Before Colin starts, we wanted to promote a big Watershed story written by David Martin that will be posted on Christmas day. Consider it a stocking stuffer from your pals at Pencil Storm. Okay then…..

I cannot remember the last time I didn’t play a gig on December 23rd. But as we all know, 2020 was the year lots of streaks got broken. So in lieu of a loud boozy holiday blowout, let’s enjoy the rockingness of the written word shall we? (Throwing Devil Horns)

The year started with a bang as Joe, Herb, Biggie and myself made a trip to The Loft in Saline, Michigan to reunite with producer Tim Patalan and recorded what would turn out to be the Watershed Extended Player release. 

This was one of two of my all time favorite musical events that happened in 2020. Just being away with the guys in a familiar setting was special, but Tim really pushed us and I couldn’t be more proud of the resulting record. Click here to give it a listen. Or feast your eyes on Biggie’s video directorial debut.

Once the world shut down in March I doubled down on covering hours at Colin’s Coffee trying to ride out the storm. Fifty hour weeks have been the norm ever since, but I’m lucky to have a place to go and I’m happy to report we are doing OK. Colin’s Coffee “Too Small To Fail” is our new motto. 

Like many, early on in the pandemic I decided it was time to finally paint my oft-delayed masterpiece. I dedicated myself to recording new music while working at the coffee shop. I came out of the gate strong with two songs in a month.  And then…..took an eight-month break to focus on watching Cheap Trick shows on YouTube and drink beer. It was a good run. Click here to dig the tunes.

At some point early in the summer CAPA reached out and Biggie helped me film my first livestream event.

Later in the fall, the Bowlers played at the CD102.5 (now 92.9) big room.

The next night we played a Save Our Stages benefit outside at Natalie’s in Grandview. This is the second personal all-time event that happened in 2020. It felt so good to be playing live music again and the whole vibe was incredible. I wish we had taped it, but you can click here for the setlist. 

And while the weather was still warm, we managed to play a couple of benefit shows on the patio at Ace of Cups. Our philosophy was that if we could play in a safe manner and make some money to help the clubs survive, it was worth doing the show.  Click here for a solo setlist.

However, BY FAR, the best thing that happened in 2020 was the city declaring 16th and North High Street Willie Phoenix Way. Pinch me. Damn, this really happened. I love my hometown. Click here to watch the story on WOSU Broad and High. 

Spotify Unwrapped!!!

Though I have been avoiding the gym for safety reasons (I tell myself) I have given up driving and been walking to work and everywhere as much as possible. It’s a throwback to my paper route days and has become part of my routine. For those keeping score at home, I listened to 976 different artists and 377 different genres in 2020. That seems like a lot of genres for a guy like me, but who am I to argue with Spotify? (editor’s note: I’ve gotta think Colin is exaggerating here, or that Spotify is counting - for example - Bavarian polka, Italian polka and Pennsylvania polka as three separate genres.)

My most played song of the year…..(drum roll please)…..”So Much Love” by Nada Surf, followed by four Fountains of Wayne songs. I went on a bender when we lost Adam Schlesinger to Covid way too early. 

Click here for my 100 most-played songs, though I suspect foul play with the inclusion of “Living in a Ghost Town” by The Rolling Stones and AC/DC’s “Shot In The Dark.” No way that really happened. I wonder how much it costs to get those tunes a spot on my prestigious top one hundred songs? Spotify also seems to think I want to hear “Champaign, Illinois” by the Old 97’s every single time I stop paying attention. And enough Son Volt already. I mean, I like both those bands, but yeesh! 

I also listened to a million podcasts. Click here for the best song I ever wrote: Podcast.

Oh yeah, I was also a guest on the Ticket Stubs Podcast. I talked about lots of stuff. And for die-hard Watershed fans the opening features the song “Five For Two.” Rare indeed. Also, I googled “Is talking fast a sign of high intelligence?” Sadly, the answer is no.

Anyway, hope everyone has a safe holiday. And I want you to know I still love Christmas even if I don’t show it this year.