Hi Everybody,

October 2020 Update:  Lisa and I continue to perform regular FaceBook Live Concerts online, on Thursday evenings at 8:30 PM EDT, (or EST when we all Fall Back, 2 AM November 1st, 2020.)  This is usually broadcast from Facebook Live at Lisa’s Lisa Markley page, sometimes from my Bruce Balmer page for my Solo shows.  We celebrate Standards&Covers, Markley&Balmer Anniversary Concert, Thursday, October 8th, 8:30 PM EDT, FB Live at Lisa Markley Page.

I’m also having fun with a new show called Grandpa Bruce.  These occur regularly Sundays at 11 AM EDT, Standard Time when that rolls around.  I’ve played kids songs, sometimes my songs; we’ve sharpened a chisel, split firewood, looked at trees in the yard, read fairy tales from children’s books, and anything else I might think of at the last minute.  Last week I took a day off to make pancakes while Lisa convalesced from a twisted ankle.  She’s on the mend now, hobbling around to beat the band.

I also have a PayPal account, for those who care to donate:  www.paypal.me/brucebalmer For those who have donated and would like to be on my Bruce Balmer email list, leave me a note with your donation at paypal.

So that’s it, we’ll keep something coming at you;  meanwhile, we’re practicing and getting ready for a new record or two with www.soonasongs.com, our patient record label in Jonesborough, TN.

Thanks for listening,

Bruce

I had a good time with this one. Mostly Stratocaster stuff.

Hi all, this is M&B’s 15th Thursday Night Concert, and my 3rd solo concert.  iScramble, iSolo, iPractice.

Info at the Events page here at www.brucebalmer.com

Stay Safe, Stay Well,

Bruce

There are lots of ways to write songs. Jack Hardy used to go for a walk with a penny whistle and come up with a melody, then go home and write is lyric. That’s one way. Sometimes it’s a line, like “Sassafras Tea, Hard A-Lee,” which suggest a melody; I can almost hear the notes.
This week, Lisa and I will be focusing on those where the lyric was suggested by the rhythm and the shape of an existing melody. For me the game has been to make it sound as if the words were wrtten first. We’ll do some standards with their familiar lyric, one for which Lisa wrote a lyric, and one where I appointed myself to try and improve on the better-known version. We also include some originals written this way.
We’re looking forward to loads of fun, and hope you do, too!  Look in EVENTS for additional details.

for concert:   facebook.com/lisamarkley

Virtual Tip Jar, Always Appreciated, Always Optional:

paypal.me/lisamarkleymusic
patreon.com/lisamarkley

Other Links:

youtube.com/mizmarkley
lisamarkley.com
soonasongs.com