12String Memories

So, it has been a very long while since I've written a blog post.  I am so sorry, but life and other priorities have gotten in the way.  Health is pretty much perfect (for a Sr Citizen).  I can't seem to lose the travel weight added from trips to Egypt, Florida, Japan and Korea.  But at least it isn't going up anymore.  

The year finished off well with a few December shows and one very big lesson learned.  That lesson,  if it isn't in writing you don't have an agreement.  To make a long story short I was asked to perform a 2 hr Christmas show at a new (for me) venue.  Played a great show with about 12 friends coming in for a full dinner, cocktails and show.  2 hrs on the button, zero breaks.  Start packing up and the bar tender says the owner wanted you for 3 hour show. Forget the fact that I even sent, and they used, promo material showing a 2 hour show.  So yeah, now I send out a Performance Agreement for every show (unless the venue asks for an invoice) as soon as the show is booked.  

Booking for 2026 has been ok.  A few less shows than other years, but I have a lot of travel planned throughout the year so not really a big concern.  I did add 2 new venues (Sit & Stay Winery and The Grill House).  Hopefully they turn into long term repeat venues for me.  I did not get any work at Fenn Valley this year, but it was a super long drive for me.  Biggest news is I am singing in a benefit show on May 9 to support Elizabeth's Library International.  I'm a little nervous about this one because the other acts are professionally trained top-notch performers.  Throw in the fact that I'm playing the song (Caladonia by Dougie MacLean) in Open C tuning.  What that means….It's like learning a whole new stringed instrument.  New fingerings for each of the (fortunately only) 4 chords.  

On the website front, some changes have occurred and other changes planned.  Recently I added set list buttons on the home page so people can see the songs planned for the next/current show.  Also, a button on the about me page showing the 180 or so songs that I consider “show ready” meaning they are a couple of practice runs away from being ready to go onto a set list.  Those two changes were requested by one of my followers. A planned upcoming change will be to add a site-wide music player which will feature my music.  I've recorded a set of music clips which will give a good feel for people coming to the site looking for what I do and how I sound.  That was a suggestion from a website review by my website host Bandzoogle.  They are so good to work with!

Merch sales have been suspended due to cost.  Tariff and transportation costs have raised the breakeven price for mugs and coasters more than I would want friends and followers to pay.  So, I have shelved my graphic artist ideas.  I still have a few mugs and coasters that I will sell at original cost.  Hit me up if you want them.  

So that's a big update.  Show season kicks off for me in about 11 days.  Time to go down into the studio and get some quality practice time in.  

Stay true to yourself!

Tom

So, I posted this spring what my “business goals” were for 2025.  Here’s an update:  

1. Learn 20 new songs and add them to my “ready to perform” list. I’ve addded 23 songs to the ready to perform list.  
2. Perform 15 of those new songs at a live venue. To date I’ve performed 13 of the new songs at various venues.  Some of them have already become “regulars”. 
3. Learn 3 new ukulele songs (as part of the 20 new songs goal).  I’m o’fer here.  Just hasn’t been a focus, but shoot, I have Oct - Dec. to learn them.  Still do’able.  
4. Book at least 15 shows. Performed 17 full shows this year.  There may be a couple more yet to be added.  I’m guessing I’ve done music at 6 or 7 open mic’s.  
5. Perform at 2 new venues.  New venues this year, Fenn Valley (4 shows), St. Julian in Rockford MI (2 shows), and a private party in a “Barn’dominium”.  I have 2 more possible bookings which both will be at new venues as well!!!
6. Investigate the possibilities that “Merch” might be able to bring.  Not just investigated, but launched 3 products, A soapstone car coaster and 2 sizes of coffee mugs.  Unfortunately the new tariffs will result in an unsustainable price increase on the raw mugs and coasters so they will be discontinued.  
7. Write at least 2 blog posts per month. Well, I have posted (including this one) 15 blogs but  I have not hit “2/per month”.  I’m posting as I have relevant things to say.  
8. Increase FB Followers to >200 people. I’m currently at 188 followers.  I will say I am not pressing hard to add FB followers.  In fact I’m trying to determine if I can abandon FB.  Bluntly, I’m fed up with all the BS that comes with being on FB.  
9. Monitor Website hits and continuously improve site with a goal of reaching 1,000 visits. To date I’m at 740 website visits.  My Google algorithms still aren’t performing as expected.  However, I’ve learned that the more I post, the more hits I get.  I’m not giving up on this goal… but there’s work to be done!
10. Write 2 songs. (I am not, and never have been a writer, but now is the time to try). I have some interesting chord progressions I’ve written down and a bunch of non-associated lyric lines ready to be expanded upon, but so far…no songs.  Still some time available, especially with no shows on the books.  

So, all in all, not terrible.  Some goals, indeed are “stretch goals”  (which isn’t an excuse) and involve me learning and doing things I have never done before.  I’m truly proud of that.  I do have a little more than 3 months to add to the list of “completed”.  Even though “show season” has ended, know that I’m focused on doing more, learning more and trying a lot of new things.  

Till next time - Stay focused and enjoy this fall weather!

Tom  

Patio Show season has wrapped up.  Happy and sad at the same time.  I did a lot of shows (6) in a 4 week span.  I was definitely tired and worn out, but the shows are always so much fun.  I haven’t worked too hard to fill Nov -Jan.  Maybe I’ll see a drop in gig or two show up.  

I did get an email requesting my vocal talent to again sing our National Anthem at a few of the Kalamazoo Wings hockey games (Kalamazoo’s pro team).  Maybe I can request the international game where you get to sing the Canadian Anthem as well.  

New song work continues.  I’m going to roll out Dream On by Aerosmith at an open mic this Thursday.  Haven’t checked my count (towards my goal) but there has been some good progress this year.  

Sadly, I will be dropping out of the Merchandise Game.  The tariffs on the raw materials (mugs and soapstones) push the purchase price to a point where I would never ask a friend or fan to consider purchasing.  I do have mugs and coasters available at the original price.  If you’re interested, just drop me a note.  I did enjoy the design, prototype and business planning part of the process.  Who knows, maybe something will change.  

Finally, I am back into learning mode - restarting some lessons I purchased a while ago.  Working on improving my improvisation/solo work as well as to develop some good new habits and break a few old bad habits.  

Till next time - surprise someone with something they never expected.  It’s fun!

Tom

Had a winery gig last weekend. An outdoor gig. All week the weather reports were all about a dangerous heat wave with heat index running 105° and higher. Add to that air quality advisories saying don’t be outside for any amount of time. I was hesitant and dreadful. That’s just too hot to do a show outdoors. 

Who would ever sit outside with that type of forecast?  Especially when there’s an air conditioned tasting room serving up cold wine, slushies and all sorts of other refreshments too. I called the venue a couple days beforehand and strategically asked if I should pack for an indoor show or outdoor show based on the weather. I was hopeful they would concur that an indoor show would be best. Alas, my hopes were dashed,  “the weather is so crazy here, let’s make a call before the show”.   

Well, show day arrived.  Hazy, hot, humid but also quite windy. I arrived at the venue armed with 2 ½ gallons of ice water, 4 shirts and a steely resolve to power through three hours of great music. By the time I finished setting up,  shirt #1 was drenched.  I guzzled about 48 oz of water and went into sound check mode. I play a verse or two of a song, stop mid way through and there’s a couple sitting at a picnic table applauding. They said “wow, sounds great”. I could only say “just wait until you get the full show!” Very encouraging. 

I finish sound check and a young lady walks up and asks if I travel for shows. She’d like to book me for her wedding but it’s in Chicago. Unfortunately I already had commitments for her date.  I just finish that conversation and another young lady comes up and says she’s a wedding planner and would love to work with me. She asks for permission to send out my contact info to clients and post some video of me on her IG account. Of course!  Best sound check I’ve ever had!

Show starts up and whoa, there’s people sitting in every shady spot available! Super engaged and rockin along with me. What started as a hot and humid adventure in personal endurance turned into one hot show, maybe one of the best I’ve ever done. And the amazing thing!! they all stayed.  It made my day, they made the show that much better. My thank you’s at the end were truly from the bottom of my heart.  I couldn’t have done it without them. 

That is exactly whenI figured out The Stones said it best “Sometimes you get what you need!”

 

Now, maybe some “pros” can just step onto a stage (or in my case a patio) and play a perfect show without any advance preparation.  Not me.  It's a process, and I'm always refining that process to make it easier and result in a better show each time. 

I'm always practicing (maybe 1-3 hrs a day on average), I'm learning new songs and finding ways to improve “standards” in my set lists.  About a week out from a show I'm deciding if the new stuff can go in.  Sometimes (like this coming week) I'll try out new songs at an open mic (Weds, June 11 I'll be at Warner Vineyards with the 8:40 time slot).  But prior to that I check my guitar strings.  Do they need changed (looking for buildup and oxidation on strings).  Do they tune easily (losing tune often is a sure-fire signal that a string change is necessary).  If the decision to change strings is yes, that's got to happen at least 3 or 4 days before any show.  Strings take a while to fully stretch out and hold a stable tune.  String change on a 12 string… plan on an hour and a half and drawing blood at least once. 

Also starting about a week out is building a set list.  I rarely play the same music in the same order.  That's boring for me, and it's boring for you.  That might be a 5 day process by the time I'm happy with it.  I look to see how I can manage tempo changes to keep a particular mood or vibe.  Sometimes I try to match tempo's with what keys the songs are in so I can build a medley (always appreciated).  I make sure that songs early in the show won't stress the vocal chords until my voice is fully warmed up.  In the same sense, I try to avoid songs late in the show that are going to be hard to do with a tired voice! I look for balance between slow ballads and “rockers”.  I even look at the messaging in songs (I've been accused of doing too many sad songs in a row). And, of course, where do you put the new stuff?  Oh, and what if there are “requests”.  Well, I try to prioritize them…if I can.  

My sets are managed by time.  Each of my songs have  a pretty accurate “Time to finish” so I make sure my sets finish up at the right time to take a break in the show to re-tune, re-hydrate and even sometimes to re-shirt. Some shows (eg 2 hr. shows) may not get a break.  Depends on what the venue and I agree upon.  

Since I'm practicing most every day I won't tear down the equipment in the music studio until about 24 hrs before the show.  That gives me the practice I want/need and a good amount of time to let the fingers “heal up” a little.  (Yes all that playing and my fingertips still hurt, even after 58 years of playing guitar).  I may pack the car with all the equipment except the guitar.  12Strings are finicky to temperature changes so that doesn't go into the car till I'm ready to drive to the gig.  I'll make sure batteries for the wireless gizmos are charged. I'll make sure back up batteries for pre-amps are staged and at the ready.  

Day of the show I ponder what to wear (honestly, I do).  Will it be hot and humid (3shirt show)? Indoors due to weather? Cold?  I have some standard “gig clothes” but there are options…and I don't have a "stylist helping me…as you can tell. 

So yeah, it's a process. All in all there's probably 20 to 25 hours of “engagement” before each show that is not actually performance time.  It's a labor of love because I know that when I've properly prepared, the best part, the actual show, will be at it's best. 

Time to change some strings!

Be nice always and all ways. 

Tom

I’m excited that show season is upon us.  While I’ve done a couple specialty shows (a birthday bash and a Mother’s Day dinner) it is now patio season.  These are the shows I love.  But, tomorrow  won’t see me on the patio…it will be indoors. Highs at show time are expected to be in the high 50’s to low 60’s.  Fine for me…not so much for the patrons. 

This lead up to show season has been eventful though.  Business plan wise (see my post earlier this year) I’m making headway. 15 shows on the schedule with more potential out there.  2 new songs going into the show tomorrow.  Merch store has opened. Tomorrow's show will be at the 2nd new venue for the year and I have a third added to the schedule as well.  I’ve picked up the ukulele and have chosen my 2 new songs there (just need to keep working on muscle memory).  I’m about 90% of the way to my Facebook followers goal and my website hits continue to accumulate.  But now, it’s time to perform.  

Hope to see you at a show soon!

Tom

Just a quick “Merch Update”.  

New item just released in the 12String Memories Store (https://12stringmemories.printify.me/).  Soapstone Car Coasters are just $7.50 each.  

They look great with my official coffee mugs! 

Remember, you can avoid the shipping charges and buy at my shows!

Spring has Sprung!

Tom

Let me say first off, “I know”.  I had planned 2 blog posts per month…that was my plan.  Well, life (travel) got in the way.  Spent most all of April in South America, Chile and Argentina.  I could blame it on no internet, but that wasn't the problem.  I was just too enthralled with taking in the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feels of Easter Island and Patagonia.   But…. I'm back, show season is upon us and I'm excited for that first spring show. 

Before that, I get to do one of my favorite musical activities.  Saturday May 3 Miss Rebekah Hill's vocal music studio is holding their Spring Recital.  I get the pleasure and honor to run sound for her students.  I also get to break out the 12String and accompany 2 of the students with their songs. For most it will be their first time in front of an audience.  I hope they get to feel and embrace the energy an audience brings to music. 

I attended their rehearsal last night to work out the particulars of the songs I was to accompany and then took the time to listen to the rest of the vocalists.  Let me tell you, I was thoroughly impressed.  Each of these burgeoning artists, all in different stages of their endeavor to learn how to master the vocal instrument, will remember this coming Saturday for many years. They will be awesome!

My first spring show is Mother's Day at the sold-out Mother's Day Banquet.  The show is at “The Farm” in Bloomingdale.  My first patio show we bee up in Rockford Michigan at St. Julian Winery Tasting Room on May 24th. The rest of the current show schedule is up to date on the “Shows” tab.  

Ready to Rock

Tom

Did you see it?  Home Page!!!  The official 12String Memories store is open for business.  First item on sale, 11 & 15oz coffee mugs with our logo and website address!  New products will be coming on line in the next few days.  Keep venturing back to visit.  The link is: 

https://12stringmemories.printify.me

On the music side of things, the 2025 schedule is almost full.  16 shows on the books, hoping for 2 or 3 more drop ins.  Added another new show venue. Got signed up for a Mother’s Day show (May 11) for Chef Sean Hale’s Texas BBQ better known as The Farm at Bloomingdale. 

I played a 3hr private party show on Saturday March 15.  Such a great vibe with energy from young and old alike.  You know it is really true that the crowd really can make a show better!  I’m also trying to get out to a few of the local Open Mic’s. Great place to find potential clients for private shows as well as interacting with all my musician friends!

New songs aren’t coming along as fast as desired, but there are 3 in the works; Birthday -Beatles, We Just Disagree - Dave Mason and The Boxer - Simon and Garfunkel.  If you have a suggested song addition, leave me a comment!  

Finally, I’m considering going to “camp”.  The internationally renowned Interlochen Music Camp is offering a 5 day acoustic guitar camp.  It doesn’t interfere with any booked shows.  I’m just trying to determine if the cost makes sense.  Or as a good friend of mine used to say “Is the juice worth the squeeze”.

Yep, been busy, but I love busy!  And it’s almost show season!.  

Until then, 

Be good!

I know, it’s only 28 days, but where did February go??? While I have been traveling down south I have been doing my fair share of “business” too.  

In a nutshell I’ve been:

1. Booking shows for this summer (already up to 16 shows on the books with shows at 2 new venues).  
2. Working to improve “search ability” of 12String memories.com.  There’s a lot of behind the scenes work on having your own website that I was totally unfamiliar with.  
3. Working on new songs.  (Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress by the Hollies, Dream On by Aerosmith, Brown Skin Girl by Bo Bice & Santana and Your Song by Elton John).  
4. Designing a new logo which should do well on merch.  
5. And, of course, everywhere I travel I listen to the rhythm of the area to find new music to add to my repertoire.  This time I found some great  ideas in Old San Juan Puerto Rico.  

So, maybe I do know where this short month went.  

Til next time, 

Be fun!

Tom