i do declare

in the immortal words of foghorn leghorn, 'i say, i say, i say' there's a whole new pod of whale-proportioned shows coming up in the next few months. check back early and often for more details as events line themselves up in marching band order for the fall and winter. lot's of news in the studio world, namely i've finished putting my home rig together and have written more for the accordistra project (see below) which i will be recording over the next few months. also, peyton (www.peytontochterman.com) has us booked to record the new 'high society' record in december, to be released in the spring. my outfit, crewe d'bayou, will be pulling together a few songs i've written for our 'first night virginia' gig this new year's. i will try to post sonic samples when i get a chance. for now you can catch me out here:

sept 2--'High Society' rolls into Thomas, WV for what is sure to be another pyrotochteriffic performance at the purple fiddle, featuring the usual suspects plus very special guest bobby read, fresh off his tour with bruce hornsby. visit www.purplefiddle.com for info on the place and the peeps.

sept 7--private show in c'ville.

sept 11--The Freedom Concert is an annual international event commemorating the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. I will be performing at this year's concert with Thomas Gunn and Matt Wyatt from 6:30 to 7 pm at Central Place on Charlottesville's downtown mall. After the concert and peace-promoting readings, the mayor of Charlottesville will speak and, at 8 pm, lead attendees in a candlelight walk to the free expression wall at the east end of the mall. Please come to celebrate life and peace or visit www.septemberconcert.org for more information.

sept 14--High Society opens for Sons of Bill at the Starr Hill Restaurant/Pub/Club starting at 8 pm

sept 15-16--High Society, featuring Mr. John D'earth on trumpet, plays two sets, Friday and Saturday, at the Rhythm and Roots festival in Bristol, Virginia. We'll take the 'Ireson's Pub Stage at 10 pm on Friday and the State Line Stage at 9:15 pm Saturday. visit www.bristolrhythm.com for more info--lots of great bands to check out including Junior Brown, Railroad Earth, Del McCoury, Seldom Scene, Red Stick Ramblers, and Marty Stuart.

Sept 21--Private show

sept 30--private wedding in c'ville.

oct 6--private show in charlottesville

oct 7--private wedding in c'ville. Peyton Tochterman and High Society at Fellini's #9--10 pm. www.fellinis9.com

oct 10--private show--charlottesville

oct 14-15--I performed at the Colonial Italian American Organization (CIAO)'s annual festival in Williamsburg, Virginia last year around this time. Between the dozens of local wine producers and the guy who could whistle the entire Rocky theme, how could I say no when they asked me back. visit www.ciaowilliamsburg.org for details on the festival--entertainment, attractions, and of course Italian Food.

Oct 18--Jolie Fille at Gravity Lounge opening for 'Scrapomatic.' 8 pm www.gravity-lounge.com

oct 21--Matty Metcalfe and Crewe d'Bayou drag the foot-stompin, butt-whompin' sounds of Louisiana through fellinis #9 on 2nd street and Market. We'll kick it to 11 starting at 10, ending well into the night.

oct 29--Thomas Gunn and I start a new project at Fellini's tonight from 6:30 to 9 pm. 'Songwriter Spotlight' is our tribute to some of our songwriting heroes. This first of (what hopefully will become) a series, we will present some of our favorite songs by four of our favorite songwriters. This week we will perform the songs of Gram Parsons, Fats Waller, Townes Van Zandt, and Shane MacGowan, in addition to bringing out some of our own songs. I'll be on accordion, mando, and piano, and Thomas will be strumming the guitar and pickin' bass for the dinner crowd. For info on both shows, visit www.fellinis9.com

oct 31--private show with Dale Wise in Washington D.C. visit www.accordionplus.com to see more about Dale. What a cat!

Much more to come!