Postcards from the Funny Farm

In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t played the SandBar or any other venue for several months. My last gig was a while back at the Ponderosa. I played for 20 minutes in front of an audience of 18-20 year olds. It was a good experience as playing live always is. I enjoy playing “Talk to Me,” “People,” “Rockin’ in the Free World,” “Angelyne,” “Day Tripper,” and all the usual set tunes. Since my last gig however I have been occupied with teaching and spending quality time with my two kids. In that time, as many already know, Sarah found out we are pregnant and so we have been doing our “think-tank” planning for when the baby comes in May.

In place of performing music, I have switched gears into teaching music at my school where I teach 3rd grade. I have a guitar class of 9 6th graders and several classes of grades 1-6 to whom I teach music history, theory, and lead in singing. It was phenomenal the last week before Christmas break (which I am enjoying immensely I might add). My 6th graders can form their fingers into position A, D, and E. Next when we resume in January, we’ll be working on playing “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie. I was asked by my Principal to have them perform the song at the next school board meeting in January. I am excited to see my kids up there strumming away. It feels really good at this point in my career to be passing along what I know to the youth.? I don’t consider myself old at 37, but I feel I am passing through the season of life where playing clubs, bars, and coffee houses is not as interesting as it used to be. My wife thinks I should still play at the SandBar, but I am honestly enjoying my work and the extra stuff I am doing with teaching music to the elementary school kids. For now, it’s enough. My dad generously donated several guitars to my after-school classes so I am thrilled to be able to add more kids to the class in January.? My students always ask me to play something for them during each class. They like fun bluegrass stuff like “Under the Double Eagle,” and the catchy tunes I play like Angelyne. I feel like I am passing on influence to these kids that they would never otherwise get.? Ad I said already, it’s a good feeling. Playing in clubs, bars, and coffee-houses may be in my future, but certainly not for a while and for now . . . that’s ok!

To check out my music on MySpace, click below:

myspace.com/damienrileytunes