SONGS OF BILL // FEBRUARY NORTHEAST SHOWS
FURTHER ON // A year ago we stood in a circle around Billy’s bed and sang him Happy Birthday, after which he said “Who could ask for a better birthday?” Given that he was on his actual deathbed, he could have been forgiven for meaning this ironically, and there were certainly a few rueful snorts from the circle. But somehow, despite everything, he meant it, which was about the Billyest thing ever. No one I know worked more resolutely to cultivate gratitude than Bill, and no one could have stuck harder to that resolution when the shit really hit the fan.
A few months after he died, some of that same group gathered to record some of his many songs. We did it for ourselves really, to be in grief and love and music together, regardless of outcome. But the recordings turned out able to stand on their own, and we’re starting the process of sharing them today, in the spirit of gratitude for Billy, and the songs he left us, and the circle.
The official release for FURTHER ON: The Songs of Billy Conway is January 20, but we’ve just put the album up for preorder on Bandcamp - so we can make our costs back, and support the new Billy Conway Arts Fund. Please check it out and consider supporting this labor of boundless love. http://songsofbillyconway.com
FEBRUARY NORTHEAST // Anyone can tour the Northeast in the unfrozen months, but where’s the challenge? A nice run of February shows is something a northerner can really sink their teeth into. If the weather and the Subaru go along with the plan, I’ll be solo on Feb 3 at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs - a club I apparently haven’t played since 2015, so I’d say we’re due. Then I’ll play with (everyone’s favorite guitar player) Kevin Barry at (everyone’s favorite venue) Stone Mt Arts Center in Brownfield ME on Feb 4. This show was scheduled for March ‘22 and got snowed out, then rescheduled for May ‘22 and got Covidded out. So here’s hoping that the third time is in fact the charm! The following weekend I’ll return to ZenBarn (where I just played a fun show sitting in with Session Americana) in Waterbury VT, and then home to Cambridge’s Club Passim for two shows on Feb 11. A two-show night always was a bit of a marathon even in the Before Times, so this may be the moment we definitively find out just how stamina-eroding the Covid years have been…
It’s been a strange year in a lot of ways, but I’m grateful for so many things: the support of my crew on Patreon who have given me something fun to show up for during the tourless months; a lovely stack of home-based music work including recording, writing, production projects which will mostly come to light in 2023; and every chance I’ve had all year to play music for you in person or online. Thanks for being there and here’s to a lot of music for all of us in the new year. *kd
UPCOMING SHOWS
FEB 3 - Caffe Lena - SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY Tix
FEB 4 - Stone Mountain Arts Center - BROWNFIELD, ME Tix
FEB 10 - ZenBarn - WATERBURY, VT tix on sale soon
FEB 11 - Club Passim - CAMBRIDGE, MA **TWO SHOWS 5pm/8pm** Tix