document.write('\x3cmeta http-equiv=\x22x-dns-prefetch-control\x22 content=\x22off\x22/\x3e\x3col class=\x22tumblr_posts\x22\x3e\x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eLive in Lexington\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eOriginally recorded on July 11, 2008, \x3cem\x3eLive in Lexington, Under the Copper Beech\x3c/em\x3e, was officially released on August 30, 2011. This is the band\u2019s second live disc and gives a big nod to the fact that first and foremost, the \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_awards.html\x22\x3emyriad awards we have won\x3c/a\x3e for our studio recordings not withstanding, we truly consider ourselves a live band.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsicoqzG191qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eLive music, over time, tends to have an ebb and flow quality to it. Some days are just killer live shows, other days, while good, might not be great. As a concert attendee myself, the hope is always that the show at hand is going to be special. As a musician, it feels like we go for it every time, and some days just have more going for them. July 11, 2008 had quite a bit going for it:\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eLexington\x3c/strong\x3e. We started playing Friday night shows in Lexington back in 2001. The first show featured John Zevos on mandolin, Arnie Ashford on bass and myself and our artist \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.bobvonelgg.com/index.html\x22\x3eBob von Elgg\x3c/a\x3e on acoustic guitars. 2008 marked the eighth Friday night show in Lexington. The familiarity between audience and band was pretty high by then.\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsjsrpYgmJ1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eSet up at 1875 Mass Ave., Lexington, MA. L to R: Ben Rudnick, E. Rudnick, G. Hakim and K. Gronlund singing Cowgirl Song.\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3cstrong\x3e2000 people\x3c/strong\x3e \u2013 Our first show had quite a good crowd featuring all ages. Young, old, walking, crawling - an eye-opening generational cross section. We realized this was the audience for us. By 2008 our shows had become an event. Given good weather, we\u2019re pretty much guaranteed a crowd on a Friday night in Lexington. In 2008 the estimate was 2000 people on the town green, site of the start of the Revolutionary War. That\u2019s a lot of people who are familiar with us. That many people could make any band feel like the Rolling Stones for an evening.\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsjsg5wVRc1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eThe scene on July 11, 2008 at the Town Green in Lexington, MA\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eDeep Into Summer \x3c/strong\x3e\u2013 Since 2002, the band has been playing around 30+ shows every summer. What this means to us is that the summer brings out the best of BR\x26amp;F. Playing music independently or as a band, is like anything else, if you do it regularly you get better. \x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eMark Yacovone Farewell \x3c/strong\x3e\u2013 Mark and I had played in a previous band together called \x3cem\x3eThe Eds\x3c/em\x3e. One of the highlights of \x3cem\x3eThe Eds \x3c/em\x3ewas that we \x3cem\x3ealmost\x3c/em\x3e got to play with President Clinton on Martha\u2019s Vinyard back in the 90\u2019s. When BR\x26amp;F needed keyboards for the\x3cem\x3e \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_storefront.html#fun\x22\x3eFun \x26amp; Games\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/em\x3e disc circa 2002, Mark was first call and he never left, until July 12, 2008. The day \x3cem\x3eafter\x3c/em\x3e \x3cem\x3eLive in Lexington \x3c/em\x3ewas recorded Mark moved to Mississippi. With Mark leaving we knew we had one more show to enjoy together and we were all intent on making it good. \x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsjslmrijo1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eFrom left to right, Rob Lee, Mark Yacovone, John Zevos and Arnie Ashford\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eRobert M. Lee\x3c/strong\x3e \u2013 Augmenting the BR\x26amp;F quintet was our good friend Rob Lee on saxophones. Rob had been playing with us off and on at big shows and was well versed in the music and how we go about making it, i.e. no set lists, get your two cents in where you can and, above all, pay attention!\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eMulti-tracked Show\x3c/strong\x3e \u2013 There\u2019s always a bit of a charge knowing that you\u2019re trying to get a good recording. We set up to multi-track the show which means that each instrument and voice ends up on its own recorded track. Later, when you go to put it all together, each track can be adjusted for optimal sound quality afterward.\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsjsp5ceAm1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eMulti-tracking means a lot of wires.\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eWith all those points going for it, the recording worked out! We\u2019re pretty tough critics and we feel that \x3cem\x3eLive in Lexington\x3c/em\x3e is an excellent snapshot of the band at that time. A lasting aural memory of a night the band and audience were all flying high!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3e\x3cu\x3eRecording Notes and Track List\x3c/u\x3e\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eAs mentioned, the \x3cem\x3eLive at Lexington\x3c/em\x3e disc was taken from a single show on July 11, 2008. We played two 55-minute sets for a 110-minute performance. The disc is 78:02. Seventy-eight minutes and two seconds is the maximum amount of time you can put on a single CD. 78:03 and you have a problem.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsjtccevlN1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eThe engine: Jared Steer on drums and percussion.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eA word about the songs\u2026 One of the things we do in BR\x26amp;F from our very first show to the one we played the other day, is to pepper our sets with songs which might not commonly be considered \u201ckids music.\u201d Truth be told, we don\u2019t consider \x3cem\x3eany of this\x3c/em\x3e to be \u201ckid\u2019s music.\u201d We look at it all as \x3cem\x3epeople music\x3c/em\x3e. We love the original songs. We love the traditional songs and the cover songs too. It\u2019s all one long song after awhile with variations. We\u2019ve had too much experience with young and old, black, white, open, closed and everything in between to target a minority of the population. It\u2019s \u201call good\u201d as they say.\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsjtg1UoqN1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eSome notable highlights\u2026 the \x3cem\x3eSally Salamander\x26gt;Juicy Black Fly\x3c/em\x3e sequence is how the songs were intended to be played; once\x3cem\x3e Juicy Black Fly\x3c/em\x3e (JBF) was written in response to \x3cem\x3eSally Salamander\x3c/em\x3e. If you go to the \x3cem\x3e\x3ca href=\x22http://benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_storefront.html#blast\x22\x3eBlast Off\x3c/a\x3e \x3c/em\x3e(2004) disc and listen to the beginning of JBF you\u2019ll hear that it begins where \x3cem\x3eSally Salamander \x3c/em\x3eends on \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_storefront.html#fun\x22\x3e\x3cem\x3eFun and Games\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/a\x3e (2002.) This is a real fun sequence to play and I \x3cem\x3ealmost \x3c/em\x3egot all the words just exactly perfect.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eThe \x3cem\x3eMama Don\u2019t \u2018Low\x26gt;Big River \x3c/em\x3esequence was actually \x3cem\x3eMama Don\u2019t \u2018Low\x26gt;M.T.A. \x3c/em\x3eThat is more of what we \x3cem\x3eusually \x3c/em\x3edo but having recorded \x3cem\x3eM.T.A. \x3c/em\x3eon our \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_storefront.html#blast\x22\x3e\x3cem\x3eBlast Off\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/a\x3e disc and our \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_storefront.html#wers\x22\x3e\x3cem\x3eLive at the Playground\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/a\x3e disc, and having limited minutes for the CD, \x3cem\x3eBig River\x3c/em\x3e (right key, right tempo) fit in really well so we just glued it together in the studio. None of the performance was altered, just where it came in the sequence.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e2008 was the first summer that we played \x3cem\x3eWalk of Life\x3c/em\x3e by \x3cem\x3eDire Straits. \x3c/em\x3eIt\u2019s just a great tune that I started working on, managed to get it down and showed the guys the chords before a show. No, not this show! Mark picked up the organ licks on the accordion and we\u2019ve been playing it ever since.\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsjthvuW3f1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eAt the point this was recorded we had already started recording the \x3cem\x3eA Frog Named Sam\x3c/em\x3e disc but it was still eight months away from completion. \x3cem\x3eSam\x3c/em\x3e seems significant enough for things to be Before Sam or After Sam. For me, it\u2019s really fun to hear some of the original songs from the first four studio discs embellished with that jolt of live, in the moment energy.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsjtw2qbJ81qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eYoung fan with guitar.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eLastly\x26#8230; I know I had a few songs I wanted to play on July 11, 2008, to try and get a good version for the recording, I imagine John did too,\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0 \x3c/span\x3ebut generally speaking, we had no set list.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_storefront.html\x22\x3eBen Rudnick and Friends Website Store\x3c/a\x3e - Free shipping!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/live-in-lexington-under-copper/id457953513\x22\x3eITUNES\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/benrudnickandfriends\x22\x3eCDBABY\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.amazon.com/Live-Lexington-Under-Copper-Beech/dp/B005ELP4QA/ref=sr_1_7?s=music\x26amp;ie=UTF8\x26amp;qid=1317687849\x26amp;sr=1-7\x22\x3eAMAZON\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3col\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/mp3-lex/silver_gold.mp3\x22\x3eI Like Silver, I Like Gold\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/mp3-lex/skip.mp3\x22\x3eSkip to My Lou\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/mp3-lex/twisting-low.mp3\x22\x3eTwisting Low\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eHava Nagila\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/mp3-lex/burt.mp3\x22\x3eMy Name is Burt\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eSally Salamander\x26gt;\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3eJuicy Black Fly\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/mp3-lex/mama.mp3\x22\x3eMama Don\u2019t \u2018Low\x26gt;\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/mp3-lex/big_river.mp3\x22\x3eBig River\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eRainy Day\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eCowgirl Song\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/mp3-lex/jambalaya.mp3\x22\x3eJambalaya\x26gt;\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/mp3-lex/hey_good_lookin.mp3\x22\x3eHey Good Lookin\u2019\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/mp3-lex/walk_life.mp3\x22\x3eWalk of Life\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eMonkey and the Engineer\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eCountdown\x26gt;\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eRocket Ship Man\x26gt;\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eI Got A New Friend\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/mp3-lex/spin.mp3\x22\x3eSpin\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eBand Introductions\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eMacaroni \x26amp; Cheese\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eOh Boy!\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eI Need A Hand\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eThanks!\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3eWhen the Saints Go Marching In\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ol\x3e\x3cp\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eA Few Reviews\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cem\x3eThese  are some mega-musically-talented dudes, and their style is really their  own. It\u2019s a fabulous addition to your kiddie music collection for sure.  \x3cbr/\x3e~ \x3ca href=\x22http://www.theopinionatedparent.com/2011/08/13/music-week-ben-rudnick-friends-live-in-lexington-under-the-copper-beech/\x22\x3etheopinionatedparent.com\x3c/a\x3e \u00a0\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cem\x3eThis  live performance album made us feel like we were actually at the concert  while eating our dinner in our own backyard! \u00a0It made me sway my hips  and tap my toes while singing along to the familiar cover songs. \u00a0The  original songs are sure to become family favorites as well. \u00a0Ben \x26amp;  Friends have a very unique and versatile sound covering many genres of  music, which is a perfect way to expose children to various styles of  music. \u00a0This is a very awesome and fun album!\x3cbr/\x3e~\x3ca href=\x22http://www.simple-momreviews.com/2011/08/ben-rudnick-friends-live-in-lexington-under-the-copper-beech-cd-giveaway.html\x22\x3e Simple-MomReviews.com\x3c/a\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cspan\x3eSongs  from their first six recordings, popular favorite cover tunes, and an  amazing undercurrent of energy and vigor, Live in Lexington is a  guitar-and-vocals performance to remember, further enhanced with  additional instruments ranging from the mandolin and drums to the  accordion and even the saxophone. An enthusiastic and energetic  performance, especially recommended for playing during long family car  trips or children\x26#8217;s parties. \x3c/span\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e~ \x3ca href=\x22http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/sep_11.htm#MusicCD\x22\x3eMidwest Book Review\u00a0\u00a0 \x3c/a\x3e\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cem\x3e \x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eSmiling Moon\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3eI often get asked how the band started or more specifically, \u201chow\u2019d you guys meet.\u201d Well\u2026.. (cue dreamy time sequence. Imagine me wearing cloths very similar to the cloths I wear now though I\u2019m probably not wearing a tie-dye.)\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eBefore graduating college, circa 1984, I was offered a job by \x3ca title=\x22DEC\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Equipment_Corporation\x22\x3eDigital Equipment Corporation (DEC)\x3c/a\x3e in Nashua, NH. I was definitely in the wave of computer science majors of that time, although getting a job in 1984 wasn\u2019t quite the slam-dunk it had been just the year before.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eOnce I settled into the work thing (okay \u2013 I never \x3cem\x3ereally\x3c/em\x3e\x3cspan\x3e settled into the office thing) I started looking around for music stores. The one I landed in was Belisle Music in Manchester, NH. I asked if they gave guitar lessons and promptly had a lesson scheduled with \u201cJohn.\u201d The lesson came and I showed up at a small room in the basement of the store. On the wall was an odd, reverse image poster of Jerry Garcia. I had the same poster on my college dorm wall. I said I was looking for John. John said \u201cI\u2019m John.\u201d \x3c/span\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eYou might be able to fill in the blanks from there. The quick of it is we hit it off, figured out that we both attended \x3ca title=\x22Potsdam\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.potsdam.edu/\x22\x3ePotsdam College in Potsdam, NY\x3c/a\x3e (read\u2026 ridiculously out of the way place) and both had an affinity for the same kind of music. The lessons progressed, a friendship ensued and at some point I asked if he and his rock band, \x3ca title=\x22Lichen Link\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://lichen.net/\x22\x3eLichen\x3c/a\x3e, would record some songs with me, as my \x3ca title=\x22The Band Website\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://theband.hiof.no/\x22\x3eBand\x3c/a\x3e, that I had written. John agreed wholeheartedly and at some point we piled into my VW GTI Rabbit (R*E*D \u2013 hello troopers\u2026 another post) and looked around for a recording studio to record in. After visiting several studios, one of which featured \x3cem\x3ethe\x3c/em\x3e\x3cspan\x3e recording machine Michael Jackson used on \x3c/span\x3e\x3cem\x3eThriller,\x3c/em\x3e\x3cspan\x3e we decided to go with Soundlab in Milford, NH, one of whose engineers was, now BR\x26amp;F bassist, Arnie Ashford. The studio was in an old barn and had a nice warm feel to it. \x3c/span\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cimg alt=\x22GTI\x22 src=\x22http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/1984_Volkswagen_VW_Rabbit_GTI_Front_1.jpg\x22 align=\x22middle\x22 height=\x22324\x22 width=\x22480\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eNot MY GTI but that\x26#8217;s what it looked like!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eI practiced two songs with John and Lichen. John said \u201cjust play like you normally would\u201d and they would work off of that.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eI always thought these recordings came out great. Unfortunately with the master tapes gone, the analog cassette to digital is all that remains. I still think it sounds pretty darn good!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cimg alt=\x22Moon Card\x22 src=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/images/smilingMoonCard-300dpi.jpg\x22 align=\x22middle\x22 height=\x22200\x22 width=\x22360\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eAn artifact.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eI\u2019ll post both songs though I figure posting one at a time is probably a good idea. The first song is called \x3cem\x3eSmiling Moon\x3c/em\x3e\x3cspan\x3e. I wrote it probably around 1982 while working for IBM as a college co-op in Kingston, NY. I lived on an old pig-farm. The pigs were gone but there were quite a few rabbits hopping around. I\u2019d take walks on the windy road leaving from the end of the driveway. The highlight of the walk was to be very, very quiet near a certain bend where a very loud and unstable German Shepard lived. The other highlight was a great view of the moon at certain times of the month. \x3c/span\x3e\x3cem\x3eSmiling Moon\x3c/em\x3e\x3cspan\x3e is a time capsule of how I was feeling at that time and of the great work John and Lichen did with the song. John just \x3c/span\x3e\x3cem\x3eshreds\x3c/em\x3e\x3cspan\x3e the solo on a borrowed Strat.\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eI\u2019m thinking we did this around 1987/1988 but I could be off by a few years.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eNote: John and Lichen are still playing regularly and sounding better than ever. \x3ca title=\x22Lichen Link\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://lichen.net/\x22\x3eCheck them out\x3c/a\x3e!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3ePlaying on the tune:\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eBill McLaughlin - drums\x3cbr/\x3eCharlie Windhausen - bass guitar\x3cbr/\x3e\x3ca title=\x22Ben Rudnick Link\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com\x22\x3eBen Rudnick\x3c/a\x3e - acoustic guitar, vocal\x3cbr/\x3eDiane Zevos - keyboard\x3cbr/\x3e\x3ca title=\x22John.\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://johnzevos.com/\x22\x3eJohn Zevos\x3c/a\x3e - electric guitar, backup vocal\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eRecording and mastering was done by Arnie Ashford.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x0a\x3cobject height=\x2281\x22 width=\x22100%\x22\x3e\x0a\x3cparam name=\x22movie\x22 value=\x22http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F16844017%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-oBPr7\x26amp;secret_url=true\x22\x3e\x3cparam name=\x22allowscriptaccess\x22 value=\x22always\x22\x3e\x3cembed allowscriptaccess=\x22always\x22 src=\x22http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F16844017%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-oBPr7\x26amp;secret_url=true\x22 type=\x22application/x-shockwave-flash\x22 height=\x2281\x22 width=\x22100%\x22\x3e\x3c/embed\x3e\x3c/object\x3e\x0a\x3cspan\x3eSmiling Moon by \x3ca href=\x22http://soundcloud.com/ben-rudnick-and-friends\x22\x3eBen Rudnick and Friends\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3ca title=\x22Smiling Moon Download Link\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/audio/Smiling_Moon.mp3\x22\x3eDownload Smiling Moon\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eTenth Anniversary Show Writeup - Yes, It\x26#8217;s About Time\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eWhy\x26#8217;d It Take So Long To Write This?\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22BR\x26amp;F Tenth Anniv. Downloads\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_downloads_TenAnniv.html\x22\x3eListen! Downloads!\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22Photos\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=370059\x26amp;id=45837654347#!/album.php?aid=370059\x26amp;id=45837654347\x26amp;fbid=10150198476524348\x22\x3eSee Photos\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22Email Signup\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001Fn1fHTcb0koj6FUOKQU6yg%3D%3D\x22\x3eSign Up for Email List\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cp\x3eThe Ben Rudnick and Friends\x26#8217; Tenth Anniversary Show is long over you say? Umm\x26#8230; yea, I know. Why am I writing about it now you ask? What took you so long you say? Well\x26#8230;\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhoy42DVe51qbja3m.gif\x22/\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eI know it\x26#8217;s been over four months since we played the show. There are a lot of reasons why this has taken so long. The main reason being, it was a big effort event. Once it was over, it just took awhile to process the ten year line we had drawn, the show itself and what, if anything \x3cem\x3eit meant\x3c/em\x3e, beyond the \x26#8220;how cool and what a great time we had\x26#8221; aspect. Also, immediately after the show, there were more major shows and activities demanding my time. It was easy to let it slip.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eSo why mention it now? Well\x26#8230; the processing has been processed. Photos have been edited. Some recordings have been mixed and it\x26#8217;s just plain been nagging at me. I need to look back and then move on. One Dylan quote, for good or ill, underlies a lot of what I think about: \x26#8220;He who\x26#8217;s not busy being born is busy dying.\x26#8221; I like being born. But, there is also this great Dylan quote: \x26#8220;Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them.\x26#8221; So - here I am. I\x26#8217;m taking care of my memories before starting in earnest on some really cool new stuff.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eThe Players!\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22BR\x26amp;F Tenth Anniv. Downloads\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_downloads_TenAnniv.html\x22\x3eListen! Downloads!\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22Photos\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=370059\x26amp;id=45837654347#!/album.php?aid=370059\x26amp;id=45837654347\x26amp;fbid=10150198476524348\x22\x3eSee More Photos\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22Email Signup\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001Fn1fHTcb0koj6FUOKQU6yg%3D%3D\x22\x3eSign Up for Email List\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cp\x3eThe show was just a hoot. In hindsight, the best thing to come out of it, as it usually is in these situations, is the people you run with. It\x26#8217;s hard to say enough about the BR\x26amp;F core of \x3ca title=\x22John Zevos\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.johnzevos.com/\x22\x3eJohn Zevos\x3c/a\x3e, \x3ca title=\x22Arnie Ashford\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.ashfordaudio.com/\x22\x3eArnie Ashford\x3c/a\x3e and Jared Steer. All have a passion for music and all of them have a lot of things they need to do and can choose to do. It\x26#8217;s just a tremendous compliment to me that they choose to put their effort into BR\x26amp;F. Real effort. With the amount of shows we play it would be easy to fall into a rut but we all take pains to cheerfully not let that happen.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhoyjasEsD1qbja3m.jpg\x22 height=\x22492\x22 width=\x22328\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eBen, John, Arnie and Jared\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eAnd then we added some amazing players.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eFirst to sign on was \x3ca title=\x22Mark Yacovone\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://markyac.com/\x22\x3eMark Yacovone\x3c/a\x3e. Mark spent years with the band playing the piano-to-go (accordion). Story time\u2026 We were on a trip back from New York after playing shows at the \x3ca title=\x22LICM\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.licm.com/\x22\x3eLong Island Children\x26#8217;s Museum.\x3c/a\x3e It was our first real band trip. In the van, in January 2003 and it was snowing. We were generally happy but tired. Ready to be home. Mark starts mimicking Ozzy Osborne. Dead on. \x26#8220;SHAAAAARRRRROOOOONNNNN.\x26#8221; We were in tears laughing so hard. So besides being a great player who\x26#8217;s turned into a phenomenal player, Mark is just a great guy to have around.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhoymdmNn81qbja3m.jpg\x22 height=\x22477\x22 width=\x22358\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eMark Yacovone @ WERS 88.9 FM Studios\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eSome years back, talking 1987 back, traipsing through Europe I met \x3ca title=\x22Sue Smith\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.suesmith.ca/about-sue\x22\x3eSue Smith\x3c/a\x3e. Sue was traveling with her mom and somehow I made her (very unhappy at the moment) mom laugh. Sue and I have been great friends ever since. Sue is a renowned singer and writer who is creative is so many ways. Sue also prodded me to go meet her boyfriend, \x3ca title=\x22Jeff Bird\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://jeffbird.com/\x22\x3eJeff Bird\x3c/a\x3e, who came to Boston with the \x3ca title=\x22Cowboy Junkies\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://latentrecordings.com/cowboyjunkies/\x22\x3eCowboy Junkies\x3c/a\x3e. The Junkies were on their first US tour behind their Trinity Sessions album. At some point they asked me \x26#8220;How long does it take to get to New York City?\x26#8221; These fine people have been \x3cem\x3earound the world\x3c/em\x3e more times than I could ever imagine but at that point they didn\x26#8217;t know how long it took to get to NYC!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhoyq0Tyc51qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eSue Smith\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eAnyway\x26#8230; Jeff is just a great friend who has kindly been on every BR\x26amp;F studio recording and agreed to come play the show. The surprise was that Sue wanted to come too. This is family coming to a big event. This was great!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhoyrgdi5p1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eJeff Bird\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eOne of the first asked, but last to sign on was pedal steel guitar player, \x3ca title=\x22Buddy Cage\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.roadcage.com/\x22\x3eBuddy Cage\x3c/a\x3e. I\x26#8217;ve mentioned Buddy in various emails and posts. Buddy took Jerry Garcia\x26#8217;s seat in the \x3ca title=\x22New Riders\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://thenewriders.com/\x22\x3eNew Riders of the Purple Sage\x3c/a\x3e back in late 1971. When we were recording our \x3ca title=\x22Grace\'s Bell\x22 target=\x22_self\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_storefront.html#grace\x22\x3eGrace\x26#8217;s Bel\x3c/a\x3el album, a couple of songs just screamed PEDAL STEEL so naturally we sought out our favorite pedal steel player. Buddy Cage! When the Tenth Anniversary show was thought up it seemed only natural to try and get Buddy to come. So we asked! Buddy said he\x26#8217;d try. With about three weeks to go he realized he could make it. It was great, great, great to have Buddy around. Even though he recorded on our disc and I spoke to him on the phone, it really isn\x26#8217;t the same as meeting someone and spending time with them. Buddy fit right in with all the good friends around me. A sweeter guy we couldn\x26#8217;t have met.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhoysojgen1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eBuddy Cage\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eWe also had four horn players who couldn\x26#8217;t have been better sports about augmenting what we do. John wrote up the horn charts, oversaw the rehearsals and made the whole Tuba Tune Horn section happen. Kudos to them all. The horn players included Rob Lee on saxophone. Rob plays with BR\x26amp;F semi-irregularly and is all over our \x26#8220;\x3ca title=\x22Santa \x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/santa_claus.html\x22\x3eIt\x26#8217;s Santa Claus\x3c/a\x3e\x26#8221; and \x26#8220;\x3ca title=\x22Sam.\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/index.html\x22\x3eA Frog Named Sam\x3c/a\x3e\x26#8221; discs. On tuba was our good friend \x3ca title=\x22Joe Wright\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.myspace.com/joewrighttuba\x22\x3eJoe Wright\x3c/a\x3e. Trombone was Michael Woodworth and \x3ca title=\x22Jenn Allen\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.jennallenjazz.com/\x22\x3eJenn Allen\x3c/a\x3e on trumpet.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhoyu9Kt0n1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eJoe Wright, Jenn Allen, Michael Woodworth and Rob Lee\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eThe last musician to mention but one of the first people to help me on my way into the music world is Diane Zevos. Diane and John and their band \x3ca title=\x22Lichen\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.lichen.net/\x22\x3eLichen\x3c/a\x3e were kind enough to record some early songs with me around the 1989 time frame. Diane put up with my early guitar ramblings with good cheer, was on the early BR\x26amp;F albums and we play together to this day.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhoyweumzp1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eJohn and Diane Zevos\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eLastly, some friends came from fairly far and wide to share the day with us. \x3ca title=\x22Jim Packard\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.packardcreative.com/\x22\x3eJim Packard\x3c/a\x3e, impresario from the \x3ca title=\x22LICM\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.licm.com/\x22\x3eLong Island Children\u2019s Museum\x3c/a\x3e, made the trip and we even got him to introduce us. Old friends from grade school through college also showed up to help make this a really unforgettable day.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eSo How\x26#8217;d It All Go?\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22BR\x26amp;F Tenth Anniv. Downloads\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_downloads_TenAnniv.html\x22\x3eListen! Downloads!\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22Photos\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=370059\x26amp;id=45837654347#!/album.php?aid=370059\x26amp;id=45837654347\x26amp;fbid=10150198476524348\x22\x3eSee More Photos\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22Email Signup\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001Fn1fHTcb0koj6FUOKQU6yg%3D%3D\x22\x3eSign Up for Email List\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cp\x3eWell it went great! The band locked in \x3cem\x3efast,\x3c/em\x3e which is really no surprise. We\x26#8217;re talking decades of some big time live musical experience here. It was just plain fun. At some point we could sense that the collective was really something special and unique. From the live on the WERS radio warm-up on Saturday afternoon through the show on Sunday, this was exciting and I find group connections such as these really don\x26#8217;t happen once you get a little older. The opportunities just don\x26#8217;t exist as often. Afterward it was also a touch sad. This was a wonderful collection of people and getting them all together was not easy. It really is hard to say if it will ever happen again.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhoz3mWLPy1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eBen Rudnick and Friends: Tenth Anniversary Edition\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eHonestly, the highlight was just getting to present songs near and dear to my heart with this set of people. It\x26#8217;s pretty simple.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eSo, Did It \x3c/strong\x3e\x3cem\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eMean\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/em\x3e\x3cstrong\x3e Anything?\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22BR\x26amp;F Tenth Anniv. Downloads\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_downloads_TenAnniv.html\x22\x3eListen! Downloads!\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22Photos\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=370059\x26amp;id=45837654347#!/album.php?aid=370059\x26amp;id=45837654347\x26amp;fbid=10150198476524348\x22\x3eSee More Photos\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22Email Signup\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001Fn1fHTcb0koj6FUOKQU6yg%3D%3D\x22\x3eSign Up for Email List\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cp\x3eWell\x26#8230; four months gone and it\x26#8217;s really come to mean that I have some really fine people in my world. Besides the folks mentioned above, there is my family, Diane and Emily, who just couldn\u2019t be more supportive. Big-time supportive. Also people you don\u2019t see such as Andy Pinkham at \x3ca title=\x22Andy Pinkham\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://mortalmusic.net/\x22\x3eMortal Music\x3c/a\x3e, Bob von Elgg at \x3ca title=\x22Bob von Elgg\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.bfsp.net/\x22\x3eBigFish SmallPond Design\x3c/a\x3e and publicists \x3ca title=\x22Beth Blenz-Clucas\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.sugarmountainpr.com/\x22\x3eBeth Blenz-Clucas\x3c/a\x3e and \x3ca title=\x22Elizabeth Waldman\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.waldmaniapr.com/\x22\x3eElizabeth Waldman\x3c/a\x3e. I\x26#8217;m glad to have these people in my life and I\x26#8217;m glad they share their energy with me.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eIt also means that a lot of effort has been put into making music and recordings over the last ten years. When we released \x3ca title=\x22Emily Songs\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_storefront.html#emily\x22\x3eEmily Songs\x3c/a\x3e around November of 2000, the term \x3ca title=\x22Kindie Music\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2010/12/the-kindie-music-scene-performing-music-for-kids.html\x22\x3eKindie Music\x3c/a\x3e didn\x26#8217;t even exist. Now making music for kids and families is a fairly competitive business. A lot of people take it incredibly seriously. It is, without a doubt a business. What I\x26#8217;ve learned since the show and during the BR\x26amp;F hiatus in January/February of this year is that I\x26#8217;m glad I make this music. I really like playing music with my friends. I\x26#8217;m really excited to start recording the new songs sitting on my desk. I\x26#8217;m looking forward to playing the really cool shows we have lined up. The business can be a drag but the music, the people I play it with and all the wonderful fans that continually come to hear us play and get as excited as I do, have made me a lucky guy.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22BR\x26amp;F Tenth Anniv. Downloads\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_downloads_TenAnniv.html\x22\x3eListen! Downloads!\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22Photos\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=370059\x26amp;id=45837654347#!/album.php?aid=370059\x26amp;id=45837654347\x26amp;fbid=10150198476524348\x22\x3eSee More Photos\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca title=\x22Email Signup\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001Fn1fHTcb0koj6FUOKQU6yg%3D%3D\x22\x3eSign Up for Email List\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cp\x3e*************************************************************************************\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_video_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_video\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3ciframe width=\x22400\x22 height=\x22300\x22 src=\x22http://www.youtube.com/embed/Xn6sMn9WMfI?wmode=transparent\x26autohide=1\x26egm=0\x26hd=1\x26iv_load_policy=3\x26modestbranding=1\x26rel=0\x26showinfo=0\x26showsearch=0\x22 frameborder=\x220\x22 allowfullscreen\x3e\x3c/iframe\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_caption\x22\x3e\x0a                        \x3cp\x3eTitle track from It\x26#8217;s Santa Claus! - Ben Rudnick and Friends new holiday disc.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                    \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eIt\x26#8217;s Santa Claus!\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpFirst\x22\x3eGreetings Earthlings!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3eIt\u2019s been awhile since I wrote an entry. There has been so much going on in the BR\x26amp;F world that I just couldn\u2019t quite get to this blog. I\u2019m back for the moment.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3eI\u2019ll get straight to the heart of the matter, or the blog entry. We\u2019ve got a new disc. It\u2019s a Christmas/Holiday disc called It\u2019s Santa Claus and it came out great. We put a lot more effort into making the disc than I expected we would though I guess there is no surprise there. We have a history of effort! If you like anything BR\x26amp;F has ever done and you are open to the idea of Christmas/Holiday music, it\u2019s really safe to say you will love this CD.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cimg alt=\x22It\'s Santa Claus CD Cover\x22 src=\x22http://benrudnick.com/santa/santa_claus_cd_cover.jpg\x22 align=\x22middle\x22 height=\x22400\x22 width=\x22400\x22/\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3eThe reviews for It\u2019s Santa Claus have all been wonderful. There is also a short, short window to really get a hold of one of the discs and enjoy it during the season so I hope you make the effort. It\u2019s available from the usual locations, \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps\x26amp;field-keywords=ben+rudnick+it%27s+santa+clau\x26amp;x=0\x26amp;y=0\x22\x3eAmazon.com\x3c/a\x3e, \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/benrudnickfriends\x22\x3ecdBaby.com \x3c/a\x3eand \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/its-santa-claus/id397762500?ign-mpt=uo%3D4\x22\x3eiTunes\x3c/a\x3e as well as some stores in the Boston area I\u2019ll list below. The best place to purchase the disc however, is \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_storefront.html\x22\x3eright on our website\x3c/a\x3e. It\u2019s the cheapest place to get the discs and if you purchase more than one, (3 or 10 specifically) we\u2019ll give you a discount. \x3cem\x3eWe always pick up the shipping on purchases made on our website\x3c/em\x3e, so you save some money there too. \x3cstrong\x3eWe want you to have this CD\x3c/strong\x3e!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eReviews\x3c/strong\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eThere have been quite a few very positive reviews for It\x26#8217;s Santa Claus. Some of my favorite are:\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\u201c\x3cem\x3eThe original song, \x26#8220;It\x26#8217;s Santa Claus\x26#8221; is in a class with Christmas favorites like \x26#8220;Here Comes Santa Claus\x26#8221; and \x26#8220;Frosty the Snowman.\x3c/em\x3e\x26#8221; ~ \x3cem\x3eBob Etier, \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://technorati.com/entertainment/music/article/christmas-is-coming-time-for-its/\x22\x3eTechnorati.com\x3c/a\x3e \x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x26#8220;\x3cem\x3eIt is very hard NOT to sing along with this album and I found that it could easily provoke the holiday mood\x3c/em\x3e. \x26#8220;~ \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/2010/11/ben-rudnick-friends-its-santa-claus.html\x22\x3eTake It From Me\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cem\x3e\u201cLove it! Love it! Love it! The end\x3c/em\x3e.\u201d ~ MommyPerks.com\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x26#8220;\x3cem\x3eWhile never sacrificing intelligence for the sake of entertainment, singer-guitarist Ben Rudnick and his friends live up to their \x26#8220;fun for all\x26#8221; promise for It\x26#8217;s Santa Claus. The New Englanders demonstrate how \x26#8220;Jingle Bell,\x26#8221; \x26#8220;Let It Snow\x26#8221; and six others take on freshness when treated with touches of jazz, rock, rockabilly, folk, Western swing, Tex-Mex and r\x26amp;b.\x3c/em\x3e\x26#8221; ~ Downbeat Magazine\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cimg alt=\x22Santa Disc Image\x22 src=\x22http://benrudnick.com/santa/disc.jpg\x22 height=\x22400\x22 width=\x22400\x22/\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eA Little Back Story\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3eThe disc is new but BR\x26amp;F have been playing Christmas music for years. This coming \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.regenttheatre.com/details/ben_rudnick_and_friends_9th_annual_holiday_extravaganza\x22\x3eDecember 11\x3csup\x3eth\x3c/sup\x3e, we\u2019ll be playing our Ninth Annual Holiday Extravaganza at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA\x3c/a\x3e. Ninth! Back before the first Extravaganza, the Regent Theatre folks were just getting their Family Fun series going and may have asked about a holiday show. Or we might of come up with a date for a December show and I may have thought holiday music would be appropriate. Either way, I\u2019m sure there was a phone call to \u201cand Friend\u201d John Zevos that went something like this\u2026\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3eBen: \u201cHey John, do we do holiday music?\u201d\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3eJohn: \u201cYes.\u201d\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3eThe fact of the matter is the answer is always yes. John and I play in an Irish Music band, Celtic Knot. Most of the gigs of course revolve around St. Patrick\u2019s Day but there have been shows at other times of the year. One summer we loaded Celtic Knot onto a boat steaming around Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. It was a beautiful afternoon, we played maybe two really long sets of music and our legs hurt for days form balancing ourselves while the boat rocked back and forth. It was a memorable and sparkling afternoon.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3eWhether it\u2019s rock, bluegrass, Irish music, Chanukah music, Christmas music or a bit of everything the answer is YES. After eight years of people asking if we had a Christmas CD, the answer is now YES. Not only YES but YES and it\u2019s GREAT.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eMaking It\u2019s Santa Claus\x3c/strong\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eWe had just come back from the great BR\x26amp;F Colorado excursion, played an absolutely memorable show in Medford on July 8\x3csup\x3eth\x3c/sup\x3e and then loaded into our studio of choice, \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://mortalmusic.net/\x22\x3eMortal Music in Charlestown, MA\x3c/a\x3e on the hot morning of Saturday morning July 10\x3csup\x3eth\x3c/sup\x3e. The idea was to record the basic tracks for six tunes and then do the vocals and any overdubs. We burned through the six tunes and even had time for one more tune. John did his vocals on the spot.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3eOver the next six weeks I added my vocals and instrumental overdubs were\x3cspan\x3e \x3c/span\x3ealso added. I added LOTS of guitars. We had Rob Lee do LOTS of saxophones and newest \u201cand Friend\u201d Phil Aiken played some killer organ. We got vintage \u201cand Friend\u201d Jeff Bird (Cowboy Junkies) to drop a harmonica track on Auld Lang Syne. Arnie also came in and did his usual menagerie of vocal harmonies. In the album notes I always make a point of calling out Arnie vocal harmony efforts but you have to understand what a talent he has for this. Using the main vocal as a starting point, Arnie, often with Andy Pinkham\u2019s (BR\x26amp;F disc co-producer) input, will weave harmonies above, below and around making a lush addition to the song. Back on \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_storefront.html#grace\x22\x3eGrace\u2019s Bell\x3c/a\x3e, the title track has three vocal tracks from me and seventeen (or nineteen \u2013 I\u2019m sure Arnie remembers) from Arnie. It\u2019s very impressive. Arnie felt that \u201cLet It Snow\u201d on this new disc was his best effort. Maybe!? I\u2019m partial to Grace\u2019s Bell but it\u2019s a good argument to have.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3eBR\x26amp;F artist extraordinaire, \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://bobvonelgg.com/\x22\x3eBob von Elgg\x3c/a\x3e, pitched in some very appropriate artwork.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eThe Title Track\x3c/strong\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eI wrote the title track, It\u2019s Santa Claus!, earlier in the year. I got inspired from the whole \u201cWho Dat?\u201d thing that came out of the New Orleans Saints being in the Super Bowl. I extended that to be:\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cem\x3e\u201cWho\u2019s that flying way up in the sky\x3c/em\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cem\x3e He\u2019s wearing red, that\u2019s no regular guy\x3c/em\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cem\x3e He\u2019s flying all night and he never gets tired\x3c/em\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cem\x3e He\u2019s waiting all year for just this night \x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cem\x3e He\u2019s got a sled full of toys\x3c/em\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cem\x3e For all the little girls and boys\u201d\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3eAnd it went on from there. The track sounds instantly new and classic at the same time. I can\u2019t tell you what a rush it is to think of something like that and then have it come to fruition. It\u2019s a musical vision that takes the effort of many people to come to be. I appreciate every note.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_storefront.html\x22\x3eSamples of the tracks on the disc can be heard on our website\x3c/a\x3e. \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.myspace.com/benrudnick/music/songs/it-39-s-santa-claus-1-mp3-77114839?actp=n%2b0prKAebczfG13CmB%2fL170xxzjSK8k%2f19igSi%2f1c3vFrKSdG4VwAe0JTCVeV1%2bSoB%2f13%2fDKrqZU%2ff0Wmz1lOpWW%2fM1LHHeI7anWdzUWS7lL9z7wQHXqxR%2bhKKI5uDS4ZUe%2bSolMEZ54w6i4%2fTW4VE%2fVVaOiQ7xMDwN0j%2bErG97t88PwkTXBUMZdRFjdmrcCDNYP0BgYLMBrVqS%2f4fMrk%2fi2ASppEHKckYkgQtRWFDheENbG7ICZ%2bu1a6QC8LSSv8uvJmd5oKQLQxKMmcQXhTQ%3d%3d\x22\x3eThe title track can be heard in full here\x3c/a\x3e.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3eTracks on the disc are:\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eIt\x26#8217;s Santa Claus!\x3c/strong\x3e - 2:16 - \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.myspace.com/benrudnick/music/songs/it-39-s-santa-claus-1-mp3-77114839?actp=n%2b0prKAebczfG13CmB%2fL170xxzjSK8k%2f19igSi%2f1c3vFrKSdG4VwAe0JTCVeV1%2bSoB%2f13%2fDKrqZU%2ff0Wmz1lOpWW%2fM1LHHeI7anWdzUWS7lL9z7wQHXqxR%2bhKKI5uDS4ZUe%2bSolMEZ54w6i4%2fTW4VE%2fVVaOiQ7xMDwN0j%2bErG97t88PwkTXBUMZdRFjdmrcCDNYP0BgYLMBrVqS%2f4fMrk%2fi2ASppEHKckYkgQtRWFDheENbG7ICZ%2bu1a6QC8LSSv8uvJmd5oKQLQxKMmcQXhTQ%3d%3d\x22\x3eplay the song\x3c/a\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cem\x3e(Ben Rudnick - Bartlett Ave. Publishing)\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eJingle Bells\x3c/strong\x3e - 3:16\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cem\x3e(James Pierpont - Traditional)\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eRockin\x26#8217; Around The Christmas Tree\x3c/strong\x3e - 2:47\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cem\x3e(J. Marks - St.Nicholas Music Inc.)\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eLet It Snow\x3c/strong\x3e - 2:01\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cem\x3e(Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn - WB Music Corp,\x3cbr/\x3e Chappell \x26amp; Co.)\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eFrosty The Snowman\x3c/strong\x3e - 2:54\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cem\x3e(S. Nelson, J. Rollins - Chappell \x26amp; Co.)\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eHere Comes Santa Claus\x3c/strong\x3e - 1:58\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cem\x3e(Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman - Gene Autry\u2019s Western Swing Music Publishing Company)\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eAuld Lang Syne\x3c/strong\x3e - 2:46\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cem\x3e(Traditional)\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eGreensleeves\x3c/strong\x3e - 3:40\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cem\x3e(Traditional)\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cem\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://benrudnick.com/santa/back_cover.gif\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eEnd Stuff \x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3eSo there you go \u2013 the It\u2019s Santa Claus story and a commercial all rolled into one. If you know us at all, you know we\u2019re something of a soft sell. If you want our music we think that\u2019s great. If you don\u2019t want it right now, we hope you\u2019ll want it in the future. With It\u2019s Santa Claus!, we hope you want it right now! Tis the season.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eGet It\u2019s Santa Claus Online\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://benrudnick.com/ben_rudnick_storefront.html\x22\x3eBenRudnick.com\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps\x26amp;field-keywords=ben+rudnick+it%27s+santa+clau\x26amp;x=0\x26amp;y=0\x22\x3eAmazon.com\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/benrudnickfriends\x22\x3ecdBaby.com \x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/its-santa-claus/id397762500?ign-mpt=uo%3D4\x22\x3eiTunes\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cp class=\x22MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eGet physical copies in the Boston area:\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.artbeatonline.com/\x22\x3eArt Beat, Arlington, MA\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://henrybear.com/\x22\x3eHenry Bear\u2019s Park Toy Stores\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://wildchildgear.com/store/\x22\x3eWild Child, Arlington, MA\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cp\x3eMostly, we wish you a wonderful holiday season.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eSincerely,\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eBen and the friends.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eNotes From The Summer\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3e\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eAs I say so often \u201c\x3ca title=\x22Sonny and Cher - The Beat Goes On\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umrp1tIBY8Q\x22\x3ethe beat goes on\x3c/a\x3e.\u201d August is winding down, the summer has shown its hand and reluctantly thoughts now bend toward September and what is coming in the near future.\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0 \x3c/span\x3eHere\u2019s a brief look at the summer from the BR\x26amp;F point of view. \x3cspan\x3e\u00a0\x3c/span\x3eI\u2019ll write about the exciting things coming up in the next blog.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eGreat Weather, Great Shows\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \x3c/span\x3eWe had great weather! We had great shows! Okay, for a while it felt like a reality show entitled BR\x26amp;F vs. The Weather.\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0 \x3c/span\x3eThe \u201coutside temp\u201d on my car seemed absolutely fixed on 91\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\u00b0\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e. The sun was always out, we were always in it and it was HOT. Truth be told, when the band was playing, the heat nor the sun bothered me at all. Not one bit. I still find that amazing.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eA couple of shows just stood out as highlights. If you were there, thank you for your good energy directed at us. We may be the engine, but you, dear audience, are certainly what fuels us. The highlight shows for me were:\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3cstrong\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3eWinchester, MA\x3c/strong\x3e \u2013 Fire Station - Friday, June 4\x3csup\x3eth\x3c/sup\x3e \u2013 We showed up for a Friday evening show and set up in front of the main fire station in town to celebrate Winchester\u2019s Town Day. What we got was a large, energetic audience literally dancing in the street. The audience seemed to get more out of us, we got more out of them and we kept on going together. Great fun!\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eMedford, MA\x3c/strong\x3e \u2013 City Hall \u2013 Thursday, July 8\x3csup\x3eth\x3c/sup\x3e \u2013 Just back from Colorado, we got to play in front of the grand City Hall in Medford. We\u2019d been scheduled to play this spot for the two years previous and were convincingly rained out both times. With the sun arching down off to our left, the stately building embracing us, and the flag, high on its pole gently waving, we were ensconced in a beautiful spot in a vintage Massachusetts town. The promoter requested \u201cAmerica The Beautiful\u201d as the last song so the kids could parade waving their flags. Instead John sang \u201cThis Land is Your Land\u201d and it was perfect! \x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cimg alt=\x22Medford, MA\x22 src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l7xbs5u9Bf1qbja3m.jpg\x22 align=\x22middle\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eMedford, MA\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eLexington, MA\x3c/strong\x3e \u2013 Visitor\u2019s Center \u2013 Friday, July 16\x3csup\x3eth\x3c/sup\x3e \u2013 Probably the first summer show we ever played, back in 2001, was the Friday night summer series in Lexington. We had an impressive crowd that first night and it\u2019s only gotten bigger. The good energy generated by all the people filling the green is just unbelievable. We always feel loved there and are more than happy to give it back in music. With the addition of Rob Lee on saxophones and wayward BR\x26amp;F accordion player Mark Yacovone on accordion, this was a rollicking evening of music despite the second set shortened by a storm. \x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l7xbw8dEWQ1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eLexington, MA\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3cstrong\x3ePortsmouth, NH\x3c/strong\x3e \u2013 Prescott Park \u2013 Saturday, July 17\x3csup\x3eth\x3c/sup\x3e \u2013 Prescott Park is \x3cem\x3eanother \x3c/em\x3ebeautiful location we get to play at regularly. This year was extra sweet as Mark Yacovone was visiting the area and was there to play accordion with us. Here is a FLIP video Mark took of the band playing the old Dire Straits song \u201cWalk of Life\u201d from the Portsmouth show.\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3c!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--\x3e\x3c!--[endif]--\x3e\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cobject height=\x22385\x22 width=\x22640\x22\x3e\x0a\x3cparam name=\x22movie\x22 value=\x22http://www.youtube.com/v/Rbfx_ddYA_Q?fs=1\x26amp;hl=en_US\x22\x3e\x3cparam name=\x22allowFullScreen\x22 value=\x22true\x22\x3e\x3cparam name=\x22allowscriptaccess\x22 value=\x22always\x22\x3e\x3cembed src=\x22http://www.youtube.com/v/Rbfx_ddYA_Q?fs=1\x26amp;hl=en_US\x22 type=\x22application/x-shockwave-flash\x22 allowscriptaccess=\x22always\x22 allowfullscreen=\x22true\x22 height=\x22385\x22 width=\x22440\x22\x3e\x3c/embed\x3e\x3c/object\x3e\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eLowell, MA\x3c/strong\x3e \u2013 \x3ca title=\x22Boarding House Park\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.lowellsummermusic.org/page.php?wpage=home/home.htm\x22\x3eBoarding House Park\x3c/a\x3e \u2013 Wednesday, August 4\x3csup\x3eth\x3c/sup\x3e \u2013 It\u2019s a pleasure to play Boarding House Park. The surrounding mills and metal work of the stage are something to see. The audience seemed to be bursting with excitement. This was the first, and to date, only show we\u2019ve ever opened with our song \u201c\x3ca title=\x22A Frog Named Sam\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImF7z7qM3a0\x26amp;NR=1\x26amp;feature=fvwp\x22\x3eA Frog Named Sam\x3c/a\x3e.\u201d Usually we get to it later in the set, but we\u2019d been playing so much at this stretch of summer we were still warmed up from the night before. And once you start with SAM, taking the energy higher is the only option! \x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eNatick, MA\x3c/strong\x3e \u2013 Town Common \u2013 Wednesday, August 11\x3csup\x3eth\x3c/sup\x3e \u2013 This is another \u201crained-out-for years\u201d show. Really\u2026 something like four years we\u2019ve been trying to play on the Natick Town Common. We\u2019ve always had the wonderful fall back of playing at TCAN down the street but finally this year we set up on a beautiful evening, outside in front of the gazebo. We think of Natick as our metro-west home and this was only reinforced by the warm reception we received. \x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e \x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eArlington, MA\x3c/strong\x3e \u2013 Robbins Library \u2013 Thursday, August 12\x3csup\x3eth\x3c/sup\x3e \u2013 The hometown summer show. It could be this was the quintessential show of the year. The surrounding buildings and trees give the feeling of being in a private garden. We\u2019ve played this lovely spot many times now and the familiarity of Arlington, the old friends who have supported us for awhile and the new friends who bring their excitement just make this a fabulous experience.\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l7xc6cMxNM1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eArlington, MA\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eUnder the Radar Highlight Show\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \x3c/span\x3eSo we pull into \x3ca title=\x22Camp Miracles and Magic\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.ronburtontrainingvillage.com/index.cfm?pid=10408\x22\x3eCamp Miracles and Magic\x3c/a\x3e with no real clue as to what we\u2019re getting ourselves into. It turns out \u201cEliot\u201d of \x3ca title=\x22Jordan\'s Furniture\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.jordans.com/\x22\x3eJordan\u2019s Furniture\x3c/a\x3e fame, and his family, have run this camp for the past fourteen years. The campers are children 8-13 years of age who are born with HIV. For one week these kids are bombarded with the coolest activities you can imagine. Trapeze instruction, dance crews, Frisbee demonstrations, concerts, movie making \u2013 I can\u2019t even list them convincingly. We were hired to entertain the kids while the ice cream truck dispensed free ice cream to everyone.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eThe camp takes place at the \x3ca title=\x22Ron Burton Training Village\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.ronburtontrainingvillage.com/index.cfm?pid=10262\x22\x3eRon Burton Training Village \x3c/a\x3ewhose facilities resemble classic Greek structures. We played on the Parthenon! Retired New England Patriot, \x3ca title=\x22Ron Burton, Sr.\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.ronburtontrainingvillage.com/index.cfm?pid=10260\x22\x3eRon Burton, Sr., is an interesting story in his own right\x3c/a\x3e. The coolest thing though, for me, is that Eliot, his wife June and their family literally run the camp with volunteers. Let\u2019s face it, Eliot could write a check and have the whole thing be a great tax write-off. Not the case at all. Eliot is in residence, running the show and has been doing this among other philanthropic work. I\u2019ll tell you \u2013 Eliot is an inspiration to me. I\u2019m proud to be a part of the same species.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eColorado Redux\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \x3c/span\x3eI wrote all about this in a previous blog. Now a solid 6-7 weeks since we\u2019ve been back the trip sort of has a dream like quality to it. We did go and it was amazing! It\u2019s hard to fathom that this summer we\u2019ve played all the local New England shows, have recorded a holiday CD \x3cem\x3eand \x3c/em\x3ewent to Colorado. We\u2019re definitely the hardest working band on my street although \x3ca title=\x22Mike Duke\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.myspace.com/mdsoultwister\x22\x3eMike Duke\x3c/a\x3e might argue that point.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eWrap It Up\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \x3c/span\x3eThat\u2019s the summer to date. I\u2019ll write more about the holiday CD we\u2019ve been working on in an upcoming blog. I\u2019ll also let you know about the excitement building for the \x3ca title=\x22Tenth Anniversary Show\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.regenttheatre.com/events/ff_rudnick.htm\x22\x3eTenth Anniversary Show at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA on October 24\x3csup\x3eth\x3c/sup\x3e.\x3c/a\x3e Good stuff ahead!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \x3c/span\x3eLastly, a disclaimer\u2026 the shows I listed up above are really just some of the highlights. Other shows stand out for various reasons like the Holliston, MA show, finally getting to play in Burlington, MA and all the great people we met there and the Plymouth, NH show. Hot tunes on a hot night in NH and a very kind state trooper who let me \x26#8220;just get home.\x26#8221;\x3c/p\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_video_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_video\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3ciframe width=\x22400\x22 height=\x22320\x22 src=\x22http://www.youtube.com/embed/p0X8tAx55uI?wmode=transparent\x26autohide=1\x26egm=0\x26hd=1\x26iv_load_policy=3\x26modestbranding=1\x26rel=0\x26showinfo=0\x26showsearch=0\x22 frameborder=\x220\x22 allowfullscreen\x3e\x3c/iframe\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_caption\x22\x3e\x0a                        \x3cp\x3eNew Ben Rudnick \x26amp; Friends Video for \x26#8220;Santa Fe\x26#8221; from \x3cem\x3eA Frog Named Sam\x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                    \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eColorado!\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3e\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eSo I get an email from Nicole, someone I\u2019ve never met who lives in Crested Butte, Colorado. The email said, \u201cCome play here.\u201d Nicole had seen our video for \u201c\x3ca title=\x22A Frog Named Sam video\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImF7z7qM3a0\x22\x3eA Frog Named Sam\x3c/a\x3e,\u201d checked out our \x3ca title=\x22Ben Rudnick and Friends Website\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.benrudnick.com\x22\x3ewebsite\x3c/a\x3e and thought her fellow Coloradans would love us. I thought, \u201cOkay, I\u2019ll bite.\u201d After a couple of back and forth emails, weeks of phone calls, another round of phone calls and basically what just has to be considered fortuitous luck, I put together a day of shows for the band in the towns of Loveland and Breckenridge, CO. About six weeks before we were to leave, a couple of shows came in for John and I to play as a duo in Colorado Springs. \x3cem\x3eNow\x3c/em\x3e we had an actual Colorado tour!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l5efkvnm6Q1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eBen Rudnick and Friends at The Riverwalk in Breckendridge, CO\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eI know it was a real tour because I had to book airline reservations, \x3cem\x3erebook\x3c/em\x3e airline reservations with the added shows, choose a rental car that would fit our gear and not cost a fortune, get confirmation numbers for hotel rooms across the state, ship CDs and T-shirts and generally make sure everything was just exactly perfect. I think \x3ca title=\x22Dr. McCoy on Wiki\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_McCoy\x22\x3eDr. McCoy\x3c/a\x3e would say, \u201cI\u2019m a musician not a travel agent!\u201d A strong case could be made that the good Doctor would have been wrong in this instance. With the thick itinerary in hand, I surely felt like a travel agent.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cimg alt=\x22Garden of the Gods\x22 src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l5efhiLjH91qbja3m.jpg\x22 align=\x22middle\x22 height=\x22214\x22 width=\x22302\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eGarden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eSo how\u2019d it go you ask? I\u2019m pleased as punch to say the biggest problem we had was a bit of traffic for the New Hampshire \u201cand Friends\u201d getting to Boston\u2019s Logan Airport on Monday morning. Everything else went as smooth as silk. Not a wrinkle. Logistical highlights included:\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cul\x3e\x3cli\x3e\x3c!--[if !supportLists]--\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c!--[endif]--\x3eGetting the whole band to the airport on time \u2013 always a bonus!\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3c!--[if !supportLists]--\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3eFinding our instruments in Colorado and having them be in one piece \u2013 also a bonus!\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3cli\x3e\x3c!--[if !supportLists]--\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3cspan\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c!--[endif]--\x3eFinishing the show in Loveland, CO at 1:45pm and getting to Breckenridge for our 6:30pm start \u2013 surely a concern.\x3c/li\x3e\x0a\x3c/ul\x3e\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eWith those three small points taken care of everything else was gravy.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cu\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eEverything Else\x3c/strong\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/u\x3eThis really might be all you want to hear, the logistics just seem so much a part of the effort that it\u2019s hard not to mention it. Maybe this section might be considered the good stuff.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eWe had a blast! What we found was that the audiences in Colorado \x3cem\x3ewere\x3c/em\x3e very receptive to our style of music. One of the things we couldn\u2019t help but notice was that they were locked into what we were doing. Solos and musical details were applauded. \x3cspan\x3e\u00a0\x3c/span\x3eThere was clapping along \x3cem\x3egalore\x3c/em\x3e. With the excitement of playing in Colorado, the audience reaction, beautiful theaters, great sound men and general good cheer all around, the shows really couldn\u2019t have gone any better. We were in \x3cem\x3eband-in-a-new-place\x3c/em\x3e heaven.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l5efwx4AkQ1qbja3m.jpg\x22 align=\x22middle\x22 height=\x22280\x22 width=\x22374\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eRocky Mountain National Park and our trusty Chevy Tahoe\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eWhich leads me to the beauty of Colorado. We do have mountains of note here in the Northeast. After years hiking on the Long Trail, I consider Vermont to be my favorite state.\x3cspan\x3e\u00a0 \x3c/span\x3eColorado though is a different thing altogether. I\u2019m not saying I\u2019m bailing on Vermont, but the whole Rocky Mountain way thing is worth the trip. \x3cspan\x3e\u00a0\x3c/span\x3eThe scale is tremendous. The state is like an amusement park for the visual senses. With a couple of days off between shows, John and I had the chance to go through the Rocky Mountain National Park twice. Crossing the boundary into the park I immediately had the impression of a sense of calm. The park felt like a peaceful sanctuary. Beauty unfolded as we wandered through. Another turn, another vista. Names like \u201c\x3ca title=\x22Never Summer Mountains images\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.google.com/images?q=never+summer+mountains\x26amp;oe=utf-8\x26amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official\x26amp;client=firefox-a\x26amp;um=1\x26amp;ie=UTF-8\x26amp;source=univ\x26amp;ei=w8k5TO2yB8GC8gbJo82mBg\x26amp;sa=X\x26amp;oi=image_result_group\x26amp;ct=title\x26amp;resnum=4\x26amp;ved=0CD4QsAQwAw\x22\x3eThe Never Summer Mountains\x3c/a\x3e\u201d evoked a chill and sparked the imagination. Huge elk with racks sat by the side of the road. We saw an antelope. We took our time! For two guys who seem to have an endless amount of projects and things to do, we couldn\u2019t have been more slowed down. The park had us and we really couldn\u2019t have been happier about it.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l5efuaZOOs1qbja3m.jpg\x22 align=\x22middle\x22 height=\x22269\x22 width=\x22359\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e John Zevos and Ben Rudnick in Rocky Mountain National Park\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eBetween park visits we spent one of our off nights at \x3ca title=\x22Stanley Hotel Link\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.stanleyhotel.com/\x22\x3eThe Stanley Hotel in Estes Park\x3c/a\x3e. Opened in 1909 by F.O. Stanley, inventor of the \x3ca title=\x22Stanley Steamer\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Motor_Carriage_Company\x22\x3eStanley Steamer\x3c/a\x3e motor carriage, the hotel is renowned for being about six miles from the national park and is listed as one of America\u2019s most haunted hotels. The hotel was the inspiration for Stephen King\u2019s novel The Shining. The movie plays 24x7 on the TV. We saw nary a ghost and I was okay not running into any of the problems \x3ca title=\x22Honey, I\'m home.\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3631716352/tt0081505\x22\x3eJack Nicholson had in the movie\x3c/a\x3e. He didn\u2019t really handle it well and I\u2019m sure I wouldn\u2019t have done any better.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l5egdfrRA71qbja3m.jpg\x22 align=\x22middle\x22 height=\x22492\x22 width=\x22369\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eRocky Mountain National Park\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eA sure highlight, which I suppose was the most dangerous part of the trip, was getting caught in a storm in the mountains south of Granby, CO. Approaching the mountains, we stopped for gas, merrily ate chocolate and commented on the ruthless bolts of lighting striking the mountains in front of us. \u201cSee that one!\u201d BOOM! \u201cWow!\u201d CRASH! It was all fun and games until we were in the mountains getting pounded. There was walnut sized hail, thunder, lighting and the usual general mayhem of noise that goes along with storms of biblical proportion. Check out the photo below and more \x3ca title=\x22GPS - HAIL.\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=6282716\x26amp;id=45837654347#!/photo.php?pid=6282722\x26amp;id=45837654347\x26amp;fbid=465462984347\x22\x3eon our Facebook page\x3c/a\x3e. The best part was the upcoming switchback turn displayed on the GPS. Once over the mountains with the storm behind us, the temperature rose again and the ice on the car from the hail lasted more than a half hour before melting.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l5efr4tSyM1qbja3m.jpg\x22 align=\x22middle\x22 height=\x22240\x22 width=\x22346\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eHAIL, THUNDER, LIGHTNING and the upcoming switchback turn.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eIn Colorado Springs we were told to go see the \x3ca title=\x22Garden of the Gods - wiki\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_the_Gods\x22\x3eGarden of the Gods\x3c/a\x3e, an absolutely breathtaking place. Featured are red rock formations initially (like 300 million years ago) in the earth horizontally but are now pushed-up, vertical and weathered. I won\u2019t even ramble on about it. Check out the photos and go when you can.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l5eg063b0e1qbja3m.jpg\x22 align=\x22middle\x22 height=\x22275\x22 width=\x22367\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eGarden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eLastly, \x3ca title=\x22Pike\'s Peak Wiki.\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pikes_Peak\x22\x3ePike\u2019s Peak\x3c/a\x3e is also not to be missed. At 14,115 feet high, with \x3ca title=\x22Pike\'s Peak Dounuts\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.visitpikespeak.com/freedonut.htm\x22\x3ekiller donuts\x3c/a\x3e at the top, the view was the inspiration for \x3ca title=\x22KLB\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://womenshistory.about.com/od/writers19th/p/katharine_bates.htm\x22\x3eKatharine Lee Bates\x3c/a\x3e poem \u201cAmerica The Beautiful.\u201d Born in Falmouth, MA, educated and teaching English Literature at Wellesley College, Katharine was spending the summer of 1893 in Colorado Springs when she took the three day round trip to and from Pike\u2019s Peak by wagon and mule. Katharine said:\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cblockquote\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\u201c\x3cem\x3eOne day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to 14,000-foot Pike\x26#8217;s Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse\x3c/em\x3e.\u201d\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l5egh26v5o1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3c/a\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eView from Pike\x26#8217;s Peak, CO\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3c/blockquote\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cu\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eIn Hindsight\x3c/strong\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/u\x3eThis was a great trip! We had fun and as traveling musicians there isn\u2019t much that can compare with having new audiences appreciate you. It strengthens the spirit and can provide endless inspiration. For myself, and I think for John too, seeing the beauty of the mountains affirmed what we already knew. We live in a beautiful country and we\u2019re proud to be here witnessing it go by and taking our shot at providing some of the soundtrack. I\u2019m glad we didn\u2019t have to travel by wagon and mule.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eThanks for reading.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3eBen.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3ePS: if you\u2019re ever in Manitou Springs, CO, visit \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://dulcimer.net/store/\x22\x3eThe \x3c/a\x3e\x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://dulcimer.net/store/\x22\x3eDulcimer Shop\x3c/a\x3e. Tell Bud Sr. we say \u201cHello.\u201d\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3ePPS: If you\u2019re ever in Colorado Springs, CO, visit \x3ca target=\x22_blank\x22 href=\x22http://www.rudys.com/default.aspx\x22\x3eRudy\u2019s \x26#8220;Country Store\x26#8221; Bar-B-Q\x3c/a\x3e every chance you get.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22MsoNormal\x22\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l5eg20QO5f1qbja3m.jpg\x22 align=\x22middle\x22 height=\x22358\x22 width=\x22478\x22/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eThe BR\x26amp;F coreTet in Breckenridge, Colorado, June 2010\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3c!--EndFragment--\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eI Get Stuff\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3eOne of the neat things about being an artist of any kind is that work you do affects people in one way or another. Reactions can run the gamut from \x26#8220;love it\x26#8221; to \x26#8220;what was he thinking?\x26#8221;\u00a0 John Lennon\x26#8217;s primal scream therapy on his first solo album for example. Like it? Lift the needle (remember those) and go to the next song? Start screaming along? Or how about Coltrane with his sheets of sound. Listen to his Giant Steps album today and it still initiates a reaction. \x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eI don\x26#8217;t even pretend to put myself in the same category as Lennon or Coltrane. One thing I do know is that they had to make the music they were making. There was no other way for them. Coltrane meant every one of those notes. Lennon put his soul into every one of those screams. The intent is a similarity I can share with them. As we\x26#8217;ve made recordings over the last decade, it has turned into something that I feel like I have to do. Usually one song or another will trigger the need to take the seemingly endless steps that feed the overreaction of making a record you can be proud of. It really is like building a house with all the decisions and choices. Once it\x26#8217;s done, a record is thoroughly unique and people will like it or they won\x26#8217;t. \x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eWhich brings me to the title of this piece, I Get Stuff. I\x26#8217;m thrilled to see the work I do affects people so positively. We play for families! I get stuff from kids! One of the best things about kids is that they\x26#8217;re not going to be nice and say they like something to make you feel good. If a kid says she likes your music and sends you a picture or a note, SHE LIKES YOUR MUSIC! I have to make the music. People like the music. This is working out. \x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eHere is some of the stuff I\x26#8217;ve gotten recently.\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l4h189tblR1qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l4h1a4ZO951qbja3m.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eVote for the best kids\x26#8217; music cd\x26#160;! \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp class=\x22Quote\x22\x3e\u201cOn the title track alone, the funky vocal breakdown is worth the price of admission\u2026.\u201d \x3cspan class=\x22Caption\x22\x3e~ Time Out New York Kids\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22Quote\x22\x3e\x26#8220;\x26#8230;very Widespread Panic-ish or like Phish! I have heard this a billion times and still like it.\x26#8221;\x3cspan class=\x22Caption\x22\x3e ~ Daddy Brad - \x3ca href=\x22http://dadlabscrib.ning.com/video/the-hottest-kid-tunes-of-2009\x22\x3eDaddyLab.Com\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22Quote\x22\x3e\u201cLittle Deadheads! The tracks from the Grateful Dead influenced kiddie jam band are groovy.\u201d \x3cspan class=\x22Caption\x22\x3e~ Parenting Magazine\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22Quote\x22\x3e\x26#8220;If I was allowed only one CD to bring on a 3 hour road trip this would be the one.\x26#8221; \x3cspan class=\x22Caption\x22\x3e~ Mustapha - WHUS, Storrs, CT\x3c/span\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3ca href=\x22http://www.parentsconnect.com/parents-picks/best-parents-picks-kids-music-cd?xrs=pp10-social-badge-parents-picks-kids-music-cd-PRODUCT-ben-rudnick-cd\x26amp;hl=ben-rudnick-cd\x22\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://www.parentsconnect.com/images-pclocal/parentspicks10/nominate-for-rightrail.gif\x22/\x3eFor kids\x26#8217; music cd\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eVote for Ben Rudnick and friends CD, A Frog Named Sam!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eThanks\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a\x3c/ol\x3e');