JoCo News: MST3k, Dragon Con, TMBG Shows
Hello, Friends!
Just because I haven’t been communicating AT ALL doesn’t mean I haven’t been working. I had to take a break from Satisfactory, right when I was about to turn on my first nuclear power plant, because I think I gave myself tennis elbow? So, you know, working hard!
Literally today I’m headed into the studio to record some final lead vocals for a couple of tunes on my new album. I’ve got about 15 songs, and they’re pretty far along. I don’t have a date for you yet, because these things take as long as they take. But we’re getting close! I’m excited for you all to hear it.
Couple of shows planned: Dragon Con this weekend, and then two New Years Eve-y nights opening for my favorite band, They Might Be Giants. Details below!
MST3K
This one is really bucket list for me. I’m proud to say that I was asked to do a new version of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 theme song for their latest iteration. I tried to do my own thing while honoring the original – a classic mix of the old and the new, my trademark! I also did a new version of the closing instrumental theme with help from Paul and Storm and some other singers. The less I say about that one the better, except that it’s really weird and I love it. The first new episode is debuting in theaters on September 9 and September 13.
Cruise
Oh yes my friends: CRUISE. The 10,00th JoCo Cruise sails Feb 20-27, 2027, which is obviously an extremely lucky number. Not sold out yet, but I expect we will be. Usually after the Summer lull is when things start to get scarce, so don’t delay act now etc. And if the cabin type you’re looking for is sold out, you can always put yourself on the wait list, because things always shuffle around.
Shows
September 5
Dragon Con – Atlanta, GA
Marriott Atrium Ballroom
Gonzalo, hosted by the indomitable Ken Plume, featuring many friends!
Only available to con attendees
Also September 5, I’ll be signing things in artists alley at 3pm
December 30
The Wellmont Theater – Montclair, NJ
Opening for They Might Be Giants
Tickets
December 31
College Street Music Hall – New Haven, CT
Opening for They Might Be Giants
Tickets
JoCo Cruise 2027 on sale! Aimee Mann Tour! Other Things!
Always Pack Strings
Well, I’m sure those of you who came out to see me in Philadelphia are still telling your friends all about that epic double string break. There are rumors of this sort of thing happening, but nobody has ever documented it in the wild, so I’m proud to have been there for this historic moment. Thank you to whoever it was who spotted the errant peg on the floor, otherwise I would have had to stop the show while I went out to buy a new guitar. It’s all happening live, everybody!
JoCo Cruise 2027
We’re officially on sale, and cabins are going fast! We’ll be sailing on Holland America’s Eurodam Feb 20-27, and we’re going to Antigua, St. Thomas, and Half Moon Cay. If you don’t already know (and honestly, if you don’t, where have you BEEN?) this is a week at sea where we rent a cruise ship and fill it with awesome people. There will be a billion hours of entertainment and partying that we are planning EVEN NOW.
24 Hour Plays
The very last thing I’m doing this year is appearing as the musical guest for something called The 24 Hour Plays, this Friday Dec 12 in NYC. This is an event where several teams of writers/directors/actors meet up one evening, spend the overnight writing several short plays, and put them up the following evening. It’s bananas. I’ve done the musical version of it a couple of times, and it’s one of those things that feels impossible before you start, while you’re doing it, and even after it’s done. I love it so much. It’s usually my own internal editor that makes it hard to start and finish things, and this is a setup where there just isn’t time for ANY internal editing. It’s first idea best idea and then a sprint to the finish. It’s ragged and beautiful, and everything that gets made feels like, and probably is, a miracle. As the musical guest I’ll just be doing some interstitial music between plays, so my job is easy. As long as I don’t break a string ha ha.
What’s Next?
Will I rest in January? No, I will not rest! I’ll be at Sketchfest in San Francisco to do Fake TED Talks on January 16. (Scheduling didn’t work out for a music show there this year, but I shall return.)
January 24 I’ll be part of Jillith Fair at the Fallser Club in Philadelphia. As many of you know, Jill passed away this last year, and a bunch of her friends are putting together a show to celebrate her and her music. I played bass for her when she was on JoCo Cruise, and Jim Boggia and I very nearly almost ALMOST made a band with her playing cover songs that the Beatles played before they were the Beatles. Jill was so great, and not just as a musician and songwriter; she had a beautiful spirit, and everything I ever did with her was inspiring and fun.
Then I’ll be opening for Aimee Mann on her tour in February and March. And then of course it’s JoCo Cruise 2026 March 21-28 out of San Diego. Somewhere in between all of these things I’ll manage to finish this dumb album – this is gonna be the year, I just know it.
I hope your December is shaping up to be a good one. Stay warm, be kind, and I’ll see you next year…
This is a lot of shows so you’d better come to them!
Will I ever stop? No, probably not. I’m in my 50’s and my hip hurts sometimes but I JUST. KEEP. GOING. because I know how important it is for you to be entertained (by me specifically, in part, sometimes).
To wit:
I have just added two shows to this grueling schedule, one in Chicago, and the other in St. Louis and guess what they’re both at City Wineries! I’ll be having that chicken corsica backstage, you can bet. Maybe some rice balls if I’m feeling frisky.
September 3
City Winery – Philadelphia, PA
Me just me
Tickets
September 4
Rams Head – Annapolis, MD
With Paul and Storm
Tickets
September 5
Birchmere – Alexandria, VA
With Paul and Storm
Tickets
September 7
City Winery – Pittsburgh, PA
Me just me
Tickets
September 23
City Winery – Boston, MA
Me just me
Tickets
October 15
City Winery – St. Louis, MO
Me just me
Tickets
October 16
City Winery – Chicago, IL
Me just me
Tickets
Cruising for a Cruising
Hello friends! I’m back on land after a week spent at sea with Team JoCo Cruise, putting the final finishing touches on our sailing in March. We’re less than three weeks away, so it’s pretty much filling up my heart and brain at the moment. If you’re sailing with us, I’ll see you March 2!
But listen also, perhaps you would be interested to know that we’ve opened booking for JoCo Cruise 2026? We’re sailing out of San Diego March 21-28, with stops at Cabo San Lucas, Loreto, and La Paz (Pichilingue). We haven’t done a West Coast cruise in many years, so we’re all looking forward to getting back there.
And from the looks of it, so is everyone else! We’re already nearing 75% sold, so I can legitimately say that cabins are going fast. Also, we’re offering an early booking discount at the moment, which is going to expire this Thursday night at midnight Pacific time. I say this not for self promotion purposes, because you know I am shy that way, but because some of you will yell at me if it sells out before I tell you about it.
Probably other things are happening in my world too? Yes! But I will tell you about them when I can think again.
Hang in there, pals.
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