Older News

6/8/09:

SUMMER 2009
New Summer shows have been added, beginning with this Friday's benefit show at the 400 Bar.  We are also continuing to work on the new record.  Enjoy the warmth and sunshine!

3/5/09:

ON TOUR NOW!!
Consolation Champ is coming to a town near you in the form of a John Richards solo acoustic show in March and April 2009.  Check out the Tour Blog here for updates from the road.

States:  IA, IL, IN, TN, TX, LA, AL, FL, GA, DC, NJ, MD, DE, NY, NH, VT, MA, CT, WV, KY...see dates n venues on the tour page or the CC Myspace or Facebook page.  Thanks for spreading the word!

2/7/09:

SPRING SOLO TOUR 2009

Sat. March 7th Chicago IL - Uncommon Ground
Sun. March 8th Indianapolis IN  - Lazy Daze
Mon. March 9th Nashville TN - Cafe Coco
Thurs. March 12th Dallas TX - Opening Bell
Fri. March 13th Austin TX - Waterloo Icehouse
Sat. March 14th Austin TX - Iguana Grill
Sun. March 15th Austin TX - Somnio's
Mon. March 16th New Orleans LA - Common Grounds
Tues. March 17th Gulf Shores AL - Lulu's
Fri. March 20th Wesley Chapel, FL - The Brass Tap
Sat. March 21st Orlando FL - B3 Cafe
Mon. March 23rd Decatur GA - Eddie's Attic
Wed. March 25th Washington, DC - Wonderland Ballroom
Thurs. March 26th Johnson City TN - Acoustic Cafe
Sun. March 29th Asbury Park NJ - Twisted Tree Cafe
Tues March 31st Wilmington DE - Mojo 13
Wed April 1st New York NY - Googie's Lounge above the Living Room
Thurs April 2nd Campton NH - The Country Cow
Fri. April 3rd Burlington VT - The Skinny Pancake
Mon. April 6th Cambridge MA - Club Passim
Wed April 8th Bridgeport CT - Acoustic Cafe
Thurs. April 9th Morgantown WV - Black Bear
Fri. April 10th Cincinnati, OH - Sitwell's
Sat. April 11th Lexington KY - Common Grounds
Fri. April 17th Minneapolis, MN - Acadia Cafe
Sat May 9th Denver, CO - Meadowlark Bar
Sun May 10th Lincoln, NE - Meadowlark Cafe
Sat May 30th Santa Fe, NM - the Cowgirl...

Dates for the Consolation Champ spring solo acoustic tour have been posted on the tour page!  Beginning Thursday March 5th, I (John) will head south to Texas (via Chicago, Indy and Nashville), then along the gulf coast and up the east coast to New England.  A few more dates will be added in the weeks to come, so stay tuned.  And remember, for all updates from the road, including semi-daily blogs,  visit the Consolation Champ MySpace Page.   

And for all of you Minnesotans, come see us off at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis on Friday Feb 27th.  This will be our last gig in the land of 10,000 lakes for a couple months and should rock.

12/3/08:

December Happenings

Winter is here and so are some stellar CC rock events:

Iowa Public Radio Performance.  This Friday, Chris and I will be taping an interview and performing some songs in front of a live audience at the Java House in Iowa City.  The show is called “Java Blend with Ben Kiefer,” and it will air on Iowa Public Radio in mid December.  For more information on the show, visit their website.  We will be sure to keep you posted on when and where you’ll be able to hear it.

Dec 20th Peace House Benefit show at The View in Uptown.  A great event benefiting a great cause.  The Peace House Secondary School provides a home and education for AIDS orphans living in Tanzania.  I will be providing some entertainment with a solo performance from 10 to 11, although the party will begin at 8:30 and will last into the wee hours.  There is a minimum ten dollar donation at the door, and you may want to arrive early as a big crowd is expected.  Check out the details here. 

Dec 23rd Holiday Show at the 400 Bar.  In what has become an annual tradition, we will be donning some Xmas attire and taking the stage at the 400 Bar to rock you into Holiday shape.  Doors open at 8pm.  The silky harmonies of Invisible 2 Women will kick things off at 9, followed by the comedy team of Matt Houchin and Ross McNamara, aka “The Bloomington Bros.” (www.bloomingtonbros.com).  We will finish out the night with a festive extended set that will get you on that dance floor and keep you there til the music stops.  Be there!    

Finally, remember that a Consolation Champ CD makes a great stocking stuffer.  Really, it does.

11/19/08:

Opening for Ben Sollee

Last night, Chris and I had the privilege of opening for Ben Sollee at the 400 Bar.  He played solo and most of the songs were just him and a cello...and it rocked!  We were honored to be part of such a memorable night, and you should check out his stuff if you haven't already.  

Here is a link to one of his songs that features My Morning Jacket’s Jim James on backing vocals:  http://dodge77.com/prequels/BS-OAS.mp3
Here’s a YouTube clip:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5fd9Z7zJVg&feature=related

www.bensollee.com

That's all for now,
JR

10/31/08:

Get with the Progrum

This afternoon, a new Consolation Champ song called "Get with the Progrum" was played during The Common Man Progrum, a popular Twin Cities radio show from noon to 2pm on AM 1130 KFAN.  CC is a big fan of the show and was honored to hear it played across the airwaves. 

To hear the segment where the song was played, go here and click the "Listen" button beneath the segment titled "10/31 – Football & Politics."  FYI…it is an hour-long segment, and they don't start talking about the song until about halfway to two-thirds of the way through the hour, so you will want to fast forward.  Also note that the song probably won't make much sense if you have never listened to the Common Man Progrum before. 

To hear just the song itself, you can stream it from the Common Man's website, as well as on our MySpace and Facebook Pages.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!

10/13/08:

C. Champ fall update

Hope this finds you well.  It’s been a while since the last Consolation Champ update, and there are some exciting things on the horizon, such as… 

October 24th Minneapolis Show.  Our first full-band show in a while happens Friday, October 24th at the good ole 400 Bar in Mpls!  Consolation Champ will be joined by local favorites Joey Ryan & the Inks, Beau Kinstler and Martin Devaney.  Should rock…times and info are as follows:

doors open at 8pm
Joey Ryan & the Inks - 9pm
Consolation Champ - 10pm
Beau Kinstler - 11pm
Martin Devaney - 12am
tickets $8, 18 plus

New record, spring tour.  We’re going to start recording our next album later this month.  It will be an exciting process and a learning experience as always.  Not exactly sure which songs will make the cut, what we’ll call it, or when it will be released.  That of course is the fun part, and we’ll keep you posted along the way.  Also, you can expect another Spring Solo Tour in March and April, this time to the East Coast!  A reminder that city and/or venue recommendations are always appreciated.       

Hope to see you at the show later this month! 

7/19/08:

Cold Feet

Four songs from CC's debut album "The Invitational" are featured in Cold Feet, an independent film by Ross McNamara and Ryan Jones.  We attended the premier screening of the film at the Riverview Theater and had a great time.  The four songs used were "Wonderful Unknown," "Checkout Girl," "Tomorrow's the Start," and "Texas."

For more information on Cold Feet, check out www.coldfeet-themovie.com.

3/24/08:

Buy "Lobos Pattern" Online

Greetings from Texas!  You can now buy our new EP online right here at CDBaby.com, and it will be shipped to you in a couple days.

The spring solo tour has been going great so far, and I am excited to head further west for the final two-thirds of the journey.  See tour blog for the latest and spread the word about upcoming shows!

3/7/08:

EP Release Party Tonight!

Our new EP "Lobos Pattern" comes out tonight, and we're ready to rock.  Here is what City Pages has to say in this week's A-List section. 

Mar 7 2008 9:00P              The 400 Bar - CD RELEASE!!! Minneapolis, Minnesota

**SPRING TOUR 2008 – ALL DATES JOHN SOLO ACOUSTIC**

Mar 14 2008 9:00P            A.K. O’Connor’s Des Moines, Iowa

Mar 15 2008 8:00P            Platte Valley Brewery Kearney, Nebraska

Mar 16 2008 7:00P            Meadowlark Lincoln, Nebraska

Mar 19 2008 8:00P            Opening Bell Dallas, Texas

Mar 20 2008 8:00P            Mojo Risin’ Houston, Texas

Mar 22 2008 8:00P            Irie Bean Austin, Texas

Mar 25 2008 6:30P            Taos Inn Taos, New Mexico

Mar 26 2008 12:00P          College of Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico

Mar 26 2008 8:00P            The Cowgirl Santa Fe, New Mexico

Mar 28 2008 8:00P            Mama Java’s Phoenix, Arizona

Mar 29 2008 7:00P            Welcome Cafe Redondo Beach, California

Apr 3 2008 7:00P              Nobrow Salt Lake City, Utah

Apr 4 2008 7:00P              Synergy Cafe Cheyenne, Wyoming

Apr 5 2008 9:00P              Highland Pacific Denver, Colorado

Apr 7 2008 11:00A            Wichita State University Wichita, Kansas

2/11/08:

EP Release and Tour

Mark your calendars…

Friday March 7th
Consolation Champ CD Release Party
@ The 400 Bar
400 Cedar Ave in Minneapolis
doors at 8, music at 9
18+, Tickets $5 in advance (buy tix here), $8 day of show
With special guests: Joey Ryan, The Builders & the Butchers (from Portland, OR)

Yes indeed, we are celebrating the release of our new CD “Lobos Pattern,” which will be available for the first time at this show for just 5 bones!  It’s an 18+ show with some outstanding special guests, so spread the word and get your tickets now! 

The release show launches a month-long acoustic tour of the Western USA.  Check out the new tour dates now posted on the shows page.

1/8/08:

Happy 2008

As we prepare for our first gig of 2008, a belated thank you to everyone for a 2007 to remember.  The energy at our Dec 28th 400 Bar show put the perfect cap on a year that included over 130 shows in 14 states.  From the Acadia to Zorbaz, from the Windy City to Breezy Point, from the Big Apple to the Minne-Apple, from the South-by-Southwest Conference to South Dakota, from the Metrodome to Midway, from Target Center to the Student Center, from bonfires to melted Honda CRV’s, and from across America to the American Legion, it has ALL been worth it and it wouldn’t have been possible without all of your support.  THANK YOU and we look forward to bringing you a 2008 filled with new music and new memories…….and it all starts this Saturday at the Fine Line as we share the stage with Adam Levy's (of the Honeydogs) all-star coverband Hookers and Blow.  See the shows page for details...

11/15/07:

The new EP, the new member

Ooooowheeeee!  Well first things first: we got our first Twin Cities show in a long while tonight at the Uptown Bar.  'Tis a free, 21+ show, with music beginning at 9 and CC taking the stage a little after 10.  Be there! 

Also, I am proud to announce a new addition to the Consolation Champ squad....Chris Mitchell on lead guitar!!!  As you know, Chris and I did some touring last month, and he'll be in the permanent fold now that he's made the worm-like journey back home from Big Apple to Minneapple.  In fact, Chris and I are putting the finishing touches on a five-song EP that sort of chronicles that October excursion to the mountains.  Here is the track list for what we're tentatively calling "The Lobos Pattern EP:"

1.  Lobos Pattern
2.  Den (It's the Same)
3.  Young Michael
4.  FC Carolin
5.  12-0 Run   

These tunes will most likely be released in Feb or March, and stay tuned to our MySpace page for previews in the near near future!

10/16/07:

New Tour Blog posted here. 

10/11/07:

Fall Tour 2007

The time has come to take a leave once again and hit the interstate pavement.  This tour toward the Rocky Mountains will be duo acoustic featuring myself and Chris Mitchell.  16 shows in 17 days and we couldn't be more psyched!  Here are the dates (go to the shows page for the details):

11-Oct-07         Minneapolis, MN           "Studio 77" (77 13th Ave NE)

14-Oct-07         Lincoln, NE                   Meadowlark Cafe

15-Oct-07         Kearney, NE                 Platte Valley Brewery

16-Oct-07         Kearney, NE                 The Roman

17-Oct-07         Golden, CO                  Buffalo Rose

18-Oct-07         Denver, CO                  Larimer Lounge

19-Oct-07         Denver, CO                  Highland Pacific

22-Oct-07         Boulder, CO                  University of Colorado

23-Oct-07         Santa Fe, NM               College of Santa Fe (noon)

23-Oct-07         Albuquerque, NM          Brickyard Pizza (9pm)

24-Oct-07         Albuquerque, NM          University of New Mexico (noon)

25-Oct-07         Santa Fe, NM               El Paseo

26-Oct-07         Santa Fe, NM               Cowgirl Hall of Fame

28-Oct-07         Wichita, KS                  Kirby's Beer Store

29-Oct-07         Wichita, KS                  Wichita State University (11:00am)

29-Oct-07         Lawrence, KS               The Bottleneck (10pm)

30-Oct-07         Omaha, NE                   Mick's        

We will do our best to keep an updated tour blog this time around, which you can read here.  Big thanks in advance for spreading the word to your fams and friends in those cities.  Adios mis amigos!

JR 

8/8/07:

Back home in the Cities for a few
That’s right, after a summer spent primarily in the North Woods, Consolation Champ returns to Minneapolis for an intimate acoustic show this Friday at the Acadia Theater on Franklin and Nicollet! Show is 18+ with a $5 cover, and we play third (around 10).

Check out the Acadia’s website www.acadiacafe.com for more info and we’ll see you there. Also…..

- Check us out this coming Monday at the Lake Harriet Band shell from 7:30 til about 9:15. It’s a free show at a gorgeous setting, so be sure to adjust your daily jogging/biking/blading path accordingly.
- We’ll be back up north at Zorbaz this Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we play two sets beginning at 5pm, and Sunday we start at 1.
- Big show coming up at the Fine Line on Friday August 31 with the Exchange and Watson. Mark the calendar and contact us about free tickets.
- Fall tour dates coming soon, including Sept 27 in New York City and an October trip toward the Rockies!

As always, get the latest at www.consolationchamp.com and www.myspace.com/consolationchamp. 

Be well,
C. Champ

5/12/07:

East Coast Tour
Consolation Champ is on the road in the eastern US this May.  See the shows page for details:

5.13.07  Baltimore, MD - Waterfront Hotel (solo - SNAFU series) 

5.14.07  Frederick, MD - Brewer's Alley Upstairs (solo - Songwriter's Showcase) 

5.16.07  Brooklyn, NY - Goodbye Blue Monday (duo acoustic) 

5.17.07  New York, NY - Red Lion Pub (duo acoustic) 

5.19.07  Boston, MA - Sweetwater Café (duo acoustic)


3/29/07:

This Saturday at the Cabooze
Just around the time the Final Four tips off, your favorite underdogs Consolation Champ will begin a competition of their own as part of the Cosmic Break Tour at the Cabooze in Minneapolis. We will be battling several other bands for the opportunity to play at the 10,000 Lakes Festival this summer in Detroit Lakes, MN. Acts already confirmed for the festival are Trey Anastasio (of Phish), Derek Trucks, Keller Williams and many others. The winner of this battle of the bands is determined by crowd voting, so come on down and cheer us on if you’re in the area. We’ll play a 40-minute set starting at 5. For you hoops fans, there’s no need to worry…the game should be on at the Cabooze and we’ll most likely be heading over to a nearby establishment afterward. The show is 18+ with a $6 cover.

Check out some photos from the March solo tour here.

New tour dates have been added to the shows page, including a May tour of the East Coast!

3/7/07:

March Tour Dates
Consolation Champ is currently touring the U States of A.  The non-Minnesota dates are John Richards solo shows, and the tour finale will be a full-band rock fest at the Cabooze in Minneapolis, with a spot in this summer's 10,000 Lakes Festival at stake!

Here again are the dates...check the shows page for details:

3.02.07 Minneapolis, MN - The Fine Line

3.03.07 Duluth, MN - Beaner's Central

3.06.07 Omaha, NE - Mick's (solo)

3.07.07 Lincoln, NE - Meadowlark Cafe (solo)

3.09.07 Topeka, KS - Washburn University (solo - noon show)

3.09.07 Topeka, KS - Lazio's (solo, evening show)

3.10.07 Lenexa, KS - Black Dog Cafe (solo)

3.11.07 Wichita, KS - Kirby's Beer Store (solo)

3.12.07 Wichita, KS - Wichita State University (solo, noon show)

3.13.07 Dallas, TX - Absinthe Lounge (solo)

3.14.07 Austin, TX - SXSW music conference Mar 14-18

3.19.07 Fort Worth, TX - Moon Bar (solo)

3.20.07 Little Rock, AR - Grumpy's (solo)

3.21.07 Arkadelphia, AR - Thrio's (solo) - CANCELLED (VENUE CLOSED)

3.22.07 St. Louis, MO - Pop's Blue Moon (solo)

3.23.07 Kirksville, MO - Washington Street Java Co. (solo)

3.24.07 Chicago, IL - Lilly's Bar (solo)

3.25.07 Chicago, IL - Rockit (solo brunch show)

3.31.07 Minneapolis, MN - The Cabooze (full band, 10K Lakes Cosmic Break Tour) 

3/2/07:

UPDATE to Fine Line show March 2nd
Quick update on Tonight’s Fine Line show.  Tonight’s headliner, The Nadas, are unable to make it up from Des Moines due to the highways being closed.  Therefore, CC is now the headliner, tickets are now just $5, and we will take the stage from about 10:45 til whenever the party stops!  Here is what the bill now looks like:

Doors 8pm
Charlz Newman plays from 9-10:30
CC plays at 10:45
21+, $5 cover  
Free tickets still valid

Thanks and see yous there!
C. Champ

2/23/07:

Get Free tickets for the Fine Line March 2nd
Consolation Champ returns to the Fine Line on Friday March 2nd to play with midwest favorite the Nadas.  There are a limited number of free tickets available for this show, so email John if you're interested.  This show will double as Matt's "non-birthday" Party (his Feb 29 birthday is skipped again this year) and promises to be a whale of a time.  Check out www.finelinemusic.com for more info and we'll see you there!

2/13/07:

Shake a leg for a great cause!
This Thursday Feb 15th, Consolation Champ will be playing a benefit show at Harvey's in downtown Minneapolis.  All proceeds from this full-band rock show/dance fest will benefit the Susan Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.  Find all the information on our shows page, and please visit www.komen.org for more info about the cause. 

1/30/07:

Spring Tour Dates added
Consolation Champ hits the road in March traveling down Interstate 35 to the big ol' state of Texas!  Dates are primarily solo acoustic and can be found on the shows page.  There's also an east coast tour coming this May.  Come on down to the Buffalo Tap this Friday Feb 2nd and I'll tell you all about it! 

1/16/07:

Acadia show this Friday January 19
Well, 2007 is off to a great start thanks to some stellar shows at the Fine Line and the 318.  Thanks to Chris and Mike Mitchell for contributing to the onstage rock and for keeping your older brother from spiraling out of control.

Another stellar 2007 Consolation Champ show goes down this Friday January 19th at the Acadia Cafe and Theater in Minneapolis.  It's a full band gig with our friends Watson kicking things off at 9 before we take the stage around 10 to be followed by Mike Mitchell's Northern Roots after that.  The show is ALL AGES and there's a $5 cover.  Remember to check the Acadia's outstanding beer/wine list and menu right here.  You'll also find directions (Acadia is located less than a mile from downtown MPLS on Franklin and Nicollet.  Hope to see you there!   

Also, keep checking the shows page for all the upcoming fun, including a return trip to Wisconsin and Chicago at the end of this month, as well as a full midwest tour in March!  You can also find the latest on our MySpace page.

12/11/06:

Coming Dec 22nd: It's the Annual Holiday Show!!
Time to gear up for the 5th Annual Consolation Champ Holiday Show, which takes place at the 400 Bar on Friday Dec 22nd.  We are ready to rock a room that’ll surely be filled with yule tide sweaters and cheer.  As the Old Style Tallboys flow like eggnog, we’ll be playing all of your favorite Champ tunes and sharing stories of seasons past.  For those who have yet to experience the annual holiday show, you can also expect some special guest appearances and choice covers to help ring in the most wonderful time of the year.  In fact, here is a video preview to get you in the mood.

For info on all upcoming shows, including New Year's Eve at the Fine Line, go to the Shows page.

10/23/06:

"The Invitational" on i-tunes
Consolation Champ's debut album can now be found on i-tunes.  Check out the music page for more info.

10/11/06:

New pics added

Check out the pics page for new snapshots including a few from the summer, the CD release last month, and our performance at the Big Event with Mason Jennings, Haley Bonar, the Alarmists and the Exchange.  What a weekend it was.


10/3/06:

Off and running
The record is released and tour has begun!  Thanks again to all who came out to the CD release party at the Fine Line.  Keep checking the shows page for tour dates, including two big shows this weekend at the 400 Bar Friday and opening for Mason Jennings, Haley Bonar and company this Saturday at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls. 

Consolation Champ's eight song debut, "The Invitational," is in stores now and also online at CDBaby and i-tunes.  Go to the music page for details and to find out where to request songs on the radio.

8/21/06:

Take a bite of the new record
Three tunes from our upcoming album are now up on our MySpace page for you to hear and possibly enjoy.