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Hey Guys -

The Yalaha Country Bakery is really one of my favorite gigs. Yesterday was no exception and, in fact, one of the best ever.

The weather started out brisk - breezy, temp in the 50's, but clear pure blue skies and brilliant sun. But, the cool didn't deter the crowd. Some huddled under blankets or thicker jackets while others simply moved their chairs into the warm sun. We had over 200 in attendance, a great turnout. By midway through the show everyone was very comfortable and basking in the gorgeous weather.

The food at the bakery has the most wonderful people and food anywhere. The morning baked goods and coffee are literally to die for. Around 10:30 the outdoor grill began serving bratwurst, sauer kraut, etc., with German beer or soft drinks - oh man!! Brant & Edith, hosts of the music series, make sure everyone has a good time and pamper the performers.

By all accounts the sound was excellent (I'm no judge because what I hear on stage isn't what is going out through the speakers. But the response was outstanding. I recorded the show (as I most times do) so I'll listen at some point and critique it myself.

A real unexpected surprise was the appearance of some relatives (second cousins) who I hadn't seen in more than 35 years and who did not realize until I got on stage that I was their cousin. We had a lot of fun with that throughout the show.

There are pictures from the show on my MySpace site at www.myspace.com/dougspears and on my yahoo group at http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/dougspearsmusic/

I debuted a new tune, written in an open tuning, called "You Gotta Break Some Stones." Here are the lyrics:

You Gotta Break Some Stones
©2007, Doug Spears

There's tears I've held inside me, tears I should have cried so long ago,
And my heart can grown so heavy, hardened by the things I won't let show,
And there's stains around the edges of my memories that just won't let go.

You gotta break some stones to get the water to flow,
Out of that river runnin' deep below,
Ain't nothin' comes easy if its worth your time,
You're gonna damned sure regret it if you don't even try.

Now there's friends that I have chosen and then there are those friends who've chosen me,
Sometimes the laughter came too easy and sometimes the liquor flowed just a bit too free,
And the good times I thought would surely never end were shorter than they'd seemed.

Bridge:
Old men live on memories while young men live on dreams,
And that river runnin' deep inside is what carries you between.

All the roads I've traveled slowly seem to fade to black and white,
Signs that point in all directions leave me guessing at the wrong and at the right,
But this river flowing deep down inside of me always leads me to the light.

You gotta break some stones to get the water to flow,
From that hidden river runnin' deep below,
Ain't nothin' comes easy if its worth your time,
You're gonna damned sure regret it if you don't even try.

Hope to see you soon!

I love those lyrics, Doug. I'm looking forward to hearing the music.

Thanks Steve - I'm working on getting a good home recording of it done so I can post it on my MySpace site, etc. - let you know when that happens.

Doug

Will we hear it at the BBQ/Bash????

Absolutely! Right before I scarf BBQ!