05.25.06
Hey everybody, Rob from Peter's management here. Peter asked me to guest blog for him this month and it sounded like fun.
I've been working with Peter about a year and half now and it's been a lot of fun. In a previous career I was an athlete traveling the world getting paid…nothing. So after a while I figured I may as well put my college degree to use, travel the world having fun and get paid…almost nothing.
Seems I'm succeeding. I met Peter at the end of the summer 2004 and his manager at time invited me to come along and do some work. So off I went, moving to Atlanta (after living in Nashville, the Central Valley California and back to Louisville in less than year) to join the circus of the entertainment world. Working in management can be possibly the most rewarding and at the same time most frustrating of endeavors. You're taking someone's dream and art and making it your own and fighting for it like it's your own. Although you have to be careful sometimes to not let idealism take over on autopilot and fly you into a cloud of rocks.
But I would say things are going well, Peter's still keeping me around to work with his new manager Jonathan and his record label. So I can't be doing too bad of a job. At the same time my management duties have expanded and I have a roster of amazing clients.
I guess it helps to have a hometown connection. While I wasn't born there, I pretty much went through all the traumas of childhood and adolescence in Louisville . So that makes the first Saturday in May pretty important to an adopted Kentuckian, it's Derby time!
Some people don't realize how big Derby is. I like to tell people it's on scale with Mardi Gras. You may disagree, but considering that there are two weeks of partying and um, partying, leading up to the big day, I'd say it was pretty close. Plus, the sheer number of people who drive and fly in, just to spend one afternoon under a hot sun sipping Mint Juleps adds to its party cred in my opinion.
But I'll tell you a little secret. Unless you are a celebrity from Louisville , You don't actually go to Churchill Downs on Derby day. That's kind of like being a local going to Bourbon Street on Fat Tuesday. What we do is we go to Derby parties. Someone will always be inviting friends and family over to their house for some grilling, some bourbon drinking and five dollar luck of the draw pots. Locals go to the track the day before for The Oaks, in fact when I was in school, we got out of school for the two days before Derby because everyone wanted to be at the track or at whatever other festivities were going on.
The last couple of years I've had the pleasure of celebrating Derby at the house of Peter's Louisville band mate, Eric Whorton and his extended family. I'm not sure how the family tree works, but they call the place the Compound. Eric and his wife McKenna, their grandparents and a sister/brother in law, etc. (like I said, not sure how it works) all live in separate houses around a courtyard with a pool, patio, decks, basketball court, inflatable jungle gym, etc. etc. It's a fun place to be. So we hang, Peter breaks out his seersucker suit, have a refreshing drink, and put all our money into luck of the draw pots (put five dollars in, draw a horse at random, horse wins, you get the pot, no handicapping skills required). This year my luck held out and I drew Barbero, the winning horse!
Last year after Derby , Peter and the guys played sort of an impromptu show on the patio. While we weren't treated to that this year, Peter's drummer Scott, and BGV/guitarist Nick and their significant others (yeah, I kinda just ended a relationship, so I was definitely not with a significant other) and I went back to Peter's new house. It's along a road called Frankfort Ave. that is undergoing a gentrification right now. Lot 's of indie shops and restaurants have opened and Peter's house itself has a cool vibe going. It's got one of the coolest shades of green I've ever seen.
Peter has redone most of the interior of the house and it looks amazing. I could never hope to afford a house this cool in Atlanta . It would cost me so much money. Peter even has a studio that he has built above his garage behind his house. You step out the back door, cross the deck, and you're in the studio. I even helped in part of it's building on a cold October morning last fall. It's a quaint little studio, perfect for Peter to start working with local bands and record some top-notch demos for himself rather than paying to do it at a studio. He's still going to record albums in a big commercial studio, but getting the idea out in a productive, comfortable environment at home should greatly help the songwriting process.
Anyway, back to the story. A few of us went back to his house, and Peter started a fire, we popped some wine, jumped in the hot tub outside of the studio, talked, hung out, joked and just enjoyed the rest of the evening. That's what makes this yearly homecoming so special to me. It's getting to hang out with the people who have become my best friend's and getting to see my family.
Well, like I said above, sometimes you can get idealistic, but really, Peter's not just someone I work with managing, but a friend and mentor. In fact, ask him sometime to tell you the joke about managing the manager. Ha!
Well, hope to see you all on the road very soon. It's been a lot of work, but this is going to be a big year for Peter and you're going to hear and see a lot. Thanks for being fans everyone!
03.03.06
So, the studio has a name now. I've decided to call it Never Nervous Sounds. I named it after an all time Louisville Cardinal great Purvis Ellison. I've been working with a few bands and solo artist. I've also been doing demo's for the next CD. I can't decide if I should let the brand new songs out yet. What the hell…why not.
I haven't played live in a while now. I'm starting to get that itch again. There's noting like the sweat, and adrenalin of playing live. I also love the instant connection to people that you feel. I know that I'll get plenty of that when Trust Falls is out and I am touring again. I miss the folks I've met over the years of touring.
I'll tell you who else I'm missing these days, my Dad. He's been dead now six months. If a new movie comes out that I know that he would have liked, I get the urge to call him to see if he wants to go. If something cool happens in my life, I want to tell him. Sucks, I wanted my Dad to see grandkids when Layla and I get around to it. Oh well……………
Things I'm Loving
The show “Lost” rules
Muse is a great band
Coldplay live was pretty good
Spring time rocks
Old school tennis
March Madness
The book “Joe College”
The Stand
Producing up and coming Bands
My Wife Layla
01.28.06
Greetings from the great gray, overcast Midwest/southeast? Hell, I don't know what Louisville is. All I know is that winter sucks. This global warming thing is going to do wonders for local weather. I know just where I want to plant my palm tree.
I guess I shouldn't complain much. Layla and I just returned from the Big Island of Hawaii. Wow, what a beautiful place. We had never been there before. Layla's Mother lives there so we had a great place to stay. Later in the week two of my friends came over from California and we stayed on the beach. They don't just mess around with sunsets over there.
I just had a meeting with the label that's going to release Trust Falls . We have big plans for this year. It seems like I've been saying that for a while now, but this time it's really going to happen. I still believe in this CD. For anyone who already has a copy, we are planning on new artwork, lyrics, some added bonus songs, etc.
I continue to write and work on new songs in my studio. If you've seen me live then you've heard some of these. Trust me, it won't be a long wait between Trust Falls and the follow up. The material is there. Thank you to all of you who've stuck by me through the label shakeups, deaths, divorces, trends and winters. This album will be for you.
Humpback whales rock!
Spring is on the way!
The Devils Rejects = the best 70's film made outside the 70's
64 Ford Thunderbirds, yes!
Speaking of the Rolling Stones. Huh?
The Cardinals making the NCAA
12.18.05
Holidays are upon us. Wow just yesterday it seemed like I was dressed up as the Bandit from Smokey and the…. for Halloween. I recently returned from a trip to LA. I was out on the west coast playing new songs for music supervisors. These are the folks that place songs in films and TV shows. Keep your fingers crossed that I can get a few songs placed. I also played at the Hotel Café. It was great to sere some of the peeps I toured with back in Oct.
I signed this week with Label X. These good people are going to give a national release to Trust Falls. They are also going to release the next album. The good news is you shouldn’t have to wait too long for it. We might start recording some of it in late Feb. Anyway, I’m fired up to work with Label X.
I have a new manager. His name is Jonathan Palmer. Everyone say “hello Jonathan.”
This has been a tough year in so many ways. I’ll be happy to see '05 slip into the past. That being said, I’m sooooooo pumped for '06. I feel great about the songs I’m writing and the people I’m working with. Happy New year!
King Kong = Big hairy fun
U of L Cardinals = Gator Bowl champs
New Home Studio = Many Late nights/ many new songs
Cold weather = No tennis
January = trip to Hawaii
Label X = multi platinum CD sales for Trust Falls
11.01.05
I just finished up the Hotel Café tour. My, oh my, what a time was had by all. The tour was musically one of the most rewarding times I’ve ever had. Each night I was able to play with fantastic songwriters in front of enthusiastic, listening audiences. What more could I ask for. So, to all the new folks I met on that tour, “hello”. It was my pleasure meeting you and playing for you.
I’ve been at work on my studio. Man, I can’t believe that I have the studio that I have now. I’ve put a ton of sweet, hard work and profanity into building it. It is nice enough for me to do most of my next record there. I also plan on producing some folks. So if you know of anyone looking to take their music to the next level put them in contact with me. I’ll try and post some shots of the rooms soon.
Good things:
Dave FM in Atlanta has been spinning cuts off the new CD
Louisville Basketball is only weeks away
Playing soon with Bob Mould
Going to LA in a couple of weeks to meet with music supervisors
Welcome Jonathan Palmer, my new manager
Look for more touring in the new year
08.22.05
So, which would you like first, the good news or the bad? The bad first, OK. Well, my Dad passed away as a result of the cancer he had been fighting. He was brave, strong, and dignified through it all. My Wife (Layla), my Step-mother and I were with him when he died. It was an overwhelming, life changing event. Little did I know that we would experience it all again the following week.
My Wife and I along with her mother, Aunt and Uncle were with Layla's Grandfather as he passed. Once again cancer did its thing. In the space of eight days we watched two loved ones die. On top of that, Layla's best friend died just weeks before. Her friend had been in a coma after an auto accident. So to say that it's been a shitty summer would be an understatement.
Yeah, This has been such a confusing time. I've felt anger, sadness, and even some happiness. Yes, happiness. Some how, being with a person who is surrounded by loved ones, who has fought bravely through terrible pain, who has made peace with the life they lived and the journey ahead of them, who then passes was a beautiful. Like I said, this whole thing has been confusing.
Anyway, with the support of my Wife, Mother, Step-mother, Step-father, and friends I'll get through all of this mess. One last thing, and it might be the biggest thing of all. I don't feel as frightened of death anymore.
Now, how about some good news. First off, Cabo was amazing. The location was stunning, drinks were flowing and the guitars were strumming. Layla and I made new friends and had a blast. The folks at True Experience are going to put on another event in Feb. Check it out at Trueexperience.net.
Next up, it looks like Trust Falls is going to be coming out on a label. This is fantastic news. The little album that could is going to get a fighting chance.
I will be going out on the Hotel Café tour. I'll be playing the mid-west dates. Some of the folks playing, Butch Walker and Cary Brothers. This will be a cool, intimate evening of music.
Thanks Rob Evans for all of your hard work
Wedding Crashers is funny as hell
State fairs are great mullet hunting
Louisville football is big time
Fender Blues Jr.'s are the shit!
Watermelon is the food of the god's
Fall is going to be better
06.01.05
Once there was a little album called "Trustfalls."
It was recorded a couple of years ago in a far away land called, Atlanta, Georgia. Many great musicians came together... Johnny Andrews, Butch Walker, Greg Lee... hopes were high.
Big Wigs at Big Labels heard the little album. They responded, "We love you little album, but we don't know where you fit in our world."
"Trustfalls" was sad, but determined.
If the Big Wigs didn't want the little album, then the little album would make it on its own way.
It wouldn't be stopped!
Now, in July, "Trustfalls" will be available on the web and in select record stores.
Go little album , go!
Since my last update, my wife and I have been living in dust and dirt. We bought a new house and "gutted it to the studs." It's now coming back together in a big way and it's going to be beautiful.
My dad is still sick. He has cancer. It's on my mind a lot. He's being so strong about this. I just want as many days as I can with him.
I'll be playing shows in July in Cabo San Lucas at the True Experience http://www.trueexperience.net/. Also, we just got added onto an all ages show on June 30th at 4th Street Live here in Louisville http://www.4thstlive.com/events_calendar.aspx. The band and I will be opening for the Violent Femmes. That will be fun and a good show for the out of towners to come to.
Listen for my songs in a couple of upcoming films. "Happy" off of Trustfalls will be in a film called "Easy Six" that will debut on Showtime on June 8 th http://www.sho.com/site/schedules/product_page.do?episodeid=123992&seriesid=0&include=00main.inc and "Lost" will be an upcoming film called "Keep Your Distance."
04.14.05
Sorry that it's been a bit since I last posted a new update. Life has been life, that is, it's come with ups and downs. I truly haven't known what to write or say. I recently found out that my father has cancer and is very sick. I feel faced with an uncertain future. I know that I am not alone. I know that all too many people have been through what my father, my family and I are going through. I feel up rooted and I worry about my wonderful step-mother Ann. My Dad is a strong person, stronger then any of us. If you like the music that I have made you can start by thanking him. He instilled a will to create and a love for art. I'm at odds about posting this, but it is part of life, part of my life. Have faith and have hope.
Good things. I played a show with my friends in Ingram Hill the other day. That was a blast and I got to make new friends and fans.
I've been writing and recording new songs
Louisville Cardinals made the final four
I'll be playing in Mexico in July
I bought a new house
The Derby is right around the corner (come to town and to my shows)
Daylight savings time, yes!
I have so many wonderful friends who are always there for me
My Wife Layla
love your friends and family
they are the most important things in the world,
peter
03.01.05
Sometimes I forget why I play music. It's so easy to get discouraged and let down when you're trying to do something that is measured in intangibles. If you get caught up in CD sales, or reviews, or money made, you start to set your self up for disappointment. CD sales go up and down, reviews are good and bad and money doesn't come too often. Friday I was reminded why I play.
I saw the Finn Brothers play here in Louisville . There was a good turn out, but not a sellout. The demographics skewed to a more balding set. I'm sure baby sitters where pretty hard to come by. Those who showed up were treated to a performance to be treasured.
Neil Finn must have sold his soul somewhere in the past to be blessed with the song writing chops he has. A Sum 41 or (insert modern rock band) can turn out a fine pop song once an album, but will they be doing it for twenty-five years like Mr. Finn has. The show was a greatest hits line up of songs you might have never heard. Each chorus soared with the emotion that can only be distilled with age and life experience.
I left the show reminded that I write songs because I'm alive in this world. I feel things that I can't express in any other way but to sing them. This is how I have lived for my entire life and how I always will. Have I written the best song I'll ever write? Maybe, maybe not. Will I continue to process my daily life through music? I have to. Will people listen and keep coming out to see me play? I sure hope so, even if they have to get baby sitters.
02.03.05
We played last weekend in Louisville . It was alright. I mean the band played great, but we were using house gear and one of the amps crapped out on us. It was on the first song "Sparks." So instead of hitting the ground running, it was more like we stumbled on an untied shoelace. Oh well. We rebounded big time at the end of the gig with one of our best versions of "Truth Rises." The show raised money for tsunami survivors.
I will be going down to Atlanta next week to finish some new songs. One of them is a rock treatment of "Sparks" and the other is a new song called "Letters." I've been playing both of them live. Speaking of live, come out to the Gerstles gig on the 11th of February. Local pop rockers After the Panic will be joining us. The Gerstles gig is always a good one.
Big news on Derby shows to come soon.
01.25.05
Hello to all!
Thawing out from our Louisville winter weather and bouncing back from the post-holiday craziness.
I am playing a show this week to raise money for the Tsunami victims (I hate to use the word victims. for tsunami relief is a better way to put it). I feel like it is a good way to do a little thing to help a big problem.
I recorded down in Atlanta last week. I recorded a rock version of "Sparks" from Couch Songs and a new song called "Letters". When I have a listenable version of these tunes I will put one up on the site.
O.K., here is my big claim to fame. I am flipping channels, and I came across a movie on Lifetime (is that the woman's channel?) The movie was called "Student Seduction" and it rang a bell in my head. I remembered that I had a song in this movie ("Nothing"), but the best part of it was that it starred my favorite actress, Miss Elizabeth Berkley. You might know her from "Saved by the Bell", but I prefer to think of her as the star of "Showgirls".
Next to having a song on a K-tel album (which I do!) this was pretty much my crowning achievement. What's the movie about? I don't know.
Potential good news on the "Trustfalls" front, check back soon!
The Muse record rocks.
"Unscripted" on HBO is the best new show I have seen.
Extreme Makeover Home Edition makes me cry.
I am putting together a Derby Eve show.
Rock Out!!!
| January 3rd show at Uncle Pleasants |
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| January 20th show at Headliners |
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| wedding, December 11th |
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| recording of "Lost" |
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12.18.04
Well, what a whirlwind week I had. Last Saturday I got married to the love of my life. Over fifty friends and family showed up. The whole experience was overwhelming. The weather in the Florida Keys was stunning. It was quite a shock to come back to Louisville and snow flurries.
I was a blubbering idiot trying to say my vows. My man card was officially taken away from me. Layla held it together pretty well. Me, I was a wreck from the moment I saw her coming through the garden. She was so beautiful that day and every day.
For the record, I am the luckiest man alive. I have the best friends, family and wife.
12.01.04
I started recording a new song in the studio this week. I'll try to post some pictures of the session when I get them. The song is called Lost. Yes, it's the same song that's on Couch Songs. This is going to be the full band rendition. I used the Louisville guys to play on this one. They did such a solid job.
Sometimes I feel kind of guilty when we record. I end up asking the players to do so much less in the studio then I do live. I sometimes wonder if they feel cheated out of notes. My theory is that the less you play the more room for the song to evolve and breath. That's just my thought. So, the whole time we are recording I keep going "yeah, that sounds great, now can we do it simpler". I think that the end results work. Live, it's cool to "Bring the Rock".
This new version of Lost is going to be on a soundtrack for a film called Keep Your Distance.
This next week is going to be BIG for me. I am marrying my best friend Layla. We are going down to the Florida Keys with 50+ friends and family. I feel like the luckiest man alive.
I am now on myspace.com. Come on over and say Hi and spread the good word.
I'll let you know how the whole wedding thing goes.
11.15.04
I've been practicing for the upcoming Big Wheel reunion show. I've
remained friends with all of the BW guys over the years. Scott, who
plays drums for the Peter Searcy Band, played drums for BW. It's been fun
to play the old songs again. It's funny how quickly the songs have come
together. Mike, the bass player, is the MVP. Glenn, Scott and I still
play music, Mike hasn't played bass in years. He, to his credit, is
hanging right in there.
The show on Thanksgiving Eve is going to be a blast. My friends in the
band Ten Months Later are going to start the show. Then the Peter Searcy
Band will play, then Big Wheel. It's a free show with any donations
going to charity.
I've been writing some new songs. I can't decide if I should post some
of them while they're in such early states.
I have an 8 track recorder that I use. It could sound great if I knew
how to use it. I kind of just press buttons and hope for the best. Maybe
I'll put another new song up on the song of the month.
Go see the Incredibles.
Come to the Thanksgiving show
10.13.04
Wow, what can I say about the Rock Boat. Lets see, well first off my
legs are still swaying. That was my first cruise. From what I’ve
been told there’s not another one like it.
I miss seeing the ocean each morning, but man I’m so happy
to be back in my own bed. I also feel like I am going through Icehouse
withdraw. That stuff is an instant hangover.
The nicest part of the trip was Meeting all the people. These are
music fans who have made this their vacation. Their joy for life
and music was fun to be around.
I played outside on the top of the
ships deck. It tried to rain on me but I willed it away. I felt
good about my set. I hope that I made some new fans. Another highlight
was playing cello with Griff from the band Cowboy Mouth. We had
some moments where we really connected.
I could have done without the shakedown from the cops that I got
on my trip into Mexico. I guess that’s almost a right of passage
when south of the border.
Right on, check back soon.
09.26.04
Sorry its been a while. Summer has come and gone. I played a ton
of fun shows this summer. The Orange Peal in Ashville, Gadsden
at Chestnut Station, in the rain on the Louisville waterfront,
they were all great shows. That being said, I think they
will all pale in comparison to my upcoming Rock Boat experience.
The Rock Boat is a Carnival Cruise with bands. I was lucky
enough to be asked to perform. From what I understand it is like
spring break for music fans. I’ll take
lots of pictures and post them.
Make sure you vote this year.
Go see Shawn of the Dead
Lets see, what else, check out the new song
of the month. I just
wrote it. It’s not on any CD but I thought it might be worth
hearing. I based it on something from my life but wrote it from a
female perspective.
Check back soon and I’ll tell you about the whole Rock Boat
thing.
06.08.04
It has been a while sense I posted a journal entry, sorry. Here
is a
quick recap of the latest events.
The Derby show was a smash. I played the show in a full searsucker
suit. I can't remember having ever sweated more.
The turn out was large and all the bands played great.
Layla, my fiance, had knee surgery a month ago so I have been helping
to take care of her. I don't think I would make much of a nurse.
Played in Atlanta with Evan And Jaron. Those guys can sing like birds.
Played three dates with Drivin and Cryin. That was fun, but if I
never
see a drunk frat guy again it will be too soon.
Hello to all the good folks that I met at my Louisville show with
7
Mary 3.
Hello to the bass capital of the world Gadsdon, AL
Hello to my favorite city in Alabama, Birmingham. Thanks goes out
to
WRAX for the support they still show me in there.
Thanks to everyone who has a copy of Couch Songs. Tell the world.
Trust Falls will have its day. I know many of you have a copy that
you
have picked up at my live shows. I hope you like it.
Thanks to the bands that have let me share the stage.
Thanks to the good folks that do the website you are looking at,
Thank
you Rockcentric.
Rich Levy, you are a friend and a life saver. You have changed
my life
in so many ways, all for the better. One day, years from now, we
will
look back on all of this and be very proud. You would think that
I had just won a Grammy by the way I'm going on.
No, I'm just thankful. And to you dear reader, no kidding, thanks
for
taking the time to check out my music (awkward hug, back slap, back
slap).
04.18.04
So here is the skinny on the Kentucky Derby and my Derby Eve show.
Derby always falls on the first Saturday in May. This one just so
happens to fall on the first.
It is an event on par with Mardi Gras, Jazz fest,
Music Midtown, etc.
In other words, many parties, much booze, famous people and good
music.
The Derby truly starts on the Wednesday before with a steamboat
race.
It's a good party, but you might as well watch paint dry. Thursday
is a
parade on Broadway. If you're lucky some low budget celeb will be
the
grand marshal. Friday is Derby Eve and Oaks Day. The Oaks is a race
for
Fillies and the second biggest day at the track. This is a day that
many locals chose to go to Churchill Downs. Friday night is The biggest
party night of Derby and rivals New Years Eve in Louisville. Saturday
is the big race. The track will be packed with 100,000+ people. Some
will be dressed to the nines, while others will be flashing for Girls
Gone Wild. It is a sight to see.
I play on Derby Eve, Friday. The club is called Gerstels and is
an area
of town called St. Matthews. Ask and some one will tell you how to
get there. Louisville is a friendly place, someone will help you.
I will be
playing at 11:30 pm but come out early and stay late for the other
bands.
This will be a great road trip. I'm fired up to play. Come to
Louisville but keep your tops on if there are cameras around.
Click to download this flyer as a PDF
04.12.04
Just got back from the beautiful south. I played in Birmingham and
Jacksonville Alabama. I played the Workplay Theater on the first date.
What a venue. One of the swankest joints I've ever played. Played the
show with Jeff from a band called Adelayda. I sat in with him on cello
which was cool and fun. It was great to get back to Birmingham.
Jacksonville was the next night. Played with Adelayda again. The one
thing I can for sure say about Jacksonville is that it has a lot of
fast food. You're pretty much out of luck if you want real food. They
did have cold beer which was a plus.
Greg Lee played guitar with me. Greg is a king among men. Greg is
going
to be playing my Derby eve show with me in louisville. I would highly
encourage all to come to louisville for this show and then go to
the
Kentucky derby the next day. If you haven't been you're missing out.
Bring on the Spring!
03.18.04
Once again I braved the north in winter. I survived to emerge
a better man. Wow, that sure sounds dramatic. Detroit was a great show.
The
sound system at Smalls was fantastic. Playing acoustic can be a real
trick if the PA sucks. It can feel like you're running in a dream.
You
do what you know you should, but nothing seems to respond. The show
in
detroit felt like there was no PA at all. It felt like I was playing
in
a living room to a couple of friends.
Speaking of friends, it was good to see some old ones and make some
new
ones. Paul Kelly brought out a cool collection of music fans. Most
of
them seemed to connect with what I was doing. I sold lots of CDs
after
my show and was able to talk to a lot of people. Lots of Australians
in
the house. Right mate.
I played Chicago the next night. Another good PA led to another
good
show. Once again was able to talk to great people after the show.
The
Double Door was crowded and CDs sold well. The only downfall was
the
stinking valet parking folks who managed to lose my car for an hour.
They can kiss my ass. Nice job guys. They even asked me for ten dollars
when they finally gave me my keys so I could go find my own car.
I
didn't pay. Insert your own volley of curse words you think I might
have issued at 1:30 in the morning on a cold rainy night.
Heading south this week to the Florida Keys! Hope I don't get eaten
by
a shark.
03.12.04
Spring feels like it's trying to do its thing. Mean while, I am
on my
way, once again to the great white north. I play in Detroit "Rock" city
tonight with Paul Kelly. I recorded Could you please.... outside
of Detroit so I am hoping to see lots of old friends. Then I'll make
my way over to Chicago to play at the Double Door. I played Chicago
a bit over a month ago and made some new fans. I hope to
see them at this show.
A good friend of mine named Kim Sampson was hurt in a car accident
almost five months ago. She has been in a coma until recently. She
is
now in a vegetative state. That's still a long way from good but
at
least it is a step in the right direction. She was a huge music fan
and
an angel on top of that. Tonight is a benefit concert for her to
help
pay for medical bills. Her Father was also in the accident and was
injured too. He lost his job but is recovering. I will not be able
to
be there for the show but I will be thinking of her. If anyone wishes
to contribute to help Kim you can send a check to:
Layla Smith
1023 East St. Catherine St.
Louisville, KY 40204
She will see that any money that comes in finds its way to Kim.
See you at the shows, and bring on the spring!
peter
03.01.04
My good friend Rob Pennington got married a little over a week ago. I
reunited an old band of mine for the reception. The band was called Big
Wheel and we released three albums. Rob was a big fan back in the
day. I thought it would be a fun wedding present to give his wife Becca
and him. His reception was more of rock show. Lets just say that there
was no electric slide going. We played five songs. It was an absolute
blast.
Couch Songs came out this week! I had my CD release party at Ear
X-Tacy. I had a great turn out and played a solo acoustic show. I
am so
fired up for people to finally get a chance to here some new material.
There's a lot of my heart in that record.
By the way, the Charleston show was a good time. Bobby Ross who
runs
the Wind Jammer took good care of us. The radio station there (WAVE)
has been playing the song Come Over from the yet to be released
Trust Falls. What a trip to see people singing along. I did a in-store
appearance and met some great people. I love the south. I hope to
get back to Charleston soon! Also, our friends in Deep Field put
on a hell
of a show. Good luck to those guys.

At the CD release party
02.27.04
Well, I'm back from my trip to the great white north. For the record
it was more gray and brown. Just like in Chicago, John Ondrasick's fans
were great. They were so supportive. Opening acts tend to be an after
thought for most people but I didn't get that feeling at all from these
crowds. I hope to do more dates with John.
I flew in to Boston and then flew back to Louisville from New York.
I
was left to figure out a way to get from Boston to New York. The
train
was going to cost about ninety dollars. I was cool with that but
I
still asked around to find a better price. Always ask the bartender.
They tend to be pretty resourceful folks. So, she tells me the "only"
way to get to NY is the "Fung Wah". This ends up being
a Chinese run
bus that does hourly trips between NY and Boston. The kicker is they
charge a grand total of ten dollars for the trip. Wow! I pictured
a bus
with chickens in boxes and me tied down on the roof with the baggage.
I
was wrong. It was clean, as long as you didn't go in the bathroom.
That
was a rookie "Fung Wah " mistake on my behalf. They even
showed what
looked like a pirated copy of "Pirates of the Caribbean" complete
with
chinese subtitles. All this, once again, for ten dollars.
One of my best friends got married this week end. It was a beautiful
wedding. I'll fill you all in on it soon. For all of us in stuck
in the
cold weather, remember that spring is right around the corner.
02.15.04
I played in Chicago last night with Five for Fighting. I was slightly
nervous because I hadn't played an acoustic show in a while. The crowd
was fantastic. They listened. I felt like I made some new fans. John
Ondrasik was great. I'm playing two more shows with him in Boston (tomorrow)
and New York (wednesday). It was frustrating to not have
copies of Couch Songs to sell at yesterday's show. The good news is
that I will have them for the next show.
Speaking of CD's. I hope anyone who has Trust Falls is enjoying
it.
Spread the good word about this website, and be sure to get a copy
of
Couch Songs. That's it, Done, no more sales pitches from me. I'm
just
so fired up for people to hear what I've been working on.
Wish me well on my journeys. I'll fill you in on them when I get
back.
02.08.04
For the past couple of months I've been helping my girlfriend coach a
basketball team.
I've played basketball all my life but had never coached. So I was a
little nervous. As it turned out it was a blast.
I got to know sixteen wonderful, bright, funny, beautiful young women.
They played hard every game and it was a joy to
watch their progress through the season. Layla, my girlfriend, and I
were able to share our love of the game with these
girls and they in turn helped me to see the game in a different light.
I learned as much as they did. These are great kids! Our future is safe
in their hands. Go Zons! Teamwork!
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02.03.04
I
just got back to Louisville from my week end of shows in Atlanta
and Charleston. It felt great to be playing with a band. I end up
playing a lot of solo shows but in my heart I love to make music
with
other people. We had one day to rehearse for these shows. I must
say
that Greg (bass), Mike (guitar) and Sean (drums) did a stellar
job. It was Sean's first time playing with me. He had to learn fifteen
songs and he did.
I'm sick right now which is a real downer. I haven't been sick
in
probably six years. I've got that fever and cold chills kind of thing.
Hopefully it will pass soon. I can't stand sitting still for very
long.
01.27.04
Louisville is cold and snowy
today. I'm looking forward to heading south this weekend. I play
Atlanta on Friday and Charleston SC on Saturday. These will be great
shows and I will see lots of old friends.
The people at Rockcentric have done a great job putting this site
together. If you are here now reading this, welcome! I hope you come
back often. I will try and do my part to keep it fresh and updated.
My acoustic CD called Couch Songs is set to be released Feb. 17th
. You can check out parts of it in the music section of the site.
It's a big departure from my last album. The rock album, Trust Falls,
is getting radio play in Charleston SC and will be released in that
market this week. I'm nervous and excited for them both.
Stay warm.
Peter Searcy
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