Tuesday, March 5, 2024

February 19th, Retrophonics Studios - Jim and I worked on "Rocket".  Jim, Jesse Cruce and I added some harmonies. Next week we hope to finish the mix and then Jim DeVito will start finalizing everything. Can't wait to move on to "Project No. 6" !!!

February 20th, Songwriter's Night at the Oasis Tiki Bar - It was a great night! This change of venue has worked out real good. A lot of it has to do with Jean and staff at the Oasis. Dave Rudolf and Amy Hendrickson were fabulous. As usual Bob kicked butt! Thanks for supporting original music in St. Augustine. See you next month on March 19th with John Winters and Mark Richey. We forgot to take the group hug at the end of the night so this photo will have to do.

February 21st, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was another cold night so we were under the tent. We had a nice crowd though. Thanks Abe, Albert and staff! See you next week.

February 22nd, Bagan and Company - Dan and I released "Rocket" on FaceBook.

February 22nd,  Carpetbaggers DAVE and Sue at The Press - It was a great night really enjoy hangin' out and playing some music with Sue. Thanks to all that showed up. Thanks Scott and staff. The food was excellent Jessica Besley!

February 23rd, 24th and 25th, Jupiter with Joel and Michele -Theresa and I had a great time, we meet some great folks, had some great food, checked out some beautiful boats, told some stories, drank some shots, climbed some stairs, walked the beach, got some seashells, heard some music - now we are home. It was also good to hang out with my band mate and friend Al Johnson.

Dave, Dave and Joel

Al Johnson and Dave

I'm hoping to finishing Poor-Dum at Retrophonics Studios this week. I'm going to release another new song on Facebook with the help of Dan at Bagan and Company. Thanks for letting me live my dream!!! Keepin' it Real!!  -David

see you down the road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
check out my upcoming performances here:
http://davidwattbesley.blogspot.com/p/schedule_31.html

Carpetbaggers Band 

The North Star Band 

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

February 12th, Retrophonics Studios - Jim and I worked on a mix for "Harpoon Sadie" and "Rocket".  Four more tunes to go then Poor-Dum will be finished. Yeah!

February 13th - Theresa and I went with Sue and Wayne to see Marc Douglas Berardo and Louise Mosrie Coombe at Cafe 11 it was a good show. It 's always good to see my old songwriting friend. Clay Blasser did a wonderful job with the sound.

February 14th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was still a little chilly so we set up under the tent. We had a nice crowd it was a good time.

February 15th, Bagan and Company - Dan and I did a 2.2 mile walk and then worked on releasing  "I'm So Gone" on Facebook from my new solo project called Poor-dum.

February 16th, Carpetbaggers Dave and Tony at The Tides Oyster Co and Grill - It was a fun time with Tony filling in for Sue. Good to see The Bagan's in the audience.

February 18th - I finished a new tune called "A Cowboy Dream" a song to add to my new solo effort Project No. 6 

February 18th, DAVE at Aunt Kate's - It rained all day... I mean all day...no gig today. See you March 1st.

Looking forward to doing some mixing on my Poor-Dum project with Jim DeVito at Retrophonics Studios. Later in the week I'm getting together with Dan to release of "Harpoon Sadie" on Facebook. We've got a Songwriters night, one Carpetbaggers show and Sue and I are going to play a new venue, The Press. Thanks for letting me live my dream!!!  Keepin' It Real! -David

see you down the road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
check out my upcoming performances here:
http://davidwattbesley.blogspot.com/p/schedule_31.html

Carpetbaggers Band 

The North Star Band 


February 5th, I started working on a new tune, "Cowboy" is the working title. I have written 6 new tunes for my next solo effort  I'm calling it "Project No. 6".

February 5th, Retrophonics Studios - Jim, Johnny and I worked mixing "Harpoon Sadie", we got a great version going, then realized we had a guitar track Mickey Adams had done, so we will take a look at that next week. I discussed with Johnny and Jim my thoughts about my next solo project "Project No. 6" and plans for the next Carpetbagger's project.

February 7th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue,Tony and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was a little cold but had a great audience. Thanks for supporting Carpetbaggers' music. We will see you next week.

February 8th, Bagan and Company - Dan and I released "Get Along Little Pony", a song I co-wrote with Mike Caudill in the early 70's.

February 9th, 10th and 11th, DAVE at The Big Deck - It was great to be back in Cedar Key! It was an awesome weekend,  the audiences were very fun for all three days. We were back in our room at Bryan and Darlene's. We've been at Cedar Cove since the hurricane. The market just reopened too, I had the first sub from the deli, Italian, at the Cedar Key Market. Some things are coming back, some not so much. God bless Cedar Key.

I am looking forward to the studio, Jim and I will finish the mix on "Harpoon Sadie" and move to "40 Years" a song written by Chris Berardo. I also look forward to getting together with Dan at Bagan and Company to release "I'm So Gone", a song I co-wrote with Chris Mcvey. Thanks for letting me live my dream!!! Keepin' It Real! -David

see you down the road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
check out my upcoming performances here:
http://davidwattbesley.blogspot.com/p/schedule_31.html

Carpetbaggers Band 

The North Star Band 

January 22nd, Retrophonics Studios - Jim, Johnny and I worked on mixes for "Life Goes On", " Get Along Little Pony" and "I'm So Gone".

January 24th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony  and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - The power went off about 4pm just as I finished setting up. It came back on and off again about 4:20 and at 4:30 or so we were good to go. A beautiful day in the neighborhood. We had a great evening somewhere else on A1A.

January 25th, Bagan and Company - Dan and I working on a release for Facebook called "I Feel The Love" It's from my new solo project Poor-Dum. Later Theresa and I had dinner at Barbara Jean's on the Water with Gary and Debbie Carroll. They are friends of ours on vacation here from Virginia.  It was nice to catch up with my ole band mate. I hope we see more of them in the future. 

January 26th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at The St. Augustine Fish House and Oyster Co - It was a great night! Great crowd! Good to see John Winters!

January 27th - I was off today. I stopped by and saw John Winters and Mark Richey at Marina Munch in the afternoon, they sounded great. John and Mark will be on stage with Bob and I for March's Songwriter's Night.

Just heard one of my life long friends Paul D'Angelo passed away. One more of the Fairview Gang heads to heaven with Pat and Jayne. R.I.P. my friend.  

January 31st - I finally finished up an new tune I've been working on called  "Front and Center" with some help on a few lines from Theresa.  

January 31st, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It turned out to be a great night, never sure with the current weather situation. We were under the tent, folks were showing up 2 hours before the gig to get seats. I know I was there setting up.

February 1st, Carpetbaggers DAVE and Sue at The World Famous Oasis Tiki Bar - What a great night! At one point in the night Sue turned to me and said "the place is full".  I hadn't even noticed I was just enjoying playing. When I looked up it was full, people braving the cold weather. Thanks Jean and all the great folks at Oasis. Also all our friends old and new that support Carpetbaggers music. Also JC Hatfield, Noelle and Jim's friend Jimmy were in the audience.

February 2nd, DAVE at Aunt Kate's - I have always said if folks are sitting outside to eat I will play. It turned out to be a nice afternoon. As the sun started to set it began to cool off pretty quick but there were still a porch full of folks there when I left. Thanks Brian, Dave and staff you guys are the best!

February 3rd, Carpetbagger DAVE, Sue,Tony and Frankie at San Sebastian Winery - There was a breeze and it was chilly but Kyle put a heater on the stage and everyone seemed comfortable. I think it was different for the folks that came out to see us. Thanks to Kyle and all the great folks at the San Sebastian Winery, you guys are the best. If you haven't been here, come up on the roof to look around the town and to check out our sound.

February 4th, DAVE at Aunt Kate's - The weather didn't cooperate so I had to cancel. As it turned out, the sun came out  later in the day...darn. Well, sometimes you win sometimes you loose. I'll be back in two weeks.

Looking forward to Retrophonics Studios and Jim DeVito to move along with the mixes on my new Poor-Dum project. Also working with Dan Bagan to release my next song on Facebook "Get Along Little Pony" a song I co-wrote with Mike Caudill in the 70's. Thanks for letting me live my dream!!!  Keepin' It Real! -David

see you down the road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
check out my upcoming performances here:
http://davidwattbesley.blogspot.com/p/schedule_31.html

Carpetbaggers Band 

The North Star Band 

Monday, January 22, 2024

January 8th, Retrophonics Studios - Jim, Johnny and I worked on "Rocket" and Tony's acoustic solo at the end of "I Feel The Love" soon to be released as a single song on Facebook for you guys to check out. I'm excited! Jim, Johnny and I also talked about a new solo project I will start on along with The Carpetbaggers next effort.

January 10th - Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was a nice night, the temperature dropped pretty quick when the sun went down. We would like to thank the brave folks that weathered the weather with us.

January 12th, 13th and 14th, DAVE at The Big Deck - I always love driving across the state to play this venue. The Big Deck, the owners, the staff, the tourists and all the people that live there are the best! Thank you Cedar Key!

January 15th, Retrophonics Studios - Jim, Johnny and I worked up a new mix on "I Feel The Love" and we worked on a mix and re-sang "Life Goes On".

January 16th - Songwriter's Night at The World Famous Oasis Tiki Bar - What a great night! The weather was awful all day but cleared up around 4pm. We had a great audience, Doug and Michael kicked butt! Thanks Jean and all the folks at the Oasis for providing the space for us to make music. And thanks to all the folks that support the music we play. 

Michael, Doug, Bob & Dave

January 17th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was a nice chilly evening. We featured our harmonies tonight something that gets a little lost sometimes. Enjoyed singing with Sue and Frankie. We missed you Tony.

January 19th - Carpetbaggers DAVE and Sue at Tides and Oyster - It was good to be back at Tides Oyster Co and Grill. We had a nice crowd. This is one of our favorite places to play as a duo.

I started on a new tune, the working title is "Front & Center". I'm looking forward to the studio this week, Jim and I will continue mixing Poor-Dum my current solo project. I just have a couple of shows this week with the band, I always look forward to that. Also looking forward to getting together with Dan and working on the release of "I Feel The Love" from my Poor-Dum project. Thanks for letting me live my dream! Keepin' It Real! -David

see you down the road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
check out my upcoming performances here:
http://davidwattbesley.blogspot.com/p/schedule_31.html

Carpetbaggers Band 

The North Star Band 


Tuesday, January 9, 2024

January 1st - Retrophonics Studios - Jim and I worked on a mix for "I Feel The Love". I hope to get with Dan Bagan this week and start on a release for my facebook page this week. I can't wait for everyone to hear my new music. I'm excited.

January 3rd, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was a great evening, the place was packed! The rain held off until the very to the end.

January 4th, Carpetbaggers DAVE and Sue at The World Famous Oasis Tiki Bar - Sue and I had a great night! We would like to thank Jean and all the great folks at the Tiki Bar for having Sue and I at their venue. 

January 5th, DAVE at Aunt Kate's - It turned out to be a beautiful day on the porch by the water! See you again on Sunday if this weather holds out.

January 6th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at  The San Sebastian Winery - It turned out to be a beautiful night, it was a little windy near the end. We had a great crowd, it was a great time. Thanks everyone who came down to support The Carpetbaggers!

January 7th, DAVE at Aunt Kate's - It was windy and cold but I played it out, surprisingly there was a pretty good size audience. It turned out to be a nice chilly show on the porch by the water. Thanks Brian and staff you guys are the best!

I had a nice week! Finished up a new tune "Ride Like The Wind", for sure this will have Jim DeVito pull out his western guitar. Carpetbaggers will not longer be performing at Borrillo's, the venue made scheduling errors and defaulted on the dates they committed to us for 2024. We would like to thank all our fans for enduring the time we spent there over the last several months, we sure miss Gerry and Delia. Thanks for letting me live my dream!!! Keepin' It Real!!-David

see you down the road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
check out my upcoming performances here:
http://davidwattbesley.blogspot.com/p/schedule_31.html

Carpetbaggers Band 

The North Star Band 

Monday, January 1, 2024

December 11th, Retrophonics Studios - Jim, Johnny and I worked on "Life Goes On". Next Tuesday we hope to tackle "Rocket" and then it's going under the headphones for Jim and finishing it up. I'm excited.

December 13th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Tony and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings -  We had a great rainy, windy, chilly night at Hurricane's. We missed Sue but somehow made it through. Tony and Frankie kicked butt!

December 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th,  Ellijay, GA - Theresa, Brianna, Braylen & I spent the weekend in the mountains of Georgia with Wayne and Sue.  As always a lot of fun, R and R and some exercise climbing those mountains. We did a drive-in movie, a first for Brianna and Braylen. Braylen also ice skated for the first time.  A great time was had by all. 

December 19th, Songwriters Night at The World Famous Oasis Tiki Bar - It was really cold for Florida. I didn't really know what to expect as far as an audience. It turned out to be a great night. Great job by Douglas and Michael. See you back here on January 16th with a different line up and the time will change to 6pm to 8pm. Thanks Oasis and staff for having us!

Douglas, Dave, Michael and Bob

December 20th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was good to get back playing with the band. It was a nice night although we had to set up under the tent.

December 21st, Bagan and Company - Dan and I ordered inserts for Poor-Dum and worked on our first idea for the release of "I Feel The Love". 

December 21st, Carpetbaggers DAVE and Sue at The World Famous Oasis Tiki Bar - We had a great night! Good to see a lot of familiar faces in a new setting. Thanks for your support! We'll be beck January 4th!

December 22nd, DAVE at Aunt Kate's was cancelled - I talked with Brian and we decided the weather was not my  friend today. We were wrong  because I think it turned out to be an okay evening. Sorry but it's hard to second guess mother natures. See you December 29th weather permitting. 

December 25th, Merry Christmas! - I finished another tune "Ride Like The Wind". I have four more to lay down at Retrophonics Studios and one more I co-wrote with Tony Scozzaro for The Carpetbagger's.

December 27th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie -Hurricane Grill and Wings - It looked like rain so we set up under the roof. It was a great night! It was good to hang out and make music with my band mates. See you same place next year!

December 28th, Bagan and Company - Dan and I worked on "Live and A Little Touched" fixed the times. We also are coming up with some ideas for my soon to be released "I Feel The Love" a song from my new Poor-Dum project.

December 29th, DAVE at Aunt Kate's - I went down there and stood where I would be playing and there was a steady cold wind blowing. Cancelled! Later Theresa and I went to Jim and Sheryl's it was a lot of fun.

December 31st, DAVE at Aunt Kate's -  Sunny day, I had a nice afternoon out on the porch by the water! Happy New Year everyone! See you next year!

This has been a great year with all kinds of fun. I'm looking forward to 2024 with new original music from me and the band. I can't wait to get into the studio New Years Day to work on Poor-Dum, the new solo project I've been working on. Thanks for letting me live my dream!!!   Keepin' It Real! -David

see you down the road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
check out my upcoming performances here:
http://davidwattbesley.blogspot.com/p/schedule_31.html

Carpetbaggers Band 

The North Star Band