4/19/26. Shows was able to attend the closing night of the 344 2nd Street Open Mic Series. This is the venue where he started doing readings from his book “The Footless Girls Of Camp C.” The book was released in paperback and Kindle versions in January of 2024. Jean Tansey and Matt Warner were kind enough to let him do readings on numerous occasions throughout 2024 and 2025, most of which he recorded to video and are posted on Facebook Shows Leary, Or YouTube at @showsleary7631 and at the book’s website www.showsleary.com.

Those readings, and the amazing feedback he received, prodded him to think about narrating an audiobook version of his work. He did that narration at Joel Patterson’s Mountaintop Studio right around the corner in Petersburg. The audiobook was released in July of 2024 and has turned out to be very well received.

At the closing ceremony tonight he reminisced about the history of the book and the readings he performed.

Here is a chronology of those events:

1/4/24. Deena Chappell interview released.

1/21/24. Book released on Amazon paperback and Kindle

1/25/24 Interview on The Big Steve Show on Sirius radio and meeting or hearing from many deadheads.

7/2/24 Reading about Chapter 1 and going on my first hunting trip.

3/3/24. Reading from Chapter 30. The mission is completed and we get back to the FOB.

3/17/24. With Jean Tansey and John Cehowski at Alias Coffee House. Book signing and reception. Amy Modesti interview for SPOT 518.

4/8/24. Reading from Chapter 1 and “crooking a deer” which became a metaphor throughout the book.

5/3/24. Book available in libraries around the Capital Region.

5/5/24. Finding avocados (Chapter 18) and coming across a giant anaconda snake. (Chapter 18)

6/2/24 Reading from book about Shows tattoo design (Chapters throughout the book)

6/9/24.” If we could only” video by John Cehowski and how I used it in the audiobook.

7/7/24. Reading about wiggling ears and juggling and how I learned them early and how valuable they became later in life. (Chapters throughout the book)

7/9/24 Book available on Audible and worldwide through Spotify and numerous subsidiaries.

8/4/24. Two songs in the book – Concrete Blues (Chapter 9) and Alice De Tripp (Chapter 8). One about working construction and one about tripping on LSD.

9/1/24 Love hate relationship with SPAM, MCI’s and jungle food – snake, capybara, iguana, greens, tabasco and whatsthishere sauce. (Chapters throughout the book)

11/9/24. Author’s appreciation event at Rustic Barn Pub. Thanks to Jody Brenenstuhl for the hook up.

12/4/24. Reading from Chapters 3 and 4 about Watkins Glen.

2/10/25. Cynthia Pooler YouTube interview. Local Everywhere

April 2026. Liam Sweeny Experience Monthly interview coming out in May 26 issue.

My gracious thanks are extended to:

Robin Carlson for her fantastic support and understanding, while the book came to fruition.

John Cehowski for the song “If We Could Only”, which is included in the audiobook version.

Deena Chappell for her editing

Mike DuBois cover artwork

Matt Warner and Jean Tansey  who allowed readings and their determined support and promotion of the book.

Joel Patterson  audio engineer for the audiobook version.

Amy Modesti, Interview SPOT 518.

Everyone who has read the book and reviewed or commented, which at this point is too voluminous to credit. Please know that I am grateful to all readers and commenters. I love replying to questions and comments. Hit me up at showsleary@gmail.com.