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 

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 

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 

December 4th, Retrophonics Studios - Jim, Johnny and I ended up working only on "Harpoon Sadie". It was a nice session Johnny did some nice percussion work, I did a small electric guitar part, and Jim did some great mixing and coaching.

December 6th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and maybe Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - We canceled.  The parking lot was only 1/2 usable.  Abe said that it had been paved and due to the cold it hadn't dried completely, so not a lot of parking for our people. See you next week.

December 7th, OFF -  Finished writing another new song called "In-Between". Stay tuned for the finished product.

December 8th, 9th and 10th, Holmes Beach, FL - Chuck and Dara Caudill's for the weekend!

We had a wonderful weekend! Thanks Chuck and Dara you guys are the best. Chuck and Scott did a great job Friday night at Mattison's Riverwalk Grille. It was great seeing Bill and Barb Bartow before the Simply (TOO LOUD) Queen show. Thanks Snoopy for putting us up and everyone else for putting up with us. See you next year!!! I'm looking forward to the studio this week with Jim and Johnny. We are going to work on "Rocket". On a sad note we lost a good friend Bill Brown affectionately called Captain Yak. We will miss you. As so many times before you loose contact with a friend and then they are gone. Try to stay in touch with your friends, there are so many ways to do it these days. I wish I had spent more time with this good man. R.I.P.  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 

November 27th, Retrophonics Studios - We worked on a mix for "Twilight" with Jim Devito. I am really starting to get excited about this project. Next week hope to work on "Rocket" and "Harpoon Sadie" with Johhny Medico and Jim.

November 29th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Tony - Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was cold but had a great time! Thanks to all who braved the weather. We missed you Frankie! (he didn't brave the weather)

December 1st, DAVE at Aunt Kate's - Another a nice evening on the porch by the water!

December 2nd, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue,Tony and Frankie at San Sebastian Winery - The weather was threatening so we set up inside, it was one of our best nights at this venue. The audience was great! The volume inside is real live but I feel like we pretty much held it down to a mighty roar. Thanks Kyle and staff you guys are the best!

December 3rd, DAVE at Aunt Kate's - I gave it a try even though Brian had his doubts he said to get started anyway. I knew his first instinct was right later when I saw Doug from the boat dock come running. I knew there was ran coming, and he always right. I tried. See you back here in a few weeks.

This week I'm getting together with Jim Devito and Johnny Medico to work on "Rocket" and "Harpoon Sadie". I'm getting closer each week to completing this project called Poor-dum. I also talked to Dan Bagan he is feeling better every day and we are going to get together next Thursday and see how it goes. That's great news!!! 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 

November 20th, Retrophonics Studios - Jim and I worked on the mix for 'Twilight". We're getting closer to completion.

November 21st, Songwriter's Night a The World Famous Oasis Tiki  Bar - This was our first night doing this here. It was a great night! I think this is a good fit. Thanks Jean and all the folks at the Oasis! Also thanks to Katherine and Don you were both great! See everyone on December 19th for the next show.

Don, Katherine, Bob and Dave

November 22nd, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was a nice evening under the roof.  It looked like it might rain when I set up. I think we sang some of the best harmonies we ever have tonight. It was a special evening.

November 23rd, Happy Thanksgiving - Theresa, Brianna and Braylen put together a great meal, Theresa mostly. It was nice to spend the day with family, Jay included. 

November 24th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at St Augustine Fish House - The weather held out it was just a little chilly. Joel, Michelle and friends were down. It's always good to see our Virginia friend, Joel. The band is playing together as good as it ever has. It's fun hanging out with this crew!

November 26th, DAVE at Aunt Kate's - Cancelled due to lousy weather! See you this Friday from 4 to 7pm. Theresa and I went by Sue and Wayne's new place. They did a great job, looks fabulous! 

I had a great week! I really enjoyed listening to our band singing harmonies this week. That's what I enjoy the most. Looking forward to the studio this week with Jim DeVito and Johnny Medico. Also starting to get some early mixes for the new North Star Band 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 

November 1st, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It was a nice chilly night playing somewhere else on A1A.

Dave, Sue, Tony and Frankie

November 3rd, Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits Festival - Sue and I played on the Skeet Stage at the Shrimp and Grits Festival on Jekyll Island. Brother Ed Pickett joined us. It was windy and cool but it was a great time! It was good to see all our friends from Virginia that showed up, and all the folks we played for. Thanks for supporting our music. Also thanks to Jekyll Island and Ed Pickett for a great evening.

November 4th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at San Sebastian Winery -  What a nice night to be looking over beautiful St. Augustine from the top of  the Winery.

November 5th, DAVE at Aunt Kate's - Another great afternoon on the porch by the water!

November 6th, Retrophonics Studios - Jim and I worked on "Life Goes On" and "Get Along Little Pony". It is amazing to me Jim DeVito's knowledge and experience when it come to mixing. It is a real art and he is one of the best!

November 8th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at Hurricane Grill and Wings - It turned out to be a beautiful evening. We made some good music!

November 9th, Carpetbaggers DAVE and Sue at The World Famous Oasis Tiki Bar - It was our first time here.  I think it went nice. We would like to thank Jean for tracking us down. We will be back December 21st! Can't wait!

November 10th, 11th & 12th, DAVE at The Big Deck Bar and Grill in Cedar Key - Never fails, always a blast playing at this wonderful venue. I was sorry Darlene and Brian were under the weather I hope they are feeling better. See you in January!

November 13th, Retrophonics Studios - Jim and I worked on a mix "I'm So Gone" a song I co-wrote with Chris McVey.

November 15th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue and Tony at Hurricane Grill and Wings -  We had a great evening! We decided to set up in the inside area, good idea. It rained for the last hour. It was a fun night.

November 17th, Carpetbaggers DAVE and Tony at Tides Oyster Co - It was a nice time. The crowd missed Sue but Tony kicked butt!

November 18th, Carpetbaggers DAVE, Sue, Tony and Frankie at Borillo's - The Night of Lights kick off what more can I say. The place was crowded I had some guitar issues the band did a great job carrying on without me 

November 19th, Carpetbaggers DAVE and Sue performed at Island Prep Friendsgiving Celebration and Fundraisers - Sue and I played a about a 45 minute show. It was fun, still having guitar problems what do you do? The show must go on. Brianna and Page did a great job organizing this event. Good to see Amy and Jim the other artists that performed.

It's been a great month! Looking forward to the completion of Poor-Dum my new solo CD produced and recorded by Jim DeVito with a lot of help from Johnny Medico. 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