It all started at Enzo’s.
I was looking for some new venues. In an issue of Me Head I saw an ad for their Show Us Your Shorts film festival, which that time around was being held at this little pizza shop in Brookside. I thought, if the place is hip enough to host that kind of thing, maybe they’ll let me play there sometime.
So I dropped off a demo, and talked to Marc, the owner, who thought it sounded like fun. There was a big annual Harley celebration going on a few weeks away, and they’d be closing the street and setting up several stages for live music. Marc, on his own, had booked two bands to play out in front of Enzo’s to draw some of the crowd that direction. He decided to tack me on the bill too.
And that was that. One gig leads to another, and another, and soon I find myself playing a bunch of different venues with a bunch of different bands. I eventually connected with the Me Head folks, and even got to play a future edition of that same film festival.
So basically, that first gig at Enzo’s was my Giant-Size X-Men #1.
And before long, I even had a stage name.
I had always just called myself ROSS. In talking to the other two bands before that first gig, Marc apparently referred to me as ‘acoustic Ross,’ just describing me to them, I think, but they took it to be my stage name. So all of a sudden, I’m “Acoustic Ross.”
For a little while I tried to go back to the original name, but the new one just took on a life of its own. Soon the flyers said ‘Acoustic Ross,’ the papers said ‘Acoustic Ross,’ the clubs said ‘Acoustic Ross,’ the bands said ‘Acoustic Ross’ — I was Acoustic Ross already, I just didn’t know it yet. I even called myself ROSS on the first pressing of News From Around The Bend, but I was starting to think the accidental stage name was actually an improvement.
I was starting to think about putting together a website, and although Ross-dot-everything was already taken, my friend Chuck pointed out the ready availability of acousticross.com — and sometime after that, late spring 2002 I guess, I made it official. There were occasional uses of plain-old-Ross after that point, but by the end of 2002 it was all Acoustic Ross, all the time. Put up the website, changed the press kit, adjusted the art for the second pressing of News From Around The Bend, networked with other AntiFolkies nationwide, got things rolling and never looked back.
I think the last real use of the ‘old name’ was by the Tulsa World, when they nominated me for a Spot Music Award in September. (Although the first week’s mail-in ballot spelled my name “Rosee.”) I didn’t win, but “Best None of the Above” is a tougher category in Tulsa than you might think, and it’s an honor, as they say, just to be nominated.
Anyway, the whole thing could have been a lot worse. Marc could have called me “Fat Ugly Ross.”
| When | Where | Comments |
| Thur June 28, 2001 | Enzo’s Pizzeria Tulsa, OK |
with The Darlings & Special Purpose |
| Wed Oct 3, 2001 | The Blue Rose Café Tulsa, OK |
Tom Skinner’s Wednesday Night Science Project |
| Sat Nov 10, 2001 (early) |
International Raceway Tulsa, OK |
HeroFest |
| Sat Nov 10, 2001 (late) |
Enzo’s Pizzeria Tulsa, OK |
with Ira & Special Purpose |
| Sat Feb 9, 2002 | Arnie’s Tulsa, OK |
with Ira |
| Sat Feb 23, 2002 | Arnie’s Tulsa, OK |
The AntiFolk FootStomp with David R & Adam Brodsky |
| Sat March 9, 2002 | Enzo’s Pizzeria Tulsa, OK |
Enzo’s 2nd Anniversary featuring Ross, Tony Romanello, Special Purpose, & The Engine Hearts |
| Tues March 12, 2002 | Deadtown Tavern Tulsa, OK |
(an impromptu 2-song set during Sarah Wagner’s show) |
| Wed March 13, 2002 | Nightingale Theatre Tulsa, OK |
Me Head’s Show Us Your Shorts Film Festival |
| Sat March 16, 2002 | CD Warehouse (Brookside) Tulsa, OK |
News From Around The Bend CD Release Party |
| Sat April 27, 2002 | Enzo’s Pizzeria Tulsa, OK |
with The Darlings & Special Purpose |
| Sat June 29, 2002 | Unit D Tulsa, OK |
AntiFolk FootStomp II with Sarah Wagner & Adam Brodsky |
| Sat July 20, 2002 | Joe’s Backyard Tulsa, OK |
(private party) |
| Sat Aug 17, 2002 | The Magic Bean Springfield, MO |
with Oyez |
| Tues Aug 20, 2002 | Senor Frog’s Bridgeville, PA |
open-mic |
| Wed Aug 21, 2002 | Brady’s Café Kent, OH |
open-mic |
| Thur Aug 22, 2002 | Victorian’s Midnight Café Columbus, OH |
open-mic |
| Thu Oct 24, 2002 | Deadtown Tavern Tulsa, OK |
AntiFolk FootStomp III with Sarah Wagner & Adam Brodsky |
| Tue Oct 29, 2002 | “Before the Buzz” KRSC 91.3FM Claremore, OK |
brief impromptu interview |
| Sat Nov 30, 2002 | The North Star Philadelphia, PA |
Adam Brodsky’s Hookers, Hicks, & Heebs CD Release Party |
| Mon Dec 2, 2002 | The Fort at The Sidewalk Café New York City, NY |
Lach’s AntiHoot |
| Tues Dec 3, 2002 | Doc Watson’s Philadelphia, PA |
open-mic |
I didn’t do a lot of shows — from July on, the Day Job absolutely ruled my waking life for a solid six months — but somehow I ended up doing lots of benefit and fund-raising events. (There was actually another one scheduled in August, but it got rained out.) I even got to be part of the pre-show press junkets. The benefits were a lot of fun — hey, I wouldn’t be doing this kind of music if I was in it for the money.
My goal is always to do shows I’d go out to even if I wasn’t on the bill, and I got to play a lot more of those this year too, including one more AntiFolk FootStomp with Adam & Sarah and another guest spot at Tom Skinner’s Wednesday Night Science Project.
And in October, I got to be a presenter at the Tulsa World’s 5th Annual Spot Music Awards. Extra Superfine.
Then the sparse year wrapped up with a show at a church. I even did an irony-free Christmas song — Bruce Cockburn’s “Cry of a Tiny Babe.” Go figure.
| Wed Jan 8, 2003 (gig #100) |
Hardwood Bar & Grill Tulsa, OK |
Tom Skinner’s Wednesday Night Science Project: Elvis Birthday Tribute |
| Thu March 6, 2003 | Deadtown Tavern Tulsa, OK |
(an impromptu 2-song set during Sarah Wagner’s show) |
| Wed June 4, 2003 | Boston’s Tulsa, OK |
Tom Skinner’s Wednesday Night Science Project |
| Fri June 20, 2003 | Kirby’s Beer Store Wichita, KS |
with Adam Brodsky |
| Sat June 21, 2003 | Unit D Tulsa, OK |
AntiFolk FootStomp IV with Sarah Wagner & Adam Brodsky |
| Fri July 11, 2003 | The Empire Tulsa, OK |
SexFest (Planned Parenthood benefit) featuring Acoustic Ross, Oklahoma, Three on the Tree, & The Engine Hearts |
| Sat July 12, 2003 | Youth Services of Tulsa Coffeehouse |
|
| Mon Aug 25 & Mon Sept 1, 2003 | “Local Flavors with Charlie 7” KRSC 91.3 FM Claremore, OK |
interviews promoting RAINfest |
| Tue Sept 2, 2003 | “The News on 6 at Noon” KOTV6, Tulsa OK |
interview promoting RAINfest |
| Fri Sept 5, 2003 | Boston’s Tulsa, OK |
RAINfest (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network benefit) featuring Acoustic Ross, Ciara, Admiral Twin, Tony Romanello Band, Omnichron, Oklahoma, & Rewake |
| Sun Dec 21, 2003 | All Souls Unitarian Church Tulsa, OK |
Soulful Sundown |
| Wed Jan 14, 2004 | Boston’s Tulsa, OK |
(an impromptu 2-song set during Tom Skinner’s Wednesday Night Science Project) |
| Fri Jan 30, 2004 9:30pm |
The Music Café 120 South 9th Street Columbia, MO |
namelessnumberheadman and Stendek |
| Sat Feb 21, 2004 10pm |
1974 2nd & Elgin Tulsa, OK |
The THREE HEADED MONSTER with The Engine Hearts and The Free Beer Band three bands rotating, one song at a time & a supergroup set featuring all of us |
| Sat April 17, 2004 | 1974 2nd & Elgin Tulsa, OK |
918 UFN EP RELEASE PARTY (aka Revenge of the Three Headed Monster) with The Free Beer Band and The Engine Hearts |
| Wed April 21, 2004 | Kirby’s Beer Store 3227 East 17th Street North Wichita, KS |
all by my lonesome |
| Thur April 22, 2004 | 1974 2nd & Elgin Tulsa, OK |
all by my lonesome |
| Sat April 24, 2004 | The Buckaneer Tulsa, OK |
(the Engine Hearts & I each did an impromptu 1-song cameo during a Free Beer Band show) |
| Tues April 27, 2004 | The Music Café 120 South 9th Street Columbia, MO |
with Citizens Here and Abroad |
| Tues Oct 5, 2004 8pm |
The Brick Haus 219 West Oak Street Denton, TX (940) 566-6690 |
Wally Pleasant |
| Wed Oct 6, 2004 9pm |
1974 2nd & Elgin Tulsa, OK |
Wally Pleasant |
[Exploratory Southern Edition!]
| Wed Oct 27, 2004 7pm |
End of the Line Café 610 East Wright Street Pensacola, FL (850) 429-0336 |
Abram Himelstein Amber Gayle Jim Munroe |
| Thur Oct 28, 2004 7pm |
Baton Rouge Gallery 1442 City Park Avenue Baton Rouge, LA (225) 383-1470 |
Abram Himelstein Amber Gayle Jim Munroe |
| Fri Oct 29, 2004 8pm |
Buffa’s Lounge 1001 Esplanade Avenue New Orleans, LA (504) 949-0038 |
Abram Himelstein Amber Gayle Jim Munroe |
| Sat Oct 30, 2004 11am |
NOLA Bookfair Barrister’s Gallery (on the school bus) New Orleans, LA |
just the first of many reader/performers on the bus |
| Sat Nov 20, 2004 8pm |
Youth Services of Tulsa Coffeehouse 3rd & Madison Tulsa, OK (918) 382-4427 |
(solo show) |
| Sat Dec 4, 2004 10pm |
Raven’s Bistro inside the Best Western / Airport Hotel I-244 & Garnett Tulsa, OK |
Mudville |
| Fri May 20, 2005 4-6pm |
Tulsa Transit 3rd & Denver, Tulsa |
free rush hour show! |
| Fri May 20, 2005 6pm |
benefit for the Mental Health Association in Tulsa |
First United Methodist Church 11th & Boston |
| Sat Sept 17, 2005 | Saffron Coffeehouse 12th & Harvard, Tulsa |
(guest appearance at Jeff Graham show) |
| Mon Sept 19, 2005 | “Local Flavors” KRSC 91.3 FM Claremore, OK |
interview promoting 2005 Spot Music Awards |
| Sat Sept 24, 2005 | Tulsa World Spot Music Awards Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa |
nominee, presenter, video producer |
| Thurs Sept 29, 2005 | RSU Student Union Rogers State University Claremore, OK |
free lunchtime show! (broadcast on KRSC a week or so later) |
| Thur Oct 27, 2005 | RSU Student Union Rogers State University Claremore, OK |
free lunchtime show! |
| Sat Oct 29, 2005 | 31st Annual Freaker’s Ball Cain’s Ballroom 423 N. Main, Tulsa |
plus a set with Math Lab |
| Fri Dec 9, 2005 | Saffron Coffeehouse 12th & Harvard Tulsa, OK |
|
| Thur Dec 15, 2005 | McNellie’s Public House 1st & Elgin Tulsa, OK |
| Sat April 29, 2006 | BALLROOM BLITZ Cain’s Ballroom 423 N. Main, Tulsa |
with about 3 dozen other bands |
| Fri May 5, 2006 | Mental Health Association Benefit Fashion Show Laureate Clinic, Tulsa |
|
| Tue June 6, 2006 (6/6/06!) | TUESDAY TUNES Tulsa Central Library |
bring-your-brown-bag lunchtime show |
| Sat Oct 28, 2006 | 32nd Annual FREAKER’S BALL Cain’s Ballroom 423 N. Main, Tulsa |
with about 3 dozen other bands |
| Sat Nov 11, 2006 | The Watering Hole Coweta OK |
|
| Sat Nov 18, 2006 | Youth Services of Tulsa Coffeehouse Tulsa, OK |
| Thu May 17, 2007 | Mayfest Downtown Tulsa Bartlett Square stage (5th & Main) |
Special lunchtime show!! |
| Fri June 22, 2007 | private function Tulsa |
were you there? it was fun. there was an even secreter one a few days later. that one was kinda awkward though. |
| Sat June 30, 2007 | Under the Mooch Records 1425 S. Harvard, Tulsa |
Under the Mooch 1st Anniversary see the lineup here |
| Sat Sept 22, 2007 | MS 150 fundraiser bike event at a park it took me forever to find Muskogee OK |
with Benji, who also had trouble finding it |
| Sat Oct 27, 2007 | 33rd Annual FREAKER’S BALL Cain’s Ballroom 423 N. Main, Tulsa |
with about 3 dozen other bands |
| Thur Jan 24, 2008 | Tulsa City-County Library Downtown Tulsa |
opening act for “Novel Talk: Gender Wars” |
| Sat April 26, 2008 | 3rd Annual BALLROOM BLITZ Cain’s Ballroom 423 N. Main, Tulsa |
with about 3 dozen other bands |
| Thur May 15, 2008 | Mayfest Bartlett Square stage |
I love the Thursday lunchtime slot |
| Thur July 15, 2008 | live studio performance for OklaTravelNet |
watch this now on the sounds page |
| Thur July 17, 2008 | Bartlett Square 5th & Main, Tulsa |
Music on the Square free lunchtime show before the big release party!! |
| Thur July 17, 2008 | Under the Mooch 1425 S. Harvard, Tulsa |
CD release extravaganza! with Mr. Voxius |
| Fri-Sat July 25-26, 2008 | D-Fest music conference/festival Blue Dome District, Tulsa |
I played at Tsunami Sushi Friday night at 1am |
| Sun Aug 3, 2008 | crappy restaurant on the Jenks Riverwalk |
small crowd, bad heatwave, good show |
| Sun Sept 14, 2008 | same crappy restaurant on the Jenks Riverwalk |
good crowd, bad manager, short show |
| Sat Oct 4, 2008 | Nordaggio’s 81st & Lewis, Tulsa |
with Mr. Voxius |
| Sat Oct 31, 2008 | 34th Annual FREAKER’S BALL Cain’s Ballroom 423 N. Main, Tulsa |
with about 3 dozen other bands |
| Sat Nov 22, 2008 | SoundPony 409 N. Main, Tulsa |
with Klipspringer |
| Fri Feb 6, 2009 | Cain’s Ballroom 423 N. Main, Tulsa |
TulsaOriginalMusic.com showcase also featuring Aranda, Sam & the Stylees, Congress of a Crow, My Solstice & more |
| Tues April 28, 2009 | Dwelling Spaces 119 S. Detroit, Tulsa |
Head Cases paperback launch party featuring author Michael Paul Mason in conjunction with BookSmart Tulsa |
| Fri June 12, 2009 | 4th Annual BALLROOM BLITZ Cain’s Ballroom 423 N. Main, Tulsa |
with about 3 dozen other bands |
| Fri June 19, 2009 | Tulsa Riverparks, 41st & Riverside | week 3 of “Rhythm on the River” |
| Thu June 25, 2009 | Tulsa Rock Art Show private VIP party |
details here |
| Fri July 24, 2009 | D-FEST!! PAC Williams Theater stage |
details here |
| Fri Sept 18, 2009 | Tulsa Riverparks, 41st & Riverside | return appearance at “Rhythm on the River” |
| Sat Oct 31, 2009 | 35th Annual FREAKER’S BALL Cain’s Ballroom 423 N. Main, Tulsa |
with about 3 dozen other bands |
