What a fantastic show at the Third Street Coffeehouse. Nashville songwriter Shawn Byrne entertained us with his wit, humor, warmth, and talent. And our very own Mike Pearrell got things started as the opening act!
Jun 29 2019
Shawn Byrne, Live at Third Street
Jun 22 2019
Mike Frankē Live At 3rd Street with Greg Trafidlo 
Greg Trafidlo joined me on stage at the famous Third Street Coffeehouse. My Dad was in the audience. What a special night!
Jan 26 2018
It’s REALLY Important
Start With Why
reading a book called “Start with Why,” by Simon Sinek, bestselling author on books about leadership. You can find him on TED talks, as well. In this book, the author repeatedly comes back to the theme…
Nov 26 2016
It's Important
(an article for the SVSA Newsletter)
In a hectic world, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important.
Recently, I was doing a little workshop in a small group at church, in which we were all working to…
Oct 25 2016
Creativity
I haven't felt very creative lately. Or perhaps I mean "productive." I mean I haven't written any songs lately, or even worked up any new versions of old songs -- even covers. So, I got to thinking about creativity, and…
Aug 7 2016
BOSS vocal processors
Hi
I have now tried the BOSS VE-20, VE-2, VE-5, and VE-8. What I want is great vocal processing, and harmonizing. I'm frustrated with features.
I have found that I cannot rely on guitar input to determine the tonal base…
May 26 2016
SVSA new home
want to take a moment and put on my SVSA President hat.
Aside, for those of you who don't know:
I am the current president of the Southwest Virginia Songwriters Association. We meet the fourth Wednesday of every month…
Aside, for those of you who don't know:
I am the current president of the Southwest Virginia Songwriters Association. We meet the fourth Wednesday of every month…
Sep 24 2015
Pretty Good Team
I brought a new song to a songwriting workshop with Sally Barris this past weekend, and it got panned. I learned a few things in the process.
This particular song was written for my wife. The idea for the song…
This particular song was written for my wife. The idea for the song…
Jun 12 2015
It Hurts Me, Too
I'm learning to play the classic Tampa Red tune "It Hurts Me, Too"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34VJzHT9nuk
... though I'm doing it more in the Elmore James style. My guitar work is very minimalistic, a slow shuffle, lots of emphasis…
May 16 2015
Come the Fury, Come the Flood
I just wrote a new tune: "Come the Fury, Come the Flood." Here's the story behind it.
I was really sitting on the front porch of my 129-year-old house in the hills of Appalachia, with a 1934 Dobro (not mine…
I was really sitting on the front porch of my 129-year-old house in the hills of Appalachia, with a 1934 Dobro (not mine…
Jan 24 2015
SVSA Vision, 2015
I have been voted in as the president of the Southwest Virginia Songwriters Association (SVSA) for 2015. I'm excited about it.
Here's the article I wrote for the first 2015 newsletter:
SVSA Vision, 2015
Hello everyone.
It's a brand new…
Here's the article I wrote for the first 2015 newsletter:
SVSA Vision, 2015
Hello everyone.
It's a brand new…
Aug 28 2014
Talking Stick
I want to change the format of the national, cultural, and global discourse.
I want our normal way of communicating evolve from one in which we take a side of an argument, present it, and defend it. I believe that…
I want our normal way of communicating evolve from one in which we take a side of an argument, present it, and defend it. I believe that…