The Musical Fruit
Bush’s Beans ran a competition with a $15,000 prize for a video jingle with a more kindly treatment of the old rhyme “Beans, beans, the musical fruit, the more you eat, the more you toot!” I wrote this and recorded it with my friend and sometimes musical collaborator Codrut Birsan, and my wife Jude Thomas […]
New Song: “Roadrunner”
Inspired by a 2023 month in Tucson and a childhood of Warner Brothers cartoons, “Roadrunner” is an anthropomorphic flight (actually, dash) of covetous fantasy. It is also the last song I recorded with longtime friend, duo partner and producer/recording engineer Dave Hopper, who sadly left us before we could add a final lead guitar part. […]
Happy May Day!
Here’s a song about a favorite tree in my neighborhood that I wrote during a less joyful time, when we were in the early throes of Covid. Excuse the crappy iPhone video until I get around to recording a proper version.
Wildfire Smoke– the song!
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And when life gives you polluted skies, I say write a song about it. Submitted for your approval: “Wildfire Smoke”. I don’t need to explain the inspiration for this original ditty, but I’d especially like to thank friend and fellow musician Jim McSherry for suggesting I write a […]
Help Take Me to My MAMA!
I’m a finalist for a 2023 Madison Area Music Association (MAMA) Award for Classical/World/Unique Performer (whew!). It seems that they’ve mashed a few categories together. I guess at my age I’m a classic, my songbook includes a world of variety, and anyone who sometimes performs in a chicken costume can sure be considered unique. So […]
Rainbow Friday Merch Sale!
Getting into the spirit of things, I’m slashing the price of my three in-print family books and two originals CDs by HALF between now and Christmas. Which means I’m practically giving them away, but I’m grateful for all the support folks have given me over the years, and this is my way of saying thanks. […]
My MAMA Loves Me!
Recently my song “Sunflowers (For Ukraine) received the Madison Area Music Association’s MAMA Award for 2022 Folk/Alternative Song of the Year. This is southern Wisconsin’s version of the Grammys, and I’m surprised and humbled to be voted for this honor from among the gazillion incredibly talented musicians in this region. If you haven’t heard it, […]
Lookin’ at Country
If Hank Williams was the Hillbilly Shakespeare, Loretta Lynn was surely the Downhome Diva Dickens. I’m saddened by the passing of one of the greatest voices and writers in not just country, but any music, any era. Though she eschewed feminist laurels in frilly-frocked country girl fashion, she was worth ten Gloria Steinhems for voicing […]
New Duggleby/Birsan Song: “Sunflowers (for Ukraine)”
Like about everyone, I’m shocked and disgusted at Putin’s brutal assault on the citizens of Ukraine. And when I get angry, I try to get writing. So here is “Sunflowers (for Ukraine)”, inspired by accounts of everyday heroes fighting for their country and their lives. It’s a co-write with my friend, collaborator, world-class tenor/pianist, and […]