Welcome to The Morning Star...
the occasionally updated newsletter of the Peter Mayer Group |
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| Peter Mayer in Johnson City, TN |
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Hello to all of you. Summer is officially here!!!! I know the weather has been hot hot hot out west, and rains have been pouring non stop in some areas. Our hearts go out to all those experiencing severe flooding this year. In Tennessee we've experienced hot muggy July days with non-stop green in the woods where I walk with my two dogs every day.
We just had two fabulous Fourth of July weekend shows, one in Johnson City, TN; followed by a show at the Ritz Carlton Resort in Greensboro, GA, on beautiful Lake Oconee. Thanks to Kalonn and Keith and all our friends and to Chris, Brendan, Zeb and Miles, Beth and Chad, the terrific band and crew that I'm privileged to work with every night.
Brendan and I head out on Saturday for a five-show run to Louisville, KY; a private show, Columbus, OH; and Baltimore, MD. We look forward to seeing you our friends on the road!!
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There is still space available for anyone interested in the trip to India in November with yours truly and a crew of fellow travelers. Here are some of the trip details:
International Partners In Mission's (IPM) Director, Joe Cistone, approached me this year about co-leading an immersion trip to India to visit some of the partner projects that IPM is involved in. My initial response was, with touring and the schedule we have going, I don't think the time is going to work out in our favor. But then a few thoughts crossed my mind: This year marks (believe it or not) the 50th year of my family's return from India. I have wanted to take a trip back, but in all these years I haven't done it, so… if not now, when???
The result of all this thinking sealed my decision to join IPM for a trip to India this year! The outlined dates are November 8th through the 18th. (There might be an adjustment by a day or two on the end date, but this is the proposed time block).
The reason I'm telling you, my friends, about this is that there will be a limited number of openings available for those of you would be interested in joining us on this incredible immersion trip. Obviously, there is information to share and there are plenty of details to get straight, but first the following thoughts:
I'm embarking on this trip because I support the work that IPM does in the world to make a difference! As the years go by, my hope is to be a part of that difference, that two-way street that changes people and the circumstances they live with for the better. The more I travel, the more I see a need to be involved in work that doesn't just target funds for a project, but that works hand-in-hand in partnership to form relationships that build the world from the inside out as a sustainable, peaceful, hopeful and ever better place for our children.
While we will see southern India, the people, the beautiful country, small town and big city, the many varieties of Indian culture, language and cuisine, the purpose of this trip is not simply to sight see but to share a unique window into the lives of people where IPM has project partners and hear the stories - see the lives that are being touched by people working together.
I'm going to bring a guitar, and hope to share some songs along the way, and get a chance to play some music with Indian musicians. You never know what could happen, but I'm confident this will be the trip of a lifetime.
I am well aware that this may not be the trip for just anyone, but, if you are intrigued and want further information on this, there is contact info below and we can start the conversation!!
PM |
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Interested parties should contact:
Alyssa Bovell abovell@ipmconnect.org
Tel: +1.216.932.4082
20 slots are available.
A waiting list after initial 20 slots are filled.
Every potential participant should send a two paragraph summary on why they would like to be part of the Immersion. What motivates them to attend and prior experience with/openness to daily reflections in a shared group setting.
Cost?
The cost of the trip will range between $4500 - $4900, dependent upon airfare & itinerary.
Included in this price is: three meals per day, translators, overnight accommodations, cultural excursions, project donations, and all air and ground transportation.
Not included in the price is: immunizations, medications, mosquito repellent and/or netting, visa charges, snacks, souvenirs, and travel expenses to get to and from airport in the US.
$900 deposit to hold your spot should be mailed to IPM with your two paragraph summary to:
IPM (INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS in MISSION)
3091 Mayfield Road, Suite 320
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 USA |
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"Turn the Table" Interview with Roger Guth
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I've had the chance to do many interviews. People ask questions about this or that music or life on the road. I've always enjoyed talking through these stories, but I thought it would be fun to start a feature in the Morning Star where yours truly gets to interview a friend, a fan, a Little Flock co-worker, or fellow musician -- it could be anyone that offers an insight and a different perspective on the person-to-person gears that turn the days and nights of life into a musical adventure of years. This issue features Q&A with longtime friend, colaborator and bandmate, Roger Guth.
PM: "Tin Roof" is your new album. Many of your fans know you by your first two albums, "Scotch" and "Cowboy Ballet?" This album contains six instrumental pieces…what motivated you to go in this direction?
Roger: It's mostly just wanting to do that kind of music for so long. When we came up with the tunes (Roger came up with initial chord ideas and melody and then he and I got together to work on finishing the songs together) and they started developing, I felt like a project like this could really work. You start to hear it, and you love it. I wasn't seriously planning an album's worth of material until we worked on it. After we got together for the first time, it turned into something real. I started to get the confidence to keep going.
PM: The songs on this album are a more symphonic musical journey, Were they written on piano?
Roger: Yes
PM: What is the process? How do you begin?
Roger: There's an element of fiddling around on the piano, you come up with an idea and say, "cool," then one direction leads to the next. When you arrive at a chord or set of changes you like, you build on that. I didn't pre plan the songs.
PM: What about the complexity of the pieces as a whole for the composers out there who wonder "How does that happen?"
Roger: On New July I had two different parts, I started to wonder what would happen if I put them together.
PM: When Roger and I worked on these pieces, part of my role was to work on some of the seams and transitions between sections, or provide a melody or countermelody behind a chord theme. We talked about the writing relationship that works so effortlessly between us. I'm thankful for that.
What struck me talking to Roger is he reiterated the importance in song writing of getting bits and pieces you like – fall in love with, so that you want to hear them again. But it's more than the cool scraps. The real work is having the ears to choose bits and pieces that serve the songs and stories, where they bring something special to the song as a whole, rather than just to be "a great chord." Roger said, "I have many scraps which are unwritten pieces which will be saved for more songs next time."
PM: Is this composing difficult for you, or easy? Roger did not hesitate for a second.
Roger: Definitely fun, the process, It is pure, like playing with art, It's knowing this tune isn't meant for anyone or anything else but this moment. When I played something I liked I felt like…those chords are bitch, I don't care who likes them. That's the only way you get it to happen like that. Once you have that momentum, amazing things happen.
PM: I want to add for Rog, that I got plenty of calls from him at 10 o'clock at night with ideas about how to better move or realize these songs; so, to all the fun and ease of this process, I want to add that I witnessed much patience, persistence and stubborn determination that made the notes we played turn to music.
PM: Do you have plans to play this music in live performance?
Roger: Yeah, I hope soon.
PM: Roger and I have talked about several options for the not too distant future that would give the musicians involved in the record a chance to play it live.
Your first two albums featured your voice on each song. Do you plan to follow "Tin Roof" with any more vocal albums? I ask this because people on the road ask me and request it.
Roger: Let's just say I don't plan never to do it. I have been thinking more of writing songs as they come, like 'Summer Tan' and then releasing them as singles rather than waiting till I have a whole album.
PM: The recording of "Tin Roof," done in Nashville, but many of the musicians: Jim Mayer, Jay Oliver, Tom Kennedy, Chris Walters, you not only have not worked with for quite a while but they are connections to our beginnings in St. Louis, with the bands PM and Left Lane. Other musicians such as Eric Darken, John Lovell and Mac McAnally currently work with us in Jimmy Buffett's band. What motivated you to reach back and into the future at the same time?
Roger: I wanted to play with Tom Kennedy, Jay, Jim, Eric, Mac, Chris and John and you (PM) because they were the best for this music. Songs like 'The Hougie,' or '#3 'or 'New July' would not have come together the same way without the talents of these players.
If any of you have not had the opportunity to hear this music please take a chance on it. It is beautifully written and performed and is a beautifully recorded work thanks to Chris Stone and Alan Schulman. All of us were happy to be involved in this project! Thanks Rog. PM |
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Jim Mayer, Jay Oliver, Peter Mayer, Roger Guth.
This is the band that made the "PM" record. |
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| Peter and Roger in the studio. |
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| Tom Kennedy licking Jim Mayer's ear, Chris Walters peeing in his pants. |
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The band on Tin Roof, from Left: Chris Walters, Tom Kennedy, Roger Guth, John Lovell, Jim Mayer, Peter Mayer. Jay Oliver is missing as is Mac McAnally and Eric Darken.
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So many of you have told us you are enjoying the Mayer Kirby Mayer album recorded at Meeting of the Minds last year. Thanks for the huge response to a song we wrote for the event. It was born in a happy accident when Scott Kirby, Brendan and I were asked to play the event that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Key West in Spanish is Cayo Hueso, and the Casa Marina Resort is grand central station for the week, so we took a few liberties, put the words in a blender and called the song; "La Casa Cayo Hueso," or "House of Key West." I came up with a melody and some chords, Scott sent a lyric by email of the first couple verses; we sent the song back and forth a few times by email and it was done. The last finishing touches were done just a few hours before our first performance that day in Key West. Thanks to all the folks at Radio Margaritaville for keeping the song on the airwaves and to you friends for requesting it! Here is a link to the demo that Scott and I passed back and forth …still a work in progress.
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July 11 – Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza and Live Music; Worthington, OH . Peter and Brendan Mayer return to Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza and Live Music venue. Join them for a great night of music! Tickets are available online.
July 29 – Blueberry Hill; St. Louis, MO We're back in our hometown! Join us at one of our favorite spots, The Duck Room at Blueberry Hill. Brendan Mayer to open the show, followed by the Peter Mayer Group. Come join us for a night at the inimitable Duck Room, a St. Louis classic. This time we are doing something completely different and will perform the entire "Green Eyed Radio" Album front to back, followed by an array of favorites from over the years. Don't miss this one of a kind performance of Peter Mayer's first solo album featuring the following songs: 'Green Eyed Prelude,' ' All The Tea In China,' ' Shall We Dance,' 'Send Me The Love,' 'In The Meantime,' 'The Onion,' 'Michaelangelo,' 'Under Your Spell,' 'One And One Makes Three,' 'Suzannah,' 'Funny,' 'Blue River,' 'The Green Eyed Radio.' Tickets are available here.
***DVR Alert! Peter will be performing on The Today Show (with Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band) that morning, but will be in hometown St. Louis in plenty of time for the show at Blueberry Hill!***
July 30 – The Mill; Iowa City, IA
We're making our debut at The Mill on July 30th and we hope to see you all there! Joining me on stage is Chris Walters on keyboard, Brendan Mayer on guitar, Zeb Briskovich on bass and Miles Vandiver on drums. Sponsored in part by Isle of Iowa Parrot Head Club. This show is for ages 19 and over.
Tickets are available here.
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Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Benefit Concert for IPM
The Asticou Inn
15 Peabody Drive
Northeast Harbor, Maine 04662
Peter Mayer, lead guitarist & vocalist for Jimmy Buffett
Jim Mayer, bass guitar and Brendan Mayer, guitar & vocals
6:00 Caribbean Party
7:00 Concert
post show meet and greet with the band
or
$150 Caribbean Party & post show meet the band
$50 Concert @ 7pm
OUR MISSION:
IPM (International Partners in Mission) works across borders of faith, culture, and economic circumstance with children, women, and youth to create partnerships that build justice, peace, and hope.
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