Monthly Archives: November 2014

Gang,

In other big news …In late breaking news, a list of things that are bad for dogs is making the rounds on the interwebs. Gin is right there near the top. Next to Avocados. So the G&T and guacamole are no longer on the menu, sorry Fido! This, of course, raises questions: was this study funded by the Bourbon Advisory Board? And it leaves open the issue of whether a dry Pino Grigio would be a better choice to go with kibble and Papaya.

We are hereby announcing a Symphony Hall show at 7:30 PM on Sunday, December 28, just in time to make your holiday shopping list! These shows have been so much fun I just couldn’t NOT do another one. They seem to provide an antidote to, and a refuge from, the frantic tail-chasing that seems to consume us every holiday season. “Not just another thing to be returned to the mall,” as one correspondent wrote, “but an experience to be savored.” People come to have a good time – and they do. The Globe called one of my first shows there, “A magical, precious night,” setting a high bar for me, one I hope I’ve cleared every year since.

This year I’m going to shoulder out more stage time for myself. I have a clutch of new songs, incubated over the summer, hatched and ready to fledge. I’d love to introduce them to you, and I thought Symphony Hall would be the perfect place from which to launch them. A mystical song, a western drama, some love songs – we’ll see how they fly.

I’m putting together an extra-special backup band for the occasion, including the astounding vocal trio Red Molly; Monica Rizzio, front-woman for Tripping Lilly, on fiddle; and the prodigiously-talented Grace Kelly on sax. These artists, besides making me sound better than usual, will step out for a song or two (or three) on their own. My stalwart core band — Joe Mennonna on piano and sax, Paul Guzzone on bass and Marshal Rosenberg on percussion — will of course be on stage with me.

The Symphony Hall show will also be the Release Party for the video documentary on me that Todd Kwait and Rob Stegman have been laboring on for the past few years, “Tom Rush- No Regrets.” It’s been shown in various iterations at festivals (it took Best NH Documentary at the NH Film Fest) and screenings around New England, and it’s been tweaked and tucked and is finally final, pressed onto shiny DVDs and ready to go. (It won’t be out in the marketplace until early next year, but you, because you’re special, can get a copy or two online at TomRush.com.

And one more thing: we got a late start announcing the show. I would sure welcome your help if you felt inclined to post any of this on Facebook (or Tumblr – Tweeting is also encouraged) or forward this note on to your buddies. Many thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and be grateful you don’t live in Buffalo!

All the best,

Tom Rush

Quote of the month:

“Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.”

–– Robert A. Heinlein

 

November 7, 2014

Gang,

Problem solved! I mentioned in my last missive that I was shrinking at a rate that, if it kept up apace, would have me disappearing altogether in 350 years. Desperation is the mother of invention (or something like that) and I’ve come up with a plan. If I eat copious amounts of chocolate and gain in girth what I’m losing in height, disaster can be averted. I’ve already begun — it seems to be working.

But there’s a new problem (it always works that way, doesn’t it?). Logic dictates that in 350 years, when my height has been squished down to zero, my waistline will necessarily have been squashed out to infinity. (I will not exist at all vertically, but will be infinite in the horizontal plane, which presents the question — can infinity be the same thing as zero?) This may 1) entail the destruction of the observable universe (hey … I’m sorry, OK?), or 2) nobody will even notice. In any event it will make it damned near impossible to get a seat on an airplane.

We all have plenty of time to get ready, so let’s focus on the near future:

The video documentary on yours truly, “Tom Rush — No Regrets,” is almost ready for release. For those of you in the greater Danbury, CT, area, there will be a screening Friday night, the 7th (tonight), at the Palace Theatre (you know it’s a classy joint because they spell it that way). Curtain’s at 8:00PM, but there’s a complimentary wine and cheese reception in the lobby starting at 7:00. Rob Stegman, the co-director and co-producer, and I will be there for a Q&A session after the movie, and maybe a couple of songs. (I’ll do the songs — Rob doesn’t sing as much as he ought to.)

Thursday the 13th it’s back to CT for the Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk, a great venue with a LOT of history. Built in 1883 and exquisitely renovated, it’s reputedly haunted by a ghost named Vivian. I always dedicate a song to her, just to be on the safe side. Guitar wizard Adrian Legg is also on the bill and I’m hoping he’ll teach me a couple of licks.

Friday, the 14th will be the Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, PA, (also a very classy joint, the spelling notwithstanding). One of my favorite stops; I only get there every few years, so it will be great to catch up with my Pennsylvania buddies.

And Sunday, the 15th I’ll be back at the First Unitarian Church in Brooklyn, NY, an absolutely stunning piece of architecture that also has great acoustics. (And I’ll get to tell my Unitarian joke!)

And we’re ON for Symphony Hall in Boston, Sunday, December 28 — mark your calendars. I’m not quite ready to announce who my guests will be, but I guarantee a night to remember! (Tickets are not yet available)

Thanks for reading. Get your firewood in, or head south.

All the best,

Tom Rush

Link of the month: Doctors Without Borders seems to be one organization that’s addressing the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in an effective way. It’s in all our interests to support them every way we can! http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/