The Original Song I Will Never Play Live
Hello All,
Today I’m releasing two tracks I recorded back in 2007. I think of them often around Halloween. The first one is a home studio recording that I won’t likely ever play out live, but the more I say that, the more I want to try.
Art by Sophia Burge
I Hope Fred Doesn’t Get Rabies (2007 Demo) (CLICK TO LISTEN)
This song was inspired by a group email I received from John Barnes. The lyrics are pretty much just me reading his email. John used to send some interesting emails, and I’m not sure if this is a true story or not, but my gut tells me it is. The subject of the email was “Should I Worry”? It’s the story of an old dog suddenly turning into a killer.
I first met John Barnes on University Avenue in Morgantown in front of the Sunnyside Superette. My good buddy Owen Davis introduced us by saying, “Todd is from Parkersburg”. I reached out my hand and asked John where he was from, and he said “Earth”.
The track is all played by me except for the drum machine. Jaw harp, harmonica, kazoo, cymbals, guitar. I had recently purchased a Zoom RhythmTrak RT-323 and was creating some demos with it for my upcoming album, My Lost and Found. I remember sitting with Tim O’Brien and David Ferguson at the Butcher Shoppe in Nashville, and Ferg asking me if I played pop or hip hop after hearing some of my demos. The answer was no, but I sure enjoyed the question.
Cover Artwork by Sophia Burge
My Kinda Town (2007) CLICK TO LISTEN
I believe I wrote this song back in ’91 or ’92. It was originally released on a compilation called New Music Feast, then later I made a new recording of it on my album Tin Since. This 2007 version was placed on my “best of” release entitled Most Requested (1989-2000), which is found only on my Bandcamp page. I felt like some of my older songs had developed and morphed into something new and I wanted to document it with this release.
I was once a suit salesman stuck in the body of a songwriter. First at JC Penny’s, then Stone and Thomas. I accidentally fell into this retail position after four years at WVU, getting signed to a record label, moving to San Francisco, going broke, moving back to WV. The lyrics were mostly written in the stockroom at Stone & Thomas during the holiday rush. In-between customers of course. I ran the suit department there for a while and wrote songs in my head the entire time.
I hope you enjoy these two songs.
Thank you for everything.
Love,
Todd
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ESBENSHADE SERIES 2022-2023 ANNOUNCED!
FRAN LEBOWITZ, ALISA AMADOR (2022 NPR TINY DESK WINNER) THE DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND, THE BOB THOMPSON QUARTET with MEREDITH DEAN AUGUSTIN & THE NAI-NI CHEN DANCE COMPANY
Once again, the Esbenshade Series at Marietta College will offer an eclectic roster of performers and speakers that will entertain and inspire audiences throughout the 2022-23 academic year as four of the five events will be conducted at the Peoples Bank Theatre in downtown Marietta.
The series, funded by the Frederica G. Esbenshade Memorial Fund, has once again procured five first-rate acts that are free of charge to the public starting on Friday, September 16th. This is the first year that Todd Burge, Director of the Esbenshade Series, has organized the schedule and he is excited by the talent that will perform.
“We have an impressive lineup of musicians, dancers and an author who I know will appeal to the Mid-Ohio Valley, but also to Marietta College alumni who travel back to be a part of the Esbenshade Series,” Burge said. “Thanks to the Esbenshade family and the College, this series provides people an opportunity to see and hear from some extremely talented people at no cost. I am confident each of these events will be well received.”
The Bob Thompson Quartet, along with guest vocalist Meredith Dean Augustin, will kick things off on Friday, September 16th at Peoples Bank Theatre. Ticket reservations begin Monday, August 8th, and are limited to four per person.
Thompson, a West Virginia Music Hall inductee, is perhaps the state’s best-loved musician and ambassador of jazz. He has touched many people’s lives both as an internationally known entertainer and a teacher. Thompson’s appearances on BET, as the house pianist on the NPR show Mountain Stage, and several tours abroad have made him a visible presence in the jazz world for more than 40 years. In addition, for the past two decades Thompson’s annual holiday jazz show, “Joy to the World,” has become a regular feature of Public Radio International’s holiday programming.
When she is not on the road presenting workshops and concerts at conferences throughout the country, Augustin can be found performing quarterly shows in New York City, selling out jazz clubs such as Club Bonafide, Gin Fizz, and the Triad Theatre, to name a few. In the jazz world she has performed with Etienne Stadwijk, John Benitez, Dave Kikoski, Axel Tosca and many others.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band will take the stage at Peoples Bank Theatre at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, November 20th. Ticket reservations begin October 10th and are limited to four per person.
Celebrating over 40 years since its founding in 1977, the New Orleans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band has taken the traditional foundation of brass band music and incorporated it into a blend of genres including Bebop Jazz, Funk and R&B/Soul. This unique sound, described by the band as a “musical gumbo,” has allowed the Dirty Dozen to tour across five continents and more than 30 countries, record 12 studio albums and collaborate with a range of artists from Modest Mouse to Widespread Panic to Norah Jones.
Following the College’s winter break, the winner of the 2022 NPR Tiny Desk Contest, Alisa Amador, will perform at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, January 21st, at The Gathering Place on Marietta College’s campus. Tickets are not needed to attend. (First come, first-served)
Amador’s music is a synthesis of the many styles she’s voraciously absorbed: rock, jazz, funk and alternative folk, all wrapped in the spirit of the Latin music she grew up with. NPR's Cyrena Touros calls her “a pitch-perfect rendition of my wildest dreams.” Amador’s soulful singing, poetically incisive lyrics, and syncopated rhythms are likely to make you cry, laugh, and dance all within one set. Amador released her debut EP, Narratives, in 2021.
The Esbenshade Series returns to Peoples Bank Theatre on Sunday, March 5th, as Emmy-nominated author, journalist and social commentator Fran Lebowitz takes the stage at 3:00 p.m. Ticket reservations begin January 23rd and are limited to four per person.
In a cultural landscape filled with endless pundits and talking heads, Lebowitz stands out as one of the most insightful social commentators. Her essays and interviews offer her acerbic views on current events and the media — as well as pet peeves including tourists, baggage-claim areas, after-shave lotion, adults who roller skate, children who speak French, or anyone who is unduly tan. The New York Times Book Review calls Lebowitz an “important humorist in the classic tradition.” Purveyor of urban cool, Lebowitz is a cultural satirist whom many call the heir to Dorothy Parker.
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, which has been creating dances professionally for more than 30 years in the United States, is the final Esbenshade Series performance of the 2022-23 season. Nai-Ni Chen will perform at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, April 2nd, at Peoples Bank Theatre. Ticket reservations begin February 20th and are limited to four per person.
Bridging the grace of Asian elegance and American dynamism, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is a premier provider of innovative cultural experiences that reflect the inspiring hope and energy of the immigrant's journey. The company’s ground-breaking works have focused on themes from ancient legends that reflect issues of the present time to purely abstract, contemporary dances influenced by a mix of cultures that the late Nai-Ni Chen experienced in New York. An Asian American company that celebrates cross-cultural experience, the Company's productions naturally bring forth issues of identity, authenticity, and equality.
These events have been funded by the Frederica G. Esbenshade Memorial Fund, which provides annual income for the purpose of bringing lectures, performing artists, and programs of diverse nature to the campus and community at large. The endowed fund was established in 1980 by Harry H. Esbenshade Sr., and Harry H. Esbenshade Jr., husband and son, respectively, of the late Mrs. Esbenshade of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. All events are free and open to the public.
Further information on the series is available at www.marietta.edu/esbenshade-series or by contacting the Esbenshade Series director, Todd Burge at toddburgemusic@gmail.com
For shows at the Peoples Bank Theatre, reserve your seats for free at peoplesbanktheatre.com or call the Peoples Bank Theatre Box Office at (740) 371-5152.
The WV Shirt Owen Davis' Mom Gave Me
Back in the 90s, I performed many a show with pal Owen Davis. When we played in Morgantown, I would often stay the night at his mother’s house. Mary Davis lived near Cheat Lake. A wonderful home tucked away in a wooded area. I believe Owen grew up in that house. I loved waking up and having coffee and breakfast with Mary and Owen. One time we had dinner before our show and Mary presented us both with the WV t-shirt picture here. I wore it for years and still have it as a keepsake. I’m showing my West Virginia. We hope to see old friends and new when Owen and I return to 123 Pleasant Street in Morgantown on July 29th. TICKETS HERE!
Love
Todd
What's Your Favorite Song From WV?
Hello All!
Today is West Virginia’s birthday! This has me wondering what your favorite WV song is. It might be a song by a West Virginian or about West Virginia. Lay em on me? As I finish up the musical that I’ve been writing with Larry Groce over the last year and a half, I still have time to play a smattering of shows and hope to see you out and about. Please check out my upcoming shows on my TOUR PAGE.
Want WV Songs by Todd Burge? Click here
Love and Peace!
Todd
Todd Talks with Jerry Douglas
My conversation with dobro master and 14 time Grammy winner, Jerry Douglas. Jerry will be playing with Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Sierra Hull, Michael Cleveland, Bryan Sutton and others July 29th, 2022 at Peoples Bank Theatre in Marietta Ohio
Groce & Burge Reveal New Musical Project May 14th!
New Project by GROCE & BURGE!
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New Project by GROCE & BURGE! 〰️
Larry Groce and Todd Burge
FIRST LISTEN!
Be the first to hear a song from the upcoming collaboration
by Larry Groce & Todd Burge!Thanks to the Ohio Arts Council, Groce and Burge have spent the last year and a half writing a musical that deals with the rich history of the Mid-Ohio Valley, with a focus on Marietta Ohio.
They will briefly describe their collaboration and share a song with the audience before
The Fields of Gettysburg on May 14th at 8 pm at The Peoples Bank Theatre. Get your tickets here!
Why Béla Fleck's Timing is So Amazing - A Ten Second Read
Last night, Béla Fleck won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album!
I’m writing this at 10 AM the next morning, as tickets for Béla’s show go on sale at The Peoples Bank Theatre.
Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Sierra Hull, Michael Cleveland, Bryan Sutton and others will join Béla on June 29th at the historic Marietta Ohio Theatre.
Damn!
Read more about Béla’s Grammy Win HERE
Bobbie Nelson Died. A Piece of My Childhood Gone?
Has a piece of my childhood passed? Years ago, when I was in the 11th grade, I would lay in my bedroom in the a-framed house on Jesterville Rd in Wood County that Dad had built.
A teenager hiding away. Mom had introduced me to Willie Nelson, and I got gone on his music. Most high schoolers at the time were into the Stones, Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, etc and I was into all of that too, but Willie and Family hit a missed spot. Out my window, nothing but the hills and woods of West Virginia. In my head, nothing but teen angst and imagination. Dreams.
On my turntable, Willie and Family Live would spin for hours on end. I’d listen while staring at the double album cover. I still to this day feel that it is one of the best Rock and Roll albums of all time. Listen to that bone-crunching guitar break in Bloody Mary Morning and tell me I’m wrong. But rock aside, there’s beauty in that album. Touching delicate moments, and many of those moments were centered around Bobbie Nelson’s upright piano. Listen to Bobbie play Just As I Am here.
Maybe it tied me to my younger days when I would attend Sand Hill United Methodist Church in Boaz WV. The church my Grandpa helped build back in the 50s. Mom would take us every Sunday morning and sometimes we’d go Sunday evenings and Wednesdays too. We’d sit beside Grandma and Grandpa while their neighbor, Virginia Lott would play the upright piano, and we would sing those hymns that you likely know. Church in the Wildwood, Peace in Valley, How Great Thou Art.
A bit later on grandpa bought mom a spinet piano and this became my first instrument. My introduction to music creation. (Read More Below*) Virginia Lott was the go-to piano teacher in Boaz. My older brother Max started taking lessons before I did and Mom too. I'll never forget walking into the living room and watching Max play The Entertainer. My mind was blown, and I had to find out what it felt like to make that piano sound that way.
The headline this morning? Bobbie Nelson Has Died. It's the end of an upright era. The beautiful sounds that came from her piano are embedded deep into my soul.
The sound of siblings locked in love. The sound of little ol' churches everywhere. I stepped away from the piano years ago and the guitar became my main instrument, but recently, I’ve picked it back up and I’m loving the reunion. A reunion with the sounds of my youth.
Dallas Gose, an early mentor of mine once said, “Musicians and songwriters never die. The sounds they create fall upon the ears of the next generation and live on. The inspiration is endless”.
Bobbie Nelson - Photo credit requested
I believe Bobbie Nelson and Dallas Gose will live forever. They put me “in spirit”. Your music will live forever too.
Love
Todd
*For more on my musical beginnings, check out
Songwriting in Contemporary West Virginia
by Travis Stimeling - WVU Press
Help Me Waste Time?
Good Monday morning. I have 1000 things to do this week and I'm stuck as to what to start on first. Ever feel this way? Before I begin, let’s procrastinate together by building a playlist. It’s time to waste time. I’ve started it off here. Best week to you! Hey, I’m playing a show in Morgantown this coming Sunday! Love, Todd
Time to Waste Time
What Would You Like To See On This Marquee?
Leave your ideas in the comments below
While you are making a long list of who you would love to see performing live, I am about to tell you about one act that I have already booked, that you absolutely must go see! More on that one act below.
In my last blog, I mentioned that one of my other jobs over the last couple of decades has been booking shows for local, regional, and national touring artists. I’m talking hundreds of shows for hundreds of acts.
I plan on telling this story here as completely as possible as I feel it has helped me tremendously as a touring singer-songwriter. What I have learned will certainly help any singer-songwriter/performer navigate this industry of ours with more confidence.
For the last six years, since they totally restored their beautiful historic space, I have been booking acts at the Peoples Bank Theatre in Marietta Ohio. I started helping the non-profit raise funds long before they restored the theatre. It took about 13 years to raise said funds, but the mission was finally accomplished and now, it is a living, breathing center for live entertainment of all sorts.
As I reread the paragraph above I realize that there are many stories to tell here. The story about how I set up songwriter showcases in many venues all over the Mid Ohio Valley to raise awareness that the theatre was being restored.
Back in 2012, I wrote 13 songs for a musical adaptation of Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost at the request of Hunt Brawley, PBT Exec Director, and Geoff Coward, theatrical director. The goal was to point to the future and let the artistic community know that their theatre would be a place of creativity, support, and inspiration. The truth has been realized with many programs that live in that space including my monthly songwriter group, The Song Colony.
But for now, let’s get back to that marquee. What would you like to see and hear on this historic stage? Here's what I have found. I cannot just book acts that I personally love. Actually, most of the acts that appear on the stage are not ones I have on regular rotation on my iPhone. They are all superb at what they do though.
And whenever I attempt to branch out and bring something new in, something that is not quite like anything else that has been on that stage, it is always a bit risky. It makes me a bit nervous as I know, if it doesn’t do well, this will make it more difficult to bring in other “like” acts in the future.
So, who is this act that I hope will sell out and lead us into a different world of music?
Which act is it, that I assure you, will blow your mind when you experience them live?
Who is this act that asked the theatre to make absolutely certain that we let everyone know that “audience participation at this event may include standing and dancing”?
They have won Grammys, have performed on Austin City Limits and Mountain Stage, and their lead singer is considered one of the greatest in the world.
I have never booked a more exciting live act.
If you are curious, CLICK HERE
More soon
Love you all,
Sincerely,
Todd
Who Wants To Hear This Story? My Journey as a Talent Buyer
I was just doing the math and over the last 20 years, I’ve performed well over 1000 shows. But wait, there’s more! During the same two decades, one of my other jobs has been booking shows for local, regional and national touring artists. I’m talking hundreds of shows for hundreds of acts including Tyler Childers, Bruce Dalzell, Brandi Carlisle, Sadie Johnson, Jake Binegar, Bob Thompson, OYO, REO Speedwagon Sierra Ferrell, The Mavericks, Lewis Black, Cracker, David Sedaris and so many more. Who would like to hear this story? I’m thinking it would be interesting for any music/performing arts lover, and I believe my story could help other artists find work and build a real career.
ALL BURGE BLOGS BEFORE FEBRUARY 1st 2022 ARE HERE
Photo by Perry Kirk - Morgantown, WV 1988
A Musical by Larry Groce and Todd Burge?
Over the last year, Larry Groce and I have been working on a musical. Guess what it's about? #musical #musicaltheatre thanks to
Ohio Arts Council Peoples Bank Theatre
