So, March rolled around and where did it find you? I've been taking a break from the music stuff. Not because I want to but life gets in the way. It'll likely be a while before I can get back to it. Gotta get up some $$$. In the meantime, I may be working on a couple of videos. An opportunity presented itself and I'm gonna pursue that. Could be an interesting summer.

I have a few shows at the end of April so I gotta get ready for that. I'll be sharing a bill with Lonesome Bob and Lucky 57. Ain't seen Bob in years so it'll be good to hang with him again.

Glad the winter is behind us. This one was the best of the 4 I've spent in the north. I was pleased. Had a few very cold days but not so much snow. Very happy about that.

I'm gettin' a little homesick again. It happens every few months. I need to head home from time to time just to stay in touch with my family, my friends, and myself. Problem is, I don't have a trip planned.

I haven't listened to the new tracks in a while. I needed a break from them. I'd been so "inside" them for so long that I needed to step back... kinda see how they sound after a reprieve. We'll see.

Hope all's well with you. Make sure you sign the guestbook so I know you were here.

Hayseed

I'm goin' fishin'!

I have 7 songs pre-mixed and I'm sending out discs to see if I can attract some label interest and, hopefully, a budget to finish the record. 

I believe that we recorded a good cross-section of songs to represent several facets of my musical personality: my sensitive philosophical side, my bluegrass and southern gospel country side, and my more upbeat rockin' side. All of it tends to be fairly introspective and/or metaphysical as is my wont. 

Someone said they'd heard that I was going 'rock' these days but that's not really the case. I think this record will be a natural artistic progression for me. Yes, it has drums and electric guitar but in a very tasteful and organic way. Duke Levine is an amazing guitar player and I'm honored to have him on this record.

I still haven't gotten the utility player in place that can take the leads. I'm kinda re-focusing in light of the new record. I'll be looking more for an electric guitar player to take Duke's parts instead of that mando/fiddle/banjer player for whom I was looking. I'm ready and the music is ready for a different direction. 

But, take heart. Some of the new material is bluegrass at its roots. I'm just running it through some different filters. And I like the result. It's bringing together some parts of my personal musical constitution that have been kept separate for too long. It goes directly to the way Miller Williams described my music: "Hayseed's music is roots music. Not from just one tree but a whole grove: bluegrass, old-time, country, gospel, folk, rock, soul..." I think that really sums it up. 

Anyway, I'm a few steps closer to having a new record out. Hopefully, it'll be available by the end of summer. 

Hey, Record Labels... "Got budget?"

Make sure you sign the guestbook so I know you were here.

Take care,

Hayseed

Well, the new year is starting off pretty good. I turned 40 last week. Everyone tries to make jokes about how old I must feel but I actually like the sound of 40. Feels like a good fit. Maybe it's going to be a good year.

Over Thanksgiving break, my buddy Jeff Burger's son was found to have a malignant brain tumor. His surgery was successful but now they face a 6+ week proton therapy radiation treatment in Boston. It's going to be tough for them. I pray God will comfort them and heal Will.

Saturday, January 14th, we held a benefit for them at The Ale House in Troy, NY. It was a smashing success by all measures. The place was crowded from start to finish. We had'em lined up on the sidewalks. Lots of stuff was raffled and lots of good music was played. Kevin Maul, knotworking, Leigh Gibson, and Lucky 57 volunteered their services. It was pretty awesome. Brian Gilchrist not only opened up his place to us but fed everyone all day for free! There were some of the best wings in town, pizza, miniature hot dogs, chili, and "garbage" bread hot and fresh at all times. It was amazing. 

The kids loved the magic show by Brisky the magician and Will got up to do a few tricks of his own with the magic kit he got for Christmas. It was a very heartwarming event. We were able to raise quite a bit more money than I'd even hoped for at my most optimistic. 

My recording is coming along quite well. I'll have 7 songs ready to go by the end of next month. I pretty much have the vocals done and I'll return to Boston to tweak the music before Trina Shoemaker comes in to gild the lily. I hope to have a full record out by the end of the year... one way or another. 

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the benefit. And a Special Thanks to those whose efforts made it happen: Nadine Wyant, Brian Gilchrist, Kathy Boyd, Jeff Sohn, Larry Winchester, and Don Ackerman. Of course, it wouldn't have happened without Kevin Maul, Ed Gorch (and Mike & Meg), Leigh Gibson, Red Beaumont, Sten Isachsen, and Lucky 57 (Kip, Sue, Hilary, Chris, and Malcolm).  Thanks to Howard Glassman (Kranepool Records), knotworking, Budweiser, Chez Sophie, The Zucchini Brothers, and Chameleon Salon for donating items to the raffle.

Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to sign the guestbook.

Take care,

Hayseed

Well, Christmas has come and gone. Hope you enjoyed the season and got to share it with your family and friends.

This time of the year is always filled with reflection and summation. It's a time to look ahead and plan the new year and set your direction. I'm kind of in that place, too.

With regard to my music, I look back and know that I didn't do nearly enough shows. Here's to a busier 2006. But I did start the process of a new record and got my hopes up that something good is gonna happen with it. I think the new batch of songs is diverse but connected and a natural musical progression. I'm proud of the direction in which it's growing.

I didn't see a lot of shows in 2005 but I did see some good ones: Buddy Miller, Lyle Lovett, Rodney Crowell, Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez (good to see you again, Carrie). Each one was a reconnection to home. I hadn't seen Buddy in a while; he mastered my first record in his living room. Also, my old friend Phil Madeira played in his band as did Bryan Owings (who played percussion on my second record). Saw Will Kimbrough, a Nashville scenester, playing with Rodney. Of course, Chip met Carrie when he came to my show in Austin and she was playing fiddle with me so there was a familial connection there as well.

I had a miracle in my life through Jason Sturgis. He got very sick and they didn't think he was going to make it but he pulled through and he's nearly normal. (If he was normal, he wouldn't be Jason!) Here's to a healthy year, buddy.

At some point in the next few weeks, I may sneak one of the new tracks onto the site just so see if anyone is paying attention. Lemme know if you catch it!

Take care.

Happy New Year!

Hayseed

Hard to believe it's December already. And I just noticed that I wrote on my Dad's birthday last month and today would have been his father's birthday. Happy Birthday in Heaven, Grandpa Wyant.

This year has gone by quickly. I wouldn't say this has been a great year but an OK one. I didn't get to play out much. I didn't write much. Didn't see many shows. Kinda spent the year focusing on domestic issues (moved, got a new day job, etc...). In September I started recording some demos and it's kinda picked up some steam from there. So I guess it's ending OK.

I hope to have a finished version of those 6 songs in the early part of 2006. Jimmy and I are mapping out a plan. I'll post on here when I know more. In the meantime, I'm thinking about secretly adding one of the tracks on this site just to see if anybody notices.

Well, I got to go back home for a bit over the Thanksgiving holiday. I flew into Nashville on the 18th and went straight to KY. Nadine and Emily flew in on Tuesday, the 22nd, so I met them there and took them back to KY. On Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nadine and I spent the day in Nashville. It was really cool to have her in my old neighborhood. I showed her lots of clubs and the general feel of the city. A lot has changed so it was sort of a re-introduction for me as well. We stopped by The Sutler for one last visit before they tear it down and put up something generic. I took a few pix. Sorry to see it go.

Anyway, I'm hoping things will pick up for me musically in 2006. I gotta get busy and make some things happen. I gotta book some shows.  Anyone in the northeast region reads this and wants to set something up, lemme know.

I'll write another time before the year ends. And I keep tweaking the photos page. Always digging up something.

Take care,

Hayseed

Today would have been my dad's 62nd birthday. I miss him a lot. I think about him at least a couple of times a day and he shows up in my dreams a couple of times each week. I can't believe it's been nearly 5 years since he died. Hardest thing I've ever gone through.

Thinking of you, Pops.

Oops... I missed posting in October. Kinda got away from me and I didn't have much going on anyway. I'll try to do better. Not that there's anyone reading this. *grin* I just like to do it.

Music news... I'm back in Delmar at Sten's. I have the sessions we did in Beantown and I'm reworking the vocals. Just done 2 songs so far. I'll go back next week and hammer out a couple more. I have no idea when I'll get to go back to Beantown and tweak the band stuff. I've been on the phone with a few folks sending out the first feelers and letting it trickle out that I'm actually working on something. Maybe by March or April I'll be in a position to actually send discs to some folks to try to fish out some budget money to complete the record. Keep'em crossed. 

I'm headed home for Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks. I'll be there for 9 days. That's the longest since I moved to NY. I'm excited. I'll actually have time to run around Nashville AND spend time with my family. 

I'll also head up to Columbus to visit with Jason Sturgis. He's one of my best friends and he's just gone through an incredible experience with his health. God really blessed him. He was near death more than once. The stories coming out of there were very bleak but he's coming back. It's due in large part to the assistance of his former rhythm section, Pat and Steve McGann. Pat's a doctor now and Steve's an attorney. They really stepped in a looked after Jason's interests when none of his caregivers would. God had a plan when he put those guys in Jason's band. They're heroes in my book.

Hope ya'll have a nice Thanksgiving. We've got a lot for which to be thankful.

Make sure you sign the guestbook while you're here. It's the only way I know you visited. Go hear live music.


Hayseed

Howdy! Well, it's done. I've taken the first steps toward the next record.

I started in Delmar, NY at Sten Isachsen's studio. Red Beaumont, Jeff Sohn, Don Ackerman and I recorded 6 songs that will likely form the nucleus of the next record. A couple of weeks later, I was in Boston and recorded another take of those same 6 songs with Jimmy Ryan (my co-producer on this one), Duke Levine, Billy Beard, and Andrew Mazzone. Billy Conway of Morphine played engineer at Hi N Dry Recording Studio. I'm pretty sure these will be the first 6 of the record but I'm not so certain of the second half.

The next record will be less "grassy" or "old-timey" but will be decidedly more country. I was talking with someone a couple of months back who had heard that I was "going rock" these days. Well, I'm not sure where that came from. Maybe from the fact that I've played shows from time to time with rock bands backing me but that's not my natural tendency. Anyway, it's all music and I've been influenced by a little of everything so those elements are bound to show up at some point.

Still not playing out much these days. Not by choice but circumstance. Maybe that will be changing. Gotta look into that.

The leaves are turning and that means I'm staring right in the face of another northern winter. Ain't happy about that. Don't have a choice. Makes me a little homesick for Sarasota. I can handle those Christmas barbecues. But, for a few more weeks, I'll enjoy the autumn. It's beautiful up here this time of year. I just have a sense of dread that comes when the temp starts dropping. Maybe I just need to drink more hot apple cider and eat more pumpkin pie. Yeah... that's the ticket.

Make sure you say "hey". It's the only way I'll know you were here.

Hayseed

Wow! I can't believe it's August already. This summer has been busy and seems to have really flown. We played at Johnny Kribs' big jam yesterday. It's beautiful up there on the mountain and the weather was gorgeous. It was my first introduction to several regional artists. The stated purpose was to benefit the Southern Adirondack Musician's Fund. Hope they did well. Yesterday also marked the first time I had played with Kevin Maul and Dale Haskell in a couple of years. Nice to renew old relationships. Good playin', too.

On August 5, I spent the day at the track. I live just a few miles south of Saratoga Raceway in Saratoga Springs, NY. It was my first visit to the horse races. Can you believe that? A KY boy visiting the track for the first time at this stage in his life? I had fun and was careful not to lose my shirt. My britches were another story for another time...! 

I'm still not sure on the scheduling of things but I'm planning on recording some demos of my undocumented songs as soon as possible. I think the initial recording will be with Sten Isachsen in Albany. He's a fine player and owns a small studio. We're trying to coordinate everyone's schedules. I'll keep you posted.

Make sure you sign the guestbook while you're here. It's the only way I know you visited. Hope you're having a good summer. Go hear live music.

Take care,

Hayseed

Happy summer! I have something tentative to report. I'm looking at early September for the first round of recording. There's a small window of opportunity with regard to the schedule. Keep yer digits crossed in hopes that it comes together. 

I have more than enough material for a whole project. Right now the challenge would be selecting the songs that work best together in a cohesive vision. I may well end up writing some more material just to find a natural flow and if I feel a need to go in a different direction. When the muse speaks, artists listen. 

I've recently moved to a new dwelling. It's nicer in many regards but I'll definitely miss the Mohawk River view. I enjoyed waking up every morning to see the mood of the river. I've always believed that you feel closer to God when you're near water. 

I hope you're having a good year. If not, there's still time to correct the course you're on. 

I do appreciate your stopping by my site. Please leave me a note to let me know you were here. And always check the photos. I'm constantly updating that section and asking if anyone has pix from live shows that I may or may not have seen. I'd love to add them.

Thanks,

Hayseed

The other  night we did a very cool show at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY. I really love that town. I had my first date with Nadine there at The Wheat Fields and later married her at Yaddo.  I always like walking around Saratoga. Beautiful parks, cool shops, good music at the street festivals.  So I was honored to become part of the Lena Lore. I hope we return many times.

I don't have much planned for the year... yet. I'd like to fill up the fall schedule. We'll see. And I do hope to start some recording with Jimmy Ryan in Beantown. I've always been a fan of Blood Oranges, Beacon Hillbillies, and Wooden Leg so I love working with him. It's great fun to throw it over to him onstage and watch him rip off a solo. He's my brotha. I'm proud of the songs we've written together and honored that he included one of them on his record, Gospel Shirt . Make sure you buy a few.

July is a busy month for me on the personal side. My second wedding anniversary is on the 4th, of course. I'll spend that with my wife's family in Maine. She and I will celebrate a couple of weeks later in Woodstock. We spent a couple of days there on our honeymoon so it's sentimental for us.

Life's being good to me right now. God's blessings are flowing my way. "Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side..."

Hayseed