Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day

Let's try to summarize the last two weeks, which seem to have gone by in a blur. Sunday, Jan. 31st, Hemlock Hollow held their CD release party at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center. It was very successful, attended by many of the folks we've seen at Roger's house: Tom Cook, Jefferson Pepper and his wife Lauri (who will see this entry because they have a Google Alert set for Jeff's name -- hey, Jeff and Lauri!), Craig and Cari Longyear, Dave Kluz, and some other HollowHeads who I know by sight but not by name.

I've talked about this venue before. It's a different looking place in the daytime, but still cool. Mike Banks ran sound, I sang some harmony on a few tunes, and it was a nice Sunday afternoon. I am the proud owner of an autographed Hemlock Hollow CD, and it's pretty sweet. The tune selection is representative of the band's show, mixing traditional, acousticized pop songs and originals by Roger, all presented with pristine sound. Jeff Meglio did a great job on the recording. Roger is in great form vocally and the studio recording showcases how good he's singing. Mike Miller's harmonies, Chris Wilkinson's mandolin and the guest artists are all first rate.

Roger told me today that they will be at the HMAC the last Sunday afternoon of each month. March 28th I will be sitting in for Mike Miller on bass, and maybe doing a few songs of my own.

Speaking of my own songs, there must be something in the water. In the last three weeks I've written five songs, the latest being a reggae tune that just popped up yesterday afternoon. I'm shaking my head, and digging it big time. My little brother David just got the drywall for his basement studio. Watch this space for announcement of my own CD release party.

Speaking of something in the water, some of my close friends became grandparents this weekend. Grace McGovern's daughter Maggie had a daughter, Maria Grace; Roger's son Andrew had a son, Henry Thomas. Everyone's doing fine. Look for an uptick in the sale of digital cameras and picture frames in the area this month.

Speaking of my little brother Dave, his new band Laredo debuted at the Carlisle Moose last night, with my other little brother Bill on bass. Bill has a new bass and new boots and is doing a great job on harmonies. Brian Juran has stepped out from behind the sound board for the first time in 25 years (!) to play and sing, and apparently it is like riding a bicycle. The drummer Scott Powell is solid and sounds great, and of course David is picking and grinning and keeping the crowd happy like he always does. They sounded better than any band has a right to on their first gig, and they've got the firepower to really light it up. Check out their schedule. Maybe Dave will have you get up and play "Keep Your Hands To Yourself." (Thanks for the guest spot, little brother.)

Since today is Valentine's Day, I made the traditional heart-shaped Rice Krispies Marshmallow* Treats which I blogged about before here. The aforementioned reggae tune, specifically in the "lovers rock" style, was the rest of my Valentine's Day gift to my first wife, my girlfriend and my muse, the amazing Mrs. Kelly. She got me a silicone rolling pin, which may sound strange, but I used it to bake bread this morning and it really did make rolling out the dough easier. I had a nice rolling pin that went missing some time ago, and this is a great replacement. Ain't love grand?

Finally, we have a new administrator at St. Catherine's. Fr. Neil Sullivan, who was assigned here about five years ago, has been assigned to replace Fr. David Hereshko, recently reassigned to Abbotstown. Fr. Sullivan is a gifted preacher, an expert in liturgy, a musician and a real man of God. He's very happy to be here, and the feeling is mutual. He spoke at all the Masses and did a fine job of getting everybody fired up about the upcoming Lenten season. God bless him and us as, in Fr. Sullivan's words, "the adventure begins."

(*Edited this morning to correct spelling. Joreen is not only my muse but my spellchecker as well. What a multi-tasking babe!)