Happy New Year!
I am looking forward to an exciting and fruitful 2010, but before I look ahead I want to recap some of my highlights from 2009. It was a tremendous year, and I could not have done any of it without your support.
The big project of 2009 was writing, recording and raising funds for my next record. THANK YOU to everyone who has been a part of this. We’re almost halfway to our goal, but still have a long way to go! It’s not too late to contribute, and we can’t finish this record without your help. Be a part of it here.
I did more traveling than ever this year and looking forward to more in 2010. Honestly, it is hard to leave and be away from my family, but your support makes it worth it.
So, here we go. What I loved about 2009:
- Two sold out nights at Jammin’ Java in February. The last time I did two nights back to back at Jammin’ Java was a Brindley Brothers show! Immediately after I booked the shows, I found out I was selected for an official showcase at the Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis the night before. (Actually the showcase was after midnight, so it was the same day!) Jess Bennett and I flew down to Memphis and back within 12 hours and made it to the Jammin’ Java shows. Exhausting but what a way to kick off the year!
- Standing room only show at The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage in April. It was honor to play the Kennedy Center. The trio show with Jess Bennett and Todd Wright was by far the most overwhelming response to a live performance I’ve had. You can watch the video here.
- Another two night stand at Jammin’ Java in July. My friend Seth Glier opened one show and Jess Bennett’s band Parliament Hill opened the other.
- Writing with other songwriters. This year I’ve done more writing with other songwriters than ever before and I love it. It gives me the chance to work more on the craft and technique of songwriting, expand my experiences a little bit and use the ideas that may not have a place in my own music. I wrote with Stephen Kellogg, Tim Warren from The Alternate Routes, Nini Camps and others. I’m thrilled with the way the songs have turned out and at least one of the songs on the new record will be a co-write.
- Mountain Stage NewSong Contest in October. I won the Southeast Regional round of the Mountain Stage NewSong competition and competed in the international finals at Mountain Stage in Charleston, WV. Top honors went to Grace Pettis, daughter of Pierce Pettis, one of my favorite contemporary songwriters. Check her out here.
- Fall Tour with Peter Bradley Adams and Rosi Golan. Ended the year with a fun two week tour from Maine to Kentucky with two amazing artists. Working on returning to a lot of these places soon. Started a road food blog here.
And that was 2009!
I’m spending the next month home in Virginia, doing a few house concerts, writing and recording for my 2010 release. But I already have some cool things lined up for this year.
Coming up in 2010:
- Preview Release in February. I’m going to be releasing a few of the songs from the new record in early February. Stay tuned!
- A visit to the UK in February. I’ve heard great things about the music scene in London for so long so I’m heading over there the last week in February to play a few shows.
- The Barns at Wolf Trap on April 22. My first headlining show at this amazing, acoustically-perfect room. This is the largest room I headline so I need you all in the audience (with all of your friends). Tickets are on sale now. If all goes according to plan, this will be the local record release show!
- Spring Tour. We’re still planning the record release tour for this Spring. Keep an eye on http://lukebrindley.com/shows for dates.
Peace!
Luke.
