JOIN DAVID ON THESE SITES

NOVEMBER 2009

A few months ago, I joined the Beachland Street Team. My thinking was that it would give me extra incentive to get out, hang up my own posters and generally interact a bit more with the Cleveland music community. I also thought that eventually the Beachland folks would get to know me, making it easier to get an opening slot on one of their national-act bills.

Such an opportunity came quite a bit sooner than I'd even hoped. In fact, I didn't even have to ask. It was offered to me! Not a big, Ballroom show, but rather a modest, early Thursday evening Tavern gig. Still, I could scarcely have been more pleased.

I opened for Catherine Feeney, an Orgeon-based Singer/Songwriter who was stopping off between Pittsburgh and Dover Ohio promoting her new People in the Hole album.

Catherine was lovely, friendly and talented. That's not altogether uncommon. However, I cannot say that I'm met another traveling performer who toured with her mother. Catherine's mom, Peg, was acting as her tour manager, and the two of us set up shop in the back of room while Catherine prepared for the show.

Of course, it was my job to warm up the room for her. I broke a string after the first verse of "Secondhand," which was a bit of a bummer, but otherwise my set went well.

When I asked what sort of a mood they were in to determine which song to play before my last, they opted for "Mulletman," which is always good for some awkward, hand-clapping fun. Most of the room was also good enough to sing along to my "With or Without You" "Deja Vu" tag.

After my portion of the show, I grabbed a Guinness and plopped down next to Peg to sign and sell CDs and watch her daughter perform.

Catherine's sister lives in Cleveland and came with her young children. The kids took a liking to members of the traveling menagerie of plastic animals that people have given me, so I gave them each one of the toys. Unfortunately, one of the children picked a new addition that I wasn't so familiar with. I didn't realize it squeaked! Catherine's next song had a bit more accompaniment than she'd bargained for ;-p

Photos by Darrell Branch

Performance recorded by Mark Rodriguez

SET LIST:

The Fall

Secondhand

Light the Dark

Mulletman

Deja Vu / With or Without You