Silverleaf 22 Dec 2025

Posted by Blue - 28 December 2025

Tags: blog Silverleaf

The Songwriter’s Open Mic at Dan’s Silverleaf Hosted by Justin Collins

Dan’s Silverleaf is home to a weekly Monday-night Songwriter’s Open Mic hosted by Justin Collins.

Justin Collins opening the mic at Dan's Silverleaf, 22 December 2025. — Justin Collins opening the mic at Dan’s Silverleaf, 22 December 2025.

It’s worth a visit just for Justin’s opening performance.

My two songs:x

This particular event features, on average, two songs for each performer.

On 8 December, when I was last at the Open Mic at Dan’s, I had a random conversation with my buddy, James Burns.

The following bit of smouldering sexy is James:

Yeah, it’s giving me the vapors too.

So we were having a random conversation about fingerpicking. As a result of this brief exchange, I decided to play two of the songs that I usually choose to fingerpick.

Partial to Grey

My first song of the night was, “Partial to Grey”.

My favorite version of the song appears on, Bloody Wonderful. It’s a fully arranged studio version, and sounds like I hear the song in my head when I’m performing it alone on an acoustic guitar.

“Partial to Grey” first appeared on my 2002 album, Something Borrowed Something and has been a mainstay of my live performances since the very beginning of the Booze Monkey duo era.

Expand for lyrics and details.

Partial to Grey

I’d like to re-map
the world’s palette of colors
if only just for one day
The sky would be green
as an ocean of clovers
and I’ve always been
partial to grey

I’d like to name
a drink after Socrates
This would surely
provide me a grin
I march with pride
in Irony’s parade
and next annum
I will do so again

I’d like to freeze
a single icicle
from the branch
on the tree by my home
they always arrive
in cluttered battalions
and I’ve seldom
ever seen one alone

I’d like to
preserve this moment
as the flame
it reflects in your eyes
an instant of joy
soon to be lost
in a world
of sadness and lies

I’d like to re-map
the world’s palette of colors
I think the clouds
would look fine in beige
I would paint the sun
just a little less harsh
you know
I’ve always been
partial to grey

Words and music by Blue Ajay
© 2002 ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec, Inc. ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission

“Partial to Grey” appears on:

Fire Ring (melt the day away)

My second song for the night, “Fire Ring (melt the day away)” also appears on Bloody Wonderful, though it was written new for that album.

It’s my contribution to the camp-fire-song ouvre.

Expand for lyrics and details.

Fire Ring (melt the day away)

I’m gonna play my guitar
I’m gonna kick my heels and sing
I’m gonna open up these pipes
and let these hollers ring

I’m gonna pack my day away
greet my evening, namaste
Buddha via Sasquatch, Hey!
It’s the Appalachian way

I ply my trade, I stake my claim
all engaged with truest aim
the fire ring gonna melt the day away

I’ve tired feet and a quiet mind
Yesterday’s done gone behind
The fire ring gonna melt the day away

There’s sunlight on the suffix of
the next breeze come our way
The fire ring gonna melt the day away – 2x

I ply my trade, I stake my claim
all engaged with truest aim
the fire ring gonna melt the day away

I’ve tired feet and a quiet mind
Yesterday’s done gone behind
The fire ring gonna melt the day away

There’s sunlight on the suffix of
the next breeze come our way
The fire ring gonna melt the day away

Words and music by Blue Ajay
Written 2 May 2017
© ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec, Inc. ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission

“Fire Ring (melt the day away)” appears on:
- Bloody Wonderful

Snapshots

Christina wasn’t present this night. She was feeling under the weather and remained at home.

Usually Christina and I both take photographs with our phones. We attempt to get one or two flattering photos of each performer. Then I muck up the pix using Hipstamatic.

With Christina’s absence, I was fortunate to have three friends who made a point of snapping pix of my performance. Their kind gesture resulted in some delightful shots. Furthermore, they all agreed to let me muck up their efforts with heavy-handed over-editing as I’m clearly wont to do.

In addition to the pix of my performance, James Burns also captured photos of Leanne Schultz who performed after I’d left for the night.

Unless there were more sign-ups after I departed, the only performer that we missed entirely was Patrick Smith. It’s our loss, Patrick is great. He often performs late, once I have returned to pumpkin form. When possible, I struggle to remain awake past my transformation to gourd just to see/hear Patrick. But alas, this night, I couldn’t last.

Yeah, I heard it as I typed it.

All of these photos were taken by me, James Burns, Ramiro Muniz, or Reanna Boydstun on Monday 22 December 2025 at Dan’s Silverleaf in Denton TX.

Thanks so much James, Miro and Reanna. You’re all bloody wonderful.

– Blue