The winner of the new Storyteller Series Song Contest is… Micki Selvitella!

Micki’s submission of a 100-word story inspired me to write a new song in 36 hours, “Pillar of Stone.”

A demo of the new song will be sent out to the fan list in the next few days.

Micki’s story was a true story of her Native American friend, the deer he struck while driving, the Native American cop who came to put it down, and the tears they shared. It sparked my memories of all I learned about Native American history in the Columbia Gorge, during my years working for Gorge protection.

The resultant song is something I wouldn’t have come up with on my own.

Next Storyteller Song Contest: week of June 4! Sign up on the fan list at right to be a part of it.

Wanna know the rules?

My new Storyteller Series at McMenamins Edgefield kicks off Saturday, May 12. I’ll play and host a different featured songwriter every second Saturday of the month. This month my special guest is Americana songwriter Brad Creel.

What better way to kick off a new series than with a fan contest?

Storyteller Contest!

Here’s how it works:

- Tell me a story. Anything you want, true or made-up. Email it in 100 words or less to justin@justinjude.com.

- In the next 36 hours, I choose a story and write a new song about it.

- I perform it at the kick-off show Saturday, May 12 at Edgefield

- If I select your story, you get a signed copy of the new album and one of these.

Have at it! Send me your melodrama, your memes, your marvelous metre. Looking forward to reading them.

Here’s the show details. See you Saturday night.

Check out these behind the scenes images that spawned the new single “Bleed”.

Photos by Brent Rogers.

The reviews are in and they’re great.

Check out the love laid on 5 Kinds of Rain by Portland Monthly and Willamette Week:

“Amid guitar-toting, self-promoting singer-songwriters, PDX local and KINK-FM favorite Justin Jude distinguishes himself by laying low, with earnest, modest prose, elegantly simple arrangements, and a sentimental voice that transcends schmaltz while giving due deference to universal emotions. He celebrates the Oregon experience in his third album, aptly titled 5 Kinds Of Rain.” – Portland Monthly

““Justin Jude stays on the right side of the line on his new EP 5 Kinds of Rain — he reminds me a touch of Paul Simon and a little of Rufus Wainwright.” - Casey Jarman, Willamette Week

Take a listen here!

The West Coast Tour is underway. I’m currently on tour in CA to support the release of 5 Kinds of Rain. Had a great visit in San Fran this week, playing one of the best open mic’s in town hosted by KC Turner, and also enjoyed a great session with a prominent Bay Area songwriter.

On Friday, March 16 I play Room 5 in LA. Join me if you’re in the area – Room 5 is a swanky little upstairs bar with a cool vibe.

Then back to PDX for a little downtime before heading north to Seattle, Tacoma, Bellingham (?) in April.

POSTS FROM THE ROAD

Want to keep up with the hijinx and tomfoolery on my travels? Check out my video posts from the road! Enhanced by assorted headwear and rain gear.

Missed the CD release? I’ll soon have video clips available — AND you can soon watch the entire show online for $5. More soon.

Here’s my favorite photo from the SF trip. Only in the Whole Foods in Haight-Ashbury. Really? Really.

Feels like rain.

My new EP “5 Kinds of Rain” is now available at CDBaby and iTunes. Buy or download for only $4.99.

This stripped-down, acoustic album features five intimate songs, crafted with little more than my voice and a guitar. “5 Kinds of Rain” is already getting great response:

 “Justin Jude is a gorgeous songwriter, full of sincerity and soul. His intricate arrangements are full of space and texture, and his melodies gently pull on my head and heart. 5 Kinds of Rain is awesome!”
– Stephanie Schneiderman, award-winning singer-songwriter

“Justin Jude returns with a jewel-like EP. These are multi-faceted, exquisite songs – the album opener is devastatingly gorgeous. Jude excavates both the bitter and the sweet from his deep inner mine and holds up these precious nuggets for our inspection and delight.”
- Lisa Lepine, Music Industry Consultant

Buy “5 Kinds of Rain” today for only $4.99.

CD RELEASE March 10!

Join us for the Official Stringtastic Motherstrumming Roof-on-Fire CD release concert on March 10 at Jimmy Maks!

I’ll be joined by string trio The Violin Femmes, and we’ll share the night with piano-pop phenom Jake Oken-Berg.

Reserve your CD release tickets here.

I’m excited to share this new music with all of you. Thanks for your support!

Award-winning singer-songwriter Justin Jude releases his new EP 5 Kinds of Rain on March 10 at Jimmy Maks!

This major CD release event features Justin’s string trio The Violin Femmes. Justin shares the night with piano-pop phenom Jake Oken-Berg.

Reserve your CD release tickets here.

The new stripped-down 5 Kinds of Rain, released February 2, is already getting strong response:

 “Justin Jude is a gorgeous songwriter, full of sincerity and soul. His intricate arrangements are full of space and texture, and his melodies gently pull on my head and heart. 5 Kinds of Rain is awesome!”
– Stephanie Schneiderman, award-winning singer-songwriter

“Justin Jude returns with a jewel-like EP. These are multi-faceted, exquisite songs – the album opener is devastatingly gorgeous. Jude excavates both the bitter and the sweet from his deep inner mine and holds up these precious nuggets for our inspection and delight.”
- Lisa Lepine, Music Industry Consultant

This intimate acoustic album features five intimate songs, crafted with little more than Justin’s voice and a guitar.

Listen and buy at CDBaby or iTunes for only $5!

Find Justin online: www.justinjude.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/justinjudemusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/justinjude

It’s a date! Well, two dates actually.

February 2, 2012 is the online release of Justin’s new EP,  5 Kinds of Rain.  Look for it on CDBaby and iTunes.

Then join Justin on March 10, 2012 at Jimmy Mak’s in Portland OR. Justin shares the night with piano-pop powerhouse Jake Oken-Berg. Tickets are $12. Contact Jimmy Mak’s to reserve tickets.

The show starts at 8 PM and is ALL AGES until 9 PM. Jimmy Mak’s opens for dinner at 5 PM – reserve a table and stay for the show!

Pick up your copy of the new EP, 5 Kinds of Rain, at the show. It’s already getting great pre-release reviews.

See you there!