Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is true. You can’t. Nevertheless, I’ve chosen not to write about the negatives in life, but instead on what’s ahead.

Next week I’ll be at Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah playing the ASCAP Music Cafe. I’m happy to share the stage with other artists such as Ingrid Michelson, David Gray, and Jeremy Current. After that I’ll spend a week in Nashville writing with some great folks and eating delicious redneck mexican food. It’s the best, you know?

Here’s proof:

So far we’ve had 17 days in the new year, and I don’t have much to complain about. I can make rent in Brooklyn (barely), successfully use the MTA subway system, and I don’t buy fruit from those carts on the street because apparently they all have bed bugs. I miss the hell out of the South, but this will do for now.

Played The Gaslight last week as a part of the Gaslight Revival; an attempt to bring it back to it’s original glory when Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg, and Mississippi John Hurt played there. It was really cool, and I’m glad people in NYC are still trying to keep it alive. Here’s a cool photo of Bob Dylan’s debut performance there in 1961.

Look for me in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall in Feb. Otherwise I’ll see you down the road.

Happy trails,
b

I’m trying to fight it, but sometimes you just got to wait it out. Yes I’ve got that winter cold and cough that wakes you up every morning with a cup of flem. Hallelujah! So here I am.

Now that all my disgusted readers have left the building I can get right down to the important stuff.

Since my move to New York City I’ve seen lots of things. People throwing up on the sidewalk, raw hamburgers that taste really good, falling down the stairs after a young hispanic boy tries to hit on me, reading lots of autobiographies, and having a man tell me he loves my show but my cut off “jean shorts are very inappropriate.”

You probably think I’m a crazy person, and we’ll you’re right. I was born on leap year, so I’ve got that going for me.

Regardless, I’ve enjoyed playing lots of music around town and I appreciate those who come and share those experiences with me. So hats off to you, patrons of the arts. I couldn’t do it without you, and it’s always good to know that others know what you’re talking about. I’ve also been helping with Jeremy Current’s podcasts lately so check out his latest post from today, I’m playing banjo: www.jeremycurrent.com

Went for a walk through central park yesterday:

And yes it’s that time of year when way too many people are out with shopping bags, which makes it feel like there are really twice as many people on the subway. But; it’s still nice, and I’m glad to be spending my first Christmas in New York, where it’s really freaking cold.

In other news, I’m getting involved a bit in the local Williamsburg community and booking some Saturday shows at Pete’s Candy Store on Lorimer street. Look it up if you’ve never been. I play there a lot, but this time I’ll be bringing out some of my favorite acts.

Also, look for another Rockwood date at the end of February. For now I’ll do my best to shake this cold. See you next time, b

Well it’s been an interesting month, if nothing else, that is definitely the truth. I just returned at 3am last morning from a 13 hour drive from Nashville, TN and I can tell you one thing; I didn’t know one’s butt could be so sore.

Had a great week co-writing with some very talented folks and I’m looking forward to doing more writing after Christmas is over. The winter is soon encroaching on New York City, and I’ve had a small case of the worries wondering if I’ll be able to stand up to the cold, but I’ve got a sleeping bag as a jacket and a pair of L.L Bean snow shoes, so I think I’ll survive.

I’ve been listening to a lot of new music lately, and trying to let all sorts of things absorb in and see what comes out, if you’re interested in that you should come see me play at Rockwood Music Hall in the lower east side of Manhattan. I’ll be playing on the 30th of November at 7pm, so please come out, have a drink and get into the holiday season with some depressing country music…. or… something.

Jeremy and I will be smoking a Turkey on our fire escape this year for Thanksgiving. It’s an age old tradition in the Cooke house to turn Thanksgiving into a BBQ feast. I mean, who needs cranberry sauce anyway? Every year we smoke our turkey with Head Country BBQ sauce; the best BBQ sauce… straight from Oklahoma (where I was born). Instead of stuffing, we have baked beans with bacon, and instead of rolls we have cornbread. This year, since our oven is the size of a microwave, we’re going to get a small smoker, stick it onto the fire escape, and say our prayers. I’ll be sure to let you know if the local Williamsburg fire department shuts us down. Still going to do some traditional Thanksgiving dishes, but overall…. I think it will be iconic. Our friend Michael Hix (http://soundcloud.com/michael-hix) will be joining us and I think our main goal is to get full, drunk, and lazy.

In other news, Jeremy Current (my husssssband) is playing Rockwood Music Hall this afternoon at 3pm (http://www.facebook.com/events/171139979645112/). I am determined to lose my marbles. I hope you do too.

See you there!

-bailey

If you want to work on your art, work on your life. ANTON CHEKHOV

I moved to Brooklyn this month, and it always strikes me how hard it is to adjust to new spaces and to find that “home” feeling. I can’t say I’ve found it completely, but I’ve definitely seen it creeping around corners and in glimpses. I’m putting most of my hopes in the fall.

I’ll be playing now (locally) at Pete’s Candy Store this Saturday at 9pm. Please come by and say hello. It will be a pleasant evening, and it’s been too long since I’ve played in New York; which I look forward to changing hopefully this fall. www.petescandystore.com

In other news, I’m reading through Daniel Lanois’ autobiography. In regards to the Chekhov quote at the beginning of this entry; it’s really rewarding when you live you life and your works falls completely inline with how you’re living. This is something Daniel seemed to do very well. Something I’m hoping to get better at.

Well that’s all for now. Sorry I don’t update this more often. I’m going to be better at that.

Hey everyone, I know it’s been a while. But I’m playing a whole set and also playing alongside Jeremy Current this Friday for his new album release! It’s going to be an amazing night with great musicians included! I’ll have a full band with some of the finest musicians in North Carolina, and have a few new songs as well! Jeremy will have over 10 people in the band and an additional string section. Also playing that evening is Mark Mathis and his folk band, which should be very great, and not often seen!

info:
The Neighborhood Theatre
511 East 36th Street
Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 358-9298
www.neighborhoodtheatre.com

Check out this video and please share it with all your friends to help to promote the show, and you can see some shots of me working on the record!

AND REMEMBER!!! Jeremy’s Kickstarter account ends at Midnight Thursday night/Friday morning, so make sure you help push it along and tell your friends as well! We’ve got to be in this together! Local music needs you!Jeremy Current- CD Release \"Dark Land of the Sun\"

I’ve Spent the past three month and still working on making a record for Jeremy Current. Click on the link to his kickstarter page to donate to help make this independent record possible! You can pre-order the record (which has a live track of me, Ricky Skaggs, and Jeremy), buy limited edition merchandise, and help a great cause!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jeremycurrent/jeremy-current-making-the-record-dark-land-of-the

Just got announced! Really excited about the show coming up. Nothing’s better than fried chicken before a show. Know what I mean? It’s going to be an all women Americana night! So if you like girls, be there or be square. Actually, I take that back, if you like good music, be there or be square.

Anyhow, in other news, I’m going to go to fed ex this morning to pick up my es-335 courtesy of Cotten Music in Nashville, TN. Well maybe not courtesy, because I paid for it; however, I’m pretty excited about it.

So I released my record last week at The Basement in Nashville, TN. Thanks to everyone who came out and had a great night with me! The record is available on iTunes, Amazon, and other online websites and I hope you all get a chance to hear it. Here’s a clip of what the show was like.

Working hard this week and playing a few shows coming up. This Saturday I’ll be at the French Broad Brewing Co. in Asheville, NC it’s a free show and the beer is KILLER! So if you’re in the area, why don’t cha stop by?

Anyway, I’m hot on the trail, catch you later.

-Bailey

Alright, so yes, many great people came from the folk revival such as the new lost city ramblers, Pete Seeger, and of course Bob Dylan. But this morning as I sip my coffee at Bongo Java while The New Christy Minstrel Singers blare in my ear, I wonder, who the hells idea was that? It’s like an old time music broadway soundtrack. Horrible.

Now that that’s out of my system, I can confidently say we has a great success recording the new Jeremy Current record yesterday. The day ended with a live trio recording on an old RCA mic with Jeremy, myself, and Ricky Skaggs. Of course since it was around one mic, I had to stand on a box to be tall enough, but man it was a good track.

Here’s to another day. I’m picking up Josh Goleman; friend and fantastic photographer for the sessions this morning after a hoooora over at the wonder ASCAP on music row.

Take care y’all

Got off a plane from Los Angeles last night at 7pm. Drove to Nashville at 7am this morning. Yes, I am tired. Sitting in the studio here in Hendersonville working on the new Jeremy Current record which is sizing up to be something great. Practicing with the band this week for the CD release and I’m really psyched to get it to y’all. I’ve worked really hard over this past year, and I am happy to release it to the wind. So for now I’ll go get some mexican food and say goodnight. Report back to you in the morning. Also don’t forget, If you post about my show the day of the 13th, you get 5 dollars off the new CD!

Bailey

Please come join me!