Interview with StageIt Artist Gayle Skidmore

 CB: Are you a coffee or tea kinda girl?

Gayle: Tea! When I lived in England I would drink like 5-8 cups of tea per day just to stay warm. I also worked in a Victorian tea house in LA for a year. My family even makes their own tea. I'm a big fan of companies that participate in Direct Trade and are conscientious about the products they offer.

CB: When did you first discover The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?

Gayle: I discovered the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf when a friend whom I hadn't seen in years invited me out for tea to catch up. We talked for hours and hours and had some kind of cherry tea, which was amazing. The one closest to where I live has a really nice patio that gets all of the best sunny hours.

CB: What is your favorite drink?

Gayle: I'm pretty fickle about favorites because I like to try new things, but besides tea, I've always liked vanilla lattes.

CB: If you could create a new drink, what would the ultimate main ingredient be?

Gayle: Hmm... the ultimate ingredient... I feel like that's something I'd have to go on some kind of harrowing journey to find. I think some kind of rich chocolatey drink with cayenne pepper would be amazing.

CB: Create your best tagline using "Stageit" and "The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf".

Gayle: Stageit at the Coffee Bean-- Come drink brown, flavored water and fill your ear canals with sounds! (Don't worry, I'm going to stick to songwriting!)

September 19 - Gayle Skidmore -- 7pm
2081 Hillhurst Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
http://www.stageit.com/gayle_skidmore/gayle_skidmore_live_from_the_coffee_bean/4446Artist info:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gayle-Skidmore/15510309150
https://twitter.com/#!/gayleskidmore

StageIt Stands Up to Cancer

From the StageIt crew posted on https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=257763204248920

Come join us all day on August 30th as Stageit Stands Up To Cancer! Look for the green and pink ribbon show in the picture to see the artists that are participating!

Watch some of your favorite Stageit artists:

Rachel Platten
Jenny Owen Youngs w/ Everyone Is Gay
Don Schlitz
Stacy Clark
Jeremy McComb
Jenna Bryson
Larry Bagby
Evan Lowenstein
Eric Himan
Luca Longobordi
Louis Grassi
Noah Guthrie
Frank Palangi
Mike Pearce
Mike Vavrek
Celeste
Brian Hagene
Jack & Diane
David Martinez
And many more!!!

We're hosting the Stageit Stands Up To Cancer benefit night in honor of one of our coworker's mother just passing away from her fight with lung cancer.

Below is a message from Laura McDonald, a Stageit employee:

As you may or may not know, on July 2nd I lost my mom to lung cancer. She was my hero, my best friend, and my #1 fan. She fought an incredibly hard battle, and for one year after she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, she got to live an almost normal life. Through lung cancer research, they developed a drug called Tarceva, which was a chemo pill that my mom took daily to shrink and maintain her cancer. She was able to drive, travel, live, and take care of everyone in her life, especially her grandchildren and also, well, me. My mom was adamant about donating to cancer research, and encouraged others to do the same, as that’s where she felt that our money had the most direct effect.

To honor my mom, and everyone else who has been affected by cancer of any kind, we are hosting a Stageit Stands Up To Cancer night on Tuesday, August 30th. We are inviting artists to play a show, whether it’s one song or ten, from wherever they are, whenever they can, to help raise awareness and funds for lung cancer research. I would be honored if you would participate. Proceeds from the show will be donated to the Lung Cancer Colorado Fund in my mom, Debbie McDonald’s, name.

We all have been affected in some way by cancer. We all can make a difference. Thank you for lending your talents to this important cause close to my heart. It means everything to me.

With love,
Laura

====================================

If you are an artist who would like to participate in this event, please feel free to contact artists@stageit.com!

The Coffee Bean Newbie - Chris Kirby Performs LIVE!

He's a witty, spitey, pasty white kid from the woods whose style is simply addictive. With his new record, entitled Vampire Hotel, Chris Kirby gets down to business playing funky piano, saucy guitar, and singing as if the fate of his own mother hangs on every word.

After a quick interview with Chris before his StageIt performance tonight, we came to find out, he's also a Newbie!

CB: Coffee or Tea?

Chris: Coffee! Unless I have a cold... then it's tea with honey in it.

CB: When did you first discover The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?

Chris: I'm about to make my first trip to LA, and thus have my very first Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf experience! I discovered The Coffee Bean through my friends at Stageit.com.

CB: What is your favorite drink from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?

Chris: Since I'm about to have my first experience, I'll have to get back to you on this! I will make it a point to try as many drinks as I can!

CB: If you could create a new drink, what would the ultimate main ingredient be?

Chris: The main ingredient in my drink would be Screech - that's a famous dark rum from my home in Newfoundland. In cocktails, deserts or hot beverages, Screech is the tastiest ingredient I know of!

CB: Create your best tagline using "Stageit" and "The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf"

Chris: Wake up your soul with Stageit and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf!

August 25 - Chris Kirby -- 7pm

445 N. Beverly Drive

Beverly Hills CA, 90210

http://www.stageit.com/chris_kirby/chris_kirby_live_from_the_coffee_bean/4039

Artist info:

https://www.facebook.com/chriskirbyandthemarquee

http://twitter.com/#!/chrisfnkirby

Ryan Calhoun LIVE at The Coffee Bean®

We love Ryan Calhoun and we were so excited to see him perform live at our Los Feliz location on Hillhurst Ave. It was a beautiful Tuesday evening, sunny with clear skies, just got out of work and headed straight down Sunset to see the show.

When we arrived, the StageIt crew was setting up and Ryan Calhoun sat strumming a few tunes for his sound check. Dallas and Asher completed the musical trio which was a pleasant surprise as we had only expected a solo performance. The patio at this location was the perfect setting for a hot cup of tea or coffee with Ryan singing his heart out to the crowd and the computer.

The StageIt Concert Series has made our summer in LA pretty exciting and we hope you’ve had the chance to come out to at least one performance or stream it in real time on your computer.

All of the artists that StageIt books for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® series are truly talented and Ryan proved to be no exception. The best part about this concert series is that ANYONE can join us and stream the performance live through StageIt.com so it was really cool to see everyone chatting online about how gorgeous and of course talented Ryan was, we thought so too!

So what did you think of Ryan Calhoun? Should we invite him back to play for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®?

http://ryancalhounmusic.com/

If you missed our interview with Ryan last week, check it out below. You can stay on top of our Concert Series schedule on Facebook.com/thecoffeebean or at Stageit.com/theCoffeeBean.

Ashley Arrison fell in love at The Coffee Bean, we just fell in love with Ashley Arrison!

Ashley Arrison will be performing LIVE in-store and online at Stageit.com as part of our Summer Concert Series. If you can make it to Encino, CA tonight please stop by and you will receive 10% off of your beverage during the show. If you can't make it, brew a cup of coffee or tea and join us online through Stageit.

Who is Ashley Arrison?

Arrison’s childhood experiences set the compass for her musical passions. From performing as an orphan in a professional theatre production of the musical “Annie,” to singing along side Justin Timberlake as a duet partner for three years, to being a finalist on “The Mickey Mouse Club,” (among the names pop culture now knows so well), Arrison’s musical destiny was also framed by the rich and diverse musical heritage that existed in her childhood homes of Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee.

She has worked closely with composer Jon Brion, as well as toured as country star Radney Foster’s background vocalist for many years. She is an established studio singer who has sung on albums for artists ranging from Badly Drawn Boy to Lindsay Lohan. The first single from her CD "Hearts On Parade", “Trying To Help You Out,” was co-written with Kelly Clarkson, who also lends backing vocals to the track.

We asked Ashley a few quick questions before her performance tonight:

Coffee or Tea?
Tea on the daily.

When did you first discover The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?My husband and I fell in love 5 years ago at The Coffee Bean at Ventura and Whitsett in Studio City. We would meet there every morning and talk until lunch... We still go there every morning. Hi Colin!

What is your favorite drink from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?Double vanilla tea latte. Bam.

If you could use any famous song title to name a drink, what would it be?
My Winding Wheel – Ryan Adams

If you could play a duet with anyone on the Stageit / Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf series who would it be?Neil Finn... or perhaps slightly more doable – the legendary Matt Nathanson.

Get in touch with Ashley Arrsion: 

https://www.facebook.com/ashleyarrisonmusic
http://twitter.com/#!/ashleyarrison

Tonight's Show:

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®
June 29 - Ashley Arrison - 7pm
16101 Ventura Blvd., Suite 180
Encino CA, 91316 http://www.stageit.com/ashley_arrison/live_from_the_coffee_bean/3180

Last Night at The Coffee Bean

If you were able to join us last night, in-store or streaming LIVE online from StageIt.com you know firsthand, Larry Bagby rocked out at The Coffee Bean country style.

In our previous post, an interview with Larry Bagby, we revealed his favorite drink – an iced mocha. Fans who came to see Larry received $1 off his drink of choice or 10% off their drink of choice!

Who would you like to see perform LIVE at The Coffee Bean in the Stageit Summer Concert Series?

Larry Bagby LIVE at The Coffee Bean

CB: First thing's first! Do you prefer Coffee or Tea?
LB: I prefer CofTea. It's a combo of coffee and tea... combined with cough syrup. I'm joking. What I really love is a good iced herbal tea or the ice blended rock and roll! I like them even without the coffee, even the flavor gets me pumped! Love it love it love it!!! Did I mention love it love it love it?

CB: So it's neither nor.. oh and you might have mentioned you love it but perhaps it's just the CofTea talking? We are glad to hear it! So what's your favorite drink?
LB: Beaneeeeee Bagby (Beanie Baby)
I love the Cafe Mocha or just a good old hot chocolate. Whatever kind of chocolate drink the bean throws in the cup I dig. I prefer the real sugar, but the no sugar added cafe mocha rocks and makes me feel wild and at home, for I'm a loco local.

CB: And loco for cocoa it seems! So when did you first discover The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf? Is there any kind of story, special moment or experience you'd like to share?
LB: I was playing at the ASCAP artist lounge up in Sundance, Utah. My friend's art lounge was taken over by Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and that's how I got hooked. Now I go there every day and refer to it as my office. My friends and family laugh because what musician and actor has an office? We are supposed to be waking up at the crack of noon on some random couch or as the old joke goes, "What do you call a musician without a girlfriend?" Homeless. So you could say Coffee Bean keeps me from having to tie myself down to one girl and it keeps me off the streets and makes me get my feet tapping to my country rock and roll beat!!!

CB: A muscian and a comedian, ok now we're really excited to see you play live! If you could use any famous song title to name a drink, what would it be?
LB: "Take it easy!" I would be singing that to myself while I'm spending all day at the bean on the net, drinking, and eating my breakfast, brunch, and lunch. If I keep going a midnight snack. I would skip dinner. I'm watching the weight!

CB: We would love to hear it! If you could play a duet with anyone on the Stageit / Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf series who would it be?LB: Like anyone in the entire world of music and musicians?
CB: Yep, anyone!
LB: Hmmmm... if I could pick anyone it would be Carrie Underwood or Allison Krause or however you spell her name. I love both of those voices and Carrie Underwood is one of my country crushes. Oh! And I have to throw in Tina Turner. I think her soul would make me step it up and sing my best, so her too. Oh and one more for shinikeys and gigglins. Angelina Jolie. I know I have issues with spelling celeb names, but I wouldn't let her see how I spelled it or you wouldn't right? She may not even sing, but I would just make her stand there while I sing to her and stare in a romantic and not creepy way. That might be the challenge and where the actor in me would have to take over. How do you not look at her in that? You know... kind of way. I am a good man, but I ain't blind.

CB: All right, all right, but the upcoming show features someone we're really excited to see live, and that's you! Larry Bagby! Anything you want to tell the fans to prepare them for what their in for?
LB: Bring your favorite Coffee Bean gift card and put on your flip flops or cowboy boots and listen to the sweet sounds of the Bagby Crying and Croonin!

P.S. If you bring a Bean Bagby, then we will give you 10% off your Bagby music and your bean drink! Beaneeebagbys! Or wear a coffee beanee in the summer for two of my songs and get a free cd... towel to wipe yourself down will be provided. You will need it while the California sunshine beams down upon your beanie cover head.

June 21 - Larry Bagby 7pm
1772-A East Avenida De Los Arboles
Thousand Oaks CA, 91362
http://www.stageit.com/larry_bagby/live_from_the_coffee_bean/3104

Artist info:
https://www.facebook.com/larrybagbymusic
http://twitter.com/#!/larrybagby

Meet Eric Lumiere

We are extremely excited to bring you our 3rd LIVE concert with Eric Lumiere from our Summer Concert Series through Stageit.com.

Stageit is an online venue that allows musicians to stream exclusive LIVE concerts to fans. This week Eric Lumiere performed in front of a store full of fans as well as into his laptop where more fans watched to cheer him on through Stageit's chat room feed.

We had the chance to ask Eric a few questions about his love for music and The Coffee Bean right before his set.

CB: Here’s a tough one for you - Coffee or Tea?
Eric: Tea

CB: Ah! A tea man! What’s your favorite tea from our stores?
Eric: Japanese cherry green iced teaCB: Great choice! And when was it that you first discovered The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?
Eric: I have no idea, but I must have been thirsty and needed some good coffee or tea!

CB: You certainly came to the right place! One last question for you, if you could play a duet with anyone on the Stageit/Coffee Bean summer concert series, who would it be?
Eric: Adele, Skylar Grey, or Stevie Nicks

CB: Well we would love to have any of those artists in store as well, let us know when you work out a performance date! Thanks Eric, we are looking forward to seeing you perform LIVE here at The Coffee Bean and through Stageit.com.

Tell us where we can go to follow your journey in music beyond tonight.

Eric: Thanks Coffee Bean, you can ‘like’ me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ericlumieremusic and follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/ericlumiere