First published in  Lonely Goat Print Magazine Volume II - #5

May 1999 Goat Notes

Well, we've made it to May already. I hope this issue finds everyone well prepared for an adventurous Spring & Summer tour after checking out last month's planner section. I'm adding more festivals as I hear about them. Until the Fall planner, I will only be printing the events for that month's issue. I'm making a few changes to the distribution of Lonely Goat. If you are reading this, you are either a subscriber or you followed the trail to The Magic Bus which is now the exclusive distributor of the full magazine. The Goatee will now be available in the fourteen storefronts where I used to stock Lonely Goat, the magazine. The Goatee is a double sided tabloid size newsletter which lists the month's kind music dates in NC. Why the change? Lonely Goat, the magazine has gotten bigger and is thus more expensive to produce. It has also become pretty popular and I receive lots of requests to distribute in places across the state. The Goatee is cheaper to produce so I can mail it for free and I can print enough copies to distribute statewide. I will still produce Lonely Goat, the magazine, each month with all of the content not available in The Goatee. The magazine will still be offered for free, but only at The Magic Bus. This is the part where I tell you how much you enjoy the full magazine and that $10 is really not a lot for a full year subscription. You can of course join the general mailing list and receive The Goatee for free, but you will miss out on sections like Goat Notes, Goat's Gallery, Special Events and Band Features unless you stop by The Magic Bus for the full Lonely Goat magazine or subscribe. My goal when I started Lonely Goat was that it would always be free and easy to find. Only, at that time, it was a newsletter the size of The Goatee. I guess I'm happy in a weird way. The original Lonely Goat has evolved into a magazine and I've created The Goatee to fulfill the original mission. Stick with me. I'm learning here. Thanks to everyone for your continued patience and support.

The big question lately is "What's up with Folkswaggin'?" If you are new to the area, Folkswaggin' has been playing kind music from Virginia to Georgia since 1994. Based in Greensboro, they've developed a large following and have been a staple at the HarvestJam and Smilefest festivals held yearly by NFA Entertainment in Greensboro. They've been through a few lineups over the years and it looks like we are in for a few more changes. Those who follow Folkswaggin' are well aware that they have been missing in action since the now historical 1999 New Years Eve show at Blind Tiger. Inquiring minds want to know and here is the mini-scoop. There will be a change in some of the band members. All of the spots are not filled so an official roster has not been produced. The waggin' is also self-producing a double CD of live digital recordings taken through the years. This will include material from all of the stages of Folkswaggin'. I've heard the working tracks and speaking as a veteran of 70+ shows with these guys, it is one hell of a trip down memory lane and leaves you hungry for the real thing again soon. That can be arranged! Folkswaggin' will be at Smilefest (possibly with the CD) and it will be the ultimate answer for all of us. Until then, you can find out even more at their website which can easily be accessed in the Bands Section of www.lonelygoat.com. Keep the faith folks!

I have added dates for Life Trip this month. Based in Greensboro, this five piece and sometimes more plays some truly creative originals and eclectic covers including the likes of Donovan. The originals show a lot of range from acoustic based America influences to the more digital and concept oriented King Crimson sound. The prime mover is Chip Symonds who sings and plays Sax, Flute, Guitar and Bass. Other instruments on their 1997 CD entitled Mental Travelers include Violin, additional Guitars, Drums and a Percussion Ensemble. Recently, Life Trip completed a couple of shows with Tom Constanten of Grateful Dead fame. You will find numerous opportunities to catch them live in the What's Happening section. Check em out. Life Trip is looking to expand the sound. If you happen to be a keyboard player and you are looking for a band to work with, call Lonely Goat and I'll forward your name to Chip.

Are you ready for that beach vacation? Ziggy's has just the enticement you need. They've just opened Ziggy's by the Sea in Atlantic Beach, NC. The grand opening party is April 30 with Govt. Mule and Federales. Shows of note in the calendar so far include Friday May 7 with the return of Purple Schoolbus. Ancient Harmony, who wowed everyone when they opened for JGB at Ziggy's WS, will be opening. Sounds like as good an excuse as you need to reach the beach.

be seeing you...