Writing the Rails

Incredible song from a native Memphis musician who is making a...

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:04:18 -0400

Incredible song from a native Memphis musician who is making a living with his music: Josh Pruitt. Watch this video of hi performance of his original song, “Burn It Down,” and it’s no secret as to why he is a full-time musician! Writing The Rails REALLY likes his sound, style and digs. Here’s hoping you do as well!
This video was shot in April 2010 during D Kav’s tour to Memphis via St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at The Edge Coffeehouse (www.theedgecoffeehouse.com)
For more of Josh’s music/info: www.joshpruitt.com

Memphis native, Robert Moore, plays his original song “St....

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:10:36 -0400

Memphis native, Robert Moore, plays his original song “St. Louis Blues” at The Edge Coffeehouse in Memphis in April 2010

WTR: Quincy DeBrief (Severe winding down from a Spinning Fury of Fun!)

Sun, 23 May 2010 03:16:07 -0400

Hello, all!

D Kav here. Was hoping to do this earlier. However, it seemed as if there was a problem with Tumblr. So, in checking back, I see that I can now leave a post.

Was going to edit videos. Just dumped them all off of the FlipCam. Let me reiterate what I have stated before: I am WAY behind. I know this. Once again, I apologize.

As I write this, it is 1:56 AM and I am in a hotel room in Quincy, IL at the Quincy City Center Hotel with MANY thanks to Alex Sanders for the hook-up. In fact, I have to thank Alex Sanders for MANY hook-ups today (picking me up from the Amtrak station, taking me around the town, and for..a HELL of a lot of fun!)

In short, the Ice Scream Extravaganza was a success. We raised $53.61 for PAGER (www.reflux.org.) It may not be much on a grand scale. But, it is something (or a start) for a great cause and for awareness. (You want to make more of a dent, you say? Well, well, you CAN! Check out the new EP that Alex Sanders and me are on - hence how we hooked up - for Toy Block Music called “Eats Paste.” Portion of the proceeds go to the same cause: www.toyblockmusic.com)

The Costume Pub Crawl for the Quincy Not-So-Fine Arts Society was also a LOT of fun. The most fun that I had: NOT TALKING (if you can believe That sort of thing!) Yep. Alex and I decided that it’d be funnier to make me Teller (a la Penn and Teller) and to have me be Just like a camel. Don’t talk…spit (well, I only spit water once…and it was outside of State Theater. I was trying to be somewhat respectful. ha!) Some people dug it. One Brazilian woman, Gerusa, was getting playfully frustrated that I wouldn’t speak. She ALMOST broke my character (note the Caps.)

The ONLY time that I broke the silence (besides the end of my appearance at said pub crawl) was when David Kav was the surprise guest performance at the Kix Lounge. Did a 35 minute set there (for those who know my gimmick, I made $20 because someone yelled “Freebird!” I told them my $20 rule. The crowd complied. True story. Another $1 was raised while I sang “Muse” at the end…as a precursor to the forthcoming WTR: Boston tour….which I, still, have yet to book. Guilty. So, if ANYONE has Solid, possible leads on Cleveland - Wed. June 23, Rochester, NY on Thurs. June 24 and Boston on Fri. June 25, please email me at info@davidkav.com or DM me on Twitter. Thanks in advance.) :)

I decided to call it quits at the second to last bar of the night (can’t remember the name of it off of the top of my head.) I thought I was tired. But, since it is 2:06 AM as I write this, I guess I was a little too wound up. So, after getting up and ordering Domino’s for dinner, showering, catching up on some bills and a Few things on-line, it is Definitely time to call it a night. Have a train to catch out of Quincy in a few very short hours (6:12 AM. Not 6:10…Not 6:15….but….6:12 AM.) (nodding. Shrugs.)

Many, many thanks have to go out to The Quincy Not-So-Fine Arts Society, Pat at Ice Scream, Toy Block Music, Misery Loves Co, Joanna and Sandro from aforementioned companies for their wonderful help, expertise, time, everything. Also have to thank PAGER for letting me represent them at the Toy Block Music Ice Cream Extravaganza, Alex R. Sanders for being such a cool “Cat.” (Get it? You don’t? www.toyblockmusic.com) to O’Flynn’s (there it is!) Heartland Saloon, Fitz on 4th, Kix Lounge for letting me play there this evening during the Pub Crawl, The Horseshoe for being such a dive (I mean that from the bottom of my heart in the best way,) and any other places in the Pub Crawl whose names I can not begin to conjure up.

Most of all, I thank all of YOU for your patience in my severe tardiness in playing “catch-up” with Writing The Rails via videos and posts. It has been a CRAZY few months. (I’m debating as to whether or not to release the Sun Studios videos before the EP is done - which is currently and Slowly being mixed as this is being typed. Sounds GREAT thus far - for the record.) Mark my words - ALL will be done and WTR will be caught up BEFORE WTR: Boston….which is set to depart in late June (or rather, EXACTLY a month from now.)

Peace, love, music, laughter, life and charity,
D Kav

D Kav plays his original song, “False Door” at The...

Sat, 22 May 2010 01:07:59 -0400

D Kav plays his original song, “False Door” at The Edge Coffee House (theedgecoffeehouse.com) in Memphis, TN during WTR: Memphis 2. “False Door” is featured on D Kav’s album “Better You Here Than Alone” available on iTunes and CD Baby

WTR: Quincy takes off in 7.5 hours (and an apology from D Kav re: WTR: Memphis 2)

Sat, 22 May 2010 01:04:40 -0400

Hello, WTR fam, fans, friends, fantastic ones! :D

Writing The Rails: Quincy takes off in 7.5 hours for the Toy Block Music Super Hero Ice Cream Fundraiser Extravaganza to raise money for PAGER (www.reflux.org) with David Kav and Alex R. Sanders via Toy Block Music. If you’re near Quincy, come join us! The party starts at 1 pm and will last…ALL DAY! No, seriously… ALL…DAY!

(Also, D Kav would like to take this opportunity to apologize. He is SEVERELY behind on the WTR: Memphis 2 videos.) He WILL have these updated (probably have some done on the WTR website tonight. Thanks for your patience (oh, have you signed up for the email list? You can now via FB!)

See you in a few, Quincy, IL!

Peace, love, music, laughter, life and charity,
D Kav

Writing The Rails to depart for Quincy May 22nd for Toy Block Music, PAGER and the Quincy Not-So-Fine Arts Society!

Wed, 12 May 2010 23:44:57 -0400

Hi, all! Just a quick note about the next Writing The Rails excursion (www.writingtherailstour.com) WTR: Quincy is set to depart on Saturday, May 22nd and is heading to the Toy Block Music Ice Cream Social Extravaganza! Join us if you’re in the area for Ice Cream, Costumes, Music, Contests, Mayhem, Superhero Battles, Evening Pub Crawls and more! All proceeds will go to benefit Toy Block Music (www.toyblockmusic.com) along with their charity of choice - PAGER (www.reflux.org) and the Quincy Not-So-Fine Arts Society. All those who donate any amount from $1 and up will get a FREE download of D Kav’s new recording “Alice The Camel” which is featured on Toy Block Music’s new EP “Eats Paste!” Once you donate, D Kav will get a notification and you’ll get a code directly from him to get your download. Thanks (as always) for your support! Peace, love, music, laughter, life and charity, D Kav

D Kav captures the song “The One I’m Looking...

Thu, 06 May 2010 17:04:33 -0400

D Kav captures the song “The One I’m Looking For” on video while at The Edge Coffeehouse (www.theedgecoffeehouse.com) in Memphis. Taylor Bothwell was recently featured at the Folk Aliance 2010 (www.folkalliance.org.) LOVE Taylor’s reaction when she found out that D Kav was filming (thanks, Taylor, for being a Great sport. Thanks to Ms. Bothwell as well.) :)

www.facebook.com/writingtherailstour
www.twitter.com/writingtherails

D Kav visits and plays at the Open Mic at The Edge Coffeehouse...

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 03:50:29 -0400

D Kav visits and plays at the Open Mic at The Edge Coffeehouse (www.theedgecoffeehouse.com) on Sunday, April 18, 2010. In the process, D Kav captures some of the local talent while promoting WTR: Memphis 2 via St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) Mike Dees (the Open Mic host and singer/songwriter,) performs his song, “Bring It On Down.” www.mikedeesmusic.com

D Kav captures his visit to Olive Branch, Mississippi via Rich...

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:51:33 -0400

D Kav captures his visit to Olive Branch, Mississippi via Rich Varnon while crashing the recording session for/of Traffic Jam (the band.)
D Kav gets all of the members on the FlipCam and grabs clips of some of TJ’s repertoire to include:
“My Sharona,” “Drive My Car,” and Hendrix’s “Fire.”
For more info: www.trafficjamband.webs.com

D Kav is picked up from Otherlands Coffee Bar (kick-ass vibes,...

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:25:09 -0400

D Kav is picked up from Otherlands Coffee Bar (kick-ass vibes, cool place) in Memphis, TN by Rich Varnon. D Kav knew that Rich was recording with his band that afternoon and was offered to tag along or to go home and crash. Two things D Kav didn’t know. 1) Rich has a new band (2 months old) called Traffic Jam 2) The band was recording in Olive Branch, Mississippi. With the second tidbit revealed, D Kav geeked out within a second. It was a “no-brainer.”

You may have noticed...

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 22:25:00 -0400

Day 6 of WTR: Memphis 2

You may have noticed that it’s taken a while for any postings to get onto this site. The truth of the matter is: I’ve been trying to post All of the voluminous videos in chronological order. However, with all of the editing required (and due to the lightning speed of events during the past few days,) I’ve not been able to keep up so well. I sincerely apologize for all delays.

I’m about to finish up with packing and get set to take the train out of Memphis to head back to Chicago. As you may or may not have seen with the videos thus far, it has been an Ah-Ma-Zing tour! I couldn’t be happier with the glorious results. WTR is constantly making forward progress: For me, for the team and for the cause that WTR may represent.

In short, to include the cash, check donations, made possible with the kickstart of the puppet sales from Tortoise and Panda, along with the 20 CDs that D Kav donated to staff, volunteers, parents and patients of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Writing The Rails: Memphis 2 raised a total of $550!

I can’t thank all of YOU enough for your never-ending support. MUST thank Joanna Quargnali-Linsley and Nancy Dunbar-McGovern (they make up Tortoise and Panda,) Rich and Suzanne Varnon for their wonderful hospitality and generosity while staying in Memphis (once again,) Leslie Jo and the entire Cornell family in Mattoon, IL for letting me stay at their place last Friday night. MANY thanks to Aaron Wilson, Beau Tatum and the crew at The Local Motive Hour on 89.9 FM The Max Alternative in Mattoon for having me on the air the day of the Common Grounds show. I also want to thank the boss of Common Grounds for letting the show happen on Friday, April 16, 2010. I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank the incredible talent that showed up last Friday night to the Common Grounds Massive Jam (to include:) Jenna Jackley, Taylor Wagner, Jeremy McConnaha (& Ethan backing him up on the cajon,) AJ Schubert, and to everyone else I may have forgotten at CG; Many thanks to Lissette and the crew at Aroma Cafe for (once again) providing WTR with an awesome venue to kick off Writing The Rails during the Boneyard Arts Festival last week. I have to truly thank Justin Rondon for agreeing to open the show for me last Thursday as well (Justin, you have a lot of promise. Keep jamming!) Thanks to the folks at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Carbondale for letting me live there for a few hours and for “Crashing their Wi-Fi” while I uploaded videos (I had no place to go. It meant a LOT to me!) Many thanks to Mike from Mike’s Music in Carbondale for your hospitality, advice and help. Want to thank Jessica at the Carbondale Amtrak station for the time you took to speak to me LATE LATE at night, for listening to me ramble about WTR and for not thinking me (too) creepy. ;) I wanna congratulate and thank the folks at The Edge Coffeehouse Open Mic: Mike Dees, Emily Barnhart, David Hawkins, Robert Moore, along with the incredibly talented Josh Pruitt (dude, “Burn It Down” rocked my face!!!)

Last, but not least, I have to ESPECIALLY thank the awesome musicians that came in from Chicago Solely for the Sun Studios recording. You folks, Kat Fitzgerald and Rev. Billy Simmons, along with Rich Varnon and his Memphis-fried/Kenny Wayne Sheperd sound, added JUST the right flavor to the songs (and it has to take an Incredibly talented crew to lay down 3 solid songs in just 2 hours! Folks, you WILL hear about these tracks soon! Stay tuned!) My eternal thanks to James Lott from Sun Studios for letting us all record that night and to Matt, our extremely talented engineer, for knowing how to handle us in those two hours. We ALL had such a blast!!! (Look for video footage within the next week, folks. Yep. It’s gonna get hairier for me as soon as I get back to Chicago.)

Ok. Train is tentatively scheduled to leave in 90+ minutes. However, still a LOT to get done. Rich and Suzanne, and the rest of Memphis, you will be missed, once again. However, it won’t be long until I see all of you again in August (that’s right. More to come on that tour.)

Next tour scheduled for Boston in late June 2010. I was about to release the information. However, I need to finalize details. Stay tuned.

Until next time, Memphis (and my eternal thanks and gratitude to you once again,)

Peace, love, music, laughter and life,
D Kav

p.s Much MUCH more videos to come (haven’t even Started on the FB page: www.facebook.com/writingtherailstour. For FB, I’ll probably upload one video a day. I’ll attempt to, anyway.) Thanks. :)

D Kav is granted a miracle. He left one of his bags on the...

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:37:49 -0400

D Kav is granted a miracle. He left one of his bags on the corner of Poplar and Third Street in Memphis on a Sunday morning. He didn’t realize it until he was a mile away on the bus. After getting off and running to the corner, he ran to find it still there - 15 to 20 minutes later. “Don’t Tell me I’m not supposed to be here.”

D Kav reminisces on past trips to Memphis (WTR: Memphis2 would...

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:43:27 -0400

D Kav reminisces on past trips to Memphis (WTR: Memphis2 would make it D Kav’s 4th Time in the city) and is compelled to capture the peaceful, early morning views on Main Street.

D Kav arrives earlier than expected into Memphis, TN (about 45...

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:11:39 -0400

D Kav arrives earlier than expected into Memphis, TN (about 45 minutes or so) and is “collecting himself,” per se. Final destination hit (or is it?)

D Kav closes out Day 3 with an update: Day was...

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:40:29 -0400

D Kav closes out Day 3 with an update: Day was spent…uploading videos. The WTR Mascot “Monkey-In-A-Bear-Suit” makes an appearance along with his g/f, Beth Ann, via Bluetooth (does she say anything? Not on camera…but still…)

D Kav goes back to the spot where a pic was taken from the...

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:57:28 -0400

D Kav goes back to the spot where a pic was taken from the Inaugural Writing The Rails: Memphis tour. D Kav reflects on the significance of the tours, talks about Crystal Bowersox, and the magnitude of the amazing experiences of this Grassroots effort thus far that make up Writing The Rails. (NOTE: This video, obviously dated since the tour has passed, still holds relevance to future tours. Give because you’re moved to. Please - don’t let us guilt you into giving. D Kav and Writing The Rails tours the way we do because we are Moved to do so. Thanks for your support and love - always. D Kav)

D Kav arrives in Carbondale, IL for Day 3 of Writing The Rails:...

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:56:21 -0400

D Kav arrives in Carbondale, IL for Day 3 of Writing The Rails: Memphis 2. The problem: Still has yet to figure out what to do.

D Kav snags a video/interview with the woman responsible for...

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:45:16 -0400

D Kav snags a video/interview with the woman responsible for setting up the gig at Common Grounds on Friday, April 16, 2010 for Writing The Rails, D Kav and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (and someone equipped with a lovely voice:) Leslie Jo Cornell. Again, Leslie, thanks SO Much for letting me crash at your folks’ house. That helped Greatly! :D www.myspace.com/moneygrove

D Kav wakes up (only after a FEW hours of sleep) and is...

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:37:39 -0400

D Kav wakes up (only after a FEW hours of sleep) and is preparing for his trip from Mattoon, IL to Carbondale, IL on the Amtrak.

D Kav closes out Day 2 with an interview at the Cornell house...

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:03:45 -0400

D Kav closes out Day 2 with an interview at the Cornell house (where D Kav stayed after the Common Grounds show in Mattoon, IL.) He speaks with Johnny Cornell of the group, Money Grove. MG consists of Johnny and his sister, Leslie Jo Cornell (Johnny couldn’t give the web site before the camera “max”ed out on memory.) D Kav also drools over the beautiful ‘51 Gibson Jazz Guitar that belonged to Johnny’s grandfather.