Kerr-mazing

Greetings from the Kerrville Folk Festival!

Hey folks, I'm writing from my tent at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville TX. How crazy to have internet access from a tent. This festival is absolutely incredible. People have been telling me for years about this place and how great it is, but it has exceeded all of my expectations.

It started with the New Folk contest, which I participated in. Although I didn't win, I made some great connections and even better new friends. The winners, Hans York, Betty Soo, Devon Sproule, RJ Cowdery, CJ Watson and Robby Hecht are all great and you should check them out.

On Sunday night we saw an amazing set by 17 year old singer/songwriter and my good friend Anthony Da Costa, who will blow your mind. It's been great to meet so many new people as well as seeing some of the friends I've made this past year. I've been on tour with Chuck E Costa since May 15th and I've been posting pictures from the trip on my MySpace Page so check it out.

We had some rough shows at the beginning but starting in Knoxville TN, our luck began to change. We played an amazing radio show in Knoxville called The Blue Plate Special, which was an absolute blast and exactly what we needed. It can be tough when you're playing in coffee shops to find some purpose in being a traveling musician. It all started to feel like a huge waste of time. The Blue Plate restored our faith that people out there are interested in what we're doing.

After the Blue Plate we traveled to Nashville where we stayed with Buddy Mondlock, who is one of the greatest songwriters you'll ever hear. That was really a thrill. Buddy came with Chuck and I to our gig in Nashville, which was not a great show but it was really fun to spend some time with him. My uncle, Craig showed up unexpectedly and the four of us watched the Celtics game in the back until it was time for us to play. They won, by the way.

We woke up and drove 10 and a half hours to Oklahoma City, where we played our best gig of the tour at the Blue Door. We opened for Brian Vander Ark, who was pretty incredible. Brian is the lead singer of the band The Verve Pipe. I remember when I was in 10th grade The Verve Pipe had a hit with the song, The Freshman. I remember that time vividly and that song was an essential part of the soundtrack of my life at that time. He played it, I teared up.

Greg, who runs the Blue Door is possibly the nicest man I've ever met. He runs the place with the sole purpose of presenting good music. He's definitely not in it for the money. He works hard, he does an amazing job and every musician I know who plays there loves him. For those of you familiar with Club Passim, this place could so easily be just as great. Greg doesn't get any attention from the local press in OKC. The papers don't list his shows, and they never do features on the people who are coming there to play. It's frustrating that, for the most part, the city doesn't know what an amazing place they have right in their back yard. Still he busts his butt and presents great shows every night. If you know people in OKC, send them to the Blue Door.

We left Oklahoma around 11pm and drove to Dallas TX. I like seeing the "Welcome To" signs when I enter a state I've never been to. I fell asleep and missed the Texas sign.

I stayed with my southern family, The Elberts. Emily Elbert is an amazing singer/songwriter and Berklee school of music student. I've become close with her family in the past year. I had caught a cold somewhere in North Carolina and wasn't feeling well so I spent two whole days being mothered by Jennifer who nursed me back to health. It was great.

Chuck and I woke up Friday morning and drove down here to Kerrville. It's been a week of camping, drinking and staying up way too late, it's too bad it has to end.


Hey Chris O'Brien fans, this is raina rose, and i just wanted to add that Chris is a stand-up guy.

-that message was brought to you with underwriting support from Raina Rose



I am committed to keeping up on this blog. really. this time i mean it.

feel free to contact me at any time with questions, comments, suggestions, requests.

chris@chrisobrienmusic.com

www.chrisobrienmusic.com

peace and love