May 4, 2026 - No studio today, Jim DeVito is dealing with some health issues, but is doing better. Sue is scheduled for her surgery next week.

May 6 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Frankie and Tony at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was a nice evening. Tony's new rig has some great sounds. Chris and Duffy stopped by late.

May 7 Bagan and Company - Dan and AI wrote a song. We listened to it to decide how we could work with it. We also did some more work on the Poor-Dum video.

May 9 Carpetbaggers DAVE and Frankie at Hammock Grill - It was a little slow but the weather around us was bad. No rain where we were. Thanks to folks that did show up (notables Bruce & Ranae). Also thanks to the wonderful staff we had fun.

May 10 - Happy Mother's Day!  

May 11 Retrophonics Studios - Jim and I worked on organizing songs for the 3 project's we're working on Say Grace Carpetbaggers, Shines A Light multi track solo project, Leftovers solo basic.  

May 11 DAVE at Hammock Grill - It was kind of a dreary evening but still some brave souls made their way to JT's. Had a good time met a lot of new faces and was glad to see The Butcher (Mike), Renee and Mike's brother.

May 13 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Frankie and Tony at Hurricane Grill and Wings - We had a great night at Hurricane's! Frankie and Tony kicked butt! Thanks Abe, Albert, Slim and staff you guys are the best! Say a prayer for Maryellen  she is very sick. We also pray that Bob Patterson has a quick recovery. We are happy Sue's surgery went good! We miss you!

May 15 Carpetbaggers DAVE and Frankie at Tides - It was a little slow but still had a good time. Thanks Felicia, Mandy and staff you guys are the best!

May 16 DAVE at Murray Bros. Caddyshack - I had a nice evening. Thanks Scott and staff you guys are the best! Theresa and I stopped by our neighbor Greg's and said goodbye to Brian Drysdale. I was going to play "Smile For The Camera" but it seemed too late.

May 17 DAVE at Aunt Kate's - It was another great afternoon out on the porch by the water. Thanks Brian, the two Daves and staff you guys are the best! Theresa and I stopped by and said goodbye to Kenny Beckstrom a good man and friend. 

Looking forward to making progress on Leftovers my new solo project. Thanks for letting me live my dream!!! Keepin' It Real!!! DAVE

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

April 6, 2026 at Retrophonics Studios - Sue was in today to put some great string parts on "Calculated Risk".

April 7 Rain Day

April 8 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - There was a chance of rain so we set up under cover. It's always a little cramped when we do that but it turned out alright. This is our only show this week, we'll see you next Wednesday same time same station.

April 9 I started on a new tune called "Roll the Dice".

April 10 Bagan and Company - We continued work the Poor-dum video. The end is in sight.

April 13 DAVE at JT's - It turned out to be a nice crowded evening. It's a little strange being so far from your audience as a single but I think I'm getting used to it.

April 15 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Frankie and JC at Hurricane Grill and Wings - Sue injured her shoulder Wednesday afternoon and was unable to play. I called JC Hatfield  and he said he could help us out. He did a great job.  Thanks JC. It was good to see the Dunaway's out and about. We missed the queen bee and hope she is getting better.

April 16 Bagan and Company - Dan and I continued work on the Poor-Dum video.

April 17 Carpetbaggers DAVE and Frankie at Tides - Sue is on the DL until further notice. We will know more after the weekend. Frankie stepped in and kicked butt. We had several requests for some old original tunes that we did "Fernando" (Besley), "Smile For The Camera" (Besley/Kulwicki/Mayvillle), and "Complicated World" (Besley/M.Berardo). We had a blast! Thank you Felicia, Mandy and staff, you guys are the best!

April 18 Carpetbaggers DAVE and Frankie at The Hammock Grill at JT's - Another fun night! I'm so glad Johnny and Brandy are back, it's great. Thanks everyone for stopping by! See you back here soon,

April 19 DAVE at Aunt Kate's - I had a nice afternoon out on the porch by the water. The caterpillars are starting to wind down, so that's good. See you here again soon.

April 20 Retrophonics Studios  - Jim and I went to work on two of my new tunes "A Knight" and "The Big Move". Johnny Medico stopped by, we let him hear "Calculated Risk" with Frankie Urzetta singing and Sue Westcott playing strings. Jesse Cruce was also there I talked with him about some ideas for "The Big Move".

April 20th, DAVE at the Chianti Room - It turned out to be a nice evening. Their happy hour is back, yea!

April 21 Songwriter's Night - It was ad a great night, Michael Cassidy and Sam Pacetti really brought it. Bob as always was great! Thanks everyone for supporting "LIVE" original music. See you back here May 19th writers to be announced soon!

Michael, Sam, Bob, Dave

April 22nd, Carpetbaggers DAVE & Frankie with special guest John Winters and Laurence Stevenson at Hurricane Grill and Wings - What a great night, Laurence is headed back to Canada. I hope John will join us again in the near future.

April 23 thru 27 - Theresa and I are in Virginia visiting family. United Airlines and Budget rent-a-car, both were spot on. A very comfortable trip.

April 29 Carpetbaggers DAVE and Frankie with special guest Tony Scozzaro at Hurricane Grill and Wings - Sad to say it, but it's going to be at least September before Sue gets back to playing. Tony is going to help us out all he can. Thank you Tony, you're the man!! Tonight was a lot of fun with all three of us trying to get back on track trying to remember songs none of us have done in a while. We made it through.

April 30 Bagan and Company  - Dan and I continued work on the "Poor-Dum" video.

May 1 DAVE at Aunt Kate's - It was another great day out on the porch by the water!

May 2 Carpetbaggers DAVE and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - We were under cover but the weather held off. It turned out to be a nice evening!

May 3 DAVE at Aunt Kate's -What a beautiful afternoon out on the porch by the water!

It's been a great few weeks.  We all miss Sue who's dealing with an injury. Frankie and I will carry on with help from time to time with Tony Scozzaro and others sitting in. Thanks for letting me live my dream!!! Keepin' It Real!! - Dave

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

March 23 Retrophonics Studio's - No studio today Jim had company. Hopefully next week we will have Frankie in singing a Besley/Medico tune "Calculated Risk" and a Besley/Westcott tune "Dirty Little Secrets".

March 24 Songwriters Night at the World Famous Oasis - It was rainy and on a different night, (usually  held on the 3th Tuesday each month). We still had a nice night and all our songwriting guests kicked butt! See you back here April 21st!

Cindy and Bear, Denny, Bob and Dave

March 25 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at  Hurricane Grill and Wings - The weather was nasty but the show did go on. Dale Hicks sat in and did a great job as usual, he's headed back home tomorrow.

March 27 Bagan and Company - Dan and I moved our "Poor-Dum" video along.

March 29 DAVE at Aunt Kate's - I was afraid the wind was going to make it too uncomfortable but I was wrong, it turned out to be a beautiful day out on the porch by the water! Thanks Brian and staff you guys are the best!

March 30 Retrophonics Studios - We worked at Jim's studio today with Frankie Urzetta. He sang vocals tracks on "Calculated Risk" a Besley/Medico tune and "Dirty Little Secret" a Besley/Westcott tune both will appear on our new Carpetbaggers CD Say Grace. I also laid a rough track down on "Everyday Life" a new Besley/Westcott effort. It was a good day.

April 1 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was a great time! Laurence Stevenson was with us! 

April 2 Bagan and Company - Dan and I continued work on the Poor-Dum video.

April 3 DAVE at Aunt Kate's - I had a nice afternoon out on the porch by the water, me and the caterpillars!

April 4 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - Saturday night at Hurricanes. It was fun! Thanks Abe, Albert, Slim and staff you guys are the best!

April 5 DAVE at Aunt Kate's - Another afternoon, me and the caterpillars, out on the porch. by the water. I had a good time anyway. Thanks Brian and staff!

It's been a good week, I finished a couple of new tunes "Everyday Life" (Besley/Westcott) and "The Dream" (Besley). I'm looking forward to the studio this week with Sue Westcott. We are on our way to Carpetbaggers #3 Say Grace and my 7th Shines A Light. Thanks for letting me live my dream!!! Keepin' It Real!!!  -Dave

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

March 14 thru 18, 2026  Spring Break, we headed to Arizona with Brianna and Braylen too - It was a blast, baseball and the Grand Canyons! Our travel days were long, we had a little trouble on both ends with delays with connections but TSA was a breeze.. It was good to hang out with Lou, Diane and their friends from California. These trips are never long enough, glad we did it. Next trip is in the works right now.

Grand Canyon

March 20 DAVE and Sue at Tides  - We had a great night at Tides. Thanks Felicia, Mandy and staff you guys are the best!

March 21st DAVE at Caddyshack - Really enjoyed it! Still not up to par but the audience was great! Thanks Scott and staff!

March 22nd DAVE at Aunt Kate's - Yet another great afternoon out on the porch by the water!

I'm always glad to be home and back to playing music. Thanks for letting me live my dream!!! Keepin' It Real!!-Dave

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 16, 2026  Retrophonics Studios - Johnny put a drum track on "My Hero" as Jim and I looked on.

February 17 Songwriter's Night  - The Songwriter's Night was a success Amy and Doug did a great job. It was good to have Bob back. Thanks Jen and staff! Thanks everyone for supporting original music in St. Augustine.

Doug, Bob, Amy and Son, Dave

February 18 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was cold and windy but we carried on and ended up having a great night! Thanks to all the folks that support Carpetbagger's music. This is something we love and we love to share it with you each week.

February 19 Bagan and Company - Dan and I continued to work on our "Poor-Dum" video and we're starting an official David Watt Besley music page.

February 20 DAVE and Sue at  Tides - We had a nice night. We both were a little off but we made it through! Thanks Felicia and staff!

February 21 Neighbor Craig finished his work on the band truck today. Yay!! Thanks again Craig.

February 22 Aunt Kate's - Cancelled due to high winds out by the water.  See you next time.

February 23 Retrophonics Studios - Happy Birthday Theresa! I laid a bass track down on "My Hero" a song I co-wrote with Barry Dunaway, George Reeves and Fester Haygood with Jim's help we also had some idea's on an approach to the bass track on "The Less Fortunate Ones".

February 25 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at Hurricane Grill - It turned out to be another great night! Thanks for supporting Carpetbagger's music!

February 26 to March 2 Virginia - We flew up to see my family. We had a great trip. The whole experience was wonderful including the airports, car rental, the United flight and the visit itself. We had a great time!

March 4 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at Hurricanes - We had a great night at Hurricane's it was packed! Dale Hicks sat in with us on vocals and kicked butt, also Dangerous  Dan joined us for a tune on harp. We were sad to hear Kenny Beckstrom had passed he was a real nice friend who could dance and sing, he will be missed, safe travels. It was also Maryellen's birthday!  Thanks to all that showed up.

March 5 Bagan and Company - Dan and I continued work on the Poor-Dum video. Also did our walk.

March 6 DAVE at Aunt Kate's - It sure was a great afternoon on the porch by the water. Thanks Brian and staff.

March 7 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at Hurricanes - What a night! we had Dale Hicks with us again (what a nice guy and great singer). He said he is in town for a while longer, we told him he is welcome on our stage anytime I hope he takes us up on the offer. 

March 8 DAVE at Aunt Kate's - I had a great afternoon out on the porch by the water! Finished just before the rain came.

March 9 Retrophonics Studios

March 9 DAVE at Hammock Grill/ JT's - Turned out to be a nice night.  Jim, Cheryl, Jean and John showed up plus a lot of new friends. Thanks Johnny and Brandy!

March 10 Theresa and I had dinner at JC and Noelle's - It was such a nice evening, the food was awesome. It was fun to hang and swap stories and opinions.

March 11 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at Hurricane's - We had a rough start but everyone hung in there and we ended up putting on a good show. Thanks Laurence Stevenson and Dale Hicks you both were a big part of making the night a success!

I'm looking froward to a break. We're going to Arizona with the family to see some baseball and the Grand Canyon. Thanks for letting me live my dream!!! Keepin' It Real! -DAVE

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 28, 2026 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at Hurricane Grill - It was another cold evening under the tent. There was a great crowd though. See you next week!!!

January 30 thru February 1, 2026 - Theresa and I traveled further south down the coast to see our friends Joel and Michelle in Jupiter Beach. It was a grand time.

February 2, 2026 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie - Private Event

February 4, 2026 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - We set up outside, thankfully it turned out to be a beautiful evening! 

February 6, 2026 Canelled at  Aunt Kate's - Bad weather.

February 7, 2026 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at  Hurricane Grill and Wings - A little chilly but we made it through!

February 8, 2026 DAVE at Aunt Kate's - A little chilly but a great afternoon out on the porch by the water! Thanks Brian and staff!

February 9, 2026 Retrophonics Studio - Johnny Medico put drum tracks on "Train" and "Shines A Light" while Jim DeVito and I criticized . Great job Johnny!

February 11, 2026 Bagan and Company - Dan and I are working on an official music page for me. We also spent a little time talking about our next move on "Poor-Dum", my next video.

February 11, 2026 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie  at Hurricane Grill and Wings - We had a nice evening on the new stage.

February 13, 2026 DAVE at Aunt Kate's - It was a great evening out on the porch by the water!

It was a great week,  at least the weather is warming up a bit. I'm looking forward to the studio this week. 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 20, 2026 Songwriter's Night at the World Famous Oasis - We were inside because of the weather tonight which was nice. We had a great audience JC, Greg and Trey kicked butt. We missed Bob but this group of writers did him proud! See you next month!

JC, Trey, Greg and Dave

January 21, 2026 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Frankie at Hurricane's - It was still a little cold so we set up under the tent. It turned out to be a great evening! Thanks everyone for supporting Carpetbagger's music. Don Oja Dunnaway was in the house tonight! What a treat!

January 22, 2026  - My Dad's 90th birthday! I went to Dan's to work on the "Poor-Dum" video some more and we're starting a Dave's music page on YouTube too. I'm also working on a few new ideas "My Life" with Wayne Westcott and "One wreck Of A Man" with Lou Hager and one I'm working on "A Dream".

January 23, 2026  DAVE at Aunt Kate's - I had a great late afternoon show on the porch by the water. Thanks Brian and staff you guys are the best! It was good to see Howard and Nell, my friends from Tybee Island, Ga.

I'm still working on the "Poor-Dum" video with Dan. We're going to start my own YouTube Music Channel, so I hope you will check it out from time to time and see some of my musical adventures unfold. 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