Carolynn Black: Home

We hear alot of that around here. The boys are very into classic looney tunes - and by boys I mean Zeke, who will be 4 years old in a month, and Arlo, 19 months now, oh and Tom, 45. They've all been keeping this blues mama very busy, and so I haven't been posting except for brief musings on Facebook. The past year has been like a rollercoaster here in Wisconsin, complete with Capitol protests, recall elections, and chicken pox oh my! that's right, chicken pox. The boys were spotted from head to toe for a week in February and watched "Shrek" about 20 times! We've since moved on to "Robots," but Looney Tunes will always be in the rotation.

Musically, I've got a few gigs with Steve Skaggs and Joe Wickham lined up Talula's restaurant (802 Atlas Ave. Madison WI 53714 (608) 441-1977). We've played there a few times already - a little jazz, a little folk, and little blues, a lotta fun. We'll be there on Friday July 15th from 7-10pm. There's no cover and the food is pretty tasty too, so bring your friends and your appetite.

For those of you wondering why I've been semi-absent from the music scene, all I can say is that my time has been occupied with being a mama and a business owner. I see my job and a mother as supremely important, in fact my primary objective. I have always been a singer and a performer, but giving birth to those boys granted me entry to the most incredible club in the world: motherhood. I know it sounds corny, but becoming a parent changes who you are forever and I am infinitely better for it. That said, it's an exhausting job, and I'm looking forward to having more time to write and play music, both original and old favorites. The singer in me is straining to be heard by more than the crowd at Gomeroke, more than the occasional wedding, and more than the masses at Brat Fest once a year. It's time to get this train back on the track, time to update this website, and time to dust off that guitar. Actually, right now, it's time to go and put this tired mama to bed. There is more to be done tomorrow.
Nighty night.
C

I know, I know, it's been a looooong while since I've written anything. I have a good excuse though - I'm chasing around a two-year old, I'm the buyer/co-owner of Happy Bambino, AND I'm preggers with boy #2! Yup, I'm due in November, just before Thanksgiving. Feels like I've been pregnant all year, and now d-day is only three months away, yikes! Zeke turned two a few weeks ago, and I can hardly believe it. He's turning into quite a little ham, and he's even starting to sing along with me. Last week he had a jam session with daddy - Tom on the guitar, and Zeke on the drums, keys and microphone. He's a jack of all trades! Not to mention, he can count to six in spanish (I guess Dora the Explorer isn't that awful after all!). I know I should stop gushing, but as any mom knows, no, I can't! He starts preschool next week (two mornings a week), and I don't know who's more nervous - yes I do, I am! so as you see, life around my houe has been a bit crazy, as usual.

I've been playing a few gigs here and there, but will be slowing down even more as my due date approaches. Vibe Syndicate is playing at the Middleton Good Neighbor festival at Fireman's Park on Sunday Aug 30th at 5pm. It'll be our last gig til after the baby comes. We're going to try to get into the studio to lay down some tracks in the meantime. We've got a lot of good stuff to immortalize on tape (or hard drive as it were) before we forget it all. So if you want to catch me with VS, ya better do it this Sunday. I might do a gig or two with The Jimmys, but I'll pretty much be out of commission for awhile. I need a break!

Don't be shy, come say hello at The Happy Bambino of you're over on the east side of Madison.

Peace love & Music,
Carolynn

Vibe Syndicate's been hard at work breaking in a new keyboard player, rehearsing old tunes, and writing new ones, so we're really looing forward to the pay off - a gig! I love it when I can walk to a gig, and that's just what I'm gonna do this Saturday (only if isn't freeeezing!) We'll be at The Crystal Corner Bar on March 7th. We're playing the opening set for our good buddies Root's Collective, so get there early if you want to catch us.

Also, I know Memorial Day weekend seems like a looong way away, but if you're planning on staying in town have I got the show for you. Vibe Syndicate just got the word that we'll be playing at BRAT FEST, the Midwest's largest single item barbecue! How cool is that? You can chow down on yummy Johnsonville Brats and boogie your buns off to our funky brand of r&b. Check the gig calendar for more info.

We'll also be playing at The Nau-Ti-Gal a couple of Thursdays this summer out on the pier. You can get your R&B and Fish & Chips all in one place!

Oh, and I'll be sitting in w/Old School again on May 2nd (possibly on April 11th too). Join Cliff Frederiksen and me at Cheeseburger in Paradise in Greenway Station in Middleton for a free-form evening of whatever we feel like playing. You can expect to hear some blues, country, soul, jazz, and some things in between.

Okay, that's what's in the hopper. See ya soon!
Carolynn