Michael Perry's Blog, page 28

Forty Acres In Progress

Scribbles in a notebook, 2019. Working out the novella Forty Acres Deep.

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This Week’s Tent Show Radio: The Greatest Piano Men

Check out Mike (Twitter: @SneezingCow) hosting Tent Show Radio (Twitter: @BigBlueTent). This week’s episode is an electrifying production that celebrates the world’s greatest piano icons and showmen in music history – from the 50s and 60s hits of Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Ray Charles to the 70s and 80s hits of Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Billy Joel – and even the legendary works of Beethoven and Liberace. The Greatest Piano Men features Pete Peterkin – a singer, actor, dancer, comic, master impressionist, and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his appearance on Season 4 of “America’s Got Talent.” Also, featured is Bill Conners – the gold standard when it comes to impersonating Sir Elton John, perfectly captures the voice, mannerisms, and fabulous showmanship of the rock icon, as well as David K. Maiocco – award-winning musical director, pianist, and actor, considered one of the most well recognized Liberace tribute artists.

This electrifying music celebration features a rockin’ 8-piece band, sensational back-up vocalists, and captivating multimedia storytelling, as The Greatest Piano Men bring along 25 hit songs including, “Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Superstition,” “I’m Still Standing,” “Hit the Road Jack,” “New York State of Mind,” and many more!

This episode features recordings from The Greatest Piano Men’s July 2022 performance at Big Top Chautauqua.

Michael Perry shares humorous stories throughout on the Big Top stage. If you prefer to watch this and previous episodes, follow this link for all the available viewing options. 

Stream it here along with other Tent Show Radio episodes.

Tent show Radio is broadcast each week on many fine independent stations, which can be found here: https://sneezingcow.com/ten-show-radio-stations/

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Feline Indecision

Please oh please can I go out into the wind and sleet? I know I hated it the last three times in twelve minutes, but this time I’ll stay out REALLY LONG!!!

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Forward-Looking Backlist Update

Been hunkered writing. Working to finish two books under contract (Scavengers sequel, book about fathers & daughters). Still a ways to go on both but hammering away. For me, writing is like carving concrete with a spoon. Meanwhile our last four self-published books–Million Billion, Peaceful Persistence, Hunker, and Forty Acres Deep–have outsold our expectations and are keeping our little outfit rolling. Thank you! We use this old-school postcard to update folks. And of course all books (and audio, and T-shirts, and Sneezing Cow can koozies) available here.

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This Week’s Tent Show Radio: Larry McCray and Phil Anich & Friends

Check out Mike (Twitter: @SneezingCow) hosting Tent Show Radio (Twitter: @BigBlueTent). Episode 23-15 feature rust belt blues shouter and guitar slinger Larry McCray (Twitter: @TheLarryMcCray) and Phil Anich, a member of the Blue Canvas Orchestra for nearly 30 years.

This episode features recordings from each artists’ August 2022 performances at Big Top Chautauqua.

Michael Perry shares humorous stories throughout on the Big Top stage. If you prefer to watch this and previous episodes, follow this link for all the available viewing options. 

Stream it here along with other Tent Show Radio episodes.

Tent show Radio is broadcast each week on many fine independent stations, which can be found here: https://sneezingcow.com/ten-show-radio-stations/

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With Respect

For those of you who have reached out to inquire about the terrible incident near my hometown: While one of the parties involved has the same last name as my family, he is unrelated. While I am grateful for your concern, I respectfully ask that you direct your care and support toward the families, friends, and neighbors of the officers fallen in the line of duty.

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This Week’s Tent Show Radio: In Spite of Ourselves: The Music of John Prine & Nanci Griffith

Check out Mike (Twitter: @SneezingCow) hosting Tent Show Radio (Twitter: @BigBlueTent). Episode 23-14 is led by Molly Otis & Ed Willet, the Blue Canvas Orchestra take on the work of John Prine (Twitter: @JohnPrineMusic) and Nanci Griffith (Twitter: @NanciGriffith) in this Big Top original show. John Prine and Nanci Griffith were both humble masters of the story. They dug deep into the places where we were afraid to go. Emotional depth, keen observations and wry humor brought their music to life and hit an emotional bone. These are the writers who gave us “Angel from Montgomery,” “Sam Stone,” “Love at the Five & Dime,” “Trouble in These Fields, and many more. It’s the Blue Canvas Orchestra’s great honor to present a tribute to our lost songsmiths. Both John and Nanci performed at the Big Top several times – amazing memories!

This episode features Blue Canvas Orchestra members Ed Willett, Molly Otis, Severin Behnen, Phil Anich, Tom Mitchell, Jack Gunderson, Billy Knoblauch, Danielle Diamond, Betty Ferris, Yazmin Bowers, and Scott Kirby.

Michael Perry shares humorous stories throughout on the Big Top stage. If you prefer to watch this and previous episodes, follow this link for all the available viewing options. 

Stream it here along with other Tent Show Radio episodes.

Tent show Radio is broadcast each week on many fine independent stations, which can be found here: https://sneezingcow.com/ten-show-radio-stations/

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Local Work

Signed all these “Forty Acres Deep” books two weeks ago, then a week later had to sign several more stacks because the ones in the photograph were all gone. We also just received the second printing because we sold out the first. Not pictured: It’s also become our best-ever audiobook seller.

Saying “we” and “our” because Sneezing Cow begins with me at the keyboard, but none of it gets to you without the work of local folks including my manager (sometimes local, sometimes remote), merch dude (local), the printing company (couple miles from here), the fulfillment and distribution team (family business literally just down the road), a local editor, a local graphic artist, and a local sound engineer. Then there are the local and regional indie bookstores. We’re on Amazon and other platforms nationwide, but it all begins right here on the real back forty. Thank you! “Forty Acres Deep” and everything else right here.

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Posts from the Box: The Clayfields by Elise Gregory

I receive more requests to mention books than I can honor and still meet my deadlines and fulfill my duties but some time ago I promised Elise Gregory I would mention her new one, “The Clayfields,” and it’s out there now.

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Trolling with Andy Andrews

Sometimes trolling is a good thing! Thanks to Andy Andrews for sharing this video of Mike’s Voice Mail podcast playing off the coast of Alabama. (You don’t have to get in a boat to hear Michael Perry’s Voice Mail, you can listen right here: Michael Perry’s Voice Mail).

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