Wondertorium 10/19/12

On October 19th I did a series of performances at the Wondertorium here in Stillwater. Many thanks to Shannon and Lynda and Debbie for passing along these photos so I can share them with you!

Recording at Bell Labs for EODLS

I spent today at Bell Labs in Norman recording a song for the EODLS (Eastern Oklahoma District Library System)! It's sounding fantastic - one of my best vocals ever. Thanks to Chris Wiser (organ, producer), Dr. Rock (drums), Travis Linville (guitar), and Trent Bell (Engineer) - who was sick as a dog but refused to cancel the session. It's always fun to hear a song taking shape in the studio. I can't wait to let you hear it too!!

Dr. Rock, packing up after a hard day's drumming. If you think he seems blurry, you're right, he generally looks like that.

Travis on the left tuning up for some brilliant guitar work, Chris on the right, supervising.

Me singing joyfully. Chris took this one - thanks, Chris!

Chris overdubbing some organ parts.

50 Things a Pirate Kids Singer Would Say!

In preparation for "Talk Like a Pirate Day" Wednesday, here come... fifty #ThingsAPirateKidsSingerWouldSay - via my Twitter feed! I invite you to join in the fun and post your own #ThingsAPirateKidsSingerWouldSay, re-tweet the ones you like best, and sing pirate versions of your favorite kids songs all week! My first such tweet is based on a traditional welcome song for small children with a menacing twist. Enjoy!


https://twitter.com/montyharper

Talk Like a Pirate Day Video!

International Talk Like a Pirate Day is next week (9/19/12)! To get in the mood, check out this new video for the song I wrote with me scurvy mate, Mr. Billy!

Not only that, but we have put five piratical songs together in a package you can download for just $2 on my BandCamp page! Please enjoy TLAPD, and share with your shipmates!

Your Birthday Present From Me!

This Tuesday, August 21, is my birthday! And I want to celebrate by giving you a present!

For 24 hours, starting Monday at midnight, I will set the download price for all seven of my CDs on CDBaby to $0.

Yes, you heard right - free music for YOU and your friends on MY birthday!

And in case you would care to get me a little something, here's my wish list:

• Download some free music on Tuesday - it'll boost my sales numbers.

• Post a review on CDBaby, Amazon, or iTunes. It can be just one sentence about your favorite Monty Harper CD. 

• Sign up for MontyNews by email.

• Like me on Facebook, Follow me on Twitter, Circle me on Google+!

• Finally, drop by and say hi. I'll be "hanging out" with friends on Google+ Tuesday afternoon. I'd love to see you there!

Thanks for being a fan!

Bella Vista

Yesterday I did my very last library program for Summer 2012 in Bella Vista, Arkansas. All my programs this summer went really really well, and this one was no exception. The husband of the librarian is an OSU alum and big fan so we were greeted in the parking lot by the "Pistol Pete Mobile" which Lisa took a photo of and posted to facebook.

My sister and niece live nearby, so we brought my mom along on the trip and made a weekend of it. We all toured the Crystal Bridges art museum yesterday - very cool. A fun end to a fun summer!!

Don't forget to check out the slideshow I posted on YouTube - a photo retrospective of my "Sing-Along Slumber Party" summer tour. Please share it with anyone you think should book me for a program during the coming school year. Thanks!!

Lisa captured this angle from a seat on the floor with the audience. Is this really what I look like to the kids?

Roundy Round!

"... and pulled out a hand..."

Home Schoolers at the Library

Each summer the Stillwater library chooses a top reader from each elementary school in town, plus one homeschooler, to receive a certificate for one free classroom visit by Monty Harper - that's me!

This year our home school winner is just getting ready to move out of state, so we quickly set up our visit at the library, earlier this week. The kids were great - and I love doing a more informal mini-concert with a small group. I look forward to visiting the other winners once school starts!!

Right now it's off to Arkansas for my very last summer reading program of 2012 - at the Bella Vista Library, 10:30 AM on Saturday (8/4/12). 

Group photo.

Here is our top reader, checking out the guitar after the program, with her "I Love Music" shirt on. Love it!

Thanks For a Super Summer, Everyone!

Duncan

Lisa and I drove to Duncan today for our second-to-last summer program! Time sure does indeed well and truly move quickly along an aerial trajectory when you're having fun. 

As you can see below, we set up in the middle of the library and packed in quite a crowd. Lots of great fans in Duncan!

Our last "Sing-Along Slumber Party" program is next Saturday, August 4 at 10:30 in Bella Vista, AR. In the meantime we'll be working on school bookings for the coming semester, so let us know if there's a school near you where you think I should perform. Thanks!

Norman

Lisa, Evalyn, and I look forward every summer to our day at the Norman Public Library - we always have a great time. Yesterday both shows went fantastically well, and we got to eat at Ted's in between, so what more could we ask for?

The 2:00 Show Begins

Group hug after the program!

High fives and rabbit ears.

The 7:00 PM Show

Gather round for a "spooky story..."

Our Week in Arkansas

We had a great time in Arkansas this past week! I did six library performances and Lisa, Evalyn and I spent two days in a cabin for some quality family time. Many thanks to the Crawford County Library System for booking the tour - we had a great time and hope to make regular visits in the future!

West Fork, AR on Monday.

We stayed at this cabin, called Ledgecreek Hideaway, and we loved it!!!

Tuesday morning, Lisa and I discussed bookings strategies on the front porch of the cabin while Lisa took some wildlife photos. Here's a little chipmunk that was foraging for seeds nearby.

Golden Finch 

Evalyn

Tuesday afternoon, Evalyn and I went fishing for trout at a trout farm; they cooked up our catch at the restaurant across the street!

We had quite a discussion about what kind of critter this might be, hiding in a gap in the rocky hill next to the restaurant. Turns out he's a woodchuck, A.K.A. groundhog.

Lisa and Evalyn fixing dinner in the cabin Wednesday evening.

Thursday morning at the Mulberry Library.

Thursday afternoon after the Alma performance. These are all the kids from my audience! Plus Evalyn, two stuffed canines and Perry the Pillowpus.

Grey Wolf gets a guitar lesson.

Thursday afternoon at Mountainburg.

Friday morning at the Van Buren Library - they have a fantastic new building!

Pop Up!

Me with the librarians at Van Buren! They had as much fun as the kids - maybe more!

Friday afternoon at Cedarville, in another brand new building. All the wooden beams in the high ceilings reminded us of our cabin.

Pop Up!

Roundy Round