The Golden Age: Shows 2001-2009

Great Shows, Short Tours, and a New Stage Name.


you HAVE to fight

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

 


2002: The Year of the Ross


 

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)

 


The My Right Leg Hurts Tour


 

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

 


The Prairie Rehab Tour


 

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

 


2003: The Year of the Benefit Show
rainfest flyer

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

 


2004: The Year of the 918 UFN EP


 

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

 


The Nervous Breakdown Avoidance Tour


 

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

 

kirby's flyer 2004


 

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

 

roadshow team


 

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

 


2005: Mental Health Is Good.


 

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

 


2006: I Played on 6/6/06 and Satan Was a No-Show


 

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

 


2007: Secret Shows


 

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

 


2008: The Year of the Anarchist Fakebook


 

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

 


2009: Rhythm On and Off the River


 

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

 

on the river