Merry Christmas to You

(Be sure to click the play button to see my special Christmas greeting for you! If you're viewing this on an iPhone or iPad, I've embedded the video below for you.)

I hope that you're looking forward to this month of December with more pleasure than dread.

I got in the Christmas spirit early this year and recorded a brand new Christmas song called "Merry Christmas To You." It's a fun country-folk celebration of the season.

One of the ways I'm giving this holiday season is through this nifty online service called Charitable Checkout. When you donate to Feeding America through the widget (seen above), I'll give you an exclusive free download of "Merry Christmas To You" – which is not available anywhere else – and one of my sponsors will give you a coupon for their products. Talk about holiday savings!

Feeding America is my charity of choice because celebrating with food and family is one of my very favorite pastimes at the holidays.  I am deeply affected by the knowledge that 1 in 6 Americans is affected by hunger. No one should be hungry at any time of the year, but especially not during the holidays.

With every dollar you give, Feeding America provides 8 meals for those who might otherwise go without.

Whether you're up to your elbows in pastry flour or serenely clicking "order now," I hope you'll join me in easing the pain of hunger in America this Christmas.

"Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can
Merry Christmas To You"

My love to you with many thanks,
xxx
Deborah

Slipping into Autumn

Well, the time, she flies so fast. Already we are into the autumn weather in all its glory! Here in New York, you can feel it in the air and see it up and down every block. Leaves are changing color or are gone altogether, summer flowers grow gangly in their city plots. The gingko trees are dropping their vomit-scented pods and the squirrels are digging furiously in the city parks, stashing acorns and pinecones in the most obvious places. No privacy here; each squirrel for himself! Lincoln (that's my dog) likes torturing squirrels but could care less about pigeons. When he’s in the country he’ll chase geese but mostly he likes chasing the four-legged critters.

In the city, it’s still nice enough to sit outside in the evenings for dinner or drinks. You can hear snippets of peoples’ conversations. Lincoln takes his time and must read the doggie news around the block when I walk him at night so I become a voyeur and imagine the lives these seated strangers must have, telling their stories, laughing and listening to those who sit across the table. There is material for lyrics everywhere. And the streets of NYC are prime for the pickin’.

I had a fantastic time playing music in the most beautiful places this summer. I played with a couple of cowboys in Indian Valley, near Taylorsville, CA, and worked out harmonies with my girlfriend Sally’s dog, Patch, who is a real crooner. 

It was great to see friends at music camp in WA this summer, per usual. Frosting on the cake: my brother came to camp for the first time! That was awesome! He can really play and sing! And the following week we continued the jam at his place around the bonfire!

I played in the Grand Canyon this fall, with my good friend Barbi. Our radical river guides brought our guitars up the hiking trails for us and showed us where the acoustics sounded best. We gave two performances! It was a very cool sound. In Crystal Canyon, the wind sounded like voices breathing through.

I am writing, writing, writing and also trying my best to figure out how to play the mandolin with tone and tune. It is a beautiful little instrument, in both looks and sound.  My friend Ann Klein says it makes her happy to play it and I agree.

Dusty, the harmony trio I sing with is spending time in the studio recording getting some of our song versions recorded. Dusty and band rides again!

I have some recording projects coming up and some songwriting workshops that I will fill you in on when they have a date attached to them.

Something for Christmas and the New Year.

Gigs too!

I hope something good is happening in your life and that music keeps you company.

Much love and many thanks for being in touch about my music here and on Facebook.  

http://www.facebook.com/Deborahbergmusic

Thank you! Happy Fall!
DeBorah

Happy Summer!

July 4th, 2012!  Summer is here! 

Independence Day is an historic and symbolic day to acknowledge the rights of the American people and to re-create ourselves as freedom fighters for good, through personal growth and community spirit, yeah!

In other words, Let's Get This Party Started!

New York City is pretty chill at the moment but it certainly won't be once the sun goes down.

So far this summer I have been busy promoting my new CD, No Rush, performing in the Washington Square Park and also finishing up a few new songs.

Also, our three part harmony group, Dusty, has been in the studio this summer, recording a few of our bluegrass tinged versions of disco and R&B classics.

At the end of July, I am heading out to Northern California to visit dear friends and then travel on to the Pacific Northwest to play music under the pines at Puget Sound Guitar Workshop.

But before I ride off in to the west, I just wanted to say 'Happy Summer' to y'all.

I hope you are having as much fun as you can possibly manage to fit in to these hot and hopefully lazy summer days (and nights)!

Love & Liberty,

xxx
Deborah

June 21: Make Music New York, Washington Square Park

Deborah will perform on June 21 in Washington Square Park as part of the Make Music New York celebration. Deborah's performance will be part of the Songwriter's Beat set.

June 21, 2012
12-4pm
Washington Square Park
Come celebrate the first day of summer!

Make Music New York is a live, free musical celebration across the city that takes place each June 21, the longest day of the year. On that day, hundreds of public spaces throughout the five boroughs become impromptu stages for over 1,000 free concerts.

May 18: Seamonster Lounge in Seattle, WA

Deborah Berg performs LIVE at Seamonster Lounge
May 18, 2012
7pm-8pm
2202 N 45th St., Seattle, WA 98103
http://www.seamonsterlounge.com/

Deborah Berg performs an acoustic set, featuring songs for her new album, "No Rush." Surprise special guests (like Brian Butler) are sure to show up!