There was a major equipment snafu when my capo broke after the third song. A brief reprieve was offered by guest star Brett Every (www.brettevery.com), who heroically used his fingers to hold the broken capo onto the guitar for two songs. He also joined us for three-part harmonies on “Love Hurts” (a classic written by Felice & Boudleaux Bryant). Salvation arrived several songs later when drummer extraordinaire Richard Dworkin turned up with a capo he had gone and borrowed from a musician friend in the neighborhood. I will never again show up for a gig without a backup capo! Apparently all acoustic guitar players know that, but I didn’t. Brett also sang one of his own songs, “Deveraux”, dedicated to the recently-departed and much-missed Rue McClanahan.

Paul and I had a wonderful week of just hanging out and enjoying each other’s company like the old days. We’re sure to do this sort of thing again. On June 21, Brett Every and I did a little double bill outdoor performance in Dumbo, Brooklyn as part of the Make Music New York festival. It was a delightful experience!

I’m having a wonderful summer, hope you are too! Probably no gigs for the rest of the summer, but working on some fun stuff for the fall. Stay in touch if you get around to it!

“Last night we attended our current featured artist – Pete Sturman’s – sold out solo show at the Duplex here in NYC (my first time seeing him live). A remarkable troubadour/wordsmith – beloved by his audience. Friends and fans called out requests from his extensive catalog of gay-themed ballads, anthems and comedic songs. And Pete graciously pulled ‘em out of his hat on the spot.  The crowd seemed to hang on his every word. A lovely vibe was shared by all. 

“All during the show I kept thinking to myself: if ever there was a Bob Dylan for the gay community, this guy’s the one.”

The workshop ended with a matinee on Sunday, January 31 and that night Paul and I convened in the All Ways Lounge for a special 3-hour set of many requests and some new songs of mine done solo. Ian and Kenneth (from TTAI) came up and sang “Angel’s Wings” and “Party Zone” with us, then Ian duetted with me on “Tea”. We also did a couple of sets backed up by Galen on keys and our old friend Kathleen Kraus on upright bass. It rocked and has got us thinking we should do an album as a foursome.

Somehow the Pistol/Popgun machine keeps chuggin’ despite our being in different cities, and I believe that somehow we always will.