Summer is making its last gasp and fall is waiting to join us.    The VZ Valley Boys are preparing for the season with some changes to our calendar of events.    New venues, new dates.   The changes are still coming in so check back often.

In the past couple of weeks, we've played Up On The Hill Where They Do The Boogie, Woofstock, and Clark's Creek Park in Puyallup.   Jette was accompanied by a quartet of musicians from Finland who are amazing players.   They even joined us to sing "Squirrel Heads and Gravy."

Some new original tunes are being unveiled at our next show, to be held at A Rhapsody In Bloom on August 20.  Check the Calendar Page for addresses and times.

People keep asking, "Why do you guys call him Sparky?"    If we told you that, we might blow his cover.

On Sunday, August 3, from 11:30 AM- 1 PM, the VZ Valley Boys will be playing at Tacoma's Todd Field on the UPS Campus as part of "Woofstock" an event to promote pet adoptions.   Admission to the event is free and is a family-friendly, all ages event.  

Details on this event can be found at: http://www.duganfoundation.org/docs/Woofstock2008Overview.pdf

Should be fun-- we should be able to get a lot of help howling at the moon.  Even if it is daytime!

The VZVBs

The past week has been a flurry of activity for the Boys from VZ Valley.   Thanks to those of you who joined us in Tacoma, Duvall and/or Bonney Lake.  

The Wednesday show at A Rhapsody in Bloom was a beautiful summer night, in Rhapsody's outside backyard garden.   It was an evening of original tunes, including the debut of two new songs amid an otherwise tranquil setting.   With the exception of the neighbor's pressure washer.  As if that was any match for a five string banjo.

On Saturday it was off to the P&G Speakeasy in Duvall, another outdoor stage and a rocking show.   Chris is getting pretty friendly with that new mandolin, and finding some new licks embedded within it.   Sparky was sartorially resplendent in his Panama hat, Hawaiian shirt and sandals.   We watched the sun come down and howled at the moon.   And then we enjoyed the P&G's dinner special, some bodacious shrimp skewers.  It was a bookmark night.

Despite the rumors, there were no Speedos or flippers in evidence at Bonney Lake's Forza Coffee on Sunday.  With the thermometer approaching 90 degrees, it was refreshing to play an air-conditioned indoor venue.   Phil led the sing along of his new song.   He had seen a vision of raspberries actually rolling down a mountainside, moving someone to tears.   And thus we sang.  

The next couple of weekends the VZVBs are scattering to festivals, beaches, undercover missions and solo venue.  But another big weekend is coming the first weekend in August.  Mark your calendars. 

We've been off having our own adventures the past two or three weeks.   Chris has been to Canada and back, avoiding the Mandolin-Free Zone at the border.   Sparky was on a covert mission in an undisclosed location.   While he cannot divulge details, he said he did came back with a souvenir solid gold ferret that he plans to sell on either Craigslist or eBay.   Phil received a congratulatory phone call from Vice President Dick Cheney for winning the annual VZ Valley Skeet Shooting Competition.   And Al sold banjos at Merlefest in North Carolina.

Now we're ready to pick.   Saturday, May 10, 7-9 PM at Forza Coffee on 21st and Pearl in Tacoma.   No cover, donations graciously accepted.    Come on down and celebrate the coming of spring with an evening of bluegrass and espresso.   Better latte than never!

The  VZVBs

The calendar says May is almost here, but it doesn't look or feel like it to us.   At least not here.  Al's travels took him to Merlefest in North Carolina last week, and the warm weather (even when it was raining) left him feeling dressed out of season.  

Thanks to all of you who made it to the P&G in Duvall on April 19.  It was so full people were stuck outside trying to get in.   Its always fun to play for a raucous crowd.   

We'll be looking forward to getting back together on May 10 at Forza Coffee on Pearl Street.  Hope to see you there!

The  VZVBs

Oh my goodness, what a great weekend.   A little snow, a little sleet, a little dead skin on our feet.   

Chris and Al went to the Long Beach Bluegrass Festival, and had a great time, despite the unpredictable weather.   It was great to see old friends, play a little music, and see some great bands in performance.   

Phil played his fingerstyle show this weekend, gathering crowds in Tacoma at a couple of venues.

And then there's Sparky.   We can't say much due to national security concerns, but his weekend involved a parachute, a small transistor radio and a woman with an accent.

This coming weekend, April 6, the VZVBs will be performing at the Mandolin Cafe from 3-5 PM.  Its a Sunday afternoon in spring, and we hope you have time to join us there!

We've added a couple of dates to the calendar page. 

Thanks to those of you who made it to P&G in Duvall on the March 22.  It was a good time, fueled by family friends and a few innocent bystanders.

We had a great time on the 26th at Hot Wire North.  A nice place, a responsive crowd and a cozy corner stage made for a great night.   Our next show will be January 31, 7-9 PM,  at A Rhapsody in Bloom in Tacoma, 3709 6th Avenue.   Sparky will be back from his covert mission just in time to make the show.   Oops, I wasn't supposed to say anything about that.

Visit our Calendar Page to see where we'll be next!

A lot has happened since our last show at C&P in Seattle.  Al has been at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, a ten day road trip that included stops at some pretty awesome music stores.  Most became awesome-er when they added additional Nechville Banjos to their collection.  While at NAMM, one of the highlights was meeting former Monkee Peter Tork, who jammed with us on "Last Train to Clarksville."  Phil has been playing the fingerstyle blues in Seattle and Tacoma.   Its time for Phil to set aside his thumbpick and pull out that heavy bluegrass flatpick.  Chris has been out seeking new musical horizons and challenges, and by now has thirty or forty brand new licks.

As is usually the case, we're not sure what Sparky's been up to.  And its best not to ask.   There is no truth to the rumor that Sparky works as a secret operative for the CIA, in search of bluegrass subversives.  At least that's what he tells us.

Beginning with a show at Shoreline's Hot Wire North on January 26, we have a number of new shows coming up.  

Visit our Calendar Page to see where we'll be next!