June 19-22 - Texas Tour Wed, June 19 - Pirates & Poets, T-Bone Tom's, Kemah, Texas (w/Jerry Diaz, James White Thur, June 20 - Lake Charles, La. Fri, June 21 - TBA Sat, June 22 - Isla Bella house concert, Floresville, Texas
(Additional dates to be announced)
New Video - Bone Island Mambo
Live at The Park Theater, Hayward, Wis. Aug, 2, 2012 with Molly and the Danger Band Video production by Windigo Woods Studio
Silhouette of a Fool Now Available
The new CD, "Silhouette of a Fool," has been foisted upon an unsuspecting public. Ten new original Jim Hoehn songs produced by John Sieger (Semi-Twang, R&B Cadets) with instrumental help from Mike Fredrickson (bass); Reggie Bordeaux (drums); and Bob Jennings (keyboards) - some of the best Milwaukee has to offer.
Songs are: Bad Day at the Beach; Bongo Jesus; Ripples; Silhouette of a Fool; Just Stupid I Guess; No More Delusional Than Usual; 100-Year Brunch with Shirley MacLaine; Legally Speaking; Tremolo Generation and Thundermen Nights. (Song samples available here).
If, by some miracle, you're interested in old-fashioned delivery by the often-maligned U.S. Postal Service drop me a note and I'll pay the postage. Thanx. Jim H.
Fall Schedule Taking Shape
Thur, Aug. 23 - Buffett Bash 2012, Two Seasons Bowl, Elkhorn Wis. Fri, Aug. 24 - Big Top Chautauqua songwriting finals, Bayfield, Wis. 1 p.m. Sat, Aug 25 - Lake Michigan Land Sharks BBQ, Sawyer, Mich. Sun, Sept. 2 - Private party, Portage, Wis. Sept. 7-16 - East Coast tour with Mike Mangum (SC, NC, PA, DE, MD)
More dates TBA
Playa del Pressbox Digital downloads available
For the first time, the long out-of-print "Playa del Pressbox" is available now at the Beach Front Radio Music Hut for digital download. Includes the trop-rock classics "He's Away From His Desk" and "Humanity Night on the Redneck Riviera", as well as the seldom-performed "Bimbette du Jour" and 10 other Jim Hoehn originals. Download direct from BeachFront Radio.
Songlist: He's Away From His Desk; Rhythm Con Queso; Between the Lines; Nude Awakening; Humanity Night On the Redneck Riviera; Live For the Moment; Room With a View; Old Home Days; Can'tcun; Barroom MIA; Hero Of the 90's; Bimbette Du Jour; Word Guys.
Humanity Night on the Redneck Riviera
Live at Red, White & Tunes, Cape Coral, Fla. July 2, 2011 - Video by Kris Gangsaas.
Carolinas Tour
Fri, Sept. 9 - Sandlapper PHC party, Fort Mill, SC Sat, Sept. 10 - House concert Charlotte, NC * Could also a gig(s) within driving distance of Charlotte on Thursday and/or Sunday. Drop me a note. Thanx.
"Callin' In Gone" promo video for Phins to the West 2011, May 13-15 in Laughlin, Nev. Video by Steve Cantwell.
Bad Day at the Beach
A new song, played maybe a half-dozen times live. Recorded live at The Yard in Tampa, Fla. on March 5, 2011. Video by Shurl Gates, Gates Music Management.
On the road again
The 2011 version of the "Offset the Paycut Tour" continues with guitar in hand, mostly because I have no other marketable skills and don't have the voice for drive-through fast-food speakers. If you're out and about, please stop in and say 'hello.' And, remember, there's no such thing as a bad trop-rock event. Hope to see you on the road.
Fri-Sun, April 8-10, Flipperstock, St. Louis, Mo. Tue, April 26 - La Palapa, San Carlos, Mexico Wed, April 27 - La Palapa, San Carlos, Mexico Thur, May 5 - opening for Kinky Friedman, Shank Hall, Milwaukee, Wis. Fri-Sun, May 13-15, Phins to the West, Laughlin, Nev. Sat, May 28, Big Owl Tiki Bar, Graysonville, Md.
(click links for information, summer dates on the calendar page)
Opening for Kinky Friedman
May 5, Shank Hall - This just in!! A night of musical and mystery mayhem with none other than the Kinkster himself. Opening for mystery novelist, songwriter, Texas gubernatorial candidate and all-around great American Kinky Friedman at Shank Hall in Milwaukee.
Think Spring, Think Thongs IV
Thongs In The Key Of Life, Vol. IV - Thongs In The Key Of Life, Vol. IV is available for online ordering at CD Baby. Response and reviews have been very, very good. Thanx to all who already have bought a copy. Thongs, Vol. III also is still available, but the first two volumes are out of print. Thanx for continuing to support independent music.
Songlist 1. Magic Chair - John Reno 2. Tonight - Young Rebel Goombas 3. Sailor's Story - Bob Banerjee 4. Tangy Margaritas - Boat Drunks 5. Shorts, Sandals and Shades - Ray Fogg 6. Magic Cruise - Ramajay Intercoastal 7. I've Got A Beach In My Backyard - Brent Burns 8. Lazy Days - Larry Joe Taylor 9. Key West Address - James Slater 10. Out of the Blue (Here Comes My Paradise) - Rob Mehl 11. Southeast Texas Rain - Jerry Diaz & Hanna's Reef 12. Sunshine State - Lauren Adams 13. Blame It On The Margaritas - Howard Livingston & Mile Marker 24 14. Sand Dollar Millionaire - Bob Karwin 15. Callin' In Gone - Jim Hoehn 16. Lost Keys - Kevin Mulvenna 17. Blame It On Buffett - Kelly McGuire
Midwinter Meltdown
Manassas, Va., Jan. 28-30 - Three days of great music and tropical fun including the world famous Sunday morning "Drunkwriter's Brunch" in the D.C area. Performers include Will Kimbrough; the Calypso Nuts; David McKenney; Gutter Rose; Tall Daddy; Ted Garber; Tropical Soul and Ramajay Intercoastal. Click here for info.
New T-shirt now available
Featuring the distinctive artwork of Dianne Wickes, aka GreenWoman, the new Trop Noir T-shirts are here. These white, 100% cotton, heavyweight T-shirts are perfect for working out, jogging ... wait, what was I thinking? Perfect for sitting on a bar stool in Key West, spring break or any other irresponsible getaway (even if it's only in your mind). Available in M, L, XL, XXL and XXXL. Available via mail for $15, plus $2 postage (per order, not per shirt). E-mail for more information.
Westward Ho
Two afternoon shows in sunny Arizona. The first is a Club Agave music series show on Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Grace Inn in Phoenix with songwriter Ray Cody. Poolside show starts at 1 pm. To RSVP and for further info contact: Bob at: twoparrots@wbhsi.net.
The second show is a house concert in Tucson on Sunday, Nov. 21. Doors open around 1 pm, with music starting about 2 pm. To RSVP and for information, contact Tamyra at: txparrots@comcast.net
Meeting of the Minds Key West, Fla.
Nov. 3-7 - It's back to Key West for the annual gathering of Parrothead and Trop Rock madness. This year's theme is "Gypsies in the Palace." Under the Mexican taxi theory - where the loudest horn has the right of way - I have the privilege of hosting the 2010 Trop Rock Music Awards Show at the Casa Marina, honoring the best in Trop Rock music.
Opening for Radney Foster
I have the privilege of opening for songwriter Radney Foster on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at Shank Hall in Milwaukee, Wis. Tickets are $20, show starts at 8 p.m.
"The position that Foster enjoys in the country music landscape is remarkable. Mainstream country music and independent Americana tend to occupy separate orbits. Yet for 24 years Foster has thrived in both as a songwriter, recording artist, live performer and producer. His songs--solo, with Foster and Lloyd and recorded by other artists--have topped the country, Texas, Americana, and AAA charts alike. At the same time, he's earned the respect of his peers and a devoted audience as intent on listening as they are eager to dance."
Callin' In Gone Song of the Year nominee
Trop Rock Music Awards - This just in from the Ripley's 'Believe It Or Not' bureau. "Callin' In Gone" has been nominated for song of the year in the 2010 Trop Rock Music Awards sponsored by the Margarita Mafia. It's a privilege to be one of the five finalists with the likes of Brent Burns, Jim Morris, John Frinzi and Rob Mehl. The 2010 Trop Rock Music Awards will be held Friday, Nov. 5 at the Casa Marina West Lawn Stage during Meeting of the Minds in Key West, Fla. As they say in Chicago, "Vote early and vote often."
Rockin' with The Thundermen
Some of you have asked for sound clips or links to the old recordings by The Thundermen, for whom my late cousin Rick was the lead guitarist in the early days. Their best-known 45 rpm - "Money" and "Flyin' High" - was released in late 1962 on the old Soma label out of Minneapolis, which also included The Castaways (Liar, Liar); Trashmen (Surfin' Bird); and Fendermen (Mule Skinner Blues). The Thundermen's version of "Money" hit No. 1 on WAXX in 1963. Listen to The Thundermen's version of "Money" and "Flyin' High"
Rick Hoehn (1942-2010)
Some of you have heard my stories about my oldest cousin, Rick, whom I usually refer to as an "old rock 'n' roll guitar player." He had been pretty sick lately and died while we were on our spring vacation. Rick was a member of The Thundermen, a legendary local band in the '60s in the Eau Claire, Wis. area. Since the first time I strapped on a guitar, he was a source of encouragement; offering use of his home studio; letting me sit in at various local gigs; and always offering a kind word about my songwriting and recording. Basically, he was a good guy who, to me, embodied the spirit of garage band rock 'n' roll. I will miss him greatly. Here's the link to the obituary in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. A history is available on The Thundermen Web site.
Callin' In Gone - Country Style
Yes, it's true. "Callin' In Gone" has made the airwaves at WMIL-FM106.1, Milwaukee's largest country station. (www.fm106.com). Here's the basic blurb. Jim- We received your submission to our New Music Page of FM 106.com. I'll be playing Callin In Gone on the week's show. Home Made Jams airs Sunday night at 10pm on WMIL/FM 106.1.... I hope you get a chance to tune in. Sincerely- Duncan MacManus Host FM 106.1's Home Made Jams
Anyway, you can hear it here on the WMIL Web site. Thanx for listening.