May is here! The magnolia tree in our backyard set forth beautiful blossoms, ephemeral as music and already fallen to the ground.  But gardens are being planted, spring flowers are showing their colored faces, and the grass is turning spring green.  And music is blooming! 

April – Open Mics and Art All Night!

It was great to try out a few tunes with Nadine and Nathan Douds at the Thursday open mic at  Steamworks Creative.  This is a new collaboration for me, and it’s so fun to work with such pros.  We’ll be back there for a full show on May 31, but I’m getting ahead of myself — more on that below!

April is the month for the annual Art All Night free and open art show, which went from 4pm Saturday April 26 to 2pm Sunday April 27 at the warehouse at 929 Beaver Ave.  It was great to be back organizing the acoustic “Coffeehouse Stage”, and experience the circus that is the biggest popup event of any kind — art or otherwise — that you are ever likely to see!  If you’d like to see many of the musicians who played that night, check out the pictures and videos on Facebook!  With the help of sound techs Will Snavely and Richard Montest, we ran that stage for all but six of the 22 hours that is Art All Night!

Music is Blossoming in May!

Two big gigs to kick off the addition of a new collaboration with Nadine and Nathan Douds!

On Saturday May 10, the three of us will be playing from 11:45am to 12:15pm at the Friendship Flower and Folk Festival at Baum Grove in Friendship!  Bring a chair to sit in the grassy amphitheatre and listen to music from 11am to 4pm.  Grab a hotdog or other snack from the vendors and buy some flowers for Mothers’ Day.  It’s a blast!

Then on Saturday May 31 at 7pm, we’ll be playing a full show at Steamworks Creative up on Route 8 in Gibsonia.   Fun, thoughtful songs and tunes in a variety of styles. I’ll do some tunes solo, Nadine will do some tunes solo, and we’ll do a few together! Nathan Douds will join on percussion and keyboard.

(Oh, and by the way, there’s a killer concert with Crys Matthews and Brad Yoder happening at SongSpace at First Unitarian in Shadyside May 10 at 7:30 pm.  Plan on going after the Friendship Flower and Folk Festival. You won’t want to miss that either!)

As always, check out brianjunkermusic.com for late breaking news and gigs.

See you out in the world!

-BJ

We’re Marching on into the spring… Amid all the turmoil in the world it is so important to find moments of joy…

February is in the books!

Deborah Brooks, Sarafina and I had a great time on February 8 playing in the Starlite Invitational  series. It’s always great to sing and play with Deborah and it was wonderful to see and hear a full set of Sarafina’s music!… Thanks to Devin Russian and the Starlite Lounge for making it all happen!

That would be hard to top, but top it we did, as Joy Street played a full concert in the Sunnyhill Live! concert series on February 21!  A lovely venue, great sound, and a big enthusiastic crowd.  We had our new cellist David Bennett with us, Ted Cmarada joined in on blues harp, and Mary Fleck sang a few tunes with us too…  How can you beat that?

Marching Forward!

Just one thing on the schedule so far for March, but it’s going to be great fun.

On Saturday March 29 I’ll be back at the Fresh Start Cafe in Canonsburg, from 11am to 1pm.   That’s always a fun, chill time in a cozy setting.  As a special treat this time, Eve & Cyndy will be joining me, playing a couple tunes together at the top of each hour.  Eve Goodman is a well known professional musician in Pittsburgh, and Cyndy Carroll is a fine South Hills singer-songwriter and performer.  I’m really looking forward to it!

As always, check out brianjunkermusic.com for late breaking news and gigs.

See you out in the world!

-BJ

The world seems in turmoil these days, and music is one way to connect with joy and rejuvination in troubled times…

Looking back at January…

The 18th Annual Let Freedom Sing Concert on January 20 celebrated the social justice legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on a day when many were justifiably concerned about the future of our country.  I sang tenor in the choir, and I was inspired by the direction of Dr. Herbert Jones & Nikki Porter, soloists Anqwenique Kinsel & Shelia Beasley, and a surprise guest appearance by Howard Alexander!

 Joy Street‘s return to the Breezeway Home, on January 24 was a great success!  We had a full house in a delightful space, and our host Dennis Inserra was gracious and caring as always!

On To February!

Although this newsletter is a little late getting out, I hope you can come out to the Starlite Lounge, 7:00pm Saturday Feb 8 (two days from now!) to see Deborah Brooks, Sarafina, and me in the Starlite Invitational  series. It will be a fun night of music!

Then on February 21 at 7:30pm, Joy Street will play a full concert in the Sunnyhill Live! concert series!  Come on out to Sunnyhill Unitarian Church of the South Hills in Mount Lebanon for an evening of lovely harmonies and great music, with our new cellist David Bennett and reuniting for a few songs with singer Mary Fleck!

As always, check out brianjunkermusic.com for late breaking news and gigs.

See you out in the world!

-BJ

November was sweet!  Got some music ready for the holidays, wrote some new music, and played a great gig!

November!

I had a great time at the Fresh Start Café in Canonsburg!  Played a few holiday favorites as well as my own music, and had a great helping hand from Susan Spangler (that’s her playing the mando in the picture at the top of this email).  Mollie Erlichman arranges to have music there almost every Saturday; check out her Facebook Page for the latest.  It’s a chill place with good music and good coffee, tea and cafe treats.

December!

Another quieter month, to enjoy the holidays with family and dig into music.

You can see me and some special guests doing a special show of ballads, tunes and holiday music on December 15, 6:00pm-8:00pm, at Ruckus Café in Shaler PA (just outside Millvale on Babcock!). The owner, Chris, does a super job of supporting the community, visual arts and music. The café drinks and eats are pretty darned good too! Come see me, and check out the many other holiday events at Ruckus!

As always, check out brianjunkermusic.com for late breaking news and gigs.

See you out in the world!

-BJ

October was a busy month and I’m just catching my breath from it!  In November I’m taking it a little more slowly, to learn and write some new songs.

October!

I had a blast on October 9 playing the Lunch and Live Music Series at Mellon Square, sponsored in part by Make Music Pittsburgh! Cool, windy day, but folks still came out for lunch and music, and it was great fun.

On October 12 I played a solo set and a set with East End Appalachian Jam at the  Swissvale Farmers’ Market, and then on October 26 I played a final set for the season at the  Bloomfield Saturday Market.  Farmers’ markets are a great place to try stuff out and meet new listeners!

Then on the evening of the 26th, I had great fun splitting a bill with  Deborah Brooks for the Starlite Lounge.  The banner at the top of this email shows us playing some Halloween music (Witchy Woman, I think!) with Sandy Roman on blues harp.  Devon Russian took that photo for us, and also ran sound that night!

…and then there was the election!  I canvassed on the weekend before, and sat at a polling place all day on Election Day.  The outcome was not what I wanted, but it’s always good to support the democratic process…

November!

Come see me on November 23, 10am-Noon, at the Fresh Start Cafe in Cannonsburg!  I’m hoping to dust off some holiday music in addition to my usual setlist.  Fresh Start is a lovely intimate coffeeshop, and I’m looking forward to playing there for a second time.

As always, full information and late-breaking events on brianjunkermusic.com.

Hope to see you out in the world!

-BJ

PS – if you had the chance Friday Nov 8, 7:30pm, you saw a really great SongSpace at First Unitarian concert with Alice Howe and Freebo!  Freebo has been well known for decades as a great fretless bass player and songwriter, and Alice Howe is a superb singer-songwriter.  You can get tickets for all their shows at  http://uusongspace.eventbee.com, or at the door.

It’s October 1, and the temperatures, the leaves, and a bit of rain are already falling… Time to buff up my murder ballad, Charlie, and learn a couple more spooky tunes for the season…

September recap…

Oh, it was a busy month…

On Saturday Aug 31 I had a blast at the Swissvale Farmers’ Market, playing by myself at 9am and then joined by East End Appalachian Jam from 11 to 1.  And then in the afternoon the East End Appalachian Jam folks convened again on my porch for snacks and more music, for International Play Music on the Porch Day!

On Monday September 9 I returned  to  Three Rivers Outdoor Company for another fun show!  This time I was accompanied by a great pedal steel guitar player, Leah Mcp, and a guest singer, Mary Fleck!

Had a lot of fun a few days later on September 13 playing Norwegian Wood on the Appalachian Sitar (that’s clawhammer banjo to you) for Beth Claussen’s Porch Concert Series!

I was back at the Bloomfield Saturday Market on September 14, and at the Swissvale Farmers’ Market on September 21 (with Joy Street) and September 28 (with East End Appalachian Jam)!

October Music!

On Wednesday October 9 from 11:30am to 1:30pm I’ll be playing the  Lunch and Live Music Series at Mellon Square! Take your midday break outside in this beautiful urban oasis & enjoy food from local vendors!  Thanks to  Make Music Pittsburgh, who made this series possible!

Then on Saturday October 12, it’s back to the Swissvale Farmers’ Market.  I’ll play songs and tunes from 9am to 11am, and then East End Appalachian Jam will play from 11am to 1pm.

On Saturday October 26, it’s a double-double header… From 10am to noon I’ll play songs and tunes at the Bloomfield Saturday Market, and then from 7pm to 9pm I’ll split a bill with Deborah Brooks for the Starlite Lounge Songwriters’ Invitational Series.  We will bring boo-tiful music!

As always, full information and late-breaking events on brianjunkermusic.com.

Hope to see you out in the world!

-BJ

What a great July and August it’s been!  Lots of fun music all over the place, and now it’s time to fall into September songs & tunes!

July and August Recap…

Joy Street had a blast on July 26 playing for one of Beth Claussen’s Porch Concerts!  Great weather, crowd, great energy, and an a capella national anthem by two of Beth’s vocal students… How could you ask for more?

I lost my voice (some stupid temporary virus) for the August 10 gig at the Bloomfield Saturday Market, but fortunately Mary Fleck and Deborah Brooks stepped in to sing a bunch of their songs, and I played along on clawhammer banjo just for fun.  Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat!

The following weekend I had a blast playing two hours on August 17 at the Fresh Start Cafe in Canonsburg.  Relaxing comfy coffeeshop, and a great set of listeners. And then on August 19 I played the Music Mondays series at  Three Rivers Outdoor Company in Regent Square.  A cool, cool evening for August, but great to play for friends and passers-by.

Then on August 24, Joy Street played for the annual summer festival at St. Andrews Church in Highland Park.  Great to have the whole band together for a lovely late summer show!

September Songs & Tunes!

Saturday Aug 31 (ok, not really September, but close!) I’ve got a triple header of music coming up!

• From 9am to 11am I’ll be playing solo at the  Swissvale Farmers’ Market.
• Then from 11am to 1pm, East End Appalachian Jam will come to the Swissvale Market to play old time Appalachian dance tunes.
• And then from 4 to 6pm, I’ll play music on my very own porch for International Play Music on the Porch Day!  All are welcome, and it sounds like several of the East End Appalachian Jam will stop by to play more old time Appalachian tunes!

On Monday September 9, 6:30-8:00pm, I’m returning to  Three Rivers Outdoor Company for another fun show!  And I’m hoping to have a guest musician or two with me (pedal steel guitar, anyone?).

On Friday September 13 at 6pm, Beth Claussen is hosting her final porch/street show of the year, featuring many Beatles tunes.  And I’ll make a cameo appearance with the Appalachian Sitar!

The very next day, Saturday September 14 from 10am-Noon, you can catch me at the Bloomfield Saturday Market (in full voice this time!).

Then on Saturday September 21, I’ll play solo from 9am to 11am, and then Joy Street will join me from 11am to 1pm for some great harmonies and string band music.

And finally on Saturday September 28, I’ll join the  East End Appalachian Jam from 11am to 1pm at the Swissvale Farmers’ Market for some great old-time dance tunes.

Hope to see you out in the world!

-BJ

It’s been a while!  Sorry, I’ve been travelling and didn’t have a chance to send you more spam… er… I mean, a much-anticipated newsletter!

June was much fun, and July had hidden treasures (more on that anon!)… and there’s at least one more July event, and a bunch happening in August…

June Tunes, and Flying in July…

The Bloomfield Saturday Market on June 15 was a blast, as always!  Lots of people at the market, and some (encouraged by kids who wanted to stop to dance) even stayed with me for a song or three!

Then on June 21 I played a sweet solo set for Make Music Pittsburgh at a very cool venue, the Greenhouse Cider and Plant Coop in Greenfield.  Lovely place, lovely audience (including several old and new friends) and also some lovely music by Madeline Jo & Friends, and the acoustic duo known as the Goats!

The very next day, June 22, we blanketed the Swissvale Farmers’ Market with music from 9am to 1pm!  Joy Street played from 9am to 11am, and I kept the party going from then until until 1pm.  The weather was hot, the music was hot, and much fun (and perhaps a few heat hallucinations?) was had by all.

On Saturday July 29 I headed out to Sharon PA to play some country blues and soft rock hits with Debbi Pace at the Main Street Farmer’s Market.  Really fun, and something different for me!  I played a little guitar, a little mando, and a little banjo (you haven’t really lived until you’ve heard Steve Winwood’s “Can’t Find My Way Home” on clawhammer banjo!).

That got me all ready to get on a plane the very next day, and meet my son Toby in Brussels for a little R&R.  Caught a quarterfinal game of the Euro Cup live in the stadium (Netherlands beat Turkiye in that one, but couldn’t last ’til the final!), visited dear friends in Amsterdam and Frankfurt, and attended and played music at a wedding in Switzerland.  It was a much needed break, but it’s also great to be back!

July and August!

Whew!  All that, and there’s still a little July left, and all of August too!

• Friday July 26 Joy Street (only a few days away!) is playing from 7pm to 8 or so in Beth Claussen’s Porch Concert Series, 1031 Jancey Street in Morningside.
• Then on Saturday August 10 I’ll be returning to the Bloomfield Saturday Market with purely acoustic music from 10am until noon.
• A week later, on Saturday,  August 17, I’ll be playing from about 10am ’til noon, at the Fresh Start Cafe in Canonsburg.
• On Monday August 19 I’ll play a solo set from 6:30 to 7:30 as part of the Music Mondays series at the Three Rivers Outdoor Company in Regent Square.
• Saturday afternoon August 24, Joy Street is playing at St. Andrews Church in Highland Park
• …and finally. on Saturday Aug 31 I’ll play the 9am slot at the Swissvale Farmers’ Market, and East End Appalachian Jam community will jam from 11am until 1pm.

As always, full information and late-breaking events on brianjunkermusic.com.

Hope to see you out in the world!

-BJ

Upcoming Shows:

 Joy Street  
Fri. July 26, 7-8pm
Beth Claussen’s Porch Concert Series
1031 Jancey Street
Morningside

Brian Junker
Sat. August 10, 10am-Noon
Bloomfield Saturday Market

Brian Junker
Sat. August 17, 10am-Noon
Fresh Start Cafe
Canonsburg

Brian Junker
Mon. Aug. 19, 6:30-7:30pm
Music Mondays Series
Three Rivers Outdoor Company
Regent Square

Joy Street
Saturday afternoon Aug. 24
St. Andrews Church
Highland Park

Brian Junker, 9am-11am
East End Appalachian Jam, 11am-1pm
Saturday Aug 31
Swissvale Farmers’ Market