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.............Welcome to.............
www.donbridgesongs.com

Welcome inside the songwriting mind of don bridges. As you journey through these pages, feel free to stop and think, remember, chuckle, cry, meditate, sing, dance, hug someone, shake your head or shake whatever else you might be moved to shake.

That's what songwriting is all about anyway: getting us to look a little differently, perhaps even a little more closely, at ourselves and our world. If the brief moments you spend here bring about that result, then our time together has been well spent.

Hooray!  don is grateful to announce that he has received the 2005 Childrens Vocalist "Wammie" award from the Washington Area Music Association.  That's two years in a row!  Congratulations to all the other nominees and winners and many thanks to so many people whose support made this announcement possible.

Heartfelt thanks to all those who helped make 2005 such an awesome experience.  don was blessed to perform a total of 634 times during the course of the year, often playing multiple sets within those 634 shows.  Performances as “mister don” included 515 interactive childrens concerts, birthday parties, and worship services.  119 appearances, either solo or as “don bridges and Friends,” took place at coffeehouses, showcases, senior centers, open mics,  song circles, and even a 50th wedding anniversary celebration.  During 2005, don was fortunate to participate in 35 songwriting workshops or critique sessions, volunteer or run sound at 62 events, enter the recording studio 32 times, and enjoy 36 concerts as a spectator (in addition to regular church attendance).  Special appreciation is due the many people who worked so tirelessly during dons third (and final) year as SAW President.  don is grateful to all the families, musicians, venue managers, volunteers, and music and spiritual community members who are making the outlook for 2006 even brighter!
 

don wants to report on a moving spiritual experience that occurred in Lynchburg, VA, on the afternoon of Saturday, August 26, 2006.  A 15-year old Boy Scout named Joey Ricketts, as his Eagle Scout project, had conceived, designed, raised over $10,000, and then oversaw to completion the construction of a memorial to the victims of the 9-11-01 terrorist attack at The Pentagon.  A special commemoration was presented to honor dons former music partner in Bridges To Bliss, U.S. Army Colonel David M. Scales, who had been a former Eagle Scout from Lynchburg working at The Pentagon on 9-11.  About 200 people, reporters, four TV camera crews, and most of the Scales clan attended the dedication ceremony on 8/26/06.  Through persistent letters to his Congressman, Senators, and The White House, Joey had been able to acquire a piece of limestone rubble from The Pentagon ruins which stood close to two feet atop a bronze-inscripted five-foot tall granite obelisk surrounded by a Pentagon-shaped concrete platform.  During the dedication ceremony, speakers from the Boy Scouts, the Pentagon, the American Legion, and other organizations, as well as Davids aging father, J.B. Scales (an Army veteran from WW II, Korea, and Vietnam who came all the way from Wilmington, NC), gave remarks, and Boy Scouts read the names of all 184 people who had died aboard the airliner and inside The Pentagon on that day.  It was a warm, calm afternoon featuring music by a brass quintet from the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra.  don and Bobbi Bliss also were invited to sing two of the songs they had written and performed with David.  Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, Bobbi and don were able to sing and play along to Davids piano accompaniment.  Near the end of their second song, a brisk wind came rushing through the assemblage, sending hats and papers flying and knocking down many of the flags surrounding the memorial.  As the final note of the song rang out, the wind stopped and a deep hush fell over the entire area.  Thank you, Joey; thank you, David; thank you, Bobbi; and thank You, God, for making that experience possible.

The final count is in and don’s performance total for 2006 rings up at 718 shows, including all childrens and family concerts, birthday parties, worship services, and venues for the grownups.  don has been honored by his peers with another Wammie nomination for Childrens Vocalist.  He is especially pleased to see his performing partners Les Hatley, Michelle Murray, Loralyn Coles, and Ron Goad on the Wammie nomination ballot.  The 2006 Wammie Awards will be held on Sunday 2/18/07.

     Hooray!  don has received his third consecutive Washington Area Music award, taking home the 2006 Childrens Artist Wammie this year.  Congratulations to all the other winners and nominees and many thanks to all the people whose support has made this possible.

     Well, 2007 was another record-setting year, with a total of 753 public performances (that's an average of more than two a day), including 636 shows for kids & families and 117 for adults.  mister don received yet another Wammie nomination for Children's Artist, while the don bridges & Friends band members Loralyn Coles and Les Hatley also received 2007 Wammie nominations, Loralyn for Most Supportive of Washington Area Music, for her dedicated service to SAW, WAMA, IMT, Hungry for Music, and other organizations, and Les for Gospel Group as the lead guitarist in Seneca.  Ron Goad, who also plays with don from time to time and books SAW songwriter showcases all over the area, was another Most Supportive Wammie nominee.  The Wammie Awards will be held at the State Theater in Falls Church, Virginia, at 8:00 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2008.  Best of luck to all the nominees! 

     2007 Wamie Update: Congratulations to Coach Cotton, WillieBob, and Boogie Woogie Benny of the kids' music group Rocknoceros, who won both the Children's Artist award and the Children's Recording award at the 22nd Annual Washington Area Music Awards on 2/17/08.  A special acknowledgement also to Ron Goad, who won the Wammie this year for Most Supportive of Washington Area Music.

     Grand total of gigs for 2008 (January thru December):  540 performances for kids and families plus 114 for adults for a total of 654.  Monthly stats are:  January: 54 kids + 10 adults = 64; February: 47 kids + 10 adults = 57; March: 47 kids + 12 adults = 59; April: 46 kids + 10 adults = 56; May: 45 kids + 13 adults = 58; June: 45 kids + 10 adults = 55; July: 48 kids + 15 adults = 63; August: 46 kids + 10 adults = 56; September: 36 kids + 10 adults = 46; October: 43 kids + 3 adults = 46; November: 40 kids + 4 adults = 44; December: 43 kids + 7 adults = 50.  The 2008 total of 540 live performances is down from the previous several years (634 in 2005; 718 in 2006; and 753 in 2007).  don likes to consider this an improvement in quality, playing smarter rather than than simply more often.

     don is thrilled to have an article written by Susan Anspach appear in the January 2009 issue of Northern Virginia magazine, an issue devoted entirely to "Kids' Favorites."  Susan writes on page 60:  "in a thriving arts region such as ours, kid-music industry pros know their beat.  Every place, school and name rang at least a few bells, but below are the references favorites. . . . Don Bridges  703-449-0817, donbridgesongs.com, Ages 1-12:  Three-time Wammie Award-winning performer Don Bridges cites 'the interactive nature of what I do' as what sets his shows apart.  'On every single song the children are doing something, shaking instruments, dancing, marching, singing along.'  The effect, it seems is contagious.  On a recent outdoor Springfield concert, Bridges was mid-performance when two young sisters rose and began ballet dancing.  'Then an elderly couple, I'd say in their 70s, got up and started slow dancing.  The juxtaposition just blew my mind, just broke and captivated my heart.'"  Read the article online at www.NorthernVirginiaMagazine.com.

     mister don was happy to learn that for the third year in a row, he appeared on the 11 o'clock news coverage of First Night Alexandria.  The feature on December 31, 2008, was by the local NBC affiliate, WRC Channel 4, as mister don was playing the kids' all-time favorite, "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."

     Hip, hip, hooray!  mister don has received another Wammie nomination for the 2008 Children's Artist award.  His bandmates have also received multiple Wammie nominations.  Congratulations to Les Hatley (lead guitarist for the band Seneca, which received a nomination for Gospel Group), Ron Goad (nominated for Most Supportive of Washington Area Music), and Loralyn Coles, who received an amazing four Wammie nominations this year (Traditional Folk Vocalist, Traditional Folk Recording, Debut Recording, and Most Supportive of Washington Area Music).  UPDATE:  Congratulations to Rocknoceros, who received their second consecutive Children's Artist Wammie award, to Ron Goad, who received his second consecutive award for Most Supportive of Washington Music, to Loralyn Coles, who received the Wammie for Traditional Folk Recording (in a tie with Grammy winner Tom Paxton), to SAW President Jean Bayou, who received the Wammie for Executive of the Year, to Jon Carroll, who received an astounding six Wammie awards including Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, and to all the other winners and nominees.

     Running gig total for 2009 (Jan-May):  243 performances for kids and families plus 26 for adults for a combined total of 269.  Jan: 51 kids + 8 adults = 59; Feb: 50 kids + 6 adults = 56; Mar: 38 kids + 5 adults = 43; Apr: 49 kids + 2 adults = 51; May: 55 kids + 5 adults = 60.  don defines a "gig" as a live performance or program at a single location within a single morning, afternoon or evening.  For example, three songs at an open mic or a Sunday school worship or a 45-minute children's performance or three 45-minute classroom sets or a two-hour restaurant show or a three-and-a-half hour coffeehouse concert or five 25-minute classes would each count as one gig if performed within a single half-day, but five 25-minute classes in the morning and five 25-minute classes in the afternoon (with a break for lunch) are counted as two separate performances. 

    

I do hope to meet all of you again as we trudge the road of happy destiny. Whether it's at a live performance, by images on a screen or printed page, through downloaded or recorded songs, in a chance meeting on the street or at a prearranged time and place, may God bless you and keep you until then.  Warmly, don

Late-Breaking News

If you don't have much time to browse, please note these latest announcements:

Note: Shows specifically for the grownups (rather than a childrens or family show) is preceded by the letter “G.”

(G)  Upcoming coffeehouse & showcase performances by don bridges & Friends: 

(G)  don bridges & Friends will perform at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Alexandria, VA, from 8-10 p.m. on Friday 6/12/09.  No cover charge; tipping encouraged. 

New kids' music venue in Gainesville!  mister don's 1st Monday Music Matinee and the Third Mondays for Kids programs have been moved to the Deja Brew Coffee House in Gainesville Square at 14630 Lee Highway (behind Rite Aid), Gainesville, VA.  These shows commenced on Monday, March 16, 2009, and replace the shows at the now-closed Daily Grind Coffee House in Gainesville.  The 1st Monday Music Matinee runs from 1:00-1:45 pm on the first Monday of each month (except August 3 - no show; and September - no show on Labor Day) and the Third Mondays for Kids programs with mister don are held on the third Monday of each month from 10:30-11:15 am.

mister don performs on the first Monday of every month from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. in the spacious upstairs room of Sova Espresso, located at 1359 H Street, N.E., in Washington, DC.  This program is sponsored by the Capitol Hill Moms' Group, www.BoogieBabes.com.  Admission is $5 for the first child and $2 for every additional child.  Adults are free.  On-street metered parking is available.  Come sing, dance, march, play rhythm instruments, and join in the movin', groovin' fun with the hottest playgroup in the Nation's capital!  Note: This program will not be held in August or September (Labor Day) 2009

Regular monthly show at Aladdin's Lamp!  On the second Monday of every month throughout 2009, mister don will offer a free children's musical performance at Aladdin's Lamp Children's Bookstore in Arlington, from 11:00 to 11:40 a.m.  Come ready to sing, dance, march, and play instruments! 

mister don continues teaching!  mister don now has regular preschool music programs at four children's centers and preschools in addition to his weekly Sunday school worship at New Life Christian Church at Westmoreland (year-round - Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in McLean, VA):  Kindercare Learning Center at Franklin Farms (year-round - 3rd Thursday mornings in Herndon, VA); Annandale United Methodist Church Child Development Center (Sep-Jun - 3rd Tuesday afternoons in Annandale, VA); Kirby Kids Christian Child Development Center (year-round - Tuesday mornings from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m.in McLean, VA); and, from September through May, all day on Fridays (five morning classes and five afternoon classes) at the National Children's Research Center located at 3209 Highland Place, N.W., in Washington, DC.  don truly loves working with the faculty and staff members of these schools in making a positive difference in the lives of so many young students.

Two monthly kids' programs in Lorton!  On the second Thursday and the fourth Monday of every month, come see, hear, play, march, move, sing, and dance  with mister don from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Daily Grind Coffeehouse in Lorton, VA.  The coffeehouse is located at 900 Lorton Station Boulevard.
  Note:
On Thursday, June 11, Miss Belle will sub for mister don.  On Thursday, July 9, E.J. (Eileen Joyner) will sub for mister don.

The Monthly Second Monday Music Matinee with mister don at the Daily Grind Coffeehouse in Stone Ridge, VA, is on the 2nd Monday of each month (including Federal holidays) from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. This is the same location as the Fast Thursdays for Kids with mister don series on the last Thursday of each month from 10:15 to 11:00 a.m. 

mister don performs on the odd Wednesdays (1st, 3rd & 5th of the month) at Mayorga Coffee in Silver Spring, MD, from 10:30-11:30 am.  E.J. (Eileen Joyner) now performs at that location on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, so there is music there every Wednesday morning.  All other children's performances at that location are by Miss Belle.

Manassas Mall Movers and Shakers is a Wednesday morning program in Manassas on selected second Wednesdays of the month from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. when mister don works with Jensy Scarola of Fit and Healthy Schools, Inc., to lead an exercise and dance class for kids in the J.C. Penney Court of Manassas Mall, located at Sudley Road (Rte. 234 Business) and Irongate Way in Manassas, VA. The program is FREE and open to the public and includes a LOT of music, a LOT of rhythm instruments, a LOT of movement, a LOT of stretching, and a LOT of fun!  All the shows so far have been huge successes!  See you there!  Remaining dates in 2009 are 6/10, 8/12, and 9/09.

On selected second Wednesdays, mister don plays at Springfield Mall as part of the Moms & Moppets Kids' Club activities at J.C. Penney Court.  There are two FREE shows, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. and from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. with sing-alongs, motions songs, marching, dancing, and rhythm instruments for all!  Remaining date in 2009 is 10/14.

Monthly 4th Wednesday morning show in Arlington!  On the 4th Wednesday of each month, mister don performs from 10::00-11:00 am for Kids' Day at the Lebanese Taverna in the Westover neighborhood of Arlington, VA.  The restaurant is located at 5900 Washington Boulevard (at McKinley Street) and offers some incredible lunch specials after the show.  Check out their website at www.lebanesetaverna.com

The  Alexandria Fourth Mondays for Kids with mister don program is at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. on the fourth Monday of every month.   Sing-alongs, motions songs, marching, dancing, and rhythm instruments for everyone!

Sweet Life Saturdays with mister don at the Sweet Life Cafe in Fairfax, VA, takes place from 9:15 to 10:00 a.m.  In 2009, mister don or a sub will be there every week.  Upcoming subs include:  6/06 - E.J.; 6/13 - E.J.; 6/27 - E.J.

Sorry! Due to email server problems, we have not been able to send out the monthly performance calendar via email. Please check the Performance Venues page for the complete list of upcoming performances.

See don bridges & Friends (a synergy of incredibly talented musicians that includes Loralyn Coles on percussion, guitar, and vocals; Les Hatley on lead guitar and vocals; TM Hanna on mandolin, harmonica, banjo, pennywhistle, standup bass, and vocals; and others) at these upcoming shows:

(G)  6/12/09 Fri. 8-10 p.m.  don bridges & Friends @ St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Alexandria, VA.  No cover charge; tipping encouraged.

mister don Public Kids Show Schedule:

1st Monday of each month, 10:30-11:15 am  Sova Expresso, 1359 H St., N.E., Washington, DC.  No show in August or September 2009. 

1st Monday of each month, 1:00-1:45 pm Deja Brew Coffee House, Gainesville, VA.  No show on August 3 or September 7 (Labor Day).

2nd Monday of each month, 11:00-11:40 am Aladdin's Lamp Children's Bookstore, Arlington, VA.

2nd Monday of each month, 4:00-5:00 pm Daily Grind, Stone Ridge, VA.

3rd Monday of each month, 10:30-11:45 am Deja Brew Coffee House, Gainesville, VA. 

3rd Monday of each month, 3:00-4:00 pm Beans in the Belfry, Brunswick, MD.

4th Monday of each month, 10:30-11:30 am Daily Grind, Lorton Station, Lorton, VA. 

4th Monday of each month, 3:30-5:00 pm Alexandria Fourth Mondays for Kids with mister don @ St. Elmos Coffee Pub, Alexandria, VA.

Every Tuesday, 10:30-11:30 am Jammin Java, Vienna, VA. 

Every Tuesday, 6:00-8:00 pm Silver Diner Kids Night (1st Tuesday-Springfield; 2nd & 5th Tuesdays-Fair Oaks; 3rd & 4th Tuesdays-Merrifield). 

1st, 3rd  & 5th Wednesday of each month, 10:30-11:30 am Mayorga Coffee, Silver Spring, MD. 

2nd Wednesday (6/10, 8/12 & 9/9/09), 10:00-11:00 am Manassas Mall (JC Penneys Court - Mall Entrance 4), Movers & Shakers, Manassas, VA.

2nd Wednesday (10/14/09), 10 am & 11 am, Springfield Mall (JC Penneys Court), Moms & Moppets Kids Club, Springfield, VA.

3rd Wednesday of each month, 5:00-7:00 pm Family Night @ Fair Oaks Mall Chick-fil-A, Fairfax, VA.

4th Wednesday of each month, 10:00-11:00 am  Lebanese Taverna (Westover neighborhood), Arlington, VA. 

1st Thursday of each month, 10:30-11:30 am Beans in the Belfry, Brunswick, MD.  No show on 1/1/09.

2nd Thursday of each month, 10:30-11:30 am Daily Grind Coffeehouse, Lorton, VA.  Miss Belle will sub for mister don on 6/11/09.  E.J. (Eileen Joyner) will sub for mister don on 7/09/09.

Last Thursday of each month, 10:15-11:00 am Daily Grind Coffeehouse, Stone Ridge, VA.  No show on Thanksgiving. 

Every Saturday is Sweet Life Saturday, 9:15-10:00 am The Sweet Life Cafe, Fairfax, VA.  Mr. Skip, E.J. (Eileen Joyner) or Groovy Mr. Nate will sub for mister don from time to time due to other commitments like early morning birthday parties.  E.J. will sub for mister don on 6/06/09, 6/13/09 & 6/27/09.

Additional Public Events with mister don for Kids and Families:

06/14/09 Sun. 7:00-7:45 pm  "Giggles Stage," Children's Inn at National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

06/27/09 Sat. 11:00 am-12:00 noon  Reston Town Centre, open amphitheatre, Market & Explorer Streets, Reston, VA.

07/11/09 Sat. 4:00-4:45 pm  Reston Festival, Reston Town Centre, Reston, VA.

07/18/09 Sat. 11:00 am-12:00 noon  St. Matthew's Episcopal Church Community Day, Sterling, VA.

08/01/09 Sat. 12:30-1:00 pm  Fairfax County 4-H Fair, Frying Pan Park, Herndon, VA.

08/02/09 Sun. 2:00-2:30 pm  Fairfax County 4-H Fair, Frying Pan Park, Herndon, VA.

08/03/09 Mon. 10:30-11:30 am  City of Gaithersburg Summer Concert Series, amphitheatre, 31 S. Summit Ave., Gaithersburg, MD.

Every Sunday: mister don helps lead the 11 am KIDZONE childrens worship service & Sunday School (for all ages) @ New Life Christian Church's Westmoreland Community Church campus, located at 1988 Kirby Road (the corner of Kirby Road & Westmoreland Street) in McLean, VA. More information is available at www.westmorelandchurch.org. There are great worship services and teachings for both adults & kids at all the campuses of New Life Christian Church, including at 9:30 am & 11:00 am @Westfield High School, 4701 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, VA; and 10:00 am @ Battlefield HS in Haymarket, VA. For info, call 703.222.8836 or visit www.newlife4me.com. All are welcome, especially people with questions about spiritual matters!

Great Music for Great Kids: mister don currently offers two childrens recordings: Shooka-la-la! (6 songs on CD for $5) and mister don (25-song CD for $15). Previous recordings are no longer available (including the Wammie-nominated Alive & Kickin with mister don (17-song VHS video), Bridges To Bliss - Totally for Kids (13-song cassette), and the Wammie-nominated Bridges To Bliss - Kids' Songs! (10-song cassette). To order either the Shooka-la-la! CD or the mister don CD, send your check or money order and your return address to: don bridges, P.O. Box 230741, Centreville, VA 20120-0741. Add 2 bucks S&H for the first item and 1 buck for each additional item.

See the Performance Venues page for complete addresses and other information. Hope to see you soon!

Navigation Bar
Check out the Navigation Bar menu on the left side of each page. Click on those links to navigate between pages. Your choices include:

Welcome - Brings you back to this home page.

don's Bio - Stuff about don's music & songwriting career.

Performance Venues - Everything that's fit to print about venue locations, dates, and times.

Lyric Pages - Full-text lyrics of don's original and co-written songs will be updated periodically. As any author, creative artist or spiritual being will attest, this is the true heart of the matter.

Just for Kids - The best in Children's music. Pure, unadulterated fun!

Bridges To Bliss - don's award-winning trio from the 1990s with Bobbi Bliss and David M. Scales. Lots of photos.

don's Guestbook - If you'd like to comment on the layout, content, photos or color scheme of these pages, voice your opinions about don's lyrics, recordings or performances, provide suggestions, praise or criticism or air your views on the price of kimchee in Pyongyang, here's your chance. G-rated comments only, please.

Links - A valuable resource to understanding what charges don's batteries. If you figure anything out, feel free to let him know.

Schedule a Show - don is available for birthday and other parties, retirement homes, festivals, fun fairs, coffeehouses, and just about anywhere the smoke isn't too thick and the folks aren't too drunk.

Contact don - Send an email. No attachments or viruses, please.

Listen to An Ardmore Afternoon!

An Ardmore Afternoon, a Wammie nominee for Best Contemporary Folk Recording of 2004, is dons singer-songwriter CD of 13 original songs in a variety of styles.  You can order it for fifteen bucks per disk plus two bucks for shipping & handling from don bridges, P.O. Box 230741, Centreville, VA 20120.  And it's also available online!


Hear or Order An Ardmore Afternoon!

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