Gigs and Discs 

There are lots of things to tell, lots of things to relate, and much to be said and done.

The big news, of course, is the release of my new, six-song EP, "Free Range Sofas". The official release date is Thursday November 29th. But, you can get a copy now (or download it) at http://www.cdbaby.com/stephenleerich2 .

On the official release date (Nov. 29th) I'll be doing a CD Release show at Froth House, 11 N. Allen St. in Madison, WI. Showtime is 7:00pm (CST) and there will be no cover charge. i'd love to…

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Back to the Studio! 

Here’s what’s up in a rather large nutshell Sandy Andina and I have gone back into the studio to make TWO new CD’s. One will be an EP to be released this year in time for the Holidays and will be about the Holidays. We’re calling it “Merry Humbug”! it will feature Sandy’s wonderfully original Holiday song “Season Of Hope”, my satirical tirade on Holiday Commercialism “Buddy, I’m Just Sick To Death Of Christmas “ , and much more. The title track is a recitation from The Lizard. The other 14 song…

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Finally! A Vacation! 

I’ve been meaning to blog on this vacation for quite a while. I’ve been to busy enjoying it to do anything about it until now. I just woke up ( for no reason that I can figure) at about 4:00am (EDT) and couldn’t get back to sleep. Blogging seemed like something vaguely useful to do. I’m sitting at my laptop with the headphones on listening to WPR’s broadcast of the BBC World Service. I’m realizing how little news I’ve listened to since this trip began. I don’t feel to bad about it. Ingrid…

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What A Summer! 

It has been an incredible summer! I started by producing a one day music festival at Mill Bluff State Park in central Wisconsin. Then things got busy Most of the summer has been spent on the road with my frequent musical partner Sandy Andina.&gt The high points were going to Clarkson, KY to kick off a new concert series at Royal Farms and ATV Trails, and going to Sparta, IL to start recording the next Andina and Rich CD. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++…

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The Future! 

Happy New Year The Future is HERE! The Future is NOW! It’s 2009! Welcome to the Future! I’m going to lay aside my usual Year-end review this year. There are too many important things that will change our lives (immediate and long range) to which we need to give attention. I won’t belabor the obvious by saying too much about the Presidential Election. My general thought s on that can be found in the blog that I posted at the time. Just click below.…

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By Way Of Response 

My last blog entry was also posted on my MySpace page. It gained the following response with which I must take issue “I don't hold out much hope. Obama was voted into office by people who put his skin color first and completely ignored his utter lack of experience and his (proven) evil past associations. These are not the actions of thinking people. As a Senator, Obama couldn't even get a security clearance because of those past associations. As someone who served this country with pride, and as…

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I'm Still Amazed! 

We have done an amazing thing! I refer, of course, to the fact that the American voting public has elected Barak Obama to be the next President of the United States. I’m still absorbing the reality of this. I’m still doing a double take and asking, “What just happened?†This is a significant and positive turning point in history. That goes without saying. What is less obvious is how infrequently one gets to witness such an event. I haven’t felt this stunned and euphoric about any single…

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Open Mic Thoughts 

I’ve been thinking very seriously, of late, about the future of the Open Mic at Escape Java Joint. It needs to change in some sort of substantive manner. I’m not certain what the nature of that change should be The Downsides (why change seems needed) For a start, things have been absurdly slow in the last month and a half. One expects a certain level of that from about the middle of June through the return of the students in August, but this has been ridiculous. We’ve had, on average, two…

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Independence Day 

Here we are on July Fourth, 2008 setting off fireworks and taking a day off of work. Some will take the opportunity to take a small day-trip to somewhere. Some will touch base with family. Some will set up the barbecue grill and get some good food going. Some will work in their yards or gardens (my plan for the day). Some will just relax and zone out in front of the TV Whatever you decide to do with your day off, be safe and well, and remember why we celebrate this day. The United States of…

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The Open Mic 

The Open Mic at Escape Java Joint on the night of April 14th, 2007 was absolutely amazing. It was International Night. We had a visit from our old friend Doug Hamilton who was back in town for a few days after having moved to Bristol, England last January. There was also music from a young man from Leuven, Belgium who was visiting friends here in Madison, Wisconsin. He calls himself Milow and he is quite remarkable. He sings and plays the guitar very well. His original songs are not only good, but…

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