Hey Everybody!


It’s well... Past that time again. So Sorry I am late getting this out.

If you are looking for the GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY on alll counts news letter - this is not the one. Plenty of people are writing about it and I don't want to add to all the noise. I will only ask, "Does this make him more or less likley to be elected?"

And which ever way the election goes - we will still be a divided nation and the only think we can do about that is to go out there and YES, befriend a Trump supporter. And in your own time patiently turn them around, gently like water cracking stone.

That SAID!

Summer is upon us and I am still frantically booking shows for The Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit Show on the west coast. We are playing the High Sierra Music Festival and The Oregon Country Faire and The Black Sheep Reunion. Fasten your seat belts ladies and gentlemen and every thing in between, this is going to be a thrilling ride.

If you are anywhere on the west coast and would like to see us come to your town - please let me know. Keep checking the website for updates there are lots of things pending. thanks.
On this tour I am going to be celebrating my new Anthology: Know Exit.
When I made it to 20, I put out a boxed set ‘best of’ CD - when I made it 25, I put out an anthology ‘Best of poetry called Avoiding Godot. 30 years was the best ‘one liners’ from 30 years, and NOW I want to put out a NEW book!

If you would like to mail order a copy click HERE: I WANT THE NEW CHANDLER BOOK!

or copy and paste: https://chrischandler.org/product/f/Books/intro/




Chandler and Benoit Live!

****HELP ME OUT!****

When I saw the bluebonnets bloom I thought of you.

At the time,
I didn’t know why exactly.

I was just driving down the interstate,
minding my own business,
listening to the radio,
listening to the news.

Why I don’t know, but I was.
But, let me tell ya,
it was doom and gloom.

(I hate that shit)

Doom and gloom.
The world’s woes filled the cabin of my van.

I was banging my head against the steering wheel.
I was at my wits end.
It was foreboding.

But then I looked out the window....
and holy cow!
It was like when The Wizard of Oz
goes from black and white to color.

Blue Bonnets!

Solid swaths of blue violet everywhere.

“Thank you, Ladybird!“
I said to myself.

Maybe that is why I thought of you.
It was you that told me about Ladybird.

“There is goodness in this world,”
I thought.
“There really is. Look at those bluebonnets!”

As I drove a little further down the road.
(MoPac turning into SR385 in North Austin)

I am not making this up.

There was a giant yellow lawnmower,
mowing them all down.

Meanwhile...
the news was still blaring...
“Israeli bombing, Ukraine, all Donald Trump all the time.”
You name it. I heard it. I hated it.

WHAT WORLD IS THIS?

As I passed the lawnmower in front of me...
there was nothing but freshly mowed grass.

No more blue bonnets.

Only freshly mowed grass.

Nothing but freshly mowed esplanade.

...and the radio continued to blair:
Doom and gloom. Doom and gloom.

Palestine...
Southern border...
Trump trial, Trump trial, Trump trial...
No, he is ahead in the polls...
Gloom and doom.

I complained about the experience on social media.
(Who wouldn’t?)

“It is illegal in Texas to mow down bluebonnets.”
they said.

Good but, It doesn’t change the fact that it is happening.

Someone chimed in,
“They mow them down to help spread the seeds.”

Huh? Wut?
I liked that.

Yes!

“Spread the seeds! Make more beauty,”
I’ll run with that.

I think I liked liking that notion
more than I liked thinking it thru.

Flowers are not seeds. In fact, quite the opposite.

Once I realized the mixed metaphor,
the more I thought of you.
What a mixed metaphor you are.

Your joy.
Where it comes from.
Your joy is so far superior to any of the cynicism I come to the table with.

I thought of you.
Seeing the bluebonnets in bloom...
Because...

You are beautiful.

But then, as soon as I thought of you.

You called me.
Out of the blue.

Not metaphorically.
Really.
After I was just thinking about you.
You asked me to write a poem for you.
Time was of the essence you told me.
But I did not know why.

Of course I started it.

But I had no idea.

And now…

I don’t know what to say here.

Things have changed since I started this poem,

I am trying to complete it
and I am caught up in Syntax.

You are beautiful?
You were beautiful?

Since I started this poem,
I learned that you have passed.

But, I loved you.

No, I love you.

You are a blue bonnet.
You were not WERE a blue bonnet.
You ARE a blue bonnet.

You will rise again,
from the esplanades
between the ugly on ramps of this ugly ugly world,
so that you may spread the joy
we all need so badly.

For you, Kim Fuselier
are and forever will be
a blue bonnet.

Vaudeville Tent
Saturday 1:30 - 2:45pm

Full Set with Full Band (different set every day and night!)

Friday, July 5th, 2024 11:30 PM
High Sierra Music Festival with Paul Benoit
The Troubadour Sessions https://www.highsierramusic.com/
Quincy , CA
Website: https://www.highsierramusic.com/
With Zach Gil and Lebo in the round.


Saturday, July 6th, 2024 11:30 PM
High Sierra Music Festival with Paul Benoit
Qunicy Fairegrounds Artists At Large https://www.highsierramusic.com/
Quincy , CA
Website: https://www.highsierramusic.com/
Time TBA Artists at Large


Sunday, July 7th, 2024 12:00 PM to 1:00
High Sierra Music Festival with Paul Benoit
Vaudeville Stage https://www.highsierramusic.com/
Quincy , CA
Website: https://www.highsierramusic.com/


Friday, July 12th, 2024 4:20 PM
Oregon Country Faire
Blue Moon Stage https://www.oregoncountryfair.org/
Venita , OR
Website: https://www.oregoncountryfair.org/


Saturday, July 13th, 2024 4:20 PM
Oregon Country Faire
Venita Oregon Country Faire Site
Venita , OR


Sunday, July 14th, 2024 4:00 PM
Oregon Country Faire
Hoarse Coaral Stage https://www.oregoncountryfair.org/
Venita , OR
Website: https://www.oregoncountryfair.org/


Sunday, July 14th, 2024 9:00 PM
Oregon Country Faire
Library Show https://www.oregoncountryfair.org/
Venita , OR
Website: https://www.oregoncountryfair.org/


Thursday, July 18th, 2024 9:00 PM
The Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit Show Returns to Cottage Grove
The Axe and Fiddle https://axeandfiddle.com/
657 E Main St
Cottage Grove , OR 97424
phone: 541-942-5942
Website: https://axeandfiddle.com/


Saturday, July 20th, 2024 7:00 PM
House Concert in Portland
Home of Dean and Abby Boudouris
DM me for the address. Or email dean@technw.net

Sunday, July 21st, 2024 7:00 PM
A Fundraiser for KXCR
The UU Church https://kxcr.net/
87738 US-101
Florence , OR 97439
Website: https://kxcr.net/

Friday August 02

Seattle Egans Ballard Jam House

Saturday Victoria BC

House Concert TBA

Tuesday August 06 House COncert Bellingham WA TBA

Thursday August 08

Olympia WA Traditions

Details TBA

Wed August 12 Eugene, OR

Sam Bond's Garage

Details TBA

Tuesday August 20

House Concert

Ashland OR TBA

Portland , OR

Friday, August 16th, 2024 7:00 PM
Black Sheep Family Reunion
Venita, OR Camp grounds https://www.blacksheepfamilyreunion.com/
Venita , OR
Website: https://www.blacksheepfamilyreunion.com/
Chandler will be MCing the entire event.


Saturday, August 17th, 2024 7:00 PM
Black Sheep Family Reunion
Venita, OR Camp grounds https://www.blacksheepfamilyreunion.com/
Venita , OR
Website: https://www.blacksheepfamilyreunion.com/
Chandler will be MCing the entire event.


Sunday, August 18th, 2024 7:00 PM
Black Sheep Family Reunion
Venita, OR Camp grounds https://www.blacksheepfamilyreunion.com/
Venita , OR
Website: https://www.blacksheepfamilyreunion.com/
Chandler will be MCing the entire event.

THEN HEADING TO THE BAY AREA

Shows in Berkeley, San Francisco, Santa Cruiz, Nevada City and others