MUMBO JUMBO – September 2012
Greetings from the rocky coast of New Hampshire on what definitely feels like the first day of fall! The morning air is cool and crisp and the brilliant sun lights up a crystal clear blue sky, that only happens when the summer humidity has gone south for the winter.
I decided to throw on some shorts and a sweatshirt and go for a bike ride to clear my head after a long summer tour and a grueling 11-hour drive the day before.
My home state has only 18 miles of coastline but it’s a beautiful 18 miles. Route 1A takes you along the ocean from Hampton and Seabrook Beach on the Massachusetts border, north to Portsmouth, a quaint, historic port settled in 1623. Across the river lies the great state of Maine.
The two-lane serpentine ocean side road that winds its way past the beaches, clam shacks and rocky coastline of New Hampshire is a perfect cycling road, so I decided to ride south into the old honky tonk town of Hampton Beach. Among the hotels, arcades and seafood joints lies the centerpiece of town, the Hampton Beach Ballroom, a massive and historic 2000 seat place where I’ve seen many a great concert. Several weeks ago I was here for the weekend and saw Joe Walsh absolutely rock the old wooden place!
Even though we’re still in August, the kids are back in school, so the arcades and food booths are empty with just a few people relaxing peacefully on the beach.
It was here that I once wrote in The Heart of a Beach Town, “The streets are empty and the coast is clear. Local faces smiling ear to ear.”
I’ve come back in my favorite time of the year to visit friends and family, recharge the batteries and finish a few more songs for the new CD (more on that in the October Mumbo Jumbo) and to get ready for my next road trip on September 21st!!
ON THE ROAD WITH PETER MAYER,
September 21 – 29, NH to VA!
October 31 – Key West!
I believe I met Pete, his brother Jim and Roger Guth in the winter of 1990-91 at The Margaritaville Cafe in Key West. I had seen them debut Jimmy Buffett’s “Off to See the Lizard” CD there earlier, but on this occasion they were booked for a week playing their own music off the “PM” CD.
I became a big fan and immediately recognized what brilliant players and writers they were. I was playing my own solo gig at the Pier House until 11:00pm, but after finishing I would quickly pack my gear and rush to Margaritaville to catch their last set. In those days, even though they were Jimmy’s new band, they were not well known in town and by the time they finished at 1:00am, it would be very quiet at the bar and we would have a drink there or maybe wander over to Louie’s Backyard. They knew I was a fledgling singer/songwriter with pretty basic musical skills, but were quite intrigued with my political background and the life change I had made and we became good friends… lifetime friends really.
I had my 32-ft sloop in Key West at the time and believe the afternoons we enjoyed on my boat, “Last Mango,” were their first sailing experiences. Being St.Louis guys, they had not had much opportunity to sail on the Mississippi.
The next year, with the help of JL Jamison, Jimmy’s assistant and studio manager (and Mr. Buffett’s kind blessing), I found myself recording in Shrimp Boat Sound with Pete, Jim and Roger and being as nervous as hell! My singing was quite atrocious as I had not yet found my voice, and I had great difficulty playing in time with a rhythm section, because I had performed alone so much. I’ll never forget Jim kindly suggesting that I should practice every night for 30 minutes with a metronome, which I immediately did, which helped my timing greatly and made me a better musician.
As I look back on it, I realize how much I owe them all. Without that first experience and their guidance, I’m not sure I would have any kind of musical career at all. Even though my skills were pretty basic, I think they knew I was trying really hard to write decent songs, worked hard to improve and always tried to be a professional.
So, over twenty years later, despite our crazy individual schedules, Pete and I have carved out time to hit the road together with our acoustic guitars for ten shows, starting in New Hampshire on September 21, and finishing in Key West on October 31! Jim is going to join us for a couple of shows and Pete’s son Brendan will be joining us as well. I always look forward to these shows and look forward to seeing you!!
September 21 – Peter, Jim Mayer, Scott and Brendan at Rivermill at Dover Landing ; Dover, NH
September 22 – Peter, Jim Mayer, Scott and Brendan at the Sandbar Grill ; Taunton, MA
September 23 – Peter, Scott and Brendan at Madison Beach Hotel; Madison, CT
September 24 – Peter, Scott and Brendan at The Stephen Talkhouse ; Amagansett, NY
September 25 – Peter, Scott and Brendan at The Deck at Harbor Pointe; Essington, PA
September 26 – Peter, Scott and Brendan at Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro; Somers Point, NJ
September 27 – Peter, Scott and Brendan at Ashland Coffee & Tea ; Ashland, VA
September 28 – Peter, Scott and Brendan at Boatyard Bar and Grill, Annapolis, MD
September 29 – Peter and Scott, with Special Guests Brendan Mayer on guitar and vocals, and Gary Green on harmonica at Harris Pavilion; Manassas , VA
October 31 – Peter and Scott at Smokin’ Tuna Saloon; Key West, FL
Please visit the website for event times and ticket information.
Thanks for listening!
Scott
Copyright Scott Kirby 2012. All rights reserved. www.scottkirby.com
Store
VIDEO
Copyright © 2025 Down East Down West Inc.