Exciting news and the start of another busy month!

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5th Maine Museum, 93.5, Cranmore, Gorham, Gorham Common, Heather Pierson, Jason Spooner Trio, Jeremy Dean Band, Kid Dizzy, Laconia, Maine, music, New England Songwriting Contest, New Hampshire, North Conway, Ossipee Valley Music Festival, Peaks Island, Scars on 45, Songwriters By The Sea, The Open Road, Those Guys, Tower Hill Tavern, White Mountain Hotel, WMWV

Big announcement, right off the top – I’m so excited to let you know that I won the 2012 New England Songwriting Contest at the Ossipee Valley Music Festival this past Sunday!  What an incredible honor!  The song I entered was one of my brand new ones, called “A Hard Man To Please”.  I can’t wait to bring it to life in the studio soon so I can share it with you all!

And speaking of the studio, I’m wrapping up work on my next CD, a collection of my instrumental piano works called The Open Road.   Photos are picked out, text is being finalized, another little bird will soon be leaving the nest!   I’m also setting up CD release events!  I’ll keep you posted!

In the meantime, I’ll let you know what’s happening this coming week, and it’s a busy and exciting one, too!

Tuesday, July 31st

Kid Dizzy (that’s me, Jeremy Dean, Shawn Nadeau and Matty Bowman) will be giving a free concert on the Gorham Common in Gorham, NH from 6 to 8 p.m.

Thursday, August 2nd

A big show – An Evening with 93.5 WMWV at Cranmore Mountain in North Conway, NH!  I’ll be joining Those Guys on stage as we open for Scars on 45!  Also on the bill is Portland’s Jason Spooner Trio.   Tickets are $10 for adults; Seniors, $8; Kids 12 and under FREE!   Show starts at 6 p.m.

Friday, August 3rd

A quiet solo evening in the dining room of the White Mountain Hotel, 6 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, August 4th

I’ll be the featured songwriter (along with the fabulous Adam Nordell) at Songwriters By The Sea, just off the coast of Portland, ME on the lovely Peaks Island.  The show will be held at the 5th Maine Museum.  Tickets are $10 and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.  FMI please call 207.766.3330.

Sunday, August 5th

I’ll be raising the roof with The Jeremy Dean Band at Tower Hill Tavern in Laconia, NH in a nice and early 4 p.m. show.   Face-melting blues (and goofy hats) guaranteed!

I’ll be heading down to Massachusetts this month for some shows this month, too!  I’ll fill you in on all the details in the next post. For a sneak preview, you can always visit the Gigs section of heatherpierson.com.  Thanks as always for your continued love, support and enthusiasm!

Love,
Heather
xo

A great night in Eaton – plus the July wrap-up!

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Bretton Woods, Bridgton, Davy Sturtevant, Eaton, Gorham, Gorham Common, Heather Pierson, Heather Pierson Quartet, jazz, Jeremy Dean, Joe Aliperti, Kid Dizzy, Kristen Short, Laconia, Little White Church, Maine, Matty Bowman, McGrath's Tavern, Medallion Opera House, Mount Washington Hotel, music, New England Songwriting Contest, New Hampshire, North Conway, Ossipee Valley Music Festival, Pitman's Freight Room, Rusty Wiltjer, Shawn Nadeau, South Paris, Tower Hill Tavern, Waterford, Waterford World's Fair, White Mountain Hotel

Wow, what a fantastic night in Eaton last Friday! And boy, was it warm in that church! It felt like a typical night in New Orleans! Thanks to all the brave and supportive souls who came and sweated it out with the quartet and listened to our musical offerings. I can’t wait for the next jazz show this Friday (details below)!

Here’s what else I’m up to for the rest of this month:

Thursday, July 19th

A new venue and a new duo! Alto sax man Joe Aliperti and I will be bringing a jazz and blues duo show to Pitman’s Freight Room in Laconia, NH. A beautiful BYO hall, this place has a gorgeous Steinway grand that I can’t wait to play! $10 cover, doors at 7:00, music at 8:00.

Friday, July 20th

The Heather Pierson Quartet brings the jazz show to Medallion Opera House in Gorham, NH! 7 p.m. start and tickets ($12/$6) are still available at www.heatherpierson.com. Get ’em quick!

Saturday, July 21st

Holy cow, it’s a triple! First, I’ll be doing a short solo set for Art In The Park in Bridgton, ME at 9:30 a.m. Then it’s off to Founders’ Day on Paris Hill in South Paris, ME for an 11:00 a.m. performance with Kristen Short and Rusty Wiltjer. I’ll end the day in North Conway, NH at White Mountain Hotel, 6 to 10 p.m.

Sunday, July 22nd

Shawn and I will perform in another newly formed group – this time, in a trio with Davy Sturtevant at Waterford World’s Fair at 10:30 a.m. When Davy and I play as a duo, we call ourselves “Stew and Pie”. So with Shawn, we’ll be “Stew, Pie and Dough”. Oh, and it’s Shawn’s birthday this day, too! Wooo!

Tuesday, July 24th

I’ll be the featured performer at Jazz Night in the conservatory of the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, NH. 9 p.m. set. You *have* to come hear this gorgeous Steinway! (Free show, too!)

Wednesday, July 25th

I’ll be back in Bretton Woods again, this time, in the dining room of what I lovingly refer to as “the big hotel in the sky”, 6 to 10 p.m.

Thursday, July 26th

The first of two nights with The Jeremy Dean Band! We hit McGrath’s Tavern in North Conway, NH at 9 p.m. sharp. Face-melting guitar guaranteed!

Friday, July 27th

Second night with JDB and another new venue for me – Tower Hill Tavern in Laconia, NH. Blues blues and more blues! 9 p.m. start.

Saturday, July 28th

Back at “home base” at White Mountain Hotel, 6 to 10 p.m.

Sunday, July 29th

I’ll be one of twenty songwriters chosen to compete in the New England Songwriting Competition at Ossipee Valley Music Festival! Wish me luck – or perhaps I’ll see you at the festival?

Tuesday, July 31st

Kid Dizzy (that’s me on keys and vocals, Jeremy Dean on guitar and vocals, Shawn on bass and Matty Bowman on drums) will give a FREE concert on the Gorham Common in Gorham, NH from 6 to 8 p.m.

There are some really cool things happening in August – I’ll fill you in with the next post! Don’t forget to stay in the loop on Facebook (HeatherPiersonMusic) or with Twitter (@HeatherPierson). Thanks so much for your continued love and support!

First jazz show this weekend!

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Eaton, Gorham, Heather Pierson, Heather Pierson Quartet, jazz, Kristen Short, Little White Church, Maine, Medallion Opera House, music, New England Songwriting Contest, New Hampshire, Norway, Norway Arts Festival, Ossipee Valley Music Festival, Rusty Wiltjer

I’m so excited about the upcoming Heather Pierson Quartet jazz shows, and the first one is this coming Friday, July 13th at the Little White Church in Eaton, NH! The guys and I have been working hard to bring you a very special and memorable evening of jazz and I can’t wait to share this music with you all! Can’t make it to the show this Friday? Then I hope you can make it to the Medallion Opera House in Gorham, NH for the second show on Friday, July 20th! Tickets are still available for both shows and can be purchased online at www.heatherpierson.com.

I’m also psyched to announce that I am one of twenty songwriters chosen to compete in this year’s New England Songwriting Competition at the Ossipee Valley Music Festival in Hiram, ME on July 29th! Woo!

Lots more happening this month, including a couple of performances with my friend and fellow singer/songwriter Kristen Short (along with percussionist extraordinaire Rusty Wiltjer) – first, at Norway Arts Festival this Saturday the 14th at 10 a.m. and at Founders Day in South Paris, ME on Saturday, July 21st at 11 a.m. And that’s not all! (More in the next post, I promise!)

Hope you’re having a great summer and thanks as always for your continued love and support!

An award, another busy week, and then another month!

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Almost There, Delaney's, Gorham, Ledgends Pub, Maine, music, New England Songwriting Contest, New Hampshire, North Conway, Norway Open Mic Night, Ossipee Valley Music Festival, Red Parka Pub, The Met

I came in third in the 8th annual New England Songwriting Competition!  Woohoo!  It was a gorgeous day – a welcome relief from the oppressive heat and humidity that we’d been experiencing up here lately.   From a large number of entries, only twenty were selected to compete – and wow, what fabulously talented songwriters they all were, including my dear friend Scot Montgomery with his beautiful song “Back In The Day”.   The judges certainly had a difficult task on their hands!   I’m so psyched to have even placed.  Second place went to Jason Carter of  San Antonio, TX with his lovely song, “Dragonfly, You Fly Away” and the grand prize was awarded to my friend Martin Swinger for his great song “Little Plastic Part”.  It was a treat to even see and hear him again after so many years – but to share in the rewards with him at the end of the contest was such a thrill!   Congratulations to everyone!

No time to rest on my laurels – I’ve got another busy week in store!  Here’s the scoop:

Monday, July 25th

I’ll be hosting open mic at the Red Parka Pub in Glen, NH with Shawn Nadeau on bass and Matty Bowman on drums.  Music starts at 9 p.m. and everything rolls right along until sometime after midnight.

Wednesday, July 27th

The Heather Pierson Trio (with Shawn on bass and Jeremy Dean on guitar and vocals) will perform at Delaney’s in North Conway, NH from 9 p.m. to midnight.  Where else can you get great sushi, crayons on the tables (draw us a picture!), the game on the TV and mid-week live music?

Thursday, July 28th

Shawn and I host the open mic at Ledgends Pub in Gorham, NH from 8 to 11 p.m.  Full bands, solo acts, dancers, magicians, storytellers, comedians and other assorted and talented hooligans are encouraged to come join us!

Friday, July 29th

The last Friday means it’s Norway Open Mic Night!  479 Main St. in Norway, ME at the UU Church.  6:30 p.m. sign-up, 7-ish start. For those of you across the world who can’t make it, I’ll be streaming it here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/norway-open-mic-night

Saturday, July 30th

First, another weekly stop at The Met in North Conway from 1 to 3 p.m. (solo this time – Shawn will be a groomsman at Ryan’s wedding that afternoon – congrats Ryan and Emily!) and then over to Almost There in Albany, NH with guitarist/big brother extraordinaire Jeremy Dean from 4 to 7 p.m.

Sunday, July 31st

On the road again!  Shawn and I will be travelling down to Lowell, MA to perform at Furey’s Cafe as part of their annual Folk Showcase at 5 p.m.  It’ll be great to play for some new folks and make some new friends!

Wow, and then we’re into August, just like that.  Really?!  What a great summer this has been and continues to be.   Thanks, as always, for your love and support and I hope to see you out and about!

Another hot and happening week!

Tags

Davy Sturtevant, Heather Pierson, Maine, Mount Washington Hotel, music, New England Songwriting Contest, New Hampshire, Ossipee Valley Music Festival, Red Parka Pub, The Met, The Met Coffee House, Waterford World's Fair, Wildcat Tavern, Wine Thyme

I just got home a short while ago from playing at Waterford World’s Fair where I got to play a short set with Shawn and see and hear some folks I haven’t seen in ages – Denny Breau and Frank Coffin; friends like Ed and Linda, Gail, Susan, Bob, Terry, Karen, Jordan and of course Rusty.  A nice way to spend the afternoon.  Boy, is it heating up!  And it’s supposed to be hot all this coming week.  I’d better stay hydrated – my schedule isn’t letting up!  Here’s the rundown:

Monday, July 18th

My friend Davy Sturtevant is hosting the first Open Stage event at the Charlotte Hobbs Library in Lovell, ME.  It starts at 6:30 p.m.  If you’d like to come and share your talents – or just to listen – come on down and meet me there!    It’s worth the drive to Lovell to hear Davy.  He’s a very talented songwriter and performer.

Tuesday, July 19th

I’ll be playing in the main dining room of the Mount Washington Hotel at Bretton Woods, NH from 6 to 10 p.m. with Brian Hathaway on bass and Dave Ellis on drums.

Wednesday, July 20th

Shawn and I will be playing outside on the patio of Wine Thyme in North Conway, NH.  I played here a few times last summer and I’m really looking forward to being there again this summer.  We play 6 to 9 p.m. and we’ll drag it all inside if it rains (did I just jinx it by typing that sentence?).

Friday, July 22nd

I’ll be playing at White Mountain Hotel at Hales Location in North Conway, NH from 6 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, July 23rd

Another double!  First, I’ll be at The Met in North Conway from 2 to 4 p.m.  Then, I’m playing with Jeremy at Wildcat Tavern in Jackson, NH from 8 to 11 p.m.

Sunday, July 24th

It’s the Ossipee Valley Music Festival in South Hiram, ME, which is host to the 8th Annual New England Songwriting Contest!  I’m so psyched to be chosen as a contestant this year!  Visit www.ossipeevalley.com for more information.

Monday, July 25th

I’ll be hosting open mic at Red Parka Pub in Glen, NH.  I’ve not been since Carl went into semi-retirement from hosting and I’m looking forward to being there with Shawn and with Matty Bowman on drums.  We start at 9 p.m.

Hopefully, since the weather is supposed to be so agreeable, I’ll be able to find some time this week to get on the kayak or the motorcycle or the hiking trail.  Hope to see you out and about!

A few days away and another triple-header!

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Berlin Farmers Market, Heather Pierson, Ledgends Pub, Maine, New England Songwriting Contest, New Hampshire, Ossipee Valley Music Festival, The Inn at Whitefield, Waterford World's Fair

In the midst of a nearly non-stop schedule this summer, a few days away at the ocean where there was no cell service and no internet was exactly what I needed.  The weather at the beach in Maine was absolutely glorious!  There wasn’t much to do except walk along the shore, read, soak up some sun, nap – and of course, even though music is what I do, it’s also what I am, and so I brought my guitar along and started working on some brand new songs!  I left Sunday morning and got back Wednesday evening, and just in time, too – another busy weekend awaits.  Here’s the lowdown:

Thursday, July 14th

It’s a double in New Hampshire’s North Country – first, Shawn and I play at the Berlin Farmer’s Market from 5 to 7 p.m., then we head on over to Ledgends Pub on Main St. in Gorham to host open mic night from 8 to 11 p.m.

Friday, July 15th

I head back up through the notch to play with Jeremy Dean and friends at The Inn At Whitefield (in lovely Whitefield, NH) from 9 p.m. to midnight.  Maybe Inn owner Joanne Jacaruso will join us with her fab voice for a few tunes like she did last weekend!

Saturday, July 16th

Another triple!  I must be crazy!  First, I perform at Art In The Park in Bridgton, ME for an hour-long set at 10:30 a.m.  Then, I head over to The Met to play with Shawn from 2 to 4 p.m.  I end my day at The White Mountain Hotel in North Conway from 6 to 10 p.m.

Sunday, July 17th

I end the busy weekend at Waterford World’s Fair in Waterford, ME with a set starting at 4 p.m.

I’ll leave you with an awesome little bit of news – I came home from the ocean to find out that I’ve been chosen as a contestant in this year’s New England Songwriting Contest!   The contest will be held on Sunday, July 24th at the Workshop Pavilion of the Ossipee Valley Music Festival in South Hiram, ME.  Very cool indeed!

Another busy week awaits me next week and I’ll fill you in on all the details soon enough.  Thanks, as always, for your love and support – and I’ll see you at the show!