SummerTyne Festival in Gateshead, England (Photo by Alan Harrison).
A few thoughts about 2010
There are a lot of unsung people who work tirelessly behind the scenes so that an independent artist like myself can do what I do. These are agents, promoters, house concert hosts, bloggers, radio folks, etc. and most importantly, fans. These folks are the backbone of the DIY world and I’m sincerely grateful to anyone who has attempted to turn someone on to my music. Lastly, a huge thank you to Miss Amy for running our record label and putting up with my ass for another year.
In 2010 Joe Hill’s Ashes reached #1 on the Euro Americana Chart and was included in a ton of year end lists. I played 103 gigs, slept in 126 beds, 4 airports, 5 cars, dozens of trains, 1 sidewalk and discovered the joys of pickled onions.
My favorite people of 2010
Beaux in Turnbridge Wells, England.
Edie in Diemen, Netherlands.
Betsy in Brosely, England.
Smudge in Farnham, England.
Favorite things said to me in 2010
“They ain’t no Bigfoots in Oklahoma.”
“You can’t forget what you don’t remember.”
“My sense of direction is like a bunch of onions.”
“I like the style of your behavior.”
“He wouldn’t give a crippled crab a crutch!”
Worst of 2010
The Nashville Flood
Hotels with 10 a.m. check out times.
Favorite gigs of 2010
I tried my best to narrow this down to my 5 favorite gigs, but I just couldn’t swing it. I must have had a little too much fun last year, because I decided to list a dozen instead.
11/06 Newcastle, England -Jumpin’ Hot Club at The Cluny Two
10/27 Brighton, England -The Prince Albert
10/22 Swansea, Wales -The Chattery
10/17 Amen, Netherlands -Cafe De Amer
10/10 Ottersum, Netherlands -Cultureel Podium Roepaen
07/31 Broseley, England, -Birchmeadow Centre
07/24 Gateshead, England -SummerTyne Americana Festival at The Sage Gateshead
07/21 London, England -What’s Cookin’ Upstairs At The Sheep Walk
07/18 Nottingham, England -The Maze w/ Elizabeth Cook
07/17 Salisbury, England -The Larmer Tree Festival
02/19 Austin, Texas -The Cactus Cafe w/ The Gourds
01/30 Chicago, Illinois -Schuba’s Tavern w/ The Bottle Rockets
Things I’m looking forward to in 2011
The release of Amy’s new record, “Travels Of A Homebody.”
Touring Scandinavia for the first time in April.
I’ll record at least two new records (maybe three) in 2011 and release them in 2012.
I’ll attempt to play a few more shows in America.