Postcards from the Funny Farm

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Dave Sharp has been my guitar hero since I was a kid. If you’ve read this blog for an extended period of time, you probably know that. One summer I got to actually meet and play guitar with the guy. It was such an amazing summer vacation for me. I traveled down to where he was and we would play coffee houses and bars in between recording my music. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to top that summer vacation … but never say never right? This post is about a company called DialaFlight that can make these sorts of trips happen … for less! Check it out:

For years I have read on the Dave Sharp forums about music festivals and pow-wows with other fans in places from Salford, UK to Toronto and wanted forlornly to get myself over there. Usually it’s the money that holds me back, but unfortunately I come up with a motherlode of other excuses. Very soon I plan to finally go to an event like this. When I do I will use a company I found called Dialaflight that offers the cheapest flights to Toronto.

Their consultants take all your info over the phone and create an itenerary for you that is top notch and highly competitive price-wise. If you are looking for a great travel agency that does it all for you in the UK, Alaska, Toronto regions, check these guys out.

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