Bill Small: journal

Here's the link to my new blog:
bill's blog

Check it out. Subscribe. Comment. Join in the fun!

Ok ok, I know there hasn't been a new post in here in years. Please accept my apology.

Rest assured that all is well. I'll be launching a new blog and more fun web things this summer. So stay tuned!

Thanks for coming by.

Feel free to read what was going on with me in '06.

Peace - Bill

June.....

I spent the last week of May and the first weekend of June in Key West, FLA playing a ten night stand with my good friend Marcus Eldridge at the Hog's Breath Saloon. Marcus is a great guitar player and has one of those high tenor voices that's just too cool. Not to mention that we always have fun around each other. While playing ten nights in a row is a little grueling, I can't really complain. I spent most of my time riding a bike, swimming and exploring the island. I went on a kayaking, snorkeling trip into the Key West Wildlife Preserve. A six foot nurse shark swam right under me. I'd never done anything like that before. All in all it was a good trip and we'll be back at the end of July with a full band to play for another week.

One of the highlights is that anyone with a high-speed internet connection can watch the bands at the Hog's Breath Saloon. I got emails and calls from friends and family all over the country.

The only sour note is that while I was gone my oldest closest friend passed away. Bodhi. He was a 14 year old Chesapeake Bay / Labrador Retriever mix, and the best $25 I ever spent. He lived a long, good life and passed away peacefully on the floor by the piano. My housemate was with him and gave me the news. I miss my boy, but I couldn't have asked for a better companion for the last 14 years.

What's next? I'm very excited to announce that I'll be playing bass and singing with Walt Wilkins starting this month. Walt is one of my favorite people and his songwriting and singing are downright inspirational. Marcus Eldridge and John Greenberg are playing guitar, so I get to work with 3 of my favorite songwriters! We'll all be singing together and you're likely to hear us all sing a tune of our own. It's shaping up to be a really good band. Come check us out before it gets too crowded!

I'm still working with Karen Mal to finish her new CD and plans are being made to finish mine too. In August I'll have my friend Terry Allen Smith in the studio to work on his debut CD.

Hope to see you at a show soon. Until then.....

Peace.

You are cordially invited to check out my recently recorded half hour podcast on the Austin Connection. I play 4 songs and talk a bit with host Jefferey Glenn Tveraas.
What's a podcast you ask??
Well, it's a fancy name for pre-recorded live internet content. In this case it's much like a radio show. You'll find other fine Austin artists to listen to as well. Just click this link Austin Connection

Send me an email, let me know what you think of the show.

The last week or so was CD release time for some good friends. The Scott George cd that I played on and produced is finally done and Scott threw a really fabulous party to celebrate. I put together the "Just Add Money Band" and we had a good time playing with Scott.

Then I played guitar for my friend Chip Dolan's cd release show at the Saxon Pub. Loads of fun.

Yes I'm still working on the new Bill Small cd. Self production is a new bag for me and I can't go too fast, but much progress has been made and I'm still rockin along.

There's new pics in the photo gallery and there'll be new gig postings coming up.

See y'all out there somewhere......

Hey there. Yes I really am working on a new CD. You may have noticed a lack of gigs posted on the "dates" page and that's why. Keep checking back and I'll let you know when it's coming out. My guess right now is I'll have it available for sale by June.

Notice the new banner with a picture taken by my friend Alan Ray. I'll have some new music posted soon. come on back now, ya hear.

Happy New Year everyone. I hope your holidays were joyful. It's a new year. 2005 was a crazy ride. I don't know anyone who didn't have a interesting if not down right difficult year.

I began the year in Marble Falls working hard to make the Uptown Marble Theater a reality. With that job done I realized that country living is not for me, so by August I was back in Austin. I've become a bass player again working with Debbi Walton. I played a whole mess of duo gigs with Scott Boland and John Greenberg both. I finished a nice recording for my friend Terry Smith. Look for him to be out gigging soon. We almost have the Scott George CD finished, and I am about to start finishing my new CD as well. With any luck you can have one by April.

We rang in the New Year with the Debbi Walton band at the Wilson's ranch up by Bertram. Great fun was had by all and I never knew a hay loft could sound that good! And now the first $100 men show of 2006 will be this week at Donn's Depot. Go to my calendar page for more info.

I wish you health, happiness, peace and prosperity in the coming year and look forward to sharing music with you soon.

I'll be off to visit family in Arizona for Christmas. See you in the new year. May this holiday season bring you joy.

Peace - BS

About a week ago, my dear friends Christine Albert and Chris Gage lent their formidable vocal talent to a couple of tunes for my new album. How freakin lucky am I? They sang on a song that Chris and I wrote together called "I Don't Know For Sure" and also on a song I wrote with Scott George,
"The Next Time". (I know, I know, I have a song on my CD, "Singin", called "Next Time". Not the same tune, sorry if you're confused now.)

Go to my links page and click on the albertandgage link and you can get a copy of their new CD,
"Cry Love".

And speaking of Scott George, his CD project is nearing completion and should be available in early 2006. I'm taking a brief hiatus from concentrated work on my album to finish other projects and get through the holidaze. I am however actively seeking partners to work with me toward the completion of this new CD. Let me know if you're interested.

Yesterday afternoon my dog and friend of almost 12 years, Ajna, passed
away. She had been crippled for sometime and her health had declined
over the past months. I had an appointment with a mobile vet to come to
the house yesterday and evaluate her situation. Most likely we would
have put her down.

So as we waited for the vet, I had her out lying in the sun yesterday
and she passed quietly in the yard, in the sun. It was the perfect way
for her to go, and one last proof of what a great friend she was to me.
(the last thing I wanted to do was put her down)

Many people have asked me about her name. "Ajna" is the Hindu word for
the third eye of enlightenment. I knew that sharing my life with her
would teach me many things. I'm very present to how fast the time goes
and how important it is to be aware of all the people (and other beings
like dogs, cats, etc) that love us and that we love. I was in a class
one time where the instructor said something like, "You're dog doesn't
love you. You're just making that up". Bullshit. Anyone who has loved a
pet knows the unconditional love that they give us and I only hope that
as she lay in the sun yesterday, that Ajna knew that she was loved.

After many tears, and a few laughs at some funny pictures I found, I'm
ok and so is Bodhi. Ajna's probably running her ass off in doggie
heaven and I'm glad she doesn't have to be in her old crippled body
anymore, but I will miss my friend.

Life is short, make it count.

Much Love to You All

I got back from Arizona trip #2 last week. John and I had a great time. Our first stop on the trip was Railroad Blues in Alpine, TX. We had a good show and the people there were warm and welcoming. It was my first time there. Alpine is a cool little town, snuggled up in the foot hills on the way down to Big Bend. We did a spot on the local radio station and had a nice meal at the Holland Hotel. (which is also a brew pub, I highly recommend the Texas Black Gold!) Then we were off to Arizona. One of the things I truly enjoy about traveling with John Greenberg is that he likes good food even more than I do. We discovered Chuy's mexican restaurant in Van Horn on the way out and the way back. John hipped me to 2 of his old fav's in Tucson, Greasy Tony's and The Sausage Deli. Both were awesome, but Greasy Tony's is dear to my New Jersey heart. (try the "trashcan" sandwich) We had a day off with our respective families in Phoenix and then we played the 20th anniversary of the Texaz Grill. If you're in Phoenix and are missing the great state of Texas, this is the place to go. Shiner Bock and chicken fried steak!! We finished off the day with a show at the Rhythm Room. Hans Olsen opened the show and I can't figure out why we weren't opening for him. He was awesome! A light but devout crowd kept us going that Sunday night. After our families went home, they still enjoyed us so much we played all night for 'em. So even with the somewhat grueling 18 hour drive home, new places, good gigs, new fans, good food, who could ask for more?

I'm enjoying being back in Austin for a week in between trips. Thursday I leave for Alpine, TX and then on to Phoenix for some gigs with my buddy John Greenberg. I just came back from a family visit to Arizona, (my parents and one of my sisters live there) and it'll be nice to see them again so soon. Some good Debbi Walton gigs coming up when I get back. Check the calendar, come on out. See you soon!

Ok, playing with Gary Nicholson was freakin cool! Lots-o-fun indeed. He was a total pro and played some nice guitar on my songs. I returned the favor and I'm pretty sure the crowd out at Luckenbach had a good time last Friday night. I know I did.

The very cool guys at Euphonic Audio have been kind enough to make me an endorser of their products. I needed a bass amp and my friend Ben White out in L.A. put me in touch with this company in NJ, Euphonic Audio. Now of course being a Jersey boy myself, it seemed like a good idea to contact them. I now proudly use the Euphonic Audio iAmp800 amplifier and nL210 cabinet. This stuff is amazing! It also sounds great with my acoustic guitar. It's small, light and packs a serious punch. I put a couple photos of me with the rig in my photo gallery and you'll find a link to the company on the links page. If you're a player check them out. So thanks again to Larry and John and of course brother Ben!

A few months back, my friend and partner in musical crime Scott Boland and I played a short show at the Uptown Marble Theater and recorded it. Mostly we did this cause we both love playing on that stage and.... I have the keys. Someday soon I hope to find enough raw material from this and other live recordings to put together a live record.

Go to my music page and you will find a version of my song "Houston". While this my not be the quintessential performance of this song it's a good one and I remember having a good time singing that night. Scott plays some beautiful guitar and we had a very friendly captive audience. Enjoy.

I can't believe it's been so long since I wrote in this thing. Sorry. Can't say it won't happen again but I'll do my best.

Things have been a bit crazy and there's a lot to catch up on. Like for example.....

I MOVED BACK TO AUSTIN!!!!!

Woo Hoo! It's awesome to be home. Marble Falls is great and I have some wonderful friends there and will continue to be a part of that community, but my heart belongs to Austin. The studio is set up and I started work on... that's right, the next Bill Small Album. (yes I still call them albums) I figured it was about time to stop making excuses and start making music. So far so good. I'm looking at a release early next year and will probably be offering some pre-sale opportunities. I'll keep you posted.

I've begun work on the Debbi Walton live record that we recorded last year at the Uptown Marble Theater in Marble Falls. That should be available in November. I've been lucky to also be working on projects with 2 of my best friends, Scott George and Terry Smith, who also happen to be fine singer-songwriters.

Lots of gigs happening lately. Check the calendar page. This Friday I will be playing a set swapping songs with Gary Nicholson. Gary is one of the world's premier songwriters. A longtime collaborator with Delbert McClinton, Gary has had songs recorded by so many Nashville stars I couldn't begin to name them all. I can't wait to do this show. I'll have the best seat in the house!

Sorry I've been absent for awhile. Keep checking back for more news. I'll keep it coming. Hope to see you at a show soon!

Ok, it's safe to report now that Debbi Walton and Sweet Soul Vibe were not chosen as Austin Music Foundation awardees, but worry not. It was a lot of fun and being selected as finalists was an honor. Our Antone's showcase was one hell of a show in case you missed it. So now it's back to business as usual. Check my calendar for upcoming shows. We're working on some special things for this summer. I'll keep you posted. See you soon.

Wow! It's official. Debbi Walton and Sweet Soul Vibe are finalists in the Austin Music Foundation's Incubator Program 2005-2006. Go to my links section and the Austin Music Foundation link for a thorough explanation of the program, but suffice it to say that from 137 applicants we are one of 9 finalists. 3 in each of 3 catagories. Winners in each catagory take part in an 18 month intensive career building program. (ok, that sounds vague, just go to the AMF website and check it out)

Anyway, we'll be performing a showcase live at Antone's on March 5th. I'll post more info on my calendar as I get it. Exciting stuff. Send us all the good vibes....

I just put up some pictures from the Debbi Walton cd release show we did last October. It was the first show at the Uptown Marble Theater. We video/audio recorded so maybe someday you'll get to see/hear some of the show. Until then, dig these pictures taken by Terry Allen Smith

I've finally done it! Some would say "It's about time". Welcome, welcome. Lot's going on right now. I'm playing gigs with Debbi Walton and also some duo gigs with Scott Boland. I even have a solo gig or 2 coming up in Marble Falls. I'll be booking more of these soon. It's getting on time for me to make another record. Hopefully I'll have something new by the end of the year. Come back soon, cause I'll be posting song demos and would love some feed back. If you're not already on my email list, sign up and I'll let you know when I post something.

Of course I'm also busy with the Uptown Marble Theater. You can find out more about that by going to the website in my links section. Actually I need to go work an event there today, so see ya soon...