Ships that Pass in the Night

I’m playing my 1000th gig in March, and I was thinking about everyone who’s shared the stage with me over the years.

I’ve joined some friends on multiple projects since high school; others I’ve met only once. Some are family members who joined me at gigs, like my cousins Andrew and Sarah. (Andrew, I still owe your a beer for sitting in on that Woodruff’s gig!)

I have music to thank for meeting my wife. I got booked to play a festival in Owosso in 2009, and Natalie was running the event as the DDA director.

Music is a powerful experience, where lives intersect over melodies and chords. It can be years before our paths cross again; but it often only takes one musical moment to bond a friendship.

Here’s a list of everyone I’ve shared a show with so far. (I apologize if I missed you! I compiled this list for memory; email me if I’m missing a gig. I only listed official gigs here, not open mics. I also didn’t list festival lineups or Folk Alliance showcases; however, I did count a few songwriter-in-the-round sets.)

UPDATE: As I compiled this list, I stumbled upon an obit for Kevin Tyler (known as his musical name, Conor Savage). I’m crushed; I wrote a tribute to Kevin here.

I’ve shared shows, gigs & appearances with:

1. Aaron Noone (AJ Noon)
2. Accidentials, the
   • (They joined me on “Made a Mess” on Matthew Altruda’s show for 107.1 FM, 2015)
3. Adrian Krygowski
4. Alejandra O’ Leary
5. Allen Cruz (with Josh Huddleston)
6. Annie & Rod Capps (with Jason Dennie)
7. Bello Spark
8. Beth Stalker
9. Bob Marshall
10. Bobby Murray
11. Bobby Standal
12. Boudoir Noir (as Maria Rose & the Swiss Kicks)
13. Brian Pobocik
14. Brooks Williams
15. Carrie McFerrin
16. Cetan Clawson
17. Chris Brantley
18. Chris Buhalis
19. Chris DuPont (with Luke Jackson & Betsy King)
20. Cory Glover
21. Cory Kapanka & Stephen Wozniak
22. Dan Mazur
23. Dave Boutette
24. David Mosher
25. David Stanley
26. Darren Brown
27. Dena Dena Dena (Dena Woods)
28. Diana Birch
29. Diana Jones
30. Don Middlebrook
    • I owe a big thanks to Don over theses years for the musical support.
31. Ellis Paul
32. Emilio Bonto
33. Erik Brandt & the Urban Hillbillies
34. Frances Luke Accord
    • (with Samuel Lane Tuthill)
35. Gifts or Creatures (Midwest fest)
36. Grievous Angel (& Billy Brandt)
37. Gun Lake
38. Hannah Fralick
39. Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas
40. Jeff Pianki  <— Video of Jeff with us on “Made a Mess” at the Trinity House!)
41. John D Lamb
42. Josh Rose
43. Jory Stultz
44. Julianne Ankley
45. Luke Brindley
46. Kelsey Rottiers
47. Ken Gaines (& Wayne Wilkerson)
48. Kevin Tyler (Known as Conor Savage)
49. Kylee Philips
50. Knee Deep Shag
51. Laura K Balke
52. Leah Taylor
53. Liz McDaniel & Nathan Alan
54. Matt Glista
55. Matthew Borr
56. Mark Sobczak
57. Megan Flechaus
58. Michelle Held
59. Mikal
60. Mike Burris
61. Mike Gentry
62. Mike Maines (before The Branches!)
63. Mighty Medicine
64. Molly Hunt
65. Nathan Bell (Noreastr Songwriters-in-the-Round)
66. Nervous But Excited
67. Paul Federici
68. Painted White (Garret Schmittling & Holly Frances)
69. Peyton Tochterman
70. Pilot Rogue
71. Pottersfield, the
72. Off the Ledge
73. Owen Stevenson
74. Ricci Family Band
75. Ronny Cox (with T Bruce Bowers on fiddle)
76. Ron Moore
77. Sarah Sherrard Band
78. Sedgewick
79. Sean J Moylan
80. Seth Bernard & May (co-taught Noreastr workshop)
81. Spencer Michaud
82. Stacia Robitaille
83. Straightbacks, the
84. Stephen Schlaack
85. Steafan Hanvey
86. Teddy Davenport & Julia McConahay
87. Troy Petty
88. Todd Hoke
89. Vince Smith
90. Wavvy Hands
91. West Philadelphia Orchestra
92. 92s, the

Friends who have been session musicians, bandmates, c0-writers, or guest singers

• Aaron Noone (AJ Noon) (My first time playing music professionally; we played quite a few gigs as a duo, and Aaron is currently on a gigging contract for cruise ships!)
• Adam Warner (drums, “Love Birds” session)
• Alan Black  <— first band, first co-writing sessions, first radio interview!
• Adam Kronk <— first band & college band (and best man in wedding!)
• Andrew Vial (bass for select shows)
• Ashley Jo Farmer (vocals, “Love Birds” session)
• Dan Achen (producer & some percussion on Burning the Boats)
• David Mosher (multiple sessions & shows on mandolin, fiddle, guitar)

• Ken Gruel (bass in college band, Sidestream; bass for Burning the Boats release show)
• Kevin Vines (bass for shows in 2012-2013)
• Kevin Lambert (We’ve shared shows, and Kevin sat in on harmonica 2007-2008)
• Kirk Starkey (cello for “I Will” session)
• Garret Schmittling & Holly Frances (St Patrick’s Day duo partner)
• Graham Lapp (bass for gig August 2013)
• Hannah Fralick (duo, vocal sessions for Where the Sand Meets the Tide)
• Leah Taylor (vocals for band 2012-2013)
• Mike Mies (played piano in our high school band!)
• moon:and:6 (Michael Chambers/Leon Furs – producer, for many sessions)

• Natalie Burg (My wife plays a mean trumpet! REM tribute show 2013.)
• Nate Mazur  <— first band
• Nick Skalkos (session drummer for Burning the Boats)
  
• Marcone (organ/keys/engineer on Burning the Boats; producer & organ/piano on “Reaching Back”
• Paul Federici (“Love Birds” vocal session; Paul’s second album)
• Richard Wilberg (I did the guitar/vocal session for his song Meta)
• Sandra Thompson (backing vocals at Acorn Theater 2015 & 2016 – video here)
• Steven Zeigler (drummer for Burning the Boats release show)
• Stuart Tucker (session drummer, bandmate, overall great guy!)