Click here for our Blogspot Blog	Posted: Sep 7, 2008
In the news	Posted: Feb 7, 2009
The Redding Record Searchlight published a full-page story on Still Married in last Thursday's edition. Here's the link: "Musician Spotlight
American Dreamers	Posted: Feb 5, 2009
Like many people, I've been caught up in the inspiring stories and the tidal wave of enthusiasm of the past few weeks. Every songwriter is required by law to write at least one anthem -- this new song, American Dreamers, is probably as close as I will get to compliance. American Dreamers is available as a free download on our website. And Craig (bless his heart) offered enough musical input to get co-writer credit.
6 random things about me because Philbert is afraid of ThomG	Posted: Sep 7, 2008
Philbert http://philbertosophy.wordpress.com/tagged me with this one: Post the rules on your blog Write 6 random things about yourself Tag 6 people at the end of your post If you’re tagged, DO IT and pass on the tag… 1. I very rarely cry, but the last scene of It's a Wonderful Life gets me every single time. 2. My favorite breakfast food is leftover pizza. 3. I can uncork a bottle of wine with a towel and a tree. 4. I don't know how to turn our television on. It involves three remotes, a complicated sequence of button-pushing and - I think - a secret Hebrew chant. It's not a problem because I've never wanted to watch the thing when I'm alone in the house. 5. I think being mauled by a grizzly bear would be a good way to die. I won't be tagging anyone, because I'm not keen on following directions and #6 I was a computer science major at one time and know something about geometric progressions, and I think this riff will play itself out momentarily.
Saint Nick	Posted: Jun 4, 2008
Nick Ciampi is the reason Craig and I are Still Married. Some people come into your life and stir the pot, rearrange things a little bit. Some people arrive bearing gifts that turn your whole world completely on its ear. Nick Ciampi came into my life -- with his guitar and his grin -- and changed everything. All my life I had written songs. But I never had the courage to sing them for an audience until Nick -- singer, songwriter and motivational guru -- told me I had to. "Just do it," he said. "But I'm afraid" "Do it anyway." "I don't want to." (I lied.) "You HAVE to." So I did - because he held my trembling hand every step of the way and because I believed him. Nick shared his gifts with Craig -- and told Craig that he should learn to play bass guitar, and Nick explained to us (patiently) what a bass actually was and gave Craig his first lessons. Nick helped me find a whole new voice - in more ways than one - and he encouraged our kids to play piano, mandolin and to write music. There was a moment shortly after I met Nick, when we were talking about songwriting, and it dawned on me that my life was moving in an entirely new direction, and there was absolutely no turning back. I was stepping off into the great unknown because I believed in this long-haired, guitar-playing, hippie Saint Nick. I believed in him because he shared his gifts so generously - his time, his patience, his experience and his passionate commitment to music. Read a profile of Nick in the June issue of Enjoy! Magazine
Anniversary Cobbler	Posted: May 25, 2008
Four years ago this week, Craig and I became Still Married. As a band name, it usually gets us a bit of a laugh and gives folks a little information about us. Beats the heck out of "The Friedmans," the really lame moniker we used for our first few gigs. Until then, we were a relatively normal couple -- well, except for the whole homeschool thing -- which automatically branded us as "on the strange side." But I was still writing songs alone in my music room and pitching them (with no success) via mail, to labels in Nashville and LA. Craig didn't know a single thing about music. We had cable TV, a mini van, a golden retriever. Then I started meeting musicians, playing at Open Mic events and getting involved in the local music scene and Craig didn't enjoy being left out of what was becoming an important part of my life. So he joined me. He learned to play bass, learned to sing, and after a few weeks of practice, I dragged him out to the Red, White and Brew, where we made our debut as a band. Four years later, we still rush through the dinner dishes so that we can play. Our front room has been transformed into a music room/recording studio. We make music every chance we get, and while I hardly ever pitch my songs, I feel more successful than ever, because we so enjoy sharing the music with each other and with local audiences. Pickin' and grinnin' our way through this mid-life shenanigans suits us both. And watching how our kids have taken a cue from us and run with it in a whole new direction is also immensely satisfying. According to happy-anniversary.com, traditional gifts for the Four Year Anniversary are flowers or fruit. Do people really give fruit as an anniversary gift? Seems kinda goofy to me...but it's cherry season -- Oh, happy day! -- so I'll be whipping up a celebratory Anniversary Cherry Cobbler.
Art in Public Places	Posted: May 14, 2008
We'll be playing at a gallery reception from 5-7 on June 26th at Redding's City Hall. Come by to enjoy Art, refreshments and live original music.
Happy May Day	Posted: May 1, 2008
Small flower-filled baskets, left secretly on the doorstep, are a May Day tradition. I received a modern-day, electronic equivalent of a basket of posies this morning, when I discovered I'd been named a finalist in the Sandra James Music Foundation www.sandrajames.com songwriting contest for the song "I Never Knew I Could Fly." The foundation was established by singer-songwriter Sandra James "to convey hope to children and adults alike that together we can make a better world," according to the web site. I was inspired to write the song by a letter from my cousin Patrick Richwood, who was in New York City when the towers fell on 9/11. On the one year anniversary of that event, he wrote to friends and family describing the tragedy and the city's recovery. One of the details that haunted him was the replayed images of terrified people leaping from the buildings -- and the fact that some held hands as they leapt. Their last act was to reach out. Alan Jackson said all songwriters and poets had to write about 9/11. And that is where the song started. But since "I Never Knew I Could Fly" came a year after that horrible day, it ended up being more about hope and recovery than tragedy. The song can be heard on our myspace web site: Still Married Myspace Our stillmarried.net website is being glitchy this morning - but the song should be up on that site shortly.
Whole Earth Fest - 2008	Posted: Apr 27, 2008
Lovely Saturday afternoon at the Civic Center -- played a 15 minute set, with sound provided by Peter of the Traveling Bohemians. Always a treat. You can see a snippet of video on Jason's blog: http://jasonstimpel.wordpress.com/2008/04/27/still-married/ I'm still rather amazed by today's technology....
The Cardboard Sign	Posted: Apr 23, 2008
A couple years ago I read “The Last American Man” – Elizabeth Gilbert’s biography of Eustace Conway, a man who escaped to the wilderness, lived off the land and encouraged others to do the same. If you’ve read “Eat, Pray, Love,” then you know Elizabeth Gilbert and she plays a part in Eustace’s story. Hitching rides is part of Eustace’s adventure, and at one point, a hitchhiker explains his secret for getting drivers to stop to pick him up. There’s a single word you write on your sign that virtually guarantees a ride. I loved the story and filed it away – sure that one day I could turn it into a song. Craig debuted “The Cardboard Sign” at our last gig, and he’ll sing it again this Saturday at the Whole Earth Festival. As soon as the mixing and mastering are done, it’ll be up on our web site. Here’s the chorus: The Cardboard Sign he held to his chest Told the passersby where he was headed next The lines on his face said: “Weary to the bone” His eyes said “Please” And his sign said “HOME” ~Erin
You can STILL win.....	Posted: Apr 17, 2008
....your very own autographed copy of our Shadow of Shasta CD. We're rolling over our last contest -- just for you! (Don't you feel special?) All you have to do is be the first person at the Earth Day Festival on April 26th to tell me what local bridge is mentioned in our song "Sacramento."
April 13th - Contest	Posted: Apr 12, 2008
Will you be at the Habitat for Humanity Cottage Tour Event? You can win a FREE Shadow of Shasta CD (you lucky dog!) if you are the first person at the Artisan's Faire to tell me the correct answer to this question: What local bridge is mentioned in our song "Sacramento?"
The Sounds of Silence	Posted: Apr 3, 2008
All three kids are on Holiday with their Aunt and Uncle, and the house is eerily quiet. No slamming doors, no ringing phones -- apparently no one ever calls for Craig and me -- no concertos, bluegrass or hip hop tunes reverberating from down the hall. What's a mother to do? Fill up the silence, of course. I'm spending the days recording track after track for the Sacramento River Whispers CD -- it looks like it should be finished by May. ~ Erin
Sacramento - New song up	Posted: Mar 14, 2008
Walking on the Sacramento River Trail -- I do a lot of it -- between errands and running the kids to their various activities. I spend my time with The River writing and listening. Sometimes what I hear is actually traveling through the air on the breeze and sometimes it’s only running through my mind. And sometimes I get lucky and the bits and pieces tangle themselves up into a new song. It’s just a rough recording at the moment, but I wanted to get our latest song, "Sacramento," out into the world. ~~Erin
The Best Gig Ever	Posted: Feb 18, 2008
Delivering FiddleGrams with the Old Time Fiddlers on Valentine's Day. What a kick!! -- This was my second year accompanying the fiddlers on guitar, and I'm already looking forward to next year. It is a grand group of musicians, exquisitely organized by the talented and ever-enthusiastic Tricia Ferguson - who fiddles and sings with all her heart. What makes it The Best Gig Ever? An entire office filled with gals wiping tears from their eyes as we sing and play "Could I Have This Dance." Patrons at a diner, all grinning from ear-to-ear as we serenade the darling little gal in charge with "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." The elderly lady who positively beamed as we sang the personalized lyrics her stepson provided. Every delivery was unique - offered joyfully and received graciously. I can think of no better way to spend Valentine's Day -- bearing good tidings to smiling faces all over town. Fiddlegrams are a major fundraiser for our non-profit group and they're available year round from the District 6 Old Time Fiddlers
Heart Shaped Stones for Valentine's Day	Posted: Feb 9, 2008
It's a rather twisted Valentine -- but you're welcome to download our new recording of Heart Shaped Stones for free on our myspace site Listen for it, as well, on KFPR in the Redding area on Lorraine Dechter's Good Old Fashioned Folk music show between 2-4 on Sunday, February 10th.
Out of the mouths of babes....	Posted: Dec 31, 2007
A couple months ago Craig and I were spending a Saturday running through our playlist. I guess we'd been playing and singing for awhile, trying to decide what song to do next, when our daughter, Annie, grumbled as she walked through the music room. "Oh, yes?" I asked. "You have a request?" "Yeah," she said with a grin, "how about you shut up?" As a formerly smart-mouthed teenager myself, I understand right where she's coming from. But we couldn't let that slide by without a sassy answer. "Shut Up in the Key of G" is available as a free download on our myspace site -- inspired by a mouthy teenager, with back-up vocals provided by a crowd of kids who truly relished their part.
Tis the Season....	Posted: Dec 8, 2007
...to concentrate on the business that pays the bills. We'll be full-time Wrappin-N-Packin' until after Christmas. A few things we are looking forward to on December 25th: 1. A long winter's nap 2. Craig and I get to return to playing for hours every evening, gigging, recording and writing. 3. AND we'll get to pull the plug on the Wrap-N-Pack Jingle Bell radio commercial -- doing our part to contribute some "Joy to the World."
Air Play for It Was a Wonderful Life	Posted: Nov 30, 2007
Redding radio station KLXR has a tradition of playing Christmas songs throughout December. They have an amazing collection of obscure tunes and have graciously added our extremely obscure Christmas song to their playlist. "It Was A Wonderful Life" was inspired by the sappy-but-always-makes-me-cry Frank Capra film. We have most of the movie dialogue memorized at our house, and during the month of December, we will inevitably break out in "Janie, Janie, stop it, stop it!" or "One of us is going to jail and it's not going to be me!" Yes -- we're all a tad loopy in December.
Remember when things were built to last?	Posted: Oct 23, 2007
Back in the good old days, when the TV broke down, Dad fixed it. Or, if it was REALLY bad, we called in Horst-the-German-TV-repairman. Those days are long gone. Technology marches on and when your digital recorder sputters and flashes ominous error messages, there is no Horst to ride to the rescue. Our 8-track digital recorder died rather abruptly a couple weeks ago, taking with it several songs that were in various stages of the production process. So we're starting over with a new 16-track recorder -- re-recording some older tunes and laying down tracks for new songs. Our next CD (which will be titled just as soon as this tune that's spinning around in my head decides to stop spinning) is scheduled for a Spring release. Providing, of course, that the new recorder holds up.
Vintner's Cellar -- Lovely Evening	Posted: Oct 13, 2007
When we lived in the Bay Area, we spent a lot of time in Napa Valley -- tasting at the wineries and enjoying the ambience of the charming restaurants. Walking into Vintner's Cellar takes us back a bit -- the aroma of oak in the air, the soft lights and inviting decor, and folks relaxing and chatting. Jana and Alan Leard have created quite an oasis downtown - the atmosphere is warm and welcoming and you get the sense that these are folks who truly love what they are doing. It was a treat for us to bring our music to the venue last night -- so nice to play for folks who are listening and enjoying good wine and enjoying themselves. We are looking forward to returning to Vintner's Cellar on November 10th. On the 10th we'll start playing at 6:30, so we can catch the before dinner crowd -- and we'll play till about 9:30 - or just as long as our voices hold out. I've written some new songs that we'll be adding to our playlist - always fun (and a little scary, too -- but that's what keeps life interesting) to introduce tunes and see how they play for an audience. ~~ Erin
The Shasta Podcaster.com	Posted: Aug 2, 2007
Local newscaster Bob Belongie interviewed us for his new podcasting web site --great fun to talk about songwriting and local music. Shasta Podcaster: Local Music -- Erin
Bob, Bobbie and Billie Joe	Posted: Jul 16, 2007
No -- they are not Redneck Triplets. Bob is a dear buddy from LA, who very patiently explained to me (over wine and Chi Chi's Pizza -- so I was in a most agreeable mood) that I had to add some covers to my playlist. "Let people hear something they're familiar with -- then their ears may be more receptive to your originals" was the advice. I trust Bob -- he's smart, the Alex Trebek of pop culture. And since you can't swing a dead cat in this town without hitting a Karaoke Bar, one might surmise that folks really DO enjoy hearing Old Familiar Tunes. So instead of whacking Karaoke Bars with dead cats (which is not as much fun as it sounds), we're working on making a few of our all-time favorite cover songs suitable for public consumption. I'm starting with Bobbie Gentry's "Ode To Billie Joe" -- the song was a hit 40 years ago - and it's still about as perfect as a song can be. We're also working on: Keith Whitley's "When You Say Nothing At All," Kris Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee" and a few others. Spinning some old tunes in fresh new ways or creating Cheesy Knock-offs? Time will tell. And we can always blame Bob.
Enjoy Magazine	Posted: Jul 1, 2007
A nice treat for us - the July issue of this Redding publication features a profile of Still Married, written by Wyatt Olson. Enjoy!
PayPlay.fm	Posted: Jun 21, 2007
Our downloads are also available on http://PayPlay.fm/stillmarried
Shadow at CD Baby	Posted: May 15, 2007
Independent music's best friend on the Internet, CdBaby, is now selling The Shadow of Shasta CD. Find it at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/stillmarried2
Thursday Forecast: Shadow on Hilltop	Posted: May 8, 2007
Our CD: The Shadow of Shasta is, at last, complete and will be available at Wrap N Pack (2205 Hilltop Dr) in Redding on May10th and at cdbaby.com the following week. It's been quite a ride --- I think every singer/musician should be required to mix and master their own recordings (though 15 tracks is bordering on sadistic) -- the process has made me willing to work much harder to get the performance right. Makes me want to kneel at the feet of those good sound engineers whose emotional distance gives them a clear advantage -- and who know exactly what to tweak and why. I'm looking forward to getting back to writing -- several songs have been patiently waiting fo me to finish up this project.
But the darned horizon keeps moving...	Posted: Mar 17, 2007
Well -- we were SO close to being done, but we've decided to change out some of our recording gear -- so we'll have some new toys to play with -- but we'll be pushing our CD release (The Shadow of Shasta) out a bit. We'd rather produce a product that we're sincerely happy with, and, fortunately, our fans are not complaining about the wait. Our fans are patient and quiet. So quiet, in fact, that the rumor currently circulating is that they are entirely imaginary. Whatever. On the bright side -- it gives us ample opportunity to get our recording done. And The Shadow of Shasta will show itself in May.
I think I can...	Posted: Feb 21, 2007
What started as an 11-song CD project is now a 15-song CD project. But I'm done writing, really, until this thing is completed. 90% of the recording is done -- and now I'm mixing the tracks and listening and re-mixing. It's a slow, painstaking process, but I've been pleased with what we're producing these days. We're planning to release The Shadow of Shasta in April -- I'd love to plan a CD release party. But I've got some work to do, first... ~~ Erin
Shadow on the horizon	Posted: Jan 15, 2007
With eleven songs recorded and two (or maybe 3 - can't seem to stop writing....) left to go, we are slowly but surely making progress on our next CD :The Shadow of Shasta. There is still much mixing, shaking, stirring and garnishing to be done, but we're planning to serve up this country cocktail in April. Guess I'd better get back to my piano......
The Lost Falls of Whiskeytown	Posted: Dec 2, 2006
Currently, this is my favorite song on our playlist --- When I read about the remarkable discovery of a long-forgotten waterfall in Shasta County's Whiskeytown National Park, I knew there was a song (or two) waiting to be found, as well.
Sleepless in Cottonwood	Posted: Nov 14, 2006
I grew up in the suburbs of LA -- if there was noise that kept us awake at night, it was LAPD helicopters, a loud party in the next cul-de-sac or the Santa Ana winds pounding through the Valley. This ex-Valley girl positively loves living in Cottonwood -- where I can say "Lousy night's sleep last night -- Possum in the hen house" -- and folks will actually nod understandingly, cluck sympathetically and tell you their own story of barnyard intruders. And if you've got to sacrifice a restful slumber to get a new song now and then, well -- rural Shasta County is a fine place to do it.
Country Music Needs..... More Hebrew?	Posted: Oct 16, 2006
All-original country music is a tough sell, any way you play it. Marketing Still Married just got even tougher, with our latest song: It features a chorus that is mostly in Hebrew. Probably not destined to top the country music charts, Alav Hashalom is a song I felt compelled to write. It tells a bit of the story of California State Landmark No. 377 - The Pioneer Baby's Grave on Highway 299, near the historic town of Old Shasta. from the web site: California State Historical Landmarks in Shasta County "NO. 377 PIONEER BABY'S GRAVE - Charles, infant son of George and Helena Cohn Brownstein of Red Bluff, died December 14, 1864. He was buried near land established by the Shasta Hebrew Congregation as a Jewish cemetery in 1857... Since there was no Jewish burial ground in Red Bluff, Charles' parents made the arduous journey to Shasta to lay their baby to rest. Concern for the fate of the grave led to the rerouting of Highway 299 in 1923." I had driven past the marker many times, but I didn't know the story until I read about it in Doni Greenberg's column in the Redding Record Searchlight. The story haunted me. And when that happens, I write. The song I began writing was called "Rest in Peace," but it never quite came together in a way that felt comfortable to me, so I set it aside. A couple of years later I came back to it, and the song I finished was "Alav Hashalom" -- Hebrew for "may he rest in peace." ~~ Erin
Forecasting Weather the Still Married Way	Posted: Sep 23, 2006
If we have an outdoor gig scheduled, you can bet the weather will be doing something inappropriate. Shasta Fair - gale-force winds and rain; Wild West Fest -- highest temps in history..... And our role as reliable weather indicators continued last night, when we played a very blustery gig in Cottonwood - a "Welcome to the Neighborhood" party for a new quilt shop going in downtown. While there weren't many folks milling about, it was a treat, as always, to play in our hometown and to make some new friends in the local business community. Spending the weekend putting down tracks for our next CD: The Shadow of Shasta -- it's now up to 13 songs. And I'm still writing new material...(At least that is what I'm supposed to be doing - blogging is heck of a lot easier AND it doesn't have to rhyme....) Beginning to work on cover design -- it looks like the whole thing should come together early 2007 - God willing and the crick don't rise. ~~ Erin
The Shadow of Shasta	Posted: Sep 22, 2006
I've got eleven songs written for our next CD - Looking forward to arranging and recording over the next couple of months -- If we can keep the dog from barking and keep the kids and their friends from racing through the room while the little red light is on. The Shadow of Shasta is the tentative title -- tunes settle, mostly, on the themes of finding home, finding ourselves, finding out things we may not want to know. We'll find out if we can pull off a December release date.....
Dialed out....	Posted: Aug 16, 2006
I was SO looking forward to playing by The Sundial Bridge -- but it's not going to happen this year. The Turtle Bay Cafe has cancelled their October Twilight on the Terrace live music events -- so we'll look for another venue. Don't think there's anything in Shasta County that can come close to that beautiful spot, though. Many of our songs have been written during my walks by the river and on the bridge, so I'm really hoping we'll get the oppportunity to sing them there next year. ~~ Erin
Little Filly's and CD #2	Posted: Jul 5, 2006
Great time at Little Filly's the other night with the North State Songwriters-- so nice to see friendly faces and share some new tunes. We are beginning to record tracks for our next CD - tentatively titled "The Shadow of Shasta." Hoping for a December release date -- so we've got our work cut out for us. We are looking forward to playing at the Turtle Bay Cafe in October -- singing by the Sundial Bridge will be a real treat for us. ~~ Erin
We welcome reviews	Posted: Jan 15, 2006
If you've heard our CD and would like to post a review on our cdbaby page -- please do. We'd appeciate feedback and would like to know what listeners have to say. Thanks! ~ Erin
CD Selling!	Posted: Dec 8, 2005
Our debut CD: A Kiss Beneath The Sundial Bridge is complete and available at CDBaby.com. ~Erin
CD Complete	Posted: Dec 1, 2005
"A Kiss Beneath The Sundial Bridge," our first full-length CD is, at last, complete and ready to go to market. The 13-track, all original disc will be available at Wrap-N-Pack for $5 on December 5th. CDBaby is also creating a Still Married page for us, and will be distributing our CD, as well. ~Erin
CD release? Almost....	Posted: Nov 22, 2005
We are coming down to the wire with our CD - a couple tracks to record and we are there. Seeing a light at the end of the recording/mixing/mastering tunnel - though it is, most likely, a train. Release date is early December -- available at Wrap-N-Pack.
Sports Bar Fundraiser	Posted: Sep 18, 2005
Great time on the 11th at the Sports Bar -- so nice to see some friends and try out a new venue and do our part to raise funds for the Red Cross.
August Update: CD Release	Posted: Aug 19, 2005
Ah, the joys of being producer, engingeer, vocalist, musician, graphic designer and songwriter...The recording process is going slower than we anticipated -- complicated, usually, by barking dogs, exhuberant children, ringing telephones and, on occasion, "creative differences." But we aren't "Still Married" for nothin'....Our Cd is coming along, and we're anticipating release around February of 2006..... Meanwhile -- we are working on new material and looking forward to bringing it to an audience on Sept 11th at The Sports Bar.
What we're up to.....	Posted: July 29, 2005
Craig and I are busy in our home recording studio -- working on new material and laying down tracks for a CD we hope to have ready for release in early 2006.