FAWM was challenging but always fun! It’s hard for me to write songs quickly but I managed to reach my personal goal of four songs.  Here’s two of them, if you’re curious…

Happy Feet

Dawn

(Photos courtesy of pexels.com)

March Along, Go March Along!

Just a couple things coming up in March, but they’ll be good!

First, Joy Street (which I’m a part of) will be playing special music and a couple other things (including a Deborah Brooks original!) for the service at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh Sunday March 1, 10:30-11:30am. One doesn’t usually think of church services as fun, but this one will be!

Second, SongSpace and Calliope are jointly presenting a really great concert at in the SongSpace series, also at the First Unitarian Church:

Larry & Joe is the duo of Joropo maestro Larry Bellorín (Monagas, Venezuela) and GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass and old-time star Joe Troop (Winston-Salem, North Carolina). These two virtuosic multi-instrumentalists fuse their respective Venezuelan and Appalachian folk traditions on the harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar, and maracas, proving that music has no borders. Their engaging bilingual (ESP/ENG) program includes storytelling, humor, sing-alongs, and dancing.  (I’m not playing in this, but I help organize the SongSpace series, and I’m really looking forward to this one!)

Hear them on NPR’s Here and Now!

More coming in April – stay tuned!

As always, late breaking news and information at brianjunkermusic.com.

Stay calm, find joy! I’ll look for you out in the world!

-BJ

It’s been a good January (aside from the ICE and snow, and I didn’t really mind the snow…).  I had a great time leading the Calliope Songwriters’ Circle, and I introduced a song, Going Home, that you’ll get to listen to this weelend if you come out to the Starlite Lounge in Blawnox. It turned out I didn’t sing at the Let Freedom Sing Choir Concert, but I did run the livestream for them, with my tech colleague Nicky!  Inspiring music, as always. 

Coming up this weekend I’m splitting a bill with the very cool singer/songwriter and classic Americana performer Uncle Al, Saturday Jan 31, 7:30pm for the Starlite Invitational at the Starlite Lounge in Blawnox. David Bennett will be there on Cello and Uke (!) to spice up a few songs too!  Here’s a teaser…

…I hope you can make it!

Coming up: February Album Writing Month!

Every Feburary for the past several years I’ve participated in Feburary Album Writing Month (fawm.org), a social network for songwriters that only operates in February!  The “goal” is to write 14 songs (an album’s worth!) in 28 days.  Some write more, some write less.  I’m definitely in the latter camp — I’ll feel great if I can crank out 4 songs in February!

If you’re inclined to try it, or just to listen to some rough drafts of a very wide variety of cool music, you can register at fawm.org and look up people to listen to.

As always, late breaking news and information at brianjunkermusic.com.

Stay warm, find joy! I’ll look for you out in the world!

-BJ

What a nice December it was! With only one gig (that’s me up there in the lead photo with with Jett Downey, Susan Spangler and David Bennett for the December 21 Winter Solstice Celebration at First Unitarian Church in Shadyside) there was plenty of time to enjoy the holidays, develop some new songs and start thinking about some proper recording.

I hope your holidays brought you peace and joy, and I wish you all the best for the coming year.

January!

Three things are coming up that you might like!

Have you ever been curious about songwriting?  I’m hosting this month’s monthly Calliope Songwriters’ Circle this Monday January 5 at the Starlite Lounge in Blawnox.  It runs from roughly 7 to 9pm.  Come and see how the sausage is made (bringing your own song for feedback is encouraged but optional, especially for a first visit!).

Then on Monday January 19 the Nineteenth Annual Let Freedom Sing Choir Concert takes place at 7:30pm at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty.  If you’d like to sing in the combined choir there’s info on the website, or you can just come and listen to some amazing gospel music in honor of Martin Luther King.

Finally on Saturday January 31, 7-9pm, I’m playing in the Starlite Invitational at the Starlite Lounge in Blawnox, on a co-bill with the very cool singer/songwriter and classic Americana performer Uncle Al.  I hope to have one or two friends drop by to help out on a couple songs as well!

…and then it’s on to February!  Stay warm and keep music in your heart!

As always, late breaking news and information at brianjunkermusic.com (some other things are cooking for January but they weren’t ready for the newsletter yet, so check the website!).

See you out in the world!

-BJ

Hey, this is what my neighborhood looked like on December 2nd… How about yours?  I think we can safely say winter is here!  I can’t say I mind the cold as long as there’s also lovely white snow… Not looking forward to the slush though!

October and November!

I had such a nice run of shows to close out October before my November break… The show on Oct 23 with  Abbey Martin, Nadine Douds  and me at the Breezeway Home was an absolute pleasure.  Thanks to all who came out to listen to us in Dennis Inserra’s warm, welcoming space.  The very next night on October 24, I played music for the Three Rivers Waterkeeper annual fundraiser at the Pittsburgh Brewing Company out in Creighton PA.  Big space, big fundraiser for a very good cause, and big fun! Then on October 30,  Nadine Douds traded songs for travellers at the Pittsburgh International Airport.  And finally on November 2,  David Hawkins and I had a blast playing in the Ruckus Sunday Night Music at the Ruckus Cafe!

That should have been it for November, but as luck would have it, I played a couple of last-minute gigs at the Three Little Birds Cafe and Juice Bar in Allison Park — once with one of my favorite fiddlers, Alice Backer! I hope to be back there again soon, perhaps playing with more friends!

December Holidays

I’m looking forward to a restful December.  I’m continuing to take it easy, other than playing some music with Jett Downey, Susan Spangler and David Bennett for a Winter Solstice Celebration at 7pm on December 21 at the First Unitarian Church in Shadyside.

Have a great winter break too, and look for my January newsletter… I’ll have plenty to tell you about January and beyond!

As always, late breaking news and information at brianjunkermusic.com.

See you out in the world!

-BJ

Yes, I know it’s not really November yet.  But, as they say in Fiddler on the Roof, “Impossible things are happening every day!”.   And there are a few events at the end of October and beginning of November that I want to remind you of…

…and I want to thank you for coming out to support me in a great run of shows this summer and fall!  I’ll be taking a bit of a break now in November to recharge my batteries and start some new projects, but I’m looking forward to seeing you again out in the world after that!

Here’s What’s Happening Before my November Break!

Tomorrow night, Thurday Oct 23 at 7pm, Abbey Martin, Nadine Douds  and I will be playing at the Breezeway Home in Point Breeze (click the image to hear some pretty harmonies from a rehearsal — don’t forget to unmute the video!).  We’re really looking foward to singing and playing in various combinations together, and sharing some music especially for this space.  Our host Dennis Inserra invites you to RSVP, but you can also just show up at the door.

The very next night, Friday Oct 24, I’ll be providing music from 7:30 to 9:00pm for the Three Rivers Waterkeeper annual fundraiser, out at the Pittsburgh Brewing Company in Creighton PA.  You’re welcome to come support a really important Pittsburgh environmental organization, and enjoy dinner (starting at 6pm) and music (starting at 7:30)!  Full details at the Waterkeeper website.

A week later, on Thursday Oct 30 from 3 to 5pm, Nadine Douds and I will be playing for travellers at the Pittsburgh International Airport on the Airside Terminal Stage.  This is the second time for me this year, and I really had fun doing it earlier this summer.  It’ll be a first look at the newly remodelled terminal!

And finally, on Sunday Nov 2, 6-8pm, I’m joining David Hawkins to play in the Ruckus Sunday Night Music series.  Ruckus is a great coffeehouse on Babcock Boulevard just outside Millvale, and owner Chris Rautkis is such a dedicated supported of local music.  Come on out, have a cafe drink, a snack or a full meal, and help us celebrate late Fall at Ruckus!

After that, I’m taking my November break.

As always, late breaking news and information at brianjunkermusic.com.

See you out in the world!

-BJ

Upcoming Shows:

Abbey Martin, Brian Junker & Nadine Douds
7-8:30pm, Thu Oct 23
Tickets $10, RSVP or at the door
The Breezeway Home
7113 Reynolds St.
Pittsburgh PA 15208

Brian Junker
Three Rivers Waterkeepers
Ticketed Fundraiser
Friday Oct 24
Dinner at 6pm
Music 7:30-9:00pm
Pittsburgh Brewing Company
150 Ferry Street
Creighton PA 15030

Brian Junker
& Nadine Douds
3-5pm, Thu Oct 30
Airside Terminal Stage
Pittsburgh International Airport
Moon Twp PA

Brian Junker
& David Hawkins
6-8pm, Sun Nov 2
Ruckus Cafe
1707 Babcock Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15209

Have you been to SongSpace at First Unitarian yet?  The first show of their season is coming up this Friday Oct 3 at 7:30pm with super guitarist, composer and storyteller Hiroya Tsukamoto.  Tickets at uusongspace.eventbee.com or at the door.  It’s going to be great!

September Songs!

Had a lot of fun playing my last gig for the season at  3 Rivers Outdoor Company on Sept 8. Great weather, good crowd!  Then on Sept 13, I hosted Autumn Ayers and Abbey Martin at  Baum Grove.  I’m looking forward to setting up more shows like this at Baum Grove next summer!  Along the same lines, on Sept 22 I helped with sound and PA stuff for Abbey Martin and Nadine Douds who were playing at Mellon Square.  Sept 30 saw me at the Starlite Lounge Invitational with  Michelle Ricciardi Hall and Jeff Klamut.  Original music and some great pop covers — a lot of fun!

October Music!

On Saturday Oct 4 I’ll be playing at the Bloomfield Saturday Market, 10am-Noon. Come on out! The market is always at its finest in the crisp fall air, with the bounty of fall harvests.

Then on Thursday Oct 9 at 7pm at the Greenhouse Co-op in Greenfield, I’ll be part of the Lyric Showcases that Bob Augustine is organizing.  This is a very cool idea that mixes several songwriters and poets together in one evening, to perform and give insight into some of their music.  Nadine Douds will be there to help me sing the songs I will present; she herself will present her music at a Lyric Showcase on Dec 13 at Bantha Tea Bar in Garfield.

Then it’s time to take a deep breath, because several special shows are coming up at the end of October and into November!

On Thurday Oct 23 at 7pm, Abbey Martin, Nadine Douds  and I will be playing at the Breezeway Home in Point Breeze.  If you haven’t been there yet, you should really go. This is an intimate listening space, with shows curated by host/proprieter Dennis Inserra, somewhere between a house concert and a coffeehouse.  We’re really looking foward to singing and playing in various combinations together, and sharing some music especially for this space.

The very next night, Friday Oct 24, I’ll be providing music between 7:30 and 9:30pm for the Three Rivers Waterkeeper annual fundraiser, out at the Pittsburgh Brewing Company in Creighton PA.  You’re welcome to come support a really important Pittsburgh environmental organization, and enjoy dinner and music!  Full detail at the Waterkeeper website.

A week later, on Thursday Oct 30 from 3 to 5pm, Nadine Douds and I will be playing for travellers at the Pittsburgh International Airport on the Airside Terminal Stage.  This is the second time for me this year, and I really had fun doing it earlier this summer.  Everybody is desperate to be somewhere else at the airport, but it’s nice to provide harried travelers a break from the rush or a recognizable tune as they pass by.

And finally, as an honorary October date, on Sunday Nov 2, 6-8pm, I’m joining David Hawkins to play in the Ruckus Sunday Night Music series.  Ruckus is a great coffeehouse on Babcock Boulevard just outside Millvale, and owner Chris Rautkis is such a dedicated supported of local music.  Come on out, have a cafe drink, a snack or a full meal, and help us celebrate late Fall at Ruckus!

As always, late breaking news and information at brianjunkermusic.com.

See you out in the world!

-BJ

Upcoming Shows

Brian Junker
10am-Noon, Sat Oct 4
Bloomfield Saturday Market
5050 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15224

Brian Junker
7pm, Thu Oct 9
Bob Augustine’s Lyric Showcase
Greenhouse Co-op
557 Greenfield Ave
Pittsburgh PA 15207

Abbey Martin, Brian Junker & Nadine Douds
7-8:30pm, Thu Oct 23
Tickets $10, RSVP or at the door
The Breezeway Home
7113 Reynolds St.
Pittsburgh PA 15208

Brian Junker
Three Rivers Waterkeepers
Ticketed Fundraiser
Friday Oct 24
Dinner at 6pm
Music and Silent Auction 7:30-9:30pm
Pittsburgh Brewing Company
150 Ferry Street
Creighton PA 15030

Brian Junker
& Nadine Douds
3-5pm, Thu Oct 30
Airside Terminal Stage
Pittsburgh International Airport
Moon Twp PA

Brian Junker
& David Hawkins
6-8pm, Sun Nov 2
Ruckus Cafe
1707 Babcock Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15209

So much going on in August!

But the most important is All Together Now Pittsburgh, a benefit music festival for Pittsburgh’s immigrant community, happening August 7-10 at more than ten different venues throughout the Pittsburgh area. You can check out a preview of the whole festival Saturday Aug 2 at 9:30am on the Saturday Light Brigade, WRCT 88.3FM or Online.

Nadine Douds and I are playing Saturday August 9 sometime after 7pm at Moondog’s as part of this festival (see poster above!), and I’m sure you’ll find many other great shows to see; be sure to donate to support services for Pittsburgh’s immigrant community!

July Whirlwind!

July was a busy month too!  Just a quick recap here and then it’s on to August!

The Baum Grove concert with  Morgan McHugh and Caleb Pogyor was a big success!  We’re going to do another one on September 13 with Autumn Ayers and Abbey Martin (more on that next month)!

I had a blast with Scott Henry Harris, Michelle Ricciardi Hall, Deborah Brooks and Abbey Martin at the July edition of  Beth Claussen‘s 2025 Porch Concerts!  Then came three very special solo gigs:  July 26 at Sullivan’s Bar and Restaurant inSomerset, July 28 at Mellon Square as part of the Make Music Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership music series, and July 31 at the Pittsburgh International Airport, as part of the airport’s PITARTS program.

All Together Now, August!

On Saturday Aug 2 at 9:30am I’ll play a song or two on the Saturday Light Brigade (WRCT 88.3FM or Online) during Larry Berger’s interview with Ted Cmarada and Susan Spangler, OG organizers of the All Together Now Pittsburgh music festival.

Then on Sunday Aug 3, 6-8pm, Ruckus Cafe is holding its Annual August Open Mic, and Nadine Douds and I will try out a couple of songs there.

Wednesday August 6, 3pm-7pm, I’ll be playing with Bruce Hoffman, Jenny Kay Snider, and Deborah Brooks at the Steel Valley Farmers’ Market in Homestead.  We’ll each do a solo set; I’m second in line after Deborah.

Then on Saturday August 9, at 7pm, Nadine Douds and I will be part of a lineup in the Starlite Invitational at Moondog’s in Blawnox.  This is a very special show supporting All Together Now Pittsburgh, a benefit music festival for Pittsburgh’s immigrant community, happening August 7-10 at more than ten different venues throughout the Pittsburgh area.  Come see us perform and donate to a very worthy and very necessary cause!

On Saturday August 16 from 9 to 11am I’ll be at the Swissvale Farmers’ Market.  I haven’t been back there in several weeks, and I’m looking forward to it!

Friday August 22 is the Friendship Summer Picnic & Outdoor Movie Night at Baum Grove Parklet, 400 Roup Ave in Pittsburgh. Sarah Fina and Joy Street and I will be providing music from 7 to 8:30pm before the music starts!

Finally Saturday Aug 30 at 6pm I’ll be back in Somerset PA on the deck at Sullivan’s Bar and Restaurant.I had such a blast there in July; I’m looking forward to going back! Thanks to friend Michelle Ricciardi Hall for arranging it!  Come on out for a cool summer evening on the deck — only an hour from the ‘burgh!

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

See you out in the world!

-BJ

Oh man, July is a hot month — temperatures of course but lots of music too!

Before we get into my past June and future July shows though, there’s a very special benefit music series happening in early August that you definitely need to know about!  It’s All Together Now Pittsburgh, a benefit music festival for Pittsburgh’s immigrant community, happening August 7-10 at more than ten different venues throughout the Pittsburgh area.  Check it out!  Nadine Douds and I are playing Saturday August 9 at the Starlite Lounge as part of this festival, and I’m sure you’ll find many other great shows to see; be sure to donate to support Pittsburgh immigrants!

June Tunes!

Farmers Market season has started for me, with sets on June 14 at the Bloomfield Saturday Market the Swissvale Farmers Market on June 21.  These are such fun!  None scheduled for July (but check out the FB page of East End Appalachian Jam for some of their Farmers’ Market gigs, and my friend Deborah Brooks will be playing at the Bloomfield Market 10-noon on July 19!).

On Monday June 16 at 6pm, I played short split sets with  Nadine and Nathan Douds, for the Music Mondays series at 3 Rivers Outdoor Company.  Always a blast, and such a pleasure to play with top notch musicians!

We were so sad to cancel the concert with
Autumn Ayers and Abbey Martin  at Baum Grove Parklet because of bad weather!  But we are working on rescheduling it for late summer or early fall — stay tuned!

July Harvest!

There’s a lot going on in July, and it even spills over a bit into August.  Take a deep breath and strap in…

Saturday July 12 at 6:30pm I’ll be hosting a concert (but not playing) with Morgan McHugh and Caleb Pogyor at  Baum Grove Parklet in Friendship.  Bring a blanket or a chair, and a yummy beverage or snack, and hope for no rain this time! These are two great singer-songwriters, and I’m really looking forward to it!

On Friday July 25 at 7pm I’ll be part of the Starlite Singers — veterans of the weekly Wednesday Starlite Open Mic — in Beth Claussen‘s 2025 Porch Concert Series.  Show is at the corner of Jancey and Hampton Streets in Morningside.  Another BYO (chair, beverage, food, joy!) event.  Come on by and hear some fun music!

The very next day Saturday July 26 at 6pm I’ll be trekking out to Somerset PA to play for a couple of hours on the deck at Sullivan’s Bar and Restaurant.Thanks to friend Michelle Ricciardi Hall for arranging it!  This looks like a cool and relaxing gig near Kooser State Park.  Come on out for a cool summer evening — only an hour from the ‘burgh!

Monday July 28 at 11:30am I’ll be playing for two hours at Mellon Square as part of the Make Music Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership music series.  I’ve done this before, and it’s a great lunchtime gig.  Come on down; perhaps there will be a secret special guest!

Thursday July 31 at 3pm I’ll be playing for two hours in the Airside Terminal at the Pittsburgh International Airport.  This music series has been going on since about 2016, courtesy of the PITARTS program.  If you’re traveling that day, please come early and see me!

Wednesday August 6, 3pm-7pm, I’ll be playing with Bruce Hoffman, Jenny Kay Snider, and Deborah Brooks at the Steel Valley Farmers’ Market in Homestead.  We’ll each do a solo set; I’m second in line after Deborah.

Then on Saturday August 9, at 7pm, Nadine Douds and I will be part of a lineup in the Starlite Invitational at the Starlite Lounge in Blawnox.  This is a very special show supporting All Together Now Pittsburgh, a benefit music festival for Pittsburgh’s immigrant community, happening August 7-10 at more than ten different venues throughout the Pittsburgh area.  Come see us perform and donate to a very worthy and very necessary cause!

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

See you out in the world!

-BJ