Hello friends,

You know, there was a time I wanted to pump out these messages every week, as an update of my life and times.  There are some performers who pull this off with great regularity, and it seems to strengthen the bond between them and their fans.  Truth be told, though, I don't know how they do it.  I just don't feel like I have all that much to report week in and week out.  Sure, I may occasionally write a decent tune, but does that automatically mean that the details of my everyday life are riveting?

I'll give you an example.  This week, my main concern has been a strange swelling in my lower buttocks and between my legs (In retrospect, I should have rephrased or completed deleted this sentence.) that makes it uncomfortable to
sit sometimes.  Now, do you want that kind of stuff filling your inbox?  No!  You'd rather have "10 Reasons Captain Kirk is Better than Captain Picard" or "Bill Gates is Giving $1000 to Anyone Who Sends this E-mail" forwarded to you.

So let's keep it on the musical tip.  Instead of sending out a message every week, I'll go you one further.  I'll perform every week!  That's right, I seem to have procured a deal with the fine folks at the 22nd Street Cafe (in the Elliston (same block as Exit/In) area) to play every Tuesday night at 8pm.  It's a pretty cool place which used to be the Owl's Nest Coffeehouse.  They serve warm, stimulating beverages and tasty sandwiches.  The shows will be free, I'll be playing for tips, and CDs will be available.

This next Tuesday, January 18, will be my big debut there (even though I tried it out last week with little fanfare) and my first big show of the new millennium.  Join me outside the electronic realm for an evening of folk rock,
and find out if the swelling has subsided.

At ease,
Chuck "Southpaw" Jones
January 14, 2000