Cisco Houston & Woody Guthrie

I Wasn’t Built For A Life Like This

Review in All Music Guide by James Allen

Making a man-and-guitar record is perhaps the ultimate trial by fire proposition for a singer/songwriter; there’s nothing standing between your songs and the listener except your axe of choice and whatever attitude you may choose to project. In such a Spartan context, those whose material is subpar will immediately have their flaws exposed.

On the other end of the spectrum, a skilled songsmith can make a more visceral impact by removing all the sonic middlemen from the listening experience, and achieving an intimate, urgent connection with the audience. In the case of Caleb Stine, the latter effect is undoubtedly what I Wasn’t Built for a Life Like This engenders. Stine has recorded with a band in the past, but he’s clearly the kind of journeyman balladeer who likes to take his songs straight to the people in as simple and straightforward a way as possible, so the solo-acoustic approach is a natural for him.

In fact, it’s that self-same traveling songwriter life that’s at the heart of some of the album’s most affecting tunes. The title track, for instance, offers up the uncertainties and insecurities of a singer/songwriter at odds with both his life on the road and the life he’s left back at home, with telling, incisive observations like “all my friends back in my hometown get a worried look when I come around.”

However, the album closes with probably the most powerful tune, “The Eternal Present,” in which a character similar to that of the aforementioned song — presumably bearing a close resemblance to Stine himself — comes to terms with his choices and sacrifices. “What’s one more empty club, no money to speak of, when I’m doing what I love and what I should?” is as undeniable an endorsement of the troubadour life as has ever been sung, as Stine simultaneously embraces that path’s tribulations and triumphs, with a mix of resolve and reverie, and a generous helping of poetic lyricism.

Caleb will be playing electric guitar with Andy Friedman on his May Tour. Many of these shows will also feature an opening set by Caleb.

Rochester, PA
Monday, May 9, 2011, 8:00 PM
Hollywood Gardens (169 Pinney St, Rochester, PA (724) 728-2227)

Johnson City, TN
Tuesday, May 10, 2011, 8:00 PM
With The Carpenter Ants
The Acoustic Coffeehouse (415 W. Walnut St., Johnson City, TN 37604 (423) 424-9872)

Nashville, TN
Wednesday, May 11, 2011, 7:00 PM
Music City Roots (8400 Highway 100, Nashville, TN 37221)

Oxford, MS
Thursday, May 12, 2011, 8:00 PM
With Cary Hudson
Proud Larry’s (211 S Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655 (662) 236-0050)

Knoxville, TN
Friday, May 13, 2011, 8:00 PM
Cornelia House Concert (info: elamis @ gmail (dot) com, Knoxville, TN)

Winston-Salem, NC
Saturday, May 14, 2011, 9:00 PM
The Garage (110 W. 7th St., Winston-Salem, NC)

Columbia, SC
Sunday, May 15, 2011, 3:00 PM
Concert and Party at The Hall’s (halldogs1@aol.com for info and details) Columbia, SC

Chicago, IL
Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 8:00 PM
The Elbo Room (2871 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657)

Fort Wayne, IN
Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 9:00 PM
The Brass Rail (1121 Broadway, Fort Wayne, IN 46802)

Three Oaks, MI
Thursday, May 19, 2011, 8:00 PM
Acorn Theater (107 N Elm St, Three Oaks, MI 49128)

Athens, OH
Friday, May 20, 2011, 8:00 PM
Jackie O’s (24 West Union Street, Athens, OH)

Lisbon, OH
Saturday, May 21, 2011, 8:00 PM
House Concert (36856 State Route 518, Lisbon, OH)
(330) 429-1437
Tickets: ticket info: vince.hoover@samamericas.com

Brooklyn, NY
Monday, May 23, 2011, 7:00 PM
An Evening With Andy Friedman & Paul Curreri @ Union Hall
702 Union St., Brooklyn, NY (United States)

April 28th ‘I Wasn’t Built For A Life Like This’ Will Be Available on L.P.!

Come on out to the Windup Space (12 W. North Ave., Baltimore MD) on Thursday, April 28th at 9pm! There will be a great show featuring Caleb Stine along withSwampcandy, Gary Wright and Leah Weiss, and Gregory Rago.

Vinyl copies of ‘I Wasn’t Built For A Life Like This’ will be for sale.

If you don’t have the good fortune to find yourself in Baltimore on said night and are interested in a vinyl copy of the album, please write to calebstine (at sign) gmail, and we’ll set you up.

The magazine American Songwriter has just posted an interview with Brooklyn writer/artist/bad-ass Andy Friedman. It’s full of thoughtful and unexpected answers, charming quotes, and a generous nod to Caleb Stine. A favorite exchage: (American Songwriter) Are there any words you love, or hate? (Andy Friedman) Absolutely. Love: Dimple. Hate: pimple.

Galapagos Art Space (16 Main St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, (718) 222-8500). Tickets of $55.00 go to Direct Relief International’s Japan Relief and Recovery Fund.

Violinist Hilary Hahn, whose Japanese tour this month was canceled due to the earthquake and tsunami, will be joined by guests Josh Ritter, Chris Thile and Caleb Stine for a concert to benefit Direct Relief International’s Japan Relief and Recovery Fund.

Hilary Hahn Rallies Special Guests for March 24 Japan Benefit in Baltimore

With the cancellation of her Japan tour due to the March 11 disaster, Grammy® Award-
winning violinist Hilary Hahn is returning to Baltimore to present a benefit event for
victims of the earthquake and tsunami crisis in Japan.

The concert will feature performances by Hahn, Baltimore songwriter Caleb Stine, violinist
Yuka Kubota and pianist Yoshie Kubota playing an original composition, Baltimore
School for the Arts student Tariq Al-Sabir and pianist Mark Hardy, and Suzuki students
from the Peabody Preparatory. Baltimore-based author Lia Purpura and Japanese
historian Constantine Vaporis will speak.

Art and jewelry by Baltimore Clayworks Resident Artists Mary Cloonan and Yoshi Fujii,
as well as art by local artists and origami made by Baltimore children, will be sold at
the event to help raise funds. 100% of proceeds from concert and merchandise sales will
benefit Direct Relief International’s Japan Relief and Recovery Fund. Volunteers will be
on hand to aid with further donations.

“When my Japanese recital tour was cancelled because of the current situation in Japan,
my heart sank. I had been looking forward to performing in Japan: the country is unlike
any other, and the audiences are dedicated and love music so much, and it is always a
pleasure to play for them. For me, my memories from my time there are so vivid that it is
hard to imagine such a vibrant country that is so familiar to me facing such a destructive
crisis. I first went to Japan when I was a teenager and have returned nearly every year
since. I truly believe that music and art can contribute to society – whether in the course
of daily life or in the background of catastrophe. My first thought when I was trying to
figure out what to do with the time I was supposed to spend in Japan, was to organize a
fundraiser: instead of playing in Japan this month, I could play for Japan. I grew up in
Baltimore so wanted to return to present a community-based benefit concert in this city.
And Baltimore really came together for this event. It was so rewarding to hear, “yes,
what can we do to help?” from everyone I called to ask to participate on March 24. I am
grateful to Red Emma’s for donating their 2640 Space for this evening and to everyone
involved for being so generous with their time and work. We hope to be able to make
a difference and show our support to the recovery process. It will be a special event for
everyone involved.”

DATE:

Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7:00 p.m.)

VENUE:

2640 Space – St. John’s of Baltimore, 2640 Saint Paul Street
(www.redemmas.org).

TICKETS:

Tickets $20-$50 (sliding scale),. Advance purchase at Red Emma’s
Bookstore M-F 10a-10pm, Sat 2pm-10pm, Sun 10am-6pm, 800 Saint
Paul Street (www.redemmas.org) and at the door (cash only). Limited
seating on first-come, first-served basis with standing room available.

EVENT INFO:

Tiffany DeFoe: space2640@redemmas.org

At the Creative Alliance on Saturday March 26, 8pm, Arty Hill hosts a night of music from his new CD ‘Another Lost Highway’. For the second half of the show we’ll roll the chairs away and Caleb Stine will join Arty for a classic roadhouse dance party.