GIG RECAP
The Triple Door in Seattle! November 7, 2024!
Eight years ago, on November 12, 2016, I played my first show in ten years at Vashon Center for the Arts. It was the Saturday after Donald Trump was elected president. Vashon Island is about as blue as it gets, so the mood in the hall before we played was gloomy. In the wake of the performance, many attendees said things like, “Thank you; I needed that,” and “Your music was a healing balm.”
Last week, on November 7, 2024, I played in Seattle for the first time in eighteen years.1 This time, the concert was just two days after Trump won his presidential bid. In Seattle’s King County, Harris won 74% of the vote. So, I think it’s safe to say that most of those in attendance were lamenting the results. And again, friends, neighbors, and fans shared echoes of those responses I received in 2016.
I’ll leave the political commentary to others and stick to my usual all-music, all-the-time programming.
THE TRIPLE DOOR - NOVEMBER 7, 2024
It was a lovely night if I do say so myself. And I do! I wrote about the time and effort Elaine Summers and I put into crafting our setlist in my recent post from November 1, 2024. The work paid off and the night unfolded nicely.
“Skeleton Crew” proved to be an apt opener. Next, we wasted no time getting to a few old fan favorites before launching into the world premiere of “Sundown at Francis Nash,” a song that will appear on my forthcoming album.2 Located on Bainbridge Island at Fort Ward State Park, “Francis Nash,” as we called it, was a popular party spot for local teens. Named for Revolutionary War hero General Francis Nash, Battery Nash was the main armament guarding Rich Passage, the main entrance to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA.
It’s a trippy place. In my intro to the song, I wondered aloud if anyone in the audience had ever indulged in psychedelics at Francis Nash. I knew a bunch of my BHS classmates would be in attendance and the odds were high that I’d get a response in the affirmative. And indeed, I did.
When the third verse came around, I made sure to clear out my guitar and annunciate clearly as I name-checked one of our fellow BHS alums. I won’t give away the surprise here. The rest of you will have to wait until the record comes out to find out who it is.
The night's highlight came when it was time to introduce “Lonely Mama.” Regular readers of Love Songs Etc know that this song—released as a 7” vinyl single back in March3—speaks to the complicated grief I experienced when I searched for my birth mother only to learn that she had passed away just months before.
I recently received an email and learned that the song has earned a special place in the lives of an adoptee and his birth mother. I was so touched by their story that I asked if I could share the letter at my show. “Nothing would make me more happy,” was the reply. Here is a video clip of that moment.
The audio on this phone video is not up to Love Songs Etc standards, so I did not include the song's performance in the clip above. However, you can hear a live version of the song from the Vashon Center for the Arts concert last March, with audio recorded and mixed by the great Martin Feveyear, by visiting my YouTube page.
Thanks to all who came out. I thoroughly enjoyed the post-show meet and greet. It was like a mini high school reunion. And it was so lovely to see some of you Love Songs Etc subscribers in real life.
No other shows are on the books until March 29, 2025, when Elaine and I will return to our beloved Vashon Center for the Arts. Mark your calendars! And stay tuned to this space for ticket info.
I’ll be back in your inbox later. Until then, here are a couple of photos from the gig and a short clip of Elaine backstage plunking on her ukulele.
Peace & Love Songs,
Pete
PS: Big thanks to Debra Heesch and Jesse Quitslund. And to Scott, Matthew, Calente, Sam, Jay and all at The Triple Door for making us feel so at home.
Not counting the odd benefit concert where I played a song or two.
Look for my new ten-song album, Fade Away Blue, in 2025. To be in the loop, stay tuned to this newsletter.
“Lonely Mama” will also be included on the aforementioned album, Fade Away Blue.
Congratulations and cheers to add to your and Elaine’s musical treasures.
A very special night....