August 01, 2024

Seattle, WA

Hey Everybody!

It is that time again! The first of the month. Mid Summer bliss amidst the world wide chaos. Holy cow it is crazy out there. Assassination attempt. Regime change at the top of the ticket. Another bombing in the Middle East. World leaders killed. Fires. Floods, aurora borealis, visible in the south. But it does not feel so crazy if we are experiencing it together. We need each other these days more than ever, and also more than ever - reach out to someone outside the fold, so that there is more in the subset of we.

Do you realize I have been doing this newsletter for 25 years now?

Most of the pieces I perform started out as one of these newsletters. I know, lately I have been recapping some old ones, but not this month. This month I have a new poem coming at you soon as we get past the announcements.

***************

Paul and I are continuing our summer tour and going into September. With a little luck we are booking dates from LA to Texas and we would like to do some Texas shows in mid- late September/ early October. If you are in that area and would like us to come to your town or even a house concert please drop me a line.

***************

The new book is doing great “Know Exit”. If you are one of the people that donated but did not give you address to receive a copy - please respond to this email.

If you would like your very own copy please click on the book.

If you would like to support me or this news letter you can do so here.

Please support my YouTube Channel i need about 50 more subscribers to be able to monetize my channel. Woohoo! Here is the band playing live at the Hybrid in Eugene. Paul Benoit Guitar vocals and band director, Jarrod Kaplan Percussion, Christine Gunn Cello, Very Special Guests Caroline Aiken, Trina Mead and Michael Wagner. Video shot by Amy Sue Berlin

Also Here is me reading the latest newsletter written in Florence Oregon. Read in Kanasket State Park outside Enumclaw WA. Shot by Jen Delyth

ENOUGH ENOUGH OF THE CRASS COMMERCIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS!

***************

T.H.E. .M.U.S.E. .A.N.D. .W.H.I.R.L.E.D. .R.E.T.O.R.T.

Written in Florence, OR

Late July 2024

Observations from an Estuary

First-light.

The fog itself is the very canvas upon which each day’s masterpiece is created.

Night is a dream state, that only dissipates when the sun first lifts his eyebrows, yawns, and reflects light upon the vapor that spans the moonlit Oregon coast.

Here, dawn is a soupy span of Impressionism that leads us to morning.

The first drops of God’s gouache dribbles onto the watercolor paper that is the dawn.

A saturate center morphs in equal directions, its hue growing paler as it expands - rich in the center, clear upon the edges - like the tidal flow of the estuary where I sit.

Ripples of water come into focus, as herons land on pier posts reflecting in the water, exactly as high as they rise. A seal, perhaps a selkie, raises her head above the water as if to read the menu.

The silhouette of a depression era Roosevelt bridge, emerges from its back-lit slumber. Orange archways pierce the murkiness of morning. One cannot see where the bridge begins or ends - only that it is there.

The only sound is the low piercing cow-cow of a gull, and then its sudden splash landing, and the terse tussle that ensues as it wrestles its prey to the shoreline. The crab is caught on its back, pinching at straws.

Herons, one by one, take note as they unfurl their full wing span, then leap into the open arms of the air - hunting for mollusks along the dunes, now bright orange against the receding fog.

The day has begun.

The earth strolls upon her axis as the moon slips beneath the cover of daylight.

The fog of night has lifted, and the world collectively speaks, “It’s dinner time.”

The tidal estuary swells and surges, contracts and ebbs as I inhale the steam coming off my morning coffee.

The tide is up now. The water from the estuary licks my toes. A mosquito bites my ankle.

The moon continues her dance around the Earth. She pauses at a convenience store in the sky, to grab a pack of smokes and tip the panhandlers.

The tide takes it as a cue and begins to recede. Tiny sea creatures burrow beneath the sands. The slow ones will become lunch.

It is after all a diner out there, but it’s God’s diner, and what a beautiful diner it is.

Somehow, I take it as a sign that all will be OK.

After all, I too am hungry.

**************

Thanks for reading. Remember, I could not do this with out you.

Let me know if ya want us to come to your town. Now looking for dates in the SW USA. Los Angelas to Houston.

For now.

Right something.

**************

Friday, August 2nd, 2024 7:00 PM to 9:00

The Whole Evening With Very Special Guest Caroline Aiken

Egan’s Ballard Jam House

1707 NW Market Street

Seattle , WA 98107

phone: 206-789-1621

Website: https://www.ballardjamhouse.com

Saturday, August 3rd, 2024 7:00 PM

House Concert at Ruby’s Barn

Presented by Leslie Cook and Spirit of Music Victoria

4910 West Saanich Rd

Victoria , BC Canada

phone: 250-634-5445

Sunday, August 4th, 2024 7:00 PM

Fun house concert on Salt Spring Island

RSVP for location info

email Jenn Christianson agent99@hotmail.com for location info

Salt Spring Island , BC Canada

Monday, August 5th, 2024 7:00 PM

Fun House Concert

See below for location information

For location info: Jenn Christianson agent99j@hotmail.com

Vancouver , BC Canada

Tuesday, August 6th, 2024 6:30 PM

House Concert in Bellingham

The Home of Caryn Simmons

DM me for the address

Bellingham , WA

Thursday, August 8th, 2024 6:30 PM

The Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit Show with Very Special Guest Christine Gunn

New Traditions

300 5th Ave SW

Olympia , WA

Website: https://newtraditionsfairtrade.com/

Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 7:00 PM

The Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit Show

Sam Bond’s Garage

407 Blair Bvd

Eugene , OR

Website: https://www.sambonds.com/

Chandler and Benoit's long awaited return to Sam Bond's Garage for a special early show 7 PM

Thursday, August 15th, 2024 7:00 PM

Benefit for Estacada Food Bank

Wade Creek Amphitheater

915 NW Wade St

Estacada , OR

Website: https://Www.CityofEstacada.org

Empty out your cubbard and bring it to the food bank! Food Donations accepted, not expected.

Friday, August 16th - Sunday, August 18th

Black Sheep Family Reunion

New Camp grounds See Event Website for details

44644 Camp Morrison Dr

Scio , OR

Website: https://www.blacksheepfamilyreunion.com/

Chandler will be MCing the entire event. Chandler and Benoit will perform a full set on Friday Main Stage 6:30 - 8 PM

Monday, August 19th, 2024 7:30 PM

Chandler and Benoit Return to Williams Oregon

Sugarloaf Community Association Bandshell

206 Tetherow Rd

Williams , OR 97544

Website: https://sugarloafcommunityassociation.org/events/

Thursday, August 22nd, 2024 7:00 Doors 7:30 Show

Historic Eagle House

Patsy Kline Room

124 C street

Eureka , CA

Website: https://www.historiceaglehouse.com/

Friday, August 23rd, 2024 7:30 PM

The Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit Show

The Monkey House

1638 University Ave

Berkeley , CA

Website: https://www.themonkeyhouse.org/

Saturday, August 24th, 2024 8:00 PM

House Concert

at the Home of Sabrina Parker

RSVP ME baldchandler@yahoo.com for address

Santa Cruz , CA

Sunday, August 25th, 2024 8:00 PM

A House Concert

At The Home of Miracula

email baldchandler@yahoo.com for address

Nevada City , CA

Details TBA - stay tuned

Friday, August 30 - Sunday September 01

Chandler with Jen Delyth

San Francisco Scottish Highland Games

Pleasanton, CA

Website: https://thescottishgames.com

Thursday, September 5th, 2024 8:00 PM

Da Grand Pooba Presents

TBA

Email Chandler baldchandler@yaahoo.com or Pooba da.grand.poobster@icloud.com

Willits , CA

Friday, September 6th, 2024 7:00 PM

Split Bill with John Elliott

Bazaar Cafe

5927 California St

San Francisco , CA 94121

Website: https://bazaarcafe.com/calendar/

Saturday, September 7th, 2024 7:00 PM

Chandler & Benoit afternoon Show in Winters CA

Berryessa Brewing Company

27260 Highway 128

Winters , CA

Website: https://www.berryessabrewingco.com/

Sunday, September 8th, 2024 7:00 PM

Sherman Oaks House Concert

at the home of Justeen Ward

to RSVP email justeenw@gmail.com

Los Angelas , CA