Kind of Summing Things Up…

Hi Hugo,

Well it almost feels like it never even happened…

I wish I had video taped the whole thing. I talked about doing that prior to your show, but never dug out the old video camera, checked to see if the batteries even worked, or bought 6 cassette tapes…  or assigned someone to be videographer. I guess next time I should just mount the camera on the roof.

I really didn’t even take that many pictures, like I usually do. In part, my camera was on its last battery leg and the re-charger was broken… I was saving pictures for any last minute special occurrences. I did get some really nice pictures, and a long video of you doing “We’ve Got dreams”, which I simply love. Had to choke back the tears during that one.

My wife, after you guys left, said she wished she had requested a private song on Sunday. Had she mentioned it, I would have asked too, but truthfully, the mode of mind I tried to set myself in for that day was that we were just hanging with friends… I was trying to stifle my desire to jump up and down and scream “My God Hugo Duarte is in my house!”

Man its weird how you can look back and see what went right and what I should have done differently. But MAN, I had fun. I wasn’t able to hold the tears back that day either… maybe you noticed.

I was happy that the Parrotheads from the Sacramento club made the trek, though there were  some I had never met before. We did talk as they arrived and as they were leaving and they were most complimentary and thankful, and thrilled with the evening…  So, oh well, just gotta move on. I am sending out a thank you to everyone via e-mail this week.

But MAN I had fun last Saturday. I made sure I sat and watched every minute of the show. I wish we could do that every weekend for a month. No question word has gotten around. Every time I see a friend it’s “We had SO MUCH fun! That was SO NICE. Incredible time! Can’t wait till next year!” Me neither!

A final tally: 12 bottles of tequila, 130 limes, 95 cans of squirt, 20 pounds of meat. Counting all the kids (7 including my two) the bartender, my two closest neighbors, the cook and his wife, plus two of their friends that slipped in late, that’s 60 people including us. WOW! And I thought it was going to be hard getting 25 people to show. And I’ll say it again… everyone was SO PLEASED with the whole evening.

Man it was so worth all the effort. And the added bonus, we worked so hard to get our pool up, the gazebo, get the grass growing green, hanging lights, the stage… that this weekend we just sat back and enjoyed and relaxed and reveled in it all. The stage is still in place and we look at it and sigh. My wife made the comment, “we will always look at that back corner and see Hugo and Rob standing there.”

Speaking of our neighbors, it’s almost like their lives were transformed. She says she bought two CDs from each you and we hear them playing them at night in the evening as the sun goes down. I popped over the fence for a look and they got their tiki torches blazing, having some drinks, listening to your music, and dancing together in the middle of the grass. She made the comment that seeing the show and having such a good time and meeting new friends, (they sat at the tables with the Parrotheads, who they said were super fun to hang with), that they decided they don’t get out and enjoy life enough. Man, talk about a successful night!

And speaking of Rob Mehl,  I was turned on to new music that night and it was really pleasing. Rob is such a nice laid-back guy. I admit I only heard some of his music samples on CD baby before last weekend, and I didn’t buy any of his CDs cause I was cashless that night, but I will be ordering some of his favorites real soon and sit down to expand my mind.

I know I can’t be your BIGGEST fan, but I know every one of your songs and can tell you which song is one which album and I can sing them all. That list I handed you that night was first penciled out and was about 20+ songs long. I darkened with a purple pen my favorites out of the 10 songs I ripped that portion of paper off then handed you… sorry if it was hard to read. Really though, I will listen to whatever you want to play, because I love ‘em all!

It went by too fast Hugo. The flyer I made will hang on my wall here at work until I replace it with a new one. Next year will be even bigger and better!

By the way they, (Dave and Jim), both sent me e-mails of thanks saying they had a fabulous time… and that’s rare… I usually don’t get thank-you e-mails from them, so it’s apparent that they really enjoyed themselves. Heck I usually don’t get e-mails from them at all… we just call and say, “hey I’m coming by”.

Well I’ll leave it at that. Just wanted to express my feelings and let you and Rob know we love you guys and “mi casa es tu casa”. Anytime my friends.

Sincerely,

Rob and Olga and kids

Well, I think that just about sums it all up, as Rob said at the outset. I’ll add some photos to this post as soon as I find them! Thanks Rob B for such a great message! Your Friend, Hugo

As many of you already know, I’m doing an increasing number of House Concerts. This type of performance is quickly becoming my personal favorite way to do music live. People attending these shows are walking away saying what a great time they had, asking how they can do one at their place, raving about the music, and talking about the stories behind the songs, and noticing how different it is as compared to going out to a bar or other venue to hear music. I think it is a growing part of the future of live music.

Everyone does it a little differently, but most folks will invite people they know and like, people who will become friends, to share the evening with family and neighbors, bring pot-luck food, (most times, it’s really great food!), and some will even build a stage for the performers, even though it’s not really necessary.

Setting the stage in place over the pool!

The performers usually try to work off some of the pre-show stress in their own particular way. I usually just enjoy chatting with the people as they come for the show.

Excersize does help one relax!

Sometimes the hosts will manage seating for the guests and sometimes, folks just bring their own favorite lounge chair, camp chair, raft, beach towel, bean bag, well, you see it can be just “anything goes”.

At one particular concert at Tom & Terri’s home, Rob Mehl and I worked off the pre-show jitters by writing a song. We had been talking about the idea for the song for a little while, so it came together pretty quickly.

Working on a new tune with Rob Mehl.

It’s called “Native Tongue”.  I really love it. I wrote another tune while out on the road doing House Concerts. In fact I finished it at one of my host’s home before a show and then played for them. That was cool! That one is “Workin’ Vacation”.

The photos I’m sharing with you are out of chronological order, so if you were at one of the shows in Washington, Oregon, or California, you may know the story on the time line.

For most of the shows, we only had a little time to spend with our hosts. Everyone is ALWAYS so warm and gracious, in welcoming us into their homes, in introducing us to so many wonderful folks, and making the time that we did get to share something for all of us to remember always. I’m looking forward to doing it again this weekend with Sunny Jim White. We’ve been talking about a couple of ideas and while we’re doing our show at the storied Venice train depot, we are going to take a little time before and after the show to try to write a couple new tunes.

Now and then, when time allows, I like to take the opportunity to prepare a meal for our hosts, something that I totally enjoy doing, but don’t get a chance to do very often. I usually make one of my favorite dishes for everyone. When the weather allows, it is great to enjoy an al fresco dinner a la Chef Hugo! I can always tell if I did well, there’s not much conversation going on at the dinner table!

Next, we’re getting ready to take off for Kentucky, St. Louis, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and points nearby along the “Frozen Gringos Tour”. I’m really excited about this trip, especially since it’s the first time, Jeff Pike and I will be out touring together.

For now, let me close this little dialogue with a word of gratitude to YOU folks who hosted our shows. My whole-hearted Thank You  goes out to: Ken & Laurie, The YARD, the Atlanta Trop Rock Alliance , Jim Whaley, Ron & Cindy Verhei, Cheryl and Todd Mc Chesney, the Key Northwest PHC, Chris & Andrea Sloan, Ashland Coffee and Tea, Queen Anne’s Revenge, Fish Tales, Tim Loudermilk, Terry Higgins, Nick & Sheila Padgett, Eddie Pickett, Ed & Teresa Mason, Captain Stan, The Saltwater Cowboy, Shurl Gates, Cliff & Jennifer Miller, Steve & Kathy Knutsen, Bill & Melinda Kivinski, Danny Hatch, Jim Grosby & Suz Trolinger, Kris Tyner, Amanda Witzens, Anne Marie Wotkyns, Fred Koorey, Russ & Susie Hudson, Rob & Olga Borsdorf, Bob & Rachel Smersh, Phil & Kathy Pompeo, Jim & Belinda Davis, Darwin & Lana Peck, Shannon Thatcher, Laurie Sexton & Jim Roman, Mie & Merry Gerzma, Brad Manard & Kathy Mullen, John Sherwin, Jill at DOWN SOUTH, Marty & Cheryl Montgomery, Cheryl & Norm Kayser, Hog’s Breath Saloon, Smokin’ Tuna Saloon, Wendy Peat,  Ken and the good folks at “Team Innovative”. These folks are listed in chronological order. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

I hope we get to do all of them again next year!

There are more photos posted on the Face Book galleries.

Best Wishes, Hugo

It has been a while since my friend and brother musician David “Big G” Gelinas passed away from complications resulting from diabetes. He was a part of my band for so many years that I have lost count. It just seemed that he was always there and would always be there. It is a shock to the system when your contemporaries leave this world and I have certainly lost my share over the last few years. I think we all go into some sort of denial about losing someone close, and it takes a while to get your feet back under us.

All of us in the band choose to remember Big G in a positive way. The best way for us to do that is to ask our friends and fans to make a small donation to the “Big G Scholarship Fund”. The money goes to help deserving students in the Key West High School music program, specifically students of percussion. What better way to honor someone who loved music as much as Big G did.

So, if you can, we’ll be taking donations at the show every night at the Hog’s Breath Saloon and we’ll also be taking donations at the annual “Fan Appreciation Party” upstairs at the Hog.

If you’re not going to go to Key West for MOTM, you can send your Donations  to “Big G Scholarship Fund”, c/o Donna Nelson, 2409 Harris Ave., Key West, FL 33040-3850. Make sure to enclose return address information if you want receipt for tax purposes. Thanks a million in advance for your kindness and generosity.

Best Wishes, Hugo

Celebrating his Big "G"ness

A very Famous View

They said it couldn’t be done. And yet here I am chuggin’ along in the old Blog-O-Sphere.

The Blog-O-Sphere is Everywhere

Live Onstage

Hi Friends!

The date is now closing in on us and the excitement is certainly building on my side of the country!  February 11th, 2012 Doors open at 6pm, Showtime around 7pm.

Since the first time we came to Elmhurst to perform for you folks and remembering  just how much fun we had with all of you there last January, I look forward to getting back there for a third time to enjoy the hospitality, and have the opportunity to share a very magic night of music that will only happen once. When Jim Whaley first contacted me regarding to prospect of a House Concert in Elmhurst, IL, I believe his words were: “we can wait until it is a little warmer…” I think I said, “Why wait? I have a coat.” and so, we made it happen. You folks came out and brought your enthusiasm with you. I think it was one of the best House Concerts I have ever been involved in. Since that time, Jim and I have become fast friends and for that I am grateful. In addition, I can think of so many of you who have become my good friends as a direct result of that opportunity. This time, we are expecting the affair to be grander, better, more exciting, and more memorable. Not only that, just wait til you see who all will be showing up to play. Oh, and…nah, I’m not tellin’!

Live Onstage

THIS IS  an even GRANDER experiment:

Is it possible to bring a larger group of musicians together for your enjoyment in a House Concert setting?

We did just that last year for a client in California and I have to say that the show was remarkable. We repeated the show in two other venues on the way home and all of the shows were so good!

Since I have talked Jim into experimenting again on this one, I hope you will prove me right in that,  YOU will come out, bring your family, friends, and neighbors along, and make this a huge success. I am always happy for folks to come and pay at the door, but in this particular instance, PLEASE try to purchase your seats in ADVANCE. You will go a long way in letting all of us who are involved in the planning, logistics, and personnel departments know that you are supporting us in our next attempt to bring you another intimate up-close-and-personal evenings with this group of musicians.

Please contact Jim Whaley at: whaleyj5@comcast.net to purchase your seat(s) in advance. This will be our best show yet! I give you my gratitude in advance for helping me make this event successful. THANK YOU! Cheers! Hugo

So many times, we’re playing in bars, restaurants, and other venues, where this music, to which we devote our very lives, seems like nothing more than the background soundtrack to someone else’s night out.

It is so much more important than that to the musicians. It is our reason, our passion, our need that must be fulfilled. We all give so much in order to pursue this dream.

Whenever we have the opportunity to perform in a House Concert setting, several things happen at once. If the people decide to go along with us, they are often given new insight into the songs we’re performing, even the ones they may have been listening to on our CDs for years.

The musicians get to be carried along on the enthusiasm of the audience which always makes the performance better, much better, in fact. Everyone comes away with something wonderfully fresh and whole. It is the connection between artist and audience which literally is the essence of the performance arts.

I hope you will take a listen to what I had to say on this recording. Even though it was intended specifically for our audience that night there in Georgia, I think you will understand that the message is universal. “Thank you” to all of you who attend our House Concerts, and to those who step out on the limb with us and host our House Concerts. Thank you so much for allowing us the joy that these remarkable moments bring.

I got this email out of the blue from Kevin:

Hugo,
We are sitting here planning our next forgetful moment and can’t figure out the words on “Back to the Islands” where you sing “a round one for me and a square one for you”.  We have many ideas but can’t agree on one.   Please help this fustrated sailor figure it out.  Thanks, Kevin

Here is the answer I sent back:

Kevin,

I’m tickled at your planning your next forgetful moment! I do that all the time! I don’t often get an opportunity to explain what I was thinking when I wrote a specific song and although you didn’t ask for that, I’m going to tell you anyway.

When I first began to perform in the Keys, there were a large number of marijuana bales washing up on the beach from time to time. I had met some folks who claimed to be in the “Biz” and they taught me all of the jargon associated with that “Biz”. Anyway, I always wanted to find me a bale, but never did. I could have paid off my credit cards…all of them… with one
bale! But, I digress…

The verse you’re asking about is:

Well, maybe we’ll find us a floater or two (bale or a football in the water)
A round one for me (cocaine football) and a square one for you (marijuana)
We’ll haul ‘em both up and stash ‘em below
The wind will take us anywhere that you want to go

Anyway, I hope that answers your question. Thanks for listening close enough to have a question about a lyric.

Best Wishes,
Hugo

I’ll put the next email I’d like to share with you in the next post. I hope to see you somewhere along the road.

Hugo