I am so chuffed about what happened today. I got the opportunity to be photographed by the UK’s largest camera, a project that is headed up by Tim Pearse and his sidekick and advisor Hayden Tanner. Tim built this camera for his project while studying at The Plymouth College of Art. It took him 5 months to put this ginormous camera together. I ran into him at the Plymouth City Market where he was showing folks this camera. These negatives are 20 X 24 inches! Thanks to assistant Lucy Rawlings who took these photos below and one of the pics of me on the big camera, soon to be released with my new CD! If you want to see more about this marvel go to:
www.20x24cameraproject.tumblr.com
We had a crackin time at The Rising Sun Inn, Altarnun nr Launceston. It was a fantastic afternoon. Good friends, good grub, good ale, and an extremely supportive audience! After a 2 hour set, I went on to do 2 more without a break, and loved every minute of it. The smiling man below was the winner of my little quiz. He was quite happy about the pint winnings he received! Thank you Andy! Will love to see you again soon. For those that haven’t made it out there to this pub, put it on your “must” list! www.therisingsuninn.co.uk
Fantastic fun every first Wednesday at The Blues Bar on the Barbican in Plymouth. Everybody come down for a slice of Texas from Michael!
Thanks to the Rod and Line in Tideford for a great gig Thursday night. Michael, the landlord, was very accommodating and made us feel quite at home. I had the opportunity to go in and eat there, and if you ever get a chance, you should put this pub on your list for great food and music! Although our audience was small we had a fantastic response my first time playing there. I also got to finally meet and actually play with Andy Boddington of 2Tonic. What a fantastic player! Hopefully, we will have a chance to do that again…
The sad note is that the pub landlord, Michael, lost a very dear friend this night, and we were mourning his loss by celebrating life! You are well remembered, Mr. Ray Pope! May we all be celebrated in such a fashion when it is time for us to leave…
I thought I would give props to Mr. Jake Riding for his efforts in being the resident photographer for the evening. Below are some of my favorites. We raised over £350 for Shelterbox!
The weekend proved to be a special treat for music lovers like myself. It was great to hear Michael play together with veterans Steve Lovering on harmonica and Dave Sugerbeet on electric violin. I just loved their rendition of blues classic, Sweet Home Chicago and also Baby Boomerang from the 70′s album, Slider (yes, a boogie T Rex song – what fun!). These three accomplished musicians had not played together before but it seemed to flow naturally.
Major Wiley and all others who performed that night were also fantastic. Had to be there – sorry I did warn you it would be a nite not to miss! Come see us soon – from Michael’s biggest fan..
Coming this Saturday Feb 25! Electric Blues Violinist Dave Sugarbeet, Mr. Major Wiley, Michael Semora along with harmonica wiz Steve Lovering, along with Me and the Devil and other guest will be contributing to ShelterBox, the Helston based charity that provides disaster relief to those in need all over the world. For more info on this charity go to www.shelterbox.org. See you there!
Rolling through Southway in Plymouth you roll up to a place called the Clittaford Club. Upon first glance, it looks like just another building. However when you walk in and proceed to the back of the club, you discover that you are in what was a 400 year old barn. But this is not the treasure here. It is pub owner, Murray, who is one of the most friendly and accommodating men I have ever met. It is always a pleasure when you are met with such hospitality. Thanks Murray!
We all had a great time Boxing Day at the Devon & Cornwall and another fantastic afternoon at the Cecil Arms in Saltash on New Year’s Day. Thanks to all…
Starting in January, I have been confirmed to play at The Blues Bar on the Barbican in Plymouth on the first Wednesdays of the month! I am really chuffed about this and hope that folks out there will come and see me. I’ll be there November 23 on a Wednesday, as well. Come on down…
It has been a long way ’round the bend, but Michael Semora is not your typical troubadour. Raised in the Big Oil City, Houston, Texas, his roots call him back to write songs that have been influenced by country, blues rock, heavy metal, and good ol’ Texas blues. Raised on early 70′s rock such as Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, and Elton John, he got his musical start early in life, dancing and singing in front of the bedroom mirror to these artists. Other influences included Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Cat Stevens, Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash. Practicing his craft as a twenty something, he went on to record with longtime musical partner Greg George and longtime friend Joe Mullally in poprock collaboration, Blazon, and punk blues band, Stiff Kitty. After a 3 year hiatus, he went to form Criminal Records with Trevor Lea Rogers in 1993 and to play with him in Four Bolt Main and Big Engine. Just before 9/11, he recorded with the hip hop/rock/fusion quintet, Fuzzy Logik. One might say that he has touched on just about all genres, only to come back to his roots with folk,country,and blues, and now that he is in England, he is exploring the Celtic roots of his mother’s ancestors. His forthcoming release proves to be his best effort yet!
A great time was had by all at the Cross Keys Inn at Cawsand, with Michael Semora playing in the afternoon. The patrons were really enjoying what Michael had to offer. Texas had made it to Cornwall that day, with Michael playing old favorites along with the great originals from his CD, “Someday”, and the new forthcoming CD. One newfound fan said “This is the best time I’ve had out in 10 years!” Michael hopes to keep spreading cheer across the UK. Michael will be back at The Cross Keys Inn on Sunday, July 24th and September 25th, both starting times are at 4:30pm. See you there!
The house was a rockin’ at The Garden Sports and Leisure last night with Michael Semora. People really enjoyed the music and the atmosphere that The Garden provides. Michael had the chance to meet some folks from Wales, too! Thanks to all that came to support Michael…
What a great time we had at The Rising Sun in Kingsand. Lots of folks turned up to enjoy the great atmosphere and the music! I learned some new tunes to add to the repertoire. “Ri
ng of Fire” went down well, I thought, as did Jackie Greene’s number, “Cell Block #9″. The songs that I’ve written like “Rain Fallin on My Blues” seemed to go down well, too. And we had to close the evening with House of The Rising Sun, of course! Thanks to all who participated in singing with me and those who chose just to listen. You are all much appreciated! I’ll be working on the new CD, tentatively titled “Volumes of One”, hopefully ready for release later this year. We’ll keep you posted…
We always wonder how people with such great talent lose their lives to drugs, alcohol, violence, car wrecks, plane crashes, helicopter crashes, the list goes on. What we must remember is that these people have shared their lives with us and have touched our souls with their love, pain, pleasure… whatever that emotion is. We feel a kindred spirit. They are people, and this is why we feel the way that we do. Musicality, brilliance – that is the shine of the soul. Amy Winehouse was one of those very bright stars. It is such a shame when nothing of the good things that a person has shared with the world is revered. So much goes into the press to reflect the worst things of a person’s life. We all knew about Amy’s problems. She was trying to get help. She deserves a little respect. I, for one, believe that anybody can be loved. And love is what Amy deserves. Her family needs to hear these things. Her friends, I know are talking about how wonderful she was. Let us all remember that as long as we have breath, we are part of something that deserves celebration. We should celebrate the living days of Amy with adoration. Respect. Honor. With Love…
What a fun day I had yesterday! I gotta chance to represent folk music at Folk on the Barbican, in Plymouth, UK. I feel so blessed to be here representing the music that I love to play. The people here in the UK have been quite receptive, and I appreciate each and every one of you. I met a bunch of lovely people yesterday, including Ian Clarke and Nicki Clarke, Ian being a musician himself, and we had a nice chat. Thanks to Jessie Mullen, who hosts the open mic at the B-Bar at the Barbican, and who invited me to play at this event. A special thanks to Michael the Ice Cream Man, and Jean Knight who gave us a ride to the Barbican on her ferry!
The fun carried on well into the night when I had a gig at The Smuggler’s Inn in Seaton, Cornwall. I played to a small, but appreciative audience. Tina, a fellow Texan, made some great Tex-Mex food of which I am enjoying today! Thanks to Mandy for having us!
Michael was well received at the Blues Bar & Grill on The Barbican last night. He played many favourites – blues, folk and country alike, along with some of his originals, which the audience asked him to play again. “Seems to Me” always seems to be a crowd pleaser, along with “Rain Fallin on My Blues”, and “Room For A Love Song”. It has been one of Michael’s wishes to play at one of his favourite places in Plymouth. Thanks to Stella and Andy for a wonderful night!
Had a great time at The Eliot Arms in St. German’s! More fun today at the St. John’s Beer Fest, St. John’s Inn, 2:00pm and later at the Devonport Inn in Cawsand at 7:00pm. See you there!
It’s been really great to see America’s Cup from my own backyard! There’s been great viewing from Mt. Edgcumbe Park, where I was able to check it out: 
I’ll be playing at Lavish this Sunday, which is just a stone’s throw from where the boats for this event are docked for the evening. I believe that Sunday is the last day, so come out and enjoy the festivities!
Mayhem ensued this evening at Lavish at the Barbican on the last day of America’s Cup. Here I was completely minding my own business when lo and behold, this vixen comes and takes me hat off me head, and proceeds to head off in a taxi. I am sure she is not realizing that this particular hat is a precious commodity here in SemoraLand. It is THE HAT that built this CITY! Please return to Lavish at once. Oh yeah, and the crowd was great this evening! Ms. Bombshell had her birthday wish to come and sing with me on a couple of ditties (Proud Mary, for one)
Thanks for all your support out there (that includes you, Ms. Bombshell 
)
We all had a killer time at the Looe Music Festival! I played at the Fisherman’s Arms and the house was packed. Great audience participation and just an all around good time. A big “Howdy” out to all our new found friends. Thanks to all that made this gig happen: Neil, Billy, and Mick. Playing at the Millbridge Inn in Plymouth tonight. Hope you folks can come out and enjoy the fun! Cheers to all!
As many of you know, Michael’s beloved hat was yanked from his head during a gig recently, never to be seen again! I thought you might like an update… Well, a friend of the blond had said he could get it back for us but sadly he stopped returning our calls and it became apparent that this story was unlikely to have a happy ending. So, we shopped til we dropped to hunt down a replacement. He wears one now not half the hat he brought with him from America.
Michael is mourning his hat. If the blond reads this she must know that if returned, all will be forgiven. If not returned, it will remain one of those stories that weighs heavy on the heart. Stealing is bad for the soul. He’s even offered to buy her another hat! We are hoping that our next LAVISH gig will bring with it not only another great night out, but who knows, perhaps a reunion to remember…. fingers crossed. Thanks, Jayne
