Monday, November 29, 2010

GYPSY HEAD TATTOO By Dave Parker

George Harrison - What Is Life

Friday, November 26, 2010

Passing of the axe


One of the coolest things happened to me the other day, and also one of the sadest.


A fellow musician and band mate as well as a true friend, closed the deal on the selling of his house. He has now moved away...on to better things. I told him since he was leaving, I was putting the band, GYPSYHEAD, into hibernation. I just dont feel like moving on with it at this time.....maybe bring it back to life next year. The Tornado is an awesome singer/songwriter, and great guitarist....Im going to miss playing with him. The thing he did that truely moved me was, before he left town, he found me outside the coffee shop and handed me one of his guitars and said, " here bro, play in good health." I was floored....totally unbelievable...all I could say was, "Thanks bro, thats the nicest thing anyones ever done for me."


That is a true friend...., not because he gave me the guitar....., but because that is what he is...a true friend. I will always remember the gigs we had together, the good ones and the not so good ones.....we made them all fun.


Here's to you Tornado!!!! GYPSY~ON BRO!!!!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

ONCE AGAIN.....,THE MOON


THE MOON...................

MOVES ME.


IT TAKES .......

MY MIND AWAY.


TO THE SKY.....,

MY EYES SEE.,


THE DRIFTING CLOUDS, AND MOON SO FULL...,

MAKE MY TROUBLES FLOAT AWAY.



2 Nites of Music Food & Friends


Last week was a pretty good week for music and good times in my world.

Last Thursday night was the monthly open mic night that I host at The Horse's Mouth Coffee Shop/Bookstore. The Lost Boys dropped in to perform soom really great tunes...they are always a pleasure to hear. Darral Reeder joined in later suppling some bass guitar for us and sang Hotel California. Carl.....(brota forgive me, I cant remember your last name.)...grabbed up a spare guitar and joined in the jam. John Easterling, who is always an instramentil part of the open mic nights.., supplied the beats and humur of the night. It was a slim group and a small crowd, but all in all it was awesome. It was great to see Carla Leigh, from The OUTLAW 93.5 FM, in the audiance.....


Saturday evening, marked the 3rd year of Mac Shadix being editor of The Buffalo Press newspaper. So the was a party at THM, (lots of stuff happens at The Horse's Mouth).....the paper itself is 79 years old. It was a great time with great people and an awesome spread of food.....not to mention, great wine. I ended up grabbing up the guitar and playing a few songs....one that I was coaxed into doing that I really did'nt feel comfortable with in this setting.

The song......Little Red.....not a cleand song....no bad words...just, naughty subject.....but I did it....and Joyce, ( the lady who wanted to hear it), said, " I never understood what you were saying when you sang it with your band.......now I know!!" Everyone had a good laugh, hopefully no one was too offended...lol.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

A Meeting of old friends and some GYPSY/WATER




Last Saturday was the last gig for GYPSYHEAD for a while. We are going on hiatus for a bit to get things in order and become better at certain things.
I walked into this gig with one thing in mind........to rock the house and have fun. And I did just that....I think the entire band did. Old friends showed up from out of town....some I havent seen in about 2o years. 3/5's of the Push Water Band was there also.
We ripped through our set list like wild fire.....never debating anything...just rockin it. We had not gotten together to rehearse for this gig....in fact we hadnt even seen each other since our last gig, which was two weeks prier to this one. With that being said, I think we all fell into place as if we had played the night before. I loved it. Before the night was over, Randy Stevens and Danial York of Push Water joined in with us to jam till closing time.......it was a rollicking impromtu 10 minute version of our song called, Did I Say That "OUT LOUD". Im not going to priase the band, even tho we were the tightest we'd ever been, I just wanted to express how much fun it was......it shoulda been illegal!!!!! Thanks to all who were there and all who played.....and thanks for everyones support!!!!! GYPSY~ON!!!!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Fear No Storm

I'm feeling a little poetic....I had an inspiration from RELICS OF MY MIND.



Fear No Storm

If the storms in the night...,
rain like tears,
Let the thunder and lightning....,
comfort your fears.

Embrace the moon and stars.....,
with a smile,
Stare into the darkness....and,
think of me for awhile.

~Dave Parker~

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Coffee Shops, Music Stores, and a Hot Car



As I was sitting in THM, my favorite coffee shop/bookstore/wifi spot,last Friday, The Nix family walked in. The next thing you know, everyone in the shop were treated to an impromptu concert by Josh and Jason Nix. ( Two acoustic guitars are always available to play for anyone willing at THM). It was a real enjoyable show, The whole family is very talented and have amazing voices. Just goes to show, you never know what will happen at The Horses Mouth.






The next day I set out on my way to Tommy's Music Store in Centerville,Tx., 15 miles south of Buffalo, where they were having their monthly Jam Session in the round. It was very cool...about 11 musicians were there , playing their hearts out to just a hand full of listeners. Classic country music, gospel, and , my favorite, the blues, were played. I truly enjoyed the jam..., plus I got to check out the custom guitars Tommy builds....very cool.


I left Tommy's Music with a big smile...., but, farther down the road, on my way home, my smile went away as my car informed me that it was too hot!! I pulled over and poured a jug of water into the radiater. Then headed home once again. Guess what.....it got hot again!!!! I called my step-daughter and asked her to bring more water, and she did. As I waited, I noticed that a belt had broken that was part of the cooling system....wonderful!!!!!! Well...long story short, Haylee showed up with two jugs of water, and I made it the rest of the way home....just as the car over heated yet again........it is still sitting in the drive way....one payment away from being paid off.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Two Years in The Horses Mouth






Two years ago this week, something opened in Buffalo,Texas, something that has sparked a freshness to the town, a sense of culture. A bookstore and coffee shop called THE HORSES MOUTH or THM as the regulars have come to call it.



Over the past two years it has became my regular hang out, sort of my second home if you will. Glenn and Laura St.John make everyone feel welcome and at home in there eclectic shop. They have brought awareness to the small town. Awareness to art, music, culture, and fun. They do everything in their power bring things that were otherwise unknown in Buffalo, to light. At one point they were having writers group meetings, art classes, and photography classes. They also have, game nights, such as , Trivial Pursuit, and Scrabble nights. And to add to the mix, they have open mic nights, so local musicians have their chance to shine.










When you walk in the door, most of the time you'll be greeted by Java, a long haired dachshund, the official THM greeter. And you'll always feel welcome. Enjoy Glenn's humor and tales of traveling the world, as Laura creates her famous latte art.


THE HORSES MOUTH, in my opinion, is one of the best things to happen to the small town of Buffalo, Texas. And, seeing as how they were awarded BUSSINESS OF THE YEAR the first year they were open, others must share my opinion.


So, if you are ever in the area, Buffalo, Texas is half way between Houston and Dallas, stop by. You wont regret it.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Gypsies, Horses,and a Rockin' Wedding



So, we loaded up our gear and headed out down the hiway, to a location we'd never been before...just a map in hand. After getting lost only once, our little gypsy caravan pulled on to the Maynard property, the location of the wedding in which our band,GYPSYHEAD, were to play. It was a beautiful place. My band mates were still unsure about this gig, "Are you sure about this Dave? They DO know we play rock'n'roll right?" As I told them, "we were requested by the BRIDE, so thats that."


There was a deck overlooking a large pond with floating candles, that was to be the dance floor and a stage...very cool set up. There was an electrical issue, but we got that taken care of.


Our friends from The Horses Mouth were there supply the guests with iced coffee, whom we shared a table with. Table 18, reserved for Gypsies and Horses. How cool is that.


After the food was served we finally got to take the stage....our doubts all soon disappeared because once we started playing.....they came to the dance floor....they danced at their tables....they danced by the pond.....we were accepted with cheers. It was awesome. They danced all night. We gave the bride and groom Gypsyhead t-shirts...they immediately put them on, over their wedding dress and suit. I loved it!!


We took a break as everyone watched the newlyweds drive off in their limo, beneath a huge fireworks display and a trail of sparklers showing the way into the night.


It was an awesome gig....we did our last set to a packed dance floor. It was a fantastic experience, even tho I was tired, I wasnt ready for it to end.