Critically Acclaimed Singer/Songwriter, Thad Beckman, Releases New CD and will perform a Solo Acoustic Show at the Ugly Mug on Wednesday, November 11t

One of America’s most accomplished and respected singer/songwriters, Thad Beckman (www.thadbeckman.com), returns to his musical roots with the recent release of his 8th album, "Streets of Disaster."



Here’s a link to his title song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=10&v=2SntFfAy-MU



A special solo acoustic CD release show is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11th at 7:30 p.m. at the The Ugly Mug, 4060 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA (831) 477-1341. $15 cover charge.



In honor of Veteran’s Day, Beckman, a veteran, will perform his song, “A Soldier Returns Home” from his new album, Streets of Disaster’. Blair Jackson, a writer for Acoustic Guitar Magazine and author of Garcia: An American Life, comments in his CD review of ‘Streets of Disaster’, “Beckman has released a knockout of an album with lots of stylistic variety. This is powerful stuff, beautifully performed and exquisitely produced. Quite a find! My favorite, though, is a solo acoustic instrumental called “A Soldier Returns Home,” which starts out like a Mississippi John Hurt ramble, evolves into a guitar fantasia that has a mid-60’s Fahey/Basho/Peter Walker raga vibe, then moves into a Middle Eastern riff, before dropping into a subtle quotation of “Taps.”


http://www.thadbeckman.com/music__lyrics/s/a_soldier_returns_home



He’s been everywhere and his music shows it. His adept guitar playing, gritty vocals and ability to tell a tale bring a fresh perspective to familiar themes and emotions.



From the Late Night Show with David Letterman, Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble and festivals, theatres and clubs all over the United States, Canada and Europe over the past three decades, Thad Beckman has been entertaining audiences with what John T. Davis of The Austin American Statesman describes as, “a voice that rasps like shoe leather on roadside gravel, and a finger-picked guitar on which notes fly by like railroad ties under a fast moving freight.”



Jim Beal, San Antonio Express-News explains, “Beckman plays an engaging blend of folk, singer-songwriter and blues music. Not everyone can pull off such a combination, but Beckman has chops, writing talent, a big personality and a bag full of true stories which all dovetails for a cool show.”



Beckman is featured on several albums of singer-songwriter, Tom Russell. Russell describes Beckman as “One of America’s best guitar players and a damn good songwriter.”



“If you have never heard Mr. Beckman play, you have really been missing out. Anyone in the audience could instantly recognize Mr. Beckman as a master of his craft.”

- No Depression



Thad made a decades-long Portland to New Jersey to Europe to Canada to Florida to California road trip that included a long stop in Austin, Texas, where he rose to the top of its acoustic live music scene. Now back in Portland, Thad’s new CD is filled with songs that combine common tales of the human spirit with vocals reminiscent of America’s back roads.



When not on the road, he splits his time between writing new songs, working in his studio and teaching guitar and songwriting. Most recently, he was featured at the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance Conference in Austin, Texas conducting a workshop that focused on guitar work that enhances lyrics, i.e. guitar parts/hooks that help define a song.



Along the way, Thad’s mastery of finger-style, electric and steel guitar earned him attention from fellow musicians. He’s worked with Tom Russell, Bo Diddley and Earl Thomas, to name a few. He has shared the stage with artists such as B.B. King, Albert Collins, The Band, Dan Hicks, Emmylou Harris, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, James Cotton, Levon Helm, Dave Alvin, Jesse Winchester and many more. Several times over the past decade, he has been a featured artist on the main stage at the renowned Kerrville Folk Festival. He also has had guitar tracks on numerous film projects including the award-winning documentary, Eloquent Nude, The Love and Legacy of Edward Weston and Charis Wilson.



Beckman grew up playing in high school bands in Portland in the late 60’s but began his wandering ways early. After studying classical guitar in Washington, he moved on to find a soul mate in the blues of the Deep South. In 1993, he traveled to the competitive acoustic singer/songwriter music scene of Austin where in 1998 he recorded his first critically acclaimed CD, Carry Me Back. After moving back to the Northwest in 2000, Thad has divided his time touring in Europe, The USA and Canada and writing and recording. During this time he has released 6 outstanding CDs that have earned rave reviews from magazines such as Acoustic Guitar, Blues Review and No Depression. He also teaches guitar workshops at festivals and conferences throughout United States, Canada and Europe.



For more information and to purchase “Streets of Disaster”, go to www.thadbeckman.com or CDBaby.com. To schedule an interview with Thad Beckman, call Wendy Brickman at (831) 594-1500 or email [email protected] Thad Bekcman can be reached at (503) 341-3426 or [email protected].