New song: “Rosie”
Happy Fat Tuesday! I wrote this zydeco song a few years ago and play it live occasionally, but I’ve never recorded it until now. The timing is appropriate, because this year’s Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans is cancelled for the first time in 32 years. So I’m bringing the party to you– Laissez les bon temps roullez!
My MAMA loves me!
I was recently voted 2020 Children’s Performer of the Year by the Madison Area Music Association (MAMA). Though ironically most of my kid’s shows this year were canceled because of you-know-what, this honor is the next best thing. To you who voted for me, thanks to the moon and back. To you who didn’t, book me at your library, restaurant, festival or kid party and see what the fuss is about!
New Song: “Corona Cafe”!
Though the coronavirus is far from over, America is ending quarantining. Dane County, Wisconsin where I live is taking a cautious approach, while others are flinging open the doors with no safeguards or rules whatsoever. (A certain rally in Tulsa comes to mind.) If you partake in the latter, welcome to the Corona Cafe! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-LHfq-uuWA
New Song: “Take a Knee”
This song is one of the quickest I’ve ever written. Probably because, unfortunately, current events have provided me plenty of inspiration and material. I’ve expanded the grief and outrage of George Floyd’s murder to injustices facing all Americans, everywhere. I’ll let it speak for itself:
Here’s to Essential Workers!
My friend Jen Frank created a new advocacy group called the Essential Workers Party, and asked me to write a “Woody Guthrie-type” rallying song. I channeled my “inner Woody” and here’s the result. Blessings to all you essential workers! Lyrics follow:
We’re Essential by John Duggleby © 5/2020
We’re the doctors and the nurses on the front lines saving lives First responders, PPE makers too We’re police and firefighters who are ready when you call And the ones who clean the buildings through and through
We’re the farmers and the pickers in the field who keep us fed The workers at the processing plants We’re the truckers driving overtime delivering the goods Store employees hustling ‘round like busy ants
We’re essential in the jobs we’re getting done Influential in what makes our nation run Our credentials are proven every day Help us reach our full potential in the safest, fairest way
We’re the cooks and the waitstaff at your favorite restaurant The helpers at your hardware store We’re the ones who staff the drive-thru at the pharmacy and bank And the people getting mail to your door
We’re the teachers finding different ways to help our kids to learn Social workers helping neighbors in need We’re the folks who fix the potholes and the signs along our roads And the ones who mow the parks and pull the weeds
We’re essential in the jobs we’re getting done Influential in what makes our nation run Our credentials are proven every day Help us reach our full potential in the safest, fairest way
We’re men and women, young and old, black and white and brown We live a thousand miles away, and right here in your town Every day, a million ways that we and you connect We’d like a decent place to work, fair pay and some respect
We’re essential in the jobs we’re getting done Influential in what makes our nation run Our credentials are proven every day Help us reach our full potential in the safest, fairest way Our power’s exponential when our chains are cast away
New Song: “Feet to the Fire”
My new song is a rockem, sockem gospel-tinged sendoff of one who needn’t be named– so I didn’t. Sing along with the following lyrics, and toss another log on the blaze!
FEET TO THE FIRE, BY JOHN DUGGLEBY
You know your daddy raised you well to travel down the road to hell
Treading on the backs of the people Of all the monuments that you raised to beat your chest and sing your praise
I never saw a one with a steeple
You fooled the folks from coast to coast, with your bully, cheat and boast
Nothing but a thief and a liar Now your scoundrel days are through, your final tab is coming due
We’re gonna put your feet to the fire.
(Chorus)
To the fire, to the fire, your tootsies gonna crackle and burn All those chickens that you plucked are coming home to roost Now we’re gonna put your feet to the fire
Thought you had the final laugh, being God’s own sociopath Spitting on the glad hands that fed you Now your suitors realize your ego’s just a thin disguise And all the true colors have bled through
(Chorus)
Now you’re standing all alone, we turned off your microphone Finished is your dance on the wire Time has come to end your tale, tell us how you’re liking jail When we put your feet to the fire
(Chorus)
(Bridge)
Hallelujah, time is right, everybody see the light Topple down your statue of clay Gloryosky, praise the the skies, as we watch your ashes rise Dark as coal dust on that judgment day
(Chorus)
New (to you guys) song: “She’s a Low-Life Moonshiner (But Lord, I Love Her Still)
Considering that U.S. alcohol sales have risen over 50% since quarantining began, I’ve dusted off this song that I write a while back, but have never performed it actually or virtually until now. Channeling my inner George Jones: three chords and the truth– and booze. Bottoms up!
New Song: “Lean But Never Fall
This new song was inspired by a favorite tree in my Wisconsin neighborhood that teeters precariously over a lake, but never manages to fall in. I see a lot of symbolism in that! Give it a listen on YouTube and let me know what you think!
My first EVER self-made live music video
Since I lost eight St. Pat’s gigs this year, I’m adding to the COVID-19 songbook with one of my show favorites, “Seven Old Ladies,” which I lyrically altered to reflect our times. You can watch it on this You Tube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPhywR_JaGQ Due to some mic issues with the laptop I’m including the lyrics at the end of this note. Thanks to my musical compadre Lance Brown for one of the lines.
SEVEN OLD LADIES Lyrics by John Duggleby, “pottyright” 2020
(CHORUS) Oh dear, what can the matter be? Seven old ladies are stuck in the lavatory They got there and found there was no TP That was their problem laid bare
The first old lady was sweet little Carmen Her call from the stall was a squall quite alarmin’ She reached for a roll but could not squeeze the Charmin And that was her problem laid bare
(CHORUS)
The second old lady was Emily Snipes She ran out of paper, and Kleenex, and wipes So lining her undies were fat racing stripes And that was her problem laid bare
(CHORUS)
The third old lady was Elanor Sands Her supply of TP was not meeting demand She wiped with her fingers but at least washed her hands And that was her problem laid bare
(CHORUS)
The fourth old lady was Dutchess McDowd Who pronounced as she pounced on the seat good and loud “I’d swap my estate for a roll of White Cloud!” And that was her problem laid bare
(CHORUS)
The fifth old lady was Barbara Wold In a store did she score the last wipe that was sold But got mugged getting home—you could say she was rolled And that was her problem laid bare
(CHORUS)
The sixth old lady was Dowager Dell Her plantation house was acquiring a smell She had acres of cotton, but no Cottonelle And that was her problem laid bare
(CHORUS)
The seventh and last one was dear Mrs. Parted With the urge for to purge, to the toilet she darted But to her relief, the old gal only farted And that was her problem laid bare
(CHORUS)
New Castaway double album drops anchor
Ahoy mates– look what just washed in! it’s my new DOUBLE sophomore album Castaway. No five-song EP for Johnny; Castaway billows with 20 originals plus “The Parting Glass”, my frequent goodnight tune at Celtic shows. Castaway is certified genre-free as a collection: It rambles across a rhythmic rainbow of pop/rock, folk, alt/country, world, blues, bluegrass, and the ever popular “other”. You simply gotta find something you like. Check out the tunes on my Soundcloud site, https://soundcloud.com/duggleby
If you’re interested, send a check for $15 plus $2 shipping ($17 total) made out to John Duggleby, River Rat Records, 5322 Norma Road, McFarland WI 53558. And if you want you want my entire recorded Dugglopedia, I’ll (gently) toss in my first album, Better Late Than Never, for only $10 and free shipping. OR, you could always pick it up at one of my live performances (see my Calendar page). Any questions, give me a holler at me@johnduggleby.com.