If you've ever heard of Leinenkugel's Beer, you've heard of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

I live 20 minutes from there, play there, and have been on the brewery tour.

My actual residence is currently in Pleasant Valley, but our address is Eau Claire.

Either way, Megan and I live in the beautiful and welcoming Chippewa Valley where the Chippewa River and the Eau Claire River run into each other... and there are more lakes than Minnesota.

While walking down the bike path along Route 93 one afternoon, I was missing my hometown. As I strolled and admired the beauty around me, a couple strangers walked by and said hello. I've become accustomed to this, even having met a guy wearing a Phil Circle t-shirt, an elderly woman walking with the help of her stroller and having many little conversations about the weather or the smell of the manure spreader on the corn and soybean fields along the path. The folks at The Corner Store all know me by name, several even have my CD.

There's a great quality of life here. On this previously referenced walk, I realized how lucky I am to be here and experience such a wonderful welcome from all that I've met. As the clouds dispersed, I began writing a song in my head and promptly returned home to set it to paper.

YOU CAN LISTEN TO IT AND DOWNLOAD IT FOR FREE HERE ON MY WEBSITE, JUST CLICK HERE.

I want to thank the local music scene for taking me under their wing. There really is great talent here in the likes of Jeff White, Lucas Fischer, John Nielson, Sue Orfield, Dave Power of Meridene, and Evan Middlesworth, who recorded and played the guitar solo and drums on this latest song "Living In The Chippewa Valley."

Thanks to all the fantastic folks who've welcomed Megan and I to this beautiful part of the country.

Here's video from The Volume One Sounds Like Summer Concert Series in Phoenix Park, Eau Claire:

            While perusing my Facebook Fan Page statistics to get some sense of who listens to my music, I found that the two largest groups (sorted by gender) were men in my age group (I’m 45 and thanks if you think I look younger, and yes, my photos are current), and women in the age group of my best friend and life partner Megan (she’s 27). I wondered why this might be. I mean it makes perfect sense that guys my age, many of them long time friends, would enjoy my music. We grew up the same styles that influence me. The younger female crowd is certainly not there because I’m part of the styles they grew up on. I thought that maybe it was do to with Megan being a part of my life, inspiration for many of my songs, and that she shows up in the photos. Are there young women aspiring to her career in modeling, acting and music that look to her for a role model? “How do we get to work in these mediums? How do we get to where she is?” Then it hit me…

            While it’s no doubt a beneficial exercise from a marketing standpoint to understand your audience, I laughed to myself (I do this often, along with having conversations with myself) as I reflected. When did it become so important in the emotionally disconnected world of the web to be popular? Is everybody looking for fame? What happened to fulfillment?

            Needless to say (but here I go anyway), we human beings require affirmation from our friends, family, work associates, fans, and media (if we’re in financial need of them). Well, unless you’re a sociopath or megalomaniac. When I’m having a bad day, full of doubt, full of question as to my human identity and what future I have, Megan always gives me perspective… one of many reasons that I’m marrying her. She’ll remind me that I’ve been very fortunate. I make a living in music—teaching, writing, recording, performing; I’ve received nothing but positive reviews, save a focus group of musicians… we’re all notorious for panning anything but ourselves. How many musicians does it take to change a light bulb? One. He holds the bulb and the world revolves around him.

            I do the same for my sweetheart when she’s on a bad spin out. It’s what we all do for each other. I hope. What is your life truly about? Something to ponder, but I’ll be presumptuous and throw a couple ideas out there. I would start with happiness… we all desire it. But what is it? Another ponderable. So, I’ll go with one thing people seem to miss. You know those days when your boss is a jerk and the day is full of one insurmountable obstacle after another? How about when you’ve been sick for a week with some disgusting pukey and shitty illness? Ever overcome tremendous adversity? I think we’ve all been through all of these things. Ask yourself some questions. How did you feel after it was over? How did it change your perspective on your own life? Did you end up saying, “Enough of this bullshit, I’m going to finally pursue my dream of (place dream here).” And when you find your niche, when you discover the thing that you really can’t stand not to do… here is happiness, even on the crappy days, weeks, month, years. You found fulfillment.

            I had a horrible couple of months earlier this year when I lost five people in as many weeks, while watching several close friends and family also struggle with incredible hardship. I made it through, as always. As I saw myself move past all of this, I went to the studio and recorded a song by Tom Waits that I always felt was a deep reminder of the importance of not slacking off in life, of not being afraid to love, that there is only so much Time to live a valuable life, to create value in life.

            I guess what I’m saying is, who gives a fuck how many fans you have on MySpace, Facebook, Reverbnation, and the like (save your promoter or agent, maybe your pocketbook), remember why we’re here, whatever it is you do.

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and continue with the world of music.

I've been pretty busy teaching, grabbing up more students, booking and promoting, and yes...

practicing.

I've written some new material, worked out many new covers (in my own fashion, as one should), and keep finding new venues willing to bring my unique approach to their stages. By unique, I mean that I'm not a parrot of others' music, even when I cover them. We can always grab a download or CD for that. I make a genuine point of choosing music on the simple (you'd think, but not always) concept, that if it moves you, you make it your own.

Last month, while in Chicago, I played a couple shows, lost my exhaust system and replaced it when I had hoped to be at a Cubs game (guess my car is a Sox fan?). After this, I went to the studio and recorded with George Belle again. This time, we did the classic Tom Waits tune "Time." It occurred to me to do this tune while surfing videos and recalling my college days, when a teacher of mine had me perform it for a school performance. I hope you like it. It's amongst "Da Coverz" here on the site (click the "Music" page) and you can have it for free, for now. In fact, all my covers are currently free.

I kinda pride myself in covering tunes my own way, even as I do end up doing some close to the original. Bottom line? If it moves me, I do it. I could care less if it's a Madonna tune... if it moves me, I do it. Or, in the words of the great American composer Duke Ellington... if it sounds good, it is good.

Hope to see you soon.

Peace.

-Phil

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Glad to see that there's still snow on the ground the week before my birthday. I haven't experienced this since 1979... oh crap, guess this sort of gives you a sense of how freakin' old I am. Ah, well.

Spring has sprung here in my current home of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

I've been busy teaching a whole slew of new students, playing shows here in the lovely Chippewa Valley on a weekly basis, did a fundraiser for scholarships at Eau Claire Music School, and on less cheery notes, lost family and friends in close proximity these last few weeks. These are the times for which we have music... good and bad.

We celebrate all the times in our life through music. So celebrate. See or hear you soon, I hope.

P.S. Happy birthday to my brother Eric yesterday and to the late Bob Circle, were he alive, today.

First off, I hope you'll take a quick look over my last blog here and participate.

Now, on to what's next...

I'd love to have some great big news to end the year about a CD release and tons of radio play, but I've released three CDs in the last 15 months, receive regular play and am still waiting for the dreaded bad review, so I guess I'm par for the course. Am I bragging? Am I living up to the hot air that gives my ole home town it's nickname of The Windy City? Nah... I'm leading into why I'm deeply appreciative for these last 15 months or so, basically 2010 and the lead in to it.

It's been a rough year for a lot of people, the economy being just one source of trouble for folks. From my end of things, the first bit to go is entertainment and extracurriculars. Everyone goes out less and if they were doing anything like take lessons, they drop that, too. Without dropping numbers, suffice it to say that I made quite a bit more money just a few years ago than I do now. Add to these problems, my various health issues and lack of insurance, a move to a new town and the culture shock, it may be that I would be inclined to pitch a bitch about things. Well, I guess I do piss and moan a bit here and there. Ultimately, however, I can look over this year and realize the tremendous good fortune I have. My sweetheart Megan and I have never been on the street. We've been amazed at how life can turn in one's favor just when we wonder how we'll make it.

I honestly don't know how I've made it through life so far. There've been so many times I should've hit the wall and walked away unscathed. I've been offered death sentences and dark predictions and stand alive and strong. I waited twenty years to find the love of my life, my best friend and future wife. I'm smiling as I write this, not pouting or whining. I realize how fortunate a man I am. I would trade nothing and look forward to spending the rest of my life in the creative arts, exploring new ideas, new mediums, new methods, meeting new people, having new experiences.

Every day is a gift, even if it doesn't feel like it. My Dad, Bob Circle put it well and I quote him constantly:

"Son, life is a sonofabitch... if you can live with that, it'll be great."

True dat, Pops.

Hope you all have a fantastic holiday season, and once more, please read the post below this one, too. I'll see you in 2011 and let's all make it historic... individually and worldwide.

Peace

I'm not a huge fan of the holidays for a few reasons, some personal shit I should get over, and one in particular being that we should all be maintaining a spirit of generosity year round. As far as the various religious holidays and the solstice that folks celebrate, go do so! But let's not allow it to become a great big excuse to over shop our credit cards and line our shelves with more stuff we may not need. Love thy neighbor doesn't mean give them another Blue Ray player... try helping them some other way and when they need it. When I get to my little year end run down on here, you're going to read words of the deepest appreciation for all so many have done for me. So, let's start with this idea I have... give something of meaning to someone who needs it and someone who doesn't.

Let me help.

For everyone who sends me proof of a donation they've made to any organization or individual, whether it be in the form of cash or an item of need, whatever the reason, I'll send you a copy of one of my CDs. What's proof entail? You figure it out. Do I care why the cash or item is needed? No. You decided the person or organization was in need and deserved it. Act on it. Is there a minimum? Well, $1 to the local homeless guy is probably pushing it, but $10 certainly wouldn't be.

If this goes well, in that I'm impressed by the results, I'll consider taking it past the holiday season.

Let's see how the gift of music can motivate.

And for those who are looking for basic traditional gifts, I've lowered all my prices on CDBaby.

Send someone to my guest book here and tell them they can have a free mp3 of their choice when they join my list!

Peace, love, music, and here's to the eternal holiday!

Sincerely, Phil

p.s., I encourage others to try this through their own work, in some way. If you do so, tell me about it and I'll spread the word through my various promotions as well.

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Here are some suggestions for donations, if you'd like to support some of my favorites:

American Cancer Society. My Dad passed from it.

Chippewa Valley Free Clinic. I go there, as many here do.

Community Television in Eau Claire. They support the arts. So do you and I.

35 years ago today, The Edmund Fitzgerald sank under 25 foot waves and 85mph winds in Lake Superior, with all 29 hands going down with her. Living, as I do now, in the North Woods, only miles from places mentioned in the song and story, and the homes of many on board, it seems to hit home more than it did when I first heard the story and song when I was ten. Maybe it's the gails I've experienced since then, and even now, who can say.

Thanksgiving will be three months I've resided here. There's so much I like about this north country and her people. There's so much I'm still getting used to. There's so much and many I miss back in Chicago and from the roads traveled all these years.

I've also been visiting doctors way more than I'd like--as if anyone likes it at all--the past year and especially the past two months. Fortunately, I've found the best care here. It must be the cooler air and slower pace--and the Mayo Clinic. Although, I follow up through the free clinic for the $180 prescriptions. A good bedside manner helps more than I thought as these local guys try to get to bottom of what's had me laid up or fighting hard to keep going for much longer than I've admitted to anybody. Let's hope this current round of treatments knocks my health back to where I like it... good, well behaved, easily managed and easily pushed to the extremes that I've always thrived on.

I just worked out a new version (for me) of "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" to perform at Saturday's show in the little town of Bloomer here in the vast and beautiful Chippewa valley. I'm listing upcoming shows below, but please always check my calendar for show dates and their outcomes, and my music page for new downloads. I just put two new ones up in the "Live Covers" section, recorded this last Friday.

"The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down..."

Well, after putting 8000 miles on The Little Blue Honda, covering 31 cities in 21 states, I'm settled into a house just outside Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where I look off the back deck into the north woods. I've made myself available to The Eau Claire Music School, where I'm teaching private lessons and will be conducting an October 10th indie musician's workshop. I'm booked in gigs throughout Wisconsin and am working diligently on the next leg of touring while Megan works on more editing for the many hours of video we gathered on this last tour.

In the meantime, here's a video from Chicago, of me performing a cover from way back.

And visit my music page here and you'll find that I'm regularly adding more music, some for FREE downloads.

I'm also continuing to gather my thoughts and memories of touring and performing to compile a series of writings, some of which will appear on my blog. Maybe a book in the making? Thoughts?

Spread the word! I'm loading today's news blog with links to pages I'm on where you can read and write reviews, find resources if you're a fellow artist, check out other independent music, and more!

Share this page!

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Here's a video provided by The Talent Loop from my show at Betsy's Bar in Austin.

  To support on going independent music and for me to keep providing free downloads. ;)

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I've set up an online store with merchandise other than music--t-shirts, mugs and the like. What I really like about this online store is that it provides you with the ability to customize various aspects of the merchandise. For instance, I've always wanted to provide more colors than black or white with t-shirts, but it's not practical from a budget and storage standpoint. But the site that provides these items manufactures each piece as it's ordered. So, if you want a blue t-shirt instead of black, or would like to change the picture on your beer stein, you can!

You can have a look at the store on my "Buy Stuff" page or just click here.

It'll open in a new window, so you can easily navigate back here.

If you have an idea for a new t-shirt or would like something specific emblazoned on yours, let me know. I'd be happy to design it and place it in the store--got a picture of you and I at my show? Put it on a shirt!

As for the on going saga known as The Little Blue Honda Tour; we've come to a long break. Originally, the plan was to settle in Austin, Texas. Circumstances changed. That's on hold. What is not on hold, however, is going through the countless pictures and videos, as well as written entries about the trip. We hit 31 cities in 21 states, through three time zones, covering a total of 7,949 miles. That's literally the equivalent of driving from Chicago to London and back! All the people we met along the way, all the shows I played, the places we saw and experiences that grew from it all--this makes for one hell of a story and the tricks for cheap travel when touring are vast. I'm in the process of compiling everything to present at an event in Chicago in the next month or so. But never fear! If you aren't in Chicago, we're looking at a live webcast of the event. Not quite as good as the real thing, but it'll get things across.

Remember that your comments are welcome here. Not only do I have this section for the latest news, there's also the blog page that connects to my OpenSalon page directly. Wherever you find me online, I really do welcome the interaction, so give up your opinions--of my music, my stories, a recent blog--it's appreciated.

Here's a map I compiled of The Little Blue Honda Tour-Part One.

Yes, I'm laying in low in the north woods of Wisconsin planning the next chapter of this saga.

We've nearly completed six weeks on the road and are now heading to the North Woods of Wisconsin to make plans for the next leg of the tour. There's tons of video to edit, but the DVD showing the studio process with George Belle during the making of my two recent releases along with live appearances from the March and May tours is complete and available. Here's a highlight reel:

Highlights from Phil Circle In The Loop DVD from Phil Circle on Vimeo.

Watch for the next DVD, The Little Blue Honda Tour!

There will be clips to see on my YouTube and Vimeo sites soon!

Keep coming back here to check out new recordings and find out where I'm playing next.

Thanks!

-Phil

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After shows in Tallahassee, St. Petersburg, Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, and Gainesville, we left Florida for a show in Charleston, SC. Now in Charlottesville, VA--where it was only 75 degrees when we arrived last night--Megan has so adjusted to the insane summer heat of the Deep South that she finds this cold. Not I! This is perfect weather...but not for long. After we visit Monticello (home of Thomas Jefferson), we're dropping in on some family of hers in D.C. and then visiting my old Chicago music friend Matt Baron in Bethesda for a night of jamming. By then, it'll be back in the upper 80's and I'll be suffering. But hey, that's what A/C is for, right?

After a night in Bethesda, MD, we'll be heading to New Jersey where I'll be playing in the Princeton area on Sunday and Monday. Tuesday, we hit Pittsburgh. Wednesday through Saturday, I'm off the grid. Sunday is St. Louis; Monday, Springfield, MO; by Wednesday we'll be in New Mexico for a few days before heading down to Fredericksburg, TX to stay.

Megan and I want to thank everyone who has bought merchandise or sent donations along the way! This has made a difference in getting us from town to town. I've added more information to the music and products pages here on the site and you'll find more of my tunes available on iTunes and a dozen other sites very soon. Have a look at the latest write up from The Gainesville Gazette. I'm really thrilled that the writer Josh Bauer understood completely where I'm coming from and going to.

I look forward to seeing old friends along the road and continuing to make new ones!

ENJOY A VIDEO, THEN READ, YES READ!

As Megan (that'd be my girl) and I enjoy two days without shows, we relax in Palm Beach with my brother Eric and his wife Cindy...two people who are not only family, but folks I actually like hanging with. Go figure! I've also seen old high school friends who moved down here from Chicagoland over the years and made new friends (and fans) at every show. It's been so worth the trip so far!

Next stops include a run to the beach at the ungodly hour of 9am and a boat ride with one of my best buds from back in the day on Tuesday. We're off to the Everglades to take photos of gators. Hell, maybe we can grab one and toss him to the cooler in our backseat for on-the-road chow? We've had fried alligator in two different cities along the way...Nashville at R'ichards Louisiana Cafe and again in Nawlens. We manage to do all this between hours of online promotion, travel and actual live shows!

I have shows the next two nights in Florida and then we leave the state we've spent the most time in so far...Florida in July. Um, yeah, I dunno, I thought it'd be fun to play in 105 degree humid heat on a patio to the point that the new set of strings on my guitar along with my pickup were broken and rusted a day later from the salty sweat pouring from me during the gig. My bro fixed the pickup.

Where to next? Up the coast! Georgia, The Carolinas, all the way to NYC, then across at a slight angle toward the Southwest. Keep following the moves and please spread the word! We're (Megan and I) taking our every dollar earned and handing it over to job creation throughout the country. We've made it this far and intend to make it through the entire trip in order to continue bringing much-needed original independent music to all the needy. You can help relieve people of these poor sad mainstream radio stations for the price of a cup of coffee. Do you really like to hear the same song every day by that artist you used to enjoy? We're here to help. Support this effort in any way you can. Tell everyone! Download or buy the tunes you like on this site or elsewhere (I know it's been pirated and have no issue with it); OR:

Phil Circle Live at the Viaduct Theater from Chicago Acoustic Underground on Vimeo.

First of all, I hope you enjoy the above video from the Haiti Benefit back in March.

Second...the video above seems appropriate in light of a few things...

After two great days in New Orleans, a few things have occurred to me. One, this town is a blast and the people are wonderful. It's also hot, but that doesn't count among the few things. What else? These people are resilient as hell. First, Katrina followed by Gustav (a follow up hurricane), the economy crashes (no one thinks they can afford to travel to a tourist town), now BP decides to take 87 days to plug an oil leak thats dumping 45,000 barrels into the gulf a day, killing the fishing industry for the next six years in the area. I couldn't buy fresh oysters at a restaurant in the French Quarter today! And they'd have cost $6! I settled for fried alligator, which is really tasty and the same price. But the place was empty, as was Bourbon Street...according to a bartender last night. And yet these people remain upbeat and friendly. So, what's the third thing I realized during my stay?

If I can afford to make my way from town to town bringing music to the masses, living on small (if any) pay, tips (from people through my site and at shows), and merchandise and sales (both places, too); so can anyone! I eat, get hotels (hey, Priceline really works!), pay for gas, and have begun adding to my shows a little polite preaching about getting out on the road and spreading even limited amounts of money around. Help out the economy! More than that...give yourself a quality of life. I'm happier and more calm than I've ever been, even as I make my way from town to town wondering whether I'll cover the day after tomorrow.

Wanna support my little musical crusade? Spread the word...please...and thank you.

Ah, the open road...and the expensive hotel rooms...and the cooler of food in the backseat that I live on...except of course when the venue feeds me. Loved the awesome food at Ri'chard's Louisiana Cafe in Nashville! I can't get enough of traveling for shows. I constantly meet new people, catch up with folks I've seen before, and even get surprised by old Chicago acquaintances who happen to be on the road. I hear a lot of, "music on the road must be a tough life, but I bet it's worth it when you're doing what you love." A truism about any work really. I sat last night on a bench in front of a little bar I had just played and an older man came out to join me for a smoke. He drawled on about how life's too short to anything but what you enjoy, and that a bad day doing what you like is better than a good day doing what you don't...and that much more so if you love it. I added with a grin, that I don't know anything but music, so I have little choice. He smiled and laughed through a few missing teeth. "Well," he said, "yer sure good at it boy. Hell, I'd starve if I had to live playin' music, don't have no talent." On his way out later, while I was sitting at the bar with my girl, he slipped me $5 and wished be good luck. Another fan from back in Chicago sent me $20 through PayPal after hearing and picking up my latest material. Every buck counts, of course, and is appreciated!

As I make my way across country sharing music with people in town after town, spending my days in the little blue Honda and nights in cheap hotels, I realize the need for a person to continue down their path. Music has been and remains my road. It's what I know and love. It's all I know. Hearing crowds respond with enthusiasm after a song, I know I've fulfilled my purpose for another day...giving music. I'm honored to be able to.

If you'd like to help us get across country sharing the gift of music, please hit the button below.

Thanks for keeping in touch and follow your love.

Well, we did it! George Belle and I started these two new CDs February 10th and finished up June 22nd!

This is definitely record time for me to finish even one CD, much less two.

We're both quite pleased with the work we've done.

You'll notice when you go to my music page, that the one titled "Da Coverz" is available for FREE DOWNLOADS. If you grab a few tracks...and feel free to share them...also please feel free to make a donation through the button I have attached below. Or, if you just feel like throwing me a tip or helping to pay travel expenses for an independent (aka self-funded) touring musician. Thanks!

Shortly, there will be links to buy downloads of the new originals on the other CD "All That I Am."

In the meantime, you can listen to the songs in their entirety from this site.

Well, it's almost upon us...my departure from Chicago. I've been insanely busy getting things done for the July 7th CD release at Quenchers and preparing to move, and booking my 30 day/25 city tour between July 15th and August 15th. If you'd like to recommend a venue or just live in one of the cities I'll be visiting, I've listed my itinerary below. As always, schedule is subject to change and there's a little wiggle room here and there.

July 15th--Louisville, KY

July 16th--Nashville, TN

July 17th--Memphis, TN

July 18th & 19th--Little Rock, AR

July 20th--Jackson, MS

July 21st & 22nd--New Orleans, LA  (although, there's some chance we may go help clean up BP's mess)

July 23rd through 28th--Various cities in Florida, to include Palm Beach (my brother lives there). Final destinations depend on final bookings, but we're looking in Tallahassee, Tampa, Miami, and thereabouts.

July 29th--Savannah, GA

July 30th--Columbia, SC

July 31st--Raleigh, NC

August 1st--Virginia Beach, VA or thereabouts.

August 2nd--Washington D.C.

August 3rd--New York City

August 4th--Princeton, NJ or thereabouts.

August 5th--Pittsburgh, PA

August 6th--Cleveland, OH or thereabouts.

August 7th--OFF THE GRID

August 8th--St. Louis, MO

August 9th--Springfield, MO

August 10th--Oklahoma City, OK.

August 11th and 12th--OFF THE GRID

August 13th--El Paso, TX

August 14th through 16th--Albuquerque, NM and thereabouts.

From New Mexico, I'll be heading down to Fredericksburg, TX to stay. I'll be within an hour drive to Austin and San Antonio, so I'll be hitting these towns regularly and probably doing some teaching as well as shows there.

It's time for a musical change of pace and Austin will no doubt offer it. Additionally, this move will allow for me to hit the road more freely.

Once again, anyone who lives in one the towns I'm rolling through and has a venue suggestion, please feel to contact me through my Guest Book in the menu up top.

Peace! See you on the road!

well, my latest little tour though Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock, Austin, and Springfield, MO went quite well! As I experience every time I hit the road, I was welcomed by everyone I met and made new friends and expanded on the relationships I already had...both with the venue owners and established acquaintances. We had a great time, the show all went really well, lots of merchandise was sold, and my girl Megan and I have made the final decision to move away from Chicago.

So, now I'm back to work on the final tracks and finishing touches for my CD release. I'm also beginning editing for a DVD and booklet to go with the two CDs I'm putting out...one of covers I enjoy, one of original material, both acoustic. I have two shows left before my departure from Chicago. June 2nd I'll be playing a show at Gallery Cabaret. I've invited three other acoustic acts to join in...Whiskey Bob Taylor, Paper Thick Walls and Ian Leith. We'll be playing in rounds, each of us doing a short set, then moving on, keeping a quick rotation going all evening. Then, July 7th, I'll be releasing my package of CDs, DVD and booklet at Quenchers. For this final show in Chicago, I'll be joined by Lem Roby of Jack Salamander on bass, Marke Lester of Labrador Dali on drums, Barrett Tasky of The Mudflapps on guitar, world famous blues fiddler Ruby Harris, Matt "Matteo" Steinmetz on harmonica, and Bill Corse on keys. The music will run all evening long and when I take breaks, various of these guys will jump on the stage and feature themselves. This way, the music will run without breaks. I chose these two venues for my final Chicago performances because they were two places that I played early in my career and they are two of the last places that really take great care of the acts that play. So, I guess you'd say, I've come Full Circle, ha.

If you'd like to read some samples of material from the booklet that will accompany the CDs, visit my blog page. For samples of some of the videos that will be on my DVD, visit my YouTube page. Both are linked from my site here.

I'll miss Chicago, but it has come to a point for me where I need a slightly less expensive place to live and I'm looking for a lighter life and therefore, a better quality of life for my future wife and myself. We'll be settling in a tourist community in the hill country outside Austin, TX, called Fredericksburg. They have several music venues and of course, Austin is nearby. We found a great little Victorian house there to rent, fully furnished with antiques and nice and roomy. From there, I'll also take up teaching, and several of my Chicago students will continue their lessons with me via Skype. I'm looking forward to the change, and will be back occasionally to visit friends and family in Chicago.

My deepest thanks go out to everyone who has supported my musical efforts over these last twenty years in Chicago, and will keep in solid contact with the many many people who have befriended me. There's a large number of folks I would call family here, and I wish all the very best in their endeavors. And to all the musicians fighting to make a living and keep Chicago a vital music scene, to paraphrase Winston Churchill...never, never, never, never give up!

Peace, Love and Music

-Phil

So, I went into the studio with George Belle to work on an acoustic CD after my last one being a full band effort, and next thing I know, it's looking like it's going to have to be a double CD!

See, our original plan was to record a couple dozen tracks or more and then pick the best. Problem is, we're both very happy with all of the tracks so far and have another 5-10 possible additions. Working with George has been a fantastic experience and he's been kind enough to express to me that this is one the most enjoyable projects he's ever worked on...an engineer of 40 years experience. Maybe that's what's making it go so well. We're having fun. There's no "the clock is ticking" or "time is money" or any such undue pressure. We get together, crack a beer, light a smoke, and discuss at length previous recordings and how they went. We listen to existing tracks and point out to each other various things that either worked well or need to be changed, then I pull out whatever I have on the slate for the day and we get to work. More than a few times, we've been in the studio for 12-16 hours and last Monday I arrived at 2pm, leaving only when my girlfriend arrived with coffee...at 10am. I'm off to the physical therapist today, a week later, because my fingers are still numb.

I've been working at another short tour, heading out the same direction as in March through Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and Texas to return through Oklahoma and Missouri. As dates are confirmed, I'll have them posted here.

My girlfriend Megan and I have been mulling over at length the idea of leaving Chicago. We both have need of specific qualities in any place we call home--widespread arts scene (she's an actor and model), a variety of different kinds of restaurants, easy access to other cities, and a certain kind of political scene.

Any suggestions? Visit my guestbook. Adding yourself to my email list will also gain you free stuff when I send out email notices.

16 songs into the new double CD and planning another short tour for May,

and here I'm coming up on my 44th birthday.

This causes me to reflect on my more than twenty years in music...well, I started music as a wee lad. My first memory is of my Mom (Lilias Circle) teaching me "Battle Hymn of the Republic" at about age four. Why she chose a song of war I dunno. But through music, she taught me lyrics and through lyrics she taught me to read at that young age. I'm grateful. She'll be 82 two weeks to the day after my birthday...I'm April 12th, she's April 26th. Oh, and today is my brother Eric's birthday...old man at 49! ;) Music has always been a part of my life, and yet I intended first to be a visual artist, but was no good at it, followed by a writer. Turns out I was (maybe still am) good at that, but found it too solitary. Stands to reason (or emotion?) that I moved into songwriting without a real thought as to why. It just seemed fun. I suppose that the eclectic nature of my songwriting is a result of my never giving conscious thought to a chosen style when writing a song. And here I am. 44 years after my birth (8 weeks premature in 1966), still wondering what in the fuck I'm doing and why.

Now, after more than two decades as a working musician (3 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 21 in Chicago), I often sit on my couch and wonder if there was something else I shoulda/woulda/coulda done. Answers? No, no, plenty. Allowing yourself to be driven by the love of what you do, regardless of whether you achieve some great level of fame, or income, is far less important than the gratification you get when you look back and smile for having followed your heart.

I have regrets. Anyone who says otherwise is lying to themselves. But my regrets are related to things outside my work as an artist. Certainly, I can say that there were times I might have done differently in my work or should have pushed myself harder or remained more focused. But in the end, I have created freely and honestly and will never regret that. An artist is a communicator and I've never held back. I love teaching, I love creating, I love love love performing!! Music is a very giving artform...all of them are...but this may be the one artform that not a soul on the planet lives without. Even fourth world cultures create and enjoy music. Even people who profess little interest in the musical form would certainly know the difference if the music was removed from the soundtrack of their favorite movie. The whole planet needs this. The whole planet needs to breathe and for their heart to beat. I'm proud to offer even a little.

So here I am, I'm not going away, yes I can do nothing but stay. Hope you enjoy the latest recordings which I'll be uploading immediately after saving this blog. And if you are in Chicago and out and about Saturday, April 10th or Sunday April 11th, I'm playing at Montrose Saloon and Hops and Barley, respectively. Sorry, Monday, my actual birthday, I'll be at the Cubs home opener. My girl Megan bought us tickets vs. The Brewers. She's from Wisconsin. Hat dahgs, get yer freakin hat dahgs!

Well, now that I've finished mixing down six new tunes, all of which are available in the music section of this site, it's time to hit the road for some shows and to visit friends and family.

I'll be doing a little circular tour through Nashville, TN, Little Rock, AR, Fredericksburg, TX, Oklahoma City, OK, and Springfield, MO (where my oldest brother lives). Check my schedule for shows and locations and I hope to see you at one.

I've also set a few songs for free downloads, so have at 'em and feel free to spread them around!

I'll be back in time for St. Patty's Day in Chicago!

I've been back in the studio with engineer and producer George Belle, winner of an Oscar and two-time Grammy nominee. We're working on an acoustic album in his home studio and as new recordings are ready to be heard, you'll find them in the music section of this site.

We'll also be working with Michael Teach of Chicago Acoustic Underground on a live-in-the-studio performance with a studio audience. If you're interested in being a part of this, contact me through contact page here.

I'm very excited about this new work! Keep coming back for updates and thanks for dropping in!

After a run of several shows in January, including the very successful Haiti benefit with Chicago Acoustic Underground at The Viaduct, I'm gearing up for February and March.

As I write this, I'm also getting ready for a show at The Abbey tonight, in fact.

March holds a little run down the road for shows in several states. I'm looking forward to getting out of town and heading south as the notorious Chicago winter drags to a close.

I'll be playing a show, as well as helping coordinate it, for the benefit of the Red Cross Relief Effort in Haiti. With 200,000 dead or missing, this is the worst natural disaster since the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean, and yet has an even more devastating effect when these catastrophic losses have happened in one small country.

I have to say that something of this magnitude sure puts into the perspective the "difficult" year many of us have had with the recession and major job losses. Suddenly, giving $10 via text message or, in the case of this event, at the door to a theater, in order to bring very basic essentials to people in desperate need, doesn't even feel like a sacrifice. Hell, I can spend $20 on beer or a nice meal in the blink of an eye. We all tend to say, "well, it's been a rough week, month, year, I deserve this." The least our fellow humans deserve is clean water to drink, a simple meal, and a blue tarp to sleep under. Here's to hoping that the people of Haiti can rise to their greatest potential through this horrible disaster, with our help and a generosity of pocketbook and spirit.

Cheers.

The details for this event are on my Performance Dates page, but it's January 30th.