David Ross MacDonald (wrap up)

By Greg Pool

Host, TreeHouseConcerts.org

Here's a wrap-up of the visit by David Ross MacDonald to Tree House Concerts (pictures and after-show interview/encore):

* I first learned of David at the 2001 Strawberry Music Festival, where he drummed for Australian roots band, The Waifs, who were a huge hit.

* Juliet and I actually followed The Waifs on tour for a bit in 2005 during our honeymoon, and that's when we learned that David played guitar on the side. We bought "Southern Crossing" at the merch table and haven't been the same since.

* That same year, David played the now defunct Monterey Live, and I was one of three people who showed up for the first set (thanks Vince and Steve!). David and I sat around, had a few pints, and traded stories. I promised him I'd get a bigger audience if he came back to play our place.

* David was on a break from The Waifs' tour, having just played the Rio in Santa Cruz, and got in just two bookings, one being ours. Count yourself lucky.

* Loved the story about David hanging out with Pam Delgado from Blame Sally to watch the World Cup in San Francisco.

* Someone brought a bottle of wine made by Australian golfer, Greg Norman, from the Limestone Coast, where David says he's from. Good on ya, whoever that was!

* Juliet is still getting all teary-eyed from the fact that David's version of "Waltzing Matilda" didn't make it the House finale (which she remembers).

* The last song, "Who Have a Dream," with the light and all of you enjoying the afternoon ... yah, I got all teary-eyed, too.

* After the show, David and I headed down to another house concert location to catch the show. Opening was Carmel Valley gal Meghan Lehman, followed by Raina Rose, who I met in 2006 at FARWest. What a great night of house concerts in Carmel Valley!

* Also in Raina's band was Carmel Valley boy Andrew Pressman on bass. Needless to say, there were a lot of family and friends in the audience for Meghan and Andrew.

* Because of that, David and I didn't record the after-show podcast until the next morning, after he had a plate full of eggs from our chickens in the backyard. There he is re-stringing his guitar, impressing our daughter.

* Check out our daughter, signing David's mailing list. She added a mola mola (sunfish) and then the American flag. She's a big fan since learning the Star Spangled Banner because of the World Cup.