Sounds like a whacked out children's book or a reason to call children's services, doesn't it? Well that's the Readers' Digest version of the will cheshier tiny orchestra's gig at Marcelita's Mexican Restaurant in Hudson last night. The tequila, triple sec and lime juice flowed. Herds of children danced, even though I didn't even try the three separate requests for Hannah Montana .

The orchestra was staffed by Brian Baddour on bass (sponsored by the letter "B") and Mark Bradbourne on drums (only partially sponsored by the letter "B"). I got two in-song heckles of the band off, a new record.

I have to say, the people at Marcelita's are among the nicest I've come across anywhere. Between that and they real margarita's (not that sour mix Chi Chi's garbage) and the pretty darn good mole (pronounced moe lay) you need to put them on your short list of places to visit, band or no. Although do drop in for my pals Back 9 there too

Tuesday was my 4th Tuesday open mic at my home away from home, the Barking Spider. Hosting the open mic always makes me Happy
Every time I get on the mic it can be said that I get Dopey. I got home at 1:45 am which made me really Sleepy and Grumpy the next day.

Speaking of the next day, 24 hours later I was back at the Spider for my own headline set. will cheshier tiny orchestra charter member Brian Baddour (who periodically is Dopey himself) dropped in to play the set with me. The evening before, I threatened to Photoshop Hiro into a compromising position with a goat if he didn't come by to sit in. He wisely showed up. Hiro has played the last two open mics with his didgeridoo and djembe. We've all decided to call his music Organic Techno.

This upcoming Saturday the tiny orchestra and I will be at Marcelita's in Hudson. I understand they make real Margaritas, not that nasty sour mix hangover juice most alleged Mexican restaurants make. So come on out. If the band sucks at least you can get nice and emborrachado.

The kind folks at Claddagh Irish Pub in Westlake included the will cheshier tiny orchestra in their St. Patrick's day celebrations. They even looked the other way about us not being even remotely Irish. We wore the requisite green finery and festive hats so we'll call it even. The revelers where all good-natured and we didn't get green beer-barf all over us and our gear. Got paid and everything. All that said and with no hard feelings to the Claddagh, the load in was just plain silly.

We parked back by the dumpsters. We then schlepped our gear through the bushes, over the mulch, under the trees, around the propane heater and associated explosive gas tanks and then duck through the velcro-sealed plastic tent flaps.

All else was swell. The Guinness flowed. Corned beef was stuffed down. It's a shame the Irish have such a hard time letting go though isn't it?

90% of you aren't Irish at least 364 days a year. So although the will cheshier tiny orchestra has been kindly asked to perform on St. Patrick's day at the Claddagh Irish Pub in Westlake, the only Irish music you're going to hear from us is U2 and Van Morrison (not Brown-eyed Girl, I swear). We'll be playing a the songs of many other non-Emerald Islanders ranging from Al Green to Coldplay to John Mayer to Lifehouse to Hendrix and even some Cheshier. Yup, we're all over the freakin' place and it's all for your entertainment.

The good news for all you temporarily Irish is that you can still drink yourself stupid on Guinness, Smithwick's and Harp. If you prefer some non-liquid in your diet, you can absorb some of the beer with a hearty portion of Corned Beef and Cabbage, Shepherd's Pie or Irish Stew. So skip work and/or school for the Parade and then stop by to thaw out your thirst and ears at the Claddagh

Unless you're reading this in the southern hemisphere where spring has sprung, you're now looking through the attic or your closet for the box that contains your sweaters. Hopefully the cat hasn't found it to be a way more handy comfort station than that dirty old litter box in the basement.

For me, this means it's time to head into the great indoors. Not that I haven't done my share of outdoor shows in snow storms. I have actually, not that those ungrateful bastards at Legacy Village remember that at booking time. But that's not important right now. Bastards.

I'll be in the climate controlled splendor of the Tri-C Liberal Arts Atrium for a noon show on Wednesday, October 24th. The proceedings will be recorded, processed and sealed with a digital kiss by the fine folks of Tri-C's Recording Arts and Technology program. You'll be able to purchase said recordings along with those of a bunch of local luminaries on line from in front of the warming glow of your computer monitor. If you haven't been snowed in yet, you can even show up for the concert and get on tape with some witty heckling. All pedestrian heckling will be summarily deleted and those responsible will be locked in headphones playing "Freebird" on 10 for a month. So game up kids.

The night before at the Barking Spider is my monthly open mic. Bring your guitar, ukulele, autoharp, kazoo or other performance enhancing instrument to make your own noise or practice your heckling for the Tri-C show.

Luckily for me and you I'll be out under the big grey-blue Cleveland Summer sky at least a few more times. This Saturday, August 4 I'll be menacing the shoppers at The Promenade in Westlake. The Promenade adjoins Crocker Park which effectively doubles your shopping experience potential. I'll be out by the movie theatre all by my lonesome with my trusty guitar.

Next Saturday, August 11th I'll be at The Claddagh Irish Pub in Legacy Village. They have a nice little patio that I'll be besmirching. So come out and raise a Guinness or two or three or four or five or six or just do shots of Jameson so you don't have to go to the w.c. so much. Please don't mention to the management that my mom's English.

At the end of the month I'll be back at the Promenade on Friday, August 31. Earlier that day I'll be in the air conditioned comfort of Wild Oats Market's cafe so join me for some tunes and a plate or two of organic goodness. Don't worry, it's not all low fat food, it's just not grown using raw sewage for fertilizer.

Yup, I'm no good at that. All the air conditioning dwellers have found this to be a lovely summer. As for me, I can't shake that melancholy feeling that comes with fall, twilight and a clean page of notebook paper about to have its potential wiped out by my stabs at the profound.

Luckily for me there is actually plenty of possibility left up summer's sleeve. Not the least of which is the Painesville Party in the Park this weekend. The will cheshier tiny orchestra will be on stage at 2pm right after the Smokin' Fez Monkeys and right before Cats on Holiday. Music will be non stop Friday, Saturday and Sunday so stop out. Don't worry, they have a beer tent. Our set is kindly sponsored by Ken Keich Enterprises

Maybe it hasn't been all that bad. I've had a couple of fun gigs including Crocker Park with Mark Bradbourne and Brian Baddour staring as the substitute tiny orchestra. As management for the wcto, I immediately used Mark and Brian B's fine showing to negotiate a lower rate of pay for Paul and Brian. Instead, they plied me with beer and I forgot my ruling class folly.

Although the wcto usually consists of Paul Jarrett on bass, Brian Roach hitting things and backing vocals and myself desperately trying to stave off middle class white bald suburbanitis with my youthful guitar and caterwauling, it has also consisted of Rick Sawyer, Jim Allison, Mark Bradbourne and the late Scott Haumesser on drums and/or percussion. On bass we've had Brian Baddour Ari (Harry Bacharach) Friedman and Darren Frate on bass. No matter who is carrying the tiny orchestra banner, I'm one lucky !@#$%ing monkey for their good and kind work.

Thanks guys.

Well, I guess I have a few. Of course I pay the tiny orchestra (not enough, but it's something). Jenna was there, but she was bartending. Jim Snively was there in the front row reading a book. The book kind of slowed down his heckling though, darn it. Other than that you all missed a transcendent, life-changing performance by the will cheshier tiny orchestra that might have redefined the limits of what a live music extravaganza can be.

It wasn't, unfortunately, better than “Lost.”

So the sparse, not really enough people there to call it a crowd, was enthusiastic and interactive. I got possibly the best heckle ever from bassist Paul Jarrett's boss Jeff, the director of Opera Cleveland. But then the man's used to dealing with temperamental singers and marketing people like Paul.

While retuning his guitar for the next song, Will said, “oh, that's close enough unless you people all have tuners in your pockets. Or are you just glad to see me?”

silent pause.

“They're tuners,” said Jeff.

That's good heckling.

First and foremost, please join me in sending along "get well soon" wishes, prayers, hopes, vibes, offerings or whatever you do to William Drake of Emerald Frequency. He's been unwell enough for a spell in the hospital. This is not only bad for him, but it cuts into his guitar playing and music making time and that's bad for the rest of us.

In far less important events, I dropped off artwork for the live cd, "willcheshier@thewinchester," today. The song list goes like this: 1. Everything 2. My Poor Heart 3. Lover Never Say 4. The World of Love 5. What's Going On (the Marvin Gaye song) and 6. Here and Now. I'll have CD's later this month and they'll go for $5. If you can't bear to wait, you can purchase all the songs except What's Going on via the music store page or through my MySpace page. If you buy it online and still want WGO, you can have a CD for a buck when I get them. Be honest now.

All sorts of developments have popped up over the last week. First, last Friday at the benefit show for Chris Nekvinda and Veronica Darby's Poor Richard's tavern. I found out I'm gay. Imagine my surprise. I can only guess at the dismay of the gay community.

Veronica, who had a little nip of Jameson to help her relax, was thanking all the performers from the stage. When she got around to thanking me and the tiny orchestra, she said, "…and to Will Cheshier who came out tonight… " I think she might have said something after that, but I was lost in the surrounding laughter of my so-called friends while I contemplated my newly discovered lifestyle. I tried to look fabulous to no avail.

Now I need to see if my wife minds. In fact, if I'm gay in Ohio, is it legal for me to be married at all? I have to find a way to tell my parents who probably knew all along, but never told me. I'm sure I'll be getting a pay cut at work.

I'll be calling on all my gay friends for gay lessons soon. So please think of ways to help me out. Pardon the pun.

Last night at the Barking Spider we had some folks in attendance specifically to see us. Weird, huh? They got to this web site from the Spiders' site and decided to drop in for the show. Brian, Paul and I all thought they where friends of one of the other of us. We're so used to having only friends, relatives, people who owe us favors or who want something from us in the crowd that we didn't really know how to behave. Usually, we can get through the set without anyone paying all that much attention. We might have to start practicing if this happens again.

To those kind-hearted folks, we hope we didn't bore you guys with too many inside jokes. To everyone who ever comes to a show whether by your own volition or under duress, we humbly and sincerely thank you.

Every month I'm surpised by how good and how much fun the Fourth Tuesday Open Mic I host at the Barking Spider is. Shortly after that I am invariably surprised that I'm surprised every month. Some people can't be taught.

For a good couple of years now I have been the proud caretaker of the Spider's F.T.O.M. (figure it out). It has consistently brought new talents and new friends. There's also the occasional open mic prima donna, but we ignore them. I've seen many people start paying their dues at the FTOM and then watched as they become truly fine performers with nicely polished tunes.

If you play, you should play at an open mic. Not just the Spider's offerings (also check out Gary Hall's First Tuesday Open Mic where I got my start playing solo), but all the cool venues and fine hosts including Jim Snively, Xela and others. It's always a great time.

Next month I'll be back among the drinking with the Tiny Orchestra. Friday, February 16th I'll be partaking on a benefit to help fund some repairs to Chris Nekvinda and Veronica Darby's Poor Richard's Century Tavern at the Winchester in lakewood. Chris and Ronnie have been awfully good to us local singer songwriters and it's time we reciprocate. Extra kudos go to Jim Mileti of the fabulous Winchester Tavern for helping out his fellow bar owners. It's another example of how cool the local music community is. Lots of good people.

On the following Friday, I'll be back at the Spider with the Tiny Orchestra to open for Ann E. Dechant.

Drag your happy posterior out to both. It's winter in Cleveland. It's not like you have anything else to do.

I figured it was about that time of the decade for me to update this page. So here it goes.

Nothing much is going on.

I'm doing my monthly, fourth Tuesday open mic at the Barking Spider. That's always a good time. I'm playing the lunchtime show at Youngstown State's Peaberry's Cafe on November 29th. That's usually fun too. I took my guitar on a business trip to Indianapolis and played the open mic at Locals Only where Jethro Easyfields was a fine and gracious host. A funky, unpretentious little club. That was fun although the 8am start time for work the next day was a little fuzzy.

While I've been not updating this blog, I played a wedding for a nice couple I met while playing at Crocker Park (congratulations and good luck Missy and Dave!). I played a graduation party with the will cheshier tiny orchestra. I played Crocker Park and Eton Collection Malls a bunch.

Mostly, I'm a old suburban dad, but that's fun too.

Man, I'm getting so lazy. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow slack away at this procrastinating pace to the last syllable of the posting I didn't write. A lot's gone on since I last wrote sometime in the Jurassic.

I played a couple gigs, got heckled by my band and Jim Snively, simultaneously. I expect that stuff from my band though. Played E.J. Thomas Hall (on bass with Jami Ross. Got a sweet-posteriored computer at work (G5 quad with 8gb ram). Changed twelve million diapers. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I guess no one was missing me write this, huh?

So, I'm playing at The Century Tavern with Paul "fromekko" Jarrett on bass and Brian Roach on things to hit. Jim Snively, Cleveland's favorite open mic host, is in the "crowd", okay he IS the crowd. I'm thinking, cool, at least there's one friendly face in here (including the band). Next thing I know Jim's asking if I know any "American chords" and "last night it sure was crowded in here." Nice, very nice. Okay, it is really funny too. I think Jim still has plenty of good kharma to burn though. He's a really good guy. You should drop by his open mics at whatever Johnny Malloy's in Willoughby is now called on Mondays and every first, third and occasional fifth Tuesday at Rider's Inn in Painesville.

Upcoming shows include this Friday at the Century Tavern with the Will Cheshier Tiny Orchestra. Saturday I'll be at the The Winchester for a songwriters' round with Anne E. DeChant , Maura Rodgers and Joe Dickenson. Tix are $8. Check the gigs page fore more info.

Back on January 31, I was special friend and, for once, non-bass playing side man for pal and fellow singer-songwriter Wendy Poltorek. (I'd link to her web site, but she doesn't have one). Wendy her twin sister Tiffany on backing vocals and yours truly bopped our way through an hour-long set of her originals as well as a few covers, some of them so good we played them twice!

Wendy's talents and over all likeability can be proven by the capacity crowd of friends, family and ex-band mates. This is further proof that I apparently need to practice my singing and being nice to more people so they'll come to my shows.

This past Saturday at Seekers Coffee House I played an intimate set in their beautiful, smoke-free room. It wasn't supposed to be as intimate because it was supposed to be a songwriters' round. So it was "one square in round" instead. (that would be the title of the live cd if I would have recorded the evening). Like I said in my email that all you weather-fearing-wussies who stayed home with cable t.v. got, I'm claiming that the missing songwriters were just intimidated by my estimable talents, not that they just didn't want to play with me.

This upcoming Friday, I'll be filming the performance part of a forthcoming DVD as part of Cuyahoga Community College's Crooked River Groove series. The kind folks of the Recording Arts and Technology program led by Tommy Wiggens (himself a fine musician) produce a full DVD replete with performance and interview for local songwriters. I'm not sure when the DVD will be available, but I'll have a few at my shows as soon as they are.

In the interim, I put up a video of my song "everything" recorded by myself at the Barking Spider. It sounds narcissistic, but I just needed a video for some show submissions. That's not to say that I'm not one handsome devil. I think I'll watch it again right now just to make sure it's okay.

I'm not exactly sure why people want me to play bass for them. For some reason they seem to hire me for the low frequency pot almost exclusively over my native guitar.

Currently, I have two bass gigs going. Last Thursday night at Peabody's where I'm sure I'm the only guy in the building with a station wagon and a 401k, I did my best to not embarrass teenage pop diva Jami Ross like an unhip father. Although I am, in fact, both unhip and a father, she has her own dad to work with. She's a nice kid so I just stayed quite and bounced around the stage like a geriatric super ball with my bass. I was amused and depressed to realize that my bass cabinet is older than she is.

The next night atThe Century, I played a set of my own songs on guitar with only periodic interruptions from AC/DC, North Ridgeville's version of Minnesota Fats on the pool table directly in front of me as well as the Century's bicycle bell equipped tip jar. After my set, I donned my swank five string bass and joined the proprietors, Chris Nekvinda and Veronica Darby along with birthday boy Mark Bradbourne of Emmet for what I like to call, The Nekvindicators (Chris is perennially outvoted on the name). We tore through a set of Chris' fine tunes along with old favorites from Ellis Paul, Nanci Griffith, Johnny Cash and Journey. Mark was forced to drin a couple of birthday shots. He put up such a valiant, but failing, fight that we all joined him to show our support. I think they were chilled Robitussin.

This Tuesday, November 1 at 7pm, at the Main Street Café in Medina I'll be the first of many paying tribute to a good friend and great musician. Scott Haumesser, who was the first drummer in the Will Cheshier Tiny Orchestra, passed away in September. Scott was well known in Northeast Ohio for his incredibly graceful, groove-filled drumming and percussion as well as his wry and dry sense of humor. Please try to join me, Becky Boyd and Real Life, the Gregg J Band and others as we pay tribute to him with an evening of music that Scott graced with his musical talent and his friendship.

I'll be performing for the Fat Tuesday on Thursday Benefit for the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic. $10 suggested donation with all proceeds going directly to the clinic.

Musc will be at 15 venues and over a 1000 local musicians performing. Go to the Fat Tuesday on Thursday web site for more info.

Advertising, by nature, is seldom one hundred percent accurate. So when I read about how amazing the sound and vibe at The Winchester on their web site I thought, "imagine that, they don't think that they suck. huh."

Well friends, I'm here to tell you that that room sounds completely amazing. The Winchester offers the perfect combination of big hall sound, big show feel with a small hall's comfortable intimacy. Between the sound and vibe and the fact that they have Great Lakes beer, this is now one of my favorite spots.

I've decided that in spite of northeast Ohio's pathetic weather, last Friday's show at the Barking Spider was my official start of summer. The big doors were open and the Spider was full of people ready for a good time. On days like this, there is no place in the world better to play, or listen for that matter.

The will cheshier tiny orchestra was in a like mind to the winter-weary revelers. Version 4.1 of the wcto consisted Jim Allison returning on drums for his record tying third show (not record setting as Version 2.x drummer and co-record holder Rick Sawyer pointed out to me) along with Ari Friedman (aka Harry Bacharach ) on bass. With smiles on our faces we tore through our hour-long set. We hope everyone had as much fun as we did.

I will always have a soft spot in my heart for reggae. I will also always have a soft spot on my liver and brain from all the beer I drank every Wednesday night at the old Peabody's Café reggae nights. Carlos Jones'. old band First Light was largely responsible for me not adding all that beer directly to my gut by providing the soundtrack to the weekly reggaerobic marathon butt shaking festivals of my (de)formative years. Carlos hasn't slowed down much. Tables were removed to allow all the dancers to get their exercise in. Old folks like me hung out outside under the underdeveloped summer's starry night to yuk it up with friends old and new. Rick Sawyer, Ari, Ryann Anderson. and Brent Kirby where among the rotating cast of smiling faces who shared the good time vibes of a great evening. It's just hard to be down when you're listening to reggae, especially when it's summer.

We had a very full docket my monthly open mic at the Spider. The evening started with the guitar-vexed but very talented Maura Rodgers bringing me a delicious slice of apple pie. Now the unsubscribe requirements of my cheshiercaterwaulogram emails clearly states that it should be a "one large, healthful and delicious, fresh-baked apple pie," but we're going to give her credit anyway because it was so damn good. I did wake my wife up when I got home to share and the pie was so good that she was almost able to stay awake to eat the whole thing. Fortunately, she was overcome by sleep so I got to keep most of it for myself.

Thanks Maura.

A couple of weeks ago I played a big boy, late night set at the Barking Spider. I had every intention of recording myself with the hopes of getting enough good takes to put a little live CD together. Unfortunately, technology gives and technology takes away. I got my laptop and sound interface all set up and went to launch the recording software. A little nag screen popped up and said basically, "hey monkey boy, where's the hardware key for this software." After a comprehensive search of all my stuff I realized that the key, known as a dongle to you geeks, was safely resting on the desk of my home studio (actually, a 6'x8' inside porch, but "studio" sounds more impressive).

Fudge.

but I didn't say fudge, if you know what I mean.

So I just went ahead and played the show without recording. As a prime subject of one Mr. Murphy and his laws, only one thing could happen next. Yup, it was probably the best I have ever sung and played. Of course I can't prove this, but you'll have to take my word for it. I've been at every one of my shows and this one was the shiz.

Long story short (too late, I know), I recorded my monthly open mic last night at the Spider and got a pretty good take of The Heart of a Fool. So that has been put up on the site, both lower on this page with the other links and on the music page. Enjoy.

The !@#$%^! dongle:

Sorry to anyone who showed up at Arabica expecting to see me playing. Due to a malfunction of the old grey matter, I didn't realize the date was confirmed. I hope those who did show up didn't get too fried on double espresso mocha lattes.

I will definately be at the Barking Spider this Wednesday at 10pm for a solo show. I'll be recording myself so come out and make lots of noise, especially during the quiet songs. Mike Cox opens at 8:30.

First of all, Happy Birthday to the mother of my children. You don't look thirty years old at all. ;-{)>
You have no idea how much I love you. Probably because you're exhausted and brain dead from chasing the diaper monkeys around all day.

Secondly, I'm now a proud member of the The Modern Acoustic Music Collective. An agency run by Doug Wood, MAM specializes in booking for colleges and universities across the US. Go check out the artists and book one (or more) at your school.

Last month I started recording my fourth Tuesday open mic at the Barking Spider. The idea is that artists who are just getting started can get a little demo CD to help book gigs. I figured that as long as I had everything set up, I'd record myself as well. The results are on my music page along with the live recording of Fairy Tale Blues from last year. Feel free to steal them.

Just to be clear, while photos of the baked goods I require for removal from the cheshiercaterwaulogram mailing list are clever, they don't meet minimum requirements set forth in the email's disclaimer.

For example, while the following photo is apparently a large slice of a healthful, delicious and fresh-baked apple pie.It is neither healthful (an electrical shock received while licking the monitor proved this) nor delicous (have you ever licked a monitor? Wait, don't answer that.). I did have to give extra credit for ala mode, however.

So in the future, if you no longer wish to receive cheshiercaterwaulograms, you must either deliver the ridiculously improbable requirements that are contrary to the laws of science, nature and good taste, or you may deliver the actual baked goods. The current example is "one large, healthful and delicious, fresh-baked apple pie. Extra credit for ala mode."

Thank you.

So last week I had to go to Minneapolis for work. Yeah, I know Minnesota in January? Who did I piss off? Anyway, I looked up open mics at openmikes.org and found one on Tuesday at a place called the Chatterbox Café. A Google search found other web sites that made the place sound pretty cool. So off I schlepped with my guitar, my laptop and a change of skivvies to the USA's frozen northern frontier.

At the end of my long work day (I got up at 5am for my flight out of Clevo) I checked into my hotel after a little inadvertent sightseeing thanks to Minneapolis' crappy highway signage. I dropped off the computer, grabbed the guitar and headed off to the Chatterbox.

The place would be perfectly at home in Ohio City or Slavic Village. Very funky décor (fuzzy lampshades, nice!). I ordered a Chatterbox Burger and a Chatterbox Lager figuring that if they put their name on it, it was the best they had to offer. Both were really good. Open mic was a relaxed affair in the very noisy second room that has sofas set up around a couple TVs with Atari systems. Funque. I went first to make sure I didn't fall asleep before my turn. The openmikes.org listing said four or five songs, but I got to play nine songs. People seemed to genuinely like what they heard, but they could have been just being nice to the poor schmuck from Cleveland. I listened to a few other acts and got a pretty good CD from a guy named Ben Glaros. If I ever go back to Minneapolis on a Tuesday, you'll find me at the Chatterbox with a burger a Chatterbox Lager and my guitar. It sure beats the hell out of cable TV in the hotel room.

I'll begin playing out next month with two Friday night gigs at the University Circle Arabica on the 4th and 11th. Look for a Cheshiercaterwaulogram junking up your inbox soon!

In case there was any doubt, I am a goof ball.

If you point your browser over to my new cafepress.com page, CheshiercaterWaulMart, you'll find a fresh lot of will cheshier and will cheshier tiny orchesta chatchkis. There are t-shirts and mugs and all sorts of useless stuff. I've also uploaded a special version of my "eleven to nine: cd that includes the live version of Fairy Tale Blues. Go shopping!.

Last Wednesday, September 15th at the Barking Spider was my last scheduled gig for a while due to the impending birth of my twins. Paul Jarrett and Jim Allison joined me for a set. My human safety system of Chris Nekvinda and Veronica Darby then played a set. I finished out the evening on solo guitar while nervously waiting for my cell phone to ring.

I got home about 1am with momma still ponderously pregnant. An hour or so later I was awakened by a slightly anxious “Um, Will, we need to go to the hospital now.” Long story short, at 4:27 pm Thomas Grant Cheshier (4lbs 13oz) was born. At 4:44 pm his “little” brother Jonathan Dayton Cheshier (5lbs 5oz) came along. Mom and babies are doing fine. Daddy has only made it back down to cloud 8 so far. Feel free to marvel at the following cuteness.

You knew it had to happen sooner or later. Will Cheshier Tiny Orchestra charter member Rick Sawyer and his wife Pam brought me, you guessed it, one dozen large blueberry muffins all of which were healthful and delicious. Actually, he brought me eleven. I guess that’s a drummer’s dozen or something. I’ll give him credit for the missing muffin anyway.

Rick and Pam opted to keep receiving cheshiercaterwaulograms anyway. What?! You don’t know what a cheshiercaterwaulogram is? Well it’s my highly hilarious, periodic literary masterpiece of an email that not only entertains, it informs. Most people just skip the informing part though. Email me via the link at the bottom of this very page to sign up and find out for your self.

the eleven muffins in question

Have you ever heard a musician talk about the weather as much as I do? From last winter’s Legacy Village blizzard performances and all the whining about Cleveland’s rainforest impersonation this year it seems like I don’t get in much. Last Thursday at Wade oval just adds to the litany. After a lovely first half of the week it was almost guaranteed that the dry weather couldn’t hold out. And it didn’t.

Poor Doug Wood got soaked for his lunch time show at the University Circle Third Thursday festivities. Trooper that he is, he did get in a half hour set before the umpires called the game. Good thing, electrocution might make a good stage show, but it seriously diminishes one’s performance ability.

The rain kept coming all afternoon and things didn’t look good. All the food vendors with the exception of the valiant folks at the Uptown Grille booth (I heard the jumbalaya was pretty darned tasty) packed it in. Doug, Anne E. DeChant and I hung out waiting for a break in the downpour. The rain got bored and moved on and we finally got things going a mere fifteen minutes late.

I started things out with an unplanned medley of songs. When you can’t remember the chorus, you gotta go somewhere. Thank God I can play Industrial Strength Love without intervention from my brain. Anne E. went next and then Doug and then me and then Anne E then Doug etc, etc. It’s a weird, but fun format to play a show round-robin.

The slightly damp crowd seemed to enjoy the concert from the comfort of their new and free Charter One Bank chairs. They even got in a little bit of sun by the end of the show. It just took a few minutes to realize what the bright, warm thing in the sky was.

Hey there! Long time no see, eh? All those pesky, real world interruptions like work, family and work have kept me from keeping you up to date. Sorry. I'd fill you in, but it's probably remarkably similar to any of you who work and have, or are about to have, a family. I'm guessing that's not what you're here for.

On the music front a few shows have come and gone since my last entry. On Friday, July 16th version 4.0 of the Will Cheshier Tiny Orchestra kicked off the weekend-long Painesville Party in the Park. Jim Allison brought the whole family up to see daddy play drums and set a new world record for setting up a drum kit. This was after taking a much more scenic route than intended. All was swell though and he did his usual fine job in the WCTO engine room. Filling in on bass was the remarkable Darren Frate who also got lost on the way to the gig. Who knew Painesville was so hard to find? After just one week with the tunes Darren knew the arrangements better than me and put on a bass clinic on stage right. I am constantly amazed and honored that such talented musicians are willing to share their time with me on stage. Thanks guys!

The next day's show at Eton Collection was preempted by an attempt by my two little buns to make a break from the oven waaaaaaaaaay too early. I've grounded them in their womb until further notice, so we'll see if paternal authority is doomed from the get go. I did check to make sure it was okay with mommy first though. I'm not a total idiot. So far, so good.

Another successful and talent-loaded open mic went down at the Barking Spider on the fourth Tuesday of July. Jeff Rolka opened things up with acoustic versions of his fine pop songs. He's a really nice guy too. That's always very important to me. The night was made complete by a visit from my too long-lost friend Katie. I wish I could always have such a nice time at work.

Saturday, August 7th at Wilbert's was a veritable cornucopia of sonic bliss. I started the evening with a solo acoustic set. My Dad, sister-in-law and cool nephew Hale (check the photo page) came out to enjoy some of Wilbert's truly delicious food and to hear me play. One of my absolute favorites, Joe Rohan took over after me. Joe was accompanied by our mutual friend Scott Smith. The two of them together is more talent than any realistically-minded stage could ever ask to hold. Every time I hear Joe sing his song “Desert Love” I get goose bumps, truly awesome stuff. Scott is just a downright sick talent. He's a jaw-dropping guitarist and harmonica player. Both of them are really smart, funny and nice guys too. That keeps me from being able to hate them for their unfair musical advantages. I have more hair though.

Cory Ryan brought his estimable vocal and songwriting talents up from Nashville for the evening and was joined by Michael J. on drums, Joe Del Re on guitar and me on bass & backing vocals. I swear he has no business hanging out anywhere other than on major stages radio stations. Like Joe Rohan, Scott Smith and Jeff Rolka, Cory is super-nice guy. Those who know me know I really truly don't say that about everyone. In fact, hang around and you'll hear all about some of the jerks I'm subjected too. Decorum has never been my strong point. I'm just very fortunate to associate with some very cool musicians. I'm a lucky guy.

The smart few of you who ventured down to the Scene Pavilion this past Saturday were treated to as good a bunch of native musicians as any town can claim (no one is actually from NYC or LA so thhhhhhpt on them). It was so very cool to be up on the big stage and to see my many musical cohorts up there where they belong as well.

My sincere thanks go to historical impersonator and rock demigod, Mike “Abe” Farley (sorry, inside joke) and the good people of House of Blues who worked their posteriors off organizing and running the show. The stage crew not only were consummate professionals, they were just plain nice guys. They treated us all as though we were stars and I, for one, couldn't be more grateful.

All you punks who skipped this year's show might be in luck. There's talk of doing it again next year. Do not miss your second chance! As a matter of fact, you should go see everyone who was on the bill. Click here and follow the links to all the participant's web sites.

I'm warning you, Pittsburgh is ready to lay claim to being the rock 'n' roll capitol! They know how to rock!

7/8/04

The House of Blues Local Artist Showcase at Scene Pavilion is this upcoming Saturday, July 10th at 12:30 pm. DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW! If you do I w ill taunt you unmercifully! Tix are $12 at the door (you waited too long for the $10 passes!)

6/30/04

Along with some guy from the band The Calling and former Bond girl Jane Seymour. I guested on the Q104 morning show yesterday.

Never mind that they phoned in from their beachfront Florida home and the QE II respectively while I had to drag my sleepy posterior out of bed, drive down to the station then head off to work afterwards. It still sounds good, right? Oh the glamour!

I played "Your Blue Skies" live into the dj mics in their tiny little studio. According to the wife, I sounded pretty good, but she's deliriously pregnant, so who knows how it really went. Anyone out there listen in? Drop me line so I know whether to believe my wife or just smile and nod at her.

6/24/04

Tuesday's open mic at the Spider, my first as official host, was a fine time. All manner of acts new and familiar, old and young, skinny and fat, suck to sublime showed up. It was a really full sign up list with acts going until after 12:30. For the next one (7/27/04) if you plan on playing before midnight, you'd better show up early for sign up. Folks who showed up at 9 were among the last to play. Sign up will be around 8 or when I get there, whichever comes first and the playing starts at 9pm. Don't be a wuss, stop out and play.

6/21/04

Blah! Ack! Thpht! Ahem, excuse me. I just had to spit up a lung.
This past weekend was a testament to the awesome power of cold medicine. Last Wednesday I came down with a nasty summer cold that left me without a voice or the strength to sing even if I had a voice. Fortunately, my friends at the pharmaceutical companies provided me with little magic pills full of unpronounceable chemicals. They made me feel temporarily great, notwithstanding the supposed loss of ability to handle heavy equipment. A station wagon isn't heavy equipment is it?

Friday evening at the Barking Spider after a hauntingly beautiful set by Malcom Holcombe, The Will Cheshier Tiny Orchestra & Cold Medicine Show took the stage. Jim Allison did an exemplary job on drums despite only one rehearsal and a mere week with the material. Hopefully, I won't chase him off like all the other drummers. Paul Jarrett, well, what can I say, I am one lucky s.o.b. to have a musician like him play with me. His appearances will become more rare now though as he'll be the bassist for the "Menopause, The Musical" as long as it runs. Their gain, my loss. I only wish I had the dinero to get into a bidding war with them for his services.

Also on Friday, Chris Nekvinda and Veronica Darby came down to save my voice and sad, sick posterior by playing a great set of Chris' songs. Despite his guitar tunings which read like an eastern European dictionary, his addiction to capos and his mad fascination with changing the keys of his songs (much to Veronica's dismay) Chris writes and plays songs that get under your skin and massage your soul with their easy, plain-spoken honesty. All this is done under melodies that stick in your head like a photo of a fine sunny summer day. Go to his web site. See him play. Buy his CD and get one of his gruesome little pornographic key chains.

Saturday at the Wings on the West Bank poultry bacchanal, I played bass with Cory Ryan on the big ol' Scene Pavilion Stage. I felt like such a rock star, regardless of my hair issues (thank god for my trusty Kangol). The sparse crowd got a taste of what Michael J. (drums/percussion), Joe Del Re (guitar and rock poses) and I already know. Great voice, great songs and a great future await this guy. He's also among the nicest guys I've met, but all the great ones are.

Loaded up with a second set of cold pills, I sped out to Painesville to play a set at the Painesville Mound. The PM is a really cool park-like setting built into the side of a big mound of dirt. Even with the cool weather, it was gorgeous out there. Xela opened the event with his funky-jazzy blues. If you go to open mics, you probably already know him, if not, take some time to catch one of his performances. He has a great voice and some serious guitar chops. Good stuff. The Vibe finished things off with some straight from your record collection dance and party tunes. These guys must be every bartener's favorite band. They're a party waiting to happen.

6/7/04

Sorry to anyone who showed up at Bossa Nova this past Friday expecting to see me playing. I got moved from the front entrance of Eton Collection Mall next to Bossa Nova over to the other entrance next to Barnes & Noble and the Cold Stone Creamery ice cream shop. Basically, it was just like playing at Legacy Village, outside in the middle of everything. The main difference is that there are places to sit and listen with your Cold Stone Creamery ice cream cone or Starbucks coffee. Eton will have musicians on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer so drop by sometime.

6/2/04

Everyone who knows me, knows that I'm not to be trusted to do things in an efficient and timely manner. That said, last Thursday at the Barking Spider was a fine and exciting show. Percussionist to the stars, Mark Bradbourne of Lost In America and James Pequignot's band, hung in there admirably and added cool dimension to the songs. This in spite of getting a CD to learn the songs two days previous. Paul Jarrett surprised absolutely no one with his usual exemplary, rock-steady bass playing. Together, they conspired to make me sound, if not look, good.