Garden Rock continues into 2011

Hey Kids,

Once the domain of casting stones and pet rocks, The Buds invite you to join us on a special journey to the land of "Garden Rock"! We are pleased to announce that our 2011 performance schedule is now posted to the web site, and are excited to have so many great gigs on the horizon once again.

Join us for a FREE SHOW this Thursday evening, Febuary 24th, at Giordano Brothers in North Beach, San Francisco. Very cool to be invited once again to join Cree Rider for his monthly invitational show - always a crowd pleaser.

Do sign up on our email list if you're not already receiving it, and visit us on Facebook. Links may be found on the web site.

On behalf of all The Buds, peace 'n love,
Bbud
Bryan

No Wilting of The Buds Despite Rain In Walnut Creek

Always popular market a fan fave for The Buds

Weather reports, by and large, have improved dramatically in recent years. Even with the added challenge of micro-climates around the Bay Area, the prognosticators have become pretty accurate. So, it was great expectation of downpours this Sunday passed, and hope that it would wait til noonish, that The Buds ventured to the first farmers market gig of the young season for the band.

Market Manager, Keith Farley sat with his iPhone examining the latest Doplar Radar graphics just before 9am, and stated with relative certainty that the rains would likely be light in the morning, and with any luck we might just get through til closing. Good call, Keith!

The good news is that dedicated shoppers came out to their market in pretty strong fashion, considering the forecast. And, as Keith proclaimed, the significant rain didn't start until just about time to wrap things up in the early afternoon.

All weather aside, it was a good day of music for The Buds. Back in our comfort zone, we were able to cover a lot of ground, playing pretty much non-stop for close to four hours. Band list-man, Jim McLaren, could likely tell you exactly what songs we played. Suffice it to say, we did a good amount of Neil Young, probably equal Dylan, some Stones, The Dead and others, intermingled with a hefty serving of originals, both appearing on our CD and ones not yet released.

One highlight of the day, for the band, at least, was a fan who came by looking and hoping that we had a second CD out, as he apparently has been enjoying "Organic Tuneage" and wants more. Nice, huh? :-) He hung out with us for quite a good part of the day, actually.

The Buds a Hit at "A Funny Night for Comedy"

Mewsical guests make a splash!

The Buds just came off a big night at a Valentine's evening comedy show, produced by Natasha Muse, "a pretty funny" stand-up comic by her own standards. The show, held at Actors Theater in San Francisco, was billed as "A Funny Night for Comedy", with the notorious Will Franken headlining. The Buds were the featured musical act.

We had the honor of playing to a sold out crowd before, midway, then again to close the show. The audience was open and receptive to the mewsic as well as the funny folks.

Following an opening set by The Buds that was met with rousing applause, Natasha welcomed the crowd, stepping gracefully from hostess/producer to opening comic ice-breaker. There was not much ice to break, however, as she quickly had the crowd in stitches.

After effectively warming up the room, Natasha introduced the comedy duo of Wegent and Page, a couple who used to be a couple, and now use the experiences of their relationship for great amusement. They also featured several skits, and Allison Page even did some puppeteering.

The Buds then played several more songs during "intermission", including originals by Bryan Harrison (BBud), Elisa M. Welch (EBud), and Jim McLaren (JBud). Though faced with a prior commitment, even DBud, Dave Coan, stayed for the second set.

The band was very pleased to see that most of the folks just stayed in or near their seats for that part of the show. "Big fun" said Jimmy. The set ended with a rousing rendition of White Rabbit, led by Elisa. At least one fan stated that EBud was "seriously channeling Grace Slick for that one".

Then it was time for Will Franken. A review of his art states that he is like a one-man Monte Python. What an incredible talented comedian he is. Never one to shy away from sensitive subjects, he manages to run the gamut of taboo subject matter in a way that has the crowd rolling with laughter.

It was a very fun night. Will's last bit featured a mention of a Bob Dylan song. The Buds followed that will a spirited version of "Like a Rolling Stone" to see the crowd out.

Great night in all respects.

Wrapping Up 2009

The Buds are relaxing after a fun and slightly hectic late-December weekend of music:

First, on Boxing Day, Saturday December 26, an evening outdoor party during some -- shall we say -- impressive downpours. The event was almost called off due to the random ragings of a fierce rainstorm.

Fortunately the venue -- the lovely backyard of an amazing Victorian in San Francisco's Inner Sunset -- had been well tarped in advance, so the fete was on, and we all remained relatively dry.

A banner on the wall outside read

The Buds!

Plus Warm Covered Seating!

That oddly named other act never showed up, but The Buds were a big hit with the locals. :-)

Thanks to Barbara & Paul for putting it on, the friends and neighbors who helped out, and to all you hardy souls who braved the weather and ventured into the night for a fine neighborhood fiesta.

Next morning was the Divisadero Farmers Market on Sunday December 27-- our final market appearance of the year, no really, we mean it this time! This relatively new urban market features excellent produce and prepared foods, and already has a loyal local following. While they shopped for healthy eats and drinks, folks were diggin' The Buds, and we made several new friends.

Special thanks to our friend and fan, Vera, for coming out to spend some time with us, and to our generous neighboring vendors for the free almonds and ravioli. Yum!

The Buds look forward to more gigs in 2010. First up is a club gig at the Meridian in Berkeley on Thursday January 14. More details as the time draws nigh.

Happy New Year, Y'all

Elisa, aka EBud

Feeding families with The Buds!

It was a cold December morn as the merchants all set up for what would be another magical kind of day yesterday at the Inner Sunset Farmers' Market in San Francisco.

As we thawed with early morning java and hot cocoa, and got the music rolling, the cloud cover began to look a bit less ominous, and the crowds of local folks became a steady stream that would last throughout.

Jimmy's set list for the day made for a fine blend of our original music and favorite covers. An hour or so into it we received a special request from a fan who'd seen us here before asking for "that Joni Mitchell song you do so well". Though we'd already played Big Yellow Taxi very near the start, no one seemed to mind hearing it again.

About half-way through the day our good bud Jeff Belbey showed up, sitting-in with us on mandolin for the remainder of the event. Shortly after he arrived, we had a visit from Tony's video crew, capturing a bit more of the music, while they're batteries lasted. We drew a good-sized crowd of people, several of whom stayed around to listen for a good long time.

People were generous with their tips and donations to the Food Bank drive. Just because we're past Thanksgiving doesn't mean all the needs are met. Even beyond the Christmas (and others') holiday, more people are in need of assistance than this nation has experienced in generations. Thanks to everyone who contributed this day. We're making another donation, this time to the SF Food Bank, from net proceeds. To find a food bank in your area, go to: Bay Area Food Banks - Find Your Food Bank

Thanks for all your support of this effort, and The Buds!

Happy Holidays

Bbud

Bryan

Food Banks & The Menlo Park Market Mewzic

Tis the season, and The Buds had the great pleasure of kicking off our efforts to help Bay Area Food Banks, by donating net proceeds from our gig at the Menlo Park Farmers' Market today. Turned out to be a pretty magical day. Great community. Wonderful folks. Beautiful weather... fun day with the band.

Thanks to FB friend, Andy Mason http://www.facebook.com/notes/andy-mason/attn-bay-area-musicians-lets-do-some-canned-food-drives/173964052667 , who instigated the push for Bay Area bands to lend their talents in a helping flagging food drive donations this year. The Buds are on-board.

You can also find links now on our site, at: http://www.TheBudsMusic.org/pages/foodbanks.html

SF Gate stated, "Food bank officials blame a variety of factors for the shortages, including the fact that Thanksgiving is a little earlier than normal this year and food prices are higher."

Suffice to say, donations are down. Please do your part to help others have more to feel thankful for this Thanksgiving - give to your local food bank. Find the one closest to you here: http://www.bayareahunger.org/your_foodbank.html.

On behalf of The Buds,
Bbud - Bryan

Let It Blossom - Let It Bloom

Hey! The Buds enjoyed the sunshine and the sunny folks out at the Martinez Farmers' Market just yesterday. It was the Contra Costa Certified Farmers' Market's closing day of 2009 for the very popular Martinez venue. Big fun day. Great folks. Thanks to Market Manager, Effie Eliahu, and to CCCFM General Manager Jessie Neu for having us out once again. We look forward to more next year.

FYI for folks in this area: The Buds will be back at the ever-loving Pleasant Hill Farmers' Market this Saturday, Halloween morn - October 31. Market runs from 8am-2pm. The Buds are slated to play 10-2, but we may manage to get there a bit early.

For those Bud-Heads who can't wait that long, come out to the closing date of The Castro Farmers' Market this Wednesday, Oct 28th. The Buds will be there from 4-8pm. Market & Noe, SFCA.

Let it blossom - let it bloom!

on behalf of all the buds,

Bryan