HomeBrew has a gig this Sunday afternoon in Salem at the Salem Art Fair and Festival.
We’ll be on the main stage July 19, from 1:30-2:30pm. If you’re in the Salem area drop on by and enjoy the wonderful festival. This art fair has been going on for over 60 years. Some 35,000 people attend this yearly gathering.
Enjoy a classic Oregon summer experience and the classic R&B sounds of HomeBrew this Sunday afternoon.
This is where it started this weekend. Out in rural Hillsboro, Oregon for a combined graduation party and summer BBQ. Crowd wouldn’t let us leave when we were done, so we had a three song impromptu set that started with Brown Eyed Girl, which lead into LaBamba which we mashed up with Twist and Shout. Kudos to our drummer and singer, Dave Panzer, for handling the main vocals. The “Graduate” turned out to be a great drummer. He showed off his talent and then jammed with us on Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.” It was awesome.
This Sunday, HomeBrew, the smaller version of our band, were part of a wedding ceremony in NW Portland.
Here we are chilling during the ceremony.
When the band took its first break, I did about a 20 minute set of cover tunes.
This weekend I perform with the band, HomeBrew. This 11 piece classic R&B party dance band will be entertaining at a couple of private functions. Today, it’s a college graduation and BBQ summer party out in Hillsboro, Oregon. Playlist for this event includes: Al Green, Van Morrison, Chicago, Stevie Wonder, Brian Setzer, Muddy Waters, Steely Dan, KC & the Sunshine band and others.
Sunday, a wedding reception in NW Portland, where we’ll have a “striped down” (colloquially speaking) version of HB. This playlist includes: Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, The Beatles, James Taylor and of course – others.
Looking forward to jamming with my HB peeps!!
I have often mentioned how moved I am by this human experience we are all a part of. As a pretty high feeling individual (at least that’s what Meyers-Briggs tells me), I am most deeply moved by those moments when life is at its hardest.
I have found that simply validating a persons hurt, pain and loss, is far more comforting, because the person going through the difficulty feels heard. Sometimes, that’s all we really need. Being heard. Listened too, without judgement or clever bumper-sticker slogans.
Hummingbird at Dusk – Photograph by Aubrey Frimoth
The song “Shattered,” is about validating the hardship. Recognizing the reality of what has happened and offering to listen and just be there.
This Friday evening, April 17, I’ll be at Cellar 55 in Vancouver, WA., from 7-9pm. Playing tunes from Billy Joel, Elton John, James Taylor, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, Jackson Browne, Neil Diamond, Fleetwood Mac and many others. I may throw in an original or two as well.
End your long work week and begin your weekend at Cellar 55.
Many a great moment at tonights gig at Cellar 55 in Vancouver. But none sweeter than it’s final moments. Our last song was the classic by Leonard Cohen, “Hallelujah.” A request. With our acoustic guitars, Jeff Haagenson sat upon a stool adding some tasty licks, while I led the song. With each passing chorus it got sweeter and sweeter. The reason? We had a group of choir members from Columbia Presbyterian Church in attendance. By the time we reached the final chorus we went a cappella and it sounded the sweetest of all. One of those sacred moments in a performance that was serendipitous.
My appreciation to Jeff Haagenson for his talent and friendship. To the staff at Cellar 55, you treat musician’s with respect and you pay us. Thank you.
I’ll keep you informed the next time I’ll be at Cellar 55. No doubt, Jeff and I will return together.
This Friday evening at Cellar 55 in Vancouver, WA, I will be joined by my H-Duo partner Jeff Haagenson.
Jeff and I have played in a full band together for nearly 13 years and off and on as a duo. I invited Jeff to join me this Friday to resurrect some of our favorites we haven’t played in awhile. Our set list includes: Jason Mraz, Hall & Oates, Ingrid Michaelson, Train, Bruno Mars, Dan Folgelberg, James Taylor, along with some original blues instrumentals and whatever else comes to mind. Each of us will also take turns doing some solo stuff, as well.
Join us this Friday evening starting at 6:30. Great way to end your week and start your weekend.
My three hour mid-day gig in Kennewick, WA., at Hughes Physical Therapy – celebrating their 25th Anniversary, went extremely well. Lots of good folks dropping by enjoying munchies, therapy and of course, some tunes.
Taking a little over 400 mile round trip working excursion east to Kennewick, WA., to help the Hughes Physical Therapy celebrate 25 years in business. Owner, David Hughes, is the cousin of my wife, Barb Hughes, and he’s hired me to perform music from 11am-2pm this coming Friday in his office in Kennewick, WA.
Being a 3 hour gig, my typical music selection will be peppered with more instrumental songs, most of them originals. Fun to pull those out from time to time.
Looking forward to seeing some of my wife’s extended family along with good driving weather.
I, along with songstress Cynthia O’Brien, will reappear once again for your Friday evening, end of the week, kick back with a red or white wine in hand, musical treat at the Vancouver wine tasting room, Cellar 55 from 6:30-8:30pm We so enjoyed our last visit, especially when several guests decided that our rendition of Brown Eyed Girl on ukelele’s was so much fun, they got up and danced.
Our playlist will include, more than likely the aforementioned Van Morrison cut, along with a steady diet of Kenny Loggins, Linda Ronstadt, Dan Fogelberg, Elton John, BIlly Joel, Ingrid Michaelson, America, Fleetwood Mac, James Taylor, Neil Diamond, of course our favorite band, “And More.”
Come chill with us this Friday at Cellar 55 from 6:30-8:30pm. Who knows, it just might change everything in your life. Or not.
Chris Taylor Tunes 
