Welcome to the world and music of Dan Roark. I have lived here for a while now and it's not a bad place to live, really. Although on some level, it's probably just as well you're only visiting. But hang around as long as you like.
Here you can listen to my songs - and buy them if you wish - read my thoughts in posts on my blog, see my pictures, and find out when and where I am playing.
You can also hear live versions of my songs on Reverbnation, as well as see videos of live performances. You can also see my videos on, and subscribe to, my YouTube channel.
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My new cd, The L.A. Sessions, will be available in all of the usual places on April 1st, including my website. It will contain the re-mastered songs from my Hello Out There album, with other songs from the recording sessions in L.A. All songs were nicely recorded and mastered by my son, Conner Roark. Lou Castro, noted L.A. session bassist, and Ryan Brown, drummer for Dweezil Zappa, joined me for the sessions.
If you are in the Dallas area, I’ll be at the Deep Ellum Arts Festival on Sunday, April 3rd at 5:30 p.m. at the Dallas Songwriters Association stage at Trunk and Commerce. I’d love to see you and I’ll have cds available.
Of course, you can always hear me Monday nights on Rob Case’s Open Mic – Poor David’s Pub Facebook page. The show runs from 7-10 p.m. and includes a number of singer-songwriters playing their songs. David Card – Poor David his own self, comes on about 8 p.m. to highlight the coming shows at Poor David’s Pub. Or we’ll be in person at PDP on the last Monday of the month.
I’m headed to Colorado for a few shows after the Arts Festival. I’ll keep you up on upcoming shows. In the meantime, enjoy the music!
If you weren’t at Poor David’s Pub last Friday night, you missed a dynamite show. Every songwriter brought the best they had. Fortunately for you, you can watch/hear a number of those songwriters tonight beginning at 7 p.m. on Rob Case’s Open Mic – Poor David’s Pub page.
You’ll also be treated to special guests, Sara Hickman, Betty Soo, and Michael Fracasso. It’s the final of the four virtual open mics during Poor David’s Pub’s 45th birthday month. Making it especially fitting that Sara is on this particular show. David Card, Poor David himself, and Sara Hickman have had a close relationship throughout the years. She has played at PDP countless times. Be sure to tune in with your favorite beverage and snacks – then sit back and enjoy the music. You will not be disappointed.
As if that wasn’t enough, the last Monday open mic will start back up – live and in color! – at Poor David’s Pub on April 25th.
So mark your calendar for the 25th, and we’ll “see” you tonght! And take the time to make a donation that benefits both Poor David’s Pub, and Kerrville Festival. [paypal – David@poordavidspub.com, Venmo – David-Card-12]
The Wine Tasting Fundraiser for New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy hosted by Lindsay Meyer and Optima Fitness is this Saturday, March 26th at 917 N. Mill St., Lewisville, Tx 75057. There is a suggested $30 donation to participate in the tasting. More information below.
New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy is a non-profit providing therapeutic riding for people with disabilities. It is also often therapeutic for the horses as well. On a different level, it’s therapeutic for the volunteers, too.
Visit the website for an expanded explanation of the benefits of therapeutic riding. But since this is a fundraiser I thought I would show you that New Hope is so much more than simply therapeutic riding. The staff and volunteers are kind caring people who treat the riders like family. After a period of time, in a sense they are family. [Full disclosure: I have been married to Cyndy, one of the volunteers, for thirty years.]
I was able to attend the Chisholm Challenge, one of the first events in the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Riders with special needs from several non-profit therapy centers such as New Hope gather to compete. In the trail competition, which I observed, one volunteer leads the horse and another volunteer walks alongside. A few of the riders who are older or less challenged ride with no assistance – except from the horse. The course is a fairly basic course, but it still requires the rider to have control over the horse.
There are other events at the Chisholm Challenge, but this is about the riders and volunteers/staff at New Hope. As I watched the walkers and the riders I was fascinated by the interaction between rider and horse, and walker with both rider and horse. The look on the riders’ faces of concentration and then absolute joy as they made the final turn and saw the beaming faces of their families in the stands and felt a sense of accomplishment. The look also of concentration on the looks of the walkers and then their look of joy for the rider’s accomplishment.
There is so much more that goes on behind the scenes. Matching the right horse to the rider. The staff and volunteers put in many hours preparing trails conducive to riders with special needs, keeping up the grounds and stables. Then more hours patiently working with occasionally stubborn horses or mules. Then yet more hours patiently walking along with the riders.
New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy is a first class facility with a first class staff and volunteers. If you have someone in your family, or if there is someone you know, with special needs who needs the therapy that riding horses provides, New Hope is the place that will treat them with patience and care, as well as pairing them with the horse that will the provide the best therapy for them.
The level of care that New Hope provides comes with a cost. The cost of a separate fenced area with seating for the parents and families of the riders. The constant feeding and care for the horses. The upkeep of the grounds. Which is where the fundraiser comes in. You can donate even if you aren’t interested in the wine tasting.
Rob Case’s Open Mic – Poor David’s Pub is back live with a Songwriters Showcase this Friday from 7-11p.m. as part of Poor David’s Pub’s 45th birthday month. A veritable smorgasbord of songwriters providing one of the most entertaining live shows you have seen in quite some time – especially when you consider that live music just recently started back up. For all that music, the $10 admission is actually cheap. Seriously folks, it’s going to be a hell of a night!
The virtual open mic is a fundraiser for Poor David’s Pub and Kerrville Folk Festival to help them through hopefully the final bumps in this long road back from Covid. [paypal – David@poordavidspub.com, Venmo – David-Card-12]
Come out Friday, tune in on Mondays, and just sit back and enjoy yourself. We’ll do all the work and bring you the music. See you there!
Last night was the third Rob Case’s Open Mic – Poor David’s Pub virtual open mic during Poor David’s Pub‘s birthday month. If you missed it, I’m truly sorry. You missed a great show. All month we have been featuring songwriters who have played at PDP over the years. Both Tish Hinojosa and Caroline Aiken have performed at PDP for a number of years and on the virtual open mic a few times. David Card – Poor David himself – introduced Tish, then after her set, told everyone about the upcoming events at PDP and introduced Caroline. In my opinion, both songwriters played their best sets of their appearances on the show last night.
The virtual open mic is also a fundraiser to help Poor David’s Pub and the Kerrville Folk Festival through the lean times that began in the pandemic and are not over completely. David@poordavidspub.com for Paypal and Venmo@David-Card-12. Donations are split between the two venues.
If you haven’t seen the show, you should really take the time on Mondays to relax with your favorite beverage, enjoy a late dinner, and listen to some good music. I’ll be posting the line-up for next week in a few days.
Don’t forget the Songwriters Showcase at PDP – featuring the performers from the open mic – this Friday 7-11p.m. Admission is $10, which is cheap for the amount of entertainers you’ll get to hear. I’ll post the list of performers tomorrow. If you don’t get there this Friday – well, you’ll miss a damn good show – but my point is, tune in next Monday. You won’t regret it.
Finally putting this out there. The version of Chocolate Eclairs and Apple Fritters that won was the version from the album Southern Plains Revisited. Which was a re-mixed version of a cd Joel Nichols and I recorded in the 90’s before he passed away in 1999. Revisited includes a couple of songs I recorded that didn’t make my cd, Chasing After Wind. It’s always nice to be honored on any level. Thank you to the World Songwriting Awards!!
Tonight is the second of four virtual Rob Case’s Open Mics – Poor David’s Pub in March, PDP‘s birthday month. The special guests are Hogan & Moss and Ann Armstrong/Steve Hughes. Enjoy the guests and the regulars for some good original songs while you hang out at the house with your favorite beverage and snacks. And while you’re enjoying the good music, donate at paypal – David@Poordavidspub.com, or Venmo – Venmo@David-Card-12. Each donation is split between Poor David’s Pub and the Kerrville Folk Festival to help keep the venues open during trying times.
Also mark your calendar for Friday, March 25 to see your favorite virtual open mic performers live at Poor David’s Pub. Stay tuned for the lineup when it’s finalized. In the meantime, we’ll “see” you at the virtual open mic tonight and each time before the Showcase at Poor David’s Pub.
With the gas prices rising, I thought back to being on the road. It is cheaper to re-live past drives than plan new ones.
I was driving through Oklahoma, headed to our oldest son, Conner’s, house in Des Moines. After I got through the various construction sites on I-35 – who would figure? – the road turned long, straight, and boring. Since Cyndy’s job is getting oversize and overweight permits for truckers and shipping businesses, I notice more about trucks than I did before. When I see an oversize or overweight truck, I wonder if Cyndy got them the permits.
I often wonder what the hell they’re hauling. The picture above is of just big-ass pipes, right? Stay tuned.
I had plenty of time to contemplate this one. The jerk in front of me wouldn’t pass the truck and I wasn’t about to get stuck by the side of a truck when the driver decided he needed to change lanes and couldn’t see me. My first, and probably best guess, is a huge freaking RV in heavy duty shrinkwrap. Not only because of the size, but the top on the back end. Like a vent, or something of that nature. But it could also be one of those power stations, where people actually go inside to make adjustments. Or something that would never occur to me – and didn’t.
I don’t have a clue but the Oversized Load sign is simply stating the obvious. I didn’t get a good look from the side – I was going too fast to get past the truck.
So that’s the stuff I wonder about when I’m driving. While I’m taking the pictures, I’m looking at the road, but I’m still extremely careful. Pictures don’t matter if you die before you see them.
As to the big-ass pipes in the first picture. I’ve seen concrete pipes that size before, metal pipes, too. But those were the biggest PVC pipes I have ever seen. I didn’t realize they made them that big. Then again, they probably never realized that someone hadn’t clued me in. So there you go.
Last night was the first of four virtual Rob Case’s Open Mic – Poor David’s Pub shows during Poor David Pub’s 45th birthday month. (Check PoorDavidsPub.com for full birthday events) Each week, host Rob Case and behind the scenes guru Lynda Case will present songwriters who have played at PDP through the years along with regulars of the open mic – some of whom have played at PDP – and guests. Last night the featured songwriters having performed at PDP were Lynn McCracken and Tom Prasada-Rao. The other performing songwriters played solid sets of original material as well. Incidentally, last night was our 95th virtual show!
Tune in each week to hear an eclectic line-up of songwriters. Around Texas, we have had songwriters from Corpus Christi, Katy, and west, east, and north Texas. Outside of Texas we have had songwriters from Canada, Boston, North Carolina, Colorado, and Los Angeles, among others. And it’s Monday night. What else are you doing? Grab your favorite beverage, your favorite snacks, and settle in for three hours of music – and often laughter.
The show is also a fundraiser. The donations are split between Poor David’s Pub and the Kerrville Folk Festival in order to keep the two venues going during the slow recovery from the effects of Covid. If you would like to donate now, the paypal address is david@poordavidspub.com. David Card, poor David himself, sends 50% to the Kerrville Folks every few weeks.
This is the laundry room at my parents’ house of over fifty years. We moved there in 1971. The laundry room is actually the small hallway from the kitchen to the garage. The half bath is across from the washer and dryer. Most of the time, though, I remember the box of Kleenex being on the washer more often than the dryer. But during over a half a century, things change.
The odd thing is that only recently it occurred to me that I had no idea why the Kleenex was always there. There is room in the bathroom, possibly, for one of the “cube” boxes they have now. Yet the bathroom has been remodeled a couple of times. I don’t remember how it was years ago, but my parents have always been consistent. It has always been a rectangular box of Kleenex and it was always on the washer. And I don’t ever remember a different size box of Kleenex in that house. Come to think of it, I don’t remember ever buying a different size box of Kleenex in other abodes in which I have lived, with maybe two exceptions. I guess Freud could tell you about that.
Fortunately, both parents are still living, so I could conceivable ask them why. They still have their facilties, though some of them are fading. I would like to ask them why the Kleenex is always on the washer or dryer. Unfortunately, I don’t think they could tell me. I’ve asked them similar questions and they couldn’t tell me why.
But it’s not for any big loss of memory. They don’t remember some things, yet other things they remember quite vividly. That’s just getting older. They wouldn’t be able to tell me because they’re not sure why it started in the first place.
Cyndy and I have been – or had been before two sons moved back in (albeit temporarily) – beginning to get rid of stuff. Let’s say we’re downsizing or we’ll be here forever. Getting rid of stuff, I’ve done a lot of wondering why things were where they were in the first place. Neither one of us knew – or any of the five of us here at the time – why they began to be there or be here at all.
But I still wonder why someone needs a Kleenex before going into, or coming out of, the garage.
Dan will perform songs and tell stories from 6-9 p.m. Since it's still St. Patrick's week and World's End with have it's St. Patrick's Day menu, there will be Irish songs sprinkled among the sets. Good food, great beer, and good music!
Dan will play songs from his new album, Southern Plains Revisited, his previous work, and songs of John Prine from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Up to 30 people may attend the show live - adhering to social distancing and wearing masks when not at your seats, and donating to the cause. If you would like to attend the show in person, contact David Card at david@poordavidspub.com to make arrangements. Tickets for the livestream are $10 and include the link and a download of Dan's Southern Plains Revisited album when it is available. A major portion of the proceeds goes to Poor David's Pub to help keep the doors open. When the pandemic has finally subsided, songwriters and performers would like to still have places to play.
Dan will play songs and tell stories from noon to 12:45 at Herd Wear Retail Store in Goodnight, Tx. Tickets are $.50 but contain the livestream link. Herd Wear has all things bison and more. They have many unique and special items. The bison ribs, burgers, summer sausage and brats are a little pricey, but oh, so delicious - worth the money. Cecil and Darlene will work with you on whatever you need. You can even schedule a virtual shopping experience.
Dan will play songs and tell stories from 6-9 p.m. which is the release party for Dan's new album Southern Plains Revisited. A social distanced show. World's End has great food and craft beer.
Dan will play songs and tell stories in the gallery where his cousins, Tom and Beth Burns, and Beth's daughter, Ellie, have their artwork displayed. Livestream link - https://youtu.be/WgJjF_ugVuU
Dan will play songs, tell stories, and talk beer in this livestream to benefit Bitter Sisters Brewery. https://youtu.be/6UK6UNvSYLI
All donations during the show will go to Bitter Sisters unless otherwise noted by the tipper. paypal.me/danroark
The last date of the World's End Tour. Dan will play songs and tell stories from 6-9 p.m. Come on out and listen to music while enjoying great food and craft beer!
StarvingArtistFestival.com 12 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. ALL DONATIONS BENEFIT FEEDING AMERICA!
12 - Introduction
12:10 - Zach Benson
1:00 - LEX (E should be reversed)
1:35 - Matthew Mozingo
2:25 - Bad Ties
3:10 - Torture and The Desert Spiders
3:45 - LEIF
4:20 - Andrew Magruder
5:10 - OneManJamz
5:45 - Sarah Zotian
6:20 - Tyler Schafer
7:10 - Dan Roark
7:45 - Max Stratyner
8:20 - Brian Sauerwald
8:55 - Ian Logan
Dan will play a brunch show from 12-2 p.m. and a late afternoon show from 4-5:30 p.m. Good food, good coffee, good drinks, good people, good music - what more could you want?
Bring your guitar and new song, song in the works, or a song you've written that you really like. You will get honest feedback. We'll play around the circle from 2 - 4 p.m. Come enjoy some good mead and good music whether you play or just listen!
Dan will perform songs and tell stories from 8-10 p.m. A guest to be named will open about 7:30. Come out and listen to music while enjoying great food and craft beer!
Dan will perform songs and tell stories from 8-10 p.m. A guest to be named will open about 7:30. Come out and listen to music while enjoying great food and craft beer!
Bring your guitar and new song, song in the works, or a song you've written that you really like. You will get honest feedback. We'll play around the circle from 2 - 4 p.m. Come enjoy some good mead and good music whether you play or just listen!
