On many an occasion, I’m in between moments and suddenly a thought creeps into in my head. It could be as routine as checking my bank account, emailing someone or researching an idea. To the computer! The screen awakes from its screen saving slumber, I bring up my internet browser and up pops my home page. Staring me right in the face is an interesting looking headline that reads, Zombie Survival Course. Gotta click on that!

After a few minutes I finish the article and now know more about combating the post-apocalyptic walking dead than ever before, but alas, I can’t remember why the heck I got on the computer in the first place. After a subsequent visit to my doctor, I have now been diagnosed with I.D.D…..Internet Distraction Disorder. I’ve been given a prescription for something called Distractagone to help keep me more focused. Side-effects include pale grey skin, unhealed wounds, lack of communication skills, shuffling when trying to walk, a one track mind and an appetite for brains.

WARNING: If you’re planning on coming to a show anytime soon, I’d recommend Googling “Zombie Survival Course” first! 

In a matter of hours I will be smack dab in the middle of the Taste of Morena (Blvd, that is). My ‘hoods version of the glorious food sampling events that are sweeping the nation, which feature restaurants located in one concentrated area of the community. 13 stops for just $15! The first year I only made it through 7 places before the buttons on my Levis popped and I was suddenly wearing denim shackles around my ankles. I had to get outta there! Hopped on the next shuttle, since walking had become a problem, and the driver immediately knew I was in trouble by the look on my face. He could tell I wasn’t green with envy. That’s when he let me in on a little secret and gave me this tip. The seasoned pros who attend these gluttonous affairs and wish to get their money’s worth (believe me, I felt like I got my money’s worth after 6 places, but I had to push it didn’t I!), bring backpacks with tupperware and ziplock baggies. Brilliant! Pizza slice? Bag it! Pasta? Snap a lid on it! Eat the sushi, taco and pulled pork slider, save the leftover friendly stuff for later. Later being the next day, of course! Let’s see, I wonder what this little piggy is having for breakfast tomorrow? Well, from the smell of my backpack……I’m guessing some kind of goulash.

Had trouble getting out of bed this morning, didn’t want to do it for some reason. Must have spent 12 hours in and out of Dreamland, that’s unheard of for me! Especially when they’re digging up the sewer lines on the street right outside your window. There goes that backhoe backing up again, beep beep beep….
Oh must you my dear hoe?!

So I learned that waking up and falling back to sleep can really make for strange dream sequences. All over the place! And who are all these people in my dreams anyway? Most of these people I’ve never seen before, in real life! Where did they come from? Did I make them all up or are they indeed, real living, breathing humans that just somehow spontaneously materialize by way of my sneaky subconscious? If I do make them up myself well, they’re all anatomically correct, which is nice. 2 eyes, 2 ears, 1 nose….oh and the beautiful people! Sometimes I do feel like I’m kicking it with the cast of 90210, I must be dreaming! So why wouldn’t you hate those times when you wake up in the middle of a dream only to realize that the girl you were just having a conversation with and who also seems to be attracted to you, isn’t real. BUMMER!!! Why wouldn’t you try and fall back to sleep as quickly as possible in an attempt to pick up right where you left off? It’s only 10am.

Well, this morning was a little different. Here I was in another unfamiliar room surrounded by more unfamiliar people when the girl of my dream, sitting next to me, asks me if I know Charlie Runkle ( a character from a show called “Californication”)? Then in walks a bald, naked 40-something dude who grabs the unopened newspaper off the coffee table in front of me, smiles and walks out. I immediately woke up and I thought to myself, “Finally! Someone I recognize!” And that’s when I also decided, it was time to get out of bed!

Unbelievable time in Austin, TX for the SXSW Music Festival! I got to see so many great bands like The Shins, The Cult, Nada Surf, FUN, Gary Clark Jr. and Norah Jones’ country band The Little Willies, just to name a few, that I almost forgot that I had work to do! Friends and friends of friends (today’s musical password is: “Friend”) came in from San Diego, San Antonio and Dallas to catch the showcases and house concert with the Austin locals. Our house concert host Kara had never heard my music until I laid a CD on her 5 days before The Castners and I hit her backyard stage (well, elevated patio deck, that is). Once she listened to it, she had a friend of hers contact some buddies with musical ties in San Diego, to ask if they had heard of us. Turns out the couple they reached out to, were none other than long time musical pals Johnny and Heather of Podunk Nowhere who just moved in upstairs from me a little over 2 weeks ago. “It’s a small world after all!” Needless to say, I felt like Kevin Bacon’s 6 degrees of separation! Pretty sure it’s a few degrees less but, once I tried to do the math, I started to get a headache. Did someone say, “Bacon?!” Yum!

I will soon be hitting the streets of the Live Music Capital of the World who’s motto is, “Keep Austin Weird”. Besides the traditional music venues such as bars and clubs, I’ll be checking out bands at hot dog & taco stands, as I shop for groceries (well, mostly beer and snacks), fuel up the car at the gas station and pretty much every street corner and storefront around town. Heard a great band as I waited for my luggage at baggage claim and I’m pretty sure if I decide to get a dental check up, there will be a smooth jazz trio named The Pearly Whites, performing in the waiting room. Hey Doc, is your drill in the key of C? I’ll be diving in, mixing it up and then packing all my new and old friends into a house for my grand finale house concert on Sunday! As a good old Texas boy named Stevie Ray Vaughn used to sing, “If the house is a rockin’, don’t bother knockin’……… Come on in!”

Thanks to everyone who came out to the show at Andre’s on Feb. 24th. It was great to be back performing after several months off. During that hiatus, I had the chance to reflect on my music career, gain a better understanding of how I want to present my music to a live audience, dusted off a few old tunes and I wrote a few new ones. Walking through the crowd and singing “Don’t Worry Be Happy” with the audience as I played the ukulele was like a tip toe through the tulips! Of course, special guest JD Boucharde took the opportunity to poke fun at me with his version of Randy Newman’s “Short People” as I took a quick, mid-show bathroom break. And of course, I had to hit him back with a few lines about tall people once I returned to the stage. “They got long ass legs and big old feet that hang over the bed when they’re asleep!” It was also real excited to debut my new song, “Dog Gone”, inspired by my lost dog Redford. “Where’d you go you cuddly little bastard!” The crowd’s reaction to that and my song “Spice of Life”, put goose bumps on parts of my body I didn’t even know I had! “You like me……you really really like me.” No wonder why I’m looking forward to the next 2 shows!

Been getting some love for my acoustic rendition of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” from KPRI 102.1fm San Diego’s “Sunday Morning Unplugged”. Show runs from 7am-11am and the wonderful host Jodina has played it 2 weeks in a row! This has prompted them to forward me emails from listeners and I have been getting hit with texts, calls and emails from friends and fans as well.
I always get lots of requests for it when I perform live and it is truly one of my favorite recordings that I’ve done to date. Kudos to friends and fellow singer/songwriters Cathryn Beeks & Jeff Berkley for their beautiful background vocals and Berkley’s production of the song. KPRI was already my favorite radio station because they play a lot of singer/songwriter based stuff. You can listen live on your computer, from anywhere in the world, and dare you make a request as well at www.kprifm.com
I love my hometown and this put a smile on me sooo big, I think it swallowed my face!

In celebration, I’m including a link to the video my friend and fellow musician Amy Castner did a while back before moving to Austin, TX. What can I say……I’m surrounded by talented angels!
[Watch The Crazy Train Video]

I want to take this opportunity to tell you how much I appreciate your patience and support over the past couple of months! The passing of my Grandpa Jack and absence of my lost dog, put me through a rough patch and I had to take a break. Your messages of condolence and efforts to help me find Redford really eased my mind and helped me realize I did all I could during that time. The Street Corner Concert Series to raise public awareness in hopes of bringing Redford home, was covered by EVERY local news media outlet! I couldn’t have done that without you! It also reinforced what I had already known, and that is, how blessed I am to be surrounded by such caring and loving people. Although Redford is still missing, I continue to be hopeful of his return, once he’s done chasing rabbits and lapping up spilt beers.

Now it’s time for me to get back to what it is that I do but, with a whole new approach to entertaining you. For those of you not in my hometown of San Diego, I’ll be hitting the road again SOON!

My dog is still missing.
I can’t begin to tell you how much I miss him, how much he means to me and how DEVASTATED I am! This happened at a time when my Grandpa Jack, whom I was primary caregiver for the past several years, had entered the hospital and subsequently passed away just after the holidays.

I created a Facebook page to help spread the word and document the ordeal:
Help Bring Redford Home

With the help of some friends I had been able to flyer a substantial area of Clairemont (San Diego suburb) but feel like I could have done more, if not for the circumstances at that time. This is why it is NOW time to step things up!

In an attempt to alert more of the the residents in the area and also get the local news involved, I am spearheading the “Street Corner Music Series”. My musical friends and I will perform at various busy intersections surrounding the area of Redford’s disappearance in hopes that you’ll join us in spreading awareness by taking turns holding up some large signs I will be providing, as well as passing out flyers to the passerbyers.

We will be targeting 2 intersections over the course of this weekend.
The first will be this Sat, Jan 7th at Balboa/Genesee from 10am to 2pm.
The 2nd will be the next day (Sunday) at Linda Vista Rd/Genesee 10am to 2pm
Then 2 more locations in the area the following weekend if necesarry.
I have a PR pro working on the news stations and anticipate them following the story.

I truly believe, with your help, we can bring Redford home!
I hope you’ll join us. Thanks! - C. Dale

My 89 year-old Grandpa Jack passed away the day after Christmas with my family and I by his side. He went peacefully after a short stay in the VA Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit where they made him comfortable during his transition. He simply ran out of steam and no longer had an appetite. Those of you who had met him know that he was young at heart, full of stories and connected with people of all ages. His life as a hipster Jazz musician had a big influence on my interest in music that ultimately lead me on my chosen career path. He lived a long full life and will be greatly missed!

This voice mail message he left on my phone a few years ago, ranting about just seeing singer Michael Bolton perform on Larry King Live, is a true testament to the man. Jack KNOWS music! I will always laugh hysterically, no matter how many times I listen to it. An emotion that couldn’t come in more handy at this time. Thanks Gramps!

Click the arrow on the music player below to listen to Grandpa Jack’s take on Michael Bolton.

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