Karen Joy Brown: News

While some of you are attending the Church of the Holy Mattress this Sunday morning, Amos and I will hit the road humming that catchy, but annoying Dionne Warwick tune. I hope we have lots of friends in San Jose because we’ll be playing at the Santana Row Borders bookstore at 2pm. My SJ connections inform me that it’s quite a happening spot, so there should be at least an intermittent audience for us. Borders bookstores are EVERYWHERE, and it seems they frequently host live in-store performances. Lots of singer-songwriter types use Borders gigs to fill out their touring schedule, and it seems like a good idea to me, so here’s to the first one!

Wednesday, January 18th at 7:30pm you could be at home watching TV, but what about sipping a glass of wine at Monk’s Wine Lounge instead? Let’s face it, winter is to be survived, and a midweek wine and music break might be just what you need to face those cold, dark mornings before work. Amos and I have got a really nice set prepared with just the right mix of soulful and soul-searching songs to inspire and delight. We’ll be waiting for you…..

There's something magical and terrifying about making resolutions, but I think these are both reasonable and motivational for KJB music:

1. Write and perform more songs that are maximum fun, minimal effort.
2. Play in beautiful, inspiring venues as much as possible.
3. No more Mrs. Nice Guy when it comes to performing. Own the stage with pride and pleasure.
4. Attend lots of live shows in town from the Pub Scouts to the Big Room.
5. Become a novice booking agent.
6. Enjoy every moment of this wonderful musical life I have chosen. Hauling speakers to sparkly earrings and heels. What more could a girl want?
7. Learn more about taking rejection in stride, and gracefully.
8. Allow myself to feel really cool when fans, venues, and fellow musicians like me.
9. Sing and play unplugged outdoors more.
10. Record an album I want to listen to.

Other people may be out shopping, wrapping presents, or planning holiday meals, but not me! Nope, I'm on the computer hunting down groovy spots in the bay area to put on some KJB shows. It's sort of in the holiday spirit, because I'm trying to give these little venues a musical gift. More accurately, to make them believe that they really MUST take advantage of this exquisite offer like any other advertiser this time of year.

Speaking of gifts, ah ehmmm, is there anyone on your list who simply MUST have the current KJB cd? You can order it right off the website, and voila, it will be delivered to the proper doorstep!

Another gift I am busy preparing is some new songs in the set list. When Amos and I are considering songs our new criteria is, "maximum fun, minimal effort". We've got a catchy, in your face version of Billy Joel's "My Life" going, and a suprise written by our very own Amos Clifford called "Crazy Little Angel" with some quirky guitar stuff that fits the maximum fun requirement.

So to quote a wise man of our time, "Don't you worry 'bout a thing"*, because I'm here keeping the music simmering on the back burner ready to serve up hot and spicy as soon as all this holiday cheer settles down.

*Stevie Wonder (you really MUST get the Inner Visions album if you don't already have it.)

Things are slowing down on the calendar now and it's a good time to reflect on the productive year it's been for KJB music.

*Hard to believe, but this is the year we started playing cover songs!Eleanor Rigby, Don't Stand so Close to Me, and Don't Stop Believing all made their debut at various live shows.

*Karen Joy Brown EP's got recorded and delivered into the hands of ever so patient fans, and onto local music shelves at both Tower and Melody Records in downtown Chico.

*We kicked off the KJB World Tour in modest locations like Benicia and Marysville.

*New personal favorites like "Thinking of You", and "I Know What Heaven is" were created.

*We opened for several shows of Chico music veterans like CrazyGrass and the R E C Band finding new fans and having alot of fun exploring the Chico nightlife scene. We feel like real musicians now!

Next year will mean more musical adventures as we record the "Fabulous Junkyard" album, step up the out of town show schedule, and book some performances at new Chico venues. Thank you so much for coming out to shows this year, buying the CD, and bringing new friends to enjoy the music. I'm truly grateful when I think of all your encouraging words and support. Keep checking the calendar for impromptu shows and updates/photos/soundclips of the album progress!

The second stop in the KJB fall tour extravaganza lands in historic dowtown Marysville at the Brick Coffeehouse Cafe this Friday, November 4th at 8pm. It's a dinner and music show that starts serving an hour before the show until 9pm. Join us if you can for one of the last shows of the year before we start hibernating for the winter rehearsing and recording the full-length album in the dark, cold hours ahead. We'll keep you informed showing special sneak previews and photos documenting the making of the album, so stay in touch! See you at the Brick.

Join us Friday at Teaz Me to drink tea and eat Asian food to help Mexico! Keep reading.... We'll be playing an hour long set around 6:30pm, and then Climbing Ivy will take the stage. A percentage of what you buy will go to the youth group at a local church's annual trip to Mexico to help build houses for a Habitat for Humanity-like organization. If you haven't been to Teaz Me before, it would be a great time to check it out. Hasta la vista, amigo-san.

This Friday we'll be back at Moxie's Cafe and Gallery as guests of Sid Lewis's newest project, CrazyGrass. Amos and I will play a few songs during the break, and we're delighted to share the stage with these Chico legends. Sid runs Chico's version of a school of rock, The Acoustic College School of Music, and is an award winning banjo/guitar player himself. Join us for a great "unplugged" evening.

We couldn't have had a better first out of town show experience than we did at First St. Cafe. It was as lovely as we had hoped, and it was a rare treat to set up our equipment while gazing out the second story windows onto the bay. My whole family showed up in support forming the most important part of an attentive, encouraging audience. We can't wait to go back, perhaps another trip during the winter months to come. Visit the photo gallery for a glimpse of our wonderful first touring show!

We'll be returning to Cafe Flo this Saturday, October 15th for an equally promising evening. I've never seen an audience so involved and eager as our last Cafe Flo crowd, so we'd love to have you come out and participate in what ought to be a deliciously cozy October evening show.

Two unique events occur this week in KJB history. First up is my glorious RETURN to La Salles in dowtown Chico. Not many of you may recall that long ago when I was just a wee Chico State undergrad I graced the stage of La Salles for a fleeting moment. One of my Konkow dorm mates was in a band, and I was invited to sing back up for their rendition of Gloria, G L O R I A. Well, in a slightly more bonafied way I'll be opening for a bunch of bands that have organized a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina victims. Amos and I will be onstage at 9pm accompanied by Rich of the Butte County Players Club on upright bass. Should be a real hoot!
Next up is my first out of town experience! I'll be heading down to Benicia to play at the First St. Cafe located in the quaint waterfront dowtown area. I hope to get some pictures of the show up on the site so you can share the experience with us at least in spirit.

Thanks to all who came out for our first show at the Coco Cafe! I think we've found another great Chico venue. New fans were made thanks to the Coco staff talking up the show and long term fans bringing friends. We had a great night inspired by the attentive audience that allowed Amos and I to make the most of subtle vocal and musical nuances that can get lost in a loud enviornment. We felt quite famous signing CDs, and the Coco staff definitely wants us back before the year ends, so keep an eye out on the calendar for another hot Saturday night show.

Saturday, September 24th you're invited to join us at the Coco Cafe, a secret little coffee shop hiding in a corner next to Kinko's. You'll hear new songs, and old songs that have been renewed, so come on out to pack the house for our first show at the Coco.

As an independent artist, I get to be my own public relations person. That means I think of neat things to say about myself that new venues, the media, or reviewers can refer to when they write articles. People reading those descriptions often want to know who I sound like. Naming well known artists that have similar qualities is often more effective in generating interest than just naming a catergory like "folk rock". It's almost impossible for me to perform this exercise in an impartial manner, so I invite YOU to click on the guestbook and let me know who I remind you of. Thanks for your participation, and I'll fill you in later on everyone's interesting ideas! Remember, a rose by any other name smells as sweet.

Time for another shameless plug because as the saying goes, "If you don't stick up for yourself, who will?". Let anyone know who might be slightly interested that the KJB CD is now available at Tower Records in lovely downtown Chico. It's great news for people who fear buying on the internet and haven't been able to catch me selling CDs at the farmers market. Thanks for being my promoters!

Well, Chico has done it's job of sending another hapless victim to audition for American Idol in Chicago. I spent all Saturday with the other judges, three of Chico's finest radio personalities from Z-Rock to KCSC(Chico's college radio)trying to get these cute, young country/R&B singers to do something like "Sweet Child of Mine" for us. No luck, but we had a great time, saw alot of talent and got this really cool pen that lights up and an American Idol baseball cap. These are the perks I'm in the music industry for. Check out the article in the Chico ER. http://www.chicoer.com/local_news/ci_2980358

This Saturday I'll be in the local Fox/30 studio for the second time listening to the long string of American Idol wannabes screech, warble, or croon their way to the top of our judges list. Once again I'll play "Paula's" part in our local Norcal Idol competion that sends one lucky winner to a real audition with the big boys. I'll let you know how it turns out......