Jingle Keys, Jingle Keys, Jingle all the Way

Saturday night was the annual Midwestern Christmas Concert held at the Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake, WI. The Thrasher Opera House is a beautiful building, built by one Charlie Thrasher back in 1910. Edifice it is not, rather a practical structure, with a good sized stage on one end and a modest balcony on the other end. On the floor between the two are plush red cushioned chairs, which have come a long way from the original wooden kitchen chairs that were part of Charlie’s decor. Above these chairs, spans a delightful tin ceiling that curves on the sides, giving the ceiling a modest arch effect. This arch helps the acoustics in the building quite a bit and it is easy to stride from the microphone and deliver a song from the edge of the stage. Cheery and intimate, it is the perfect place for us to have a Midwestern Christmas.

So what makes a Midwestern Christmas show? First it needs to have good winter weather. Last night was brisk, about 15 degrees outside, and the snow was pretty thick on the ground. One doesn’t wish to have a raging blizzard or a snow melting, grass revealing rain. It just needs to have enough cold and snow that it sets the scene for what is to happen inside. Last night also had a bright, three-quarters full moon, which was a bonus.

Next, you need good Christmas decor. In the Midwest, that means something not too over the top. Leave the shaking, singing Santas and blinking pink and purple lights for another part of the country. The Thrasher nailed it, with a Christmas tree on stage, some wreaths either side, some simple pine bunting and little candles in the window. It brings back a nostalgic air of yesterday, when things were a bit simpler and less commercial. Of course, that is today, because Midwesterners pride themselves on keeping things good and simple.

The delivery of the show has to be laid back Midwestern. Brian and I came out on stage and immediately launched into some nice Irish jigs. The first thing I heard was the soft thumping of feet on the floor, keeping perfect rhythm to the music. “Veterans”, I noted to myself. Other folks were looking around, sort of amazed at this display of impromptu audience participation. So, when we finished, I asked how many folks were seeing us for the first time. About half of the theater raised their hands. Now, one must tell Midwesterners that it is OK to relax. Especially Minnesotans as the Norwegians are the toughest ones to crack. Or else it could be a quiet, polite evening. So we told them to clap their hands when they want, make a comment when they wish, hoot, whistle, stomp feet and cheer, as after all, this is their show. And thus freed, they did. You don’t get this behavior every day. So it makes a Switchback Christmas show uniquely special.

One tradition that started in Green Lake is the famous Christmas Key Choir. Sort of like a handbell choir for those who prefer driving cars to playing handbells. We started in on Silver Bells and immediately the choir took its place, bringing out Fords, Chevy’s, Toyotas, home and business keys and shaking them in a nice soft jingle that sounded like a far away horse drawn sleigh coming through snowy woods. The Christmas Key Choir was in wonderful form that night, with a rousing solo on Santa Claus is Coming to Town and a frenetic paced Jingle Bells. Some of the folks who had fancy cars were a bit hampered by the plastic encased keys that have electric door gizmos on them. One newcomer, a young lady, mentioned that she was caught unprepared for the Christmas Key Choir. “I just had a few keys, they didn’t jingle so well,” she said, holding up a Lexus key gizmo thing. “But, I will be bringing more keys next year!” I smiled. Now, that’s a Midwesterner, getting the right number of keys so the choir isn’t let down.

Another important item is the selection of songs. In the Midwest you have to pick some good old Christmas carols as everyone knows these by heart. Young and old have no problem singing Christmas carols in the Midwest. You might have someone who is too shy to sing on any other night of the year, but start in with Away in the Manger and the inner alto or tenor comes into blossom, and strangely on key, too. And even harmony! The best Christmas Carol is Silent Night. I bet even the most ardent atheist would have felt a bit verklempt as we all sang together without any accompaniment, just the voices swelling in a reverent, beautifully balanced version:

Round young Virgin,
Mother and Child,
Holy Infant,
So tender and mild

Our folks were such great singers that Brian and I asked them to join in a Switchback Carol called The Little Stranger in the Manger. A call and answer type of song, they did fantastically well, and soon we had the place rocking like an old fashioned tent meeting. Several times during the evening, Brian and I stopped singing altogether, letting the audience sing away.

They were also wonderful with special effects. Brian introduced Hockey Games and suggested that we need appropriate ambience for the introduction. Immediately some whistling wind and lonely wolf howls filled the hall. All Brian would do was mention, “Ambience!” during the song and everyone joined right in. You can view the video by clicking here.

Speaking of animals, the other must-have for a Midwestern Christmas is the presence of one at the show, preferably a dog. Midwesterners, even the city dwelling type, are truly only a step or two from the farm. They know how vegetables are raised and that the ground beef was walking a week ago. And with this rural mind-set, a traditional winter evening gathering of hearth and fire, with a faithful friend at one’s feet, is hot-wired into the psyche; a return to the pioneering days perhaps, or at least to watching Little House on the Prairie. We were blessed by a beautiful golden retriever that accompanied his master to the show. A Seeing Eye dog, it was quiet and well behaved and laid down at the foot of the stage, napping during our numbers. It was a perfect addition to a family-style evening.

Finally, the true Midwestern tradition had to be present: A door prize. Before the show, we asked Martha from the Thrasher Opera House to pick a chair for us to tape a copy of the Turf Fire DVD under. I memorized the location...row three, seat three. Or so I thought. I was flummoxed to see that during the show that seat was empty, being used for a coat rack. So before our last number, I called out, “We have a door prize!” An excited buzz filled the Thrasher. Since I thought it was the empty chair, I told folks to look under the empty chairs. Nothing. I told them a big hint, the only empty chair in row three. Nothing. Now I was really confused. Brian then mentioned to me sotto voce that he thought it was row four, seat three. “OK,” I said, “Everyone look under your chairs!” And with that folks went diving under their seats and one happy lady came up with the prize. We autographed it for her after the show.

We shook everyone’s hands and bade everyone a Merry Christmas as they headed out into the cold night. People were already talking about next year. And some folks mentioned they had traveled from over three hours away to be part of this night, which was a real honor. The pedal steel player from the band, the Yellowhammers came all the way up with his wife from Chicago. Their friend went home with a Switchback jacket. We told them how excited we are to have the Yellowhammers play at the Haybarn Rendezvous this coming August.

Within minutes, the Opera House was deserted; the stage cleared of the guitars and packed up into the idling van. We shook Reilly the soundman’s hand, thanked Roby for letting play at the Thrasher and gave Martha and all the lady volunteers a kiss. And with that, we were off, driving down snow banked country roads with the moonlight gleaming on fields. We passed a silo that had a big Christmas star gleaming on its top. I watched it get smaller as we headed south toward home; another Christmas celebration in the heart of the heartland.

And to all, a good night.

~ Marty

Switchback's Debut in Fort Smith and Second Street Live

So down to Fort Smith, Arkansas we drove. We arrived 12 hours later in a town known as the last stop on the Trail of Tears where the tribes were given a final meal before they were banished to the plains. Fending for ourselves, we scoped Main Street for a place to eat. We heard the unmistakable sound of live music coming from one of the local watering holes.

As we approached the club, we saw this long-haired guy perched behind a drum kit, partially blocking the entrance, and thumping along to Guy Clark's "Desperados Waiting for a Train." This person represented the intimidating doorman and his presence meant a potential cover charge, which is enough to strike fear in the hearts of traveling Irish musicians. And when the guy collecting the potential cover charge is wielding not one but two wooden sticks, intimidation goes to fear and then to panic. From the outside, the joint gave no indication of serving hot meals for hungry, itinerate musicians. So we walked a half a block to a sports bar where we had dinner, then returned to the hotel for a good night's sleep.

The next morning after breakfast, John Pearce, the artistic director for Second Street Live, picked us up and brought us to our first gig, an assembly for music students at the University of Arkansas. Imagine our surprise when we were introduced to our sound technician, Tom Ware, our phantom doorman from the night before. Not only was he not a doorman, but there was no cover charge. He was just drumming along with a band playing covers. Tom turned out to be a gentle soul who also played a tender, thoughtful, moving violin. How do we know this? Because he put Marty in a headlock and forced us to let him sit in on our set that night!

Yes, the technically gifted Tom was also an accomplished musician. Over lunch we learned that a long time ago, he attended beer school in Milwaukee. Along with other notable Texas musicians, the noble Lloyd Maines and the Maines Brothers were among his fellow classmates. Back then, the beer companies took time to instruct musical entities. They would sponsor you, but you had to play by their rules (drinking only their product on stage being an obvious one).

The evening's concert at Second Street Live was on Veterans Day and "Falling Water River" received a standing ovation. The sold-out concert was a great success. After saying farewell and signing DVDs and CDs, we joined John and a small group of friends and headed over to the same watering hole that struck so much terror in our hearts the night before. A singer-songwriter solo act played to a handful of people nursing their drinks. It looked like a pretty laid back night until a trio of lovely young ladies herded in a confusion of revelers from a nearby Irish pub. The young ladies, having seen our concert, spread the word and we found ourselves cloaked in warm hospitality, Fort Smith style. We have already made tentative plans to return to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and we recommend this as a must-do Switchback road trip.   ~ Brian FitzGerald

http://www.waygoodmusic.com/

A Night at the Focal Point with Beatle Bob

Saturday was a special night at the Focal Point in St. Louis as Switchback brought a "present" to the audience. The second half of the evening featured a set with the full band, which included Nick Hirka on drums and Paul Russell on violin. And in return, Switchback received a present in the person of the legendary Beatle Bob, who came in to dance to the band. According to musician lore, having Beatle Bob at your show means that your show is the hottest ticket in town. Bob has been going to shows all over the country and has developed a following from those who have created a fan site in honor of him, to those who created a site to get him to sit down. Wikipedia has the full story of this eccentric, but truly devoted live music follower. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatle_Bob

Switchback has always looked at Beatle Bob as a sign of good luck and that they are on the right track. Beatle Bob was thrilled with the show and taped a testimonial later to present to fans, exhorting them to come out and see a Switchback concert. The concert at the Focal Point was one of the largest yet, with all seats taken and standing room only in the back. When the full band hit the stage, some impromptu dancing broke out, started by super Switchback Fan, Dancing Donna. Half the audience was new fans, a large number of them brought in by Switchback fan Brenda Sobeleski. Two special moments occurred when the band dedicated "The Moon" to STeamers Helmut and Sarah Koch, and when proud grandma and Focal Point presenter Carol Kuntz held up a phone so her new granddaughter Olivia in Seattle could hear "Stellar Jay's Wing" played for her. Her daughter said she liked the soothing song that features the soaring violin of Paul Russell. Switchback will return to the Focal Point for a Saturday concert on June 4, 2011.

http://www.waygoodmusic.com/

Switchback at The Center for Head Injury Services in St. Louis

One of Brian and Marty's favorite things is to reach out to the community when they are in town for a concert. And that is what they did this past Monday, when they visited the Center for Head Injury Services in St. Louis. A part of St. John's Mercy Medical Center, the center is a place to help people have a full and vibrant life.

A full and vibrant show was what took place, with residents getting in on Switchback's act. There was dancing to Switchback originals as well as some "spotlight" moments, such as when one resident lead everyone in singing "I Got Friends In Low Places". Switchback made friends in a great place that afternoon and presented the center with a DVD of the Americana Sessions to watch. A return in the summer is planned that would incorporate a picnic for residents and their families.

Hi Marty and Brian,

I just wanted to thank you again for coming to perform for my group on Monday...they really enjoyed you guys. We watched the DVD yesterday and everyone clapped and cheered after each song (it was really cute!). I hope that you had a safe trip home and that the holidays bring you both happiness and peace!

P.S. Regina says that you both have a little bit of "Soul" in you!

With Kindness,

Lynne Cruse
Reb. Specialist
The Center for Head Injury Services
http://www.headinjuryctr-stl.org


http://www.waygoodmusic.com/

Switchback: A Night at the Theater

Friday was a wonderful night to be at the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan. This eclectic and beautiful listening room was created within the historic Featherbone Corset Factory. Reflecting the warm and relaxed personalities of the owners, Dave Fink and Kim Clark, the Acorn is a theater and also an art gallery. Within the lobby is an extraordinary gourmet wine shop, and there is plenty to catch your eye throughout.

You can almost feel the spirit of the independent women who worked in the Featherbone Corset Factory, as well as those who wore them over a hundred years ago. A lovely young local singer songwriter, Christy Davis, captured that spirit in her sweet, strong vocals when she opened the concert for Marty and Brian. When Switchback took the stage, they dedicated the song Genevieve to their memory.

Playing to a sold out crowd, they thrilled the audience with their signature blend of Irish Jigs, Ballads, Americana, Blues, and Rock and Roll. This was clearly an audience that appreciated the outstanding musicianship of the evening, which included the impressive talents of Nick Hirka on percussion and ukulele, and Paul Russell on fiddle and guitar during the second set. We were even treated to a new and lovely “full band version” of Apple of My Eye!

It was a wonderful night of reconnecting with old friends, meeting new friends and fans, and welcoming another town to the WayGood World! As Marty succinctly put it “It was a great night!”

 

And with a wave to us gawking kids, they were off!

Last month, Brian and I had the opportunity to play for over 9,000 students as part of the Dubuque Art Council's "Artist in Residence" program. In 10 days we covered hundreds of miles as we crisscrossed three states and visited 33 schools. Perhaps you read some of the students' comments here on our blog. Kids do say the darndest things. I found myself enjoying every outreach program we presented. The students were hungry for the opportunity to listen to live music and to see what a "real" musician looks like.

One of the magical parts of playing the schools would occur after the show. Usually a shy boy or girl would come up as the rest of the school was heading off to class or lunch and ask Brian and me about the bass or guitar. It would only take a glance and I knew the kid had that "look." It was the look that comes over people when they've been hooked forever by the muse of music.

I remember how it went for me as a kid. It was the Robin Hood Players, a group of performers that came from either Rockford or Chicago. Over the intercom came the fuzzy, disembodied voice of Sister Dorothea: "Boys and girls, there will be an assembly program today at 2:00 in the auditorium. Best behavior please!"

I would count down the minutes until we all lined up and threaded our way down the dark halls of St. Mary's School, with the smell of oil-polished wood filling our nostrils and the buzzing of dim overhead florescent lighting making us all look anemic. We thumped down the stairs which creaked in protest from each well-worn step as we headed to the assembly hall, teachers looking at us with the death stare if we dared talked or thumped a step too hard. Into the doors of the ancient auditorium and there it was, the stage set up with a minimum of scenery and whatever lighting could be coaxed from a light board that probably Edison himself installed.

Onto the stage strode the Robin Hood Players. And I was hooked. They acted, they sang, they improvised. I can hardly remember what happened on stage - something about a fairy tale - but I remember clearly how they were on stage. I could tell that those people, who I thought of as big adults but almost certainly were just out of college, loved performing. I remember laughing and feeling caught in some sort of spell. It was if I were seeing with my eyes one thing, while being told in my heart another thing. The show went on as my heart was saying, "You could do this too!"

Over the years, I would have that affirmation again and again, like the time Russian singers and dancers came to the Woodstock Opera House and performed their traditional music. This was prior to the opera house's beautiful restoration, with lumpy seats and a huge hole in the peeling ceiling in which a pigeon observed the performance along with our sparse audience. And the Cossack (I imagined he must be a Cossack) took out his dagger and drove it into the stage floor on the last step of his dance. It quivered there as he held out his arms to the applause. I was seeing one thing with my eyes, but hearing another thing in my heart. "This is life, and this is joy. Pursue it."

I remember these events so much more than the hours of television I watched. Of course I remember the Batman show, when Robin had his arm caught in a giant clam. And The Monkees, when Peter sold his soul to the Devil to play the harp, but found out he had the ability to make music in him all along. But that stuff was television. These performances were real, in my face and in the moment. I was nine years old and I was hooked.

We filed out of the auditorium after the Robin Hood players took their last bow and the old velvet curtains slowly strained their way to a sloppy, dusty close. I waited for the bus to come and take me back home. One of the Robin Hood players, a young man, came striding into Sr. Dorothea's office. There she slowly wrote him a check and he thanked her profusely. She smiled back, her thin veil a bit offset on her gray head. I watched him then bound down the steps of our school and out to the waiting van. With a wave to us gawking kids, they were off. I was hooked.

Now, almost 40 years later, I am coming into the schools to play music for kids. These kids have so much more coming at them than I did. I grew up with Etch a Sketch as one of the more technically challenging devices. They have I-Pods, video games, a myriad of sports, Kindles, Facebook, Myspace and whatever else new that is happening on the computer. But here we were, with our hand-crafted instruments, our small sound system and the one-on-one chance of bringing a spark of interest in music to 9,000 kids. I know all 9,000 heard us. But one or two were looking with their eyes, listening with their hearts, and were hooked.

We need live music. Not the "go to the big concert" type either. We need the independent groups that come to the towns and come into the schools, the opera houses and the libraries, the groups that touch souls first. The groups that still play old standards and originals that will never be heard on the Grammys, musicians and artists who prove that joy wins out in the end. These people are still out there in spite of whatever commercial roadblocks and pitfalls have been thrown in our modern, recessive times. And they survive because other people have seen with their eyes and heard with their hearts and have made a financial effort to keep the arts alive.

Robin Hood took from the rich and gave to the poor. Or so the story goes. But the Robin Hood Players knowingly or unknowingly took their riches and gave them to me that fall day back in the early 70's. Away they traveled, that merry band on their adventure to another school. Where they ended up, whether they still perform today, I will never know.

I, too, took some of their riches and the riches given to me by others over the years, seeing heroes on the stage and teachers who helped me play guitar and write songs. I happily spread those riches out to all the kids I could last month. There will come a day, when one of these kids will do the same, still following in the steps of Robin Hood and his merry band.

~ Marty

http://www.waygoodmusic.com/

Switchback Songwriters Weekend, April 8-10, 2011

If you love writing songs, this is your weekend!

Come visit one of the most beautiful spots along the Mississippi in a carefully restored mansion on an elegant estate for a weekend of creativity, camaraderie, relaxation and music.

Where is it taking place?

At the beautiful Four Mounds Inn in Dubuque, Iowa

Who should attend?

Anyone who loves to write songs or is a fan of songwriting, young or old, pro or amateur!

What are we doing?

Creating Songs–we will discuss songs, write songs and share songs!

Relaxation–sleep late, take naps eat freshly prepared meals created exclusively by the Four Mounds Inn-keeper.

Reflection–allow the natural beauty of the Four Mounds and the Mississippi river restore your soul. Hiking trails and the nearby town of historic Dubuque, Iowa await you!

Your staff:

Brian FitzGerald and Marty McCormack of Switchback

John D. Lamb, nationally recognized songwriter and host of Lamb’s Retreat Songwriting Camps

Non-lodging including meals (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner, wine and appetizer reception) and workshops - $259

Meals include:
Welcome fete on Friday night with beer, wine, soda and appetizers
Full Iowa breakfast with juice & coffee on Saturday and Sunday
Lunch on Saturday
Full dinner on Saturday night
Please indicate in advance any special dietary needs
To reserve your spot, click here for the Songwriters Weekend Reservation Form

Lodging at the Four Mounds Inn is separate and can be booked directly by calling Marie FitzGerald at 563/556-1908 or by emailing her at inn@fourmounds.org. Space is limited, so please book your room early!
Click here to view the rooms and rates for lodging

The Iowa School Tour of October 2010

We all know that kids say the darndest things. While Marty and Brian have visited over 30 schools in the past couple of weeks presenting their educational program, they have come upon some insightful, inquisitive and humorous comments from the elementary school students. Here are a few…

On one of the first days of our school tour, when asked if the students had any questions, one little girl asked us where we bought our boots.

At one school, a kid asked us when we became a real band.

We played "Ain't Misbehavin’” and asked the kids what kind of music it was. One kindergartner raised his hand and said, "Far out music?"

One kid asked, "How much does your guitar cost?" "$200," Brian said. "How much for the little guitar?" "The mandolin costs $400." "That thing should only be $3," the kid said.

One boy asked if we had ever played his school before. "Yes, five years ago," we answered, "Would you have wanted to be here then to see us play?" "No," he said.

At a Hazel, WI school, a kid asked, "Do you know Lady Gaga?" and at Jefferson school a kid asked, "Do you work with Justin Timberlake?"

We are giving out Switchback stickers for correct answers. During our show, one girl walked up in the middle of us playing and said, "I didn't get a sticker and I answered the question right." So we gave her a sticker and had her take a bow.

One girl identified Brian's mandolin. "How did you know it was a mandolin?" we asked. "My daddy plays in the basement with three of his friends," she said.  "Do they always play in the basement?" we asked. "Yeah," she replied, "but sometimes you can still hear them!"

"Do you guys tour?" one kid asked. "Well this is a tour," Marty replied. The kid looked around the assembly. "Doesn't seem like much of a tour," he said.

We finished packing up our gear at the school today and the janitor asked, "Now that you're done playing, do you go to work?"

Celebrate El Dia de los Muertos with Switchback!

Celebrate El Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) with a Celtic twist! Join Switchback at the Pine Room of Ascension Parish, 601 Van Buren Street, Oak Park, IL, on Saturday, October 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door. This year, the Kosier Studio of Dance from Sterling, IL will be presenting original choreography to Switchback songs. Beer, wine, and other refreshments will be available for purchase.

Switchback began hosting the Day of the Dead Show nine years ago to celebrate the Mexican custom of honoring those who have passed on to the next world. The tradition has roots in the pagan practices of Mexico and is similar in intent to the Celtic feast of Samhain. In both traditions, the veil separating the dead and the living is at its thinnest, thus offering people a chance to honor the spirits of their ancestors.

Dia de los Muertos is a colorful tradition. The people believe that heaven is opened on midnight of October 31 and the spirits of the deceased children are allowed to celebrate with the living. Later on November 1st and 2nd, the adults who have passed on are allowed to party with the living.

And it is quite a party. Altars are made in each home and decorated with candles, marigolds, tortillas, fruit, mole and special bread called “pan de muerto." In addition, alcohol, chocolate, toys and cigarettes are left for the spirits. Special sugar skulls are decorated and placed on the altar in honor of the deceased. It is believed that the happy spirits protect and bless those who honor their memory.

The traditional altar or “Ofrenda” will be in place at the show, and everyone is asked to bring a picture of a loved one who has passed on. Sugar skulls will be in place, and all are invited to visit their local Mexican store and purchase and decorate a skull of their own for the altar.

Michigan Irish Music Festival

"The Best D*mn Fest in the Whole Midwest!"

Last weekend was the annual meeting of "The Switchhead Sisterhood," also known as the Michigan Irish Music Festival! This was my 9th year at the festival, and this one just keeps getting better! The festival "house band" (Switchback) opened the fest on Friday afternoon, and it was nothin' but a party all weekend long! We always enjoy meeting old friends there in Muskegon, but what a great surprise when our dear friends David and Carmen Nelson made the trip from St. Joseph Island, Ontario! There are always countless funny and fun moments at this festival, but this time there were also many heartfelt thank yous to pass on to Marty about his beautiful story, "Dancing with Emily" and requests from other bands for pointers on how to organize Street Teams (that's us!).

We had fun hobnobbing with the other bands - The Elders, Slide, Gaelic Storm, Leahy, Seamus Kennedy, Blackthorn and others. But I think we enjoyed the company of our Michigan and Canadian friends even more! Meeting Donna, a friend of Marty and Brian's from the Wailin' Banshees' days, and her lovely daughter Colleen was a treat! And when Colleen went onstage she wowed us with her fantastic Irish dancing! Our great friend Eric was there serving as the official festival photographer - he took some great shots of Switchback that will be posted online soon! The after-parties were great craic - everyone let their hair down, the joking and storytelling going on late into the night! The music, the stories, the shopping, and especially the community that form inside the gates bring us back to the shores of Lake Michigan year after year. I highly recommend saving the third weekend in September next year and heading to Muskegon for the Michigan Irish Music Festival!

Until next time -

~ Chris

Click here to view a compilation video of Switchback songs from the Michigan Irish Music Festival

Click here to view video of Switchback's audience participation performance of "The Wild Rover"