August 11 - Pink Cows in Party Hats Good day you all….. I have no good reason for my summer-newsletter-tardiness …Unless you consider 6 days off all summer a good reason….and those 6 days didn’t happen all at once. We’ve been to Wisconsin, Mackinac Island, Bliss Fest, Hoxeyville, Dunegrass, the UP, the LP AND the CD….! There was one time in there that we got to go to Lake Michigan….that was one of the days off. This week I have 2 whole days off! SO while the 18th load of laundry is in the spin cycle and papa is rocking the baby to sleep to the sweet sounds of Smoky Robinson and the Miracles, I found a moment to write to you with some info on upcoming shows….. WHEN: Tuesday 8/12 7:00p WHERE: Kalamazoo Public Library 315 S Rose St Kalamazoo, MI TICKETS: Free! INFO: Stories behind the songs, silly jokes and more! http://www.kpl.gov/ WHEN: Wednesday 8/13 7:00p WHERE: Music In The Park Village Park Lakeview, MI TICKETS: Free! WITH: Steppin' In It as Shout Sister Shout WHEN: Friday 8/15 7:00p WHERE: Ann St. Plaza Summer Concert Series Fountain Sq. East Lansing, MI TICKETS: Free! INFO: http://www.cityofeastlansing.com/ WITH: Steppin' In It as Shout Sister Shout! WHEN: Saturday 8/16 7:00p WHERE: Lake Ann Heritage Festival Almira Township Park Lake Ann, MI WITH: New Third Coast and Andre Villoch! INFO: Music starts at 2pm WHEN: Thursday 8/21 1-5pm WHERE : The Mackinac Island Jazz Fest Grand Hotel South Lawn Mackinac Island, MI TICKETS: $30-$35 INFO: http://www.mackinacartscouncil.org/musicfest08.htm WHEN: Sunday 8/24 12:15p WHERE: Porcupine Mountain Music Festival 36606 Carp Lake Tower Road Ontonagon, MI 49953 TICKETS: $70-$30 INFO: http://www.porkiesfestival.org/ WITH: Mountain Heart, Tony Furtado, Hamell On Trial John Gorka and MORE! So please come on down, or up…depending on your geographical location. Bring a blanket to sit on and some egg salad sandwiches…… Mmmmmm….egg salad…. I’m going to go have some lunch… Chow! (get it) Rach p.s. Here are some things to check out while you’re surfing the web at work when you should be working… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3GRtOkmOo4 (watch all 3 parts) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgrrQwLdME8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5YW_xX2bLI (this is actually a relative of mine…..really….Uncle Jim…..for real) http://marcpagani.com/recent_pics/ironman/index.html (Congrats to my Aunt Mimi who finished the Ironman in 13h 51m!!!) July 16 - Minor 7th Album Review! Rachael Davis, "Antebellum Queens," 2008 In terms of artistry, "Antebellum Queens" should probably be considered a breakthrough album for Rachael Davis, a Michigan-based singer and songwriter. The title reference comes from the song "Atlanta's Burning," which uses the historical metaphor of Sherman's March to the Sea as a touchstone for the emotional turmoil of love lost. The power of the song transcends even such a strong metaphor in the hands of this very talented vocalist. Her versatility shines through this 13-song collection with heart and soul apparent at every turn. Powerful, gripping songs are set in some fine arrangements performed by a revolving acoustic ensemble that always serves the song and the voice. "Prayer for Home" wins your heart as the track unfolds and the wonderful vocal partnership with Aoifa ("EE-fa") O'Donovan of Crooked Still simmers to a boil. "Music Sunday," the rocker of the bunch, features a Wallflowers-style setting that Davis infuses with richly nuanced phrasing and inflections. Its vocal hooks are compelling -- and vocal hooks abound on this disc ("Lela May"). Her opener, "Sweetwater Sea," recalls echoes of Dolly Parton -- not the country glam queen, but the serious interpreter of American roots -- complete with the charm of Parton's girlish tonalities. There is more: extended lyrical lines that resolve in complex musical sub-phrases while mining Nora Jones' Little Willies tendencies in "While the World is Sleeping," a lovely, and very authentic reading of the Carter Family's "Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow." Oh, and did I mention she has a lovely voice? © Steve Klingaman May 13 - Awesome Album Review From The Mindful Bard Check out this great review of "Antebellum Queens" on the Athabasca University's online magazine The Voice Magazine! Here's the link: The Mindful Bard Rachael Davis, Antebellum Queens Here's the review: CD: Rachael Davis, Antebellum Queens Release date: 2008 Label: Fox on a Hill Well, my things are old, ragged and worn, My jeans are holey, my dress is torn. Please, please, Papa, would you try to buy my love? “Please, Please, Papa,” Antebellum Queens Forgive me, but I imagine the making of this CD as one great fairy-tale romp. There is a green hillside, I think, and a studio made of straw bales. The roof is a grassy turf on which Toggenburg goats are grazing. Banjo music is wafting from the windows, and the clean air is sweetened by new-mown hay. Lumberjack men, and earth mothers in long flowing skirts, dance up the drive, carrying instrument cases inside from their battered old trucks. Suddenly a flock of doves flies from behind a hawthorn tree and out pops Rachael Davis, ready to record. This CD opens with a squeal of laughter (and the epigrammatic “Dude!”) and ends with the child Rachael singing “Starflower-O”; thus is painted a picture of a young woman so full of hijinks it’s hard to believe she can settle herself down long enough to write a song, let alone to pen the thoughtful lyrics in this collection. Davis’s voice is so supple and limber even the trickiest runs sound effortless, and she is joined by a brain trust that gets just how these songs should sound. This is another brilliant collaboration from the Earthwork Collective, one of my pet subjects because they so beautifully exemplify the Bard perspective, their mandate being the harmonious union of music and social action. These lyrics reveal a sensitivity belied by Davis’s spirited delivery. There is an easygoing humour here, but the girl’s no slouch; her craftsmanship is meticulous, and there’s not a trace of those rhyming clichés that make us wince in so much commercial music. At the same time she is thoroughly connected to American musical history and seems committed to keeping those forms and traditions—blues, bluegrass, and gospel are three that stand out—vibrantly alive. I think she’s even added a few songs to the canon. Antebellum Queens lives up to three of The Mindful Bard’s criteria for music well worth a listen: 1) it is authentic, original, and delightful; 2) it makes me want to be a better artist; and 3) it provides respite from a sick and cruel world, a respite enabling me to renew myself for a return to mindful artistic endeavour.. May 08 - If You're Spirit's Driftin Greetings From Iowa! Just kidding, I’m not in Iowa. In fact, I haven’t been to Iowa in over a year! Maybe it’s time to go back….. Maybe after I pay that speeding ticket. Hope the new season finds you all in your Bermuda shorts! That is, unless you live near me, or in the Midwest….or anywhere north of Georgia. The Schwan Man told me this morning (right after he gave me the run down on a delicious frozen pizza) he’s determined to wear shorts until October…. Ah, the Schwan Man….we could all learn a thing, or two from him and I don’t just mean about frozen meats & dairy items! Well, my window is small here while the baby is napping so I’ll get on with it. You’ll only have a few chances to come see me and Birdie (baby) this month. So tell your mother-in-law you can’t make it to her retirement party and cancel your biannual teeth cleaning so you can ride your awesome, vintage, teal green bicycle or your bio-diesel van with giant tomato painted on the side(ouch, gas prices) to a Rachael Davis/Steppin’ In It/Shout Sister Shout show!! Here’s where I’ll be…. WHEN: Saturday 5/03 8PM WHERE: Marquette, MI Kaufman Auditorium 611 North Front Street TICKETS: For sale at the door WEBSITE: http://kaufmanauditorium.org/ WHEN: Friday 5/16 8PM WHERE: South Haven, MI Foundry Hall 422 Eagle Street TICKETS: $8/$10 call 269.767.5453 WEBSITE: http://foundryhall.com/ WHEN Saturday 5/17 WHERE: Green Lake, WI Thrasher's Opera House 506 Mill Street TICKETS: $16 call 920-294-4279 WEBSITE: http://www.thrasheroperahouse.com/ WHEN: Friday 5/30 7PM WHERE: South Lyon, MI Maylen House Concert WEBSITE: go here http://www.myspace.com/mattmaylen for all needed info Hope to see you there! Rachael D p.s. On a different note: The family dog, Buddy, passed away today. He was 18 and we’re all sad. R.I.P. Buddy! You’ll be able to sniff Marge and Spike’s butts again in that great kennel in the sky! We love you! April 06 - Get A Copy The New Album TODAY! Oh my goodness!!! "Antebellum Queens" is hot off the presses and available NOW at the Fox On A Hill music store! Click on the picture of the record anywhere on this site and go visit them on the web! Check out the other great stuff while you're there! April 01 - Antebellum Queens!!! Danke Schoen Kinder! Yesterday was opening day… I’m not talking about deer or small game hunting, so put down your crossbow and that flaming arrow, The Nuge(nt)…No, I’m talking about baseball! It was a very exciting in our house, even though both our teams lost, because the beginning of baseball means the end of winter!! Yes ladies, gentleman and hibernating creatures everywhere. As of March 20th we are now living in days with more sunlight them darkness….phew! The peepers started peeping in the bog last night and I noticed that the lilac bush outside my bedroom window has little green buds…. But, it’s April so I’m mentally prepared for a frost still.. So, I told you all that I would let you know the new album was here…..well (imagine a fanfare…da da da da…) IT’S HERE! And all ready for you to have your very own, portable version of your favorite new songs! Maybe I’m being presumptuous, but I’m making a pitch here, so look out! Here’s a second opinion if you need one: http://hub.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080313/THINGS0201/803130302/1141/HUB05 Thanks to Chris for the glowing words. GO NOW if you want to TO http://www.foxonahill.com/store/ to purchase a copy. This is the ONLY place you can get them aside form a Rachael Davis show so go get one! And Check out the other stuff at Fox On A Hill! WoooooooHooooooo! If your credit card is max-ed, or you forgot the password to your Paypal account, come see me this month. Hope to see you soon! Rach OH! P.S. check this out….. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lNFRLrP014 March 06 - Fresh Bread Hi Folk Faces! That’s my favorite newsletter greeting to date so you all will be folk faces a couple more times this year….. I hope you like it. Okay, this will be brief because I’ve got a sleeping infant strapped to my body (which means I’m doing this with one hand) and I have dough rising in the oven so I can bring fresh, homemade bread to the recording session this weekend that I organized for my mom and dad’s new kid’s album….. Good lord, what’s happening to me? So, the order is in for the new CD and if all goes as planned they will be on my doorstep by 8am the day of the CD release concert…. Do ya’ think I’m pressing my luck? It’s better than stealing cars for a thrill! They should be in hand on March 20th. At that time they will available to you exclusively at Fox On A Hill music store and at shows. Here’s the link for the store, http://www.foxonahill.com/store/ I’ll send a little note when the CD is out! There will be a few opportunities to come see me and the baby this month if you live in, or will be visiting, Michigan and/or Denver…. February 04 - Zebra Question Hello Citizens! I hope your voter registration cards are current and you’ve already sent away for your absentee voter ballots! It’s time to take our ring-side seats to see the power suits duke it out! I’m just waiting for the Boxing Presidential Candidates puppets to hit the market. Then my boxing nun puppet wouldn’t be so lonely….Maybe I should introduce her to my bobble head Jesus while we wait….on second thought, maybe not. Hope you are faring winter well. We’ll get like 40 feet of snow then the next day will be about 50 degrees. I always feel a little weird on those warm days like I ate some bad pork or something. But February is the home stretch. This year we turn our clocks forward on March 9th! So the last little bit of winter will be easier to take with the extra light. Not to confuse I do love winter…I have to….or I’d go nuts in central Michigan between November and….May. But I’ve learned to appreciate it in knowing that winter is good for the garden and the sap(mmmmm….syrup) and that it won’t last forever. And those first warm days of spring are so exciting and we wouldn’t have them if it were warm all the time. It’s all about balance! I’ve been paying a lot of attention to balance these days and by balance I mean discovering how many things I can do with one hand while the little Birdie (bambino) is in the other. I’ve become an all star multi-tasker…like right now, for instance I’m writing to you, doing my taxes, eating lunch, knitting leg warmers, baking a tart, AND nursing the baby! All at once! Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a little….I can only knit one leg warmer at a time… Anyways, my whole motivation for this note is to tell you about some shows I have coming up soon! Check it out, maybe I’ll see you soon! So please clamp on your brand new Christmas snow shoes and come on out to see me! To all of you who insist on bringing me delicious baked goods…..I’m not doing dairy. Love, Love, LOVE! Rachael D http://www.rachaeldavis.com http://www.myspace.com/rachaeldavismusic http://www.myspace.com/shoutsistershout January 19 - Antebellum Queens...? Okay okay...the album is almost out we're putting the finishing touches on it. The official release date is March 20th. There will be a double cd release concert at The Ark with Steppin' In It(who is also putting the finishing touches on their new record right now). BUT the album will be available for you before then! I'm doing a pre-release extravaganza! Starting next month up to the release concert the cd will be for sale exclusively at Fox On A Hill Cd store (http://www.foxonahill.com/store/). So if you can't wait to get your grubby, gloved mitts on it PLEASE pay a visit to my friends at Fox ON A Hill and pick up a copy or twelve.... More info soon... Peace! November 15 - Little Miracles Hi There Folk-Face! Wow! It’s been a while since I’ve did this the last time….. (My brother does this thing when he can’t remember someone who seems to remember him really well. He gives them a big hug and says “Wow! Haven’t seen you since last time!” You should try it sometime, it really helps prevent an otherwise awkward situation….Now I’ve just told you my secret I hope I never use it on any of you!) Well, things have been much slower around here lately, and by that I mean my driving specifically. Why, you ask? Not because my pursuit of the record for speeding tickets in the most US states and parts of Canada is no longer thrilling, and not because I always get stuck behind student drivers…. No, the reason for my much overdue caution is that there is a sweet little boy by the name of Virgil always sleeping in his car seat on the back seat of my Saturn wherever I go! Yes, my driving has slowed, but life has just entered warp speed! So, it’s really a little miracle that I’m writing to you right now, but that’s what it’s all about, I discover every morning when Virgil wakes up beside me and starts smiling and laughing, little miracles. It’s also a little miracle that I’m on tour again! We’re not going too far, but we still might be coming to a church basement or moose lodge near you! So put on your holiday neck tie that plays “O Tannenbaum” when you squeeze Rudolf’s nose, or your sweatshirt with the picture of the wolf howling at the moon and come on down! Make sure you’re ready for a sing along! And maybe I’ll let you play a game of peek-a-boo with the baby……….I was kidding about the sing along thing…. Cheers! Rach p.s. If you want to see a picture of Virgil go to http://www.myspace.com/rachaeldavismusic and scroll down. August 31 - Welcome to the World Little Virgil! Little Virgil Ryman Davis was born to us at 12:57pm this past Wednesday August 29th... He's 7lbs 6oz and 19" long. It was THE most amazing, wild, beautiful, grueling and utterly terrifying experience of my life...and I'm sure of his too.... He is healthy and SO TINY and is home with us now in our arms, lives and hearts forever and ever and ever.... Thanks from those of you who send love and support... Namaste! Rach July 30 - Feeling Independant? Sawatdi ka- That's the feminine way to say hello in Thailand. So dudes, if you find yourself in Phuket, don't go running around saying "Sawatdi ka" unless you want little local teenage boys to point at you and laugh. You say "Sawatdi krap" or just "Sawatdi" WOW! That was educational... I fee like Maria from Sesame Street, or something. Remember her? She was a regular during my Sesame Street era in the early 80's. Although she might still be on the show, I don't know... I may find out though here, before too long because my days of watching Sesame Street are coming back around... Oh yes, I'm getting ready to be a mama! And as of Sunday it'll be perfectly alright to say "Any day now...' when people see my swollen belly, jump back a foot or two and say, "WHOA! When are you due?!" These days people have gone from asking me when I'm due to taking one look at me and saying, "I hope your having that baby soon, Big Mama!" But still everyone tells me I’m glowing, although I think that’s just a nice way of saying, “Wow, you’re sweaty!” Baby Davis isn’t the only thing coming out this summer….The new Rachael Davis record is on it’s way! O boy, I’m so excited! It’s been a long process, but we’re finally in the finishing stages…. Here’s a sneak peek at the latest Rachael Davis release “Antebellum Queens”: INCLUDING: Sweet Water Sea Atlanta’s Burning Lela May Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow Lonely When You’re Gone Mark Of Cain Please, Please Papa Prayer For Home Music Sunday Southern Cross Monhegan Lullabye While The World Is Sleeping WITH PLAYERS SUCH AS: Brett Hartenbach Eric Platz Jake Armerding Aoife O’Donovan Zack Hickman Cornelius Boots Dominic John Eric Merrill Austin Nevins Brittany Haas Kyle Kegerreis Josh Davis Joe Wilson Andy Wilson A pre-release run will be available soon exclusively at the Fox On A Hill online store at http://www.foxonahill.com/store . Then the official release will be in September. Pretty soon I’ll post some of the new tracks on my MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/rachaeldavismusic …So keep a close watch and I’ll keep you posted... Our very own Brett Hartenbach recently toured the UK with indie rock icon and legend Daniel Johnston! This was no fluke, ladies and gentleman, considering that, well… Brett is AWEsome and …he’s known Daniel since they were classmates college a couple decades ago. Here are some YouTube links of Brett playing with Daniel at Vicar Street in Dublin, Ireland… See Brett in Dublin With Daniel Johnston! See MORE Brett in Dublin with Daniel Johnston! There will be a few more opportunities to come see me live before I launch in more ways than one…… After that, you’ll have to wait until September. So pack up your tent and rain poncho and pick up some ice for the cooler and come over and see me! Remember to pack some food in the cooler, too…. Beer makes for a fun breakfast, but it doesn’t give you enough energy to sustain you all day at a Northern Michigan music festival…. You’ll need some trail mix for that…… Stay hydrated and I’ll see you soon! July 22 - Daniel Johnston and Brent Mabachi--- Our very own Mr. Brett Hartenbach recently toured the UK with indie rock icon Daniel Johnston! This wasn't a fluke in the sencse that...well.. Brett is awesome! And Brett and Daniel went to college in Ohio together... Here are some links to YouTube videos of Brett and Daniel in Dublin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si7GMMimMUE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlLm3shbqCA June 07 - June Bug - cont. Speaking of brothers.... Last weekend I got to do a couple of shows with my brother, Zak, from the hot new bluegrass band Detour, that just released their first cd....well...I hear that it was more of an escape than a release, but it awesome! Go to: www.detourbluegrass.com/documents/47.html and hear some of it! Anyways, Zak and I played in Fenville, Michigan at the place called The Journeyman Cafe and the next day at the Niles Bluegrass Festival in Niles, Michigan and it was a blast! There's nothing like singing harmonies with a person who gestated in the same the same womb as you did. Before hand we got together and learned a couple Louvin Brothers songs and some Hank Williams and a few more. We decided that we have to do that A LOT more often. We talked about going on tour in the fall with our sweethearts and our babies so look for us in the future... Don't worry I'll give you all a timely warning. HEY! Here's some exciting news.... I have a brand new website!!! Oh boy, oh boy I've waited so long for this and I'm sure some of you have as well. Yes siree, my friend Bill Chesney and the guys from Rough Draft Designs -- www.roughdraftdesigns.com -- put it together for me. It's still got some kinks, but we're ironing out some last minute wrinkles. Check it out and give us feedback! http://www.rachaeldavis.com -----We'd love to hear what you think! Well, by the end of summer lots of exciting things will have happened, but, happily, the end of summer is a long ways away! So if it's too hot for comfort, plug in your window units or pay your little brother 5 bucks to fan you for a half hour and lounge around.... But if the weather is nice come out and see me! Ciao for Now! April 26 - New Site! The new site was put together by the guys at Rough Draft Designs. How'd they do? Let us know what you think about the design, or if you catch any mistakes!