Some of you may have noticed a drop in activity on social media, and that’s not an accident - I am taking a very deliberate step back from the FB and IG and TT and all the rest, so this Substack will be my selected mode of online communications for the foreseeable future. I will share my posts here to Facebook but won’t be checking the site itself on a regular basis, so if you want to react or comment or message me, you gotta do it here.

I am super stoked to announce a return to my weekly joint at Prohibition on Upper King every Tuesday night from 9-12, this time with the added bonus of two of my dearest fellow travelers, Alan Schmitt and Jonathan Peace. We’re calling ourselves the t.ambien trio, and hope to explore the groovier side of our repertoire and explore some hitherto unaccessed regions of our musical landscape. The staff at Prohibition are incredibly cool and their mixological skills are second to none, so come on out and catch some vibes. The residency commences this Tuesday 2/10.

On Saturday 2/14 I’ll be appearing with Trey “Stump” Smith and Jason Ridenhour at the Sweetheart Vendor Market benefiting My Sister’s House at Triangle Char and Bar. It’s always a good time playing with these fellas and it’s a great cause so come on out and get your sugar something sweet. Music from 11-2…

…after which I’ll be dashing down to the Tattooed Moose in Park Circle for a 3-6 with the Trio.

I have been thinking a lot about how to navigate our current situation without losing our humanity. It is absolutely disheartening to know that such a significant number of our neighbors are on board with the Gestapo-esque shenanigans we’re seeing in our cities, and the natural impulse is to lash out and condemn them along with the violence and corruption itself - and social media is perversely well-suited for this kind of dynamic. I have indulged in it myself, many times, even as I believe, under the anger and bewilderment and fear, that love and kindness and forgiveness are the only way out of this mess. That’s why I’m stepping back from those platforms - I don’t like the version of myself that surfaces all too readily when I log in. We must condemn evil when we see it, without hesitation or apology - but we must also be careful not to burn the bridges that allow the confused and deluded and fearful who support the chance to return to sanity. Otherwise, how are we different from those we condemn? Being “right” is not the point, in and of itself - Ram Dass explains this better than I ever could, so I’ll give him the last word:

(This) is a prescription for social activists: oppose, stand up, defy, confront. Do what you do to stop their action - you may even have to imprison that person so they don’t hurt other people. You do what you must do, but do it without closing your heart.

With a defective, broken, tired heart that I struggle to keep open, I wish us all peace and healing and love.

Here’s a few highlights:

Kev and I celebrated our 20th anniversary - well, we were too broke to really “celebrate” as much as I would have liked, but we both agreed that we made the right decision back in ‘05, and that’s a lot more than nothing. Hopefully we’ll have the scratch to do something crazy for the big 2-5, but as long as we’re together, every day is a cause for celebration.

I played a lot of gigs, with friends and fellow travelers old and new - I am especially pleased to have made the acquaintance of Declan Dachowski, a phenomenal powerhouse of a drummer who has kicked my old ass into some interesting new directions with his energy and imagination. I am also honored to have been adopted into the Green Levels family, if only as an estranged weird cousin - Stephen Jenkins and Elliott Genther are tremendous talents and really great people, and I look forward to more music and good vibes in the coming year.

I was lucky enough to share the stage with some major heavy hitters for a celebration of the music of Bob Dylan in August curated by Paul Joliet, and let me tell you folks, it was something else. In addition to old friends like Jeff Caldwell, Dan Lotti, Campbell Brown, Jeff Kozelski, Nolan Tecklenberg, Tom Leonczyk, John Heinsohn, and Wes Powers, I got to perform for the first time with Macelyn Batten, Dallas Baker, Tom Crowley, Anna Crosby, Joel Timmons, Ben Whitney, and Layton Meacham. We had such a good time that we’re gonna do it again - so stayed tuned for details.

Lily and Buck turned 17 and 13, respectively, and they are some of the funniest, quirkiest, most loving people I know. I count myself extremely fortunate to have kids that I like every bit as much as love - they are great hangs and I remain very proud of them as they grow and evolve.

In sadder news, we lost Kevin’s dad, Buzz Ingle, on January 23, and I don’t think any of those who knew and loved him will ever get over it - he had a huge heart and a massive impact on so many lives, and his loss is profound. We gathered at his beloved Beau Place in March to celebrate his life, and while it was definitely sad, it was also great to connect and re-connect with so many friends and family members. Kevin’s mom, Gwen, has been a source of inspiration to us all as she navigates life without him - she and their sweet Golden Retriever, Winston, have been working with Hand in Paw, a non-profit providing animal-assisted therapy to people of all ages who struggle with emotional and physical challenges. We are so proud of them as they carry on Buzz’s legacy of kindness and generosity.

New year’s resolutions are, in my experience, a fool’s game, so instead I’m setting myself some goals, which I realize is probably just a semantic shell game, but the distinction is useful in my mind. The older I get, the more I realize that time is not an unlimited commodity, quite the opposite - and so I’m trying to be intentional and deliberate about how I use it. This year, I’m focusing on health - my weight has gotten to a point that it demands some attention, so I’m taking steps to get it under control through diet and exercise. A couple of years ago I was running regularly, and even got a couple of 5Ks under my belt - it’s the only form of physical activity I’ve ever sustained for any length of time, so I’m getting back in the saddle, basically starting from scratch to avoid injury and burnout. I’ve already gotten in two runs this week, and am determined to see it through - I’d love to complete a marathon at some point, just to prove to myself that I can do it, but just maintaining a regular regimen is enough of a challenge to keep me busy for now.

There’s an old story I heard about three people standing in front of a painting. One says, “It’s a canvas.” Another says, “It’s paint.” The third says, “No - it’s a frame.” I think the last guy got it right: art (and life, for that matter) is all about limitations - facing them honestly, establishing them wisely, and working within them effectively. It’s our limitations that truly define our voices. With this in mind, I’m making some hard choices about how to maximize the limited bandwidth I have for artistic endeavors. A few months back I started the process of writing a novel, and while it has been interesting and exciting, I’m facing the reality that music will always take precedence - maybe I’ll return to the story one day, but for now, it just makes sense to give all my creative attention to expanding and refining the musical skills that I’ve spent the last 30+ years developing.

Over the last few years, with the support and encouragement of some of my favorite musicians (especially Alan Schmitt, Cory Jarrett, Buz Buzby, Dennis Ware, Wallace Mullinax, Jonathan Peace, Corey Stephens, Jim Rubush, Stratton Moore, Jeff Caldwell, and Josh Roberts), I’ve found the confidence to step out as a soloist and even carry a band as the sole guitarist - something I would have never considered possible previously. It’s been extremely gratifying to have received positive reviews from audiences and fellow musicians, and it has inspired me to push myself harder and dig deeper as a player.

I’m also going to be moving away from the more aggressive, histrionic approach that has been my default for so many years, and making an effort to align the music I make with the music I listen to and love. The album we released in 2024 (Suffering, available on a streaming platform near you) was a move in that direction, and that’s the path I want to follow, searching for the place where folk and jazz and soul meet and merge. I’m preparing for the next record now, which will probably be largely instrumental, and I’m very excited to see how it will turn out.

That’s more than enough for now. If you made it this far, thanks as always for your interest and support, and here’s wishing you and yours peace and joy in 2026.

I did receive a few DMs about the “No political significance” caption from people who very much wanted it to mean one thing or another, some of whom I align with politically and others, not so much. Those of you who know me probably know which end of the spectrum I gravitate towards, but I will say for the record that the lyrics could apply to folks on either side of the aisle - admittedly, I did have a particular person in mind when I wrote it, although it might not be who you think it is. Then, again, it might be. (It probably is.) (Maybe.)

Anyhoo - got some good gigs this week, including two with other people, which is always a treat for me - one trio and one downright luxurious evening quartet-style - ain’t we fancy?

Tuesday 9/23 PROHIBITION 8:30-11:30 (solo)

Friday 9/26 KRAZY OWL’S 8:00-11:00 w/Beatman Fresh & Buz Buzby

Sunday 9/28 SOUTHERN 4:00-7:00 w/A. Schmitt, J. Peace, and C. Jarrett

Check out Pretty Feathers here, or here, or even here (below) - like it, share it, tell all your friends and relations. And thanks as always for your kind interest and attention.

Of course, in light of such madness, what could be less important than my musical calendar? That’s rhetorical, of course - I know very well that the answer is, not much. But life, such as it is, goes on - so here, barring any unforeseen circumstances is where it will be going on for me this week:

Tuesday 9/16 PROHIBITION 8:30-11:30 (solo)

Friday 9/19 MAINLAND CONTAINER BAR 6:30-9:30 (w/Buz Buzby & Dennis Ware)

Sunday 9/21 PAGES OKRA GRILL NEXTON 11:00-2:00 (solo)

There you go. That’s it. Come say how-do, or don’t. Have a great week either way.

Oh, there is one more thing:

For anyone who wishes harm to anyone else, be it physical, mental, or otherwise; for anyone who sows division and chaos instead of solidarity and peace; to anyone who uses their faith to justify the aforementioned harm, division, and chaos; for anyone who lacks the ability to even consider ridding themselves of their own eye-planks before breaking out knives for the removal of the specks that may or may not be in the eyes of their neighbors; for these, I have another curse, this one from Frank Zappa’s brother, Carl:

May your shit come to life, and kiss you.

Namaste, motherfuckers.

Here are a few things I have learned over the last year, in no particular order:

1. Social media, like all narcotics, is a sometimes thing.

2. Less is, indeed, (usually) more.

3. The harmony vocal on “Bring It On Home” by Sam Cooke? That’s Lou Rawls.

4. Jeff Caldwell is right: wearing shoes is highly overrated.

5. The hornets that buzz around in my head will never be completely eradicated - ongoing maintenance is required.

6. Attention must be paid - most of my problems stem from not paying attention.

7. Buck Wagnon is maybe the funniest person I know (and he’s just getting warmed up).

8. The more good things I do, the more I want to do good things. (The inverse is unfortunately true as well.)

9. You know how people say Trump could shoot someone in the street, and his supporters would still love him? That’s how I feel about Morrissey.

10. Pete Townshend once said, “Rock and roll is very, very important - and it’s also very, very ridiculous.” That applies to everything.

Love love love

In other news, at my solo gig yesterday, I received this request:

Ever eager to please, I played this. An appropriate number for Labor Day, yeah? I thought so too.

You can catch me this week at any of the following:

Tuesday 9/2 PROHIBITION (solo) 8:30 - 11:30

Saturday 9/6 TATTOOED MOOSE PC (w/Dennis Ware & Buz Buzby) 3:00 - 6:00

Sunday 9/7 PAGE’S OKRA GRILL NEXTON (solo) 11:00 - 2:00

In June, I impulsively bought myself a 2022 Gibson ‘61 Standard SG. It was a great deal, still a pretty penny (by my humble standards anyway), but I figured, YOLO, seize the day, etc., and agreed to the easy terms of a payment plan and brought it home. As most guitarists know, there is usually a getting-acquainted period with new gear, a time when you’re feeling it out, working out the kinks, and figuring out if it’s a good fit. I brought it to the Dylan tribute I participated in on Friday 8/22 at the Charleston Pour House, and for the first time felt a total connection - it stayed in tune, felt right under the fingers, and did exactly what I wanted it to. I was elated to think I had a keeper on my hands. On my way to a gig yesterday, I was trading voice memos with a friend who also participated in the Dylan show, and they mentioned the SG, saying it sounded great, and I gushed about how happy I was with it, basking in the satisfaction of knowing that I had managed to capture that most elusive of beasts: a really great guitar.

Less than an hour later, it lay face down on the stage, decapitated, a tangle of strings and splinters, obviously completely unplayable, possibly irreparable. It had fallen from the wall hanger from which I have hung instruments a hundred times before and face-planted on the rug with a dramatic crash, leaving me with no guitar (I hadn’t brought a backup) and a feeling very close to nausea. I laughed out loud - what else could I do? - and set about the work of finding a replacement and getting on with the show.

According to tradition, ninth-century Chinese Buddhist monk Linji Yixuan famously told his disciples, “If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him.” To Chris Pacheco, associate editor at www.lionsroar.com, this means “killing our conceptualizations, killing the belief that we understand it all. It’s being courageously present, whatever that means, with things just as they are. When we kill the Buddha, we can transcend.”

In Thoughts Without a Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective, Mark Epstein quotes Thai meditation master Achaan Chaa:

You see this goblet? For me this glass is already broken. I enjoy it; I drink out of it. It holds my water admirably, sometimes even reflecting the sun in beautiful patterns. If I should tap it, it has a lovely ring to it. But when I put this glass on the shelf and the wind knocks it over or my elbow brushes it off the table and it falls to the ground and shatters, I say, ‘Of course.’ When I understand that the glass is already broken, every moment with it is precious.

I read these words and recognize their truth; I know that ultimately a guitar is just wood and wires; I know that it can likely be repaired (although at what cost remains to be seen); and to my surprise, the replacement that my good friend and fellow traveler Alan Schmitt provided turned out to be a real peach - it sounded great, even after sitting in a closet for months, and the performance we turned in yesterday was well-received, even inspired. I know that in the grand scheme of things, it’s not even worth mentioning.

But when I look at its remains in its case, I still mourn its loss. I still cling to its memory. I am attached. I am caught. Clearly, Maya still has me in her clutches - clearly, I have a long way to go before I wake up.

If you’d like to catch me dreaming out loud this week, here’s where you can find me:

Tuesday 8/26 PROHIBITION 8:30 - 11:30

Wednesday 8/27 THE DINGHY 7:00 - 10:00

Thursday 8/28 THE WASHOUT 7:00 - 10:00

Friday 8/29 BOUNTY BAR 9ish - 12ish

Sunday 8/31 PAGE’S OKRA GRILL NEXTON 11:00 - 2:00

The summer is winding down (at least officially - I’m sure the heat here in Charleston isn’t going anywhere anytime soon) - the kids are back in school, and the holiday season is terrifyingly mere months away. Hope you’re all weathering the changes and general madness safely and effectively.

Got a few bangers on the schedule this week:

Wednesday 8/13 at the Dinghy on IOP w/Alan Schmitt and Stratton Moore

Friday 8/15 at Krazy Owls on Johns Island w/Buz Buzby and Stratton Moore

Saturday 8/16 at the Washout on Folly Beach w/Buz Buzby and Jonathan Peace

Also gearing up for the big Bob Dylan tribute next Friday 8/22 - we had a rehearsal this week and let me tell you, it’s gonna be some kind of carnival - not to be missed.

Okay that’s enough for now. Hope to see you somewhere, and in the words of the late great Ernest Tubb, keep them cards and letters comin in

!