07.17.07
Posted in Tour Summer 2007 at 5:52 pm by kat
Thanks to my friend, Jill and her exhusband, Ian, I have spent the last two days discovering the beauties of England from the point of view of the British Waterways. Ian is an antique woodworker that developed a resin that is used on some antique French furniture in the Vicoria and Albert Museum in London. He has since decided to use his woodworking skills on the narrowboats. He has a narrowboat called ”The Antique of Wordsley” he generously provided for my last two days here in England. The Antique is on its way to London for a six week tour as soon as school lets out here for the summer. We journeyed through a few locks and then moored the boat. We walked around and stopped at local pubs along the way the last two nights. Monday night, I sang at a pub called “The Katie Fitzgerald” where live musicians are featured. This used to be one of Paul’s pubs he hosted, so they knew of “Kat Rose” and at least one came up to tell me they loved my cd. He prefaced his comment, by “no disrespect, please take this as a compliment,” said he puts my cd on at night and my voice calms him and he can sleep. I thought that was very sweet. The audience was great, bought me drinks, made kind comments and enjoyed especially, my original tunes and sang along with the few covers I included. I didn’t have my camera at the time, but a few friends took photos on their cameras and promised to send them to me, so more later on that. I have been invited back by the owner, Eddie Morton, anytime I come tour again in this area, name the date. Eddie reciprocated by singing some of his tunes and gave me his cd that will be out in September. It seems there are pubs on just about every corner in England, and at least one out of each 50 features music. After the night of music, it was back to the narrowboat life.I had no idea any of this existed, so being on a narrowboat and traveling through the locks of the waterways visiting landmarks that include music has been a huge treat on this part of my tour.
Before I go on, I think it is only right to explain what I am talking about. The British developed an intricate system of waterways throughout England and Wales to transport primarily coal during the Industrial Era, starting in the 1700s. James Brindly was the chief engineer that figured how everything was to work. Each lock became a trial and error of different thoughts, but mostly they all worked, so they are almost all still in use today. Because of the different levels of the rivers, there is a system of locks somewhat like the Panama Canal to adjust for the differences water levels. The boats that carried the coal had to be narrow to allow for travel through the locks. In the modern age, the British Waterways have narrowboats that are accomodated with sleeping quarters, kitchenettes, bathrooms and a lounge area for the citizenry on holiday or tourists. The boats travel only about 2-4 miles per hour, but it is a great way to see another side of the countryside.
Yes, those of you who have asked, I did have fish and chips today for lunch and tonight was Chicken Tikka Masala Curry from an Indian restaurant. I am getting the real British experience.
Tonight we pack for the Trowbridge Festival. This is supposed to be very different from Kerrville, so we shall see. Then on to Canterbury. I don’t think I will be able to continue the blog until I return from Canterbury, so I will try to write in my journal to add here later.
Blessings to all… Kat Rose
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07.15.07
Posted in Tour Summer 2007 at 3:14 pm by kat
Third day and the jet lag and late nights are starting to set in. I am ready to slow down for a bit. Jill and I are heading to the longboat holiday for the next couple of days, so no blogs whilst (that is the British way to say while) on the canals of England. I will make sure to take lots of photos.
The 40th Birthday Party was a great success. There were many musicians present who joined in on the fun. Lots of friends, lots of laughs, lots of food, lots of drink, lots of music. What else could anyone want?
I met a fellow named Luke who said he managed Townes Van Zandt when he toured the UK. Luke also joined on on the harmonica on a few tunes. Paul joined in on the flute and Mick played a great mandolin. I had a bit of a slip when a string broke, but several guitar offers kept the music going. The requests were a hit as were my originals. Lots of praise on my originals and shouts of “brilliant” on the tune Paul always requests, “La Bamba.” Their favorite tune of the night was “The Water is Wide.” Good classic folk tune made the Brits feel right at home.
The host and hostess birthday girl were lovely people and their home was very nice. They had a British Bar-b-que Birthday Party. A little different than a Texas Bar-b-que.
I just got notice I need to prepare for the longboats, so that is all for now. Please make sure to see the photos on the www.katrose.com website. More later.
TaTa for now,
Kat Rose
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07.14.07
Posted in Tour Summer 2007 at 11:31 am by kat
Practiced most of the day, polishing up some tunes with Paul on the whistles or the mandolin. We drove down to Bromsgrove to the Festival mainly to hear Show of Hands and then continue with the Sessions Tent to get in on the music. I tried out my new camera and the little bugger records videos quite well. The only bad thing is my hands shaking, but the sound is very decent.
I am starting to understand why so many friends have been trying to get me to tour in the UK. I see this tour more as a looksee for the future, like shaking hands so I can check out the experience and so the Brits can check out who this Texan woman “Kat Rose” is. The attitude towards live music here in the UK is so different than in the US, except for maybe music lovers like Kerrverts or the great gang at the JP Hops House in Houston, but then they are a special breed of people. Here in the UK, it seems the general population listen to every word and every note.
The opening band for the night was a typical British pub trio of sorts. People were enamored with every song and they were all old British folk songs. It was like if Americans all sang along on “I’ve Been Working On the Railroad.” It made me think of Peter, Paul and Mary a lot. Peter Yarrow is at the Kerrville Folk Festival every year bringing his cheer and encouraging us hardheaded Americans to get into the music (you can Peter Yarrow in the photos I have from Kerrville on the My Space Photos giving a bit of his wisdom at the Songwriting School at mainstage… I am seated right behind him.)
Next up was the feature of the night, the band SHOW OF HANDS. Steve Knightly is an amazing songwriter and performer. Phil Beer and Miranda Sykes compliment Steve and the three of them put on a brilliant show (you have to learn to say brilliant a lot in the UK… almost like the US “awesome”). Each of them are accomplished musicians and I loved every second of the set. I recorded a few videos but my favorite is “Cousin Jack”, no maybe “America”… no … well, I plan to get a dvd of their performance in the Sir Albert Hall if I can find a compatible format. EVERYONE SANG EVERY WORD TO EVERY SONG!
I spoke to them afterwards and Steve mentioned Slaid Cleaves (a Kerrville favorite) would be joining them on tour and asked me to inform Slaid what a brilliant time he would have with them in the UK. It might be hard to bring Slaid back home to the US once the Brits hear him. Phil mentioned he had been to Austin (I think at SXSW) and went on about Show of Hands has had so many requests to come to the US to tour but they have been having lots of problems getting permission to tour the US from the government as they are independents and not part of a huge record company. Hmm… need to find out what can be done about that. If any of you reading this have info, please email me. We took some photos and then it was time to jam. Some of the folks I met the night before who asked to book me at their venue told me I was to make sure to come back for the auditions for the Bromsgrove Fest and a few others. Paul has other ideas, so we shall see.
It is normal for Brits to get into the music and sing along for every song. I have found most Brits know how to play some sort of musical instrument and many know how to read music very well. People seem to really get into the music here like the diehard fans in the US. Seems like everyone is a diehard fan here for someone. Why not a hardheaded woman from Texas? There was a sessions tent and another group of folks in the pub. Their reaction to my music is very sincere and heart-felt. It is so humbling and wonderful as a musician to see their faces when I sing.
At one point I was escorted to meet the organizer of the fest and he was encouraged by those folks for him to book me for the next year’s festival. That was a hoot. The pub manager asked me for a cd to play in the pub and I obliged of course. I kept getting requests and whisked away here and there having a lovely time. Paul found me and announced it was time to call it a night. I left a little of Kat Rose behind with my music and cds. Yes, time to leave but I am taking lots of memories of another lovely night of affirmation and lots of music.
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07.13.07
Posted in Tour Summer 2007 at 11:04 am by kat
The flight over was basically ok, except I had made arrangements to carry my guitar on with me, everyone was so agreeable and kind at British Airways. I waited in the long line to board with a woman eyeing me from the ticket counter every second. I was hoping she did not practice the black arts trying to give me the evil eye, but the other lady was smiling, so I had hope. Holding my bag with my Kat Rose CDs and my guitar, I inched my way to board, but as I was came to the plane entrance the evil eye lady grabbed my guitar from my hands upset that I had the audacity to think I would get away with my guitar on the plane. Needless to say, I was a bit….. surpirsed and upset worried to end up on my UK tour with a busted guitar. I said a little prayer as I took my seat and hoped my old gal would be safe on the other end of the pond.
The time passed rather quickly and we arrived to London on time, got through with my passport and items rather painlessly. The coach for Birmingham was right outside the exit door. I had time to buy some snacks for the 3 hour journey. Be sure if traveling to be warned that things in the UK are quite pricey. A water, a juice, a small sandwich and cost nearly £10, which is about $20. The coach folk were kind and helpful, but they had overbooked the trip, so we were held back at each stop arriving a total of an hour and a half late in Birmingham. The people on the bus were livid as they were late at their connections. I just listened and have become quite a people watcher. Interesting how people are so alike and so different in odd ways. More later on that.
Brummie Paul was waiting at the coach station for me and handed me a pound asking me if I needed the loo. Yes, it costs money to use a public restroom.They had a WC on the coach, but didn’t try it out. I gladly accepted the coin and found my way to the turnstile to the proper loo. Guess Paul knows me pretty well.
Birmingham is a big city comparible in many ways to Houston, so arriving late made us right in the worst time for traffic, so it took over a full hour to get to Paul’s terraced house in Quarry Bank in the Black Country where I found my old gal guitar fine and in one piece. All was well in the world again. Dudley, West Midlands is quaint and lovely. He has a beautiful garden in the back of his house where we had a cup of tea and enjoyed the one beautiful day they have had in six weeks of rain. Pete, his neighbor, visited over the fence and asked me what my “tippers” was. I was dumbfounded and waited for Paul’s assistance to answer the question. Pete wanted to know what I drank, it seems so he could have offered me a pint. Paul let him know I drank wine. It seems I will need to learn to drink a proper British beer to open myself for people to be able to offer me a drink to be polite and courteous.
Jill, Paul’s girlpal, came by after work with her son, Glen, to take us to a sessions night at a local pub. We came to a nice pub filled with locals with guitars singing oddly enough many American tunes so I joined them on harmonies to their surprise. When it came to my turn, I sang “Coyote Whispers” and they joined me on the chorus. Smiles abounded and they were very kind in their comments and applause. After a few more tunes, at the break, they asked if I had a cd and if I would sign it for them. Luckily enough I brought some and obliged. There were folks that host gigs there asking me if they could book me so that was lucky. They took to me and my music asking if I could return during my visit. I didn’t have to buy my drinks, shared some tunes, solicited for gigs, and sold cds…. I’d say that is a great night for a performing songwriter. 
Tonight is the Bromsgrove Folk Festival. Steve Knightly is the highlight of the night. I have been watching Paul’s music videos of Steve’s band “Show of Hands”. I am very impressed. Good music for sure. The folks that want me to gig said they had a pub tent tonight and they want me to sing I guess to try me out with a crowd. The weather has turned gray again so who knows what will happen.
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07.09.07
Posted in Tour Summer 2007 at 11:23 am by kat
MUSIC ~ JAM SESSIONS ~ FESTIVALS ~ SIGHTS ~ FRIENDS
LOOK OUT ENGLAND!! Kat Rose is coming, Kat Rose is coming!
London, Birmingham, Trowbridge Folk Festival, Bromsgrove Folk Festival, Nottingham, Canterbury are a few stops this summer. I am meeting up with some of my great friends and planning to enjoy lots music.
My best bud from the UK, Paul Cocking, or “Brummie Paul” as he is commonly called has reminded me he has been to Texas four times and it was high time for a Kat Rose Tour of the UK. He has set up lots for me to do regarding music, to listen to the sounds of the Brits and of course to sing and spread some Texas tunes over there. Paul adds his whistles to the Kat Rose band when he is in town and a LOT of laughter. He also plays the guitar and mandocello on traditional British tunes in the style of Kate Rusby and Show of Hands. We have a great time with the music.
I arrive to England Thursday, July 12th and the music starts that night at a session planned at a pub. Friday is the Bromsgrove Folk Festival: www.bromsgrovefolkclub.co.uk Saturday is music for a private party for a chap turning 40.
My relaxing time is Monday and Tuesday to take in the ambiance of the countryside. Paul’s galpal, Jill, is taking me to an outting on the canals of England on some longboats towards Nottingham and Sherwood Forest. On Wednesday, July 18th, we set off in a band of 20 to the Trowbridge Folk Festival for five days. Lots of great music there on the stages. In the UK there are also very many opportunities to have more sessions at the festivals.
Then I am to go to a bed and breakfast at Canterbury for a couple of days to recover and see some sights, before I head back to Birmingham. My dear friends that meet up at Kerrville that visit from Birmingham every year, Sandra and Lee have an art/performance project studio found here: www.livearts.co.uk They have some sessions planned at their studio while I am there.
I think maybe Paul wants to see how I handle things before he tells me much more. Paul has a few other things planned but I will write about that later as he devulges information to me.
On Sunday, July 29th, I am going to take a few chill days in London to see some sights before I return to Texas. I am staying in a hotel in the Victoria area near Buckingham Palace and the museums are. I may do a bit of busking in London for the experience. For those who may not know what busking is, think of the movies where musicians open up their guitar case and perform on the street while people walking by put change or bills in the case. I did some research and it seems like a cool thing to try out just for the memory. http://www.londonlogue.com/travel-tips/random-stuff/busking-on-london-transport.html I found I can’t do it in the “tube” in the half moon circles painted for buskers. These need to be licensed with auditions and judgement for quality first. I don’t have that kind of time, but I might one day.
I don’t plan on just being a typical American tourist in the UK. Maybe I can pull off knowing a little more British behavior and I won’t stick out too much like a mad Texas bull in a china shop. But then I might just be a “prat” and tell everyone “bollocks.” 
Say a prayer for me and my adventures. Make a toast for all of us that we all have a JOLLY GOOD TIME! I will take lots of photos and share with everyone the details of my journey to the magic of music in the UK, Kat Rose Style of course.
MUSIC SWELLS: “Ya Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet… no no no baby, you just ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Signing off until I blog from the UK… Love yas, Kat Rose
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06.22.06
Posted in June 2006 at 11:34 am by kat
ROSE GARDEN HOUSE CONCERTS This may be a few years in the making, but one step at a time. Tony has demolished the middle bathroom and taken out a closet to prepare for a powder room and full bath. With the apartment bathroom, we will have three public potties for the future house concerts. With the Kerrville connections, I am hoping to have a great series start soon.
GIGS To those of you who have been disappointed I am not a full-time musician: I have stepped into a few great gigs and helped out friends when I can. I can’t say I am sorry because so much good has come out of my time in other areas. I have been spreading my energies out a lot MOMwise, TEACHERwise, and CHARITYwise, so the DIVA Musician “Kat Rose” has sort of been distracted, but it is all good. My sons are getting into music, I have a big science grant for next year, and the Kids Music Workshop is off to a great start. I feel very blessed right now. Good and bad, things seem to be on course. I have many dreams and it will all just take time to come to fruition.
KIDS MUSIC WORKSHOP 
We recorded the original tune, “Believe” at Saylor White’s studio this week. Priscila also recorded her original tune, “Seasons” just in time to go visit her mom in Mexico with her own CD and don’t forget her own GUITAR!
KERRVILLE NEWS LATER Just back from the Kerrville Folk Festival. Ahh Kerrville…. more about Kerrville when I can debrief in the Kerrville spirit.
SOLAR ENERGY GRANT
I applied for an A+ Energy Grant from BP and I GOT IT! I have so much preparation and work to do to accomplish everything I wrote in the grant. They provided us with a class act dinner at NASA that cut my time in Kerrville off a full day. I will post a copy of my grant on my teacher website for anyone who is interested in reading it. The main objective is for my middle school kids to become STUDENT AMBASSADORS learning all they can then going to the neighborhood elementary school and associations to motivate others to action. There might be a Solar Energy Kerrville Connection here in the future, too. If things go right with fundraising and all of our projects, I will take a group of students to a Science Conference next summer (after Kerrville of course!) to Virginia and Washington, D.C. .
CLEANING Transfering from elementary to middle school, divorcing and moving has resulted in many dozens of boxes to go through and give away. I have completed about a dozen boxes and have about 90 more to go through. My teacher niece, my home school neighbors are happy to see the goodies. What they don’t want goes to other charities. I am happy to see others use my huge collection of books and materials.
MY BOYS Michael was infected with the MUSE BUG as he was involved with the Kids Music Workshop. He finds himself picking up the guitar at all hours of the day. He has even started to show Matthew some chords. They had a great time at Kerrville saying it was the best vacation ever. They especially liked when we went to the river. Nice cool spring waterfalls. They have some summer reading to do for school. One is entering the first year of high school and the other is entering the first year of middle school. God help us all! God bless Paul.
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