Brad Dunse: News Blog

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a live writer's round live on KFAI, an independent listener supported FM station in the Twin Cities. The Wave Project show had a segment called Tunesmithing where three of us swapped tunes and a few quick words on the songs. You can Check out the Wave Project's archive and look for the November 9th show and listen in. The link will be up for about a month. Similarly in December I'll be appearing on Twin Cities Radio, a web station based out of the Twin Cities. I took a bit of time off of writing and slowed the performance schedule but will be firing all back up again now. Short news but hey, its 3:17 in the AM so better luck when I'm more rested :). Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday!

OK. After a while of setting on the idea, finally a good friend pushed me to do it, right in front of a client too... hey, what are friends for right? But nonetheless a live guitar-vocal CD is out. Still not on CDBaby yet but it will be soon. Thanks to all involved to help get this done. I'll be sending out a notice when it is CDBaby available and etc. Meanwhile I've slowed up on the gigs for a bit, I want to get some writing done and will hit the gig scene again in a month or so maybe. A couple of other goodies coming out is Wisconsin Public Radio is interested in using some of my tracks between live gigs they broadcast, as well this November 11 I'll be on KFAI's Wave Project radio show with fellow tunesmith's Roy Holdren and Wayne Hamilton for a live tune swapping, guitar banging, in studio live performance show from 6PM - 7PM. That's the news for now I'll keep you posted as to the availability of the CD, for now just E-Mail Me and I'll let you know how you can get a copy of my CD entitled "Old Town Road".

Working on the Twin Cities Muse project has kept a fair bit of the shoulder weighted down. If you are a writer or know a song writer send them to the Twin Cities Muse sight for helpful resources and a chance to win some giveaways. Working on more bookings as time allows. Some good things happening on the song pitch front which hopefully I'll have an update before too much longer. Also working on a CD project... oh but not mine... yet. I have yet to put that project together yet but it is getting closer to the top of the list of things. I'm working on a client project which will be fun as well. In all this still trying to get some writing in but the balance works itself out. Also have some instrumental tunes at the on-line portfolio of graphic artist-cartoonist Raymond 'Sketch' Gustafson Whoooah! Working a few co-writes at the moments... looks like I'll add a Bubba song to the collection. That's about it for now... hope to see you at one of the gigs.

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A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you! If you're reading this for the first time? Welcome and I thank you for your interest and appreciate any feedback in the guest area as well passing this site on to your music listening friends. If you are a frequent visitor, I thank you as well for your encouragement over the past year and hopefully continued encouragement and support for 2008. Most recent news is until a CD is released I've made individual digital downloads available off the My Space site. As songs become available I will upload them for downloading and save some as well for a CD release to come in the future. December had been a busy month with finishing another Dan Barnes co-write entitled 20 Years To The Gallon. It was recorded and then finally mixed the day of submitting it to the NSAI/CMT Song Contest. I put two other tunes in contests. Jagged Edges a tune co-written with RL Bay was also entered into the NSAI/CMT Song Contest and then She's Long Gone saw its way to the Great American Songwriter Contest as well. So it has been a busy December with getting those things in plus the normal writing taken place such as Summer Time with Mitch Townley. This past year has been a year of pioneering new ground, preparing for more tour dates and some technical learning, the latter to be continued. I'm more motivated than ever as I look back at the progress and opportunity to have met new folks throughout the past year and look with anticipation of who I might have opportunity to meet this year. I've managed to make folks laugh, smile, cry and give an awww through my music this past year which tells me I've tapped into some emotion which is my goal... to touch people somehow in a positive, healing, or hopeful way. I look forward to 2008 as these music dreams are let out of the gate. I wish all of you a prosperous and joyous new year!! And hope to see you soon!

Ok well hey... Windsheild Time is done and off to the Car Talk boy's Automusicology department and with any luck maybe it'll show up on their in the weeks/months to come. Working on a new tune co-written with Dan Barnes called 20 Years To The Gallon and it is in the capable hands of studio engineer Steve J at Natural Sound Studios working up a basic mix and we'll tweak it from there and by Friday it will be off to Nashville for the NSAI/CMT song contest. Thanks to Mike, Ted "Hot Rod" and Doug from Mel's Diner to sit in on the bass, lead and piano and to my son the awesome percussionist that he is for working up the drums for us. Along with 20YTG heading off to the contest I hope to get Jagged Edges out to it as well. Been working on some tunes with a couple other co-writers and soon to be pushing the gig trail after the holidays. Still working on a CD project of acoustic collectibles and etc. Thanks for your support and encouragements.

This past weekend I found myself unexpectedly asked to play for the 18th Annual Apple Festival held at Circle K Apple Orchard. I was delighted to participate and undelighted to blow my gear out in the process. Nonetheless a bit of improvisation using a small PA and then a freshly rented larger one we got up and running and it was a fun time. Wilson, Circle K's owner was a gracious host. Head over to the music section of my site and check out the tune entitled Circle K Apple Orchard I whipped up which hopefully describes the flavor and intend of the spread in Martel, WI. Lots of folks dropped by for a listen while munching on burgers, apple treats and other delectables. It was fun and I'd be happy to be a part of it in the future and of course you can't go home without a bag of those candy sweet, snow white insides, delectible Honey Crisp apples. I'd recommend the buffalo ranch tour as well... very interesting. Later this week I'm headed off to Grand Marais, MN for an Unplugged Songwriter's Workshop/concert hosted by award winning songwriter Jon Vezner. Recognized for his grammy winning tune sung by his wife Kathy Mattea entitled "Where Have You Been" plus many others, I'm happy to sit under the tootalage of a master of song. Grand Marais is a Native American phrase meaning "big swamp" which swamp is the farthest thing you'd think of such a beautiful quaint place. I'm looking forward to the time away and also inspiration as well. Almost to the "THAT'S IT!!!" point of Windshield Time's mix and still in selection process of tunes for a CD and then comes recording. Those who know me, know I looove... or is it loathe the recording process... I pretty much think its the latter, but it goes down much easier with Steve J behind the controls at Natural Sound Studios. That's it for now.

Thanks to the Pottebaum's for inviting me to provide music for their Lazy Acres llama ranch open tour as part of their association's project for awareness of llama ranching in these parts. It was indeed a laid back lazy time set up under the porch canopy, campfire burning and folks popping in for a look at the llamas and some spun fiber and etc. Did you know llamas hum? Dogs bark, cats meow and llamas as Part of the cammelide family will hum and they proved to serve as great background singers on some tunes. It would seem out of that experience I was invited to write a tune about llamas or Lazy Acres or something so we'll have to see what brews in the creative juices in the future. Still working on some studio mix and am looking at potential song selections for a CD to come out likely sometime in the first half of 2008... with luck before... as time and resources allow. All for now and as always I appreciate your support and feel free to drop me a line.

Thanks much to the Red Wing Farmer's Market gang for letting me be a part of their work down in Red Wing, MN. As before, it was a pleasure playing and it was a wonderful day as well. Thank you to Clarence and Diane and the rest of the Red Wing folks. I've done the studio sessions on Windshield Time and it is in the studio getting mixed and soon to be ready to ship off to the Car Talk boys Click and Clack to see if there is interest in playing it for their show, as well pitch it to other suitable venues. After this past farmer's market I was asked again about CDs... I'm really taking the hint now that I need to work on a CD project. I'm humbled that folks are asking and proud they are as well. I am in the beginning stages of making considerations of just such a project so stay tuned for more on that. I'll be submitting some material as well for possible air play on an independent station out of Reserve, WI at station WOJB. Stay tuned for that as well, if I'm notified of potential air play, I'll send ya a note of where to catch it either on your radio or over the net as well. Thanks always for your support!

National Public Radio has a local segment here in the Twin Cities called In The Loop and did a series on the homeless population here which I found interesting yet sad, and I sent them She's Long Gone, a tune of mine focused around a homeless woman and found out they stuck a link to my tune off their blog. They said...

Here's one other related link to check out. After the show aired, Wisconsin singer-songwriter Brad Dunse emailed us
a tune of his own on the subject
(click the top links at the top of his page for "She's Long Gone"). He describes it as "a sort of somber yet pointed message of the replenishment of folks
to the streets, as they are socially invisible to most." Thanks, Brad!

The link to the blog if you are intrested is...

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/loophole/

A word of thanks to Diane, Gladys, Clarence and the wonderful folks at the Red Wing Farmer's Market for allowing me to be a part of what they have going on there. I fully support local organic food concepts. It was a bit windy Saturday but sunny and warm, and it was lots of fun banging out some tunes for the folks there. I'm also getting ready to head to the studio to work on a tune I wrote a while back entitled Windshield Time. I'm going to see if I can get my son Mike, the awesome percussionist that he is, in the studio with me with a couple others and make a nice demo of the tune. I might even see if the Car Talk boys are interested in it too... those guys crack me up. Meanwhile I've been working on some tunes, expanding the gig set, and organizing things and soon to press in a little harder than I have with my music. I've had several folks ask me about a CD so I suppose I better get more serious about that project too huh? Anyone got a few grand laying around doing nothing? Anyway I feel honored folks would even inquire and will do my best to remedy my answer of "Awwww. Sorry no I don't have a CD yet." I'll also be continuing with the song circle at Natural Sound Studios as I did this week, the local musicians night out in Spring Valley, WI coming up here this week, and I need to get my bum back in gear in the local Nashville Songwriter's Association International meeting and the Minnesota Association of Songwriters and their jam night as well, not to mention do some marketing to some venues in the greater Twin City area. So if you know of anyone looking for a performing tunesmith, let them or me know. As always thanks for your continued support and if you attend one of my gigs make a point to poke me in the rib and say "hi"!

Finally! A web connection to keep yawl posted of news, events, contact info and etc. Welcome and thanks for stopping in. I'm working on filling out my gig dates and starting to work on some tracks for a CD project so that will be coming down the pike in the future. Meanwhile, who knows, if you catch a live show and we use the acoustic track for the CD project, you might find yourself on the CD singing along or whatever :) Thanks for stopping in, for your interest, and continued support!