Earlier this summer, Tangleweed did a small show at the House Cafe out in DeKalb. The other act on the bill was Natalia Zuckerman, a singer songwriter from Boston, we all had a good time. Folks who are in Chicago can catch Natalia and I playing a set together at Schuba’s Saturday night and if you’re in the Ann Arbor area you can catch us at THE ARK www.theark.com on Sunday.

“Nervous but Excited” will also be slinging some of their latest material nervousbutexcited.com

It will be a night to remember.

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Tangleweed has been selected to recieve a CAAP Grant from the City of Chicago.  This is a very competitive grant bestowed by the City of Chicago on artists and organizations to help realize projects that will enhance the cultural life of Chicago.  We will be putting the funds  towards the recording and duplication of our next album.  Or several bajillion cans of “Old Style” We’re still trying to figure out which is more culturally relavant to Chciago.  Please feel free to cast your votes below. 

Well, this is turning into a great birthday for me. That’s right I share a birthday with Adolph Hitler & Carmen Electra.

Since fame by association is not enough for me. I have recently been thrust into the media spotlight be winning the Earth Day Quiz on WBEZ’s radio show World View.

After a rocky start flubbing the first question on the midwests contribution of Global warming gasses (5%). I eaked out a victory with a right answer in the tie breaker question of “How many cellular phones were retired in 2005?” My guess of 100 million was closest (the actual is estimated between 100 & 300 Million)

My prize is a Sun Oven provided by Sun Oven owner Paul Munsen! Which I am looking forward to taking on to road to this summers festivals. When you see us at this summers festivals feel free to ask me What’s Cooking?

www.chicagopublicradio.org/worldview

www.sunoven.com

On April 7th my opinion about the Copyright Royalty Board Hearings in Congress was expressed on the Nationally Syndicated Rock & Roll radio show “Sound Opinions”, hosted by Chicago locals Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis. www.soundopinions.org

Below is a transcript of my abounding insightfulness.

Hello, this is Paul from Chicago, and this is my Sound Opinion. I’m calling about the March 31st show, where you discussed the Copyright Royalty Board Hearings. I am a member of the Chicago bluegrass band Tangleweed, who has directly benefited from the growth of Internet radio. Earlier this year, the booking agent for Wakarusa (www.wakarusa.com), a major U.S. festival, found us online at www.Pandora.com. He liked what he heard, and after doing a little more research, hired us to play their 2007 festival. For a band like ours that played local and regional festivals last year, the equalizing elements of internet radio have given us a great boost into bigger and better opportunities.

Here’s the latest fiddle off my workbench. I just finished it last week and it’s already picking up some interest from players around the city. This violin has a dark and sweet sound, with an homage to the early makers in Venice.

To find out more about the violins available at my shop drop by and send me a note.
www.wargaskiviolins.com

Due to our recent success on our Hawaii tour in February, the Chicago Music Comission has asked me to join this months Musicians at Work Forum about touring with an ensemble. The event is part of their monthly series highlighting different aspects of the music industry at the Cultural Center. This months event will be held from 6:00 -7:30 Monday April 16th. For more information contact the CMC. www.chicago-music.org

Confirmed Panelists:

Susan Voelz - Violinist, Poi Dog Pondering, tours with Alejandro Escovedo, and Author of “The Musician’s Guide to the Road: A Survival Handbook & All-Access Backstage Pass to Touring”

Ken Waagner - Webmaster, Wilco

Paul Wargaski - Musician, Tangleweed, violin maker

For those of you who love the bluegrass fiddle so much you’re learning how to play. There is violin shop in town that understands your needs. In addition to playing out the low end on bass with Tangleweed I also run a small violin making studio in Bucktown (Near Western and Armitage). Our shop supports the string instrument department at The Old Town School and we have recently developed a rental program designed to meet the needs of folks and young’ins just learning how to play. To learn more stop by our site.

www.wargaskiviolins.com

If you love our high lonesome harmonies, hot banjo licks and perty fiddle’n have a new listen to Tangleweed Radio on Pandora.  Pandora is a free music service that helps you listen to and discover new music.  Tangleweed radio matches the sound of Tangleweed with other similar sounding folks like Tony Trishka, Splitlip Rayfield, Bele Fleck and a host of  other kick’in artist you’ve yet to hear of.

Have a listen and let us know what you think.