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Jackie releases limited edition single for Record Store Day 2013

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Jackie Greene will release a limited edition, 7” vinyl single in support of  The collectible single will include live versions of “Love Is A Shining Catastrophe” and “Sweet Somewhere Bound.” Included with the single is a download card for five more tracks.

Record Store Day is the one-day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances. Festivities include performances, cook-outs, body painting, meet & greets with artists, parades, djs spinning records and on and on. Metallica officially kicked off Record Store Day at Rasputin Music in San Francisco on April 19, 2008 and Record Store Day is now celebrated the third Saturday every April.

Record Store Day was conceived in 2007 at a gathering of independent record store owners and employees as a way to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the US and thousands of similar stores internationally.

Jackie Greene - Record Store Day 2013 Limited Edition 7” Single includes:

  • Love Is A Shining Catastrophe (Live)
  • Sweet Somewhere Bound (Live)

And a download card with five more tracks:

  • Georgia
  • Uphill Mountain
  • Prayer For Spanish Harlem
  • Take Me Back In Time
  • All Fall Down

Support your local independent record store! Follow this link for more details:

Tour Update -- Hurricane Sandy

Hi Everyone. First and foremost, we hope all our east coast friends have weathered the storm. Due to the Hurricane Sandy, here are the updates on our shows for the coming week. For any shows that are cancelled or postponed, please contact you point of purchase regarding refunds. Stay safe out there! xoxo 10/31 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - CANCELLED 11/1 New Hope, PA @Triumph Brewing Co – TBD, more info soon 11/2 Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theatre – TBD, more info soon 11/4 Fairfield, CT @ StageOne – TBD, more info soon 11/6 Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Theatre – POSTPONED TO FEBRUARY 19

From the road...

I just finished watching a re-run of the Romney/Obama debate. I guess I don't really see how Romney "dominated" Obama, as many pundits have said. It didn't really seem like that to me. It didn't seem the other way around, either. Actually, it didn't really seem like much of anything. What's kind of remarkable to me is that it seemed like it was more an exercise in memorizing statistics. With both sides spewing out figures, it's no wonder most people got bored. Snooze fest! (The fact-checkers at the news stations probably had their work cut out for them, though!) I wonder how much stock the American public puts in these debates? From what I understand, it's a whole lot. I've heard about "turning points" and "deciding" moments during these debates. I wonder if the last couple decades would have been much different if the debates weren't televised. If they were only on the radio, let's say. If for example, you couldn't see a charming Clinton get up and address the audience. If you didn't see how uncomfortable Nixon seemed during his debate with JFK. (I wasn't alive then...i've only seen the video!) You catch my drift. I wonder if too high a premium has been placed on these hour segments? Or perhaps it makes no difference in the outcome at all. Some pundits talk about how the "real" personality of the candidates comes out in these debates. The "inner self", if you will. I don't know about that...I feel like it's to the point where it's SO important that it could easily become reduced to an act. Of course, I like to believe that the candidates are truly being themselves on stage, but I have to wonder...

Anyhow! What a wonderful time we're having out here in the South. Thanks to the folks who came out to the Texas shows! Thanks to New Orleans, Oxford and Birmingham! Hope to see ya'll again real soon.

We've still got Atlanta, Nashville, and a bunch in North Carolina coming up. Hope to see ya there!

xo jg

Fall Tour 2012

Hey all, We had a great time in Europe. Kind of life-changing in a way. I really enjoyed trying different foods and meeting all the different folks. Hell, I even tried snails in France. Anyhow, we can't wait to get back. Hopefully, we can bring the band next time.

We've got a pretty hefty tour ahead of us. Most of the dates are in places we haven't played in a long, long time. Mostly in the southeast. We're hoping that folks can spread the word and help us to have some decent turnouts. That's how we'll be able to come back!

I'll be playing with Phil and Friends in November. All the shows are in the New York area. But don't wait for November! Come on down south and join us in the little clubs we're playing on this tour. I promise you'll have a good time.

I started working on a new record this summer, but with this heavy tour ahead I don't think it will be out until next year at the earliest. We'll be starting to play a lot of the new songs on this tour, so tapers be ready!

xo jackie

Greetings from the UK!

Greetings all, We’re about halfway through our European Tour and loving every minute of it. We’ve been lucky enough to see some remarkable places. We started in Paris and it seemed that every woman I laid eyes upon was more beautiful than the next. Everyone was very friendly and the food was incredible. Paris had got to be one of the greatest cities in the world. I think everyone agrees on that. Unreal!

We’ve been playing throughout the UK, opening for the Deep Dark Woods and have been blessed to have gone to some amazing places. Brighton, Bristol, Bath...all amazing. We went up to the York Moors for a gig and it was like going back in time. Damn near impossible to get to. Edinburgh is probably one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. Castles, cathedrals, monuments. Wow!
 Of course London was crazy. We spent a night out in Soho with some friends of ours who are locals. I’ve never been to so many clubs in one night in my life. Those kids know how to party. Holy crap.

We’re winding down from our last London gig and heading to Holland in the morning. I’m sure we’ll miss the UK, but we’re looking forward to all our stops: Hoorn, Brussels, Amsterdam, Nijmagen and Rotterdam!

We’ll be back in the US soon and have lots of Fall dates. Hope to see ya’ll out there..

xo jackie

"The Evaporation of The Genuine Self"

Greetings, Many of you have been wondering about my recent online absence. The sudden and unexpected closure of all my social media accounts. (Facebook, twitter, etc). The short version is that I simply wanted to limit my distractions for the time being. I think the whole “being active in social media” thing needs a reboot. Seriously.

There's a long version with much more to it, but I wouldn't want to bore you with the details. I'll just say that I honestly believe we've all developed a unique sickness. One that is difficult to detect, because we all accept and even encourage it.

Actually, fuck it. I’ll bore you with the details.

"Is he dead?". "Did he retire?". "I hope he's okay." These are a few of the sentiments that have been relayed to me by close friends who are still active online. Since I've had no social media accounts, there was no way for me to be aware of these comments, except for good old-fashioned word of mouth.

I am both touched and bewildered by these comments. It's heart warming to hear them, yet the subtext is strange. At what point did we equate going offline with death? Like me, do you find it odd that we automatically assume something is wrong when a person closes their Facebook account? It's as if we've become so dependent on social networking that we view it as a literal lifeline. That "tether to the net" we all used to joke about when smartphones first came out isn't even figurative anymore. It's very real.

The irony of course is that the opposite is true. When I closed my accounts, nothing was wrong. Everything was right. I began living my life the way I used to, without the tether to the virtual "world". It's truly astounding to realize how much time we spend on Facebook and twitter. Let me say this: when I closed my accounts, the battery on my phone lasted three times as long! Amazing.

It's todays youth that I really feel for. The teenagers who are already struggling with their identities are growing up in a world that records their every move. A landscape where every action is public record. Every growing pain, slumber party, first date, first kiss, drivers exam....it's all tweeted, facebooked and instagramed. One kid's awkward growing pains can be entertainment for thousands. A high school kid who has some embarrassing moment can easily be forced to accept daily ridicule as their misdeed circles the social network.

A friend told me that a group of high school kids she knows got into a car accident. The passengers were unharmed, but the driver was hurt badly. Before the ambulance even arrived, the kids had tweeted photos of the bloody driver to all their friends and classmates.

What is it about social media that turns everyone into a Pulitzer prize-winning reporter? We act as if some huge tragedy will occur if we aren't the first to snap that picture and share it with the world. As if it's some big fucking scoop. The reality is that our collective ego has gotten so inflated and out of proportion, it's becoming impossible for many to make the distinction between online self and genuine self. (I read a recent news article where a teen used the term “the evaporation of the genuine self” to describe growing up in our current world. I found it the smartest thing anyone has said in years.)

What ever happened to just being a kid? Being able to make mistakes without fear of public ridicule. Kids do stupid shit all the time. Always have, always will. It's a part of growing up. My fear is that we've allowed their psyches (and indeed ours) to be molded by the online collective. The club that we demand that everyone belongs to. Kids are growing up not only in the most homogenous time in real culture, but the most homogenous time in online culture as well. And we wonder why some of them end up with a severe identity crisis? We never gave em the chance to have a real identity in the first place. Everything is about making the perfect "profile". Is it any wonder why people spend so much time on their avatars?

It's funny. We all think of Facebook as a form of connection. A society that on paper, seems like a good idea. It mimics real life. It takes full advantage of our ever-accelerating technology and lulls us into submission with wonderful and mindless stimuli. But the dirty truth is that Facebook is not about connection at all. It's about isolation. And we all know it. We've always known it, but we let it slide.

It's like that fable about the King and the poisoned water. (I think it was told in the movie Serpico). One day, all the water in the kingdom was poisoned and all the kings subjects went mad. Except for the king, who was drinking from a private fountain. Everyone in the kingdom thought it was the king who had gone mad and were on the verge of rioting when finally the king decides to drink from the public fountain. The whole kingdom rejoiced because the king had regained his sanity. I guess an easier way to say it is: if ya can't beat em, join em.

But I digress...!

I apologize for the armchair psychology, truly. I can be long winded, I know.

If you've read this far, clearly you realize that I'm back online. There are certain realities of the business that I'm in that require social media. Can't be avoided. I have to drink the water, so to speak. I have been advised that suddenly disconnecting social media accounts can seem alienating to fans and friends. Some may even take it personal. (of course, this is exactly the philosophical basis of my dilemma.)

To be clear though, my intention was not to alienate or upset anyone. I simply became aware of my own social media addiction and decided to take a break. Just for my own personal sanity while I'm working on my new album. (I would highly recommend you do the same sometime and see how good it feels!) So, no hard feelings right?

As for the kids -- I highly recommend going outside sometime. Build a tree fort. I recommend "borrowing" dads hammers, nails and scrounging up whatever rope, netting and boards you can find. Instead of spending Saturday on Facebook, build something awesome. Then post it to your page. You'll be the envy of all the boys at your school. (and quite possibly some of the adults!)

For the teens - quit worrying about making the "perfect profile" to attract friends and dates. The amount of facebook friends you have will have little to do with what your life will actually become. Boys, go out and chase girls the old fashioned way. Ask your dad. He'll know what to do. If there's a girl you like, ask her out in person. Show her you've got a pair.

Girls, be yourselves. Kim Kardashian isn't really all that cool. Remember that "popular" just means popular. It doesn't mean good, true, smart or even beautiful. Let the boys talk to you. Challenge them to be funny and interesting in real life, not on Facebook.

Adults - encourage your kids to develop their own true identities! It's important for the next generation of art and culture. Personality, individual ideas and creative thinking are necessary elements in making art and music.

Okay, that's my rant. I didn't retire. I'm not dead and I am not planning to be anytime soon.

Hope to see y'all in the real world. It's a wonderful place.

JG

P.S almost on cue...just now I got some random text message....I think it's quite relevant, so i'll post it.

Recent Happenings...

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What a blast it was to stand on stage at Carnegie Hall. Wow. That's all I can really say. All the performers were so fantastic and the band was kick ass. I got to meet Jackson Browne and Juliette Lewis. I was stoked to say the least! Big thanks to Lenny Kaye and Co. for keeping it all together. The Terrapin Crossroads shows in San Rafael were equally thrilling. It's a remarkable thing to play that music with such talented folks in such an intimate setting. It really feels like "home". Hopefully, there will be many more dates there in the not-do-distant future!

Trigger Hippy is getting ready to hit the road and so is the Weir/Robinson/Greene Trio. (WRG, for short.) I should have my hands full for the next few months, but still finding time to work on my new album. We've been taking lots of home videos, documenting the "making of" this album and will posting them shortly. Hopefully we can tickle yer funny bone with some of them.

In other news, I've remembered the password to my Tweeter, err, um Twitter account... so i'll be twittering like a tweety bird from now on. If ya wanna be in the know...follow me on twitter. CLICK ME.

Here's a picture that Chuckie took (before he got yelled at) of the Carnegie Hall soundcheck... We will be adding more Jackie Greene Band tour dates soon! Stick around! xoxo jackie

The tour rolls on...

Hi folks,Thanks to all who came out to our winter shows. We've had a positive start so far and the band is pretty fired up right now. It was particularly nice to see packed houses in Salt Lake City, Portland and Los Angeles. As performers, we feed on your energy, so don't be shy about giving it to us! We'll give it right back to you. Amplified. Much thanks to the fellas for kicking ass. Jeremy Plog, Nathan Dale, Zack Bowden and our newest band member, Steve Taylor. Steve is wonderful songwriter and singer in his own right, so please check him out. Nathan just released his first solo-record and we've been doing a few of his songs live. I hope ya'll check out his record cause it's a mighty fine one. A big shout out to Big D, Joe, Nora and Chuckie for keeping us in line on all these outings. Our special guest Jabe Beyer was stellar, as always.

I'm about to embark upon some more dates with Mr. Phil Lesh at his brand new joint in San Rafael: Terrapin Crossroads. I have good feelings about this place.....

We'll be adding more Jackie Greene Band shows shortly, so please check the website for updates. Trigger Hippy is gearing up for some touring as well.

I've officially started recording my next album. I'm not sure when it will be released, or who will release it -- but that's not really the point. The point is to make the music. I'll probably have much more to say about is as time goes by. Suffice it to say that I'm really happy with the new songs and I hope you'll enjoy them when you hear them.

Till next time, Jackie

Fillmore

Thanks to all who came out for the Fillmore birthday show.  It was truly a special night for me and I can't think of a better way to turn 31.  A very special thanks to all the guests who came out this year:  Phil Lesh, Jeff Chimenti, Mark Karan, Nicki Bluhm, Tim Bluhm, Joan Osborne, Audley Freed, Nick Govrik, Steve Gorman, Jabe Beyer,John Molo, Mike Curry, Jeff Pehrson, Hans Eberbach and Sal Valentino --  you guys kick ass and I feel so very lucky to play music with ya'll.   Of course my band mates -- Nate Dale, Jeremy Plog, Zack Bowden and Steve Taylor -- the best in the biz!!  Special thanks to Marty DeAnda and the Fillmore staff for making it all happen smoothly.  Chuckles, Nora, Joe and Darin are my unsung heroes of the night.  Thanks you guys!! Also, thanks to all who attended our very first Trigger Hippy west coast shows in Petaluma and Sacramento.  We all had a great time and we hope ya'll enjoyed the show!  We've been working on some recordings, so look for them soon!

Next up, xmas jam with Phil and Friends!   That should be a blast.  PLF is planning a few shows in CO as well.  Hope to see ya'll out there!!

Have a happy holiday everyone!

Jackie

Top Ten All-Time Favorite Records

I don't know what prompted my previous photo-blog.  Probably because I was cleaning out my records, boxing up doubles, figuring out what I don't have, etc. I made a trek to The Beat in Sacramento immediately to look for a few things I didn't have that I knew I should have.  In doing so, I inevitably spend more money than I should finding more stuff I like.  So, it goes.

I was thinking about how I would make my top-ten list.  I decided to place specific criteria on myself.  Consider it an exercise in self-discovery.  Here are my criteria:

1) The album cannot be a "Greatest Hits" or compilation of any sort.  That's cheating.

2) I have to have been listening to the album for a minimum of 10 years, and still love listening to it.  Looking for longevity, here.   Unfortunately, this immediately disqualifies more recent records (Wilco, Radiohead, Etc) that might have made it into the list.  For me, it also disqualifies any Grateful Dead music since I've only really enjoyed them for a few years.  Really, what I'm searching for is the records that define me. (Oh God, that sounds so freakin lame.)

3) The album cannot be a bootleg tape.  It must have been commercially released (at least somewhere).  "Live" Albums are okay.

The List

1.  Tom Waits "Small Change"

This record was the first Tom Waits record I'd ever heard.  An older friend played it for me when I was 17.  I didn't like his voice, at first.  It didn't take long to be consumed by it, though.  Before I knew it, I was wearing pork-pie hats and chain smoking and wanting to write songs like that.

2.  Freddie King "Gettin Ready"

This was one of the first electric blues records I ever purchased.  Everything about it is great.  It's like a pop-record for blues dorks.  Great songs, great production, great edits,  great playing and singing.  Shelter records had some amazing releases during that time.

3.   The Coup  "Genocide and Juice"

I believe this is out of print, but it's one of the few Hip Hop records that I love dearly.  (Yes, I like hippity hoppity). It's hilarious.  It's funky.  It's (kind of )socially and politically aware, at least for the time.   This was my weed smoking record when I was a kid.  I still know all the words and I can rap along to most of the songs, which I'm sure is an awkward scene.

4.  The Beatles "Revolver"

The meaning of the Beatles is much different to my age group than say -- my parents.  The Beatles never symbolized rebellion in any way to me.  How could they? I grew up with Nirvana.  MTV.  Etc.  The Beatles were already ancient history by the time I was potty trained.  I actually tried my best to NOT like the Beatles.  I really, really tried but I couldn't deny it.   Pretty much from 65' on, each album was a masterpiece, in my opinion.  With the exception of Let It Be (which I still LOVE) each record was very highly realized.  The word "impeccable" comes to mind.  Each sound seemed to be the best possible version of the sound...if that makes any sense.  The creativity seemed boundless.  As someone who now makes records, these facts are even more impressive now that I know how difficult it all actually is.

5.  Bob Dylan  "Bringing it all back home"

Which brings us to the polar opposite style of record making.  This record has all the symptoms of being a clunker.  It's recorded quickly, instruments are out of tune, etc.   None of that shit matters.  What matters is how the songs make you feel.  As with many Dylan records, this one feels very spontaneous and alive.  The songs, obviously, are fantastic.  Choosing a favorite Dylan record is probably just as difficult as choosing a favorite child.  Okay, maybe not quite that bad.  I have fond memories of this record because I recall that once in High School English class, we all had to learn and recite a speech for a public speaking unit...I brought a guitar and did "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream" for my speech.  I got an A+.

6.  Ray Charles "The Genius of Ray Charles"

The first time I'd ever heard a vinyl record, it was this album.  It was also my first taste of anything resembling true RnB, blues or soul music.  I was probably 14 years old when I discovered this record.  It's the record that started it all for me.  I played the first song "Let the good-times roll" over and over and over.  I still get off on it.  This record blows my mind, every time.

7.  Nirvana  "Nevermind"

I was 11 or 12 when this record came out.  I was too young to "get it", but I really felt the attitude.  By the time I was 13, I was wearing the same jeans for weeks at a time and insisting that dirty-ass flannel shirts were the only fashions statements worth making.  This record also coincided with me getting my first electric guitar....which was some knock off wannabe strat that the man at the music store was nice enough to hold for me until I could pay it off.  I went in every week with 5 bucks, 10 bucks, whatever I had.  Pretty soon, that bad boy was mine!

8.  Arlo Guthrie - "Alices Restaurant"

Believe it or not, there was a time when I could preform, in it's entirety, Alice's Restaurant Massacree.  I memorized all the words.  It's actually a lot harder than you would think to talk and tell a story while you are playing guitar.   I had a teacher in High School who showed me Arlo Guthrie.  He was really into David Bromberg too.  He gave me this tape with "Bullfrog Blues" on it, which is another lengthy talking number.  Actually, one of the first concerts I ever went to was Arlo Guthrie at Martime Hall in San Francisco.

9.  Led Zeppelin -- "Physical Graffiti"

By the time I was able to drive, I was also able to put a CD player in my car.  I didn't have a car until I was almost 18, so I did a lot of research as to what stereo I would be putting in.  Priorities, you understand.  My job at Taco Bell paid for my first car stereo and I can remember driving around for hours after I installed it -- just to see how loud I could get Zeppelin cranked.   This record was the first thing I played in my very first  car stereo.  Interestingly enough, it was also the record that destroyed my car's speakers for the first time.  Imagine that!

10.  Muddy Waters -- "Live at Newport 1960"

There's a TON of blues records that I love, but this is the one I've been listening to the longest.  I don't remember where I got it.  I'm fairly certain I just randomly bought it as my first Muddy Waters record.  I'm glad I did.  The best part is listening to the girls screaming at him from the crowd.  It's kind of frightening, actually.

So, that's my list.   In general, lists like this are pointless.  They don't really provide any perspective of anything other than musical taste...which in general...is an evolving thing.  There's no permanence in regards taste, nor should there be.    Having said that, these are the records that I've listened to for at least a decade and still love them as I did when I first heard them, if not more.   That's gotta account for something?

JG

Southeast Shows Cancelled

Dear friends -

I regret to inform you that I will be rescheduling our dates in the Southeast.  This includes the Atlanta, Chattanooga, Birmingham and Nashville dates.

My father  passed away of bone cancer recently and my family will likely be holding services during that time.

He was a strong man and I will miss him dearly.   I'm thankful and comforted to know that I was able to give him his last wishes.  He spent his last months in my house, close to his children and loved ones.  In his final moments, we were all able to be there and we surrounded him with love and music.   He passed peacefully on Friday, October 21st.

Going through some old photo albums, my mother came across this photograph.  This is my father singing to me as an infant.  I find it a beautiful and poignant statement right now.   (not to mention my kick-ass headband.)

The Chico shows this weekend will go on as planned.  Hope to see y'all there.

Thanks for understanding.

Sincerely,

Jackie

Fall Tour 11'

Thanks to all those who attended our East coast and midwest shows this Fall.  We had a great time and we hope to see you again real soon.  Special thanks to Tim and Nicki Bluhm and Truth and Salvage, who accompanied us on much of this journey. Extra special thanks to Ringo,  Big D, Joe, Chuckles and Nora for taking good care of us out there.

Thanks to everyone who attended my very first art shows.  Hopefully, I'll get to do more sometime soon.

I'm off to play the Southern Grounds festival this friday with Trigger Hippy and then headed back west.  Hope to see ya out on the west coast.

Jackie

Fall Tour Coming Up

Hi Folks! We are looking forward to our Fall tour!  Hope to see ya'll out there.  Don't by shy, now!  We'll be starting in Pittsburgh, (let's try this again, shall we?) and heading up to Syracuse and Buffalo.  A couple nights in Ann Arbor.  Chicago and Cleveland are also in the mix as well as lovely little Burlington, VT.  Of course, we will be getting nasty in Boston and Philly (Hell of a season for the phillies, by the way!) and of course....a couple nights in New York.

I'm also pleased to announce that we will be showing some of my artwork at some of these shows.  The details are still coming on which ones, but I'll keep ya updated.  I hope ya'll can have a chance to browse around and say hello.

Speaking of... I'll be doing a gallery show in DC on the 28th.  If you are interested in attending, please RSVP:

marydouglasdrysdale@yahoo.com

Tickets for the shows are available online! Some are going pretty quick.  Hope to see ya'll out there!

Jackie

Art Show in DC

Hello friends, I'm pleased to announce that I'll be doing another art show in DC soon. Here are the details: Mary Douglas Drysdale and Cross MacKenzie Gallery

invite you to attend a private showing and reception for JACKIE GREENE

Musician/Songwriter/Artist

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

6:00 pm-9:00 pm

2026 "R" Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009

R.S.V.P.

Esther@ (202)588-0700 or marydouglasdrysdale@yahoo.com

Aspen, CO

Hi friends,We've added a few dates to our tour calendar. Next up is a an acoustic show at the Belly Up in Aspen, CO on August 17th. Come on out and get folky with us. Also I'm doing my very first gallery show the next day (August 18th) at a gallery in Aspen. If you're interested and in town, come on out. Info below.

Jackie Greene- Paintings, Drawings and Prints Thursday, August 18, 2011 Reception: 6:00 pm - 8:00 p.m.

Unique Modern Art Gallery 307 S. Galena Street Aspen, CO 81611 970-920-2200