Judith Avers: News/Journal

Happy Spring everyone!

I have been a naughty Maverick-Monday-keeper, I know.  What have I been up to?  Let's start at the beginning.

Frances and I went on a big tour out West early this year.  It was the perfect tour.  The winter here (and everywhere) was SO intense, I started to get a little blue.  Luckily, the tour wound us through IN, TX, NM, AZ, CO and Mass.  From the vast open spaces of Texas to hiking in the desert in Arizona, we had so many adventures and met the most amazing folks.  Every show was so powerful for me on a personal level, too.  It seemed that at every stop someone was recovering from a tragedy or loss and I really got to connect with folks on a much deeper level.  It made me realize how lucky I am to NOT be a folk-rockstar as I originally hoped.  It seemed so much more important to just be a good listener with some tunes that may have helped in some way.  Lucky, lucky lady am I.  Thank you to all of you wonderful fans and friends along the way.   We had a blast!  Some musicians I got to play with or listen obsessively on the road to:

Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem www.raniarbo.com - awesome folks, awesome energy and amaing people.  LOVE them and have been secretly writing songs I wish they'd sing. 

Ellis www.ellis-music.com a total positron musician.  Love her live show and energy.  When I recorded "All of It" in Massachusetts, I was listening to her for inspiration. 

Gary Louris and Mark Olson "Ready for the Flood"  check it out!!!  There are some serious "keepers" on here.  My favorites:  "bicycle" and "doves and stones"  can their harmonies be better????

On the home front, I have been writing up a STORM.  This town may not be the permanent home for us, but it sure has been inspiring.  I haven't a dime to record, but am writing music that I am so proud of.  I feel like I'm finally figuring out what works for me and my music.  It may just be for my cats and Frances, but they seem to like it too.  I have a few big daydreams in my mind.  One is a music project that I am going to keep for myself for a little while longer.  The others are cd projects I wish to do.  One is with Anand Nayak, the producer of my latest album "Mountain and Shore."  I'm trying to get the cash to hire him to work with me on a new Judith album.   I have about 2 albums written and they are both pretty different.  One is classic Jude and the other is more of a classic rock Tom Petty vibe.  I daydream about recording it with Mark Olson (founding member of the Jayhawks) or Jay Farrar (songwriter extraordinaire.)  I love their voices so much and have been obsessed with Americana for years now.  I'll keep on wishing...

I have also been working a TON for the non-profit High Rocks.  (www.highrocks.org)  Helping to plan their summer.  I have missed those girls something fierce and had gotten a little too self-obsessed.  There is only so much "taking" a person can do before the "giving" needs to kick in.  It feels good to do something outside of myself. 

High Rocks is hosting the 3rd annual Nettle Fest on Saturday, July 31st in Hillsboro, WV.  I'm feverishly working on booking it and I hope to help it double its attendance from last year.  I hope some of you will join us on the mountain and come see where I've been working during the summers!

Speaking of summer, this year I am missing some amazing festivals and sunshine touring.  I'll still be getting some sun, but in our new town...PITTSBURGH!  Yep.  It's official.  We're moving.  I can't wait to get to our new town and to start to get to know the musicians and folks there.  Frances is graduating and we have some big events happening personally.  It is awesome and 100% worth missing some of the music events.  Watch out 2011...here I come!

I think that brings us up to date.  I'm back in town.  I'm back on the Maverick saddle.  I'm back.  I never actually left, but I did get a little distracted by all of those midday bike rides, walks with my love, cuddles with the cats and daydreams about music adventures.  I am so grateful the sun is out and can't wait to see what the new town and new life have to bring!

I hope you are all soaking up the rays with good music in your ears and a guilt-free heart.  This is a short little life we have...best to not waste it feeling bad.  Do your best, be kind and make decisions with love in your heart...sounds good to me! 

rocking out in WV,

Judith

Hello there! 

Judith here.  I wanted to wish you all a great end-of-year.  I don't know about you, but we have been living in a tornado of travel and running around.  It has been amazing.  Some of the travelling has been for music and some has been personal.  All of it has been a blessing.

I am taking the last few weeks of December off except for writing and some booking, but I will check in with you in January.  Fear not- Mav Mondays will be back - but maybe I'll change the name to one that doesn't tie me to a particular day...haha.  I've never been that good at sticking to a schedule.  : )

It has been an honor to record my latest album, Mountain and Shore with such talented musicians and an absolute thrill to see that you have been listening to it and appreciating it.  I am so happy.  I hope to share M & S with more folks and to get started on the next record as soon as I can.

I have the loveliest fans and friends and wish I could express just how grateful I feel for you.  Please take good care of yourselves this holiday season.  You are all so valuable.

Much love,

Judith

I know the holidays are coming up and thought I'd put some ideas out there in case you were hoping that Santa would bring you a little folk love this year. 

 

That's right....holiday gifts! 

 

I'm beginning the fundraising process for my next album and had some ideas that might benefit us both.

 

      *  Signed CD's for your loved ones.  For $20, I will personalize a CD for whomever you want and send it to you before the holidays.  Order from me directly at info@judithavers.com

 

      *  Signed, limited edition Judith Avers posters.  You can see a copy of one of the posters here.  For $15, I will sign and send a copy of my poster to you.  Order at info@judithavers.com

 

      *  Your favorite song recorded by Judith Avers! la la la!  This is for those of you looking for a very romantic holiday gift for a Judith fan.  For $100, you can send me the name of the song that you, your best friend, your mom,  your significant other, etc.  loves; I will learn it and record a copy of myself singing it with a personal message from me.  I have limited spots for this, so order at info@judithavers.com to reserve your time.  : )

 

      *  Personal home concert.  Oh, you are TOO kind.  I bring the guitar and the music, you bring the guests.  It can be a romantic dinner for two where I play music while you stare into each others' eyes, or you can get your closest friends together and surprise them with a concert by moi.  The dates for the concert will depend on my tour schedule, but I will send a personal gift certificate and a signed album to you for the Christmas morning unveiling.  This concert is $500 and you can order at info@judithavers.com 

 

If you have other questions or Holiday ideas, I'd love to hear them and can do my best to make them happen.  I love questions.  Love them.

Happy Monday! 
It has been a busy two weeks on this end with travels to Oregon and to New York.  I wasn't on tour- we were checking out places we might be moving to.  Very exciting!

Things have been moving so fast.  Was it always like this and I've just been slow to catch on?  I'm not sure.  Either way, it's really moving along now.  I find myself overwhelmed with places I want to play and towns I want to visit.  What a blessed life.  These choices we have.  Wow.  I must have done something right somewhere along the way.  Gotta remember that. 

While on the way to Buffalo, NY, my phone broke...in the most miraculous way.  I can still make and receive calls.  I can still receive text messages, but whenever I try to access other screens- it just says "thanks thanks thanks thanks" over and over.  It's typed all over.  The word "thanks".  

  I think I might hold onto my "broken" grateful phone for awhile.  It means I can't text anyone (maybe this is a good thing lol), but I am reminded several times a day to remember to look around and be thankful. 

Our friends are coming in for Thanksgiving- a tradition here.  We are getting everything ready for them and getting ourselves amped up for a long weekend of music, food, acting, games, movies, making paper ornaments, coffee, laughing, and staying up all night.  We are so excited.  And lucky.

Hope your turkey or tofurkey are delicious and that your week is filled with love.  Me and my phone are thankful for you.

Judith

 

 

Hello all! 
I'm beginning to work on touring this week.  Planning some AZ, CO, KS, IN, MA love in January and working on a tour with Katie Sawicki in March.  I'll write more about that soon.

Also, I've been enjoying my time off!  I've been biking a lot and getting outside as much as I can.  If that sun shows even an inch of its shiny little head, I'm out the door. 

I've been reading a lot and just finished the Grapes of Wrath.  As we say here in WV, it moved me something awful.  I sat in my car at the trail and cried and cried after I finished.  So beautiful.  (I wrote more about it on my online bookclub profile which I will talk about in a second.)  I cannot believe how abundant my life is. 

I wanted to let you know that I belong to an online book club called Goodreads.  I tend to forget what I've read or what I want to read, so I mostly use it to keep track of what I want to read and what I've read.  If you want to check it out, here is the website:

www.goodreads.com 

Find me and we can be book buddies!

Much love!

Judith

Earlier this week, while my friends and family in beautiful Colorado were getting 9, 10 and 12 inches of snow on their lawns, I was riding my bike next to the river in West Virginia where the temperature was 65 degrees and the air was filled with thousands of little bugs- just hatched from the warmth- and all desperately trying to find their place in this world. 

There were leaves falling all around me and later on, while Frances and I were walking on the trail, they  looked like giant paintings that we were walking through. Maybe the whole world is just one giant painting that we are all riding and walking through.  There is so much goodness.

Anyway, I have been working on the business side of music and have been practicing guitar, but no new songs feel like being born lately.  They'll come when it's time, I guess.

This morning, I had an interview with a very cool musician, Miss Becky Alter (www.beckyalter.com).  Becky has a radio show called "Ladies in Music" and it is being pitched all over the world and is currently on Island 92.5, St. Maarten and Mega FM in Bonaire.  She focuses on amazing women in music and asked me to be the "Wicked Woman of the Week".  I had a great time visiting with her this morning and actually learned how to use Skype.  I felt like such a badass.  I will post more info when I have it, but wanted to say "thank you" to Becky for a great morning and for making me feel like a computer whiz. 

Hope you are all doing great -snow or sun.  I'm feeling so grateful and abundantly blessed lately.  This could be due to the fact that I'm reading The Grapes of Wrath, but then again, could also be something in the air...

Love

Judith 

Hello everyone! 

I know it is more like "Maverick Tuesday's" around here...hope you'll forgive me.  : )

Earlier this year, our town had its annual "dump day" where everyone can throw anything they want away for free.  We aquired an old school 3-speed bike (among other things) and I spent twenty bucks this week getting it fixed up.  It is the cutest little bike!  Her name is Cherry and I've been soaking up the West Virginia fall every day with her. 

It is so beautiful here.  This new town is very industrial, but the bike trails are just gorgeous...so many colors and textures, fuzzy caterpillars, bumble bees giving it one last go 'round, people frantically heading outdoors the moment the sun comes out, wood chopping and winterizing...it is almost too much.   I have been spending my days thinking and daydreaming and figuring out what I want to do personally and professionally to better myself this upcoming year. 

I went to see a friends show this week:  Chris Pureka and Andrea Gibson were performing in Pittsburgh and the show was beautiful.  The ever-lovely Lyndell Montgomery joined Chris and they were great.  Andrea really struck a chord with me (as always) and left me crying and soul-searching all night.  What a gifted human being.

I met with a consultant who really helped me realize some things about my career.  He gave me great ideas about how to focus and narrow down my goals.   I'm going over what he said and making plans for 2010.  I'll let you know when I know more. 

I am excited to play November 8th at the East Suburban Unitarian Church in Pittsburgh.  I've been planning what I'll talk and sing about and feel so inspired.  Hope to see you there!

Thinking of you all, always and hoping you are enjoying your apples and rediscovering the magnificence of liquid chocolate,

Judith

 

  

 

Hello Everyone! 

Hope you are doing well this fine October afternoon.  It has warmed up a bit today and I just got back from a big walk/jog/ponder.  The leaves were falling all around me and I found myself hoping that I had taken as many moments as I could to appreciate and enjoy them this year.  There were hundreds and hundreds of bees out and about.  I think the random warm day gave them all one more chance to fly and be free before the winter comes.  I wish you could have seem them.  They were soaring all around my car and up to the underside of the bridge-overjoyed for one more day, one more afternoon of sunshine.  I was so lucky to have seen them.

I'm also lucky to have gotten another album review.  This time from Rootsville (http://www.rootsville.be/) in the Netherlands.  I just got the translation back and thought you might like to read it.  Thanks Rootsville for the kind words!

 

Much love to you all!

Judith

Review of "Mountain and Shore" from Rootsville's, SMP:

 

"Not only because she is likable or very sweet but simply because Mountain and Shore,when you here it for the first time,
is different from most of the contemporary female singer/songwriters. I am very charmed by the way Judith Avers is interweaving authentic folk elements in her songs and not withstanding all that gives her elegant sound a modern touch.

A pleasant surprise! Un -American I would say, but it would be better to call it the best the American Country has to offer.

Everybody knows the feeling. You walk into a gallery or an exhibition where various artists show their work. Than you see
always objects that strike you because of their originality,creativity,sharpness or the right color combination. A modest label shows then that these items are sold or reserved for somebody. I am not surprised then, because good work always prevails, just as this special work of Judith Avers.

A product that is very close to the artist herself. A few years ago
I was very taken by a comparable jewel,  the CD Stillhouse Road made by Julie Lee. Judith's album does the same to me this year. 

Mountain and Shore was  recorded in five days and has the pureness I'm looking for in an artist.  In every respect this album is very well taken care of and is truly a product to be proud about.  Starting with the cover that sends out a peacefull calmness and ending with the music and the variety of themes. The music is very steady but radiantly provided with all instruments being the base for the record: guitar, mandolin, banjo and violin.I also appreciate the presence of Rose Sinclair,as multi-instrumentalist.  The harmonious backing vocals are the perfect finishing touch. Judith's own voice has sometimes a modest continuous vibration,showing the present emotions with dignity. Music to take the time to listen to and to read the texts.
Introspective and melancholic work of an artist who is not afraid to share her music with you. Extremely beautiful!!!"  Rootsville - by SMP

Translation by Henk Bovenschen

 

Hello from somewhat-chilly West Virginia!

The leaves are raked, the weeds have been pulled and the freezer has been stocked with bags and bags of homemade soup.  Yes, you guessed it...I'm home from touring. 

I have a few updates for you. 

1.  I won 2nd place in the Shenandoah Valley Acoustic Roots Songwriting contest! 

(the winner was a lovely young guy named Brian Elijah Smith and 3d place went to Con Burch.  Check them out-both very talented.)

We had a blast and froze our buns of camping by the river, but it was worth it.  The festival was so sweet.  The town of Luray was lovely and quaint and we all fell in love with it!  The other finalists were so talented and no, I'm not just saying that.  They really were.  It was an honor to be in such fine company. 

The main acts:  Chuck E. Costa and Beaucoup Blue did beautiful jobs and we all loved listening to them.  Later on, after the festival was over and we had all run down to the 7-11 to grab some late night grub (a very nice lady gave me a salad - thank you!), we went to Pops and Bobbie's place by the river and listened to everyone play music by the fire.  It was so much fun and I went to my cold little bed feeling warmed by my good fortune. 

 

2.  I won 3rd place in my friend Paul's (Just This Guy) song contest.  Paul challenges a few of his music buddies to a song-off kind of contest.  He gives us a theme and key words that must be used and we submit a song.  The winners receive a little money, a trophy, and most importantly, one of Paul's AWESOME care packages!!  Woohoo!! 

This year's song contest challenge?  We were to write about our worst job ever.  The keywords were:  boss, pay, work and co-worker (which I have decided is the WORST word to fit into a song EVER). 

If you would like to hear my song "All American Maid" and listen to the other lovely entries, please visit: 

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=64099163

I would love to know what you think!   As you may know, I have had many, many jobs over the years and some of them were real doozies!   I had NO trouble finding inspiration for this!  lol  I chose a job I had at small hotel in Liberal, Kansas.  It was hard work, but the worst part was the racist owner who would only rent to white people.  I was much younger then and it made a lasting impression on me.  

I hope you are all adjusting to the changing seasons and times.  There are so many things going on!  Fear not, life is going to work out fine.  : )

Much love to you,

Judith

 

Hello everyone!

Welcome to the 13th edition of "maverick monday's". I'm not quite sure why I call it "maverick monday's", but the name has stuck. : ) I try to write ever Monday, but sometimes, like today, it is more like a "maverick Wednesday"...I hope you don't mind.

I am home in West Virginia after a busy, beautiful summer of travelling, playing, camping, working with teens, laughing, crying, hiking, writing, driving, playing, ice cream licking and gardening. There have been so many blessings lately...always. I was thinking about what I could post this week and got completely overwhelmed. Where to begin? What one wonderful thing should I pick to share when there are so freaking many beautiufl things happening every moment-if I am looking for them.

I get caught up in my worry, in the news, in the tragedy and forget that when I just stop- when I let it go-things really are quite perfect. There really is good in this world and there always has been. Good, kind people have always exsisted and I want to remember that more. If I am spending my time focusing on all of the people who are doing or saying hurtful, hateful things, I am giving them more energy, right? Who am I to ignore all of the goodness?

I digress.

As always.

So, I thought I'd make a little list of amazing things that I am grateful for this summer. You can count on the fact that there are hundreds more... there are.

THINGS JUDITH HAS LOVED THIS SUMMER:

1. Planting a garden with my mom and Frances. (in case you have forgotten, a groundhog ate 100% of said garden, but the planting was a hoot.)

2. Jogging at my friends Wade and Kim's ranch out on the Colorado plains with sunflowers EVERYWHERE and grasshoppers hopping all around me. The dirt roads where sandy and orange and I could see for miles and miles..

3. Meeting a sculptor named Sassi who showed us his beautiful artwork. He then sculpted us our "new" car. What a peaceful and natural life he leads. I was told to sit in the car and meditate on it and if the car wanted to be with us, it would let us know. It did.

4. Running a High Rocks Camp. Whew! I was pretty proud of myself and so grateful to be trusted.

5. Camping, camping, camping and getting dirty, dirty, dirty. I wanted to embrace my inner camper this year and believe me...I have. : )

6. Laying under a bridge in southern WV at sun-down with my friends Matt, Rachel, Missy, Emma and Kristin watching the bats fly all around us. The bats were feasting on bugs and it was awesome!

7. A morning at my friend Sarah's farm. Food from the garden, a full out search for baby pigs and the cleanest air you will ever breathe. Dancing in the kitchen with stick instruments, wedding album spying and crying on the couch. Thank you. I came home wanting to be a pig farmer.  Who knew?! 

8. Tour out West. All of it was awesome, but some highlights: playing in my homestate- Kansas, seeing old friends from High School, listening to music out at May Farms, house concert love, getting awesome sleep at my friends Jen and Liz's new place, good coffee, excellent walks, having honest talks with my mama, driving and listening to the most beautiful music.

 9. Sisters, Oregon. Reminded me of Lewisburg, WV. Met the kindest folks and listened to so much music. I went alone, but never felt lonely...I only felt lucky.

10. Itaca, NY. Our friends' celebration. What a love fest. Seeing old friends and listening to music, music, music.

There is so much more, I know, but this is what is coming up today. I'm working on a new song, so I gotta go. I hope that you are doing well with the changing of seasons. Normally, I feel pretty sad when summer ends...like I've somehow missed the boat or that I didn't quite enjoy it as much as I should have, but this year I know i soaked it all up. I truly did. I am feeling the sleepy-season-changing-blah's, but it's not a sad thing, just a blah thing. It ain't nothing but a blah thing, baby.

 

Much love and peace to you<

Judith

Hello out there! Judith here. Finally home for a few days after tour and a trip out West to Oregon. Whew! Busy summer. Amidst all of the laundry, vacuuming and petting of the little kitty cats, I have been catching up on the news. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not, to be honest. I find myself worrying about the world, our country, health care, and just people in general. When I hear folks talking about how no one should get help with health care, I get so sad. The "low-life's" or "losers" or "lazy" or "slacker" people they are talking about includes myself and most of my friends. All of whom work very hard with art, yes, but also working with non-profits, local charities and organizations that help out where needed. I would never consider any of us "slackers" or "less than" any other American, nor would I consider ourselves better than any group of people. We are all doing a part and over time I am realizing that each part is an important one. (Which in some weird circle must mean that the nay-sayers and negatrons out there are playing a part, too.) Ugh. What to do...what to do... I don't have any answers for any of this. I doubt that I ever will. Maybe the only thing I can do is be as kind as possible when I can and try not to be ruled and governed by the fear of change. It is the only thing that I can count on 100% of the time: CHANGE will come. I guess it's time I learn to embrace it and enjoy the ride a bit. Music is good. Trying to figure out ways to raise money to make the next album this spring. Any ideas? I'd love to hear them. I've also been working on trying to get this album out and in the hands of whoever needs it. I'm feeling grateful for my friends and family who are loving and kind and open. I've been listening to my new albums and loving every moment. My friend Jen Korte just released a new album: Jen Korte and the Loss and check this gem out: Lara Goldhamer and the Silvernail. Geez. Denver has so much talent. I miss you, Colorado! Hope you are all doing well and staying up, up, up...don't let those nasty meanies get the best of you, my dears. There really is room for us all. Love, Judith

Greetings from Portland, Oregon! I'm just wrapping up the tour (which was amazing, by the way) and am here visiting my friend, Katie Sawicki. This last weekend was the Sisters Folk Festival and it was an absolute blast. Living in the boonies, I don't always have the chance to go absorb music, so I was living high on the folk-hog this weekend. Some favorites: Kelly Joe Phelps Danny Schmidt Peter Rowan Please, please, please listen to them if you get a chance. Wow. I want to go to a barbeque at Kelly Joe Phelps house and have him teach me some guitar, I want to publish Danny's lyrics in a book and read it over and over, and I want to start an ashram with Peter Rowan and sit around in his zen state forever. A girl can dream... I will have more updates soon, but have to run really quick. Hope you are enjoying your brussel sprouts and listening to good music while you do it, Judith

Hello lovely people out in space-land!! I hope you are doing fantastic this fine Labor Day weekend. I am on tour now, but wanted to drop a quick line and let you know that I have not forgotten our Maverick Magic....on the contrary-I have just been busy. I have stories and news and funny happenings to fill you in on, but will have to write more when I get a little more computer time. The tour is going fantastic! I have loved it and have spent time with some amazing (and I mean AMAZING) folks this time out. Wow. We have a pretty f-ing rad planet full of pretty f-ng cool people. I am blown away. Great shows-great audiences-great music. I like music for all kinds of reasons. At our house, we have dance parties at least 2 or 3 times a week and ROCK OUT so dance music is good...folk music and alt-country for when I'm driving across Kansas and rock for when I'm particularly happy. Before I sign off here, I wanted to let you know a few names of some of the talent that I've been listening to. What a lucky life I have. Thank you all for hosting shows, attending, listening, talking with me and for giving me so much hope about the coolness potential of the world. You all rock. Music: Jen Korte and the Loss - Someone please make these people rock stars. Laura Goldhamer and the Silvernail - Holy shit. This is my new favorite. a MUST see live act. Sean Hayes- This cat is so cool, I looked up the word "cool" in the dictonary and found a picture of a cat and THAT cat handed me something cold and said "yep...he's cool alright." Barclay Martin-A sweetheart-he rocked out at the Tour de Fat yesterday and has been keeping me company for part of the tour. Also, he's a really good person and his fans are soooo sweet and kind. There are others, too, but my brain is a little fried right now. (sorry for the sporadic entry). Have a bike-riding-fried plantain kind of day my friends, Judith ps-do YOU have any stories for ME?? Write them at the Guesbook or email me...I love stories.

Hi there!  Hope this finds you all sitting pretty and feeling fine. 

It's been a good week here!  Just got word that I was chosen as one of the finalists for the Shenandoah Valley Acoustic Roots Songwriting Contest! 

I got to talk with the lovely and amazing Pops Walker and will get more details later.  Here is what I know so far:

I will get to perform in Luray, VA at the Shenandoah Valley Acoustic Roots Festival Songwriting Contest Finals on October 3rd, 2009.  The top three folks will be chosen and get lovely prizes, but you know how I get with competions.  What I am most excited about is hearing some good tunes and meeting some kind music folk. 

Here are some of the people who will be playing with us (I think)

Chuck E. Costa

Pops Walker

Beaucoup Blue

I will let you know more as I hear.  You can also check the "tour" section of this website for contact info. 

Thank you, Luray!

 

Got word that I get to go out to Sisters, Oregon for the Sisters Folk Festival on September 11, 12, and 13th.  How awesome is that??  I am a finalist for the Dave Carter Memorial Song Contest.  Wow!  There are so many talented folkies out there-I'm a little humbled and very honored.  Dave Carter wrote so much amazing music and he and Tracy Grammer were magic.  I hope I can do him some justice. 

The lineup is incredible and I think I'm more excited about getting to hear three days of music than actually playing!  We have been a little isolated because of our location for a couple of years, so this many musicians in one place, six stages and three days is like chocolate to a grumpy lady for me. 

Yum.

Here is the website:  www.sistersfolkfestival.com

Would love to see a familiar face, hope you come.  : )
Judith

ps.  okay, okay, I'm VERY excited to go play!!  I was just saying that for effect...you know how I can be.

 

Hello fellow Maverick's!! Hope this finds you all sassy and happy and eating yummy ice cream. Sounds good... Several things going on here. First-taking off next week on tour to Colorado. Making a couple of stops in Kansas and MO to see dear old friends and play with some new ones. Please check out the tour schedule and come say hi! (I'll be selling the new album)

Second, I got word last week that I am one of the finalists for the Dave Carter Memorial Song Contest for the Sisters Folk Festival in Sisters, Oregon! How awesome! They called at the end of a very long and frustrating week...it was so nice to hear some good news. If any of you are out that way, come check it out. It sounds amazing!

Click here to see the amazing lineup!  I am so excited to head out to beautiful Oregon.  What a cool state-ocean, desert, mountains, plains...it has it all covered.

finally, I have decided to give you an assignment this week.  I know, I know you are busy-we all are...but this is something I feel very strongly about. 

Here are your instructions:

1.  Turn your speakers on your computer on and up.

2.  Make sure you have plenty of room around you. 

3.  Stand up.

4.  No, really, stand up.

5.  Click the link below and proceed to dance your cute little booties off.  I am obsessed with this song and band and we have been dancing to it for weeks.  Like crazy people.  Maybe I'll make a video and send it to you.

6.  here is the link. (My website makes the hyperlinks look like the regular text...just click on the word "here")

 

Much love and robot moves to you and yours,
Judith

Happy August everyone! It's Judith here. How nice of you to stop by the Monday newsletter. What's new here? Hmm...if you stop by the "tour" schedule, you can see the shows that are coming up. I'm so excited to head out to Colorado. You may know that I moved to West Virginia from Colorado and my music career began there. It will always be a favorite. Speaking of "favorites", when I first went solo (had a band for 6 years), I used to hang out at this place called Avogadro's Number in Ft. Collins, CO. (It's still there). I played my first solo show there and used to stalk the open mic's-checking everyone out and listening to great music. There really was great music. One person in particular really stands out-my friend Markus Noah. Markus reminds me a little of Townes and a lot of Neil Young, and used to break my heart every week. We would sit at the bottom of the stairwell after hours and play each other sad songs and sing and sing and sing.... He is one of those musicians that is so much more talented than I could ever hope to be, that just listening to him made me want to quit music. THOSE are my favorite artists. The ones that actually cause pain because of their beauty. I think it was John Giorno that said "you gotta burn to shine". Colorado will always remind me of that. The kind of art that is painful and gut wrenchingly beautiful. I know they are everywhere, but there are so many memories of those mountains and their music. I am grateful. I hope that I see you at some of the shows. There are some very cool house concerts that I HIGHLY recommend to you. I would love to actually be able to say hi. I am a little sleepy and rambling, I know, but will leave you with a funny card we saw the other day. It is for a "talking" game-you know the ones. Anyway, it cracked us up...here is the card I drew: "If my life where a movie, book, play, or television show, what would be its title? What character would I play?" Is it just me?? OF COURSE I would play the hairdresser. I'll write more soon and am sending you lots of good juju... Ju-ju-dith

Hello everyone! For some reason, I forgot what day of the week it was, so please forgive my tardiness. Things have been busy here. Doing my best to book tours and figure out where I want to go this year. It is difficult because I love ALL of the states! To narrow it down for touring is very difficult for me. I've never been good at making decisions when faced with too many options. Does that bother you too??? Maybe it's a good thing, no? To be constantly impressed. Maybe I will embrace this about myself. Speaking of options, our new little WV town has several businesses that provide interesting combo-options to its customers. Maybe you are familiar with these types of combo-deals? Take the combo tanning salon/movie rental place. It seems to me that if I was going to be lying in a tanning bed for an extended length of time, I'd prefer a movie PLAYING or something, but maybe some folks like to feel tannercized and then rent the latest Jim Carrey flick. To each their own, I guess. (what does that MEAN?) Or how about the pet store/garden nursery? Buy a kitty, get an apple tree. Smell the roses....buy something that pees on the roses. I like this one! And last but certainly not least, my favorite. The donut shop/chicken store. It is a little donut place that also serves bulk fried chickens. Buy a chocolate donut and get a 10 piece chicken bucket. Hmmm...my arteries are hardening just thinking of this, but have to admit it does sound kind of fun. There are even giant chickens painted on the windows. Yay giant Chickens!!! These are the things I've been noticing. How about you? Any good combo=deals in your neck of the woods? I'd love to hear about them! I'm off to make soup, but check back this weekend for the latest tour dates. And if you'd like me to come to your town, email me here (go to the contact page) and I'll do my best. I am sending lots of love and chicken wings your way, Judith

Hello everyone!
I haven't been flaky about my posts, I've just been in the woods. I've been working at two camps for High Rocks (www.highrocks.org). High Rocks is a year-round program, but it also hosts two free camps for teens in West Virginia. The focus? empowerment and leadership, education and adventure. Were we successful this year? I think so!
The first camp, I led Girls Group, which is top secret, so I can't tell you too much about it, but I CAN say that it was fabulous (or as the girls might say..."it was totally FABOO"). I had a great intern working with me, Raissa, and I left camp wanting to adopt every single girl. You all were beautiful and amazing and brave!

The second camp, Camp Steele, is a more intense camp for older teens. This camp I was the Planmaster which means that I was in charge of planning and running the camp smoothly. My fearless intern, Kristin, was my partner in crime (or top secret espresso runs) and I think we did a good job! It was pretty intense to be in charge of so many schedules and plans, but it was so nice to be trusted with that much responsibility. I'm a pretty free-spirit, so it was cool to get to explore that part of myself.

I had such a good time working in Southern West Virginia. It will always be my home and my friendships there got so much deeper this summer. I am forever grateful.
Things I won't forget:
*eating plantains with my fingers (thank you, Raissa)
*laughing NONSTOP with my podlets
*late night music sessions after the girls were asleep (shhh)
*getting dirtier than I've ever gotten...woohoo!!
*laying by the river on my night off
*playing by the fire on the last night listening to Laura H. play music and rock out
*singing in the shelter with Emma, Sarah, and Rachel
*torturing my friend Missy (everyone needs a friend like Missy who can torture you and do naughty things like convince you to get a grab bag tattoo)
*Frances decorating my "borrowed" room just like our bedroom at home so that I could rest on my night off.
*the sweet sweet girls who remind me of myself and bring out the absolute best in me.
*sitting before dinner for almost 2 hours before the girls were FINALLY done saying all of their "gratefuls"
*Pig farm morning with Sarah and Rachel with special guests, Silus and Hazel.
*two words...DANCE PARTIES!!!

There are too many things to name here. I am eternally grateful for High Rocks. It has opened my mind and my heart so much. I love you all and miss you terribly. Thank you for another amazing summer.

In other news, I have been trying to catch up on everything else in my life. Things I've been working on:

*new songs! This new town and my loneliness have really been inspiring lately and I am writing so much. I'm grateful.
*daydreaming-I'm daydreaming about having a good booking agent and good distribution. I have no idea how to get either of these things, but I still daydream...
*cats-I've got lots of making up to do for my time away. Zeus is not happy.
*love-got some catching up to do! Anniversary time and our last summer before intern year. I'm trying to make it last!

I am blessed with so much travelling, so many beautiful friendships, so much laughter, so much chaos (I'm working on it), so many dreams and schemes, I have NO idea how to get my music out in the world but I keep trying, so many questions and so much love. This is a full life I have and I am grateful. I'm so glad you are a part of it!!

I hope you are overflowing, wherever you are...
Judith

Happy July!

Hope this finds you all picking veggies from your gardens and sitting on your lovely porches drinking ice water. (I know there are probably more delicious things than iced water, but it sounds REALLY good to me right now).

The past month has been really busy on this end. I've been teaching at a leadership/empowerment camp for girls (www.highrocks.org) and gearing up to run the next camp. Yikes! Music is still heavy in my mind and I although I haven't been home much (camping in the woods with the girls...why oh why do I do this to myself?), when I have been home, I have been writing like a crazy woman. (hopefully a bit more organized than a crazy woman might write, but probably not as interesting.)

After this next camp I am hoping to pick up where I left off in terms of booking fall tours (I just know there is the perfect booking agency out there somewhere...hello?? echo...echo...). If you want me to try to make it out to your part of this beautiful country, drop me a line and I'll do my best. Want to host a private house concert for your friends? Let's do it! I'm open to ideas and love to hear from you.

I am off to sleep land, but just in case you were curious about our garden...the luscious, bountiful, inventive garden we planted and worked on tirelessly....it's all gone. A groundhog, I like to call Chuck has done a fabulous job devouring everything but one little bunch of basil (which now that I know Chuck doesn't want, I'm too freaked out to eat.) If this wasn't a rental, Chuck would be long gone, but it is. So he is part of the territory and I've been too much of a wuss to do anything. Next time.

Someday there will be a little home that is ours (for a time) a yard that is ours to plant and worry over and a fence that is 2 ft deep and 6ft high, but until that day, I will keep on writing, playing music, and daydreaming with Frances about the tomatoes that will be and the green beans that we just know will change the world.


Much love to you and your squash,
Judith

ps. Our friend Dan gave me a HUGE geranium for my birthday this year...it is SO beautiful. I've been tending to it and babying it along with the other flowers that have taken over the porch, but the other day we noticed a little something extra. A little brown bird has made her nest IN the pot...IN the dirt. I had one tiny moment...ONE!.. where I panicked about losing yet another precious plant when Frances reminded me that the little baby birds that are hopping around inside the plant don't know how to swim and apparently they won't. Ever.
I guess another one bites the dust.
tweet. tweet.

What is a maverick? I went to a dictionary and here is what I found (thanks, dictionary.com)

1. Southwestern U.S. an unbranded calf, cow, or steer, esp. an unbranded calf that is separated from its mother.
2. a lone dissenter, as an intellectual, an artist, or a politician, who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates.

I guess both still apply.

This edition of Maverick Mondays is a little late, I apologize. I have been working with teen girls in Southern West Virginia. Our non-profit, High Rocks (www.highrocks.org) was busy putting on an intense leadership camp and I was working there. I am just getting home and adjusting to modern technology. (no phones, tv, computer, electricity...you get the idea.) I'm also adjusting to having toilets I can flush! We really are in the lap of luxury here in the good ole U.S. of A.

The first review of "Mountain and Shore" is in and came all the way from the Netherlands. Some kind friends translated it for me...I'm taking their word on it that the review was kind, although it would be pretty funny if the review was talking about how awful the album was and our friends decided to make me feel better by writing a raving one. Who knows...who cares...I am grateful for the kindness...however it comes.

Thank you, Alt Country Forum (www.altcountryforum.nl)

You made coming back to the modern world a whole lot sweeter,
Judith



Mountain and Shore Review
by Martin Overheul
June 10, 2009
www.altcountryforum.nl
Music is an inexhaustible source of inspiration and irritation, of animation and annoyance, or of passion and deception. And that is just right. Imagine that we would all love the same things and listen to the same records. I imagine that the auditorium of the hell looks like that. For without bad there is no good, right? And without ugliness no beauty. How subjective and disputable that difference might be. I am very glad that next to a lot of good music I also hear a lot of rubbish. Because that way you realize that you hear something very special when you hear a voice that can do melt the coldest hearts and souls. Or a voice able to touch your soul in such a way that you can’t forget it for weeks. Take for example the voice of Judith Avers, a young and remarkable talented singer-songwriter from West Virginia.

The songs on “Mountain and Shore,” her second CD in 4 years (in 2005 her first appearance “Strong Hands” came out) are without exeption breathtaking, musically as well as textually.
It has been some time since I heard a record where the listener gets such intimate looks into the inner life of a human being. “There isn’t one thing or one more bit of love that I could have put into it,” says Judith Avers about her new CD, “It is what I had in me at the time.” And what she had in her at that time was amazing. “Mountain and Shore” opens at high level with the very intimate “Lilac Dreams” which, thanks to the pedal steel of Rose Sinclair (Martha Scanlan, Crooked Jades), gets a wonderful grand sound. Beautiful songs!! But at the same time you think a little worriedly, ‘I hope this turns out well,’ because Avers starts on a high level with this song. But Avers avoids this trap brilliantly for the songs that follow are also fantastic. Be seduced by the banjo solo (again Rose Sinclair) or the magnificent “Rocket Ship” or the loaded with delightful harmonium (Anand Nayak, also producer), “All of It.” “Karen”, one of the textual highlights of this CD, tells about a young woman who is unable to cope with the “hard times” she is going through and jumps into a canyon “and with a crash she said goodnight.” Heartbreaking? Yes. Beautiful? Very beautiful. Judith Avers excels in making these kinds of observations full of compassion and understanding of the human imperfection. Add to this that she wraps her songs in a way that they never get melodramatic but are always like real life. For example in “West Virginia”, another highlight: “I am Vegas, baby. Turn me on. I am New York and I can’t keep up. I have done all I can do; put up a good fight, but I wanna be West-Virginia tonight.” More earthly is not possible.

“Mountain and Shore” ends with the heartbreaking “Love You Right,” the kind of lovesong
everyone hopes will be written for her or him one day. “To love you tonight, I would scream. I would fight, but I would lay all my fear aside if I could love you tonight, I’d love you right.” Let there be no doubt; Judith Avers’ fantastic voice has conquered my heart already. And I am convinced that she will add many more songs to the above mentioned.

Translation courtesy of Luis and Henk Bovenschen

What do leather chaps, prom dresses and rainbow colored EVERYTHING have in common?

No, not my last family reunion.

Buffalo Pride 2009!

We headed off to gorgeous Buffalo, New York for some fun in the sun and we got it. Some of you may know that we moved to WV from Colorado, so we have definitely witnessed some AWESOME pride in Denver, but it's been a while, and let's just say that our little area in WV isn't going to be hosting a vast array of beautiful drag queens anytime soon. It was fabulous.

If I seem excited, it's because I am. I love people! Conservative ones, liberal ones, angry ones, happy ones, you name it. I can squeeze out some love for pretty much anyone, but it was especially easy for me to find this weekend. I love all of the joy and freedom I saw. There is a change in the world. Equality for ALL is slowly creeping in and we were all overjoyed. Even the radical feminists were cutting loose and having fun (albeit reminding us of just how far we still have to go and don't you forget it..) They were and it was wonderful.

Thank you Buffalo for rocking and for being a refreshing change of pace for us two WV folkies. A quick shout out to Nancy, Cecilia and Michelle (there are many others, I know) for hosting me and putting on a fantastic Pride. Plus, they got us yummy fruit and who could ever be mean to someone handing you yummy fruit?

(Side note: there was a cover band that played the best songs from the 80's and 90's. They were called the Stamplickers. The entire crowd was CRAZY and we were all screaming "don't you...forget about me...I'll be alone...dancing you know it baby..." I don't know if they are serious musicians or not, but they are definitely a BLAST.)

My to-do list is a mile long and I'm a little overwhelmed, but it is so much better than being under-whelmed, I think. Life is very good.

Hope you are doing well and that your well (if you live in the country) is doing better than well.

Much love
Judith

P.S. I know you're going to ask...no, I didn't see Ani DiFranco (the celebration is right by her house.) BUT...I heard she was there in the morning with her little girl. She took her daughter to pet the animals that were at the animal shelter booth. They had the cutest little kittens!

Greetings fellow Earthlings,

I hope this finds you feeling fancy free or free of fancy-you choose.
I am sitting in our office/music attic, listening to the glorious sounds of the industrial park down the street and missing Lewisburg, WV. (In all fairness, there are LOTS of bird sounds and cat sounds, too.)

This past week, the music part of my life was awesome. My good friend, Katie Sawicki, came through on tour and we played in Pittsburgh at the Club Cafe. A very VERY intimate concert, but talked with some very cool folks and then ate some very good eggs. It was so nice to sit around and play songs for each other...run our new song ideas by each other and just chill out.


Also on the agenda, the one....the only....the Irish Pub in Lewisburg, WV. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to come home to Lewisburg and see so many friendly and kind faces. The pub was packed and people actually KNEW some of my songs...it was just what I needed. We shed some tears about missing our peeps and our town, but know that now is not the time to live there. Lewisburg, if you are reading this....you are wonderful. I hope every person who lives there knows how fortunate they are. Just to have people let you in to the next lane when you are driving for crying out loud!! What a luxury!!

We stayed with our amazing past landlords, Greg and Sally and had a ball visiting friends and drinking divine latte's from the Stardust. Please go there and drink a latte. Bob Dylan called me and told me to tell you all to do it.
Are you going to mess with Bob on this? (Wow, the name "Bob" doesn't quite have that authoritative ring to it without the "Dylan" attached, does it?)

I sent about 10 packages out to folks in the music business this week. Not as many as I had hoped, but a lot was going on. I took out my "good mojo" spray and covered them with it. : ) I am slowly realizing that it doesn't really matter either way what happens with them, it's just mostly important that I'm giving myself a shot. If I can do that, I won't have anything to bitch to myself about later. Besides, I have a blessed life and don't need a thing...anything else that comes along is just gravy. You know what I mean?

The groundhog that has been eating our garden has been nowhere to be seen this past week. You may know that we tried everything (other than a bullet) that we could think of and are now wondering whose idea is the one that scared him off. Is it
a-the freaky pinwheels we put in front of the "prime" attack-worthy plants
b-the cayenne/soap/weird stuff spray i've been spritzing on everything
or c-the human urine we used to "mark" our territory. (please, please don't ask.)

Either way, the bok choy is now being devoured by some kind of insect and the broccoli plants have moved on to their next lives (they were buddhist plants).

I hope you and all of your lives are well. I will try to post some pics soon, but couldn't get the thing to work today.

Muah!
Judith

ps-I'm playing the Buffalo Pride Festival in Buffalo, NY this weekend! 10-13,000 folks attend and Tom Goss and Doria Roberts are also performing. I guess the event ends up right in front of Ani Difranco's house. I will let you know how it goes or see you there!

Hey everybody,
I told you I would post every Monday and by George, I am going to.

Welcome to the first edition of Judith's "Maverick Monday's"

(I'm taking the term "maverick" back, folks.)
What is a maverick? I went to a dictionary and here is what I found (thanks, dictionary.com)

1. Southwestern U.S. an unbranded calf, cow, or steer, esp. an unbranded calf that is separated from its mother.
2. a lone dissenter, as an intellectual, an artist, or a politician, who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates.

Okay, both could apply. : )

A lot has been happening around here.
A groundhog ate all of our broccoli, most of our bok choy, squash, zucchini and cucumber plants. There are a few survivors, but I was pretty bummed.

We have decided against shooting it, trapping it, stuffing it, or cooking it. I shed a few tears and then the next day....the universe sent a HUGE storm that totaled a lot of the plants in the garden. See??? At least the plants got to be food for SOMEONE! (I'm trying really hard to be positive here.)

That storm I was referring to? It flooded our basement. We spent Memorial day weekend sweeping smelly water into a drain hole (thank goodness we had one). I thought we had it pretty bad, but then our good friend called and said he has poison ivy on his face, abdomen and...wait for it....his penis.

Okay, I said. He wins.

As far as music goes, I sent out the massive email list letter, did research on companies that have contacted me lately (most are scam folks who take sweet little musicians money and promise them fame and fortune), and tried to come to terms with the massive to-do list I have going.

Katie Sawicki is coming to town tomorrow and we are playing in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night. I am excited to play new songs and to listen to her new music. She is so talented.

I played in Buffalo last week at Ani Difranco's venue, Babeville, with Chris Pureka. The venue was SO incredibly beautiful. It is a renovated old church with such good energy. Well worth the trip if you're close by. I was expecting something different from Buffalo, judging by interviews I've read and people who live there who have talked with me, but I found it absolutely beautiful. The audience was absolutely lovely and were quiet as little mice. (Thank you!) I had a fantastic time playing and trying out new songs. I'm a big fan of Buffalo.

(No, I didn't get to meet Ani, but I did meet her manager, Scott Fischer.)

All in all, it was an okay week. A little low vibe, but nothing that some fresh air and a few productive days won't cure.

I hope that yours was spectacular, or at least poison-ivy free.

See you soon,
Judith

ps-Wednesday night show
Club Cafe
Pittsburgh, PA
7pm sharp