Hello Wail Friends,

Sims here writing from a hotel in LaCrosse WI  - I wanted to tell you about a great gig I just picked up and about the Midwest Gypsy Swing fest but first this up date - we played the opener for the LaCrosse Jazz Fest last night and are excited for today and tomorrow's set. In a last minute schedule re-arrangement we picked up a 5:30pm Friday set at Riverside Park.  Sat evening on to Witwen Campground Concerts in Sauk City.  wail.com/calendar for all the details.

Here's the info on the great new gig I have just put together. The Merchant restaurant in Madison, WI has offered me an every Thursday evening duo gig.  Here is the schedule;

Thursdays

Aug 11 - Sims DP + Maggie DP (The heart of Harmonious Wail)

Aug 18 - Sims DP + Josh Harty ( like brothers - we will do a lot of Josh's tunes plus a few duo gems)

Aug 25 - Sims DP + Chris Wagoner (of the Stella Nova's - Chris and Sims started Harmonious Wail in the late 80's)

Sept 1 - Sims DP +  Maggie DP

Sept 8 - Sims DP + Shauncey Ali (we've been wanting to play together for a long time - could be the start of something special)

Sept 15 - Sims DP + ? - this is the day b4 the annual Midwest Gypsy Swing fest - something related and gypsy swing fest-ish

Sept 22 - Sims DP + Jeffo Weiss - H Wail's new bassist extraordinaire!

If you are in or near Madison please come on down - this is going to be a hoot!

And I wanted to send out the request for volunteer and sponsorship help for the Midwest Gypsy Swing fest.  The dates are Sept 16 & 17.  If you are able to help out financially, now is the time.  I can't tell you how much fan and corporate support help keep this festival alive, community based and successful year after year.  One of the main considerations of the festival is to keep ticket prices affordable - hence community.  The feeling of involvement and ownership of this awesome fest can be yours with just a bit of help and I will be forever in your debt (well and least gratitude-wise) But really , this thing can not happen with out you. And I can not thank you enough.

Volunteers please shoot me and/or Gary Poulson an email.

And -- tickets will be at the ticket outlets by the end of the week and are for sale on line right now - special pricing for orders of four or more.

As always I remain your humble servant - shoot an email or if you really need/want to talk to me call 608-658-6988.

All the best --Sims