John Statz

The last (and only) time I played anywhere in Massachusetts was back in 2009, and involved only two dates, so you could say that I’m a little overdue for some Boston love. That is where this guy comes in:

Mark Erelli is an east coast gem, and I have the highest amount of respect for his body of songwriting work. I had the pleasure of opening three dates for Mark in Nebraska back in February and it was a blast. At the end of the tour he extended an invitation for me to open his May 11th “hometown” date at the storied Club Passim in Cambridge, MA. May 11th also happens to be my 29th birthday, can’t imagine a much better way to spend it.

I’m pretty darn excited to head back to the east coast, to Boston, and to once again open for Mark. If you need a suggestion of where to start with his music, this song, “Hope Dies Last”, is one of my favorite songs ever written. Ever.

While I’m flying all the way from Denver to Boston I figured it would be good to tack on another show or two, so I’ll be playing Friday night in Shelburne Falls, MA at Mocha Maya’s and Sunday I’ll be doing my own Cambridge show at Gallery 263. My brother is flying all the way from Los Angeles to Boston to celebrate my birthday with me, so in between we’ll be catching a Red Sox game, hitting the best pubs the city as to offer, and likely getting all the seafood we can lay our mitts on.

Here are the official dates, for more details visit the calendar page:

* Friday, May 10th – Mocha Maya’s, Shelburne Falls, MA
* Saturday, May 11th – Club Passim, Cambridge, MA (w/ Mark Erelli)
* Sunday, May 12th – Gallery 263, Cambridge, MA 

Had an amazing show last month at The Walnut Room here in Denver with my good pals Count This Penny. Leslie Loudspeaker was there to capture some great photos, including a green room rehearsal with Amanda Rigell of Count This Penny.

That right there is the farm outside of Madison, WI where my Dad grew up, and, subsequently, I grew up. No, we didn’t work it anymore by the time I came around, rented the land out to a neighboring farmer, but it provided a pretty great playground and learning space, that is for sure.

I’m leaving on a plane to Chicago early this morning to start the Spring Tour, and couldn’t be more excited to get back to the heartland/homeland. Lots of Wisconsin love this time around, with a couple of dates in Chicago and Minneapolis, as well. Two of the shows are at non-traditional venues, but don’t let that deter you. Tonight in Chicago it’ll be a listening party at a recording studio, but just head to the address listed on the calendar page at the right time and you’ll be just fine. Similarly, the show in Black River Falls, WI is a house concert, but email Bob (his contact info is listed with the show on the calendar page) and you’ll be in.

Can’t wait to see you again in spring time, Wisconsin! Here are the dates:

* Tuesday, April 2 – Rattlesnake Studio, Chicago, IL
* Wednesday, April 3 – Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, Milwaukee, WI
* Thursday, April 4 – High Noon Saloon, Madison, WI (opening for Ellis Paul)
* Friday, April 5 – Kavarna, Green Bay, WI
* Saturday, April 6 – The Hollow Light Lounge (House Show), Black River Falls, WI
* Sunday, April 7 – Aster Cafe, Minneapolis, MN

I’ve got a few shows around the Front Range coming up here at the end of March. Two of them will be with my good friends Count This Penny who are making the trek all the way from Madison, Wisconsin. I can’t recommend there stuff highly enough, don’t miss them in Denver or Boulder as they don’t come through Colorado often!

Friday, March 22 – Jamestown Mercantile, Jamestown, CO
*Tuesday, March 26 – The Walnut Room, Denver, CO
*Thursday, March 28 – Shine, Boulder, CO

* with Count This Penny

Visit the calendar page for full show details and ticket sales.

That photo was taken in May of 2008, the last and only time I visited the beautiful city of New Orleans. Next week I’ll be returning, playing shows there as well as three others along the Gulf Coast:

Thurs, Feb 28 – House Concert, Panama City Beach, FL
Fri, Mar 1 – Malaga Inn, Mobile, AL
Sat, Mar 2 – Neutral Ground, New Orleans, LA
Sun, Mar 3 – Birdies Roadhouse, Varnado, LA
* check out the calendar page for more details

Also, I’m re-booting my mailing list in a sense. Yes, I’ve been sending news as always, but I want to make it more personal. Starting next week the emails will all include a free, unreleased track for download, as well as a story from the road, recording sessions, or off-time. For this first email the free track will be a demo recording of a brand new tune being prepped for an upcoming album. If you’d like to be included, sign yourself up below!