Summer 2021

 Sheesh! It's been a while. 

I hope you're surviving the pandemic in good health. My heart goes out to anyone who lost family or loved ones in the past year. It's been a challenging time for many. My father passed in early 2020, unrelated to covid. It was a difficult time for our family, that's for sure. Though in hindsight, we take small comfort knowing it was a blessing that we were able to visit with him in the hospital and that he spent his final days in his home. I can only imagine the additional grief for those who were unable to visit dying loved ones in the hospital or unable to have them home because of covid. My sincere condolences.

I'm now located in my hometown, Rochester MN. I'm staying close, providing primary assistance to my mom to help her make it through the pandemic in her home. We're currently facing growing concern over delta variant so I haven't returned to gigging. Playing it safe to help keep mom healthy.

Over the past 18 months I've been doing live online concerts, teaching guitar [ and drum ] lessons online. Also, posting video performances to my Facebook, Instagram and Youtube channels. [Links below] 

So..My musical life exists online. I'll endeavor to keep posting so you won't forget about me. 

Please reach out if you'd like to be in touch. I'm happy to respond! I've even been known to write a long-winded letter now and again.

Here's to brighter days ahead. Cheers

https://www.youtube.com/user/michaelgrubermusic

https://www.facebook.com/TheMichaelGruberShow/

https://www.instagram.com/themichaelgrubershow/

SPRING 2019

 It's been a long cold winter. As we head into Mud season in the midwest [ hope it's a short one ] I'm planning shows for Spring and thru the year's end. I'm doing some more traveling and playing now that all three of my kids are out of the house. In fact, they are sometimes all out of state doing their own thing so I'm going hit the road more often. Where should I come play in your town?
  Last week, I played a for a fun crowd at a retirement party! I'd love to come play some of your favorite tunes and help you celebrate your birthday, wedding, retirement, new home warming, back yard BBQ, bar/bat mitzvah, engagement. I've got hundreds of songs to choose from and I can often be convinced to learn some new ones.
  Check back monthly for the updated calendar.
Follow me at Instagram.com/theMichaelGruberShow or Facebook.com/TheMichaelGruber or my Youtube.com/MichaelGruberMusic channel. Reach me directly for booking at 608-250-5064
Cheers and enjoy the Spring!!

Summer/ Fall 2018

Summer/ Fall 2018

Starting with a stand-in harmony stint at the Fool's Flotilla in June, I've joined a group of merry music makers as their lead singer, the previous one having plans to move to England for a year.
At the Flotilla we set up the band on a pontoon and floated down the Yahara River, regaling the neighbors and celebrating their treasured waterway with many classic rock tunes such as Take Me to the River and Proud Mary [Rolling on the River.]
The band did one more gig on the first day of summer for Madison Make Music under the name River Rats. Next we will celebrate our love for an old Athens GA band.
We have an R.E.M. cover show to play booked under the name aR.e wE. theM.?
at the Cargo Coffee on East Washington in Madison.

Confirmation for Saturday mornings at the Lakeside Coffee shop has come through. I'm no longer referring to it as Acoustic Coffee because I intend to work in more electric six string and lapsteel playing. When the weather turns cool you are invited to come get your weekend started with a hot drink, some fingerstyle solo guitar and songs.
As always, it doesn't hurt to call ahead to make sure I made it in for the 930am spot. These early mornings are not easy alongside the musician's night owl habits.

That's the short of it for now.
Follow me on Facebook.com/TheMichaelGruber
... and on Instagram.com/TheMichaelGruberShow

Also, the seventeen year old finished HS in style and is making his way forward into the musical world.
Find him at Instagram.com/zanegruberbaruth/

Winter/ Spring 2018

The Acoustic Coffee Hours continues for it's [ amazingly ] 9th season on Saturday mornings at the Lakeside Coffee House. Along side some relaxing steel string guitar solos, I sing a few songs and try not to talk too much; becomes a bit of a challenge to reign myself in after a few cups of their fresh brew.
Tim Haub told me last weekend that he almost stopped in to to add some side-mandolin last Saturday but opted for hitting the snooze button. He's probably due to make an appearance soon.

Coming up in February I'll make my second appearance at the Fired Up Pottery.
Imagine listening to great acoustic guitar music and songs [humble brag] whiles shaping your pottery masterpiece! They also offer painting on canvas and glass.
Details:  http://www.fireduppottery.com/
I'll be there Friday February 9,  from 7-9pm.

Another return gig: The Jeweler's Edge hosts fantastic parties during the Baraboo Wine and Beer Walks with a full catered spread by Elite Catering. Below you'll see a pic of Me and Elvis [and our Biggest Fan] enjoying a plate of desert at a past event.
I'll be playing and singing in their space on May 4th, so of course the theme for the evening will be Cinco de Mayo.
Finally a chance to play my favorite Los Lobos tunes!

New stuff: working up another guitar duo, this time with my son Zane. He's been gigging weekly at the Mt. Zion Baptist church in our neighborhood; the skills he's developed in funk, rhythm and blues are something to behold!
Working title: 'Old Man and the Z'
We'll keep you posted on shows.

Thanks to Madison Early Education Teachers and Joan Hentschel's family for having me play their private parties in December at The Lakeside and in their home!
Contact me directly to inquire if you'd like some music for your next big thing!

That's all for now...

Winter/ Spring 2016-17

Wow, a lot of time has passed since my last blog post. Let's try to account for lost time.

I'm no longer playing with the band Fauxtons but you can check out my last endeavor with them, playing bass and singing on the six song EP called  THE FAUXTONS  INCLUSIVE OR.

The Mugs continue to play their folk rock country blues blend of harmonica, guitar and mandolin driven songs. Tim Haub, Frankie Lee and I will be playing a show at Lakeside St. Coffee House on April 15. Come celebrate your big return or let the music salve the sting of a payment due. It's an early show 630-9pm. Suggest donation of $5 to pay the band.

Other Lakeside St. Coffee House news: I'm in the midst of my 5th season [ if I count rightly] of my Acoustic Coffee Morning Mood sessions on Saturdays from 930am to 11:30am. I play from my repertoire of solo guitar music, sing a little and talk not too much. Come study, socialize and, of course, enjoy your morning brew with a little acoustic guitar music.

Still more LSCH [ I'm there a lot ]; my regular Thursday night bar shirt there has been including an occasional Open Mic. There are talks with the owner about making it a more regular event. Current Thursday night events include a Paint Night https://tinyurl.com/gw6kthv most Thursdays. There is a Uke Night on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Stop in to say Hey Barkeep!

Winter/ Spring 2015

BANDS, BANDS AND MORE BANDS

First: This past fall I started playing in an eclectric acoustic electric trio with Frank Lee and Tim Haub. Frank is an accomplished blues harmonica player and Tim is THE reliable lead guitarist with many regular Madison Americana bands including Dollar Bill and the Bucks and the now retire Jim James and the Damn Shames. We take turns leading songs and trading vocals and harmonies. Frank's selections are rooted in blues styles, Tim's are a little more country, and mine are a mix of classic singer songwriter with originals. We have our first gig under our collective belt, having played for Tyrenena Brewing Company's 15th Anniversary Party under the name The Frankie Lee Trio. We'll be playing next under the new name Three Eclectic Mugs.

Second: The Fauxtons [Spring/ Summer/ Fall 2014 blog for details] are back in the Howling Hicks basement studio preparing to play the annual Benefit for McArdle Cancer Research Laboratory. January 23rd we'll play from 6-7pm at Gray's in Verona. The last couple of practices have been inspiring and there is talk of recording an album of Fauxton sonic wonders!

The last of BANDS BANDS AND MORE BANDS: An official HeadStock Music Studio-only group of rag tag players. This group is so loose they are letting me handle the drums and percussion division of their merry music making. We call ourselves The Groovenatorial Privilege. You aren't likely to see us play anywhere. Unless you one of the "fortunate" invites to the Higgs family barbeque this summer.

I'm back at the Lakeside Coffee House on most Sunday mornings from 9ish to 11:30ish for as long as the weather is chilly and people are inspired to spend their mornings indoors sipping something warm. I'll be playing solo fingerstyle guitar with just a few quiet songs added. Come enjoy an Acoustic Coffee morning while those winter winds blow.

All for Now! Now for All!

Spring/ Summer/ Fall 2014

The old web domain had to be retired. Please share the new one, THEmichaelgruber.com with friends and neighbors. There are a number of michael grubers out there, one a broadway actor and another a novelist of note, but only one web domain with a definite article in the name. [Yeah, I stole that line from Stephen Colbert.]
THEmichaelgruber.com - accept no substitutes.

 A new band side-project, The Fauxtons, started playing out in early winter this year and has continued to gig in exotic locations such as Ft. Atkinson and The Great Taste of Madison. Featuring  German Art Student Annelies Howell as lead singer/guitar, two Bing Bongers - Danny Hicks on lead guitar and Brian Bentley on drums, and THE michael gruber on bass and harmonious vocals. We don't have gigs to announce but we do have plans to do some recording in this winter. If you come see me play somewhere ask for a Fauxtons sticker. The secret passphrase is... " Fauxtons; sometimes a particle, sometimes a wave, always real."

One of my favorite music venues, Lakeside Coffee Room, caught some flack from silence loving neighbors this summer. They were issued a cease and desist from all amplified music on the premises until things get sorted out with the city. Manager Kate Burmeister is reported to have identified [evil ] wedding dj's as being the problem and has vowed to banish them from all future events at LSCH. Still awaiting word from the city on allowing amplified musicians to resume their much beloved performances.  YOU can visit the Lakeside to sign a petition in support or write the Alder directly and ask the issue be brought up for discussion at the Common Council. 

Returning to the Canadian Honker, in my home town Rochester, MN, this month and again in December.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Feel free to write comments, request songs, sing praises :)