Doors open at 5pm, event starts at 6

Author John Bare is a photographer, songwriter, and former journalist who has worked for more than two decades in the nonprofit sector. With Don Dixon, John wrote songs for the 2019 album, Lassie James Songbook Vol. I, a collection of twelve original songs inspired by his novel. John was born in Winston-Salem and attended public schools in Garner, NC, where his parents were educators. He attended the University of North Carolina, where he studied film as an undergraduate, received a PhD in mass communication research, and developed an appreciation for biscuits, whiskey, and live music. John shares his house with rescue dogs Winston and Isadora.

John Bare will be joined by Don Dixon. Dixon has produced acts including REM and the Gin Blossoms as well as created 8 studio albums of his own, one live album, two with his wife and performs on many others. He has many production credits to his name for recording companies like RCA, Capitol Records, Columbia and more.

Despite his national and international fame, many locally know him from the band Arrogance from Chapel Hill, NC and flourished in this 1970s and 1980s and reunited in 2000 for a performance at the North Carolina Museum of Art Amphitheater.

at The Neon Rooster (previously Rooster's Wife)

This event is free, registration is required due to limited space.

Autographed books will be available for purchase.

Fair-skinned Brunette with the Porcelain Shine

On a Monday night in October, Lassie James sits in Pig Farm Tavern in Chapel Hill when Dr. Holly Pike appears. She electrifies the room, but all Lassie can think about is how she ran out on him when they were going to get married. Just ghosted him all those years ago. Before Lassie can process his old feelings for her, Dr. Pike's reappearance in his life takes a surprise turn . . .

Dr. Pike explains that her billion-dollar company, Gimghoul Research Labs, has been the target of anonymous emails alleging fraud. Signs point to a disgruntled researcher. Suddenly propositioned by Dr. Pike with an inside job that Lassie can't turn down-an inside job that will pay him five million dollars to track down the source of the anonymous emails-Lassie soon uncovers a murderous web of corruption.

When an important figure at UNC turns up murdered, and Lassie unexpectedly becomes a suspect, he must quickly work to connect the dots between the inside job, the murder, and Dr. Pike's company.

There is a fair-skinned brunette, she plants in the spring.

She wears a big hat, to keep her cheeks soft.

Her shoulders get red, in the Halifax sun.

She appears in my dreams, when angels carry me off.

She hangs jeans on her hips. And sheets on the line.

The fair-skinned brunette. With the porcelain shine.

From the Lassie James Songbook Vol. I

By John Bare & Don Dixon