. Looking forward to more through the coming season. Check out our dates if you've yet to plan when to see and hear what we're up to.

Speaking of happenings, we've been pressing forward with getting some recordings together representative of our current sound. It's a sound without an over abundance of production to it - rhythmic and harmonic. Click on the player above to hear the first three tracks. These were produced as live recordings, with minimal additional tracking. We've had a good number of folks wanting something that actually sounds like we do live. This is pretty much it, for starters, at least. Whatever feedback you might have would be appreciated.

Coming up, we've got another appearance at the Belmont Farmers' market June 29. Come on out. You can ride Cal Train to the Belmont Station and you're there. Get all your produce and yums while you're there. What a great way to start your Sunday morning, eh?

Peace and sanity to this troubled nation,
Bryan

April 22, 2008 - Don't Take My Word For It - It's Your Planet, too
Earth Day. What a concept. Isn't everyday we have to live here kind of "Earth Day"? Stepping outside of reason, seems to me, are those who try to argue that global climate change is some kind of myth. Okay, let's just pose for a moment that claims of global warming and such were exagerated... that the planet isn't changing in a significant way... what if all the scientific data was wrong? Would there be less reason to find new and cleaner means of energy? Would it be ok to just pollute the skies, land, and seas as we've done for more than the past century? "No", you say? Well, then I say stop. Stop with the petty posturing. Stop with the greed. Stop with the lame-ass excuses to over-spread your seed. This planet is not ours. We are her own. Respect her as you should your mother. Celebrate the grandeur and beauty and seek ways to live in harmony, like there is no other. Earth Day, yay! Each and every day. Celebrate our home.

Peace, love and harmony... not just words, means to keep living here,
Bryan

April 14, 2008
We've officially begun our "2008 Greater Bay Area Green Tour", opening with three shows at two new venues for us, along with a rousing St. Patty's Day private event in March.

We saw pretty much both ends of the spectrum in the first two dates. We played our opening show at the San Mateo City College site for the San Mateo Farmers' Market, which had to rank as one of the best shows we've had to date. We sold out of all the CD's we had with us (what I figured would be enough for the day) in the first hour of playing. Added quite a few of you new folks to our email list, too.

The next day found us in Livermore, at their Winter Market. Being the first day of Daylight Saving Time, among other factors, it was a bit of a quiet day. Nevertheless, we had a great time. We returned to the Livermore market the last day of March which was a bit better day. We're looking forward to playing their main Summer market starting with our May 22nd gig at Carnegie Park, downtown.

In between those first two events, the four of us gathered for a night of recording, getting the new BHB record under way. We got off to a pretty decent start, doing basics on seven songs. Finding the time to all do more work on it may have to wait a bit, but we'll do what we can.

I'm still considering possibly doing a CD release party for my soon-to-be officially released new record, "thru the open gate" sometime this Spring. I'll get back on that with you.

In the meantime, check out our performance calendar, and come see us... maybe you can pick up an advanced copy while you're there, along with your own edible greens!

peace and love,
Bryan

February 17, 2008
It was a busy week for the folks at Code Pink. Their work in Berkeley effectively activated a whole bunch of people: many of whom agree with their viewpoint as well as those who don't. I find it very refreshing to see people actually get out there and speaking their piece, albeit some much more informed than others.

Anyway, we had a wonderful time playing at El Rio Friday night, and the benefit raised a "respectable" amount for the volunteer Code Pink force. Thanks to those of you who made it out to the show, and to all who helped make it happen. I appreciate the efforts of Charles Pitts, who took photos for us all evening. I invite you to take a few minutes and check out his work on the latest photo page (this link takes you to the index page. Click on any of the show's pictures from there to go to the whole spread). Or, go directly to the full spread.

We had the total pleasure of having our friend and phenomenal bassist, Roy Elder, join us for this show. Roy and I have been talking about this off and on for quite some time and, provided he can fit us into his schedule, we're hopeful he may become a regular BHB fixture as we move into the season. Give the guy a couple of rehearsals and he's totally on his way! Thanks Roy.

BHB gears up now for the start of our... (wait for it...) 2008 Northern California Farmers' Market Tour!!! *woo hoo! the crowd goes wild* . We have so much fun playing the markets, and they've all been very good to us. We're excited to be adding a couple of new ones to the mix, including the Livermore FM and the San Mateo market. Check out our concert schedule page for dates and such.

In addition to the markets, we have a couple of private party gigs happening in the next few months, as well as a pseudo-solo gig I'm/we're doing at Nomad Cafe on April 5th. However many of us are there, it'll be an acoustic performance, as the Nomad is a pretty small joint. The venue has been named "Greenest Business" in the Oakland area, and does an amazing job of all they do and provide. Even their beer is organic.

My new CD's coming out soon, too. Stay tuned for CD release party info... you up for a party?!

Peace and love to all,
Bryan

January 26, 2008
So, from where I sit we've just about hit rock bottom in this nation. I'm saddened by the reality that Dennis Kucinich had to drop out of the presidential race. I'm saddened mostly because the truth is he was locked out at every turn and, while nearly everyone I heard of who actually heard his message and his positions stated that he was the one who was right - who was right on about where this country lies and what needs to happen to move forward.

How sad is it when corporate interests and corporate media play such an enormous role in deciding for us who we get to hear from; what our choices are; how much we can have; and who to believe in? Pathetic, in my view.

Dennis is now in a fight to maintain his seat in the U.S. Congress, representing the 10th District of Ohio. View his "transition" speech. The speech is both discouraging and uplifting. We need more voices like Dennis Kucinich in this nation, lest we be doomed to fall more and more into the extremities of the "haves" and the "have nots". He talks in his speech of a new movement, "Integrity Now" at IntegrityNow.org. I encourage you to go sign up there, as well.

Our show on February 15th at El Rio in the Mission District of San Francisco had been slated to benefit Congressman Kucinich's Presidential bid. We are now reworking that. We've decided to shift the focus to a return benefit for the good people of Code Pink. Please do plan on attending. It'll be an rockin' evening of good music and big fun.

So, we now have more limited choices for the California Primary February 5th... More of the same or a choice for something new? Time will tell, eh?

Peace and Love,
Bryan

January 12, 2008
Okay, so the digital distribution deal ala zoomoozik was kind of a bust. Talk about getting shelved.

Having just FINALLY completed my long-awaite CD (by me and a few others, at least) "thru the open gate", I'm going back to utilizing what's worked best in the past: CDbaby.com. You'll soon be able to purchase "thru the open gate" through CDbaby. There are a few copies of Raw Tracks still available there. Thanks to everyone who has supported that record.

The band is gearing up for some big fun. We'll be playing a Valentine's hangover show at El Rio Friday, February 15, 2008, on behalf of the Dennis Kucinich campaign effort. Proceeds to go to help this true patriot cover his campaign's debts. Whether you support Dennis for president, as I do, or not, you've got to appreciate the significant role he has been playing in trying to keep others focused on what's important: namely, the Consitution of the United States... we do still have some of that framework in place, don't we???

So, please do come on out for that show. Elisa's doing a set. BHB will perform, and Mike Fleming will have us all there for a Barbary Coast Allstars set. And, if that all weren't enough, Elisa's friend and Irish fiddle master, Paul Chaffee, will do a set for us all, too.

Peace and prosperity to you and yours in the new year.
Bryan