tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78456364449600197642024-02-02T05:34:27.735-08:00The Bentwood Rockers' blogThe latest rumor and innuendo from Smokin' Bill and the Bard Rocks of old-time string duo the Bentwood Rockers. Stay tuned!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-12261663740649066312013-01-15T14:33:00.000-08:002013-01-21T18:46:10.481-08:00"Raised in a Lion's Den" CD released!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We are proud to announce the release of our first full-length studio record, "Raised in a Lion's Den." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We recorded the disc over several sessions in the fall at Tom White's Wizmak Studio in Middleburgh, N.Y. The 18 tracks on the disc offer a sampling of old-timey blues, ballads and tunes from our live repertoire. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Copies are available directly from us at performances, and they are available online through <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thebentwoodrockers">CDBaby.com</a>, iTunes and other sites.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thebentwoodrockers"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvFlCGs5B-3A5SMxIfEDDIY1OhkrhHOSLtThmn82WMN0AsnJXOWXY_eaFnbXuqeKQfduEk1UQWIFzh3Wpx6YO4L-IXUljxTeGLce2aRNZFy7xG6VFW688Jb2w2tnUf90Fj-LTvYN4hDk/s320/fb+TBR+FRONTCOVER.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-39764122004877677592012-10-01T20:02:00.003-07:002012-10-01T20:03:59.374-07:00Recording our first CD!This fall, we have been working with recording guru Tom White at his studio, and we expect to have our first CD complete and available by the end of the year. Here's a rough mix of one tune we worked on today:<br />
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<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F61895190"></iframe>
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Here's Tom and Roland going over the sounds we captured:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgO6wDZRvVG7V1ImUDCmaVK5SWeGRtGuAoyfKudEaGxnDFe6ZOVJOtBnxEC_tb9a8YnjtQjOY7WMa6_-3EMYQAaWFk4fK5hpWxTWmDphe18SYVZdIovZ-kqictgWm2Nrlwfhaegad3mo/s1600/TOM+AND+ROLAND+MIXING.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgO6wDZRvVG7V1ImUDCmaVK5SWeGRtGuAoyfKudEaGxnDFe6ZOVJOtBnxEC_tb9a8YnjtQjOY7WMa6_-3EMYQAaWFk4fK5hpWxTWmDphe18SYVZdIovZ-kqictgWm2Nrlwfhaegad3mo/s320/TOM+AND+ROLAND+MIXING.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-19868502667783355922012-08-05T08:05:00.000-07:002012-08-05T08:05:47.431-07:00What a hoot we had last night opening for <a href="http://www.roybookbinder.com/">Roy Book Binder</a> in the Adirondack town of Hope! Roy put on a terrific show with his signature mix of dynamite guitar-picking and droll storytelling. We had a great time warming up the crowd with some of our old-timey tunes. If you ever get a chance to see Roy perform as he travels around the country, don't pass it up!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyB5jHvjM2a-jYewfCHAW83B3jxda6I0o3mtgT5NBcOb3yHJi7u11KEbn9E3uWAT0HkHeo0cXQKEvncFpjptE9ayt4kaPO2FFBA0JUloA4Jjz_7-AlHyEJCjHqVjKJz652tiGfjsXBms/s1600/DSCN2238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyB5jHvjM2a-jYewfCHAW83B3jxda6I0o3mtgT5NBcOb3yHJi7u11KEbn9E3uWAT0HkHeo0cXQKEvncFpjptE9ayt4kaPO2FFBA0JUloA4Jjz_7-AlHyEJCjHqVjKJz652tiGfjsXBms/s400/DSCN2238.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-50187864881958678492012-02-05T19:28:00.000-08:002012-02-05T19:30:00.148-08:00Live at the Moon & RiverHere's a live track from our show last week at the <a href="http://www.moonandrivercafe.com/" target="_blank">Moon & River Cafe</a> in Schenectady, NY. We were pleased to have Brenda Fisher join us on bass, harp and vocals. <br />
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<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F35697940&show_artwork=true"></iframe><br />
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<img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hJyt3HmLzncfBLrHbX2uvERGKr1ZFAc7CKfcDf5S13H6nKlI1FUN5yBYGSgbKGdH1qUtJGpJi56R5p2_hveS-gC_j0ATTTmuKUru04FjmsKN-U2w2bHqXYcjfY1omJcrw_JHVwfyAgQ/s320/moonriverlogo.gif" width="320" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Schenectady, NY, USA42.8142432 -73.939568742.7741107 -73.9846702 42.8543757 -73.8944672tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-58178813136676536092011-12-22T13:44:00.000-08:002011-12-22T13:44:16.470-08:00Last gig of 2011!Come out and join us for some old-fashioned foot-stompin' music this New Year's Eve. We'll be playing from 6 to 8 p.m. as part of Canajoharie's "Last Night" celebration.<br />
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For more information, click here:<br />
<a href="http://www.canajohariepalatinechamber.com/last-night.html">http://www.canajohariepalatinechamber.com/last-night.html</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-34578794050526355752011-11-20T19:18:00.000-08:002011-11-20T19:27:37.292-08:00Old-time attitude T-shirtBill's poster art from last month's "Night of Murder Ballads" now is available on a T-shirt. Click the photo for information on how to order:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/billack/works/8092602-old-time-or-die-t-shirt" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKndl7hXyEz7vg6xJy5Mks8LGQ3OtfUmM0EmuS1HPiRmL0AVojBD5ZISYe7KrNkE7XLBgXqwjx0OGBuP58kxywCqrO6XDh26IekjnxILSWETU32NAX-N0JmGG1VCA_dM8XFP_hr8khnk/s320/tshirtart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-76659759111524926392011-11-07T11:34:00.001-08:002011-11-07T11:36:51.774-08:00Fun with Wordle: Text from our homepage<a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/4366981/The__Bentwood_Rockers" title="Wordle: The Bentwood Rockers"><img alt="Wordle: The Bentwood Rockers" height="300" src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/4366981/The__Bentwood_Rockers" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-37121760391701085502011-10-20T23:02:00.000-07:002011-10-20T23:02:33.941-07:00Gig coming up Oct. 29<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJ2WyJvA9jswhXM_9kyjCl_D5fIt-Y35FU3w6udX6WWWM3QKYVhxxTox_7OHixGDObJtYEJ8g5TFe36ar74p0O59iarDitJcStBdafa9lyZ6kYws0s_DivDO9b6Qxu4BsX4lDq0xWuJc/s1600/MURDERBALLADSARTsmall2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJ2WyJvA9jswhXM_9kyjCl_D5fIt-Y35FU3w6udX6WWWM3QKYVhxxTox_7OHixGDObJtYEJ8g5TFe36ar74p0O59iarDitJcStBdafa9lyZ6kYws0s_DivDO9b6Qxu4BsX4lDq0xWuJc/s640/MURDERBALLADSARTsmall2.JPG" width="483" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-47724299205877695692011-09-13T11:35:00.000-07:002011-09-13T11:35:31.524-07:00This Sunday — Sundae on the FarmWe will be the first of four groups providing entertainment at Sundae on the Farm. This event has been the highlight of our fall performance schedule for the last several years. See below: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOGUaH9bVhcn_XLTVcJlJSWAH49erxzsuBWlyFrPfcUbW83FSx-yk7SM8UOitSeJWzX9J3dlzBaBm71W9uV-dZZ3BGBYGyEISOth0bJJJf1SNJZMiPWqJ3JAEFwIheJDbJt2Jh7nGUd0/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOGUaH9bVhcn_XLTVcJlJSWAH49erxzsuBWlyFrPfcUbW83FSx-yk7SM8UOitSeJWzX9J3dlzBaBm71W9uV-dZZ3BGBYGyEISOth0bJJJf1SNJZMiPWqJ3JAEFwIheJDbJt2Jh7nGUd0/s640/Picture+1.png" width="493" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-66725018299381566012011-08-01T07:56:00.000-07:002011-08-04T12:42:55.310-07:00Heading to market(s)<span style="font-size: small;">If you're in Fulton County area, come check out the new open mic at Happy Jack's Cafe inside the Mohawk Harvest Cooperative Market, 30 N. Main St., Gloversville: </span><br />
<ul style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Aug. 11</b> Happy Jack's Cafe open mic Gloversville, NY 6:30-9:30 p.m. </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;">We have two farmers market gigs coming up this month:<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Aug. 13</span> Gloversville Farmers Market Gloversville, NY 9 a.m. to noon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Aug. 27</span> Canajoharie Farmers Market Canajoharie, NY 10 a.m. to noon </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;">We are taking a break this weekend (Aug. 6 & 7), but if you're interested in catching some great old-timey music, check out Moonshine Holler and the Nellies at the RiverLink Jamboree on Saturday in Amsterdam. Bill writes about it on his newspaper blog here: <a href="http://www.leaderherald.com/page/blogs.detail/display/876/What-s-cookin--this-weekend.html">What's Cookin' This Weekend</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-69819382503002784002011-07-25T20:15:00.000-07:002011-07-25T20:15:06.917-07:00Gig this Saturday, 7/30/11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Come out to support the <a href="http://www.landisarboretum.org/index.html">Landis Arboretum</a> this Saturday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We will be one of several great acoustic bands rockin' the joint from 1 to 6 p.m. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.landisarboretum.org/index.html"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://www.landisarboretum.org/images/index/hottunes2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-474761650062873832011-07-01T20:16:00.000-07:002011-07-25T20:10:33.611-07:00Open MIkesI have played a few open mikes now. It's not a big thing in my life but serves to give experience in performance and it enables me to discover just what folks enjoy hearing the most. Each one seems to have its own flavor. There are significant exceptions to this, but I find that too many of the performers seem to follow a certain pattern, one that keeps repeating over and over between the mikes which I have attended.<br />
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They usually have good voices and play songs that are moderate in tempo. The songs may be either in the pop category (or acoustic rock if you don't think that is pop) or are written themselves. Although I don't normally care for pop, I recognize there is a reason it is called "pop". My own tastes are not mainstream. The songs written by the singers tend to be somewhat formulaic, introspective and angst ridden. Of course the creators don't think so. The Eskimos have 7 words for "snow" and what may seem boring to me is probably alive and vibrant, each one quite different to them. I wonder, "Would they would say the same thing about me?"<br />
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I notice that when the performers get to select several songs to play, they seem to pick songs that are very similar to each other. Rather than mixing it up, they pick what they like the best and stick to it. If you listen to enough music by a certain songwriter, you will find similarities that keep repeating, which is hardly surprising. The very best songwriters will have these similarities, a particular style, yet manage to keep each song different. Most do not. Most are not "best" of course.<br />
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What bugs me more is the focus upon the words to the detriment of the performance and, to a lesser degree, to the music. Here's what happens time and again. The performer gets up in front of the audience, a trifle nervous (which can be endearing, nothing wrong with that) with a guitar and a capo. Apparently no other instrument will work. All songs are capoed and fingered in C or G. They are strummed and once in a while inexpertly fingerpicked. There are no instrumental breaks, no lead-ins, no obligato, no bass runs, just singing to one's strumming. It seems they are either unable to play better or feel that the audience neither wants or needs to hear anything more than the words. I zone out on that stuff.<br />
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Now when you hear a professional (ie - someone who earns his living from singing) perform, it is a different experience. They know that more than angst-ridden lyrics are needed. They will combine a particular stage presence, some introduction (but not too much, please!), some humor or insight, a variety of keys, tempos and moods, along with some musical chops, and some instrumental breaks, and the songs will vary in subject matter and approach. Not every performer does all these, but the best ones will do many of them. They've graduated beyond open mikes. And, don't get me wrong, you will find people like the professionals at open mikes, only just not enough of them.<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">-- Roland </div>The Bard Rockshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025985439894763862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-76732319412605441872011-06-28T20:19:00.000-07:002011-06-28T20:19:40.325-07:00Busking in Saratoga this ThursdayThis Thursday evening, you can catch us at the open mic at <a href="http://www.caffelena.org/">Caffe Lena</a> in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and we expect to do some busking on Broadway that night as well. If you're in town, look for us between Lillian's and Professor Moriarty's. We'll be the guys with the banjos and kazoos.<br />
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This Saturday morning, we'll be back in Saratoga County -- this time at the Ballston Spa Farmers Market. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-59712072287283926602011-06-19T10:16:00.001-07:002011-06-19T10:16:58.036-07:00A fiddle tune in front of the co-op<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZRIz8QT2EC8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-91441863658405259412011-06-12T07:45:00.000-07:002011-06-12T12:59:39.478-07:00Live track recorded at SkyHeartAs promised, here's a sample recording (in .mp3 format) from our performance last month at SkyHeart Studio. This is "Milwaukee Blues," an Americana classic, with Roland on guitar and Bill on fiddle:<br />
<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/tbrsstorage/files/MilwaukeeBlues.mp3">MILWAUKEE BLUES</a><br />
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By the way, if you haven't already, be sure to connect with us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Bentwood-Rockers/377900411390">Facebook </a>for more updates.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-66037204308263939162011-05-28T09:20:00.000-07:002011-05-28T09:23:33.594-07:00Free music downloadHere's a track from one of our recent recording sessions at SkyHeart Studio in Gloversville. It's our adaptation of "Some of These Days I'll Be Gone," recorded by Delta bluesman Charley Patton way back in 1929. The original only had one verse, so we added a few more lyrics. Enjoy. <br />
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<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/tbrsstorage/files/SomeoftheseDays.mp3?attredirects=0&d=1https://sites.google.com/site/tbrsstorage/files/SomeoftheseDays.mp3">Some of These Days (MP3)</a><br />
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P.S. Our next live appearance will be on the morning of June 11 at the Gloversville Farmers Market. See you there!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-23798052376614555262011-05-22T12:49:00.000-07:002011-05-23T18:33:27.242-07:00Thanks for coming out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3oZqC02jWKGG7pOCFUh4LYkUOjUMrva65J2HItg_L8Z3ZzsTR_2RcsDA54Es5gk-aFwttsETGShS6DWt9wXPIc2LqPEoFitzdEWY5ETB_gQPGD4GhKXc5Il_Kqp2pFAHP0YZEx_BdIk/s1600/sky2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3oZqC02jWKGG7pOCFUh4LYkUOjUMrva65J2HItg_L8Z3ZzsTR_2RcsDA54Es5gk-aFwttsETGShS6DWt9wXPIc2LqPEoFitzdEWY5ETB_gQPGD4GhKXc5Il_Kqp2pFAHP0YZEx_BdIk/s1600/sky2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Great show last night! Thanks to everybody who came out to support two local traditional/acoustic bands. And thanks to Mike and Hanna for hosting us at <a href="http://www.skyheartstudio.com/">SkyHeart Studio</a>. We'll post more photos and sounds soon ... Our next gig will be at the Gloversville Farmers Market on the morning of June 11. See you then!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-41870653390589329112011-05-18T14:24:00.000-07:002011-05-18T14:24:12.662-07:00Tickets still available for Saturday's show<div class="description summary"><span>Join us Saturday, May 21, for an evening of acoustic music at SkyHeart Studio, 51 S. Main St., Gloversville, N.Y. We will split the bill with our friends from the band Penny Jar.The music will start at 7 p.m.</span></div><div class="description summary"><span>Tickets will cost $15, which includes beverages and homemade desserts at intermission. Reservations required! Call SkyHeart at 774-0582, e-mail michael@skyheartstudio.com or order tickets online at <a href="http://www.skyheartstudio.com/">www.skyheartstudio.com</a>. </span></div><div class="description summary"></div><div class="description summary"><wbr></wbr></div><div class="description summary"></div><div class="description summary"><span class="word_break"></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-76859937309908761992011-05-17T04:27:00.000-07:002011-05-17T04:32:20.213-07:00Coming AttractionsFrom time to time, I will add posts here of a musical nature. Warning: they will be long, complete, exhaustive, unlike this. But there will be something to learn. Stay tuned; don't touch that dial!<br /><br />Roland, "The Bard Rocks"The Bard Rockshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025985439894763862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-91756370222363376482011-05-16T20:22:00.000-07:002011-05-16T20:22:07.107-07:00Gig this Saturday in Gloversville<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicQnubfd9nYUyoNvtLIZ0oF5j1K0jZvRZIEmxHyk6Pj5RQJkE4N6KiIENmnyWlCJLddDmHO5RqAVHBDEsjEzxXfqjCRjet3xu1BfeKUu5jJNBWm1yXFQk2RoA5iUOMpxxFdjrvbZwC7c/s1600/postersmaller.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicQnubfd9nYUyoNvtLIZ0oF5j1K0jZvRZIEmxHyk6Pj5RQJkE4N6KiIENmnyWlCJLddDmHO5RqAVHBDEsjEzxXfqjCRjet3xu1BfeKUu5jJNBWm1yXFQk2RoA5iUOMpxxFdjrvbZwC7c/s640/postersmaller.JPG" width="436" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7845636444960019764.post-11893699172946925242011-05-16T20:08:00.000-07:002011-05-17T14:10:05.937-07:00Welcome to our new-fangled blog ...Hey, folks. Bill here. I've just established this blog as a way for us to share news and assorted musical tidbits with our fans and fellow travelers. If you haven't already, be sure to check us out at <a href="http://www.thebentwoodrockers.com/">www.thebentwoodrockers.com</a> and on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bentwood-Rockers/377900411390">Facebook</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0