2026 August 31
As musicians, we have to know so much, including where to find the information. I find these two blogs quite helpful and useful in guiding us through the hard work of building a career:
Sonicbids: https://blog.sonicbids.com
Music24: https://music24.com/blog
As always, don’t forget to “follow me” on BlueSky and PinkLeap.
Skål !
2026 August 27
During an interview recently, I was asked, “what is one thing you’d like to say to everyone?”
My answer: Support Local Music
Leave your home; go to someplace nearby that supports local music. It might be a coffee shop, a café, a pub, a little theatre … who knows? Go. Find it.
And then, BE THERE. Get a drink or a sandwich; find a seat; switch off your phone. And then lose yourself in the live music.
Some of the greatest music, being performed by the greatest musicians, is just a short trip away from you.
Support Local Music.
Skål !
And don’t forget to “follow me” on BlueSky and PinkLeap.
2026 August 24
Where did the local money go???
Back in the 80s and 90s, I was part of and had friends who played in cover bands, and these bands regularly received $1,000 – or more – per show at a local pub / rock club. And this wasn’t unusual. In my region, there were many venues that booked bands regularly, paid fees in the $800-$2000 range for a single evening, and – most importantly – everyone made money.
This kind of fee structure for local music seems to have completely evaporated! Many of the rock clubs from that era are gone, and the places now offering – but not supporting – live music pay sums lower than my first gigs in the early 80s, NOT adjusted for inflation. I’ve have places, seriously, offer $50 for a band, and act as if that’s a strain on the club’s cash flow.
Where did the local money go???
Those of us who carry on, performing at the local level, must love music, because we’re not getting paid anything.
I think this business model for everyone involved is unrealistic and not sustainable.
We need to find a better way.
And don’t forget to “follow me” on BlueSky and PinkLeap.
Skål !
2026 August 20
Being a self-employed musician, in the 21st century, requires that you not only be a musician, but usually you have to develop some kind of basic skills with …
– sound engineering
– recording
– promotion
– marketing
– basic law
– taxes
– bookkeeping
– public relations
– and so much more.
For any small business, the demand for DIY multiple skills isn’t unusual; it goes with the territory. For artists, however, struggling with the business drudgery is wee bit more surprising than most realise going in to the venture.
We must love music.
And don’t forget to “follow me” on BlueSky and PinkLeap.
Skål !
2026 August 12
I’m still thinking about my life as a local musician, and trying to achieve some kind of work-life-music balance.
I have never found this easy, and so I tend to work in cycles of great productivity followed by periods of withdrawal – and even depression.
We – local musicians – work other jobs to achieve life goals and also gain musical tools, but the hours spent at those jobs severely limit the hours spent with music.
Each of us would, I think, find it easy to give up, to stop playing music, and only focus on work, friends, and family.
But we don’t.
We must love music.
And don’t forget to “follow me” on BlueSky and PinkLeap.
Skål !
2026 August 07
Musicians … many different kinds, and many different levels of skill, experience, and career.
I’ve spent the vast majority of my career, even when I was “on tour,” as a local musician: I’m an unknown, working in small venues – mostly pubs – rarely making it onto the concert stage or festival.
Not through lack of effort … I’ve been out there, in the music industry trenches, working the craft, paying the dues, and taking the hits.
And, I think that fairly describes the lives and careers of most musicians. No fame. No real income. No notoriety. And even very little appreciation.
And yet, we keep on keeping’ on, as they used to say.
We must love music.
And don’t forget to “follow me” on BlueSky and PinkLeap.
Skål !
2026 July 31
As musicians, I think we need to continue questioning, exploring, and, o’ course, listening.
And then there’s always “practice, practice, practice!” … our daily mantra.
In the not-too-distant future, I may have more time to do all of those things, and I’m hoping to have more quality time with my new violin, from Gayford Violins, Canada, “JeanMarie.”
Lately, on my long drives, I’ve been listening to Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli – truly wonderful, excellent playing on guitar and violin; here they have a go at a signature tune, “Minor Swing.” Enjoy!
And don’t forget to “follow me” on BlueSky and PinkLeap.
Skål !
2026 July 27
I am quite pleased to be the director of the Celtic Music Club (CMC; you can learn all about us here). In 2024, the club was nominated for and won a Maryland Music Award for Best Folk Group. You can hear the Celtic Music Club, playing a few tunes, right here!
And don’t forget to “follow me” on BlueSky and PinkLeap.
Skål !
2026 July 20
I love nearly everything about music – practicing, writing, recording, performing – but I really love singing. When I was recording “Put It Down,” I had a blast adding vocal lines and harmonies! So very fun … you can check it out, on track #8, here.
And don’t forget to “follow me” on BlueSky and PinkLeap.
Skål !
2026 July 15
Fingerstyle guitar – or finger picking – (a more folky version of classical guitar style) is a wonderful way to accompany songs. In the mainstream, finger style guitar isn’t really in vogue right now, but in the 60s and 70s, you could hear it on the radio. Such classics as “Blackbird,” by the Beatles, “Never Goin’ Back Again,” by Fleetwood Mac, or “Vincent,” by Don McLean are a few fab examples … lesser known, perhaps, is the motorcycle-hero anthem by Richard Thompson, “1952 Vincent Black Lightening,” which is absolutely amazing.
While sometimes fingerstyle songs (or simply instrumentals) have slower tempos, that isn’t always the case. Don McLean, Leo Kottke, and Tommy Emmanuel show that fingerstyle technique can propel music at absolute banger speeds.
I love to play in this style, and I’m always looking for a song or tune that lends itself to this technique … a more up-tempo example of this style is my take on an old song I learned from the recordings of John Denver, called “Circus.” You can check it out here (track 9).
Enjoy!
And don’t forget to “follow me” on BlueSky and PinkLeap.
Skål !
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2026 July 10
Today, I’m thinking back to a super creative and productive period, a few years back, when I was living in the West of Ireland. At that time, my life completely revolved around music; it was very exciting!
During June and July that year, my creative output went absolutely crazy, and I wrote poetry, songs, and instrumental music at a furious pace.
Many of those songs found their way to my studio album, “A Little Turned On” (which is a completely apt description of that creative time period – truly switched “ON”).
You can listen to – and buy – those songs, here –> at “dv-musik.com“
You can also find other music and albums … ENJOY !!!
And don’t forget to “follow me” on BlueSky and PinkLeap.
Skål !
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2026 July 08
Hey!
I’ve updated the website with “follow me” links to BlueSky and PinkLeap.
So, please, follow me!
If you’re trying to contact me, you can also reach out to me on Signal!
Skål !
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