August 12, 2026 Carpetbaggers DAVE and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - Calling for bad weather again so we set up under the roof.  It was a good idea, thanks Albert! It was laid back but fun. I always enjoy hanging out with Frankie. We had some moments. Thanks Abe, Albert, Slim and staff!

August 13 thru 17 Virginia - We had a great time visiting family and friends. Although fun, it was great to get back home!

Seafood soup we had for lunch one day.

August 18 Songwriter's Night at Oasis Tiki Bar - We moved the event inside. It was just too hot plus calling for some bad weather. JC and Sweet William were a real treat. As usual Bob brought it. Thanks for supporting original music in St. Augustine. See you next month.

JC, Sweet William, Bob and Dave

August 19 Bagan and Company - Dan and I worked on layout for DWB 2010-2020, also added "The Last Rhyme" to my music page.

August 19 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Frankie and Tony at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was a hot as hell start for the evening but kind of cooled off by the end. We had a great time playing to the brave folks who could take the heat.

August 20 OFF - I'm about to complete another song "The First To Go".

August 21 DAVE and Frankie at Tides and Oyster - It was a nice night at Tides. Thanks Felicia, Mandy and staff! Thanks to all the folks that gave us a listen! See you back here September 18th.

August 22 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Frankie and Tony at  - The Hammock Grill at  JT's - It started out pretty nasty with the rain . Thanks Johnny for not calling it off. We had a great time. This is a great place and we hope to be back when they start to book again.

August 23 DAVE at Aunt Kate's - It started out a little slow but was packed by the time I finished. Thanks Brian, Dave & Dave and the wonderful staff at Aunt Kate's see you next Sunday!

It's been a hot week literally! Looking forward to the studio this week. Kurt Johnson sent three banjo tracks "Circles", Va. Pines and "Believe in Somebody". Also my time with Dan Bagan at his studio. 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

July 23 -  July 26, 2026 - Theresa and I went out of town for a few days day. We did an overnight in Cedar Key to see how it's coming back since the hurricane. We saw our friends March and Jody, the new and improved Big Deck (it's looking great), we had a couple of hot dogs and drinks at the L&M. We booked a room at the Cedar Inn for ole time sake. We ate at the 2nd Street Cafe/Steamers, and had a couple of drinks at the Island Hotel Neptune Bar. We drove to Holmes Beach on Anna Marie Island the next day and stayed a couple of days with Chuck and Dara. We were their first guests since the hurricane hit them. We all met up the with Bill and Barb Bartow's to have dinner and listen to some music. I don't remember the name of the place but the food was excellent. We also ate at Duffy's, twice we love this place and their burgers. We had breakfast at the Island Cafe where you can sit on the beach, it's great!  Our last night Chuck cooked us dinner, jerk chicken, mashed potatoes and a mango black bean salad with grilled vegetables was what was on the meu.. We had a nice time getting shells and swimming in the Gulf of America. Thanks Chuck and Dara, what a great couple days.

July 27 Retrophonics Studios - I got a track on "Roll The Dice" and touched up "The Moment #24" which will be my 2nd release from my new project Leftovers. 

July 28 OFF - I started a new tune inspired by Dan Bagan "The First To Go".

July 29 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Frankie and Tony at Hurricane Grill and Wings - We had a nice hot evening at Hurricane's. Mike Houpt stopped by for a bit it was good to see him, got his transplant and he looks good.

July 30 Bagan and Company - Dan and I worked on a new YouTube music site for me. We also released a first mix of "The Moment #24".

July 31 DAVE at  - Aunt Kate's - The weather looked pretty threatening so I postponed until next Friday instead (August 7th). 

August 1 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Frankie and Tony at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was a nice evening at Hurricane's, the bad weather held off. Thanks Abe, Albert, Slim and staff you guys are the best!

August 2 DAVE at Aunt Kates - The weather wasn't so friendly this afternoon, the rain did come. I'll be here next Friday and give it a little extra. Thanks Brian, Dave & Dave also the wonderful staff!

August 3 Retrophonics Studios - Johnny Medico was in doing drum track on "Roll The Dice" and "Virginia Pines". We sent Kurt Johnston 3 tunes "Virginia pines", "Circles" and "Believe In Somebody". I can't wait to hear what he comes up with. Jim, Johnny and I decided which way we are going to head on "The Best Of Times".

August 5 Carpetbaggers DAVE, and Tony at Hurricane Grill and Wings - Frankie wasn't feeling well so it was just Tony and I. They were calling for a bad storm so we set up under cover, but the rain never came. We had a great night! It seemed like more people were listening than talking that's always special. Thanks Abe, Albert, Sim and staff you guys are the best!

August 6 Bagan and Company - Dan and I worked on layout for DWB 2010-2020. We are also looking into some ideas that will get our music to more ears.

August 7 DAVE at  Aunt Kate's - I called Brian earlier in the day to cancel thinking it looked like it was going to be a rain out. I was wrong and I'm glad I was convinced to go on and give it a try. Thanks Theresa! It turned out to be a great day out on the porch by the water!

August 9 DAVE at The Boathouse - It was a nice afternoon. See you back here September 13th, 11am to 2pm.

No Retrophonics or Bagan and Company this week. I will be back at it next 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

July 13, 2026 Retrophonics Studios (B) - I worked with Jim on "The Moment #24", two small changes and I think it's ready.July 13 DAVE at The Hammock Grille at JT's  - Cancelled due to weather conditions.

July 14 OFF - Theresa and I took Braylen to Salt Springs and then stopped by Wayne and Sue's to see what they'd been up to. Sue is getting better.

July 15 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Frankie and Tony at Hurricane Grill and Wings - Another warm but fun evening at Hurricane's!

July 16 Bagan and Company - Dan and I ordered the thumb drives for DWB Vol 1 2010 - 2020. We also are starting to write a song together inspired by a song Dan had already written about an old man.

July 16 OFF - The family went out for Sushi for Brianna's birthday. Started writing a couple new tunes.

July 17 DAVE and Frankie at Tides and Oyster Bar - It was a little warm but we made it through. Turned out to be a good night had fun.

July 18 Vilano Concert  - It was crazy hot and humid but we had a good turn out and we gave a good show. What a great little venue. A few things come to mind to make the experience better 1. Lights or start a little earlier 2. Get rid of the ants. Thanks for having us and thanks to wonderful folks who lent us an ear.

Vilano Amphitheater

July 19 DAVE at Aunt Kate's - There was a chance of rain but turned out to be a great day out on the porch by the water!

July 20 Retrophonics Studios - Jim and I worked on "The Moment #24" and picked out some songs to send to Kurt Johnston "Circle", "Believe In Somebody" and "You Knew It".

July 21 Songwriter's Night at the Oasis Tiki Bar - Michelle Ingrham could not make it so Galan Curry was able to take her place. I had heard of but not met Galan before. Hearing him perform his songs was a real treat. Micheal Jordan as always kicked butt. Bob is always a pleasure to hear and sit beside. I remembered the 2nd to last verse of "It's A Great Life" long after I finished the song (frustrating but oh well). The rain came and went, it didn't stop us. Thanks to all the folks that support our Songwriters Night. And thanks to the Oasis for giving us a space to have it.

Michael, Galan, Bob and Dave

July 22 Carpetbaggers DAVE, Frankie and Tony at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was a hot but it was a fun show. Thanks everyone for supporting Carpetbagger's music.

I have a few days off. Theresa and I are going to visit some friends on the Gulf Coast. 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