Grace Ackerman: News

My focus this year has been on teaching. This is the first time most of my students have been young, rather than adult, and I have enjoyed it quite a bit. Now the music school season is over and students are scattering for the summer, although a few will continue on with their lessons even when the swimming pool beckons.

If you check out the photos you will see a new entry. Ailish had a very successful performance of "Two is Better Than One" at the June recital. She was the only person to both play and sing - quite an accomplishment for a first year student.

I'm psyched. As of today, my song, "Lullaby of Boston" is up on my web site. To hear a clip and see the lyrics, click on the Music tab and then click on the song title.

I am still a Garage Band learner, so improvements will come, along with more songs. But for now, here I am (almost) live.

At Last! I have begun writing songs again. Joined two songwriting groups, and may even start a small one of my own. As a result of a marathon songwriting session, I have five new songs to polish and unleash on unsuspecting open mikes around the area.

I highly recommend writing with others or at least getting together to get a a different take on what you've been hatching.

I've been playing with Garage Band, and hope to get some of my tunes up on this web site soon.

BTW, if you ever want an excellent songwriting class, I recommend getting in touch with Bob Franke, who periodically does an excellent workshop for both beginning and experienced writers.

For the past few months, I've been doing a lot of teaching. My general theory is that the more guitar players there are, the happier place the world will be!

I enjoy teaching a lot, and keep my rates low so more people can try out guitar without making a major investment. Maybe I'll see you some day.

Just went to Geoff Bartley's exciting CD release party in Somerville 2 weeks ago, and it's gotten me all fired up to improve my playing a notch or two. The man can play!

I've been out of the teaching and playing out scene for some time as I was caring for an elderly relative, but I'm back now. Went to the friendly and relaxed Twice Told Tales open mike in West Concord. Great to see and hear old friends again.

Here's my resolution for 2009 - play out more - at least once a month. Who knows, maybe I'll run into some of you.

It's been a busy year, although not so much in the performing end of things. I have gone back to "school" with my long time teacher Geoff Bartley in an attempt to make my guitar playing more robust.

I've tended to scattergun, just being able to get through one piece and then rushing to another. I plan to break that habit - it's my New Years Resolution.

I wish you all a healthy and happy and musical new year.

It's been a rough few months, filled more with family concerns and the death of my beloved cat, Ruby Tuesday. I've also been hibernating and working on polishing my playing. I expect to get back on the open mike circuit this summer, so stay tuned.

Last Sunday, October 23rd, one of my guitar students, the lovely young Rock n Roller, Zahira, had her open mike debut at the PCA open mike in Westford.

Seemingly without first time jitters, she played and sang "Rock Around the Clock" and "Waltzing Matilda".

She got an enthusiastic audience response and I suspect this won't be her last time in front of a microphone. Check out the fuzzy photo in the Photo Gallery.

Congratulations Zahira!

Had a wonderful time at SAMW week 2. Perfect weather, except for the downpour during the first bar-b-que.

A bit of excitement as the lights went out for about 20 minutes during one of the open mikes. We switched on flashlights and sang a dozen or so verses of "This Little Light of Mine".

Maybe I always say this, but I thought the quality of the performers was unusually high this year.

Fell in love with the Appalachin Dulcimer in Lorraine Hammonds class and now have one on order.

Had a very enjoyable feature at John Ferullo and Betsi Mandrioli's open mike at the Parish Center for the Arts Sunday night. I use the term "cook-out" because it was steamy hot. I almost lost my glasses as they kept slipping off my nose, and the guitar felt like a wet fish.

Wonderful evening though. In honor of my habit of wearing fancy hats when I perform, several of the regulars sported humorous or dashing headgear. Stay cool, all. I'm going to buckle down and work on my CD.

Had a wonderful time Monday, May 23rd doing the feature at the Cantab Lounge. A good crowd, lots of friends, most fine performers in their own right.

Many thanks to them, to Geoff Bartley, the host, and to P.J. Shapiro on the board.

Last night was the third session of one of Bob Franke's great songwriting workshops. Now comes the hard part - turning a song from a sketch into something polished and effective. And I'm so bad at taking direction--sigh. Stay tuned.

Trekked up to NH to Basil Harris' Village Gate open mike in Brookline NH. Great friendly room, nice folks and you can bring in your own drinkables. Who could ask for more?