Stalked By A Marching Band in So Pas

Know it's almost Christmas, but somethin' real spooky happened during my So Pas gig last Thursday evening...  I had just finished playing Elliott Smith's 'Rose Parade' song (the one where he laments about a 'ridiculous marching band started playing'), and then guess what?  I looked to my right and sure enough... There was a high school marching band strolling through the farmer's market.  No lie.

They all got assembled down on the corner and started playing Christmas tunes...  Thought I may need to finish early, but after 15 minutes or so they were done and marched back through the farmer's market. I applauded them as they passed by and then resumed my gig...  Now I hope I've seen everything :) Ho Ho Ho 

Tis The Season... Light That PIH Tree!

What a nice, cool December evening at Bright Plaza... We had a nice turnout last night for the 45th annual lighting of the BIG tree atop the Bright Medical building on Whittier Bl.   I was honored to be able to provide the live Christmas music for the event!  Besides getting a candy cane from Santa, I also got these cool reindeer horns (see pic on fb page)...  Ho Ho Ho!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fred-Gatchell/105212689522970

Maybe I Do Need A Roadie (Beat Up By A Bungee Cord)...

Funny thing happened to me on the way to my So Pas gig yesterday...  While loadin' up my cart to make the trek to my playin' spot, a bungee cord snapped and hit me in the face right below my left eye (ouch).  Woulda been nice if I was done packin' the cart, but nope just got started.  When I noticed I was bleeding I got a little scared.  I grabbed one of my packin' sheets and kinda stopped the bleeding so I could finish packin' and get my ass where it needed to go.  What a site to see...  Besides lookin' like a crazy homeless dude pullin' my cart through the farmers market, there I was with a sheet pushed against my face to hopefully stop the bleeding so I could set up and start playin'.  Mission accomplished!  Though I was a little late, I started playin' wondering if I looked as bad as I felt.  After a couple of songs, life was good again (at least for a few hours).  Packin' up my stuff and headin' back to the car in the dark (still wonderin' what my face looked like) was an extra special thrill. No worries though... A day later I just look like I got punched in the face, but I'm feelin' fine...Ya know, maybe I do need a roadie :)     

The Music Therapy Volunteer...

Ah, time for the changing seasons again…  Also time to begin my new music therapy volunteer (MTV) career at Whittier Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital (PIH).  Sometimes you beat your head up against the wall looking for a new music opportunity out there, and then other times you slip right into a cool one…  That seems to be the case at PIH…  Yours truly has been selected to become their first regular MTV to roam the halls as a minstrel of healing to sing & strum for our less fortunate, sickly friends.

As their first MTV, my duties include:

• Making random room calls to patients (drive-bys) to see if anyone would like an individual live music session on the spot

• Setting up randomly in hallways to provide a 30-minute set of live music therapy in a less-intimate manner

• Setting up in larger lobby areas to provide an hour or so of live music to provide comfort for family, friends and loved ones while they’re waiting at PIH

• Assisting PIH staff management with scheduling and auditions of new volunteer musicians that seek to join the PIH MTV team

• Working with the PIH Auxiliary to provide musical entertainment in support of their fundraising events.

I am both thankful and honored to be able help our community by joining the impressive PIH team as a music therapy volunteer!  Yeah baby :)

 

Here’s a picture of me in my MTV uniform…

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fred-Gatchell/105212689522970 

Uptown Strummin' 6-22-11

What a cool gig!  Against a backdrop of a beautiful sunset on an early summer evening, along with hundreds of local Whittierites enjoying themselves, I was fortunate enough to be able to provide the musical soundtrack for this week's Family Festival...  Seems like just yesterday that I was runnin' round Uptown with my friends buyin' singles (that's a small vinyl record with only two songs - one on each side) and sippin' sodas at the ice cream store (which no longer exists)...


Here's a link to some photos of the gig...Uptown Strummin' 6-22-11

Fred's New Cart (who needs a roadie?)

Ya know, roadies are cool, but I get tired of payin' 'em and get real tired of hearin' 'em moan and whin... So, got me a cool new cart to get me to those out-of-the-way gig spots (where you have to park several blocks away from your playin' destination)... It's like magic... One trip and everything gets there (with no rip-offs from the locals when you do multiple trips:)...

Yeah Baby!

Who Needs A Roadie?

Little Zach's First B-day

There's nothin' better than watchin' your grandkid dance non-stop to the song you wrote for him a year ago :)
Jammin' w/ Zachy on His First B-day

New Video: How Can I Be Lonely 4-20-11

What a beautiful evening in Downtown Huntington Beach... This video was recorded last night during my first gig in HB for their monthly Art Walk... Lookin' forward to the next one!

How Can I Be Lonely 4-20-11

A Bryan & Fred Reunion in Big Bear Lake...

Wow... did some cool jammin' in The Eagle Studio and down in the Village last Saturday with Bryan... Didn't know his son, Joel, was practicing to be a magician (checkout this short video to get the joke :-)
Fred & Bryan in Big Bear Lake

Great Times at Great Park Farmers Market in Irvine

It makes it all worth it when you see the smiles on those little faces while they're shakin' their shakers and rockin' out to Tambourine Man!  Here's a link to some gig photos posted on fb...  Stay tuned for my next date at Great Park for a Sunday in April...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42271&id=100001032799613&l=1f0b5dbd64

Updated Play List Now Available

Been busy learnin' some new cover songs... Check out my latest list by clickin' the "Play List - Covers" tab above and scroll down to see the new list... Hope to see you soon!

The SoCal Farmers Market Scene... Get Ready To Rock!

Since it's way too cold to be street playin' up in Big Bear Lake, I've been busy scoutin' out many of the local farmers markets in the greater L.A. area (east side + OC)...  Stay tuned for dates & times when available...

Cover Song Videos Now Available!

Finally got around to postin' several cover tune videos (see link above)...  Lookin' forward to gettin' the 2011 playin' season underway... Am warmin' up with a few volunteer gigs during February (details posted under 'Upcoming Shows')...  Hope to see you soon!  Fred