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06.19.05 

We had a great time playin' at the Creekside Blues Festival - sold some CDs met some great people and heard some great music !!! Later that evening we stopped in at the Thirsty Ear and Ray Fuller did an excellent show (and his band  Chief Lonesome Johnny et. al. cooks). Ray was nice enough to have me get up and play with the band at the end of the night - far out !!! Thanks Ray !!!

Met our old friends TC and Chris at the Ear too - good to see 'em. Chris is kinda jamming with some people so I'll be sending him the lyrics I wrote for one of his songs. I really owe a lot to those guys for giving birth to the FBnCC !! 

06.19.05

Why attend a Free Beer n Chicken Coalition show ?

OUR CHICKENS ARE NOT FREE RANGE!!!

Nope. We keep the dirty little mothers in tight control. Keep 'em tight and outta sight. So don't be fooled by cheap imitation.

By the way, the "Free Range Chickens" are some Ma Rainy band members who play some great music and are great guys. The Grandview Cafe web accidentally posted their name as Free Range Chicken Coaltion which was wrong - sorry about any mixup.

05.16.05 

Thanks for the great gazza boo !! Especially to Dexterous Dan and the Magpie Volunteers.  It was a very good crowd for a rainy night in downtown columbus.

We'll be getting ready for the festivals we'll be playin in the summer (Creekside and Pomery) and we also have some regular (if ya can call any of our shows "regular") at the Voodoo and at The Thirsty Ear - who knows what surprises lay ahead ?

GREAT GAZAA-BOO !!! A great big Kaptin Krunch thanks (what the hell does that mean?) to the folks who came to see us at the Voodoo - especially to those cats that bought the CDs. The weather wasn't right (snow in April - ya gotta be freakin' kidding me), so we were more than ecstatic that anyone came out.  A shout out to Merle (happy anniversary) and to Gerry (spelling? #1 fireman and TV Mama fan) - and to the hip cats who listened. This latest version of the FBnCC is workin' hard to provide you with the best damn blues we can - so we'll be using the strength we've gained from your support - combined with caffeine, alk-e-hall, and whatever substances (donations are accepted) - to strengthen our set list and provide better and more far out entertainment. We have a show commin' up at the Stagecoach which is a fun family place (show starts around 8:30) and we are really workin hard towards our Blues Station gig.

And I have been been negligent to update this blog - so let me also say a big greasy FBnCC thanks to the folks at our last Stagecoach gig - to all the little women (and all the petite, medium, and full figured gals ), and to the groovy dudes who were so very cool (yes, listening to the FBnCC does build social status amongst the hipsters) thanks a bunch we enjoyed it very much. 

NOTE: May 13 - Blues Revival 

We're gonna burn down the tent (what the hell does THAT mean?) on this show folks !!!

• Dexterous Dan the Jugglin man will perofrm feats of amazement (see bios).
• Members of the Magpie Concert perfoming selections from "Oh Brother Where Art Thou ?"
• The Free Beer n Chicken Coalition

Web is cleaned up (but my act ain't). Weez goin into the studio this weekend. Adam Sheets predicts this next CD will be "better than the last" - he also thought he was gonna beat me in darts last night - so he ain't always right (although he usually does beat me in darts).

We got a last minute call from the Voodoo Cafe so we'll be more and more staple performers at that place - which everybody and the band is happy about (nice people with a good attitude towards the blues). 

We've been to Voodoo and when now when asked if we like it - we say we Shoodoo. Had a nice chat with the owners. We thinkith the weather damp'd some spirt and got the peoples a bit anxious - but we'll be back and rock the joint right on an evening when the ol' lady muther nature shines a little nicer on us.

I saw Gatemouth Brown the other night (my man Kevin #1 fan - who always is so nice to come see us at the Blues Station waz there). I missed the men of leisure, but Gatemouth was an inspiration - dyin' of lung cancer he played a style of music that was jazz wrapped around blues country. I gots ta steal me some of them ideas and keep his tradition goin.

We'll be off in Feb. - polishin' up on material for the next CD. Keep on check'n the schedule and the sky for UFOs and watch out for the FBnCC in 2005 !!!

I apologize to the people at the Blues Station who got a face full our brand new smoke machine (Do'h!!!), but it sure made that Zep tune rock out !!!

Didja hear me screamin' at the Columbus guitar show ? Well, because of a cold and a worn voice - not too many people did (thank goodness). However, I think Dave Chisolm did because I was buggin' him just about the whole time I was there - hope I didn't botha ya too much there Dave - very nice meetin' ya.

Got a first hand look at Bill Stockwells leather guitar straps (didn't see any ball gags or other fetish) - www.billstockwellbluesman.com if'n yer interested.

If'n yer readin this - then come on by to the Voodoo Lounge gig and see the smoke and fire !!!

12.13.04 

Virgins no more !!! Well, thanks to a last minute request by Jerry at the Thirsty Ear Tavern to have us play last Saturda  ,the new unit has finally had it's first full length gig .  I'll admit I was nervous at first 'cause the crowd was a bit thin (I apologize to the listeners of the first set) but then peoples came in and it ended bein' a very fun night.

I think I can speak for the band when I say "Gabba Gabba Hey Hey", but more so when I say "I hope all gigs are as fun !" (I know, from playin' with these boys and gal on stage that the odds of that are very good).

There were a few ringers such as my dog Joey's peeps and Annie Fisher's peeps, and I can't forget to thanks to Dee Ann and Mike for becoming FBnCC Thirsty Ear regulars (You've been blogged)  !!! Many many cock a doodle doo doo doo heartbreaker thanks to the cats and kittens who hung around, danced, listened, bought CDs, and had us sign various objects - say no more !!! WE'D LOVE TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN ON JAN 7th AT THE BLUES STATION !!! AN INSIDER TIP --> WE ALL (Joe, Bruce, Adam, Ann, and myself) PLAN ON THAT GIG BEING OUR FIRST BEST PREPARED FULL LENGTH WHAM BAM SLAM THE CHICKEN BANG DANG SHOO-BANG !!!

12.04.04

The band is rockin' (but you can come a knockin'). Joe and Bruce  sizzle like fajitas in a fajita sizzle-off....wha' the f... ? Anyhoooo, I feel like a fish who found a new stream and it's a dream. We've been workin' real hard and I would like to thank Joe 'n Bruce's wives (and respective family extentions like children or even pets)  for allowing them to spend so much time meeting at the IOOFBnCC lodge lately - I hope I can help make ya proud of 'em (I know I am !!).

Even though mostly it's the "..same ol' song with afew new lines", the whole sound is... well... I dunno ... bigger.. clearer ? It's hard to describe - but I'm lovin' it - and you will too !!!!!

What else... Oh, the CBA has picked my song "Capt' Capt'" to put on the 2nd best of columbus blues cd. I would've liked if'n they'd picked a harder song like Shake or Free Beer and Chicken, but I'm proud of it anyway. Capt Capt is a jazzy ballad  that song I wrote about 15 years ago, and recorded about 8 years ago (originally released on Mike McMann's CD "Free", and then re-released on my recent CD 'It's Al in Your Head'). Anyhooo, like I said, I'm proud, and it is my mother's favorite. Hi Mom - It's me on national TV !!!

10.22.04

 Thanks to Chris Kasson and TC Brown for helping to establish the Free Beer and Chicken Coalition. You can still find them on some of the songs on my CD, and I'm sure at few select watering holes around town. TC has presented to the FBnCC a great drumming style that will be hard to replicate. Chris has provided an honest bottom, and has gone above and beyond in promotion and enthusiasm. We at the IOOFBnCC (International Order of Free Beer and Chicken Coalition) lodge number 2112, would like to formally thank them for their efforts and wish them the best in their future endeavors. 

10.20.04

What's the buzz ? Check it out...

History o' comments - moved to the Archives

Stones Tickets

  Back to coop

9.18.04 

Well, nuthin' in the coop for a while. I guess I'll "blog" a bit - I went up north this weekend to a "Pie in the Sky" party which was fantastic. A lot of great artists, families, and musicians. Met a cat named Josh who played Jimmy Reed like nobody's business, and hats off to '64 Covair Dale. The day was perfect and  Christie the hostess had a beautiful place !! The music was farrrr-out and I hope to be invited again next year (oh, pie was great too).

8.17.04

Press Release - Al Smyth CD

07.19.04 

Time is passin' and after that big lunch so is gas. Hey, the Al Smyth CD is slowly emerging - thanks to the High Beck folks who came out - Mr. Nomad, and the Gov Press folks (where's my skull cup holder?).

We're re-tooling our set list with some new shite - very blusey I may add - that we hope to debut and we expect to kick into it this Friday as well as wurk towards gettin into a champion blues band funk (what the hell am I talking about?). Our Harmoni-cat Adam Sheets has a new CD out with his family that is cool - so if'n yer down in Meigs county (Pomeroy - check 'em out - The Mudfork Blues Band)

06.14.04 

A tony the tiger in yer tank crank goot fun at the Short North Tavern last friday. Thanks to the friends who stopped by (I'm still seeing spots from the camera flashes - or are they from the UFO? Hey whaddya think of the mountain sculpture I'm making in my front room ?). We're gettin' geared up for the comfest. And I will be playin' acoustic at the Gahanna this Sunday and also Saturday afternoon at the CBA garage. So please stop by and say "Hi Al - how the f&*Y*ck are ya ?".

Notes from al 05.10.04

Weez had a good time play'n fer folks at the Blues Station. We can't begin to express thanks enough to those in attendance !!! Well it's back to doin' the tight'n up rehearsals fer now - but we hope to see ya all real soon again.

Here's a spot weez play every now and again - lookee at the fun we have El Grande Times at the Grandview Cafe

Note from Al April 6th

Well, Brewstirs was interesting.  Lotta space there and we gotta fight for that old school shopping/entertainment plaza baby!!! We are playin there again in May - support the lil' man and the big band and come by - they gots lots o' pool tables, dart boards, and a big ol' Dance Flo !

Note from Al March 19th

Friends Romans and kunt tree men (that's men that hunt in Kentucky by hiding up in the trees - and thus you'd think it would be kent tree men don't cha? But they decided that sounded too British) I don't know 'bout chew, but we're gettin' plum worn out with all the pickin' and grinnin'. The crowd at GVC was good - thanks for listenin' and a hangin' out. We gearin' up for a Blues Station appearance this time with the full krew of FBnCC fighters (i.e. Ann will be there with her magical flute - and yes it is the same one used by that little Davy Jones look-a-like in the old Sid & Marty Krofft show) and Adam will be there with his magic harps (and yes they are the same magical harps as the ones used by Don Knotts during his guest appearance on Scooby Doo) .

Note from Al March 8th

Well, the pay was low, but the moon was high and so was I at the Hi-Beck. As par for the course I met some nice folks. Hey ta Shane. A lot of nice folks from the Gov's office were there and some groovy dancin'!!! We're addin' mo' original material and hope to debut yet another new song this friday at the Grandview Cafe. Hope ta see everybody again soon!!

Note from Al Feb 24th

It's been quite here in the coop - chickens asleep ? Well wake the muther f&&**s up !!! We plan to make a little noise ourselves coming up Grandview Gig...  then onto the Blues Station (hopefully with Dexterous Dan).

I've been writin' songs left and right lately (unfortunately - too late for the CD I'm doin' - Do'h!!!!!), but we'll be doin' 'em live some come out and pick your favorites. 

Note from Al Feb 2nd

Good time at the Grandview Cafe - everybody left early (or was it oily?), but it was a good packed house for first few sets - and good dancin' !!!

HAPPY Birthday Robin VAshshajshajshjaheezze (spell it like it sounds). And thanks to a great group of friends - some who were gettin' their first taste of Free Beer and Chicken Coalition. P.S. Sorry about the smoke alarm - Doh!!

Note from Al Jan 25th (2004)

I had a great time at the  Honeyboy Edwards show at the Blues Station. Music was great, and the crowd was great. Saw some friends mad (I mean 'made') some friends (seems to me I got the email address of this cat that plays bluegrass). The FBnCC boys went into the studio with me (www.magicgardenmastering.com - Brian Lucey) and we laid down some cool stuff. But aside from bowling blind and drinkin' hard, I'm trying to stay in sahpe for a couple of gigs we got coming up in a row. Check out the gigs section and stop by !!

Note from Al Jan 25th (2004)

I had a great time at the  Honeyboy Edwards show at the Blues Station. Music was great, and the crowd was great. Saw some friends mad some friends (seems to me I got the email address of this cat that plays bluegrass). The FBnCC boys went into the studio with me (www.magicgardenmastering.com - brian Lucey) and we laid down some cool stuff. But aside from bowling blind and drinkin' hard, I'm trying to stay in sahpe for a couple of gigs we got coming up in a row. Check out the gigs section and stop by !!

Note from Al Dec 22nd

Almost Ho-Ho - we saw the sleigh in the air and the footprints in the snow. Hey bros and sisters, as always we had a great time last night with the CBA. And as par for the course we met some new folks (even handed out an FBnCC key chain to a nice bro - "Steve" was it ? Sorry, if I forgot yer name already, re-introduce yourself next time and I'll do better). Some funky players out there - to tell ya the truth I was actually worried about having to listen to the same 12 bar blues all night, but it turned out to be a nice collection of musicians who mixed things up. Well, it's a holiday and "... God bless you old building a loan !!!". Hope to see everybody again next year !!!!

Hey people.

Note from Al Smyth

We had a great time at  the CBA "Wild Turkey Blues Benefit" at the Thirsty Ear . Very nice meeting Jason of the Juke Joint Saints (note: they play every Wed at the Blues Station) and his buds (thanks to the feller that let me use that big ol' amp). Big Gil was F&*^&^%ing wild ! And I loved Woo-Woo's vocals. Also met some other nice fellers Al, Mark,.. et. al. The CBA works hard and we appreciate their support (Thank's Dee Ann & Co !!).

And thanks to to the "Dolphin Dancers". Well, I plan on doing some recording in December so perhaps in a few months you can get you're home version of the game and do some dancin' at home (with just yer shoes on).

Till then - hope to see everybody Jan 2nd - and if yer back inthe Thirsty Ear any time soon remind Jerry that he has to book us back at the Ear in February !! We love playing there !!

Note from Al Smyth Fri Oct 10th

GREAT GAAZA-BOO!!! What a fun gig we had at the Blues Station. WE L-O-V-E the dancers !!! If any of you guys want to be the official FBnCC dancers we can make room on the stage (I'm click here if you are over 21 serious )

                                                      photo by Steve Harrison / Ram Studio

Note from Al Smyth Sat Sept 27

WOW - look at the Other Paper page 24 (Sept 25 - Oct 1 issue) !!!!

I never talked to the man - I didn't even know who he was. All I know is a man said "Can I take your picture?". Later I found out it was the music critic John Petric - who has been known to, shall we say 'ruffle feathers'. So I was a bit nervous, hoping the review would be better than when I played Spotted Tail the Indian in a college production - the name of the play escapes me but the reviewer raked me over the coals ('eh, I deserved it). I think the quote was "Al Smyth distorts even broken english and shows little pain... yadda yadda"

Anyhoo - back to the Other paper review - with quotes like "..my new favorite local guy, Al Smyth" and my favorite "He's stolen back every lick Keith Richards stole from the country blues players..."

So come to the Blues Station gig on Thursday October 9th and let's have some fun !!!!

p.s. Thanks TC and Chris for providing the engine (and the fuel, and the tires which are re-treads, but still good) which has allowed me to have my own Rupert Pupkin moment in the sun. And thanks to John Petric. John, I don't know you, but thanks for the support and fantastic review (I guess I'll be makin enemies with some of those grunge local acts that sometimes feel the sting of the pen - and what about that kid that played Spotted Tail the Indian, did he suck or what?)

Jump back and git to the top daddy-o