Just a word to all my friends in Nashville, TN.

I'll be at the Bluebird Cafe (http://bluebirdcafe.com for details, directions, phone number, etc...) this Sunday night, Dec. 28, at 8 PM along with a number of wonderful writers who went through the arduous auditions. I promise some cool surprise appearances, including a hit writer who I collaborate with and is a great friend, joining me, too--it's well worth the price (free admission, $7/person minimum with great food and drink). Word of warning--get there early to get a table seat. There's an early show which starts seating at 6 and is normally over by 7:30 for good seating, too.

Then, on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 8 PM, I'll be in the featured songwriter round with Chris Gantry ("Dreams Of An Everyday Housewife" by Glen Campbell and a slew of other cuts with legends in the business), Ric Sandler (did the entire music for Ralph Bakshi's animated feature film, HEY, GOOD LOOKIN' and cuts on grammy-nominated albums by The Dixie Hummingbirds and Dionne Warwick). Where, you ask? The Commodore Grill @ Holiday Inn Select (http://www.myspace.com/commodoregrill for all the juicy details), with the night's host, Debi Champion.

For those of you who've been following Danny Petraitis' situation, I'll be visiting him today. We are in the process of trying to line up some events to raise funds for him and his family to make it through these incredibly rough times. I hope it's not a burden for me to send out some updates regarding his situation. If you wish to throw your hat in the circle to help as an artist, friend, relative, etc...you can contact me and/or go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dannypetraitis (where there are regular updates on all things Danny) to see the various ways and means as well as e-mail contacts that are available to help a guy who has always gone out of his way to help others. No doubt, there will be a number of A-list artists offering their musical assistance to raise money in the form of donations and benefit performances, but, as one of his other good friends put it, we want this show of love to be from everyone, all the way to the Z-list (down in my territory), both in Tennessee and at the Jersey shore.

I don't want to lay a bunch of lyrics on anyone, because there are tons of songs that come to mind and each of us can thing of them, but Danny is still filled with music, humor and especially love. Thanks for putting up with my ramblings!

Musically yours,
Sam Cooper
615-469-4067
sam@jericat.com
www.jericat.com
www.myspace.com/samcooperjericatmusic