Tom Begich
Singer, Songwriter
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April 7, 2008 - So a day after what would have been my Father's 76th Birthday - April 6, 2008. Unbeknownst to the Anchorage Press, they published their superb piece Into the Sky on my Father the same week as his Birthday. Take a look, and maybe get a bit more into my head (not that this blog doesn't do that). I often wonder how his life would have evolved - and, naturally, how ours would have (all of us children and my Mom). Its been one of those months. In Saipan playing for friends last month, now back home (still waiting for the house to be finished) and mixing a bit of that political and musical life of mine with a large dash of community. The usual mix. On the music front, I will be playing here in town at Side Street Espresso on the 17th and Esther Golton is opening! Her Dulcimer and flute and my sound (hopefully joined by my good friend Rolfe Buzzell on harmonica) should be a great time to get out and celebrate (one hopes) Spring. After the five inches that fooled us this past week - its time for the real thaw! Nearly done with those Sonnets - just had one posted to DailyKos. Du'a Khali Aswad was a Yazidi girl in Iraq who was "honor" murdered by her family for dating a boy of another sect. The brutal killing was captured on cell phone cameras, by cheering members of her family as this 17 year old life was snuffed out. It saddened me then and does so still. Check out the blog and the Sonnet there. Starting to book the end of the year, events coming in May, June, July. Keep checking back, and I will see you down the road! March 21, 2008 - Spring is a great thing - felt heat in the sun yesterday and attacked my driveway with the pick and shovel... Remodel nearing its close... back at home after a GLORIUS week of music. The combination of the SLOFolks concerts (thank you, thank you, thank you Elisabeth) and being joined by my good friend and mouth harp player Rolfe Buzzell and his partner Sharon Holland made it memorable in Morro Bay (thanks to Coalesce Books) and the Green Acres Lavender Farm - where we were also joined by the fine stylings of Claudia Russell and her fabulous band - Bruce Kaplan on mandolin and guitar, Mark Petrella on base. I slipped down to LA and, in the house built by his grandfather, saw Severin Browne and a number of my LA friends (hey Dana!), Severin's wife Melinda had a house concert/revue - great acts like Dan McFeely, Severin and so many others.... playing standards and original music. Quite cool. At the end of the night I played a few songs in the chapel with Dave Morrison, and Jaynee Thorne - that was cool. Also saw the dungeon... another story, that.... Drove up to Santa Barbara that night where I stayed at my good friend Anne Bussone's apt. - she was generous to put up with, er... put up Rolfe, Sharon and I in Santa Margarita at her house when we played up near San Luis earlier in the weekend. Came down to Kulak's on Laurel Canyon Blvd. for a great open mic night ( I was #34 - essentially last, but it went well... Saw fellow Alaskan Marian Call there - she did a great a cappella song (her accompanist had already returned to AK, she was heading out at 3 am). From there it was off to Garret Swayne's MSSS and a really good night of music on the bill (again) with Jeff Gold. Rolfe and Sharon joined me again and a number of friends showed up - Russ and Julie Paris, Bruce Grossman, Tim O'Gara (love that CD), Michael Doman (can't wait for that cd!), Gene Lippmann and so many more. Always a great time. I usually get to stay and listen as the night goes on, but an airplane to New Jersey was calling so it was off for an 11 pm flight all night. Returned from Jersey on Friday (after sleeping in Seattle airport) and headed up to Whole Wheat Radio in my old stomping grounds of Talkeetna on Saturday..... What a night that was.... Lots of folks online, and the local crowd made it happen. The music flowed and at the end I even read a few... Jim Kloss and Esther Golton were the best of hosts (okay and Beta too) and the next day we did a long talk on politics, philosophy and music - a great radio conversation while eating breakfast - loved it. EVERYONE needs to listen to Whole Wheat.
March 3, 2008 - March dawns with a brisk cold and finds me at home for a moment getting ready for the Southern California tour - San Luis Obispo Folk Society (SLOFolks) has me at two events: the first in Morro Bay the second in Atascadaro. Following that I head to LA and Garret Swayne's Mainstreet Songwriters' Showcase for a repeat performance. Hope to catch some of you folks there. Still working on those sonnets - getting close now... Much to do and little time it seems - Spring cannot be far now! February 13, 2008 - Below a picture from our Tim Mason/Tom Begich Crazy Crow House Concert hosted by the wonderful Susan Mumma down in Seldovia on February 10. What a great time and great photos from Savanna Lewis (she shot my MySpace photo). Tim invited me to join him on his Alaska tour and we had a great time developing a set combining spoken word and music (listen to Gideon'e Bible and Midnight Run here). I'll try to post some of that as time goes by, but all is available at Whole Wheat - thanks Jim Kloss and the audience there for really making that evening real. Tim and I closed his three venue tour here with two sets at Whole Wheat Radio where I will be playing on my own on March 15 (competing with the Talkeetna Oosik Festival, alas!). It has been a busy two months and many, many thanks to Sharon Harrigfeld in Boise for the great House Concert, Randall Williams for being a wonderful guest and musician (and Caroline also!), Mike McCormick for allowing Randall and I to open for Ann McCue, Nora and the crew at the Anchorage Folk Festival (that was an amazing night!), Mike Huelsman at Out North (and Shotzi for allowing me to follow the play and Daniel for posting one of the songs...) for two January performances and as always George Gee and Deb Seaton at Side Street for hosting Randall and Tim on two different nights. A whirlwind for sure!
Photo (c) 2008 Savannah Lewis January 18, 2008 - I have just discovered that my tom@tombegich.com e mail address was drifting into the netherworld. As recently as this week I sent some one to the web site to get a CD order they had paid for, and he probably sent it in, but I never received it. I think this might have been going on for the better part of the year.... If you are out there, e mail again, its fixed! Just this evening (late on the 17th, early on the 18th) I have recovered my computer after a series of fatal flaws. Still without my address book, all else finally seems to be working. Tough when you depend on these things.... Playing a lot this month, and a little next. Jump on the gigs link and see what is up! December 11, 2007 - It seems these may become monthly entries.... In Boston now after although bought of laryngitis, that did not stop the show from going on at the Burren. Hugh was behind the bar and Brandon hosted for what was a great night. I had the joy of listening to some great music, hanging out with friends like Tim Mason, playing a little then hearing from remarkable DC-based spoken word artist Chris Chandler who played Passim earlier that night -- he and his guitarist, Seattle's Paul Benoit, were an amazing way to end the night. Really top notch. Not only did Ray come down from New Hampshire and bring in Ian (a great music fan), and Julie, Cecely and Rob stop in, but the guy who taught me guitar and taught me how to teach, Bob Reid, slipped in by the bar. The first song I ever wrote I called the Bob Reid Blues, premiered it that night! After probably 25 years, it was a treat to talk with Bob again, though it was over way too soon. Tomorrow night at Passim, opening for Kelly Joe Phelps and then Sunday in Morrisville, VT at Bees Knees. Quite a week! Stayed with old friends Tory and Wayne this last few days, and hitting the road soon to try and visit with those I can... Note: at home my house is torn up, a remodel job, so for once I don't miss that place! November 8, 2007 - Late at night trying to catch up on music e mails after a great weekend at the FAR-West conference in Vancouver, WA. Got to see old friends, make new ones and play lots and lots of music. Still a little tired these days, but almost back to normal. Still pushing the deadline for the poetry book and just relaxing (when not working) in a snowless Alaska! October 17, 2007 - Well the tour was going great -- Fun gigs with the Holders at Rose Street House of Music (with Emily Kurn too!), Cozmic Cafe in Placerville, at Nina Jo Smith's house, and at Ordinary Miracles in Cotati, but in the midst of it all I took ill. On my way to Las Vegas for our Garage Mahall gig, I stopped at my Mom's in Carson City and she convinced me to go to the hospital to check out what was ailing me (all kinds of indigestion-like pain and other things). Before I knew it I was in the emergency room and, five days later, walked out without a gall bladder and with medication for pneumonia and other ailments. Wheww.... what an ordeal (which caused me to miss the Las Vegas gig where Terry and Jerry did a great job picking up my slack). I'm on the mend now and will be up and about a little later this month. See some of you at FAR-West in early November! September 26, 2007 - Packing and working like a crazy man as I try and get ready to head out to San Francisco later this morning for the mini-tour of California and Nevada. In the meantime, for your viewing pleasure, a gift from Russ Paris from the House Concert at his and Julie's place down by LA earlier this year: Tom on YouTube . September 18, 2007 - Man has it been a long time since I have had a chance to update this website! One of the great difficulties of being an independent musician is maintaining the website, the MySpace, the Sonic Bids, the schedule, oh and life itself (almost like a Monty Python sketch, that last). I usually take the summer off to enjoy Alaska at its best, but this one was full of turmoil and change - -house reconstruction, best friends moving out of state, way too much travel and some great music gigs throughout! Since the last entry been to LA, New York, Pennsylvania, DC, Puerto Rico, Oregon, Northern California, Washington state, and Montana (as well as here). Continuing to do work with youth and helping communities develop strategies to prevent crime when I'm not playing music (a strange but oddly satisfying life). Also continuing to write sonnets for the February book... edits are being done by one of the finest poets I know (and, yes, I know a few) Keith Liles (he has a book ready for publication, so go to his MySpace and check him out and either publish him or pass it on!). Really, not quite the relaxing summer I'd hoped for (ergo the lack of entries). Musically, it was cool having som eof the folks from FAR-West up here for music at OutNorth -- a great venue here in Anchorage. Still hoping to continue to develop that venue. More importantly I and my friends the Holders are heading to Northern California and a series of gigs next week and the following week. Terry and Jerry Holder moved to Olympia last month and she has moved forward tremendously on her new CD (untitled as yet) with the guiding hands of Freebo, Joel Tepp and Kurt Rieman of Surreal Studios. Our tour next week begins with Terry at the Rose Street House of Music on September 27th. I join up with them on the 28th and we head to Placerville to a perform at the Cozmic Cafe that night. On the 29th we are at a House concert back in San Francisco (e mail for more information and to reserve a seat: ninajo@redwoodrivermusic.com) and then we close out Northern California in Cotati at Ordinary Miracles on Sunday (for more information e mial: matt@atmattsplace.com). The following week (after a long-delayed visit to my Mom in Carson City) we end our tour in Las Vegas at Garage Mahall. I'll get a little respite after that -- some time to work on my own CD -- before heading for a couple of gigs and some other work in Denver and then FAR -West at the begining of the month. More on that later! Now I'm off for a break and a glass of wine. : - ) April 26, 2007 - Returned from another great "Grind" in Sitka on April 21 (my Mom's Birthday! Happy Birthday Mom!) Got to love those events -- was able to stay at the "Clarke B & B" (not really a B & B, just the home of my good friends Tom and Gretchen Clarke), meet up with many old freinds like Jeff Budd, and even get Gary to come up on stage with me (thanks man -- great harmonica work!). I just LOVE that town. If you haven't been to Sitka, you need to go, but respect the folks there : - ) . Tom and Gretchen got me out for a walk at Mosquito Cove (luckily too early for those critters) and I was able to just relax and enjoy the beauty of Southeast Alaska. Following a couple of days in Juneau (visiting old friends) I was back at home and preparing for this Saturday's 7:00 pm House Concert at the home of Jose Salas and Claudia Rivera (see gigs) and a sneak preview of the event at my Side Street Espresso haunt tomorrow! (11:30 am for those who read this). California coming in early May and Pennsylvania and other haunts later that month! April 6, 2007 - Today my Father would have been 75 had he lived. But instead I am older than he ever was now by 6 -- nearly 7 -- years. I find that odd, in a way. Its a day of reflection... Usually the Fund would announce winners of the scholarships named in his honor, but those have been delayed for a month or so. I have finally slowed down a bit, trying to catch up on the world of recreation, though building a great number of sonnets in anticipation of my book of sonnets (to be released in Feb. '08) ! Though normally reflective of love or adventure, some have slipped political lately. Following is Ozymandias (2007)- a remake of a great sonnet with W as the protagonist ...
Ozymandias 2007
Armed with the ammunition of story I blaze forth, retell my past, and create the heroic pattern of history Where myth becomes truth, reality debate
I stand as democracy’s lone sentry I dictate and decide who is with us and who lies against freedom’s destiny Or denies to history my purpose
I treat the future with abandon, for My name is Ozymandias, arisen! I determine all and then command when war Is to be forgotten and rewritten.
Legacy? It is left to my judgment I am but God’s vessel, his instrument
By the way, "Eddie's Song" continues to hover around 100 out of 1200 plus for the "Living With War" site. If you want a chance to help move that song along, just click on the site and when you get there, do a "find" on "Begich". That will take you to the song (then just click to listen!) March 7, 2007 - Waited TOO long to make this update but much has - and continues to - happen! I spent the second week on February heading down to Juneau, Alaska then over to Minnesota where Bill Isles invited me to join him and his wife Kate for two gigs - one in Superior Wisconsin, the other down in White Bear Lake near Minneapolis. While the crowd was small in Superior, it was an amazing evening. Bill's audience knows him well and I was warmly welcomed. I was also pleased to see my cousin Jeff's daughter Bri show up - popping over from Duluth and making me feel pretty good about music that transcends age : - ) The big suprise came in White Bear Lake where 16 members of my extended family and a number of their friends showed up making for a verrry friendly crowd. These were folks from both sides of my family, some who had never met and some I hadn't seen for over 25 years! Very cool and a great evening too. With a fond farewell to Bill and Kate, I stayed with my cousin Anna and her husband Gary and just caught up for a missed quarter century. Though much of the following weeks were also quite full, one highlight was in Hawaii where my friend Laura Nissan asked me to play after a conference for Reclaiming Futures (another of my many lives - you might have heard the tag on NPR "...and by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation which is sponsoring Reclaiming Futures..."). Laura and a small group of friends from New Hampshire to Oregon and beyond gathered around an umbrella and I was able to play a number of the new songs for them for about an hour and a half. Magical - and for all of us a good evening. Enough for now except one last thing - just found out that I'll be at Out North Theatre next Saturday (17th) opening for Samarabalouf - amazing French jazz trio! I saw them first on Paris TV when I was overseas this last year - mesmerizing. Life really is too cool sometimes! February 13, 2007 - Back in Alaska for a moment -- The Burren gig went well -- folks from Providence, RI and up in Maine showed up, as well as folks from Boston. Just a great time had by all. Loved Host Danielle Miraglia's music and the music of the Drew Hickman Band, and the crowd, though loud, seemed to like the sounds. Drove my friend Riley back to Providence that night before returning to Boston in time to catch my early morning plane! Very tired now.... February 9, 2007 - Played at Club Passim on Wednesday opened for the Santa Cruz River Band, and had a great time! Really loved listening to the Band, and just felt lucky being surrounded by all the music -- very, very cool. Also got to see lots of friend: Liz Spinney brought a friend of hers, Jen, Lael and her husband Charlie stopped by. College friend Victoria and her Husband Wayne made it. Valerie (friend who also worked for me in Alaska) left hubby at home and brought her friend Eve and Leo Carroll came in from Concord. Leo loved the SCR Band and, when I left, he was offering to help carry their gear! What a great group and engaged crowd it was. Tonight Leo and I poppoed over to the Colonial Inn in Concord to catch John Fitzsimmons. It ended up another cool night of music as John asked me (thanks to a discreet request from songwriter Jim Shaw) to play a few songs and the folks there seemed to appreciate the music. Its the kind of thing you just love (I was the last customer out of the bar as Jim Shaw slipped out right in front of me. Getting ready to play the Burren on Sunday (8) then home Monday for a day or two! "Eddie's Song" was at #53 this week. January 31, 2007 - "Eddie's Song", one of the pieces I am most proud of, has made it to number 70 on Neil Young's "Living With War" site. I was stunned to see it move at all and then those of you on the list have helped it move into the top 100. So many thanks for that -- I played it for the Anchorage Folk Festival crowd this past Sunday and was struck by a Viet Nam Vet, (14 months in) Mike, who came up to me and thanked me for writing it. That, and the overwhelming emotion of the e mails I have received, are truly humbling. Thanks gang.... January 25, 2007 - The California trip is complete! Music at the Porch in Santa Margarita (sans sound system) was cool -- great photos from Dusty Davis -- followed by a little after party at Anne's house. The next day was the 10th Anniversary show at Russ and Julie's House concert. The room was packed (at least 100), the company good, the music fabulous. Had a great time and felt honored to be in the company of folks like James Lee Stanley, Severin Browne and James Coberly Smith, Freebo and Jim Photoglo, Laurence Juber, Lowen and Navarro, Berkley/Hart, Wendy Waldman and Penny Nichols as well as many of the friends I've made in the LA area. A great week, though I'm glad to be home again! January 17, 2007 - It snowed in LA today..... January 17, 2007 - Played at Garret Swayne's Mainstreet Songwriter's Showcase last night and had a great time -- been a great week actually. Finally finished traveling with my old friend Martin Gibbs -- left him in San Francisco as he headed North to Seattle, and I back to LA to play (see below). Capped off the Bay area trip with a visit with Tim Mason's wonderful wife Shannon and her Touchable Stories project in Richmond. She is doing remarkable things there -- worth getting involved with! If you don't know Shannon Flattery or Touchable Stories, go to their web site and learn more -- get involved and contribute! : - )
January 7, 2007 - A new year dawns and it is already full of activity -- though the cold up here has got me barely moving -- some kind of prehistoric instinct for survival I am sure.... Just returned from a mad cap trip to DC (and a little beyond) where I spent New Year's Eve with good friends Martin Gibbs and Sarah Morgan. Martin popped over from London with his Dad, David and picked up his friend Jamie McLeod in Boston. Together they met another British friend, Simon Skinner -- (I knew them all in England when I lived there). Martin is heading off on a great trip across America that we cooked up after I did the same last year (he joined me for some of that one last year). I went as far as Chapel Hill, NC with them then had to turn back for dinner with friends in DC (Rob and Karla and Kim) and home... I'll hook up with the journey later this week in Phoenix and together we'll head to San Diego, LA, San Luis Obispo and San Francisco before I take leave and head back down to LA to begin a short week of music! The show on the 28th on KCSN's "Tied to the Tracks" with Larry Wines went very, very well, should have it up soon. I was even invited to a party in LA (had to e mail that it was pre recorded and I was in a coffee house in Alaska... alas). Larry will have me on for two quick songs this coming Saturday (January 13th) at around 8:00 am Pacific Time -- which will help me promote the Main Street Songwriter's Showcase gig (thanks again Garret!) and mention the Porch in San Luis Obispo and Russ and Julie's 10th Anniversary House Concert on the 20th. A busy week for me ending with a visit to San Diego and then home. Check out the gigs list -- new updates all the time. There are upcoming January dates in Alaska, February dates in Alaska, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Massachusetts, and more after that! If you know of a good venue drop me a line and let me know who to contact. Love to play! December 15, 2006 - Too long between entries, but I suffered from the inevitable hard drive melt down. Left me unable to add to this for three weeks, but all is well now. Big next five weeks coming up. Just finished confirming a great week in mid January in Southern California (check out the gigs link) starting with 1 hour pre-recorded radio show on Woodland Hills/Northridge's own KCSN (88.5 FM) broadcasting as www.kcsn.org. The show airs at 8:45 am Pacific Coast Time as part of Larry Wines' "Tied to the Tracks" show, and should be good. After a few weeks here at home (Mom visiting now!) I head down to Phoenix to meet up with my old British friend Martin Gibbs -- he's on a cross country drive (Boston to Seattle) and I'll join him from Phoenix to San Fran. Then its back south for Cafe Bellissimo on the 16th of January (Main Street Songwriter's Showcase with Garret Swayne), The Porch in Santa Margarita on the 19th and Russ and Julie's House Concerts tenth anniversary concert on the 20th. Just a great week! Don't forget to pop over to the music link and buy a cd or two for a stocking stuffer -- they go out immediately and shipping and handling is my treat for Christmas (okay, its always my treat). See you all down the road! November 18, 2006 - What a week so far! Played at Folsom Prison on Thursday the 16th with good friend Jerry Holder and Buddy Tabor. With help from Buddy, Cheri Snook and especially Jim Carlson (runs the arts program there) we stepped into a bit of history. Folsom's changed -- the old prison where Cash rocked the house is a relic. The new blocks are brighter, less stone more concrete. But the gate checks, the guards and the guys in the yard haven't changed. Each step taking you deeper into a life you can't really know. An odd feeling that. We played in the Chapel -- four concrete block walls -- on a stage where the only adornment were two roughly painted hands reaching up to the sky. Freedom was a theme, and loss, and life. We took turns playing and listened to the poetry of Spoon, the music of Marty and another inmate (who sang "A Cowboy's Confession" -- a song that came to him in a dream) as they and we belted out original creation. Thanks owed to all and those fifty who came to listen. As Buddy Tabor observed, whether your inside or outside those walls, its a limited gig for all of us. Following that we joined Terry Holder and drove up to Grass Vlley for a lightly attended fundraiser and some of the worst jokes I've laughed at in a long time...thanks Buddy! Last night was our first here at FAR-West in Sacramento (that's the Western end of the Folk Alliance and a conference of music, venues, singers, tips, and talents held annually) -- Susan Mumma and I (she of the Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival) co-hosted an Alaska room featuring artists from Alaska (or born there) and those who have played in her summer festival. What a night, after successful showcases from Buddy, Lauren Sheehan, Dan Lowe, James Lee Stanley, Tim Mason, Terry and Jerry Holder and myself, Terry and Jerry, Tim, Susan and I traded songs (and liquid joy) until the wee hours of the morning finally stopping as the conversation drifted into world saving, life and the hard reality of loss -- bookends for another day of music. Tired but awake, we begin another day. November 5, 2006 - Well, not so successful at doing the blog thing, but here is another attempt.... Just returned from the Sitka Grind -- a monthly event with a number of artists from the community and beyond held in that marvelous City by the Sea (Paris of the Pacific!). This time it was the "Maritime" Grind -- sea shanties and Ocean themes, though one act put down "Motorcycle Mama" and "The Thrill is Gone"). I played my new song "The Wave" (on the next EP CD "Five Songs, Five Stories" this Summer) and an old one: "The Calling of the Sea" (likely to be on the Winter 2007 "Forgotten Streets and Lost Broadway"), then took my ten words from the audience. In the end, we had the audience singing the new construction of "A Whale of a Tale" to close the show. Ted Howard, local Sitka History teacher and fab guitarist joined me on stage for that last song and a playing of "Fat Moon". He was just great! Sitka was completely clear, the moon full and the air was magic -- like it always seems to be to me when I am there. Friends like Jeff Budd (who hosted the Grind), Tom Clarke and Sheldon Schmitt just add to my always great experiences there. I always seem to leave to soon, but I've been on the road traveling for a while and needed to get home. Can't wait for the next time... Great people, great town, great time. Also new -- I should be posting a new first cut studio version of "Eddie's Song", which addresses war, on the home page (if I can figure it out). Pass it on if you like, and get it on the air if you think it should be.
July 24, 2006 - This is my experiment: first blog entry. Just finished a whirlwind week down in Los Angeles, The San Fernando Valley and Las Vegas. Many thanks to Garret Swayne (http://www.garretswayne.com) for hosting a great venue at the Main Street Songwriters Showcase. The crowd was excellent, including a number of old friends. I hadn't seen Bruce Grossman (also a singer/songwriter) since college days (great to connect up again!) and got to see old friends Bob Meadow, Ron Young and Linda Dewar, Gordon DeBoer and many others. After a quick trip to Vegas to meet up with one of my musical compatriots, Terry Holder, and her daughter Erin and granddaughter Jade, and friends Anne Bussone and, Andrea Stats, Mary and others, I headed back to a night of a casual meeting of the music scene with Russ Paris. You should all check out Kulak's Woodshed which is operated on the generosity of both its physical and cyber patrons (www.kulakswoodshed.com/) and the current happenings at Russ and Julie’s House Concerts which can be found on at (http://jrp-graphics.com/houseconcerts.html) to really get into the San Fernando Valley. Finally ended the trip with a stop at KCSN, 88.5 on the dial there (and webcasting at www.kcsn.org) for a live show with Larry Wines host of "Tied to the Tracks" - a great show from 6 am to 10 am every Saturday featuring live interviews and great independent music. Chicago Red and the incredible Wiyos (www.wiyos.com/) were on after me - loved watching that live music in that small studio! Check it out on the web. I recorded a copy of one of my new numbers, "Eddie's Song", which should get some airplay over the next few months there - that's its first recording (though it is copywrited!) That's it for now, gotta catch a flick. |
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