A Poem: Dear Dear Tick

This poem is the first part of my second cannon "Things That Are Really Small, But Make A Difference". It is dedicated to the deer tick at the Folk Festival in Chester County that gave me Lyme Disease last June.

Dear Deer Tick,
Are you Joking Me?
Seriously, Deer Tick, are you kidding?
Who do you think you are, to begin with, anyway?
You hide out in the tall grass,
Waiting for me as I pass, flying a kite, or
Basically skipping in the sunlight of morning.
Just being myself, Deertick.
Just trying to be a pal and get along with everybody
And then you jump on me, and treat my body like
Your personal clubhouse, and you call me your host
Like my body is a party. Is my body a party?
Is it, Deertick? Because I feel wicked awful right now
You raptured my body with a hurricane of flu-like syptoms
Dear Deertick,
This poem is plum awful.
You were a moment
Lyme disease is forever
You locked into my with your never unclenching jaws
With undying fervor. Fervormore, Deertick,
I hate you with my soul.
You alone hit my bullseye rash
And Doxycycline hurts my stomach.
Dear Deertick...

3 Weeks Until We Record!

On April 18th, I am going to pack the Sons of Thunder into my Ford Taurus, and drive up to Hudson, NY to record my very first record with legendary producer Henry Hirsch (Lenny Kravitz, Madonna).

I can feel the hot breath of my own anticipation, going over songs in my sleep, working on schedules and contracts...

I've also been brushing up on my trumpet, as I am going to be laying down my own horn tracks, alongside bassist Andrew Nelson, who is doubling on trombone and also doing some horn arranging.

We are doing ten or eleven songs, including many of our hit numbers...

James Sugg

There are few artists who really have their finger on the pulse of a generation. James Sugg says that I am one of them.

I first met Sugg when I moved to Philly from Rhode Island. I was looking for someone to accompany me on the accordion. He never called me back, so I invited and fellow Rhode Islander, Deb "Stache" Sorenson, to join me. I tried for a while to pass her off as James Sugg, and I think it worked for a while... This, of course, led to an artistic relationship that lasted until Stache quit last year, outside the Fringe Cabaret at 2:30 a.m.

But I have been able to admire James through all of his successes and awards, especially with my good friends at Pig Island Theatre Company. This resulted in a wonderful song that debuted at the last Lefty Lucy Cabaret in February. James Sugg, this is for you.

PW Shoot Footage

Here's some footage from my photo shoot last week. It was a strange and blustery night outside the Ric Rac. I had just come from a gig across town, and happened to have my guitar with me...

Run For Cover!

To be honest, I've tried to be very cool about this. I've played it off, and tried to say that this is just part of business, but Mama Ciacassi called me up, crying. She is just so proud. And I have to say, I'm a little proud, too. So here it is. My very first cover and feature article. Thanks to Tara Murtha and photographer Jeff Fusco. Read the article here...

Photo By John Huber

Connie's Ric Rac, February 19, 2011

Album Recording Dates!!

Every time we play, people are asking when an album is coming out... Well, I am thrilled to announce that I have finally found a great producer for my very first studio album. On April 18, Rumi Kitchen, the Truth, the Sons of Thunder and I are heading up to Hudson, NY, where we will spend ten days in the studio with legendary producer Henry Hirsch, who has produced all of Lenny Kravitz's albums. He is also responsible for Madonna's "Justify My Love", which stands as one of the great compositions of the late 20th Century. He has also worked with Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson! His next masterpiece, My Album to-be-named, will be out this summer! Stay tuned to the blog for details...

I became connected with Henry as I was working on my own self-produced album, Mystic Ticket, and called my old pal Rachel Russell to see if she would mix it. She now works for Henry, and encouraged me to send my stuff to him. He fell in love with our sound, and with Rachel, will co-produce my record in a studio built in a beautiful old church... Don't worry, the psychedelic odyssey Mystic Ticket will be out next year!