Me and Mary are smiling. (There’s a lot going on this week)

My new music, “Smile in a Basket”, is a message of compassion. We worked with Grammy Award winning producer, Mary Wharton, who was produced and directed by me and Ruthie Wharton. I contributed this tune and 16 others to Mary’s upcoming documentary, “Jimmy Carter Rock and Roll President”, garnering musical score credit. The movie is about to hit the film fest circuit and has found some verrrrry prestigious places to land. It’s an amazing film, actually a rockumentary, with interviews and performances from a who’s who of the musical landscape. 

I think you’ll really dig this video of “Smile in a Basket”.   We will have a live premiere on my YouTube channel on Thursday, June 11, at 8 pm. Subscribe here and we’ll send out a reminder 30 minutes before it airs, so we can all watch it together. The video is dedicated to all the health care and essential workers who have shouldered the load for the rest of us. Share it with your friends.

Big thanks to all who joined me:
Produced, directed, and edited by Mary Wharton
Camera/producer: Ruthie and Bill Wharton
Words, Music, Vocal and Guitar by Bill Wharton
String arrangement by David Davidson
Violin: David Davidson
Viola: Kristin Wilkinson
Bass: Byron House
Photos/movie clips: Mary Wharton, Kelly Durrant, Jennifer Garrett, Danny and Kelly Goddard, Bill Wharton, Damon Fowler, Naeam Wilkerson

The response to my Facebook Live concerts has been really great. Thanks to all who watched and contributed. This is REALLY helping me stay afloat during these _________________(you pick a word) times. Please join me on June 14 for a special edition of Sauce Boss Live on my Sauce Boss Facebook page. Come on down at 7:45 PM.  Concert starts at 8:00 pm. I’ll be singing my new tune and makin gumbo. 

Fasolakia (Greek Style Beans)

These are good times to concentrate on your health. I have been feeling better now that I’m cooking so much. Here’s a couple of recipes that I just made, to get my vegetables.

Made with beans and tomatoes, fresh picked. Onions, potatoes, garlic, lemon and dill. Saute onions and garlic. Add tomatoes, a little Liquid Summer hot sauce, and cook em down just a little, then add broth, potatoes, beans. Cover and cook on low. Add lemon juice and fresh dill. This is the real healthy version. I saute the onion and garlic in broth. If you want a little more grease, use olive oil for the saute, then splash a little more when you add the juice and dill. 

So I had these leftovers. Asparagus, collards, and the beans.  Scraped together a salad of lettuce, onions and cukes; grated carrots and threw some mung sprouts in there, added a quank of bread-and-butter squash pickles, put the cold veggies on hot steaming brown rice, and I had the beginnings of a great meal. You know what they say, “It’s all in the sauce.” Gochujang sauce. The red sauce in Korean food. I use the Korean pepper, but you can substitute cayenne and paprika for this recipe.

2 Tbsp light miso
1 Tbsp ground red pepper
1 Tbsp paprika
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
2 Tbsp Liquid Summer Hot Sauce
4 cloves minced garlic
Water to thin it out

Eat up with flavor, it makes the leftovers jump and shout! This sauce livens up a lot of dishes. Let some little cubes of cucumber or steamed brussel sprouts sit in some of this stuff overnight. Yummm!

EAT YER VEGETABLES, DAMMIT!!!!!

WhartonShop  is now on Etsy

Sauce Boss merch and memorabilia, (some great old festival shirts. If you’d like anything autographed, just let us know ). Also vintage personal items, clothing and whatnot for your browsing pleasure. We’ve been selling a bunch of Ruthie’s childhood board games. So if you’re “board”…just sayin, stop in and check it out.

Tips:
Who woulda thought that I would have to spend most of this year at home? I really appreciate all y’all’s generosity! I look forward to seeing y’all again on the road, and sharing my gumbo with you.  Here’s a link to my “Tip Jar” page.