Heartfelt Tale of Blue Note by Markus Pierson

“Blue Note”

By Markus Pierson -

2024

“nate longstepper will one day pass on to that great encore in the sky, but when he does it will be somewhat redundant, as he is already part of eternity. It all started some years back when nate, a long-suffering musician with big dreams, was playing lead guitar with a band called “the tirekickers.” He was right in the middle of a capably done but unremarkable improv solo on the tirekickers’ only hit, “she won’t cook my bacon,” when he spotted her in the crowd: the legendary “Roxanne the rio rough-houser.” As everyone knew, she was trouble. She was fresh from the fight, down for the struggle, right on the money and flush with cash after recently divorcing her third billionaire, baron gott bupkus. She winked at nate and the next thing you know it was Tuesday and neither had slept since Saturday night. Nate fell hard. By Wednesday he could already smell the fresh paint on the white-picket-fence protecting the well-manicured lawn that lovingly surrounded the small but gracious post-war bungalow that they would grow old in together. Strangely, the same was true for Roxanne. At long last – true love. They made plans to make plans after his gig that coming Friday. The tirekickers spent their rehearsals beforehand warning him about her. They all made bets with him that when she came to their gig on Friday night she would show up late – and she wouldn’t be alone. Roxanne knew nothing about all this, of course, so when her Bugatti got a flat tire en-route to the show she didn’t give a second thought about inviting the nice, kind mechanic to be her guest at the tirekickers’ show. Well, the tirekickers came out for their third set. Nate looked out at the crowd and saw she had finally arrived …. And she wasn’t alone. Reflexively, he picked up his guitar and out it came – a note so blue, so heartbreaking, so pure in its beautiful truth that everyone left. They simply couldn’t take it. Roxanne had every intention of explaining herself the next day – until she walked down her street. Everyone was talking of the history that had been made the night before. They said nate’s performance was transcendent, almost as if god himself had summarized the perils of love and had used nate to express it in one perfect “BLUE NOTE”. overnight, nate had become what he’d always dreamed of being. Roxanne had a decision to make, and she decided to do something she’d never done before: she put someone else above herself and her desires. For years after that she never missed one of nate’s shows, and she always hired a date to accompany her. Nate became a giant, a musical legend. Eventually nate commissioned national guitar company to make him “LEFTY,” a one-string, left-handed guitar. For him it symbolized life post-roxanne – A world turned upside-down. For all his success, he was miserable. He even had ‘LEFTY’ fitted with a custom picture-holder so a photo of Roxanne could watch his tears fall. Every weekend it would happen again: nate and lefty would take the stage in front of a packed-house, he’d see Roxanne with a date, and out it would come: one long, mind-bendingly sad note. and every night the show would end with only one person left, the only person able to withstand the sadness: Roxanne. When he finished, he’d look straight at her, take one tiny nibble of a delicious pear – and leave. It took a long, long time for nate to realize what was really going on …. But he did. And on the night he finally figured it all out, he came on stage, took lefty in hand and played just one song, an upbeat little ditty he had just written backstage called, “I’m ‘bout to get some bacon cooked.” Afterward he walked out into the crowd and took Roxanne by the hand. They left together, smiling, and headed off in the direction of the all-night hardware store. They were hoping to buy some fence paint. The end.”

Inquiries

The Cast

Coyote Series Artis Markus Pierson and TELLURADO owner Mitch Schwenke throwing up the signature “Viceroy Victory” pose celebrating a beauty of a day while playing Creekside in the northern Maine backyard of Markus Pierson. TELLURADO STUDIO, a cozy refuge in its 3rd year, offers up exclusively the Fine Art of the “Coyote Series”, cool logoed outdoor provisions and excellent Craft Cocktails. A place to hideout, hang your hat and throwback one of our famous Oakwood Smoked “Old Fashioned” while taking in the tales of reckless footloose souls, crazy romance and philosophy by Coyote Series Artist Markus Pierson.

Markus Pierson

The Artist

The Coyote Series, inspired by the Joni Mitchell song Coyote, was created by Michigan native Markus Pierson in 1986. Markus is much more than just the creator; after 36 years he has become the muse and inspiration for thousands of dreamers, adventurers and romancers. And not necessarily in that order.

After a near-fatal bout with Crohn’s Disease, Markus dove in hard, painting billboards by day for a living and working into the night on his “Coyotes.” To the wall above his desk he taped these words, “No one works this hard and this smart – and has it come to nothing.” Within a year, he walked out of Artexpo in NYC with commitments from 110 art galleries across the country.

Today you could find Markus spending time with his wife Sher and their 4 dogs at the “Optimism Farm” in Maine. Painting, writing or a brisk workout on his motocross track, his days are happy and his “Cup of Gratitude” full.

Mitch Schwenke

The Proprietor

Owner, operator, bartender, cook and chief bottle washer, Mitch, the Viceroy of all the worlds dreamers, had been dreaming of setting up shop in this gorgeous ol’ mining town for several years. Those dreams and the bountiful journey to get here became reality in the fall of 2020. Chances are you’ll catch him in shorts, a ballcap and his Harley parked out front but don’t let that fool you. As a four-decade restaurateur by trade, he has just enough experience to be dangerous and pull this off … or pull the wool over your eyes. He also owns the Blue Coyote Supper Club in Ft. Myers, Fl. going on 21 years.

Alex Avedikian

The Utility Player

What happens when you toss 3 parts designer, one part shady bartender and a smidgeon of bathroom attendant in a gunny sack? Well that would be Alex … aka “Alvin.” When he’s not humping at his Graphic Design and Web firm in Minneapolis or shoeing some old horse on his farm in southern Minnesota, ya might find him torching a “Smokey” at the bar, tightening up the next piece of “Swag” or cursing the aptly named POS system at the studio. He doesn’t grace us with his presence nearly enough, but when he does you have two choices … either run for the hills or tighten up your laces for the wild ride. Let it go Baby!

Sarah and Kyle

Kyle and Sarah

Mixologists and Host Extraordinaires

Kyle and Sarah, hailing from complete opposite corners of the Universe, vastly different brain washings and a tad bit o’ contrast in lifetime throwdowns, offer up watered-down libations, a few white lies and plenty of verbal abuse. Naaah, just jivin! A pair of the towns best… twisting up country club pours, sneaky inside Telluride knowledge and smiles from ear to ear. Are ya here yet?

Fun Pics