Last week I told you I’d be playing at Dusty’s Bar on March 31st. Well actually, I’m playing at Dusty’s THIS Thursday, March 10th, which is also my sister Karen’s birthday. Due to the time difference between here and Ramsgate, England, her birthday will technically be over by the time Richard and I start playing at 9:30, but we’ll dedicate every song to her nonetheless!

Things that Karen and I have in common. Well, same parents obviously. We both had to wear green school uniforms, and we had cold knees in winter. At my all-boys school, long trousers were not allowed until the Third form (age 13) and Karen’s school was skirts-only. They even had to wear green undies (the only reason I know that is because Mum hung the washing on the clothes line, OK? Though, as a teenager, I did have a bit of a reputation at that school.)

And that’s about it, really. We share a dark sense of humor and a superb grasp of irony, though Karen tends to find the ironic absurd, while I find it hilarious. And we love one another despite everything.

The Dusty’s gig is my last in-town gig until June – I’m holing up for a couple of months to finish writing and recording a new album, which will be mostly original blues tunes. Out of town gigs this month – Friday March 18th I’m playing at the Acoustic Cafe in Eau Claire, and Thursday March 31st at the White Horse in St Cloud. For details, addresses and so on, please click here to go to my web site.

I really appreciate your taking the time to read these newsletters, and it is such a thrill when you actually come to the gigs!

Out on the town - I heard a couple of amazing musicians this week you might want to check out - Bethany Larson and Kevin Steinman. Crazy good singers and songwriters!

See you soon, Nigel.  

Is three times in one week too much to ask?

Three Minneapolis gigs coming up next week – no time to chat, sorry, just the facts:

Tuesday March 1st - showcase gig at The Acadia Cafe, I play at 8:00pm.

Thursday March 3rd – Mad Ripple Hootenanny at the Aster Cafe 6:00pm

Friday March 4th – Nigel Egg in 2G at the Riverside Cafe and Wine Bar 8:00pm

 Here's a little detail (with links to click):

Acadia Cafe 3/1 at 8pm. The Natural Sound Studio Showcase.

I recorded most of my recent CD at Natural Sound Studio, owned and operated by Steve Janega. The studio is presenting five artists and bands who recorded there in the past year – it’s sure to be a strange and fearsome mixture of music. I asked to be on first so I wouldn't miss my bedtime! See you at 8pm. This link will take you to the Facebook Event that lists all of the performers.

Aster Cafe 3/3 at 6pm.

Jim Walsh, aka The Mad Ripple, hosts a weekly, wild, wingding of a songwriter showcase - he's been doing it for years, and his guests on any particular evening might include musicians you'd pay multo dollars to see live. Jim is a much-published and nationally respected music writer and critic.

Since January 2011 these have been at The Aster Cafe, right on the river across from downtown Minneapolis in St Anthony Main.  Once you've experienced a Mad Ripple Hootenanny you'll be back for more! There are usually 4-6 singers on stage at the same time, taking turns to play songs, with lots of jamming and singing help from the others, and everyone trying not to crack up completely. It’s a rush. Every time I go, it inspires me to get back home and write a new song; this is my first time as a performer.

 Riverview Cafe and Wine Bar 3/4 at 8pm.

Richard and I are back for another three hours of trying to reach higher ground. We may stumble on the way, but as Robert Browning said, “a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, else what’s a heaven for?” Nigel Egg in 2G means it’s me and Richard Kronick on bass. Two of us (2). So then, when we play as a trio, it’ll be in 3G! Like 3D except its 3G. Is that too wacko? It’s my favorite band name so far, probably because my own name dominates.

 Off on the horizon – Dusty’s Bar on Thursday March 31st, 9:30 to late.

 Here's a tip - in case you haven’t heard them yet, go to Psycho Suzi’s any Friday or Saturday night from 7 to 11 and hear Exotik-a-GoGo. Wow – unique and incredibly tight! These guys have the chops to play anything, and they are blowing the lid off the tiki-tiki exotica genre that fits this venue perfectly. 

 You can find venue addresses and all that on my web site. I would be really happy to see you at all of these gigs!    

My friend Richard Kronick sent the following gig email out to his friends… I have nothing to add, except, Wow! Thank you! You made my day!

 Hi y'all,

 This Saturday, 1/29, from 8 to 10:30, at the Riverview Cafe and Wine Bar, 3753 42nd Ave. So., Minneapolis. I'll be playing upright bass with singer/guitarist/harmonicist/songwriter Nigel Egg. 

 Now, I know what some of you are thinking: Nigel Egg?!  What a weird name!  Well, I'm going to reveal what you already figured out: It's not his real name.  His name is Nigel Eccleston, but "Nigel Egg" is a good indication of his brand of creativity.  Nigel is quirky.  His humorous songs tend to be snarky and not just a little bent -- in ways that make audiences laugh and applaud loudly.  But not all of Nigel's songs are snarky and sarcastic.  He's also written some very thoughtful songs and some very beautiful songs.  But I'm tellin' ya: they're all GREAT!  And it's not just because he's so darned creative.  It's also because he is a true song craftsman.  He works at it all the time.  He hones a song until it reaches out and grabs you.  As a result, Nigel has won top awards in song-writing competitions in Austin, Texas; Telluride, Colorado; and right here in Minnesota.  You can see what I mean by clicking on this link: www.nigelegg.com .

 Oh, by the way, we'll do some of my songs too. 

See you out there,

Dick

 Thanks, Dick! Jeez, after reading that, I can hardly wait to hear myself!

 I’ll also mention that we play some cover tunes that might surprise you. Dick and I have been playing music together (sporadically) since 1974 and we’ve covered some doozies in our time!

Thanks for reading, hope you can make it. Next Saturday we’re playing together at Dusty’s Bar in Northeast Minneapolis, February 5^th.

Nigel.