Solo shows and songs

THE CHEESEBURGERS ARE on hiatus right now. We are regrouping and hope to be back up and rocking by spring.

It's just me and my cheese head Friday night.

In the meantime, I've picked up a few solo and two-man shows, and it's a nice change of pace. I'm playing Friday night at One Restaurant, and Feb. 6 I am playing with fellow Pepper Sprayer Tim Smith at The Blind Pig. Pepper Spray is also booking another gig for later in February.

The band thing is a lot of fun but it's a lot more effort. I won't say work - it's never work when you are playing - but there are a lot of things going on with the band and you have to stay on your toes a lot more.

The solo thing is a bit more laid back and you can try experimenting with different things, and it's a little easier to talk to the audience and engage people.

If I go to a bar and I see a guy or gal with a guitar, I appreciate original music. I'm going to play a few songs of my own Friday and there is no better feeling than seeing originals go over.

I am learning some new songs, too, and it's good for a performer to try different stuff and jump off the cliff. I've actually been practicing at night - the dogs joined in last night and were right on key, frighteningly enough. I've heard people say my songs are for the dogs anyway, so it's all good.

So if you are out and about Friday night, stop on by at One and hang out for a while. It's background music, if nothing else, and I'm really looking forward to it.