3/28

My apologies for having dropped off the map rather suddenly. Last year, I was having a lot of back pain, which was radiating down my arm and making guitar playing, not to mention life in general, very difficult and painful. In February, I learned that my situation was a lot more serious than I had ever dreamed. I was fortunate enough to get an appointment at Cedars Sinai with one of their top neurosurgeons and learned that I was one minor fall away from becoming paralyzed. (And I'd been falling a lot lately, due to my condition.) Eleven days after my first appointment with Dr. Baron, I had been given x-xays, cat scans, mri's, had appointments with various other doctors, and was in an operating room, having surgery on my spine. For those curious, I had the following procedures: a laminectomy from C2 to C7, a 4 level foraminotomy, plus a partial foraminotomy on the 5th vertebrae, multiple bone spurs removed, a cervical corpectomy, a medial facetectomy, a five level fusion, and 10 titanium rods and screws inserted. There's more, but trust me, you don't want to know. Dr Baron even did the surgery from the back of my neck, rather than the front, in order to reduce the risk of damaging my vocal cords. I had been warned of the possible other complications prior to the surgery, but due to the severity of my condition, we all agreed that this was the best approach. The result was a success. However, on the second day following surgery, one of the "possible risks" decided to rear it's ugly head. Although the chances of this happening were only about 5%, and probably less than that, due to having the physician that literally "wrote the book" on spinal surgery. (It's true. Dr. Baron wrote the book on spinal surgery currently in use by medical students.) On that morning, I developed what is called C5 palsy. Meaning, my left arm had become almost completely paralyzed. Along with it comes unbelievably horrible nerve pain. My originally planned 2-3 day hospital stay became open-ended. After 8 days at Cedars Sinai, I was discharged. The first week at home went really well, thanks to Shawn and my family's wonderful help and care. On the evening of the 7th day,my friend Alisa came over with dessert (did I mention I'm not allowed to drive?) and we both noticed that I was having trouble getting the fork aimed at my mouth. It was hilarious. Until two days later, when I became one of those medical freaks of nature when my right arm became paralyzed. Yep, C5 palsy in both arms. I know, I always need to be "special" and the "center of attention", but this wasn't what I had in mind. 

It's now 5 1/2 weeks after my surgery.  The use of my left arm has come back about 35%. As of Tuesday, my right arm was back about 5%. The pain is finally becoming manageable and they are going to start weaning me off of the heavy narcotics they've had me on. On Wednesday night, I was on the computer, something which had become difficult and painful after surgery. Until then, I could manage to type about 2 mistake filled sentences in about 10 minutes, then I had to rest. Imagine someone taking a wooden club to both your legs and breaking each to smithereens..... and then trying to type with your feet. That's about the closest analogy I can come up with. So for those who have written or called me and I haven't responded, now you know why. The good news is that on that evening 2 days ago, I noticed for the first time that I was TYPING. Not with my feet but my fingers. So now my right arm is back about 10%. YAY! Although it's still difficult, I wanted to let you know what's been happening with me. I'm going to try and play my guitar tonight. Something I've not tried yet, due to fear of getting really, really depressed. Also, due to the recent improvement in my right hand, I even booked some Sawdust Festival dates! 

So that's the story. As long as my hands continue to function, I'll continue to keep you updated. My apologies to Cory (a belated Happy 16th Birthday!) and Martin (my truest sympathy) and the rest of my wonderful friends who I haven't been in touch with for awhile. Pre surgery it was the pain that kept me from typing much. Post surgery, well.... I think you get the picture. The future looks a lot brighter today than last week. I'm sure my situation will continue to improve. Thank you to everyone who offered prayers and good wishes. I am eternally grateful.

kerry 

2⁄5

Well, NAMM was great this year. It was wonderful getting to see all my friends. If you weren't aware, I decided that I would take a break from running the Marriott stages after this year, so the time spent with pals was that much more sweet. And now I am taking some time off performing for spinal surgery. (Do I know how to have a good time, or what?!) Not sure yet when the doc is gonna let me start again. More later. But in the meantime, it looks like all gigs are cancelled. Sorry kids. 

1/4

It's January and that can mean just one thing.... NAMM. This will be my last year (for now) running the Marriott stages and playing your Mistress of Ceremonies!  (We're going to have a little "going away" celebration Saturday night around midnight. Join me for a drink.) This year's line-up is as follows:

WEDNESDAY 1/16
6pm Tim Moyer
7pm Seth Horan
8pm Anny Celsi 
9pm Kerry Getz
10pm Evan Stone & the Translucent Ham Sandwich Band

THURSDAY 1/17
5pm Blake Aaron
6pm Rodney Branigan
7pm Michelle Mangione
8pm Tim Moyer  
9pm Lucas Carpenter
10pm Seth Horan
11pm Wade Egan
12am Writers in the Round

FRIDAY 1/18
5pm Matthew Von Doran
6pm Battista
7pm Lonesome Spurs
8pm Jason Feddy
9pm Electric Buffalo
10pm Upstream
11pm The Wrecking Crew (Hal Blaine, Jerry Cole, Don Randi, & guests Pete Wilcox and more)
12am The Ugli Stick

SATURDAY 1/19
5pm Greg Sczebel
6pm Julia Jordan
7pm Cliff Morrison
8pm School of Rock
9pm Printz & Friends
11pm The British Invasion
12am Rollo

Thank you to all who made the Holiday Concert and Toy Drive such a success! Drayfus Grayson was his wonderfully talented self and Jackie Kashian was hilarious. I highly suggest you attend their next performances! The toys and crafy supplies were distributed by Virginia DeMoss, Found Theatre Director and resident angel.

9/16 

Contrary to rumors, my webmaster has not been kidnapped by aliens. I take full responsibility for not adding any news lately. It was a great summer. The Sawdust Festival rocked, I loved playing at the Wein Family Cellars Winery in Temecula, Foothill Ranch was great fun as always, and I started a new steady gig every Tuesday at 21 Oceanfront at the base of the Newport Pier. Hopefully, I'll be returning to Muldoon's soon, as well as all my other fave spots

By the way, in case we haven't chatted lately, I enjoyed some wonderful trips: France, Cambria, Santa Barbara, and most recently, Kansas. Saw some great concerts too, including: Crowded House (TWICE), Lyle Lovett, kd lang, and others.

New songs are on the way, I promise. Thanks for all your support. kerry

3/15

Thank you to Robert Kinsler for writing the following in the Dana Point News 

Thompson and Getz share the stage

By ROBERT KINSLER FOR THE DANA POINT NEWS 

    There will be a rare alignment of the musical universe when two of the world’s greatest singer-songwriters, Richard Thompson and Kerry Getz, share the bill in San Juan Capistrano on Sunday evening.

    A founding member of the pioneering 1960s British folkrock troupe Fairport Convention, Thompson has built up an equally strong solo discography since the early 1970s. Like Bruce Cockburn, Thompson is as renowned for his guitar playing talents as he is for his memorable voice and original songs. Indeed, Thompson is the rare singer-songwriter able to release a full-length collection of solo instrumental music; in 1981, he recorded “Strict Tempo” using his guitar to rework material from North Africa and the British Isles.

    The 57-year-old London native continues to craft beautiful and lasting work, with recent albums such as 1999’s “Simi-Detached Mock Tudor” and the 2005 soundtrack for the acclaimed Werner Herzog documentary “Grizzly Man” equaling early works such as his 1972 debut, “Henry the Human Fly.”

    Since the release of her debut “Apollo” in 1997, Getz has been earning well-deserved accolades with her blend of introspective and melodic songs.

    The Newport Beach resident has drawn comparisons with better-known artists such as Jewel, Aimee Mann and Joni Mitchell, and she deserves that kind of commercial success. In addition to “Apollo,” her discography includes 2002’s “Little Victory,” the 2003 holiday-themed “It’s a Wonderful Life” and an excellent concert set (“Live at the Galaxy”) she released in 2000. 

*****************************************************PREVIOUS NEWS **************************************************

7/29 NEWSPAPER KUDOS From the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER 10 years later, O.C. still rocks

By ROBERT KINSLER Special to the Register

It has been 10 years since I was asked if I wanted to write a weekly column about the local music scene for the Orange County Register. Since penning a profile on Huntington Beach dance outfit HYPE! that ran Aug. 1, 1995, I have written about hundreds of area musicians and I continue to be surprised and thrilled by the range and excellence of music being crafted in the county I have called home since age 2. While HYPE! called it quits not long after it was profiled in Orange Pop, many of the artists I wrote about in the beginning of their respective journeys have enjoyed long careers. Fullerton's Lit, Irvine's Trespassers William, Costa Mesa's Fenians and Dana Point's Something Corporate are among the groups I championed after hearing early demos; all have gone on to enjoy international success. And just as importantly, I have used the column to celebrate the work of scene veterans such as Walter Trout, Michael Ubaldini, Lee Rocker, Kerry Getz and Rusty Anderson, artists who were already recognized for accomplishments a decade ago but have since produced even stronger work. Unlike many areas of the country where there is an eruption of a music scene followed by a sudden lack of interest - Seattle and San Diego come to mind - Orange County's scene has thrived as a kind of farm system. Many of the artists who are spawned in O.C. hit commercial pay dirt and relocate to L.A. (Sugar Ray, No Doubt). But increasingly, much of Orange County's homegrown talent is staying put. Lit, Social Distortion, the Offspring, Trout and famed power-pop tunesmith Walter Clevenger are well-recognized musical heroes who have helped provide traction for the scene. Even the most talented artists couldn't do it alone. Venues such as the legendary Coach House, Galaxy Concert Theatre, Anaheim House of Blues, Martini Blues in Huntington Beach, Renaissance Dana Point and Gypsy Lounge in Lake Forest feed off a steady stream of new talent. And high-profile events such as the Hootenanny, Doheny Blues and Doheny Days festivals, as well as the Orange County Fair and Orange International Street Fair, showcase local acts and thus generate new audiences for original music. A special nod goes to talented singer-songwriter-producer Joe Ongie (currently a member of Minnie Driver's band; it performs with Chris Isaak at the Pacific Amphitheatre on Saturday night) and wife Catherine Graziano, owners of the Gypsy Den cafes in Santa Ana and Costa Mesa. The couple have championed cutting-edge artists such as Michael Miller, John Hoskinson, John Carrillo, Sherman Fowler, Joy Flying and countless others over the past 10 years. Check out www.gypsyden.com for more information. Although I would be the last one to bet which of today's unknowns has a shot at greater glory, I'm sure you will read about many of them here long before you see them on MTV or hear them on commercial radio. While my two favorite casualties of the O.C. scene are '90s outfits Altered State and Eli Riddle (seek out their out-of-print CDs via the used market; I found eBay sellers offering both bands' releases for under $1 in searches this week), here is a list of some of my favorite Orange County artists making music today: Irish/Celtic:the Fenians, the American Wake, When Pigs Fly! Hugh Lehane, Tintangel Punk/post-punk: Throw Rag, RX Bandits, Obsolete Heart, Mind Driver Rock 'n' roll (includes power-pop, modern rock, California rock): Limbeck, Scarlet Crush, Beyond 7, Thrill Deluxe, 9 Ball, Joy Flying, Vale, Bodie, Walter Clevenger & the Dairy Kings, Kenny Howes, My Favorite Band, George Fryer Combo Funk/Latin/jam rock: NAFRO, Bayadera, Ken Garcia Band Electronica/ambient/synthpop:Color Theory, Sunset Room, Hans Karl, the Royal Visionaries Singer-songwriters: Kerry Getz, Jannel Rap, John Carrillo, Joe Ongie, Niki Smart, Carol Martini, Michael Miller, Andrewesley, Vanessa Zarate Blues: Walter Trout, Steve Copeland & Raging Sun, Savage City Rockabilly/Americana/bluegrass:Michael Ubaldini, Lee Rocker, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, Kelly Bowlin, Lilies of the West Alt country: Fletcher Harrington, Fit 2-B Tied, Topeka Jazz: Sherman Fowler Rap: Kelly B., Mr. MJ (previous news stuff)

12/1 - REVIEWS - The December issue of Performing Songwriter Magazine singles out "Little Victory" as one of the Top 12 Indie Releases. It says: Enchanting. Delicate. Subtle. These are all adjectives one could use to describe the vocals of Kerry Getz. The Orange County native sends her voice out on gossamer wings, letting it spiral around lilting vocal phrases and dive into emotional depths without ever sounding heavy or overdone. In Little Victory, Getz combines introspection with pop sensibilities to create an album that is uncommonly refreshing. Intriguing and slightly reminiscent of Aimee Mann or Dar Williams’ more produced numbers, Getz’s tunes captivate with the occasionally unexpected chord change and lyrical wordplay. “You don’t love me anymore, and I don’t love you any less,” she sings in her fourth cut, “I’d Rather Get It Over.” A variety of electric guitar and synth sounds blend with bass and drums to fill up the sound spectrum nicely. —MW Also, there is a review of "It's a Wonderful Life" in the holiday edition of ParisWoman.com under the "Noir et Blanc" column.

11/9 - HOLIDAY ALBUM OF THE YEAR! "It's a Wonderful Life" won Best Holiday Album of the Year at the Just Plain Folks Music Awards! In addition, "Yuletide Romeo", which was written by Kerry and Stuart Pearson won 4th place for Holiday Song of the Year!

10/7 - INHALE - A new, acoustic version of Kerry's song "Inhale" is included on the third and final volume of BEFORE THEIR TIME, a benefit compilation of songs written and performed in memory of people who died young. It has just been released, visit www.beforetheirtime.org for more information. Some of the other artists featured on this CD are: Joan Baez, Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, Amy Fairchild, Johnsmith, Kathy Mattea, Mary McCaslin, Carrie Newcomer, Kristina Olsen, Darryl Purpose, Cosy Sheridan, Kate Taylor, and Cheryl Wheeler.