Writing the Rails

Writing The Rails: Memphis 2...we Almost have a tour! WAHOO! :D

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:17:16 -0500

Hey, Writing The Rails fam/fans/gang/whatever you may call yourself! ;D

SHOW UPDATE!

Writing The Rails: Memphis 2 is shaping up quite nicely! Here are the set shows thus far:
Thursday, April 8: Cafe Aroma, 8 to 10 pm. Champaign, IL
www.aroma-cafe.com
Friday, April 9: Common Grounds, 7 to 9 pm, Mattoon, IL www.mattooncommongrounds.com
Sunday, April 11: The Edge Coffeehouse (“crashing” their Open Mic from 8 to 11 pm - roughly) Memphis, Tn
www.theedgecoffeehouse.com
Still trying to secure the Carbondale, IL gig for Saturday, April 10 (deja vu!) Stay tuned! (If you have any leads/suggestions, hit us up here or shoot D Kav an email at info@davidkav.com.)

Thanks! :D

BREAKING NEWS! Writing The Rails presents The wonderful,...

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:00:51 -0500

BREAKING NEWS! Writing The Rails presents

The wonderful, “pizza guy,” extraordinaire: Ramon DeLeon (@Ramon_deleon on Twitter.)

On a mere coincidence, Ramon DeLeon stopped into Potbelly for lunch with his family - while David Kav was playing! It was bound to happen that the two were going to meet in person.

David quickly acted with the few hours that he had left with TLC’s (@thelocaltourist ‘s FlipCam) and shot a quick video. Here - David reveals some breaking news in regards to the forthcoming Writing The Rails tour in April.

More to come…

And now… Writing The Rails presents the highly anticipated video...

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:22:28 -0500

And now…

Writing The Rails presents the highly anticipated video in two segments:

The tour of Friendship Circle (Part Two.)

Featuring Rabbi Yisrael Pinson (@RecoveryRabbi on Twitter,) Beth Ann Barbieri (@bethannbarbieri on Twitter) and David Kav (@davidkav on Twitter.)

This is the main headquarters for Friendship Circle

Friendship Circle
6892 West Maple Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
(248) 788-7878
www.friendshipcircle.org

And now… Writing The Rails presents the highly anticipated...

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:20:16 -0500

And now…

Writing The Rails presents the highly anticipated video in two segments:

The tour of Friendship Circle (Part One.)

Featuring Rabbi Yisrael Pinson (@RecoveryRabbi on Twitter,) Beth Ann Barbieri (@bethannbarbieri on Twitter) and David Kav (@davidkav on Twitter.)

This is the main headquarters for Friendship Circle

Friendship Circle
6892 West Maple Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
(248) 788-7878
www.friendshipcircle.org

D Kav performs a song that was written back in December for...

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:55:26 -0500

D Kav performs a song that was written back in December for Writing The Rails: Memphis. The music was written by David Kav and Rev. Billy Simmons. Lyrics by David Kav.

The song is called “Killing Floor.” This was performed at the main show for WTR: Detroit on Sat. Feb. 13, 2010 at The Belmont - 10215 Joseph Campu Street, Hamtramck, MI. 48210

David Kav performs the song that he wrote on the same tour (WTR:...

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:13:15 -0500

David Kav performs the song that he wrote on the same tour (WTR: Detroit.) In fact, it’s the same song that he wrote while he was walking to Biggby Coffee in Ann Arbor, remember? ;D

The song is called “Out Of Focus, Hard To View”

Day 4 of WTR: Detroit David Kav gets lost on the way to Allen...

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 04:00:56 -0500

Day 4 of WTR: Detroit

David Kav gets lost on the way to Allen Park (arriving an hour late.) However, the people he meets and plays for turn out to be really drawn by the music (as it is with the case of two managers and a regular customer - interviewed here.) :)

"Leap and the net will appear" - Julia Cameron

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 01:07:07 -0500

Day 5 of Writing The Rails: Detroit

Well, there’s officially only 36 minutes left (in Central Time) of Day 5. I type this back in good ol’ Chi-town. For those of you who have been following Writing The Rails step by step, you may remember that I had some difficulty in getting shows for WTR: Detroit and was worried about drumming up support for getting peeps out, etc.

I have to come clean: I am thoroughly exhausted as I write this. I have many more videos (and have yet to get to photos.) I wanted to get something out there this evening.

As of Day 4, Writing The Rails: Detroit had $118 to give to Friendship Circle of Michigan. At the End of Day 5, Writing The Rails had a Grand Total of $245! I couldn’t be happier with the results.

I have to eternally thank Mr. and Mrs. Barbieri for their hospitality and their support for the 2nd half of WTR: Detroit (with room and a car for the shows in between Allen Park, Hamtramck and the interview at Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield, MI.) On the subject of room and board, many thanks to Stephanie and Eric Eldred in Kalamazoo for taking me in at the beginning of the tour. Many thanks to Biggby Bob and the numerous crews of Biggby Coffee at the following stores: Ann Arbor, Madison Heights, Allen Park (thanks to Alex, Shane, Megan, Magda, Jan, Pam, etc.) Thanks to Johnny Ace (sound guy at Belmont in Hamtramck, MI/guitarist of the band 52-Week High) for his never-ending support, Kris McLonis for covering my ass at The Belmont when my G AND A strings broke, Thanks to 60s Rick at Biggby Coffee Madison Heights, to Suzanne Amir and the plethora of many talented musicians at the aforementioned Open Mic, Rabbi Yisrael Pinson for his time at Friendship Circle of Michigan and for the amazing tour (Vids and photos to come on my end - I promise you.)

Last, but certainly not least, my eternal gratitude to Leah Jones, Theresa Carter, and the WHOLE Writing The Rails team for their neverending faith and support. Very special thanks to Beth Ann Barbieri for being by my side during the last two days of the tour. Your faith and love helped in leaps and bounds.

More to come…

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

Day 4 Begins with a laugh from the “Monkey In A Bear...

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:34:45 -0500

Day 4 Begins with a laugh from the “Monkey In A Bear Suit” (the unofficial Writing The Rails “mascot,”) and thanks the wonderful people at Biggby Coffee Madison Heights again (we are currently at $118 for Friendship Circle! Let’s keep “riding the gravy train!”)

SAT. FEB. 13, 2010

The Belmont

10215 Joseph Campu Street

Hamtramck, MI 48212

Doors open at 9 pm

Show: 10 pm

with David Kav, a DJ (“non-offensive” per Darren,) and surprise guests…;)

We HAVE to bring 30+ people to get the $$$ funds needed (i.e. to get paid - period) for Friendship Circle of Michigan (@FCMichigan.) If you’re in the area (or know someone who is in the area, PLEASE spread the word.)

Hope to see you there. ;)

And David Kav could NOT pass up the opportunity to be behind the...

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:19:44 -0500

And David Kav could NOT pass up the opportunity to be behind the microphone (what else is new?) and to interview the host of the Biggby Coffee Madison Heights Friday Open Mic: 60s Rick.

ATTENTION ALL MUSICIANS! If you’re in and/or live in the Detroit area and you’re looking for an outlet/great Open Mic, tell your friends to go:

FRIDAY NIGHT:
Acoustic Open Mic/Jam at
Biggby Coffee
31055 John R Rd
Madison Heights, MI 48071
248-588-1180
www.biggby.com

You can also find this particular store on FB (Biggby Coffee Madison Heights) and on Twitter: @BiggbyCoffeeMH (you guys rock!) :D

After the wonderful reactions that David received (not to...

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:03:52 -0500

After the wonderful reactions that David received (not to mention the awesome vibes that he was receiving from the crowd,) David took the FlipVideo cam and stopped to interview a couple of Biggby Coffee Madison Heights baristas (and a regular customer…who is quite essential in getting the Biggby Coffee Madison Heights Open Mic up and running.)

Alex, one of the baristas, also talks about the positive vibes and personality of Biggby Bob (don’t worry. All of what he said is good. Again, MANY thanks @BiggbyBob.) ;D

Per Beth Ann’s request, David Kav performs...

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:58:01 -0500

Per Beth Ann’s request, David Kav performs “Muse.”

“Muse” is available on his current album “Better You Here Than Alone,” now on sale at iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/better-you-here-than-alone/id291760247

& at CD Baby: www.cdbaby.com/cd/davidkav2

And now…a surprise for the Writing The Rails...

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:45:21 -0500

And now…a surprise for the Writing The Rails team/audience.

The powerhouse vocals of Beth Ann Barbieri.

You can find her on Facebook. Her Twitter handle is @bethannbarbieri

A previously unreleased song which was inspired by Writing The...

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:43:28 -0500

A previously unreleased song which was inspired by Writing The Rails, overall, in its infancy.

The song was originally recorded and sung with Courtney Freed. David sings this by myself for WTR: Detroit and for the Open Mic crowd at Biggby Coffee Madison Heights.

David Kav started out with the original song “This Is My...

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:17:09 -0500

David Kav started out with the original song “This Is My Surrender” during his late afternoon show at Biggby Coffee in Madison Heights, Michigan

TIMS is one of the songs off of his current release, “Better You Here Than Alone” - available at CD Baby and iTunes.

Day 3 - Night And Day (not just a Cole Porter song)

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 04:35:37 -0500

It is amazing as to what faith from friends and family can do for a person - especially when said person is really “down in the mouth.” A support system can pick someone up when their down, give them that extra kick or just reinforce what he/she already knows: The only way failure is achieved is through inaction.

“Take the first step. You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Started my day at the Motel 6 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Had a LOT of difficulty getting up out of bed. However, finally did so (at the last minute, of course,) took a shower, got out in the knick of time (before the check-out time of Noon,) called a cab, hauled ass and made it to the train station with, at least, 20 minutes before the Eastbound train would arrive.

On the train, I was really nervous. Why? I was on this tour by myself for the first couple of days. Even though I was nervous about taking the tour on my own in the beginning, I was starting to like the taste of the solitude. So, with Beth Ann and her parents in the mix (along with the humility to be had of having them pick me up and drop me off at various places for the rest of the weekend and to have them take me into their own home,) I was uneasy as to how the rest of the tour would inevitably change once I got off of the train at Royal Oak.

I had my compelling moments while passing through Detroit (see the Detroit [unedited vid.]) I stepped through the uncertainty. I got off of the train and muddled through the crowd.

I saw her smile. I had forgotten what the problem was. What problem?

Her mother and father were in the car. I was last in Michigan with the fam for Thanksgiving weekend. With the emotional roller coaster of the Holiday season long and gone, there was no stress to be had. Notwithstanding, it felt as if we never skipped a beat. At one point, I had to remind them (and myself,) “funny. I’m still on tour.” Never missed a beat there, either, since they dropped me off at the Madison Heights Biggby Coffee in more than enough time.

Played a set from 4 pm to 6 pm. Same-ish feel from yesterday’s Ann Arbor store. With the exception that I got more of a reaction from the people today (i.e. I got SOME reactions from the people today…and SOME TIPS. Let me reiterate from the Ann Arbor trip, I got NOTHING yesterday besides the CD sales from Hasan at Famous Hamburger.) I know I got more than $10 for 2 hours. Ok, I thought. Progress, right? THAT’S what counts. :)

As soon as I finish my first set, Daniel Bora (Biggby Coffee Madison Heights store manager,) came in. I talked with him for a bit. Very warm, very friendly. I was digging the snowballing of the positive momentum at that point.

In talking about the host of the Open Mic, the Devil did appear…along with his wife (that is, if the Devil were an older, hippie-like, mellow type of guy.) We introduced ourselves, talked up a bit as to how, when, and where I can sell my merchandise. Once that was settled, I hauled ass and moved my stuff to an unimposing area of the coffee shop.

So, the PA was set-up, the Sign-Up list was set out, the musicians came in, the energy was picking up in leaps and bounds in the best kind of way.

Beth Ann was a sweetheart and helped with video, with marketing for tomorrow’s show at The Belmont (which I still need MAJOR help in packing the place with 30+ people. So, PLEASE spread the word,) and with the social networking needed for Writing The Rails. I am forever grateful. As we both assessed at the end of the night, the teamwork and the camaraderie between us and the others in the room helped tremendously.

Before Biggby Coffee in Madison Heights, Writing The Rails collected $20 for Friendship Circle. After tonight’s Open Mic at Biggby Coffee in Madison Heights, MI, Writing The Rails collected $118 in CD sales and in merch/tips.

Talk about night and day. Night and day, indeed.

So, after the video uploads, I am going to pass out at around 5 am this evening/morning. Then, I do it all over again at the Biggby Coffee in Allen Park this afternoon at 4 pm-ish followed by the Main Show at The Belmont.

Until next time…

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

David is too compelled to not film what he observes as the train...

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 04:02:50 -0500

David is too compelled to not film what he observes as the train passes Detroit proper and makes its way into Royal Oak. David reveals what he has (and what he is) learned/learning from touring through Writing The Rails thus far.

Another day, another adventure. D Kav departs from his room at...

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 04:00:07 -0500

Another day, another adventure.

D Kav departs from his room at the Motel 6 in Ann Arbor, Michigan and sets off, once again, onto the Amtrak. This time => Royal Oak is the destination for his show at Biggby Coffee in Madison Heights, Michigan.

This song, “(Would You) Grant Me Mercy?” was written...

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 01:40:42 -0500

This song, “(Would You) Grant Me Mercy?” was written during Writing The Rails: Memphis. This was recorded in the home of Rich Varnon - guitarist of the group Radio Flyer. Rich Varnon plays lead guitar. It was truly an honor to have him featured on this track (Rich, thanks so much for taking TLC and me into your home in December 2009…and for your help. Many congrats on your forthcoming child as well. ;D)

Day 2 of WTR: Detroit - Alone in my room in Ann Arbor, MI

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:11:08 -0500

‘Ello, world!

Funny considering that the accent that I have chosen does not fit this area at all. Well, it’s funny to me (in the least. Could be the sleep deprivation. But, I digress.)

I sit in a Motel 6 in Ann Arbor after an eventful day. The video posts can and do show this. However, remembering the old blogs that Theresa Carter (The Local Tourist) and I posted during WTR: Memphis, I felt that the tour wasn’t (or wouldn’t be) complete if I didn’t post some sort of blog (notwithstanding the fact that I didn’t write one last night due to very limited Internet access.)

Train was smooth after it arrived at the Kalamazoo station 30 minutes late. Regardless, the attendant at the KZoo station was very polite in answering the same question over and over again, “I was just curious…” “Where is our train?” ”Do you know …?”

Got out once the Amtrak hit Ann Arbor. Walked the 1.5 miles to Biggby Coffee on Plymouth Rd. A LOT of inspiration for video and music came to me on said walk. I am going to attempt to put lyrics/music to said song in the music written at Plymouth Park (I feel that there may be another song in me. We’ll see what happens.)

Biggby Coffee - very low traffic. Jessi, the barista/shift lead, was very polite. She seemed to like the tunes as well. Hasan, the manager at Famous Hamburger (right next door to Biggby) is a percussionist. Upon many tangents and YouTube searches of various African, Arabian and Spanish artists/music (all which were very good and very inspirational, btw,) he came during a “break” and listened to “Bone-Dry Boulevard,” (the Live vid posted from Day 2 of WTR: Detroit.) He bought a couple of D Kav CDs. So, I made the first $20 for Friendship Circle as of today.

Jessi even stated that the end of the night was slow even for her standards. Truth be told - a bit disappointed, I am (and like Yoda, David speaks…or thinks…since he’s actually not saying these words out loud as he types this…for a change.) However, I’m not worried. I KNOW that there is a reason, a rhyme, a song and overall, progress that is being had from all of this. I knew when I was sitting at Matilda’s with The Local Tourist and Leah Jones that I needed to come out this weekend to execute WTR: Detroit (that postponing or rescheduling did not feel right to me.) Leah told me before we had the Final WTR: Detroit meeting, “I want you to go to see that you can do [WTR: Detroit] by yourself.” She gave me a DM this morning that stated (for the most part:) “I told you so.” Leah, you were more right as I went along off of the train from Ann Arbor.

I can tell on myself further that I had the opportunity to wait for my g/f and her father to pick me up from Ann Arbor since they are currently driving back to Sterling Heights (Beth Ann is going back home for the weekend for a couple of b-day parties in Michigan. HUGE, HUGE coincidence. I did NOT plan WTR: Detroit around this. You can ask Anyone on the WTR crew? Leah? Theresa? Witness, please?) In my gut, I felt that if I went back with them this evening, I would not have had the time necessary to reflect and to digest the events from the past two days. I also felt that I would be stifled to create the song (or songs) that need to be finished AND created this evening. I feel that Writing The Rails would lose its vision completely if I didn’t stay the course for, at least, half of the trip (since I will be going back to Chicago with Beth Ann at the end. A HUGE help since my funds were extremely limited at the genesis of this journey.)

Judgment to be passed on me? I don’t know. If I have anything to say about it, I don’t think so. I do believe that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

I thought about this on my walk to Biggby this afternoon, “did Bono know that he was going to become Bono when he started out? All he knew was the passion that he was born with and that he had when he started out as a teenager in war-torn Ireland back in the 1970s. Self-proclaimed megalomaniac? Sure. However, he was a poet that became a rock superstar. Being Bono isn’t (and can not be) the end all/know all. So, why do I want that so bad? I’m NOT Bono…nor should I ever be.”

You may laugh at the above paragraph. However, the more I let go of my rock star dream and just follow my gut (despite the fears of my peers, friends and family around me,) the more the magic unfolds in my path. My fingers are still balled up into a fist around my dream. However, the grip is loosening more and more each day. One day at a time. One step at a time.

Wow. Did NOT think all of THAT was going to come out into this passage. I’ll sign off now before I sound more preachy than I already might.

Thanks for reading…and for all of your support thus far. G’night!

D Kav