SAN DIEGO, CA, November 3, 2006: The current incarnation of Mike Keneally Band returned for a most triumphant Circus of Values improvisation event at Dizzy's in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. The quartet played before an enraptured full house for the last of the three COVs this year. Scaling new heights of spontaneity are (l. to r.) Mike, Marco Minnemann, Bryan Beller and the freshly birthdayed Rick Musallam. During the last set, they even dared to play actual Keneally compositions, including a rare rendition of "I, Drum Running, Am Clapboard Bound" featuring Mike on grand piano. Special thanks go out to Chuck Perrin, the man behind Dizzy's, who has encouraged Mike and his improv shows for years.

SAN DIEGO, CA, October 23, 2006: Mike and Jazz 88 Program Director Claudia Russell performed unusual improvised versions of a pair of William Shakespeare's sonnets to benefit the San Diego Shakespeare Society. The 5th Annual Celebrity Sonnet Presentations event was held at San Diego's legendary Old Globe Theatre.

SAN DIEGO, CA, October 21, 2006: Mike's second of three Circus of Values improv events (this one entitled My Finger) at popular San Diego jazz venue Dizzy's was bursting with manic energy throughout the evening. Contributing to the musical tightrope act while creating the first of two songs called "Exploding Flowers" are (l. to r.) Mike, drummer Brock Avery and bassist Scott Thunes, Mike's cohort from the Zappa days. The final COV of the year is Friday night, November 3 with Mike, Bryan Beller, Rick Musallam and Marco Minnemann.

ST. LOUIS, MO, October 13, 2006: For the final gig of their three-week Taylor Guitars tour of the midwest, Mike and Bryan decided to maximize the volume by debuting a new trio format with drummer Eric Slick (Adrian Belew, Paul Green's School of Rock All-Stars). Slick spent weeks boning up for the show and didn't miss a beat, as rockingly attested to by the ubiquitous Dancing Guy (front). Many thanks to Off Broadway promoter Dan Kinney and cohorts, who heroically made this magic evening possible.

LA CROSSE, WI, October 2, 2006: Mike and Bryan's Taylor Guitars tour took them to the most excellent Dave's Guitar Shop, where they performed acoustic and electric sets before an exquisitely varied backdrop of over 70 Taylor Guitars. And you don't even wanna know what kind of cool stuff they've got upstairs.

NEW BERLIN, WI, September 30, 2006: Mike and Bryan are having one hell of a time on their three-week Taylor Guitars tour through the middle of the U.S. In most instances, their clinics begin with a generous acoustic set (above) followed by a short intermission, then they return with a burning electric program (middle) featuring the Taylor T5 and new prototype bass. In addition to this tour's adventurous vibe, which has the duo playing lots of rarely heard Keneally songs, they give away a fair amount of stuff and sign CDs at the events, which are free to attend. Above, they perform at Cascio Interstate Music's GuitarFest '06. At several of the Mike and Bryan clinics, Taylor technicians are providing free tune-ups and re-strings to Taylor owners. Below, Mike and Bry marvel at the gorgeously restored tone of an attendee's Taylor. Pictured are (l. to r.) Bryan, warranty repair techs Josh Mundt and Jamie White, Mike, and regional sales manager Dave Hager. (Top two photos by Dave Pearson)

LEUCADIA, CA, September 22, 2006: Esteemed Exowax audio engineer Mike Harris dropped by Chatfield Manor to show off his new surfboard, decorated with the flower gramophone logo from Mike's 2001 acoustic album, Wooden Smoke. In addition to being one of the best engineers in the country, Harris is an avid surfer-- and he couldn't be happier with the board, custom built by Moura Surfboards in Del Mar, CA.

SAN DIEGO, CA, September 7, 2006: Mike's retooled Circus of Values improvisation series at Dizzy's got off to an excellent start with an episode dubbed "Ah Mr. Solid Gasoline" featuring old friends Chad Wackerman (drums) and Doug Lunn (bass). Much like a kid on a playground, Mike enjoyed many diversions-- singing, playing electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards, grand piano and flute. Each attendee received a hand-lettered program designed by Mr. K. The next COV will happen at Dizzy's Saturday, October 21, 2006 at 8:30 p.m.

SANTEE, CA, August 12, 2006: Doubletime studios was the scene of a videotaped reunion of Mike's primary band for the hat. and Boil That Dust Speck albums. Bassist Doug Lunn and drummer Toss Panos joined Mike as they revisited several songs from both records; the results will be part of the DVDs included in the Special Editions of the re-releases. Marking the end of a wonderful day are (back row, l. to r.) cameraman Steve Laub, original BTDS cameraman Glenn Norris, Lunn, Mike Keneally, engineer Jeff Forrest, and Panos. In the front row are (l. to r.) director and cameraman Dave Foster, Exowax CEO Scott Chatfield and cameraman Eric Vesbit.

GRONINGEN, THE NETHERLANDS, July 1, 2006: Mike was invited to De Oosterpoort (scene of 2001's legendary Nonkertompf Live performance) to participate in a special concert with guitarist Peter Tiehuis (front left, above and below) and Jörg Achim Keller conducting the Metropole Orchestra. The event featured new compositions written especially for Tiehuis by Mike, Steve Vai, George Duke, John Scofield, Mike Stern and Michiel Borstlap. Mike's first piece, a kaleidoscopic romp called "You Must Be This Tall," was the fourth song performed. During the last half of the show, Mike joined Peter on a second MK offering, the airy "No Name/Chelsea," which delighted the sold-out crowd with spontaneous interplay between the two guitarists. Another rendition of "You Must Be This Tall" served as a welcome encore, after which Mike (below, in his steeet clothes) was brought up to take an unscheduled bow. Both of Mike's new compositions were orchestrated by Chris Opperman and MK. The concert will be broadcast on Holland's 4FM at a date to be announced. (Photos by Paul and Esther Berkholst)

ENCINITAS, CA, June 25, 2006: Mike and Bryan anticipated the Tuesday, June 27 release date of Guitar Therapy Live with an hour-long in-store free concert at Lou's Records. The Sunday late-afternoon event entertained fans and random patrons alike. Occasionally, Mike and Bry found themselves distracted by the wacky or unsettling record covers facing them in the indy vinyl section, and paused between songs to point out their favorites. Lou's Records is the longtime partner of Exowax Recordings, handling all Keneally CDs and merchandise sold online through MooseMart.com. Hey, here's a QuickTime video by Steve Laub of Mike and Bry playing "Uglytown" at the show.

LA JOLLA, CA, June 24, 2006: Mike Keneally Band (with Nick D'Virgilio back on drums) turned in two nifty semi-acoustic sets at the 20th Annual La Jolla Festival of the Arts. Sponsored by our friends at Taylor Guitars, the summer afternoon show featured Mike taking advantage of the sonic versatility of Taylor's new T5 electric/acoustic guitar. Meanwhile, Bryan Beller played a unique stealth prototype of a new Taylor bass guitar. He really likes it.

FERNDALE, CA, May 6, 2006: Mike and Bryan surprised a full house at the prestigious Lost Coast Live concert series set in an historic Humboldt County town. The Lost Coast Live events, produced by DC3 Entertainment, have a tantalizing premise: each concert is essentially a musical blind date-- no one in the audience knows in advance who's going to appear onstage. Despite (or because of) this lack of information, adventurous and curious music fans are drawn to the shows, causing each LCL to sell out weeks in advance. Production values are first-rate, showcasing gifted musicians with sparkling sound and rich visual effects. In addition, all income from ticket and merchandise sales goes to local community causes. Mike and Bryan's warm, spectacular versions of Keneally songs wowed the enthusiastic crowd for an hour. They topped off their set with a rendition of Frank Zappa's "Inca Roads," during which Mike suddenly decided to wrangle his Taylor T5 guitar and the grand piano simultaneously, much to the delight of those in attendance.

"This was an extraordinarily cool and unique event," said Mike. "Lost Coast Live was conceived by Jon Phelps, our longtime friend from our collaborations with Full Sail, and as with everything Jon does, everything to do with Lost Coast is classy and high-quality. Bryan and I are extremely honored to have been asked to perform there."

See the five-minute introductory video that revealed Mike's identity to the audience. It was projected on the venue's giant TV screen just before Mike stepped onstage at Lost Coast Live.

LEUCADIA and LA JOLLA, CA, April 21 and 22, 2006: Mike's weekend began in an excitingly productive way when he invited amazing drummer Marco Minnemann to record with him at Chatfield Manor (above). Here, Mike gives Marco the twin thumbs-up after he nails an especially gruelling passage for Mike's Scambot project. On Saturday, Mike and KSDS Jazz 88 air personality Claudia Russell brought a musical aesthetic to William Shakespeare's 442nd birthday celebration as they improvised to a pair of The Bard's sonnets (94 and 145) for invited guests in a picturesque La Jolla backyard garden. And on Sunday, he rested.