|
Blog
|
|
|
by - 7/26/2011 7:20:30 PM
|
|
Dear friends,
I'm days away from leaving for a three month tour that will
begin in Scotland and wind around the UK, then continue in
North Carolina. You can read all about it, and even become
a TOUR ANGEL. First, here are this week's shows in Alabama.
Thursday July 28 - Solo at Ona's Music Room in Birmingham.
New Pepper Place location. No Cover. 8:30 until.
Friday July 29 - Stu McNair and the Red Hot Roux
Stillwater Pub
10:30. NO COVER. Send Stu to Europe Show!
Saturday July 30 - Stuart McNair Trio at Mafiaoza's
Mountain Brook, Dexter Ave.
No Cover. 7 pm.
In Europe I have over 15 shows, plus numerous
promotional appearances, interviews, radio and TV spots
on the books, and I will also play on the streets and look
for other short notice opportunities. I've put the tour schedule
below.
I've put it all together over the course of the year,
and ready or not, I'm leaving next week. I will be staying
with my younger brother in Scotland (he is studying at the
University of Edinburgh in a doctorate program, and his
wife is an accountant) for much of the trip, and I am still
working out lodging for some parts of the tour.
This year I have already toured more in the Carolinas, Missouri,
and New Orleans, than in the past several years combined, and I am
about to break new ground in new countries and new parts of the US.
At the same time, funds grow thin.
To cut to the chase, a long list of expenses, from my
UK Entertainer Visa License, to shipping merchandise,
to hotels, trains, and so much more, has really piled up.
The fact is that I have become a little concerned about my
ability to complete the tour successfully, and be able to
return home and resume my American leg of the tour
with enough funds. When I return from Europe, I immediately
begin touring North Carolina, and then I end up on the Gulf Coast
for Bayfest in Mobile.
At this late hour in the game, I am reaching out to all
family, friends, and supporters that believe in what I do and
wish to help.
On the Appallachian Trail, there are people known as "Trail Angels".
They are locals who do nice things for hikers, like leaving fruit,
water, and other goodies for hikers to find. They offer hikers rides
into towns for supplies and meals.
So based on this idea, I have decided to create a "Tour Angel"
program. This is a way for people who believe in my music
to help me stay afloat. I have created a special section
on my web site and facebook page for Tour Angels. They will also
have discounts on merchandise and other perks down the road, just
as a small token of appreciation.
I don't have things set up for tax-deductible donations, so
any contributions would have to be completely done as a gift.
But money isn't the only way that you can help me. Here is the
breakdown...
THINGS YOU CAN DONATE AS A TOUR ANGEL THAT WOULD HELP:
Gas Cards - Yes, this won't help in Europe, but it will surely
help when I get back and I'm touring from the Carolinas to
the Gulf Coast, and Europe has depleted my funds.
Musical Gear of any kind - Maybe I can use it myself, maybe
I can use it in lessons, or perhaps I know people that I could sell
the gear to. Any old instruments, strings, books, and sound gear
would be of interest to me.
Gift Cards - Walmart, Whole Foods, Publix, etc.
Funds - If you wish to donate to the cause, now
would be the time. You could come to one of my last shows and
drop a donation in the tip jar.
If you wish to write a personal check to me
to help with Europe, here is how....
READY TO BECOME A TOUR ANGEL?
Just send your donation or gift to my parents' home address below.
Stuart McNair
1851 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36607
Then send me, at stuartmcnairmusic@gmail.com, a picture of yourself
and a one sentence quote to put next to your pic on the site and on
facebook.
Again if you live in the Birmingham area, then you can bring a donation in
person to one of my shows, including my full band show this Friday night
at Stillwater Pub. You can become a Tour Angel in person too.
And so you know that this Tour is real, and so that you can see the
kind of transportation and lodging issues I am dealing with, here it is...
Aug 9 - The Abbey in Cambden. 7:30
Songwriter Showcase
124 Kentish Town Road
London
NW1 9QB
Aug 10 - The Bedford,
77 Bedford Hill, Balham, London
SW12 9HD
7:30 pm - Songwriter Showcase
Aug 11 - Loughton Folk Club - 8 pm
Loughton Club
8 Station Road
Loughton
IG10 4NX
Aug 12 - The Kalamazoo Club, with Jeremy Mendonca
The Kalamazoo Klub @ The King's Head
Downstairs at The King's Head
2 Crouch End Hill
London
N8 8AA
8:30 pm
Aug 14 - Portsmouth - Radio interviews and
Maverick Magazine Interviews
Aug 16 - Malone's of Edinburgh. 10-12:45
Malone's Edinburgh
14 Forrest Road
Edinburgh EH1 2QN
Aug 18 - (T) Lebowski's of Edinburgh
Aug 19 - 3 pm Promotional Slot at St. John's Church.
Aug 20 - 2 pm Promotional Slot at St. John's Church
Edinburgh Festival of Spirituality - 8:30
Festival of Spirituality and Peace
St John's Church (Venue 127)
Princes Street
Edinburgh
Aug 26 - 3 pm Promotional Slot at St. John's Church
Aug 27 - 2 pm Promotional Slot at St. John's Church
Edinburgh Festival of Spirituality - 6:00
Festival of Spirituality and Peace
St John's Church (Venue 127)
Princes Street
Edinburgh
Sep 11 - Come Meet the Folks - 5:45 pm
The Apple Tree
45 Mount Pleasant
London
WC1X 0AE
Sep 13 - The Abbey at Cambden. 7:30 pm
Songwriter's Showcase
124 Kentish Town Road
London
NW1 9QB
Sep 14 - The Silver Bullet, Finsbury Park Station. 7:30pm
Songwriter's Showcase
5 Station Place
London N4 2DH
Sep 16 - The George Hotel, Scotland
The George Hotel
Main St East
Inveraray
Argyll
PA32 8TT.
Thanks for the support and all the best til next time,
Stu
www.stuartmcnair.com
|
Stu's News - It's a "Susan Nuckols on Fiddle" kindof weekend...
|
by Stuart - 7/14/2010 6:45:51 PM
|
Stu's News - Friends, I hope you are doing well and
beating the heat. Here is a quick schedule, and I hope you'll
come out to something and give us the time of day! All the best, y'all!
Stu
Thursday, July 15 - Solo acoustic at Metro Bistro - NO COVER.
9:30 until. 2125 2nd. Ave. N. Bham.
Friday, July 16 - Full Contraband, w/ Susan on Fiddle, Steve on Keys, plus
Mac and Onimus at the 5 Points SALOON (El Fuego) in
5 Points South, Birmingham!
Incredible Tex/Mex food 'til 2 AM! NO COVER!
Join us at this new 5 Points Music Venue!
9 Until...
Saturday, July 17th - Duo, with Susan Nuckols, at the Renaissance Hotel
Montgomery, AL. 8-11 on the Patio.
|
Stu's News - July 4th Week
|
by Stuart McNair - 6/29/2010 12:14:06 AM
|
stuart's got a squeezebox...
|
Stu's News
Friends, I hope you are doing well and hanging in there.
Some good news for me: London music magazine "Maverick"
is doing a write-up on my CD "Climbing a Mountain". They are
giving 4.5 out of 5 stars. Meanwhile, it's a weekend of local shows...
Tues, June 29th - Stuart and Friends at Red Line Bar and Grill
Hwy 31, Homewood, AL. 9-ish until. No Cover.
Thurs, July 1st - Solo at Metro Bistro
2125 2nd. Ave. N. Birmingham, AL. 9:30 until. No Cover.
Friday, July 2nd - Solo at Saza Italian Restaurant
Downtown Montgomery, AL. 8-11. No Cover.
Saturday, July 3rd - Stuart McNair and the Contraband
JULY 4th PARTY at Marty's!!!
Southside Birmingham. 12:30am 'til the break of dawn.
Bring in the 4th with this all night throwdown.
Featuring an unusual cast, with Carlos Pino on guitar
and Peyton Grant on keys.
Sunday, July 4th - Duo, with Mandolin player Jason Bailey, at Stillwater Pub.
2300 7th Ave. S. Birmingham, AL.
P&L,
Stu
www.stuartmcnair.com
|
Live Show Review by Vanillamist.com
|
by Vanillamist.com - 6/7/2010 8:26:02 PM
|
|
Stuart McNair plays Mobile, AL
Review by Vanillamist.com
A
voice that makes you feel you are wrapped in a warm blanket and words
that make you think about your place in this crazy world – that sums up
Stuart McNair for me.
While visiting Mobile, Alabama, I went to
Stuart McNair’s annual Christmas concert at Callaghan’s Irish Social
Club on 28 December, 2008. I had ‘discovered’ him when I was visiting
here about 4 years ago and got his first album, but wasn’t about to
make the concert. This year, I was determined to get to the concert.
Being
a native of New Zealand and still getting used to driving on the right
side of the road, getting there was an adventure. But with the help of
Google Maps (how did we survive without it?) I made my way the historic
downtown district of Mobile. Tucked in amongst historic southern homes,
complete with front porch rockers, is a small corner bar – known as
Callaghan’s. It is worth a visit just for its charm and historic
atmosphere. It provides home-cooked bar meals and a great selection of
beers and spirits – all provided by a very friendly staff.
Stuart
McNair is one of Alabama’s ‘hidden treasures’. He plays a mix of
country, folk and bluegrass – and a prolific writer of his own
material. He has produced two CD’s so far – Building a Fire and Growing
a Garden. A third is due out in 2009.
He started the evening
with a mix of covers and his own songs – but as the crowd cleared of
party-goers and the serious audience remained, he launched into his own
extensive repertoire. He sang and accompanied himself on his Taylor
guitar – and was later accompanied by a friend on flute and penny
whistle. As the chatter died down, his full voice could be heard.
He
songs look to a better world, while teaching us to be patient and
accepting of our place and journey in this world – they talk of love
and hate and forgiveness, kindness to the world we know and yet fail to
understand. He talks about the hard time and the good. He is not afraid
to include his spiritual journeys.
I am not a big fan of “POLITICAL” music – yet Stuart keeps it personal while exploring the bigger issues that face all of us.
I
have offered to send him some contacts for touring in New Zealand and
Australia – so keep a watch out for him and go along if you get the
chance.
|
Wildy's World Review of "Growing a Garden"
|
by Stuart McNair - 2/28/2010 9:48:43 PM
|
Growing a Garden CD Cover
|
Stuart McNair - Growing A Garden
2008, Stuart McNair
Birmingham,
Alabama based Stuart McNair explores traditional Country music themes
and values as well as Earth-friendly topics on his debut CD, Growing A Garden. Recorded live, in-studio with just McNair, his guitar and harmonica, listening to Growing A Garden
is like having McNair over for a house concert. The organic feel of the
album and the honest, down-home songwriting and performance lend a
certain charm to the 18 songs presented here.
Growing A Garden opens with The Birds Were Like A Symphony,
a song of appreciation for the beauty of nature, and the way that the
Earth around us every day can surprise us when we simply take the time
to notice. McNair's voice is strong and clear and has a rugged beauty
to it. Man On A Mission has an autobiographical element to
it, explaining perhaps, why McNair makes music. There's a great classic
folk sound here and McNair reminds me heavily of David Matheson on this
song. Somewhere In The Middle is a personal favorite,
probably the best "opposites attract" song I've heard. I guarantee you
there will be couples out there that claim this song as their own. It's
not a humorous song, per se, but you can't help but chuckle at some of
the truths unveiled here.
Don't Worry is a highly
positive message set to music; a song about change and being yourself
and letting the big things settle themselves out. It's not an
invitation to disengage from life, rather one to engage and let the
tides come and go ("One day I decided to be free/One day I decided to
be me/One day I finally took my place/not ashamed to wear a smile on my
face/and you'll be smiling a lot when you get the word / God loves
every dog, cat, fish and bird/He walks right beside you and you've
never been apart/so don't worry, worry, worry too much with your pretty
little heart.") Hearts Don't Lie speaks to the inner voice that we sometimes call our heart and how it never lets people down even when they fail to listen.
You Need To Be Danced With
is destined for mix-tapes everywhere. Don't be surprised if this song
gets licensed for Television or Movies, as it is probably one of the
most romantic love songs I've heard. As is it could be a hit on country
radio and quite possibly cross over to pop radio as well. Grow The Garden
is all about tending the future through the actions of today, and could
be applicable to personal growth, societal growth or even growth in a
relationship. It's a beautiful song and well delivered. Didn't Know You Then is a powerful song about forgiveness and accepting people for who they are and not necessarily for who they once were. Walking With Jesus
has the feel of a modern folk hymn; more of a story song than what
passes for contemporary Praise music. The most interesting aspect of
McNair's music may be the role that faith plays in his songs. It's
obvious that faith is a large part of McNair's mindset, and he sings
about it as he feels moved in his songwriting in much the same way that
James Taylor sings about love; it just happens to be what's on his
mind. Be sure also to check out You Make Me Smile, I'll Be Back, Eating Me and How YOU Do It.
Stuart
McNair is an honest songwriter who writes what he knows. There's no
attempt to put forth a persona here, McNair is what he is, take it or
leave it. The image that comes across is a singer/songwriter who is
happy with his lot in life; happy with who he is, and happy to share
his stories with any who will listen. McNair touches on elements of
life, love, faith and our communion with nature. How McNair isn't
highlighting major folk festivals across North America I don't know,
but I suspect the time will come. In simple, straight-forward fashion,
McNair has created an album that should establish him as one of the
best young talents in folk music, bar none. Growing A Garden is a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc, and highly recommended to anyone who will listen.
Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)
|
|