Here is some info from Karen Beshears on a really great project that I am a part of:

YOU have the power of the VOTE!!!!

SEWEE Association has our Sewee Earth Stewards project in the July voting on the Pepsi Refresh project. Pepsi is giving away $1.3 million every month to worthy projects and we want a piece of that!

We have a proposal to fund $50,000 toward all our education programs at http://www.refresheverything.com/seweeearthstewards, so all you have to do is click on that link and vote! Then come back everyday in July and vote again. Your registered email can vote for our project once every day in July. At the end of the month, the top 10 will win the $50,000!!! Check out our video while you are there. We are very thankful to John Lee for the perfect song he is allowing us to use! Listen to more of John Lee at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=670725904&ref=ts.

Help us by forwarding this message to everyone you know! Anyone in the world can register and vote for us. Tell them that you know this is a great program, so you need their help to support SEWEE Association.

We are going to do everything we can to win this money. We will be at the Mt. Pleasant Farmer’s Market on July 6th and 20th with our computers so people there can vote.

Also, WineStyles of Mt. Pleasant Towne Center is hosting a wine-tasting event on Monday, July 12th, for us from 6:00- 7:30pm. For only $20/person, you can sample some wonderful fine wines and vote for our project while there. Proceeds from this event will be donated for our education programs as well. Register at http://www.winestyles.net/contact.asp?id=460195&page=15 and vote for the wines you would like to taste that evening.

So — before you leave this message do 3 things:

Go to http://www.refresheverything.com/seweeearthstewards and vote for us.
Forward this message to everyone you know.
Consider attending the WineStyles wine tasting on July 12th.
We need your help!! This has been the most challenging year we have ever had to raise funds for our work. Now with just a click you can help us bring in major dollars to keep our programs going through the 2010 – 2011 school year.

THANKS!

Karen

Karen Beshears, Executive Director
SEWEE Association
PO Box 1131
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465
Phone/fax: 843-884-7539
email: sewee.association@earthlink.net
web site: www.seweeassociation.org

Moments before this when we were pulling in we passed Pisgah Brewing Company’s new outdoor wooden stage. The lumber was milled NEXT door to the club and came from the area. WOW. Talk about a beautiful design it looked like the Elf kings house in lord of the rings, but NC fashion.

The smell of Jamaican food hung in the air, we entered through the grill smoke, walked through the large outdoor area, where people can sit because there are huge doors that roll up to reveal the bar and stage. Shit yea- heaven.

Setting up was easy because Frank Bloome, only the BEST drummer and percussion player in NC was running sound. It had been so long since I had a monitor to sing through that I was beside myself. I will be jamming with Frank soon as he has ideas to put together some musicians with John W. Lee and I in the Asheville area. WOW. Now folks this is totally my BETTER than after school special- story-book moment here.

Well I had no time to take pictures, everything just happened so fast. We played to many great people who enjoyed the show and John W. Lee did a set of his own music which was VERY well-received. Why is this happening like this? I believe it is because of Alan Moon’s work on my facebook page to get things going! Big shout out to Alan and I hope he is having a blast being the producer for Josh Roberts and The Hinges, who are currently recording at Front End Audio. Can’t wait for the record y’all. You my have seen this band recently on tour with Band of Horses. Josh has gone big-time.

And now, a super shout out to Kevin Lowery and his team for taking over the websites and honing their crafts on some Howle. Kevin is even going to teach me how to talk to fans on facebook too! WOW, and I do promise not to suk at computers anymore. We will miss Alan, but he is making rock star records and it is what he is meant to be doing. He is genius at this stuff. Hey Alan!!! Oh yea, Kevin, so nice to have you on board. Kevin and I have great plans and many fun video adventures that we will start sharing with you so stay tuned.

Right now, I am sitting between two mountains, enjoying the cool air and hearing some frogs from a near by pond holler a it. It’s not Awendaw Green baby, but it will have to do and it does do for now. I miss Nat and the crew back at home, but I keep meeting so many great musicians who want to come play Awendaw that it isn’t even funny. And with the Wednesday night barn jam rockin the way it does, they will be well received.

John W. Lee just booked us two gigs in Northern Virginia, like TODAY!!! where we will head to tomorrow. The bummer is that his guitar hardware crapped out so he can’t plug in. If you know John and are coming to these gigs, spare you ax for an hour or so for a good cause. More word on the gig info soon. We are in process of gathering the information.

Oh yeah, one more thing that I forgot about this until now, and it was a cool moment. We had tourists read about me on the internet from Ohio who were down there coming to the gig. Facebook works! YAY! To end it all out proper, I just have to tell you guys that when the fireworks were going off during the gig, I sang “While I miss You” and then “Freedom” both tunes from Swamp Sessions solar recording I did in the Francis Marion Forest. People freaked out. And there were tons of people just sitting in the park by the big, new outdoor Stage at Pisgah Brewing. What a great time we had. Hope to see my NC friends at Pisgah Brewing soon.

All my best, DMFH

Sean Kelly, principal songwriter for the group has come over several times to work on some jingles for an upcoming project, AND Sean tells me last week that he wants to produce one my songs. It seems things have come full circle. How cool is that?

Serious Focus

For the past month or so, I have been producing again. This time, at Sea Note Studios in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The band is Called “Ten Toes Up”. HOLY EARTH MOTHER!!! This band is insanely good. I have been getting to know the guys and their work rather well, to say the least.

I am new to producing albums for others, but man, I really dig it. There is NO coincidence in ANY of this, and I feel like I am exactly where I need to be and doing exactly what I need to be doing. I have way too much to say about this, but for now, I am going to enjoy the experience and keep it in the family for a spell longer. Sorry music friends, and rest easy because your mind is about to be blown once this record gets finished.

Playing a Back-up Guitarist on TV

I got a call from the show called “Army Wives” last month to play a back-up guitarist to the songwriter for the band “Five For Fighting”. Really? How cool is this? WAY GREAT. I learned so much from being on the set and watching a dedicated crew of people produce a show they love and that I TOTALLY LOVE> I do own seasons 1,2,and 3 of Army Wives, because it f-in rocks.

I grew up and Army kid. So when I found out that Matt Sefick, Producer of the movie “The Four Children of Tander Welch” was working on this Army Wives show, I became very interested and started following the show. HUGE FAN. I worked with Matt Sefick producing and writing the soundtrack for the Tander Welch movie a couple years back. YES< we finally got distribution for the film last month as well. NO coincidences here folks.

When I first watched season one of Army Wives, I was hesitant and wondered if they writers and fine craftsmen could capture what growing up in army life was all about. I mean it is called Army Wives, but it focuses on the whole family and how they deal with this life- you know? I was totally freaking out because watching seasons one brought back all these memories of growing up army. I laughed, I cried, and I started WRITING SONGS because I just could not help myself from getting inspired. That is why I own all three seasons of Army Wives. TOTAL FAN HUGENESS HERE.

The episode I will appear in is for season four. I think it airs in June. More news on that soon. All the musicians that backed up national artists on this episode were local musicians of great talents. I really liked the way this show took such fine care in showcasing local talent.

AMRY WIVES- MORE- Shelby Lynn comes to Charleston.

Late last year, Matt told me Shelby lynn was going to be featured in an episode of Army Wives. SHE ROCKS. Matt Seffick, Eddie White of Awendaw Green and Dan Henderson of Sun Coast Promotions put together a live music show for Shelby Lynn at the Circular Church in Charleston.

Again, local musicians were involved. Doug Jones, of Cravin Melon, Mark Bryan, of Hootie and The Blowfish, Mac Leaphart, Catherine Dudley, Cary Anne Hearst, James Berisford and ME TOO, all came on board to open for Shelby Lynn. She blew my mind with her awesome music, and to a sold out crowd of the finest music listeners, one of the best shows I have ever been a part of happened RIGHT HERE in the historic Circular Church on Meeting Street. Thank you to all who came and produced this event for letting me be a part of it. This was a really big deal to me.

So the Army Wives connection is huge here for many of us local folks. I could ramble for days here about my love for the ways this show and our finest locals came together.

Sol Driven Train

Fast trackers to national recognition, Sol Driven Train, are becoming one of the most important and KICK ASS bands to come out of South Carolina. Sol driven Train came to Awendaw Green recording studios to work with our resident engineer Nat Mundy. I was just hanging around, doing laundry, cleaning up, being my artist in residence self, and got to hear many of the tracks for their new album in progress. WOW. I was really a fly on the wall.

One day, (last month) I got a text from Joel Timmons, principal songwriter for the group, and he asked me to come down to Charleston Sound studios and do some back-up harmonies. I missed the text for like an hour because I was well, ON THE PHONE- EW! But I jumped right back and said I would be there asap.

I drove up the road a ways and walked in the studio, and immediately felt right at home. The tune I sang on is called “Orangeburg” and is about the Orangeburg massacre. INTENSE! Sol Driven train is GREAT. Joel gave me run to jam at the end of the tune too. He chose some crazy church bell as a sound effect, which went along wit hteh lyrics really well. I heard that bell and it transformed me. I have NO idea where it came from, but the melody just started coming out of my mouth and I sang. It was strange and good.

The only thing I can say is- “NO MIND” … I was simply doing in that moment. I sang the notes that came out unafraid, uninhibited and simply in that moment. It was a beautiful experience that will continue to shape me musically and as a human being with some awareness for the rest of my life.

These are just some of the amazing opportunities I have gotten involved with through NO coincidence over the past few months. Being resident artist at Awendaw Green is the key here. Without being at Awendaw Green, I don’t think all of these cool things would have come my way. Thank you Awendaw Green. I will honor you.

I must say, there are just a few notes fading out on the song “Orangeburg” where I sang free form, but this changed me forever. IT is some of the best vocal work I have ever done. It fills me with gratitude and understanding of life and music.

SO GRATEFUL

I am in a great place as a human and artist. I am able to help others, and spread the word for bands like “A Fragile Tomorrow” /”Sol Driven train” / “Ten Toes Up” / The Dead Petals” (coming to AG to record in July) and all these bands have in turn done the same for my work. How cool is this? It is true cool. The network we are all making together is priceless, timeless and true.

Charleston Music Group

This company is supporting many national and local artists. Stay tuned for my work with Mark Bryan on some Howle tracks. We have been working our asses off. I will tell more soon once the master mind Mark tells me the deal. HUGE THINGS are coming from this group of jedi-style musicians merging with the finest business people. Finely organized and simply divine are words that begin to describe how Mark Bryan is putting his master talents to work on a global scale for artists in our region and nation- you dig? Stay tuned.

Howle record.

Too many songs. Maybe I will make two. Send money and love my way to help out, or just some damn good socks. I seem to be running low on these right now. Hell, send a freakin target gift card- that would rock. I am on the cutting edge of many things right now, so help me stay floating above water. Publix gifts cards are cool too. Cash is best. JNot beggin- just saying.

Anyways, thanks for reading my long wind. May you do many things each day that fulfill you. We live in great times, despite what the media may project. Stay alert and trust and love on my friends. I know one thing sure, good music is coming out of Charleston and Awendaw Green. Will it change the world? Yes, it already has.

Seeing joy clearly,

DMFH

In my own back yard, while cooking, and doing laundry, I listened in to the band “Sol Driven Train” recording various parts of their album at Awendaw Green Studios, where I live. I am a big fan, so having them out here really rocked my world.

Joel (songwriter of Sol Driven Train) asked me to sing on a tune called “Orangeburg” that he wrote and I was FLOORED.
The song “Orangeburg” is about a very important and tragic event in our state’s history. The music and lyrics are world class amazing. Click this link below- Listen to “Orangeburg”, read the article below when you get back to me, and as you read click again become a “Sol Driven Train” fan by going to their site. Explore their site. Sol Driven Train are the real deal, diversified and of true genius talent. They are from our state! I will see you at a Sol Driven train show. All light, DMFH

“Orangeburg” by Sol Driven Train.

Sol Driven Train tell the story of 1968 Orangeburg SC Massacre; free download to commemorate Black History Month

The group Sol Driven Train from Charleston SC has never shirked its responsibilities to enlighten as well as entertain. Known for their raucous and spirited live shows at venues, the band also performs for children at festivals and events. The wordsmiths in the band maintain a spirit of songwriting that encompasses the gravity of life events as well as a commitment to raise awareness of social and environmental issues.

More than 3 years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Orangeburg SC’s only bowling alley was still “whites only.” On the night of February 8, 1968, after 3 nights of protests by SC State University students and others, a crowd of young people gathered on the campus. Police opened fire, killing 3 students (Samuel Hammond Jr., 18, Delano Herman Middleton, 17, and Henry Ezekial Smith, 19) and injuring 27 others, most of whom were shot in the back as they fled the barrage of gunfire. The nine police officers who fired into the crowd were all acquitted of excessive force charges. The only person convicted of wrongdoing was SNCC activist Cleveland Sellers, imprisoned for 7 months for “inciting to riot,” and pardoned 25 years later. The first incident of its kind, The Orangeburg Massacre predated the shootings at Kent State and Jackson State, and received little media coverage.

Songwriter Joel Timmons, of the band Sol Driven Train, is using the visceral power of rock ‘n roll to re-tell the story of the Orangeburg Massacre. In commemoration of Black History Month, “Orangeburg” will be available as a free download through the month of February at the band’s website www.soldriventrain.com. The song was recorded at Hillcreek Studios in Candler, NC and at Awendaw Green in Awendaw, SC, and was mixed by Jeff Hodges at Charleston Sound. Two guest artists lent their talents to the track: Jim Peterman (Steve Miller Band) added some spooky Hammond B-3 organ and SC songwriter Danielle Howle belted out some powerfully mournful backup vocals. The song will be included in the band’s upcoming album “Believe,” due for release this spring.

Sol Driven Train will be appearing live February 20 in Mt. Pleasant, SC as part of the Oysters on the Point concert series at Patriot’s Point.

All in all, people were just not talking that much. They were eating and meditating on some fine BBQ. OF the three home-made sauces made there, I like the vinegar base best, but then, the sweet sauce is really good no, wait the mustard base is quite nice as well. Why pick favorites? They taste pretty good all mixed together and absorbed into the bottom of some corn bread.

On the buffet that evening was loose chop pork, green beans, mac and cheese, boudin balls, and Carolina dirty rice, and some hash and gravy. There could have been more, but I saw these items and began to make my plate. Ok, let me back up here. Boudin balls are a spicy rice, pork dressing formed into balls and deep fried. The Dirty rice was cooked in chicken and gumbo stock, which makes it super flavorful. I was not expecting such care over rice, and I got mad respect for that. The first forkful of rice, I had to stop and ask myself, wow, I have never tasted a story like this before!!! So I had to ask all about the rice, being a person that loves to care over rice.

I did not have time to take pictures of the food, because I was too busy worshiping this fine BBQ. AND, I am not usually a dessert person, but I had never seen a peach cobbler quite like this. It smelled so good that I just had to try some! There was just a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon on top- YUM!

The set-up is super cool for playing music and hanging outdoors. Fire pits, outdoor bar, oyster tables, and a tiny handmade stage! Just check out my photos!!! Note, deer antlers on the tin roof are not optional.

Any restaurant that has (all those sacred things mentioned above) plus TWO kitchens, a woodpile and it’s own garden is pretty cool in my book. The artwork is also quite amazing. I mean really, just look at the logo, and well, any sign that says bluegrass, oysters and welcome Danielle on it, pretty much rocks. That little fellow in the photo is Thomas. He was the kid who said “YUMMMMM” right when I walked into the dining room of Smoke, ready to make my plate. It was nice that he hung out at the gig with his Dad. Good food, and people are what I found playing and hanging at Smoke. For an Authentic, intentional, fun and full of love dining and hanging out to hear music experience, go to Smoke- go right now and tell me all about it!. I can’t wait to go back again. See you there! D

The Free Times proudly sponsored the acoustic stage. Check it out-
it’s just perfect!

I really liked the fact that we got to set up merch right by the stage too.

Please welcome SALBOT 3000 to Team Howle. She is road manager/ninja
warrior for the team. If you want to know what’s really going on, talk
to SALBOT, and she might try and sell you a t-shirt too.

While playing my heart out, and enjoying the day, I looked up into the
sky and I saw these cloud-dots. I don’t know what else to call them. I
said over the mic, “Now peoples, what are those dots in the sky. They
are uniform- it looks like some secret language. Perhaps the aliens
have picked the perfect day to communicate with us. “

Salbot got the camera and was taking pictures of the celebrated cloud
dots. See me in photo below looking at the dots.

“WELL ok, then “- I thought—just keep playing.

Seriously folks, the cloud dots kinda freaked me out a bit. While I
was playing, these cloud dots started to form words, but I was too
busy to notice. By the time I looked up, they said the following.

Now that’s some advertising eh? Anyways, it’s probably best not to see
the documentary on chemtrails, or look up what they are on the web. It
will sure get you thinking about strange clouds and the like. Anyways,
the cloud dots turned English words faded away, and then things got
back to normal, which looked exactly like this photo below.

Welcome SALBOT to TEAM HOWLE. Thanks for documenting the cloud dots.
Stay tuned humans as I freak on more of the supernatural.
All love,
DMFH