Looking Back On Summer 2006

Well folks, it’s been a successful and busy summer 2006 and although its kind of sad to see the summer end, the gigs are slowing down some and the less hectic schedule is nice. 1993 was the last year I played professionally and this summer I have been busier than then. In July I completed a record nine gigs in ten days (its been awhile since I had such dark circles under my eyes)! This year I performed a lot in the Saugatuck Michigan area. Saugatuck is a wonderful resort town that has several venues that hire live entertainment and it has been a very positive experience.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the restaurants, night clubs, festivals, businesses and private individuals that were kind enough to not only hire me but also other musicians throughout the Southwestern Michigan and Northern Indiana area. The folks who hire live entertainment, not only support the performing arts-they put it into action-Thanks again.

Although throughout the fall/winter season I will not be performing as much, please check my calendar page. I am hoping to keep playing at least one to two nights per week throughout the fall and winter.

If you get a chance, come on out to the Acorn Theater and check out our first Wednesday of the month event called “Acoustic Music Night” at The Acorn Theater in Three Oaks Michigan. I have had the honor of hosting this event and every month we feature a different artist. Also the third Wednesday of every month I will be at the Wood Fire Restaurant in Dowagiac, Michigan. This is one of my favorite “gigs”-the food is excellent and the staff there are always extremely warm and friendly. The guitar giveaway at the Wood Fire has been fun and exciting and we gave away probably close to a dozen guitars. I’m sad to say that we have decided to discontinue the giveaway but congrats to all the folks who won one.

It is looking like next summer’s schedule may be busier than summer 2006. Be sure to check my calendar page to see next summers schedule. I should have that up sometime around May.

Special thanks to Craig Steinke for designing my web site-he has done a wonderful job and it has been a big help to me and people wanting to know more about my show. Craig and his wife Gina have been to many of my shows and they

have proven to be a good friends and Craig’s talents designing my web site are very much appreciated.

Once again I was honored to book “Hen” throughout the area. It is such an honor booking such a well known and accomplished duo. For those of you who don’t know who Hen is, Hen consists of Four Time National Scottish Harp Champion Sue Richards and equally amazing Sharon Knowles. Hopefully next year we can have them back again! Thanks to Lakeland Continuing Care-St Joseph, The ELCO Theater in Elkhart Indiana, The Wood Fire Restaurant in Dowagiac and The New Buffalo Center For The Performing Arts for letting Hen perform at their facilities. This year my group “Willow” opened for Hen at the ELCO-what a wonderful theater. Also thanks to Sandy and Phil Place for letting Hen stay with them while they performed in the area and for organizing their performance at Lakeland Continuing care!

Special thanks to my sweet heart Ronda for being so supportive of my music. On several occasions she has joined me on stage playing the guitar and now she is starting to sing. There have been times this summer that she attended as many as four performances in a row helping me set up and tear down and carry equipment. Every place we go people love Ronda’s loving and tender personality and when she sets in with me she always gets a good audience response. Every time she misses a performance everybody asks where she is and they miss her as I do.

I thought about naming all the venues and individuals that have hired me this summer but have decided not to since all that information is still on my calendar page. Craig has put links from my web site to the web sites of the places I have played. If you get a chance please visit them also. Looking fore ward to this fall and winter season and hope to see you all real soon. Please stop out at one of my concerts and lets visit a spell. Thanks. Carl Payne.