The thick of Summer

Hope you all are enjoying the summertime wherever you may find yourself.  I have been staying pretty close to home although I've been having a great time playing several regional festivals and parties and getting my big bus out for long weekend stuff.  I have been staying close to home in my new place, working to keep the grass green and the newly planted garden under control and safe from the gophers.  I have a whole new appreciation for the movie Caddyshack these days.  So far, so good.  I have the go ahead on new gates to enclose my big yard and as soon as possible will be bringing home "Steve the Dog", my new buddy!  I will be training him as a service dog and as I am adopting him from the National Search Dog Foundation based in Ojai, he is screened for perfect health and proficient in basic obedience.  Steve just isn't quite as "focused" as they need him to be for finding survivors and remains.  Their policy is to place dogs in a lifetime care home if they fail to complete the entire program for search & rescue work.  I am excited, I have been waitng for over seven years now without dawg.

I have a handful of good stuff on the calendar right now and find myself keeping busy as always! This weekend, I head out to Dead on the Ponderosa another fun family event by Howard Presents!  I am booked for two sets on the air-conditioned indoor stage.  Perfect for me as I wilt in the heat.  August 7th in Ojai will be a great show as we'll be celebrating "Little Rachel" on her 25th birthday at Big Buddha Lounge in Oak View, just east of Ventura in the Ojai Valley.  It is the third "First Sunday:" in my summer series and we've had great reception from the folks there.  September brings a couple great listening type venues to the schedule with a fun raiser for VC Clue on Sept. 4th in Ventura and then the amazing, long running series Camarillo Cafe on Sept.16th.

I have been focusing on getting things done on the homefront before I embark on the next cross country tour but expect to be back on the road east next spring, returning to some of the venues that I had such a wonderful time at in years past.  My health is stable, I am feeling quite well these days and have been so happy at my new place, the last piece that makes me whole after the broken ankle and MS attack of 2009.  I am hoping to add to the collection of new songs in the end of the year and get them recorded next year on album #3!

I am always looking for the next adventure, please let me know if you'd like me to come sing and play for you, I may just show up in your driveway with guitar and dawg!  Please keep in touch, I always love to hear from you on my guestbook or in a more private email, I don't EVER forget you!  After all, if a girl sings in a forest and no one hears it, is it still music to the ears?

Musically yours,
Rachel