The Deacon | Official Website

I picked up the guitar as a beginner in my early 50s. A couple of years later, I am playing the music that moved me as a kid. I am no virtuoso, but I enjoy it just the same.

This project—this website, the videos, social media, and playing on the street—is my way of capturing the journey and recording progress.

—The Deacon

Summer/Fall Bench Sessions – 2026

Delta-inspired blues, gospel-infused slide guitar

The Bench Sessions are a series of informal solo blues performances, mostly from a bench in Milwaukee’s Third Ward, with occasional stops elsewhere.

With an acoustic guitar, a slide, a foot stomp, and a handful of old blues songs, I’m using the sessions to get better in public, learn how to hold a set, and bring a little raw, porch-style blues to the street.

No stage. No tip jar. No big production. Just songs, practice, and whoever happens to walk by.

Free stickers for the faithful

Upcoming

August

Thursday, August 13, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward
Friday, August 14, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward
Thursday, August 20, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward
Friday, August 21, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward
Thursday, August 27, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward
Friday, August 28, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

September

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward
Thursday, September 10, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward
Friday, September 11, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward
Thursday, September 17, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward
Friday, September 18, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward
Thursday, September 24, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward
Friday, September 25, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

October

Thursday, October 1, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

Friday, October 2, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

Thursday, October 8, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

Friday, October 9, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

Thursday, October 15, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

Friday, October 16, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

Thursday, October 22, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

Friday, October 23, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

Thursday, October 29, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

Friday, October 30, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

Past Sessions

Thursday, August 6, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

Thursday’s bench session took me to a few spots around Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, including Catalano Square, where the Third Ward Moon Festival is happening this weekend. It was cool to play near Museum of the Moon, Luke Jerram’s installation suspended above the fountain. Still working on new songs and hoping to have a proper set ready before long. The Deacon

5 hours ago

August, 2026 — Practice Session

Just practicing some fingerpicking on my acoustic guitar while looking out the hotel window in Juneau, Alaska. Right after I ended the video, I saw a bear strolling down Main Street. The Deacon

6 days ago

Friday, July 31, 2026 — Juneau, AK — Bench

Took the Bench Sessions on the road this week—to Juneau, Alaska. I found a spot on the docks and played for folks heading back to their cruise ships. It was a perfect evening. The Deacon

7 days ago

Friday, July 24, 2026 — Minocqua, WI — Bench, Downtown

A Northwoods Bench Session. Played a little blues beneath the pines in Minocqua, near the trestle and the Thirsty Whale. A perfect northern Wisconsin afternoon. The Bench Sessions continue. The Deacon

Jul 24

Friday, July 17, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

I changed things up a bit today. The acoustic stayed home, and the electric came out, along with a little amp. Same old blues, but with a little more guts. I played my best for a few folks enjoying the cooler Milwaukee weather. A good day on the bench. The Deacon

Jul 17

Thursday, July 16, 2026 — Madison, WI — Bench, Capitol Square

Today’s Bench Session took me to the Capitol in Madison. Plenty of smiles, thumbs-ups, and encouragement from a very forgiving audience. Back on the bench in Milwaukee tomorrow. The Deacon

Jul 16

Thursday, July 9 and Friday, July 10, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

Two decent bench sessions this week, and it was a hot one out on the burner. I’m working on the Son House classic “Death Letter Blues.” As the title suggests, it tells the story of a man learning that the woman he loved has died. The notes are simple enough, but getting the feel right is another matter. I’m not there yet. More time needed on the bench. The Deacon

Jul 9

Friday, July 3, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

I had a short session on the bench today before a storm rolled in. There was a nice crowd in the Third Ward, with people eating and drinking before heading to Summerfest. I’m working on the blues classic “Dust My Broom.” Robert Johnson recorded his version in 1936, and Elmore James later turned it into an electric slide-blues standard in 1951. The Deacon -- The Deacon

Jul 3

Thursday, July 2, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

A decent bench session today, and it was a hot one out on the burner. I’m working on the Son House classic “Death Letter Blues.” As the title suggests, it tells the story of a man learning that the woman he loved has died. The notes are simple enough, but getting the feel right is another matter. I’m not there yet. More time needed on the bench. The Deacon

Jul 2

Friday, June 26, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

Good bench session today in a busy Third Ward. I’ve been “woodshedding” the Son House classic “Death Letter Blues,” and I was happy to play it for a few office workers on their smoke break. I hope they liked it! The Deacon

Jun 26

Thursday, June 25, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

I was back on the bench today, working on some new material. The Third Ward was buzzing with people headed to Summerfest, but I didn't have much interaction. It was just fun to blend into the scene. I'll be back tomorrow. The Deacon

Jun 25

Friday, June 12, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

I made it through the entire set, got a few thumbs up, and met some good people. The highlight came from Liam, who was visiting from Minneapolis. He stopped for a while, listened, and then handed me this sketch. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon on a bench in the Third Ward. See you next week. The Deacon

Jun 12

Thursday, June 11, 2026 — Milwaukee, WI — Bench, Third Ward

First Bench Session is in the books. I did not make it through the full set before the rain came, but I got out there, played for a while, and learned a few things. That feels like a good enough start. The Deacon

Jun 11

May 29, 2026 — Practice Session

A little finger-picking and slide on the strat.

May 29

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Deacon@ItsTheDeacon.com