Beth Patterson

The adventures of a subversive traveling musician/writer. A shameless misfit mongrel obsessed with world domination and chocolate.

Bass player for whatever comes my way, bouzouki player in Spinal Tap II, choir member in Sinners, joke archivist in the Seán Heely Celtic Band.

08/27/2026

There’s a rare and unique energy getting to witness someone else’s soundcheck. To the band, it can be a quick—and hopefully painless—routine. But to an outsider, listening in on a King's X soundcheck and watching them interact with their crew filled my head with ideas. That’s my little face peeking out from behind dUg Pinnick. I didn’t take any photos or footage of the soundcheck (because frankly, I wouldn’t like it much if someone did that to me). I just savored it all, then got to talk shop, and life, a little with them. I now want to see if a thin bass strap like what dUg makes is really more ergonomically pleasing for my back. (Then again, I’m convinced that dUg is comprised of lightning and laughter.)

The performance was epic, of course. Need you ask?

Much love to Li and Py-Tor for bringing the vibe up to eleven (and hitting Scott up for an autograph…we’ll find a way for him to sign that Crunchy CD!). And much love to Scott for being the catalyst. I guess it’s good to be the King.

08/19/2026

(First pic by Jim Wetherbee.)

I’m beginning to wrap up my summer tour in Norfolk, at Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant until Sunday. I’m grateful for all the venues that welcomed my music, the folks who came to hear me, friends I got to catch up with, people I met, places I saw, and things I got to experience. And the adventures aren’t quite over yet.

Next up: I’ll be kicking off September at Dragon Con!

08/16/2026

Okay, you guys, this is super cute. This single (and the forthcoming record) is part of Confetti Park’s mission for children’s music, with a Louisiana-themed children’s music radio show and community choir. My fellow Spinal Tappers (aka Pub Band/Ordóg) are on several tracks with me. Check out the new single here!

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/confettiparkplayers/children-at-sea

08/15/2026

Another roadside attraction! (I forgot to ask Helen if it was okay for me to jump out from behind the sign and yell “WOOGA BOOGA!” at passersby.)

08/10/2026

My little mini-gig marathon is fast approaching! Here’s what’s coming up.

Friday, August 14th: Cryer’s Back Road Inn, Leonardtown, MD, 6-10 PM. Everyone was so hip to the singalongs the last time, I’m gathering more cards up my sleeve for the next one.

Saturday, August 15th: Helen’s Café, Leonardtown, MD, 6 PM. I nabbed food here on my way out of town the last time, and just fell in love with the place. Helen is all kinds of awesome.

Tuesday, August 18th-Saturday, August 22nd: Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant, Norfolk, VA. You all know the drill! I don’t play “that song,” but I play “that other song, and now you’re an honorary Aussie.” Come hang!

08/07/2026

About to check sound, and Maxwell (short for Maxwell’s Silver Hammerhead) has an important question: which jumps out at you more, “American Dream” or “Dream Theater”? The answer might shark me.

We might still have some tickets on hold! Can’t wait to join the gang again.

07/28/2026

Here’s a beast I haven’t played in a while! Since I got my Geddy bass, my six-string Yamaha TRB hasn’t gotten as much love, but I really need the range on this particular song. Although the hand stretch gave me severe longing for a multiscale 5-string bass. Those are soooo ergonomically pleasing to the hand. Ever since I tried one that belongs to my friend Nathan, it’s kicked me into severe gear lust. (I know, I know…I have gear priorities that override this. Cue the “distracted boyfriend” meme.)

I knew that my band mate Lucas Ashby was the perfect choice of folks to work with on this number. He’s been helping me get out of my own ruts. Not just in making references to bass players I don’t often emulate (like Robert Trujillo and Fieldy), but also references to other genres of music, such as the Gnawa music I heard and loved in Morocco.

Where is this going to end up? Right now, I have no idea. I think some of the best endeavors start out that way.

07/25/2026

Did I have moving robotic lights descending from the scaffolding, CG design, or animation projected all around me like Rush? Well, no. But I had this sound-activated bee, and I’ll bet Rush didn’t have one of those! It gave me extra motivation to keep the energy level high, because I was like, “Man, I’ve gotta keep this bee lit.”

I have so many people to thank. Maryland Meadworks (and Ken, Jenna, and Lindsay), and everyone who came out to make last night a magical one. Also big thanks to cryersbackroadinn (and NOLA Ken, Heather, Mrs. McFadden, the staff, the gleefully participatory crowd, and the Threadhead Cultural Foundation.

Now I’m off to the practice dungeon/recording cave. Next public show will be at the Z Theater in Virginia Beach with the Seán Heely Celtic Band on August 7th. Come on out!

PS. In the comedy music world, The FuMP’s latest compilation CD includes my co-write “Stalkers with Stickers.” I think I’m now on about thirty of their CDs, and I never get tired of this. You can find it here: https://thefump.com/store/release/319

07/16/2026

Why I loaded up as fast as I could after this past weekend’s festival, drove half the night, and caught an early morning flight out of BWI. I was one of the folks who had to navigate around Rush postponing twice, but as the lyric goes, “Nothing can stop you now.” It was all worth it…they were in amazing form, Anika Nilles nailed the parts, and Loren Gold added some beautiful and crucial parts without my brain thinking, “Interloper!”

We now return to our regularly scheduled woodshedding and gigs. Hope to see some of you in Leonardtown, MD this Saturday!

07/11/2026

Day One of Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, Inc. was a whirlwind! It’s great to see some old friends, even when we’re all running to our sets and barely have time for “Hi! Bye!” (And thanks to Kim Forry for the action shot.)

The newest addition to the Seán Heely swag is this wearable USB drive. It contains six albums, including our duo CD and the two full-band albums I played on. Plus, I think it looks pretty snazzy. Even if this bauble doesn’t match the rest of your garb, if you put it on, I guarantee you aren’t going to lose it. (The USB drive, that is.)

Address

5301 Tuckerman Ln
North Bethesda, MD
20852

Website

http://www.bethpattersonmusic.com/

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