J.R. Rhodes Music

"I believe that if you see something that you want to get done,
you cannot give up, and you cannot give in."

John Lewis (1940-2020)

Had a fun field trip Monday Cascade Record Pressing in Milwaukie, Oregon.
Great meeting Dani and the team and experiencing firsthand just how the heck a record is made. So inspiring to see what care they put into each pressing. Thank you Cascade for the warm hospitality. And these cool stickers!
Excited to create vinyl together!
And looking forward to sharing the new record on vinyl with you:)
Thank you for tuning in.
(((Love)))

cascaderecordpressing

Planning. On paper. Here setting up phase 1, which for me is always tactile.

What an nspiring way to close out Pride Month at Clyde Petersen’s **k_you_im_clyde_petersen art opening of Naive Melody a few days ago. Clyde and played a sweet set to a full house. Here’s a fun fact for ya: I met Clyde three years ago one trippy day when I somehow found myself in the Swinomish Pride Day Parade that Clyde helped put together! Buy me a drink sometime and I’ll tell you the story. Full of surprises, you never can tell what he’ll create next. Today from 5-8pm you can check out this show, a beautiful collection of prints and meet the wonder that is Clyde yourself. Thank you for your inspiration, Clyde. Congratulations!

**k_you_im_clyde_petersen

Summer.

We made a record y’all. Here we are at , dear friend and producer .padget and me on Juneteenth just after finishing the final session of the new album. Soaking in the sun and letting it sink in that we made a record. Step by step new music coming your way. Many folks to thank and more details coming. Starting here by giving thanks to the two who’ve been on this sonic journey from the start. Many thanks .padget.
Thanks .flage for thinking of and taking photos.
And thank you for tuning in.

.padget .flage

Juneteenth I tend to spend time looking at photos of family and simply being grateful for the ways they paved the way for me. Like this photo of my Grandparents, Pinkey Mae and Jesse Hamilton Rhodes, Sr. at their service station. My Dad’s parents. From what I understand growing up in McComb, Mississippi they both made it through middle school. And somehow made their own way to start this service station and other businesses. Growing up working in the family grocery store I heard the stories of setbacks. Still they made a way their way. And they always encouraged my sisters and me in our education.

Thank you, Grand Mommy and Grand Daddy for your inspiration and the memories. It’s hard not to smile remembering the taste of homemade ice cream made at Rhodes Grocery.

However you celebrate the day, Happy Juneteenth!

Happy Father’s Day to you fathers and father figures! Here’s a rare photo of my Daddy back in the day. Jesse Hamilton Rhodes, Jr.
He was more a behind-the-scenes kinda guy.
So it’s a rare treat to come across gems like this one and reflect on the simple things. Like holding hands with my Daddy and his laugh. And his smile like here.
Thank you, Daddy.
Thank you fathers and father figures.
However you celebrate this day, Happy Father’s Day!

reflecting on the beautiful inspiration of my friends .viola from their time here recently in Seattle recording on my new album together with .padget. And as music would have it we began a new music project. Nothing quite like making music with friends and sharing with friends old and new. Improvisation is a whole new world! Learning so much! Thank you, Gwen, Melanie and Eric for your inspiration. And thank you for tuning in. We’ve got new music coming your way. For now sending (((Love)))

.viola

Downtime.

Tomorrow night at The Rabbit Box Theatre in Seattle. To start the evening off we’ll collage with Aidyn Dervaes, hear poetry readings from poet Vicky Edmonds and I’ll play songs before Allison Preisinger’s latest project, Standing Steady, songs inspired by poetry. We’d love to see you.: https://shorturl.at/a8l81

Meet Fudge. My furry nephew. 8 weeks old. 18 pounds. English Lab. Grateful to share in welcoming this bundle of joy with my friend and neighbor and human to this sweet boy!
Simple moments.

Folklife. Love Folklife. Community.
I play:
Monday, May 27th
4-4:25pm at the Fisher Green Stage
Solo set
Come ‘round if you like. Would be great to see you. I’ll be around after to say hello.
Thank you, Folklife!

What a beautiful night of music and a beautiful audience. Thank you all for coming out to Hear Me Talkin' To You: Womxn & Blues Thursday, May 16th at spotlighting the songtelling of and - brought to you by (left to right) and (Not in photo. She left for home early with her little one.)

Thank you for curating this beautiful series and for hosting. Another round of Hear Me Talkin' To You: Womxn & Blues Thursday, June 20th at

Happy Mother’s Day!
Here’s a fave pic of my Momma, Barbara J Pruitt Rhodes.

Sending Sunday vibes from Alki. 💜

The office 4/21 creating harmony vocals with Elnah Jordan, Erin McBride Stone and Allison Preisinger.
Thank you, Elnah, Erin and Allison!

I continue to be moved, touched and inspired by friends contributing their touches to the music. My album ‘Ma’am’. Thank you. and as per usual .padget
Thank you for tuning in.
(((Love)))

and as per usual .padget

Gwen Laster and Melanie Dyer .viola are in from New York. Their first visit to Seattle. Please join us in welcoming them to the PNW Friday, April 19th at 7pm when we’ll share a cozy in-studio performance hosted by .padget with special guests and .
RSVP [email protected] or DM .
Thanks for tuning in.
(((Love)))

.viola .padget

Heading back in the studio today continue working on album ‘Ma’am’ with Gwen Laster and Melanie Dyer .viola. They’re in from New York. Their first visit to Seattle. Please join us in welcoming them to the PNW Friday, April 19th at 7pm when we’ll share a cozy in-studio performance hosted by .padget with special guests and .
RSVP [email protected] or DM .
Thanks for tuning in.
(((Love)))

.viola .padget

I am in love. It’s official. As you can see here with Godfrey Daniels and me. Yup. I’m in love with Moisture Festival. Thank you Moisture Festival performers, volunteers, crew, staff and founding members.
What fun and an honour playing last night with dear friends Jessica Lurie on flute and Will Dowd on percussion. We played songs from my upcoming recording ‘Ma’am’. Thank you, Jess and Will!

If Moisture Festival is new to you, you might imagine it as running away with the circus. There are magicians, aerialists, musicians and more. It’s the world's largest and longest-running comedy & variete festival, as a matter of fact.

You can learn more at: moisturefestival.org

Thank you for the joy you create, Moisture Festival.
Congratulations on 20 years!
And thank you for tuning in.
(((Love)))

Tonight! I join in the festivities of Moisture Festival playing with dear friends Jessica Lurie on flute and Will Dowd on percussion. We’ll play songs from my upcoming recording ‘Ma’am’. Thank you, Jess and Will!

If Moisture Festival is new to you, you might imagine it as running away with the circus. There are magicians, aerialists, musicians and more. It’s the world's largest and longest-running comedy & variete festival, as a matter of fact. It’s an honour to play a part in joining tonight, Wednesday, April 3rd, which’ll be the first ASL show.

You can learn more at: moisturefestival.org

Congratulations, Moisture Festival on 20 years!
And thank you for tuning in.
(((Love)))

Thank you for the birthday love notes yesterday. You made my day. I gifted myself a quiet birthday. Totally chilled out.
I took a walk on Alki beach and bought myself some flowers.
Thank you for being a part of the beauty of the day.