shakeh: News

I am sitting in a Comfort Inn in Atlanta having spent all week at a Medical/Technical conference on my day job and I realize after running my legs off, talking to tons of people and taking copious notes that I hate this....Where's my guitar when I need it....where's Shakeh the artist? I know I'm still there and I'm way cool and I'm so totally in love with what I do. So why am I not doing more of it? Dwain and I had such a great gig at the World Cafe and it felt so good. That being said, no more whining....I'm going to get on the phone and start doing some booking. The pity party is now officially over.

I just got my computer back today, Feb. 25th. after having it gone since the 11th. I can't tell you what a relief it is to be back in the saddle so to speak. On one hand, I was glad not to have the constant input. On the other hand, so much information is in the little beast it's staggering. Yes, I had backed up a week before....but I'm glad that the new motherboard is functioning well and we are back in touch with the universe at large.

On Monday I volunteered at the Brotman TCU and got to meet Fanny who was 94, into country music, so I played Crazy and I Walk The Line. She had grip like a truck driver and was sharp as a bell and when I asked her where she was going next, she said with a chuckle, "My next stop is going to be the underground motel". 94 and still has her sense of humor. I walked out of there greatful for having been exposed to such a vibrant, spirited soul who made me laugh out loud.

Yesterday we put the finishing touches on "Take Me To Jericho" at Steve Refling's studio. I have an acoustic version which I love and the full blown, rocking version will be mixed by the end of the week. Feels so good to be back in the studio conversation. Looking forward to my gig tomorrow night at Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living Namaste Cafe at 7:30 PM with Dwain Roque.

I had a great time last night being a part of Dave Strauss' Flat Cat Radio show online. Dave has been a part of the LA original music scene for a long time and has had this show for 3 years now.He has always been about helping his fellow musicans. One of the most fun parts was seeing and being added to his "Wall of Fame" because I got to see pictures of a lot of people that I know. We talked, spun some CD tracks, and I did some songs live. He's booked for months, but had a cancellation so I was able to get on. Check out the site at
http://www.flatcatradio.com
Thanks Dave for supporting independent musicians and giving us this forum to strut our stuff and be a part of independent online radio. You rock!

Today is my birthday and I always email my list to get birthday wishes and find out what's going on with everyone else. Last night at Yoshi's in San
Francisco with Cyril Pahinui playing was really nice. The club is right there on Fillmore and quite an impressive place. I feel really blessed that I got to start off the year this way playing and promoting music and am looking forward to a great 2010!

Cyril wowed a full house and then I went on with Rafael and Karie and we were having a great time and then when I was ready to do my last song, "Never Been Cool", this man came in all lit up like a Christmas Tree and we both danced together which was totally spontaneous, hilarious and just plain magical! Sometimes I look at my life and I swear, you couldn't plan these kinds of things if you tried to!

Don Quixote's was packed and we had a great show. Karie and Rafael really came through for me. People showed up to decorate the stage with plants and beautiful Hawaiian drapings. The audience was very appreciative and I had a blast. At one point while Cyril was on stage I looked around and said to myself,"I did this, I created this". It was a good moment. Norm from KAPU said nobody had ever done as good a job as I did promoting a Hawaiian show here. So it was huge success and I'm very pleased with the results. This one lady named Patty sat in on pedal steel who had been doing it since she was 14 and was marvelous with Cyril and another guy on bass who was really good. They called up danceers including Chelle, Cyril's wife and one of my best friends. She is so graceful when she dances. It's incredible. I could not have started off 2010 any better than that. Mahalo to the universe and all who attended.

Yesterday's radio appearance at KSCO was way fun. Karie came with me to do percussion and background vocals. This station is adorable and has been there since 1947 with only 3 owners in its entire history. Right now my hair is done, my toenails polished...not wearing open toe shoes but one should always be prepared no matter what...going to do a quick run through at Karie's once Rafael gets here and then we do sound check at 6 PM and the show starts at 8 PM. First day of 2010 and I'll be doing what I love to do. Starting off the year right....yeah baby!!

A huge disappointment that my compadre Dwain Roque won't be able to make it up to do these shows with me. But, I rehearsed yesterday with Rafael Herrera and Karie Hillery and we sound great so I'm confident that things will go well. Tomorrow I do my interview and play live on KSCO in Santa Cruz on the Rosemary Chalmers show. Getting excited about the upcoming events this weekend!

Just got off of my interview with Lani B. at KZSC on her Breakfast in Bed show. We did a little bit of Never Been Cool live and played some tracks off of the CD in the studio. Feels good to be a star in your slippers....
And the beat goes on!

I have been diligently calling radio and press people to promote shows with Cyril Pahinui in January at Don Quixote's and Yoshi's in San Francisco. The club owners have given me kudos for my work so far. It's a lot easier making phone calls when people know the artist already!! But as the opener, I'm getting some exposure also which is fun. It's going to be intense the next few weeks, but I'm committed to a full house at Don Quixote's and a great show.

It's been a rollercoaster ride this past year. I'll be glad to see 2009 go bye byes, but I think it has also been a time to confront a lot of demons and reinvent myself. I promise more music in 2010!! Love my new song...."Take Me To Jericho". Greatful for my health, wonderful friends and family, my music and my life. Have a great Holiday!

I just booked some great dates for Cyril Pahinui to start the year off and will be opening on Jan. 1st. at Don Quixote's in Felton which is 10 miles from Santa Cruz with Dwain Roque. Cyril will also be performing on Sunday,Jan. 3rd at Yoshi's in San Francisco. Pretty cool!!!

You know...some days are so perfect that you have to comment. Here I am...gorgeous sunny day right on the water at Historical Cama Beach State park. The cabins all look like they're still in the 30s, I'm practically standing on the beach, the sun is out, the people are loving me, I sold some CDs and I go back and do it again on Saturday. Lucky, lucky me!

Last night was a blast at the Conway Muse. Owner, Alpha, has created a wonderful environment for artistic expression, 3 great performance spaces, with an eclectic decor. Lita keeps things rolling along with charm and grace and the food is to die for! If you're looking for a friendly open mic, Weds. at 7:30 you should check it out. I played for the "spaghetti feed" and then there was reggae/ska dancing upstairs afterwards. A very fun time was had by all.

Just got back from TEU which is the monthly Nuskin training event. They always have a drawing for 5 prizes. I bought $5 worth of tickets....I won 2 prizes worth over $600!!! Over 5,000 tickets were sold. Apparently, the person before me had bought $500 worth and didn't win anything. When I won that first prize, I knew the second was coming. I felt it so I hung out close to the stage and then it happened. What are the odds??? Yeah, I'm on a roll. All kinds of great things are happening, getting hooked into some bigger name folks in the music biz, calls from all over the country for gigs that I didn't expect, great energy when I play, and meeting so many fabulous people. Speaking of fabulous people, you reading this are one of those! Thanks for being on my site and in my life!

My last appearance at Norco I got to pair up with a drummer and bass player spontaneously and we really did well considering we'd never met before! Standing ovation and much appreciated as always. I'll go back in September.

I took a last minute gig last night, Monday, July 6th. to fill in a spot for Sheena Metal. I've done UBG (Universal Bar and Grill) before and it's a fun funky place that's been there a long time. On this night it was mainly locals and they were mainly buzzed. Once we got the boundaries clear...I'm the only one allowed on the stage...I started to have a good time. Then one guy gives me a crisp $100 bill. I'm feeling better and better. So we rocked it good and then he hands me another crisp $100 bill. So I did one 45 minute site on a Monday night in a divy Noho bar, got major kudos from the local crowd and made $200. Life is good!

I did a show last night with the Maurice the Fish crew including Nick Sandy, Susan Renville, Dave Sawyer, and the lovely, talented Ray as well! My "untethered" approach to performing seemed to amaze, excite, or terrify the crowd which is always fun. I had a great time with a great audience sharing the stage with other talented folks and it was a sheer joy. Tacoma is a ways...but it was worth it.