Stateside Tickets going fast/More Friends in the PNW
As always, scroll down to see my upcoming dates and gig info for the remaining gigs on Vancouver Island, then onto Montana and Wyoming, Nashville for AmericanaFest!!! Get the info from the links below, check my website, or follow my Bandsintown for even more.
To join my patreon for new music every month and much more, go to patreon.com/jeffplankenhorn
Side note: I am currently looking for an app developer. I have something I have been wanting to try…if you know anyone, please reply to this email with contact info (please only reply if you are/know someone who currently creates and develops apps!).
!!!THE TICKETS FOR STATESIDE AT THE PARAMOUNT CD RELEASE ARE GOING FAST - CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS NOW!!!
More Friends In The PNW
One day in 2017 I was feeling great before a studio session with some incredible musicians and was explaining the story and thoughts behind the song, “Heaven On Earth,” from my 2018 album Sleeping Dogs when my synopsis elicited this response from the iconic Austin drummer for the people Brannen Temple; “Oh, you’re feeling a little more gratitude and a little less attitude.” I love that. Say it to myself all the time. I speak of gratitude often, hopefully not so much that it comes out as anything but sincere.
I work pretty hard, I think I’m a pretty good songwriter and performer (always trying to get better - I’ll never be “done” with that), and I know I am extremely lucky.
But there’s another part to the story…
When I first embarked on my solo career full time in 2016 the late and truly great Louis Meyers had just begun managing me and inquired as to how my “street teams” were in various cities I was planning on visiting to promote my new album SoulSlide.
“What do you mean by street team?”
He said that in every town there would be fans and friends willing to help further my fledgling career; some would come and sell merch for free (or a modest fee they completely deserve). some would bring posters to the club before I got there to promote, and some would just bring a few new folks with them every time I came to town so the word would spread and every show would be better than the last.
I have to say, I really had only a handful of people in any given radius I could even consider and in most “markets” (not my favorite term for places I go to play even though I know, I know — it is a business) I didn’t have 1 fan (at least none that I was aware of).
Over the handful of years I’ve now been beating the pavement, “Oakland to New Orleans,” mostly on my own with a couple guitars and a rental car, I have met people in every single town I go to that devote their time and energy to spreading the word and bringing new friends to my shows. The best word I can use to describe the feeling I get when someone who works 40 hours a week or more and spends their hard earned money coming to hear my music or even more to devote their time and efforts without any thought of reciprocation of any kind is — humbling.
This weekend had two completely different examples of what I’m talking about.
Saturday night I played a house party/house concert in Seattle. I’ve mentioned before how incredible folks are at such events, but this one was extra special. Before, during, and after the show I was surrounded by good people who’s main aim in being there was to enjoy music; my music to be exact. But on top of that I can’t tell you how many people said, “you should be playing The Tractor Tavern,” and, “we want to help with that when you come back through town!” That’s what Louis meant by a “street team.” Followers of not just your music by your career path. Too many people to thank but just a few off the top of my head are Gayle, Phil, Kent, Sandra and Roy, Pam and Susanne, and even Jack for bringing and setting up the PA. Then there was the great audience, and even the not so surprising stimulating morning conversation over coffee. A whole lot of folks I can’t wait to see again.
Sunday was a whole other side of “the business of music” in that the crowd was great but so much of the love and support came from my fellow musicians on the bill and the staff.
The Alberta Rose Theater in Portland, OR is top notch. Stellar. Great sound, great crew, and great audiences. This was my second time here and even though there is no way I could fill a room this size the venue reached out to my agent to have me come once again, the second time in less than a year, to open for someone. Well that someone was none other than Austin legendary songwriter and guitar slinger Ian Moore. Ian will touch you with his words and really make you think, and will melt your face off in the same breath with his guitar and tone for days. His band is comprised of two veteran Austin sidemen, both of which I have played with in various projects over the years (Bobby Perkins and Jan Flemming), and a beyond above average young drummer who often plays with Scrappy Jud Newcomb and in my opinion is most definitely “going places.”
As an opener you just take what you get and try you best to be thankful for the opportunity to get your music in front of an unsuspecting but receptive audience. Ian is so cool he hands them right over to you. After my opening set, at the end of the night he got me up to play with him on the last song of the night. It’s a classic to Austinites called “Blue Sky,” and I brought a little amp and put it off on the corner of the stage so I could plug in my Plank electric lap guitar and wail with him for the closer. He was as gracious as anyone could ask, and he just blows me away every time. Whether I’m up there with him, or offstage enjoying the words, or watching his hands in hopes of copping a lick or two, he and that band kick some real ass.
The middle band was a 5-piece pop-punk group out of Ohio called Indre. Fronted by and energetic, charismatic, powerhouse gal named Maddie they rocked the place before Ian took the stage. Great openers and true professionals, even at what I would consider to be a tender age in the world of rock and roll. The even had a modified school bus to tour in — now that is a real band. They’re out there doing it every night. I loved them and was inspired. I heard everything from The Ramones to No Doubt and even some Depeche Mode in their set. Headed for greatness if I know anything.
But lest I forget the reason I was there in the first place was because the theatre’s main cat-in-charge got in touch with my booking agent Aggie. Before my set I was the last to soundcheck (which is common and sensible) and before I set up that same cat said, “you are a headliner in our book Plank, it won’t be long and we’ll keep having you back until you are.” I’m paraphrasing, but how cool is that?
The sound, lighting, stage, and crew are so easy to work with there. Just a bunch of pros. After my set the sound engineer Sean gave me some very kind and encouraging words I’ll leave out since I’m already starting to feel like this whole essay is one big brag.
I digress…
It’s about how these people, in all their different walks, showed me and the other musicians the respect, professionalism, and even love in some form or another. It was just a two day jaunt down from Van Isle to the states, and as I sit on the Black Ball Ferry with a hundred cars below with three more hours to drive before I get home tonight I’m trying, and it’s not hard at all, to always have “a little more gratitude and a little less attitude.
”
Go back and check out my “Real Friends In Montana” post if you are interested in more on this phenomenon.
Don’t forget to pre-save my new album and check out the new single here (with links to your platform of choice!): https://orcd.co/n2qkbq5
Plank
Texada Island Blues & Roots Festival 2023
Sat, Aug 5 @ 7:00PM
Texada Island Blues & Roots Festival 2023, Gillies Bay, BC
Headlining with power trio!
Waterwheel Park
Tue, Aug 8 @ 7:00PM
Waterwheel Park, Chemainus, BC
Plank with 5 piece band with special guest Nadine Florence!
Private Concert - Metchosin, BC
Fri, Aug 11 @ 7:00PM
Private Concert - Metchosin, BC, Metchosin, BC
Private Concert - Seattle, WA
Sat, Aug 12 @ 7:00PM
Private Concert - Seattle, WA, Seattle, WA
Support for Ian Moore - Alberta Rose Theatre
Sun, Aug 13 @ 8:00PM
Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland, OR
triple bill!
Duncan City Square
Wed, Aug 16 @ 7:30PM
Duncan City Square, Duncan, BC
Free solo performance!
Spirit Square
Fri, Aug 18 @ 7:00PM
Spirit Square, Campbell River, BC
Power trio!
Simms Millenuim Park
Sun, Aug 27 @ 7:00PM
Simms Millenuim Park, Courtenay, BC
Closing out the season! Special guest Nadine Florence
Yellowstone Songwriter Festival 2023
Thu, Sep 7 @ 7:00PM
Yellowstone Songwriter Festival 2023, Cody, WY
Craft Local
Sun, Sep 10 @ 8:00PM
Such a great venue and community
Whitefish Songwriters Festival 2023
Thu, Sep 14 @ 7:00PM
Whitefish Songwriters Festival 2023, Whitefish, MT
Alone At Sea Record Release Show - The Stateside at The Paramount
Sat, Nov 4 @ 8:00PM
Jeff Plankenhorn Alone At Sea Record Release Show at The Stateside at The Paramount, Austin, TX
The Stateside Theater & The Saxon Pub present...
Blue Corn Music recording artist Jeff Plankenhorn’s Austin Record release show for Alone At Sea at The Stateside Theater on November 4th. Jeff will be backed by an all-star Austin band.
His new album, Alone At Sea - will be released worldwide on September 29th (CD, digital, LP) via Blue Corn Music. It was Produced by Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Keb Mo). It features the following singles: “Do A Little Dancing” (July 12th), “Alone at Sea” (Aug 16th), “The Mess” (Sept 6th), “Bluer Skies” (Sept 20th), “Juggling Sand (radio edit)” (Oct 13th), and “Alone At Sea” Spanish & French versions (Nov 1st).