Singer/Songwriter/Storyteller Michael Gaither

Blame the old physics rule that says “Opposites attract”. Sometimes like-minded souls just do not get along. Even when they’re a couple of spunky, very cute Labrador/Border Collie mixes.

Three year-old Maggie lives in Sacramento with her “sister by adoption” Bailey and their owner, Sara. Unfortunately, both pups are female, both want to be the alpha in their packette, and neither of them is budging. Sara’s tried her best, but Maggie and Bailey simply won’t gel. (Separately, they’re both wonderful dogs.) Bailey was there first, so Maggie is now at a friend’s house until she can find her new forever home:

Maggie’s in the Sacramento area. She’s a typical Lab/Border Collie mix: She’s affectionate. Loves exercise. Is great with people and is house- and leash-trained. She also prefers a yard with a fair bit of running room. And she really does get along great with all other dogs. Her only caveat is that she probably can’t live with another female.

If you’re interested in learning more about Maggie Mae, contact Sara at 916-213-0951 or by email at saraisbrown@gmail.com.

…and I will be this weekend. Playing at two fun shows with two good pals.

Every time I’ve been in Redding it’s either 45 degrees or 107 and smokey. Apparently there’s a two-day window in the spring when it’s perfect. So it’s spring. I’m headed back. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Redding’s a great music town, plus I have friends and family up that way. I haven’t played there in well over a year.

Tomorrow night (Friday) I’ll be drafting along to play with Jay Howlett and Rolfe Wyer at the Post Office Saloon. This semi-lengendary little music spot is located downtown at 1636 Market Street. (It really is the old post office. The men’s room even has a metal “Mail” sign on the door.) We’ll play from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm…or until when everyone’s simply had enough. No cover, and I completely expect a few local friends to drop by and join in, as well. (Hint, hint…Jim Dyar, are you reading this?)

On Saturday, Jay, Rolfe, and I take part in Damboree 2012, located in Clair Engle Park. A whole bunch of stuff takes place at this local festival. There’s a pancake breakfast starting at 6:00 am, a parade at 10:00 am, the festival itself – with free admission – beginning at 11:00 am. Jay and Rolfe kick off the music at 11:00 am. I play at 3:00 pm. More info is in the flier below:

Of course, even the casual visitor to this site knows that Redding always immediately brings to mind the late, great (and man, do we miss him) Chuck McCabe. Chuck was very fond of Redding, and chronicled some of that sentiment in the song “I’d Rather Be In Redding,”, which appeared on his final album, “Creatures of Habit”. Chuck also made the run up north many times with Jay and Rolfe. I’m hoping and expecting to hear some great Chuck stories on the way up and back this weekend.

Quick info: Dayan Kai Band at Kuumbwa / Saturday March 17th at 7:30 pm / tix link

Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dayan Kai was born in Maui, grew up in San Juan Bautista, and up until two years ago was raising his family in eastern Washington. These days he lives in Watsonville. For many reasons, though, you could call his show at Kuumbwa this Saturday a trip back home.
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Click to hear episode #115 (time = 36:01, size = 49.6 mb)

We’ll take a slight detour from the usual (and very talented) run of singer/songwriters usually featured on the “Songs and Stories” podcast. This time out, we talk to Asyst, my very favorite local metal band. (Okay, so they’re the *only* local metal band I really know…but I digress.) Asyst is Mike Sylva (drums), Dipendra Bagchee (guitars/vocals), Tim Sankar (guitar), and Vic Rodriguez (bass/vocals). Their new album is “Setting Sun”, and I recently chatted with them during a rehearsal at Silva’s Custom Classics (drummer Mike’s garage where he restores Chevy Muscle Cars).
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Short version: It’s simply a night that could not have gone any better.

Longer version: My wife and I have been hosting a “house concert”-style series at the Corralitos Cultural Center for nearly two years. Sometimes I bring in a couple of other songwriters, and we share the night telling the stories behind our songs. Other times I’ll just host and “show off” an artist that I want other people to experience. Every show is different, and each one is special. But I think we outdid ourselves last Friday.
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