Where do I even begin anymore? I mean, it’s been an endless cycle of life lessons and experiences since my Mom’s cancer diagnosis in 2017. For the record she would have hated all of this political rhetoric and nonsense. Martha was deeply passionate care giver, a supremely patient listener and my favorite person ever on this planet.

(Yo, CB, Idle back a touch, you haven’t written an update in awhile….)

Ok, I now know one way to NOT begin, and that’s a start towards knowing where to start.

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt compelled to write and share via this format. At first it was the bottom falling out of the music business during Covid and my personal realization at how burned out I was. Promoting yourself is the worst grind of all the grinds in music. Then it was the realization that my place in the music scene needed to change, to make room for others and to allow my own interests to shut down for awhile. I’d like to think I’m a great bandmate and sideman and I love tons of music, so when I had an opportunity to play songs and support an artist like Joyann Parker I was happy to jump on board. It’s been almost four years of working with Joyann and I’m still excited about the gigs and the opportunities with her. SO, I gained a different perspective on the industry and finally landed an electric bass gig! Of course, I have remained active in the jazz world with Atlantis Quartet, Red Planet, the Zacc Harris Group and a bunch of other project bands, but the focus has been tightened up. I don’t do as much freelancing, because I used to say yes to ALL the gigs, and end up cycling through exhaustion and guilt over the amount of preparation and commitment I had extended to so many people. I’d say that’s a win in the ‘self care’ column. And that’s really what it comes down to, I have a full plate of music and family duties at all times and I’m out here doing my level best to keep it all balanced.

SO I made a list of 3’s that I’d like to share and then tell you about my December gigs.

3 things I am healing from: Mom passing, Dad passing, my own mistakes

3 things that are constant and consistently good in my life: LeeAnn, Dave, and JT

3 things that are engaging and satisfying: Joyann Parker Band, Red Planet with Kavy, My kids and their growth as humans

3 old things that are revitalized in music: Atlantis Quartet, Enormous, My own bass playing

3 new things my life is centered on in 2025: teaching North Star Jazz Workshops, playing the music of RUSH with Phantom Fears, teaching bass at Anoka Ramsey Community College

3 things I’m looking forward to in 2026: the growth of North Star, My own group reinventing itself, Motion Poets reunion

I remain grateful and lucky to be making my living teaching and playing music, and to do it with great friends and family! I hope to see you at a show, feel free to say hello!

December Gigs:

Tuesday 12/2 7 pm – 9 pm Metronome Brewing FREE (tips are collected)

Red Planet with Kavyesh Kaviraj and special guest JT Bates on drums. One of 3 chances to hear me and JT play together this month. And a reunion of JT and Dean who have a long, shared history together.

Thursday 12/11 7 pm Brianno’s Chart House $35-40

Joyann Parker Band Holiday Soul. We will play soul and R&B hits from across the decades celebrating the holiday season. It’s our one holiday show of this year. Come enjoy these classics!

Saturday 12/13 8 pm Jazz Central Studios $20

Masa Ishikawa trio with Chris and JT Bates. Masa is a great pianist and composer and we will be playing a mixture of standards and his original songs. Chance #2 to hear me and JT together.

Monday 12/15 5:30 pm Crooners $43

Joyann Parker presents The Music of Patsy Cline. This Midwest Country Music Award winning show continues to sell out wherever we play. Come see this wonderful tribute to the “one and only” Patsy Cline.

Saturday 12/20 7:30 pm Metronome Brewing $20

Nate Shaw trio with Chris and JT Bates. Rewind the clock to 1994 and you have the genesis of this collaboration.  Nate, JT and I were the rhythm section for the Motion Poets (aka Little Big Band) and we made so much music together it’s kind of unbelievable. This gig is the start of us working on actually getting a full band reunion happening in 2026. Come hear ‘The Section” rip through some originals and other favorites. Special guests slated to appear (subject to change) Mark Sutton – trumpet and Doug Little – sax. Third chance to hear me and JT together. Special prize (TBD) for anyone who attends all three shows.

Sunday 21/12 5 pm doors 7 pm music Icehouse $25

PHANTOM FEARS is BACK for our second show. We are cRUSHing MN with our Rush tribute. Expanding the set to 90 minutes and digging into the catalog for more sweet sweet prog rock anthems. We had an absolute monster of a first show, then we took the summer off (because we are all super busy) and now we are ready to celebrate 2112 International Rush Day with you all! Aby Wolf, Toivo Hannigan, Cory Healey, Chris Bates and Cory Eischen invite you to get some R&R with us before the holidays. Al Church’s ‘Gucci Little Piggy’ Radiohead tribute opens the night at 7. Phantom Fears at 8:30.

Wednesday 12/31 Crooners New Years Eve shows at 7:30 and 10:30

Joyann Parker Band New Years Eve Soul-a-bra-tion! Come ring in the New Year with the Joyann Parker Band. We will play a mix of originals and covers for you in two fun shows! EARLY SHOW @ 7:30 or LATE SHOW @ 10:30

Next year is already shaping up to be incredible, with lots of great shows in the works and albums already recorded, (and hopefully will be released), from Red Planet with Kavy and, Enormous Quartet. Follow me on socials if you aren’t already. I look forward to crossing paths with you all down the road! – cb