Jon Pontrello’s Website

A few weeks ago I met up with Clay Eals down at the Seattle ferry terminal. He is a local historian and writer for the blog “Seattle Now & Then” that appears in the Sunday edition of the Seattle Times. The story was published online via the Seattle Times yesterday, and will be in print in the Pacific NW magazine section this Sunday, January 7th 2024.

Here is a link to the Seattle Times article: https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/the-1904-calamity-of-the-ss-clallam-and-the-warning-from-billy-the-sheep/

And here is the link from “Seattle Now & Then” which features the article, but also a lot of archival material, old newspaper articles, a video interview and performance of the song.

https://pauldorpat.com/2024/01/04/seattle-now-then-steamer-clallam-circa-1903/

My favorite piece that Clay found focuses on Billie, the Bellwether sheep. Make sure to check out the blog post for more stuff like this:

We also did a short interview and video performance of “The Bellwether Sheep of the Mosquito Fleet” that are both linked on his blog. Here is the interview if you want to learn how I got into writing nonfiction historical maritime music, and my philosophy on music/songwriting/teaching ect.

Make sure to tune into 91.3 FM KBCS on Monday, January 8th at 1pm to hear an on-air live performance for the release day! Tickets are available for Thursday evening 1/11, and Saturday matinee 1/13 at the Rabbit Box Theatre. Get your tickets asap though because Thursday is almost sold out!

• Thursday, January 11th – Featured Artists: Jon Pontrello, Dean Johnson, and Mike Dumovich
  • Time: Doors @ 7p | Music @ 8p
  • 🎟️ 1/11 Ticket Link

• Saturday Matinee, January 13th – Featured Artists: Jon Pontrello, Elise Poirier, and Robert Leslie
  • Time: Doors @ 3p | Music @ 4p
  • 🎟️ 1/13 Ticket Link