Write Myself a Letter (live) - Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers [1987]

The following will be an ongoing exchange between DJ Caterina and different people between now and Friday…

Friend: Hi DJ Caterina! What’s up for the weekend? 

DJ Caterina: Glad you asked, “friend”….welp, I’ll be looking for something green to wear for Monday’s jolly observation of St. Patrick’s Day. 

Friend: Really? Why you goin’ all out for that? 

DJ Caterina: Well, if you must know, although I, DJ Caterina, am not Irish, I have been to Ireland twice, took an ambitious class in Irish literature for my master’s degree program and I also enjoy listening to The Chieftains.

And while working on the Tommy Conwell rockumentary for school, I was simultaneously writing a 25-page essay on “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” by Irish author James Joyce, where I found similarities between the struggles of young artist Joyce trying to break artistic boundaries in literature, and young artist Conwell; particularly with the emergence of Tommy's band the Little Kings - it was about rebellion against traditional musical styles, bringing together the jazz/punk/blues fusion that TC always wanted to pursue.

By the way, Tommy is playing some Irish music this weekend, too! 

Friend: *yawn* So, that's all the reasons you're into St. Patty's Day?

DJ Caterina: I’ve also always had a soft spot in me heart for the Lucky Charms fella. 

Friend: *crosses arms* Are you done? 

DJ Caterina: And I’m a Galway girl! 

Friend: *sighs* NOW is that all? 

DJ Caterina: Oh, I am also posting a St. Patrick’s Day concert recording of Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers performing “Write Myself a Letter” from 1987 live at Maxwell’s in Carney/Towes, Maryland. 

Friend: *walks away* 

DJ Caterina: Sláinte!

 )

"I wanna smoke cigarettes..."

The following is an excerpt from an article originally found on www.mpprojects.com/tc.

"If you have ever seen Tommy live, you will recognize the 'cigarette' routine during "Walkin' on the Water." I must say that I miss hearing some of the old Rumblers tunes at shows, but his newer stuff is great, too. I have seen Tommy Conwell over 20 times in the last 12 years, most of these times traveling nearly 3 hours to get to the club. The first time I ever saw him, I had to go with my parents as they were the only way my 16 year-old self could get in! My dad still says to this day... I tell ya, that man had a nasty mouth!

When I was in college, a friend and I drove 4 hours just to listen to him play from the back door parking lot of Scandals in Ocean City, Maryland. We were too young to get in, but was it fun listening. We got our highlight when he came around back during "Workout" and actually was playing near our car. It was awesome!!!

The funny part was when nobody would let Tommy back in the door to get on stage. He was kicking at the door for a good couple of minutes!"