It’s currently 2:38pm and I’m on the train back from Philadelphia. It’s a dreary day. While I feel off centered I also feel a sense of understanding and patience.

Spent last week cowriting and making some new music that I’m excited to play tomorrow night at The Living Room in the East Village (154 Ludlow Street). I play at 9pm, and it’s free as a little kid mooning you in a minivan. Come out, and I’ll give you a high-five, maybe even two. Here’s a photo of the front door if you don’t know what those look like:

I returned to New York Tuesday morning at midnight after being gone almost three weeks. New York can be a tough place, and such a love hate relationship. For example: I love that there are great people, great food, and great community, but I hate that at 2:16am Tuesday morning someone is having a dance party below me. Second example: I love that I never have to drive, but I hate that I don’t have any space. Makes me realize and appreciate other towns and other places, but still there’s nothing like New York.

This is my neighborhood:

Played the Sundance Film Festival two weeks ago, and it was a blast. Not only playing infront of many talented and attentive people in the entertainment industry, but also meeting new friends. Park City is a fun little town with tons on Pendelton clothing, cowboy boots, and buffalo chili; so naturally, I felt right at home. Here’s an illegal photo of me playing at the ASCAP Music Cafe with Jeremy Current:

We stayed at an amazing cabin with heated floors, multiple fireplaces, and two kitchens. I was so uncomfortable. Here’s a picture of the view from the living room:

Jeremy and I also played on the local CBS station in Salt Lake City and here’s a photo from the taping:

Well I mostly wanted to tell you of my weird morning, but Happy February and here’s to another 6 weeks of winter.

-b

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

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

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

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.

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\"

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

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.

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

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